The Kiwis have landed (The Pre-Trip pt.3)

[the Legend]

Cast
DS Rob (as in Disney Son) - Thats me. 36 years old Systems Analyst going on 10. 2nd time to WDW and major financier of this trip.
DM Lydia (as in Darling Mother and wanna be Disney Mother) - A very young 60. A trip of many firsts. First time flying. First time outside New Zealand. First time to the US. First time to WDW.
DN Nadine and Adair (as in Darling Nieces and wanna be Disney Princesses) - 7yo identical Twin Girls. Part-time Tomboys and Thrillseekers on the outside but every part true Princesses on the inside.

I was lost but now I'm found
When we were here last, I had booked or confirmed the following:

• United Package to Orlando via LA departing New Zealand August 27 and returning September 11.
• 2 Rooms for 10 nights at the All-Star Sports for $109/room/night.
• 1 Room for 5 nights at the Hard Rock Hotel for $189/night.
• Upgarded and discounted Alamo rental car for duration of the trip.
• 7-day Park Hopper PlusT ickets for WDW and Orlando Flextickets for Universal, Islands, Seaworld, Wet'n'Wild and Busch Gardens Tampa.

Like many, I turned to the Net to help me plan our holiday. Countless late nights were spent reading other peoples trip reports and restaurant reviews as well as gathering endless pieces of advice. If there is one thing I had learned, it is the WDW community and it supporters are a very active and giving group. Sites like the DIS, Deb Wills and Mouseplanet empitomise the magic of Disney. It was on one of these late night sessions, I happened upon a package value article written by Michael Hewell of Michaels VIPs on MousePlanet. This coincided with a TV interview he had done about the ticket ripoffs happening outside of WDW. From his article, I followed the link to his site. Before I go on, I will acknowledge now that I am aware that there is a no advertising rule for the forums, however what I have to report about Michaels VIPs is so significant to our holiday that I could not continue writing without mention him or his services. Michael runs a tour guide business specialising in Walt Disney World. He is an ex-Disney VIP Tour Guide who also offers an itenary service, helping poor clueless souls like myself get the most from their holidays. After looking through his site, my first thoughts were to take up his itenary service. I would answer some simple questions, give dates and provide some preferences for our group and he would come up with itenary that best suited our party. What followed was truly Magic! To cut a long story short, after several no obligation e-mails, Michael had got our two rooms at the All-Star Sports down from $109/room/night to $49/room/night and our HRH room from $189/night to $149/night. I was so impressed with his service and professionalism that I decided to hire him as our VIP Tour Guide through WDW and Universal using the money saved from our rooms to pay for his services.

When I think about it, this trip was for my Mum and the Twins. Realistically, knowing their situations, this would be the only opportunity that they may have to do this and I wanted it to be special and as easy as possible. Hiring Michael meant I had a brain to pick, someone with first hand knowledge, it also meant no work for me and essentially no more late nights. Knowing that we had someone making PS's for us based on our personal preferences, scheduling our days taking into account such things as the time we arrived and the distance we travelled and making sure we got to see and do the things we wanted to see and do, was a great burden off me as the organiser/financier. It meant, I could take it easy and escape the stress often associate with planning holidays like this.

By the start of August and with Michael help, our itenary now read like this:

• United Package to Orlando via LA departing New Zealand August 27 and returning September 11.
• 2 Rooms for 10 nights at the All-Star Sports for $49/room/night.
• 1 Room for 5 nights at the Hard Rock Hotel for $149/night.
• Upgarded and discounted Alamo rental car for duration of the trip.
• 7-day Park Hopper PlusT ickets for WDW and Orlando Flextickets for Universal, Islands, Seaworld, Wet'n'Wild and Busch Gardens Tampa.

At last, it was all coming together by mid-August, everything was paid for and confirmed. All we had to do is wait for the big day.
It couldn't get here fast enough. On August 27 at 3 PM, we left Wellington bound for Orlando.

What now for our travellers?

Read in the next installment of 'The Kiwis have landed (Day 1 - Where did it go?)'

 

[pumba]

 

[swankybeth]

Yay! I'm so glad you found Michael. $49 from originally $149 is a HUGE price difference!!!!!

Beth