Please be gentle it's my first time!

[CarolineJ]

Ok, so here I am. After many, many (15 to be exact) months of my other half (Pudsey Chancer) nattering, here I am on the boards introducing myself and asking for advice and comments to make my 10 hour passing from rainy Manchester to sunny WDW (about the only abbreviation I know) a little less traumatic!!! Three weeks today, about now, we will be landing having hopefully survived my biggest fear since childbirth!!!!

I am, as you can all see, Caroline. Dave and I were a couple many moons ago and rekindled out love last May through Facebook. As a typical fairytale goes: we have "lived happily ever after" since then. We both love a laugh and are as sarcastic as each other. Thankfully we are both super chilled too!!!

We have two little people to consider (Isabelle 8 and Billy 5). One is a drama queen and one twitters constantly - to be fair it changes daily as to which is which!!!!

Isabelle and Billy have absolutely no idea we are going. Despite watching the Disney DVD twice before, when we watched it the other day I cried like a mad woman thinking how fab it will be when we finally tell them in the hotel in Manchester!!!!

I, unlike Dave, have never been before and have only had one two week holiday ever! We did Disneyland Paris in October for three nights and the kids loved it.

We're staying at OKW (ok two abbreviations - must have paid attention to his ramblings over the months ) and it looks fab.

Any advice greatly appreciated - though my biggest concerns will probably be that I lose the ability to cook three different breakfasts in record time, forget what an iron looks like, miss my ***** cats and become incredibly lazy over the two weeks. Oh and that just like when we came home from Paris, I will paddy like a child and declare "I WANT TO GO BACK NOW"!

 

[2Tiggies]

Hi Caroline



It sounds like you really need this holiday so don't you be worrying about losing ability to do anything. You're supposed to forget about all the daily chores anyway. You may, if you are like me, forget that you actually have to turn on the tap to get water to wash your hands or the big one when I get home: the toilets only flush themselves at Disney - not in my house But you will feel like a new person for it.

I can't give you any advice on the resort except to say it is very popular with many on here and I am sure you will get plenty first hand info to help you out on that. A whole lot of the UK DISers are in Florida now so the boards are quiet, but those of us left behind are really friendly.

Ask as many questions as you like. If you don't understand the answers, ask again. If you need more info, ask again. We all do it - we've just got used to it so we aren't self conscious about it. I leave in 6 weeks so you will see my storm of questions appearing very shortly

My DD also has no idea we are going. I am only telling her when we get to the airport hotel. Are you going to keep it a secret from your kids to the very end too?

 

[Elise79]

Wecome to the Dis Caroline!

You will be fine and you will not want to come home - guaranteed!

Just chill out and enjoy as I am sure your DH has under control

Don't worry about trying to see and do it all as you will be going back Sometime

My advice take a break in the middle of the day to nap and swim then the kids will make it in to the evening to see the night entertainment.

Have a fantastic time

 

[PoppyAnna]

Hey Caroline, welcome Your Dave cracks me up

I didn't realise you hadn't been before, thats amazing. The anticipation for every visit is great, but your first visit can't be beat

We don't stay on site so I can't give you the low-down on your resort I'm afraid, but as previously said it is highly regarded so I'm sure you'll love it.

Just chill, go with the flow and enjoy it, take plenty to do for the flight and enjoy suprising the kids (we do that too ).

Nice to "see" you around here

 

[Goofyish]

Hi Caroline

 

[disneyholic family]

Hi!!

 

[Pegasus928]

Hi and Welcome to the Dis.

As has already been said ask as many questions as you like. Everyone here will be happy to answer them no matter how small or strange they may be. Remember - the only stupid question is the one you don't ask

 

[jackieleanne]

Hey welcome to the dis.

You will love Florida I also do the MAN/MCO route and it kills me the flight time as I just want to get there, I find that keeping a file and looking over my plans passes time as well. Another option may be to look into the portable dvd players I am actually going to look into getting one of these this time and also plan on taking my hidden magic of wdw book to read.

 

[diddldonna]

Welcome

I am off to disneyworld in 5 weeks and staying at Okw for the first time, even though I have been wdw 3 times.

I think it's great that your surprising the children, we surprised ours once when
we went to Disney paris and they didn't figure anything out until we handed our passports over for the eurostar. It's the best feeling ever.

 

[darthtatty]

Hi Caroline, welcome to the Dis
thats great you both managed to get together again on Facebook.

I only just read Daves pre trip report a few days ago, it sounds like youve got some great plans. Ive never stayed at OKW but ive read loads of good stuff about it.

The journey wont be as bad as you think.good luck and happy planning.xx

 

[catherine]

Welcome to the DIS Caroline If you loved DLP then you're going to LOVE WDW!! I've stayed at OKW loads of times mostly in 2 bedroom villas, but I have stayed in a studio and GVs and I just feel so at home there. I'm sure that you will love staying there. There's a great pool area for your little ones and the whole place just feels so relaxing. I also fly MAN -MCO and it always seems to go really quickly and it's quite easy to get through MCO once you've landed. Like PPs have said if you have any questions feel free to ask, there are loads of helpful DISers with lots of great info!

 

[crabbie1]

Hi Caroline nice to meet you We too go man-mco and with one child (yet alone 2) seems a daunting experience. We get to the 6 hr mark and its "are we there yet".reminds me must get her that t-shirt from the simpsons shop at universal.Honestly they will be fine.I am taking DD8 Dsi(will buy her a new game or two so she can open them on the plane) ,got travel guess who and downfall.There are plenty of films on (you going VA?) and I think if they watch one thats 90 mins gone roughly just another 7 or so to go.
What a lovely suprise your children will have. I stayed at OKW in dec 2008 and it was lovely. Had a great room location (building 25) and the pool is great for the kids and the best jacuzzi everReaalllllllllly hot as well.DD loved it. Didint eat in the hotel apart from the counter service by the pool and it was ok-great chicken noodle soup.
Rooms are great if 4 of you and a lovely large bathroom.
Buses are good longest wait we had was for the bus FROM DTD back to OKW,but there is a boat as well which is lovely. Kids willl love it.
As everyone has said dont be shy and ask away.Even those on here who have been numerous times have to ask questions and sometimes it not that we dont know it just need it clarifying and reassured that we havent lost the plot My DB hasnt been either so its all new for him. Mind you hasnt really bothered till now and is starting to ask questions and to look at the accomodation pictures etc.
Welcome and have a fab trip. We will be coming around the end of your stay.Have a magical time.Relax and like others have said dont try to do it all. Gives a great reason to go back

 

[irisheyes123]

Hi welcome to the dis

 

[CarolineJ]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

You are, as Dave has been telling me, all lovely people! Please don't think me rude though if I don't appear as often as he does ........... someone has to wash the smelly socks in this house!!!

Hope those of you that are going away in the near future have a fab time and I will keep you all posted on how I survived what will surely be the longest ten hours in my five year olds life!!!!

Caroline xx

 

[tinkerpea]

Hi Im kind of new to here as well lol and yes they are all loverly.
1st trip to Disney world you are never going to want to come home!!! i will be going with my 3 boys twins 5 and a 8yr old i did it 4 yrs ago and then 2yrs ago and everybody said oh god why when what a hassle with the kids ....nope it was the best times i have ever had! Im the Disney mad one in Our family and my hubby is learning to just nod and smile when i yap on

 

[CarolineJ]

It sounds like you really need this holiday so don't you be worrying about losing ability to do anything. You're supposed to forget about all the daily chores anyway. You may, if you are like me, forget that you actually have to turn on the tap to get water to wash your hands or the big one when I get home: the toilets only flush themselves at Disney - not in my house But you will feel like a new person for it.

My DD also has no idea we are going. I am only telling her when we get to the airport hotel. Are you going to keep it a secret from your kids to the very end too?

OMG I need this holiday like you would not believe, as do the two little people. This last few weeks has been the hardest keeping it from them
as they keep saying how nice it would be to go back to DLP!!!

Do they really?! Self flushing toilets - how cool!!!

Hey Caroline, welcome Your Dave cracks me up

I didn't realise you hadn't been before, thats amazing. The anticipation for every visit is great, but your first visit can't be beat :

Thanks Jo, hmmmm he is a constant source of my entertainment too - he isn't wrong when he says we have three kids in our house!!!

Yep first time to Florida, I am now becoming super excited and my fave comment at the moment is "ooooh what will we be doing at this time in ?? days"!

You will love Florida I also do the MAN/MCO route and it kills me the flight time as I just want to get there, I find that keeping a file and looking over my plans passes time as well. Another option may be to look into the portable dvd players I am actually going to look into getting one of these this time and also plan on taking my hidden magic of wdw book to read.

There was a time when we were considering portable DVD's but it was mainly me that decided against this, especially as they will have the tv right in front of them!!!! They both have DS's and MP3 players which they love. Isabelle will be more than happy to write stories all the way there and after the initial two hours of twittering I am sure Billy will nod off. I am under no illusion that they will be up early the morning we fly so will sleep eventually.............I can live in hope eh?!

We would prefer to fly with Virgin but by comparison when we booked they were more expensive so we are going with Thomas Cook and flying into Sanford.

I am off to disneyworld in 5 weeks and staying at Okw for the first time, even though I have been wdw 3 times.

I think it's great that your surprising the children, we surprised ours once when we went to Disney paris and they didn't figure anything out until we handed our passports over for the eurostar. It's the best feeling ever.

You will be arriving just as we leave...........if I don't want to come home can I bring a sleeping bag to your studio?!

The kids have absolutely NO idea. They won't know until the Friday teatime in Manchester (we fly on Saturday lunchtime). I am now so overwhelmed by the whole thing that I cried all the way through the first 15 minutes of the Disney Holiday Planning DVD the other night!!! We will definitely have the camera at the ready when they find out

Hi Caroline nice to meet you We too go man-mco and with one child (yet alone 2) seems a daunting experience. We get to the 6 hr mark and its "are we there yet".reminds me must get her that t-shirt from the simpsons shop at universal.Honestly they will be fine.I am taking DD8 Dsi(will buy her a new game or two so she can open them on the plane) ,got travel guess who and downfall.There are plenty of films on (you going VA?) and I think if they watch one thats 90 mins gone roughly just another 7 or so to go.
What a lovely suprise your children will have. I stayed at OKW in dec 2008 and it was lovely. Had a great room location (building 25) and the pool is great for the kids and the best jacuzzi everReaalllllllllly hot as well.DD loved it. Didint eat in the hotel apart from the counter service by the pool and it was ok-great chicken noodle soup.
Rooms are great if 4 of you and a lovely large bathroom.
Buses are good longest wait we had was for the bus FROM DTD back to OKW,but there is a boat as well which is lovely. Kids willl love it.
As everyone has said dont be shy and ask away.Even those on here who have been numerous times have to ask questions and sometimes it not that we dont know it just need it clarifying and reassured that we havent lost the plot My DB hasnt been either so its all new for him. Mind you hasnt really bothered till now and is starting to ask questions and to look at the accomodation pictures etc.
Welcome and have a fab trip. We will be coming around the end of your stay.Have a magical time.Relax and like others have said dont try to do it all. Gives a great reason to go back

Hi! Firstly, has my other half paid you to say we will be going back?! He assures me this will be the only place I will ever want to be - I guess by this time next month we will know

Ah, I say I'm worried - I am and I arent. The little people are a constant source of amusement if not exhaustion!!! They both have their own way of dealing with things and I am hoping my iPod will be MY saviour. Either that or I will be taking the Medised not them!!

The Jacuzzi sounds very nice, may accidentally on purpose have to leave Dave and the kids sleeping one afternoon and go on a relaxation hunt

I am sure between now and when we go there will be lots of questions I have but for the time being I will stick with the making of lists and subtlely mentioning to my Mum the "additional extras" the kids need!!

 

[Kevin Stringer]

Hi Caroline

How the heck do you put up with The Chancer? We have enough trouble with him for a couple of hours in chat on a Sunday!

In reality he's a lot of fun and I hope you all have a wonderful time in WDW. OKW (see, you're not the only one who can do abbreviations!) is a lovely resort.
I reckon you may have a spot of bother with the young 'uns when you deliver the news about the trip. Have you any experience with removing young children from hotel ceilings?

Kev

 

[CarolineJ]

Hi Caroline

How the heck do you put up with The Chancer? We have enough trouble with him for a couple of hours in chat on a Sunday!

In reality he's a lot of fun and I hope you all have a wonderful time in WDW. OKW (see, you're not the only one who can do abbreviations!) is a lovely resort.
I reckon you may have a spot of bother with the young 'uns when you deliver the news about the trip. Have you any experience with removing young children from hotel ceilings?

Kev

Kev, the two hours on a Sunday you have him for "chat" IS how I put up with him. It is my saviour and my sanity!!! Feel free to keep him chatting for longer........

Hmmmm, kind of...............it surely can't be more awkward that removing Dave's butt from the sofa on a "match day Sunday"?!! x

 

[Kevin Stringer]

Hmmmm, kind of...............it surely can't be more awkward that removing Dave's butt from the sofa on a "match day Sunday"?!! x

LOL. Ah, sport. It's the male version of shopping but with more swearing.

Kev

 

[dixonsontour]

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