The Last Great Family Vacation (But 1st to Disney!) - UPDATED 11/19 About This Page:

[Angileyze1]

I am 33 days out and going stir crazy. I have so many surprises packed into this vacation I can hardly contain myself! I've been planning for 14 months and here's our story.

WHY NOW???


We've planned and planned to go to WDW. Never really made it. Finances, life, mostly got in the way. I knew that if I really wanted to go, I must plan way earlier. When DH got word a year ago that his unit was going to go BACK to Iraq, I knew it was my last chance. The reason for the title is that our family will be much different when DH comes back. We will be almost empty nesters. This is probably it unless we can all get together someday for a cruise. (Hoping) I have been let to have free reign on the planning and so like any woman, I went nuts. There's stuff in this itenerary they have no idea about at all.

THE WHEN: November 15th-December 1st Split stay CBR/WL

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

MYSELF- 38 but celebrating #39 at WDW. I am a big Disney fan despite not being there for 20 something years. I will love the Magic Kingdom the best.

DH-40 National Guardsman and leaving for Iraq shortly after our return (within 3 months) for his second tour. Never been to WDW. He is a gread Step-Dad to DD and DS. Worth mentioning only because of beloe explanation. He loves thrill rides and next time wants to go to Cedar Point. Hmmmm. Will prob like the Disney studios the best if for nothing else, JUST the Star Tours. Couldn't for the life of him figure out why we were not going during Star Wars weekends.

DD-17 A senior and can't wait to see WDW for the first time. She is also autistic. A child at heart, Will be ALL ABOUT the Magic Kingdom.

DS-16 A junior and the kind that won't really believe we're going til we're on the plane. Spent much of the planning prosess telling me he's too old and cool for Disney. He's never been but I can already tell he's a closet POOH lover. He's got an adventures heart and wants to travel. He is also very musically talented and may do IDOL. He will love EPCOT.

VARIOUS FRIENDS AND FAMILY- We are spending the 1st half of the vacation with an Aunt and her Fiancee. When they heard we were going, they wanted to go, than not go, (they've been A LOT) and after the free dining offer, they couldn't say no. This will be interesting because they have been a lot but have never experiences it this time of year or done dining or some other things I have planned. So, the NOOBIE gets to show the veterans how a PASSPORTER does Disney!!!!!

Also stopping by during the vacation will be DSIL who lives in Ft Myers, a good friend who lives in Largo, another that vacations in the south, and the kids' father who lives in Ocala. WHEW! We are going to be busy!!!

Next up: OUR PLANS

[Nimros]

What a great start so far! You've got an interesting crew to be vacationing with - and I'll bet you're so excited you can hardly stand it!

Give your DH my thanks for his service - it's much appreciated.

Can't wait to hear the details...

[Colexis Mom]

Great start!

[B.M.]

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

[momof2princessess]

Great start! Can't wait to hear more!

[3dogknight]

Great start, looking forward to reading more. Enjoy your trip

[bsblady01]

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

[KMB733]

Great Start!

[Angileyze1]

So away we go! Our abbreviated itenerary goes like this: With "Special Days included!"

Arrival day: Arrive, can's wait to see family's faces at the great gift baskets ordered for them through "Memories By Betsy"! unpack, meet aunt and uncle for Hoope De Doo Review at 5pm.

First day: Epcot to include Disney Visa meet and greet. Oh and Illuminations!
B-Kona
L-Teppan-Edo
D-Biergarten

Second day: AK
B-Donald's Safari Character
L-Yak & Yeti or Flame Tree
D-Boma

Third day: Magic Kingdom to include Spectro magic and wishes. I will also see about DH's chances of doing the flag retreat. This would be cool right before a deployment!
B-Crystal Palace
L-Cosmic Ray's
D-Tony's
Also a wishes Dessert party!!!!!!

Fourth day: Studios/Fantasmic!
B-Resort
L-Backlot express
D-50's Prime Time Cafe

Fifth day: Magic Kingdom and MVMCP!!!! Christmas Wishes!
B-Prob pick up something at Main st Bakery.
L-Pecos Bill or something
D-Still up in the air

Sixth day: My Birthday and My & DD "Special day"/Blizzard Beach
B-Chef Mickey's
Then we head to Contemp for Parasailing!!!!! SHHHHHH its a secret!!!!
L-at the water Park!
Heading over to Magic Kingdom to get my birthday gift card!!!!
D- Poly Luau Prob meeting my friends from Largo for this one.

Seventh Day: Ak or Studios Depends if we did all of AK yet if we did DS might do Am Idol tryouts instead.
B-Resort
L-???
D-Yachtman's Steakhouse

Eighth Day: Check Out of CBR and into WL/Disney Quest! also DD'S Surprise DAY!!! More gift baskets and a tabletop Christmas tree awaits my family today!!!
B-WCC
Heading back to Contemp for DS to go WATERSKIING!!!!! SHHHHHHHHH
L-Foodquest
D-Ohana's

Ninth day: Studios/Circue De Soleil
B-In-Room
L-Counter
D-Sci Fi
Then headed to DTD for Circue De Soleil!!!!

Tenth day: DH'S SURPRISE DAY/Out of Park
B-In Room
Head to RICHARD PETTY'S!!!!!!!!! SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
L-Kona
D-ESPN CLUB?

THANKSGIVING DAY: No way am I going near a park today day instead I opt for resort hopping to see all the decor and probably shopping!!!
B-In Room
L-Snack
D-WCC (couldn't get Liberty Tree)

Twelfth Day: EPCOT/Candlelight processional/Holiday Illuminations!
B-Cape May Character
L-Le Cellier (part of CP package)
D- Counter Service

Thirteenth Day: DSIL will decide on Park/Photopass Portrait session
B-In room
L-Wolfgang Pucks
D-WCC

Fourteenth day: Gotta ride MANTA! At Seaworld
B-Resort
L-Lunch with SHAMU!!!!!
D- Artist Point
What they don't know is that I've reserved the VIP tour of Seaworld!!!! SHHHHHHHH

Last Day: Missed attraction/Favorite Park day/OSBORNE LIGHTS!!!!!
By now we still haven't caught Jammin Jungle Parade. Have to see it today sometime.
B-O'Hanas Character
L-Beaches & Cream
D-Kona

Well that about sums it up. We have AP's, we have Photopass, we have a TON of surprises built in, it should be one great Last Family Vacation!!!!!!!

[Colexis Mom]

Great ADRs!

[Desurae]

Your plans sound great!! You are much braver than me to go parasailing (I'm a wuss ) but I can't wait to hear how it goes!! Your ADRs look tasty!

[Princess_Wantabe]

What great plans! You & your family will have a blast!

[B.M.]

Great Plans!

[mcc0313]

I can't believe the trip is right around the corner now. I still remember your longing to be at WDW last year when you took a trip on the monorail. I am so excited for you that it is finally here, and what wonderful plans and surprises you have set up for the family. Can't wait to hear more.

[disneydreamer33]

What a wonderfully planned last vacation for your family.
I hope you guys have a wonderful time together. Love all the extras you have planned.
Enjoy your time together.