WDW here I come: June '08
 

Yip!

Dolphin Hotel: Booked! (great rate thanks to Allears.net)
Cirque Tickets: Booked!
Flights: Not Yet
Transportation: Not Yet
Illuminations dinner cruise: Can't book yet
California Grill for Dinner/Fireworks view: Can't book yet
Phantasmic Dinner ressies: Meh
Star Wars Weekend events: Humm....
Segway tour: Not this time (headliner, age...)
Emergency room reservations (heat stroke): Check.

Fun, Fun, Fun....

Grocery store, at which to buy a case of bottled water so as not to get too dehydrated: Priceless.

*bump*

Dolphin Hotel: Booked! (great rate thanks to Allears.net)
Cirque Tickets: Booked!
Flights: Not Yet Booked.
Transportation: Hummm...

I can't decide on transportation. Last time I visited WDW it was the middle of January and I was staying at the Poly. Using the WDW transportation system to get around was a breeze most of the time.

Now I'm going at high tourist season and staying at the Dolphin. Should I rent a car to drive from park to park or still rely on the WDW transportation system?

I'm also toying with the idea of ducking out for a day to visit Universal Orlando/Islands of Adventure. So that might figure in on the decision.

I know people disagree, but I vote for renting a car. I hate the thought of spending a day at a park, in the heat, and then squishing onto a bus with other tired, sweaty tourists for a ride on which my stop is inevitably the last one. I like being able to leave things in the car. I like being able to escape the crowd on the way back to the hotel. I like pointing the vents directly at my face and turning the AC on high.

You cannot take a Dinsey bus to Universal/IOA.

Transportation from the Dolphin isn't going to be as convenient as at the Poly (no monorail). Come to think of it, do the Disney busses even stop at the Swan/Dolphin, or would you be stuck walking to the Boarwalk/Yacht & Beach Club bus stops?

Exactly, that's why if we decide to go that route we'll rent a car for sure.




Yes. They have directs to all four parks from the swan/dolphin.

Plus it's super easy to get to the Studios, or to Epcot from the Dolphin - you wouldn't want to drive to either of those, IMHO.

(Disclaimer; I'm in the "hate to drive on vacation" camp)

* Bump *

I got extremely jealous reading Scaeages WDW posts... So it's time to update my own trip plans.

Tickets: WDW 5-Day Park Hopper + 1 Day USF 2/park pass
Dolphin Hotel: Booked! (great rate thanks to Allears.net)
Cirque Tickets: Booked!
Flights: Booked!
Transportation: Rental car - Got me a Mustang!
Illuminations fireworks cruise: Booked! I'm Breathless.
Universal Studios VIP tour: Booked! Two parks/One day.
Phantasmic Dinner ressies: Meh, this ain't Disneyland.
Star Wars Weekend events: Humm....


Fun, Fun, Fun....

Oooh. A Mustang. Cool!
(I say skip Fantasmic! altogether.)
:)

Yup that's the plan. We have a very packed agenda plus Headliner and I saw the real thing last summer with a couple of real kool cats. Skipping the WDW version won't be a problem.

However headliner has informed me that we will be seeing Block Party Bash at least one more time. The kid has gotta dance!

WDW has a Block Party Bash?
Has Headliner seen the new Pixar parade at DCA yet?

Yes. Disney moved Block Party Bash to MGM Disney Studios. I have to say it will be interesting to see how well they manage that one in the summer heat....

No. Block party bash was still running when we were last at DCA.

Woo hoo! Yea me! $100 bucks right back into my pocket.

I was comparing trip costs today VS when I booked to see how much effect all this economy stuff was having.

The flights are still about the same, but I found out the Dolphin hotel is running a special the days I'm there and I got them to drop my room rate for a total of just over $100!

Looks like the kid gets a double order of chicken nuggets this trip! :D

Filed under the "It's always something" department....

United Airlines is planning to shut down TED, their low cost airline.

Guess who I'm booked with for the WDW trip? So far the shutdown date has not been stated other than "later this summer" so hopefully my June flight will squeak in under the wire but it's just one more thing to worry about.

Other than that, I think things are fairly well set. We should arrive at WDW about 10:00pm Tue June 17th and hit Early entry at AK bright and early the next morning. Cirque on Wednesday, The Brethless on Thursday, Universal VIP tour Saturday and Star Wars Weekend on on Sunday before taking off.