Darcy03231
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2006
- Messages
- 11,247
Pre-trip report. Since I enjoy everyone else's pretrip/trip reports I'd thought I'd give a try in writing my own. Here goes.
Just so you know the members of the crew, we are:
Me - Darcy (47) loves to travel and get a good deal.
DD#2 - Brittany (17) our princess. Loves anything and everything girly.
DS #2 David (15) my sports fanatic. His big request this trip is to eat at NBA City.
Not appearing this trip are:
Dennis (DH) he gets half the vacation time I do and just cant make it this trip. Hes happy to stay home by himself - says it like a vacation for him with no one around. He can eat what he wants, when he wants and doesnt have fight anyone for the tv. Hes also not a lover of theme parks, heat, lines, crowds, etc. so this really isnt his idea of a vacation.
DS #1 - Justin (24) Hes in college (finishing up his last year) and is on a different school schedule than the two youngest.
DD #1 Taylor (20) Shes in college (2nd year) and again, isnt on the same vacation schedule. Shes on an accelerated program so she goes to school year round and her breaks dont coincide with everyone elses.
Ive resigned myself to the fact that to get all six of us on the same schedule to travel anymore is pretty much impossible.
Well this has got to be one of the fastest trips Ive ever planned. Im one of those compulsive people who usually plans trips at least a year in advance, constantly checking prices of airfare, hotels, cars, shuttle services well Im sure you get the picture. Originally this trip was supposed to take place in August 2009 and be a cruise. Then DS#2 informed me that he couldnt possibly go in August because of football practice. DD#2 then wanted to know why we had to go in August, couldnt we go during April vacation. Then both DS#1 and DD#1 told me they couldnt travel at all this summer due to classes (theyre both in college). The two youngest now want to go somewhere for Spring Break. Keep in mind this is now the beginning of March in the Northeast, where winter has been long and hard. Everyone is tired of the snow and wants out now! That meant Mom had to get on the computer and see what she could find for last minute travel that was affordable. I didnt hold out much hope as those of you who have traveled from the Northeast during April school vacation know that you have to book air early or its virtually impossible to find it at an even good price, never mind a great price. At this point a trip back to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure wasnt even on the horizon.
After spending several nights researching flights and cruises it became clear that there was no way we were going on a cruise over April vacation. If I could get the flight the cruise was sold out. If I could get the cruise, I couldnt get airfare less than $750.00 per person (not in this lifetime ). It was looking as if a last minute trip was doomed! Then I got it .. my voucher for a free ticket to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure from the Superbowl Promotion. Maybe we could put together a trip there.
Off I went again to the trusty computer to start checking out hotels. The last time we went was in August 2007 when we were there for 16 days and rented a house. Since there were nine of us traveling at the time it made the most sense both in terms of price (and room to spread out) to rent a private pool home. I did rent a room at the Royal Pacific for one night to get the Express Pass for two days for the teens in our group (although we didn't stay in the room, it was just the least expensive option). Now that they had experienced the power of the Express Pass of course the kids wanted to stay on-site. I wasnt quite so sure about the cost (of course the kids dont think about the money end of it you know). On to the Universal Orlando web-site and what do I find? Buy 3 nights get 2 free! Free do you say? One of my favorite words! So it looks like we can stay at the Hard Rock Hotel for a very affordable price ($180/night including all taxes and fees - RPR didnt have a standard queen room available for our dates). Ok - that's doable. Now its off to try to find airfare.
We live about 12 miles from the Manchester, New Hampshire airport so thats my first choice when flying. Were also within driving distance to Boston (about an hour), Hartford (about 2 hours), Portland (about 2 hours), Burlington (about 2 hours), Worcester (about an hour) and Providence (about an hour and a half). This gives me a lot of flexibility for flights. Of course I tried Manchester first and that was out right away. Least expensive flight that week was $450.00 per person. Next off to check out Boston (not that I thought it would be much better, but it never hurts to look). What, US Airways has a flight for $74/pp going to Orlando (of course its at 5:00 a.m., but its $74.00!!!!!!!!!). Quick book 3 tickets down. Continental has a flight back for $78/pp one way on the date I need. Book those real quick too. Yahoooo were golden! Flights are booked and now just back to the Universal site real quick to book the hotel. Hey kids, were going to Universal Studios for spring break and staying at the Hard Rock Hotel!!!! Yes, I know Im the best Mom ever.
Just so you know the members of the crew, we are:
Me - Darcy (47) loves to travel and get a good deal.
DD#2 - Brittany (17) our princess. Loves anything and everything girly.
DS #2 David (15) my sports fanatic. His big request this trip is to eat at NBA City.
Not appearing this trip are:
Dennis (DH) he gets half the vacation time I do and just cant make it this trip. Hes happy to stay home by himself - says it like a vacation for him with no one around. He can eat what he wants, when he wants and doesnt have fight anyone for the tv. Hes also not a lover of theme parks, heat, lines, crowds, etc. so this really isnt his idea of a vacation.
DS #1 - Justin (24) Hes in college (finishing up his last year) and is on a different school schedule than the two youngest.
DD #1 Taylor (20) Shes in college (2nd year) and again, isnt on the same vacation schedule. Shes on an accelerated program so she goes to school year round and her breaks dont coincide with everyone elses.
Ive resigned myself to the fact that to get all six of us on the same schedule to travel anymore is pretty much impossible.
Well this has got to be one of the fastest trips Ive ever planned. Im one of those compulsive people who usually plans trips at least a year in advance, constantly checking prices of airfare, hotels, cars, shuttle services well Im sure you get the picture. Originally this trip was supposed to take place in August 2009 and be a cruise. Then DS#2 informed me that he couldnt possibly go in August because of football practice. DD#2 then wanted to know why we had to go in August, couldnt we go during April vacation. Then both DS#1 and DD#1 told me they couldnt travel at all this summer due to classes (theyre both in college). The two youngest now want to go somewhere for Spring Break. Keep in mind this is now the beginning of March in the Northeast, where winter has been long and hard. Everyone is tired of the snow and wants out now! That meant Mom had to get on the computer and see what she could find for last minute travel that was affordable. I didnt hold out much hope as those of you who have traveled from the Northeast during April school vacation know that you have to book air early or its virtually impossible to find it at an even good price, never mind a great price. At this point a trip back to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure wasnt even on the horizon.
After spending several nights researching flights and cruises it became clear that there was no way we were going on a cruise over April vacation. If I could get the flight the cruise was sold out. If I could get the cruise, I couldnt get airfare less than $750.00 per person (not in this lifetime ). It was looking as if a last minute trip was doomed! Then I got it .. my voucher for a free ticket to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure from the Superbowl Promotion. Maybe we could put together a trip there.
Off I went again to the trusty computer to start checking out hotels. The last time we went was in August 2007 when we were there for 16 days and rented a house. Since there were nine of us traveling at the time it made the most sense both in terms of price (and room to spread out) to rent a private pool home. I did rent a room at the Royal Pacific for one night to get the Express Pass for two days for the teens in our group (although we didn't stay in the room, it was just the least expensive option). Now that they had experienced the power of the Express Pass of course the kids wanted to stay on-site. I wasnt quite so sure about the cost (of course the kids dont think about the money end of it you know). On to the Universal Orlando web-site and what do I find? Buy 3 nights get 2 free! Free do you say? One of my favorite words! So it looks like we can stay at the Hard Rock Hotel for a very affordable price ($180/night including all taxes and fees - RPR didnt have a standard queen room available for our dates). Ok - that's doable. Now its off to try to find airfare.
We live about 12 miles from the Manchester, New Hampshire airport so thats my first choice when flying. Were also within driving distance to Boston (about an hour), Hartford (about 2 hours), Portland (about 2 hours), Burlington (about 2 hours), Worcester (about an hour) and Providence (about an hour and a half). This gives me a lot of flexibility for flights. Of course I tried Manchester first and that was out right away. Least expensive flight that week was $450.00 per person. Next off to check out Boston (not that I thought it would be much better, but it never hurts to look). What, US Airways has a flight for $74/pp going to Orlando (of course its at 5:00 a.m., but its $74.00!!!!!!!!!). Quick book 3 tickets down. Continental has a flight back for $78/pp one way on the date I need. Book those real quick too. Yahoooo were golden! Flights are booked and now just back to the Universal site real quick to book the hotel. Hey kids, were going to Universal Studios for spring break and staying at the Hard Rock Hotel!!!! Yes, I know Im the best Mom ever.
That means we need to leave our house by 2:00 a.m. 
. Well have about an hour to get to the parks and hit a couple of our favorites one last time before leaving. I know it will be Hulk for the kids.
sorry to hear about the ankle!!!
