First Timer...at 29!

[Z'sMom]

Oh...I also added the T-Rex Cafe for dinner the first night (since we will be in Downtown Disney anyway). Booked this based entirely on the atmosphere...and the "meteor showers"

 

[Happy Mom2]

Congratulations!! I just went to Disney World for the first time less than 2 months ago... and I'm 39!! I'm hooked now and can't wait to go back!

 

[Z'sMom]

Yayyy-I just finished booking the trip (officially)! The deposit has been paid and the excitement has been heightened!

We are staying at CSR and I have but one question-what is a preferred room? I attempted to book a standard (since we are only using the room to sleep and shower) but they were booked-so a preferred room it is (have no idea why I have my heart set on CSR...but I do ).

From the information I have found; the preferred rooms are a new concept at CSR and will be composed of the Casitas-have NO idea how much truth there is to this statement but it is all that I have to go on-woohoo anyways

 

[savvywifey]

sounds like a fun plan, never too late to go!

 

[Z'sMom]

Savvy-I am in absolute agreement with you...better at 29 than NEVER!

Moving forward with the planning, I have come up with yet another question. Since this trip is, in part, for my DS5's Birthday-I am wondering if I might order a specialized cake and have it delivered at our Akershus meal (we are ALL fans of the princesses-)?

If anyone has had any luck with this...let me know!

Many thanks to all

 

[Z'sMom]

Well-We have hit the 130 day mark (began counting at day 172...seems like it has taken FOREVER to get this far)!

I booked our vacation through Small World Vacations. I asked our TA how we go about getting our tickets and was told that we pick them up from the front desk upon check in. Is this true? Can anyone confirm this?

I also asked if I could call CSR to confirm our reservations (asking if the confirmation number given to me by the TA would mirror the one through CSR). She told me that I cannot confirm through CSR because they do not have my reservation yet. Hmmmm...does this sound right to those of you who have booked using a TA????

Have a great evening everyone!!!!

 

[ToddyLu]

OK I would be concerned about why there was no confirmation number. You can enter this number on the WDW website and it should pop up. I am not trying to upset you but that does sound odd, now that you have paid the trip off.

I was 34 my first trip--been hooked ever since. Instant addict. My only suggestion that worked for me was having a general knowledge of how the parks were laid out in my head. SO that when we were walkingi down Main Street I knew the PoTC was to my left and SM was to my right.

DH and I just got back 12/10 and we are headed back 5/1-5/7 then again 10/28-11/04 with my parents.

Congratulations on the Master's Degree.

 

[Z'sMom]

Toddy-I am a bit concerned. We haven't paid the trip off yet but the deposit (plus some) has been put towards the trip! I am just wondering why I cannot contact Coronado Springs directly to confirm my reservation! I would hate to have made room reservations months in advance only to find that we are not going to get into the resort that we want scared1:...that would be bad!)

 

[Z'sMom]

In order to ease my mind I e-mailed our TA and asked her why CSR would not have my reservation. I was told that the Disney hotel system is complex and that they will not know the specifics of my reservation until a few days (10) before our arrival....why don't I feel better

 

[Z'sMom]

This morning I called CSR (which I know goes through to a central office) and asked if I might confirm my May 2011 reservation. They confirmed exactly what my TA told me-they will not have specific information about my reservation until 10 days prior to check in! So I feel a bit better

 

[Z'sMom]

BTW....125 DAYS AND COUNTING

 

[Z'sMom]

123 days!!!

Had to change the itinerary a bit so that we didn't miss the electrical parade at MK. Now we will see MK on Monday and AK on Wednesday.

I have decided to utilize cabs (vs. mears transportation) for our trips to US and IOA. I figured that at 4x$19=$76; a cab costing $70 (+tip) would be about the same...and it has to be a bit faster!

...at this point I believe I am just rambling...splitting hairs....trying to pass the days....lol...

 

[pattibehan]

I was 47 when I went for the first time..now we go twice a year! It is never too late to discover the magic!!

 

[Z'sMom]

Patti-so so true...better late than never

Just for fun I created a spreadsheet to see if the DDP was going to be a waste of money for our family of 4; while it won't save us a ton of money, we will be eating at a few signature restaurants that I otherwise would not consider...and we will have the plan paid for by the time we leave! I like the fact that when we get there, mostly everthing is paid for except for a few meals at Universal (and 2 at Disney)! That alone made the plan more than worth it for us!!!

 

[mdinme]

The water parks are amazing. I love your dining plans but I can't imagine working Universal or IA into a trip that short. You've got 6 parks, DTD and DQ to take in. It'll be tough to do it all justice but best of luck.

Oh, We did the F! package but we did it at Hollywood and Vine... very good food and just one dining credit. You can rent a car on priceline for $20/day...

 

[dazza5931]

my first trip was when i was 33 and ive been back for the last six years cant get enough of wdw so welcome and enjoy this great people on the boards if you need any info its on the boards

 

[Z'sMom]

mdinme-6 theme parks, 2 water parks, DQ & DTD...all in 9 days...we are truly a group of overachievers. Universal is for the husband...a true coaster lover and we are fitting in IOA is so that my DS5 can see Hogwarts...he is a Harry Potter FANATIC ! I have truly created a monster in this one!!! Thanks for the priceline tip

dazz-I am soooo glad that I found this board; you all have answers so many of my questions (I'm sure my TA appreciates you as well )

We are down to 117 days....14 hours...52 minutes!!! GO DISNEY

 

[AlexandAndysMom]

Welcome! And Welcome to the planning panic club!!

My wonderful, loving, Disney Fan husband didn't go for the first time until I dragged him kicking and screaming at 32! Now he's hooked and we keep going back!!

I noticed you asked a couple of questions earlier that no one answered...maybe I can help?

1st, Small World is WONDERFUL! I have gone through them for the last 3 trips and have had no problems with anything! And yes, the reservation system is crazy! You will get your confirmation number for your reservation when you have paid off the balance. That's what happened to us the last trip.

2nd, your tickets will be waiting for you when you get there. They will be put on your Room key, along with your dining credits and if you want spending money. That way, only one card to worry about instead of two or more!

3rd, the Preferred rooms are supposed to be in a better location than the standard. We've never stayed at CSR, but at POP it meant closer to the food court and main hub and pool. It's all about location and walking time, you know?

You do have alot planned in a little bit of time, but it can be done! We have done the 10 day trip and the 4 day trip...we love both! Just remember that you have to stop and just enjoy being there...don't worry what you don't get done, just go with it. Some of the best times with my boys where when we just went with it. That might mean playing in a fountain for an hour or people watching somewhere. It's all part of the magic!!

Wish I could help you on the cake, that sounds like so much fun! I know it can be done, but I don't know how to go about it...

 

[elbodans]

greetings! i'm here again (because i was following this post) to tell you that in my opinion (and my opinion only) a taxi is the way to go. so good choice!

 

[Z'sMom]

AlexandAndy's Mom-thank you sooo much for answering the missed questions. I did freak out when my TA told me that CSR would not have our reservation until 10 days before our arrival...many thanks for your reassurance

Elbodans-LOL-thanks for following my neurotica (not sure if this is an actual word...but we'll pretend that it is!). I decided to go with a taxi to save time...seems that it would be a bit more relaxing than another shuttle bus. The price difference is minimal between the 2 since there is 4 of us going. Hopefully your are enjoying your snow day (if you had one today )!