The one where we go for the first time as a family - May 2022 Pre Trip Report

[Charlangela]

So I figured I would do one of these and start trying to think positively about things returning to normal by the time we get to Orlando.

I'll introduce you to our family and who'll be joining us on the trip. Ages are as at of time of travel.

Myself, Charlotte (30), and my hubby, Andrew (40).

My two lovely stepsons, Kian (18) and Ethan (22)
Ethan's girlfriend Amylee will also be joining us.

And last but not least the baby of the family, Jenson (9)

This will be my first trip since 2004 when I visited with my Uncle and Cousin and Andrew's first trip since 1995.
None of the boys have ever visited.

So a little bit about us:

Me - Way too organised, planning things down to the T, spends weekends watching Vlogs on Youtube and scrolling the internet for tips and tricks.

Andrew - couldn't be anymore laid back. Happy for me to plan everything and him just show up.

Ethan & Kian - Most excited for Seaworld and Universal for the thrill rides. We wanted to fit in Busch Gardens for them but it's going to be too tight of a squeeze in 2 weeks.

Jenson - knows exactly how many days it is until we go (456 as of writing this), can't wait to swim with the dolphins and wants to meet Pluto.

Itinerary

Tuesday 10th May 2022

We will be getting a mini-bus to the airport, with there being six of us we would have to pay for two cars to park and we live 30 mins from the airport so no point staying over the night before. We will be flying from Manchester into MCO with Virgin.

We are staying at the Staybridge Suites Royal Parc Kissimmee in a 2 bedroom apartment which includes our breakfast so we should save money there. To stay at Disney would have been so expensive for 6 of us so unfortunately that isn't a possibility this time.

We've got an 8 seater hire car included so hoping with 2 seats spare in the car that the suitcase pileup in the vehicle will be ok.

Plan is to do an evening Walmart trip for snacks for the apartment and then go for some tea on the 192 somewhere probably and then get to bed ready for Hollywood Studios the day after.

Wednesday 11th May 2022

Today we want to do Hollywood Studios. The plan is for me to get up early and attempt to get a boarding pass for ROTR on mine and Andrews Disney App. I am yet to let Ethan and Kian know they need to also get the app to increase our chances.

Thursday 12th May 2022

We are hoping to do Magic Kingdom today and stay for Happily Ever After. We had originally planned to do this on Friday but I thought Friday would be a much busier night for the show so Thursday it is and we are hoping that we won't be knackered. If we are then we can have a break in the afternoon, we aren't staying too far from Disney, come back to the apartment and chill for a couple of hours.

Friday 13th May 2022

Today is between Seaworld or a rest day depending on how tired we are. If we are knackered then Seaworld will be moved to tomorrow.

Saturday 14th May 2022
Sunday 15th May 2022

We've got tickets to Discovery Cove booked today which we are super excited about. 4 of us have dolphin swim tickets booked but Ethan & Amylee have decided to opt out of the swim. We are classing this as a rest day ready for 2 days at Unviversal Orlando Resort tomorrow and Tuesday.

Monday 16th May 2022

Check In to Loews Royal Pacific 1 Night for Express Passes and spend the day in whichever park has early opening (we are going to have to rope drop Hagrids or Velocicoaster if they aren't on Express Pass by then). I would hope Hagrids will get added into Express Pass once Velocicoaster opens.

Tuesday 17th May 2022

Check out of Royal Pacific and do the other park. Travelling into IOA on Hogwarts Express is a must.

Wednesday 18th May 2022

Blizzard Beach and Outlets today I think for another rest day.

Thursday 19th May 2022

Epcot

Friday 20th May 2022

Animal Kingdom

Saturday 21st May 2022
Sunday 22nd May 2022
Monday 23rd May 2022
Tuesday 24th May 2022
Travel Home

So yes that's it so far. Currently reading through other peoples trip reports and food reports to get ideas of where to eat for dinner (evening meal for those who usually refer to it as Tea, I am one of them not sure why I have put Dinner ). I already know I need to set up a holiday email address to apply for coupons etc which I will start doing nearer the time.

Praying that Masks etc are all gone, if not, we will look to move the holiday.

[Milpston]

Following along.

We have just booked the first parts for August 2022.

When lockdown finally ends it may give me the confidence to start another pre-trip report.

I am sure you will all have a fantastic time.

[juless77]

Brilliant thanks for sharing missed reading these x

[LizzyBear]

Following Family of 5 here too. Our 2020 trip was cancelled due to covid but i'm keen to rebook once restrictions ease. I've been several times before but not since 2009 and it's my partner and our 3 kids' first trip x

[Charlangela]

So with the reservation system being brought in up to 2023, we need to reserve our park days.

With the DIBB discount for Attraction Tickets I can get our tickets for £4,565. I'm currently buying a patio which is frustrating because it's now going to be July/August before we can pay the tickets off in full, and book our park days.

We've decided to reserve park days on every day that we can minus the Universal Days and Discovery Cove Days so that if we want to go, we can.

[Charlangela]

Originally Posted by Milpston

Following along.

We have just booked the first parts for August 2022.

When lockdown finally ends it may give me the confidence to start another pre-trip report.

I am sure you will all have a fantastic time.

See more...

So exciting to be able to book again and hope that we can all get there. I'll keep my eye out for your pre-trip report!

Originally Posted by juless77

Brilliant thanks for sharing missed reading these x

See more...

You are welcome - I just want to look forward now and feel positive that we will get there.

Originally Posted by LizzyBear

Following Family of 5 here too. Our 2020 trip was cancelled due to covid but i'm keen to rebook once restrictions ease. I've been several times before but not since 2009 and it's my partner and our 3 kids' first trip x

See more...

Sorry your trip was cancelled. Exciting that the 50th anniversary celebrations will be on more than likely when we can all make it back.

[KSB8989]

Following and looking forward to reading your updates. We are planning to go in May 2022 too! We had to cancel our Sept 2020 trip so really looking forward to getting back to planning. Thanks for sharing

[carol613]

First we we due to go in August 2019 , changed to April 2020 ( big birthday for myself ) , moved it to September 2020 ( granddaughter 6 birthday with Micky mouse ) decided best to move holiday to August 2022 .
My son has redone the planning each time hopefully this last time will be the last preplanning .
Just need to book new flights thanks to Lufthansa's refund due to them changing our flights , but given us chance to shop around for flights again and fingers crossed a good price

[Charlangela]

I've had all but one passport back out of the 4 that I had to apply for. I accidentally put our address down for my stepson (17) and in his interview he gave his main residence so now we've had to submit proof that he lives at the other address.

That arrived with them yesterday so I am hoping next week we'll get his passport and then I need to make a decision on ESTA application.

If they are valid for 2 years, I think I may wait until the beginning of June to apply, although I would love to just get them done and out of the way, if we have to postpone May 2022 (absolutely gobsmacked if we have to) then they'll be valid for May 2023.

We've also now bought our park tickets for Disney and Universal and went through Attraction Tickets to take advantage of the free magic bands. This will mean a pit stop to Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs to collect once we get there.

I need to pay the balance off for these pretty quick but my savings are locked in until July and I'm not losing the interest so will pay the balance then and reserve our park days!

Another update is that one of our group have just been diagnosed as Type 1 Diabetic so this will be their first holiday having to manage that and carting insulin etc. Disney have been great giving me information regarding first aid rooms and we can utilize the DAS pass if needed.

[Charlangela]

A little advance loan from my dad and the tickets are being paid off tomorrow.
Not sure how long it will take to receive them but I'm getting unnecessarily panicky abut the park reservations. Hollywood Studios is at capacity until the 1st July Worrying that as soon as we get the go ahead, the influx of holidays and tickets being bought. I know we've got 13 months to go but just want that little thing boxed off!

Also we've hit the 300's! 25 days until a year!

ESTA's are all done. Took 2 hours to come back but that's another thing boxed off!

I've started buying little bits of things such as shoes/caps etc when I see them.
Trying not to buy too many clothes as I'm hoping to lose another 2 stone!

Also measured the 8 year old this morning and he is 142.5cm so absolutely smashes all the height requirements wooo. Yes he is a giant!