Is 18 months to early to start planning? (12 days to go) My 1st PTR update 6-2-12

[Corrine 1973]

I know I am late to the party, but I wanted to join in because your title really got to me. I started planning my trip with my DD at the end of last year with over 500 days to go. I am now just under a year and alot of what you are saying sounds very familiar to the words that are going through my head.

I am sorry that the rest of your family cancelled on you, but I am sure that you are going to have a great time with just your family.

So what did you decide on for your ADR's? I know it's a little late to be giving my oppinion, but I have had breakfast and Dinner at Crystal Palace and thought that both meals were very good. I am planning on going back there this next year. Just remember when it comes to food at Disney people have diffrent tastes. I have eaten at resteraunts that I have liked and others have disliked the meal. Once it was even at the same time and the same meal.

Can't wait to hear more about your plans

 

[m2zjj]

Corrine, Thanks for dropping in. I'm getting ready to head to bed but I will come back tomorrow to update with more info and answers to the ADR question.

 

[m2zjj]

The loss of half of the family on this trip also meant that the budget also dropped considerably and because of that we aren't doing many meals on site. We will be eating some meals at restaurants off property and be making most of our meals in the condo to save money. I know that most people wouldn't consider it a vacation if they were cooking but I actually get sick of eating out after several days so I'm totally fine with doing a little cooking.

The one ADR I wasn't willing to give up was our breakfast ADR at Crystal Palace on our first full day in Florida. I booked that one just so that the kids first look at the castle would be before park hours and so that there wouldn't be as many other people around. As of right now all the other ADRs have been canceled but we are still working out which days we will spend in which parks and after we figure that out we will make a couple more. We're not picky about what time we eat so we still should be able to get something that works for us.

I also bought our park tickets yesterday. When word spread about prices going up I figured we might as well buy them now to save a little money.

So airfare is booked and paid for, park tickets are bought, vacation home is reserved with final payment due in 30 days, It's all coming together.

As a side note 2 months from right now I will be in the air on my way to WDW!

 

[Corrine 1973]

I am very sorry that you had to cancel your ADR's but I am glad that you decided to stick with the Crystal Palace on. I had a pre-rope drop ADR there in March and just bein able to enter the park with out all the thosands of people milling around was worth it. I had been to MK several time, but it was the first time I felt I was able to go down Main Street at my own pace. I also thought the food was pretty good (except the bacon. I like crisp bacon) and I would recomend the puffed french toast. It might also be a good idea to make friends with a table next to yours and offer to take pictures of them and if they can take picture of you. That way the whole family can be in the picture.

I know some people don't feel it's Disney vacation unless you go all out, but I believe that you do what you need to do to make it happen. I am glad to hear that your trip plans are coming together. Have you thought about doing a weekly Disney Night for the kids. It's a great way to get the kids more excited about the trip, especiall if you watch movies that have attractions at the parks. I love my Disney Movie Fun Nights (I really need to make a list and get started on them soon.)

 

[m2zjj]

I'm exhausted after a busy day at the zoo with DS's kindergarten class. I had to take the girls along too because I couldn't get a sitter and boy do all those kids have lots of energy!

But I had to pop in here because I'm super excited and had to share. I talked to my sister the other day about her maybe letting my DN (dear niece) still go on our trip. Her plane ticket is already bought because we booked our airfare before my sister lost her job so the cost wouldn't be much more for her to go, her park ticket and a little more for food. Anyway my sister is letting her go as long as she can behave herself this summer, she can get a little sassy with her mom. And my sister and I are splitting the cost of her park ticket so not as much more out of pocket for us. It's going to be great having her along. Not only do I love spending time with her but she is Disney crazy like I am and since she is 12 and loves my kids she will be a huge help with them too.

I get to introduce my niece to all my favorite things in WDW what could be better than that? I'm going to be calling her every other day to remind her to behave so she can go with us.

 

[Corrine 1973]

That is exciting news!!! How great that you sister is letting you take your DN, plus it will also be a big help for you to have an older child keep track of all those little ones.

 

[m2zjj]

Boy have I been majorly neglecting this PTR. I think a big part of it is that I'm not staying on property so no decision of what resort to stay at and to save money not doing many character meals so not much to talk about there either.

I started this PTR with 18 months to go and now I'm down to just 12 days, almost to single digits.

I'm going crazy trying to figure out the last minute details. What park what days, what days to go to cocoa beach, how and when to schedule breaks back to our vacation home.

Here is what I have so far.

August 2nd
DH gets out of work at 5pm car will be all packed and ready to go when he gets home at 5:30pm planning to be on the road by 6pm heading for Detroit. Trip should take about 3 hrs including potty breaks and a quick fast food stop for dinner. Check into the Howard Johnson right across from DTW and try to get a good nights sleep.

August 3rd
Kids will probably have us up about 7am might get lucky and get to sleep in until 8am. Anyway get up, showered, dressed, and down to the lobby for a quick breakfast. Depending on the time maybe let the kids swim for a bit before our noon checkout. Dh will drop the kids and i off at the airport and we'll unload bags and get them checked while he takes the car back to the hotel parking, We paid for the park and fly package, it was the same price for the room and parking as it was for parking alone at the airport. DH takes the shuttle back to the airport and meets up with us before security. Grab lunch somewhere in the airport. Flight takes off at 3pm if it's on time and should land at MCO about 5:45pm.
PIck up rental car, head to the condo, unload bags and then off to the store to pick up groceries and a few other items. Back to the condo throw together a quick dinner and unpack then off to bed since we have an early morning the next day.

August 4th
8:05 ADR for Crystal Palace. I'm super excited since this is my first sit down meal in any of the parks and it's before park opening so the kids get to see the Castle for the first time without a huge crowd of people. After breakfast we're spending the morning in MK and will go back to the condo for a nap in the early afternoon not sure whether we will go back to MK in the evening or if we will hop to another park.

August 5th
Unknown

August 6th
Unknown

August 7th
Unknown

August 8th
Not sure of the morning plan yet but the evening will be spent at MK and will be going to the wishes dessert party that night. YUM!

August 9th
Unknown

August 10th
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August 11th
Unknown

August 12th
Unknown

August 13th
Pack up the car and stop at a park, not sure which one but probably MK, for a few last rides before heading to the airport. Back to the airport by a little after 1pm. Grab lunch at the airport and board our 3:45pm flight home If flight is on time we'll be back in Detroit around 6:30pm and back home about 10:30pm. I feel bad for DH who has to work the next day, not until 11am but still he's going to be exhausted.