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POST Trip Report -The World and First Cruise Ever UPDATED
Hi guys, this is the first time I've done a trip report but I have so much milling around in my head that I thought by starting it early, it might help me to a)be as organised as possible and b) give me some experience in writing my post trip report!
Okay, here goes:
Who?
Me, Claire 29 and a half year old who has always had a passion for Disney but also anything with a magical feel to it. I work in an opticians as an assistant manager and get to meet lots of new people everyday. I have been very lucky to have visited the World 3 times when I was growing up with my family and once in 2012 with my own little brood. We live in Chesterfield, a little town right in the middle of England, surrounded by the Peak District. Music is constantly on in the house and I try to see as much of it live as I can. After being bought up on F1, I am a massive fan and keen Mclaren supporter.
My husband Sean, 33, a self employed carpet fitter who really does put everyone first before himself. I have never met someone so hard working than he. He is new to Disney, his first trip being with me and our daughter in 2012. He leaves most of the planning to me but certain things do spark his interest that wouldn't have prior to his visit to the world and I can tell he's been touched by the disney magic!an absolute sports freak, has an interest in everything.
Maddison, our 5 year old princess in the making who can't decide between being a princess or a Jedi when she's big! She is an adorable little madam who is an extra special gift to us as she is the result of our first, very successful IVF treatment. Her favourite princess is Belle.
When
19th May 2014 flying from Manchester roughly a 9 hour flight into Orlando
13 nights offsite as planning on seeing Universal, Seaworld and shopping as well as The world
1st June First cruise ever on the Dream 4 night Bahama adventure
Why?
My 30th birthday was where it all started which is the week before and we will be due a return visit
So, that's the cast, a guest appearance will be made by my sister Diane 27 who is also in Florida at the same time and will be sharing our flight home
So in the upcoming weeks we will have day by day plans, organising annual leave, booking cruise activities -help May be needed and very much appreciated
A WARNING though, excitement is going to build which may become extremely obvious!
__________________
Claire
Last edited by ClaireyWalsh; 08-06-2014 at 03:35 AM..
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Signing in. How exciting, your first cruise! I've never been on a Disney cruise but I see one in my future. And don't worry about starting this PTR early. I started mine this week and my trip is in June. Just couldn't contain my excitement.
I love the way you talk about your job - as I'm a regular at our local opticians, being very short sighted, and have made friends with the staff in there who I've known for many years. It's so nice to hear you talk about the job from the other side.
WDW - August 1997 Off Property
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WDW- dec/jan 2009/2010 pop century
WDW- oct/nov 2012 art of animation
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WDW- july 2015 beach club
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Signing in. How exciting, your first cruise! I've never been on a Disney cruise but I see one in my future. And don't worry about starting this PTR early. I started mine this week and my trip is in June. Just couldn't contain my excitement.
Tell me about it! I'm way too excited already!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rosanna
Sounds like a good time! Can't wait to hear more.
Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Great start! Your plans sound wonderful.
I love the way you talk about your job - as I'm a regular at our local opticians, being very short sighted, and have made friends with the staff in there who I've known for many years. It's so nice to hear you talk about the job from the other side.
Aaah, thankyou. You do get to develop relationships with the patients you see a lot. Some just call in for a catch up I think sometimes!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
It sounds great!
Thankyou
Quote:
Originally Posted by Claireanddylan
Signing in
All aboard!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mojjo
Sounds great. Can't wait to hear all your plans!!!
Thankyou, can't wait to get into it all properly
Quote:
Originally Posted by bsblady01
great start
Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russi01
Signing in to follow along. As we have not been on a cruise either!
I think the cruise part has me the most nervous but most excited, I think it's the 'unknown' aspect to it
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Great start! Love the introductions to your cast! Sounds like you all will be have quite a bit of fun on this vacation.
Hi guys, how was all of your weeks? I have been sooooo hectic this week it has been a struggle to get everything in!! I work alternate 6 then 5 day weeks so after doing my first 6 day week after Christmas, today couldn't have come soon enough - my much needed day off. So after a busy day of new kitchen appliance shopping, family lunch, washing, ironing and general tidying, I thought it was time for a cuppa and a catch up with my plans so far!!
When we were in Orlando in 2012, Maddison was just 4 so even though we had pretty full days we didn't stay in the parks for dinner or fireworks etc as it was just too long a day for her- and us! So this time round I really wanted to make the most of all the days and enjoy dinner in the parks.
So I marked the 180 day point on my calendar which fell mid November and began my planning around that.
We will arrive into MCO on a Monday afternoon and it will be getting onto early evening by the time we reach the hotel so not much to plan in other than getting settled and dinner and zzzzzzzzz's.
The first couple of days I'm thinking to take it quite easy, maybe visit seaworld and universal, not have too late a night and get adjusted time wise.
Our first day at the world is going to be our first Thursday and were going to hit the Kingdom. I managed to secure a dinner reservation at BOG that evening and I have mads booked into the BBB beforehand.I cannot wait to eat at BOG! And experience all the rooms
Also cannot wait to see her face in the boutique! Her birthday is a couple of weeks before we leave so going to treat her to the full package as a late gift. I'm thinking she's going to opt for the belle outfit but you never know with mads!
Our next day in the world will be Sunday at Epcot and I've booked Akershus for dinner, excited but nervous as not quite sure what to expect!
The following week we will have a day back at the kingdom and Hollywood studios. We will be there when Star Wars weekends are happening but I'm thinking we will avoid that as I'm worried it will overtake our day at the park and we will not get to experience all that we want to. Not sure on days yet, but I'll get to it soon. Mads does want to eat at Sci-fi though, she saw the pictures of the cars and kept talking about it all day!
I am nervous of how the crowds are going to be as it's Memorial Day weekend too during our stay. I'm hoping it's going to be bearable - fingers crossed!
So I need to start figuring out the following weeks days to confirm any dining reservations and go from there.
Then my next big reservation day is when our port adventures become available in about 6 weeks time. I have an idea of what we want to do but need some spare time to start researching properly.
When you book a holiday to Florida, you know it's going to be busy and you know your going to sleep well when your head hits the pillow but until you properly start to plan, you really don't appreciate just how much there is available to you. I've been amazed by all the things you don't necessarily realise if you just ' turn up 'without thinking about it.
This time around I promised myself I would take more time to appreciate all the small sometimes unnoticed things that I overlooked on other visits!!
Oh well, better get back to it, I'll fill you guys in when I have more plans in place
About This Page: 
who has always had a passion for Disney but also anything with a magical feel to it. I work in an opticians as an assistant manager and get to meet lots of new people everyday. I have been very lucky to have visited the World 3 times when I was growing up with my family and once in 2012 with my own little brood. We live in Chesterfield, a little town right in the middle of England, surrounded by the Peak District. Music is constantly on in the house and I try to see as much of it live as I can. After being bought up on F1, I am a massive fan and keen Mclaren supporter.
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Pixie Dust
PassPorter Guide Author
Your plans sound wonderful. 
Deb
Sounds like you all will be have quite a bit of fun on this vacation. 
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