Some dutchies go to Disney World About This Page:

[Chanti]

Maybe a little introduction is in order to start. There's me, a complete disneyphile, who has put dear old Walt in my personal pantheon, my hubbie who likes Disney just fine but doesn't get my blantent love for almost anything disney and our lovely two and a half year old daughter. (Later on my mother, who loves Disney too, will be added to the mix)

We're going to go to Disney World in December (well actually in November, because we arrive the 30th of November) and we are staying 3 weeks. The reason for the long trip is that it is very far away for us Dutch people (nine hour flight and a 6 hour time difference)

I have been to Disney World a few times in my life (4 to be exact, which is a lot for the avarage dutch person who tend to visit Disneyland Paris more often, it being closer) my husband and my daughter have never been. The last time I went to disney was almost 10 years ago (januari 2000)

There will be a lot of 'firsts' for us this time. First time trip for DH and DD, first time staying onsite for all of us. We're going to stay at the AKL and I am still in awe that we'll be staying there. Originally we were going to stay at the POP, which is already a lot cooler than the seedy motels (I'm talking glasshards in the swimmingpool area here) I have stayed at before being a student, but thanks to my mum, who will be joining us on December 8th, we are not staying at the AKL. My mum is chipping in and she likes a little bit more luxury (who am I to complain)

So I started to look up all sorts of information about Disney. And it is hard to plough through peoples opinions. There are so many mixes reviews out there. It even had me worried a little about the AKL. Some people say the rooms are to small, too dark and the location is too far away. But then again when I read those comments I think... last time I was in a seedy motel, this will be heaven compare to that. And we're renting a car, distance is not a huge problem (again, it can't be further away than the offsite dodgy motel)

One of the things I am very very excited about that we are going right before christmas. I love christmas, (my favourite holiday) and what better place to enjoy the decorations than disney? The sad thing is that we will be missing a very big dutch holiday when we are on holiday, called Sinterklaas (Saint Nicolas) which is a bit like Santa Clause with presents and sweets, but I don't think my daugther wil mind, she still very young and she gets to go to disney and celebrate christmas for about a month now Plus, she will get tonnes of disney presents, also for her b-day in february

And what else will we be celebrating (besides Sinterklaas)? Our wedding anniversery. We did not get the time this year to celebrate the fact that we were married for 5 years. My husband promised he would think of something romantic for this trip (not that you can get real romantic with a two year old and your mother on the trip, but I will settle for any form of romance right now, abstract or no) At our anniversary I actually had to work until late in the evening...

As I mentioned before, my mum will be joining us after about a week. She has more grandchildren and one of them has a birthday in December, so she is coming straight after. We have got 21 day disney tickets (my mum 14 day ones) that allow us to go to all the disney parks, water parks and disney quest as much as we want for 3 weeks. I think that will be great with a two year old to go for only a few hours and then rest and go back another day. We also have Seaworld (1 day) tickets and Universal (Island and studios 2 day hopper) tickets.

recently I made our ADR at an insane amount of restaurants. I have never done a character meal and now we are going to do several (Chef Mickey's, CTR, 1900 PF, CP, Donalds Safari Breakfast, Ohana) and we are so curious what that will be like. We're also doing Hoop dee Doo musical revue, and restaurants that are supposed to be fun like 50's primetime cafe, wispering canyon cafe or sci-fi. We have no idea what to expect

So right now we are counting down. My mum told my daughter that we are going and she keeps asking me WHEN? She is determined to hug Cinderella (who she has adopted as her favourite princess) and she wants to talk to Nemo (I don't even thinkt this is possible)

Anyway, 70 days and counting... I can't wait!!!

[Ransom]

It sounds like you're going to have a fantastic trip!

[MaryEL8775]

I will also be at WDW at the same time as you. If you want to, we are having a Passporter meet on Dec. 2nd in ECPOT at the Italy pavilion. We would love to meet you. I too am Dutch by blood. So this would be great to meet someone else who is. I am also bringing my mom on our trip. So we have more in common.

[NanaTink]

What a wonderful trip you have planned! How exciting for your DD...
Can''t wait to hear more! I think you will find AKL just beautiful!
My Father's mother was Dutch (Amon) and used to tell us all about Sinterclaas when we were very young!

[pparm]

Sounds like you're planning a great trip. You'll get lots of good ideas and advice here!

Paula

[Cam22]

You have a incredible trip planned! AKL is my favorite resort, and though it is a bit farther out, I appreciate that quiet when it's time to relax and sleep. The character meals you have chosen are some of my DDs favorites so I hope your DD enjoys them, too.

[Colexis Mom]

Great start and plans!

[bsblady01]

I hope that you and your family have a magical time at the world

[chezp]

Great start!

[vfair]

Sounds like an incredible trip!

[mcc0313]

What a great start and it sounds like you will have an amazing trip. With three weeks you can definitely take it easy and relax, letting your daughter enjoy everything but also give her time for rest when she needs it. How cute that she is so excited for Cinderella and how she wants to talk to Nemo. She will probably love Turtle Time with Crush then as she can talk to Nemo's Turtle Friend...

[bfth]

Sounds like a great plan.

Just remember, with little ones, you NEED to be flexible (as I learned the hard way!). You've got lots of time, so try not to push yourself too hard.

And remember, you CAN"T do it all...AND there's always next time!

Enjoy!

[Chanti]

Originally Posted by MaryEL8775

I will also be at WDW at the same time as you. If you want to, we are having a Passporter meet on Dec. 2nd in ECPOT at the Italy pavilion. We would love to meet you. I too am Dutch by blood. So this would be great to meet someone else who is. I am also bringing my mom on our trip. So we have more in common.

Oh that is so cool!! What time are you all meeting? It would be nice to meet some fellow disney fanatics (though I doubt they'll be hard to find in the disney eutopia of the world )

[Chanti]

I love to plan, but I am realistic about the fact that we will probably end up doing only half the stuff we planned! That's okay, no big deal, indeed there is always a next time.

This is also the reason why we are going 3 weeks. I think we can get a reasonable amount of Disney magic in that time. I have planned everything for 'half' days. And we intend on getting plenty of rest during the afternoons. I intend to act like a toddler myself and get a little nap in the afternoon and go to bed early at night (with a few exceptions)

Hurray for getting intouch with my inner child, *grin*, I will be skipping and hopping through disney world in a little more than 2 months

[chezp]

Originally Posted by Chanti

I love plan, but I am realistic about the fact that we will probably end up doing only half the stuff we planned! That's okay, no big deal, indeed there is always a next time.

This is also the reason why we are going 3 weeks. I think we can get a reasonable amount of Disney magic in that time. I have planned everything for 'half' days. And we intend on getting plenty of rest during the afternoons. I intend to act like a toddler myself and get a little nap in the afternoon and go to bed early at night (with a few exceptions)

Hurray for getting intouch with my inner child, *grin*, I will be skipping and hopping through disney world in a little more than 2 months

You're right - you'll definitely get a good amount of Disney magic in three days and I like your idea of the naps in the afternoon.