- Joined
- Jul 13, 2005
Well, here we are again folks. With only 4 months to go until our trip and having almost run out of things to plan, the time has come to start the pre-trippy.
The Cast:
Me I am Joh and have recently turned 39. For info, I will not be one of those people who turns 40 gracefully. Its fair to say that Im dreading the big four oh more than a trip to the dentist. Anyway, I digress. I am the (over) planner and organiser. I am a little bit OCD and love nothing more than planning everything to the final detail. This will be my tenth trip to WDW, the first one being 8 years ago for my honeymoon with
My long-suffering DH Gary is 45 and this is also his tenth trip. He most dreads the words Ive been thinking, which usually precede me begging him to agree to take another trip to Orlando. Those who know me probably think Gary is under the thumb. However, those who know Gary know that he most definitely is not. He does love Orlando and, deep down, I think he probably loves Disney. He agreed to this trip on the understanding that we would be seeing a lot more of Florida. More of that later but, for now, onto the final member of our travelling party
Our DS, Daniel 9 years old, this will be his last year as a child so we are making the most of buying tickets at child prices. Daniel is a football mad (what that child doesnt know about football is not worth knowing mind you, most of what he does know is not worth knowing either), non-stop, active little boy who never stops talking. He wears us both out but we love him dearly. Daniel loves rollercoasters the wilder, the better and has finally hit the magic height of 54 so the skys the limit now. On our last trip in October, he was still a little (probably no more than a cm) too short for some of the biggest rides so there will be no stopping him this time.
Here we are on the Disney Magic in October 2011
The Background:
As I alluded to before, DH dreads those fateful words, knowing that it means there will be no peace until he agrees to my latest demands. Well, not quite but Im sure you get the picture. This trip actually took a fair bit of persuasion as Daniels behaviour on our last holiday in October last year left an awful lot to be desired. A combination of tiredness, over-excitement and a really bad case of heat rash meant that he was unbearable (at best) for almost the entire holiday. The night that the counsellors at the kids club had to speak to us about his behaviour was the last straw and harsh words were exchanged, with Daniel left in no doubt as to what would happen to him if we had any more problems. He did improve towards the end of the holiday but, its fair to say that Gary and I were in no real hurry to take another trip with him any time soon. Anyway, given that I am far more forgiving than my dearest husband, it wasnt long before the lure of Orlando was too much for me and I broached the subject. Gary was not prepared to budge but, once I presented my case, his weak (our child is a badly behaved brat) argument didnt stand a chance. Due to a change of circumstances in our household, we have no child care (Daniel having previously been cared for in the school holidays by his older sisters and Grandparents) for the latter part of the summer holidays, meaning we were faced with the prospect of having to take at least 3 weeks off work. All I had to do was persuade Gary that 3 weeks in Florida would be far preferable to spending that time at home and the deal was done.
The Plan:
Now, I could tell you here that we dont have a plan as such and that we are just going to play it by ear. But you will all know that I am lying so here it is, in all its glory
Sat 11th August Fly to Miami. Drive to Key Largo. Stay overnight at the Ocean Pointe Suites, Key Largo.
Sun 12th August John Pennekamp State Park. Drive to Duck Key. Check in to our home for the next 3 nights, the beautiful Hawks Key Resort.
Mon 13th August - Day at Key West and dinner at Turtle Kraals with fellow DISers, Karin (dizneeat) and Tom
Tue 14th August Explore the Keys
Wed 15th August Drive to Bradenton, stopping for breakfast at Knaus Berry Farm. We are planning to drive the Tamiami Trail across to the West Coast, hoping to see some wildlife along the way. Check in to Shorewalk Vacation Villas.
Thu 16th August Busch Gardens. This is at the request of the men in my life who am I to refuse!
Fri 17th August Chilling/exploring. We are hoping to visit Anna Maria Island and possibly Sarasota. Dinner tonight will be at Yoders Restaurant, of Man v Food fame.
Sat 18th August On the move again. Today we are off to St Augustine and will be staying at the Hilton Historic Hotel on the bay.
Sun 19th August Exploring St Augustine. We have pre-purchased the Maximo package, which includes trolley tickets, Old Jail tour and entrance to the Alligator Farm (at Daniels request) as well as St Augustine History Museum and the oldest store museum experience. We loved St Augustine on our last visit and are really looking forward to spending some more time there.
Mon 20th August Drive to Orlando. Check in to Royal Pacific Resort, Universal.
Tue 21st August-Thu 23rd August Universal and Islands of Adventure. We also have tickets for Legoland so will probably visit on one of these three days. Plus, we have tickets for Blue Man Group on the Thursday night.
Fri 24th August Home sweet home, Disney here we come. Today we will check in to the only WDW DVC resort we have yet to stay at, Beach Club Villas. To say I am excited is an understatement. Gary and I have stayed at Boardwalk Villas and love the location and proximity to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, so I have no doubt that we will be happy here and I am sure that Daniel will equally love Stormalong Bay. We will spend the remainder of our holiday here and have 6-day hoppers for Disney so havent got any firm plans for these few days, we will just gasp go with the flow.
So, there you have it. I am fairly sure we will need a rest when we get home, although that is why we have planned our Disney stay for the end of the holiday. We have been to WDW enough times now that we dont feel the need to have to do everything. Also, given that it is only the three of us, we are able to go with the flow somewhat. Although our accommodation plans are set in stone, everything else that we have planned can be done to suit so, if we are tired or dont feel up to it, we can rearrange things to a certain extent.
Thanks for sticking with me this far.
The Cast:
Me I am Joh and have recently turned 39. For info, I will not be one of those people who turns 40 gracefully. Its fair to say that Im dreading the big four oh more than a trip to the dentist. Anyway, I digress. I am the (over) planner and organiser. I am a little bit OCD and love nothing more than planning everything to the final detail. This will be my tenth trip to WDW, the first one being 8 years ago for my honeymoon with
My long-suffering DH Gary is 45 and this is also his tenth trip. He most dreads the words Ive been thinking, which usually precede me begging him to agree to take another trip to Orlando. Those who know me probably think Gary is under the thumb. However, those who know Gary know that he most definitely is not. He does love Orlando and, deep down, I think he probably loves Disney. He agreed to this trip on the understanding that we would be seeing a lot more of Florida. More of that later but, for now, onto the final member of our travelling party
Our DS, Daniel 9 years old, this will be his last year as a child so we are making the most of buying tickets at child prices. Daniel is a football mad (what that child doesnt know about football is not worth knowing mind you, most of what he does know is not worth knowing either), non-stop, active little boy who never stops talking. He wears us both out but we love him dearly. Daniel loves rollercoasters the wilder, the better and has finally hit the magic height of 54 so the skys the limit now. On our last trip in October, he was still a little (probably no more than a cm) too short for some of the biggest rides so there will be no stopping him this time.
Here we are on the Disney Magic in October 2011
The Background:
As I alluded to before, DH dreads those fateful words, knowing that it means there will be no peace until he agrees to my latest demands. Well, not quite but Im sure you get the picture. This trip actually took a fair bit of persuasion as Daniels behaviour on our last holiday in October last year left an awful lot to be desired. A combination of tiredness, over-excitement and a really bad case of heat rash meant that he was unbearable (at best) for almost the entire holiday. The night that the counsellors at the kids club had to speak to us about his behaviour was the last straw and harsh words were exchanged, with Daniel left in no doubt as to what would happen to him if we had any more problems. He did improve towards the end of the holiday but, its fair to say that Gary and I were in no real hurry to take another trip with him any time soon. Anyway, given that I am far more forgiving than my dearest husband, it wasnt long before the lure of Orlando was too much for me and I broached the subject. Gary was not prepared to budge but, once I presented my case, his weak (our child is a badly behaved brat) argument didnt stand a chance. Due to a change of circumstances in our household, we have no child care (Daniel having previously been cared for in the school holidays by his older sisters and Grandparents) for the latter part of the summer holidays, meaning we were faced with the prospect of having to take at least 3 weeks off work. All I had to do was persuade Gary that 3 weeks in Florida would be far preferable to spending that time at home and the deal was done.
The Plan:
Now, I could tell you here that we dont have a plan as such and that we are just going to play it by ear. But you will all know that I am lying so here it is, in all its glory
Sat 11th August Fly to Miami. Drive to Key Largo. Stay overnight at the Ocean Pointe Suites, Key Largo.
Sun 12th August John Pennekamp State Park. Drive to Duck Key. Check in to our home for the next 3 nights, the beautiful Hawks Key Resort.
Mon 13th August - Day at Key West and dinner at Turtle Kraals with fellow DISers, Karin (dizneeat) and Tom
Tue 14th August Explore the Keys
Wed 15th August Drive to Bradenton, stopping for breakfast at Knaus Berry Farm. We are planning to drive the Tamiami Trail across to the West Coast, hoping to see some wildlife along the way. Check in to Shorewalk Vacation Villas.
Thu 16th August Busch Gardens. This is at the request of the men in my life who am I to refuse!
Fri 17th August Chilling/exploring. We are hoping to visit Anna Maria Island and possibly Sarasota. Dinner tonight will be at Yoders Restaurant, of Man v Food fame.
Sat 18th August On the move again. Today we are off to St Augustine and will be staying at the Hilton Historic Hotel on the bay.
Sun 19th August Exploring St Augustine. We have pre-purchased the Maximo package, which includes trolley tickets, Old Jail tour and entrance to the Alligator Farm (at Daniels request) as well as St Augustine History Museum and the oldest store museum experience. We loved St Augustine on our last visit and are really looking forward to spending some more time there.
Mon 20th August Drive to Orlando. Check in to Royal Pacific Resort, Universal.
Tue 21st August-Thu 23rd August Universal and Islands of Adventure. We also have tickets for Legoland so will probably visit on one of these three days. Plus, we have tickets for Blue Man Group on the Thursday night.
Fri 24th August Home sweet home, Disney here we come. Today we will check in to the only WDW DVC resort we have yet to stay at, Beach Club Villas. To say I am excited is an understatement. Gary and I have stayed at Boardwalk Villas and love the location and proximity to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, so I have no doubt that we will be happy here and I am sure that Daniel will equally love Stormalong Bay. We will spend the remainder of our holiday here and have 6-day hoppers for Disney so havent got any firm plans for these few days, we will just gasp go with the flow.
So, there you have it. I am fairly sure we will need a rest when we get home, although that is why we have planned our Disney stay for the end of the holiday. We have been to WDW enough times now that we dont feel the need to have to do everything. Also, given that it is only the three of us, we are able to go with the flow somewhat. Although our accommodation plans are set in stone, everything else that we have planned can be done to suit so, if we are tired or dont feel up to it, we can rearrange things to a certain extent.
Thanks for sticking with me this far.