James 1st trip - Xmas 2012

[sammi71]

The xmas trip started its planning stages back in January. We had just come back from 2 weeks at Regal Palms that included getting married at Cocoa Beach. I happened to mention that I would love to take James (our youngest ds, who hadn’t come with us this time) for xmas. I love Disney at xmas, we had had a xmas trip to Disneyland Paris in 2010 and it had been really special. Hubby then said that as he didn’t really want to do 2 weeks of the mouse, why didn’t I take James on my own. After many ‘are you sure’s’ and ‘do you not mind’. It was decided. Two weeks over xmas.

This will be my second trip and James first, he hasn’t flown since he was toddler and doesn’t remember it so have been prepping him with what happens. I have brought him a trunki case for his hand luggage, also thought this would be handy for the wait at MCO at immigration.

I started looking on the internet for flights and hotels, wasn’t really fussed about a villa this time as it was just me and James. Found the Hawthorn Suites with Virgin, it came in at just over £2000 for us both and that included breakfast. This was for the 14th to the 28th flying from Gatwick to MCO. Was going to have the car with them as well as it said it was free(should have known better), then found out the insurance on a compact was more than we had paid on a Chevy Tahoe!

James suffers from ADHD and Aspergers so planning the days is paramount to me. I know it is a busy time of year (understatement of the year), so have been looking at ways to deal with this. I found a good deal for a pirate room at the Caribbean resort, so have booked this for 1 night. This enables us to use emh for 2 days. Am going to link this in with the Pirated League and the pirates and pal cruise.

I also booked Discovery Cove for Xmas day, it is something I have always wanted to do but with 5 of us going out last January we couldn’t afford to do it. I also feel it is something James will enjoy as he has no fear of water and loves going around lazy rivers and rapids.
I will also be booking 1 night in one of the Universal hotels so we can use the FOTLP passes, James is HP mad and not quite tall enough for all the big rides. My preference would be the Hard Rock Hotel as I am a total Music groupie, we ate in the Hard Rock Café for our oldest son’s 19th birthday in January and all the memorabilia around it is amazing.

We will be doing a lot of character meals as I find it gives James the time to meet all the characters without being rushed or feeling under pressure. Saving money on the breakfast has allowed me to put that bit more into the food fund.

I want to do MVMCP, candlelight processional, fantasmic dinner package, Seaworlds Santa Dinner and the Xmas family tour. I know it is quite a list but I don’t know when I will get xmas in Florida again. So at the moment I am awaiting the 1st of May so I can book MVMCP tickets and get everything planned.

This is really a special trip for me as I love having time with just James and me, plus xmas is such a special time of year, sprinkle it with Disney magic and it only gets better.

Adr's in Bold have been confirmed

Day 1 -Travel - v-room at Gatwick
Day 2 - Epcot, T-Rex, Dinner
Day 3 -Akerhaus Brekkie, Shopping, Crystal Palace, Lunch- MVMCP
Day 4 - DHS, Fantasmic Dinner Package, Mama Melrose
Day 5 - Magic Kingdom,Ohana's, Breakfast- LTT, Dinner-Pirates and Pals Cruise
Day 6 - Animal Kingdom Tusker House, Breakfast, Dine with Shamu, Dinner
Day 7 -Seaworld, Family fun at Xmas tour- Santa Fireside Feast(Seaworld)
Day 8 - Animal Kingdom, Epcot 1900 Park Fare, Breakfast, Candlelit Processional, Via Napoli
Day 9 - Universal Studios, The Kitchen,Dinner, HRH
Day 10 -Islands of Adventure, Rainforest Cafe, Dinner, DIBB Meet
Day 11 - CRT-Brekkie,Be our Guest- Dinner
Day 12 -Discovery Cove- Sanaa, Dinner, Sleigh Ride
Day 13 -Rose and Crown, Dinner
Day 14 - DHS - Hollywood & Vine, Breakfast- Sci Fi Diner, Dinner, Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party
Day 15 - Travel Home - Cape May Cafe - Breakfast

[shirley]

Good luck with your planning.

[tink3]

Sounds like you and James are going to have a lovely trip.

[torillien]

I still I wish I was able to come at Xmas too .. but Feb for me ... we'll have to organise it again for us all to go together (well the 4 of us anyway) Xmas 2010 was brilliant

[mrsbigbeak]

Good luck and happy planning x

[Fieryannie]

Sounds like you'll have a fab time! Happy Planning!

xxx

[sammi71]

Hooray made it to 1st May and MVMCP tickets have been booked for December 16th. Also had some good news this week, Be Our Guest will be open in time for Xmas.

Now to wait for June 18th, so I can start making my ADR's

[LDISNEYFOX]

Wow fantastic, just the two of you! James will have an incredible time.

Discovery Cove for Christmas Day! Brilliant!

Happy planning!

[sammi71]

Have paid the balance off in full today, so now just the wait to book adr's and plan the rest

[sammi71]

Our 1 night at the Hard Rock Hotel has been booked and paid for today, so all coming together. Park hours were out this week as well which has helped, now just the 1 month wait to make adr's. Hopefully will also have more news on Be Our Guest