Kristin5
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2012
After visiting California (specifically Disneyland) on many occasions, we are taking a giant leap into the unknown when we finally get to Florida & WDW next year. (And by next year, I mean the end of next year...yep, it's still 17 months away!!!)
It will be me, DH and DS (who will be 9 when we travel). We have twice taken DS to Disneyland - on both occasions he has celebrated his birthday there (and it has been Halloween time at DL). We went last year, and had originally planned to go to WDW then...until Carsland opened, and DS was so desperate to go and see it. Well, that box has now been ticked (and enjoyed!), so now it is onto WDW for our next big trip.
In the past, DS has enjoyed the atmosphere and the characters rather than the rides (it is DH and I who love the rides!), but at 9, that might change a little.
Anyway, a rundown of our plans so far...
We are planning a Christmas/ny holiday. I think to spend Christmas at Disney is something so magical, and DS will really enjoy it. Also, our 10th wedding anniversary falls on NYE 2015. Originally, I wanted to spend NYE in New York (that is where we got engaged), but the cost at that time is astronomical and I think, realistically, DS isn't going to appreciate waiting around for hours on end just to see the ball drop. Practically, it is a good time for each of us to get away from work/school too, so that has been part of the reason for the timing.
We are also going to include a trip to Denver, and hopefully see a football game. We will have to book before the schedule comes out, we think, so our fingers will be crossed that our timing coincides with a home game for the Broncos. Regardless, DH wants to show DS around Denver, as he lived there for a year 2 decades ago. We did go to Denver on last year's trip too, but we literally flew in just for a football game then flew straight back to DL the same day! (We must be mad!!!) Even if we're not there for a live game, we'll be able to watch it on tv somewhere with fellow Broncos fans - which will be enough to satisfy DH
Then we will fly to WDW and will spend a couple of weeks there. We are hoping that free dining will be available (it is for the same time this year). We plan to stay at POP Century. We were looking at a few different on-site hotels, and I have also looked into renting DVC points (AKV) but the time of year we are going is very expensive (and booking DVC is so inflexible, and has to be done so far in advance), and I think POP will meet all of our needs anyway. DS is a bit of a history buff, and I think he will get a kick out of the retro stuff at POP. We were originally going to spend all 14 nights at WDW, and do a tour to Universal for 1 day - however, I have looked into it, and realised that we'd need at least 2 days at Universal (at that time of year), so have decided on a split stay, with the final 3 nights at the Hyatt Place Universal. We also plan on going to Kennedy Space Center (DS enjoys astronomy too, as do I).
We will be at WDW for Christmas Day. I think we might go to Hollywood Studios that day (which will be day 9 for us at WDW) and will try to book an ADR for a fantasmic dinner package (I am thinking of choosing Hollywood & Vine).
After WDW, we plan to go to Washington, to see the White House. I know we need to book a tour through a congressperson, so we will be sure to get onto that (but a request still gives no guarantees - all we can do is try, I guess). Several months ago, we asked DS where he'd like to live if we moved to the USA (DH always dreams about moving over there). Of course, we thought he'd say a state or city, such as Denver, LA, California, etc. but his answer was "the White House of course!" So now it is a must-see for DS. We will probably do a hop-on, hop-off type tour, to see all of the main landmarks. I have always wanted to go to Arlington cemetery (having a keen interest in the history of the Kennedy family), so that is another must-do, as well as the Smithsonian. We will be in Washington for NYE.
Then it is onto NYC. DS is so excited, especially to see the Statue of Liberty. DH and I want to go to the 9/11 memorial (I found it very emotional when we were there in 2005, but this time, the new memorial & museum will be completed, and we are eager to see it). DH would like to go to Madison Square Gardens to see a basketball game and if we don't get to see a NFL game in Denver, we will try to get to one in NY. DH also wants to take DS to see the restaurant from Seinfeld (which we went and saw last time too), and of course we'll go to the Empire State Building, Times Square, Rockefeller Plaza, etc. This is probably where we'll do our outlet shopping too (Jersey Gardens) as it's the end of our trip, so we can add an extra bag here.
So our dates are:
12/12/2015 Melbourne - Denver
15/12 Denver - Orlando
29/12 Orlando - Washington
1/1/2016 Washington - NYC
6/1 NYC - Melbourne
(We could add on some days in NYC if it makes a difference to airfares - though I looked it up today and it actually made it more expensive, so at the moment we'll stick with what we've got).
My questions then are about WDW, and will I really have to book exactly 6 months out if we want ADR's? If so, which ADR's do you recommend? We are pretty casual diners, with quick service suiting us (especially DS and DH who are both fussy, and basic, eaters), but a couple of nice meals might be good. Are there any other packages/events which we should try to see/do? And at DL, we ate at Downtown Disney a couple of times (eg Rainforest cafe) - do these also need to be pre-booked at WDW?
We were thinking of going to Mickey's Christmas Party (we went to the Halloween party at DL), but I have read that if we are there Christmas week (which we are) then we needn't bother as the parade and fireworks are on at MK that week anyway, as part of general admission.
Not sure if I've missed anything, but feel free to chime in with suggestions of what we should see and do during this trip to the east coast (which is mostly unfamiliar territory).
Oh, one more thing - should we get park hoppers? Initially I thought no, as I know that the parks aren't close (unlike DL), but then I thought maybe we should as it offers more flexibility to do one park in the morning and another in the afternoon/evening. But now, I think I have changed my mind again, as if it's so busy, perhaps when we get to a park, we need to stay there (and find a show or something to do in the park which allows for a little respite/relaxation time, if there is such a thing?)
Also, I have planned on 3 days in MK, 3 days at DHS, and then 2 in AK and 2 in Epcot (previously, I had it as 3 days in each of the parks, except for AK which we'd only go to for 1 day - but I have read a bit more and think we will probably like the rides at AK so might want to do that twice). Do any of you have a preference for a particular park?
Sorry this is so long...I do like to talk!
It will be me, DH and DS (who will be 9 when we travel). We have twice taken DS to Disneyland - on both occasions he has celebrated his birthday there (and it has been Halloween time at DL). We went last year, and had originally planned to go to WDW then...until Carsland opened, and DS was so desperate to go and see it. Well, that box has now been ticked (and enjoyed!), so now it is onto WDW for our next big trip.
In the past, DS has enjoyed the atmosphere and the characters rather than the rides (it is DH and I who love the rides!), but at 9, that might change a little.
Anyway, a rundown of our plans so far...
We are planning a Christmas/ny holiday. I think to spend Christmas at Disney is something so magical, and DS will really enjoy it. Also, our 10th wedding anniversary falls on NYE 2015. Originally, I wanted to spend NYE in New York (that is where we got engaged), but the cost at that time is astronomical and I think, realistically, DS isn't going to appreciate waiting around for hours on end just to see the ball drop. Practically, it is a good time for each of us to get away from work/school too, so that has been part of the reason for the timing.
We are also going to include a trip to Denver, and hopefully see a football game. We will have to book before the schedule comes out, we think, so our fingers will be crossed that our timing coincides with a home game for the Broncos. Regardless, DH wants to show DS around Denver, as he lived there for a year 2 decades ago. We did go to Denver on last year's trip too, but we literally flew in just for a football game then flew straight back to DL the same day! (We must be mad!!!) Even if we're not there for a live game, we'll be able to watch it on tv somewhere with fellow Broncos fans - which will be enough to satisfy DH
Then we will fly to WDW and will spend a couple of weeks there. We are hoping that free dining will be available (it is for the same time this year). We plan to stay at POP Century. We were looking at a few different on-site hotels, and I have also looked into renting DVC points (AKV) but the time of year we are going is very expensive (and booking DVC is so inflexible, and has to be done so far in advance), and I think POP will meet all of our needs anyway. DS is a bit of a history buff, and I think he will get a kick out of the retro stuff at POP. We were originally going to spend all 14 nights at WDW, and do a tour to Universal for 1 day - however, I have looked into it, and realised that we'd need at least 2 days at Universal (at that time of year), so have decided on a split stay, with the final 3 nights at the Hyatt Place Universal. We also plan on going to Kennedy Space Center (DS enjoys astronomy too, as do I).
We will be at WDW for Christmas Day. I think we might go to Hollywood Studios that day (which will be day 9 for us at WDW) and will try to book an ADR for a fantasmic dinner package (I am thinking of choosing Hollywood & Vine).
After WDW, we plan to go to Washington, to see the White House. I know we need to book a tour through a congressperson, so we will be sure to get onto that (but a request still gives no guarantees - all we can do is try, I guess). Several months ago, we asked DS where he'd like to live if we moved to the USA (DH always dreams about moving over there). Of course, we thought he'd say a state or city, such as Denver, LA, California, etc. but his answer was "the White House of course!" So now it is a must-see for DS. We will probably do a hop-on, hop-off type tour, to see all of the main landmarks. I have always wanted to go to Arlington cemetery (having a keen interest in the history of the Kennedy family), so that is another must-do, as well as the Smithsonian. We will be in Washington for NYE.
Then it is onto NYC. DS is so excited, especially to see the Statue of Liberty. DH and I want to go to the 9/11 memorial (I found it very emotional when we were there in 2005, but this time, the new memorial & museum will be completed, and we are eager to see it). DH would like to go to Madison Square Gardens to see a basketball game and if we don't get to see a NFL game in Denver, we will try to get to one in NY. DH also wants to take DS to see the restaurant from Seinfeld (which we went and saw last time too), and of course we'll go to the Empire State Building, Times Square, Rockefeller Plaza, etc. This is probably where we'll do our outlet shopping too (Jersey Gardens) as it's the end of our trip, so we can add an extra bag here.
So our dates are:
12/12/2015 Melbourne - Denver
15/12 Denver - Orlando
29/12 Orlando - Washington
1/1/2016 Washington - NYC
6/1 NYC - Melbourne
(We could add on some days in NYC if it makes a difference to airfares - though I looked it up today and it actually made it more expensive, so at the moment we'll stick with what we've got).
My questions then are about WDW, and will I really have to book exactly 6 months out if we want ADR's? If so, which ADR's do you recommend? We are pretty casual diners, with quick service suiting us (especially DS and DH who are both fussy, and basic, eaters), but a couple of nice meals might be good. Are there any other packages/events which we should try to see/do? And at DL, we ate at Downtown Disney a couple of times (eg Rainforest cafe) - do these also need to be pre-booked at WDW?
We were thinking of going to Mickey's Christmas Party (we went to the Halloween party at DL), but I have read that if we are there Christmas week (which we are) then we needn't bother as the parade and fireworks are on at MK that week anyway, as part of general admission.
Not sure if I've missed anything, but feel free to chime in with suggestions of what we should see and do during this trip to the east coast (which is mostly unfamiliar territory).
Oh, one more thing - should we get park hoppers? Initially I thought no, as I know that the parks aren't close (unlike DL), but then I thought maybe we should as it offers more flexibility to do one park in the morning and another in the afternoon/evening. But now, I think I have changed my mind again, as if it's so busy, perhaps when we get to a park, we need to stay there (and find a show or something to do in the park which allows for a little respite/relaxation time, if there is such a thing?)
Also, I have planned on 3 days in MK, 3 days at DHS, and then 2 in AK and 2 in Epcot (previously, I had it as 3 days in each of the parks, except for AK which we'd only go to for 1 day - but I have read a bit more and think we will probably like the rides at AK so might want to do that twice). Do any of you have a preference for a particular park?
Sorry this is so long...I do like to talk!