Post-Christmas Disney Trip!

Hello again!! I know it doesn’t seem 2 minutes since we were last here, but after having the best trip last new year we decided that we would do it all again this year. We are staying 4 nights at AKL with no dining as we always find that the time difference affects our appetite the first few days and weren’t sure the dining plan would be worth the cost, then spending the next 11 nights at Yacht Club with DDP. We have so many plans for both old favourites including NYE in Magic Kingdom and new experiences such as running in the WDW marathon to raise money for Young Minds UK in memory of my beautiful cousin who died earlier this year. I’m hoping to blog most things although the first few days are rather full as we are trying to at least experience Christmas in all  the Disney parks before celebrations end. 

Travel day was as regular as travel days are. No hold ups so got to Manchester airport about 4 hours before our flight. We’d booked the Meet & Greet parking which is our favourite as it’s so convenient, and we were parked up and at the Virgin desk in no time. We’ve recently become silver Virgin club members (by having lots of points apparently?) so got to check in at the PE desk even though we were travelling in economy (because who doesn’t love queuing with the people sitting in the fancy seats! 🤣) We were through security in no time and grabbed our regular bacon cob, had a quick look around the shops and didn’t buy anything (because I’m tight and always think every penny I spend is a penny less towards our next trip!!) and then sat in the lounge until it was time to board The Falcon (which as recent Star Wars fans the girls were very excited about!)

Once seated the head cabin crew person came over to give us a glass of fizz each and sweets for the girls because we apparently travel so much! A very nice gesture.The flight was good apart from the very strong smell of burning about 2 hours in which caused our already anxious Winnie whose biggest fear is fire to have a mild panic, but it turned out it was just one of the cabin crew who’d burnt their food!! Food wise we had drink and pretzels, hot meal, ice lolly, afternoon tea and plenty of drinks. Cabin crew were lovely and the girls were fabulous (to be fair they always are on flights). Steve got a good 3+ hours nap in and we all felt pretty good when we arrived at MCO.

We landed at 3 and were through the airport and had set off on the Magical Express by 5 which wasn’t too bad as it was so busy in immigration. We also chose to attempt the incredible balancing act of getting all the luggage up the escalator to avoid having to use the dreaded 2nd carousel which always causes us hassle!

We arrived at AKL around 5.45pm after stopping at Coronado Springs first.  We had a standard room booked but I’d sent in a request for partial savannah and we’ve ended up in a refurbished Savannah view so that was brilliant.

We had thought about going to a park but realised it was likely too much so the girls had a quick swim whilst I ironed everything we’ll need before moving to Yacht Club.

We then grabbed a quick tea from The Mara to eat in the room and are having an early night.The plan is to do Magic Kingdom in the morning (because it had to be on the first day) then hopefully Animal Kingdom in the evening to see the Christmas lights, so I’m hoping tomorrow’s blog will be a lot more interesting than today’s!! 

#doodleandpegdodisney