22 Sept 2008

Westward bound

I decided to check out the prices of a(nother) family trip to Disneyland Paris this autumn/winter. It was do-able, so I set to convincing Gordon of the benefits of a few more days of rodent-based corporate jollity, emphasising lower prices and crowd levels and claiming that we're tough enough to withstand the cold and inevitable rain when suitably attired.

Gordon agreed that it would be great to go away, but he craves sunshine and suggested we look into getting our fill of Disney somewhere rather hotter and drier than Paris in November. So we checked out the possibility of going all the way to the USA. We have also collected a whole heap of supermarket/credit card vouchers than can be used to offset the cost when booking via Virgin Holidays, so we pondered and looked at the climate data for that part of the world and made our decision. All five of us are heading to Orlando this November.


I ordered the vouchers and checked out all the board options, opting to rent an apartment near Disney World, so we have enough space and flexibility to meet our family's needs. Waiting for the vouchers, I was concerned to see some prices rise as tourists let down by the collapse of travel company XL, rushed to rebook. Thankfully there were a few seats left on our preferred travel dates and at the original price, so it's all booked now.

I just realised I need a new passport if I'm to get into the US under its visa waiver programme, but the rest of the family are OK. As well as all that official stuff, we've been investigating the various attractions of the area and trying to figure out some sort of an itinerary, knowing well that plenty of REST must feature prominently. There'll be much more planning over the coming weeks. This is the kind of project the kids and I enjoy best, home-education of the finest variety.

I feel a bit anxious. This will involve a lot of travelling, changing aeroplanes in London, lining for security checks and checking in as well as a flight time of over 9 hours. I've already spoken to a travel advisor at Virgin Atlantic, and she explained some of the very helpful accommodations the airline make for their autistic customers.

You know, I think we can do this.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful news! I hope it all goes according to plan for you. I look forward to the story of the adventure.

Manuel said...

yippee! I'm off to Paris in November.......can't wait! Never been so I'm really really excited........

Sharon McDaid said...

Thanks Grannymar and I dare say it'll be chronicled here.

That's great news Manuel, ah you're going to love Paris. It'll give you more chances to demonstrate your use of their language...

I've been for short visits but never when I'd have enough money to do more than buy some bread and cheese to eat on a park bench. I am definitely going to go back some day now that I all grown up (older anyway) and try out some of those classy restaurants.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous! I think you will be very happy with your choices. I really do not know what Disney Paris offers - but if it is like the original Disneyland in California - there is vast difference with Disney WORLD in Florida. You will likely learn all you need from other places but I recommend you read this blog - including a few back posts. http://susannah.typepad.com/. She is a lovely young (to me) woman who is an excellent and humorous writer. She has been posting on a recent trip to Disney in Florida with her two young children, but I just saw today's post is on her marriage anniversary. Cheers!

Sharon said...

How wonderful!

I live an hour away and have never taken my boys. I just don't have the stamina. ;) Be sure to look into special passes because of the autism which should make the time in queues very short.

BTW, the weather in November is wonderful!

Anonymous said...

So this is a much more fun topic, so I am back here. I am very excited that you are coming to the US.

Sounds like you might be coming via the Carribean? What a smart idea.

Seems sensible to me to not publish your exact dates of travel. I will just throw-in that the presidential election is Nov 4 - you might expect higher than usual security around that date and especially through the larger port cities.

Sharon McDaid said...

Hi Barbara, thanks for the link, it's a lovely blog! And I'll be over at the end of November so you'll have a shiny new president by then, and I know who I'm rooting for! We're all flying direct from London, after the short flight there from Belfast.

Hello other Sharon. I'll get the passes (known as the GAC) for sure. I'll use every one of whatever helpful extras I can find!
I'm looking forward to some nice weather so much, it's been a lousy summer here. Bring me sunshine!

mjsuperfan said...

November in Florida should be great! You'll miss hurricane season by a month, which seems to matter a lot these days.