November 2012- F&W, MVMCP & Smelling the Roses
- Thread starter exwdwcm
- Start date
exwdwcm
wishes she was Wendy Moira Angela Darling
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
- Messages
- 5,046
GREAT! We will have a rental car and plan to do MK that morning. We have a 10:20am ADR at CP that morning. We will leave BLT about 2pm for our flight or so!
Thank you and welcome!
exwdwcm
wishes she was Wendy Moira Angela Darling
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
- Messages
- 5,046
Big whoops
..I spent time today fine-tuning my plans and realized I had booked our Crystal Palace breakfast for the wrong day. Oops. It was one of the cherished pre opening ADRs at 8am for a 9am MK opening. I booked it for Sunday instead of Saturday. Oh no! Of course nothing was available. I was able to switch it with our last day breakfast at Ohana instead. Now I have Ohana at 7:30am (ouch) on Saturday and then we will monorail/boat over to MK for that morning.
Then we booked CP for our last day at 10:20am. I originally had a 10:45am Ohana. This is fine as we plan to do MK that last morning before leaving at 2pm to catch our flight home. So it works out okay. I almost had a slight heart attack though.
So now that Ive spent some time tweaking our plans, I can start sharing our day to day plans!
PRE-TRAVEL
I will work the day before and I am known to be a little OCD, so Ill be pretty much packed for weeks before. Since DH is coming a day later, Ill pack him a separate large suitcase. I am looking forward to the free bags with SW! Last year, we crammed it all into one checked bag on the way down and two on the way home (bought too many souvies!). This time we will check at least two big bags and probably one for my son as well. We have room to spread out in our two bedroom and will use RAC for the trip back home, so we only have to worry about taking our bags there.
So Ill work the Wednesday before and hopefully knock off a little early. I might meet the parents for a pre-trip meal, it is sort of a tradition for us. I remember before our big 14 person family trip in 2009, we had a wonderful time all excited and talking about what the next week held for us. So we will probably meet up with my parents the night before for a quick bite.
I planned to find a towncar service to drop the parents and I at the airport. I hate parking a car at the airport. We are gone for 10 days, 9 nights, so the costs add up. DH cant drop us since our flight is so early. Two trips ago, we used a towncar service (actually was a SUV) and it was heavenly. Picked us up at home, loaded our bags, dropped us at the gate. Well worth the $100 I think it cost each way. We live about 20 minutes from the airport with no traffic.
I inquired with friends this week about a car service and a neighbor told me they have a handyman that works in our neighborhood and does airport drops for $50 each way. So I have his number and if he can accommodate our party of five (for the return, four for the going) and all our stuff, then Ill use him and save some cash. Otherwise we will book a car service. Its a splurge this trip!
My parents live about 20-25 minutes north of us. So I think I will just have them drive over to my house and do the pickup from my house (cheaper that way). That means they will have to be up at the crack of dawn, but I know they will be excited.
Here is what we traveled down with last year for 9 days. We only checked the big bag and carried the rest. This time we will do two big bags!!!
So here is our travel day plan!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
By 6am parents arrive at my house
6:15am depart home, car service
7:00am arrive Love Field airport- Dallas
8:10am flight boards- we paid for preferred seating.
8:40am flight leaves Dallas
1:05pm flight arrives MCO, bags and rental car
2pm head to POP, check in
2:30pm eat, swim and explore
5pm check out AoA resort
6:30pm head to DTD to shop
7:30pm dinner at Earle
Hopefully we will have an uneventful flight. We do stop in New Orleans, but no plane change or anything. I picked this flight specifically for that, so it is easier on Mom- not having to get up and get off and all that.
I will have a backpack of goodies for my son to keep him entertained on the plane, but most likely he will play the iPad, DS or my iPhone the whole time. He loves doing workbooks too, so I have several new ones, coloring book ,crayons, earphones, snacks and more.
While I have a 10 day hopper WPM ticket (Travel Agent discounted), my family all has 9 day hoppers. So I didnt plan to do a park our arrival day. We are staying at POP that night, as we hadnt planned coming in this early originally. Somehow we always end up adding a day to our trip! I didnt want to use points to add a day, so we booked at POP. I used a TA rate for my room and they got their own room. They snore and snoring drives me crazy (anyone!), so we figured Will and I will have our own room and everyone will be comfortable.
The plan is to get our bags at MCO and then the rental car. Hoping a minivan with National Emerald Aisle so that we avoid waiting in a line. I am waiting until closer to the trip to book. I will check out Alamo too, but we usually end up at National for the walk out convenience (no counter or line). We just head out to first floor of the garage, get in the car and go. I am figuring we will arrive at POP probably close to 2pm or 2:30pm. We will do online checkin and hopefully get checked in quickly. I thought about stopping at a Disney outlet store on 535 if we are feeling up to it on the way in.
Ive arranged for a wheelchair rental for mom for the entire trip through Apple Scooter. It was $90 for a week. Not too bad! Disney charges like $12 a day and other off sites were pretty pricey. They will deliver earlier that day so the wheelchair should be waiting for us. This is one reason we are renting a mini van or SUV, to have room for the stroller and the wheelchair too, plus it is easier for mom to get in and out of.
The stroller deliver should occur this day too. I havent booked it yet, but will be renting from Magic Strollers off site.
We will head to the food court and eat a late lunch. If our room is ready, we will relax a bit and probably explore and take William to swim for a bit. After that, Id like to check out Art of Animation resort. It is right next door, so we will drive over and just explore the new resort and take some pics. I wasnt able to get us rooms there at the TA rate- sold out!
After that, we will head to DTD, but I might make a pit stop first at the MK to purchase my TA discounted ticket. I have to pick it up and pay for it in person and show my TA ID. Ive already ordered it and have a will call number. I cant pick up at DTD or TTC, only the park gate. I hate doing it in the morning right before entering a park, as I am always in a rush and dont want to be stuck waiting in a guest relations line in the am when it is busy. So maybe we will park at the GF or Poly and ride the monorail around and do the quick at the MK for me to get my ticket. If the family isnt feeling up for that, I can always leave them at the hotel while I run to do this too and let them rest/nap.
From there we will head to Downtown Disney for the evening. Mom and I LOVE to shop! DH hates it. My dad puts up with it. So with DH not there, I dont have to worry about him getting impatient! If Dad is tired, he will plop down at a table somewhere and just relax and play on his phone while he waits on us. If William gets tired, Ill just bring him in his stroller and Dad would watch him for us while they both play on the phone/iPad or something while we shop. I cant wait to the hit the Christmas store and buy a few ornaments and I love the kitchen/tea store next to Earle of Sandwich. Of course we will hit World of Disney, Once Upon a Toy and Trend-D. Gotta look at some Dooneys! I might buy the iPad Dooney case this trip or another bag. Mom too.
We will do dinner at one of our favorite quick service places- Earle of Sandwich. I love just eating out on the patio and people watching. With it being our arrival day, it is fun to see all the families walking through that might be on their last day and know we have a whole week to look forward to!
We will probably grab a dessert/snack at Goofys Candy Company or babycakes afterwards.
I imagine we will spend at least 2-3 hours at DTD. If Dad gets too tired, we can always have him take the bus back. The good news is that although parking is a beast at DTD, we will have moms handicap placard to use and park handicap the entire trip. We will have Moms wheelchair with us everywhere. She might not use it the entire time and will want to get up and stretch her legs for periods of time. Dad with his bad feet (nerve pain/diabetes) can always take a turn in there if he wants too. He has started walking twice a day though at home to build up his endurance! Mom has also been dropping some weight too- so they should be in great shape! If we are done shopping after dinner, we will just head back to the hotel, unless we just want to do something else. I thought about the Chip and Dale campfire at FTW, but depending on how long we shop, it might not be feasible. We can just turn in early for once or enjoy a dessert or drink at the hotel or go for a night swim.
We will have an early day the next day, so getting some shut eye isnt a bad idea. J Tomorrow we will be transferring to our home for the next 8 nights, Bay Lake Tower in a 2 bedroom lake view room.
Thats it for arrival day. Nothing too exciting, but still a good start. We wont have our garden grocer delivery until the next day at BLT since the fridges at POP are so small.
Then we booked CP for our last day at 10:20am. I originally had a 10:45am Ohana. This is fine as we plan to do MK that last morning before leaving at 2pm to catch our flight home. So it works out okay. I almost had a slight heart attack though.
So now that Ive spent some time tweaking our plans, I can start sharing our day to day plans!
PRE-TRAVEL
I will work the day before and I am known to be a little OCD, so Ill be pretty much packed for weeks before. Since DH is coming a day later, Ill pack him a separate large suitcase. I am looking forward to the free bags with SW! Last year, we crammed it all into one checked bag on the way down and two on the way home (bought too many souvies!). This time we will check at least two big bags and probably one for my son as well. We have room to spread out in our two bedroom and will use RAC for the trip back home, so we only have to worry about taking our bags there.
So Ill work the Wednesday before and hopefully knock off a little early. I might meet the parents for a pre-trip meal, it is sort of a tradition for us. I remember before our big 14 person family trip in 2009, we had a wonderful time all excited and talking about what the next week held for us. So we will probably meet up with my parents the night before for a quick bite.
I planned to find a towncar service to drop the parents and I at the airport. I hate parking a car at the airport. We are gone for 10 days, 9 nights, so the costs add up. DH cant drop us since our flight is so early. Two trips ago, we used a towncar service (actually was a SUV) and it was heavenly. Picked us up at home, loaded our bags, dropped us at the gate. Well worth the $100 I think it cost each way. We live about 20 minutes from the airport with no traffic.
I inquired with friends this week about a car service and a neighbor told me they have a handyman that works in our neighborhood and does airport drops for $50 each way. So I have his number and if he can accommodate our party of five (for the return, four for the going) and all our stuff, then Ill use him and save some cash. Otherwise we will book a car service. Its a splurge this trip!
My parents live about 20-25 minutes north of us. So I think I will just have them drive over to my house and do the pickup from my house (cheaper that way). That means they will have to be up at the crack of dawn, but I know they will be excited.
Here is what we traveled down with last year for 9 days. We only checked the big bag and carried the rest. This time we will do two big bags!!!
So here is our travel day plan!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
By 6am parents arrive at my house
6:15am depart home, car service
7:00am arrive Love Field airport- Dallas
8:10am flight boards- we paid for preferred seating.
8:40am flight leaves Dallas
1:05pm flight arrives MCO, bags and rental car
2pm head to POP, check in
2:30pm eat, swim and explore
5pm check out AoA resort
6:30pm head to DTD to shop
7:30pm dinner at Earle
Hopefully we will have an uneventful flight. We do stop in New Orleans, but no plane change or anything. I picked this flight specifically for that, so it is easier on Mom- not having to get up and get off and all that.
I will have a backpack of goodies for my son to keep him entertained on the plane, but most likely he will play the iPad, DS or my iPhone the whole time. He loves doing workbooks too, so I have several new ones, coloring book ,crayons, earphones, snacks and more.
While I have a 10 day hopper WPM ticket (Travel Agent discounted), my family all has 9 day hoppers. So I didnt plan to do a park our arrival day. We are staying at POP that night, as we hadnt planned coming in this early originally. Somehow we always end up adding a day to our trip! I didnt want to use points to add a day, so we booked at POP. I used a TA rate for my room and they got their own room. They snore and snoring drives me crazy (anyone!), so we figured Will and I will have our own room and everyone will be comfortable.
The plan is to get our bags at MCO and then the rental car. Hoping a minivan with National Emerald Aisle so that we avoid waiting in a line. I am waiting until closer to the trip to book. I will check out Alamo too, but we usually end up at National for the walk out convenience (no counter or line). We just head out to first floor of the garage, get in the car and go. I am figuring we will arrive at POP probably close to 2pm or 2:30pm. We will do online checkin and hopefully get checked in quickly. I thought about stopping at a Disney outlet store on 535 if we are feeling up to it on the way in.
Ive arranged for a wheelchair rental for mom for the entire trip through Apple Scooter. It was $90 for a week. Not too bad! Disney charges like $12 a day and other off sites were pretty pricey. They will deliver earlier that day so the wheelchair should be waiting for us. This is one reason we are renting a mini van or SUV, to have room for the stroller and the wheelchair too, plus it is easier for mom to get in and out of.
The stroller deliver should occur this day too. I havent booked it yet, but will be renting from Magic Strollers off site.
We will head to the food court and eat a late lunch. If our room is ready, we will relax a bit and probably explore and take William to swim for a bit. After that, Id like to check out Art of Animation resort. It is right next door, so we will drive over and just explore the new resort and take some pics. I wasnt able to get us rooms there at the TA rate- sold out!
After that, we will head to DTD, but I might make a pit stop first at the MK to purchase my TA discounted ticket. I have to pick it up and pay for it in person and show my TA ID. Ive already ordered it and have a will call number. I cant pick up at DTD or TTC, only the park gate. I hate doing it in the morning right before entering a park, as I am always in a rush and dont want to be stuck waiting in a guest relations line in the am when it is busy. So maybe we will park at the GF or Poly and ride the monorail around and do the quick at the MK for me to get my ticket. If the family isnt feeling up for that, I can always leave them at the hotel while I run to do this too and let them rest/nap.
From there we will head to Downtown Disney for the evening. Mom and I LOVE to shop! DH hates it. My dad puts up with it. So with DH not there, I dont have to worry about him getting impatient! If Dad is tired, he will plop down at a table somewhere and just relax and play on his phone while he waits on us. If William gets tired, Ill just bring him in his stroller and Dad would watch him for us while they both play on the phone/iPad or something while we shop. I cant wait to the hit the Christmas store and buy a few ornaments and I love the kitchen/tea store next to Earle of Sandwich. Of course we will hit World of Disney, Once Upon a Toy and Trend-D. Gotta look at some Dooneys! I might buy the iPad Dooney case this trip or another bag. Mom too.
We will do dinner at one of our favorite quick service places- Earle of Sandwich. I love just eating out on the patio and people watching. With it being our arrival day, it is fun to see all the families walking through that might be on their last day and know we have a whole week to look forward to!
We will probably grab a dessert/snack at Goofys Candy Company or babycakes afterwards.
I imagine we will spend at least 2-3 hours at DTD. If Dad gets too tired, we can always have him take the bus back. The good news is that although parking is a beast at DTD, we will have moms handicap placard to use and park handicap the entire trip. We will have Moms wheelchair with us everywhere. She might not use it the entire time and will want to get up and stretch her legs for periods of time. Dad with his bad feet (nerve pain/diabetes) can always take a turn in there if he wants too. He has started walking twice a day though at home to build up his endurance! Mom has also been dropping some weight too- so they should be in great shape! If we are done shopping after dinner, we will just head back to the hotel, unless we just want to do something else. I thought about the Chip and Dale campfire at FTW, but depending on how long we shop, it might not be feasible. We can just turn in early for once or enjoy a dessert or drink at the hotel or go for a night swim.
We will have an early day the next day, so getting some shut eye isnt a bad idea. J Tomorrow we will be transferring to our home for the next 8 nights, Bay Lake Tower in a 2 bedroom lake view room.
Thats it for arrival day. Nothing too exciting, but still a good start. We wont have our garden grocer delivery until the next day at BLT since the fridges at POP are so small.
exwdwcm
wishes she was Wendy Moira Angela Darling
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
- Messages
- 5,046
Well at least your DH likes to shop!!! Mine can't stand it. So better to get it out of the way.Looks like a great first day! I think our biggest problem is that we BOTH like to shop, especially in Disney!We end up giving a lot of our $$ to the Mouse. I haven't seen the D&B iPad covers, I will have to keep an eye out for them.
I always get a ton of stuff. Yes, most of them will be at places they carry the Dooney stuff- Trend-D at DTD, World of Disney (back by jewelry counter area), MouseGears etc. They are leather and have the Disney retro style- love it!It looks similar to this, but is for WDW, not DL.
I am sure I will find some kind of Dooney purchase. I have the sketch tote, the 40th letter carrier, 40th wallet, credit card holder and balloon cosmetic bag. We will see what else I can find to expand my collection.
MommyMissy
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I'm in! Enjoying everything so far! We'll be there from the 10-17 of November, about the same as you!
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