[hildai]

DISCLAIMER: 1st time writing a trip report, please be kind

Before I begin with the details of our little adventure, let me fill you in on who we are and why we choose to visit Disney. I’m Hilda, Disney fan, wife and mother of two beautiful princesses, ages 8 & 5. My hubby is a teacher and so am I. We normally plan our vacations in the summer since we’re both off from work. Back in the summer of ’07, I received a copy of our upcoming school calendar for the next two years. I found out that this year will be the last year for a week long Mid-Winter Break. Soooo, the wheels in my head start turning and I start plotting how we’re going to convince dear old dad that this has to be the year for DISNEY!

Not that he has anything against the place (his last visit was in 1985 ~ he was on Spring Break in high school). We took a 4 night Disney Cruise two years ago and even did a day trip back in ’02 to Disneyland while we were in California for a teacher’s workshop. But sadly, my family has never been to Disney World. This had to be the year. We had always said when the girls were old enough to enjoy and remember the trip, we would go. Now Florida in the summer is not a fun time to visit (in my opinion ~ hot and crowded). February on the other hand could be quite pleasant (my last trip to WDW with my sisters was 11 years ago in Feb).

So, we start talking and he says okay, get some prices. Great, off we go to AAA to see what they can offer us. Problem is, not really sure where we want to stay. My first idea was the Wilderness Lodge, but then I’m not sure. My dear sister, who happens to be a DVC member, finds out about out “trip talk” and offers us her points so that we could stay the Boardwalk or Beach Club ~ our choice! WOW!!! I couldn’t believe it! She calls over to member services and they tell her both resorts are available for the dates we want. Next step was to go to the Passporter Website, which place would be better for our 1st trip to WDW? Stormalong Bay was all I could think about for my daughter Suzie. So the choice was clear . . . Beach Club Villas here we come!

All that was left to worry about was airfare, ADRs, park passes, minor details in my opinion! LOL!!!! In less than a week, I was able to get the hotel booked, find some pretty good airfare with AirTran and add an extra day to our hotel stay to make it 7 days and 6 nights. I also snagged park passes for 5 days from the Disney Store before the price increase went into effect. It was a very busy and expensive week. All the pieces were coming into place. We were going to Disney!!!!