Ok. Things are firming up.
So a quick refresh. There will be DH, myself and our two daughters leaving 13 returning 14 and 11. At the moment they have no idea when we are going. They know that this is the next trip we have planned by DH and I will spring it on them somewhere from a week out. They tell me all the time how cool it would be to just wake up and go so I figured we could give it a try. They are missing nine school days which i have no issues with for our youngest but for our eldest I am hoping assessment block is finished. If it is I could just wake up and end up at the airport, but if she is still in assessment lock we will need to get organised with teachers and getting work done before, or work out a timeline. Don't need to put extra pressure on her. Last years took her out of school in assessment block for a week for my brothers wedding and she worked all week. I don't want her to be like that for this trip so with a heads up we can avoid it and she can just relax.
This is our first East Coast trip and despite the fact that after following along with yourmWDW trip reports I think I know everything :lmao please suggest away. There are also a few other ANZACS at the world when we are there so you never know who you will bump into.
After the magnificent Qantas sale (they keep making me fly them) last weekend i moved our trip from April 2014 to September 2013. We are flying with Qantas and Virgin America to Orlando. I have upgraded DH to exit row seats for the LAX to MCO leg. On arrival at around 4.30pm we shall take the Magical Express to the home of the next castle on our list.
Thanks Ms Shuttergirl, at this point in time I will be chanting B is for Bus. The Magical Express will take us to our riverside room at Port Orleans French Quarter. This evening we will go with the flow, see how we feel, explore our resort and pool before hitting the sack.
We shall spend 10 nights at WDW, we have to visit the water parks, catch the Cirque du Soleil show perhaps, a Halloween Party, explore some resorts. Basically just have some good ol family fun. Have a few dining ideas but I shall get to that later.
The next bit I plan to look into more this week. It involves 2.5 days. It involves leaving Disney, doing some shopping, taking on Harry Potter, visiting Kennedy Space Centre and boarding our
Disney cruise. Looking to stay perhaps one night on site at Universal and one night at Cocoa Beach. For now anyway. Will hire a car for this part if we haven't already with DH getting frustrated by buses. Hehehehehe.
The next bit is our Disney Dream 3 night Bahamian cruise. Looking into shore excursions in Nassau. Am thinking we will probably have a look around town and head back to enjoy the boat. Dont see the point of paying to lounge at a resort for the day when we have a great boat to explore. Want to say I have been to the Bahamas though. Not looking to book any special dining as we have three nights and three restaurants to go through. If we like cruising we will be back for longer and we can do that then.
On our disembarkation morning we will head back to MCO. We have mid afternoon flights booked with AA first class using our points to Washington via Miami. Figure we can use the lounge there.
The end part of the trip would ideally be longer, I have picked the duration in these cities knowing full well that I will return. It is about getting a taste.
We get to Washington at 8pm so we will be tucked up in bed and ready for the West Wing Tour of Washington tomorrow or maybe go see they city at night thinking Licoln Memorial. Plenty of time. Still deciding on hotels here.
1 full,day in DC. I am a massive West Wing fan and a lot of the outdoor scenes were actually filmed on location. So much to do, so little time. Wanting to see the big tourist sites. White House, Lincoln Memorial. Check out one of the Smithsonians.
Then next morning we are on an early train to New York arriving at 11am. Again tossing around a couple of hotels. Working out the best base. My heart is pulling me to the Beacon Apartments but wondering if on limited days 3 in total spread over 4 I would be better near Times Square. Of course there is a huge list but again we will be back, we are getting a taste. A Yankees game is on the list. Which section should I get seats in without paying a fortune and who have you bought them through?
Our last day in NY is our eldest daughters birthday. We fly out at 7pm ish on her birthday to come home. Dd2 will not be happy but what can you do. DH has also not worked out we will miss grand final day so another reason for all Collingwood haters to encourage them not to be in the final. I will never hear the end. Actually if St Kilda were to win I would miss it and I would never hear the end of it ROFL.
Still lots of spots to fill but the framework is complete
All flights booked and paid for
Train ticket booked and paid for
Travel Insurance Done
Deposit paid WDW
Deposit paid
DCL
Magical Express booked.
Oh I do love me some holiday planning. Enjoy the ride