OPERATION FAMILY GETAWAY- WDW 2016

[ajjoplin1]

Greetings, fellow DISers! This will be my first PTR, although I have been to the World 3 times before and have been surfing the DIS since my WDW honeymoon trip in 2007. So, if I seem a bit rusty, bear with me. OK, here goes....

Our trip is not until Sep 2016, but I cannot hardly contain myself! I too the family last year, but I already miss it. In fact, the entire household misses Disney! Yes, we have all been struck by Disney Blues. My children keep asking when we can go back, what restaurants we will go to, etc. So, this is my way of coping and looking forward to all of the glorious planning that accompanies a trip to WDW.

The family?!? That's right, let me introduce you to the CMs (LOL) of this PTR! First is my beautiful DW, who usually answers to Mickey (no, seriously!) or Mom to my kids. Next is our DD7, Felicity, our DS3, Levi, and the baby of the family, our DD2, Addison. My name is Adam when I'm not answering to ajjoplin1 on DIS!

Now you've met everyone! Let's get ready for the epic PTR of the decade! LOL

 

[ajjoplin1]

Now that the intro is complete, let's begin. I am a planner by nature. I enjoy planning, studying, investigating to the nth degree. This is especially true for a trip to WDW. Recently, my wife asked me about hiring a friend of hers who is starting a Disney TA business. My answer was simple: why hire/pay someone else to do what I LOVE DOING?!? LOLOL.

Needless to say, my planning is in full swing. The tentative dates for our trip are the first full week of September 2016. This will be right after Labor Day, so hopefully the crowd level will be at a minimum. Several crowd calendars online confirm this (again, major planner!).

I still haven't been able to put down the deposit: that will most likely happen in Sep. But I am already looking at resort locations. So, where to stay???

Last year was our first time on property, and I am never staying off property again! Best experience ever! If you never have, you need to make time and money to stay in a Disney resort. Everything about it is better: the atmosphere, the service, the food. Even our afternoon naps seemed more peaceful at Disney! So, I know we're staying on property, and I have it narrowed down to a moderate. Values not happening, and I can't afford a deluxe.

Last trip was at CB, and it was wonderful. But my sister has been reveling in the wonders of POR, so i'm not quite sure. I've been battling back and forth between the two. Looking at rooms, checking bus schedules, considering the pools and walk time to the food court: all has proven ineffective and void. Then, it happened.....

My daughter cast the deciding vote!!! Our DS7 has been begging (literally) to go back to CB---beautiful scenery and an epic pool! But now, just yesterday, she asked to stay at the same resort as her cousin/grandparents. They will also be coming along, which turned into a huge factor for her. This would mean going with POR. That pretty much sealed the deal. Seriously...how can I say no to her??! It's Disneyworld!


So, just over a year away, and we have some major details in place already. We will (tentatively) be going to the World in Sep '16 for a Family Getaway, including sisters, brother, grandparents, and my only neice. The resort of choice ended up with Port Orleans Riverside, and we will be going for 7 nights but only 5 day in the parks. This will give us plenty of time for DTD as well as exploring the resort itself. I can't wait 'til we can book..that will make it seem so much more real!

Until then, I hope this PTR will help curb my sweet tooth for all things Disney!

 

[ajjoplin1]

New update: my planning DVD just arrived!!! I was so excited, I couldn't wait to watch it with the family. Next thing I knew, my daughter had found it and was flipping through the booklet, hungry for anything Disney! LOL! We sat down on Saturday and watched the entire thing. It was so amazing to hear them screaming, "We rode that!," "I want to do that", "Can we meet them?". Yep, that's about all they watched all weekend.

What they don't know is that I have already planned a budget to make it happen for next September! They know we're trying but I haven't promised it yet. I'm waiting until I book to tell them for sure. That will be a post to remember!

That's all for now....hoping to post more magic in the next month....ttyl!

 

[LMN]

You can't go wrong with POR! We have stayed there several times as we are a family of 5 and POR was one of the few places with rooms that would sleep 5. The theming is great and they have a terrific food court. The grounds are beautiful! There are enough bus stops that you are never very far away (walking distance) from a stop. We just bought into DVC last December and I am sad that our POR days are over. Lots of great memories at that resort! Enjoy your trip!