[Goodegirl2007]

Pre-Trip Report
Cast: Me, DH, and DS4
Where: Boardwalk Villas (studio)

Dates: May 9th – 20th (Official Check out date is May 21st, but we are taking a late flight home on the 20th because I need to be back at work for a meeting on the 21st)

Details: This will be the first time that the 3 of us go to WDW by ourselves. DH and I have gone to WDW alone every year since our honeymoon in Oct 1994, but since DS4 was born, we’ve been doing the Disney thing with extended family and friends. This is also the first time we are using DDP!!!

18 days and COUNTING……

I can’t take the waiting any longer!! I’m hoping that doing a pre-TR will help me get organized and calm me down a bit.

I want to say a very special THANK YOU to everyone here at MB, because you have helped answer lots of questions about the DDP, and I love the tips on packing, planning and having a great vacation!!! Plus, you all make me feel like I’m not alone in the OVER planning!!

We are staying in a studio for the first time. We usually have the 1 or 2 bedroom villa, so I’m a bit nervous that it’s going to feel cramped. But, since it’s just the 3 of us, we opted for a longer stay in the smaller room, and to conserve points for our family trip in October.

I was planning out our grocery order, and half way through, I realized I’m not going to have a kitchen (only mini-fridge and microwave in the studios)….so major modifications will need to be made. I think we will just get some wine, beer, water, soda, breakfast bars and a couple of snacks. Since we have the DDP, I’m guessing we won’t need so much food on hand anyway.

The Plan:
May 9th - A car service will pick us up at my work at 3:30 p.m. Our flight leaves at 6:15 p.m., and arrives at MCO at 9:19. Pick up the rental car, and off to Holiday Inn Sunspree Lake Buena Vista for the night. (we decided not to use our points for this night since we are arriving so late).

May 10th – Early check-in at the Boardwalk so that we can get our DDP all paid for, and get our room key (even if it is too early to check in). Off to the MK!!! We will spend a couple of days over at Universal, but we are planning on spending most of the time enjoying WDW! It should be a nice change of pace for us (with only 3 to keep together).

ADR’s for the trip:
Coral Reef (Dinner)
Tony’s (Dinner)
Primetime Café (Dinner)
Hoop Dee Do
Garden Tea Room (my Mother's day gift to myself )
Tutto Italia (Dinner)
Ohana (Dinner)
Le Cellier (Lunch)
Tusker House (Lunch)
Crystal Palace (Dinner)
1900 Park Fare (Breakfast)

To do list:
Buy a bathing suit –
Finish packing (thanks again for the list Dana!! )
Confirm car service
Put our mail on hold
Find someone to watch my herb garden and tomato plants while we’re gone
Get some ACTUAL work done (instead of daydreaming and planning all day) .

If you made it this far….thanks for reading…..if not, well….at least I made myself feel better!!

[mickeysgirlz]

Wow a pre-trip report . . . so detailed . . . can't wait to see your TR!! But lets now rush that right?

So you've started your countdown . . . WDW here you come!

[BGHG2802]

Wow, you are totally prepared. I don't envy you the bathing suit shopping. Good luck with that. And have lots of fun!

[yankeevttch]

looks good. Can't wait to hear about your trip.

[WDW Rules]

Sounds like a fun trip with just the 3 of you. Enjoy!! Will be looking forward to your tr.

[Willbegone]

Awesome pre-TR! The plan sounds great as do your ADRs! I can't wait to see pics and hear all about it!

[Goodegirl2007]

10 days and COUNTING……

Pre-trip update:

I'm feeling a bit stressed -so much to do, so little time! Work is crazy right now too - my department is relocating to a different building....and after many delays, they have finally decided that the move will take place the week of May 16th - Oh great....that's when I'll be in Disney - NOT GOOD! My boss is going to freak! All this work nonsense is infringing on my Disney planning!

Well, I found 1/2 a bathing suit! Now I just need to find the top part!

With a great tip from Jennatrz, I saved some more money on my Alamo rental car by using the costco discounts!!

To do list:
Buy a stroller for my DS4
Find bathing suit top
buy cover up
Finish packing, try to cram everything into 3 suitcases!
Confirm car service
Find someone to watch my herb garden and tomato plants while we’re gone

[Jennatrz]

Don't worry. Just take it day by day. I didn't realize it but we have the same countdown.

[mickeysgirlz]

Originally Posted by Goodegirl2007

10 days and COUNTING……

Pre-trip update:

I'm feeling a bit stressed -so much to do, so little time! Work is crazy right now too - my department is relocating to a different building....and after many delays, they have finally decided that the move will take place the week of May 16th - Oh great....that's when I'll be in Disney - NOT GOOD! My boss is going to freak! All this work nonsense is infringing on my Disney planning!

Well, I found 1/2 a bathing suit! Now I just need to find the top part!

With a great tip from Jennatrz, I saved some more money on my Alamo rental car by using the costco discounts!!

To do list:
Buy a stroller for my DS4
Find bathing suit top
buy cover up
Finish packing, try to cram everything into 3 suitcases!
Confirm car service
Find someone to watch my herb garden and tomato plants while we’re gone

Depending on the carrier, you get two bags under 50lbs per paying customer. I fly Continental . . . FL to NJ . . . NJ to FL all the time and they allow 2 . . . so just in case it doesn't fit into 3 bags!!

Just keep breathing . . . you'll be on MAIN STREET before you know it . . . and all the stress of work will be left far behind . . . aaaaaaaaaah!

We're going to be in WDW too in 11 days . . . but just for a weekend trip!

[tiggerlover1971]

wow I cant wait to hear the trip report when you come back ....

[Daisee]

Nice Pre-TR! Sounds like you are almost ready. It will be here before you know it. Looks like you have some nice ADR's as well.

[disneylovers5]

you sound prepared so go have fun take lots of pictures and get ready to write an awesome TR for those of us that need a disney fix.

[MissDisney]

Oh, I love this... a TR that starts when it SHOULD start -- before you leave! I also love the Mother's Day gift you gave yourself LOL.

If I live near you (I'm in NJ too), I will happily water your plants. So now all you have to do is deal withthe swimsuit issue and buying that stroller!

[mairinmaureen]

The only time I enjoy having a mail slot in our front door is vacation time.

Have a great vacation...can't wait to read your TR!

[Goodegirl2007]

Originally Posted by mickeysgirlz

Depending on the carrier, you get two bags under 50lbs per paying customer. I fly Continental . . . FL to NJ . . . NJ to FL all the time and they allow 2 . . . so just in case it doesn't fit into 3 bags!!

Just keep breathing . . . you'll be on MAIN STREET before you know it . . . and all the stress of work will be left far behind . . . aaaaaaaaaah!

We're going to be in WDW too in 11 days . . . but just for a weekend trip!

I don't want to thread jack my own thread....but... Now CO is also only allowing 1 bag.

Policy from the website:

Continental Airlines is implementing a $25 fee for customers checking a second bag when traveling on certain Economy fare tickets. The fee will apply for tickets purchased on or after April 5, 2008 for travel commencing on or after May 5, 2008 within the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada


I booked before April 5th, but every time I call CO for some clarification, I get a different story....so I'm trying to pack light, just incase.

Hopefully you booked before April 5th too!

I hope we all have great weather in FL, and you're right!! It will be so nice to forget about work for a while!