OFFICIAL April 2012 DISers! 2 months and counting!

[Zippa D Doodah]

Y'all can add me to the April 2012 list too.

We (me, DW, DD14, DS12) will arrive 4/11 and depart 4/16. We are staying at POR. DD will turn 15 while we are there, which she is majorly psyched about.
I booked thru Southwest Air Vacations, using a code I found on Mousesavers. I thought it was pretty darn good considering this is a time of the year when discounts can be hard to find.
I decided not to purchase the meal plan for us since I want to keep ADRs to a minimum and maximize park flexibility. I have plenty of Disney Visa Reward dollars to feed the four of us QS the whole time we are there.

My plan as of now (subject to change)

4/11 -arrive MCO @ 11am; check into POR and head over to MK and do a few attractions
4/12 -DHS (will make lunch ADR at 50's PTC since that is DW's favorite restaurant)
4/13 -AK (probably won't be there all day; probably hop to MK for evening EMH)
4/14 -Epcot
4/15 -Epcot/MK
4/16 -mid day flight home

To note...
* We are all huge MK nuts, so the more time spent there the better. You'd think after 14 trips we'd have had our fill -uh uh.
* DD wants to stay way late at the Friday and Sunday MK EMHs, and since it is her birthday who am I to argue?
* I need to find an evening time slot to take a carriage ride at POR and catch the boat from there to DtD.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

DD wants to stay way late at the Friday and Sunday MK EMHs, and since it is her birthday who am I to argue?

I'm going to get to experience MK late at night for the first time in April which is something I've been wanting to try for a long time. DW offered to stay with the kids after they go to bed (she thinks she will be way too tired for late night MK touring anyway). Definitely want to try HM, Astro Orbitor (maybe time it just right during Wishes?), and Splash during that time.

 

[HalloweenNut]

Here's our itinerary that I've worked out so far. I've got all our ADRs done and the rest of our meals will either be breakfast in our room or quick counter service.

Sunday, April 22: Arrival & Hollywood Studios (Crowd Level 4.9)
- Arrive Orlando approx. 10:00am, Magic Express to Poly, check in
- afternoon at DHS, Fantasmic Dinner at Mama Melrose

Monday, April 23: Magic Kingdom (Crowd Level 7.2)
- breakfast at Ohana (8:00am)
- MK til about 2:00
- back to Poly for rest/swim
- take the boat to Wilderness Lodge for dinner

Tuesday, April 24: Magic Kingdom (Crowd Level 4.2)
- MK for rope drop
- after lunch back to Poly for rest/swim
- back to MK for 3:00pm Pirate League and Pirate Tutorial
- dinner at Liberty Tree (5:40pm)
- MSEP and Wishes

Wednesday, April 25: Hollywood Studios (Crowd Level 1.1)
- DHS for rope drop
- early afternoon back to Poly for rest/swim
- Spirit of Aloha dinner show (8:00pm)
- Wishes from Poly beach

Thursday, April 26: Animal Kingdom (Crowd Level 6.1)
- breakfast at Tusker House (9:00am)
- after lunch back to Poly for rest/swim
- 6:00pm Cirque du Solie in DTD
- dinner at Raglan Road (8:30pm)

Friday, April 27: Animal Kingdom (Crowd Level 5.9)
- AK for rope drop
- after lunch back to Poly for rest/swim
- Grandma and DD Chef Mickey for dinner
- dinner out with DW at Narcoose (Woo Hoo!)

Saturday, April 28: Epcot (Crowd Level 4.0)
- breakfast at Akershus (8:30am)
- after lunch back to Poly for rest/swim
- back to Epcot for 4:30pm
- Illuminations

Sunday, April 29
- depart Orlando approx. 11:00am


So we've got a pretty busy week planned but I'm hoping with the mid-day breaks back at the resort for a rest will make it manageable. Even though our daughter is a really active kid she can burn herself out so we're renting a stroller for the week so we have it if she needs it. She's too big to carry her far if she gets tired and we start getting the "uppies!" My mother is coming with us but she has no problems getting around and is normally the one we have to try and get to slow down!

The only day I'm really worried about is our arrival day seeing how early we'll have to be at the airport and there's no chance for a nap since I imagine we won't have access to our room until later in the afternoon. We'll head to DHS but take it really easy and not try and do too much - maybe take in the stunt show, watch the parade and then the Fantasmic dinner.

Any comments are welcome.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I'm going to get to experience MK late at night for the first time in April which is something I've been wanting to try for a long time. DW offered to stay with the kids after they go to bed (she thinks she will be way too tired for late night MK touring anyway). Definitely want to try HM, Astro Orbitor (maybe time it just right during Wishes?), and Splash during that time.

I haven't done AO during Wishes but have ridden Splash, BTMRR, and Dumbo during Wishes and all three have been just wonderful experiences. I may have to try AO myself this time around.
Have a great time!

 

[angierae]

I'm behind on editing the first post again - my home computer was busted for three weeks (Best Buy ended up giving me store credit for my entire purchase price and letting me pick out a new one, it was such a debacle) and now work and the holidays are eating my brain. But I will try to get to it soon.

We've finally given up on finding flights in our price range and are going to rent a car and drive down. The cost of renting a decent sized comfy SUV for a week, plus gas, is still going to be less than what TWO plane tickets would have cost, much less four. I'm not thrilled with the idea of driving but I think it will be a fun adventure.

We're going to be under 100 days in a week and we are starting to get very, very excited!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I'm behind on editing the first post again - my home computer was busted for three weeks (Best Buy ended up giving me store credit for my entire purchase price and letting me pick out a new one, it was such a debacle) and now work and the holidays are eating my brain. But I will try to get to it soon.

We've finally given up on finding flights in our price range and are going to rent a car and drive down. The cost of renting a decent sized comfy SUV for a week, plus gas, is still going to be less than what TWO plane tickets would have cost, much less four. I'm not thrilled with the idea of driving but I think it will be a fun adventure.

We're going to be under 100 days in a week and we are starting to get very, very excited!

We've never driven to Disney, but have to Charlston, SC only about 8 hrs. away from WDW. It wasn't that bad we did stop and stay overnight once. My kids were 9 and 5 at the time. We would definately drive if we couldn't get decent airfare too. We almost drove for this trip, but I was able to get low airfares at a different airport- well worth the extra 2 hr. drive!!

 

[204charity]

I've Got an update for everyone! After looking over our rough schedule and finding out our actual arrival/departure times, (arriving in Orlando at 11:30 am and departing at 8:20pm) we realized that our entire last day we would be hotel-less with nothing to do but kill time,(we have park passes for that day, but aside from maybe doing some shopping on Main St USA that morning, we don't want to be there) SO we booked a Cabana for our ENTIRE last day on the 21st of April!!!!

Whooo Hoooo!!!!! What a PERFECT way to cap off a long week of running ourselves ragged!!!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I've Got an update for everyone! After looking over our rough schedule and finding out our actual arrival/departure times, (arriving in Orlando at 11:30 am and departing at 8:20pm) we realized that our entire last day we would be hotel-less with nothing to do but kill time,(we have park passes for that day, but aside from maybe doing some shopping on Main St USA that morning, we don't want to be there) SO we booked a Cabana for our ENTIRE last day on the 21st of April!!!!

Whooo Hoooo!!!!! What a PERFECT way to cap off a long week of running ourselves ragged!!!!

That's great!
We try to take the evening flights out of Orlando and milk the last day as much as possible. We're doing half a day at the Poly cabana on our resort day as well

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I've Got an update for everyone! After looking over our rough schedule and finding out our actual arrival/departure times, (arriving in Orlando at 11:30 am and departing at 8:20pm) we realized that our entire last day we would be hotel-less with nothing to do but kill time,(we have park passes for that day, but aside from maybe doing some shopping on Main St USA that morning, we don't want to be there) SO we booked a Cabana for our ENTIRE last day on the 21st of April!!!!

Whooo Hoooo!!!!! What a PERFECT way to cap off a long week of running ourselves ragged!!!!

That's a great idea! We had a cabana at our stay at the HRH- Universal. It was a great day not having to worry about finding a table and chairs. The Poly pool is the worst for that!! It will be a relief. Have fun

 

[mindyb7]

Put me down for April 9th through the 13th. Kind of nervous. Every time I speak to one of my friends who lives in a different state they keep telling me that's the same week as their spring break. Expecting it to be crazy but excited because this is the first trip that my parents have agreed to come. So excited for my kids that they get to experience Disney with their grand parents. Since they are coming with us we are staying off site this trip.

 

[haPevraftr]

Well, this trip was almost canceled due to DH being in a certification program. The online portion, as it turns out, is finishing up that week and he figured doing some school work in Florida has to be easier than doing it while working full time. So, we are still going 3/30-4/7.

We booked Sheraton Vistana last spring and got a great deal thru MIL with RCI ($688 for the week before Easter.). We will be there 4/1-4/7 and at POR river view 3/30-4/1 (with a 30% off pin code). Yes, I am pretty stoked about the great rates!

We have NE WPF&M tix leftover from a previous trip. So, we are just going to use those this trip and not buy more park tix. (Two themepark days and 5 WPF&M days remaining)
Here are the plans, maximizing WDW without depending on theme parks :
*Arrive at POR 3/30 and see Yehaw Bob
*3/31 Go to MK with dinner ADR at Plaza Restaurant (inexpensive TS since we aren't on DDP)
*4/1 Enjoy POR and eat lunch at DTD, move to SVR at 4 PM, then go to Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage
*4/2 Go to Epcot, Lunch ADR at Akershus
*4/3-4/4 Enjoy pool & activities at SVR, go to BB or Disney Quest if we feel like it
*4/5 Go to 6:00 Cirque De Soleil show (surprise for DH, DD8, DS5)
*4/6 Relax by the pool

I love the pace of this trip. Enough to keep it interesting, but plenty of time to be "unscheduled". Can't wait!

 

[pwdebbie]

Well, this trip was almost canceled due to DH being in a certification program. The online portion, as it turns out, is finishing up that week and he figured doing some school work in Florida has to be easier than doing it while working full time. So, we are still going 3/30-4/7.

We booked Sheraton Vistana last spring and got a great deal thru MIL with RCI ($688 for the week before Easter.). We will be there 4/1-4/7 and at POR river view 3/30-4/1 (with a 30% off pin code). Yes, I am pretty stoked about the great rates!

We have NE WPF&M tix leftover from a previous trip. So, we are just going to use those this trip and not buy more park tix. (Two themepark days and 5 WPF&M days remaining)
Here are the plans, maximizing WDW without depending on theme parks :
*Arrive at POR 3/28 and see Yehaw Bob
*3/29 Go to MK with dinner ADR at Plaza Restaurant (inexpensive TS since we aren't on DDP)
*3/30 Enjoy POR and eat lunch at DTD, move to SVR at 4 PM, then go to Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage
*4/1 Go to Epcot, Lunch ADR at Akershus
*4/2-4/3 Enjoy pool & activities at SVR, go to BB or Disney Quest if we feel like it
*4/4 Go to 6:00 Cirque De Soleil show (surprise for DH, DD8, DS5)
*4/5 Relax by the pool

I love the pace of this trip. Enough to keep it interesting, but plenty of time to be "unscheduled". Can't wait!

Ok, maybe I'm missing something. You say your trip is 3/30 to 4/7 yet you say you are arriving at POR on 3/28.

 

[204charity]

Ok, maybe I'm missing something. You say your trip is 3/30 to 4/7 yet you say you are arriving at POR on 3/28.

Probably just a typo.

 

[haPevraftr]

Ok, maybe I'm missing something. You say your trip is 3/30 to 4/7 yet you say you are arriving at POR on 3/28.

I am in the process of planning another WDW trip for 12/28/12-1/6/13 and I subconsciously substituted the starting date as the 28th for the March date. Clearly to much WDW on my brain right now....oh, wait, that isn't possible! (although, I think DH would disagree )

 

[AJ1983]

So my trip is less than 4 months away now,and I'm getting really excited! The best part is my boyfriend (who has never traveled with the exception of our trip to Mexico last year) has finally warmed up to the idea that a vacation is is worth the money for the experience and the memories. This has made my life SO much easier because I don't have to be online 24/7 searching for and stressing over finding the best deal

I've also convinced him that with the current sale on Disney resorts, its actually cheaper to stay onsite, which is true because we won't have to deal with the hassle and expense of renting a car and paying for parking at Universal. He also really likes that our hotel will be so close, so if the parks are really crazy we can take a break for a couple of hours, and we don't have to do the from dawn till dusk thing in the parks (personally, I'd be all for that! haha). I'm just thrilled to be staying at Disney and fulfilling a childhood dream with my Prince Charming .

 

[204charity]

So my trip is less than 4 months away now,and I'm getting really excited! The best part is my boyfriend (who has never traveled with the exception of our trip to Mexico last year) has finally warmed up to the idea that a vacation is is worth the money for the experience and the memories. This has made my life SO much easier because I don't have to be online 24/7 searching for and stressing over finding the best deal

I've also convinced him that with the current sale on Disney resorts, its actually cheaper to stay onsite, which is true because we won't have to deal with the hassle and expense of renting a car and paying for parking at Universal. He also really likes that our hotel will be so close, so if the parks are really crazy we can take a break for a couple of hours, and we don't have to do the from dawn till dusk thing in the parks (personally, I'd be all for that! haha). I'm just thrilled to be staying at Disney and fulfilling a childhood dream with my Prince Charming .

that's great! Any idea where you're staying yet?

 

[AJ1983]

that's great! Any idea where you're staying yet?

Pop Century, provided its still available when we go to book, or All Star Movies Definitely have to go the Value route this time, but I'm COMPLETELY happy with that!

 

[204charity]

Pop Century, provided its still available when we go to book, or All Star Movies Definitely have to go the Value route this time, but I'm COMPLETELY happy with that!

I think the theming at All Star Movies' is amazing, if/when I do a Disney trip with my DH and both kids, that's most likely where we would stay as its affordable and we are HUGE Toy Story fans! Lol I'm only doing Poly this time because my wonderful parents are taking my DD on this trip but they said we HAD to pick a monorail resort. Lol ( I would have picked Wilderness Lodge I think)

 

[mommy.foster.6]

we had to change our trip dates due to some work issues for dh and military training so we will now be staying at POP century from 4/14-4/18.....our first stay at POP, and 3rd disney trip.....but this time we are kid free and celebrating our 5yr wedding anniversary!

 

[momtwoboys]

Merry Christmas to all April 2012 DISers