The Dad and Chad Disney Adventure Report

Other: First experience touring with an ECV.

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Here are some thoughts and conclusions on various aspects of my trip:

FIRST-TIMERS: Going to Walt Disney World as often as I do, I've lost a little of that delicious pre-trip anticipation I used to have back in the old days. But it all returned on this trip -- introducing Dad to Walt Disney World was like going again for the first time! I absolutely loved it. I highly recommend that you WDW experts out there take a first-timer under your wing and show them your "World!"

SURPRISE TRIPS: Planning a surprise trip for my brother-in-law was a great deal of fun and really enhanced the trip. Surprising someone with a WDW vacation may not be right for everyone, but when it works... it really works! It's hard to keep the secret and you have to have cooperation from family and friends to make it work -- if nothing else, you need a confidant to whom you can tell your plans or you'll burst at the seams. Actually, I must admit that I'd loved to be surprised with a Disney trip some day -- it might be hard to keep the secret from me, of course, but I know I'd be glowing for weeks afterward from the surprise. (Hint, hint, nudge, nudge.)

PASSPORTER: I really liked being able to use PassPorters as part of the planning process. Giving one to my Dad with our important information filled in and interesting things highlighted seem to work really well, and it made me feel very organized. And giving one to Chad as a way of announcing his surprise trip was just priceless. I know I'm biased about using PassPorter, but I think it is really good that I enjoy PassPorter so much -- when you live and breathe something and STILL like it, that usually says something. (I hope it says something good, of course!)

ECV: I knew Dad would have some difficulties walking around and maintaining his stamina. For the most part, things went pretty much as I expected. Again, I should have gotten an ECV every day despite my Dad's protestations and I should also have insisted on more breaks and regular meals. One unrealistic expectation of mine was that my Dad would retain his enthusiasm for the trip even when he was tired. Silly, I know. Unfortunately, I can offer little advice on how to persuade someone to use an ECV if they are wary of one. If I were to do it again, I'd stress how an ECV conserves energy for the important stuff, like really enjoying and appreciating all you see and do.

FASTPASSES: We loved FASTPASSES. We used them whenever we could and they saved a lot of waiting time. When you arrive at a park, think about what attractions you'd like to see and get yourself some FASTPASSES -- it'll make a real difference in your day.

TRIP LENGTH: I was concerned that a four-day trip would be much too short for us, but it turned out just right for our group. I know we all would have LIKED to stay longer, but Dad was really getting tired and he just wouldn't have enjoyed it very much if we'd stayed another day or two. I personally did feel a little cheated when I got home, though -- in fact, I felt starved for sunshine and warmth for at least four days after my trip. Even now, three weeks later, I have a stronger-than-usual yearning to be back in Florida. During this trip, I had to pay attention to everyone else's needs to the exclusion of mine, so the need for some "Jennifer-time" is compelling.

TRIP REPORT: I hadn't planned on writing a trip report, as this was a short trip and unrelated to PassPorter research. So when I got home and read the requests for a trip report, I was very thankful I'd kept all my receipts and maps in my PassPorter and that I'd filled in all the journal pages. It would have been very hard to reconstruct my trip without that and I probably would have given up early in the process. As it turns out, writing the trip report was a very productive exercise for me -- it helped me remember some of the more magical moments while putting some of the less pleasant moments into perspective. And now that I'm done, I'm creating a printed version for my family that I'll bind and present to them as a memento of our vacation.

Thank you for reading my trip report! I hope the report of my January jaunt has given you some ideas and inspirations for your own trips to Walt Disney World!