Trip #8; But Was It Great? A WDW MAYcation with a side of LegoLand & Celebration, FL!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Wow, you two are getting the flight deals!! wish I could get rates like that from here. Never.gonna.happen.
We can't get $1000 for the four of us from here. If we did, I might actually get to fly to Fl! Although I will like having my car and all the stuff I can bring with me! I just wish we were about 12 hours closer!

I think we all wish we lived about 12 hours closer to WDW!!!

Airfare is so ridiculous anymore. I am thrilled about the flight time and happy about the price for the flight down. I'm just having a hard time bringing myself to pay $550 for the flight home. Especially when we used to pay $600-$700 RT.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Shelly - do you mind if I ask what your boys carry in their packs? Just curious. you know I have girls, and of course I know what they want, but I wondered what types of things they "need". It's nice that you're not carrying it!

DS10 looks so excited!! How cute!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly - do you mind if I ask what your boys carry in their packs? Just curious. you know I have girls, and of course I know what they want, but I wondered what types of things they "need". It's nice that you're not carrying it!

DS10 looks so excited!! How cute!

Let's see.....They both usually have a camera (DS13 now has his IPod instead), sunglasses, and maybe a few bandaids, and a few 'trader pins' (at WDW) - they say they want to be ready when they see a CM with a pin they want and not have to deal with taking it off the lanyard and all that! They call it a 'quick trade'. That's about it I think. They sometimes have a little mister fan attached to their packs. DH and I carry their important stuff - their KTTWC and spending money!

DS10 was one happy little guy that day!!

 

[PEANUT1]

Very cool. Legoland is on our "to do" list

 

[T*Bird]

Awww, I love the picture of your DS10 when he found out where you were heading! After all, those smiles are the reason we do all this, right? I can't wait to hear more about your day and how much you liked LL.

Congrats on the great flight deals! I know you are so glad to get an early flight down and not be arriving late at night again. $114 RT sounds like a super deal, and $138 doesn't sound bad either. I can't believe the deal Jodi got, either! $1093 for 5 people = So can you pleeeaase tell me how you girls go about getting these great deals? Do you go to the airline's website or to sites like Cheaptickets or Expedia? I need advice from the pros! I've been looking into flights to Las Vegas, but they are so high. We don't have any real plans to go, but I always think that if I see a great air deal, I would make it happen!

The Dolphin looks very nice, BTW. I've wondered about staying there, but I know there are certain things that don't work the same as with a Disney resort. But the hotel and the pool look beautiful.

Thanks, Jodi, for the mention on the ticker idea. Not sure I want credit for that idea though.

 

[JoBird]

WOW look at that grin!! So adorable!!

I can't believe you only had one wrong turn on your LL journey- that's really good!

I've never seen the inside of the Dolphin before- it looks really pretty in there. I think a stay there in 2014 would be ideal. 'Cause you are right! 2013 is indeed DL or bust.

As far as the scenery outside of WDW -- yeah. The surrounding areas there just aren't too pretty. Lots of junky spots for sure. I guess it's just how it is there. You have pretty little places and then junky little places and all of it adds up to being wonderful to me.

Can't wait to hear all about inside the park!

 

[lala3291]

That's great that you got your flights down to WDW! And what a great price! I am all set with our August flights, I'm just waiting on the November flight prices to hopefully go down. I am hoping they go down a bit, but I don't want to wait to long in case they go up!

I love the reaction on the face of your DS when he found out about Legoland! So cute! He looked so happy. I can't wait to hear more about LL! But, I don't think I will be getting my girls there any time soon! Still, I can't wait to hear about it!

 

[Aristocath]

I'm enjoying your report. I'm curious about Legoland. We went to Legoland in California when our oldest was 9. Our other boys were 7 and 4 - what I considered perfect ages for most of Legoland. The 9 year old had fun but we felt in another year or two he would have felt too old for much of the park. We went to the Lego Discovery center here last summer and my youngest was 8 and he had aged out of much of what the Discovery center had. So now I'm wondering how much your 10 and 13 year olds got from Legoland Florida and if it is much different from California. My boys will be 15, 13, and 10 by the time we get there. Thanks for sharing your opinion!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Very cool. Legoland is on our "to do" list

Your girls would be the perfect age for it!

Awww, I love the picture of your DS10 when he found out where you were heading! After all, those smiles are the reason we do all this, right? I can't wait to hear more about your day and how much you liked LL.

Congrats on the great flight deals! I know you are so glad to get an early flight down and not be arriving late at night again. $114 RT sounds like a super deal, and $138 doesn't sound bad either. I can't believe the deal Jodi got, either! $1093 for 5 people = So can you pleeeaase tell me how you girls go about getting these great deals? Do you go to the airline's website or to sites like Cheaptickets or Expedia? I need advice from the pros! I've been looking into flights to Las Vegas, but they are so high. We don't have any real plans to go, but I always think that if I see a great air deal, I would make it happen!

The Dolphin looks very nice, BTW. I've wondered about staying there, but I know there are certain things that don't work the same as with a Disney resort. But the hotel and the pool look beautiful.

Thanks, Jodi, for the mention on the ticker idea. Not sure I want credit for that idea though.

Yes, that smile was worth all the planning!!

I am super excited to have an early morning flight. I know I will wake at 4am that day anyway, so I might as well get my behind out of bed and get to WDW before 10am!!

Jodi and I book right with the airlines. I have never found a better price than what is offered right through them. And I've been to all those Expedia, CheapoAir, Orbitz, Travelzoo, etc.

I think the trick is to purchase the day they come out anymore. They seem to only go up from there.

The Dolphin was very nice. We will probably stay there someday.

WOW look at that grin!! So adorable!!

I can't believe you only had one wrong turn on your LL journey- that's really good!

I've never seen the inside of the Dolphin before- it looks really pretty in there. I think a stay there in 2014 would be ideal. 'Cause you are right! 2013 is indeed DL or bust.

As far as the scenery outside of WDW -- yeah. The surrounding areas there just aren't too pretty. Lots of junky spots for sure. I guess it's just how it is there. You have pretty little places and then junky little places and all of it adds up to being wonderful to me.

Can't wait to hear all about inside the park!

I know, I just love that pic!

As soon as I realized what we did I quickly remembered why we use WDW transportation and was worried we were in for a long day of getting lost! But luckily we did fine. It really is an easy trip. Once you are headed the right direction.

I just might be ready for an Epcot resort stay in 2014. So it will either be Swan, Dolphin, or the BWI!

I was so surprised by the scenery on the way to LL. I had my camera out and was all ready to take pics, but there was just nothing pretty to take pictures of. Weird.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

That's great that you got your flights down to WDW! And what a great price! I am all set with our August flights, I'm just waiting on the November flight prices to hopefully go down. I am hoping they go down a bit, but I don't want to wait to long in case they go up!

I love the reaction on the face of your DS when he found out about Legoland! So cute! He looked so happy. I can't wait to hear more about LL! But, I don't think I will be getting my girls there any time soon! Still, I can't wait to hear about it!

I'm so happy with the flight down!! Still haven't done anything about the flight home.....

Hope you get a good deal for your November trip!

Lots more LegoLand coming up! No, I don't think your girls would be too interested in going there. Maybe one day when they have kids!

I'm enjoying your report. I'm curious about Legoland. We went to Legoland in California when our oldest was 9. Our other boys were 7 and 4 - what I considered perfect ages for most of Legoland. The 9 year old had fun but we felt in another year or two he would have felt too old for much of the park. We went to the Lego Discovery center here last summer and my youngest was 8 and he had aged out of much of what the Discovery center had. So now I'm wondering how much your 10 and 13 year olds got from Legoland Florida and if it is much different from California. My boys will be 15, 13, and 10 by the time we get there. Thanks for sharing your opinion!

So glad you are enjoying the TR!

From all that I have heard and read LegoLand in FL is much better than LL in CA. But with that said, I think it just depends on the kids. It was perfect for my DS10. But he is a HUGE Lego lover. He sits and builds those things for hours. DS13 liked it better than I expected. He likes Legos like any other boy, but he was never overly crazy about them like DS10. He was pleasantly surprised by the big coasters and really enjoyed looking at all the creations in MiniLand USA. By age 15 there probably isn't too much for the kids. A few coasters and things, but other than that not too much to interest that age. Unless of course he loves Legos!

Hope that helps some. Lots of LL pics to come.

 

[disny_luvr]

Awww, your son looks so happy to be going to Legoland. This is on our "to-do" list. We hope to make it there next year. I just really have a hard time taking time away from Disney to visit off-site places.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Oh gosh Shelly, my son who is 8 would be in heaven!! He loves Legos! I can just imagine how excited your little man was. I am looking forward to your LegoLand updates for sure!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Awww, your son looks so happy to be going to Legoland. This is on our "to-do" list. We hope to make it there next year. I just really have a hard time taking time away from Disney to visit off-site places.

I hope you can make it to LL next year! It was very hard to take the time away from WDW, but I'm glad we did it. It was fun!

Oh gosh Shelly, my son who is 8 would be in heaven!! He loves Legos! I can just imagine how excited your little man was. I am looking forward to your LegoLand updates for sure!

I bet he would be!!

I'm so glad so many people are looking forward to the LL updates. I was worried I'd lose half my readers here!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Congrats on your new trip!!! and going with Jodi again- how fun!!
DH and I stayed at the GF for our anniversary in 2008. It is beautiful! You need to eat at Narcoossees- my fave!
When did you tell DS10 about where you were going??
He did look happy-cute!
I've thought about staying at the Swan/Dolphin w/ the teacher discount too.
Wow that pool was completely empty! Never see the Poly like that lol.
Yay for staying at the Poly again

 

[cyndiloveswalt]

Hey Shelly! Long time, no post. I read most of the last PTR and have been following along on this TR, but just haven't had time to post.
So excited for you and your next trip, I just read online that is the #1 recommended week to go as far as crowds, weather, etc. We are going exactly 1 month before you because we are running the food and wine 5k as a family.
I got my flights down today too, been waiting anxiously for them to extend their flights. We actually had reward points, so we got our flights down for $2.50 each! Gotta love that!
We stayed at The Swan a few nights 2 years ago with my in-laws and it was really nice. The kids loved the pool.
DH and I stayed at the BC for one of our long weekends alone, we stayed DVC though. We did like it, but it was in January so there were no crowds and we didn't use the pool. Sorry about your housekeeping issues.
We went this year in January and stayed at WL for the first time and it was awesome! You should put it on your list!

 

[lala3291]

I'm so happy with the flight down!! Still haven't done anything about the flight home.....

Hope you get a good deal for your November trip!

Lots more LegoLand coming up! No, I don't think your girls would be too interested in going there. Maybe one day when they have kids!

That's ok that you don't have flights for going home yet...just stay in WDW forever! That's what I would do!

Yes, that's what I was thinking, someday when I have grandkids I will take them to LL! I am so looking forward to DD21 having kids, but it better be a while away yet!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Congratulations on getting half of your airfare!!! I know that feels good to have that checked off. I sure wish flying was as cheap as it used to be too. The 3 of us flew for $50 pp back in '09! That was in the good ol days when I used to get good DINGS. I really miss those DINGS! I hope you can get a good deal for the trip home as well. Oh and for the early morning flight!! I know that late flight set your whole trip off on the wrong foot in May so that is awesome news!

Your DS10 has the cutest grin! He looked so excited! Don't you love it when you can really pull off a good surprise like that for them. Can't wait to hear all about it. We won't ever go there b/c DD is not a Lego fan, but I will still enjoy reading about your adventure and seeing your pictures. Our next off site trip will probably be Discovery Cove. I'm just waiting for DD to get older so she will enjoy it enough to justify the cost. Are there any other things you are interested in doing off-site?

 

[sjs314]

How awesome that you pulled off surprising DS about LL

Congrates on getting your flight down and at a good time. We always do the early am flight except for 2009 when Ddil booked a mid morning to get the $89 flights and I hated not getting to WDW until the afternoon.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Congrats on your new trip!!! and going with Jodi again- how fun!!
DH and I stayed at the GF for our anniversary in 2008. It is beautiful! You need to eat at Narcoossees- my fave!
When did you tell DS10 about where you were going??
He did look happy-cute!
I've thought about staying at the Swan/Dolphin w/ the teacher discount too.
Wow that pool was completely empty! Never see the Poly like that lol.
Yay for staying at the Poly again

Thank you! Glad to hear you enjoyed the GF.

We didn't tell DS10 where we were going at all. We told him he'd figure it out along the way and he did as soon as he saw that sign!! He didn't even know there was a LL in FL. He knew about the one in CA but didn't know they opened one in FL.

Well one of us should try out the Swan/Dolphin on the teacher discount and let the other know how it was! Do you want to go first??? No seriously, it does look awesome. The only real downside I can see is that there is no ME.

Hey Shelly! Long time, no post. I read most of the last PTR and have been following along on this TR, but just haven't had time to post.
So excited for you and your next trip, I just read online that is the #1 recommended week to go as far as crowds, weather, etc. We are going exactly 1 month before you because we are running the food and wine 5k as a family.
I got my flights down today too, been waiting anxiously for them to extend their flights. We actually had reward points, so we got our flights down for $2.50 each! Gotta love that!
We stayed at The Swan a few nights 2 years ago with my in-laws and it was really nice. The kids loved the pool.
DH and I stayed at the BC for one of our long weekends alone, we stayed DVC though. We did like it, but it was in January so there were no crowds and we didn't use the pool. Sorry about your housekeeping issues.
We went this year in January and stayed at WL for the first time and it was awesome! You should put it on your list!

Hey Cyndi So glad you are here!!

Well that is good news about the week I am going in December! Congrats on your November trip. Early/mid Nov is a great time to go too. How fun that you are all running the marathon together.

How awesome that you got your flights down for $2.50. That is so great!!

The WL has been on my radar. Had those 2 free nights we are using been able to be used for a bunkbed room there we might have gone there instead. But they are for standard room only. I think they kids would love the bunkbeds at the WL! Maybe someday.

That's ok that you don't have flights for going home yet...just stay in WDW forever! That's what I would do!

Yes, that's what I was thinking, someday when I have grandkids I will take them to LL! I am so looking forward to DD21 having kids, but it better be a while away yet!

That's exactly what I was thinking -- if we don't get flights home then we will just have to stay there!!!

But we ended up buying the morning flight back with SW last night. AT was $20 cheaper and 2 hours later, but DH felt that we should go with SW this time. There has been some things going on at his work that it just makes him feel better to be booked with SW right now because of the option to change with no fees. It's not like we feel he is going to lose his job or anything like that, there's just some uncertainty with some stuff and changing of upper mgmt and things like that. So we decided to pay the extra $80 and play it safe. And if we end up checking 2 bags we will only actually be paying an extra $40, because AT would have charged us $20 per bag and SW does not.

So I'm okay with spending the little bit extra to have that security to know that we can postpone this trip if need be and all that. But we will be leaving 1 hr and 45 minutes earlier to come home. Which stinks. But I guess we probably weren't going to do much of anything that morning anyway.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Congratulations on getting half of your airfare!!! I know that feels good to have that checked off. I sure wish flying was as cheap as it used to be too. The 3 of us flew for $50 pp back in '09! That was in the good ol days when I used to get good DINGS. I really miss those DINGS! I hope you can get a good deal for the trip home as well. Oh and for the early morning flight!! I know that late flight set your whole trip off on the wrong foot in May so that is awesome news!

Your DS10 has the cutest grin! He looked so excited! Don't you love it when you can really pull off a good surprise like that for them. Can't wait to hear all about it. We won't ever go there b/c DD is not a Lego fan, but I will still enjoy reading about your adventure and seeing your pictures. Our next off site trip will probably be Discovery Cove. I'm just waiting for DD to get older so she will enjoy it enough to justify the cost. Are there any other things you are interested in doing off-site?

Thanks!!

I remember the good old days of decent airfare. Like 2 years ago!! But yes, we got an early morning flight and I am thrilled about that!

We'd like to do some other things off-site. Not sure what exactly. Maybe drive out to the beach. Maybe Universal in a few years. Maybe Sea World. We'll see. If WDW keeps raising it's park tix we might be forced to try other things.

How awesome that you pulled off surprising DS about LL

Congrates on getting your flight down and at a good time. We always do the early am flight except for 2009 when Ddil booked a mid morning to get the $89 flights and I hated not getting to WDW until the afternoon.

It was fun pulling off that little surprise!!

Thanks! We have gotten to WDW in the afternoon a few times. It wasn't too bad. Evening/night is the worst. Never again!!