The “Once In A Lifetime So Pack Everything In Tour” Background Info

[Melcatfish]

The Cast:
Mel (me): 25, chief planner and Disney nut.
Darren (DH): 31, chief eater who has a take it or leave it attitude to Disney
Helen (Auntie): 48, grown up child who has been dreaming about WDW for ages
Rodney (Uncle): 53, looking forward to sampling American culture & clothing!
Elizabeth (Cousin): 15, terrified of flying but looking forward to Magic Kingdom
Rebecca (Cousin): 12, the only coaster lover in the party

The Background

We have all visited Disneyland Paris but only Darren has been to WDW however that was about 20 years ago when he was a kid. “The Florida Trip” is something we have talked about for ages as a mythical holiday which we would go on *one day.*

In January 2003 my Gran died and we all felt pretty miserable for a while. It was decided that to give us something to look forward to we had to set about organising “The Florida Trip!” for summer 2004 which would coincide with Elizabeth finishing her G.C.S.E’s and having her 16th birthday. (oh to be that young again!)

Somewhere around this point I was designated chief planner – I am not sure how this happened but suddenly I was in charge of investigating the actual cost of a fortnight in Orlando.

Well after many, many hours of surfing the net and checking out the DIS I thought I was all ready to book and then the moment of epiphany occurred and my Auntie and I decided that if we were paying all that money for flights we might as well stay a bit longer so it was agreed that three weeks was the best option. Note here: My Auntie and I decided, everyone else was told – this sets the tone for trip planning!!!

Armed with this new information and the all important budget per person I went back to the office and set about preparing our three week magical “vacation.” I had so much fun doing it because I was given total freedom to book what I thought we would enjoy with the only restriction being the overall budget, the amount of which was paid into my bank account (cue a flurry of excited calls from the bank manager offering me all sorts of exciting investment opportunities for the money – alas he was not good at hiding his disappointment when I told him it was all ear marked for a Disney holiday!)

So flights and villa booked, Fun in the Sun tickets bought, Universal Power Passes bought and various other delights booked I think we are ready to go.

Bear in mind I am writing this the day before we go – here is what I came up with as our itinerary following masses of research, trip report & Brits Guide reading and Sunday nights spend in the DIS chat rooms!

Sunday 1st August: Twilight Check In – Overnight at Ramada Plaza Gatwick
Monday 2nd August: 11:15a.m Flight – Find Villa possibly activate F.I.T.S passes
Tuesday 3rd August: Crystal Palace Brekkie then Magic Kingdom
Wednesday 4th August: Orange Blossom Balloon Flight for 3 then MGM
Thursday 5th August: Blizzard Beach, shopping
Friday 6th August: Boggy Creek Airboats, Sky Venture Wind Tunnel, Mini Golf
Saturday 7th August: Animal Kingdom, Rainforest Café Cirque Du Soleil
Sunday 8th August: Epcot, Ice Cream Social,
Monday 9th August: Seaworld, Dine with Shamu
Tuesday 10th August: Beach Day – St Pete’s or Clearwater, yet to be decided.
Wednesday 11th August: Typhoon Lagoon until lunch, Animal Kingdom then Medieval Times
Thursday 12th August: Silver Springs
Friday 13th August: 1900 Park Fare brekkie, Magic Kingdom then Artists Point.
Saturday 14th August: Elizabeth birthday, Discovery Cove Chef Mickeys Fireworks Cruise.
Sunday 15th August: Check in to Portofino Bay Hotel – Universal Studios
Monday 16th August: Check out of Portofino Bay Hotel – Islands of Adventure
Tuesday 17th August: Busch Gardens
Wednesday 18th August: Kennedy Space Center, Check in to Radisson at the Port.
Thursday 19th August: Embark Disney Wonder.
Friday 20th August: Nassau – Ardastra Gardens and City Tour
Saturday 21st August: Castaway Cay - Disney’s private island. Parasailling.
Sunday 22nd August: Disembark Wonder – Back to Orlando – Epcot – Rose & Crown
Monday 23rd August: Check in @ DTD Cape May Café brekkie – redo favourite park Go Home

I know I have tried to fit a lot in to the itinerary but that famous phrase “Once in a lifetime” cropped up a lot and to be fair although I fully expect DH and I to visit again and maybe one day the girls I really do think that this will be a one off for my Auntie and Uncle. Although it may not look like there are many rest days we will be flexible. We count shopping and mini golf as resting - plus there will be lots of rest time on the cruise! When I come back and post the actual trip reports it will be interesting to see how much we stuck to the plan!

As I write this I am surrounded by chaos, suitcases half packed, washing strewn across the sofas and the huge responsibility of having organised the trip and wondering if it will be ok is looming above. When I come back home to write my trip reports I will let you know whether it was Fun in the Sun or Pure Bloody Chaos!

Bye bye for now...
I have to go to bed and not sleep just so DH can ask me if I'm asleep. My response will of course be "No, I'm too excited. Mum says its just Maaaaggggiical!"

Mel
x

 

[SusanEllen]

You have an ambitious itinerary, it's true, but you will have so much fun trying to do it all. Although having this much fun is hard work, you're so right, you can rest on the cruise. Bon voyage.

 

[KayleeUK]

Oh Mel

I am so excited for you. Have a wonderful trip. Can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[Miffy2003]

Mel,

This sounds absolutely fabulous. Have a brilliant time. I can't wait to hear all about it !!

Karen

 

[Melcatfish]

So my dad is due to pick us up in 3 minutes, packing isn't quite finished and what am I doing?? Thats right - logging on to the DIS. Ta Ta for now!
Mel
xx

 

[highlander447]

Have a great time can't wait for the report