mlayman7
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2014
Where to start!? I am used to reading these reports and have always been jealous of how great, organized, and helpful they are to others. I have always wanted to do this since I am the main planner for our family vacations. I think I want to be able to look back on these reports as a way to remember the trip and as a way to make the next one a little more unique. We started doing daily video interviews for ourselves after each day on our last trip. The kids really liked that and I think that will help me when it comes to posting during our next trip. Here it goes.
When are we going?
December 27th, 2021 - January 8th, 2022. I remember planning our first Disney vacation in 2013 and can still remember the warnings I got from each guide book and every person who has been to Disney... DO NOT GO DURING THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS!! Well we can just once right? It won't be that crowded...
We have been going once a year since 2013, thanks to purchasing DVC after our first trip. We usually go during one of the first two weeks of December and/or maybe an early summer trip so we have never seen it too crowded. There have been days at the Magic Kingdom where we thought it was too much but that occurred mostly in the evening around fireworks time. This is where we are very nervous about this upcoming trip, with COVID restrictions being over and people wanting to travel, will there be even more people this upcoming holiday trip than there would be pre-COVID holiday trips? The one good thing, we have our room booked already. If they bring fast passes back, with no changes, then that would make us feel even better.
Who is going on this trip?
I think I will start from youngest and and move our way up.
Leah - She is our youngest and absolutely loves Disney and Universal. At 5 years old she loves going on all the rides and has never shied away from a roller coaster. Last year she was able to go on Splash Mountain and big Thunder Mountain and loved them. I would not put her in the thrill seeking category because she still prefers to swim with a life jacket on and would rather play in the splash pad vs going down some of the bigger slides but I love the fact that she does not hesitate to on any of the rides she is tall enough for in the parks. Her first trip was when she was 8 months old and I think going once a year to the parks may have taken away any fears.
Favorite Disney Character - Elsa
Favorite Ride - Torn between Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway and Slinky Dog Dash. "Slinky because it is fast and Mickey's because you are sitting in a train."
Favorite Park - Magic Kingdom
Least Favorite Ride - Dinosaur
Next up we have Chloe - If it is still okay to have a scale on girlish one can be, she would be a 10. She is a ballerina, princess, social butterfly, and also loves going to Disney and Universal. She was 2 on her first trip when we stayed at the Polynesian. That was so nice not having to pay for her! She is now 10 and is in a growth spurt, thankfully, I am short, and she was taking after me, but now she is shooting up a little bit! She gets along great with her sister. She will play with dolls with her and watch the same shows as her. Just wondering when that will end? Hopefully never because it is fantastic.
Favorite Disney Character:
Favorite Ride: 7DMT (has been her favorite for years) also loves the Forbidden Journey at Universal
Favorite Park: Magic Kingdom
Least Favorite Ride: She will still go on it once per trip but does not like the Tower of Terror!
Lucas - Our oldest, tallest, and most daring child. When we go to Universal, he wears me out and makes me feel old because he can go on RRR, Hulk, Transformers, and Spider Man with no issues afterwards. He is 11 and is catching up to his Dad in almost everything he does, be it soccer, basketball, biking, running. Universal appeals to him more at this age but he still looks forward to Disney as well. He also gets along with his sisters, maybe not quite as much as they do with each other but he does a good job of looking after them, especially Leah. He was very disappointed to learn that the Sorcerer's game was ended at the MK. Still not sure why they did that, not like it would cost them that much money to keep it running.
Favorite Disney Character - Kylo Ren
Favorite Ride - Hulk and Hagrid's
Favorite Park - Universal Island's of Adventure
Least Favorite Ride - Magic Carpets
Wife/Jennifer - More a fan of doing a Disney Cruise vs. going to Disney World, is game for pretty much anything. In truth she really wants to lay back and read a book, doesn't matter where she is at. She enjoys things the most when all the kids are out enjoying themselves. Does not like the crowds of theme parks so this trip is my biggest worry with making sure she is not too overwhelmed by making sure the kids do not get lost or trampled on, although we just have Leah who is now at the age we would have to worry about. I think she may still be in a stroller too. Knows I am the bigger Disney fan than she is but goes along with it because she knows it is my place to unwind from the stresses of work. The two of us try and make it down by ourselves once a year for a short trip, mostly for the Food and Wine Festival.
Favorite Disney Character - Minnie Mouse
Favorite Ride - Kilimanjaro Safari
Favorite Park - Animal Kingdom
Least Favorite Ride - The Teacups
Me/Matt - I had never been to Disney until we took our kids for the first time so it was a complete eye opening experience for me. I initially did a lot of research and we stayed at the Polynesian for that first trip. We were hooked or I should say, I was hooked and it would be a rarity if a kid would say no to going back. I am at the opposite spectrum when it comes to the theme parks compared to Jenn. I love the process of planning on things to do, where to eat, which rides to fast pass, which days to take a break. I like being active, although after a few Disney cruises, I also can appreciate some more relaxing elements with those vacations as well. You can stay just as busy on a cruise but different types of busy. I am a big runner, biker, swimmer and the only time I take a break is when I am on vacation. I figure I make up for it walking around a lot. The parks is the place where I feel completely away from work and to me that is the ultimate relaxing trip.
Favorite Disney Character - Baloo
Favorite Ride - I love Splash Mountain and the Jingle Cruise (love the holiday overlay to the ride). Hagrid's and Rise of the Resistance are also amazing
Favorite Park - Magic Kingdom
Least Favorite Ride - Triceratop Spin and Kali River Rapids (that ride could have been so much better)
Grandma - This is my Mom and she has been with us before on Disney trips. The most recent being in late May 2017. She is very excited to try out Universal this year and will only be with us for a few nights at Disney and then full 3 nights at Universal. I need to find some previous trips pictures to add her into this thread. Once she decides on which date she plans on flying down to Orlando, we will get her tickets.
Matison - This is our niece who lives about one hour away. This is Jennifer's brother's child. She has also been with us before on a trip, most recent being 2018. She has never been to Universal either. She will be 12 years old on this trip and loves going on the exciting rides. This is my secret weapon for Universal. When my son asks me to go on another ride of the Hulk, I can just be like, well Matison will and you guys can ride together, I'll sit this one out. I don't have favorites for my Mom and Matison yet but by the end of the trip we will see where everyone stands. I think the Velicicoaster might be on a couple people's list.
Where are we staying?? 9 nights to start the trip will be at our DVC home resort, the Villas at the Grand Floridian in a standard 2 bedroom suite. We have stayed here before and absolutely can't wait to be back. It is very spacious, more than enough space for 7 of us. We plan on having lots of meals in the room to save some money, especially breakfast meals. Then we will have 3 nights at Universal Studios and will stay at the Hard Rock. We have stayed at each of the premier hotels at Universal and liked each one,
but the close proximity and the pool area of Hard Rock wins out for us. I was really close to choosing Portofino Bay figuring my Mom would like that resort a little more, but we got a good rate on the deluxe rooms for some added space, so with two of those booked, we will all fit comfortably. Express passes are a must at Universal simply because we have never been without them and now that it will be one of the busiest weeks, no way would we go without them!
We are from central Illinois and have always been able to fly down. We had a cruise booked over Spring Break last year. That was cancelled a couple days before we were scheduled to leave, I was okay with it from the stand point that we were going to drive down since flight prices were crazy. I am guessing flight prices again will be nuts when we are planning on going but this time I will be expecting it. We usually do Southwest out of Chicago or Indy so I am hoping that will be my next update, as our departure flight will be released in 4 days. Crossing my fingers for somewhat affordable prices.
When are we going?
December 27th, 2021 - January 8th, 2022. I remember planning our first Disney vacation in 2013 and can still remember the warnings I got from each guide book and every person who has been to Disney... DO NOT GO DURING THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS!! Well we can just once right? It won't be that crowded...
We have been going once a year since 2013, thanks to purchasing DVC after our first trip. We usually go during one of the first two weeks of December and/or maybe an early summer trip so we have never seen it too crowded. There have been days at the Magic Kingdom where we thought it was too much but that occurred mostly in the evening around fireworks time. This is where we are very nervous about this upcoming trip, with COVID restrictions being over and people wanting to travel, will there be even more people this upcoming holiday trip than there would be pre-COVID holiday trips? The one good thing, we have our room booked already. If they bring fast passes back, with no changes, then that would make us feel even better.
Who is going on this trip?
I think I will start from youngest and and move our way up.
Leah - She is our youngest and absolutely loves Disney and Universal. At 5 years old she loves going on all the rides and has never shied away from a roller coaster. Last year she was able to go on Splash Mountain and big Thunder Mountain and loved them. I would not put her in the thrill seeking category because she still prefers to swim with a life jacket on and would rather play in the splash pad vs going down some of the bigger slides but I love the fact that she does not hesitate to on any of the rides she is tall enough for in the parks. Her first trip was when she was 8 months old and I think going once a year to the parks may have taken away any fears.
Favorite Disney Character - Elsa
Favorite Ride - Torn between Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway and Slinky Dog Dash. "Slinky because it is fast and Mickey's because you are sitting in a train."
Favorite Park - Magic Kingdom
Least Favorite Ride - Dinosaur
Next up we have Chloe - If it is still okay to have a scale on girlish one can be, she would be a 10. She is a ballerina, princess, social butterfly, and also loves going to Disney and Universal. She was 2 on her first trip when we stayed at the Polynesian. That was so nice not having to pay for her! She is now 10 and is in a growth spurt, thankfully, I am short, and she was taking after me, but now she is shooting up a little bit! She gets along great with her sister. She will play with dolls with her and watch the same shows as her. Just wondering when that will end? Hopefully never because it is fantastic.
Favorite Disney Character:
Favorite Ride: 7DMT (has been her favorite for years) also loves the Forbidden Journey at Universal
Favorite Park: Magic Kingdom
Least Favorite Ride: She will still go on it once per trip but does not like the Tower of Terror!
Lucas - Our oldest, tallest, and most daring child. When we go to Universal, he wears me out and makes me feel old because he can go on RRR, Hulk, Transformers, and Spider Man with no issues afterwards. He is 11 and is catching up to his Dad in almost everything he does, be it soccer, basketball, biking, running. Universal appeals to him more at this age but he still looks forward to Disney as well. He also gets along with his sisters, maybe not quite as much as they do with each other but he does a good job of looking after them, especially Leah. He was very disappointed to learn that the Sorcerer's game was ended at the MK. Still not sure why they did that, not like it would cost them that much money to keep it running.
Favorite Disney Character - Kylo Ren
Favorite Ride - Hulk and Hagrid's
Favorite Park - Universal Island's of Adventure
Least Favorite Ride - Magic Carpets
Wife/Jennifer - More a fan of doing a Disney Cruise vs. going to Disney World, is game for pretty much anything. In truth she really wants to lay back and read a book, doesn't matter where she is at. She enjoys things the most when all the kids are out enjoying themselves. Does not like the crowds of theme parks so this trip is my biggest worry with making sure she is not too overwhelmed by making sure the kids do not get lost or trampled on, although we just have Leah who is now at the age we would have to worry about. I think she may still be in a stroller too. Knows I am the bigger Disney fan than she is but goes along with it because she knows it is my place to unwind from the stresses of work. The two of us try and make it down by ourselves once a year for a short trip, mostly for the Food and Wine Festival.
Favorite Disney Character - Minnie Mouse
Favorite Ride - Kilimanjaro Safari
Favorite Park - Animal Kingdom
Least Favorite Ride - The Teacups
Me/Matt - I had never been to Disney until we took our kids for the first time so it was a complete eye opening experience for me. I initially did a lot of research and we stayed at the Polynesian for that first trip. We were hooked or I should say, I was hooked and it would be a rarity if a kid would say no to going back. I am at the opposite spectrum when it comes to the theme parks compared to Jenn. I love the process of planning on things to do, where to eat, which rides to fast pass, which days to take a break. I like being active, although after a few Disney cruises, I also can appreciate some more relaxing elements with those vacations as well. You can stay just as busy on a cruise but different types of busy. I am a big runner, biker, swimmer and the only time I take a break is when I am on vacation. I figure I make up for it walking around a lot. The parks is the place where I feel completely away from work and to me that is the ultimate relaxing trip.
Favorite Disney Character - Baloo
Favorite Ride - I love Splash Mountain and the Jingle Cruise (love the holiday overlay to the ride). Hagrid's and Rise of the Resistance are also amazing
Favorite Park - Magic Kingdom
Least Favorite Ride - Triceratop Spin and Kali River Rapids (that ride could have been so much better)
Grandma - This is my Mom and she has been with us before on Disney trips. The most recent being in late May 2017. She is very excited to try out Universal this year and will only be with us for a few nights at Disney and then full 3 nights at Universal. I need to find some previous trips pictures to add her into this thread. Once she decides on which date she plans on flying down to Orlando, we will get her tickets.
Matison - This is our niece who lives about one hour away. This is Jennifer's brother's child. She has also been with us before on a trip, most recent being 2018. She has never been to Universal either. She will be 12 years old on this trip and loves going on the exciting rides. This is my secret weapon for Universal. When my son asks me to go on another ride of the Hulk, I can just be like, well Matison will and you guys can ride together, I'll sit this one out. I don't have favorites for my Mom and Matison yet but by the end of the trip we will see where everyone stands. I think the Velicicoaster might be on a couple people's list.
Where are we staying?? 9 nights to start the trip will be at our DVC home resort, the Villas at the Grand Floridian in a standard 2 bedroom suite. We have stayed here before and absolutely can't wait to be back. It is very spacious, more than enough space for 7 of us. We plan on having lots of meals in the room to save some money, especially breakfast meals. Then we will have 3 nights at Universal Studios and will stay at the Hard Rock. We have stayed at each of the premier hotels at Universal and liked each one,
but the close proximity and the pool area of Hard Rock wins out for us. I was really close to choosing Portofino Bay figuring my Mom would like that resort a little more, but we got a good rate on the deluxe rooms for some added space, so with two of those booked, we will all fit comfortably. Express passes are a must at Universal simply because we have never been without them and now that it will be one of the busiest weeks, no way would we go without them!We are from central Illinois and have always been able to fly down. We had a cruise booked over Spring Break last year. That was cancelled a couple days before we were scheduled to leave, I was okay with it from the stand point that we were going to drive down since flight prices were crazy. I am guessing flight prices again will be nuts when we are planning on going but this time I will be expecting it. We usually do Southwest out of Chicago or Indy so I am hoping that will be my next update, as our departure flight will be released in 4 days. Crossing my fingers for somewhat affordable prices.
