singingpixie
<font color=deeppink>Baby Donor<br><font color=blu
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2004
- Messages
- 2,033
DBF and I took our first trip together (his first ever, I had been as a child once, and on a quick day-trip to the MK) in January. I had started thinking about fall '07 as a return time (was getting the bug when it started getting warm around here!) and apparently even though he was grumbling that I was talking disney all the time again, he is at least a little excited too, because (!) he brought it up to his friend Ben at work, and said that Ben and his girlfriend Kim (our "couple" friends if that makes any sense) should come too! Kim's never been before and I think Ben went as a kid but not anytime recently. So basically we're taking newbies, assuming this actually pans out. It's gonna mean that we're probably going back to Pop Century instead of stepping up to a moderate (I don't want to give them any worse "sticker shock" than necessary, and I don't think sharing a room would be that good of an idea), but that's ok with me, we really did like Pop last time. So now I'm gonna get to plan a trip for four of us, all in our twenties and on a budget. Here's what I'm thinking so far:
1) I typed out a one-page budget thingy, outlining what we would expect to pay for transportation, admission (explained MYW with hopping/plus options/etc... really advocating that we spring for those so we can be flexible), hotel (really advocating on-site so we can rely on disney trans. and split up as need be, priced out value and moderate and briefly explained the benefits of each), and dining plan (I'm really advocating this too.... I think it will simplify money issues if it's paid up front, and we won't be tempted to subsist off of french fries). We're looking at late september I think, and praying for free dining again!
2) Once we pick a resort category, I'll get pictures/descriptions of the options and we'll all vote on which resort... although I'm guessing it'll end up being value and Pop.
3) Then we'll have to talk about itineraries and dining. I'd be perfectly fine doing all of this, but I don't want to leave them out and make them miss something they'd be into, so I'm gonna try to get them to think about where they'd like to eat a little bit... that'll be hard because I already had all our "perfect" ADRs worked out when I thought it would be just the two of us... lol.
4) As for itineraries, I think the basic plan is that we'll feel free to either stick together or split up various ways (the boys could spend all day at disneyquest, for example... I was ready to leave after like an hour) during the day, and meet up for dinner/nighttime shows/etc. We'll probably stick together most of the first couple days, till Ben and Kim get the lay of the land and get an idea of what they'd like to do that might differ from what we want to do. I think we also should talk about what time we're leaving for the parks generally before we leave... it'll be easier to figure out what to expect when we're all rational. Hmm, maybe I'll have an early morning buddy that's more cheerful than DBF last trip (we ended up going an hour or two later than I would have liked so that he was less grumpy... but in January it didn't hurt us too much).
Anyone have any thoughts as to whether this makes sense? Any other tips from those who have traveled with others that aren't family before? What about how to handle logistical things? Should I book everyone's airline tickets/hotel reservations/etc? What about if they want to do dinner separately a time or two, can I book those ADRs for them or do they have to do it? Thanks!
1) I typed out a one-page budget thingy, outlining what we would expect to pay for transportation, admission (explained MYW with hopping/plus options/etc... really advocating that we spring for those so we can be flexible), hotel (really advocating on-site so we can rely on disney trans. and split up as need be, priced out value and moderate and briefly explained the benefits of each), and dining plan (I'm really advocating this too.... I think it will simplify money issues if it's paid up front, and we won't be tempted to subsist off of french fries). We're looking at late september I think, and praying for free dining again!
2) Once we pick a resort category, I'll get pictures/descriptions of the options and we'll all vote on which resort... although I'm guessing it'll end up being value and Pop.
3) Then we'll have to talk about itineraries and dining. I'd be perfectly fine doing all of this, but I don't want to leave them out and make them miss something they'd be into, so I'm gonna try to get them to think about where they'd like to eat a little bit... that'll be hard because I already had all our "perfect" ADRs worked out when I thought it would be just the two of us... lol.
4) As for itineraries, I think the basic plan is that we'll feel free to either stick together or split up various ways (the boys could spend all day at disneyquest, for example... I was ready to leave after like an hour) during the day, and meet up for dinner/nighttime shows/etc. We'll probably stick together most of the first couple days, till Ben and Kim get the lay of the land and get an idea of what they'd like to do that might differ from what we want to do. I think we also should talk about what time we're leaving for the parks generally before we leave... it'll be easier to figure out what to expect when we're all rational. Hmm, maybe I'll have an early morning buddy that's more cheerful than DBF last trip (we ended up going an hour or two later than I would have liked so that he was less grumpy... but in January it didn't hurt us too much).
Anyone have any thoughts as to whether this makes sense? Any other tips from those who have traveled with others that aren't family before? What about how to handle logistical things? Should I book everyone's airline tickets/hotel reservations/etc? What about if they want to do dinner separately a time or two, can I book those ADRs for them or do they have to do it? Thanks!
