Other Places, Other Worlds - August 2016

[Leyfy]

Welcome to the pre-trip for our latest Florida adventure!

Previous trips include:

52 Bacon Rolls - December 2013 to January 2014
Strike That, Reverse It! - August 2015
It Must Be Believed to Be Seen! - December 2015 to January 2016

So... You may have gathered from that little list that we like Florida... A lot

Who's 'we'? For those that have not followed our previous adventures, this is us:



Kim & Phil - that was us on our trip last August.

(I'm hoping Phil's daft haircut won't make a return appearance for this trip! )

Mostly we like rollercoasters, chilling out and taking in the atmosphere with a few drinks. I also like taking photos:









Last year I saw the free DDP plan offer, discussed it with Phil and tentatively put down a deposit for 5 nights at the Boardwalk Inn. We love the Epcot resort area, having previously stayed at the Yacht Club, but that hotel was coming out really expensive because of the renovation work going on. So, the seeds of this trip were sown...

How did I name the trippie?

In January I was sat round my sister's house at a family birthday do and we were discussing our plans for the summer. Having just returned from Orlando three weeks previously, I mentioned we'd booked for the summer again. In fact... I'd booked it the previous April with the free DDP offer, so before the Christmas trip had even happened

My sister (who works in business travel but has never been to Orlando) said 'There are other places in the world, you know' when I mentioned we were off to Orlando again.

(I should add - the same sister who has just got back from her umpteenth visit to their timeshare in the Canary Islands! )

I kind of rolled my eyes and gritted my teeth (I'm sure we've all had these conversations) and said I've visited many other countries but we both like Orlando etc, etc. Anyway, the less people who like Orlando, the less people I have to do the '8am EMH Power Walk to Space Mountain' past - right?!

However, on this occasion, we are
visiting 'other places and other worlds' because we've thrown in 7 nights here:



Yes - a Disney Cruise! Having never been on a cruise before this has opened up a *whole* world of planning! Palo/Remi - formal/semi-formal! Eeeek!

Luckily for us for the first time EVER we are flying BA Clubworld there (and PE back) so we have enough luggage allowance! After flying economy for our past three Orlando trips (and one to New York recently) we are both quite excited about this! I am also planning on taking my gym kit as I want to do the Castaway Cay 5k run - although looking at the food on offer I'll be lucky if I manage that one!

So, what is booked so far?

Thursday 11th August
Hilton at Gatwick

Friday 12th August
11.10am flight with BA and arrive at Orlando. Check into Royal Pacific Resort at Universal

Monday 14th August
Move to Boardwalk Inn until Saturday. We have ADRs booked at Yachtsman, Chefs De France and California Grill

Saturday 20th August
7 night Western Caribbean Cruise on the Disney Fantasy. Visiting Mexico, Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Castaway Cay. Apparently we have a 'Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator's Verandah' - I have no idea if that is good/bad! Feel like a total DCL newbie!

Saturday 27th August
Arrive back at Port Canaveral and fly home - boo!

So, that's our plan so far! Eagerly counting down the days to fastpass day on booking our bits and bobs for the cruise. We are definitely going to do a few of the sightseeing tours.

So, that's it for the moment but I will update as soon!

Thanks for reading



UPDATE 10/06/16: Cruise excursions now booked!
UPDATE 19/06/16: Fastpasses and Disney plan now complete!
UPDATE 18/07/16: A few bits I forgot to do (whoops!), plans for the night before and onboard the plane

[jorm35]

Sounds amazing - I'd love to do the cruise, maybe one day... 😀

[Leyfy]

Originally Posted by jorm35

Sounds amazing - I'd love to do the cruise, maybe one day... 😀

See more...

I spent quite a lot of time at the weekend researching the cruise part (being a cruise newby!) and am getting more and more excited about it ☺️

[fudgie]

Sounds good. I really enjoy reading your trippies and love your photos

[JanetteP]

Sounds lovely, fabulous photos too ☺

[Col&Ali]

Sounds great Kim Looking forward to reading along x

[cd900]

Sounds great! Looking forward to reading. Also counting down to August... Getting close to the ddd!

[Leyfy]

Thanks for reading everyone! 12 days to go until DDD

I'm off to Disneyland Paris on a school trip in a few weeks. I'm planning on bringing back a lot of heavy house stuff (glasses/plates etc) I always would love to bring back from Orlando but can never fit in my bag!

Phil has asked me to look out for a football-style shirt - he thinks you're more likely to find one at DLP. I also want a couple of Disneyland Paris branded vests to wear for Orlando as well.

[WifeyB]

Your photos are gorgeous and your plans are amazing! I'd love to add a cruise one day!

Have a great time at DLP

[Pumba75]

Great plans. 2 little Pumbas looking forward to reading all about the cruise!