So... my first pre-trip report! I hope I don't sound like too much of a spanner...

Well...hi I'm Debs! I have been obsessively reading trippies on The Dibb for years, and it still makes me sad that I've never done one. I'd love to be able to look back on more than photos from previous trips, but I just never got round to it...so I'm hoping if I do a Pre-Trippy now that I might get some interest that will motivate me to write a full report!

First things first, the cast!

Me - Debs, age 27 (28 when we go). I work in a highly fascinating office job analysing energy bills. I know you're dying for me to go into more detail but sadly I must decline. Here's me!




This will be my 8th trip to the Magic. I was lucky enough to be taken for the first time by my parents at the age of eight, and I have been hooked ever since. On our third family trip, my folks decided to buy into the DVC at the Boardwalk, so I was able to have a number of amazing trips there. Previously we stayed at Disney's Caribbean Beach and Dixie Landings (now POFQ) so I am entirely ruined as far as staying on property goes!

Hubby - Chris, age 29. He's a train driver which sounds (and, to be fair, IS) much cooler than my job. Here he is:





We've been together nearly nine years, here's us then...

And now!


Not changed a bit I'm sure you'll agree... We got married in 2009 and here's some obligatory wedding pics for people who like that sort of thing





He's my world and a wonderful wonderful human We own a couple of houses together (one of which is rented out to our friends), a gorgeous Cavalier King Charles spaniel called Ole (here's a self-indulgent pic of him because he's about the most beautiful thing on earth):



And we're in a wedding and function cover band called The Versions together which is my real passion (as well as a good method of getting holiday spends! ). Here's us looking stupid and pretentious:




So... the background to the report title (I'll try not to ramble too much) and as to how we came to book... This will be Chris's/our third trip to Florida together. His first trip was in 2007 for my 21st with me and my parents, as mentioned above they were DVC owners and paid for the majority of our trip. To be completely honest, despite my gushing praise of the place, Chris was very skeptical about Florida, thinking it would be nothing but Mickey Mouse and screaming kids, with nothing for a grown man to enjoy. But he couldn't turn down a practically free holiday! Within as little as a couple of hours he was won over by the weather/service/gorgeousness of everything, but the moment he became almost as hooked as me is perfectly encapsulated here:



I knew I'd turned him

We returned in 2010 on our first wedding anniversary, just the two of us as my mum was sadly too ill to make the trip. She'd been suffering from numerous health problems since around 2000 but kept trucking along, but when this time came along the DVC points needed using up and she was just not well enough to travel. However they obviously covered the accommodation with their points and also contributed to the flights and ticket costs, so all it really cost us was spending money again. We had an amazing trip once again, and talk turned to my dad's suggestion of us taking on their DVC contract, as there was little chance of my mum being able to go again. Prior to the trip our opinion had been that it simply wasn't a viable option for us, and if we went back (haha, it was never an if...!) we would just have to stay offsite. However, being there and in the heart of everything made me realise that I don't think I could go without staying on-site - no disrespect to people who don't, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it, I just don't think for me it would be the same...I love everything about staying on site, from being 'Welcomed Home', to the transportation network! So we started looking at ways we could make it happen... that's what Disney does to you!

In the next couple of years though, life took some pretty sad and unfortunate turns...my mum sadly passed away in January 2011 (she'd been ill for a while as I said, but it still came as a shock) which was obviously horrendous. It still pains me to think that I'll never sit on The Boardwalk with her again, the site of so many happy memories for us as a family. My dad pretty much went off the rails and without going into too much detail, treated the whole family like dirt and announced within a couple of months that he was emigrating to Australia to marry his brothers ex-wife ( who ran off there with my uncles kids after taking all his money) whether I liked it or not... As you can imagine this drove a wedge between us and save some ugly legal wranglings over money, I've not spoken to him in nearly 2 years. I discovered through other family members this time last year that he would be taking his new wife and my cousins/step sisters (yep, just call me the latest guest on Jeremy Kyle...!) to Disney with their DVC which absolutely devastated me. I couldn't believe he'd do that...I felt like he was stamping all over our memories...so at this point Chris (who had just been given a large payrise) decided we couldn't let him ruin it for us, and told me to get planning - we were going back to Florida! And we were doing it all ourselves!

Next... the plans!

So, the plans! I looked into all of the Disney hotels and pondered for a while about where we should stay on our trip. Obviously due to my previous trips, my heart lies at The Boardwalk, however the events with my dad and the choices he made left me a bit wary of staying there. I figured we needed to have a fresh start. However, I absolutely adore the EPCOT Resort area, being able to walk or get those beautiful boats to HS or EPCOT (walking through the International Gateway first thing in the morning, and through the World Showcase before it's open is something very special!), looking out over the Lake, being able to see Illuminations and Fantasmic from your balcony... and as much as I fancied staying at AK Lodge, I couldn't face being too far away from the place I love so much.

Due to the Swan and Dolphin not really being Disney hotels (you don't get as many perks there, no chance of dining plan etc) the choice was between the Yacht Club and the Beach Club. Having looked at a load of pictures of both, and asking for advice here on The Dibb, we decided that due to the slightly more 'grown-up' nature of YC, we would go for there. And look at the rooms! How cute?



I can't believe I will actually get to use Stormalong Bay! Eeep! Just look at its awesomeness!



As an aside, I am aware of the amount I say 'I' instead of 'we' - I explain this by saying that whilst Chris will love it when he's there, he's not really interested in the planning process. In our life in general I would say he is the one 'in charge' and who organises our lives, so when it comes to Florida he loves that he just gets to turn up and be told what he's doing, knowing it will be epic (I'm a pretty good planner when it's something I'm actually excited about )

So, after this decision was made, it was time to get some quotes! I contacted pretty much every available travel company recommended by the Dibb (I think I got about fifteen quotes! ), the best one (in terms of money and service) coming from Charter Travel. We moved some money around and it was all in budget, huzzah! Book it, I cried (well, emailed...) but then, DISASTER!

I received an email back from Sean at CT apologising that when he came to get us booked in, both the YC and BC only had water-view rooms available, adding on a quite scary amount for what it was, on top of our quote. I was gutted. We would now be above budget and that was before we'd bought Universal tickets or even thought about spends I texted Chris at work explaining the situation and saying we'd have to pick another hotel, and be away from our beloved Epcot resort area. His response? "Sod it, I'll sort it, just book the YC". Did I mention I love this man? We figured this would prob be our last trip to Florida just the two of us without kids (shudder), so we may as well go all out!

Sean offered to keep an eye on the availability at YC just in case a standard view room became available nearer the time, meaning we'd get the difference back minus a £50 amendment fee. Now were nearer the time, there has been no sign of other rooms becoming available, however to be honest I am quite wedded to the idea of my Lake View, looking out over my beloved Boardwalk!

And then, it was booked! 14 nights at YC, 27th Apr - 11th May, flying direct from Manchester with Virgin, with car hire, 14 day Ultimate Tickets, $200 gift card, and FREE DDP! Never had the dining plan before, can't believe how excited I am about this!

We have also booked a night at HRH on 5th May for the Express Passes, and obviously universal and IOA tickets. This is going to be an epic trip! In the meantime we are putting every £1, £2 and the odd note into here for spends! It's soooo nearly full now!



Next up, ADRs, other plans and the start of my holiday shopping!

That jar is a good idea, I need to steal that lol! Lots of people going in May on the dibb so it must be a good time to go

Sounds amazing! So jealous, would love to stay at the Yacht Club

Wow great plans , might see ya s there floating around ... Times ticking away now keep up the saving ...soon you will be sunning it by that pool

Sounds like a wonderful holiday, looking forward to reading more

Great pre-trip - you are so similar to me re the Epcot resorts, I also fancied AKL but I couldn't bear to not be able to stroll into Epcot. I'm also at the YC in May 8-15 so might see you there

What a lovely pre-trippy and a great idea to stay at the Yacht Club

Great Pre trip cannot wait to hear more

Fantastic pre trip! YC will be amazing! I aspire to say there one day! Can't wait to hear more and really can't wait for the trippie! X