Hello and thanks for joining! This is my first pre-trip/trip report, and it should be an interesting ride!
My husband and I are joining his family for an Orlando vacation April 18th-25th. We have rented a vacation home where all 11 of us will be staying. Cozy, no? Haha. Let's introduce our cast of characters.
Hubs & myself:
This is my 4th trip to the World and my husband's 2nd (well technically 3rd but I don't count his visit to the MK at 18 months old). His "first" visit was with my family and me back in 2012 when we were just dating. I was so worried that he wouldn't enjoy it, but he loved it (although maybe not as much as I do lol). Neither one of us have been to Universal, but we're both super excited. I'm a life-long Potter fan, so I'm particularly geeking out. We have had an eventful 2013 and 2014: graduating, getting married, new jobs, and moving out-of-state. We honestly didn't think we'd be back to Orlando this soon simply because of how busy our lives have been.
Mama2:
Husband's grandmother who everyone calls Mama2. About a year ago she put her house up for sale and moved in with Hubs parents. I'm not sure if she's ever been to WDW!
FIL & MIL:
That trip to the Magic Kingdom Hubs took back when he was 18 months old? That's the only time my FIL and MIL have been as well, way back 25 years ago. They can actually remember it though lol. They have a specific memory of riding the tea cups that they always talk about.
BIL1, SIL1, 3 kids:
My BIL1, Hubs older brother, was at the MK for that visit I keep mentioning. He was probably 7 at the time. Then about three years ago his oldest child, my niece, received her Make-a-Wish trip to WDW and Universal. They are actually the only ones in the family who have been to Universal. The kids are 9, 4, and 3, and the two younger ones LOVE Mickey and Minnie. My BIL1 & SIL1 are actually going to tell the kids that they're going to drive to our house (which happens to be on the way to Orlando) for a visit. Once they get there, they're going to tell the kids we're all going to WDW and Universal!
SIL2:
Hubs younger sister who is in college and NEVER been to WDW or UNI. She's taking time off from school to come, but if her school has to cancel classes due to snow, she may have to back out due to an anatomy lab test that would end up falling during our trip instead of before. Fingers crossed she can go!
Originally BIL2, the youngest sibling, was going to be joining us as well. Unfortunately he has decided that he can't afford to take time off from work.
This trip is going to be way different than any Disney trip I've ever taken. This vacation has been in the works for awhile now and taken many forms, but it was ultimately decided by the group to spend two days in WDW and three days at UNI. UNI has been running a special where you can buy a two day park-to-park ticket and get a third day free. I've suggested visiting MK and Epcot for our two WDW days, mainly because of the limited attraction line-up at DHS at the moment and the lack of appeal of AK to Hubs & BIL1. We'll also be visiting a beach one day, but as of now I'm not sure which one exactly.
Because of this, I've taken to calling it our Orlando trip or Orlando vacation instead of "Disney" this or that, simply because it will be NOTHING like what I'm used to. My experience has always been staying on site with the dining plan and Disney buses visiting every park multiple times. I'm excited though to change it up a bit and finally visit UNI!
My husband and I are joining his family for an Orlando vacation April 18th-25th. We have rented a vacation home where all 11 of us will be staying. Cozy, no? Haha. Let's introduce our cast of characters.

Hubs & myself:

This is my 4th trip to the World and my husband's 2nd (well technically 3rd but I don't count his visit to the MK at 18 months old). His "first" visit was with my family and me back in 2012 when we were just dating. I was so worried that he wouldn't enjoy it, but he loved it (although maybe not as much as I do lol). Neither one of us have been to Universal, but we're both super excited. I'm a life-long Potter fan, so I'm particularly geeking out. We have had an eventful 2013 and 2014: graduating, getting married, new jobs, and moving out-of-state. We honestly didn't think we'd be back to Orlando this soon simply because of how busy our lives have been.
Mama2:
Husband's grandmother who everyone calls Mama2. About a year ago she put her house up for sale and moved in with Hubs parents. I'm not sure if she's ever been to WDW!
FIL & MIL:
That trip to the Magic Kingdom Hubs took back when he was 18 months old? That's the only time my FIL and MIL have been as well, way back 25 years ago. They can actually remember it though lol. They have a specific memory of riding the tea cups that they always talk about.
BIL1, SIL1, 3 kids:
My BIL1, Hubs older brother, was at the MK for that visit I keep mentioning. He was probably 7 at the time. Then about three years ago his oldest child, my niece, received her Make-a-Wish trip to WDW and Universal. They are actually the only ones in the family who have been to Universal. The kids are 9, 4, and 3, and the two younger ones LOVE Mickey and Minnie. My BIL1 & SIL1 are actually going to tell the kids that they're going to drive to our house (which happens to be on the way to Orlando) for a visit. Once they get there, they're going to tell the kids we're all going to WDW and Universal!
SIL2:
Hubs younger sister who is in college and NEVER been to WDW or UNI. She's taking time off from school to come, but if her school has to cancel classes due to snow, she may have to back out due to an anatomy lab test that would end up falling during our trip instead of before. Fingers crossed she can go!
Originally BIL2, the youngest sibling, was going to be joining us as well. Unfortunately he has decided that he can't afford to take time off from work.

This trip is going to be way different than any Disney trip I've ever taken. This vacation has been in the works for awhile now and taken many forms, but it was ultimately decided by the group to spend two days in WDW and three days at UNI. UNI has been running a special where you can buy a two day park-to-park ticket and get a third day free. I've suggested visiting MK and Epcot for our two WDW days, mainly because of the limited attraction line-up at DHS at the moment and the lack of appeal of AK to Hubs & BIL1. We'll also be visiting a beach one day, but as of now I'm not sure which one exactly.
Because of this, I've taken to calling it our Orlando trip or Orlando vacation instead of "Disney" this or that, simply because it will be NOTHING like what I'm used to. My experience has always been staying on site with the dining plan and Disney buses visiting every park multiple times. I'm excited though to change it up a bit and finally visit UNI!
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