We decided in July of 2012 that we would do Disney World for Christmas 2015. You see, July 2012 marked the first trip for myself, my husband, and our 2 year old son to Walt Disney World (WDW). Having grown up in California, we have done a lot of Disneyland (I will leave the rest of those details for another time and place). Our families never made it to Disney World. We decided after 7 years of marriage and a child, we were ready to take the plunge and plan the trip to WDW. So, we packed up our son and flew across the country. The trip was amazing. To the point that we couldn't believe we hadn't done it before. While at Epot, on a particularly humid July afternoon, we were drawn to the Disney Vacation Club booth which happened to be right next to a splash pad for our son to play. After listening to the initial pitch and set up a meeting with a sales rep, we decided to invest in DVC. Again another story for another time, but let's just say that initial purchase has changed our lives and the lives of our children.
So anyway, that planned Christmas trip seemed like a lifetime away. Our oldest son was just 2 and I was pregnant with our second son. We chose Christmas 2015, because our oldest would be (is now!) in school by then and getting away during the year would be impossible, also our soon to have been baby would be 3. Well the time is upon us. We booked our reservation in January. That's right people, January 2015 for a trip that is in December 2015. You see, we have Disney Vacation Club (DVC) and our home resort is Animal Kingdom Lodge in WDW. I am someone that always overplays and over prepares. Think too much food a barbecue, planning vacations well in advance, all those fears rolled into one have become this trip to WDW. Like most parents (especially over planning moms!) you just want it all to be perfect.
Let me bring you up to speed on what we have done so far, we were up at 4 am to make room reservations, everything operates on East Coast time. I worked summer school to pay for admission tickets, the cost of this trip is about double the last one. We had to buy four meal plans, four admission tickets, and four airline tickets. The last trip, our oldest son was two, he got in for free and ate off our plates. Fast forward to 180 days before arrival. I have heard of people going to Disney World during particularly busy times (think Christmas, 4th of July) without dining reservations and not being able to get in anywhere. Then, I have heard of people walking right in to some of the most coveted restaurants. Well see above about my over planning and concern for things not working out. Needless to say, I had a spread sheet and we made reservations 180 days out. It worked out, we got a lot of great reservations. One thing I really love about WDW versus Disneyland is the meal plans. We can do character dining at no additional cost.
So here was are about 120 days on a trip that our whole family is very excited about. At this point I am trying to decide if we want to add an in room celebration for a little extra magic (and a lot of extra money) to celebrate Christmas away from home. Stay tuned for what we decided. I have included some of my favorite pictures from that first trip that started it all. :)
So anyway, that planned Christmas trip seemed like a lifetime away. Our oldest son was just 2 and I was pregnant with our second son. We chose Christmas 2015, because our oldest would be (is now!) in school by then and getting away during the year would be impossible, also our soon to have been baby would be 3. Well the time is upon us. We booked our reservation in January. That's right people, January 2015 for a trip that is in December 2015. You see, we have Disney Vacation Club (DVC) and our home resort is Animal Kingdom Lodge in WDW. I am someone that always overplays and over prepares. Think too much food a barbecue, planning vacations well in advance, all those fears rolled into one have become this trip to WDW. Like most parents (especially over planning moms!) you just want it all to be perfect.
Let me bring you up to speed on what we have done so far, we were up at 4 am to make room reservations, everything operates on East Coast time. I worked summer school to pay for admission tickets, the cost of this trip is about double the last one. We had to buy four meal plans, four admission tickets, and four airline tickets. The last trip, our oldest son was two, he got in for free and ate off our plates. Fast forward to 180 days before arrival. I have heard of people going to Disney World during particularly busy times (think Christmas, 4th of July) without dining reservations and not being able to get in anywhere. Then, I have heard of people walking right in to some of the most coveted restaurants. Well see above about my over planning and concern for things not working out. Needless to say, I had a spread sheet and we made reservations 180 days out. It worked out, we got a lot of great reservations. One thing I really love about WDW versus Disneyland is the meal plans. We can do character dining at no additional cost.
So here was are about 120 days on a trip that our whole family is very excited about. At this point I am trying to decide if we want to add an in room celebration for a little extra magic (and a lot of extra money) to celebrate Christmas away from home. Stay tuned for what we decided. I have included some of my favorite pictures from that first trip that started it all. :)