Big Red One
I miss the 20K ride
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2008
- Messages
- 4
My first pre-trip report. The cast is me, DW (37), DS (11) and DS (7). I went to WDW many times as a kid but my wife and kids have only been twice. They're very excited. 
We're staying 5 nights at POR. We stayed there the previous 2 times and loved it. Its the perfect mix of atmosphere and homelike comforts (for me anyway, being from the deep south). We always go during Spring Break because DW is a teacher and the kids are out of school. Plus the weather is perfect and the crowds aren't to bad. We're flying AirTran out of Dallas and expect a 2.5 hour flight. I've never flown AirTran before so we'll see how that goes. I purchased the trip through WDW vacations. I always buy the trip the September before (about 6 months ahead of time). This allows us to pay a deposit, around $1,500, and pay it off through Jan/Feb. This way by the time we leave its paid for! This year for the first time we purchased the dining plan. I think it will work out for the best since the character meals alone cost $32.99/adult and the whole dining plan costs $37.99/adult. That is also paid for so we can leave with fewer worries and only spending and snack money. Breakfast isn't included bit we've saved for that too. 
We're going to spend one day at each park except one day we'll do half a day at AK and the other half at MK. We have the park hopper ticks so we can do whatever. I also did our ADRs 180 days out so we're eating at all our fav restaurants. Hollywood and Vine, Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern, Le Cellier, etc. We've eaten at all of them except Le Cellier. I hear its good so I'm ready. Call me crazy but we're bringing a stroller for DS(7). He's a little guy but big enough I don't want to carry him. If you bring a stroller, don't bring your high-dollar 4-wheel drive hummer of a stroller. Do what we did. Go to Target and buy the stroller one-notch above the cheapest THAT HAS A SHELF/POUCH under the seat. The backpack fits nicely down there so I don't hit you with it when I squeeze between you and your crew trying to get to our ADR at LTT. Also, I cut a large swath of blaze orange fabric from one of my old hunting vests and taped it with clear strapping tape to the handle of the stroller. This way I can easily identify my stroller from the 99 other ones when we get out of Micky's Philharmagic. Know what I mean? This idea worked great when we went the previous 2 times. Even when our stroller is next to identical models its very easy to spot. That's it for now. We're doing last minute checks for rain ponchos, swimsuits and travel arrangements. I will call POR tomorrown and request a certain building so we can be close to the pool, check in and buses. You can call them 7 days out and request a building and tomorrow is our 7 day out mark. Lemme just tell you, you do all this planning and preparation for months (years) but when you call 7 days out to speak directly with the front desk at your resort to request a certain building, it really hits home that you're almost there. Seven days out is a great place the be. The excitement around our house is palpable. 
Will post more with pics soon.
We're staying 5 nights at POR. We stayed there the previous 2 times and loved it. Its the perfect mix of atmosphere and homelike comforts (for me anyway, being from the deep south). We always go during Spring Break because DW is a teacher and the kids are out of school. Plus the weather is perfect and the crowds aren't to bad. We're flying AirTran out of Dallas and expect a 2.5 hour flight. I've never flown AirTran before so we'll see how that goes. I purchased the trip through WDW vacations. I always buy the trip the September before (about 6 months ahead of time). This allows us to pay a deposit, around $1,500, and pay it off through Jan/Feb. This way by the time we leave its paid for! This year for the first time we purchased the dining plan. I think it will work out for the best since the character meals alone cost $32.99/adult and the whole dining plan costs $37.99/adult. That is also paid for so we can leave with fewer worries and only spending and snack money. Breakfast isn't included bit we've saved for that too. We're going to spend one day at each park except one day we'll do half a day at AK and the other half at MK. We have the park hopper ticks so we can do whatever. I also did our ADRs 180 days out so we're eating at all our fav restaurants. Hollywood and Vine, Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern, Le Cellier, etc. We've eaten at all of them except Le Cellier. I hear its good so I'm ready. Call me crazy but we're bringing a stroller for DS(7). He's a little guy but big enough I don't want to carry him. If you bring a stroller, don't bring your high-dollar 4-wheel drive hummer of a stroller. Do what we did. Go to Target and buy the stroller one-notch above the cheapest THAT HAS A SHELF/POUCH under the seat. The backpack fits nicely down there so I don't hit you with it when I squeeze between you and your crew trying to get to our ADR at LTT. Also, I cut a large swath of blaze orange fabric from one of my old hunting vests and taped it with clear strapping tape to the handle of the stroller. This way I can easily identify my stroller from the 99 other ones when we get out of Micky's Philharmagic. Know what I mean? This idea worked great when we went the previous 2 times. Even when our stroller is next to identical models its very easy to spot. That's it for now. We're doing last minute checks for rain ponchos, swimsuits and travel arrangements. I will call POR tomorrown and request a certain building so we can be close to the pool, check in and buses. You can call them 7 days out and request a building and tomorrow is our 7 day out mark. Lemme just tell you, you do all this planning and preparation for months (years) but when you call 7 days out to speak directly with the front desk at your resort to request a certain building, it really hits home that you're almost there. Seven days out is a great place the be. The excitement around our house is palpable. Will post more with pics soon.
