So about a year and a half ago, my favorite server/bartender at my favorite watering hole asked me to help her plan a trip to Disney World in June 2013 to celebrate her DD18 graduation from High School. My DF was a teenage mom and has really struggled over the years and done everything she can to provide for her kids (sometimes working 7 days a week; two jobs). She is a wonderful friend and a wonderful mom.
We have talked about it for months and along the way, I made the trip a lot more complicated and bigger than it really had to be. We talked about each of her kids inviting a friend and then she would invite her best friend and her DD6, etc., etc., etc. She has never been on a vacation since before her DD was born.
About five weeks ago, she suggested we should drive, because the cost of three plane tickets for her would be astronomical. I readily agreed; I have never been a road trip longer than 8 hours.....
Last night, we got to talking at the restaurant and I said, "You know what, Holly, this trip just kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger and I forgot the entire intention was for you to spend some time with your kids, for us to have a change to go out in the evenings like grown-ups and for her kids to do some stuff together by themselves. I just let the entire thing get totally out of hand.
So we are back to square one - getting a standard room in the Mansions; I loved Acadian House location. We are getting the 8 day park hopper ticket with water parks and the MYW Dining Plus plan. We are leaving on a Friday night, the 14th and rotating each of the three drivers every 5 hours, with me picking up the tail end. That will allow them to get directly into the parks and for the old lady to wait around for the room and set up shop. We will stay until the following Saturday and drive home through the night and arrive home Sunday afternoon.
No complications, no extra people, no trying to satisfy everyone. Just a couple of friends and a couple of kids enjoying the parks and all the resorts have to offer.
I am going to make sure to plan some wonderful meals that I know the kids will like and activities that will not cost us anything, but will add to the experience.