Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 22 Nov 20, 03:59 PM  
Link to this Post
#1
caitlinsmummy
Imagineer
 
caitlinsmummy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 11
Location: Durham
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Back To Disney We Go! February/March 2022

Hi and welcome to our Pre-Trip Report!

We have an Instagram and YouTube channel if you'd like to follow along with our adventures:

YouTube: HughesFamilyAdventures
Instagram: Hughesfamilyadventures18


I'll start off with a little about us for those who don't know.

We first went to our happy place as a family back in October 2018, it was the kid's first trip to Florida. I'd been previously in 2003 with my parents and Mr Grump had been in 1993 with his parents. Mr Grump was adamant it was a once in a lifetime trip, once we've been, we've done it, no need to return haha yeah right who was he kidding! We did 14 nights at Port Orleans Riverside with the DDP.

The trip report can be found HERE

Before we even left for October 2018 I found an amazing deal with Virgin Holidays for May 2019, 9 nights at Rosen Inn with flights and transfers for just over £300pp. For that price I just couldn't not book it ... I then had to tell Mr Grump what I'd done Luckily he was over the moon as it was such a bargain price. So we returned in May 2019.

This was more of a budget trip, we planned to just do Universal (we'd upgraded to annual passes for free in November 2018) we then got tickets for Discovery Cove in the Black Friday sales which included, Busch Gardens, Aquatica and SeaWorld too. I found a great deal with 20% off Disney tickets so I booked us one day tickets as a surprise as I just couldn't bear not doing Disney I then booked us one night at CBR. I revealed it to everyone the night we were going to stay at CBR. We had a fab trip and we really enjoyed spending time off site and trying so many different eateries.

The trip report for can be found HERE

When we returned we said we were going to wait until 2021 to return, but after a few months deals got the better of us and we booked up with Virgin again but this time for 19 nights with the free QSDP at Port Orleans Riverside in a Garden View room in May 2020.

Due to Covid-19 this was cancelled on the 5th May 2021. We tried to rearrange for September but there was no availability so we cancelled.

We already had a trip planned for 28th December 2020 - 9th January 2021. We had 2 nights at Tampa and 10 nights in a Dibb villa. We planned to just do Universal, Seaworld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens. Due to the cancellation we decided to extend this trip. 24th December staying 9 nights in a Dibb villa at Emerald Island Resort, then 14 nights at Port Orleans Riverside in a preferred room. In November 2020 this was cancelled again.


We then rearranged to 10 nights at Disney and 10 nights in a Dibb villa for 30th May 2021, this was again cancelled, so here we are with the most up to date Pre-Trip report for February/March 2022 ... hopefully

The Cast

So on our trip we have, yours truly, Kelly (33) my husband Chris (35), DD Caitlin (15) DS1 Thomas (12) DS2 Noah (8) This is the ages at time of travel .

This trip will be slightly different to our previous ones as we get to experience a villa for the first time!



A bit about us:



Myself - (Nervous Wreck) - So I'm the booker, organiser and planner and general all round stress head. I love planning and hate surprises so this is the best of both worlds for me!

There's not much to say about myself anymore, I finished my Management degree in August 2020 and graduated with a First Class Honours Degree I currently work part time for the local council. I really enjoy cross stitching, crocheting and socialising.

Excited for: Just the whole experience again, it's been way too long!

Chris - (Mr Grump) - He is the laid back one, he goes with the flow and as any hubby should, does as he's told He is no good with organisation and planning so he's happy to leave everything up to me ... let's just hope he doesn't put all the blame on me this time or he may not make it home (see the first trip report)! We nick name him Mr Grump as he's always moaning and whinging !

He is a computer engineer and enjoys films, days out walking and photography.

Excited for: The villa, he's wanted to do a villa since our first trip!

Caitlin - (Drama Llama) - Total and utter teenager, nick named the drama llama in our house (DL for short!) the world revolves around her and unless anything is to benefit her, she isn't interested

She enjoys going out with her friends, K-Pop and shopping ... she LOVES shopping. She's hoping to be able to save up lots of money for a good shopping spree when we go again ... but money burns a hole in her pocket so we shall see

Excited for: Pool and waterparks

Thomas - (Cheeky) - He's exactly like his dad, he's so laid back he's almost horizontal. He can have his moments but he is a classic middle child, sometimes we forget he's even there, he's nick named the cheeky monkey as he's too smart for his own good and has a cheeky streak in him!

He's really into computer games and space, he loves reading ... to the point we have way too many books as he reads them in a night he also likes writing stories.

Excited for: - The roller coasters, he's a total thrill seeker like mum and dad this one ... he just needs to grow a foot or so more (He's the smallest in his class by about a foot )

Noah - - Noah's the baby ... need I say anymore? He gets away with way more than he should but his little face just melts your heart.

He's a loving, funny clever little boy. He was diagnosed with Autism in April 2018 and it's been a huge learning curve for us all. We're learning how to assist his needs as best we can as well as seeing how amazing he is in learning how to deal with the difficulties he faces. He's very bright and clever, he loves Minecraft and Lego.

Excited for: The rollercoasters and pool

The Plan

Friday 18th February 2022

Due to train times I've decided to take the kids out of school at 2.30pm. We're going to pick up a McDonalds before we pick them up for an early dinner. Taxi is booked for 3.15pm and train at 4.05pm to Kings Cross. We will be taking snacks for the kids on the tube/train as we won't be arriving at hte PI until around 8.30pm and it's a long time for them to go without food.



Then on to Heathrow where we will stay at the Premier Inn Terminal 2/3. I'm aware we'll be flying from Terminal 5 but we already had this booked, we could cancel but it's more expensive to book the Terminal 5 one. The bus to both hotels takes a similar amount of time and costs the same so it doesn't make much difference for us. It's probably going to be late when we get to the hotel around 8/9pm so it'll be settle down for the evening.



Saturday 19th February 2022

Breakfast will be at the hotel around 8.15am. Check in opens at 9.00am. We will be using the special assistance queue for check in and security so hopefully not too much waiting for Noah. Probably grab the kids some magazines and sandwiches in the terminal, our flight is at 12.05pm with British Airways. It will be our first time flying BA!



Land in Orlando at 4.55pm where we'll pick up our car hire from Avis (Large).



We will drive to Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista and get checked in for our 4 night stay.



The hotel has an Applebees on site so we'll probably grab some food there. If the weathers ok I think Chris might take the kids to the pool whilst I unpack and wait for our order from When You Wish Gifts. We will have a carseat, some groceries and possibly some B&BW stuff if I place an order at Christmas to be dropped off.



Sunday 20th February 2022

Grab some breakfast, unsure where yet, depends what time we're up.

Monday 21st February 2022


Tuesday 22nd February 2022

Thomas Birthday!
Magic Kingdom

Wednesday 23rd February 2022

Check out of Holiday Inn LBV and go to Epcot for the morning/afternoon. Check in to the villa at 4pm. Go do a WalMart shop and grab some dinner. Kid's will probably want to go in the pool when we're back.

Thursday 24th February 2022

Friday 25th February 2022

Saturday 26th February 2022

Sunday 27th February 2022

Chris Birthday!
Check in at Loews Royal Pacific, head to Islands of Adventure.

Monday 28th February 2022

Check out of Loews Royal Pacific, head to Universal Studios. Premium outlets after.

Tuesday 1st March 2022

Wednesday 2nd March 2022

Thursday 3rd March 2022

Discovery Cove!

Friday 4th March 2022

Saturday 5th March 2022

Sunday 6th March 2022

Monday 7th March 2022

My Birthday!

Breakfast out, pooL morning, Magic Kingdom after lunch, heading to Hollywood Studios on the evening for Fantasmic (if it's finally restarted!)

Tuesday 8th March 2022

Wednesday 9th March 2022

Thursday 10th March 2022

Friday 11th March 2022

Saturday 12th March 2022

Check out of the villa, last minute shopping and maybe WonderWorks on I-Drive before getting an early dinner and heading to the airport for 3.15pm.

Flight from Orlando - Heathrow at 6.15pm.

Sunday 13th March 2022

Arrive in Heathrow at 8.10am. Train from Heathrow to St Pancreas then Kings Cross to home. Hopefully home before 3pm.

So that's our plans for February/March 2022 ... it'll be almost 3 years since our last trip, fingers crossed this is fourth time lucky x

Edited at 03:48 PM.
caitlinsmummy is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 22 Nov 20, 09:42 PM  
Link to this Post
#2
Buggles94
VIP Dibber
 
Buggles94's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 14

Buggles94's Reviews
DIBB Villa Reviews: 5
So lovely to see a PTR! You will love the villa stay - so relaxing and lots of space
Definitely following along and hoping we all get to our magical place ASAP!
Buggles94 is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 28 Nov 20, 01:29 PM  
Link to this Post
#3
Elsa42
Apprentice Imagineer
 
Elsa42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 14
Location: UK

Elsa42's Reviews
Restaurant Reviews: 1
A new Pre trip report YAY! SO glad you've rebooked and I cant wait to hear all of your plans.

What a lovely long trip you have planned and so it should be after being away for 2 years! I love CBR such a lovely resort. I'm sure you will enjoy the Villa part of the holiday too. Has the Villa been booked yet?

Look forward to hearing more
Elsa42 is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 26 Dec 20, 09:30 PM  
Link to this Post
#4
caitlinsmummy
Thread Starter
Imagineer
 
caitlinsmummy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 11
Location: Durham
Originally Posted by Buggles94 View Post
So lovely to see a PTR! You will love the villa stay - so relaxing and lots of space
Definitely following along and hoping we all get to our magical place ASAP!
Ahh thank you. I hope we will. We've decided we might see about extending the villa stay (or booking another if we can't) and reducing our stay at Disney.

I'm going to work costs out. We will have a car for the duration this time, so if we need to pay for parking (we have a disabled car parking pass) no extra magic hours, no fast passes, no dining plan, staying at CBR when we don't like the food menu (only option in our price range right now) it just doesn't seem worth the money!

But it's not something we're chewing over just yet as I'm 80% certain this trip won't happen either 🙈😂

Thank you for following along again xx

Originally Posted by Elsa42 View Post
A new Pre trip report YAY! SO glad you've rebooked and I cant wait to hear all of your plans.

What a lovely long trip you have planned and so it should be after being away for 2 years! I love CBR such a lovely resort. I'm sure you will enjoy the Villa part of the holiday too. Has the Villa been booked yet?

Look forward to hearing more
Thank you so much for following lovely. I really hope it will be! Fingers crossed everything goes ahead.

We did CBR in May 2019 for a night and it seemed like a lovely resort but having picky eaters the food court choices aren't good at all 🙈

Yes the villa is booked its the same one we had booked for this year (we should have been there now &#128557

X
caitlinsmummy is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 27 Dec 20, 01:26 PM  
Link to this Post
#5
Goldia
VIP Dibber
 
Goldia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 16

Goldia's Reviews
Hotel Reviews: 5
Restaurant Reviews: 43
You've started a new pre trip. I can't tell you how much I'm hoping this trip actually goes ahead. What a year we've had! Honestly I'm keeping everything crossed for you. It looks like a great plan of three weeks away. I bet you will still struggle to fit everything in, even with all that time.
__________________
Abby
New pre trip report - Summer 2024

Link to all my completed trip reports
2017: NYC and Orlando. Salzburg. Boston.
2018: Orlando. Berlin.
2019: DLP. Orlando. Washington DC.
2020: DLP.
2021: Jamaica. Rome.
2022: Orlando.
2023: Orlando. Niagara and Toronto.
Goldia is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 29 Dec 20, 11:11 AM  
Link to this Post
#6
LizzyBear
Imagineer
 
LizzyBear's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 05

LizzyBear's Reviews
Restaurant Reviews: 2
Following I'm too scared to rebook just yet but hoping things become clearer very soon and that your holiday goes ahead with minimal restrictions, looking forward to hearing more about your plans...
__________________
DLP 1992, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2017. WDW 2002, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2023. DLR 2008.
Planning DLR in 2025.
LizzyBear is offline Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 2 Feb 21, 09:02 PM  
Link to this Post
#7
caitlinsmummy
Thread Starter
Imagineer
 
caitlinsmummy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 11
Location: Durham
Originally Posted by Goldia View Post
You've started a new pre trip. I can't tell you how much I'm hoping this trip actually goes ahead. What a year we've had! Honestly I'm keeping everything crossed for you. It looks like a great plan of three weeks away. I bet you will still struggle to fit everything in, even with all that time.
Thank you Abby that means so much. How are you all?

Sadly I don't think this trip will happen and if it doesn't we're really stuck with what to do as I don't want to take Caitlin out of school in Year 10, by the time she's done GCSE's Thomas will be going into year 10 ... so we're stuck at the moment. Chris refuses to go in the school holidays as it's too expensive and too busy for Noah. At the moment we have no idea if the DAS pass is in use as well, so much uncertainty as there has been for the last year really x

Originally Posted by LizzyBear View Post
Following I'm too scared to rebook just yet but hoping things become clearer very soon and that your holiday goes ahead with minimal restrictions, looking forward to hearing more about your plans...
To be honest I think that's the right idea really! I was trying to be optimistic, but I haven't even looked at planning as I'm already 90% certain it won't go ahead. Hope you're all well x
caitlinsmummy is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 3 Feb 21, 07:32 AM  
Link to this Post
#8
MillyMoo
Imagineer
 
MillyMoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 18
Mobile

I think the DAS pass is still going at the moment. We watch All Ears on YouTube and I'm sure she's mentioned that it is!
MillyMoo is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 12 Feb 21, 05:58 PM  
Link to this Post
#9
caitlinsmummy
Thread Starter
Imagineer
 
caitlinsmummy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 11
Location: Durham
Originally Posted by MillyMoo View Post
I think the DAS pass is still going at the moment. We watch All Ears on YouTube and I'm sure she's mentioned that it is!
Ahh that's good to know thank you. Still certain Noah wouldn't wear a mask so we may need to look into next year 😔 x
caitlinsmummy is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 13 Feb 21, 06:40 PM  
Link to this Post
#10
Milpston
Imagineer
 
Milpston's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 16
Oh for the days when we started pre-trip reports knowing they would happen eh?
Best of luck to you and really hope this one happens for you.

I’m holding off my next pre-trip report as I really want it to be 3rd time lucky 😂
__________________
Orlando Villas/cruises 2001-2013, DLP Newport Bay Compass Club Feb 2017
October 2018 - 22 nts, Beach Club & Dibb villasTrip report *Completed*
July 2020 and August 2021 - cancelled by Covid!
August 2021 - Anthem of the seas UK mini cruise Trip report *completed*
Vegas/LA Aug 22 - Trip Report In Progress
Milpston is offline Boy Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:12 PM.


Powered by vBulletin - Copyright © 2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
DIBB Savings
AttractionTickets.com

Get £10 off each Disney Ticket with the code ATDIBB10

Get up to £50 off per room at Disney or Universal with the code DIBBHOTELS


theDIBB Blog
Disney announced that a new nighttime show, “Disney Dreams That Soar,” will run nightly at... Read More »
Walt Disney World Resort guests can get ready to have a “glowing’’ good time when... Read More »
Aquatica Orlando announce the grand opening of its newest attraction, Tassie’s Underwater Twist, on 15... Read More »


theDIBB Menu


Exchange Rates
US Dollar Rates
ASDA  $1.2342
CaxtonFX  $1.2324
Covent Garden FX  $1.2438
FAIRFX  $1.2350
John Lewis  $1.2380
M&S  $1.2178
Sainsburys  $1.2337
TESCO  $1.2343
Travelex  $1.2353
Updated: 13:00 28/03/2024
Euro Rates
ASDA  €1.1426
CaxtonFX  €1.1405
Covent Garden FX  €1.1511
FAIRFX  €1.1432
John Lewis  €1.1457
M&S  €1.1263
Sainsburys  €1.1419
TESCO  €1.1425
Travelex  €1.1435
Updated: 13:00 28/03/2024

DIBB Premium Membership
Did you know you can help support theDIBB with Premium Membership?

Check out this link for more information and benefits, such as...

"No adverts on theDIBB Forums"

Upgrade Now



X