Disney in August

So much has happened in the last month! I FINALLY booked our package. If figures that I wanted until ALMOST the last minute! I was able to take advantage of the kids stay/play free and in theory, I am the only one paying for the trip since the kids aren't contributing to the cost of the hotel room and their park tickets are free. I did spring for the meal plan and Rick is paying for our Park Hoppers. We'll be staying at Pop Century (naturally!) and we'll be there Tuesday night - Sunday. Not bad really. I'm super excited about this trip. Now it's on to airfare. Trying to debate exactly what would be the best plan of action. Do I pay more for a direct flight, do I pay less for the flight to leave a day early and then have to pay for the bags? Do I have one carry-on bag and only check two bags to save on cost? So many questions and SO fewer answers. Dining reservations have been made. We'll be dining at some old favorites come this trip. 50's Prime Time, 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey's, Liberty Tree Tavern, Garden Grill...however all of these resturants will be completely new to Olivia, my daughter's BFF. She's never been to Disney before. So exciting! I'm hoping to schedule a planning day for us three girls so they can get an idea of where we will be on which days. Can't wait!!!

I've given up planning the upcoming (and I use the term EXTREMELY loosely) May vacation to Universal. With only 6 weeks (roughly 42 days) until this pending vacation, it doesn't look like it will happen really and I'm a little sad by it. However, life must go on and while that vacation is on the back burner for now, we must forge ahead with the August Disney trip. The package has been booked and I have purchased an additional Walt Disney World book to maximize all avenues of fun. The Passporter is by all means my FAVORITE of all Disney planning books. It's wealth of information is incredible and is incredibly user friendly in it's layout. Detailed sections for all theme parks, restaurants, and resorts, color pictures and fold up maps make this an incredible buy and worth EVERY penny! As for Birnbaum's Guide to Walt Disney World, this particular one has become almost a given for me to purchase each year. Not exactly a spectacular read, it has basic information for resorts, restaurants and theme park information. The format is much the same as previous Disney editions released by Birnbaum. The only difference is the minor changes in prices and parade/ride changes or updates. What I don't like is the lack of visitor contribution. No reviews, no thoughts or insight from actual visitors. I think that would add to the value of the guidebook. But hey, that's just my opinion. My newest book is the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with kids 2011. I haven't had a chance to sit down and read it as of yet, but as I look over at the book, I am anxious to start. As a proud subscriber to Touring Plans (http://www.touringplans.com/) I felt it was definitely time to give this one a try. We'll see how it goes and I'll be sure to post my thoughts later! ~P