Rockin Reunion Tour: 10 years Later: A Pre-Trip Report (November 5-11, 2009) About This Page:

[MickeyWatch]

This is my first attempt at a pre-trip report. We are in the final two week countdown before we leave and I am just crazy with Disney World thoughts on my mind so here we go:

I am calling this a 10 year reunion tour because two of the cast of characters (see below) were last at WDW and on DCL 10 years ago, almost to the date. That was an even larger family reunion with 10 family members. The rest of the gang travels to WDW at least once a year and for my immediate family, usually twice a year.

Cast of Characters:

Patti (me): I've been a Disney Park fan since my first visit to Disneyland at age 7, in the mid-1960's with my grandparents. (you can do the math and figure out my age). I traveled back there a few times, then when WDW was built my parents took me to the Contemporary for my 16th birthday. That was in WDW's first full year of existance, when the only park to visit was the MK.

Tony, my husband, who started accompanying me to WDW about 20 years ago. He loves to go there almost as much as I do. He is a tennis player and enjoys playing with the pro at the GF while DD and I swim and nap in the afternoon.

Margaret, age 9, our DD. Her first Disney "trip" was when I was one month pregnant with her on the original reunion trip. I didn't know I was pregnant at the time and later worried about all those rides on Space Mountain and Rock n Roller Coaster that she experienced in utero. Luckily all it did was turn her into a thrill ride lover. Her next trip to WDW was at age 6 months when I carried her around in a front-pack for much of the trip. Now she knows her way around some of the parks better than I do!

Sister in law Cheri: DVC member (Boardwalk) and regular WDW visitor

Mother in law Jerry: Also a DVC member and regular visitor. She is 81 years old and can still put in a full day at the park. Well, our version of a full day which includes a swim and nap in the afternoon and back to the park for dinner.

Sister in law Shelli: She used to work for WDW in the 1970's (phone reservations) but hasn't returned since the last reunion trip 10 years ago.

Niece: Michelle, age 20. She was 10 on her last visit. She and her mom Shelli live in Arizona and we only see them once a year or so.

When we planned this trip back in March, it only included the first 5 of us in the cast. We picked the dates to coincide with DD's school conference dates since she is off school for those 2 days plus Veteran's day. About 7 weeks ago we decided to invite Shelli and Michelle to join us. Cheri and Jerry contributed DVC points for a room for them at Saratoga Springs and we paid for their park tickets and some meals.

Next up: Dining Plans and Room Changes

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Patti!

[debrabrown]

Sounds like a good crew!

[bsblady01]

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

[PamelaK]

Sounds like it will be an interesting trip.

[chezp]

Great start!

[MickeyWatch]

Trip Plans:
We (Patti, Tony and Margaret) booked our return trip to WDW back in March when we received a bounce back offer in our room at the Grand Floridian. I had to spend about 30 minutes on the phone with a reservations CM while Tony and Margaret swam in the pool and I sat in one of the lounge chairs with my cell phone. I don't like spending part of my vacation booking room reservations but with the great discount we were offered somebody had to do it. . . We were able to book 6 nights Concierge level(main building) at the Grand Floridian for what we would normally pay for a standard room with little or no discounts. We take full advantage of all that Concierge Level has to offer so its worth it for us to do this on occasion. We eat breakfast for free almost every day, except for one character breakfast, get snacks throughout the day and great appetizers and desserts at night. I also love booking my ADR's with the Club level itinerary planners. (more on that later).

The in-laws (sister and mother in law) booked a studio using DVC points at the Animal Kingdom and Saratoga Springs. These weren't their first choices but the best they could do at the time. They were wait-listed at the Boardwalk.

I love leaving WDW knowing that we have at least a tentative return date planned!

With our party now at 5 people I began to map out our itinerary for the week so that I could make the ADR's.

As you may have guessed, I am the Trip Planner for our group. As a child I wanted to be a travel agent and I am sometimes mistaken for one when I make travel reservations.

Next up: Dining reservations.

[MickeyWatch]

Trip Plans:
We (Patti, Tony and Margaret) booked our return trip to WDW back in March when we received a bounce back offer in our room at the Grand Floridian. I had to spend about 30 minutes on the phone with a reservations CM while Tony and Margaret swam in the pool and I sat in one of the lounge chairs with my cell phone. I don't like spending part of my vacation booking room reservations but with the great discount we were offered somebody had to do it. . . We were able to book 6 nights Concierge level(main building) at the Grand Floridian for what we would normally pay for a standard room with little or no discounts. We take full advantage of all that Concierge Level has to offer so its worth it for us to do this on occasion. We eat breakfast for free almost every day, except for one character breakfast, get snacks throughout the day and great appetizers and desserts at night. I also love booking my ADR's with the Club level itinerary planners. (more on that later).

The in-laws (sister and mother in law) booked a studio using DVC points at the Animal Kingdom and Saratoga Springs. These weren't their first choices but the best they could do at the time. They were wait-listed at the Boardwalk.

I love leaving WDW knowing that we have at least a tentative return date planned!

With our party now at 5 people I began to map out our itinerary for the week so that I could make the ADR's.

As you may have guessed, I am the Trip Planner for our group. As a child I wanted to be a travel agent and I am sometimes mistaken for one when I make travel reservations.

Next up: Dining reservations.

[chezp]

Nice plans!

[Colexis Mom]

Great update!

[KMB733]

Great plans!!! Hope you get the ADRs you wanted.

[lazanya]

Your plans sound great so far!

[PamelaK]

Sounds great so far.