The Force Will Be With Us. Hopefully! - Dec 21

[nolypops83]

So taking in to account work, university and avoiding school holidays, September is really the only time of year we can visit for 2 weeks. We'd booked our big Universal and Disney trip for 2020 but had to reschedule for 2021 due to the dreaded Covid-19. With myself and OH being pretty low down on the list for vaccinations we decided that 2021 was looking pretty dodgy too. After having a chat we decided to postpone for another year. We had wanted to splash out and stay at Yacht and Beach Club again, we'd planned on doing HHN and staying at RPR, all the bells and whistles, so we just didn't fancy compromising and having to wear masks, miss parades and fireworks etc.

BUT after having a mooch about on Google Flights I found some decent prices for Nov/Dec 2021 flying in PE with Virgin. He's 6 ft 3 and I have a short legs so the extra leg room and foot rests are essential! Given that I'll be smack bang in the Autumn/Winter term of my degree it meant that 2 weeks would be impossible, however as it's an OU course and fully flexible I can squeeze in a week if I plan carefully. So I called up Kenwood and dealt with the lovely Pam, who sorted everything out for me. If you book with Kenwood, ask for her.

We have booked

VS135/VS136 LHR-MCO return in PE on A330-300
Flying out 30/11/21 and back 07/12/21

7 nights at POP Century in a preferred room with tickets

1 night at Premier Inn - T2/T3 Bath Rd with breakfast

We live in Manchester but flight prices from here direct are ridiculous so we will get the train the night before to Euston and then from Paddington to Heathrow on the Heathrow Express. I booked the Premier Inn as it was £35 for the night plus an extra £20 for breakfast, however someone mentioned the Test and Rest rates available at Sofitel and Hilton so if necessary we'll do this. Hopefully just having the vaccine will be OK by November!

I had though of renting DVC points but everything was fully booked apart from some of the 2 bed villas and Poly bungalows. 50th anniversary plus Covid-19 cancellations mean everyone is desperate to book. We decided to go with POP because of the access to the Skyliner as we'll be spending a large amount of time in HS checking out all the new (to us) Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story areas. This is going to be a park heavy trip so probably not many ADR's or pool days so POP just seemed ideal, especially with the new rooms.

Travellers

Me - Laura 37, administrator and OU student from Manchester

OH - Rob 37, writer also from Manchester.

This will be my 5th big trip to WDW and Rob's 2nd.

Plans

The aim of the trip will be to get on as many of the new attractions that we haven't tried since our last big trip in 2016 plus a few that were down for repair.

MK - Happily Ever After, Big Thunder Mountain and any 50th anniversary happenings.
EPCOT - New France pavilion areas plus Ratatouille ride and several new World Showcase films. Maybe Harmonious if that happens before Nov.
HS - Galaxy's Edge, Toy Story Land and M&M's Runaway Railway.
AK - Dinosaur, Pandora and Rivers of Light or whatever the night time show is at the time. If they have one!

Finally, we've never been at Christmas time so we'll be looking to see as much of the decorations as possible, hopefully MVMCP if it happens.

Of course everything is up in the air at the moment, but I'm hopeful that by November we should be ok to travel. The UK and US are doing well with the vaccinations so fingers crossed!

[Charlangela]

So nice to have a countdown again isn't it! Look forward to reading updates

[Goldia]

How much fun is this trip going to be? I'd love to go to WDW at Christmas sometime too, I hope you have a wonderful time.

[WIGGYSMUM]

Your plans sound great, I definitely enjoy reading the pre travel & travel days so will look forward to these too !
Happy planning 🤗

[janewah]

We will be at Pop earlier in November, fingers crossed! Happy planning, looking forward to all the Christmas magic x

[nolypops83]

Long time no update trip report!

Well, as things now seem to have been confirmed finally it looks like we're actually going!

There have been a few changes here and there so this is what the trip now looks like.

Trip will now be 01/12/21 to 08/12/21

Accommodation

Tuesday 30th November

King room with runway view at Hilton Garden Inn T2 & T3

Since our flight has been moved to 10am it'll save messing about getting to the terminal on a cold December morning

Wednesday 1st December

5 nights in a standard room at All Stars Music resort

Monday 6th December

2 nights at Wilderness Lodge in a king nature view room

[Charlangela]

Originally Posted by nolypops83

Long time no update trip report!

Well, as things now seem to have been confirmed finally it looks like we're actually going!

There have been a few changes here and there so this is what the trip now looks like.

Trip will now be 01/12/21 to 08/12/21

Accommodation

Tuesday 30th November

King room with runway view at Hilton Garden Inn T2 & T3

Since our flight has been move to 10am it'll save messing about getting to the terminal on a cold December morning

Wednesday 1st December

5 nights in a standard room at All Stars Music resort

Monday 6th December

2 nights at Wilderness Lodge in a king nature view room

See more...

So excited to see people return!

[nolypops83]

Tickets

Got Very Merriest After Hours booked for the 7th December which is our last night.

Dining Reservations

Ogas Cantina (liquid) lunch booked for 6th December
Steakhouse 71 dinner booked for 7th December before the Christmas party.

Haven't really bothered with too many reservations. The one I really wanted to try was Jiko but it hasn't reopened yet.

Things Left To Do

Book covid tests - think it will be a LFT but will hang fire just in case.
Book Heathrow Express or TfL Rail tickets - haven't decided which.
Lose 28lb Damn you lockdown!

[sophie1405]

Oooo I fly the 30th staying in ASmusic too and head to HS on 6th may see you there too

[nolypops83]

Originally Posted by sophie1405

Oooo I fly the 30th staying in ASmusic too and head to HS on 6th may see you there too

See more...

Not long to go now!