daisyx3
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2009
- Messages
- 1,881
BACKGROUND:We are seasoned WDW vets who have decided to throw together a trip at the last minute for our spring break. I'm a teacher so I can't ever "pull kids out of school" or I would not have a paycheck! And the schools here don't have winter breaks, or jersey week--just Christmas, Easter, and summer.
We weren't going to go at all this year--saving our DVC points for June of 2011 when we celebrate our 25th anniversary. Things were tight last year but DH got a nice raise in December. This is the last spring break our oldest can go with us, as she will be in college next year and on a different schedule. This will be the 3rd Easter in a row we are at WDW, and possibly the last for a few years (often, the school district where I live and where I work have different breaks, as is the case in 2011).
We know enough to handle the crowds, get there early, use fastpasses, etc.
There are 5 of us: DH and I are both 46. DD#1 is 17, DD#2 is 14, and DS is 11. We are staying this time at POR. I know, I know, we'll be cramped! But we aren't in the room much, and we are trying to save a little. It is over a thousand less than the deluxe resorts for the 5 days. I don't get any codes or gift cards because it's Easter week. We will have an air mattress and sleeping bag in case the trundle is inadequate.
We plan to book the QSDD about 10 days before we go. We've never done that before, either--we've done the regular DDP, but we often feel bloated and gross by the end of the week. We have, however, booked Chef Mickey's for Easter--it's a family tradition to eat there at least once every trip--I tried to suggest something else, but the kids and DH wouldn't hear of it.
So here's where we are so far:
We have booked the 5 nights at POR. We will arrive early Saturday. We are driving, which we've only done once before. My plan is to hit the road at 4PM on Thursday 4/1 after school and get to somewhere about 2 hours out of WDW on Friday afternoon--hit a hotel and chill--and leave early Saturday to go check in. Room may not be ready, but we can hit a park. I want to do Epcot that day to see the Turtles at the Flower and Garden festival.
Sunday: Our Easter tradition the last 2 years has been a front row chair at typhoon lagoon! So we'll do that and then eat later in the evening at Chef Mickey's, and close down MK.
Monday: DHS at open. We like to do the big rides first, then chill and relax--best way to do it is at rope drop.
Tuesday: Epcot at open--since we'll have done a lot of WS our first day, we can do the stuff in FW.
Wednesday: MK at open (we will take the bus for this one). On the 3 park days, we can take breaks and go to the room or DD as we want to. We won't spend the whole day at one place.
Thursday: check out and hit a park before we leave about 4PM. Stay in McDonaough (sp?) Georgia or somewhere closer. Drive all day Friday--spend Friday night in with some relatives near Cinci--drive home Saturday.
As you see the driving part is a rough plan--I have a trip tik ordered. But the important stuff is taken care of--we have our water view room reserved with a 2nd floor river view request.
Wish us luck!
Daisyx3
We weren't going to go at all this year--saving our DVC points for June of 2011 when we celebrate our 25th anniversary. Things were tight last year but DH got a nice raise in December. This is the last spring break our oldest can go with us, as she will be in college next year and on a different schedule. This will be the 3rd Easter in a row we are at WDW, and possibly the last for a few years (often, the school district where I live and where I work have different breaks, as is the case in 2011).
We know enough to handle the crowds, get there early, use fastpasses, etc.
There are 5 of us: DH and I are both 46. DD#1 is 17, DD#2 is 14, and DS is 11. We are staying this time at POR. I know, I know, we'll be cramped! But we aren't in the room much, and we are trying to save a little. It is over a thousand less than the deluxe resorts for the 5 days. I don't get any codes or gift cards because it's Easter week. We will have an air mattress and sleeping bag in case the trundle is inadequate.
We plan to book the QSDD about 10 days before we go. We've never done that before, either--we've done the regular DDP, but we often feel bloated and gross by the end of the week. We have, however, booked Chef Mickey's for Easter--it's a family tradition to eat there at least once every trip--I tried to suggest something else, but the kids and DH wouldn't hear of it.
So here's where we are so far:
We have booked the 5 nights at POR. We will arrive early Saturday. We are driving, which we've only done once before. My plan is to hit the road at 4PM on Thursday 4/1 after school and get to somewhere about 2 hours out of WDW on Friday afternoon--hit a hotel and chill--and leave early Saturday to go check in. Room may not be ready, but we can hit a park. I want to do Epcot that day to see the Turtles at the Flower and Garden festival.
Sunday: Our Easter tradition the last 2 years has been a front row chair at typhoon lagoon! So we'll do that and then eat later in the evening at Chef Mickey's, and close down MK.
Monday: DHS at open. We like to do the big rides first, then chill and relax--best way to do it is at rope drop.
Tuesday: Epcot at open--since we'll have done a lot of WS our first day, we can do the stuff in FW.
Wednesday: MK at open (we will take the bus for this one). On the 3 park days, we can take breaks and go to the room or DD as we want to. We won't spend the whole day at one place.
Thursday: check out and hit a park before we leave about 4PM. Stay in McDonaough (sp?) Georgia or somewhere closer. Drive all day Friday--spend Friday night in with some relatives near Cinci--drive home Saturday.
As you see the driving part is a rough plan--I have a trip tik ordered. But the important stuff is taken care of--we have our water view room reserved with a 2nd floor river view request.
Wish us luck!
Daisyx3