Mom and Dad didn't take us so we're taking ourselves! A Pre-trip Report

[AprilRenee]

I guess I should introduce the group.
First is my husband (Andrew...turns 26 on the trip) and myself (April...24):

We went for our first trip in May of 2010. At the end of that trip we decided that we had to bring my 3 younger brothers back to see the magic!

So...we got home and started making dream plans...then all of a sudden we were pricing out the trip and then making a deposit and suddenly...we've got a Disney Vacation in the works.

The rest of the group:
Elliott (20)...the brother right below me. He has never been to Disney World and called me several times during my trip wanting to hear all about it. He's the main reason we're taking the boys.

Next comes Oliver (17)...He went to Epcot for 1 day 2 years ago with my dad and Avery (the youngest brother). But they rode all of about 3 rides and wandered the World Showcase for a few hours. We're going to show them what Disney is REALLY like and are considering this their "real" first trip!

The youngest of the family is Avery (13)...he went with Dad and Oliver on that 1 day LAME visit and we're considering this his first real trip as well.

NEXT: Where will we stay?

 

[AprilRenee]

We're going to stay in the Family Suites at the All Star Music Resort.
AND we ended up being able to get Free Dining so we get to stay 3ish days longer for the price we had budgeted!!

We're going Jan 2nd-9th and are SOOO excited.

Everyone is so excited to go and see Disney the "Unnofficial Guide way" SO...I'm starting to plan the best days for each park...haven't gotten to getting my touring plans yet but...I have some time
Here's the daily plan I have scheduled:
Sun Jan 2nd
Arrival and Magic Kingdom (4.3)
Leave STL 10:30a
Arrive MCO 3p
Magic Express to hotel by 3:30ish
Get checked in and settle in
Get to MK by 5ish
See MSEP @ 7 and Wishes @ 8 (check times guide to see if later time for either)
MK open til 1am
Hit the Grand Floridian to see decorations before they all come down

Mon Jan 3rd
Epcot 9a-9p (3)
Get to EP by 10ish
See Future World
World Showcase if still up for it
Visa Meet and Greet between 1:30-4:30…aim to hit it around 3p
Hop to HS for Osborne Family Lights (7ish til 11p) Bus takes 13 min, Boat takes 35min
Back to EP
Watch Illuminations @ 9p
EP closes at 9p

Tues Jan 4th
Hollywood Studios 9a-7p (0.9)
Get there by 8:45 for RD
See Fantasmic
HS open til 7p

Wed Jan 5th
Epcot World Showcase 11am-9p (5.2)
Ride Soarin’ again
Do a Kim Possible Mission today
See Characters
Maybe hit Visa Meet and Greet again

Thurs Jan 6th
Animal Kingdom 9a-5p, EMH 5p-8p (1.8)
Be there for RD at 8:45am, also able to use entrance in Rainforest Cafe
Be sure to ride Dinosaur and see Finding Nemo
Boys see Bugs Life
Parade at 3:45p if we want
Hit DTD for dinner and some shopping

Fri Jan 7th
Hit favorite park or parks again
MK – 9a-8p (2.5)
EP – 9a-9p EMH 9p-11p (7.8)
HS – 9a-7p (1.4)
AK – 9a-5p (3)

Sat Jan 8th
Magic Kingdom 9a-9p (3.2) Marathon Weekend=hard to get to parks in AM
Andrew’s Birthday Celebration
Arrive by 8:45 if possible for RD
Do whatever Andrew wants ☺
Maybe hop to a different park in afternoon or go shopping at DTD
Dinner: Andrew’s choice
Wander a park til close (World Showcase or MK)

Sun Jan 9th
Going Home Day
Check out
Hit our fav park for couple of hours (be there by RD if possible)
MK (1.1)
EP (0.5)
HS (2.3)
AK (2.5)
Be back to the hotel by 12 noon for Magical Express
Flight leaves MCO at 3:30 (must check in at least 45 min before)

Other tips for free evenings:
FW has a free campfire sing along thing
ASMusic (ours) has a free movie night by the pool