Our Family's First Trip - Let's go Premium - Pre-trip Report (Update - We're back) About This Page:

[Becky2005]

I thought I would attempt a Pre-trip report.

Cast
DH-"Grumpy"- he really doesn’t want to go to Disney and is just along for the ride…he wants to eat big, quiet place to sleep and Mickey Ears
ME-The instigator of this entire trip.
DD(11)– Favorite is Winnie the Pooh and is as excited to go as I am.
DS(8) – Just along for the ride – wants to do Dinosaur and It’s a Small world…doesn’t really have a favorite but seems excited to be going.
DS(5)– One word to describe him “Buzz” (although he has now taken a liking to Power Rangers). He just wants to go on the Buzz lightyear ride and will be happy.
DS(1) – He has no opinion on the matter also known as “the baby”

Transportation – Driving.

When: July 10-17

Back in 2002, I was talking to DH about going to Disney, I wanted to go in 2004 (at the time our youngest wasn’t potty trained) so we did some negotiating and picked 2005 to go because all the kids would be old enough to enjoy it, we wouldn’t have to deal with diaper bags, etc… So, the planning begins….

Fast forward to Jan. 2003 – DH gets laid off from his job and guess what dear, I’m pregnant. Plans for Disney get put on hold although I never really stop researching just figure we might have to shorten the trip and of course, add the baby along (so much for no diaper bags! ). Takes DH a long time to find a job but finally does and low & behold, one of the benefits is 2 weeks paid vacation plus 2 personal days after being there 1 year. YIPPEE…looks like we are back on after he checks to see if he’s allowed to take the 2 weeks at one time (he is! ). I convince DH that 2005 is still the best year to go.

Hmm…OK, dates settled since we know we will be deluxe/home away from home and value season starts July 5…have to decide on the hotel. Originally we had planned on the cabins but now we have a stroller to deal with and internal busses…Hmmm…decisions, decisions, decisions. In the end, “walk to Magic Kingdom” won out for everything, plus I like the idea that everything is just right there under 1 roof…we are going to stay in a tower room at the Contemporary…hey we should get a code right? Remember this is when the Fairy Tale packages had just been coming out; surely they will have those again.

Since DH’s big thing is eating and don’t ever let older kids see planning videos, DD decided she wanted to go Parasailing & then DS-8 decided it looked fun too. Then oh, we can go fishing DS-8 was thrilled. Hey they have horseback riding? Cool. Oh look at that video of Cirque (DD is a gymnast she thought it was awesome). Gold plan is looking good, so we booked.

Then everything gets turned upside down because Magic Your Way comes out…after figuring it out we go ahead and switch to the Premium plan because we still get everything we wanted and saved $500! Still waiting for general codes though. After AP rates come out, and not seeing any general codes, I decide to do the room only, package, room only route and saved another $500 doing it that way.

Here are our plans:

<font color="blue">Arrive July 10</font> – I’m not sure what time we will arrive, I’m assuming late afternoon, early evening. This is our room only reservation, so we won’t have tickets, probably just hang around the pool and/or go to Downtown Disney depending on how everyone’s mood is.

<font color="blue">July 11</font>– MGM day – Sci-Fi planned for lunch; Yachtsman Steakhouse for dinner.

<font color="blue">July 12</font>– MK day – 8:00 AM Crystal Palace; dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern

<font color="blue">July 13</font>– no parks specifically, I might take the younger boys over to MK; Fishing for DH, DD &amp; DS-8 at 10:00 AM; Parasailing for ME, DD &amp; DS-8 2:00 (let’s hope there is no afternoon storm that day ) &amp; then 6:00 PM showing of La Nouba for all of us. I have no PS/ADR made for this day; I’m hoping to eat at Concourse Steakhouse though at some point if we have time, we shall see.

<font color="blue">July 14</font>– Animal Kingdom, 8:00 AM Donald’s; Rainforest Café for lunch and Chef Mickey’s for dinner.

<font color="blue">July 15</font>– Mickey’s Magical Milestone tour for ME, DD &amp; DS-8 (Shhh!!! It’s a surprise), lunch at Trail’s End and then horseback riding for DH &amp; DD.

<font color="blue">July 16</font>– EPCOT, Princess Storybook Breakfast at 8:30 and Le Cellier for dinner.

<font color="blue">July 17</font>– (Check-out for our package and this will be a room only but we can still use the package until midnight) – Cinderella’s Breakfast at 8:05; then Family Magic Tour (Shhh!!! Another secret) for ME, DD, DS-8 &amp; DS-5

<font color="blue">July 18</font>– – Get back in the car for the LONG drive back home.

We are now back home and let's just say the best made plans get thrown out the window on occassion. I'm working on a full report.

[jakenjess]

Sounds like a wonderful trip! Looking forward to hearing all about it!

[amanda31599]

Your plans sound amazing...you are going to have a great time. And the surprise tours should go over real well. Have fun and be sure to update when you return!

[jimmymac]

Nice plan. You picked a lot of my faves. La Nouba is awesome. I've never tried parasailing at WDW. Looking forward to hearing how it is

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Becky I hope you guys have a great time, and can't wait to hear all about it

[lauren-roxy]

Great start Becky!! Your plans look amazing!!! Wewill be down there exactly the same time! Where are you driving from??

[MAria R]

Great pre-trip report, have a great time.

[DrDolphin]

Sounds like a great trip - I can't wait to read your report when you get back!!

[Becky2005]

[ QUOTE ]
Great start Becky!! Your plans look amazing!!! Wewill be down there exactly the same time! Where are you driving from??

[/ QUOTE ]

We are coming from Chicagoland area. We will be driving down through Illinois as opposed to Indiana, we are breaking it up into 2 days, hence it all depends on what time we get up in the morning to see what time we end up pulling into WDW. I intend to make a stop at Ocala too.

[Cam22]

Your trip sounds like it is going to be extremely "magical."

[TroianRae]

[ QUOTE ]


<font color="blue">July 11</font>– MGM day – Sci-Fi planned for lunch

[/ QUOTE ]

We're going to be at Sci-Fi that same day; Maureen got us an 12:10 AR. What time are you going?? Maybe we'll pass each other.

[Annabel]

Your trip sounds wonderful, you're going to have an amazing time I'll be there from 7-15 July so maybe I'll see you round the parks

[JulieandChris]

Your plans sound great Have a wonderful time!

Julie.

[Becky2005]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


<font color="blue">July 11</font>– MGM day – Sci-Fi planned for lunch

[/ QUOTE ]

We're going to be at Sci-Fi that same day; Maureen got us an 12:10 AR. What time are you going?? Maybe we'll pass each other.

[/ QUOTE ]

We have a 12:00 one but I am going to try to change it to earlier, I believe Sci-Fi opens at 11 but Noon was the first available PS. I want closer to 11 but it's not opening up yet (I think it's similar to the Fantastmic Packages that they open up closer to time)...otherwise, I guess we will stick with our noon one.

We will be easy to spot - I'm dressing the kids alike!!! LOL!!! At least the boys! Plus, I got a green Kermit shirt I'm going to wear for MGM day, the boys have Power Rangers and DD has a Minnie..and then there is DH who won't be dressed in Disney attire at all.

[cinderelly]

We will be there for our first family trip at the same time! We, too are driving!

Have a great time and see you there!