It occurred to me a few months ago that it has been over three years since I've seen Walt Disney World in all it's surrealistic madness. I was actually pregnant w/ Nathan and it was January of 2004 so I guess you could say I am seriously jonesing for my Magic Kingdom fix! So we are planning a trip for Oct of next year and I am already just giddy with excitement. Most of you are aware of my semi-unhealthy love for Walt and all his kin (http://learnthebigapple.blogspot.com/2006/04/walt-and-me.html). The place is just necessary for my happiness, I think (that's a little exageration there people, don't worry).
Planning a vacation is always half the fun for me. Especially a Disneyworld vacation. So even though some people might find it a bit disturbing that I am already in midst of doing so, 300 days in advance, there it is. We are planning to take all three of our children who will then be ages 8, 4, and 1 yr. I would normally never encourage someone to take a baby to Disney, but I feel like somewhat of a veteran by now and am certain I can handle it just fine. The way I see it, the two older boys will keep each other busy and entertained and since we're going to stay on Disney Property (as always), taking the little one back to the hotel will not be a problem. Also, this will be our last chance to stay in a normal hotel room (one that sleeps four) because after the baby turns two, we won't qualify for those rooms anymore.
Disney Hotels are monstrous works of art, themed to their toes and full of every bit of the charm that resides in the parks. So picking one is also an adventure. Thus far I've been a guest at the Port Orleans French Quarter Hotel (our honeymoon choice in 1995), the Disney Institute Villa Treehouses (in 1996 and these are no longer in existence), The Port Orleans RIverside Resort (2003-a Dixie themed hotel adjoining the French Quarter w/ lush landscaping and rustic furnishings), The Villas at the Wilderness Lodge (2004-mountain themed resort w/ a fabulous lobby and a cozy log-cabin feel to the rooms), and The Boardwalk Villas (2001-New England style resort w/ a real boardwalk and within walking distance to EPCOT). I loved all of them but I wanted to try something different this time. So we're going to try the Animal Kingdom Villas since my sweet sister in law is letting us use her Disney Vacation Club points at a great rate.
The Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas are one of Disney's greatest themed hotels, styled after a rustic retreat on the African Savannah and surrounded by a 'real' wilderness and wild animals. The Lobby is absolutely stunning
as can be seen here,
and you can book rooms that overlook the surrounding 'savannah' so that you get to see giraffes and zebras feeding right outside your window. From what I hear, they also have night vision goggles available so that the wildlife can be seen at night when they're at their most active. The pool is designed to look a bit wild, like a natural hot spring of sorts, and the affect is really nice. I'm looking forward to visiting all my favorite haunts: The World Showcase at EPCOT (especially the Canada and Mexican pavilions), The Harambe Village at The Animal Kindom, Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom, The Tower of Terror at MGM. And also, I'm looking forward to seeing some of the new things that have been added since my last visit: Soarin' at EPCOT, Expedition Everest at the Animal Kingdom, The stunt show at MGM, and Jack Sparrow's likeness in The Pirates of the Carribean. I'll be starting my itinerary soon so that when it's completed, I can send it to my friends who'll be joining us. Then we can figure out what stuff we want to do as a group and what we want to do alone.
Anyhoo, that's enough rambling for now. Barring any unforseen problems, we'll be booking our trip in January. My brother and his kids are probably going to come, as are some dear friends of ours in Louisiana. But hey, why stop there? ALL of you guys should come along!
11 comments:
Oh, it sounds like so much fun. I want to go so bad.
How exciting! I still have never been. We are planning to go to DisneyLand in Cali this spring or summer. It's a yet-to-be-fulfilled childhood dream for me too. I would prefer WDW, but DL is smaller and we have friends in Cali, so it would actually be more affordable for us to go there instead. That sounds like exciting fun, your boys will have a blast!
I'm super excited that we'll all be there! You guys were with us on my first visit, and now you'll be with us for my third! We have the guy that we're working with on the points nailed down to a great price for some studios, and now we just have to wait for the contracts! YAY!!
Heather you totally should come! It would be so nice to meet you, and WHAT could be more fun than Disney with me and Ashley?!
Sarah,
So you're going w/ three studios instead of a 2br Villa? Great choice. Are you gonna try to 'split' your stay between BWV and AKV? That would be really awesome...but I understand if it might be a little too confusing.
I've got some other stuff to ask you about the Dining Plan and the Unofficial Guide...I'll email you.
Oh, and yeah Heddo. Disney w/ me and Sara is beyond fun! And did I mention that we do a girl night at Pleasure Island???
(And Sarah, did I mention that Mo might come after all? It'd be just like old times!)
Now that's a vacation I can get behind!
When we lived in California, Disneyland in Anaheim was a staple in our lives. I went there a dozen times growing up, it was my high school graduation trip, it was part of my honeymoon and we made almost a yearly pilgramage there up until the year we moved to Tennesee.
We've never been to the Florida resort but we've been talking about doing it since the moment we got here. The kids are nearly the perfect age now.
Turbo,
Let me know when yu want to go and I'llhelp you plan. I've got lots of info that may be useful if you haven't gone recently...lotsof people just make reservations and go w/ out 'preparing themselves' and that is such a mistake. Disneyworld is not SUPPOSED to be a relaxing vacation...haha. It requires strategy!
If you do decide to go, you will probably save money by driving to Nashville and flying Southwest out of here...it's almost always cheaper by a couple hundred bucks. We wait until right before we leave practically, to get the last minute airfare deals...sometimes 50.00 one way. nd the flight is easy for a child, only 1 hr 45 minutes or so.
I have wanted to go there for a million years. I wish the whole fam could go together. Sounds like soooo much fun.
So our friends that went to Bethel in July just called to see if we want to go to FL in a few weeks. The second week in Jan. Looks like I'm going to get to go after all. Just have to make sure they are willing to spend a few days at WDW. Is that a good time to go? We probably won't stay in the resort. I'm sure we'll get a condo. Do you think 2 days is enough to do Magic Kingdom and Epcot? We did Epcot and MGM in one day last time. It was pretty rushed. But there are some things that I really don't mind not seeing again this time. Even if we just did Magic Kingdom. Can that be done in a day? If we indeed do go can you help me start planning? I'll let you know as soon as I find out for sure.
Yes you can do EPCOT and MK in two days, easily. I hate to see you miss out on AK though, it's wonderful for the kids. January is a great time to go. We went then in 2004. It rained some, but was still plenty warm
If you get a chance to go sometime and stay on property, please do it. It makes all the difference in the world w/ your wait times on the rides, etc.
Feel free to email me for tips or with any questions.
Oh, and Heddo. The Unofficial Guide for WDW has touring plans for the parks. If you've only got two days and don't have the fastpass option, I'd definitely use them. You will be able to see everything that way.
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