I'm so excited! We are going for Thanksgiving. Which kills two birds with one stone (vacation for us... avoiding interpersonal conflict at the family get together for me)
We've been debating this trip for the past year... Mr F's work schedule is so deadline intensive that managing a full week when he can be out of the office.... has been impossible. I think the girls had kind of given up hope at this point. But, they are the perfect ages... Baby still believes in the characters but is finally tall enough to ride the real rides, and Kid is old enough to enjoy the roller coasters but is still willing to go on the little kid rides and wait in line for autographs. So going now will mean we don't have to split up and spend our family vacation in two separate ride lines the whole time! Plus, (serious bonus) Baby is still small enough to pass for a 3 year old... so... guess who doesn't need a park admissions?! (I think God will forgive us) That shaves $300 off our trip... and next year... I don't think we'd be able to pull that off.
I just booked our hotel... and we're... (gulp)... going to drive. Mr F's work benefit is the free car & gas, so we just couldn't get around it when trying to make this trip affordable. Driving for two straight days there and back?! Yeah, I'm not really looking forward to it, but at this point, there is no denying we are a long haul driving kind of family and the kids are used to it. So, we'll make it through. Plus, it saves us the $1200+++ to fly.
We're going back to the same off-site hotel we stayed at a couple years back. It's an all suites hotel, with free parking, really nice pools (including kiddie pool, water slide, and life guard), and it's close to WDW. In fact we found we got to the parks faster driving then we did staying on-site and taking Disney transportation. We're staying at the Caribe Royale, and we totally recommend it. The rooms are massive compared to on-site, and I'd say it's at least as nice as the deluxe level Disney resorts, yet, you can get a one bedroom suite for less than $100/night. We got a corporate deal, but you can easily find reduced rates for this resort, just keep your eyes open. We were shocked at how nice it was, and what you could get for the price, compared with the Disney resorts... however... you need a car to make staying here worthwhile.
We are extremely excited to be going back. We are so happy that Mr F could take the time off, and that we'll have 9 days together just relaxing (well Disney's not exactly relaxing...) and having fun. I can't remember the last time (ever?!) that Mr F took this long of a vacation with us. I think it'll be a great time for the kids.
FYI, So far the trip is running us about $1650 (hotel, WDW parking at parks, WDW admission for 6 days w/ park hopper). Food and motels for our drive & food at the park is not included... I can't remember what we spent last time, but I think we did our food for $400 the whole trip... I'll keep our receipts and let you know. In comparison our WDW hotel quotes had us (even at a moderate resort ... which sucks compared to where we'll be) at around $3000 for this length of stay.
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10 comments:
Woo-Hoo!!!!!!!! We've been debating and debating...but no disney for us this year. :( Next time we go will definitely be during the holidays though..last time we went was around halloween so we saw all the halloween decorations. Would LOVE to see the christmas displays! Have a blast!!!
you have motivated me, i keep trying to sit down and plan out our vacations and have yet to do
It makes the trip a little longer. But you're always welcome to stay here. I could squeeze you in I think!
Yay!! I love Disney. We took the kids twice; once when they were 8 and 10, and once when they were 11 and 13. It was awesome both times. You can kind of appreciate it for different things depending on everyone's age. Glad you have something so fun to look forward too!!
Awesome awesome awesome. I hope you guys have a riot! May you weather The Parade Of Idiots (aka other tourists) with grace and ease!
Tell Mr. F that the drunks at Around The Keg demand a pic of him wearing Mickey ears in a mildly shameful pose as close as he can get to Cinderella or Snow White. Do not ask us why.
Smitty,
"a pic of him wearing Mickey ears in a mildly shameful pose as close as he can get to Cinderella or Snow White"
It will be my pleasure to procure that for you. I don't even need to know why.
Awesome Mrs. F! You gave me some Disney advice a few months ago and were right on the money (The Unofficial Guide was so helpful!). I'm sure you guys will have a great time.
I want to go to Disney so bad, but I'm waiting for the kids to be a little older I want to enjoy the time with out whining oh hell who am I kidding I'll probably whine a few times. Have fun can't wait to hear about it.
We are going before Christmas this year. Last time we went it was in August, so I am looking forward to the weather not being as hot.
We went with staying on-site because the meal plan was free. I hate to admit it, but I probably enjoyed the eating as much as anything else there.
Steves,
The meal plan is awesome!! You definitely get your money's worth. Especially if you do character meals. They wasn't doing the free meal plan the week we could go (of course)... or we'd have stayed on-site.
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