Here's My Plan...What do Y'all think?

[kristenrice]

The Cast
Me...age 34...Disney-addict
DH...age 40...NOT a Disney person, but will do anything for "his girls"
DD...will be 6 on June 23
DD...age 3 1/2

The Plan

Leaving home on June 5...
We have a 2+ hour drive to the airport (depending on everyone's "bladder status"). We now have an 11:30am departure on June 6 so we are spending the night before at a hotel near the airport. (SpringHill Suites, includes 8 nights of parking) We plan on getting up around 7:30am, grabbing a quick bite of the continental breakfast and taking the shuttle to the airport.

We're flying AirTran non-stop to MCO. Then, DME to the AKV. I stayed at AKV with the kids (savanna studio) last October. This trip will be DH's first trip as a DVC member, his 4th trip overall and his first visit to the AKL. The "goal" of this trip is to relax as much as possible. We will have AP's (since we are going next April) and so the only reason we have right now to go to the parks is to eat. I think it will be fun to just go out to the bus stop and hop on whatever park bus comes first. I am sure that the kids will be content to just stay at the resort and swim.

We have two reservations. Our first night is in a value studio. The next 4 are in a value 1BR. I added the DxDDP to the studio reservation. Then, I made ADR's for Boma (dinner and breakfast) and dinner at LeCellier. This way, we will have our mugs to use all week and we can eat our favorite (and most expensive!) TS meals on the DxDDP. For the rest of the week, I have a late (3:05pm) lunch planned at Sci-Fi (kid's choice....not mine), breakfast at Rainforest Cafe (using MyPoints gift cards) and a breakfast at Boma on our checkout day.

I splurged and booked the Wanyama Safari for the night before we leave. I plan on using Kids' Nite Out for our girls while DH and I enjoy a "pre-anniversary" evening out. I am still on the fence about this, but as of now, it is booked.

I have assembled a grocery order from GG which includes some snacks, Pepsi products, liquid laundry detergent and some breakfast foods. I don't plan on too many meals in the room, but I want to be prepared in case I can't get everyone (DH, in particular) out of bed to grab breakfast. I also need an easy-fix dinner for the girls while DH and I are at Jiko.

I bought 6-Day, non-expiring PH from undercovertourist.com and I plan on upgrading them to DVC AP's. I was able to redeem my AMEX rewards ($600 worth) towards the cost of them so that was a great bonus. This allows us to take two trips for under $700 total out of pocket. If we don't make it to the parks every day, I won't feel like I am wasting money.

On our last day, we have a 9:30am ADR at Boma and a 2:40pm flight. We should have plenty of time to hit the RAC, eat breakfast and get out to the DME bus and still move at a leisurely pace. Our flight lands at 5:11pm and then we have the dreaded 2.5 hour drive back home.

So? Am I missing anything? I think I have all of my bases covered, but sometimes I completely overlook the obvious.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

Sounds like you have everything planned. I don't see with 2 little girls how you'll be able to keep them out of the park to see MICKEY or the Princesses though. I think it sounds like a wonderful trip.

 

[RLRDA]

Sounds well thought out. One question, what does "RAC" stand for? I couldn't figure it out. I was going to ask you for a review of the Kids Club when you return but I reread your post and noticed you said Kids Night Out - is that the same thing or is that the in-room babysitting? We were going to use the Kids Club in August so DH and I could eat dinner at JIKO.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

You are on top of everything... You all will have a wonderful time. As time and future trips pass, you will have everything down to a science as it relates to your family. For now.... relax, enjoy, take notes.

 

[kristenrice]

Sounds well thought out. One question, what does "RAC" stand for? Resort Airline Check In I couldn't figure it out. I was going to ask you for a review of the Kids Club when you return but I reread your post and noticed you said Kids Night Out - is that the same thing or is that the in-room babysitting? We were going to use the Kids Club in August so DH and I could eat dinner at JIKO.

I wanted to use Simba's Clubhouse, but our youngest is only 3 and they MUST be 4 to play there. (I asked...no luck) So, rather than send one to the clubhouse and have in-room sitting for the other, we just decided to have the sitter for both. It is actually cheaper that way too.

 

[RLRDA]

I wanted to use Simba's Clubhouse, but our youngest is only 3 and they MUST be 4 to play there. (I asked...no luck) So, rather than send one to the clubhouse and have in-room sitting for the other, we just decided to have the sitter for both. It is actually cheaper that way too.

Yes, it'll be $$$ to send our 3 boys to the Kids Club but it says it includes food (kid's fare - nuggets, burgers) so that would be money we'd be spending if we took them to dinner with us anyway. Seeing as Jiko is right at AKV we shouldn't need the service for more than 2 hrs. (hopefully ) I'm looking forward to some "quiet" time. Doesn't the safari include dinner at JIKO?

 

[kristenrice]

Doesn't the safari include dinner at JIKO?

Yes! And the price includes wine and gratuities!

Also, don't forget that DVC members get a discount at Simba's Clubhouse.

 

[RLRDA]

Yes! And the price includes wine and gratuities!

Also, don't forget that DVC members get a discount at Simba's Clubhouse.

Wow....I didn't know it included wine. I've read that Jiko has an extensive selection of African wines (plus gratuities - nice bonus). We are going on the Sunrise Safari while we are there - it includes a breakfast buffet (obviously no wine ) at AK but I wonder if gratuity is included in that? I'll check on that.

Yes, we were reading some Kids Club reviews on AllEars and a DVC member mentioned the 10% discount in their review! Simba's Cubhouse got great reviews and the boys are excited to hang out there.

 

[PEANUT1]

sounds like a great trip