I figured that I would start to discuss our upcoming plans for 2012. The driver behind this trip is the end of school celebration for our eldest daughter. She was given a choice of what she wanted to do, and she decisively came up with Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure. So of course we figured why not do WDW and a cruise (will be discussed in another thread) as well while we're there.
We were wanting to book a 5 night on the Dream because that's the new ship and we also wanted to do the 2 days at Castaway Cay. But in the back of our minds, 5 nights was still a short cruise. To add to that, the time of year we're going is busy and when we finally booked the return flight (FF points so had to wait), we went and checked availability of the 2 April 5 night cruises and they were sold out. We then looked at the Fantasy (as per suggestions here, thanks!) and we thought why were we even looking at the Dream. A new ship and 7 night cruises and we were sold. We do prefer the longer cruise and love the Formal night as well (chance to "suit up").
So we have booked the 7 night Western Caribbean (Itinerary B) departing April 14. We are on Deck 9 in a balcony cabin, Aft of the ship on the left side (is that starboard?). We decided to go back to the late dining, despite saying last time we'd try the early dining. What swayed it was, the need to not have to rush to get ready for the show and dinner, finish dinner and head straight to a bar for the evening, and the kids will also scoot off straight after dinner as well, so late it was.
The ports of call will be Grand Cayman, Costa Maya and Cozumenl in Mexico and of course Castaway Cay. Although I will admit, the ports on this occassion mean very little. We just want to be on this ship and savour everything that it has to offer. It looks magnificent and we really can't wait. We'll plan to be at port early and ensure we get on as soon as we can. Doing a cruise after Easter at WDW will be so blissful. Bring on April 2012!
Booking at this time of year is an absolute nightmare. We have utilised the services of a very friendly TA (thanks Sandie) and so far with the cruise bookings she has been great. With the rates being released just now, I'm hoping to get something from her in the coming days.
So besides flights and the cruise nothing is booked. But our plans at this stage are to arrive LA and spend 2 nights in Anaheim doing a whirlwind DL trip. We want to catch the new additions, so figured we won't need to be here long. We'll hit the park as soon as we drop our bags, and plan to leave the park 3 days later and jump on a red eye to Orlando. Maximises our time both in DL and in Universal. We'll land in Orlando in the morning, again drop the bags and hit Universal and IOA. We'll stay on site for 3 nights here and make the most of Harry Potter. We then plan 10 nights at WDW before jumping on the cruise. It is Easter so we know it will be heavy. The biggest thing I want to see is the Flower and Garden at EPCOT, so anything outside of that will be crowd management.
As I said nothing is booked, so whilst we'd like to stay at Royal Pacific (Universal) and Riverside at WDW, nothing can be confirmed. I'm excited to be going back, not necessarily because we're going back (which is great), but I'm going back experienced. As a first timer to this area, it was a little daunting, but this time we'll be wiser and be able to better use our time and money.
The weird thing about this time around as opposed to the last trip is the time. I booked a 7 week trip to pretty well the same itinerary in less than 4 weeks. I now am doing a 3 week trip in over 10 months and still feel pressured. And I'm not even doing it myself this time . I'll update once I have confirmed more.