Our completely unpredictable PTR- WDW with Autism May 25-31

[sl_underwood]

After 3 long years of waiting, we are finally headed back to Walt Disney World!
Each trip has been a celebration for us. Our first trip, we celebrated the adoption of our daughters who are now 17 (will turn 18 5 days before we leave) and 14. Our next trip was to celebrate our foster son's birthday, but while we were standing in the Magic Express line we got the news that he was legally free for adoption and ours forever! This trip will be to celebrate our dd's 18th birthday and her graduation from cosmetology school. Because this is her birthday trip, we have invited her boyfriend along. He has never been anywhere like Walt Disney World, so it should be fun converting him! She also decided she wanted to stay at CBR.
The Cast:
Me (Lora)- I love all things disney and I am pretty much a WDW addict. I enjoy planning our trips almost as much as going to WDW!

DH (Stephen)- Very silly, total geek, loves Star Wars and all things Disney

dd 18 (Kara) and her bf (Spencer) - She loves Disney, especially the thrill rides and the shopping, he has no clue what to expect!

dd 14 (Jess AKA Ventress on Disboards) is a major Star Wars fan, loves to write and loves music. Doesnt so much like rides except for the mild ones- has an impressive autograph and penny press collection

ds 7 (Luke) loves Disney especially WDW. He also loves Star Wars, and is very facinated with pirates right now. Luke has autism so we do have to plan in order to help him have a great trip.

 

[sl_underwood]

The Good
We are going to WDW in 93 days, 2 pirate rooms at CBR are booked, got a 40% off pin so saved money, We got dd reservations at Planet Hollywood for Kara, RFC for Jess, and T-Rex for Luke.

The Bad
93 days out- Still do not have airfare booked- still hoping for better prices and waiting on dh to find out if he will be home by then. We also decided to go to Star Wars Weekend Friday and maybe Saturday, which should be fun for my star wars loving family but I am worrying about the crowd levels.

The Ugly
We may be QSD only. It seems that with the new reservation system there are no ressies available for our dates. I am praying that this is only because of double booking and such and not because our dates are going to be super busy!

 

[sassyredhead]

Following since we will be in the World about the same time! Uh-oh about the airfare!!!

 

[sl_underwood]

No planning going on here. Starting to worry that this will be the worst trip ever! No reservations available, looks like it is going to be super busy and I am going through a bout of depression and just can't get into planning. Add in the fact that my teenage dds are moody and contantly at odds with each other I figure things aren't looking up. Hopefully they start to soon.

 

[sl_underwood]

Following since we will be in the World about the same time! Uh-oh about the airfare!!!

 

[lbuzz52]

I'm sure that it will come together. Can you more your days a day or two either way? Maybe it would make the difference on the dining? Otherwise, I'd say keep checking daily as I'm sure people will cancel.
I'm curious to see what you find out about cbr.

 

[Lidian]

The Good
We are going to WDW in 93 days, 2 pirate rooms at CBR are booked, got a 40% off pin so saved money, We got dd reservations at Planet Hollywood for Kara, RFC for Jess, and T-Rex for Luke.

The Bad
93 days out- Still do not have airfare booked- still hoping for better prices and waiting on dh to find out if he will be home by then. We also decided to go to Star Wars Weekend Friday and maybe Saturday, which should be fun for my star wars loving family but I am worrying about the crowd levels.

The Ugly
We may be QSD only. It seems that with the new reservation system there are no ressies available for our dates. I am praying that this is only because of double booking and such and not because our dates are going to be super busy!

Grats on the upcoming trip and happy early birthday to your DD! I hope you guys love CBR! It seems airfare has been fluctuating a lot lately ... perhaps it will settle down soon.

You guys are coming in at the tail end of our vacation, perhaps we'll bump into each other at some point!

40% off CBR is an awesome deal! Grats!

Have you considered moving things around and trying other days for your ADRs? Definitely keep checking, as its possible people have multiple ADRs booked and will release them closer to their vacation when they can get a better grasp on their itinerary! And if you aren't finding something online, try calling. I don't always trust the online system.

I really don't know much about crowd levels and such from experience ... but I do hope its not so bad that it puts a damper on your vacation. Even if its stupid-packed, if you have a good plan to follow, it really does help.

Don't let the planning get you down. We're here if you need to vent!

 

[sl_underwood]

Welcome and thanks. Trip planning isn't really the issue but as dh pointed out my need for the perfect family vacation is not helping. I think of this as our last family trip before dd heads off into adult life and I want it to be amazing. The ADR issues really bother me because she really wanted to eat certain places. I really want to plan and I did purchase touringplans but I am overwhelmed with this idea that it has to be perfect. I need to let this go because I know if I could that would take some of the pressure off but I just can't seem to. Any suggestions on how to go about this?

 

[Lidian]

Welcome and thanks. Trip planning isn't really the issue but as dh pointed out my need for the perfect family vacation is not helping. I think of this as our last family trip before dd heads off into adult life and I want it to be amazing. The ADR issues really bother me because she really wanted to eat certain places. I really want to plan and I did purchase touringplans but I am overwhelmed with this idea that it has to be perfect. I need to let this go because I know if I could that would take some of the pressure off but I just can't seem to. Any suggestions on how to go about this?

Don't plan on making it the perfect vacation ever ... just let it happen naturally on its own. Sure, the next visit she may be grown up with her own life, but you'll have new memories to create then.

I learned that no matter how much I planned in 2009, things were going to happen (good and bad) on their own. After I relaxed and just rolled with it, things went much smoother. (And trust me, my vacation in 2009 should have read "worst vacation ever" ... but it was actually one of the best! Even DH felt bad for me, and I swear he's void of all emotions. )

So just try to relax (easier said than done, I know). Keep trying for the ADRs you really want, but if they don't happen, be prepared to compromise for something else.

 

[sl_underwood]

Thank you for your advice and welcome! I am glad to have a few people reading. I hope you all have lots of input on my planning. I have decided today will be the start for planning- I can always change something if ADRS become available

So 77 days out and I have just started planning:
We will arrive on May 25th- waiting till Friday to book airfare (dh will know for sure by then if his vacation days have been approved) The flight we want and will hopefully get is a nonstop from Dallas to MCO leaves at 7am- arrive at MCO by 10am! Hopefully that will give us alot of time on our first day. First day plans are somewhat up in the air. DD and her bf have reservations for PH in DTD at 5:30 that evening- couldnt get ressies for everyone there and the rest of use really didnt care if we went or not. dd's bf thought it sounded cool and wanted to go though. MK and Epcot both are open till 9 that day, Touring plans lists MK as a best park level 2, and epcot neutral park at a 5. Might go to one of these, but not sure.
May 26th- AK- ADR RFC for dinner 6:20
May 27- DHS for SWW!
May 28- DHS if needed, otherwise resort day
May 29- MK
May 30-Epcot
May 31- We have to leave this day but our plane (again assuming I can still book on Friday) will leave MCO at 6 and get into Dallas at 9:30. Even using ME, I think we will have atleast until 4 pm. Might do DTD this day or head to a park, probably MK to finish up anything we missed.
So far this is the loose plan. Any advice, suggestions?

 

[Lidian]

Thank you for your advice and welcome! I am glad to have a few people reading. I hope you all have lots of input on my planning. I have decided today will be the start for planning- I can always change something if ADRS become available

So 77 days out and I have just started planning:
We will arrive on May 25th- waiting till Friday to book airfare (dh will know for sure by then if his vacation days have been approved) The flight we want and will hopefully get is a nonstop from Dallas to MCO leaves at 7am- arrive at MCO by 10am! Hopefully that will give us alot of time on our first day. First day plans are somewhat up in the air. DD and her bf have reservations for PH in DTD at 5:30 that evening- couldnt get ressies for everyone there and the rest of use really didnt care if we went or not. dd's bf thought it sounded cool and wanted to go though. MK and Epcot both are open till 9 that day, Touring plans lists MK as a best park level 2, and epcot neutral park at a 5. Might go to one of these, but not sure.
May 26th- AK- ADR RFC for dinner 6:20
May 27- DHS for SWW!
May 28- DHS if needed, otherwise resort day
May 29- MK
May 30-Epcot
May 31- We have to leave this day but our plane (again assuming I can still book on Friday) will leave MCO at 6 and get into Dallas at 9:30. Even using ME, I think we will have atleast until 4 pm. Might do DTD this day or head to a park, probably MK to finish up anything we missed.
So far this is the loose plan. Any advice, suggestions?

I think this looks pretty good! You'll probably need two days in DHS if going for SWW to get everything in (IMO). If you hit MK on arrival day, save me a spot in line for the rides.

I like how you've compromised on the PH rezzie. It'll give your DD and her BF some time to hang out together while you can find something else to get into.

 

[sl_underwood]

Its kinda funny cuz dd didnt want to go without us. She really wanted us all to go together but it didnt work out. I am slowly resigning myself to have fun without ts restuarants. I know its possible and as dh stated it will save us money to not have the tips and adrs, plus more free time as dining takes a lot of time. I think dhs will be a one day trip for ds and I, prolly dd and her bf too. However, my dd 14 really wants certain star wars actors autographs and if she doenst get them on the first day she will want to go back. Ds only wants TSM, Star Tours and Jedi Mickey really. Anything else is icing on the cake for him. He has specific rides he fixates on. For example, at MK he will ride the tea cups atleast 3 times, Epcot its the finding nemo ride, at AK its the boneyard. He really could care less about rides there but loves that giant sandbox. As long as he gets the few things done he wants, he will be perfectly happy. Most times, he wants to ride the same ride several times so that is where the FP comes in handy. I hope at DHS I can get a FP and get in line with him so he can do TSM more than once.

 

[sl_underwood]

Airfare is bought! I had worried that we would end up paying an exhuberant amount but it ended up being pretty good. Booked airtrain for $98 each way, non stop flight from Dallas to Orlando. Because Dallas is a 4 hour drive for us, we will drive down the night before after dh gets off work. We arrive in Orlando at 10:30 so should have a good part of the day there. Our flight going home is a non stop leaving at 7:55 pm, back in Dallas before 10. Not sure if we will drive straight home from there or stay at a hotel again. Will just have to see. I did have to pay extra with air tran cause I needed to get specific seats. I had only planned to do this for ds and 1 adult so he would be guaranteed a seat next to someone he knew.
However, dd's bf has never flown and he wanted to sit by her. So an extra $70 for seating assignments. On a scale of things, its probably not that much but I must say I dont like parting with money so I didnt like it!

 

[lbuzz52]

$98 is great!!

 

[sl_underwood]

Just a quick update

Yesterday was a sad day for our family. We had to say goodbye to our beloved Luna

Our poor little girl's kidneys were failing and we had no alternative but to euthanize her.


On the trip planning front, we may be making more changes as our dd 14 has a friend who might be going with us. Should know by the end of the day if her parents give the okay. I am seriously freaking out because I normally have everything planned and this time it seems I am so unorganized! 70 days out and I still only have a handful of reservations, and no real plans. Definitely have to get this planned and quick!

 

[sassyredhead]

I am so sorry to hear about poor Luna. We have threes kitties and a puppy--I will be so sad the day I have to say goodbye to one of them!

 

[Lidian]

Just a quick update

Yesterday was a sad day for our family. We had to say goodbye to our beloved Luna

Our poor little girl's kidneys were failing and we had no alternative but to euthanize her.

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[sl_underwood]

I am stuck on what to do on arrival day. Both MK and Epcot are open till 9 and we get to MCO at 10:30 am. I figure we could have several hours in a park if we wanted, but not sure. I think MK could be fun but with Luke we really try to get in early and get FP so we can avoid a lot of line time. Therefore, I am not sure MK is a good idea, especially if we dont get there till 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Another idea is to go to Epcot and do the KP missions. Jess and Luke are wanting to do those. The other option is resort to swim and DTD for dinner and shopping. Which would you do?

 

[sl_underwood]

Thank you all for your kind words. Luna is Jessa's baby. She rescued her, cared for her, even fed her with a bottle when she was to little to eat. She died young, only 8 years old. Our pets are part of our family, so for us, we lost a family member.

 

[sl_underwood]

Some pics from Disney past-

These are from our vacation in 2006

Jess at JTA- She was hillarious. Darth Vader says join me and she stops fighting to think about it Then the Jedi Master yells "Be strong young padawan. Be strong!" It was obvious he was a bit worried!

And here is Kara with Cindy. She couldnt wait to go to 1900 Park Fare!

Jess at Ohana. Stitch was so much fun there. The place was pretty empty and he kept coming back to play with Jess. He pulled her pig tails, poured syrup on her food and pretended to pour it on her head. He also stole her stitch doll and Lilo chased him around the room to get it back. What a fun time!