Fred and Wilma - They're Back and They're Child Free

[suzycute]

Really enjoyed your pre trip report!
Whilst we love WDW with our kids, we love it just as much on our own - so no stones being thrown at you from here!

 

[wilma-bride]

So, since I had managed to talk DH into returning to WDW this Augusut on the basis that we would do some 'grown up' stuff, I figured I ought to make good on my promise and I set about formulating a plan of action.

When we'd visited IOA in October, the girls were very excited about the construction for Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I can honestly say, though, at the time I was somewhat disinterested. I had only seen the first film and not read a single book. I didn't really know who any of the characters were and many of the words being bandied around, such as Hippogriff and Butterbeer meant absoutely nothing to me. However, as the first pictures were released and the grand opening grew closer, I started to feel a little tingle of excitement. DH and I had already talked about staying on site at Universal some day as we'd really liked the look of the Royal Pacific Resort when we'd visited in 2007. We both love the Universal parks and so I started to think very seriously about spending a good chunk of the trip there. The availability of a great Stay More, Save More rate at RPR for 5 nights sealed the deal and I promptly booked us a King Room

We knew we would want to spend some time at WDW too so I then called Member Services to see what was available for our dates. We had our pick of most of the resorts but, in order to preserve points and because of the proximity to Epcot, we chose a Standard View Studio at Boardwalk Villas.

In between, we plan to visit historic St Augustine and spend the night there, after Tony and Theresa warned us that there is so much to do, one day is just not enough. We really wanted to stay somewhere a bit different (i.e. not a chain hotel) so we opted for a B&B which has excellent reviews on Tripadvisor, At Journey's End.

So our accommodation was booked:

5 nights here...

followed by 1 night in the Safari Room here...

and, finally, another 5 nights here...

Since i had promised DH that this would be a relaxed, laid-back kind of holiday, that meant - shock, horror - no itinerary. However, any WDW aficionado knows that you need at least a basic plan of what you want to do and when. So, our basic plan looks like this - bear in mind, this is absolutely not an itinerary

Tue 24th August - pick up DD's GCSE results, celebratory (hopefully) lunch, then travel to Gatwick
Wed 25th August - fly to Orlando, check in to RPR, stop in at Friendlys for dinner
Thu 26th August - IOA (early entry to WWOHP)
Fri 27th August - Universal Studios. Hopefully a visit to Pat O'Briens in the evening
Sat 28th August - chill out day (pool) followed by an evening at Raymond James Stadium, watching the pre-season game between Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars
Sun 29th August - IOA
Mon 30th August - travel to St Augustine, dinner at Scarlet O'Haras
Tue 31st August - travel back to WDW, via Daytona, check in to Boardwalk Villas, drinks in the Belle Vue Lounge with Margaret (from the Dibb) and dinner at Kona Cafe
Wed 1st September - Epcot
Thu 2nd September - Typhoon Lagoon, dinner at House of Blues
Fri 3rd September - Hollywood Studios in the morning, Epcot for Illuminations and evening EMH
Sat 4th September - Segway tour of Celebration, shopping, dinner at Grand Floridian Cafe
Sun 5th September - hopefully back to Hollywood Studios, then fly home

So, as I said, no firm plans

We have bought tickets for Universal (DH renewed his PAP and I bought a 14-day ticket from Viator) but we have got MYW Disney tickets left from a previous trip with (we think) 2 days left on them plus several 'water park fun and more' visits. We also have 1-day tickets from our free dining package in August 2007. So, hopefully, we will have a total of 3 park days which will allow our 2 visits to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. I am still hoping to slip in a quickie trip to Magic Kingdom also - possibly in the afternoon of our Epcot day.

Total cost so far:

Flights - £792.30
Car hire - £213.68
RPR - $739.10 (approx £500)
At Journey's End - $159 (approx £105)
BWV - free
Tickets - £183.49
Segway Tour - $110 (approx £75)
Bucs tickets - $150 (approx £100)

Total - £1969.47 (approx)

I figure that means I have kept my side of the bargain and brought us in under budget (I don't count spending money as part of the budget since that is only the money we would be spending on food and stuff if we were at home )

So, there you have it. Both DH and I are very much looking forward to this trip and the opportunity to spend some quality time together. Thanks for reading

 

[CustardTart]

Fab plans/itinerary, Joh - you'll have a fantastic time... I love it when it's just DH and myself...

 

[wickesy]

The 'not an itinerary' looks great. Hope you have a fab time and look forward to reading all about it when you get back.

 

[scottish mum]

Looks like you have a great holiday planned

 

[Muscateer]

Your no set plan holiday sounds fab Joh. Must admit I like the holidays when it's just hubs and I.

 

[Ware Bears]

Your plan sounds fabulous.

DH and I got some time on our own on our last holiday and we are both looking forward (in the nicest possible way) to it being just us one day.

 

[mark&sue]

Sounds amazing Joh, we just came back from a stay at the King Suite at the Royal Pacific and it was brilliant. Great theming and lovely walk to the parks.

We are having our first holiday in 18 years on our own in October and am very nervous!!!

Have a mega great time.


Susan

 

[Chilly]

Great sounding plan that's not a plan

 

[natalielongstaff]

hmmm, had i have realised that both holidays would overlap and would mean a whole month without talking to each other i would have ditched Egypt (and the kids for that matter) sharpish

 

[Latte Lover]

Your plan looks great, Joh. Though it does look dangerously like an itinerary to me! Just as well Gary's not on the Dis.

 

[Pinky166]

Your plans sound fab Joh, even though they are not really plans.

I am hoping to book a few nights in RPR next January, it looks so relaxing.

 

[jen_uk]

Your trip sounds great, hope you have a fab time

 

[irongirlof12]

I love your 'not an itinerary' itineray, it's great, the hotels look fab.

 

[ely3857]

The 'plan' & budget look fab and yeah, you'd totally be buying food and drink at home anyways!

 

[Bookstamper]

Great start Joh! St. Augustine sounds really interesting - great idea to combine with your trip to Universal / WDW! Really looking forward to hearing more about your non-itineried trip

 

[buzz for boys]

Wow you are brave dont think I could do Orlando without a plan

The trip sounds lovely and Im green with envy if only I could find someone mad enough to look after my 4 darlings for 14 days ! Hmmm maybe I could start a thread see if there any takers

Have fun x x x

 

[aaronandterri]

Wow you are brave dont think I could do Orlando without a plan

The trip sounds lovely and Im green with envy if only I could find someone mad enough to look after my 4 darlings for 14 days ! Hmmm maybe I could start a thread see if there any takers

Have fun x x x

tell you what you take my 5 for 14 days and ill take yours...good swap....i Deam of a child free weekend let alone a fortnight, sooo jealous.


Joh~ (non)plans look great, hope you have a fab time xx

 

[Linda67]

Just caught up with your plans - looks like you have a wonderful trip planned

 

[SusanEllen]

Just in time to wish you Bon Voyage. You posted these during the time Debbie, Matt, and I were racing up and down Route 66 and all around Oklahoma so I've just now caught up to your plans. Looks like you can only have fun. I'm not clear on how you're explaining to Daniel that he's not going to Florida this time, but if it helps, tell him that one day he can hop on a plane and meet me in Orlando and we'll be sure to send you and Gary a postcard from WDW. In the meantime, I guess you'll have to have enough fun for all of us you're leaving behind this time. I know you're up to it.