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Larry Krueger -- November 2001 -- Walt Disney World (TBD)This report covers only the planning for Larry's Upcoming Trip. This should be the most adventurous, yet stressing WDW trip planning I have ever done. In the past I have done WDW itineraries for friends and family, including my own. The response from those I have helped has been registered with a big "Thank You". I also plan all my families trips and tend to be almost overly meticulous in my planning. In the past, it has been rather easy. I know what a small group of friends or families like, so I can plan accordingly. This time, I am undertaking an enormous task. Let me preface this by saying, up until my youngest daughter was born 2 years ago, my wife and older daughter had tagged along with me on my WDW obsession once or twice a year on week-end trips and once a year on a long 10 day trip. This occurred yearly until my youngest was born. Then we took a respite for a bit. We have taken several trips to other places. We took the week long trip to Sea World, Discovery Cove, & Universal. It was tough being that close to WDW and not going. We went to Atlantis on Paradise Island last year and loved it. We took the Disney cruise and have had side trips to Cedar Point, Williamsburg, etc. I have been waiting until my youngest was at least 3, mainly because when we took my oldest at 2 and it was not a very fun trip. I refuse to take a child and disturb anyone else during their vacation. So we have waited. She has had a small taste earlier this year for 3 days, but this time it is all out. The full momma 10 day trip. As I write this, we are still 13 months away, but, what I have learned in my 25+ trips to WDW is to plan early, and this time I have to. I am coordinating this trip for 11 other people besides my own family. Everyone has different needs and the age range runs from 3-55. So this will test my patience and planning ability. The humorous thing is that my wife always teases me about my planning, but once we get there, her adrenaline kicks in, the Disney blood flows, and she appreciates the effort I make to ensure that the trip is hassle free and fun. The Cast of Characters:
As you can see, this is quite the cast. There are so many different types of people going with so many different tastes, that this time I will be tested in my planning. Butch, Lee, and Joan will ride stuff, but they like to walk and observe. The kids are their #1 priority. Sean is very proper with a great sense of humor, but believes the feet are meant to be on the ground, not in the air, unless it is on a plane. The kids all know each other well, as we spend holidays together, and should keep all of us on our toes. So trying to do this will be a task. After talking to everyone at the last family get together in July, we agreed that my usual fall timing for the BIG trip is what would be best. Seems that no one really understands the benefits of smaller crowds. Even though it gets a bit busy when we always go, It is never too bad. Plus I time it this way for a purpose. The dates and location are as follows: November 16-25. This includes Thanksgiving. I use the dates because we catch the last week-end of the Food and Fun festival at Epcot. I rarely eat fast-food at WDW. There are just way too many nice restaurants and character meals to waste the time. We will all be on the Discovery Magic Plan, since no one going has an AP. This also gives us a week-end with Christmas decorations up and there is one Magic Kingdom special Christmas night the week-end after Thanksgiving. In addition, it is never overly busy. I don't know why, but I wanna keep it a secret, so don't tell! Plus I get to walk around Epcot, our traditional first park on Saturdays, and spend time at World Showcase drinking all the different wines and beers without breaking the bank! Staying Where? This was an easy choice since we are not in the DVC. We are going to do Either the Boardwalk Villas or The Villas at the Disney Institute. I am hoping for availability at the Boardwalk Villas. You can get up to 8 in a 2 bedroom villa and I like the location near Epcot and easy access to MGM. I hate Disney transportation and usually just drive to the closest resort to the intended park and park there. The institute is nice. We have stayed there, but it is so secluded. The Boardwalk is alive and great for kids. We stayed in the hotel the last time we were there and loved it. Plus it is a short trek to World Showcase. I have not done a day by day itinerary yet. I have placed options in front of everyone. Golf, Horseback Riding, Water Parks, Putt Putt, DisneyQuest, Cirque De Soleil, Downtown Disney, and anything else will all come in to play. I will give you an update after I make the final reservations in about three weeks. Then the real planning begins. It has been easy so far. I hope it stays that way! Larry Krueger larry.krueger@polytechsouth.com Mail a Comment to Larry Krueger |
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