What I "Get" Out of a Vacation

The boy was promised a new video game specifically for our trip (the game is at our house and will be presented to him the morning we leave) and the husband has ordered a new book (courtesy of a Barnes and Nobel gift card from Adventures by Disney), again, specifically to read during our upcoming vacation.  The husband pointed this out—the boy has a new game and he will have a new book—so, what will I have?

I gave a glib and flippant answer about watching people, flight times, schedules, etc. 

But the question and the answer got me thinking. . . I don’t escape or “exit” with a game or book while on vacation.  The vacation itself is an escape for me.

I enjoy skimming the Sky Mall catalog and airline magazine while on the plane—both things I would not normally read or look at.  I look at the airport layouts in the back pages of the airline magazine and find out about new flight destinations and services.  On the ship, I’ll read the Personal Navigators and other cruise information.  And, at the resort, I’ll read the information presented at check-in.

My mind is in “on” mode while traveling; navigating now and planning what’s next.  (The husband would assert that my mind is in “on” mode all the time, including when I am sleeping.)

One of my favorite movies is “Gosford Park” and one of my favorite lines from the movie is about the difference between a good servant and a great servant is the ability to anticipate; knowing what people will need before they know they need it.  I continue to develop the gift of anticipation.  My role, especially when traveling, is to be able to anticipate what will happen next and what my family will need.  Not worry about what will happen, but know what will happen—which allows for planning and preparation.  This is something I do in every day life, for example, the day a soccer tournament took us out of town.  I had checked the weather forecast and planned accordingly by packing umbrellas, towels, and a complete soccer uniform including cleats, socks, shin guards, jersey, shorts, even undies for the boy.  This all came in handy as the team got soaked during their second game and still had another game to play.  Other folks went to Wal-Mart to gather gear, but not us.  This anticipation, this planning, saved us time and money.  And, since anticipating is something I try to do every day, it is fun for me to try it out in different settings when on vacation. 

You know how Sheldon from Big Bang Theory picks out the best spot, his spot, on the couch.  Well, I try to find the “best” during our vacation.  The “best” or most efficient FastPass+ strategy, or best time for ADR’s, or best way to meet characters on the ship.  The mental challenge and planning/preparation opportunities I appreciate and I know my family appreciates what I do. (And, it's Disney so almost everything is efficient!)

So, while the husband is enjoying his book and the boy is enjoying his game, I am enjoying the strategizing for the next move and how to make whatever it is smooth (meaning not frustrating) and efficient.

You might be reading and thinking that I don’t enjoy my vacation.  Well, I do enjoy my vacation, very much!  I especially enjoy when all is flowing—there’s such a sense of wonder and accomplishment during those times.  And, if you see me on Toy Story Mania, for example, it is all pure enjoyment; pure fun!  

Looking Forward To The Disney Fantasy

Through these doors and on to the ship!

The main reason for our summer 2014 Disney vacation is sailing on the Disney Fantasy.  We booked this cruise, almost 19 months prior to sailing, while we were on board the Disney Dream.  Even with five Disney cruises under our belts, the 7-night itineraries of the Disney Fantasy had alluded us. . . until now!

Here's what we are looking forward to on the Disney Fantasy. . .

Splashing in the AquaLab.  The Disney Fantasy has a couple of additional water features as compared to the Disney Dream with the AquaLab being one of them.  This interactive splash zone on Deck 12 will definitely get some of our attention.

Riding the AquaDuck.  The only water coaster at sea will be one of our first stops once we set foot on the ship!

Dining in the Royal Court.  Each Disney ship has a signature restaurant located on the main level of the Lobby Atrium.  We have dined in each of those restaurants on board the other three Disney ships and are looking forward to the same on the Disney Fantasy--the Royal Court.  I bet the husband and boy share some escargot!

Playing miniature golf.  Yes, miniature golf at sea.

Easy access to ice cream.  Okay, this is something the boy is looking forward to--free ice cream almost 24 hours a day and varying flavors--even on Castaway Cay.

All of us are looking forward to our day in port at Disney Cruise Line's private island, Castaway Cay!  This island is a slice of paradise and we want to experience every breathtaking moment.

Jamaica!  While we have been to the other ports on this itinerary before, we have never been to Jamaica.  No worries, man.

Exploring the ship, including Midship Dective Agency, the various decks, adult areas, and kids areas.  The boy will be old enough for the "tween" hangout--Edge.

Seeing the shows!  Disney's Believe will be a repeat from sailing on the Dream, but the Fantasy has Disney's Wishes, Disney's Aladdin--A Musical Spectacular, and both a Welcome and Farewell show.  This is Broadway caliber entertainment provided on the ship.  Each night, as a guest, you are treated to a different show.

Meeting Disney friends.  The ship is full of characters. . . Disney characters that is and we want to meet and greet as many of them as we can.

Excellent service.  Part of what keeps us coming back is the world class service found when sailing on any ship in Disney Cruise Line's fleet.

What I am not looking forward to is trying to decide on our next cruise. . . that and disembarking from the ship.  That is a hard day.  Good thing we will be headed to Walt Disney World when we leave the ship; that will make me feel better.

Anticipation Is Building With Each Passing Day!

With each passing week and day, our summer 2014 vacation gets closer and closer and our anticipation builds.  You would think, based on our level of excitement, that we were first time visitors to the most magical place on earth.

Here's what we are dreaming about. . .

Using MagicBands and Fastpass +.  The planner in me cannot wait to have our Fastpass +'s selected and know we can leisurely make our way to the park on our first evening with attractions already waiting for us!

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster.  We stood right next to this attraction while under construction and are anxiously awaiting our opportunity to ride it for the first time.

Seeing Festival of the Lion King in its new location near Tusker House and Kilimanjaro Safari.  I am anticipating spending a morning in "Africa" while at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Being immersed in the "Disney Bubble" and being as connected or disconnected to the real world as we want to be.  Other than posting about our adventure and checking return flight times, I imagine we will be rather "unplugged."  Being at Disney is truly a getaway.

At least one new restaurant--Via Napoli--in the Italy Pavilion in EPCOT.  Can you say pizza?

The husband would say any dining.  The eating is good while at the World and we look forward to every bite.

Experiencing Memory Maker.  Similar to Photopass + the photos are now downloadable rather than mailed on a CD.

Most importantly, we are looking forward to spending time together as a family and making even more magical memories.

Thanks for sharing the adventure and anticipation with us.  Check in tomorrow for what we are looking forward to while sailing on the Disney Fantasy.

"Three Weeks Until Our Disney Cruise"--No, Not Us, Another Family

“It’s three weeks until our cruise, Jody.  Just three weeks!” was the greeting I got in the grocery store last evening by the spouse of a retired colleague.  I had previously helped him when he had phoned inquiring about how a stay at the Hyatt in Orlando International prior to sailing worked—click here to read more.

His wife then proceeded to tell me that he had already gotten out the suitcases and wanted to get packing.  He told me that they had all their cruise documents and were ready to go.  His wife said sailing during “off season” really paid off—so to speak.

Before we parted ways at the check-out lanes, he said to me, “Jody, did I tell you how long it is until our cruise?”

I played along and asked with a smile, “How long until your Disney cruise?”

“Three weeks!” he replied enthusiastically.

This just proves that you are never TOO OLD for a Disney vacation of any kind!  This couple has sailed with Disney before and frequented Walt Disney World.  They are looking forward to their next cruise, dare I say excitedly!  That feeling of anticipation of the fun, relaxation, memories, and magic is for people of any age.

I am so happy for them and wish upon a star that the husband and I will be able to do the same thing when we retire.  Bon Voyage! 

We're Going Back To The World!

The photo above was the last Photopass photo taken from our July trip to Walt Disney World.  We look happy; satisfied.  It was an incredible Disney vacation that included a 5 night cruise aboard the beautiful Disney Dream and week at Walt Disney World.  It was our 4^th Disney cruise and our 8^th trip to Walt Disney World.  Our summer vacation was full of memories and fulfilled dreams. 

And, while those summer vacation memories still linger, it was time to look to the future for even more Disney magic.

Mid-September marked the 180 day window for Spring Break in March.  We booked our vacation package for a week at Port Orleans French Quarter at the World.  We even reserved our dining—some new restaurants, such as Cape May Café, are on our agenda, and some old favorites—like ‘Ohana’s.  Whew!  Check that off our list.  Our Spring Break trip still wasn’t real.  We had no idea how we were going to get to Orlando.

The dilemma.  Flights, specifically prices and times.  As seasoned fliers, we know a reasonable price for a flight when we see one.  Our favorite airline, AirTran will stop service to a nearby airport, which featured non-stop flights, in January.  Other nearby airports offered high priced flights with multiple stops.  There was one direct flight offered for an exorbitant price.

I set price alerts on line with both Kayak.com and Airfarewatchdog.com to notify me daily about flight fares for the dates and routes I selected.  I watched diligently, hoping for some relief in the prices.  I did notice a pattern on Tuesdays and Wednesdays of airfares taking a bit of a dip on those days.

Then, I did something unusual.  I planned backwards.  Knowing AirTran is our favorite airline and typically has good prices, I went to their site and checked out the “route map.”  I asked it to search for non-stop flights FROM Orlando.  This gave me a map of what cities/locations might have a direct flight.  Bingo!  Bloomington/Normal, Illinois came up on the map.  Now to search for flights.  Bingo, again!  A reasonably priced direct flight on the dates/times we needed. 

I called my travel agent and she held the flights.  I waited 48 hours, still checking the other prices, then pulled the trigger.  Flights were booked and paid for making our spring break trip even more real!  The times of the direct flight were even better than some of the other times of flights that were available.  Who wants to arrive in Orlando at 11:00 pm on a Saturday night at the beginning of their vacation?

Interesting, when I tell people where we are flying out of, I get a confused look.  Isn’t that far away, etc.?  Actually, no.  It is no further for our family than driving to some of our nearby major metropolitan airports.  And, the airport, has free airport parking for the length of our stay.

Will we need to drive the day before?  Yes.  We will need to reserve a hotel room for the night before our flight and have found two for less than $50.  Add that to free airport parking, a reasonably priced flight, and we are talking about significant savings.

And, what makes me feel even better about making the decision about the flights?  They went up in price today.  Kayak.com is still sending me price alerts (I had canceled the alerts yesterday, but it may take some time for that to register on their system—I’m not a glutton for punishment!)  and the price had gone up by $70 per ticket for the same flight!  Whew! 

Resort booked—check.

Dining ADR’s made—check.

Flights booked—check.

Increased happiness due to a Disney vacation in our future—check.

Countdown started for trip #9—check.