A Trip In The Making !!!!!!! About This Page:

[Awdrey]

Hello Everyone,
I am new here and I have enjoyed reading all your tips, tricks and experience's. I hope this doesn't bore you and hopefully someone will read.
I have 4 kids, DS 12, DD 9, DD 7 and DD 14 months. This will be our first trip to Disney World. We have only had 2 vacations in 12 years and those were to visit my Dad in Fort Walton Beach, Fl. Since I am home all the time homeschooling the kids I am so ready to get out and have a "real" vacation. Since my DH works all the time so I can do that, all he wants to do is stay home lol. I was doing some research on places we could go. Just for the fun of it I decided to look at DW. When I showed my hubby the AKL hotel's room view of the animals he smiled and said why don't you see how much that would cost. I knew I had him hooked, all I had to do was MAKE it happen. When I first did a price estimate and it was over $11,000 I thought well there goes that. I did a little more poking and prodding and got it under 5K, still staying where we wanted to stay, doing what we wanted to do and eating what we wanted to. I knew at that point we could make it happen.
O.K. so I don't have anything booked yet, but we have a lump sum of money coming to us in August that I am going to use for a deposit with the TA. The rest will come from next year's tax return. We will be going during the off season (thanks to HS the kids). So I guess that means it will be in Sept of 2009 for our first trip. That is 17 months away and I don't know how in the world I can wait that long now that I know we CAN do this. There is a slight possibility we could go in Feb. but seeing how the off season ends the 13th I'm not sure that we would have are tax refund by then. Do you guys think that would be possible? Would the weather be too cool? My girls get chilled easily and it seems like it would be a hassle to have to change their clothing for when the evening rolls in. Any thoughts there? In the mean time I have a big jar that we are putting any and all silver coins in along with any floating bills we have. I use debit only and so when I make returns to Wal-Mart (which I do quiet a bit) They give me cash back and all of that is now going in the jar. I am planning a HUGE yard sale as that too will go in the jar. We are putting pennies in a separate jar for the penny pressing.
I have a box designated for DW. Each week I buy something on my "to buy list" and put it in the box. I have gathered all sorts of ideas here on this forum and all over the net. I had thought about buying all the kids an autograph book, but that would be a total of 4. I figured trying to keep up with 4 of them and keeping them all dry and how long it would take to get each character to sign all 4 would take up a lot of time. So I thought I would make one designed for our family and just make it one big family memory book of our trip. I am planning on making our girls outfits. My DS is too old for that I think My list goes on and on.
Needless to say I am excited beyond words. Hopefully some of y'all didn't find my post too long to read. Thanks for listening to me. Although my family is excited I think they are tired of hearing my on going planning.

[janicelovesmickey]

well congrats and you've come to the right place to discuss all your planning
to the boards.

[B.M.]

Sounds like your off to a great start! Sept '09 will be here before you know it! (I think Sep would be better than Feb/ it's cheaper and it sounds like it would really be cutting it close for you guys financially to go in Feb , so all around I think Sept would be better--also they usually have free dining in Sept and that would save you guys a bundle) Have fun planning!

[emtpej]

This is a great place to get tips!
Get the Disney Visa rewards card and use it to pay for everything you can, just be sure to pay it off every month, you can then use the rewards to help pay for the trip.
If you have AAA, you can use that for a package (maybe).
Since there are six of you (depending how your trip and age for your youngest) you may be able to stay in a room for 5 + one in a crib, or you might be able to rent a DVC villa. You don't say how long you want to stay, that may help to adjust it one way or another. It is very good to be flexible due to HS-ing.

Enjoy! see ya around!

[RobDVC]

Welcome to the boards!

I think you've got a great plan for saving up for this trip. I'd recommend going in September, since there's a possibility that they'll offer Free Dining for stays then. (they've offered it the past 3 years for late-august through September).

[Awdrey]

Well I don't have the Disney card, but maybe I could get one. We don't have AAA either. I like the sounds of free food. That would save me a lot $$ In my head I keep telling myself that Sept. would be better all around for various reasons. One of which we would have more time to save up. I'm just so excited. The thoughts of having to go through 2 summers seems like a long time. I'm not sure about the crib thing. I emailed them and they said that with us having 6, and I mentioned us using a crib, we would have to have a one bedroom suite. Another thing is that in Sept our DD will have turned 10 which means even more $$ She looks like a 7 or 8 yr. old, but don't tell her that. She eats very little and I hate to pay for her like an adult when I know she could not even come close. To be honest I thought about fudging on her age, but I just don't think I can make myself do that. I have been known to go back to the store to pay for something the cashier so carelessly forgot to scan. Thanks for the Welcomes and tips and ideas. I love them. Keep'em coming

[j4crew]

there!!! to the bords!

Sounds like your doing a great job planning for your 1st WDW trip!! How exciting!!! Planning is the best part

I can't help you out on the weather part...we have only been in June...but I know somewhere here can!! Off season would be the best time to go.

As far as your taxes...it is possible to have them back by then depending on HOW you file and WHEN you file....but you might be cutting it close.

Have fun planning...and if your family gets tired of hearing it...us PASSPORTERS never do...so come to the boards and let it out

Oh, and do you have a Passporter book?? if not...I would get one...it is a great help in planning a trip!! It will be here before you know it!!

[Kelli2Disney07]

Welcome! Sounds like you are off to a good start. As far as weather, we found September to be much warmer than May last year, so I don't think you will have to worry about changing into sweaters. And like previous posters said, maybe they will offer free dining again next year and that will help with the cost. Good luck!!!

[Awdrey]

Do you know if the Sept months are HOT? I would rather it be more like fall type weather not too hot nor too cold. I am planning on buying the book. Will there be one for 2009? If so should I wait til then to get the book or could I use the 2008 for next year all the same?

[jhoshowski]

September can be pretty hot. That said, I would rather go then instead of February. You have a fairly good chance of free dining in September, and that's a LOT of money to save. February can be cold, and it can be crowded. Plus, as you said, February may be tight for you money-wise. If you want this to be a truly magical trip, you should do it up right!

[Awdrey]

Well that's what I keep telling myself. If we're gonna do it, then we're gonna do it all. Next trip we might stay a cheaper resort, but I want this first trip to be a trip to remember. Another good thing is my youngest will be 2 1/2 and maybe could enjoy it better. Getting off track here. I don't have AAA, but do you save a lot by having it?

[Colexis Mom]

Welcome to the boards Have fun planning

[jhoshowski]

You can save 10 - 20% on the cost of the hotel with AAA. The discount is available most of the year (maybe not Christmas or Easter, but that is about it). Of course, if you were to get a discount such as free dining, you would have to give up the AAA discount - you can't double dip. But I personally like knowing that I will be eligible for a discount. For our trip this year, I booked with AAA, which saved us 15% on the room portion of our package. Then, I got a postcard in the mail for 20% off the hotel portion, so I switched to that. THEN, when free dining came out, I switched to that!!

[GinaButtrfly]

and for planning your 1st WDW Vacation.

I'm another vote for September. Though it can be HOT, it will allow you time to swim at that fabulous resort! Hopefully, FREE DINING will be offered again and you will SAVE SAVE SAVE a lot of $$$.

You've got a good grasp on the beginning stages of your planning. Hang around here for the next 15 months and you'll be a WDW pro!!!

My younger son was 2-1/2 when we took our 1st family trip in Sept '06. He was a GREAT age for it! Loved the rides, the shows, the fireworks, everything. You should be able to get everyone in a regular room with a pack-n-play for the baby at AKL. It's not a full sized crib.

Good luck with everything! Ask any questions you may have right here on these boards. Someone will eaither know the answer or be able to direct you to an answer. No one ever tires of the itty bitty details of planning around here!!!

[TKHmom]

Sounds like you are off to a great start on your planning. I can tell you that the weather in September is still pretty hot. The average high is 90 degrees. The good thing about going in Sept. is you get to take advantage of the pools and water parks more. If you did go in Feb. it would definately be too cool for that. Just depends on what your preferences are.