The World, the Universe, and Miami Beach! May 2011 Pre-Trip Report

[ben1993]

Made alot of changes to this trip since I started my PT, So I've done an update!

The 'Cast':

Me! Ben 17 years old, Disney lover and Theme Park enthusiast Hoping to have a career in the industry in the future
Kelly - 18 years old, best friend and Disney/Theme Park convert after our November DLP trip!



I've been to DLP with my family a number of times throughout my childhood, and i absolutely adored it, that's when I first began to become a bit of a Disney Parks geek. I remember having one of those vacation planning VHS's eek for WDW and watching it all the time, even though I knew we could never afford to go there. Then, I first visited Orlando last June just before my 17th birthday with my brother - which was the best week of my life! - but that was only for 7 nights, and we only did Universal, Sea World and Busch (My brother is a Thrill rides only kinda guy). From that trip, I knew that next year I would be returning to Florida, with my best friend, and doing Disney!

I've been properly thinking about this trip since around October time, Kelly was a little hesitant to jump on board at first, but after I treated her to 4 nights in DLP for her birthday, she witnessed the magic first hand and immediately set her sights on Orlando!

Flying British Airways direct LGW - MCO May 3rd - 17th Got a great deal with the flights too, £425 each from Opodo. Originally had plans of staying on I-Drive for the whole 14 nights and travelling between Disney and Universal etc. BUT, when I checked hotel prices for Disney just out of curiosity, I couldn't resist and booked 8 nights at WDW! I am beyond excited to be staying on-site. 3rd - 9th Staying at Comfort Inn Universal then, decided to do a split stay between All Star Music (9th - 14th) and All Star Movies (14th - 17th) just because I loved the look of them both, came to £485 for 2 adults.

I've recently purchased Touringplans.com as well so that has come in handy helping me decide the schedule for the Disney part of our trip,

Tuesday 3rd: Arrive at Comfort Inn Universal on I-Drive. Relax and hit the pool!
Wednesday 4th - Friday 6th: Universal!
Saturday 7th: Shopping/Relaxing Day
Sunday 8th: Miami Beach! 7am Pick up with Gator Tours, return at 11pm
Monday 9th: Check in at All Star Music! Head over to MK for EMH till 2am
Tuesday 10th: Epcot - Dinner at Rose and Crown Pub
Wednesday 11th: Hollywood Studios - Dinner at House of Blues at DD
Thursday 12th: Animal Kingdom/Hop over to DHS for Fantasmic! at 9pm
Friday 13th: MK/EMH at Epcot till' midnight
Saturday 14th: Check in at All Star Movies! Typhoon Lagoon - Dinner at T-Rex at DD
Sunday 15th: Blizzard Beach and EMH at MK till' midnight
Monday 16th: Animal Kingdom/Catch Wishes at MK again for the last time. - Dinner at Boma
Tuesday 17th: Check out of ASMo, soak up the Florida sunshine, and head back to MCO with DME.

 

[Linda67]

Sounds really exciting, you are going to have an amazing time

We fly in just as you are leaving and the waiting is driving me mad

Touring Plans are a great site and we have used their plans 5 times now and they have really worked for us

Happy planning

 

[rivercottage]

Im waiting for may too! off on the 10th

Seems like ages away doesnt it! Cant wait for the warmth!

 

[tony64]

Have a great trip

 

[disney_princess_85]

Sounds great Ben!

 

[ben1993]

Im waiting for may too! off on the 10th

Seems like ages away doesnt it! Cant wait for the warmth!

Tell me about it! Each week that passes I think "15 weeks to go ... 14 weeks to go... 13 weeks to go!" So sick of this cold too! I can almost feel the Florida sunshine already

 

[cannp123165]

Sounds like a great trip you have planned! Have fun planning.

 

[rivercottage]

is it May yet?

 

[jarrett08]

sounds like a blast

 

[Tinks1984]

May will be here before you know it, I assure you!

I was thinking the same thing last year and it flew here...and now my trip is long gone!

Sounds like you've got some planning ahead...happy planning!

 

[Tinkerbell1989]

Sounds like a great trip Ben, can't wait to hear more! Xx

 

[Rohais]

Sounds great! Hope you both have a 'fantasmic' time together!

 

[saraheeyore]

we are going the same 2 weeks as you are going
enjoy

 

[ben1993]

Thanks everyone! I'll update with a itinerary etc. soon. Kelly thinks I;m a nutter being so organized.

 

[jockey]

Cant wait to hear more

 

[buzz for boys]

Sounds like an amazing trip is being planed.
Its never too early to get an iterinary together. Have you booked any meals?

 

[ben1993]

Edited with 11 weeks to go

Sounds like an amazing trip is being planed.
Its never too early to get an iterinary together. Have you booked any meals?

No actually, I havn't put much thought into dining at all come to think of it. To be honest I don't think either of us are that bothered ; we hardly ate apart from breakfast in DLP and last year in Florida, breakfast, and a meal at something quick at Denny's or Chillies (sp?) in the evening after a day at the parks was good enough for me. I know a lot of people have dining as one of the highlights of the trips, I guess I'd rather use it as spending money

 

[ben1993]

New update! Added a 1 day tour to Miami Beach! Booked with Gator Tours through Under Cover Tourist for £40 each. I know it's a long journey on the bus just for a day trip, but it's totally worth it for us.

 

[mark&sue]

what an amazing first trip to WDW planned. You will love it so much


susan

 

[ben1993]

Made a few ADR's : Got dinner at The Rose and Crown Pub at Epcot on Tuesday 10th, Dinner at House of Blues at Downtown Disney on Wednesday 11th, Dinner at T-Rex at Downtown Disney on Saturday 14th, and Dinner at Boma at AKL on our last night, Monday 16th.