Part 1 Pre-Trip
We had decided about a week after returning from a family holiday last August to book for just the two of us to go this year. I was chuffed to bits, I knew Gavin had enjoyed himself but was surprised he was wishing to go again so soon. We quickly agreed that this was the best place for us to get married, no hassle, no fuss, no family. Perfect.
At the end of August we booked with Travel City Direct. We had just flown with them so we weren’t nervous despite all the TCD bashing that can go on. We did look around on the internet and in the Travel Agents for a deal but nothing came close.
We opted to stay onsite at Pop Century, again this was after a lot of research but onsite won out as we hadn’t done it before. We upgraded the car to an Intermediate 4 door but a few months ago this was upgraded to an SUV.
I made 2 ADR’s when my window opened. One for Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic package and one for Concourse Steakhouse.
Gavin played a bigger part in the planning this year. It was a lot more real now he had been, when I was planning last years trip everything was alien to him so he didn’t contribute much.
I asked him what was the one thing he would love to do and his request was the Around the World on a Seqway. This couldn’t be booked until 90 days out but I called asap and booked for the 08.30 tour, I think it was $80.00pp non-refundable and payable upfront.
My wish list consisted of a lot of things but I plumped for Cirque Du Soleil. This was after some encouragement from you lot as Gavin doesn’t ‘do’ circuses so I was taking a risk with the expense and Gavin not enjoying it. I also didn’t tell him until after it had been booked! I have thrown away my receipt for this but am sure it was $70.00pp
A few months ago I booked a one night stay at the Hard Rock Hotel as a surprise for Gavin, hopefully it was going to be on the same day as we got married and the day after we would also have the advantage of Front of the Line Access at Universal Studio’s. This didn’t remain a surprise for long. In between booking and printing off my confirmation Gavin had checked our emails from work and seen the receipt! He didn’t tell me he knew, he just kept on trying to get me to tell him then one evening it was very obvious he knew so the gig was up!
After much debate about how & when we were travelling to Manchester Airport I finally won my battle to stay overnight the day before we flew. We choose Bewleys Hotel £69.00 per room/per night and then added 16 days parking. £35.00 for 14 days then £5.00 per day after. They provided a shuttle to the airport and back.
We are both desperately looking forward to this holiday. It seems an age since we booked and hardly a day has gone by without some planning or research been done.
We, or rather I have also been paying the price for doing what is best for Gavin and Myself. My mother is beyond unimpressed we are getting married abroad. I don’t feel one smidgen of guilt but the remarks etc when I speak to her are really beginning to annoy me and I cant wait to get it done with so they can stop. There have also been several occasions when she, or one of her allies has mentioned the possibility of her ‘popping across for a couple of days’ this was met with a stare from me as I could trust myself to speak. Please don’t think bad of me because I didn’t want my Mother there. Anyone who has read my DLRP report from September 2006 will understand! Gavin’s parents were the complete opposite, happy as Larry we weren’t expecting them to do anything!
So, my ticker has gone from 11 months plus to just a few days and we are soon on our way. I plan to give you lot’s of detail as I have a big notebook to fill and also most of the tips I have picked up have been from reading reports. I hope your not too bored, If you are just look at the pictures!
Oh, 'Just the two of us' are
Gavin - 31 Quality Engineer
Jodie - 28 Bank Clerk
Jodie
PART 2 HERE
We had decided about a week after returning from a family holiday last August to book for just the two of us to go this year. I was chuffed to bits, I knew Gavin had enjoyed himself but was surprised he was wishing to go again so soon. We quickly agreed that this was the best place for us to get married, no hassle, no fuss, no family. Perfect.
At the end of August we booked with Travel City Direct. We had just flown with them so we weren’t nervous despite all the TCD bashing that can go on. We did look around on the internet and in the Travel Agents for a deal but nothing came close.
We opted to stay onsite at Pop Century, again this was after a lot of research but onsite won out as we hadn’t done it before. We upgraded the car to an Intermediate 4 door but a few months ago this was upgraded to an SUV.
I made 2 ADR’s when my window opened. One for Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic package and one for Concourse Steakhouse.
Gavin played a bigger part in the planning this year. It was a lot more real now he had been, when I was planning last years trip everything was alien to him so he didn’t contribute much.
I asked him what was the one thing he would love to do and his request was the Around the World on a Seqway. This couldn’t be booked until 90 days out but I called asap and booked for the 08.30 tour, I think it was $80.00pp non-refundable and payable upfront.
My wish list consisted of a lot of things but I plumped for Cirque Du Soleil. This was after some encouragement from you lot as Gavin doesn’t ‘do’ circuses so I was taking a risk with the expense and Gavin not enjoying it. I also didn’t tell him until after it had been booked! I have thrown away my receipt for this but am sure it was $70.00pp
A few months ago I booked a one night stay at the Hard Rock Hotel as a surprise for Gavin, hopefully it was going to be on the same day as we got married and the day after we would also have the advantage of Front of the Line Access at Universal Studio’s. This didn’t remain a surprise for long. In between booking and printing off my confirmation Gavin had checked our emails from work and seen the receipt! He didn’t tell me he knew, he just kept on trying to get me to tell him then one evening it was very obvious he knew so the gig was up!
After much debate about how & when we were travelling to Manchester Airport I finally won my battle to stay overnight the day before we flew. We choose Bewleys Hotel £69.00 per room/per night and then added 16 days parking. £35.00 for 14 days then £5.00 per day after. They provided a shuttle to the airport and back.
We are both desperately looking forward to this holiday. It seems an age since we booked and hardly a day has gone by without some planning or research been done.
We, or rather I have also been paying the price for doing what is best for Gavin and Myself. My mother is beyond unimpressed we are getting married abroad. I don’t feel one smidgen of guilt but the remarks etc when I speak to her are really beginning to annoy me and I cant wait to get it done with so they can stop. There have also been several occasions when she, or one of her allies has mentioned the possibility of her ‘popping across for a couple of days’ this was met with a stare from me as I could trust myself to speak. Please don’t think bad of me because I didn’t want my Mother there. Anyone who has read my DLRP report from September 2006 will understand! Gavin’s parents were the complete opposite, happy as Larry we weren’t expecting them to do anything!
So, my ticker has gone from 11 months plus to just a few days and we are soon on our way. I plan to give you lot’s of detail as I have a big notebook to fill and also most of the tips I have picked up have been from reading reports. I hope your not too bored, If you are just look at the pictures!
Oh, 'Just the two of us' are
Gavin - 31 Quality Engineer
Jodie - 28 Bank Clerk
Jodie
PART 2 HERE
