Hello and some random ramblings

[JMCDAD]

Hi Everyone
I have read these boards for awhile, on and off, and just thought , darn it, let me jump in.
Although I love Disney and definetly feel the magic I have only been to WDW twice. Once when I was a young lad, and more recently (2002) with my family (wife and 3 children).
I really got into the planning of it, its half the fun !!!!
I definetly will be visiting again either next year or the following year.
Since it was a couple of years ago I will just give you some of my thoughts and impressions.
We had a great time. In addition to this site and a bevy of interent research, I bought a Passporter Guide and thought it was great.
We hit an especially hot week in July (like 100 degrees every day). You know its hot when the kids are the ones who want to leave the parks and go back to the hotel pool.
One of the things I was surprised at was the lack of any water relief in the parks themselves. We just couldn't find any water to get cooled off with. Even waiting on the line to see the little mermaid, was completely dry and we were roasting.
What we ended up doing is going to the waterparks during the day and hitting the main parks at night.
The key to good planning is flexibility.
We stayed at the ASM, and really loved it. The only problem I would see with staying there or any value resort is the room size is a little tight.
I was surprised that with a little research, it wasn't really as expensive a trip as I thought it would be.

Just wanted to say hello and thanks for all the great info.
I really enjoy reading the trip reports. Especially joedisney's (no offense to anyone else) I just think he is a great writer and I can really relate, as me and my family are in the same age range with similiar types of stuff going on.

So now I am trying to figure out next year's vacation.

Its either US/IOA/SW or WDW.

 

[Amirah95]

WELCOME TO THE BOARDS JMCDAD!!!!

 

[JMCDAD]

Thanks

I am really looking forward to going back, because we really having even tried some of the best rides and attractions at WDW because at the time the kids were small (8,5,3) so we did all the little stuff so the next trip will really be like a whole new adventure.

 

[kimbac3]

I've haven't been to WDW yet....I can't wait!!

The Dis boards are awesome aren't they
So much information in one spot


Welcome Again

Kimba

 

[kimwim8]

welcome! Maybe you can make your next trip a combo of WDW & IOA/SW!!

In October we are staying in WDW for 5 days and then going to a SW-area hotel for 2 days.

 

[TN Traveler]

YES!! These boards are great; my only regret is I didn't hear about them until a mth before we left for our trip in late May of this year. I'm sure if I had all these great ideas/suggestions/tips then, I would have done some things differently. Being a travel agent now for 9 yrs and having gone through Disney's College of Knowledge, I knew the basics of the hotels, the parks, the cruise line etc but you know, there's nothing like a true hands on experience to REALLY KNOW the ins and outs! I went when I was a kid in the late 70s and then again 9/01 w/6 other ladies 4 of whom were travel agents also. It was a lot of fun but the true fun is taking your kids for the first time and watching their faces when they see Cindy's Castle for the first time. Kids are 3 girls ages 12, 7 and 4...all w/summer birthdays so are now 13, 8 and 5 in Sept. Oh my gosh, what fun!! And the parades......the fireworks.....the Lion King Show......so many reasons to be a happy Mom!!

JMCDAD, I encourage you to go to US and SW next time if you can swing it. We went in early June and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Sea World! We spent 6 days at Disney, and then moved over to the Embassy Suites on I-Drive and stayed 3 nights there including 1 day at Universal and one day at Sea World. I would go back to SW in a heartbeat. Whenever we go back to US we will definitely stay on site and do IOA and US. The lines were so long when we went, we didn't get to do 1/2 what we wanted to. Don't waste your time on Jaws and seriously think about Earthquake and Twister. We didn't make it to The Mummy either. Ride was always 45-90 min wait time and then when we finally got on it at 20 mins wait time, it broke down and ended up missing it all together. Shrek 4D is A MUST!! AWESOME show!

Enjoy the Boards.....I'm addicted!!

 

[JMCDAD]

Here's my thoughts on why I personally wouldn't mix a WDW - US/SW trip.

Firstly I think it would be too hectic. If I am going to Disney I want to concetrate and plan for a Disney trip. Also from what I have gleaned so far about US. You really need to stay onsite to really enjoy it. You are in walking distance to the parks and you get front of the line access. A must!!

Either way, one thing I have learned is that I always try and schedule a day for a waterwpark.My kids really enjoy waterparks and its a nice, cool break from the big parks.

What I really need to work on is trying to plan/afford/get away from work/ for more than 1 vacation a year.

 

[TN Traveler]

JMCDad--One of the good things about being a home based travel agent is you have alot of great time w/your kids yet you still get to do the job you love. Problem tho is because you work on commission you have no money!! When you figure out how to get the time, the money and the energy all at the same time, let the rest of us know!!

Have a super day!
Karen