swampfox28
12-13-2009, 08:20 PM
Well, I don't know how long I'll get to write this as my DH is bathing our little one and my 12 year old is practicing his flute, but it's been almost a month since we left (3 weeks since we've been back) and I STILL hadn't checked in w/ my Intercot pals, so I thought I'd try and give you guys who are planning (or wishing and dreaming) the scoop on our AWESOME vacation.
Our family consists of myself (34), DH (43), DS (12) and DD (5). Our last trip to WDW was almost 3 years ago when DD was just 2 and DS was 9 turning 10. That time we were able to go on his birthday, so I thought it was really cool that THIS time it worked out where we were going to celebrate our DD's birthday (she turned 5 right after we returned).
We **LOVE** WDW (but hate hot/humid weather and crowds) so we generally go in early Nov or Dec OR in early Jan or Feb (excluding holidays). I've always thought early Dec. was the best time to go, but after this trip I think I'm going to change that to early/mid November. It was just PERFECT!!!!!!! It was SO uncrowded that we almost never had to wait long for rides. Yes, I strategically used Fastpasses and planned to go to parks that were supposed to be less crowded, and I do think that helped, but honestly until the Friday night and Saturday before Thanksgiving, it just WASN'T that crowded!!!!
The fun thing about THIS trip was that we kept it a surprise from the kids and didn't tell them until we were on our way to the airport. I gave them each a box to open that told them where we were going and they were SO shocked; I can't believe we were able to keep the secret!
We planned the trip with MJ's and were NOT disappointed; it was so care-free and easy. We had free dining (which was cheaper than using the pin code I had been sent in the mail for 40% off as our son (12) is considered an "adult", so it was 3 adults + 1 child as far as tickets and food went.
Although I'd love to try a fancier hotel in theory, we stayed at the POFQ again because the price is right and honestly, I CANNOT say enough nice things about the place. It's CLEAN, it's QUIET, it's SO PRETTY the staff is AWESOME - I can go on and on and on (if you want more accolades, please PM me - I adore the place!)
What was also nice (I sound like a commercial, don't I?!?!) is that the weather was perfect; cool in the mornings and warm-ish in the afternoons (but never HOT). It was clear and sunny almost everyday, too!
We flew into MCO via Southwest (direct flight from New Orleans) and got to our hotel via the free Disney transportation. We were able to go to our rooms, freshen up, and hit the parks by 4 pm (yay!)
I had booked us dinner at CRT as a special "first night" thing (we've never eaten there before). It was really fun to try once; the food was good, we saw (and took pics with) Cinderella, and we even saw the mice and the fairy Godmother. They sprinkled cute confetti on the table for my DD's B'day (fun!) All in all, however, I don't think I'd do it again as 2 credits per person is a lot to spend and I'd rather use them at 2 awesome restaurants instead of just one. (But it was fun to try once!)
(Cont'd in following post(s))
Our family consists of myself (34), DH (43), DS (12) and DD (5). Our last trip to WDW was almost 3 years ago when DD was just 2 and DS was 9 turning 10. That time we were able to go on his birthday, so I thought it was really cool that THIS time it worked out where we were going to celebrate our DD's birthday (she turned 5 right after we returned).
We **LOVE** WDW (but hate hot/humid weather and crowds) so we generally go in early Nov or Dec OR in early Jan or Feb (excluding holidays). I've always thought early Dec. was the best time to go, but after this trip I think I'm going to change that to early/mid November. It was just PERFECT!!!!!!! It was SO uncrowded that we almost never had to wait long for rides. Yes, I strategically used Fastpasses and planned to go to parks that were supposed to be less crowded, and I do think that helped, but honestly until the Friday night and Saturday before Thanksgiving, it just WASN'T that crowded!!!!
The fun thing about THIS trip was that we kept it a surprise from the kids and didn't tell them until we were on our way to the airport. I gave them each a box to open that told them where we were going and they were SO shocked; I can't believe we were able to keep the secret!
We planned the trip with MJ's and were NOT disappointed; it was so care-free and easy. We had free dining (which was cheaper than using the pin code I had been sent in the mail for 40% off as our son (12) is considered an "adult", so it was 3 adults + 1 child as far as tickets and food went.
Although I'd love to try a fancier hotel in theory, we stayed at the POFQ again because the price is right and honestly, I CANNOT say enough nice things about the place. It's CLEAN, it's QUIET, it's SO PRETTY the staff is AWESOME - I can go on and on and on (if you want more accolades, please PM me - I adore the place!)
What was also nice (I sound like a commercial, don't I?!?!) is that the weather was perfect; cool in the mornings and warm-ish in the afternoons (but never HOT). It was clear and sunny almost everyday, too!
We flew into MCO via Southwest (direct flight from New Orleans) and got to our hotel via the free Disney transportation. We were able to go to our rooms, freshen up, and hit the parks by 4 pm (yay!)
I had booked us dinner at CRT as a special "first night" thing (we've never eaten there before). It was really fun to try once; the food was good, we saw (and took pics with) Cinderella, and we even saw the mice and the fairy Godmother. They sprinkled cute confetti on the table for my DD's B'day (fun!) All in all, however, I don't think I'd do it again as 2 credits per person is a lot to spend and I'd rather use them at 2 awesome restaurants instead of just one. (But it was fun to try once!)
(Cont'd in following post(s))