The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Final Update 8/10 About This Page:

[disneydani]

I was married on the 13th and it has been 14 years od wedded bliss so I consider it lucky number 13! Looking forward to reading the 10th Anniversary Fiesta as I have a 15th Anniversary plan in the works. (Shh...don't tell DH!)

[kathy320]

great start to your trip report!!!! I can't wait to read more!!!

[Huntermom]

It sounds like you've planned a wonderful adventure. And I so look forward to reading your trips reports.

Diane

[luvnwdwgal]

Wow! All those park days PLUS a 4 day cruise!! Lucky you!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[simbarel]

[ QUOTE ]
I bought Annual Pass vouchers that summer as well. Matt was none the wiser since I pay all the bills.

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] Great minds think alike, Marnie. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] That's my style too. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] And you are going to be SO psyched that you caved to Matt's wishes--cruising with a verandah/balcony is the only way to go, and probably the reason we have yet to sail DCL (we can't afford one!) You're gonna have so much fun, I'm so excited for you! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]

[MAria R]

Great start, boy that trip came quick. I can't wait to hear about it especially the cruise.

[christiejay]

Great start, looking forward to more!

[angiek1024]

Wonderful start! You are going to love, love, love the cruise!! Can't wait to hear more!

[Colexis Mom]

<font color="blue"> Pre-trip – Update #2

We took a surprise (well for us) trip to Disney in December 2005, at the request of Matt. Who would have thunk? With all the chaos and stress at my office because people’s lives were turning upside down, Matt had his own stress at his office and we really needed a vacation. Heck, if he wants to go to Disney, who am I to argue with him [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] Once back from our December trip, I tried to kick it in high gear to plan the trip. Frankly I was having trouble getting motivated. I think it was just the downtime from returning from our trip and then my Dad had some medical issues as well (all’s good now)! I finally contacted Maureen in February and had her book our rooms. We had to stay at AKL as that is Colin’s favorite. Since this is the big anniversary trip and we’re being a bit more free with money, a BC stay was in the cards to please Alexa. I wanted to stay a few days at Disney after the cruise so I decided on the Poly. It’s been 20 years since I’ve stayed there and we’ve never stayed there as a family! Colin will love the monorail, Alexa will love the pool and the beach, and hopefully we’ll keep the relaxed atmosphere from the cruise! I decided on 4 nights at AKL, 4 nights at BC, and 3 nights at the Poly, all with our AAA discount since no AP rates were available yet. I booked the Radisson at the Port last summer for the day before our cruise as we’ll be visiting Kennedy Space Center that Saturday. However, a new Residence Inn was just built, so I also booked there. I decided to cancel the Radisson. Since the Residence Inn is brand new and was getting great reviews (and was cheaper), it was worth it to me!


Next I tried to figure out the day plans so I could plan out meals and such. I also forgot to mention that Matt made me agree that we would spend at least one day at Universal this trip. What a meanie!! Of course I don’t know where it’s going to fit into the schedule! Do I really want to give up one of my eleven days at Disney to go to Universal?? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] I was checking their website in January and there was a deal where you buy an adult 2-day, 2-park pass and you got a free kid’s 2-day, 2-park pass, and they all got extended to 5 days. I got 5 day passes for all of us for $200 total [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] Why can’t Disney run specials like that [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img] I debated on staying at a Universal hotel as well, mainly to get the front of the line passes, but decided I’d rather stay at Disney and we’ll just drive over. Of course the 5 days on the pass have to be used in succession once the pass is activated. We’ll have to fit this in somewhere before the cruise.


Matt’s other request (gee… he’s getting bossy this trip isn’t he [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] ) was to see Cirque du Soleil with the kids. Matt and I saw it back in May 2004 while my parents watched the kids and it was fantastic. I know Colin is not going to sit thru the show (hopefully Matt realizes this since it’s his idea), but I’m willing to be proven wrong. Alexa is going to love it as we watched a bit on Bravo (or was it A&amp;E) Easter morning. I hemmed and hawed over which category tickets to get. I wanted category 2 tickets but in the upper center section, but category 1 tickets were only $60 more expensive. No big deal, right? This is the anniversary trip! It took forever for Cirque to open up the dates (or it seemed like forever when you’re checking online everyday). Apparently you can’t choose which seats you want and are left at the mercy of the web and the selection they give you (and I called and couldn’t do any better). This also pushed my decision to category 1 tickets, since I wanted to be close to center. We’re in Section 203, row BB, but closer to the center side.


Finally the 180 day mark for making our ADRs arrived. I wanted to try Jiko since in all our trips to AKL we’ve never eaten there. California Grill would be our big anniversary dinner (a few days after the fact). PSB was reserved for Alexa. Cape May Café was scheduled for the morning we head to Kennedy Space Center. And Garden Grill was scheduled for lunch (I’m still debating this one). I decided to skip the new Baby Einsteins meal, as Alexa will not even watch Playhouse Disney anymore because she’s SEVEN and that’s for babies! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] I wanted to try the Luau at the Poly because my Mom used to take us to this all the time growing up (20 years ago), so I am due for a return! The DDE discount certainly helped there and it’s nice to have it paid off in advance.


Coming Up Next………..Everything’s planned right? Or so I thought!</font>

[debsta922]

Great plans so far Marnie!

[lauren-roxy]

Great start Marnie!! I can't believe that it's finally here!! Awesome plans you have too!!!

[DrDolphin]

Great plans!! Can't wait to hear more.

[WEDway Guy]

Hi Marnie!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]
This is a great pre-trip TR. It's been so long in the making that it's hard to believe it's almost here already. You guys are going to have an incredible trip. Even if there is a teeny weeny little hurricane, you'll be down there for two weeks so the whole trip can't possibly be bad. And I'm sure, with a little [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img], you have a great trip sans hurricanes.

I can't help but wonder if maybe we've passed each other as kids at WDW. I can't remeber how many years it's been (24ish?) since I've last stayted at the Polynesian Village (I still seem to call it that), but it seems to coincide with your childhood trips too. I'll bring the slide projector to the next PP meet and we can compare photos. (I know I have on some great striped tube socks in mine!)

Looking forward to more of the pre-trip!

[Caldercup]

Ooooh, your plans look great! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]
Eileen

[Tink and co.]

I'm excited to be hearing about this trip! Where did all that time go. It sounds like you've got a fabulous vacation planned! Can't wait to hear all about it! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]