Me and my clickbait titles, eh? What am I like?
I was listening to the Backside of Magic podcast and fondly reminiscing about the two trips I’ve taken in the last year and I thought to myself, “well, maybe I will go back one day.”
Taken both separately and together those two trips were amazing — and all-encompassing. So if I were to take another trip I’d change three things.
First, I’d make it much longer — Disney offers 14 tickets for the price of 7 for UK peeps, and they’re all singing, all-dancing tickets. Two weeks means no panicking to get things done. If it rains all day one day well, whatever. That still leave 13 other days. FPP tiers causing difficulties? No problem. Do FEA on one day, Soarin’ on another. Simples. And on a longer trip, I’d make the effort to visit Disney Springs. (And a day-trip to UOR. And another to the KSC, perhaps?)
Second, I’d do things at a much more relaxed pace — no more rushing from the airport to MK, and no more rushing from MK to the airport. Take time to adjust to the time difference.
Third, much less use of premium add-ons. I’ve done a lot of the ones I want to do — some more than once. HEA is great and the dessert party is fun — but I’ve done it. Three times. And those expensive ADRs — are they really necessary? I’m not sure they are. I cancelled a whole bunch of them this year and didn’t regret it.
Now, before you get excited, practicalities mean that I’m talking about a trip in around 2022. I’m not ever going to go away and leave Calvin behind again — it’s too complicated. I’ve morosely said that when he dies, I’m throwing myself on his funeral pyre, but maybe a trip to WDW will be just what the grief counsellor orders. Plus I need to let my finances recover. And we can see what happens to the World Order over the next few years. And it’ll give SWGE a little bit of time to calm down a bit.
So, to my first question: How possible is it to book a very last minute trip?
Obviously time of year matters. If Calvin were to make his way across the rainbow bridge on 23rd December, I’m probably not getting on a flight the next day to Orlando.
But say it happens in February . . .
My next question: Where would I stay? The philosophy would be for a very chilled-out trip — and I think that has to mean staying on-property. Fourteen nights at YC would be lovely, but it would also cost a hilarious amount of money. Actually, fourteen nights anywhere might get a bit samey — so we’re probably talking a split stay. Play it by zone, perhaps. Week 1 somewhere near Epcot/DHS, Week 2 somewhere near MK or AK.
Obviously ASM is pretty cheap — I could probably stretch to 14 nights there but — ugh! — I’m not sure that’s the route to happiness. I’ve realised that room views don’t actually matter. I had a great view from the YC, but I only actually used it once in order to take a photo of it to show off what a great view I had. It was too hot to sit out there enjoying it. And the idea of Stormalong Bay is great, but I’m not sure I’d ever use it — it’s too hot during the day.
Somewhere snug and cosy — with a convenient location: that seems key. Maybe the cable car will be a game changer.
So — help me plan a last-minute fourteen-night stay, four years in advance!
