A 2009 Magical Christmas Anniversary Pre-Trip Report

[raider97]

Hi!!:flower3:

I have read a lot of trip reports since our last trip in 2007. I love them. I love reading about the planning, decisions, etc. that goes into their trips. It helps me make decisions about my own trip and helps me pass the time until I am able to be back at my happy place.

So, I am trying to write my first pre-trip report. I hope it is enjoyable to you as the ones I have read.

Stephanie

Index:
Cast (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32434758&postcount=2)
A Little Background (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32436054&postcount=3)
How This Trip Came To Be (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32438728&postcount=4)
Where Should We Stay (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32438822&postcount=5)
Dates, Dates, Dates...That Is The Question (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32439206&postcount=6)
Pictures? Where Are The Pictures? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32449228&postcount=10)
First Picture Answer (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32460614&postcount=18)
My Latest Find (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32460774&postcount=19)
More Picture Challenge Answers (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32466184&postcount=24)
Additional Cast (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32470556&postcount=28)
Airfare and Date Change (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32470556&postcount=28)
A Surprise Trip It Is (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32486491&postcount=31)
Safety and ID Ideas for Kids (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32499147&postcount=33)
Recent Pictures (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32499597&postcount=34)
A Pirate Costume (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32505745&postcount=35)
Let's Talk Food (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32515760&postcount=36)
Too Much Too Do And Too Little Time (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32520239&postcount=39)
San Antonio Trip Report (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32604716&postcount=47)
Safety Tats Review (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32604864&postcount=48)
Long List Of ADR Wants (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32692856&postcount=57)
MVMCP (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32738827&postcount=63)
What Parks Which Days? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32795219&postcount=65)
Checking On Our Dates (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32806709&postcount=68)
Our Grand Gathering Grows (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32829195&postcount=74)
I've Been Busy...Doing What You Ask? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32930956&postcount=84)
First Plans....Subject To Change (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32931795&postcount=85)
Checking The Plans Again :0) (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32931991&postcount=86)
Planning Tools...Which Ones Do You Use? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32932059&postcount=87)
What's New Today? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32950187&postcount=92)
We Have Our First ADR (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32951255&postcount=95)
Grand Gathering Dining Issues (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33002166&postcount=104)
Narrowing Those ADRS (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33002440&postcount=105)
Autograph Book Decisions (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33063632&postcount=122)
Candlelight Package Changes And I'm On My Soapbox (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33242757&postcount=134)
Some Trip Purchases (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33258884&postcount=143)
And A Little Disney At Home (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33258942&postcount=144)
Happy Dance (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33400781&postcount=150)
More ADR Changes (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33414722&postcount=153)
Found Money (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33461752&postcount=159)
100 days (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33481247&postcount=160)
ADRs are DONE!! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33629468&postcount=166)
Another ADR (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33659621&posted=1#post33659621)
Re-checking Our Days (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33659768&postcount=174)
Day 1 Itinerary (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33659927&postcount=175)
Day 2 Itinerary (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33660491&postcount=176)
Day 3 Itinerary (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33749006&postcount=179)
Day 4 Itinerary (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33825710&postcount=181)
Latest Purchase (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33951560#post33951560)
Day 2 Itinerary Changes (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34017766&postcount=191)
MVMCP Touring Plan (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34018156&postcount=193)
Day 5 Itinerary (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34191957&postcount=205)
New Bounty Purchases (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34203399&postcount=207)
BBB Dresses (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34214966&postcount=212)
Autograph Books (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34304890&postcount=223)
Day 6 Itinerary (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34458061&postcount=239)
Day 7 Itinerary (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34458076&postcount=240)
Day 8 Itinerary (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34514969&postcount=246)
Day 9 Itinerary (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34515041&postcount=247)
Day 10 Itinerary (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34525337&postcount=248)
Day 11 Itinerary (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34525389&postcount=249)
My shirts are done!! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34589863&postcount=267)
Updates (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34611307&postcount=280)
Surprise Boxes!! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34658420&postcount=295)

[raider97]

Me ~ (34) I'm a stay-at-home mom to three wonderful children. I love everything disney.

DH ~ (32) My high school sweetheart. Tries really hard, but doesn't love disney like me. He tolerates it. :confused3 Crazy, I know!!

DD ~ (7) Shares my love of disney. Can't wait to go. She rode her first adult roller coaster this spring. She is very tall for her age and will be able to ride Rock-n-Roll roller coaster the next time she goes. :cool1: I hope she will like it.

DD ~ (5) She loves theme parks. She is constantly asking to go to Sea World (we live a couple hours from one) and she loves Tinkerbell. I am hoping we will get to visit with the fairies at Pixie Hollow this trip. She would love it!!

DS ~ (3.5) He will be turning 4 on the trip. He is a scaredy-cat. I am hoping he outgrows some of it before our trip. He loves everything Star Wars, and I am hoping he will be able to reach the 40 inch mark so he can ride Star Tours at DHS. He is only at 38 inches, but he is due a growth spurt, so wish us luck!!

Nana and Papa ~ (60's) My parents. They are excited to be going. Hopefully, everything will work out so they will be able to spend this vacation with us as planned.

[raider97]

Growing up my parents had taken me to WDW once. We drove and went during the summer. I remember it being miserably hot and humid!!! And we are from Texas, so I am familiar with hot and humid. :rotfl:

One year, my husband, then boyfriend, and I got to talking about WDW and how he had never been growing up, a sin I know, so when we were in college together we decided to go one year for part of our Christmas break. So in 1997, we planned our first budget trip together.

We flew out there, had one park per day tickets, and stayed at a Comfort Inn in Kissimmee. The hotel was fine, a nice place to rest, and it was a great price at $35 dollars a night. :worship: Can you believe that rate??? But we didn't have enough money for a rental car so we had to rely on the bus service provided by the hotel. What a joke!! We rode on a school bus, we were the first stop on the way so it took over an hour to get there each way every day. I don't remember a lot of specifics from this trip... we had loads of fun, ate tons of turkey legs and Pizza Hut cheese lovers pizzas, and swore the next time we went we would try to stay on property.

So fast forward two years... we are getting married December 1999 and looking for a place to honeymoon. We decided to go back to the world this time staying on property at the CBR. We had the "dining plan" and park hoppers.... oh the difference from our first trip. :) The dining plan back in 1999 was very different, more of a pre-paid plan where Disney contributed some money to it when you purchased it. Back then you could even use your money towards alcoholic beverages. :banana: We were there from Dec. 19th - Dec. 24th and it was magical. And the best part...we fell in love with staying on property!!! Who knew what a difference that could make....

[raider97]

Well, in 2006 I started contemplating when we would go back to WDW to take the kids on their first trip. I needed time to save money and I wanted the kids to be a little bit older. My oldest turned 4 in 2006 and my youngest would be 1 at Christmas that year. So we decided to go for our 10 year anniversary in 1999. That gave us plenty of time to save and plan.

In 2007 however, one of my DH's coworkers was planning a trip to WDW and was commenting on the airfare. I looked it up myself and couldn't believe how low the rates were. It was $89 dollars one way to MCO out of our city. Our city is one of the smaller ones in Texas and only three airlines fly out of here (Southwest, Continental, and Delta). Without much competition, the airfare in and out of here usually remains on the high side. So I called DH and talked to him about taking a trip in April 2007. We wouldn't have to pay for my youngest since he was only 16 months, and the rates in April weren't that bad. So the kids had their first trip in April 2007. We stayed at Pop Century for 8 days. We had a wonderful vacation!

My parents and my mother-in-law had planned to make the trip with us, but about a month before we were scheduled to leave my mother had to have bypass surgery. We were heart broken. :(

So, me loving disney, and wanting my parents to have the opportunity to share the magical experience with their grandchildren that my mother-in-law had shared with them, I started talking to my DH about still going to WDW for our 10 year anniversary. We discussed it a lot and he agree that WDW is a great vacation for young children so we started saving and planning.

So here we are.....

[raider97]

That was the next question that popped into my mind. I spent countless hours looking up resorts, reading trip reports, and contemplating this decision. Finally I narrowed it down to Port Orleans Riverside.

We could stay at one of the other moderates or values, but one of the kids would have had to stay with my parents and I was wary from my mom's health scare in 2007. What if something came up and my parents had to cancel... what would we do then? We would have to switch resorts and if it happened as late as it did last time we might not be able to find another resort. So POR it was. :) Now I just had to narrow down some dates.

[raider97]

I knew we wanted to go in December to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. I love the weather, the decorations, and the festivities. They can't be beat at this time of the year. Now narrowing down the dates was a little harder since both girls will be in school in the fall (2nd and kinder). I was willing to pull them out a couple of days before the Christmas holidays, but I didn't want them to miss too much school.

Our anniversary is on the 18th of December and I wanted to be there for it. So I figured we would leave on the 17th. I wanted to stay as long as possible, but since disney went and re-did their booking system last year (before that if you checked in during value season you kept that rate for your entire reservation) we wouldn't be able to stay as long because of the high holiday rates. But I wanted to stay for Christmas... and I did not want to be spending Christmas day in and out of airports flying home so we choose to come back on the 26th. Yippee!! So last August, as soon as the booking window opened up, I booked us from Dec. 17th to Dec. 26th at POR with the basic dining package, basic 10 day tickets (no hoppers :scared1:- the horror).

I had read on the disboards that you could add the hoppers when you got there if you needed them. I figured I would wait and see what the hours looked like and then go from there.

[happenin2you]

i'm so excited to follow along on your planning journey! i'm planning to go dec 2010 with my husband and inlaws, we don't have kids yet.

[raider97]

Any readers out there? Any POR veterans? Any one planning to spend Christmas with Mickey?

I would love to hear about you and your trip/s. I am always looking for more ideas!!

[raider97]

i'm so excited to follow along on your planning journey! i'm planning to go dec 2010 with my husband and inlaws, we don't have kids yet.

Hi!

Thanks for joining in!! My first reader. :yay:

I see you also spent your honeymoon at WDW. I would love to hear about it. I haven't been to Disneyland since I was a kid. I want to go back there too!! How did you feel the two compare?

So, you all are thinking about going to the World in Dec. 2010... I am sure you will love it!! I love how it is all decked out with the Christmas decorations and such. Makes it even more magical.

Thanks for coming along... hope I can keep you interested. :)

Stephanie

[raider97]

I have been looking for some pictures to show you guys my family. I found some from our 2007 trip.

DD(7) - AKA "Minnie"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/WDW_042307_DTD_ATC8.jpg

DD (5) - AKA "Tinkerbell"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/WDW_042407_ECT_HEC3.jpg

DS (3) - AKA "Woody"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/WDW_042307_AK_CBC.jpg

Me and Tinkerbell - Stephanie
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/WDW_042307_MGM_SLCHECJDC.jpg

DH - AKA "Donald" with Minnie and Tinkerbell
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/WDW_042307_MGM_ATCJJCHEC2.jpg

[raider97]

All the above pictures were taken at WDW April 2007... Can you name where each one was taken?

[ShelleyLynn]

Hello!
You are the first person I have found that is also going during the "peak" time this year. We will be there the 24th -31st. My family is myself, DH, DD7 and DD5. My girls will also be 2nd and K starting this fall. We have to go the week after Christmas r/t job and nanny needs. I work p/t and have an afternoon sitter that will pick up my girls from school and do homework until I get home on the days I work. Between my husbands work schedule and hers we have to come that week. I am nervous about the crowds! I have been trying to find trip reports from people who went Christmas week for good advice. We have been 3 times since 10-06 so we don't have to feel like we need to ride or do everything to have a great vacation. I mainly want my girls to wake up Christmas morning in the happiest place on earth and take in the Christmas cheer of Disney! We are staying at the Contemporary in the garden wing so we can walk back and forth to the MK and monorail to Epcot. I am trying to plan carefully so we don't get overwhelmed with too many activities/expectations when the crowd level will be so high. Maybe we can share planning info! I know the week before Christmas is supposed to be just as busy as the week after so maybe we can help each other!

[happenin2you]

Hi!

Thanks for joining in!! My first reader. :yay:

I see you also spent your honeymoon at WDW. I would love to hear about it. I haven't been to Disneyland since I was a kid. I want to go back there too!! How did you feel the two compare?

So, you all are thinking about going to the World in Dec. 2010... I am sure you will love it!! I love how it is all decked out with the Christmas decorations and such. Makes it even more magical.

Thanks for coming along... hope I can keep you interested. :)

Stephanie


Thanks for having me! I'm looking forward to hearing all about all that goes into planning a Christmas vacation at WDW and hearing how it turns out, which will be fabulouly I'm sure =)

My husband and I spent 9 days at AKL for our DIsney honeymoon, following our wedding in Las Vegas (not because we were eloping, we're from Vegas!). We had so much fun, there's just too much to talk about here. Maybe I'll do a TR about. It was truly an amazing experience and I think I may have made a lil disney snob out of my husband; now he only wants to stay Deluxe when we go in 2010. I'm thinking we'll go moderate and use the money we'll save on a disney cruise either directly before or after. I am also looking to go during peak Christmas time. I grew up with divorced parents, so the holidays were always chaotic anyways, but now being married and trying to fit three families in is too much for me. So I said, "Were going to WDW, if you want to spend the holidays with us, be there!" The in-laws are on board so far. All I know is that I can't wait for August so I can book our trip! I think we're going for CSR since it's newly redecorated. I just love what I've seen so far.

Living in Vegas we are only a few hours drive from Disneyland, so we get down there at least once a year, sometimes more. I love Disneyland, but after having been to WDW, there is honestly no fair comparison. They are just two completely different worlds. It was really interesting going on rides that are at both WDW and DLR and comparing them, like Splash Mountain is way better at WDW and Space Mountain at DLR wins hands down. I wish they would implement a better dining plan at DLR and make some improvements to California Adventure, it seems so spread out far with not a lot in the park, it needs more.

Sorry for the rambling... I just get really excited when I'm talking about Disney :yay:

Your family is beautiful, I love your gorgeous little girls! When we do have kids, I'm hoping for girls, don't tell the husband though, I think he wants someone to play sports with...

Looking forward to your next post!

Deanna

[happenin2you]

Oops! Scrolling back up I realized I forgot to mention how cute your lil "woody" is! THat expression is priceless. I also forgot to mention that I think you are incredibly brave for taking such little ones on such a big vacation. I'm sure anything could change, but I can't see myself taking any future children before age 5. I'm a kindergarten teacher and deal with 30 5 year olds for 6 hours daily, but I don't think I could handle my own single child for a week in WDW... you are a brave one :worship:

[raider97]

Hello!
You are the first person I have found that is also going during the "peak" time this year. We will be there the 24th -31st. My family is myself, DH, DD7 and DD5. My girls will also be 2nd and K starting this fall. We have to go the week after Christmas r/t job and nanny needs. I work p/t and have an afternoon sitter that will pick up my girls from school and do homework until I get home on the days I work. Between my husbands work schedule and hers we have to come that week. I am nervous about the crowds! I have been trying to find trip reports from people who went Christmas week for good advice. We have been 3 times since 10-06 so we don't have to feel like we need to ride or do everything to have a great vacation. I mainly want my girls to wake up Christmas morning in the happiest place on earth and take in the Christmas cheer of Disney! We are staying at the Contemporary in the garden wing so we can walk back and forth to the MK and monorail to Epcot. I am trying to plan carefully so we don't get overwhelmed with too many activities/expectations when the crowd level will be so high. Maybe we can share planning info! I know the week before Christmas is supposed to be just as busy as the week after so maybe we can help each other!

Hi!!:yay: Thanks for joining in.

I,too, am worried about crowds. I have been trying to instill the motto in DH, "We will be there at rope drop and will leave in the afternoon for a break." The time change is always hard on us so I am hoping that plan will work. I would love to plan along with you. I think waking up in disney on Christmas morning will be great!!

I look forward to getting to know you better.

Stephanie

[raider97]

Thanks for having me! I'm looking forward to hearing all about all that goes into planning a Christmas vacation at WDW and hearing how it turns out, which will be fabulouly I'm sure =)

My husband and I spent 9 days at AKL for our DIsney honeymoon, following our wedding in Las Vegas (not because we were eloping, we're from Vegas!). We had so much fun, there's just too much to talk about here. Maybe I'll do a TR about. It was truly an amazing experience and I think I may have made a lil disney snob out of my husband; now he only wants to stay Deluxe when we go in 2010. I'm thinking we'll go moderate and use the money we'll save on a disney cruise either directly before or after. I am also looking to go during peak Christmas time. I grew up with divorced parents, so the holidays were always chaotic anyways, but now being married and trying to fit three families in is too much for me. So I said, "Were going to WDW, if you want to spend the holidays with us, be there!" The in-laws are on board so far. All I know is that I can't wait for August so I can book our trip! I think we're going for CSR since it's newly redecorated. I just love what I've seen so far.

Living in Vegas we are only a few hours drive from Disneyland, so we get down there at least once a year, sometimes more. I love Disneyland, but after having been to WDW, there is honestly no fair comparison. They are just two completely different worlds. It was really interesting going on rides that are at both WDW and DLR and comparing them, like Splash Mountain is way better at WDW and Space Mountain at DLR wins hands down. I wish they would implement a better dining plan at DLR and make some improvements to California Adventure, it seems so spread out far with not a lot in the park, it needs more.

Sorry for the rambling... I just get really excited when I'm talking about Disney :yay:

Your family is beautiful, I love your gorgeous little girls! When we do have kids, I'm hoping for girls, don't tell the husband though, I think he wants someone to play sports with...

Looking forward to your next post!

Deanna

Hi Deanna!

9 days at AKL.... that must have been heaven. I love the deluxe resorts and would love to stay there one day. I think the Wilderness Lodge is simply beautiful. I haven't made it out to the AKL, maybe we will get a chance this trip. I hear it is really beautiful too. I would love to read a trip report about your honeymoon!! I think you should write one.

Thanks for the compliments on my kids. I am pretty biased, but I think they are cuties. :) We were married for 2 1/2 years when we had our first one.

I know what you mean about how hard it is to juggle families. I did the same thing you did with your trip with this trip. My parents jumped at the chance to go with us since they hadn't been able to make it on our first one, but my mother-in-law is sitting this one out.

I haven't been to Disneyland since I was a kids, but I hope to make a trip out there one year soon. :) You'll have to give me some tips when we start planning that trip.

Stephanie

[raider97]

Oops! Scrolling back up I realized I forgot to mention how cute your lil "woody" is! THat expression is priceless. I also forgot to mention that I think you are incredibly brave for taking such little ones on such a big vacation. I'm sure anything could change, but I can't see myself taking any future children before age 5. I'm a kindergarten teacher and deal with 30 5 year olds for 6 hours daily, but I don't think I could handle my own single child for a week in WDW... you are a brave one :worship:

You may change your mind when you have your own. We always thought we would wait until they were this age, but when we went last time we had so much fun at that age too.

That is so neat that you are a kinder teacher. I want to go back and get my post-bac teaching certificate when Woody hits kinder.

I'm hoping to get to my next post in a min... depends if DH comes in from mowing the lawn and finds me dis-ing. :rotfl2: We are trying to get the house cleaned up since we are headed out to the beach this afternoon/evening. And I am sure that dis-ing doesn't count as cleaning up in his mind. :)

Stephanie

[raider97]

All the above pictures were taken at WDW April 2007... Can you name where each one was taken?


No takers on the challenge... I'll give you an answer the last two were taken after a Fantasmic showing in the theatre at DHS....

Any guesses on the others... Here is another one for today. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/WDW_042507_MK_ATCHEC.jpg

Minnie and Tinkerbell are posed where?

I'll give the answers to all the picture questions tonight. :)

Stephanie

[raider97]

Look at what we found for Tinkerbell last night at Sams. I think it is so adorable. I can't wait for her to wear it this summer. Maybe next week for our quick 4th of July trip to San Antonio.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC05832.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC05833.jpg

Stephanie

[labordefam3]

DH and I also honeymooned at WDW. (We were married 12/14/91) Then we took our DD back to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Both my DH and I had both been to the world once before our honeymoon. He when the park opened in 1963 and me in 1987, when my DM took my sister and I on a summer vacation. (The only time I've been to WDW during the summer.) My DM(58) is taking the whole family this Dec. (12/28/09-01/02/10) Includes DS, DBIL, their DD(12), DD(10), DS(6), DD(her ex-it's family, wouldn't be the same without dad!!), Me, my DH, and DD. This is the first time my DD, DBIL, and all my DS's kids have been!! The first time since that 1987 that DM and DS have been also. I'm so excited and soooo looking forward to this trip. It's a surprise for all the kids. It's going to be their Christmas present from mom. (shhhhh) Oh and we are from Texas too. Looking forward to reading your PTR. Am a newbie to the boards. Considering doing my own PTR, but having to much fun reading everyones!!!

[Pixieflip]

I have been looking for some pictures to show you guys my family. I found some from our 2007 trip.

DD(7) - AKA "Minnie"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/WDW_042307_DTD_ATC8.jpg

That boat ride could be the one from WL to MK or the one in AK behind Flame Tree BBQ. Just a guess!

Me and Tinkerbell - Stephanie
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/WDW_042307_MGM_SLCHECJDC.jpg
That one looks like at The Country Bears.



Okay so we're also going down over Christmas. We'll leave home Dec. 26 and stay at my in laws' house about 15 minutes outside of WDW. Then on Jan. 3, we check into AKV to stay in our 2 bedroom Savanna View at Kidani. We are super excited! We did Christmas break a few years ago, so if you have any questions... We did survive and had a great time, even though we though that would be impossible!

[happenin2you]

Hi Deanna!

9 days at AKL.... that must have been heaven. I love the deluxe resorts and would love to stay there one day.

I haven't been to Disneyland since I was a kids, but I hope to make a trip out there one year soon. :) You'll have to give me some tips when we start planning that trip.

Stephanie


AKL was heaven, we originally were going to do POFQ with the Deluxe Dining PLan, but when free dining came out, it turned out being the same price in a deluxe with free deluxe dining as it was in a moderate without free dining, so I said heck yeah, go big or go home! :cheer2:Afterall, it was our honeymoon. I'm all about getting more for my money as opposed to just saving it. You should really go during free dining, then you can at least justify the upgrade with the cost being the same. As far as Disneyland goes, I'm down to help with any questions whenever you need, just let me know. I consider myself a pro on that topic... now if I could only spend enough time at WDW to be the same, just gotta convince the DH... :rolleyes1

[happenin2you]

You may change your mind when you have your own. We always thought we would wait until they were this age, but when we went last time we had so much fun at that age too.

That is so neat that you are a kinder teacher. I want to go back and get my post-bac teaching certificate when Woody hits kinder.

I'm hoping to get to my next post in a min... depends if DH comes in from mowing the lawn and finds me dis-ing. :rotfl2: We are trying to get the house cleaned up since we are headed out to the beach this afternoon/evening. And I am sure that dis-ing doesn't count as cleaning up in his mind. :)

Stephanie

I know what you mean, I"ve been looking at other people's christmas pictures at the resorts so I can get a feel for the decorations and excitement and I see infants in pictures with santas around the world showcase at epcot and having their first haircuts at the barber in MK. I'm like "OH! I'm going to need to have those pics with my kids!"

Teaching kinder is fun. it seems more like play than work, but I'd rather teach secondary, I'm working on that degree right now. I'd rather have older students that are more self-sufficient. In kinder, I get sick a lot and it's really hard trying to run a classroom when you feel sick all the time. At least with the older kids if I'm not feeling well they can do a self-directed assignment.

Funny lil addictions we all have to the dis :love: my husband doesn't get it, but after our nearly perfect honeymoon, he kind of understands now. I just keep telling him, I need to be fully researched to make the best plans for our trip, it will pay off.

[raider97]

That boat ride could be the one from WL to MK or the one in AK behind Flame Tree BBQ. Just a guess!


That one looks like at The Country Bears.



Okay so we're also going down over Christmas. We'll leave home Dec. 26 and stay at my in laws' house about 15 minutes outside of WDW. Then on Jan. 3, we check into AKV to stay in our 2 bedroom Savanna View at Kidani. We are super excited! We did Christmas break a few years ago, so if you have any questions... We did survive and had a great time, even though we though that would be impossible!

Good guesses!!

1. The first one was taken on the boat ride from DTD to POR (Minnie).

2. This one of Tinkerbell was taken in Epcot near Misson Space.

3. Woody's picture was taken at one of the tables near Flame Tree in AK.

4. and 5. Both of the pictures of me and the one of Donald and the kids were taken at the Fantasmic theatre.

Today's #6. The one with both Minnie and Tinkerbell was taken outside MK in front by gardens in front of the train station while we were waiting for rope drop.

Stephanie

[raider97]

Hi labordefam3 and Pixieflip!! Thanks for joining in on my trip report. I look forward to getting to know you both better.

Sorry I'm not very chatty tonight... we just got back from an afternoon/evening at the beach and I am tuckered out! I hope everyone has a great night. Be back soon.

Stephanie

[raider97]

DH and I also honeymooned at WDW. (We were married 12/14/91) Then we took our DD back to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Both my DH and I had both been to the world once before our honeymoon. He when the park opened in 1963 and me in 1987, when my DM took my sister and I on a summer vacation. (The only time I've been to WDW during the summer.) My DM(58) is taking the whole family this Dec. (12/28/09-01/02/10) Includes DS, DBIL, their DD(12), DD(10), DS(6), DD(her ex-it's family, wouldn't be the same without dad!!), Me, my DH, and DD. This is the first time my DD, DBIL, and all my DS's kids have been!! The first time since that 1987 that DM and DS have been also. I'm so excited and soooo looking forward to this trip. It's a surprise for all the kids. It's going to be their Christmas present from mom. (shhhhh) Oh and we are from Texas too. Looking forward to reading your PTR. Am a newbie to the boards. Considering doing my own PTR, but having to much fun reading everyones!!!

Hi Jeannie!

What part of Texas are you from? We are on the coast.

We are keeping it a surprise from our kids too! It has been hard, but lots of fun. More about that later.

Where are you guys staying? Ours is a grand gathering for part of our time too. Are you thinking about doing any of the grand gathering events? My cousin, his wife, and there 3 little ones will be there for part of our trip (their first time) and my aunt, uncle, and some of their extended family. You should write a trip report they are lots of fun. :)

Stephanie

[raider97]

That boat ride could be the one from WL to MK or the one in AK behind Flame Tree BBQ. Just a guess!


That one looks like at The Country Bears.



Okay so we're also going down over Christmas. We'll leave home Dec. 26 and stay at my in laws' house about 15 minutes outside of WDW. Then on Jan. 3, we check into AKV to stay in our 2 bedroom Savanna View at Kidani. We are super excited! We did Christmas break a few years ago, so if you have any questions... We did survive and had a great time, even though we though that would be impossible!

Hi!!

Wow! That sounds like a nice trip. Oh how I wish I had family that lived close to WDW. That might get my DH back there more often. :rotfl: A 2 bedroom Savanna View!!! How exciting. I'm not sure I would ever leave my room. :) Tell us a little more about your family. I am assuming with a 2 bedroom, you have others going too?

Someone with Christmas break experience. :banana: Give us some tips. What kind of touring plan would you suggest?

Thanks again for joining!

Stephanie

[raider97]

Whose bright idea was it to change the ADR booking policy from 180 days to 90 days? Man, do I dislike this person. :lmao:

We had booked our trip back in August and all fall I was thinking about the hours coming out in June and being able to make my ADR's early. Our last trip we only booked 2 months in advance so I wasn't able to get everything I wanted. I was so bummed, when I heard the news about disney changing their ADR's from 180 days to 90 days. :sad2:

How does everyone else feel about this? To think I would have already had my ADR's booked now. I like the idea of making them and then tinkering with them.

We also have some extended family going with us this year. They just booked their airfare yesterday.:yay:

Additional Cast:

My cousin, his wife, and their three little ones. They have a DD that is 7, a DD that is 3 1/2, and a DS that is 13 months. It is their first time visiting. They will be staying at All Star Music Resort. They are also on the dining plan with us. Staying Dec. 17th - Dec. 23rd.

My aunt, uncle (Dec. 17th - Dec. 23rd), and my uncle's son, dil, and granddaughter (Dec. 17th - Dec. 22nd) are also going. They will be staying at SOG.It is my aunt and uncles' second time visiting, but it is their granddaughter's first time. :woohoo:

So we will be a grand gathering for a few days during our trip. Does anyone have any experience with any of the grand gathering events? Did you like any? I need to spend some time looking them over closely. I am also worried about trying to make dinner reservations for 12 or more people.... Yikes!! I don't think you can make them online for that many right? I think I will need to call the grand gathering line. I am already starting to stress about this.

Well, I better get going.... I'll try and check in later. Hope everyone has a great day!!

Stephanie

[raider97]

AKL was heaven, we originally were going to do POFQ with the Deluxe Dining PLan, but when free dining came out, it turned out being the same price in a deluxe with free deluxe dining as it was in a moderate without free dining, so I said heck yeah, go big or go home! :cheer2:Afterall, it was our honeymoon. I'm all about getting more for my money as opposed to just saving it. You should really go during free dining, then you can at least justify the upgrade with the cost being the same. As far as Disneyland goes, I'm down to help with any questions whenever you need, just let me know. I consider myself a pro on that topic... now if I could only spend enough time at WDW to be the same, just gotta convince the DH... :rolleyes1

Deanna,

That is a great idea... not looking it as savings, but being able to upgrade. I think we may try to go for free dining the next time we go. The only problem is with two in school, we would have to go in August. I wonder how manageable the heat would be? I would love to see the water parks though.

Stephanie

[raider97]

Happy Monday everyone! I am looking forward to this week. My husband has Thursday and Friday off for the holiday so we are headed up to San Antonio to visit family and play for the long weekend. I am hoping to get a visit to Sea World in (we have season passes so we might due an afternoon/evening since the temps have been so hot) and maybe a dinner on the Riverwalk. Sounds fun right?

O.K. last night I woke up thinking of all the things I hadn't told you guys yet. :) I have been suffering from a bout of insomnia the past few weeks. I'm able to go to bed fine, but then I wake up about 3 a.m. wide awake. Takes me about another hour to get back to bed then I am exhausted all the next day. :sad2: I hope that whatever is waking me up in the middle of the night stops soon. I'm kinda grouchy when I don't have enough sleep. :scared:

O.K. back to the trip.... So I knew we would have to fly this year since we are going so close to Christmas and I wanted to avoid the kids missing a ton of school. Plus WDW is one place my DH prefers to fly to. So I started tracking airfare in and out of our city back in March. I had been really concentrating on Southwest since they will allow you to switch to a cheaper airfare if it comes out without penalty and you can use those funds for the next year. We are planning a trip to Virginia Beach next summer so I figured any savings could be used towards that trip.

First, I analyzed their schedule. I hated that I could fly out at 6 in the morning and not get to MCO until noon or later. Since we live in a smaller city, we have to catch a flight out of here that takes and hour, land and switch plans with a layover and then take a non-stop flight from there. So I had contemplated driving to my parents house the night before and spending the night there to cut some of the travel time on our first day. I don't want to get there so late we can't do anything our first day. So I was talking to DH about it and he suggested adding a night on and flying out late so we are there first thing in the morning. :banana: Gosh, I love him!!:love:

So I called Disney to add a room only reservation on to the front of our stay, but the more I got to thinking about it the more I decided to just add on to our package. Since we could use the dining entitlements anytime during our stay I went with it. So now we have a pkg reservation staying at POR arriving on Dec. 16th and leaving Dec. 26th.

When Southwest announced they would be releasing their schedule for December on June 23rd I was very nervous. I was hoping to catch a good deal, $99 each way would have been great, for our trip. But I was worried that our trip was too close to Christmas for those fares. Continental and Delta had been running close to $400 per person roundtrip for our dates. We had budgeted $2000 so I figured I would book anything less than that. And if the fares dropped we could use them for our trip next summer.

So I was up at the crack of dawn on that Tuesday. When the fares were finally released they weren't as good as I had hoped, but they weren't as bad as I had feared so I booked them. $149 each way per person. Ends up being about $340 or so per person roundtrip. So I came in a little over $300 under budget. I'll take that as a good thing. :woohoo: The thing I was most upset about was they canceled their afternoon flight back on Sat. so instead of flying out late afternoon we would have to fly back late morning instead. I am bummed since that means we won't have time to do anything on that last day and trying to be on the bus at 8 a.m. is going to be fun. But at least we have our tickets, right!!

:yay:We are going for sure!! No, backing out now!! :yay:

So, we fly out of here on Dec. 16th around 6ish and arrive in Orlando at 11:25. Yikes that is going to make for a late night. I also hate that we have to get our own luggage since we are flying in after 10, but I guess that is better than getting it at 2 am. Oh Well... small sacrifice. The cool thing is our flight connects with my parents. So we fly out of here arrive, switch planes, and my parents are booked on that flight. Yippee!!

On the 26th, we fly out at 11ish. Means Magical Express will be picking us up at 8ish. That one is going to come very very early!

[raider97]

One more thing, before I have to find some lunch. :)

I forgot to tell you guys we are keeping the trip a surprise from the kids. I had planned to keep it a surprise until after Thanksgiving and then let the kids open a Christmas present about 2 weeks before our trip that would reveal the surprise. I thought this was a great idea. It would have been a surprise, but would also give them a bit of the anticipation. Well, I was talking to my eldest about going again, she asks all the time when can we go back, and I asked her if she wanted to know ahead of time or just be woken up that day and told and she said woken up that day and told. I wasn't really expecting her to say that. :confused3 But I'm trying to do it for her.

I think I may tell them the night before though, since the day of will be crazy. The girls will have school that day. They get out at 3 p.m. and then we will need to be at the airport by 4ish since my middle baby has peanut allergies. So we have plenty of time to notify the check-in and gate people about her allergies. Leaving me not much time to tell them. Plus the house has to be ready since Santa will have come while we are gone. Yikes!! I'm stressing just thinking about it. :)

Well, I better run... I have a ton of laundry to do for our weekend trip and I'm starving. I'll try and check in later. Have a great day!:wizard:

Stephanie

[raider97]

So what do you do? Do you announce it to the kids right when you book, keep it s a surprise or a mixture of both? Any tips or suggestion about keeping it a secret or how to announce it when the time comes?

[raider97]

Good morning! What does everyone have planned for the 4th of July? I am just hoping to be able to see fireworks on the holiday. The kids and I just LOVE fireworks!!

Now back to trips... how to you make sure your child has your information in case he/she gets lost? Last time we went to WDW I bought Who's Shoe ID's. I really like them, but I think the girls are a little old for them and they are hard to change to some shoes.

http://www.whosshoesid.com/

This year while researching our trip on the disboards I read about someone using safety tats. I had been looking at the them considering them for our trip when we went to Sea World over Easter weekend. The crowds were huge!! And I found a lost little boy who was terrified, about the age of my middle one. I was taking him to a Sea World employee when we luckily ran into his mother on the other side of the crowd of people from where he had been. Freaked me out... my oldest knows our home number, but that wouldn't help when we are vacationing and my little two don't even know that.

So I went ahead and ordered from safety tats. We tried them out when they came in and I was impressed. I am planning to take them to use this weekend since I know Sea World will be packed again for the holiday weekend.
I think I am going to order some more for our Disney trip that has both of our cell phone numbers on it.
Here is the link for safety tats.... I think they are great!!

http://www.safetytat.com/

What else do you suggest to help protect your kids should they become lost? I always try and point out the employees and what they are wearing so they have an idea of who to look for in case they become lost. Does anyone have a suggestion for a meet-up place in Disney World? I think we should have one planned in case any of our party gets seperated. Does anyone have t-mobile? How is their service in the parks?

Well, I'm going to try and update this with some current pics of my little ones. Be back soon!

Stephanie

[raider97]

Minnie

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC04957.jpg

Tinkerbell

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC04961.jpg

Woody

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC04998_edited.jpg

And a picture from our Toy Story 2 Halloween.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC04325.jpg

Stephanie

[raider97]

http://www.disneystore.com/boy-costumes-glow-in-the-dark-boney-jack-sparrow-costume/p/1233944/60495/

I couldn't believe the price and I have been thinking about taking Woody to do the pirate make-over one day while we are in MK. They had his size so I ordered it. If nothing else he could wear the shirt and jeans when he gets his pirate experience right?

Stephanie

[raider97]

I have been researching places to eat for this trip almost from the time I got back from our last one. :lmao:
I was hoping you guys could give some feedback as to your favorite and least favorite table service meals and counter service meals.

The table service places we have eaten at are:
On our honeymoon:
Mama Melroses
Brown Derby
Shutters
CRT breakfast
Le Cellier

On our April 2007:
Le Cellier (lunch)
Princess Storybook Breakfast
Cap'n Jacks (dinner)
Crystal Palace (breakfast)
Whispering Canyon Cafe (lunch)
Hollywood and Vine (character lunch) - We did not like this one. I don't think we will be back to this one.
Ohanas (I liked this one, but our reservation was too late so everyone was very cranky.)

The cs meals we ate at in 2007:
Cosmic Rays (2)
Electric Umbrella
Flame Tree
Everything Pop (3)

[labordefam3]

Hi Stephanie!

We are from the Golden Triangle. About 45 minutes from Lake Charles.

We are staying at the Contemporary. This is our first time to stay on site.

I haven't scheduled any of the Grand Gatherings but I've been researching it. Just have to talk it all over with the (no one wants to make decisons just leave it up to Jeannie) crew. LOL

Jeannie

[raider97]

Hi Stephanie!

We are from the Golden Triangle. About 45 minutes from Lake Charles.

We are staying at the Contemporary. This is our first time to stay on site.

I haven't scheduled any of the Grand Gatherings but I've been researching it. Just have to talk it all over with the (no one wants to make decisons just leave it up to Jeannie) crew. LOL

Jeannie

Hi Jeannie!

I have been researching the grand gathering events too. I just can't decide, but I did read somewhere you can book them at 180 days so I guess I better nail everyone down.

I love the Contemporary. I hope to stay there someday. My biggest problem is I start out deluxe and then downgrade for more days. I am always looking for ways to extend out our vacation.

[raider97]

I am having such a hard time narrowing things down. There is so much I want to do and I can't figure out what to eliminate. I love spending time at the parks, but I also want to schedule in some down time, swimming, maybe a carriage ride, POR has a campfire in the winter that sounds fun, DTD, and cane fishing. It seemed like we had plenty of time, but out of our 11 days there only 9 are useable days since the first day we won't be in until midnight and our last day we will be leaving the resort by 8 a.m.

I am also having a hard time narrowing down ADR's I want. It seems like I keep adding on places I want to eat rather than taking them off. I have so much work to do on this trip and even though it seems like forever away. I imagine my 90 day window will be here before I know it.

[MinnieNurse]

Had to come over and support my fellow Red Raider fan!!

Okay lets see I am behind so lots to comment on:

Christmas time is my favorite time to go. We were at WL in 2008 the week before Christmas, I think we flew home on the 22nd.

I have never stayed at POR, but we did stay at POFQ one year and it was around new years so the the Christmas decorations were still up and we really enjoyed this resort. We loved breakfast at Boatwrights, but I dont think they serve breakfast anymore.:sad2:

I love the pirate costume, I think the Pirates League is so cool and something Disney has needed to do for a long time.

We are flying Jet Blue for the first time in August. I have never flown them so we will see. The rates were the best I coul find.

I love going to Sea World, we have not been in about 2 years, I think we are due for a trip.

I see you have eaten at Shutters, how was it. We are eating there in August and I have not found many reviews on it.

[jenn-]

I have really enjoyed reading your PTR up to this point. I would have totally guessed wrong on where most of those pictures were taken. I recognized the Fantasmic seating and in front of MK, but that was it. I also had a Disneymoon back in 2003. I just wrote about it in my PTR (linked in siggie).

How does your school handle family vacations? When we went in 2007 DD had to miss the 2 days before Thanksgiving and I got a nasty gram from the truancy officer for the unexcused absences. They don't consider vacation an excused absence. I wasn't overly concerned since as of winter break that year I knew I was going to switch to homeschooling. Now we can go whenever we want :yay:.

I couldn't keep trips from my kids. I get all worked up about trip planning so they would know something is up. This time around we are doing some arts and crafts together to get us in the mood. Unfortunately I started on them already and we aren't going until May :rotfl: . I am going to be broke from being crafty before we get there. My lucky DD will be there in August before and after her Disney Cruise (she's going with her Grandparents), so she will be able to wear her stuff soon.

I can't wait to see where you narrow your choices down for food. I would definitely make sure everyone is interested in doing a grand gathering before planning it. You might also decide if you all want to tour together or as separate groups. I have gone in large groups before, watch for my reports of my trips to show up on my PTR soon. Keep up the great PTR.

[happenin2you]

We had the Deluxe Dining Plan when we stayed so that's 9 days of table service meals (we didn't go to any quick or counter) I have to try to remember to tell you about... and I made ADRs for almost all of them. Trying to plan where you're going to be and what you're going to do for 9 days in a place you've never been is a little crazy, but it worked out for us.

In no particular order this is where we ate and how we liked it.
Magic Kingdom
-Liberty Tree Tavern- lunch- The food was really good, very "home-cooked" tasting. We will definitely go back in next time.
-Tony's Town Square Restaurant- dinner- it was a god experience. we sat on the patio and it would have been perfect for watching a parade, but our ADR was very late and right before fireworks, which we couldn't see from there. the food was good, not great, but the experience was great. I think next time, if I can't get a ressie during a parade, we will skip this one.
-Cinderella's Royal Table- dinner- the experience was great, the food, not great, not terrible, but I surely wouldn't have paid to eat here without the dinig plan. I think we will go back and eat there for breakfast next time, 'm thinking how can you screw up breakfast? and i can still get my pics and experience with a hopefully better meal.
-snacks- we also had dole whips and dole whip floats, i love pineapple and highly reccommend them to anyone who does as well. there were also some really good churros around the park
EPCOT
-CHefs de France-dinner- this was a must for me as i study french and intend to one day teach it. the food here was really good and the atmosphere was really great. i would return here.
-Coral Reef Restuarant-lunch- BE WARNED, I AM NOT A FISH EATER- with that said, i figured with all the food we'd be eating on this plan i would try some different things that i wouldn't normally eat. here i tried mahi mahi. i liked the flavor of it but couldn't have more than a few bites because it did taste kind of fishy to me, which DH says i was imagining and he thought it was great. i think the aquarium was overrated. the fish were all darkly colored gray and black and were not anything that i thought was very exciting. i've seen many others that were better. we probably wouldn't go back.
-Marrakesh-lunch- this place was awesome! we loved the food and the atmosphere. they have a belly dancer that comes out periodially and live music. we will come back here for sure
-San Angel Inn- lunch- the atmosphere here is really good but the food is lacking. to someone who doesn't get good mexican food very often, it would be okay, but i am married to a man born in mexico and i live in the southwest, good, authentic mexican food is plentiful here. it's not that the food is bad, it's just not very authentic, more taco bell than mexico. if authenticity is not an issue for you, go for it. we will not go back
-Teppan Edo- dinner- I love hibachi style cooking! this place was just as good as Bennihana's. i reccommend it to all.
Hollywood Studios
-50's Prime Time Cafe- dinner- We loved this place! the food was great, american homestyle entrees, and the experience was loads of fun, we will absolutely go back
-Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano- lunch- I should have mentioned with Tony's Town Square, that I am originally from New York, where great italian food is plentiful. That being said, I am hard to please when it comes to italian food. I thought this place was not very special on the interior and the food was just ok. My husband loved it though, which was not the case with Tony's. We will probably return here because he liked it so much and I can tolerate it. The food isn't bad, it's just not what I would prefer.
-Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre- lunch- this was one of my favorites! it was an unmatched experience and the food was great, we can't wait to come back here
-The Hollywood Brown Derby- dinner- this place was probably the best we had in our entire stay. It's great for a romantic dinner or a dinner with family, the food is great and the setting is fabulous. I've been trying to recreate the Cobb salad ever since. =:love:
Animal Kingdom
-Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House- breakfast- this was really good. as far as buffet's go, i think breakfast is the only way to go to them and they're even better with characters; donald happens to be DH's fave! we'll be back
-Yak and Yeti- lunch- so good, it amazing food, we will return for sure!
Resorts
-Contemporary- Chef Mickey's- breakfast- it was good food and good fun. we will return in the future but maybe try a different resort restaurant on the next trip
-Fort Wilderness- Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue- dinner- the food was good here, and we liked that we could have a couple of drinks without being overcharged since they are included unlimited (the sangria is yum!) the show was really fun too, in the future we will come back and are hoping to also see the polynesian show (it was all booked up when we went) and the backyard bbq (we had a ressie and cancelled it because it is 2 table service credits and we weren't sure we would like a dinner show) we reccommend this to everyone
-Animal Kingdom Lodge-Jiko-dinner- it was really good food and a nice setting, i will return there in the future, but next time i think i want to try the restaurant in whatever other resort we stay in.
Boma- breakfast- it was a good breakfast buffet, i would not travel to this hotel to eat here, but i would eat here again if i stay at this resort again.

I think that these are all the places we ate at, if you have any questions about what we ate or what they did to celebrate our honeymoon, I'll be glad to answer, if I can remember =)

[happenin2you]

hope that info is helpful to your planning!

[labordefam3]

Thanks so much for the info. It will be a great help. =)

[annnewjerz]

Hi there fellow December goer! Great TR so far---all caught up. That pirate costume is so cute and what a steal!!

So---as far as restaurant suggestions, here are a few that we really like or are looking forward to trying this trip. Not sure if you are looking for particular meals, or in particular parks---but here we go:

1. Sci-Fi: Great atmosphere, pretty basic (but in our experience yummy) food. The car booths, the starry skies and the old Sci-Fi movies that play are all great and so much fun. Great for kids and adults!

2. Crystal Palace (breakfast): We haven't been for a pre-park opening breakfast before, but we're trying it this trip. In the past, we have gone for regular breakfast and for your standard buffet we really like it. Good fruit, bacon, waffles, the works---and the Winnie the Pooh characters are so cute. We don't have kids, but we still love going.

3. Ohana: We haven't been, but a few co-workers with kids just got back from their trips and both ate at Ohana and had nothing but rave reviews. The food is supposed to be great (and as much as you want) and they said that the service was some of the best they had the whole trip.

4. Flying Fish: Not sure about this one with kids (our meal was late and only adults in the restaurant at the time) but they are definitely on our list for December. Great potato wrapped snapper---great appetizers, if you have a wait the entertainment on the Boardwalk is so fun. Amusing for the kids and adults and a great way to pass the time.

5. San Angel Inn (Epcot - Mexico): If you are okay with having something other than your typical American tex-mex, this is a good restaurant to try. Is it THE BEST food we've ever had in WDW? No. But it's another one that has ambieance that can't be beat. Feeling like you are sitting on a Mexican patio next to the little canal that the boat rides go through, listening to the Mariachi band play and sipping on a Margarita---definitely one of our favorite past-times in WDW.

Good luck---can't wait to hear more about the trip! Only about 5 more months until all of us experiencing Christmas at The World are there!! :goodvibes

[jenn-]

Thanks so much for the info. It will be a great help. =)

Hi there fellow December goer! Great TR so far---all caught up. That pirate costume is so cute and what a steal!!

So---as far as restaurant suggestions, here are a few that we really like or are looking forward to trying this trip. Not sure if you are looking for particular meals, or in particular parks---but here we go:

1. Sci-Fi: Great atmosphere, pretty basic (but in our experience yummy) food. The car booths, the starry skies and the old Sci-Fi movies that play are all great and so much fun. Great for kids and adults!

2. Crystal Palace (breakfast): We haven't been for a pre-park opening breakfast before, but we're trying it this trip. In the past, we have gone for regular breakfast and for your standard buffet we really like it. Good fruit, bacon, waffles, the works---and the Winnie the Pooh characters are so cute. We don't have kids, but we still love going.

3. Ohana: We haven't been, but a few co-workers with kids just got back from their trips and both ate at Ohana and had nothing but rave reviews. The food is supposed to be great (and as much as you want) and they said that the service was some of the best they had the whole trip.

4. Flying Fish: Not sure about this one with kids (our meal was late and only adults in the restaurant at the time) but they are definitely on our list for December. Great potato wrapped snapper---great appetizers, if you have a wait the entertainment on the Boardwalk is so fun. Amusing for the kids and adults and a great way to pass the time.

5. San Angel Inn (Epcot - Mexico): If you are okay with having something other than your typical American tex-mex, this is a good restaurant to try. Is it THE BEST food we've ever had in WDW? No. But it's another one that has ambieance that can't be beat. Feeling like you are sitting on a Mexican patio next to the little canal that the boat rides go through, listening to the Mariachi band play and sipping on a Margarita---definitely one of our favorite past-times in WDW.

Good luck---can't wait to hear more about the trip! Only about 5 more months until all of us experiencing Christmas at The World are there!! :goodvibes

That's a lot of great info! I will have to keep it in mind when I start crackin' on my ADR planning in a few more months.

[raider97]

Hi all! Sorry I have been MIA! We took a quick 4th of July trip to San Antonio last week and I started reading the Twilight series which I just can't put down. I just started the 4th book today.

Hope you don't mind if I do a quick trip report of our San Antonio adventure.

DH had Thurs and Friday off for the holiday and we had planned to go to San Antonio for the long weekend. My mil, bil, and his family all live there.


Thursday - We had planned to get up early and leave, but we didn't finish packing the night before. So we didn't up heading out of town until noon. We stopped on the way and grabbed McDonalds which put us in late afternoon. We spent Thursday grilling hamburgers and lounging around the house catching up.

Friday - We had plans to go swimming at my sil's parents house for the afternoon. The kids had a blast. They have a pool slide which the kids loved. I am so happy we picked POR for our December trip. I think the kids will really love the slides at POR and POFQ, especially the dragon one!! We spent several hours swimming in the heat before we finally decided to head home. Here are some pictures of the kids at the pool.

Minnie
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC05912.jpg

Woody
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC05918.jpg

Tinkerbell
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC05919.jpg

After a much needed nap, we decided to venture out to Alamo Cafe for dinner. The food was wonderful as usual. DH and I shared mixed fajitas and the kids all had cheese quesadillas and fries. Afterwards, we had promised the kids we would go miniature golfing if they behaved. So we headed to Malibu Golf and Games. I was kinda surprised to see this place was still open. DH and I had not been here since high school. We played a round of miniature golf. I played with my sil, nephew, and Minnie. And DH played with my MIL, Tinkerbell, and Woody. I was a little concerned to see how close Woody was to a meltdown when we finished up about 9:30 p.m. I had been planning on some late nights on our December trip. I guess I better remember those afternoon naps and play it by ear.

Saturday - We decided to brave Sea World with everyone else in San Antonio. It was packed to the seams. We got there about 6:00 p.m. and it was still very hot and very crowded.

My Three Little Monkeys
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06021.jpg

We headed to the Clydesdale barn to check out the horses while we waited for bil, sil, and our nephew to show up. Once they arrived, we headed out to the shark exhibit. Tinkerbell loves sharks.:confused3 We didn't get to see too much. It was packed in there. I imagine due to the air conditioning. It was 100 in San Antonio all last week. We did get to see some sharks, eels, rays, etc. so it was o.k.

Next we headed out to the children's play area. It was very hot still and we decided to let the kids play in the splash pad. They loved it and ended up soaked. We decided to pick up a bite to eat before heading to the 8 p.m. Shamu show. The kids split two cheese pizzas, Tinkerbell and Woody don't each much, and a frozen lemonade. DH and I shared a turkey leg and a mountain dew. We took too long with dinner and didn't head out towards the stadium until 7:15 or so. We got there at 7:20 and it was packed. No seats left, only standing room. We decided to try again for the 10:00 p.m. show.

So we headed over to the new Atlantis ride. None of us had been on it before. Everyone, but me and Woody, got in line to ride. Woody isn't tall enough yet. :( I noticed they had a Quick Que sign at the entrance and decided to ask the person working the height requirement about it. He said they were available at the front of the park for $25 per person. Yikes!! I am so glad disney's fast passes are still free. I can't imagine paying that much money for them. I almost laughed. We sat by at a nearby table to catch the family on their boat. Here is a couple of pictures of the ride.

Atlantis
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06047.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06048.jpg

This was Tinkerbell's first ride with a large drop and I was sad to hear she cried. :( I was hoping to take her on BTMRR and Splash in December. Guess we will have to play this one by ear too.

DH with Tinkerbell and Minnie in the front row
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06050.jpg

After the family got off the ride, we headed back to Shamu stadium. I was hoping to watch the fireworks from there before grabbing our seats for the show, but they opened the gates to the stadium just as the fireworks started. A mad rush dashed in and we were worried if we didn't go we wouldn't get seats. So at 9:15 we found good seats, in a very hot Shamu stadium, for the last showing of Shamu (10 p.m.) The kids were great waiting for the show to start which I found amazing since it was very hot in there and it was 45 minutes from when we sat down until the show began.

After the show, we headed towards the gate. I had Woody on my shoulders, and DH had Tinkerbell on his. At this moment, I decided I better look into renting a stroller for disney. I don't want to be doing that every night. I am so glad it worked out that way though since DH had almost convinced me we wouldn't need one in December. We crashed when we got home and slept in the next morning. Then we got up and went with Grandma to go see Ice Age 3. We loved it. I think it is my favorite of the three. You should go see it if you haven't. Afterwards, we headed home.

I will get back to planning for December asap. I do need to get some bread started for dinner and some laundry done. I hope to be back later to catch up with you guys. If not tomorrow morning for sure. Have a great evening.

Stephanie

[raider97]

I used the safety tats on the kids when we went to Sea World. They held up really well. In fact they are still readable today. Granted I haven't scrubbed them to much in the bath, but I thought those who might be interested in them might like a report as to how they were.

Here is a picture of Woody with his on. Woody and Minnie wanted theirs on their biceps and Tinkerbell wanted hers on her forearm. I think I am going to order some more for disney with both our cell phone numbers on them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06020.jpg

http://www.safetytat.com/

Stephanie

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I'm happy to see another Dec planner! We are going Dec 2 - 10. We will miss you by a couple of days. I am going to follow along as I get ready to start my PTR!!

[happenin2you]

looks like you had tons of fun at sea world, and i must say that sea world in TX looks like loads more fun than san diego, they don't have any big coasters there, just a couple water rides that i can remember. i'm going to san diego this week so i'll try to make it over to see shamu and let you know =) good see you had a fun and safe trip and that those safety tats worked out for you!

[jenn-]

I used the safety tats on the kids when we went to Sea World. They held up really well. In fact they are still readable today. Granted I haven't scrubbed them to much in the bath, but I thought those who might be interested in them might like a report as to how they were.

Here is a picture of Woody with his on. Woody and Minnie wanted theirs on their biceps and Tinkerbell wanted hers on her forearm. I think I am going to order some more for disney with both our cell phone numbers on them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06020.jpg

http://www.safetytat.com/

Stephanie

Glad to see those worked. I am going to have to look into them. The ones we used didn't work out that well for us, but they used a pen to write on them. Let me know how long they stay on (or until you have to really scrub to get them off). Sounds like you had a great time on vacation.

[raider97]

Had to come over and support my fellow Red Raider fan!!

Okay lets see I am behind so lots to comment on:

Christmas time is my favorite time to go. We were at WL in 2008 the week before Christmas, I think we flew home on the 22nd.

I have never stayed at POR, but we did stay at POFQ one year and it was around new years so the the Christmas decorations were still up and we really enjoyed this resort. We loved breakfast at Boatwrights, but I dont think they serve breakfast anymore.:sad2:

I love the pirate costume, I think the Pirates League is so cool and something Disney has needed to do for a long time.

We are flying Jet Blue for the first time in August. I have never flown them so we will see. The rates were the best I coul find.

I love going to Sea World, we have not been in about 2 years, I think we are due for a trip.

I see you have eaten at Shutters, how was it. We are eating there in August and I have not found many reviews on it.

Hi!

I love disney at Christmas too. I had a lot of fun on our April trip in 2007, but I was surprised how much I missed the Christmas feel of the parks. I am super excited to be taking the kids for Christmas.

I see your screen name is Nurse Minnie. Did you go to nursing school at Tech? Do you live in Texas too? We love Sea World too. I have to space our visits out some since DH isn't a theme park junkie like I am. :rotfl2:

We ate at Shutters on our honeymoon and we really liked it. However, that was back in 1999 so I don't know how much it has changed since then. Are you all staying at CBR in August?

Stephanie

[raider97]

I have really enjoyed reading your PTR up to this point. I would have totally guessed wrong on where most of those pictures were taken. I recognized the Fantasmic seating and in front of MK, but that was it. I also had a Disneymoon back in 2003. I just wrote about it in my PTR (linked in siggie).

How does your school handle family vacations? When we went in 2007 DD had to miss the 2 days before Thanksgiving and I got a nasty gram from the truancy officer for the unexcused absences. They don't consider vacation an excused absence. I wasn't overly concerned since as of winter break that year I knew I was going to switch to homeschooling. Now we can go whenever we want :yay:.

I couldn't keep trips from my kids. I get all worked up about trip planning so they would know something is up. This time around we are doing some arts and crafts together to get us in the mood. Unfortunately I started on them already and we aren't going until May :rotfl: . I am going to be broke from being crafty before we get there. My lucky DD will be there in August before and after her Disney Cruise (she's going with her Grandparents), so she will be able to wear her stuff soon.

I can't wait to see where you narrow your choices down for food. I would definitely make sure everyone is interested in doing a grand gathering before planning it. You might also decide if you all want to tour together or as separate groups. I have gone in large groups before, watch for my reports of my trips to show up on my PTR soon. Keep up the great PTR.

Hi!

I'll have to check out your disneymoon trip report. I love reading about trips!!

About school vacations.... we can get turned into a truancy officer for more than 4 days unexcused in a 6 week period. I am trying to not stress too much about it. My kids are usually pretty healthy and don't miss much school. The worst part is our boundary changed this year so we will be at a new school so I guess I will have to wait and see. I really wanted to be there on our anniversary though. They will be missing two days of school this way.

It has been really hard keeping it a secret. I am hoping the kids react well. I have heard the horror stories about kids reacting terribly to the surprise. I need to get to work on our crafts. What are you making? I am planning to make t-shirts, autograph books, journals, magnets and vinyls for our room decorations, and mousekeeping envelopes. I really need to get started before I run out of time! I would love to see pictures of your crafts.

The only grand gathering I think we would be interested in is the breakfast at Tony's. I need to get together with my cousin's wife and she what she thinks about them. Looks like I need to plan a planning meeting!! :)

Thanks for joining in... I look forward to getting to know you better. Where are you guys staying in May?

Stephanie

[raider97]

We had the Deluxe Dining Plan when we stayed so that's 9 days of table service meals (we didn't go to any quick or counter) I have to try to remember to tell you about... and I made ADRs for almost all of them. Trying to plan where you're going to be and what you're going to do for 9 days in a place you've never been is a little crazy, but it worked out for us.

In no particular order this is where we ate and how we liked it.
Magic Kingdom
-Liberty Tree Tavern- lunch- The food was really good, very "home-cooked" tasting. We will definitely go back in next time.
This one is on my long list. Not sure it will make the cut since we only have the regular dining plan. When you have time can you tell me more about this one. What you ate? The food, etc?

-Tony's Town Square Restaurant- dinner- it was a god experience. we sat on the patio and it would have been perfect for watching a parade, but our ADR was very late and right before fireworks, which we couldn't see from there. the food was good, not great, but the experience was great. I think next time, if I can't get a ressie during a parade, we will skip this one.
This is another one I have on my long list. It has some terrible reviews though pretty frequently so I am a little scared of this one. What did you guys have?

-Cinderella's Royal Table- dinner- the experience was great, the food, not great, not terrible, but I surely wouldn't have paid to eat here without the dinig plan. I think we will go back and eat there for breakfast next time, 'm thinking how can you screw up breakfast? and i can still get my pics and experience with a hopefully better meal.
-snacks- we also had dole whips and dole whip floats, i love pineapple and highly reccommend them to anyone who does as well. there were also some really good churros around the pa
I am thinking about trying this one for an early dinner after BBB for the girls on our 10th anniversary. What did you guys have? Was the food terrible? How did you like the show?

EPCOT
-CHefs de France-dinner- this was a must for me as i study french and intend to one day teach it. the food here was really good and the atmosphere was really great. i would return here.
I have also considered this one. What did you guys have? How was the atmosphere/service? Do you think the kids would like it?

-Coral Reef Restuarant-lunch- BE WARNED, I AM NOT A FISH EATER- with that said, i figured with all the food we'd be eating on this plan i would try some different things that i wouldn't normally eat. here i tried mahi mahi. i liked the flavor of it but couldn't have more than a few bites because it did taste kind of fishy to me, which DH says i was imagining and he thought it was great. i think the aquarium was overrated. the fish were all darkly colored gray and black and were not anything that i thought was very exciting. i've seen many others that were better. we probably wouldn't go back.
We aren't fish eaters either. I have been considering them, but mainly for the aquarium. I am not too sure about this one. The reviews lately haven't been too great either. Hmmmm....

-Marrakesh-lunch- this place was awesome! we loved the food and the atmosphere. they have a belly dancer that comes out periodially and live music. we will come back here for sure
I think this one may be too adventurous for us. :)

-San Angel Inn- lunch- the atmosphere here is really good but the food is lacking. to someone who doesn't get good mexican food very often, it would be okay, but i am married to a man born in mexico and i live in the southwest, good, authentic mexican food is plentiful here. it's not that the food is bad, it's just not very authentic, more taco bell than mexico. if authenticity is not an issue for you, go for it. we will not go back.
Being from South Texas I think we may be disappointed in this one too. I had considered it, but I don't think it will make my long list.

-Teppan Edo- dinner- I love hibachi style cooking! this place was just as good as Bennihana's. i reccommend it to all.
I am almost positive we are trying for this one. Our whole family LOVES hibachi style cooking. :) What did you guys have?

Hollywood Studios
-50's Prime Time Cafe- dinner- We loved this place! the food was great, american homestyle entrees, and the experience was loads of fun, we will absolutely go back
I think we are going to skip this one. I don't think my parents would like the ribbing. :confused3

-Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano- lunch- I should have mentioned with Tony's Town Square, that I am originally from New York, where great italian food is plentiful. That being said, I am hard to please when it comes to italian food. I thought this place was not very special on the interior and the food was just ok. My husband loved it though, which was not the case with Tony's. We will probably return here because he liked it so much and I can tolerate it. The food isn't bad, it's just not what I would prefer.
We have been here before too.... it wasn't bad just nothing fab. I think this one won't make our long list either.

-Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre- lunch- this was one of my favorites! it was an unmatched experience and the food was great, we can't wait to come back here
This one is on my short list for sure. Even though I think it will be an out of pocket lunch. I am super excited about the atmosphere of this one.

-The Hollywood Brown Derby- dinner- this place was probably the best we had in our entire stay. It's great for a romantic dinner or a dinner with family, the food is great and the setting is fabulous. I've been trying to recreate the Cobb salad ever since. =:love:
We loved this one on our honeymoon too. I don't think I want to spend two credits this time on it. There are too many places I want to try.

Animal Kingdom
-Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House- breakfast- this was really good. as far as buffet's go, i think breakfast is the only way to go to them and they're even better with characters; donald happens to be DH's fave! we'll be back
This is on our long list too. What characters did you see while you were there? What did they have on the breakfast buffet? Do they have a make your own omelet station?

-Yak and Yeti- lunch- so good, it amazing food, we will return for sure!
This is on my long list. Those wonton desserts look wonderful. Not sure it will make the cut though. Wish I had the money to spring for deluxe. :(

Resorts
-Contemporary- Chef Mickey's- breakfast- it was good food and good fun. we will return in the future but maybe try a different resort restaurant on the next trip
I've toyed with this one, but don't think it will make our long list.

-Fort Wilderness- Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue- dinner- the food was good here, and we liked that we could have a couple of drinks without being overcharged since they are included unlimited (the sangria is yum!) the show was really fun too, in the future we will come back and are hoping to also see the polynesian show (it was all booked up when we went) and the backyard bbq (we had a ressie and cancelled it because it is 2 table service credits and we weren't sure we would like a dinner show) we reccommend this to everyone
I want to try this someday too. I don't think I will have the time to get it in the schedule this year though. We did the Polynesian show on our honeymoon. I had forgotten that.... It was really nice. We really enjoyed it.

-Animal Kingdom Lodge-Jiko-dinner- it was really good food and a nice setting, i will return there in the future, but next time i think i want to try the restaurant in whatever other resort we stay in.
I want to try this one someday too. It isn't on my long list for this year though.

Boma- breakfast- it was a good breakfast buffet, i would not travel to this hotel to eat here, but i would eat here again if i stay at this resort again.
Another one I want to try someday, but it isn't on my long list this time around.

I think that these are all the places we ate at, if you have any questions about what we ate or what they did to celebrate our honeymoon, I'll be glad to answer, if I can remember =)


Thanks for sharing all of this!! What a great resource. I enjoyed your reviews so much. I would love to try deluxe dining someday. :)

[raider97]

Hi there fellow December goer! Great TR so far---all caught up. That pirate costume is so cute and what a steal!!

So---as far as restaurant suggestions, here are a few that we really like or are looking forward to trying this trip. Not sure if you are looking for particular meals, or in particular parks---but here we go:

1. Sci-Fi: Great atmosphere, pretty basic (but in our experience yummy) food. The car booths, the starry skies and the old Sci-Fi movies that play are all great and so much fun. Great for kids and adults!

2. Crystal Palace (breakfast): We haven't been for a pre-park opening breakfast before, but we're trying it this trip. In the past, we have gone for regular breakfast and for your standard buffet we really like it. Good fruit, bacon, waffles, the works---and the Winnie the Pooh characters are so cute. We don't have kids, but we still love going.

3. Ohana: We haven't been, but a few co-workers with kids just got back from their trips and both ate at Ohana and had nothing but rave reviews. The food is supposed to be great (and as much as you want) and they said that the service was some of the best they had the whole trip.

4. Flying Fish: Not sure about this one with kids (our meal was late and only adults in the restaurant at the time) but they are definitely on our list for December. Great potato wrapped snapper---great appetizers, if you have a wait the entertainment on the Boardwalk is so fun. Amusing for the kids and adults and a great way to pass the time.

5. San Angel Inn (Epcot - Mexico): If you are okay with having something other than your typical American tex-mex, this is a good restaurant to try. Is it THE BEST food we've ever had in WDW? No. But it's another one that has ambieance that can't be beat. Feeling like you are sitting on a Mexican patio next to the little canal that the boat rides go through, listening to the Mariachi band play and sipping on a Margarita---definitely one of our favorite past-times in WDW.

Good luck---can't wait to hear more about the trip! Only about 5 more months until all of us experiencing Christmas at The World are there!! :goodvibes

Hi!! Thanks for coming over for a visit. How is your planning going?

SciFi - Is on my short list for this year. I can't wait for the kids to see. I hope they like it!!

Crystal Palace - We are planning to do this one for breakfast again too. I loved their make your omelet station,. Yummm!!

Ohanas- We did this one last time. We liked it, but we had a 9 p.m. reservation and it was too late for the kids. If we try it again it will have to be earlier.

Flying Fish - I need to go back and re-look at their menu. Sounds like you all had a wonderful meal there. Maybe if we take a kid night off?

San Angel - I heard the atmosphere in here is great. I am just worried we will be disappointed since we have great Mexican food here at home. I haven't completely made up my mind on this one.

I need to come by and catch up on your trip planning. :)

Stephanie

[raider97]

I'm happy to see another Dec planner! We are going Dec 2 - 10. We will miss you by a couple of days. I am going to follow along as I get ready to start my PTR!!

Hi!! Thanks for stopping in. Tell me about your trip.... where are you guys staying? How long are you all going for? Any thoughts about food or plans yet?

Stephanie

[raider97]

Hi!

Sorry I haven't updated this in so long. Between our trip to SA over the 4th and then my husband's company's fishing tournament and BBQ this past weekend we have been very busy.

I was reading all of your reviews and thinking about the places I have been wanting to try. I thought I would share my long list of restaurants with you guys today. Let me know what you think. :)

Ohanas - Breakast - I like family style meals since you don't have to worry about missing the characters while you are at the buffet. It is also a pain to try and get food for three little ones from the buffet. It can be kind of stressful. My kids are wonderful breakfast food eaters. I like to have a late breakfast somedays. I think Lilo and Stich would be fun and we would get Mickey here also. The biggest problem here is transportation - getting here early without missing too much morning park time, especially with the Christmas crowds.

Ohanas - Dinner - We liked this one last time. Ashley loved the belly dancing and I think my little ones would like this one if it was earlier. The dessert here is heaven!! I think I will order kids meals for the kids here. I didn't know that was an option last time. I am considering trying to get this one for Christmas dinner.

Grand Floridian Cafe - I like the dinner menu here. It has steak for kids which they will love. And I would love to see the holiday decorations here. The only problem is I was thinking about doing this for Christmas Eve dinner and I am worried that once we leave MK we won't be able to get back in. And we aren't planning to get park hoppers this year.

Liberty Tree Tavern - Lunch - The menu looks great. We haven't been for lunch.

Liberty Tree Tavern - Dinner - We liked the dinner the last time we went, but we LOVED the characters here. Not sure it is worth it without the characters, but I was thinking maybe we should do this one instead of the Grand Floridian Cafe on Christmas Eve.

CRT - Dinner - We ate here for breakfast on our honeymoon and I loved it. I want the kids to eat at the castle this year. I think this might be fun after BBB on our 10th anniversary. What do you guys think?

SciFi - I want to try this one. It looks like so much fun. I am thinking about trying this one for lunch and paying for it out of pocket.

Tusker House - I thought this one would be fun. Again, my kids are good breakfast eaters. I think we would enjoy seeing Donald and Daisy and again this one would get us in to see Mickey.

Yak and Yeti - This one just looks good. I really want to try those wonton desserts. They look so yummy!

Le Cellier - A favorite here. It is so hard to get into though I hate to even think about it. It might be fun to do dinner and lunch here. My kids love steak and I loved the chocolate raspberry shakes we got here as well. Wonderful if I will be lucky with ADR's this year?

Teppan Edo - My whole family loves hibachi cooking. I think this one is on the list for sure. The only thing I am not sure about is their dessert choices. They look a little odd.

I had wanted to try Boatwrights for breakfast for their stuffed french toast. I was so sad to see they stopped serving it... not sure I can make it all the way over to Kona for it though. I'm disappointed in this one.

Garden Grill - The menu for this one looks o.k. I have heard wonderful things about the character interaction here. Sounds like LTT's character interaction... small place they come around a lot. Maybe if I can't get Le Cellier one day?

Storybook Breakfast - We ate here last time. The potatoes are to die for!!! And I want at least one princess meal for the kids. I think the breakfast menu is better for our family.

Beaches and Cream - This one sounds good, but not sure I want to make the trek over there especially since they don't take ADR's.

T-Rex- I am really considering this one. I hate that it would be another OPP, but I think the kids would love it. Maybe on our DTD night?

Crystal Palace - Breakfast - I love their make your own omelet station. Yummm!! Plus you get the Pooh characters. I am thinking about trying for a late breakfast on my son's 4th birthday.

Tony's - I have considered this one. It would be nice to eat in the park. Not sure about the reviews though.

I think that is my complete long list. I'll have to go back and see if there are anymore. Any suggestions/reviews/comments?

Be back later.

Stephanie

[annnewjerz]

Hi!

I had wanted to try Boatwrights for breakfast for their stuffed french toast. I was so sad to see they stopped serving it... not sure I can make it all the way over to Kona for it though. I'm disappointed in this one.

I think that is my complete long list. I'll have to go back and see if there are anymore. Any suggestions/reviews/comments?

Be back later.

Stephanie

Your list looks great! I just wanted to comment that if you really want to try the Tonga Toast but can't fit in another ADR at Kona for breakfast, they do serve the Tonga Toast at a quick-service location in the Poly called Captain Cook's. On one of your MK days, it would be pretty easy to take the monorail and pop in for some breakfast before getting your day started.

Looking forward to reading more!

[jenn-]

Hi!

I'll have to check out your disneymoon trip report. I love reading about trips!!

About school vacations.... we can get turned into a truancy officer for more than 4 days unexcused in a 6 week period. I am trying to not stress too much about it. My kids are usually pretty healthy and don't miss much school. The worst part is our boundary changed this year so we will be at a new school so I guess I will have to wait and see. I really wanted to be there on our anniversary though. They will be missing two days of school this way.

It has been really hard keeping it a secret. I am hoping the kids react well. I have heard the horror stories about kids reacting terribly to the surprise. I need to get to work on our crafts. What are you making? I am planning to make t-shirts, autograph books, journals, magnets and vinyls for our room decorations, and mousekeeping envelopes. I really need to get started before I run out of time! I would love to see pictures of your crafts.

The only grand gathering I think we would be interested in is the breakfast at Tony's. I need to get together with my cousin's wife and she what she thinks about them. Looks like I need to plan a planning meeting!! :)

Thanks for joining in... I look forward to getting to know you better. Where are you guys staying in May?

Stephanie

Definitely check out my PTR (linked in the siggie). You will get to read all about my Disneymoon, my Disney Trip from Hell, my Disney Day from Hell (which amazingly was a different trip), and my most recent trip with lots of food photos including some of Grand Floridian Cafe which I saw you were considering. You can also see my attempts at shirt making. Right now I have a couple rounds of tie dye on there and a swirly Mickey head batch. I was hoping to get the results posted tonight about my most recent go with the tie dye, but I got lazy and tired of talking to myself on the PTR so maybe tomorrow. I gotta figure out how to get an audience going. I'm not planning on doing an autograph book, but I wasn't planning on doing tie dye either. I have quite a few more months to get creative, so who knows what I will end up doing. I am pretty sure we will be in OKW for May. I am not sure if the ILs are going to try for the SSR tree houses as the 7 month mark.

[happenin2you]

Grand Floridian Cafe - I like the dinner menu here. It has steak for kids which they will love. And I would love to see the holiday decorations here. The only problem is I was thinking about doing this for Christmas Eve dinner and I am worried that once we leave MK we won't be able to get back in. And we aren't planning to get park hoppers this year.

Yak and Yeti - This one just looks good. I really want to try those wonton desserts. They look so yummy!

Teppan Edo - My whole family loves hibachi cooking. I think this one is on the list for sure. The only thing I am not sure about is their dessert choices. They look a little odd.

I think that is my complete long list. I'll have to go back and see if there are anymore. Any suggestions/reviews/comments?




You shouldn't have to worry about getting back into Mk after leaving on the same day without a park hopper if that is that park you went to that day. Without park hoppers, they stamp your hand at the exit and you can leave and return to the same park in the same day as much as you want.

The won-ton desserts at Yak and Yeti were amazing!

And at Teppan Edo, they gave us a special dessert for our honeymoon, I think it was pistacio flan? It was so good, and my husband (bad Mexican, something about not liking pudding/custard consistency desserts...) doesn't like flan, but he loved this stuff! I'd reccommend that to anyone, even kids.

[raider97]

You shouldn't have to worry about getting back into Mk after leaving on the same day without a park hopper if that is that park you went to that day. Without park hoppers, they stamp your hand at the exit and you can leave and return to the same park in the same day as much as you want.

The won-ton desserts at Yak and Yeti were amazing!

And at Teppan Edo, they gave us a special dessert for our honeymoon, I think it was pistacio flan? It was so good, and my husband (bad Mexican, something about not liking pudding/custard consistency desserts...) doesn't like flan, but he loved this stuff! I'd reccommend that to anyone, even kids.

Thanks for the tip about getting back in. The problem is I was thinking about trying to go to the Grand Floridian Cafe for Christmas Eve dinner, but then I read a thread about how MK closed last Christmas Eve to capacity limits, so I hate to chance not being able to get back in and not having park hoppers. Even though I guess if it was that crowded I probably wouldn't want to go back in anyways, huh? Something to think about... the problem is it is our last MK day and MK is my favorite park.

I am so glad you mentioned the pistachio custard. I'll have to ask since the others didn't sound appealing at all. :)

Now I just need to work on getting that long list cut down some.

Stephanie

[jenn-]

I can tell you from experience you probably don't want to be in MK close to capacity. We were there the day before Thanksgiving in '07 and it was PACKED. By the time your dinner ressies come, you will be ready to get out of dodge. It was so bad busy in the parks that day, we didn't even try to go back into them on Thanksgiving Day.

[raider97]

I am not sure I told you all that we bought tickets to MVMCP!!! We are going on the 18th.:cool1:

I am a little worried since I know it will be one that sells out. But going to the party on our actual 10 year anniversary was too good to pass up. So my family, my parents, my cousin's family, and my aunt, her dsd and her dgd are going to go.

Right now, I am thinking about sleeping in on that Friday. Grabbing a late cs breakfast at POR and then heading over to MK around noon. Having the girls get their BBB makeovers. I need to pick dresses for them and get them ordered!! And then having a very early dinner in the castle for our 10th anniversary before the party starts. What do you guys think? Do you think I will have a hard time getting an ADR here for dinner? I hope not.

What do you think about the cool dude's hairdo at BBB? I am thinking about letting DS get it done. I think he would like it, but I am worried about how messy it will be.

Well, we have a quick trip to Houston planned this weekend to visit my parents so I won't be back until early next week. But then I will post some pics of some of the things I have already bought for this trip. :scared1:

Have a great weekend!!

Stephanie

[annnewjerz]

I am not sure I told you all that we bought tickets to MVMCP!!! We are going on the 18th.:cool1:

I am a little worried since I know it will be one that sells out. But going to the party on our actual 10 year anniversary was too good to pass up. So my family, my parents, my cousin's family, and my aunt, her dsd and her dgd are going to go.

Right now, I am thinking about sleeping in on that Friday. Grabbing a late cs breakfast at POR and then heading over to MK around noon. Having the girls get their BBB makeovers. I need to pick dresses for them and get them ordered!! And then having a very early dinner in the castle for our 10th anniversary before the party starts. What do you guys think? Do you think I will have a hard time getting an ADR here for dinner? I hope not.

What do you think about the cool dude's hairdo at BBB? I am thinking about letting DS get it done. I think he would like it, but I am worried about how messy it will be.

Well, we have a quick trip to Houston planned this weekend to visit my parents so I won't be back until early next week. But then I will post some pics of some of the things I have already bought for this trip. :scared1:

Have a great weekend!!

Stephanie


Sounds like you guys are going to have an amazing anniversary. :yay:

I'm sure it'll be perfect---CRT ADR or not, but I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that you get your ressie, it'll be the icing on the cake.

Have a great trip to Houston!

[raider97]

Hi!!

I have been doing a run down of my days. I really need to look at touring plans for their best days, but right now I am just going with where I want to be on what days.

Here is what I have broken it down to (currently :rotfl:)

Dec. 16th - Arrive late
Dec. 17th - Epcot
Dec. 18th - MK and MVMCP
Dec. 19th - AK
Dec. 20th - MGM
Dec. 21st - MK (son's 4th birthday)
Dec. 22nd - Epcot (mom's birthday)
Dec. 23rd - MGM
Dec. 24th - MK
Dec. 25th - AK
Dec. 26th - Depart early :(

So what do you guys think? Even enough spread? Change around the dates? I really want to try and get one last MK day in towards the end of our trip since it is my favorite. I thought AK might be good on Christmas. I picked Epcot for my mother's birthday and MK for my son's 4th birthday.

Stephanie

[raider97]

Sounds like you guys are going to have an amazing anniversary. :yay:

I'm sure it'll be perfect---CRT ADR or not, but I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that you get your ressie, it'll be the icing on the cake.

Have a great trip to Houston!

You are right... it will be a perfect anniversary even without CRT. I am so excited. I can't wait for those December hours to be posted.

Stephanie

[jenn-]

That looks good to me. Good luck with being at the parks on Christmas day. I've heard they are insane. Personally I would be calling that I "wind down" day at the resort. We couldn't take the crowds leading up to Thanksgiving in '07 and didn't even try on that day. We hung out at DTD and the resort all day.

[raider97]

Here is what I have broken it down to

Dec. 16th - Arrive late
Dec. 17th - Epcot :(
Dec. 18th - MK and MVMCP
Dec. 19th - AK
Dec. 20th - MGM
Dec. 21st - MK (son's 4th birthday)
Dec. 22nd - Epcot (mom's birthday) :(
Dec. 23rd - MGM
Dec. 24th - MK :(
Dec. 25th - AK
Dec. 26th - Depart early

So that is three where they don't match up. I guess I will see what kind of tinkering I can do when the park hours come out.

Stephanie

[raider97]

That looks good to me. Good luck with being at the parks on Christmas day. I've heard they are insane. Personally I would be calling that I "wind down" day at the resort. We couldn't take the crowds leading up to Thanksgiving in '07 and didn't even try on that day. We hung out at DTD and the resort all day.

Good point Jenn. I figured it we got up early and got to AK at rope drop we could probably get a few things done that morning. Have a late breakfast at Tusker House and if it is too crowded head back to the resort for an afternoon of swimming and resort touring.

Stephanie

[raider97]

looks like you had tons of fun at sea world, and i must say that sea world in TX looks like loads more fun than san diego, they don't have any big coasters there, just a couple water rides that i can remember. i'm going to san diego this week so i'll try to make it over to see shamu and let you know =) good see you had a fun and safe trip and that those safety tats worked out for you!

How was your trip to San Diego? I can't believe they don't have any roller coasters. Sea World Texas has two regular adult roller coasters and one water roller coaster. Plus it has an entire water park section (wave pool, slides, etc.) I haven't been to the Sea World in San Diego since 2001 I guess. I do love their skyway tram though. Is that still open?

Stephanie

[raider97]

Glad to see those worked. I am going to have to look into them. The ones we used didn't work out that well for us, but they used a pen to write on them. Let me know how long they stay on (or until you have to really scrub to get them off). Sounds like you had a great time on vacation.

Jenn - They say you should apply a new one daily. Ours survived baths (granted I didn't scrub the tats) for about 3 days without any signs of wear. Swimming pools and loads of sunscreen might be harder on them though. I was very happy with them.

I just need to see if anyone knows if t-mobile gets pretty good service at WDW. I am worried we will put both our t-mobile cell numbers on them and then we won't get reception on the phones.

Have you started anymore crafts yet?

Stephanie

[raider97]

Your list looks great! I just wanted to comment that if you really want to try the Tonga Toast but can't fit in another ADR at Kona for breakfast, they do serve the Tonga Toast at a quick-service location in the Poly called Captain Cook's. On one of your MK days, it would be pretty easy to take the monorail and pop in for some breakfast before getting your day started.

Looking forward to reading more!

Thanks for the tip! I knew it was at Kona, but I wasn't sure I wanted to add another table service breakfast, but if I can get it at a counter service place.... :)

Stephanie

[jenn-]

Jenn - They say you should apply a new one daily. Ours survived baths (granted I didn't scrub the tats) for about 3 days without any signs of wear. Swimming pools and loads of sunscreen might be harder on them though. I was very happy with them.

I just need to see if anyone knows if t-mobile gets pretty good service at WDW. I am worried we will put both our t-mobile cell numbers on them and then we won't get reception on the phones.

Have you started anymore crafts yet?

Stephanie

I am really glad to hear a positive review on those tats. As a person that has lost a kid at Disney, mine will be lucky not to be wearing them on their foreheads. I don't know about T-Mobile coverage, but if you ask on the main board I bet Robo will be able to tell you. As to the crafts question, it depends on when you checked in last ;). I have one I still need to report on, but as it didn't quite go as planned, again :headache:, I can't say it will be much to see. I need to put together a load of :laundy: so I can wash my new shirt to reattempt my failed project. I have actually ran out of my original supply for myself :scared1:. That means I have way to many tie dyed shirts hanging around here somewhere. :rolleyes1

[raider97]

I am super excited about my news!!

We were in Houston visiting my parents and some friends this past weekend. Well, we went out to eat with some of our good friends and their three boys and were talking about our disney trip. They just bought into DVC and are just back from a disney cruise they went on in June. We got to talking about our trip and they were talking about how they were planning to go again in March and I said March isn't that far from December you guys should just go with us. Well, I was hoping they would look into it and they did!! So they are joining us for part of our time in December.

They will be arriving on the 18th and departing on the 23rd. They will be staying at Saratoga Springs. They have three little boys (7, almost 5, and almost 15 months). It will be their first time to see the parks all decked out for Christmas.

Well, I'm off to meet my bil, sil, and nephew for dinner. They are vacationing down here so we are dropping by for a while. Hope everyone has a great night!

Stephanie

[jenn-]

I am totally trying to convince one of my friends to come celebrate her girls birthday at Disney. Maybe we could cross paths for a few days. I am glad your friends were able to join you all for a few days. I hope you enjoyed your dinner.

[happenin2you]

How was your trip to San Diego? I can't believe they don't have any roller coasters. Sea World Texas has two regular adult roller coasters and one water roller coaster. Plus it has an entire water park section (wave pool, slides, etc.) I haven't been to the Sea World in San Diego since 2001 I guess. I do love their skyway tram though. Is that still open?

Stephanie

They do still have that skyway thing, it's perfect for looking out at the ocean. My trip was awesome and mainly consisted of hanging out lazily reading and eating amazing san diego old town mexican food and chick fil a, which we don't have in vegas :sad2: overall, it was perfect and everything a san diego trip should be.

I'm so glad you were able to convince your friends to join you as well. I'm trying to get all kinds of people to join in my trip and i don't have many takers. My BFF wants to go but her fiance isn't willing to spend the holidays away from his family. They're going to need to do some talking about things, because she has been doing the holidays in Utah with her family forever and he has been doing Vegas, they're going to need to start compromising sometime. Better to do it before you're married I think. Anywho. DH's friends are not really into it, but they are all single and still in that bachelor drinking mode... We still have plenty of time to round people up, though, I'm not worried.

How is your ADR list coming along?

[raider97]

I have asked my cousin's wife and our good friends that are also coming with us in December to join in on my pre-trippie. I hope they will. :)

Stephanie

[creativeamanda]

Hey, have you called to get in on Free dining for your trip? I am actually going to get to go in December after all because of free dining!!!! You really need to call if you haven't--I have a feeling our week will be sold out quickly.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Hi!! Thanks for stopping in. Tell me about your trip.... where are you guys staying? How long are you all going for? Any thoughts about food or plans yet?

Stephanie

Hi! I lost you for awhile! We are staying at POR for 5 nights and AKV for 3 nights. We are still tweeking our dining plans. Come on over to my PTR to read all about it! I just started it, so there isn't much there, but there soon will be!

[raider97]

I am totally trying to convince one of my friends to come celebrate her girls birthday at Disney. Maybe we could cross paths for a few days. I am glad your friends were able to join you all for a few days. I hope you enjoyed your dinner.

Thanks Jenn!! We did have a lovely dinner. It was at a seafood boil place. Where they boil it and then dump it on your table...super yummy! And I don't get to go very often since DH is not a seafood person and it is about 40 miles from here. We also took the "long" way and went across on the ferry...perfect timing since we got to see a ton of bottlenose dolphins feeding off of the ferry. :)

Keep working on your friends...We are celebrating my son's birthday while we are there. I think it is going to be so much fun!

Thanks for staying... sorry I haven't been updating too much. Hope to remedy that today.

Stephanie

[raider97]

They do still have that skyway thing, it's perfect for looking out at the ocean. My trip was awesome and mainly consisted of hanging out lazily reading and eating amazing san diego old town mexican food and chick fil a, which we don't have in vegas :sad2: overall, it was perfect and everything a san diego trip should be.

I'm so glad you were able to convince your friends to join you as well. I'm trying to get all kinds of people to join in my trip and i don't have many takers. My BFF wants to go but her fiance isn't willing to spend the holidays away from his family. They're going to need to do some talking about things, because she has been doing the holidays in Utah with her family forever and he has been doing Vegas, they're going to need to start compromising sometime. Better to do it before you're married I think. Anywho. DH's friends are not really into it, but they are all single and still in that bachelor drinking mode... We still have plenty of time to round people up, though, I'm not worried.

How is your ADR list coming along?

Glad to hear you had a nice trip! Those take it easy ones are always so rejuvenating. Yummmm! The food in Old Town can't be beat. No Chick-fil-a in Vegas? How do you live there? LOL!! It is one of my favorite fast food places. I don't get to go very often though since my middle baby has peanut allergies and they fry in peanut oil. So I only go occasionally when I don't have her with me. I LOVE their waffle fries. :)

Stephanie

[raider97]

Hey, have you called to get in on Free dining for your trip? I am actually going to get to go in December after all because of free dining!!!! You really need to call if you haven't--I have a feeling our week will be sold out quickly.

Thank you for thinking about me!! I am glad the free dining code will allow you guys to go at Christmas. I'll have to check in with your trip report.

Stephanie

[raider97]

Hi! I lost you for awhile! We are staying at POR for 5 nights and AKV for 3 nights. We are still tweeking our dining plans. Come on over to my PTR to read all about it! I just started it, so there isn't much there, but there soon will be!

Hi! I'll be stopping by to check out your trip report today!
Stephanie

[raider97]

Busy!! Good busy though. On Friday, I stumbled upon the fact that they had extended the free dining into December for disney visa card holders. Yippee!! This is why I had applied for the card to begin with... in hopes that last years free dining for visa holders would again be offered this year.

I called with butterflies in my stomach. I was thrilled when I got a CM. He applied the disney visa free dining code to my reservation saving us over $1100 for our stay. WooHoo!!

I was thrilled... now on to my parents stay. I got it applied for their entire reservation too, but it was for less than I thought it should be so I got off the phone and figured it out and called back. The CM I had talked to this morning had jumped them to a water view room. I had them switched back to a regular room and it saved them their whole dining amount - $800!

Then I called my cousin's wife. I'll call her Daisy. She doesn't have a disney visa card, but I had heard that the free dining visa codes was rumored to be going public on Monday. I told her and my aunt the great news. My aunt and her husband's son and family had been planning to stay at Shades of Green, but were thinking about moving over to All Star Music with the free dining code.

Well, low and behold on Monday (thankfully) Daisy was able to apply the free dining code to her reservation. She upgraded the quick service to the basic! Still saving her about $500. My aunt decided to go ahead and move their reservations to All Star Music too. So now she has two rooms booked with free dining (upgraded also) at All Star Music.

While researching this I found out DVC members staying on points aren't eligible for free dining. I was so bummed for our friends that are going with us and staying on points. I understand the logic behind it, but I'm still bummed. :(

So, overall I am very happy with how things worked out. I am already thinking of ways to spend the savings. LOL!! Don't tell Donald that though. :)

Stephanie

[raider97]

Also on Friday Daisy came over so we could talk disney. I wanted to see what they wanted to do and tell her about the things I was excited about. We sat down and worked out a tentative plan. This is what we came up with:

Dec. 16th: We fly in late at night with my parents. We probably won't get to POR until after midnight. We may need to ask about changing rooms in the morning.... I have heard the horror stories about room locations when you check in that late. :rotfl:

Dec. 17th: We are planning to sleep in and then head to Epcot for the day. We might try to get a Candlelight Processional Dinner pkg for the evening since I would like to hear Abigail Breslin.

Dec. 18th: Our 10th Anniversary. We are planning to sleep in today. We will probably have cs breakfast at POR (maybe some of those beignets I have heard about from POFQ food court). WE will probably head to MK around noon. I am hoping to get BBB appointments for the girls. I need to order my dresses for this soon. I was also thinking about booking a cool dude appt for my son. We will be staying for MVMCP this night.

Dec. 19th: We will probably sleep in after the late night the night before and head to AK around noon. We are planning to spend the afternoon at AK and then heading to DTD for the evening.

Dec. 20th: We are planning the get there at rope drop, break in the afternoon, and back to the parks in the evening strategy. We are planning to go to Epcot today. We are hoping to get a Candlelight Processional dinner package and staying to see Holiday Illuminations.

Dec. 21st: My son's 4th birthday. We are planning the get there at rope drop, break in the afternoon, and back to the parks in the evening strategy. We are planning to go to MK today.

Dec. 22nd: My mom's birthday. We are planning the get there at rope drop, break in the afternoon, and back to the parks in the evening strategy. We are planning to go to MGM. I want to make sure we see the Osborne Lights tonight.

Dec. 23rd: We are planning the get there at rope drop, break in the afternoon, and back to the parks in the evening strategy. We are considering going to AK or MGM again. Maybe AK since we will have gone to MGM the day before?

Dec. 24: We are planning to spend the entire day at MK. Start early, take a sit down lunch break, have my son do the pirate makeover, and the eat at LTT for dinner.

Dec. 25th: We are planning to hit the park early, probably MGM and then take a break mid-day. Dinner at a resort and maybe back to MGM for Osborne Lights if we get the chance.

Dec. 26th: Our ME bus will leave at 8 in the morning.:scared1:

So what do you guys think? In my next post, I will go back and compare to UG. Let's hope it isn't worse than the originals. :)

Stephanie

[raider97]

Dec. 17th: Epcot :(
Dec. 18th: MK
Dec. 19th: AK
Dec. 20th: Epcot :(
Dec. 21st:MK
Dec. 22nd: MGM
Dec. 23rd: AK :(
Dec. 24th: MK :(
Dec. 25th: MGM :(

Hmmmm.... guess we will have to recheck when the hours come out for December and the EMHs.

Stephanie

[raider97]

What planning tools do you guys use? Of course, I research here on disboards and other boards as well. I have the 2007 Unofficial Guide, and the 2009 Passporter. I also have a subscription to touring plans. Any other must haves? I used to be interested in TGM, but he has had some really bad customer service complaints lately....and I'm intrigued by RideMax.

Stephanie

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I was just going to say, Ridemax. We have always just done what I planned. This year, I am going to try to maximize our time in the parks since we will be having down time every day which we normally don't do. It is fairly reasonable in price, I think also. It stinks now that the hours don't come out til 90 days before. it doesn't allow much time for tweeking plans and adr's!!

[creativeamanda]

Wow-Stephanie! How great for ya'll--Free dining saved us around $1100, which is why it made it affordable for us.

And the good news is. . .we are going to MVMCP the same night! Worried by ehat this fd promotion would do, I went ahead and called today and got the tix!

To be honest--I don't honestly think there is a bad location in Alligator Bayou at POR. That's just me, though. I've stayed real close to the front in building 15 and real close to the back in building 28. On both occasions, I was pleased with the location. I plan to let the Pixie Dust fall where it may.

We are probably going to arrive on the 17th around noon. DH and I are both supposed to be teaching that day, (1/2 days both days) but I (*cough* *cough*) already think that I won't be feeling well those days. DH can take personal days. I can't--but my students will only be at school 2 hours each day and the ROTC classes will be taking them Christmas shopping anyway (I'm a special ed teacher).

ETA: as far as planning tools, I use the Unofficial Guide (2009 edition), The UG for Kids (2008 ed), Passporter (2009), Touringplans.com, the Dis, the Passporter website, and I bought a year subscription for Ridemax when I was planning the June trip. I'm glad I did it that way, because now I can use it again. But here's the kicker--I do the RM plans, but really only follow the plan for the first hour, because after that I think I do pretty good with winging it. I think that the 1st hour in the park is the most crucial. But that is just me.

[raider97]

I was just going to say, Ridemax. We have always just done what I planned. This year, I am going to try to maximize our time in the parks since we will be having down time every day which we normally don't do. It is fairly reasonable in price, I think also. It stinks now that the hours don't come out til 90 days before. it doesn't allow much time for tweeking plans and adr's!!

I am thinking about trying RideMax too...especially since the Christmas crowds will be huge.

Stephanie

[raider97]

Wow-Stephanie! How great for ya'll--Free dining saved us around $1100, which is why it made it affordable for us.

And the good news is. . .we are going to MVMCP the same night! Worried by ehat this fd promotion would do, I went ahead and called today and got the tix!

To be honest--I don't honestly think there is a bad location in Alligator Bayou at POR. That's just me, though. I've stayed real close to the front in building 15 and real close to the back in building 28. On both occasions, I was pleased with the location. I plan to let the Pixie Dust fall where it may.

We are probably going to arrive on the 17th around noon. DH and I are both supposed to be teaching that day, (1/2 days both days) but I (*cough* *cough*) already think that I won't be feeling well those days. DH can take personal days. I can't--but my students will only be at school 2 hours each day and the ROTC classes will be taking them Christmas shopping anyway (I'm a special ed teacher).

ETA: as far as planning tools, I use the Unofficial Guide (2009 edition), The UG for Kids (2008 ed), Passporter (2009), Touringplans.com, the Dis, the Passporter website, and I bought a year subscription for Ridemax when I was planning the June trip. I'm glad I did it that way, because now I can use it again. But here's the kicker--I do the RM plans, but really only follow the plan for the first hour, because after that I think I do pretty good with winging it. I think that the 1st hour in the park is the most crucial. But that is just me.

Congrats on getting the free dining!! I am glad to hear you don't think there is a bad location at POR. I would really like something close to the main building since we still have little ones. My son will only be three, almost 4, when we go. But then again... I had forgotten about the multiple bus stops. That was nice when we were about CBR for our honeymoon. Our Pop room was a good distance from the main building despite being preferred.
I am so excited!! Have you done the carriage rides at POR?

Stephanie

[raider97]

Well, a couple of weeks ago the rates on my parents airfare dropped on the way down so I rebooked them and saved them $20 a seat. Yesterday, I was checking SWA and noticed ours had dropped!! Yippee!! So I rebooked our 5 at a savings of $23 a seat. So I have $115 in SWA funds to use in the next year... I wonder where I can convince Donald to go. :rotfl: It would have to be a beach somewhere I think. LOL!

Stephanie

[happenin2you]

Well, a couple of weeks ago the rates on my parents airfare dropped on the way down so I rebooked them and saved them $20 a seat. Yesterday, I was checking SWA and noticed ours had dropped!! Yippee!! So I rebooked our 5 at a savings of $23 a seat. So I have $115 in SWA funds to use in the next year... I wonder where I can convince James to go. :rotfl: It would have to be a beach somewhere I think. LOL!

Stephanie

thats awesome, i had no idea that southwest credited people for cheaper flights. i'll have to remember that for future use. always good to hear when someone saves a lil $$

[raider97]

thats awesome, i had no idea that southwest credited people for cheaper flights. i'll have to remember that for future use. always good to hear when someone saves a lil $$

I just found about this recently too... according to the experts here on the dis it is best to book your travel one way with SWA that way if one way of your trip drops you can just rebook it without having to rebook the other way. This worked out great for us since our after Christmas tickets are up $92 dollars a ticket (ouch) so if I had booked it roundtrip I wouldn't have been able to rebook it since I would have had to rebook the return trip at the higher prices.

You can even do this with their ding rates. The only problem is that you can only use two ticketless funds credits towards each seat purchase. Hope that makes sense. They will drop it into a fund that you can use for a year from the original date of purchase.

Stephanie

[raider97]

..... T-Rex!!!

I finally got the group together and we decided we did indeed want to try T-Rex... this place looks so cool! So I called this week. I was hoping for a 7:30 reservation, but ended up with one at 8:00 for Dec. 19th.

So on the 19th it looks like we will sleep in, eat counter service at AK for lunch, spend the afternoon at AK (I think they will close at 5 pm this night), and then head to downtown disney for shopping and dinner. Sounds like fun, right!

Plus I MUST try those make your own snacks at Goofy's this time.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

..... T-Rex!!!

I finally got the group together and we decided we did indeed want to try T-Rex... this place looks so cool! So I called this week. I was hoping for a 7:30 reservation, but ended up with one at 8:00 for Dec. 19th.

So on the 19th it looks like we will sleep in, eat counter service at AK for lunch, spend the afternoon at AK (I think they will close at 5 pm this night), and then head to downtown disney for shopping and dinner. Sounds like fun, right!

Plus I MUST try those make your own snacks at Goofy's this time.

How were you able to get an adr for more than 90 days out??!! We want to eat there on our trip and didn't think I could call yet??

[raider97]

How were you able to get an adr for more than 90 days out??!! We want to eat there on our trip and didn't think I could call yet??

T-Rex will accept reservations 180 days out. Call the restaurant directly. Here is the #407-828-8739. Good luck.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

T-Rex will accept reservations 180 days out. Call the restaurant directly. Here is the #407-828-8739. Good luck.

Thanks! I'll try tomorrow!!!

[happenin2you]

..... T-Rex!!!

I finally got the group together and we decided we did indeed want to try T-Rex... this place looks so cool! So I called this week. I was hoping for a 7:30 reservation, but ended up with one at 8:00 for Dec. 19th.

So on the 19th it looks like we will sleep in, eat counter service at AK for lunch, spend the afternoon at AK (I think they will close at 5 pm this night), and then head to downtown disney for shopping and dinner. Sounds like fun, right!

Plus I MUST try those make your own snacks at Goofy's this time.

Oh! I wanted to go there on my honeymoon, but it was under construction or something... It looked really fun though. Congrats on your ADR!

[creativeamanda]

Congrats on getting the free dining!! I am glad to hear you don't think there is a bad location at POR. I would really like something close to the main building since we still have little ones. My son will only be three, almost 4, when we go. But then again... I had forgotten about the multiple bus stops. That was nice when we were about CBR for our honeymoon. Our Pop room was a good distance from the main building despite being preferred.
I am so excited!! Have you done the carriage rides at POR?

Stephanie

Nope, no bad location, and with all of the different bus stops, there isn't a bus stop too far away. In June, we'd get on the bus in the am at South Depot, which is close to the front. I can see how you could take your own strollers for a calm ride in the morning. In the afternoon, we took the bus to the West Depot, which was real close to the room--about 1-2 minute walk.

We didn't do the carriage rides. Frankly, being originally from Charleston, SC, I have always been disappointed with carriage rides that were not of Charleston. . .

Well, a couple of weeks ago the rates on my parents airfare dropped on the way down so I rebooked them and saved them $20 a seat. Yesterday, I was checking SWA and noticed ours had dropped!! Yippee!! So I rebooked our 5 at a savings of $23 a seat. So I have $115 in SWA funds to use in the next year... I wonder where I can convince James to go. :rotfl: It would have to be a beach somewhere I think. LOL!

Stephanie

:banana: That is great!

..... T-Rex!!!

I finally got the group together and we decided we did indeed want to try T-Rex... this place looks so cool! So I called this week. I was hoping for a 7:30 reservation, but ended up with one at 8:00 for Dec. 19th.

So on the 19th it looks like we will sleep in, eat counter service at AK for lunch, spend the afternoon at AK (I think they will close at 5 pm this night), and then head to downtown disney for shopping and dinner. Sounds like fun, right!

Plus I MUST try those make your own snacks at Goofy's this time.

By my calculations, Animal Kingdom's hours for taht day will be 8am-6pm. HTH. TRex looks like it would be cool.

[raider97]

Thanks! I'll try tomorrow!!!

Any luck?

[raider97]

Oh! I wanted to go there on my honeymoon, but it was under construction or something... It looked really fun though. Congrats on your ADR!

I think the kids will love it. Especially my son, he is very into dinosaurs right now. I am thinking about buying ticket to the Walking with the Dinosaurs this fall to take him. I think the kids would also like the Build a Dinosaur.

[raider97]

Nope, no bad location, and with all of the different bus stops, there isn't a bus stop too far away. In June, we'd get on the bus in the am at South Depot, which is close to the front. I can see how you could take your own strollers for a calm ride in the morning. In the afternoon, we took the bus to the West Depot, which was real close to the room--about 1-2 minute walk.

We didn't do the carriage rides. Frankly, being originally from Charleston, SC, I have always been disappointed with carriage rides that were not of Charleston. . .



:banana: That is great!



By my calculations, Animal Kingdom's hours for taht day will be 8am-6pm. HTH. TRex looks like it would be cool.

We have never been on a carriage ride, so I think we might try them. Have you guys tried T-Rex before?

[raider97]

I am have been debating the whole grand gathering dining thing. I think it would be nice to have the whole group sitting together at meals, but when I talked to the gg CM they told me they book the restaurant for a certain number of people... let's say 20.. and then the restaurant divides the people up among the tables they have. With us traveling with 9 children 7 and under I think this could wind up being a mess.

Plus I was burned by disney dining on our last trip. My parents were scheduled to come with us putting our party at 8, but my mom found out she would have to have emergency bypass surgery about three weeks before out trip. When I tried to call disney dining back to reduce the number on the reservations from 8 to 6 they wanted to cancel my reservations since they didn't have tables to fit the new party size. I had to talk to a manager about our LTT reservation. I had killed myself to get it since we booked 3 months before we were to go and they didn't have another table available our whole trip. I explained that I was calling to be nice, and I didn't think it was fair to punish me for it. They finally figured something out, but I would hate to be put through the wringer again if something should happen.

Plus two of the families have little guys (18 months or so at travel time) so if they need to re-arrange their schedules for some reason I would like them to have the freedom to do so.

So I called back T-Rex and made three individual reservations instead of one large one and canceled my other. I think this is going to be my plan for the rest of the ADRs too. The only problem is we have different check-in days so it could make it really fun come September. :rotfl:

[raider97]

I think I have narrowed the list some. We have 10 TS meals with the dining plan. I know we will have some out of pocket, which will probably be Sci-Fi and Plaza based on their menu prices.

These are the ones I am hoping for:
Teppan Edo
Le Cellier
Cinderella's Royal Table (dinner)
Princess Storybook Breakfast
Teppan Edo/Le Cellier (Candelight Processional Dinner Pkg)
Crystal Palace
Sci-Fi
Plaza
LTT
Ohana

We already have T-Rex booked which will be out of pocket.

And I'm trying to decide between these...
Chef Mickey's Breakfast (This one because it has the fab 5)

Donald's Safari Breakfast (I've heard this one is good and it is in the park)

Ohana Breakfast (I really want to try this one, but not sure about a resort breakfast and a park day. How much time will this take up?)

Yak and Yet (Goodness, those dessert wontons look yummy!!)

So, what do you guys think... any suggestions/comments?

[happenin2you]

And I'm trying to decide between these...
Chef Mickey's Breakfast (This one because it has the fab 5)

Donald's Safari Breakfast (I've heard this one is good and it is in the park)

Ohana Breakfast (I really want to try this one, but not sure about a resort breakfast and a park day. How much time will this take up?)

Yak and Yet (Goodness, those dessert wontons look yummy!!)

So, what do you guys think... any suggestions/comments?

Donald's had Donald, Daisy, Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy when we went, so you'd only be missing Pluto. I think the food was better here than at Chef Mickey's, there's more fruity stuff and exotic food as well as the regular stufff you'd find at Chef Mickey's... plus the Jungle juice, best stuff ever!!

and yak and yeti is sooo good!!

hope that helps :)

[DWGal210]

Hi! I just wanted to come over and say hi! :cutie: I am page 4 of your PTR so I will go back and read the rest of the pages. :thumbsup2

It sounds like you guys are going to have a GREAT time! We're getting into MCO on the 26th, but we don't arrive until about 2:30. Looks like we'll cross each other in the sky. :rotfl: I'll wave to you! :lmao:

Here is my 2 cents about touring on Christmas. We plan to take it slow, knowing full well that crowds are going to be heavier. More than likely, we'll hit the parks first thing in the AM, tour for a few hours, have lunch and then go back to the hotel and lounge around. Since we'll be there New Years Eve and New Years Day, and the parks will be insane, we'll probably end up staying at the hotel, going to the pool, going to DTD, etc. I don't mind crowds, but no sense standing shoulder-to-shoulder with people when you could be relaxing at the pool, enjoying a tropical beverage! :thumbsup2

Have a great day!
Katie

[raider97]

Donald's had Donald, Daisy, Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy when we went, so you'd only be missing Pluto. I think the food was better here than at Chef Mickey's, there's more fruity stuff and exotic food as well as the regular stufff you'd find at Chef Mickey's... plus the Jungle juice, best stuff ever!!

and yak and yeti is sooo good!!

hope that helps :)

I didn't know that Minnie was at Tusker House too. Hmmmmmm... that may tip the scales. I like that Tusker House is in the park, but I really want to do the Lilo and Stitch one. I just can't bring myself to add another opp meal.

Thanks for the help!

[raider97]

Hi! I just wanted to come over and say hi! :cutie: I am page 4 of your PTR so I will go back and read the rest of the pages. :thumbsup2

It sounds like you guys are going to have a GREAT time! We're getting into MCO on the 26th, but we don't arrive until about 2:30. Looks like we'll cross each other in the sky. :rotfl: I'll wave to you! :lmao:

Here is my 2 cents about touring on Christmas. We plan to take it slow, knowing full well that crowds are going to be heavier. More than likely, we'll hit the parks first thing in the AM, tour for a few hours, have lunch and then go back to the hotel and lounge around. Since we'll be there New Years Eve and New Years Day, and the parks will be insane, we'll probably end up staying at the hotel, going to the pool, going to DTD, etc. I don't mind crowds, but no sense standing shoulder-to-shoulder with people when you could be relaxing at the pool, enjoying a tropical beverage! :thumbsup2

Have a great day!
Katie

Hi! Thanks for stopping by. How is the pin hunting going? I have been enjoying your tripv report. I need to stop by and catch up.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Any luck?

I actually kept the number, but am still trying to decide when we will go to DTD. So, I didn't call yet...

I think I have narrowed the list some. We have 10 TS meals with the dining plan. I know we will have some out of pocket, which will probably be Sci-Fi and Plaza based on their menu prices.

These are the ones I am hoping for:
Teppan Edo
Le Cellier
Cinderella's Royal Table (dinner)
Princess Storybook Breakfast
Teppan Edo/Le Cellier (Candelight Processional Dinner Pkg)
Crystal Palace
Sci-Fi
Plaza
LTT
Ohana

We already have T-Rex booked which will be out of pocket.

And I'm trying to decide between these...
Chef Mickey's Breakfast (This one because it has the fab 5)

Donald's Safari Breakfast (I've heard this one is good and it is in the park)

Ohana Breakfast (I really want to try this one, but not sure about a resort breakfast and a park day. How much time will this take up?)

Yak and Yet (Goodness, those dessert wontons look yummy!!)

So, what do you guys think... any suggestions/comments?

The ones that you are trying to decide between are all ones that we are doing!! LOL Ohana, CM and Donald's are all great! Y & Y is a first for us this trip!

[pixidustmom]

Just found your thread. I too am planning a Dec. trip but earlier in the month. I am your second Vegas thread visitor too. But I don't have anything written in stone yet.
What will most likely be may change so I am giving the others to figure it out as I am somewhat flexible. The options I am dealing with are this.
I was planning a trip for Feb. but then gave up as I just didn't think that was the best time as I will be going back to work after maternity leave. So we gave up the idea of going to FL and figured we would head to Cal. but then they opened up free dinning for Dec. and well that was a enough of a nudge for me.:cool1: So then I was planning on it being me, my DD (she is turning 20 on Christmas morning), other DD 18 and DGS 15 months. DH wasn't really feeling it. But now he is hearing all the talk and is all about joining the fun, great. So we were first thinking POFQ but he loves POR and well so do we so we chose to go there instead. Now DD 20 wants her BF to join us, but he isn't the only one wanting to join now but DD 18's BF wants to go too. I honestly don't know if either will as I am not sure they will swing the cost and I am not doing it:rotfl2: So if they make up their minds in the next few weeks, giving them until early Sept. Then we will go for FW.
I have checked out flights and well I live the hours Delta has right now. I first was going to use SW but we get there late and leave early so taking away 2 days from our trip. So if we go with Delta we would be on property about 1 and leave property about 3. So will see. I am also pretty sure which dates but if when I go to book and have issues I can go any 6 days in the beginning of Dec. But I hope to go from the 10-15. :confused3 Not too many days but more than past trips. :thumbsup2
I also can't figure out which days to do what and where to eat.:rolleyes:I need to try to get everyone to get their act together and give me a hand in this. If they don't soon then well they better not complain.
I see some of you have mentioned going to the pools. Have you had luck with this in the past Dec. trips? I would love to do this too but kind of thought we may just hit up the hot tubs. I know we need to plan for any kind of weather but hope to get lucky.
Since we will have my grandson I want to do a CM breakfast and a CM dinner but we don't need to get too many with most being adults ( but we still can't wait to see my DGS reaction) Also eating at the parks isn't a huge deal if we are doing dinners but but for convince it would be nice. I think that most nights the parks may close early so going to a hotel to eat may be fun to see new places.:banana:
By the way are the hours up yet? I can't seem to remember where I found them I guess on the parks sight huh?:upsidedow
I am looking forward to reading your report and getting some ideas that I may have not thought of.

[raider97]

I actually kept the number, but am still trying to decide when we will go to DTD. So, I didn't call yet...



The ones that you are trying to decide between are all ones that we are doing!! LOL Ohana, CM and Donald's are all great! Y & Y is a first for us this trip!

I think they all sound great and would love to try them all one day. I would love to try Yak and Yeti this time, but I think with the Christmas crowds it might be advantageous to get in as many of the Fab 5 at a character meal as possible.

I really want to do the Lilo and Stitch one. I asked DH what he thought last night and he said the kids would probably prefer Donald and Daisy. I think he is right... I think they would be much more interested in Tusker House so right now that is the plan. Did you guys have Minnie at Tusker House too?

Congrats on the deluxe dining!!

Stephanie

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I think they all sound great and would love to try them all one day. I would love to try Yak and Yeti this time, but I think with the Christmas crowds it might be advantageous to get in as many of the Fab 5 at a character meal as possible.

I really want to do the Lilo and Stitch one. I asked DH what he thought last night and he said the kids would probably prefer Donald and Daisy. I think he is right... I think they would be much more interested in Tusker House so right now that is the plan. Did you guys have Minnie at Tusker House too?

Congrats on the deluxe dining!!

Stephanie

No...Minnie wasn't there. When we went it was Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Goofy. The food was great though!

[creativeamanda]

Ya know, the best Minnie Mouse meal interaction for me was always at LTT. Bummer they are no longer there. But at the same time, I am not a big character dining fan.

You might want to just suck it up and do the Epcot Character Spot to get in the fab 5. In June (July 4th week) it took us a little over an hour to get through that one.

[raider97]

Just found your thread. I too am planning a Dec. trip but earlier in the month. I am your second Vegas thread visitor too. But I don't have anything written in stone yet.
What will most likely be may change so I am giving the others to figure it out as I am somewhat flexible. The options I am dealing with are this.
I was planning a trip for Feb. but then gave up as I just didn't think that was the best time as I will be going back to work after maternity leave. So we gave up the idea of going to FL and figured we would head to Cal. but then they opened up free dinning for Dec. and well that was a enough of a nudge for me.:cool1: So then I was planning on it being me, my DD (she is turning 20 on Christmas morning), other DD 18 and DGS 15 months. DH wasn't really feeling it. But now he is hearing all the talk and is all about joining the fun, great. So we were first thinking POFQ but he loves POR and well so do we so we chose to go there instead. Now DD 20 wants her BF to join us, but he isn't the only one wanting to join now but DD 18's BF wants to go too. I honestly don't know if either will as I am not sure they will swing the cost and I am not doing it:rotfl2: So if they make up their minds in the next few weeks, giving them until early Sept. Then we will go for FW.
I have checked out flights and well I live the hours Delta has right now. I first was going to use SW but we get there late and leave early so taking away 2 days from our trip. So if we go with Delta we would be on property about 1 and leave property about 3. So will see. I am also pretty sure which dates but if when I go to book and have issues I can go any 6 days in the beginning of Dec. But I hope to go from the 10-15. :confused3 Not too many days but more than past trips. :thumbsup2
I also can't figure out which days to do what and where to eat.:rolleyes:I need to try to get everyone to get their act together and give me a hand in this. If they don't soon then well they better not complain.
I see some of you have mentioned going to the pools. Have you had luck with this in the past Dec. trips? I would love to do this too but kind of thought we may just hit up the hot tubs. I know we need to plan for any kind of weather but hope to get lucky.
Since we will have my grandson I want to do a CM breakfast and a CM dinner but we don't need to get too many with most being adults ( but we still can't wait to see my DGS reaction) Also eating at the parks isn't a huge deal if we are doing dinners but but for convince it would be nice. I think that most nights the parks may close early so going to a hotel to eat may be fun to see new places.:banana:
By the way are the hours up yet? I can't seem to remember where I found them I guess on the parks sight huh?:upsidedow
I am looking forward to reading your report and getting some ideas that I may have not thought of.

Hi! Thanks for stopping by. You should do a trip report. It is a nice way to plan and get feedback on your ideas. I am excited to hear more about your planning.

BTW I wanted to tell you that I think it is such marvelous thing you are doing! Being a surrogate is such a wonderful thing to do for someone else.

Stephanie

[raider97]

Ya know, the best Minnie Mouse meal interaction for me was always at LTT. Bummer they are no longer there. But at the same time, I am not a big character dining fan.

You might want to just suck it up and do the Epcot Character Spot to get in the fab 5. In June (July 4th week) it took us a little over an hour to get through that one.

Amanda - What a great idea!! I had been planning to go to the character connection... why o why had I forgotten that I would get the fab 5 there.

Where are you favorite places to eat? I also loved the interaction of LTT with the characters, but also think it will make a nice quiet traditional Christmas Eve dinner without them.

Stephanie

[raider97]

A ton of t-shirts. :lmao:

I got an email from Hanes that kids t-shirts were on sale for $2.99 so I picked up a ton last night. I am hoping to get some made for our trip.

So if you need any check out www.hanes.com. The kids beefy t-shirts will be discounted to $2.99 when you add them to your cart.

Happy shopping!!

Stephanie

[creativeamanda]

Amanda - What a great idea!! I had been planning to go to the character connection... why o why had I forgotten that I would get the fab 5 there.

Where are you favorite places to eat? I also loved the interaction of LTT with the characters, but also think it will make a nice quiet traditional Christmas Eve dinner without them.

Stephanie

LTT is great without the characters--much more relaxing!

[jenn-]

Can't wait to see what you create with those t-shirts!

[pixidustmom]

Stephanie, your right I should give my hand at doing a my own pre trip report but I feel so foolish as things keep changing over and over and I don't want people to think gosh how is she gonna get this together.:rolleyes1
Such as well it looks like the kids may not come after all. The boyfriends may have issues with time off work and paying their share on time. So I made the offer to rent them all a car and get them a room and send them to Cali were they will then go to Magic Mtn. My DH and I would still go to WDW with our grandson. They think this is better for all of them and so do my DH and I but don't tell them.:rotfl2: So I went to get to get online to find out pricing for us and well wouldn't you know it it's down for construction or something. Geesh I want to know now not later.:sad2:
My DH and I took our GS to our Disney outlet. My DH is going to be spoiling him for sure. He kept finding some really cute outfits and adding them to our purchase.
Oh and thanks for the comment about me being a surrogate. It's such a wonderful experience. I have nicked named the baby Thumper and his mommy loves it. They are planning to decorate his nursery with a Disney theme too. How cool is that?

[raider97]

Stephanie, your right I should give my hand at doing a my own pre trip report but I feel so foolish as things keep changing over and over and I don't want people to think gosh how is she gonna get this together.:rolleyes1
Such as well it looks like the kids may not come after all. The boyfriends may have issues with time off work and paying their share on time. So I made the offer to rent them all a car and get them a room and send them to Cali were they will then go to Magic Mtn. My DH and I would still go to WDW with our grandson. They think this is better for all of them and so do my DH and I but don't tell them.:rotfl2: So I went to get to get online to find out pricing for us and well wouldn't you know it it's down for construction or something. Geesh I want to know now not later.:sad2:
My DH and I took our GS to our Disney outlet. My DH is going to be spoiling him for sure. He kept finding some really cute outfits and adding them to our purchase.
Oh and thanks for the comment about me being a surrogate. It's such a wonderful experience. I have nicked named the baby Thumper and his mommy loves it. They are planning to decorate his nursery with a Disney theme too. How cool is that?

That sounds like it would be a fun trip. Where you able to get some pricing online? I hope so. Where are you all thinking of staying?

Are you all thinking about going to MVMCP? I went with my parents back in 1998 and loved it, granted I hear it is much more crowded these days. But we are going on our 10th anniversary so I hope it will be a nice night, despite the fact that I am sure our date will be a sell out.

Stephanie

[raider97]

Last time we went I bought the kids simple autograph only books off of ebay. They loved them and they worked out well. I took them apart when we got home and made the kids basic scrapbooks with the character pictures. But I have been browsing all the threads on autograph books, plus the beautiful designs over on the design board. So I am trying to decide what to do this time....

Should I:

1) buy another basic book and take it apart and make another scrapbook

2) buy a wdw autograph picture book and then just add the pictures

3) make my own autograph pages and then use them to make a scrapbook

4) buy another basic autograph book and take it apart and scan all the pages to make a photobook

5) buy another basic autograph book and leave it alone. Then use the pictures from the parks and character signings to make them a photo book in addition to their autograph books.

What do you think? What do you all do? I am leaning right now to buying a basic autograph book and then making them each their own photo book of the trip. I just can't decide. Plus those autograph pages over on the design board are just adorable.

Maybe I could make the autograph books and then make them a separate photo book. That might be fun....

Decisions, decisions... I just can't make up my mind. I would love to hear what you think.

[pixidustmom]

I did finally get on line and got my pricing. It sure made a good break not having the girls now.:rotfl2: We are planning on staying at POR. Now I didn't book it still I have to wait until Sept. I need to check on my delivery date with my doc. So say they are booked there for our plan I will then be ok with any mod I suppose.;) As long as we are there enjoying our time were we stay isn't so important. :thumbsup2
I haven't decided about doing MVMCP yet. I would like to do it but will see. If I miss out such is life. I have decided not to get to worried about these things. This helps with not getting heart broken if it doesn't work out. :lmao:
My DH and I have decided to make this into an anniversary trip too. But we actually just celebrated it about two weeks ago. Can you believe 20 years? But we have so much going on, getting ready to move later this month we didn't get to do anything special. So we think this will make up for it. Plus it's close to our when we first met date so why not right? I also started my own Pre Trip report. I guess I should put a link in my siggy huh?:idea:
I loved it when my girls were little and we had autograph books for our girls. They loved doing that. Those days are gone now.:sad2:

[raider97]

I did finally get on line and got my pricing. It sure made a good break not having the girls now.:rotfl2: We are planning on staying at POR. Now I didn't book it still I have to wait until Sept. I need to check on my delivery date with my doc. So say they are booked there for our plan I will then be ok with any mod I suppose.;) As long as we are there enjoying our time were we stay isn't so important. :thumbsup2
I haven't decided about doing MVMCP yet. I would like to do it but will see. If I miss out such is life. I have decided not to get to worried about these things. This helps with not getting heart broken if it doesn't work out. :lmao:
My DH and I have decided to make this into an anniversary trip too. But we actually just celebrated it about two weeks ago. Can you believe 20 years? But we have so much going on, getting ready to move later this month we didn't get to do anything special. So we think this will make up for it. Plus it's close to our when we first met date so why not right? I also started my own Pre Trip report. I guess I should put a link in my siggy huh?:idea:
I loved it when my girls were little and we had autograph books for our girls. They loved doing that. Those days are gone now.:sad2:

I remember you know saying you were thinking about POFQ, but your dh and you loved POR so much you had decided to go back there. Please forgive. Apparently, I'm losing my mind.:lmao:

I can't wait to check out your trip report!!

Stephanie

[happenin2you]

My DH and I took our GS to our Disney outlet. My DH is going to be spoiling him for sure. He kept finding some really cute outfits and adding them to our purchase.
Oh and thanks for the comment about me being a surrogate. It's such a wonderful experience. I have nicked named the baby Thumper and his mommy loves it. They are planning to decorate his nursery with a Disney theme too. How cool is that?

Hey fellow Las Vegan! I was just wondering if you knew about the Disney store in the mall formerly known as Belz (I remember when that mall opened and since they've changed the name i'm not really sure what it is, Las Vegas Premium Outlets or Platinum OUtlets... ? who knows) It's in the annex section closest to Las Vegas Blvd and Robindale and they have stuff from Disneyland that is last season and I've got shirts there as low as $4! :banana:You probably do, but thought I'd share with you anyway. And I agree, being a surrogate is an amazing thing to do for someone! Kudos to you!:worship:You make peoples dreams come true.

[happenin2you]

I think you would be best off with the same type of autograph books you had before and either scrapbooking them or doing that photo book thing. They both sound really cute. I wouldn't spend the money on a disney autograph book if you're just going to cut it up, and it sounds like your way worked for you last time.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I know it is not at all what you were considering, but...what we did last time was bought a Disney Jr. Encyclopedia of Characters from Amazon. It had almost every character listed in it and a story or description of them. We had each character sign their respective page in the book. It's a kind of big book, so you'd need a back pack, but a neat keepsake!

[jmjwillis]

Donald's had Donald, Daisy, Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy when we went, so you'd only be missing Pluto. I think the food was better here than at Chef Mickey's, there's more fruity stuff and exotic food as well as the regular stufff you'd find at Chef Mickey's... plus the Jungle juice, best stuff ever!!

and yak and yeti is sooo good!!

hope that helps :)

I agree! The character interaction is the best, especially Daisy. My favorite thing is the chocolate croissant! We even packed some fruit to eat later.

[BKFairy]

Hi, What a great thread, i stumbled upon it while i was looking for dining ideas. I just booked AKV for 12/24 - 12/27 . My DH's Bday is the 24th and my DD-7 is so excited to be at Disney on Xmas. She said she would write Santa a letter & explain why we weren't home.

I also am a little worried about the crowds but i was thinking of doing the dinner package for the processional lights on xmas eve. I just haven't decided which restaurant. its very exciting though & now that i found this thread i can follow along.:)

[raider97]

I think you would be best off with the same type of autograph books you had before and either scrapbooking them or doing that photo book thing. They both sound really cute. I wouldn't spend the money on a disney autograph book if you're just going to cut it up, and it sounds like your way worked for you last time.

Thanks for the help...I'm still up in the air about them. Whenever I think I have made up my mind... I seem to change it again.

What have you been up to?

[raider97]

I know it is not at all what you were considering, but...what we did last time was bought a Disney Jr. Encyclopedia of Characters from Amazon. It had almost every character listed in it and a story or description of them. We had each character sign their respective page in the book. It's a kind of big book, so you'd need a back pack, but a neat keepsake!

What a cute idea? I'll have to look into this one. Thanks for the idea.

Stephanie

[raider97]

I agree! The character interaction is the best, especially Daisy. My favorite thing is the chocolate croissant! We even packed some fruit to eat later.

Hi! Thanks for stopping by. Chocolate croissants sound so yummy!! Mi girls would LOVE to meet Daisy!

Stephanie

[raider97]

Hi, What a great thread, i stumbled upon it while i was looking for dining ideas. I just booked AKV for 12/24 - 12/27 . My DH's Bday is the 24th and my DD-7 is so excited to be at Disney on Xmas. She said she would write Santa a letter & explain why we weren't home.

I also am a little worried about the crowds but i was thinking of doing the dinner package for the processional lights on xmas eve. I just haven't decided which restaurant. its very exciting though & now that i found this thread i can follow along.:)

Hi! Thanks for stopping by. Wow.... I bet your dd will love the animal kingdom lodge!! We are also celebrating my son's birthday. He will turn 4 on the 21st. My mother also has a birthday on the 22nd. I am sure they will both love spending their birthday fun card money. Has your dh decided what birthday promotion he wants?

I am worried about the crowds too this year. The parks are decorated so beautifully though it really makes it worth while. Are you writing a trip report? I would love to follow along with your planning too!!

Hopefully, with the girls going back to school next week I will be able to keep the trip report caught up better.

Stephanie

[raider97]

I don't know how much you guys have been watching the Candlelight Processional package discussions this year. I have been following them closely since we had hoped to book one this year. But the new details are out and I am not happy about them!! :(

From what I can tell they increased the dining plan price from 1 table service to 2 table services. They added in an appetizer and at some places a salad. Plus you get reserved (standing) places at Illuminations. BUT in addition to being 2 table service credits you also have to order off a set menu.

I am not thrilled with it jumping up to 2 table service credits, but having to order off a set menu just made up my decision for me. I think we will be taking our chances with the stand by line. We were hoping to get Le Cellier for it. My kids LOVE steak, but a TA just posted the set menu for Le Cellier for kids and the choices are spaghetti or a hot dog. That is crazy for 2 table service credits. So I think we will still try for an ADR at Le Cellier, but without the package. I think it is a much better deal.

How do my fellow December goers feel about the change?

[jmjwillis]

I completely agrees with you. I guess my family will taking a chance in the standby line too.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I hadn't really heard anything about it. I was really only just looking at the narrators at this point. I don't know why they need to make it 2 TS?? You are getting the same food that you would if you were not doing the package and just eating in the restaurants. That really stinks! I was planning on going, but not for 2 TS!

[happenin2you]

I don't know how much you guys have been watching the Candlelight Processional package discussions this year. I have been following them closely since we had hoped to book one this year. But the new details are out and I am not happy about them!! :(

From what I can tell they increased the dining plan price from 1 table service to 2 table services. They added in an appetizer and at some places a salad. Plus you get reserved (standing) places at Illuminations. BUT in addition to being 2 table service credits you also have to order off a set menu.

I am not thrilled with it jumping up to 2 table service credits, but having to order off a set menu just made up my decision for me. I think we will be taking our chances with the stand by line. We were hoping to get Le Cellier for it. My kids LOVE steak, but a TA just posted the set menu for Le Cellier for kids and the choices are spaghetti or a hot dog. That is crazy for 2 table service credits. So I think we will still try for an ADR at Le Cellier, but without the package. I think it is a much better deal.

How do my fellow December goers feel about the change?

That sounds like complete garbage! :headache: I can't believe that they would increase everywhere except the menu. Do you think the poster could have been wrong? I would make other plans, too.

[happenin2you]

Thanks for the help...I'm still up in the air about them. Whenever I think I have made up my mind... I seem to change it again.

What have you been up to?

I'm sure whichever option you select will be great and the kids will love them. As for me, I've had a couple of hectic weeks; we're getting ready to move, the fall semester is starting back up and i'm taking 13 credits at UNLV (i won't be teaching full time, maybe i'll stay on to sub periodically, though), i got hit by a car while walking my dog :scared1:(no injuries, just really freaked out), and some other family drama with my SIL (who is only 16, but teenagers can cause a lot of damage, as we all probably know). The dog incident is fully detailed in my TR. Other than all that, I'm alive and healthy, and that's all that matters. How have you been? Got the kids ready for school?

Deanna

[creativeamanda]

Well, I am so glad you let us know about this, but I think we are going to go ahead and do the CP dining package, anyway. I think we might actually do it Sunday night in lieu of going to church, which is our typical habit the week of Christmas. I'm glad I know now--I am hoping it will now be easier to get reservations at Le Cellier--we were planning to go to Le Cellier to celebrate dh receiving National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Math.

[raider97]

I completely agrees with you. I guess my family will taking a chance in the standby line too.

I hadn't really heard anything about it. I was really only just looking at the narrators at this point. I don't know why they need to make it 2 TS?? You are getting the same food that you would if you were not doing the package and just eating in the restaurants. That really stinks! I was planning on going, but not for 2 TS!

That sounds like complete garbage! :headache: I can't believe that they would increase everywhere except the menu. Do you think the poster could have been wrong? I would make other plans, too.

I know I can't believe they changed it!! I don't think we will try the package this year after all. I am hoping we can get standby on the 17th since this should be before the mad Christmas rush really hits. I just can't really justify another OP meal since we will be doing T-Rex, Sci-Fi, and maybe the Plaza out of pocket. Plus we are trying for CRT on our anniversary for dinner which would already use up 2 credits. And I would hate to give up one of my meals at Epcot to try one of the lower priced meals oop.

Stephanie

[raider97]

Well, I am so glad you let us know about this, but I think we are going to go ahead and do the CP dining package, anyway. I think we might actually do it Sunday night in lieu of going to church, which is our typical habit the week of Christmas. I'm glad I know now--I am hoping it will now be easier to get reservations at Le Cellier--we were planning to go to Le Cellier to celebrate dh receiving National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Math.

That sounds like a great celebration night out!! I would probably use it in your case too. I am also hoping it opens up some Le Cellier seating, but just for a standard ADR. I am hoping on the 17th the standby line won't be terrible. Wishful thinking probably.

Stephanie

[raider97]

I'm sure whichever option you select will be great and the kids will love them. As for me, I've had a couple of hectic weeks; we're getting ready to move, the fall semester is starting back up and i'm taking 13 credits at UNLV (i won't be teaching full time, maybe i'll stay on to sub periodically, though), i got hit by a car while walking my dog :scared1:(no injuries, just really freaked out), and some other family drama with my SIL (who is only 16, but teenagers can cause a lot of damage, as we all probably know). The dog incident is fully detailed in my TR. Other than all that, I'm alive and healthy, and that's all that matters. How have you been? Got the kids ready for school?

Deanna

OMG!! Hit by a car!! Yikes.... so glad to hear you are o.k. I need to catch up on your trippie!! Sorry to hear about your SIL's and her teenage drama. What are you taking classes in this fall? We had meet the teacher and kinder camp today. It went well. My oldest has her cousin in her class which is nice because we had to change schools this year due to boundary changes. And my middle baby is thrilled to be in school this year. I am less excited to see her going since she has food allergies including a severe allergy to peanuts and this is her first time being a way from home.

Stephanie

[raider97]

I think I might have told you all that I bought some clothes off of disneyshopping for the trip. If I didn't tell you guys... then guess what I bought some clothes off of disneyshopping.com for our trip!! LOL!! I bought them back when they were having their big sales so I got several tshirts for a great price. I think most of them were $2.99 or $3.99 a piece.

I bought 4 for Minnie, 4 for Tinkerbell, and 1 for Woody (they didn't have many in his size). I also got them a sweatshirt a piece and some pjs for the girls I can take and give them from Santa for Christmas on the trip. I don't have a picture of them all, but here is one of the ringers I bought.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06502.jpg

[raider97]

I also decided to buy Woody a new bed spread and sheets for his room. And I found this one for a great price!! Woody LOVES them so I am happy. And they seem to go well with his one orange accent wall in his room (it was orange when we moved in and it will probably be years before we actually get it repainted a more neutral color).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/51rJSSiAOL_AA400_.jpg

[creativeamanda]

I so totally want that Mickey t-shirt!

[mousecrazy425]

Just got caught up on your PTR. Your plans sound great, and you have such a beautiful family! I'll be there in December as well, so I've gotten some good ideas from reading!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Great deals! I actually just got a few for my two youngest on the Disney shopping website on sale!

[raider97]

Just got caught up on your PTR. Your plans sound great, and you have such a beautiful family! I'll be there in December as well, so I've gotten some good ideas from reading!

Hi! Thanks for stopping by... I hope to get a couple of updates on here tonight or tomorrow.

Stephanie

[raider97]

Great deals! I actually just got a few for my two youngest on the Disney shopping website on sale!

Which ones did you pick up? They ahve great deals when they have clear out sales!! How are your ADR's going? Did you make yours today? What do you think of the hours?

Stephanie

[raider97]

:cool1:We are PAID IN FULL!!:cool1:

I am super excited. Now I am just looking forward to my 90 day ADR window. I'll post more later on hours, plans, and dining thoughts. :)
Just thought I would share my good news!!

[creativeamanda]

:cool1:We are PAID IN FULL!!:cool1:

I am super excited. Now I am just looking forward to my 90 day ADR window. I'll post more later on hours, plans, and dining thoughts. :)
Just thought I would share my good news!!

Woo HOOO! That is always such a great feeling, isn't it?

[raider97]

Woo HOOO! That is always such a great feeling, isn't it?

It is! I was thrilled to get m reservation confirmation today with a zero balance. :) How is your planning coming?

[raider97]

I am sorry it has been so long since I had a good update on my trip report. I have been tinkering with my ADR wish list in my head and have been pouring over the December hours since they were posted yesterday. :)

I think I have finally come to the realization I need to step down from my soap box. I am really disappointed they changed the Candlelight Processional Pkg from 1 table servce credit to 2 this year. So upset, I thouhgt about not going. But I have been looking forward to this since I planned this trip, and I would hate to stand in the standby line with three stir crazy kids and a grumpy husband because I was being stubborn. So I think I am just going to drop something else and try for a package.

My New and Ever Changing ADR Wish List

12/17 Teppan Edo or Le Cellier CP Pkg Last Showing if possible
12/18 Late Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare
12/18 Early Dinner at CRT
12/19 T- Rex Reservation
12/20 Early Princess Storybook Breakfast
12/20 Teppan Edo or Le Cellier depending on what I can get on the 17th
12/21 Early Crystal Palace Breakfast
12/22 Lunch at Sci-Fi Drive in
12/23 Dinner at Grand Floridian Cafe
12/24 Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern
12/25 Dinner at Ohanas

So what do you think? I think the hardest ones to get are going to be the CP package on the 17th, CRT on the 18th, and Le Cellier on the 20th. I have a little over two weeks to go before my 90 day ADR date. I imagine my list may change before then. :)

Anyone had breakfast at 1900 Park Fare? I am booking it for Alice and the Mad Hatter. Minnie loves Alice in Wonderland so I am hoping she will really like this one.

Stephanie

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Congrats on being PIF!!!!!!!!! That's such a relief, right? I did my ADR's yesterday. I was very successful...but Le Cellier is a problem! I hope you can get it, but it will be tough for the first day of your trip.

[happenin2you]

OMG!! Hit by a car!! Yikes.... so glad to hear you are o.k. I need to catch up on your trippie!! Sorry to hear about your SIL's and her teenage drama. What are you taking classes in this fall? We had meet the teacher and kinder camp today. It went well. My oldest has her cousin in her class which is nice because we had to change schools this year due to boundary changes. And my middle baby is thrilled to be in school this year. I am less excited to see her going since she has food allergies including a severe allergy to peanuts and this is her first time being a way from home.

Stephanie

This semester I am taking French, Spanish, Visual Rhetoric, Nutrition: Food, Health, and Ethnic Issues, and Beg. Tennis. The first three are all for different degree programs (French major, Spanish minor, and English minor) and I love nutrition classes and the faculty that teaches them and they fill my upper division requirements. Tennis I love to play and I am taking the beginner's class for selfish reasons; I figure I can stretch it out over more semesters of play and credits if I start at the lowest level. Anyway, it's a busy day at UNLV, starting at 7:30am and finishing at 3:45pm, it's like a job! I'm loving it so far though. Ask me how I feel come midterms =)

I hope your younger daughter's school is going well, I can see how you would be less than excited to send her with such a serious allergy. I think the best thing you can do is make sure that she knows not to share any food with the other kids because they won't know if it came into contact with anything potentially harmful at their home.

Congrats on paying off your trip. Not many things feel better than that. For me, even though I may know that there's no reason I wouldn't be able to pay it off, I just feel like nothing can happen once it's paid. haha, as if I would let it be cancelled!

your ADRs look great too. I hope you get them all!

[raider97]

I so totally want that Mickey t-shirt!

I know... I love this one. I wish they had adult sizes in this one!!

Stephanie

[raider97]

Congrats on being PIF!!!!!!!!! That's such a relief, right? I did my ADR's yesterday. I was very successful...but Le Cellier is a problem! I hope you can get it, but it will be tough for the first day of your trip.

Thanks! Glad to hear your ADR's went well. I am crossing my fingers and toes. :) I was originally hoping for a lunch on the 17th. We check in on the 16th. But now that I've decided on the CP Package I am hoping for Teppan Edo on the 17th with the CP Package and then Le Cellier on the 20th for dinner.

How is the planning going?

Stephanie

[raider97]

This semester I am taking French, Spanish, Visual Rhetoric, Nutrition: Food, Health, and Ethnic Issues, and Beg. Tennis. The first three are all for different degree programs (French major, Spanish minor, and English minor) and I love nutrition classes and the faculty that teaches them and they fill my upper division requirements. Tennis I love to play and I am taking the beginner's class for selfish reasons; I figure I can stretch it out over more semesters of play and credits if I start at the lowest level. Anyway, it's a busy day at UNLV, starting at 7:30am and finishing at 3:45pm, it's like a job! I'm loving it so far though. Ask me how I feel come midterms =)

I hope your younger daughter's school is going well, I can see how you would be less than excited to send her with such a serious allergy. I think the best thing you can do is make sure that she knows not to share any food with the other kids because they won't know if it came into contact with anything potentially harmful at their home.

Congrats on paying off your trip. Not many things feel better than that. For me, even though I may know that there's no reason I wouldn't be able to pay it off, I just feel like nothing can happen once it's paid. haha, as if I would let it be cancelled!

your ADRs look great too. I hope you get them all!

What interesting courses you are taking. Wow, that is a pretty long day though. I love your idea on starting tennis at the lowest level. I played on my high school team, but not much since then. Minnie just took tennis lessons this summer so I am hoping to get to be able to practice a bit with her this fall when our temps start to cool off.

I caught up on your trip report today. You are doing such a great job writing it... much better than my ramblings. :) Can't wait to hear what happens next. How is your SIL doing?

Tinkerbell is doing well at school. Thanks for asking. It is going to help so much that her teacher asked me to be room mom so I can be there more often. Such a relief, but I am sure it is going to be so much work too. :)

I know what you mean about doing anything not to have to cancel a trip. It is such a great feeling when you have it all paid for. I am bound and determined we will make it there for Christmas this year!!

Stephanie

[raider97]

I found $100!!!

Well, not really. My dad called me last week to tell me that he was browsing the unclaimed property site and saw my name and old address and a claim for a $100. So I looked it up and sure enough it was me. :cool1: So I am working to fill out the paperwork to get it back.

And what should I spend it on?

Well, I had been debating whether I was going to make an appt for the girls at the Pirates League or make them over myself. I am already planning to do BBB with the girls and the Pirates League with my son. But the Pirates League looks so cool and I think they will really like it. Well, problem solved. I decided it was meant to be. So the $100 will be applied towards the makeovers at Pirate League for the girls. :cloud9:

And I scored some more free money... I got an email last week from Southwest about a fall travel deals. So I decided to check my flights. Sure enough I saved another $100 on our tickets. So now we are up to $230 towards another trip sometime this spring.

Life is good. :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend!!

Stephanie

[raider97]

Yippee!! I just looked at my counter today and we are at 100 days... tomorrow double digits. How exciting!

And I only have 10 more days until ADR day! Can't wait!

Stephanie

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

YAY for the $100! And, isn't it lovely to see your counter go down to double digits??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pixidustmom]

Got my ADR's today!!:cool1: This is what we got and I am happy with it. Not too bad if you ask me. Some are a little earlier than I wanted but thinking about it I think it's best this way with traveling with our DGS and the time change.

Dec
9th - arrive -( still haven't bought the tickets but soon) we should arrive later in the day so we will either go to DTD and grab a bite or use a CS for dinner.

10th -MK - Crystal Palace- Breakfast at 9:05am

11th -Epcot - Coral Reef- Dinner 3:55pm

12th -DS - Hollywood and Vine- Dinner 4:35pm and see Fantasmic (couldn't get the package though)

13th - AK - Chef Mickey's - Dinner 5:30pm

14th - MK- California Grill- Dinner and fireworks 7pm

15th -Leave- May have time for some more fun before we leave.

[raider97]

Got my ADR's today!!:cool1: This is what we got and I am happy with it. Not too bad if you ask me. Some are a little earlier than I wanted but thinking about it I think it's best this way with traveling with our DGS and the time change.

Dec
9th - arrive -( still haven't bought the tickets but soon) we should arrive later in the day so we will either go to DTD and grab a bite or use a CS for dinner.

10th -MK - Crystal Palace- Breakfast at 9:05am

11th -Epcot - Coral Reef- Dinner 3:55pm

12th -DS - Hollywood and Vine- Dinner 4:35pm and see Fantasmic (couldn't get the package though)

13th - AK - Chef Mickey's - Dinner 5:30pm

14th - MK- California Grill- Dinner and fireworks 7pm

15th -Leave- May have time for some more fun before we leave.

Great ADR's!! Did you call in or do them online? I love CP for breakfast!!

[raider97]

Tomorrow is the big day!! Wish me luck!!

Stephanie

[pixidustmom]

Great ADR's!! Did you call in or do them online? I love CP for breakfast!!

My reservations were made by my Dreams Unlimited agent. She was great by the time I woke up in the morning I had the email with my info.

Now since then I talked to my DH and showed him the menu to Calif. Grill and told him about using 2 TS. He wasn't impressed with the menu and looked at Ohana's and said I should switch it. So the next day I called and got it switched over the phone no problem with the day or time.

[raider97]

My New and Ever Changing ADR Wish List

12/17 Teppan Edo or Le Cellier CP Pkg Last Showing if possible
12/18 Late Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare
12/18 Early Dinner at CRT
12/19 T- Rex Reservation
12/20 Early Princess Storybook Breakfast
12/20 Teppan Edo or Le Cellier depending on what I can get on the 17th
12/21 Early Crystal Palace Breakfast
12/22 Lunch at Sci-Fi Drive in
12/23 Dinner at Grand Floridian Cafe
12/24 Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern
12/25 Dinner at Ohanas


Stephanie

Well there is what I wanted and here is what I got.....

12/17 Teppan Edo 5 pm Candlelight Processional 8:15 showing
12/18 Supercalifragilistic Breakfast 11:00 am
12/18 Cinderella’s Royal Table 4:30 pm
12/19 T-Rex 8 pm
12/20 Princess Storybook Breakfast 10:40 am
12/20 Le Cellier 6:35 pm
12/21 Crystal Palace 8:25 am
12/22 Sci-Fi Diner 12:00 pm
12/23 Grand Floridian Café 7:30 pm
12/24 Liberty Tree Tavern 6:55 pm
12/25 Ohanas 4:55 pm

I got everything I wanted!! At most of the times I wanted. I wanted Akerhouse at 8:00 am, but they only had 8:25 am so I opted for 10:40 instead and I wanted Crystal Palace at 8:05 am, but the earliest I could get was 8:25 am.

Yippe!! WooHoo!! I am thrilled with my reservations! I don’t think they could have gone better.

[creativeamanda]

Well there is what I wanted and here is what I got.....

12/17 Teppan Edo 5 pm Candlelight Processional 8:15 showing Looks awesome! We thought about Teppan Edo, but dh really wanted Le Cellier. No CP for us, but that's okay--we are doing enough, lol!
12/18 Supercalifragilistic Breakfast 11:00 am We'll be at Ohana. . .I've heard good things about this one.
12/18 Cinderella’s Royal Table 4:30 pm OOOO. . .great start before the party!
12/19 T-Rex 8 pm That place looks so fun!
12/20 Princess Storybook Breakfast 10:40 am This breakfast is AWESOME! One of my faves!
12/20 Le Cellier 6:35 pm Yummy!
12/21 Crystal Palace 8:25 am We're doing this for breakfast for the first time ever this time (and for dinner--our first dinner and last breakfast
12/22 Sci-Fi Diner 12:00 pm How fun!
12/23 Grand Floridian Café 7:30 pm One of my favorites!
12/24 Liberty Tree Tavern 6:55 pm Great Christmas eve meal!!!!
12/25 Ohanas 4:55 pm Our daughter's allergies have kept us from here for dinner, but it looks soooo yummy!

I got everything I wanted!! At most of the times I wanted. I wanted Akerhouse at 8:00 am, but they only had 8:25 am so I opted for 10:40 instead and I wanted Crystal Palace at 8:05 am, but the earliest I could get was 8:25 am.

Yippe!! WooHoo!! I am thrilled with my reservations! I don’t think they could have gone better.

You did awesome! Not too much longer!!!! :banana:

[sejeta]

We are going to disney in Dec to celebrate my 10th anniversary too.

Mind you my anniversary was Aug 21st but we decided to wait and celebrate in Disney. We will be there from dec 12 - 20th.

We also got all of our ADR. Its so great when that works out. I was so worried I wouldn't get what I wanted but I did!!:cool1:


I've enjoyed reading this thread.

[raider97]

You did awesome! Not too much longer!!!! :banana:

Thanks!!

I was very happy with what I ended up with. I have the feeling our time will fly. I still need to make t-shirts, autograph books, journals, etc. And my girls are both playing soccer this year, in scouts, and one is in choir. I'm afraid I may run out of time.

[raider97]

We are going to disney in Dec to celebrate my 10th anniversary too.

Mind you my anniversary was Aug 21st but we decided to wait and celebrate in Disney. We will be there from dec 12 - 20th.

We also got all of our ADR. Its so great when that works out. I was so worried I wouldn't get what I wanted but I did!!:cool1:


I've enjoyed reading this thread.

Welcome and congrats!!

I would love to see your ADRs when you get the chance!

[raider97]

My reservations were made by my Dreams Unlimited agent. She was great by the time I woke up in the morning I had the email with my info.

Now since then I talked to my DH and showed him the menu to Calif. Grill and told him about using 2 TS. He wasn't impressed with the menu and looked at Ohana's and said I should switch it. So the next day I called and got it switched over the phone no problem with the day or time.

Are you doing Ohanas for breakfast or dinner? We ate at Ohanas for dinner on our last trip and really liked it. Their dessert is so yummy!! I wanted to try Ohanas for breakfast this time around, but just couldn't fit it in.

How is your planning coming?

[raider97]

YAY for the $100! And, isn't it lovely to see your counter go down to double digits??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe how fast the days are ticking off once school started again this fall. Are you going to be able to fit in the campfire at POR? I really want to try it, I'm just not sure I will be able to fit it in. Our only day would be Sunday since both Thursdays we are there are already jammed packed. :)

[raider97]

I decided to add one more out of pocket lunch. I added The Plaza restaurant on Christmas Eve for lunch. I really LOVE this place. And we are going to have a long day here so I figured a break from the crowds might be welcome come lunch.

12/24 The Plaza 12:05 pm

So based on costs, from looking at the menus, I am planning on paying for Crystal Palace (breakfast), Sci-Fi (lunch), and The Plaza (lunch) out-of-pocket. Most of these plus our tips should be covered by our rewards card. Yippee!!

Stephanie

[raider97]

Well with the park hours being posted I decided to recheck our days with touring plans and our numbers have gone down.:cool1: If you have a subscription I suggest you check yours you may be pleasantly surprised.

12/ 17 Epcot :(
12/18 MK :confused3
12/19 AK :confused3
12/20 Epcot :(
12/21 MK :)
12/22 MGM :confused3
12/23 MK ? :(
12/24 MK :(
12/25 MGM :(

Doesn't look like I am batting too well. Oh well.... we have plans to go early and stay until lunch and leave and come back in the evenings. Hope it works!!

Stephanie

[raider97]

Date: 12/16
Park: None

6:35 - 7:30
Get kids up, dressed, fed, and to school

8:00 - 12:00
Finish last minute packing and drop dog off at vet for boarding

12:00
DH comes home

3:00
Pick up girls, surprise kids with trip, come home

3:00 - 4:00
DH to take kids to store so I can finish up Christmas presents

4:00
Leave for airport. Have to check in early since Tinkerbell has peanut allergies

4:00 - 6:00 Grab food in airport for dinner

6:30
Flight departs :cool1:

7:30
Arrive layover city - change planes and meet grandparents for 2nd flight into MCO

8:30
2nd Flight Departs

11:30
Arrive MCO

11:30 -12:30
Pick up bags from baggage, check into Magical Express, bus ride, check into POR, crash

This is a very long day for the kids. I am hoping they sleep some on the plane. I also think I am going to take a umbrella stroller for Woody. Otherwise, I will be trying to carry a grumpy, sleepy, 3 year old and trying to manage all the luggage.:lmao: Sounds like fun, right?

[raider97]

Date: 12/17
Park: Epcot
Hours: 9:00 - 9:30 p.m.

Wake-up Time: Sleep In!!!!

Wake up whenever the kids and dh get up. Call down to baggage services and have them deliver Garden Grocer delivery.

Hit Port Orleans Food Court for a Quick Breakfast.

Catch bus to Epcot
Make a bee-line straight to Soarin' to pick up FastPass if still available

Around noon -- Head to Sunshine Seasons for lunch

From arrival - 4:30 pm

Try to get in as much as possible in Future World today:
Turtle Talk
Nemo Ride
Living with the Seas
Test Track
Imagination Pavilion
Mission Space (if I'm up for it, DH went last time and I'm not sure if he cares about going again)
Spaceship Earth
Soarin'
Living with the Land

Can skip:
Universe of Energy (but Woody may like the dinosaurs in this one)
Circle of Life
Innoventions

We also want to hit Character Connection one day at Epcot. - I'm not sure about the times for this one. Does anyone know?

Dinner: 5:00 pm Teppan Edo
Candlelight Processional: 8:15 showing
Illuminations: Special Viewing Area

After Illuminations take our time leaving. I know how crowded those buses can get and how long the lines can be at closing time. Head back to Port Orleans and crash for the night.

[MagicMomentsMom]

Congrats on getting all of your ADR's! They look great~!:santa:

Veronica

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Congrats on the ADR's! Your intineraries look good so far! I am not sure if we are going to be able to fit the campfire in?? I really want to, but just don't know if it will work? I did book the carriage ride, though.

[raider97]

Date: 12/18 - Our 10th Anniversary!!
Park: Magic Kingdom
Hours: 9:00 - 7:00p.m.
MVMCP: 7:00p.m. - Midnight

Wake-up Time: By 9 a.m.

Grab a quick snack in the room depending on what time we get up.

Grab a bus to Magic Kingdom by 9:45 a.m./10:00 a.m.
Hope on resort monorail over to Grand Floridian

Late Breakfast ADR: 1900 Park Fare 11:00 a.m.

I am so excited about this breakfast. The kids love the Alice in Wonderland movie. So I am hoping they will really love meeting Alice and The Mad Hatter!!

After breakfast take monorail back to Magic Kingdom.
Depending on time try and grab a fast pass for Peter Pan before......

BBB appointments!!
The girls have BBB makeovers (hair and nails) and Woody has an appointment for the Cool Dude. All their appointment times are 1:30 p.m. I have bought the girls Belle's Christmas Dresses for their makeovers. :cool1:

After makeovers head back down Main Street for pictures for the photopass CD.

Depending on time ride a few rides in Fantasyland before dinner. Try and grab another fast pass maybe for Pooh.

Dinner Reservation: Cinderella's Royal Table 4:30 p.m.

Followed by MVMCP!!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

How exciting! The girls will be dressed in Belle's Christmas dress for the party! That's great! They will have such a wonderful time! Did you see if you could get the Wishes dessert party (if you are interested)?

[raider97]

Date: 12/19
Park: Animal Kingdom
Hours: 9:00 - 5:00p.m.

Wake-up Time: Sleep in!!

Grab a quick snack in the room depending on what time we get up.

Grab a bus to Animal Kingdom by 11:00 a.m.
Grab a fastpass for Expedition Everest or Kilimanjaro Safari.
Depending on how early we get there try and get a few things done before lunch.

Lunch: Flame Tree (between 11 and 1 depending on what time we got up and what we ate for breakfast)

Hoping to see/do:
Kilimanjaro Safari
Expedition Everest
Finding Nemo - The Musical
Festival of the Lion King
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Pangani Exploration Trail

If we have time:
Boneyard
It's Tough to be a Bug
Rafiki's Planet Watch

Leave at 5 p.m. and catch a bus back to Port Orleans resort. Catch a boat to Downtown Disney for the evening.

Dinner ADR: T-Rex (out of pocket) at 8 p.m.
Spend the evening eating and shopping. Must see WOD, Goofy's Candy Shop, Build your own dinosaur, Lego Store, and Once Upon a Toy Store.

Take boat back to Port Orleans.

[happenin2you]

Your itinerary is looking so fun! I can't wait for you to go! What are these Wishes Dessert Party and Campfire things I keep hearing about?

[creativeamanda]

I haven't looked at all of your days, but this looks good--I'll be at AK the same day, so I hope to see ya'll somewhere.

I have dinner reservations at Hoop dee Doo, though.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Another good looking day!!

[tanyabanana]

We LOVED the boat back and forth to DTD when we were there in May. Coming home at night in the dark was so quiet, peaceful and relaxing. I think we did the roundtrip 3 times in a week. Sounds like you have a good trip shaping up and I am enjoying your PTR :surfweb:

[raider97]

Congrats on getting all of your ADR's! They look great~!:santa:

Veronica

Thanks! I am very happy with what I got!!

Congrats on the ADR's! Your intineraries look good so far! I am not sure if we are going to be able to fit the campfire in?? I really want to, but just don't know if it will work? I did book the carriage ride, though.

Thanks! I'm not sure we are going to be able to fit the campfire in either. Hopefully though!!

How exciting! The girls will be dressed in Belle's Christmas dress for the party! That's great! They will have such a wonderful time! Did you see if you could get the Wishes dessert party (if you are interested)?

Thanks! I can't wait! My mom is actually making them "work" dresses to wear to their makeovers. I'll have to post some pictures. :)

Stephanie

[raider97]

I haven't looked at all of your days, but this looks good--I'll be at AK the same day, so I hope to see ya'll somewhere.

I have dinner reservations at Hoop dee Doo, though.

Thanks! Hopefully, we will run into you sometime. We will be flying around this day since it is our only day at Animal Kingdom. Our early flight out of our last day has really taken a toll on our AK time this year.


Another good looking day!!

Thanks!

We LOVED the boat back and forth to DTD when we were there in May. Coming home at night in the dark was so quiet, peaceful and relaxing. I think we did the roundtrip 3 times in a week. Sounds like you have a good trip shaping up and I am enjoying your PTR :surfweb:

Thanks for stopping by. have a feeling that the water taxi is going to be a big hit with my bunch too! :)

Stephanie

[raider97]

Your itinerary is looking so fun! I can't wait for you to go! What are these Wishes Dessert Party and Campfire things I keep hearing about?

Thanks! How are you? Your SIL? School?

I typed out a whole bunch of stuff on the campfire and dessert party and then my computer shut itself down. :( So I am going to copy and paste some info for you. :)

Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party
UPDATE: The Wishes Dessert Party has been extended through December 29, 2009. The event is subject to availability and WILL take place on nights of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party but will still require purchasing separate admission. Adults 10 and older are $23.42 and children 3-9 are $12.77. This price includes tax.

This event includes a self-service buffet at the Tomorrowland Noodle Station with sweets, beverages and exclusive viewing of Wishes, the nightly fireworks. Reservations are not required, but are recommended as seating is limited. To reserve a space, prepayment is necessary. Space permitting, there may be seating available for walk-ups. Currently the Disney Dining Plan is not accepted.

Campfire on de' Bayou is a seasonal activity for guests that takes place October thru February on Sunday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 pm - 8pm. The whole family can enjoy story telling and sing-a-longs around the campfire and remember children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. This activity takes place behind the Fishin' Hole. S'mores kits can be purchased for $7.00 and they include graham crackers, marshmallows,
chocolate and sticks. This event can be canceled due to inclement weather.

We decided against the dessert party this year and we are going to try and make it to the campfire, but it isn't looking good. The first Thurs. we are there we have the Candlelight Processional, Sunday we have dinner at Le Cellier, and then the next Thurs. is Christmas Eve and our last night at MK.

Stephanie

[raider97]

A Tour Guide Mike subscription.... I was curious about his touring plans and his crowd calendar so I bit the bullet. So far it seems to be interesting reading.... a little difficult to find what you are looking for at times, but he has some good points and ideas.

Any TGM fans out there? How bad are his yellow days? I did pretty well on my own.... we ended up with 3 mornings of yellows and 2 evening yellows. Not bad for 9 days in the parks.... 5 out of 18 possible. Right? I hope so.

Stephanie

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I don't know about TGM...I got the Ridemax though and that seems to have a pretty high success rate. We'll see! I am keeping my fingers crossed! I'd love to have it save me some time. The dates are not up for December yet for it, I have only been able to play with it...not put our actual dates / parks / rides in.

[raider97]

I had to change up today's touring plan since I was working on Day 5 and realized I would have to be repeating quite a few with our other friends this day. So I revised what I want to get done on that 1st day.

Date: 12/17
Park: Epcot
Hours: 9:00 - 9:30 p.m.

Wake-up Time: Sleep In!!!!

Wake up whenever the kids and dh get up. Call down to baggage services and have them deliver Garden Grocer order.

Hit Port Orleans Food Court for a Quick Breakfast.

Catch bus to Epcot
Make a bee-line straight to Soarin' to pick up FastPass if still available

Around noon -- Head to Sunshine Seasons for lunch

From arrival - 4:30 pm

Must Do's Today:
Soarin'
Turtle Talk
Test Track
Epcot World Showcase Storytellers
Character Connection
Pick a Pearl

Then fit in other rides/attractions as time permits.

Can skip:
Universe of Energy (but Woody may like the dinosaurs in this one)
Circle of Life
Innoventions

Dinner: 5:00 pm Teppan Edo
Candlelight Processional: 8:15 showing
Illuminations: Special Viewing Area

After Illuminations take our time leaving. I know how crowded those buses can get and how long the lines can be at closing time. Head back to Port Orleans and crash for the night.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

You should be able to get all of that in...Teppan Edo is so yummy and fun to eat at!

[raider97]

I went back and after reading some threads on the topic, looking over touringplans.com and TGM's touring plans decided I probably should go back and come up with a detailed plan for the night.

MVMCP 7:00 - midnight

Dinner at 4:30 CRT hopefully out by 5:30/6:00 pm. After dinner head towards Fantasyland and Toontown. Try to see Ariel and the fairies before the party starts. Try to see Mickey and Minnie and the princesses in the judges tent shortly after the party starts.

After these work our way around Fantasyland and then Tomorrowland riding rides we want to. Make sure to see Belle's Enchanted Christmas at 8:10 p.m.

Around 9:00 p.m. head towards Main Street to catch the fireworks at 9:30 pm. After the fireworks see Santa on Main Street. Grab cookies and drinks and settle in for the parade at 10:30 pm. Try and finish up with a few rides in Liberty Square before the end of the party -- hopefully POC at least. :)

O.K..... so what do you guys think? I am skipping the castle lighting because we have 3 more evenings at MK and I figured we could do it then. I know the parade begins in Frontierland so it would require less waiting there, but I thought it might be nice to see it under the snow of main street. I am a little worried since this will probably be a sold out night and I don't want to get stuck in the mass crowds. What would you do differently?

Thanks!!

Stephanie

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I think your plan sounds good. Just as a warning...don't expect a lot of snow. It is very fine...bubbles I think and a bit hard to see. But, you will be able to see something.

[creativeamanda]

Your plans for MVMCP almost exactly mirror mine, but too bad I haven't put them together anywhere other than in my mind, lol.

[raider97]

Your plans for MVMCP almost exactly mirror mine, but too bad I haven't put them together anywhere other than in my mind, lol.

Great minds think alike!! :)

[raider97]

I think your plan sounds good. Just as a warning...don't expect a lot of snow. It is very fine...bubbles I think and a bit hard to see. But, you will be able to see something.

Thanks for the tip! I am hoping the kids will enjoy it. :)

Stephanie

[raider97]

I am doing the happy dance.:cool1::cool1:

I have less than 45 days before we will be on vacation at my favorite vacation spot!! Actually only 44 more days. Yippee!!

I still have so much to do...clothes shopping, t-shirts to make, autograph books to make, journals, activity books... I am already starting to stress about it all. :) Better get a move on and start working on it all!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful 1st week of November. I will be back soon with my latest purchases and more itineraries.

Stephanie

[creativeamanda]

I am doing the happy dance.:cool1::cool1:

I have less than 45 days before we will be on vacation at my favorite vacation spot!! Actually only 44 more days. Yippee!!

I still have so much to do...clothes shopping, t-shirts to make, autograph books to make, journals, activity books... I am already starting to stress about it all. :) Better get a move on and start working on it all!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful 1st week of November. I will be back soon with my latest purchases and more itineraries.

Stephanie

Yay for less than 45 days! :banana: :santa:

[raider97]

I caught the dreaded H1N1 flu last week. It sucks!! Even on tamiflu it took me a good 6 days before I started feeling better. Hoping the rest of the family can get their H1N1 flu shots before our trip. I don't want anyone getting sick right before the trip... I think I am going to try and stay close to home in the early part of December... Just don't want to take any chances with the little ones getting sick right before our trip!!

And my dad got a new position!! Yippee!! Such a relief! Now we just have to figure out when he can join us... I am pretty sure he won't have enough vacation to leave with us. Hopefully, he will have enough vacation, and holidays to make the full week from the 19th - 26th. That is what I am hoping for. I think worst case scenario he may be flying out Monday night late (21st). Crossing my fingers that somehow he can make it for the week. I know how much my parents have been looking forward to the trip. But in this economic times a job is a job you know. :)

And a few Halloween pictures...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06779_edited.jpg

Minnie - Princess Anneliese (Barbie Princess and Pauper)
Tinkerbell - Princess Aurora

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06811.jpg

Woody - Captain Jack Sparrow

[mIcKeY_mOmMy]

Hi! love your ptr so far! your kids looked so cute for halloween

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Your kids look adorable in their costumes! Yay for 44 days! It will be here before we know it! And.....so much to do!!!!:scared1:

[creativeamanda]

Love the costumes! Your kids are so cute!

[raider97]

Hi! love your ptr so far! your kids looked so cute for halloween

Thanks for stopping by!!

Your kids look adorable in their costumes! Yay for 44 days! It will be here before we know it! And.....so much to do!!!!:scared1:

Love the costumes! Your kids are so cute!

Thanks for all the compliments on my kiddos. I am pretty biased, but think they looked just adorable on Halloween. :)

That Jack costume is the one I bought to take with us for his pirate league experience. He has been telling me for months he wants that skeleton face, but I am sure if I lug the costume around he will decide on something else. You know how that goes. :rotfl:

Stephanie

[raider97]

Date: 12/20
Park: Epcot
Hours: 9:00 – 9:30

Wake-up Time: Wake up 7 am or so for me….rest of the crowd 7:30 am. Be at bus stop at 8:00 am. Trying to make rope drop at Epcot this morning.

Breakfast: Grab a quick snack in the room before heading out.

Grab a bus to Epcot at 8:00 am
Rope Drop 9:00 am
Head to Soarin’ to grab a fastpass and ride if line is short enough.
Do Turtle Talk and Finding Nemo Ride.
Explore Aquarium.
Head over to Journey Into Imagination – ride and explore pavilion.
Depending on return time of first fast pass head over to Test Track to pick up Fast Pass.
Ride Mission Space if we have time and want to (unsure about this one. Dh rode it last time. I don’t do well on spinning rides)
Head to ADR

Late Breakfast/Early Lunch: Akerhouse Princess Storybook Breakfast 10:40 am

Hit Spaceship Earth on the way out of the park if line isn’t too bad. Leave park around noon to head back to resort for some down time.

Resort Down Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Swimming, naps, bikes, fishing, etc. Whatever we decide we want to do

Take bus back to Epcot around 4 pm. Hope to be back by 5 pm.
Ride Living with the Land and use Soarin and Test Track Fast Pass. Ride Mission Space if we didn’t earlier and want to. Watch Honey I Shrunk the Audience if have time and we want to.

Dinner: Le Cellier 6:35 pm

After dinner try and ride the boat ride in Norway and Mexico. Ride Universe of Energy if we decide we want to and if we have time.

Illuminations: 9:30 pm

After Illumination slowly make our way to the bus stop to head back to resort.

[raider97]

Figured I would hit Target to see if they have any new Disney stuff in their dollar bins and I am looking for some Disney stockings to take with us.

I also need to get my wedding ring fixed. I'm not sure I ever told you guys the story... back in September I had a severe allergic reaction to Aleeve. Which was odd because I have taken it without problems before. But this time I got an itchy rash, and severe swelling. In fact, my fingers swelled up so badly and quickly dh had to cut my wedding rings off with wire cutters.:scared1: So I have been delaying taking it into get fixed, I hate having people mess with my ring, but I just started thinking about it and if I want it back for our trip I better get my bottom in gear. So I am going to take it in today and get an estimate as to how much it is going to take to get it repaired.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!!

Stephanie

[raider97]

I went to Target yesterday and was happy to find some new disney items in their dollar bins.:goodvibes

Some color items for the trip coming and going...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06829.jpg

A sticker books, along with stickers for each of my three.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06826.jpg

Some journals for the trip over there. I got two Ariel ones for both of the girls. My kids love to draw and write on paper. And I just couldn't pass up the Mickey pens on a rope. Figured they could use these with their autograph books. :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06827.jpg

And finally they had some new jewelry so I picked some up for the girls for their stockings.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06828.jpg

I still need to post the rest of the stuff I have already picked up. Yikes!! I may need a suitcase just to carry it all.

Stephanie

[creativeamanda]

WOW! I think maybe I need to take a trip to Target!

[hollybearsmom]

If you have a Michals near, I have seen some new Disney Holiday themed things in the dollar bins there too!

[PNO4TE]

Just read your PTR, Stephanie. Sounds like you have everything under control! ;)

[raider97]

WOW! I think maybe I need to take a trip to Target!
I love Target!! But I need to stop buying trinkets or I may have to take another suitcase just to get them all down there.

If you have a Michals near, I have seen some new Disney Holiday themed things in the dollar bins there too!
Oh no!! Just when I decided I was done shopping.... well it can't hurt to just look right. :rotfl: I found Disney Christmas cards at the Dollar Tree yesterday. I am going to use them for the gift cards I am sending out for people going with us on the trip as Christmas presents!!

Just read your PTR, Stephanie. Sounds like you have everything under control! ;)
Thanks!! Or as much as you can have control of things with three little ones 7 and under :) Thanks for stopping by!!

Stephanie

[raider97]

I have the girls booked for BBB makeovers on the afternoon of the 18th. Afterwards, we will be having dinner at CRT and attending the last Christmas party of the season. I just adore the dresses I got for the girls. Since the trip is still a surprise to the kids and I am planning to keep the makeovers a secret until their appointments I thought I would share their outfits with you guys since I am dying to show someone. :) Yesterday I bought them knee high socks to go over the black tights I bought for them to wear with them. I want to make sure I am prepared for a chilly December evening. My mom made them Cinderella work dresses that they will wear that morning to breakfast and to their appointments. I am so excited!! I booked the hair and nail package for the girls and Woody is getting the Cool Dude. :goodvibes

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06834.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06832.jpg

Stephanie

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I was a bit behind...so sorry! Great Epcot plans! I love all of your Target finds!! I have yet to get the things I want for my kids! I have to get on it...not much time left! Those dresses are beautiful!!! Your mom does beautiful work!

[creativeamanda]

Those dresses are adorable! I love them!

[raider97]

I was a bit behind...so sorry! Great Epcot plans! I love all of your Target finds!! I have yet to get the things I want for my kids! I have to get on it...not much time left! Those dresses are beautiful!!! Your mom does beautiful work!

Those dresses are adorable! I love them!

Thanks!! I am so excited about the BBB makeovers! I can't wait for the girls to see the dresses! I need to start working on getting the surprise box stuff together. :)

Stephanie

[raider97]

Well, I am so excited!! I booked all three of the kids for pirate makeovers for Christmas Eve afternoon at 90 days. I was hesitant because of the cost, but figured they would love it. Well happy news!!! I got on disboards this weekend to see the pirate makeovers are 50% while we are there. Yippee!! That is $75 in savings....which will go straight to my out-of-pocket Christmas Eve lunch at the Plaza that I had been debating. :) What a nice surprise!!

And I am less than 40 days now. :cool1::cool1:

37 days to be exact!!!!

[raider97]

Today I checked the mail and low and behold I have Mickey Mail!!
:goodvibes:cool1::thumbsup2:banana::woohoo:

It was our Magical Express package! I was so happy to see those yellow luggage stickers and bus vouchers with our name, dates, and resort! Nothing makes your trip seem more real! Happy, happy day. Only 35 days left.WooHoo!

Stephanie

[creativeamanda]

Today I checked the mail and low and behold I have Mickey Mail!!
:goodvibes:cool1::thumbsup2:banana::woohoo:

It was our Magical Express package! I was so happy to see those yellow luggage stickers and bus vouchers with our name, dates, and resort! Nothing makes your trip seem more real! Happy, happy day. Only 35 days left.WooHoo!

Stephanie

Now if we can get our other package from Disney--I'm expecting it maybe the day after Thanksgiving, if not sooner.

[DisneyMom14]

Happy Wednesday! I came upon your report on happydogs and decided to check it out when I saw you and I are both on anniversary trips. I didn't get to reading everything yet, but just reading even just the first couple posts, it seems we have lots in common. Soooo, can't wait to be able to read the rest. Come over and vist mine (not as substantial as yours yet) and maybe we'll bump into each other at Disney! :goodvibes

[DisneyMom14]

Just finished with your posts (really glad for the index) :goodvibes
and it is still eerie how much we have in common. We're both 34, we both have a child with a peanut allergy, we're both on anniversary trips, we bought the same really cheap tinkerbell shirts, we stayed at POR for our honeymoon in '94 - you are staying there this trip, and I know I found a few more along the way. We also have some days at the same parks. Anyway, I am hooked. So you're stuck with me. :rotfl:
I LOVE the girls' dresses!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Under 40 days!!! Glad to see your ME came! Hope your other stuff comes!!!

[Happydog]

Well, I am so excited!! I booked all three of the kids for pirate makeovers for Christmas Eve afternoon at 90 days. I was hesitant because of the cost, but figured they would love it. Well happy news!!! I got on disboards this weekend to see the pirate makeovers are 50% while we are there. Yippee!! That is $75 in savings....which will go straight to my out-of-pocket Christmas Eve lunch at the Plaza that I had been debating. :) What a nice surprise!!

And I am less than 40 days now. :cool1::cool1:

37 days to be exact!!!!

Wasn't that just a great deal!!?? I couldn't pass it up for that discount! You itineraries look perfect! I love seeing how others plan their week! I am working my way backwards in your PTR, I got several pages to catch up! :thumbsup2

Oh I have TGM, by the way! I have stuck with his suggested days mostly -- he has a lot of good articles.. he had a great plan for the MNSSHP, so I imagine he has the same thing for MVMCP, I print several things out to take with me -- the past few trips I have found TGM very helpful!

[raider97]

Well, I finally picked out some on ebay to order and they have arrived.:goodvibes I think they are really cute. I am also planning to make small ones for our MVMCP day. The ones I bought only have 25 pages of cardstock in them and I was worried with the amount of days we are staying and the character dining we are doing we would need more so I am going to try my hand at making some smaller ones for the party. So, what do you guys think? Cute huh!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/raider97/DSC06865.jpg

Stephanie

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Those are cute! Are they decorated inside or just plain pages? I have been wanting to start an autograph book for us, but have not done it yet...only have 20 days left so I'm not so sure it is going to happen??!!

[creativeamanda]

Those autograph books are beautiful! I absolutely love them!

[mIcKeY_mOmMy]

Just caught up! Love the autograph books! They dresses your mom made are sooo cute! Love how they will "turn" into cinderella by their fairy godmothers!!! Can't wait to read more!

[Happydog]

VERY cute autograph books! And the dresses are adorable too!

[hollybearsmom]

I love that dress idea, turning into Princesses.

Those are really great looking autograph books, I can't believe how close your trip is getting!

[raider97]

1 month, 4 weeks, 30 days, or exactly 721.5 hours from now I will be on a plane headed for Disney!!

WooHoo!! If that isn't cause to celebrate I'm not sure what is!!!!

Stephanie

[DisneyMom14]

1 month, 4 weeks, 30 days, or exactly 721.5 hours from now I will be on a plane headed for Disney!!

WooHoo!! If that isn't cause to celebrate I'm not sure what is!!!!

Stephanie

Doin' the happy dance for you!!!!
:dance3::woohoo::yay:

[raider97]

Now if we can get our other package from Disney--I'm expecting it maybe the day after Thanksgiving, if not sooner.

Yep -- I've turned into a full fledge mail stalker here! :lmao:Have you gotten your yet?

Just finished with your posts (really glad for the index) :goodvibes
and it is still eerie how much we have in common. We're both 34, we both have a child with a peanut allergy, we're both on anniversary trips, we bought the same really cheap tinkerbell shirts, we stayed at POR for our honeymoon in '94 - you are staying there this trip, and I know I found a few more along the way. We also have some days at the same parks. Anyway, I am hooked. So you're stuck with me. :rotfl:
I LOVE the girls' dresses!

It is amazing how much we have in common! Love the shirts!! Can't wait to see what other designs you have picked out.

Under 40 days!!! Glad to see your ME came! Hope your other stuff comes!!!

WooHoo!! Under 30 now. Did you ever get your package mail?

Wasn't that just a great deal!!?? I couldn't pass it up for that discount! You itineraries look perfect! I love seeing how others plan their week! I am working my way backwards in your PTR, I got several pages to catch up! :thumbsup2

Oh I have TGM, by the way! I have stuck with his suggested days mostly -- he has a lot of good articles.. he had a great plan for the MNSSHP, so I imagine he has the same thing for MVMCP, I print several things out to take with me -- the past few trips I have found TGM very helpful!

I have stuck with his suggested days mostly too. I am just starting to dig through his Christmas and MVMCP touring plans. Are you going to MVMCP? We will be there on the 18th!

Those are cute! Are they decorated inside or just plain pages? I have been wanting to start an autograph book for us, but have not done it yet...only have 20 days left so I'm not so sure it is going to happen??!!

They are just plain inside. I wanted something I could take apart once we got home and make scrapbooks with them. I think they are adorable! Can't wait for the kids to see them!:goodvibes

Those autograph books are beautiful! I absolutely love them!

Thanks!! I am very happy with them!

Stephanie

[raider97]

Just caught up! Love the autograph books! They dresses your mom made are sooo cute! Love how they will "turn" into cinderella by their fairy godmothers!!! Can't wait to read more!

VERY cute autograph books! And the dresses are adorable too!

I love that dress idea, turning into Princesses.

Those are really great looking autograph books, I can't believe how close your trip is getting!

Thanks! I love the dresses! I just got the work dress for my younger daughter in the mail yesterday! And I am very happy with the autograph books. I had a hard time making up my mind.

Doin' the happy dance for you!!!!
:dance3::woohoo::yay:

Thanks!! I am on :cloud9:!

[raider97]

On my way home from lunch with DH I stoppped by and checked our mail and low and behold I have.......

MICKEY MAIL!!

:cool1::cool1::cool1:

I was thrilled to see it. Mickey Mail always makes your trip seem so much closer. Think I will have to plan some more down time to get some use out of those Sea Raycer and Aracade coupons.

Stephanie

[happenin2you]

I've missed so much!

Those dresses your mom made are the cutest things! The girls will love them! And the autograph books are super cute, too! Are those the ones you ordered or made? Either way I love them =) I might be crazy, too, but it seems like your daughters have really sprouted up since the last pics I saw of them. They're so beautiful! And Woody in his pirate costume! Although you can't see his face under that mask, I'm sure he's still super cute!

I'm so excited for you to have recieved all your Mickey Mail and be inside the 30 day mark. You're going to have a blast!

The school semester is winding down for me, but that means lots of studying for finals and not so much free time on the Dis, so incase I don't make it back to your page before you go, have fun, don't stress, and take lots of pictures! (so you can post them here! selfish reasons, i know:rotfl:)

And congrats to your dad for finding a job!:banana: It's so rough right now, my dad's been out of work about since february...

PS- It's a good thing you're flying southwest with all that stuff. I think they still allow 2 bags per person, and I think you're gonna need it! :rotfl2: I can picture the kids' suitcases, one packed with their clothes and one packed full of their surprises, each! They're gonna have the time of their lives!

[DisneyMom14]

On my way home from lunch with DH I stoppped by and checked our mail and low and behold I have.......

MICKEY MAIL!!

:cool1::cool1::cool1:

I was thrilled to see it. Mickey Mail always makes your trip seem so much closer. Think I will have to plan some more down time to get some use out of those Sea Raycer and Aracade coupons.

Stephanie

I am having Mickey-mail envy right now. ;) Glad yours came in. Maybe mine will come in tomorrow. popcorn::

[Happydog]

Mickey Mail!!! Looks like a lot of DISers are getting that this week! Very exciting! And the countdown continues!!! YAY!!!! We are not making it to MVMCP because we miss the final party by a day! I wish they would take it a few more days but they end it that Friday and we won't be there for it. It seems like great fun though! I loved the Halloween party, so I am sure the Christmas party will be equally as fun :thumbsup2

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Yay for your Mickey Mail!!!! I can not believe how close it all is!!!! Have you started packing yet?

[creativeamanda]

No Mickey Mail yet. Dh went to the post office. Sometimes when we have a package of that nature, the postmaster puts it in our PO box instead. Here's hoping!

[raider97]

Date: 12/21
Park: Magic Kingdom
Hours: 9:00 – 11:00 pm

Woody’s 4th birthday!!

Wake-up Time: Wake up 6:45 am or so for me….rest of the crowd 7:00 am. Be at bus stop at 7:30 am.

Breakfast: 8:25 am Crystal Palace

Grab a bus to Magic Kingdom 7:30 am
Early entrance into park – get some low crowd castle pictures!!
Birthday breakfast for Woody!!
Head to fantasyland after breakfast to see how long line is for Dumbo, if not terrible ride and then start working on attractions we did not see on Friday. Picking up fastpasses for use later as we go.
Early lunch at Columbia Harbor House.

Leave park around noon to head back to resort for some down time.

Resort Down Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Swimming, naps, bikes, fishing, etc. Whatever we decide we want to do

Take bus back to Magic Kingdom around 4 pm. Hope to be back by 5 pm.
Grab fastpass on way in if still available.
Dinner at Cosmic Rays.
Use fastpasses and ride rides this evening.
Watch Spectromagic Parade and Fireworks.
Stay until closing.
Bus back to resort.

[raider97]

Date: 12/22
Park: Hollywood Studios
Hours: 9:00 – 8:00 pm

My mom’s birthday!!

Wake-up Time: Wake up 7:00 am or so for me….rest of the crowd 7:30 am. Be at bus stop at 8:00 am.

Breakfast: In Room

Grab a bus to Hollywood Studios at 8:00 am
Rope drop!!
First up ride Toy Story Mania and get fast passes to ride again. Order depends on fastpass line when we get there. Spend the morning seeing must do attractions and shows

Early lunch at Sci-Fi Diner 12:00 pm

** Leave park around 1 pm to head back to resort for some down time.
Resort Down Time: 2 pm – 6 pm
Swimming, naps, bikes, fishing, etc. Whatever we decide we want to do

** May decide to stay at park all day depending on how much we get done this morning and what the show schedule looks like

Eat dinner at POR. 5 pm – 6pm

Take bus back to Hollywood Studios around 6 pm.
Osborne Christmas Lights
Stay until closing and take bus back to resort.

Must Sees:
Toy Story Mania
Beauty and the Beast
Little Mermaid\
Muppets 3D
Tower of Terror
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Star Tours ** depending on Woody’s height at time

See if we have time:
Indy
Lights, Motors, Action
Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground
Great Movie Ride
Jedi Training
AI

[raider97]

I've missed so much!
Missed ya, but I know you have been very busy!

Those dresses your mom made are the cutest things! The girls will love them! And the autograph books are super cute, too! Are those the ones you ordered or made? Either way I love them =) I might be crazy, too, but it seems like your daughters have really sprouted up since the last pics I saw of them. They're so beautiful! And Woody in his pirate costume! Although you can't see his face under that mask, I'm sure he's still super cute!
Thanks! I LOVE the dresses! I hope the girls like them as much as I do. I ended up buying the sutpgraph books. When we get home I will take them apart and make them scarpbooks. I was going to make ones for MVMCP, but just ended up ordering a second set because I am running out of time. I will have to post the pictures they just came in the mail today.

I'm so excited for you to have recieved all your Mickey Mail and be inside the 30 day mark. You're going to have a blast!
Thanks!! I am excited! But I am running out of time and I still need to make 21 :scared1: shirts, three journals, and get all my itineraries and ADRs organized and such. Yikes!! When we get back from my inlaws for Thanksgiving it will be 2 1/2 weeks. Super Yikes!!

The school semester is winding down for me, but that means lots of studying for finals and not so much free time on the Dis, so incase I don't make it back to your page before you go, have fun, don't stress, and take lots of pictures! (so you can post them here! selfish reasons, i know:rotfl:)
How is school going? Good luck on your finals. I'll take lots of pictures, I promise!!

And congrats to your dad for finding a job!:banana: It's so rough right now, my dad's been out of work about since february...
Thanks!! I was happy this one came thru. It is with the same company. He interviewed for the position like 6 times and it took them over 8 months to hire for it. Crazy!! Hoping your dad finds something soon. It is so hard to be looking in this market.

PS- It's a good thing you're flying southwest with all that stuff. I think they still allow 2 bags per person, and I think you're gonna need it! :rotfl2: I can picture the kids' suitcases, one packed with their clothes and one packed full of their surprises, each! They're gonna have the time of their lives!
I was trying to explain how much stuff I have to DH last night. He is going to die when he actually sees it all. Yep, good thing it is SW because I am thinking I am going to need a dedicated bag for all this stuff. I am also thinking about sending a package down with some stuff in it, but I better get going or I won't make it.

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

[raider97]

I am having Mickey-mail envy right now. ;) Glad yours came in. Maybe mine will come in tomorrow. popcorn::
Thanks!! Did yours come in? How is the tshirt making going?

Mickey Mail!!! Looks like a lot of DISers are getting that this week! Very exciting! And the countdown continues!!! YAY!!!! We are not making it to MVMCP because we miss the final party by a day! I wish they would take it a few more days but they end it that Friday and we won't be there for it. It seems like great fun though! I loved the Halloween party, so I am sure the Christmas party will be equally as fun :thumbsup2
Thanks! I had forgotten you would be getting in a few days after the last party. I am hoping we will have a good time despite the crowds at it. Is your Mickey mail in?

Yay for your Mickey Mail!!!! I can not believe how close it all is!!!! Have you started packing yet?
Thanks!! Talk about close....yours is within stirking distance! Bet you are getting so excited! Nope, haven't started packing yet? You?

No Mickey Mail yet. Dh went to the post office. Sometimes when we have a package of that nature, the postmaster puts it in our PO box instead. Here's hoping!
Read about your corruption issues! That is crazy!! I am hoping you get a Mickey Mail Thanksgiving surprise!!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I hope you all have wonderful holidays! We are off to families houses for the rest of the week. So I will have to catch up with everyone early next week!!

Stephanie

[DisneyMom14]

Yep - Finally got the Mickey mail!!!! Also got to make a few more shirts. Supposed to have 31 total :scared1: but we'll see. I'm almost there!

[creativeamanda]

LOL, you could switch our days 6 and 7, except I am only going to DHS for EMH on the 21st. In fact--I'm going shopping that day after a late night at MK for EMH.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Your days look great!!

I have started packing...not as much as I should have probably!!! LOL

[raider97]

Date: 12/23
Park: Magic Kingdom
Hours: 9:00 – 11:00 pm

Wake-up Time: Wake up 7:00 am or so for me….rest of the crowd 7:30 am. Be at bus stop at 8:00 am.

Breakfast: Main Street Bakery

After breakfast take it easy picking up rides we have missed so far, or ones we want to repeat.

Lunch at Cosmic Rays or Caseys depending on mood.

Leave park around noon to head back to resort for some down time.

Resort Down Time: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Swimming, naps, bikes, fishing, etc. Whatever we decide we want to do

Big Surprise!!! I booked two carriage rides from POR for us and my mom at 5:30 p.m.
I am the only one who knows about them. So excited!!!
After carriage rides we will catch a bus back to Magic Kingdom and then the ferry over to the Grand Floridian.

Dinner: Grand Floridian Café 7:30 p.m.
** I am ordering a cake this week for this meal to celebrate Woody’s birthday. I am hoping to get the Mickey head one!! J

After dinner we will take the monorail back to Magic Kingdom staying at least for the fireworks.
Bus back to resort.

[raider97]

Date: 12/24 – Christmas Eve!!
Park: Magic Kingdom
Hours: 9:00 – 11:00 pm
** Extra Magic Hours 8:00 am – 9:00 am

Wake-up Time: Wake up 6:30 am or so for me….rest of the crowd 7:00 am. Be at bus stop at 7:30 am.

I would love to make it to early magic hours, but with the time change, a late night the night before, and a long day I’m not sure how we will do this morning

Breakfast: Main Street Bakery

After breakfast take it easy picking up rides we have missed so far, or ones we want to repeat.

Lunch: The Plaza 12:05 pm

Surprising the kids with Pirate League makeovers at 1:30 pm
Spend the afternoon at the park.

Dinner: Liberty Tree Tavern 6:55 pm

Stay at park through fireworks and as late as we want.
Last day at Magic Kingdom :sad1:

[raider97]

Date: 12/25 - Christmas
Park: Hollywood Studios
Hours: 9:00 – 9:00 pm

Wake-up Time: Wake up 7:00 am or so for us

Breakfast: POR Food Court

Grab a bus to Magic Kingdom 8:00 am
Grab a fastpass for TSM and ride any rides we missed or shows we missed before it gets too crowded. Leave when the crowds start arriving for some downtime back at our resort.

Lunch: POR Food Court

Head over to Wilderness Lodge, maybe Contemporary, and Polynesian Resort to see Christmas decorations.

Dinner: Ohanas 4:55 pm

After dinner take bus back to Hollywood Studios to see Osborne Christmas Lights.
Bus back to resort at closing time.

[raider97]

Date: 12/26 – Departure Day :sad1:
Park: None

Wake-up Time: Wake up 7:00 am or so for us

Breakfast: POR Food Court

Pack and get ready for Magical Express pickup at 8:40 am
Our flight leaves at 11:40 am We have a flight back to Texas and then we change plans to head home.

Arrive home about 2:30 pm – Check out what Santa brought while we were away!!

[raider97]

So I opened my email today and I got the merchandise credit pin!! WooHoo!! Now I just need to decide if I want to use it. The problem is I have already saved $300 for spending money for the kids so I could put in the extra $95 and get the $500 card. $105 free stuff!!! But I can't use it at T-Rex and I figured they would want to use some of their money at T-Rex to build a dinosaur. So that would be another $60 bucks I would have to spend on top of the $95. Sooooooo torn!! It would be nice for dh and I to have some extra spending money too.....

What do you guys think?