PTR: Our last big extended family vacation (we think!) Aug. 2025! (edit 5/28/25)

[Becky2005]

It's been a while and I thought I would pop on here to do a mini update even though it is still quite a bit of hurry up and wait!!

We are under 150 days though before we go so it seems so close yet so far away.

My youngest DS just recently got a job and we aren't 100% sure he will be able to get the time off to go with us, which is a bummer! We won't know until mid April when he can request the time off, even though he did tell everyone he could about the trip beforehand. I'm 90% sure it will be fine but we won't know officially until then.

I am anxiously awaiting to see if the free dining offer that was offered to Disney Visa card holders will be opened to all those who staying on-site on March 26. It would make my life so much easier as we are on the fence about the regular dining plan. We know it would cost us more than not having it but knowing my DH like I do, it would my make life so less stressful having it taken care of ahead of time. Free would be perfect.

Also waiting to see when they are going to announce the Halloween party dates. Right now we are basing everything on last year's dates and what we assume will be the dates but until it's official, it's a complete guess on our parts.

I have found out that it seems everyone (but my DS) now has managed to get the time off needed for transportation and basically we are all driving.

We pretty much have everything figured out except a few things with my niece & her boyfriend which we plan to hash out more of the details Sunday since my sister is in town visiting.

 

[summerlvr]

Hi there, I'm enjoying reading your PTR, hope you continue to give updates! I just booked the free dining package for my September trip, so I hope it works out for you too!

 

[Becky2005]

This waiting is the hardest part!!! We are *so* close, yet so far away still!! LOL! Always seem to be waiting on one or two pieces to fall into place.

We did end up getting the free dining offer, so that was nice. It bumped us from the quick service one to the regular one. We had been debating on it - mostly for my DH. Moneywise, we probably would lose money since we don't drink alcohol but my husband is also the kind that would see the prices and freak out even though he wants sit down meals. UGH!

Trying to make everyone happy with so many variables is *not* easy and that is just my own family! LOL! 2 who do not like buffets, 1 that loves buffets, 1 that loves a big breakfast, others who don't eat breakfast at all.

I have no idea what we are going to do when it comes to meals but we will figure something out as it always works out one way or another. Add in all the others going on the vacation which also includes a vegetarian, whew! I do know the meetup for meals will be quick service - so I don't have to worry about making ADRs for a big group.

I know Liberty Tree Tavern needs to be in there & I am wondering if I can wait on that and not do it exactly at 90 days, which we are just less than a month out from.

Yesterday was the first day we were able to send in to request my youngest DS's time off. Fingers crossed it gets approved. It won't be paid since he is new at the job but they could just as easily deny him too (yes, he did tell them upfront when he got hired about the upcoming trip but there was no guarantees he could get it off). We will probably know in about a week or so.

ON the flip side, we did have the meeting with my niece (brother's daughter) and turns out they were able to get the full time off & although they may go exploring more of Florida vs. just a Disney vacation it's all good. My other niece (sister's daughter) also was able to get all the time needed so we are all good there. We are all driving so needed the extra time & since several of us work retail -- getting 2 weekends in a row off was the main issue.

 

[Becky2005]

Whew!!! This trip is going to give me more grey hairs than I already have! LOL! Basically a bit of a grip session! I know in the end everything will work out.

I mean, I knew trying to get a bunch of people together with retail schedules was tricky but I never realized it would be *my* family that is the issue.

I am so bummed as it looks like my youngest DS won't be able to go as he can't take time off unpaid. The only option he would have at the moment is to take sick time (which he gets in May) but we still aren't 100% sure he would get a full 40 hours to even do that! What makes it worse is he was the one most excited to go!!!!! He doesn't feel right using his sick time in case he actually needs it for being sick. It does stink because he told them in the interview that he had the trip planned so it wasn't like he sprung this on them but he isn't willing to lose his job over this.

Then we turn to my DH who sometimes drives me up a wall. He is now saying he isn't sure he wants to go!!! UGH!!!! Long story short, I am convinced he forgets conversations we have but anyway -- he is still up in the air at this point leaning toward not going!

Which means -- I have no idea what is happening at the moment! We are at the cabins because of DH and his medical needs! I have stayed at them before and Ft. Wilderness is OK but I hate having to bus to the boat, etc... and now if both him and DS can't go, we don't really need to stay at the cabins, so could switch to save some $$ but at this point do we leave well enough alone and just stay there.

I am not touching the reservations yet until things are 100% decided because I can remove them *way* easier than I can put them back on a reservation. We have until July to be 100%

Alas....the saga continues! Only slightly over 100 days to get this all figured out.

OH and a fun PS fun add on, I just booked my May 2026 trip with my friend! She has never been before so that should be fun. I will eventually have to start a Pre-trip report for that and see how far I get with that.

 

[Becky2005]

One of the last pieces of the puzzle we had been waiting on (MNSSHP dates!) finally arrived! Unfortunately, the dates don't line up as well as we had hoped. Only 1 party would work for us & it is right before we leave.

It had already looked like my brother & sister were leaning toward skipping it anyway due to finances and now with it being the night before we all have long drives back home, they are out. My brother is going to ask his daughter still but we are 99% sure she is out too.

One of my son's said, he is fine with going but since I'm the driver it is up to me, the other one doesn't want to spend more $ and my husband was never going to go in the first place. I have been and although I enjoyed it, I'm fine with not going also. So I'm leaning toward a no for me.

My daughter said she is still going to go because her boys want to.

I will be talking with everyone tomorrow and figure out how this changes anything.

On the flip side, now my DH is planning on coming & no matter what we aren't changing where we are staying because we have the free dining package and that is no longer available, so we are staying put. *Crossing fingers* removing my one son doesn't mess anything up. I am waiting until June 1 to do that though.

 

[Becky2005]

Whew!!! I *think* we have a new plan now that we know the dates of MNSHHP & we also found out my grandson's school starts just a couple days after they get back! I knew my sister wasn't going to budge because she had to make park reservations and she is definitely a "once it is done, it is done" type person.

The only other thing we have to wait for now is the hours which may change some things & at 60 days I do have to do dining reservations but I'm not even sure where we want to eat or when at this point! LOL! I still have time to figure that out though.

Changes in Blue!

Arrival day: No plans, Everyone is driving to Disney World on their own, so arrival times will vary although we are all supposed to arrive on the same day. We will probably end up in Disney Springs but now the one who had 2 very specific things he wanted to do there, isn't coming, so no idea where we are exactly going to go. Also depends on how late we arrive.

Day 2: Magic Kingdom

Day 3: My DD & her family will be going to Hollywood Studios. I plan to add one day to mine & 1 DS's tickets to join them. Everyone else this is a skip a park/relaxation/go see other areas of FL day for them.

The DS who likes coasters is the one I plan on adding a day to his ticket as my thought process was we could spend some time with my daughter's family then we could go ride the coasters in whatever park. This way my DH & other DS don't have to wait for us since they don't do coasters/big rides.

Day 4: Animal Kingdom -- not sure how long we will be here but will probably end up hopping at some point.

Day 5: EPCOT

Day 6: Hollywood Studios - My DD & her family aren't going to a park this day & might check-out early to head home.

Departure Day: So sad, it is time to leave the mouse until the next time.

 

[Becky2005]

I made it official today and removed my youngest from the trip! So bummed but what are you going to do! He isn't going to lose a job over a vacation! At least we don't have to figure out how to take care of our pet! He is now in charge of that. Still bummed me out though.

It looks like my sister's family is going to end up at Universal Epic on Tuesday. She doesn't really want to go but she has 2 big Mario cart fans in the family, so if they do nothing else but end up in Mario World, they will be over the moon.

At this point it is too far away to do anything else except keep paying! LOL! & looking at the menu's to try to figure out dining. My dining opens next month and I still have no clue when or where we are making reservations. I am *very* tempted to just wait and make the ADR's while we are there! I know that is very risky but I don't think we are trying to get anything that is a super hard one to get. We aren't trying for CRT or Space 220, etc... The only real requested one is Liberty Tree Tavern/Diamond Horseshoe which I can't imagine is a hot ticket ADR.

I have been looking and with some of the menu changes, it makes it a bit harder with multiple picky eaters who aren't picky about the same things (me included!).