We're taking our first family trip to WDW April 2-9, 2011. Fifth trip for me but first since 1998. DH's first trip since 1982, so he's clueless about what to expect. I've been dying to take DDs (7 and 5) for years, but DH worries about the expense and believes they were too young until now. When in-laws offered us a week of their timeshare for DH's birthday this year, we both knew we'd FINALLY be going to the World.
I'm VERY excited about going in April. Our spring break usually falls on Easter week, but it's scheduled for first week in April since the holiday falls so late. We hope this means much lesser crowds than first week in April of 2010. The weather should be awesome--avg. high of 83, avg. low of 60, much less rainfall than in the summer months. Every other time I've been it was in the middle of summer, and I can recall how hot and miserable it was in the afternoons just before the sky opened up and dropped buckets of rain on us.
I'm a commando kind of gal by nature, but having kids has made me slow down and learn to enjoy more relaxing vacations. I just worry that I'll be too excited to kick back relax! I want to see and do EVERYTHING, but I have to keep my expectations realistic.
I want us to ALL have a wonderful time, so that means I have to schedule in plenty of down time for the kids and DH. It also mean that I can't break the bank on this trip. I definitely want DH to love the experience so much that he can't wait to go back. I know the girls and I will feel that way. But if we spend too much (like my sister did on her recent $6,000, 10-day WDW trip), DH will be quite reluctant to return.
So I've been buying bargain souvenirs (esp. T-shirts) online for large arrival gift bags once we get there, and the kids are saving up their allowances to buy all their own souvenirs once we're there. I've done much of my research with library books and online. Bought TGM and UG sites with discount codes (and they've already proven well worth it). Talked to the kids about why we'll stick to drinking water, unless they want to spend their own money to splurge on "fancy drinks."
Hubby's pretty happy about my budget planning thus far. Now we're trying to decide what we'll splurge on. I'm thinking 3-4 TS meals (1 or 2 character meals) during our 8-day trip, and one CS meal each day. The kids can split meals, and hubby and I like grazing and sharing.
I REALLY want both girls to do the BBB before we go to late Princess lunch at Akershus. Hubby thinks it's crazy to spend $100+ on hair and makeup for 7 and 5 YO. May ask a grandparent to spring for that as a Christmas gift.
Akershus will be perfect after a sleep-in morning. I also really want to catch the Fab 5, so we'll probably do Chef Mickey's one night for dinner. Was thinking we'd hit T-Rex, but now I worry that it's too loud and we'll need at least one "peaceful" sit-down meal. Other than Mickey's, I think I want to stick to the park restaurants so we minimize travel time.
We'll eat breakfast in our condo each morning, as none of us eat heavy in the a.m. and I hate to wake up the kids any earlier than necessary. We plan to hit RD 5 days during our trip, so early to bed will be the rule of thumb for us. Most dinners will be in our condo, and I plan to make a few casseroles before we go so I won't have to worry about cooking.
Some CS meals we're planning are Peco's Bill, Flame Tree BBQ and MANY of the Epcot ethnic places. I know that Epcot will be DH's favorite park, so I think we'll spend 3 days there (1 RD for Soarin' and two sleep in/late arrivals). Our girls enjoy entertaining & educational exhibits plus they love making arts and crafts, so I don't think they'll be at all bored at Epcot. Right now we're learning how to say "hello" in all the different languages and we're reading books set in some of the Epcot nations.
I'm also thinking three days at MK (all three RDs, one a 3/4 day and the other two days taking an afternoon break). So one day each at AK and DHS (trying not to buy PH), but we'll be flexible and cut back a day at Epcot or MK (yeah, right) if they'd rather go back to AK or DHS.
No PH and only one day at DHS means we'll miss Fantasmic (unless it's shown more than twice that week), but I think it's for the best. I kept trying to fit in it but kept coming back to "It Just Won't Work." Oh well, next time. We'll also save the water parks for our next trip.
Right now I'm just so eager for the park schedules to come out for April so I can make more definitive plans. I've got my ADR windows marked on my calendar and the phone number on my speed dial!
I think April 2011 will be a great time to visit WDW, and I can hardly wait!
Don't forget Dole Whips!
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
