One Families Perspective - 1st Disney Trip

[daver]

While I had been to Disneyworld a long time ago, my family had never been.
My Wife stated that " It would be a once in a lifetime thing" Well off I went planning. We used enough Airmiles to book through Westjet and have all 5 of us fly with them. I scoured for deals and watched this website for hints, ultimately booking Though Disneys own site. I really could see no huge savings, and the benefits of staying on site far outweighed any individual savings.
We stayed at POR from Feb 10th-19th, and took the dining pkg along with 8 day pass. I watched for specials and got the promo for park hopper and water parks at n/c... big savings. Of course we also wanted the magical express. All for about $3499.00 U.S. for 5
We arrived at Orlando Intl. about 45 mins late, but had printed the sheet on the Disney website and found the Greeters easily. They pointed us in the right direction and arrived at the book in counter. All went very well, we were on a bus in less than 10 mins and on our way in 20. The reosrt was great and check in easy as well. They advised us that the baggae may arrive a couple of hours later and to go have some fun. we went to the pool for about and hour. When we returned I got our refillable mugs, and upon my return the baggage had arrived (about 1 hr). One bag was mixed up but with a call to the front desk, it was straightened out in about 15 mins. The Dining plan was amazing and almost "too much" we were more than satisfied with the meals and were impressed by some ( Coral Reef esp ) There was so much to do, and all the time there didnt get it all done, but my wife has changed her tune. It now says "again in 2009".... I'm working on her for 2008.

Way to go Disney!.... you sure can show people a great time!

 

[mejaie]

Yes our once in a lifetime, became maybe again in 5 years, we will be just over 2 when we go back. and can't wait.

 

[eleanor]

Our once in a lifetime trip was in 1986 and we have been every year since. We leave in 18 days for this years trip.

 

[tinkerbeth]

Our once in a lifetime was for my 30th birthday in 2004...we went back in March 2005, August 2005 and we'll be back for my 32nd next August!

Beth

 

[tigger2on]

and buy into DVC
My once in a lifetime trip was in 2001 when my oldest was 4 and we did the land/sea package at the Poly/ Wonder. We have been almost every year since that, sometimes twice and I am becoming a DVCer finally!
Disney = Addiction.... but who wants to be cured of it??? Definitely not me!

 

[disney funseeker]

Our once in a lifetime started in 2000. Have been 5 times now.
Our family just laughs every year when dh says "well, we won't be going again for a long time"

 

[East Coaster]

We did our "Once In a Lifetime Trip" last April and are returning this year to "Finish What We Started"! Leaving April 28 for 17 more days between Disney and Universal.

My husband says since my oldest is graduating next year we won't be able to do a family trip again so we need to go now. I never thought I'd talk him into the first trip, he decided to go once for the children---the second trip was his idea and of course I didn't need any coaxing!!

I wonder if we'll need to go again???

 

[tinkerbeth]

Our once in a lifetime started in 2000. Have been 5 times now.
Our family just laughs every year when dh says "well, we won't be going again for a long time"

HA! My dh says that too. He says, "Well, I'm about disney'd out now." I say, Okay hun, whatever. I drop it for a few months and then start planning the next trip!

 

[pkitty]

Our once in a life time was march 1998. in 15 more days we will be on trip number 8. Now that we are DVC owners its at least once a year now.

15 more sleeps and can't wait !

 

[hockey mom]

Sounds like you had a great time.

I will wager that you will be back by 2008 if not before. Disney has a way of reeling you in quicker than you expected.

 

[Mortlives]

We're doing a "once in a lifetime" Disney Cruise next week. I guess we'll see.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

I sure can relate to that.... our 'once in a lifetime' trip with the kids was Oct 2004.... we bought DVC while we were down there so we could go more often. Going this Oct and already planning a Disney 3 or 4 night cruise and resort stay for Dec 2007.... hafta see it at Christmas ya know.

 

[CdnMom2]

Our definitely, absolutely only once in a lifetime trip was late Dec/01 to Jan/02. Many days as we drove & it was going to be only once. Included Universal & SeaWorld. (How the people on this helpful Cdn board must have laughed when I emphasized "only can do once" in my researching posts about Tent Camping at Ft. Wilderness!)

early Dec05: 4-day Disney Cruise with WDW, Universal, & Busch Gardens.

AND we squeezed in a last-minute trip to POR & WDW for some of family to attend a Children with Diabetes Conference July05 thanks to DING & Southwest Airlines.

Gotta stay off the boards for a bit so can afford the mortgage still. But you know, we haven't been on a 7-night Disney Cruise yet...and the youngest has an AP this year (that has already paid for itself in savings). And 1 night at AKL Concierge was not enough! And...

Great value for the $, especially lately with our Cdn $ strength! Lots to see & do for every age & taste. Always more to see than you can do on 1 trip. Don't think you can go wrong spending vacation $ & family fun time there!

 

[SplashMom]

We did our "once in a lifetime" trip two years ago. Then last year, our oldest was finishing high school and we thought we wouldn't be able to do the family vacation again, so we did a bigger, better, longer trip. (Sounds familiar Eastcoaster!) Guess what! This year, we had to change our dates and go a little later because our son, who is now in university, isn't finished until April and then we go again! We are also leaving on April 28. I now say things like "Next year when we are in WDW..." My goal is more than once a year now!!

 

[B&B Mom]

It sounds like you discovered enough of the magic to make you want more!
Interesting point about these once in a lifetime trips...I guess all of us must have gotten a heavy dusting of pixie dust from Tinker Bell.
Enjoy planning the next one!

 

[FayeW]

Our once in a lifetime trip was Dec/03. We stayed 8 nights and did Mk, MVMCP, SW (2 days) US/IOA (5 days). We came in at about $4300 CDN including air/hotel/car/food/tickets.

We knew before we came home we would be back again. Trip #2 was in Oct. We justified that one because it was going to be the kids' birthday gifts. What the heck, between the 2 of them we spend $500 on parties, treat bags, etc, might as well put that money towards airfare! This time we did all 4 WDW parks, 2 water parks, MNSSHP,and of course US/IOA (3 days)because we just can't stay away!

Trip # 3 will be this Dec because JetBlue was kind enough to give us a $240US credit on our last flights and we have to have flights booked by Nov or it expires. We can't let that go to waste! (Plus, our son wasn't tall enough for the Hulk so we promised him we would go back).

The planning is half the fun!

 

[mejaie]

Yes our DD was 1.5 inches short for Hulk so that is why we have to go back.

Sure is nice finding a very logical answer when people ask us why we are going back.

 

[MazdaUK]

Our once in a lifetimne was last Easter. Dh said he was completely Moused out and for a few months was "don't need to go back". I've now got him as far as "it would be nice to do DL Ca again" (we went in 1990 for our honeymoon) and even looked seriously at DLP til we worked out 4 nights would be over £2,000

 

[Hodder]

Our first family one was Oct 2005. Hopefully next will be 2007.

 

[Mortlives]

We rebooked, while we were still onboard.