BethC1952
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2001
- Messages
- 3,949
I apologize for the delay! Computer problems, the flu, an unexpected move--but that's another story. I'm going to start posting my report, day by day, starting with "The Planning Stages".
Enjoy!
The Planning Stage: January - August
The Original Cast:
Me -- BethC1952, age classified (figure it out for yourselves!), AKA Grandma, experienced WDW visitor (25+ visits since 1978)
DH -- Jim, 52, AKA Grandpa, experienced WDW visitor (25+ visits since 1978)
The Plan: Let's take our annual first-week of December land/sea trip to celebrate our anniversary. We'll stay at Port Orleans Riverside, and have a Cat. 11 inside stateroom.
First modification to The Plan: Let's invite "The Kids".
New Cast Members--The Kids:
DS -- Jimmy, age 28 AKA as Daddy, experienced WDW visitor, 23+ visits between 1978 and 1984
DDIL -- Lori, age 23, AKA Mommy, absolute WDW newbie and very skeptical--I'll go because it's a family trip, but I'm not going to have a good time.
DGD -- Shannan, age 3 1/2, absolute newbie, has seen my collection of WDW pictures (over 4000), and knows all there is to know about WDW.
Second modification to The Plan: Let's add a day at the end of the trip. It's a shame to go home right from the cruise.
Third modification to The Plan: Let's invite everyone we know to join us. Grandpa's sister and her family accept the invitation, but only for the land/sea package portion of the trip.
New Cast Members--Janet's Gang
Janet (Grandpa's sister), age 40 something, absolute WDW newbie, another "I'm going because it's for the kids but I'll hate every minute of it" type.
Nick (Janet's husband), age 6 years older than Janet, yet another "I'm going because it's for the kids but I'll hate every minute of it" type, coupled with "how am I ever going to pay for all of this?"
Andrew, 13 1/2, son of Nick and Janet, WDW newbie
Megan, 9 1/2, daughter of Nick and Janet, WDW newbie, doesn't care about WDW, wants to go on the cruise, will only tolerate WDW if there's a hot tub.
Fourth modification to The Plan: Let's add two days before the package--newbies want to experience Port Orleans Riverside and the rest of non-park WDW. We'll stay at All Star Music to save money.
Fifth modification to The Plan: Oooh, they're opening Pop Century 12/14. We'd only have to add two more days to our stay at Port Orleans Riverside to be there for opening night (and one night at Pop Century, of course).
Sixth modification to The Plan: What, only one night at a new hotel? How about two more--what have we got to lose?
Seventh modification to The Plan: Lori gets a new job, doesn't get paid vacation yet. The Kids decide not to stay after the cruise. But wait, we've got reservations for the Luau on 12/11, so they'll stay one night.
Eighth modification to The Plan: Grandpa and Grandma want to come back in the spring for the Flower and Garden Festival (we old folks love that sort of stuff). It would be to our financial advantage to buy annual passes, because they'll pay for themselves over the course of two visits. OK, let's check hotel rates with an AP for December. Yes, there are AP rates at Port Orleans Riverside for our dates! So, let's change from two rooms at All Star Music to one room at Port Orleans Riverside (all five of us will fit in a room with a trundle bed at Alligator Bayou).
OK, that's it...that's the final plan (and we really did stick to it).
Enjoy!
The Planning Stage: January - August
The Original Cast:
Me -- BethC1952, age classified (figure it out for yourselves!), AKA Grandma, experienced WDW visitor (25+ visits since 1978)
DH -- Jim, 52, AKA Grandpa, experienced WDW visitor (25+ visits since 1978)
The Plan: Let's take our annual first-week of December land/sea trip to celebrate our anniversary. We'll stay at Port Orleans Riverside, and have a Cat. 11 inside stateroom.
First modification to The Plan: Let's invite "The Kids".
New Cast Members--The Kids:
DS -- Jimmy, age 28 AKA as Daddy, experienced WDW visitor, 23+ visits between 1978 and 1984
DDIL -- Lori, age 23, AKA Mommy, absolute WDW newbie and very skeptical--I'll go because it's a family trip, but I'm not going to have a good time.
DGD -- Shannan, age 3 1/2, absolute newbie, has seen my collection of WDW pictures (over 4000), and knows all there is to know about WDW.
Second modification to The Plan: Let's add a day at the end of the trip. It's a shame to go home right from the cruise.
Third modification to The Plan: Let's invite everyone we know to join us. Grandpa's sister and her family accept the invitation, but only for the land/sea package portion of the trip.
New Cast Members--Janet's Gang
Janet (Grandpa's sister), age 40 something, absolute WDW newbie, another "I'm going because it's for the kids but I'll hate every minute of it" type.
Nick (Janet's husband), age 6 years older than Janet, yet another "I'm going because it's for the kids but I'll hate every minute of it" type, coupled with "how am I ever going to pay for all of this?"
Andrew, 13 1/2, son of Nick and Janet, WDW newbie
Megan, 9 1/2, daughter of Nick and Janet, WDW newbie, doesn't care about WDW, wants to go on the cruise, will only tolerate WDW if there's a hot tub.
Fourth modification to The Plan: Let's add two days before the package--newbies want to experience Port Orleans Riverside and the rest of non-park WDW. We'll stay at All Star Music to save money.
Fifth modification to The Plan: Oooh, they're opening Pop Century 12/14. We'd only have to add two more days to our stay at Port Orleans Riverside to be there for opening night (and one night at Pop Century, of course).
Sixth modification to The Plan: What, only one night at a new hotel? How about two more--what have we got to lose?
Seventh modification to The Plan: Lori gets a new job, doesn't get paid vacation yet. The Kids decide not to stay after the cruise. But wait, we've got reservations for the Luau on 12/11, so they'll stay one night.
Eighth modification to The Plan: Grandpa and Grandma want to come back in the spring for the Flower and Garden Festival (we old folks love that sort of stuff). It would be to our financial advantage to buy annual passes, because they'll pay for themselves over the course of two visits. OK, let's check hotel rates with an AP for December. Yes, there are AP rates at Port Orleans Riverside for our dates! So, let's change from two rooms at All Star Music to one room at Port Orleans Riverside (all five of us will fit in a room with a trundle bed at Alligator Bayou).
OK, that's it...that's the final plan (and we really did stick to it).
