misse320
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 10, 2009
- Messages
- 143
Welcome to my first pre-trip report.
Last week we booked a trip for December 2012. My world doesn't seem to feel complete unless we have a trip booked. Even if it's far in the future, being able to start planning makes the fun start for me! This trip will be our fourth trip in the last 4 years. The plan was to hold out until June 2013, but who can wait that long!!!
Here is a little info about us:
I've been a Disney nut my whole life. Growing up, I was only able to visit the parks twice. Once with my family and once with a friend whose family was nice enough to let me tag along.
My husband never had the chance to visit WDW as a kid. His family was too big and they could never afford it. When we got married, I suggested that we go for our honeymoon. He thought that was a ridiculous idea. He had no interest in Disney. "It sounds hot, crowded, and expensive!" he would say. He learned soon enough.
Within the first 5 years of our marriage, we had 3 kids. I'd mention Disney once in a while, but he would still say, "We could take a trip to Europe for that much money." He just wasn't into it until our oldest two kids, both girls, really got sucked into the world of Disney Princesses. They loved the Disney Channel, loved all the movies, and loved to dress up. That won him over and we booked our first trip for May of 2009. Our son was only a year old so we left him at home with Grandparents and took off with the girls.
We stayed at Wilderness Lodge for that first trip. It was spectacular! We loved the hotel, but didn't love the weather. That week it rained, and rained, and then rained some more. Friends told us to buy ponchos and deal with it, but it wasn't that kind of rain! We did buy ponchos, and we dealt the best we could, but I think it rained close to 20 inches that week (that is not an exaggeration). It just never let up!
Even through the rain, we had a magical trip. From that point on, my husband was a convert. I think he wants to go more often than the kids or I do! About 9 months after that first trip, we became DVC members. That was the best money we've ever spent! We bought into Bay Lake and had a two bedroom suite for our second trip in October of 2010.
For our first trip with DVC, we took both sets of grandparents and all three kids. The weather was perfect!!! Mother nature owed us after the last time! We went to MNSSHP twice and got to sample some amazing food and wine at EPCOT. I highly recommend October to anyone who can go. It's beautiful!
We loved October so much we went back in 2011. Once again, we had perfect weather. We stayed at Saratoga Springs and only took one set of grandparents. Saratoga Springs was no Bay Lake, but at least we got to go. Being on the monorail line really spoils you! It's hard to go back to 100% buses.
Now for details about this trip! As I said above, we were resigned to waiting until June of 2013 before our next trip, but a change in jobs for me means more vacation time. What better to do with that time than book WDW for Christmas!!
We will be splitting our stay this time. Saturday - Tuesday at Old Key West, then Tuesday - Saturday back at Bay Lake.
With young kids, you just can't beat the convenience of walking to MK. We just booked last week and I'm trying to get my days planned so I can make ADRs in a few weeks. I've got a few questions I'd love some feedback on:1. CRT or 1900 PF? We've done CRT before. The girls loved it. We thought it was overpriced and rushed. We've never done 1900 PF. Our middle daughter will turn 7 on this trip. It will ultimately be her decision, but I'd love some advice to help sway her either way.
2. Also regarding the birthday princess, is there any special treatment we can expect for our birthday girl? I know they wear a button, but anything else?
3. I'd love some thoughts on how MVMCP compares to MNSSHP. Should we plan to do the party twice? I always thought that at MNSSHP there was too much to do to see everything in one night.
4. What are some of the "can't miss" Christmas decorations? Are there certain hotels we should make a point to see?
5. What is EPCOT all about at Christmas?
I think that's it for now. My next goal is to figure out how to post photos!!
to the DIS...finally!! ha ha! Ya know...we could have just gotten together and had wine....
Don't know how your DS will do, but the girls will probably love it. Ressies usually go on sale around early July. 
It's always so difficult to balance between places we know we like, and places we want to try. Our inclination is always to stick with the same place, but there is so much to try!
)
