- Joined
- Oct 19, 2004
- Messages
- 15,500
Cast.
Me: Karen (a.k.a Kaz) 40-something. Loves all things Disney, a Kir Royale in Mizner's Lounge and spending slightly less of DH's $$$ than before...
Him: Richard (a.k.a Dick) Slightly older 40-something. Loves most things Disney, a Kir Royale in any Lounge and holding onto his wallet at all times...
Him: Samuel (a.k.a Sam) 15-something. Loves all things Disney, footlong hotdogs and hoarding his own $$$ whilst freely spending those of others...
Rogues Gallery:
Dick...
Kaz...
Sam...
Father and son...
Salutations from Taylor Towers! Welcome to our shiny new travelogue - the first for 2009! It has been a while since I put finger to keyboard and prattled on about pre-trip planning but I have finally finished tweaking tours and tinkering with times so felt ready for the big reveal! As ever, I guarantee there will be thrills, spills, chills and of course, bills - the size of which may astound you less than previously in these cash-careful credit crunching times!!! Despite this, we have plenty of new experiences planned and our desire to add a different dimension to our Walt Disney Worldliness remains undimmed...
We haven't travelled to Florida at Easter since 2000 but opted for this break in the academic calendar as Samuel will be taking his final set of GCSEs in June and we felt a little downtime before then would do him good. I also have first year University exams in May - but probably best not to say too much about that. Plus this trip uses considerably less of Dick's precious holiday entitlement than other options... Oh and I managed to secure 3 UC VA flights at a great price so that kinda helped too...
At the eleven month window, I booked 10 nights in a 1 bedroom villa at Animal Kingdom Villas - our first time staying at this resort and we're very excited at the prospect! The second phase of the Villas should be nearing completion and we're looking forward to experiencing a little animal magic... After our initial on-site stay, we're venturing northwards and spending 4 nights at Hard Rock Hotel in their club level. This will be over the Easter weekend so I'm hoping those Front Of Line privileges will come in handy...
According to my DVC countdown, we begin our vacation in 74 days and, whilst Easter may not be the most sensible time to visit, I have been able to arrange more than a couple of crowd-busting encounters that should ensure we calmly keep our collective queueing sanity! These include a fishing excursion on Bay Lake, the Illuminations Cruise, tickets to see Orlando Magic, lunch at Tusker House with priority tickets for the Finding Nemo show thrown in and a day at Aquatica with pre-booked cabana. I also hope to add a Busch Gardens tour...
In a break from tradition, I have made a number of Advanced Dining Reservations (not my usual style) as I figured it might be difficult during the Easter period to arrange when we arrived. I found this mode of meal planning much more palatable now that the ADR window has halved to 90 days - but include the caveat that these dining decisions are by no means 'cast in stone'. I'm pretty sure we'll cancel a few but I decided it was better to err on the side of caution...
So without further ado, here's the itinerary...
Tuesday March 31 2009: Up at stupid o'clock for the short drive in Dick's monster truck to Gatwick. I hate early mornings and it's only the prospect of pre-flight relaxing in the VA Clubhouse that keeps my sunny disposition in place. I've booked my usual pedicure and hope they know by now to have a Virgin Redhead ready and waiting upon arrival...
In theory we depart LGW on the VS027 at 11:15am and arrive in MCO at 3:25pm. As ever, I'm sceptical but whatever time we land, we'll be taking the Magical Express to AKV. Then it'll be time to check-in, chill-out and choose a champagne cocktail... Cheers!!!
Wednesday April 1 2009: I've perused Tour Guide Mike and made plans accordingly so we'll probably spend our first morning in the Magic Kingdom. This evening we have our first ever ADR at Raglan Road @ 8pm for the three of us so it's likely we'll opt to dally in Downtown Disney for while...
Thursday April 2 2009: Hope to get an early start at Disney's Hollywood Studios and secure those precious fast-passes for Toy Story Mania! The rest of the day is free and easy with an early ADR at EPCOT's Coral Reef @ 5.50pm. I've chosen to dine here as tonight we're booked on an Illuminations Cruise @ 8pm! Cannot wait!!! Not least as it'll be a mini DIS-meet and we shall be joined by Lynn (tink,too) plus family as well as David (wickesy) and his Dad!
Friday April 3 2009: Park-free Friday! We're collecting the hire car from the Dolphin this morning and then we're shipping out to shop! There are currently votes for Mall at Millenia, Florida Mall and Premium Outlets but who knows?! Dick's just determined to stay close and keep an eye on my smokin' Amex!! After such a rigorous retail hit-and-run, I may have to repair relations with my DH so an adults-only evening is planned in Jiko @ 8.05pm. Samuel will no doubt raid the self-service food emporium and watch trashy TV...
Saturday April 4 2009: We'll probably head for nearby Animal Kingdom this morning as we have lunch at Tusker House planned for 1pm. I decided to book this as it includes some kind of preferred seating tickets for the Finding Nemo show later in the afternoon and I really hate queueing...
UPDATE: Rather excited as I shall be meeting up with the lovely Monica (a DIS friend) at Ghiradellis in DTD this afternoon!!! 
Can't wait to catch up with her AND to receive my D23 items which she kindly took delivery of for me...
Sunday April 5 2009: Chill out this morning and visit Hollywood Studios late afternoon. I've made an ADR at The Brown Derby for 8pm as I thought we could eat and then try the late Fantasmic showing if we wished...
Monday April 6 2009: Up bright and early for Busch Gardens! Our very first visit ever and we intend arrive at 9am to book whatever tour is available... I'm very much looking forward to sampling at least one of the animal experiences on offer here as I'm not a thrill-ride junkie (unlike my menfolk) and the photos I've seen of other DISers feeding giraffes and the like looked so fab... UPDATE: Decided to go ahead and book the Guided Adventure Tour for the 3 of us so very much looking forward to that...
Tuesday April 7 2009: Relax at resort in the morning. This will most likely be the day we play crazy golf at Winter/Summerland and hit Blizzard Beach late on. Provisional Boma ADR @ 8pm...
Wednesday April 8 2009: Today is all about Samuel - well, almost! As a surprise, I have booked a WDW fishing excursion - another first time experience for us! It has been a long held desire of our youngest son to go fishing with his father and this catch-and-release programme seemed the best option. We depart from the Contemporary at 10am and will probably return to MK in the afternoon... I have reserved a table at the Whispering Canyon Cafe for 7pm as this is Samuel's fave on-site restaurant so another treat for him. I hope we keep focused and pop back over to Magic Kingdom to see Wishes at 9pm...
Thursday April 9 2009: Whatever takes our fancy is the order of the day with the only fixed event being an evening in that gastronomical Garden of epicurean Eden (sorry about that, couldn't restrain myself...) namely, Victoria & Alberts @ 9pm for Dick and myself.
Bring on those wine-pairings, Al, my good man!!! 
Friday April 10 2009: Not so Good Friday as it's our day to leave AKV!!! The plan is to check out and head over to AK for the Tusker House Character Breakfast @10.30am. Suitably sated, we'll drive up the I-4 and check into HRH before strolling around Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, waving our room keys for front of line access... Later that day, we're off for another first - a trip to the Amway Arena, home of Orlando Magic for their match with the New York Knicks @ 8pm...
Saturday April 11 2009: A wholly on-site day today. We want to see the Mardi Gras parade as well as take in the Trace Adkins Mardi Gras concert. I hope to score ressies at Mythos restaurant for the first time...
Sunday April 12 2009: Easter Sunday. Enjoy the on-site facilities and chill. Dine at HRH/Citywalk.
Monday April 13 2009: Easter Monday. We have booked Aquatica with a Cabana for today but for some reason my menfolk are in two minds so we'll see... Intend to make a reservation at Tommy Bahamas in Pointe Orlando for our final vacation dinner... UPDATE: Cancelled the Aquatica booking as DH & DS were showing very little water park enthusiasm! Now looking forward to a flexible final day...
Tuesday April 14 2009: Time to check out of HRH and make our way to IHOP for the traditional Taylor 'last morning' brekkie. We like to spend today doing last minute shopping in Florida Mall and hang onto our cases (rather than use the Downtown Disney check-in) so we can pack those essential 'can't-live-without-items' before dropping off the hire car at MCO. We'll check in at the VA desk at around 3.30pm and head for the Delta Lounge where I like to relax with a book and a glass of wine until our flight is called... Dick and I prefer to sleep as much as possible on this return leg so quickly eat and convert the seats into flatbeds. Samuel, on the other hand, remains resolutely plugged into the VA entertainment system for the entire flight - I have never seen him so much as recline his seat... Ah well, his choice...
Wednesday April 15 2009: Land at LGW 5.55am - allegedly... Back to life, back to reality - Dick's off to work via the Gatwick Express whilst Samuel and I drive home... Until next time, TTFN...
Some other Taylor trip reports...
Fun With Dick & Kaz - the Cruisin', Vow Renewin' Trip Report...
Girls Only Fabulous Food & Wine Fiesta...
Girls Only Cocktail Sipping, Double Dipping Trip Report...
Another Cheeky, Sneaky Week in WDW - the Quickie Trippie...
Me: Karen (a.k.a Kaz) 40-something. Loves all things Disney, a Kir Royale in Mizner's Lounge and spending slightly less of DH's $$$ than before...
Him: Richard (a.k.a Dick) Slightly older 40-something. Loves most things Disney, a Kir Royale in any Lounge and holding onto his wallet at all times...
Him: Samuel (a.k.a Sam) 15-something. Loves all things Disney, footlong hotdogs and hoarding his own $$$ whilst freely spending those of others...
Rogues Gallery:
Dick...
Kaz...
Sam...
Father and son...
Salutations from Taylor Towers! Welcome to our shiny new travelogue - the first for 2009! It has been a while since I put finger to keyboard and prattled on about pre-trip planning but I have finally finished tweaking tours and tinkering with times so felt ready for the big reveal! As ever, I guarantee there will be thrills, spills, chills and of course, bills - the size of which may astound you less than previously in these cash-careful credit crunching times!!! Despite this, we have plenty of new experiences planned and our desire to add a different dimension to our Walt Disney Worldliness remains undimmed...
We haven't travelled to Florida at Easter since 2000 but opted for this break in the academic calendar as Samuel will be taking his final set of GCSEs in June and we felt a little downtime before then would do him good. I also have first year University exams in May - but probably best not to say too much about that. Plus this trip uses considerably less of Dick's precious holiday entitlement than other options... Oh and I managed to secure 3 UC VA flights at a great price so that kinda helped too...
At the eleven month window, I booked 10 nights in a 1 bedroom villa at Animal Kingdom Villas - our first time staying at this resort and we're very excited at the prospect! The second phase of the Villas should be nearing completion and we're looking forward to experiencing a little animal magic... After our initial on-site stay, we're venturing northwards and spending 4 nights at Hard Rock Hotel in their club level. This will be over the Easter weekend so I'm hoping those Front Of Line privileges will come in handy...
According to my DVC countdown, we begin our vacation in 74 days and, whilst Easter may not be the most sensible time to visit, I have been able to arrange more than a couple of crowd-busting encounters that should ensure we calmly keep our collective queueing sanity! These include a fishing excursion on Bay Lake, the Illuminations Cruise, tickets to see Orlando Magic, lunch at Tusker House with priority tickets for the Finding Nemo show thrown in and a day at Aquatica with pre-booked cabana. I also hope to add a Busch Gardens tour...
In a break from tradition, I have made a number of Advanced Dining Reservations (not my usual style) as I figured it might be difficult during the Easter period to arrange when we arrived. I found this mode of meal planning much more palatable now that the ADR window has halved to 90 days - but include the caveat that these dining decisions are by no means 'cast in stone'. I'm pretty sure we'll cancel a few but I decided it was better to err on the side of caution...
So without further ado, here's the itinerary...
Tuesday March 31 2009: Up at stupid o'clock for the short drive in Dick's monster truck to Gatwick. I hate early mornings and it's only the prospect of pre-flight relaxing in the VA Clubhouse that keeps my sunny disposition in place. I've booked my usual pedicure and hope they know by now to have a Virgin Redhead ready and waiting upon arrival...
In theory we depart LGW on the VS027 at 11:15am and arrive in MCO at 3:25pm. As ever, I'm sceptical but whatever time we land, we'll be taking the Magical Express to AKV. Then it'll be time to check-in, chill-out and choose a champagne cocktail... Cheers!!!Wednesday April 1 2009: I've perused Tour Guide Mike and made plans accordingly so we'll probably spend our first morning in the Magic Kingdom. This evening we have our first ever ADR at Raglan Road @ 8pm for the three of us so it's likely we'll opt to dally in Downtown Disney for while...
Thursday April 2 2009: Hope to get an early start at Disney's Hollywood Studios and secure those precious fast-passes for Toy Story Mania! The rest of the day is free and easy with an early ADR at EPCOT's Coral Reef @ 5.50pm. I've chosen to dine here as tonight we're booked on an Illuminations Cruise @ 8pm! Cannot wait!!! Not least as it'll be a mini DIS-meet and we shall be joined by Lynn (tink,too) plus family as well as David (wickesy) and his Dad!
Friday April 3 2009: Park-free Friday! We're collecting the hire car from the Dolphin this morning and then we're shipping out to shop! There are currently votes for Mall at Millenia, Florida Mall and Premium Outlets but who knows?! Dick's just determined to stay close and keep an eye on my smokin' Amex!! After such a rigorous retail hit-and-run, I may have to repair relations with my DH so an adults-only evening is planned in Jiko @ 8.05pm. Samuel will no doubt raid the self-service food emporium and watch trashy TV...
Saturday April 4 2009: We'll probably head for nearby Animal Kingdom this morning as we have lunch at Tusker House planned for 1pm. I decided to book this as it includes some kind of preferred seating tickets for the Finding Nemo show later in the afternoon and I really hate queueing...
UPDATE: Rather excited as I shall be meeting up with the lovely Monica (a DIS friend) at Ghiradellis in DTD this afternoon!!! Can't wait to catch up with her AND to receive my D23 items which she kindly took delivery of for me...Sunday April 5 2009: Chill out this morning and visit Hollywood Studios late afternoon. I've made an ADR at The Brown Derby for 8pm as I thought we could eat and then try the late Fantasmic showing if we wished...
Monday April 6 2009: Up bright and early for Busch Gardens! Our very first visit ever and we intend arrive at 9am to book whatever tour is available... I'm very much looking forward to sampling at least one of the animal experiences on offer here as I'm not a thrill-ride junkie (unlike my menfolk) and the photos I've seen of other DISers feeding giraffes and the like looked so fab... UPDATE: Decided to go ahead and book the Guided Adventure Tour for the 3 of us so very much looking forward to that...
Tuesday April 7 2009: Relax at resort in the morning. This will most likely be the day we play crazy golf at Winter/Summerland and hit Blizzard Beach late on. Provisional Boma ADR @ 8pm...
Wednesday April 8 2009: Today is all about Samuel - well, almost! As a surprise, I have booked a WDW fishing excursion - another first time experience for us! It has been a long held desire of our youngest son to go fishing with his father and this catch-and-release programme seemed the best option. We depart from the Contemporary at 10am and will probably return to MK in the afternoon... I have reserved a table at the Whispering Canyon Cafe for 7pm as this is Samuel's fave on-site restaurant so another treat for him. I hope we keep focused and pop back over to Magic Kingdom to see Wishes at 9pm...
Thursday April 9 2009: Whatever takes our fancy is the order of the day with the only fixed event being an evening in that gastronomical Garden of epicurean Eden (sorry about that, couldn't restrain myself...) namely, Victoria & Alberts @ 9pm for Dick and myself.
Bring on those wine-pairings, Al, my good man!!! Friday April 10 2009: Not so Good Friday as it's our day to leave AKV!!! The plan is to check out and head over to AK for the Tusker House Character Breakfast @10.30am. Suitably sated, we'll drive up the I-4 and check into HRH before strolling around Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, waving our room keys for front of line access... Later that day, we're off for another first - a trip to the Amway Arena, home of Orlando Magic for their match with the New York Knicks @ 8pm...
Saturday April 11 2009: A wholly on-site day today. We want to see the Mardi Gras parade as well as take in the Trace Adkins Mardi Gras concert. I hope to score ressies at Mythos restaurant for the first time...
Sunday April 12 2009: Easter Sunday. Enjoy the on-site facilities and chill. Dine at HRH/Citywalk.
Monday April 13 2009: Easter Monday. We have booked Aquatica with a Cabana for today but for some reason my menfolk are in two minds so we'll see... Intend to make a reservation at Tommy Bahamas in Pointe Orlando for our final vacation dinner... UPDATE: Cancelled the Aquatica booking as DH & DS were showing very little water park enthusiasm! Now looking forward to a flexible final day...
Tuesday April 14 2009: Time to check out of HRH and make our way to IHOP for the traditional Taylor 'last morning' brekkie. We like to spend today doing last minute shopping in Florida Mall and hang onto our cases (rather than use the Downtown Disney check-in) so we can pack those essential 'can't-live-without-items' before dropping off the hire car at MCO. We'll check in at the VA desk at around 3.30pm and head for the Delta Lounge where I like to relax with a book and a glass of wine until our flight is called... Dick and I prefer to sleep as much as possible on this return leg so quickly eat and convert the seats into flatbeds. Samuel, on the other hand, remains resolutely plugged into the VA entertainment system for the entire flight - I have never seen him so much as recline his seat... Ah well, his choice...
Wednesday April 15 2009: Land at LGW 5.55am - allegedly... Back to life, back to reality - Dick's off to work via the Gatwick Express whilst Samuel and I drive home... Until next time, TTFN...
Some other Taylor trip reports...
Fun With Dick & Kaz - the Cruisin', Vow Renewin' Trip Report...
Girls Only Fabulous Food & Wine Fiesta...
Girls Only Cocktail Sipping, Double Dipping Trip Report...
Another Cheeky, Sneaky Week in WDW - the Quickie Trippie...
Seriously, the only real problem is that Samuel has developed a rather horrible cough/cold since returning from school so I'm just hoping he can sleep it off before Tuesday morning - fingers crossed everyone, please! 
