First Ever Pre-Trip Report for First Timer--June 7-15, 2008!

[P&B's Mom]

Before reading, I am sure I posted this a few weeks back with a few responses but cannot seem to find it on the boards. The search is not working correctly and I did not save it as a subscription--will not make that mistake again.

Anyways, the first posting was what I was thinking a couple of weeks back. The second posting is after making ADR's earlier this week. All advice is welcome and needed.

I have been planning our June 7-15, 2008 trip since August. I have posted a few questions, but this is my first "Pre-trip Report". If I would have begun this thread when I began planning, it would be hundreds of pages by now!

I have devoured every guidebook possible, now have my Deluxe Passporters in hand, found many great websites, and am officially "hooked" before I have even set foot on Disney property!

We have paid for about 60% of the trip already, have airline tickets, joined National Emerald Club (still need to reserve cars), bought the kids lanyards already with some pins, and bought a WDW Belle dress from E-bay because it would be my luck that they wouldn't have my daughter's size.

Things left in the near future--"tweek" ADRs, rent ECV for grandpa, rent cars, try to reserve Wishes cruise 90 days out, and make necessary arrangements for our Seaworld/Cape Canaveral day.

I am looking for advice from the veterans. I know this pre-trip report is somewhat long, but I just want to make sure that it is "perfect" for my family because none of of have ever been to WDW before and I am sure it is the only time my parents will be able to make such a trip because of age and health.

Here's our cast--
Six are traveling 6/7-15, 2008.
Me(39), DH(39), DS(5--high-functioning autism), DD(9), my mom(63), my dad (66--diabetic/minor mobility issues, but renting ECV).

We are spending our first night at DTD Doubletree and then checking into 2-bedroom at the BCV. Hopefully we will get our requests--first floor, near elevator if not on first floor, close to lobby, dedicated two-bedroom, and courtyard view. We don't care about Epcot view, two queen beds, etc.

Since TGM has not posted his June 2008 recommendations yet, I am basing much of this on last year's recommendations (that's right--I have signed up for that too!) and currently scheduled EMH published by WDW. We are early risers, back to hotel each afternoon, TS each night, hang out at parks until fireworks or even earlier, etc. Back to hotel at decent time because of exhaustion! Staying at BCV, so will eat most breakfasts in room, except for (hopefully) two character breakfasts. Will also try to schedule most TS dinners between 5-6 p.m. because of autistic son and diabetic grandpa.

6/7
Arrive MCO 12:30 p.m.
Renting two cars through National (Emerald Isle Club--thanks Mousesavers!)
Staying at DTD Doubletree today only
BBB in DTD for DD(9) about 3 p.m.
DS can go to Lego Store
HDDR for 7:30 p.m.--driving rental car (what time leave for HDDR from DTD?)
Watch Electical Boat Pageant and Wishes? Where suggest?
Will not have our WDW passes until tomorrow

6/8
Wake up early
Go get passes at BCV & check-in, but know will not get our room
MK @ rd or morning
Attempt to get CRT or Cape May character breakfast as back-up--the earlier the better!
CS lunch at MK
Back to BCV for check-in
ADR @ Hollywood & Vine
Stay for Fantasmic at MGM

6/9
Me, DD, DS to Seaworld
DH, my mom, my dad to Cape Canaveral/Daytona USA
CS near/at resort
Illuminations on beach or monorail to MK for fireworks--Advice?

6/10
AK @ rd
CS @ AK
Stay for AK parade
Back to BCV
Drop off one rental car @ Dolphin
Clambake @ Cape May after 6 p.m.
Movies on beach or watch fireworks or walk around Boardwalk?--Advice?

6/11
MK @ rd
Attempt CRT if didn't get it already
CS at MK or BC
Back to BCV in afternoon
Split family for dinner
DH, DS, DD, me @ Crystal Palace
Spectro/Fireworks
Grandparents @ Le Celier and then they can decide

6/12
MGM @ rd
CS in MGM
Back to BCV in afternoon
Dinner @ Chef Mickey
Spectro/Wishes Cruise?

6/13
Cape May Breakfast if didn't already
Epcot @ rd
CS @ Epcot
Back to BCV in afternoon
Mini-golf in afternoon?
Norway Princess dinner
Boardwalk/Fireworks/Boat to MGM?--Advice?

6/14
MK @ rd
CRT if not already
CS in MK
Back to BCV in afternoon
Drop off rental car at Dolphin
Split family for dinner
DH and me to Yachtsman Steakhouse
DD, DS, grandparents to Garden Grill character meal in Epcot
Meet up for Illuminations or monorail to Poly to see Wishes on the beach?--Advice?

6/15
No TS today
Let the day take us to where we need to go
Leave BCV by 4 p.m. to catch 7 p.m. flight home
Sleep on the way home and dream of our next trip!

Seems like a lot, but I am trying to follow the advice that I have read on the boards and through TGM. Let me know what you think!

Thanks in advance.

 

[P&B's Mom]

Here is my update after making ADR's earlier this week. There is one or two that I may change the time somewhat, but nothing drastic.

Well, my 180-day mark has come and gone. Here is my update. Needless to say, I have felt very relaxed since 6:30 a.m. (Central Time) because all of my ADR's are made and confirmed. Thanks to everyone on the boards--those of you that answered my questions along with other posts that I "lurked" on for many hours.

Even though it seems like a lot of TS and we might even be over on our meals and will have to pay cash for one, we need to eat good, healthy dinners most nights because DGP is diabetic. He also needs to keep his dinner time approximately to what it is when not at WDW. We are renting an ECV for him and will keep one of our rental cars from National Emerald Isle most of the week. I know we probably will not need it, but I have found that the older people get, the less amount of patience they possess. This is especially true for the two seniors going on this trip! Also, DS is high-functioning autistic and have read many suggestions that character meals were a much less stressful situation for character interactions.

6/7
Arrival MCO @ 12:30 p.m.
Rental cars for total of six people--reserving two midsize from National Emerald Isle. Hopefully there will be at least one larger car, but if not, we will be fine.
Staying at DTD Doubletree tonight only
Explore DTD--Lego Store, Once Upon a Toy, Scrapbook Store
BBB @ 3:00 p.m. for DD(9)
DH can check-in @ 3:00 p.m.
HDDR @ 7:15 p.m.--Tier 1
Back to hotel and call it a night

6/8
Check-in BCV asap to get tickets--get room later
I have a problem, but a good one. DH and I both called this morning and each secured a CRT reservation. We put one on DDP and other on credit card. Need to decide which one--
CRT 8:10 a.m. or 12:10 p.m.--NEED ADVICE!!!!!!!
MK until early afternoon
Get into BCV room
Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic Package @ 5:20 p.m.--would have liked a little later, but all that was available within our time frame
Look for Mr. Incredible for DS(5), if he is out and about
Fantasmic Show and right back to hotel

6/9
Seaworld for DM, DS, DD
Cape Canaveral for DH, DGM, DGP
No big plans for evening because have no idea what time everyone will be back. If we have any energy left, CS or pizza in room, go over to Boardwalk, watch movie on beach, explore resort, swim at SAB, or watch Illuminations from beach. We might all just go back to the room and sleep--let the night take us away.

6/10
AK until parade @ 4 p.m.
Cape Clambake at 5:45 p.m.--want later time and will call back on exact 180-day on 12/13, but at least have the reservation
Same evening plans as 6/9
Return one rental car today or sometime tomorrow

6/11
MK
Back to BCV early afternoon
DH, DS, DD, and me to Crystal Palace @ 6:10 p.m.--stay at MK until ?
DGP & DGM @ Le Celier @ 5:00 p.m.--explore World Showcase

6/12
MGM
Back to BCV early afternoon
Chef Mickey at 5:05 p.m.
Try to reserve Wishes Cruise @ 90-day mark
Wishes/Spectro?

6/13
Cape May Character Breakfast @ 7:35 a.m.
Epcot
Back to BCV early afternoon
Mini-golf or SAB
Princess Storybook Dinner @ 6:05 p.m.--hoping for Belle!
Stay for Illuminations

6/14
MK
Back to BCV early afternoon
DGP, DGM, DD, DS to Garden Grill Character Dinner @ 5:30 p.m.
DH and me @ Yachtsman Steakhouse @ 6:00 p.m.
Meet up and let the night take us where we want to go
Return rental car

6/15
Check-out of BCV
Get boarding passes for Airtran at BCV
I am sure we will have plenty of CS left, maybe catch a quick bite at the Marketplace
Let the day take us to where the kids want to go
Back to BCV to catch ME to MCO
Flight leaves at 7 p.m. back to Chicago
Sleep and dream of next trip to WDW!

I'm sure some people won't agree with all of our choices, but keep in mind each family's idea of vacation can be drastically different from someone else's idea.