Travel Tuesday Tales: T-Minus 36 Days and Counting…

While our friend Brenda is enjoying her vacation in Walt Disney World, I thought I’d take today to provide a quick update to our Disney vacation planning. We leave for Disney World in 36 days, on December 30…and as always happens when you start planning so far in advance….I can’t believe that we’re about a month away!

I can’t believe it because I have quite a bit to do in the next month for this trip.

Oh yeah. And we’ve got a few holidays sprinkled in there as well. 🙂

First let’s start with an update to some previous plans: Instead of 4 going, there are now just 3, myself, my DH and our DD. So I have had a few changes to make in the past month or so, namely to all of our ADRs, and Candlelight Processional reservations.

I also have been regularly in touch with Disney Vacation Club (meaning *daily*), in the attempt to reduce the size of our accommodations from a 2 BR to a Studio or 1 BR. Knowing how crazy busy this week is at Disney, I’m not holding my breath, but it’s worth the try, so that we can save the points for another trip. (And isn’t that always the case: you start planning your next one before you leave on the current one? Or is that just me…. 🙂  ) In any event, currently we still have a 2 BR at Old Key West for the first two nights, and now have a 1 BR at Wilderness Lodge for the 2nd 2 nights. In addition to calling DVC, I’m also on the waitlist for something smaller, so we shall see what happens.

Now what is done so far?

  • Accommodations (well sort of): check.
  • Basic Disney Dining Plan added: check.
  • Advanced Dining Reservations for all dinners: check.
  • Flights booked: check.

And what needs to be done in the next few weeks?

  • Tickets ordered: To Do!
  • Magical Express contacted: To Do!
  • Parking/transportation to and from airport: To Do!
  • Check park hours: To Do!
  • Any additional tours/meals/events booked: Research, maybe yes, maybe no.
  • Check luggage situation and replace some suitcases: Research, but probably To Do!
  • Check for new comfy walking shoes for me: Oh definitely To Do!!!!

This is, of course, in addition to getting ready for Christmas. Yeah, it’s gonna be a fun month! 🙂

Now you may notice that I don’t really have any itinerary planning on here, and I will say that is a benefit of many trips: for us at this point, we don’t worry about this as much as we would if we were still fairly new to Walt Disney World. Plus, and this is a biggie: there will be lots of crowds, and so we have learned that flexibility will be key during our time there over New Years. We have a few favorites at each park, and certainly know where we will be each evening (we decided that when making our ADRs). Beyond that, once I see the hours for each park, and see when the Holiday events will be ending, then we will narrow it down to which park we’ll go to each morning, and we’ll chat about if there are any Must-Sees for anyone on this trip. That will be about it for itinerary planning for this Disney vacation for us. (Note: it really helps here that we are 3 adults, so no little one meltdowns if we just can’t see something…..)

This weekend, DD will be home from college 🙂  so we’ll have a chance to talk a bit about if there are any extra things anyone wants to do, like doing a tour or something like that. We also need to decide if we want to get Park Hoppers for 4 days or 5, so I can order them from Undercover Tourist. And then I need to call Disney to arrange for Magical Express.

Oh, and before Black Friday, I’ll be looking at our suitcase situation, and my shoe situation, both of which are apparently necessary purchases….

And that will be it then, for a few weeks, as I get ready for Christmas………

…….until I start obsessing about the weather forecast. 🙂

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7 thoughts on “Travel Tuesday Tales: T-Minus 36 Days and Counting…

  • November 23, 2010 at 9:26 am
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    Hi, Nancy! Great article! We’re at 18 days and counting, so my list is similar to yours! One thing, and since you’ve been on the phone with DVC you probably know this, but I made our DME arrangements yesterday, and then read a thread over at Mouseowners.com that some DVC reservation confirmation #s had changed with the recent system enhancements. Sure enough- my number was totally different. So now I’ll be on the phone this morning switching the number for the DME folks. Not a big deal, but a bit of a pain. Anyway- just a heads-up! Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply
    • November 23, 2010 at 10:38 am
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      Ahhh Amy thanks for the heads up! I haven’t paid any real attention to the confirmation #s yet, as I haven’t gotten anything that we can change to, so it hadn’t come up. I figured once our 31 day cut-off passed and I know for sure where we will be staying, then I’ll be scheduling DME…and for sure would have used the wrong numbers. 🙂 I appreciate you letting me know!! And Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!!

      Reply
  • November 23, 2010 at 11:27 pm
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    I just love this stage in the planning!! I will have to admit I never had to do that and Christmas at the same time..how much fun!! I cannot wait to hear about the crowds and such at that time of year. Enjoy!

    Reply
  • November 24, 2010 at 10:05 am
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    Boy, Nancy, when you cover for me you really cover for me. Great article!!! I didn’t even need to feel guilty for not writing while I am at WDW.
    I am really enjoying my trip — which you will read all about soon!!! Have a
    great day!

    Reply
    • November 24, 2010 at 9:50 pm
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      So glad you are having fun Brenda! We’ll be looking forward to hearing about your trip!

      Reply
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