subtchr
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2005
Hi, all,
My family has been to WDW three times together ('97 Dixie Landings, '00 SOG, '03 Contemporary through SOG). We were one of those families who thought, "Oh, we'll just go once because the kids need to experience it." You all are nodding your heads right now, remembering that feeling -- and how quickly it goes away once you have spent some time immersed in the magic, and you know you'll go back again and again! Even my husband, who had to be talked into the first trip, is hooked enough to need a "fix" every three years or so. Well, it looks as if our three year dry spell is at an end! DH and I were talking last night, and he mentioned that he'd really like to go to Epcot again soon...so of course I was surfing the net last night anticipating a great trip in late June. Yes, I know it's hot, and pretty crowded, but we have one in college, another one graduating from hs, and an eighth grader, so we have to work around school, camp, and band schedules. And although I feel slightly traitorous about it, we plan about 4 days at WDW and 2 or 3 at (gasp) Universal. The oldest kids and I have been to those parks on marching band trips, and we would like to share them with dad and their sister.
The tentative plan is to drive down from Ohio, stopping near Macon the first night, then arriving at the World around noon the next day. We usually spend the first afternoon/evening resort hopping, swimming, etc., so as not to use a park day, but since we are only spending four days there, I think we'll add the day (we'll get MYW tickets w/PH from SOG) and get a half day of attractions as well as one of the evening shows (we could watch Illuminations every night -- awesome) that first night. Then we'll enjoy the next three days at the parks. With such a relatively short trip, we don't plan to get the extra options, since I don't think we'll want to take the time for water parks or Disney Quest.
We are eligible to stay at SOG, and we do like it there, so that is probably where we will end up. However, I love the other resorts and like to try new places, so I might wait a while to make reservations, hoping SOG fills and we can get an overflow rate at another WDW resort! I took a short trip with my mom and son a couple years ago, and we stayed at AKL for $109 that way; it was incredible. But with SOG being expanded, I imagine they don't fill up as often, so we may just end up stayiing there, which would be fine. We love being able to walk to the Poly for the monorail and to watch the fireworks from the beach.
After our days at WDW, we will head over to Universal (sorry for the sacrilege). We plan to stay at the Hard Rock -- they have a (relatively) decent military rate, our teens will love it, and at that time of year, the front of the line access for resort guests is a huge advantage. We can get park passes at SOG. We'll probably get the 2-day with the third day free, and use maybe half the third day before heading north toward home.
Any thoughts or input on our plan? I'm so excited, I have to get a countdown going! Happy New Year ~ Sue in Ohio
My family has been to WDW three times together ('97 Dixie Landings, '00 SOG, '03 Contemporary through SOG). We were one of those families who thought, "Oh, we'll just go once because the kids need to experience it." You all are nodding your heads right now, remembering that feeling -- and how quickly it goes away once you have spent some time immersed in the magic, and you know you'll go back again and again! Even my husband, who had to be talked into the first trip, is hooked enough to need a "fix" every three years or so. Well, it looks as if our three year dry spell is at an end! DH and I were talking last night, and he mentioned that he'd really like to go to Epcot again soon...so of course I was surfing the net last night anticipating a great trip in late June. Yes, I know it's hot, and pretty crowded, but we have one in college, another one graduating from hs, and an eighth grader, so we have to work around school, camp, and band schedules. And although I feel slightly traitorous about it, we plan about 4 days at WDW and 2 or 3 at (gasp) Universal. The oldest kids and I have been to those parks on marching band trips, and we would like to share them with dad and their sister.
The tentative plan is to drive down from Ohio, stopping near Macon the first night, then arriving at the World around noon the next day. We usually spend the first afternoon/evening resort hopping, swimming, etc., so as not to use a park day, but since we are only spending four days there, I think we'll add the day (we'll get MYW tickets w/PH from SOG) and get a half day of attractions as well as one of the evening shows (we could watch Illuminations every night -- awesome) that first night. Then we'll enjoy the next three days at the parks. With such a relatively short trip, we don't plan to get the extra options, since I don't think we'll want to take the time for water parks or Disney Quest.
We are eligible to stay at SOG, and we do like it there, so that is probably where we will end up. However, I love the other resorts and like to try new places, so I might wait a while to make reservations, hoping SOG fills and we can get an overflow rate at another WDW resort! I took a short trip with my mom and son a couple years ago, and we stayed at AKL for $109 that way; it was incredible. But with SOG being expanded, I imagine they don't fill up as often, so we may just end up stayiing there, which would be fine. We love being able to walk to the Poly for the monorail and to watch the fireworks from the beach.
After our days at WDW, we will head over to Universal (sorry for the sacrilege). We plan to stay at the Hard Rock -- they have a (relatively) decent military rate, our teens will love it, and at that time of year, the front of the line access for resort guests is a huge advantage. We can get park passes at SOG. We'll probably get the 2-day with the third day free, and use maybe half the third day before heading north toward home.
Any thoughts or input on our plan? I'm so excited, I have to get a countdown going! Happy New Year ~ Sue in Ohio
Your plan sounds great. My dd 26 and dgd9 and ds11 are going to Universal Studios for a day. I and ds 8 will do something else (probably laundry 
). I plan and replan up to the last day before departure, it helps pass these long winter days. I find that the book "Dave Hunter's Along I-75" is a great travel book. It's part of the reason we take so long going down ( it takes us about 36 hours to get back). When are you going to be at WDW?
We will be arriving on June 9 and haven't decided when we will leave yet. Also we will be staying at SoG. We have never been to Universal. How do you get the military rates? Is it only for active duty or are retired eligable?
I don't like thrill rides and love WDW for the atomosphere, lights, and relaxation more than anything. I will also be the grandmother riding Peter Pan alone if I take a solo trip. 
But this year I am planning for 24 and some of the group like those stomach turning rides....so I am checking out Universal, but not really doing a great job of it. 
My loyalties lie with WDW. BUT ...I am a softie for my kids and grandkids (two soon to be three!!!) 
