Pre-Trip I Think We Have a Final Plan: 3 Weeks, 2 Resorts, a Cruise and Lots of Firsts

I’m a bit later than I planned in writing this pre-trip report, we fly out tomorrow and we’re already at a hotel at the airport. I was going to write something last weekend, the flights and resorts were booked (that had already been changed once), and then we were playing pretend on the DCL website, there was quite a good price on GTY staterooms so we went ahead and booked.

This trip is just me and my two youngest daughters, Alice (18) and Lexi (15) and it’s been quite a while since we visited the parks. I took a short resort only trip last year after my transatlantic cruise but the last time any of us were in the parks was January 2020. Up until then we’d visited once or twice a year so the parks really did feel like home to us and we’re very excited to be finally going back.

The last time we were there, the girls aged 13 and 10

The girls on our short cruise from the UK last summer. I am very bad at being in photos, hopefully I’ll get more with me in on this trip.

I’ll put some details in the next post, the hotel wifi is being a bit glitchy and I don’t want to write a long post only for it to disappear

 

[Piglet_the_brave]

The outline of the plan

July 7th: fly from London Gatwick arriving in Orlando at about 6pm

July 7th to 20th: Pop Century, looking forward to a first stay at a skyliner resort, the last time we stayed at Pop was before the skyliner was built

July 20th to 25th: 5 night Bahamas cruise on the Disney Magic, stopping at Nassau, Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. The first time sailing on the Disney Magic, we’ve only sailed on the Dream and the Fantasy

July 25th to 28th: All Star Sports

We originally only had a two week trip booked, the Pop Century part, then when the Disney+ subscriber offer came out we changed our flights and added a week at All Star Sports. It seemed quite a cheap way to extend our trip. But then we couldn’t resist the cruise.

For the Pop Century part we have the UK 14 day park tickets which include the waterparks. As part of the package we got the free quick service dining plan, I did look at paying to upgrade to the regular dining plan but I wasn’t sure we’d want to be tied to having dining reservations every day. So the few reservations we do have booked I’ll just pay extra for.

 

[Tiggerish]

The outline of the plan

July 7th: fly from London Gatwick arriving in Orlando at about 6pm

July 7th to 20th: Pop Century, looking forward to a first stay at a skyliner resort, the last time we stayed at Pop was before the skyliner was built

July 20th to 25th: 5 night Bahamas cruise on the Disney Magic, stopping at Nassau, Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. The first time sailing on the Disney Magic, we’ve only sailed on the Dream and the Fantasy

July 25th to 28th: All Star Sports

We originally only had a two week trip booked, the Pop Century part, then when the Disney+ subscriber offer came out we changed our flights and added a week at All Star Sports. It seemed quite a cheap way to extend our trip. But then we couldn’t resist the cruise.

For the Pop Century part we have the UK 14 day park tickets which include the waterparks. As part of the package we got the free quick service dining plan, I did look at paying to upgrade to the regular dining plan but I wasn’t sure we’d want to be tied to having dining reservations every day. So the few reservations we do have booked I’ll just pay extra for.

I hope you will love the Magic! It's my favourite ship!

I did that same itinerary the first week of June. I think Lookout Cay is fantastic, I like it better than Castaway (I'm not much of a beachgoer).

Can't wait to follow along on your trip report!

 

[Wicked Sisters]

So looking forward to your trip report.

 

[Piglet_the_brave]

A few more details:

Even though we have plenty of time to do everything we want in the parks, I didn’t think we’d want to spend our first few days back in the parks in queue after queue. So for our first day in each park I have paid for Lightning Lanes and wow does that add up quickly.

Tuesday 8th: Animal Kingdom. We’re always awake at silly o’clock on our first morning, still on UK time so this is probably the best day to try for a 7.30 rope drop. Planning to head straight to Dinosaur then Expedition Everest. We have LLMP for Kali, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Na’vi and LLSP for Flight of Passage. Planning on lunch at Satu’li (first time there) then we may park hop if we can get some more Lightning Lanes or head back to the resort for some pool time

Wednesday 9th: Magic Kingdom. The girls have said they want to relive some memories here so rather than heading straight to the big rides we will be rope dropping Fantasyland. Probably start with Pooh then Little Mermaid, Dumbo, The Barnstormer, as much as we can get done until the lines get too long. We have LLMP starting late morning for Haunted Mansion, Pirates and Tiana’s (first time on this). I decided against LLSP in MK, I might get one for Tron on another day.

Thursday 10th: Epcot. Rope drop Frozen, then we have LLSP for Guardians (new to us). We also have LLMP for Mission: SPACE, Spaceship Earth and Remy (also new).

Friday 11th: An easier day. We may go to a waterpark or have a later park day, we’re just going to decide on the day.

Saturday 12th: Hollywood Studios. Rope drop Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and hopefully Tower of Terror. Then LLMP for Slinky Dog, Toy Story and Alien Swirling Saucers (there wasn’t much else in tier 2 so I will probably try and modify this one). LLSP for Rise of the Resistance. We will also try to ride Runaway Railway, this will be another first.

After that we’re just going to rotate back through the parks, deciding what to do on the day. We do have dining reservations booked for Crystal Palace which is always a must do, also for Space 220 dinner and Topolino’s breakfast (first time at both of these).

One other not so fun first: this will be my first trip anywhere with a serious food allergy. I’ve had two emergency hospital visits in the last few months with a legume allergy (lentils and peas) and now have to carry epipens everywhere. I am feeling pretty confident about eating at Disney though, everything I’ve read says they are very good at dealing with allergies.

 

[littleroo]

Looking forward to this TR. I really enjoyed your single trip last year. I am glad your daughters are joining you this trip! I actually have friends that will be on The Magic at the same time! Enjoy!!!

 

[Piglet_the_brave]

We are here, very tired after a long travel day but excited to get to the parks tomorrow

Ending the day with a fireworks view across the lake

 

[Katiekitten]

I'm glad you have made it safely!

 

[Piglet_the_brave]

And… the plan changed.

As we don’t have park tickets for the three days after the cruise, we were planning on mostly relaxing resort days. I’m not sure it would be that relaxing at All Star Sports so I’ve booked French Quarter instead. Really looking forward to this resort, we’ve stayed a few times before, it was my first ever on property resort for my honeymoon a long time ago. And hopefully we’ll go over to riverside to see Yeehaa Bob.

 

[coachwnh]

Have a great time!

 

[Piglet_the_brave]

And a bit more planning but this time for the next trip. Just booked MVMCP for 20th November with my oldest daughter. The last time we did this was in 2004 when she was five. Debating Jollywood Nights as well.

I had planned on some live-ish posts from this trip but just haven’t had much time, I don’t know how you live reporters manage it. We are having a wonderful time though.