Family First - Moved to August 2022 *updated first page*

[Em4owen]

Welcome to my pre-trippie take 3!
Hopefully this time we will actually get to go on our holiday! However even though we held on for as long as possible, Covid19 put a spanner in the works and we were forced to cancel and rebook for August 2021. That obviously got cancelled too so now we are crossing all fingers for August 2022.

Our plans have changed again with this new booking for 2022 due to flights but I'm so desperate to just get there, I don't mind!

We decided to follow a similar pattern though, with 7 nights at CBR, starting 13th August. I'm still desperate to stay here and then 7 days at a dibb villa but a different one as the one we had booked was unavailable. However the new one looks just as lovely.

Due to an increase in flight prices and limited in choices due to having AA vouchers, we ended up extending our holiday by 2 days flying into Miami on Friday 12th August and returning home on Monday 29th August. We're looking forward to chilling in the area, staying in Fort Lauderdale before driving in to Disney on the Saturday.

We have 14 day disney tickets and our 14 day Universal tickets from 2020 which have been transferred.

This is our first family holiday to Orlando hence the title. Myself and DH went for our honeymoon back in June 2007. We vowed we would come back, once we had a family, but didn’t think it would be quite so long nor be delayed for so long when we finally booked! We’ve been planning for and saving for this trip for around 5 years so it’s a really big deal to us. We’ve been to DLP twice in that time to help ease the wait and absolutely loved it.

In August 2021, we were lucky enough to go on one of the Disney Staycations which was absolutely incredible, despite the stress leading up to it! We didn't want to leave and it gave us the much needed Disney magic we had longed for.

Now for the introductions…

I’m Emma (38) and work full-time as a Primary Assistant Headteacher. This is my third trip report (my first two were for DLP) and I’m looking forward to dong this one although it’ll be a mammoth task in comparison! I love all things Disney but my faves are Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo and Pluto. I’m also a huge Harry Potter fan so can’t wait to go to Universal.

DH is Owen (39 turning 40 before we go) and is a Technician who fixes medical scopes like endoscopes. He loves planning just as much as me – we’re pretty as bad as each other. His loves Star Wars, all things Marvel and the Lion King and is also a Harry Potter geek like me.

DS1 is Hayden (8, turning 9 while we are away). He is absolutely obsessed with Star Wars and Marvel – he’s like a walking talking encyclopaedia! He also loves Winnie the Pooh and the Lion King. He enjoys Harry Potter too.

DS2 is Ashley (6). Ashley loves Mickey Mouse. He has a toy Mickey he takes with him everywhere which we got when we last went to DLP. He also loves Disney Cars, Hulk and Stormtroopers!

This is us at DLP in 2018

The rest of the cast is…

DB1: Alex (36) who works in archiving in London. A hardcore Star Wars fan who loves Disney and enjoys Harry Potter too.

DB2: Peter (33) who works in accountancy. He loves Toy Story and Marvel.

DB2GF: Rachel (34) is also a teacher. She loves Beauty and the Beast and the Little Mermaid.

This is us all at DLP with my mum who sadly won't be coming with us

I’m hoping to update regularly as we book each aspect and get an itinerary in place.

[3disneykids]

Looking forward to following we have a similar countdown It is so great when flights are booked

[Eccle]

It sounds like a great trip, and your boys are good ages for it. You have some good dining choices too, we enjoyed the Pooh characters at Crystal Palace and Garden Grill was great, if you are thinking of breakfast and can get an early ADR you can get on Soarin early too. We also loved Satuli Canteen, and we love both Olive Garden and Sweet Tomatoes offsite too, and I can imagine Sweet Tomatoes would work well for vegan food too.

Great plan on leaving the car at Heathrow and getting the train back, I had always ruled out returning to a different airport as too difficult, but hopefully that should work well

[Em4owen]

Originally Posted by Eccle

Great plan on leaving the car at Heathrow and getting the train back, I had always ruled out returning to a different airport as too difficult, but hopefully that should work well

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Yes there was thread about it a few days ago. Someone suggested to do it this way which wasn't something I'd considered. It wasn't something I had initially wanted to do but was the compromise to get the flight price we wanted.

[Th1nkT1nk]

Sounds like a great trip you have planned we are getting to cbr on the 8th August so we’ll be there at the same time as you! (We’re doing 3 nights universal first though). Do your kids know they are going yet? We did the reveal to dd on New Year’s Day and she’s been making my ear bleed ever since 🤣

[Loulabelle18]

Another primary teacher here we’re going in Oct half term ( usually go in April) as we now have 2 weeks off instead of 1
Following with interest as we are flying BA for the first time, it is also our first time onsite (POR) for a week, RPR for a night for FOLP and a week in Sues villa ( I’m assuming Villa Aurora?) so very similar trips
I’ll look out for your updates. Happy planning
Oh and have a good first day back at school xx

[Em4owen]

Originally Posted by Loulabelle18

Another primary teacher here we’re going in Oct half term ( usually go in April) as we now have 2 weeks off instead of 1
Following with interest as we are flying BA for the first time, it is also our first time onsite (POR) for a week, RPR for a night for FOLP and a week in Sues villa ( I’m assuming Villa Aurora?) so very similar trips
I’ll look out for your updates. Happy planning
Oh and have a good first day back at school xx

See more...

Yes it's Villa Aurora. It looks amazing so can't wait!

I have 2 weeks off in October too but the boys don't, plus I didn't think 2 weeks would be enough time for us, as it's supposed to be a once in a lifetime holiday. We've never flown with BA but have already booked our meal preferences. I've booked a vegan one for me obviously and a vegetarian one for Hayden rather than a childs as they seem to give children chicken nuggets at the moment. I'm contemplating taking snacks and sandwiches for us both just incase.

[Steveswift]

Aug 19th for us, can't wait, will follow with interest.

[Loulabelle18]

Yes, I’m definitely taking a few meal deals and snacks! 🤣

[Goldia]

I'm glad you got your flights sorted out. It sounds like a really special trip you have planned. A shame your mum isn't coming too.

I think I'd go for dropping you and the kids off, taking the car to the other airport and sleeping at a hotel the night before, we always do this and it's a lovely start to the holiday with the excitement and anticipation of what is to come. I just don't think I'd fancy the train back home with all the luggage and the kids and I'd rather have the transfer across London for one of you. You could look into National Express coaches as they go from Heathrow to Gatwick, could be good for transfer.

It's so exciting that ADRs are coming around for all of us travelling in August. I'm trying to narrow down my list too. Your ideas sound fab for a first trip. We did Crystal Palace, Garden Grill and Tusker on our first DDP trip. They were fab. In fact we've done them all multiple times, breakfast and dinner at both GG and Tusker and lunch and dinner at CP. The characters are all great and while I'm not veggie and so can't comment on the vegan or vegetarian options those of you in the party who eat meat will love all the carved meats, fish and other options. We did Sci Fi on our first DDP trip too, it was fun in the cinema. My DS has asked if we can go back again this year. They do some lovely milkshakes too, but they are very filling.

Have fun planning over the next few months, the time will fly by and before you know it you will off on your magical trip.