Long rambling introduction
This section is boring. Skip to the next bold heading. TL;DR I’m planning a trip in June, in addition to my trip in December.
As those of you who keep notes will know, my next trip is scheduled to be December 2022. This will be with my two friends Anty and Stuey and — this is new information — my ex-boyfriend Paul, who recently broke up with the guy he dated after me and is therefore now no longer banned from being friends with me. (Yes, we’ll be sharing a room. Yes, I’m hoping we’re going to get back together. No, I don’t want to hear your reasons why that’s a bad idea. You know nothing about it. Butt out.)
Here’s the thing. December 2022. That’s a year away. It’s too long.
I was feeling a little bit down last night. Well, you know, Christmas and all. I’ll be on my own. (Yes, I’m deliberately manipulating you emotionally.) And I was thinking about what there was coming up to look forward to. My current summer plan is to go to DLP again. But — ugh, I hate to say this — it’s just not the same. If I learned anything in 2021 it’s that there’s nowhere else I want to go on vacation than Orlando. Not a cruise. Not a city break. Not Disney Lite.
There are two not entirely convincing reasons why a trip to Orlando in June makes even more sense.
First, flights. I have flight vouchers for Anty and Stuey’s flights in December. And a big, fat flight voucher for my own flight in December. The problem is, my voucher would pay for a business class flight. But I should really be sitting in cattle with A&S. I was wondering if maybe Virgin would let me use my voucher for both me and Paul to sit at the back of the plane, but I don’t think they will. So: what? They’re all in economy and I’m in business? That’s kinda douchey. But if I use my voucher to pay for an economy seat and sit with them, I’m wasting it: there’s no refund of the difference in the fare.
Second, my UOR annual pass. I’ve only used it once. I could use it again if I go in June. It’s runs out before December 2022. Pity to waste it, no?
So I’m 80% certain I’m going to book a little Matthew-only trip to Orlando in June. I’ll use my big voucher and travel in style. Then I can slum it in December with my friends.
Now comes the main point of the thread
I have in mind that this June trip will be somewhat minimalist. The December trip is not about me. It’s about my friends, none of whom have ever been to Orlando. (Hell, Anty’s never even been on a plane or left the country.)
So I’m thinking, why not do all those things I say I want to do but then never make time for. Like World Showcase. You know, do it properly. Sci-Fi Dine-In. That I always book and always cancel. Maybe even Disney Springs.
I don’t want to spend a lot of money and I don’t want to get stressed about Genie+ and LL. I mean, I’ll probably buy some access, but I’ve been on every ride loads of times. I don’t have to do them all again. I’ll be back in December anyway. Why not do Hall of Presidents. Or Philharmagic. Or the Muppet thing. Both of them. I’ve never even been to the bit of MK that’s got the Under the Sea ride and Dumbo and whatnot. I’m not even sure where it is.
So . . . how would you plan a simple, no stress, trip to WDW? How would you fill the time and keep it interesting? Sure, maybe you try to get an LL for 7DMT / SDD / MMRR but if you don’t, you don’t and you’re definitely not getting in line for it. No way.
One idea I had: A treasure hunt — find all 50 of the golden statue thingies.
So that kind of thing. Stuff that’s fun, but not stressful.
Over to you.
Oh. I’m thinking four full days in at WDW and two at UOR.
