Newbie Planning Early for 2012

[TinkPirateMom]

Hi Everyone!

I am new here but I have been lurking for a few weeks trying to become familiar with the forum. It seems like a wonderful resource so I just joined. I am here to start planning for a 2012 WDW vacation. I have not been to the World since 2005. This will be our first and possibly our only WDW trip as a family so I am trying to plan as if it is a once in a lifetime trip just in case it is. DH is not exactly a Disney Downer but not nearly as big of a fan as I am. I am trying to convert him, lol! In addition to converting DH I have children of opposite sexes and with 12 years age difference between them. So keeping everyone happy and entertained on family vacations is always tricky for us. I can use all the help I can get!

Look forward to spending some quality time here with fellow Disney fans!

 

[DSNY MJK]

Good Morning TinkPirateMom...Well, we leave for WDW tomorrow morning for a 10 day stay...We have DS age 20 and a DD age 10...They have no problem with things to do or getting along doing the same things...As for your DH, one of the best things, is to tell him he gets to be a kid for the length of your stay...That's the way we look at it...Make sure your not rushed and that you have time to relax...Make some plans or an itinerary but leave time to ad lib some of the things you want to do...Don't go by a strict schedule...Find out everyones favorite character and see if you can meet each of them...That's always special...One thing we found somewhere is make a game of it...Everyone picks a color of a monorail...When you see the first monorail, wherever it is...The person that it matches gets to pick the first thing to do for either the day or for the trip...It's a lot of fun...Need to pak some more...will check back later...Hope this helps

 

[Metro West]

 

[TinkPirateMom]

Good Morning TinkPirateMom...Well, we leave for WDW tomorrow morning for a 10 day stay...We have DS age 20 and a DD age 10...They have no problem with things to do or getting along doing the same things...As for your DH, one of the best things, is to tell him he gets to be a kid for the length of your stay...That's the way we look at it...Make sure your not rushed and that you have time to relax...Make some plans or an itinerary but leave time to ad lib some of the things you want to do...Don't go by a strict schedule...Find out everyones favorite character and see if you can meet each of them...That's always special...One thing we found somewhere is make a game of it...Everyone picks a color of a monorail...When you see the first monorail, wherever it is...The person that it matches gets to pick the first thing to do for either the day or for the trip...It's a lot of fun...Need to pak some more...will check back later...Hope this helps[/QUOTE

Oh Wow! You leave tomorrow. Have a magical trip!
Thank you for all of the advice. I am planning early and starting to save because I really want to stay 8 or 9 nights. I know my DH and DS will want/need plenty of downtime. My daughter and I are more of the commando style park visitors. So I'm thinking if we know we have plenty of time for breaks we will feel like we still get to see plenty and have the best of both worlds.

Metro thanks for the warm welcome! I noticed your comment above your avatar, I am the proud mother of 2 red-heads! No one else in the family has red hair so no idea where it came from, lol!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

we plan on returning to WDW in early 2012 as well, either Jan or mid March for the flower and garden festival. Do you have a resort in mind yet?

I planned my first trip as once in a lifetime never thought I could afford it mor than once, that was 9 years and 20+ trips ago. I converted my DH into a disney freak his first visits, he thought he wouldn't like it and had been as a kid and young adult and remembered it being hot, lots of waiting, tired feet etc. I have never been prouder than as we drove out of downtown Orlando he turned to me with puppy dog eyes and said when can we come back.

 

[Boo Bear]

 

[TinkPirateMom]

we plan on returning to WDW in early 2012 as well, either Jan or mid March for the flower and garden festival. Do you have a resort in mind yet?

I planned my first trip as once in a lifetime never thought I could afford it mor than once, that was 9 years and 20+ trips ago. I converted my DH into a disney freak his first visits, he thought he wouldn't like it and had been as a kid and young adult and remembered it being hot, lots of waiting, tired feet etc. I have never been prouder than as we drove out of downtown Orlando he turned to me with puppy dog eyes and said when can we come back.

Thank you!

I love that you were able to convert your DH into a Disney freak. Great work! I am pretty sure I will be back to DW after this 2012 trip but I'm just not so sure that all 4 of us will go back again as a family, just due to the children's age differences and my my DH not yet being a fan. Hopefully, I'm wrong but just in case I need to make this trip extra magical.

At the moment, I am very interested in WL. Although, every once in a while I catch myself looking at Poly and CR for the monorail and BC for Stormalong Bay and proximity to Epcot. WL is definitely in the lead though. We will fly there and use Disney transportation. We will visit all 4 theme parks but will not be doing any of the non-Disney parks while in Orlando this time. Some of the negative reviews of WL have me a little worried. I am hoping the rumored refurb there is true.


Thanks for the warm welcome Boo Bear!

 

[Boo Bear]

Just in case you hadn't noticed, they released prices for 2012 on their website today!

 

[qcdoards]

welcome