Plannning a trip for January!

[3dog2kidmom]

Updating our plans... see page 2

Well it's that time of year again when I start to get the bug for going back to my happy place (we booked our very first trip in August for Christmas, but have gone the past two Januarys over MLK day). Especially since when I go on the SR cruise we aren't doing any park days. Also over the past week or so we've decided not to book the 2010 DCL cruise we'd talked about and do a Disney trip instead, so I've been toying with how to get two trips out of this -- one each year. I happened to check packages online the other night, and yesterday morning called AAA who saved me ~$175 on a 4-night, 5-day package at Animal Kingdom Lodge with dining and flights (saved $500 on the flights booking through Disney with the package). I paid the deposit and nearly half of our flights with Sunshine Rewards gift cards!!

So here is a preliminary pre-trip (never too early, right?!):

The cast is a family of Disney fanatics --
Me
DH, goes along for the ride but secretly loves it too
DS11, really wanted to go to the Grand Canyon this year but Disney is cheaper (I promised him Grand Canyon when everyone is able to do a good bit of hiking in a couple of years)
and DS9

When --
January 15-19, 2009. The kids are out of school on the 16th & 19th for MLK weekend so they only have to miss 1 day of school. I am happy about this since now DS is in 5th grade and I think it will be harder to take them out.

Tentative plans --

Thursday, 1/15 --
Arrive MCO at 11:25 am and take Magical Express to AKL. Check in, drop our carry-ons, head to DHS. Fantasmic dinner package at Hollywood & Vine (reservation at 4:40). Fantasmic at 7 pm

Friday, 1/16 --
Epcot mid-morning through pm EMH. Dinner at Marrakesh 7 pm. Illuminations at 9 pm

Saturday, 1/17 --
Animal Kingdom in the morning. Do our "must" list: Everest, Dinosaur and any other requests, and head back to AKL for the afternoon to enjoy the pool and resort. Dinner at Boma 6:35 pm.

Sunday, 1/18 --
Magic Kingdom all day through pm EMH. Dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe at 5:05 pm. Wishes at 8 pm, Spectro at 9 pm.

Monday, 1/19 --
Back to DHS until it's time to head home (we have a pretty nice day with a flight at 6:55 pm)

I'm so excited we are going to stay at AKL! If my November bonus doesn't happen to come in at what I think it should I'll switch to Pop as originally thought, but for now I'm dreaming of AKL. Now to figure out how many days are left...

[linanglab]

I AKL will be wonderful! Never stayed there, but visited. VERY exciting!

[Sunni]

I love your plan. I think stay at AKL would be fantastic.

[bbangel]

Make sure you walk the trails at AKL. The resort is beautiful and I'm sure you will love it.

[3dog2kidmom]

Make sure you walk the trails at AKL. The resort is beautiful and I'm sure you will love it.

You'll have to tell me about the trails. Is that where you look at the animals on the savannah? We did that when we ate at Boma. I am hoping we will be able to catch one of the storytellers or something like that. I didn't pay for the savannah view room, but hope to get up early in the mornings and take a stroll with my camera.

[bbangel]

You'll have to tell me about the trails. Is that where you look at the animals on the savannah? We did that when we ate at Boma. I am hoping we will be able to catch one of the storytellers or something like that. I didn't pay for the savannah view room, but hope to get up early in the mornings and take a stroll with my camera.

Yes, that is what I meant. I was amazed at how many people didn't realize that you could walk around the outside of the resort and find information and viewing spots for animals. The front desk should have a list of activities that take place in the lobby or around the fire pit and the times that you can find them.