Off or on? .....

Even though I know it's highly unlikely that we will be back to Disney next year due to how late in the year we are travelling this year it didn't stop me from picking up the 2015 - 2016 brochure and having a cheeky look through it

And so an interesting question to ponder if we did decide to try and save to go back next year would we be happy to stay off site rather than on site; which could mean a  saving of around £600 each on a 2 week holiday but is money everything?

Our first trip ever to Florida we were about as uneducated as anyone could be and I think all I had in terms of info was a little Berlitz travel guide; we stayed off site on the 192 in a hotel with "a complimentary shuttle bus" now I'm not saying that this doesn't work and I'm sure that some hotels have it down to a fine art but I remember frantically running through Epcot (Ok maybe run is a bit optimistic) after the fireworks to make sure we didn't miss the last bus back.

From what I can remember of that holiday we had a fantastic time (apart from the little argument about whether it was a good idea to use an umbrella in a thunder storm - James this is NOT a good idea) but I'm pretty sure we missed loads as we just hadn't figured out the sheer size of everything and were restricted by the free transport, actually we must have had an amazing time otherwise why would we have ever gone back?

But we didn't return for 2 or 3 years after our first trip and this time we stayed at Disney's All Star Sports; again I don't think we saw everything we wanted to but it felt like there was les pressure - buses direct to all the parks which ran frequently; a food court and some fantastic theming

So what makes on site better than off site or vice versa - off site will probably be cheaper and most Orlando resorts now offer free transport to the theme parks where as a Disney resort will be more costly and only offer free transport to the Disney parks

When staying at a Disney resort you get extra magic hours and the opportunity to book your Fastpass+ 60 days in advance where as off site guests can't attend morning EMH but can stay for evening EMH they just can't do any of the rides and can only book their fastpasses 30 days ahead

Another thing when staying on site if you have a hotel reservation and tickets you can book the Disney dining plan which means that your meals are pre paid (there are a few different plans so it's worth doing a bit of research) and if you are lucky this might also be offered free with your booking

So, a £600 saving but is my time more valuable to me? Everyone is different but I think for me on site will always win; I love the fact that you are at the heart of the magic and if the mood takes you at 8.30 at night if you are quick you might just get to the park in time for Wishes - and to me that's priceless

Xxx

It's all bananas

This week has been pretty quiet on the holiday planning front, apart from crossing a few more days off our countdown the only thing I did was check that mini golf was still included as part of our ultimate tickets - which it is so James had better be prepared to get beaten again....

There is just one down side, the free entry is only good before 4pm so there you are out in the heat of the day, sweating buckets just for a round of mini golf; I guess the key to it is get there for when it opens or rather than playing Fantasia which we normally do (that's the course by the swan and dolphin) we could always head over to Winter Summerland by Blizzard Beach which has a whole lot more shade........hmmmmm, I will have to ponder that one

So what excitement has there been in my life, I brought a Yonanas machine.....I'm sure you are going a what!?!?! It's a machine that instantly turns frozen fruit into sorbet or if you use bananas it will have a more creamy texture

So far we have tried mango, strawberry and banana and in the freezer now we have mango and raspberry lollies.....but there are lots of amazing creations to try, supposedly you can make a pretty good mint choc chip or cookies and cream and for a girl who loves ice cream but hates the calories this might just be my saviour

Aside from that me and the bloke have got the week off work so have been enjoying the hot spell we are having by taking a trip to IKEA, basically before we knew the weather was going to be nice we'd already planned this.....the best thing about it was that because the weather was nice there was hardly anyone there - yay

So tomorrow we will most likely  be arguing about how to put together a piece of flat pack furniture that we can't even pronounce the name of and then spending the rest of the day in different rooms....oh well; as long as I get the big tv I'm happy and then I get to see the lovely Emmie Lou, happy days

Sorry for such a short one, until next week xxx

How are we going to fit it all in......

Well firstly let me apologise for the lateness of this post, the only other time I've posted mid week when I was in sunny Florida but due to a hectic couple of days at work time just ran away from me.....

This week has been a very busy week of holiday planning, at the beginning of the week the dates were released for both Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP)

So we are going to MNSSHP on our first real night there (not arrival night as that would be even a bit too much for me) and this is proving to be a bit of a planning nightmare for me as I always wake up at some god forsaken time on the first day and then I'm too excited to go back to sleep as I know we will be off to Magic Kingdom later - I can't tell you how happy just thinking about it makes me feel but I'm sure it will be fine and I will just have to eat shed loads of candy from our trick or treating and let the sugar high keep me going (James, Emmie Lou you have been warned!) 

Our Christmas party is a couple of nights before we come back home and I'm looking forward to snow on Main Street and unlimited hot chocolate.....I still haven't got my head round that cast members will have their Christmas outfits on although I'm sure their coats aren't the heavy duty kind that we need to cope with our climate.

So why do people pay the extra money to go to a hard ticketed event? There are special character meet and greets that aren't available at any other time (you can get your picture taken with all of the 7 dwarves - although this is insanely popular and gets massive queues)

The Halloween parade never runs during normal park hours and the Christmas one doesn't show during the day until just before Christmas and then there are the amazing fireworks and smaller queues for attractions.

I know I sound like I have been brain washed by Disney but I do think they can be worth the money if it's something you want to experience!

On top of all the party ticket purchasing the dates and artists for the eat to the beat concerts was announced; these concerts take place during Epcots International Food and Wine festival usually 3 times a night in the America. gardens area....I know I am showing my age here but Boyz II Men were one of the big bands out when James and I first met and they will be playing for 3 night when we are there; Yay ( our holiday planner is starting to fill up nicely)

So on that thought and the fact that I have to get off my train in a minute; until next week xxx 

Time goes by so slowly......

I am not the most patient of people so to tell me I've  got to sit down for over nine hours unless I have plenty to keep me occupied I would be bouncing in my seat asking are we there yet after about 2 hours (ok I admit it I do this anyway but this is probably after 6 hours)

So what to do....thankfully in flight entertainment is far removed from when I first started flying when you had screens overhead and you all watched the same thing; now each person has their own tv and even this has moved on from it being on a loop to the entertainment system being on demand for all passengers including games (as long as it's working that is!)

But what else can you do.....pre the increased security I have done cross stitch and even seen one women knitting but sadly you can't take any type of craft needle on board (as long as I get there safely who am I to complain). I've done colouring as I find this quite relaxing, but I did get a few odd looks; what adults can't colour?

A good book is a great distraction but you have to decide if you want to take up your precious hand luggage space with a book; and then there is technology -iPads, Nintendo ds and lots of other choices.....but basically it comes down to personal choice.

Not having personal experience I can't even contemplate how to entertain little people on flights (this is just my opinion but letting them run up and down the aisles isn't exactly an acceptable way to entertain them) but I'm sure all of the things I have mentioned so far would work with a little person after all the average 4 year old is probably more tech savvy than most adults

For the last couple of years the sky map has been my salvation and I have spent hours watching the little plane moving across the screen getting closer to our destination, that and irritating James as that's always good fun for me

But what will I do myself this year; well this year I have 2 people who I can irritate.....seriously I have found a way to craft that doesn't involve needles or my trusty hotfix which is Kumihimo; a form of Japanese braiding.....I can quite happily sit and do it for ages as it's pretty mind numbing - so people don't expect a gift from Disney this year you are going to get a handmade braid (only joking)

Until next week

xxxx