You know we really dont do anything for Thanksgiving About This Page:

[MikeL]

After last years first trip to WDW for my Wife, I had high hopes that she wouldn't be averse to a return trip but prepared myself for disappointment. That was until she wanted to tour the Campgrounds of Ft Wilderness and send pictures to her girlfriend Maureen and raved about it to her. Well last New Years Eve we all went out to dinner and I was told to bring my laptop with our pictures to show them more. That night she admitted she had enjoyed herself and was considering a return trip but didn't like idea of going when weather would be sure to be so hot.
It was time for me to draw on my sneacky training and find out what she liked best of the trip and what she objected to. That night I had many of the answers I needed and went into planning mode.
A quick check of WDW site and idea of prices ( added 5% to 2012 prices listed) and I had an idea of what it might cost. Played with dates and came up with a final plan. Made ressies for 2012 but knew I would have to change for 2013 but in so doing gave myself more time to pay it off. At 500 day marks changed them all for 2013. Now have to check on vacay policy here at work but a large portion will be unpaid time off I doubt that there will be a problem. Still have to see what new chart they are going to come out with workwise but I'll deal with that when it happens.
WHEN Nov. 18 through Dec 7 2013
WHERE Nov 18 to Nov 22 AKL Club Level with Dine plus ( Did book just room for 18th as we won't get there till almost noon and have plans to do Sunset Safari)
Nov 22 to Dec 7 Ft Wilderness Cabins on Premium Plan (Nights of 22Nov and 6Dec are likewise room only as either they are covered by prior plan or in case of 6th we leave on 7th)
WHO Me Mike 56 and life long Disney Fan
DW Lucille 62 recent convert to Mouseside
HOW We will be driving down as Lucille does NOT fly. Did it last year in 1 shot but intend on taking two days this time as we found some places on the trip last we want to stop and check out.( Really she wants to shop)

This far out things are still very fluid and like anything else in life subject to change. But sometime on Fri Nov.15 after taking the GIRLS aka The Stinky Sisters to camp we will leave. Hopefully early enough to make Savannah Ga at least Sanna SC Finishin gthe remainder into Orlando area the following day. Sunday is right now slated for a day at SeaWorld but I am leaving the planning for this up to her as it was her idea to go there in first place. Note sneaky classes are in play here By letting her set the agenda for the day not only is she more involved in her vacay but she gets to plan a day based entirely on her likes
Hopefully on the 18 after checking in at AKL we will have some downtime to explore the resort before checking in for Sunset Safari As this will take us into evening thats all for that day

[goofyboysmama]

Sounds like great plans so far. We just spent a week at Disney for Thanksgiving and had a great time in spite of the crowds

[Thomhazel]

Sounds like a fab trip and so nice to hear of a hubby doing the sneaky planning. So usually hear it the other way around.

We too are big AKV fans and cannot wait to stay there

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by goofyboysmama

Sounds like great plans so far. We just spent a week at Disney for Thanksgiving and had a great time in spite of the crowds

I know it will be crowded Thanksgiving week but thats when she wants to so who am I to argue The woman who said "But I don't like the Mouse!!! when I announced last years trip Week before and after should be okay. Years earlier I was there till day before Thanksgiving and it got crowded but we found ways around it and will do so again.

Originally Posted by Thomhazel

Sounds like a fab trip and so nice to hear of a hubby doing the sneaky planning. So usually hear it the other way around.

We too are big AKV fans and cannot wait to stay there

Sneaky was a mandatory class in the Academy. Used those techniques to get info I needed to make best decisions I can. This will be first time at AKL for both of us and I only booked it to do Sunrise and Sunset Safaris as I am sure she will love it. She was ready to hit me when she heard about AKL Her first question was "Why aren't we staying in the cabins??? You know how much I liked them! Then she heard about 2nd half and the world was right

[lana619]

We stayed there in October and plan three more trips for 2013, ALL at Animal Kingdom Lodge! We absolutely love it there!

[Cam22]

Congrats on another trip and bringing Lucille over to the dark side! Plans looks great so far. I want to do the Sunset Safari sometime, but not this June as we're not staying Club Level.

[dutchdisneyfamily]

What a fun trip you have planned. You make it such fun and I love reading about them.

[mushu22]

Great Plans

[Coop]

Sounds great - except for the fact that we will miss you because we are arriving on your departure day! You are gonna love AKL! And club level to boot! Wow!

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by lana619

We stayed there in October and plan three more trips for 2013, ALL at Animal Kingdom Lodge! We absolutely love it there!

All my previous trips I stayed in Ft W cabins and love them. It is kind of like having a small suite and love the setting AKL will be a first and this is DW second trip to WDW so She loves critters I love Disney Solution found

Originally Posted by Cam22

Congrats on another trip and bringing Lucille over to the dark side! Plans looks great so far. I want to do the Sunset Safari sometime, but not this June as we're not staying Club Level.

After reading your account of Sunrise and Elbodans and Kenny's of Sunset I knew these would be right her alley so that why went that way. Just a little more sneaky to make sure I have her turned to the Mouseside

Originally Posted by dutchdisneyfamily

What a fun trip you have planned. You make it such fun and I love reading about them.

Planning it is easy Know what my DW likes and try to include at least one or two of those elements every day and she is happy Plus side I get to a lot of what I like. More on that later

Originally Posted by mushu22

Great Plans

Thanks Got loads of GREAT ideas here so If it works for others and it ain't broke don't fix it

Originally Posted by Coop

Sounds great - except for the fact that we will miss you because we are arriving on your departure day! You are gonna love AKL! And club level to boot! Wow!

Missing you and Chuck is definately going to a downer. Have to see If we can't find a way to remedy that. If BIG IF things work out right We might have a way to stay extra day or so have to see how things play out. Had to Club Level Sunrise and Sunset AKA Wanamaya Safari's only avail at that level

[shazza]

You are a great sneaky planner, Mike! This sounds like a great way to do it - enjoying the Thanksgiving Holiday but also plenty of time when it will be less crowded. The Girls will have fun at camp.

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by shazza

You are a great sneaky planner, Mike! This sounds like a great way to do it - enjoying the Thanksgiving Holiday but also plenty of time when it will be less crowded. The Girls will have fun at camp.

My GIRLS love camp the couple that owns it has human puppies that love them and they get all kinds of attention Only way to make it better is for Daddy to stay with them

[lazanya]

Congrats on another trip!

[lsugirlinutah]

Things have been a little crazy around here, but I wanted to pop in and follow along your next PTR!! I am sorry we will miss you...we are headed back in mid-October and will be doing a 4 night cruise and then a short Disney stay at the Beach Club. But very excited to see what sneaky "surprises' you have in store for Lucille.

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by lazanya

Congrats on another trip!

Thanks

Originally Posted by lsugirlinutah

Things have been a little crazy around here, but I wanted to pop in and follow along your next PTR!! I am sorry we will miss you...we are headed back in mid-October and will be doing a 4 night cruise and then a short Disney stay at the Beach Club. But very excited to see what sneaky "surprises' you have in store for Lucille.

Thought with dates for this trip we might cross paths but you and yours are going a month ahead of your normal I see. I used to go regularlly in Oct and weather is great. I am not only sneaky one by the way.

Folks to say that I can fool or pull one over on my wife is a very very difficult feat. She is way too smart and knows me all too well. Getting together with those friends and raving about our trip was a very subtle way to let me know she enjoyed herself and was not averse to going backoming home to find she watched and DVRd a series of Travel channel shows about WDW told me she expected to go So in way you can say she hoodwinked me into booking and planning this trip.
In fact when i came home from regular Sat mourning running around there was something on History channel about WDW and she was watchin it intently as well as taking notes. Wellover dinner we started to flesh out some ideas of where she would like to eat and what we intend to do.
Yes there will be a large number of fishing trips for me and she may even join me but this way she can sleep in without the GIRLS waking her up at 0 way too early hours there will be a few trail rides and if I can finish convinceing her hopefully the Segway tour in EPCOT. Both Safari's out of AKL are a must otherwise she would raher stay at cabins those days and we may do backstage safari one more time as well.
Must eat at, that, gets a Little harder. Crystal Palace and Tony's are very high on the list along with Citrico's. Coral Reef and Chefs de France are on the list with CdF being lunch ( Likes Remy) and dinner musts. Brown Derby in DHS And in AK YAk and Yeti is at top of MY list. Artist Pointe is under serious consideration for Thanksgiving dinner as is Trails End (we are considering makieng this a down no park day) Ragland Road and T Rex are high on list DTD
Now as for Tuesdaay the 19th . There is only one place I will consider and thats MK. I am really not at WDW until I have been on Mainstreet USA wihth the Castle before me. This time I am determined to get her on PoC despite her fear of heights and we will spend more tim in New Fantasy land and Tomorrow land. Maybe this trip I'll get on speedway