Hello all!
Well, I went back and forth for a long time over what to do in 2014. My son is potty trained so
DCL was on the table. We love the parks so that is always on the table.
My daughters spring break fell the week after Easter and ends the day before her birthday and since we have had named storms on each of our last 2 trips and April is outside hurricane season, I started thinking a surprise birthday trip would be really fun.
But still DCL or the parks. My ultimate dream would be a combination of the 2 of course. After checking weather history and crowd calendars and thinking about it long and hard, I did settle on trying to do both, but not in the same week.
I decided on short trips for spring and summer this year. One thing I have noticed about when we have a long summer trip is we tend to not do anything else so I wanted a change. Since we have been each of the last 2 years for a total of 19 days, I figure a short trip would be fine if it mean we could do DCL later. Im thinking May after school is out. I've read about chilly water in the Bahamas in April. Historically it is about 10 degrees warmer in May. Not what I'd want for Disney, but definitely what I'd want for the Bahamas.
As to April, we are booked for a surprise birthday celebration trip April 23rd-27th. Were staying at All-Star Movies. I booked just in time. I booked yesterday as my ADR date is today. I am thinking about one change. Since it is a short trip, Im considering changing our arrival date to the 22nd and taking an afternoon flight to Orlando so we can wake up there on the 23rd. Im just booking our return flight for now until I make up my mind. Thats one of the things I like about Southwest.
First the park plans. These are green/recommended according to easywdw and touringplans, but weve been during Thanksgiving so we know crowds. We will have hoppers because the Military Salute tickets come with them. I doubt we hop much.
Park schedule:
April 23, 2014-MK is the park.
April 24, 2014-AK is the park, but we may depending on how we feel go to MK after dinner since wed have to go there to get our bus afterwards anyway.
April 25, 2014-MK is the park for the afternoon for sure. Not sure about the morning. Well either sleep in or maybe hit Epcot from opening to around 11.
April 26, 2014-DHS and Epcot are the parks. Fast Pass Plus will determine what order.
April 27, 2014-MK is the park (just a couple of hours)
Because when I called there were no more rooms available with the military discount, I had to get a one day MK ticket in order to add the dining plan to our package. So I figure a couple of hours in MK the day of departure would make good use of it.
Making good use of the dining plan this trip. I got up this morning and got online at 6am. Had a couple of snags when it seemed to get stuck during confirmation as in the confirmation email came while it was still processing, but I got everything I wanted.
4/23-Chef Mickeys dinner at 5:55pm (3rd time there, 2nd time for dinner. Just a load of fun)
4/24-Ohana dinner at 5:55pm (2nd time there for dinner. Voted best food of our 2012 trip)
4/25-Cinderellas Royal Table dinner at 6:40pm (2nd time there for dinner, designated birthday meal)
4/26-No ADR
4/27-Crystal Palace breakfast at 8:15am (4rd time there, 3rd time for breakfast) This one is my favorite. If I dont switch our arrival date Ill pay for this one OOP. If MK's hours change, I'll nix it so we can use the park time.
Finally, around 7:30am, I made the call to the BBB reservation line to get an appointment for dd prior to our CRT meal. We have a 3pm appointment in MK for April 25th.
The CM was kind enough to ask and note the birthday celebration on the reservation. Something I need to call back later and add to the CRT ADR. I thought it could be done online, but didnt see it.
Crystal Palace will mean going against the flow of previous trips. I generally don't do a park on departure day. But I had to get that ticket so I'm going to try it. Our flight back is late so Im going to plan on just a couple of hours that morning after breakfast to only do our very favorite things to say see ya to Disney.
Not sure if Ill add a ticker. I love having a ticker, but if I do Ill have to keep my daughter from looking while Im on here. I've pulled off surprise trips before. Added difficulty here will be when she starts asking what we are going to do for her birthday. She does already know she's not getting a party this time at least.
We'll be there 4/27 - 5/3
I've updated the first page to reflect new dates and resorts. 
DD and I will be staying (I think) at All-Star Sports for Cheerleading Worlds April 24-29 2014 
