Hey everyone!
Can't believe I have been away from The Dibb since the end of August!
In my defence, was at a point where nothing really needed to be done and we were nearing the end of a stressful 18 month house move process - yuck. Thankfully we are now settled in our new home and I have been able to really shift gears in my Orlando planning!
Never done any kind of report on here before and I will say it now, although my intentions will be good, will see if a full blown trip report materialises later in the year! With such legends as mkingdon, bambikate and stewboy to attempt to follow, I fear I will fall at the next hurdle...
So in brief, the participants of this 1st -15th November trip are myself, Gemma, 35 will be 36 when we go (OMG I can't even read that without cringeing) and 7th trip, DH Mark, 38 will be 39 and trip no 3 and DD Daisy 3 will be 4 and her very first visit!
Truth be told I did used to reside in the camp of 'I won't take my child until they are at least 8, cost, remembering blah blah blah' but after a trip to CBeebiesLand and seeing her excitement at meeting Oopsy Daisy and Iggle Piggle (and if you know neither then I warn you it may get harder here on in...) well I caved - plus I was in withdrawal as our last trip was for my 30th in 2010 and we had cancelled a December 2011 trip as I was pregnant - had got my Candlelight Processional reservations for Whoopi Goldberg and everything *sniff*
After some persuasion (largely, 'We're only going with BA or Virgin, I need extra leg room, can we afford it?) I basically answered 'yes darling' to all the above and booked it!
We went for Virgin PE flights via Charter Travel staying at AKL with free DDP package, $200 gift card and the 14 day Ultimate tickets /free Memory Maker. I was quite keen to try an Epcot resort hotel like Beach Club but as DH response was 'No, I want Daisy to see the animals every day' AKL it was.
I have now achieved the following which is my main reason for getting back to the ways of The Dibb!:-
1. Linked reservation to MDE (reason for seemingly unnecessary delay? Disney had an extra letter in our surname, hence never finding reservation even with correct reference number!)
2. Purchased travel insurance including existing illness cover (not too much more as just my asthma and DH has seen a specialist about neck pain a few months ago, thankfully now discharged ) NB I did look for quotes when we booked holiday, but so many companies wouldn't quote until travel dates within 12 months, has this always been the case?!
3. Chosen magic band colours and names (as this is first time taking DD 3, we have decided to stick with Mummy and Daddy and she informed me I must be pink like hers - Daddy originally had a garish orange but with some gentle persuasion currently has grey..and yes he does prefer this
4. Gotten well under way with saving to pay balance in August and have enough spending money to feel sufficiently guilty when shopping for new clothes...
5. Booked stay at Premier Inn night before travel complete with parking and meal deal for both adults (went for Manor Royal at Gatwick in the end and thought may as well pay for meal deal whilst I have the cash - those Thyme menus are fab!)
6. Paid deposit with Floridatix for Universal 2 day bonus tickets - got them to price match Travel Republic who were the cheapest I saw plus get their freebies and the beauty of balance not being due until 35 days before travel, hoorah (also last time we went had those vouchers we had to exchange at will call so great to have actual tickets this time - although whether I will think that when I panic I will forget to pack them is another matter!
7. ESTAs all paid for and approval confirmed - and what kind of essays do you have to complete for these now?! Good grief!
So all in all, in a very good Florida place at the mo - plus we took our DD on her first flight in October to Mallorca as a bit of a test run and she loved it
Will keep you updated with any progress I make from here on in - so next post probably not until that magical 180 day mark then!
See you real soon folks and thank you for reading, someone? Anyone? ...
