So, here we are at 47 days to go until our next and (UK) Tink's first visit to WDW. We've ticked a few more things off our to-do list so things are coming along nicely.
In case you didn't follow my Disneyland Paris plans, here is a brief synopsis.
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| First trip together |
So far we have -
Booked flights and upgraded to Premium seats. This comes with all the usual First Class perks, extra room, first on/off the plane, dedicated check-in, extra luggage allowance, more food and unlimited drinks etc. The sole reason we've upgraded is the time we hope it'll save at the airports. We also have use of the lounge for free at Sanford coming home which will make leaving the US a little easier.
Booked the hotel. The Clarion Inn in Lake Buena Vista which is a Disney 'Good Neighbour' hotel. I still need to email them this week to confirm the request for a ground floor, car park facing room, rather than the I-4. It's our first time staying in LBV but we've heard only good things about this family style hotel.
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| Janine and Felicity at Disneyland Paris |
Booked car hire and upgraded to Fully Inclusive insurance package and intermediate sized car.
Booked Disney park tickets - we've got the 14 day park hopper tickets which are only available in the UK. Tink is still free as only 2 years old.
Got our ESTAs (Visas) as we now have to apply online before we travel. We have thankfully been approved, phew!
Got some dollars and are busy saving every penny to get some more.
Checked all passports are in date.
Travel insurance sorted.
Made sure we've got plenty of shorts and tee-shirts to wear. I don't know about the US, but the UK shops now have their winter stock for sale ie jeans, sweaters, coats etc. Not good when you suddenly realize you only have one pair of shorts to take to Orlando in the September heat ... Luckily anything we haven't got now we know we can buy Stateside, and it gives us the perfect excuse for a shopping trip. I can't wait to visit those Outlet Malls!. Tink of course has several new outfits bought especially for this holiday including a couple of gorgeous Minnie dresses for when she meets her. I'm still trying to find a Princess outfit to fit and not too fussy for the parks.
Most toiletries purchased already, courtesy of working for Avon and getting some great bargains!
New 'park' bag bought - a Kipling ... Not sure if these are available in the US but they are very popular amongst UK WDW fans as they have so many pockets and seem to be just like Mary Poppins bag, seriously, the stuff you can shove in them is awesome!
New waterproof sun hat and sunglasses for Tink. She'll be getting some new trainers (sneakers) but we'll leave those until just before we go as her feet grow all the time.
Touring Plans and The Dibb Busy Day Guide consulted. We have made a MAJOR decision. We are not doing Magic Kingdom on our first day. The reason? When we did DLP Tink loved the Disneyland Park so much she cried when we went to the Studios. So we have decided to leave MK until last, so she can experience each of the other parks first before she becomes obsessed with MK, Fantasyland and it's a small world in particular! It will be tough for me not to see The Castle on my first morning though *gulp*. We've decided to do Hollywood Studios first as we know Tink will love Toy Story Mania (DH will run straight there after rope drop), Playhouse Disney Live and Beauty and the Beast. We plan to just spend a couple of hours there on the first morning, it'll no doubt be tiring (there is a 5 hour time difference) and overwhelming for Tink to start with.
And that is going to be the theme of the holiday really. We will try to get to the parks for rope drop each day because we know that madam will be up early for a while whilst she adjusts to US time. Therefore it makes sense to get to the parks as early as possible. But because she still has a daytime nap, and only does this in her crib (never sleeps in stroller and very rarely in the car) we plan to just spend a couple of hours in Disney then head back to the hotel for a rest. We will then pop back out in the afternoon but this might be to a mall or DTD, something less hectic than a park again for the first few days. As she gets used to the time difference and the heat we hope to extend the time we spend in the parks or go back in the afternoon but there is no pressure. We just want to enjoy ourselves in our Happy Place and get some great memories of Tink's First Visit to The Mouse.
Check back with me next month when I talk about what attractions we hope Tink will enjoy and what dining arrangements we are making!
Contributed by Janine P. of Swindon, England. She is a proud wife, mommy to Felicity and one of our Minnie Moms. Check out her monthly series which followed her as she planned her family's first trip to Disneyland Paris. Learn more about Janine here.
- New Series from Nine
- Part 1: Questions
- Part 2: When to Go?
- Part 3: Where to Stay?
- Part 4: Where to Eat?
- Holidays at DLP
- Part 5: Dates Booked
- Part 6: Attractions at Disneyland Park
- Part 7: Walt Disney Studios
- Part 8: Almost Ready!
- Part 9: Last Minute Preparations
- Nine's Report on her First Disneyland Paris Visit
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