Now FOUR weeks to go...!

[Kath2003]

Time to actually make some plans...
Please let me know what I'm missing!

So far we have:
Booked flights, selected seats
Booked hotel
Booked car (for part of the trip)
Sorted bus tickets (for the other part of the trip)
Sorted park tickets
Sorted transport to the airport
Made a single ADR!
Renewed DH's ESTA
Loaded US maps onto the sat nav

Definitely still need to:
Get some $ in cash
Print confirmations of all of the above!
Print bus timetables
Book transport from the airport when we land back in the UK
Sign up for and print restaurant coupons - probably the day before we go
Request a particular block at the hotel - probably 2 weeks before we go

What am I missing?!
Bonus points if anyone knows how to buy Orlando Groupons from the UK - can't seem to get around selecting a state!

 

[mickeyforpresident]

Sounds like you're in control!

 

[wayneg]

Not been able to buy Groupons for last few trips. I emailed them but they were not helpful, just said it wasn't possible.

 

[Kath2003]

Thanks Wayne - oh well, we just won't buy them!

 

[Kath2003]

Quick question - is it still free parking if you're dining at a Disney resort? Is it 2 hours? We have a breakfast booked and will be arriving by car.

 

[DLPDreams]

Yes, it is free parking. I had a mini panic about our Cali Grill ressie as it's 7.25 pm (I'd wanted 8 pm) and we want to stay and watch the fireworks on the platform/gallery. Obviously this is going to take us over the 2 hours. The CM I booked with laughed when I said I was worried about our car - she said that there is no way we would have a problem for the evening at that time. She said it is more people arriving for lunch, then parking all day, but she said as long as you tell them you have a ressie at CG you will have no problem. I hope she is right! She seemed to think the 2 hour thing was a bit of a fallacy - more an issue if you stayed for hours and hours type of thing.

HTH

 

[wayneg]

She seemed to think the 2 hour thing was a bit of a fallacy - more an issue if you stayed for hours and hours type of thing.
HTH

Her knowledge will probably depend on how long she has worked there. Over the past 6 or 7 years there has been no official 2 hour rule but upto about 6 or 7 years ago they used to issue a 2 hour pass to display in your windscreen when visiting the resorts.

 

[Kath2003]

We won't be staying a long time - we don't have Disney park tickets and have plans for the rest of the day. 2 hours would be enough. Can you view any animals at AKL from the public areas?

How's the parking at DTD these days? We might stop there on the way out, but not if it's going to be parking lot hell...

 

[wayneg]

Yes you can see the animals at AKL no problem.

 

[scoobydooby]

Kath there are public viewing areas at AKL both inside the hotel and also outside. It's worth having a wander as you can see different animals in different places. The lobby is lovely too and the shop has some different items that make it worth a look.

 

[DLPDreams]

Her knowledge will probably depend on how long she has worked there. Over the past 6 or 7 years there has been no official 2 hour rule but upto about 6 or 7 years ago they used to issue a 2 hour pass to display in your windscreen when visiting the resorts.

That probably explains it! As long as she is correct and our car isn't towed away, I'll be happy!

We won't be staying a long time - we don't have Disney park tickets and have plans for the rest of the day. 2 hours would be enough. Can you view any animals at AKL from the public areas?

How's the parking at DTD these days? We might stop there on the way out, but not if it's going to be parking lot hell...

You should be more than fine then.

I think AKL looks great for a nosey around!

 

[Kath2003]

Ooh how lovely! We will definitely have a nosy around, then! What can you see?

 

[stephensmum]

Ooh how lovely! We will definitely have a nosy around, then! What can you see?

The outside one at the front of the lobby has a cm that is full of info. Rocking chairs around a fire pit are there too, walk on pass these & the cm will be there. It's lovely to sit in the little viewing lounge to the back left of the lobby.

 

[Elise79]

That probably explains it! As long as she is correct and our car isn't towed away, I'll be happy!

As long as you have your resort parking pass in August you will be fine. They tend to only get really strict on time allowed at certain times mainly big holidays such as Easter, 4th July, Thanksgiving, Christmas etc.

Also once when staying at CR we had the president visiting the resort to speak at a conference plus some other high profile speakers and the place was in virtual lockdown we had to have a special pass in addition to our regular pass to be able to park and get in and out. The car parks were restricted to registered guests only as half the lots had been taken over by press trucks! And probably for security purposes lol

So a rule you will be OK but you never know what might be on there so always allow extra time.

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks Elise - will bear it in mind! Cali Grill is definitely busy that night as out of our all ADRs that's the one where the timing is off the most and there are hardly any other times to be had if we wanted to change (I keep checking online!). It is towards the end of our 180+10 so I was quite surprised tbh.

 

[Kath2003]

Hmm, we plan to visit over the Easter weekend...guess they'll implement the parking passes if it's busy?

 

[Kath2003]

4 weeks to go...list looks like:

Definitely still need to:
Get some $ in cash - ordered...
Print confirmations of all of the above! DONE
Print bus timetables - DONE
Book transport from the airport when we land back in the UK
Sign up for and print restaurant coupons - probably the day before we go
Request a particular block at the hotel - probably 2 weeks before we go

Getting there...!

 

[jothp]

Looks like you are nearly done. My list is still miles long but we do have a bit longer to wait too.

 

[Kath2003]

Feels like there's mountains to do before we go...but clearly not much actually directly related to the trip!!!

 

[DLPDreams]

You are doing great - can't believe it's going to be here so soon for you!