Rich & Ann's American Adventure Pre-Trip Report!!

[trickster]

I have finally decided that since we are now under the 100 day mark, I would join in and start a pre trip report!

Like most other Brits with living so far away across The Pond, we don't get to visit as often as we would like. But when we do visit, we try to do it in style!

I can't believe how the time flies and how we were getting this excited for our October trip back in 2006. Just like that trip, it'll just be Ann and I... But we are hoping [and planning] on meeting other members & friends while we are there.

We fly out to Orlando from Manchester Airport on Sunday 21st September but our holiday will start the day before as we make our way to Manchester Airport for a nights stay at the Radisson there:



The reason for this is firstly to get in the holiday spirit - not that we'll need it and secondly, our flight is at 10.25am with a 3hour check-in. It'll save us getting up soooo early allowing us to get up around 7am, get the bags checked in, back to the Radisson for breakfast and then onwards through Passport Control and onto our plane.

We booked the holiday through Virgin Holidays. Working for one of Sir Richard's sister companies (Virgin Trains) we get great perks and discounts on all his brands! Needless to say we'll be flying on a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400 and have upgraded to Premium Economy sitting in the 'pod' of the aircraft:



We have not hired a car as we'll be spending all our time in one park or another. Therefore once we get to Orlando International, we'll be transported to our hotel by Mears Transportation. (All part of the holiday package).

[trickster]

Our holiday will consist of a 21 nights stay at Disney's Beach Club.



We are very excited about staying at a Disney Hotel on property for the first time as on previous trips we have always stayed in Kissimmee apart from 2006 when we stayed at The Buena Vista Palace, DTD.

While we are there, we'll have 21 Day Ultimate Park Hopper tickets for WDW and a 2 Day Orland Flex ticket for Universal. These tickets are only available in the UK and are of great value!

Back in 2006 we had a 20 night stay which gave us 19 full days to enjoy ourselves. This broke down into 13 WDW Days and 6 Days 'Off Property' at the other parks.

This time, we have a 21 night stay giving us 20 full days. Since we have been many times to Busch Gardens, Sea World, Wet n Wild in the past and not much has changed at these parks, we are not going back! This now breaks down to 18 WDW Days and 2 Days at Universal!

Through out our whole stay, we are also on the Disney Dining Plan.

[disneydarling]

Sounds lovely! How long will you be staying? What hotel? DD Jr and I may have to sneak down and take a spin on the teacups with ya'll.

Traveling mercies!

[disneydarling]

Hahaha - We must have posted at the same time - pleas ignore my already answered questions!

[trickster]

... Lol !!

[trickster]

Some of you may or may not be aware that we did not set out to stay at The Beach Club...

Our original plan was to go back to the Buena Vista Palace. But when we got the relavant Virgin Holidays Brochure, that particular hotel was no longer available! It was then that Ann said she'd like to stay at The Dolphin and so it was agreed and on 30th April 2007 I booked a 19 night holiday for October 2008 staying at The Dolphin.

This was not to last as is shown in the Planning Outlined below:

· 14th March 2007 Ann & I first talked about going back to Florida in 2008.
· 03rd April 2007 looked at possible dates and places to stay.
· 30th April 2007 booked 19 nights at the Dolphin for October 2008.
· Various dates playing about with the plans!
· 24th August 2007 First look at which restaurants to eat at.
· 25th September 2007 extended the holiday to 21 nights.
· Various dates re-planning our days!
· 04th October 2007 Radisson Hotel booked at Manchester Airport.
· 12th October 2007 Cats booked into the Cattery.
· 19th October 2007 Cancelled existing holiday.
· 19th October 2007 Re-booked to leave in September staying 21 nights at The Beach Resort – Including FREE Disney Dining!!
· 19th October 2007 Rebooked Radisson Hotel at Manchester Airport.
· 23rd October 2007 Altered Annual Leave through work.
· Various dates re-planning our days in Florida!
· 14th November 2007 booked our ‘usual seats’ on the plane!
· Cattery dates changed!
· 22nd March 2008 EMH & Park times released for September 2008
· 31st March 2008 Finally settled on a plan of attack!
· 03rd April 2008 ADRs booked (Apart from Crystal Palace & ESPN)
· 11th April 2008 Final ADRs booked
· 12th April 2008 New HD HDD Camcorder arrived – No more tapes to take!
· 02nd May 2008 Melissa booked MNSSHP for us. (tickets still to be mailed!!)
· 09th May 2008 A couple of dates altered to take into account the Expedition Everest Challenge!

[trickster]

OK - I have to pop out with Ann!

I'll be back soon to write some more!!

[disneydreamer98]

Oh Rich...seriously???? A pretrip report. UGH!

[mini-V]

I talked to Rich yesterday. We have nothing definitely planned yet, but we will be setting up some meets at and outside the parks once my schedule gets settled. Of course, we already are planning to cheer on the runners in the EE marathon.

[ChipNDale]

Rich,
Glad to see everything is coming together!! I am so excited you get to go on a nice extended holiday!

[trickster]

I talked to Rich yesterday. We have nothing definitely planned yet, but we will be setting up some meets at and outside the parks once my schedule gets settled. Of course, we already are planning to cheer on the runners in the EE marathon.

We certainly will be cheering!!

Rich,
Glad to see everything is coming together!! I am so excited you get to go on a nice extended holiday!

Thanks, Stac. We are very lucky at the amount of leave we are granted each year.

[GIOny]

I remember your trip report from last time you and Ann went to the world, it was alot of fun, so I'm looking forward to another great report. 21 DAYS, that's the stuff that dreams are made of

[trickster]

Yes - It was so much fun!... I wonder??....

[trickster]

Ah, yes!!

Here's the two threads from 2006...

The American Adventure with the Daily BritCasts:
http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/for...adventure.html

And the Trip Reports from 2006:
http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/for...p-reports.html

[Maestr034]

Wow 21 days at the Beach Club. That would be amazing. All the planning and the length of the stay are going to make it even harder to leave when it is finally over. Congrats looking forward to reading about your trip.