Dear Santa, I'd like a double-deluxe Disney Xmas!! Dec'12 PTR! Upd 1/20 TR & DR links

debrapagliasotti · Jan 23, 2012

Hello everyone! :wave2:

As you could probably guess by the title, this is a CHRISTMAS PTR for this Dec...our 1st visit during the holidays and we couldnt be more excited! :santa:

This trip has been a LONG time in the making. We first started discussing the idea of the trip back in Aug 2008 on the ME leaving WDW. After seeing a few WDW Christmas shows on Travel Channel, it just sealed the deal...we were going in Dec...of 2012. Why the wait?? Well, at the time I was pregnant with our 3rd child and we wanted him to be 4 years old to enjoy and hopefully remember some of the trip. So that was the plan, Dec 2012. Not long after our 3rd child was born, we found out we were pregnant with our 4th. No going back on our deal with the older kids, we would still go in 2012, but this time with a double stroller :scared1:

debrapagliasotti · Jan 23, 2012

As promised, here is our cast of characters for this trip.

Me - Debra - 35. Stay at home mom. Love all things Disney. I have been to WDW twice, back in 1997 with friends, and in Aug 2008.

DH - Bo - 40. Former college volleyball coach. He recently accepted a full time faculty position teaching. He wanted to be able to spend more time with the kids and being a head coach didnt allow him to be able to do much of that. He has been to WDW once, back in Aug 2008. We have been married almost 11 years.

DS - Hunter - 10 (will be 11 by the time the trip is here). He loves anything and everything about soccer. He started playing at age 4. He is now the starting goalie for his team and super excited about that. He had his first trip to WDW in Aug 2008. He talks about WDW almost everyday.
Favorite rides - Expedition Everest, Star Tours

DD - Harper - 8 (will be 9 in a few months). She loves anything and everything about dance. She started dancing at age 3 and is now in her 6th year. She also had her first trip to WDW in Aug 2008. She and Hunter are 15 months apart.
Favorite characters - any Princess, Toy Story characters

DS - Jaxon - 3 (will be 4 by the time the trip is here). He is our miracle baby. I had lots of issues with the pregnancy. He is speech delayed and started working with a speech pathologist just over a year ago. When he turned 3, he transitioned to a developmental pre-k program through our local ISD. He has made so much progress in a years time. Now he is a talking machine!! He loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins and Octonauts.

DS - Evan - 2. He is our suprise baby!! He also has speech and developmental delays. He also suffers from breath holding seizures. We are hoping he will grow out of those in the next few years. Evan is currently working with a speech/developmental therapist and has made huge strides since starting the program in August. He also loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (especially Goofy!!)

So, thats our family in a nutshell. Its usually chaos in our house, but I cant imagine it any other way!

debrapagliasotti · Jan 23, 2012

The details of our Christmas trip...

When we first started looking at lodging about a year ago, we did all sorts of research. We knew we wanted a deluxe hotel. We wanted to be able to utilize some form of Disney transportation besides bus. So, that gave us hotels in MK area or Epcot/Boardwalk area. We eventually narrowed it down to BW, BC, WL or AK (I know...no other transportation besides busses, but the idea of seeing animals all the time was just so cool). So, we made our choice and patiently waited for our 499 day booking window to open up in August. In the end we decided on...

BOARDWALK INN :cool1:

We are booked for Dec 20-27 in a Deluxe Club Level room (hence, the first part of the "double deluxe Disney trip"). This is our first time to stay at BW and our first CL stay as well. So excited to walk out on our balcony and see the Boardwalk and the lake, plus the convenience of boats and/or walking to Epcot and DHS.

We are also doing DxDP (the second part of the "double deluxe Disney trip"). I know, I know, lots of food, but...I do have a human garbage disposal that will be 11 at the time. Hunter can eat a lot of food. I dont know where it all goes, but he sure eats it :confused3

I know lots of people here on the Dis say its a waste to do DxDP AND CL, but in all honesty we wont utilize the CL offerings much, maybe here and there after coming in from the parks before the lounge closes for the evening.

So...DxDP @ 7 days = 21 meal credits + 14 snack credits per person. I know its a ton of food, but at least I know I will be walking off quite a few of those calories each day in the parks :rotfl:

We will be doing quite a few character meals (I know, not really efficient use of the credits), but since its the little boys first extended trip (more on that later), we want them to have lots of character dining experiences, plus, it means less character lines we will have to wait in :thumbsup2

We are also going to be doing the Candlelight Processional package and the kids have requested to go back to Spirit of Aloha. I have a pretty good idea of where we will be eating (fingers crossed we get them all...we will know in late June), and I have been checking Touring Plans to try and get a handle on what days to go to which parks.

Speaking of the parks, we are doing 6 days in the parks. 2 @ MK, 2 @ AK,
1 @ Epcot, 1 @ HS. I know we can do AK in 1 day, but I know the little boys will love seeing all the animals and as long as Hunter has EE to go on, he really wont mind. Harper is determined to try EE and Space Mtn this year.

We will also head out to DTD on arrival day for dinner and shopping. We will also try and see Santa there instead of using up park time. We are flying Southwest, so I still have a few more months before we can book airfare, but we are hoping to fly out to MCO early and fly home late (but isnt that what most people want??) :lmao:

So, those are the details as they stand right now. The trip is almost paid off :cool1:

and I am super excited about that!

NEW DATES EFF 1/30/12 -- DEC 18-27

NEW DATES as of April-ish (cant remember when I added) -- DEC 18-28

Tickets have now been changed to 8 day park hoppers

NEW DATES EFF 6/20 -- DEC 18-28 @ BW / DEC 28-30 @ CR TPV

Cancelled Dec 28-30 @ CR TPV due to DH work -- boo!

DizNee Luver · Jan 23, 2012

How awesome to have your trip almost paid off already!!! :woohoo:

You know, we looked at the deluxe dining plan because we were more interested in the table service meals.....but even doing all the ones we wanted.....we still wouldn't have used them all up......so I couldn't see that working for us. We only eat 2 meals a day while traveling (actually that's about how we eat at home too).....so trying to force a mid-day meal wouldn't feel right. We're already going to have extra counter-service meal credits & snacks that will get used by others in our party since Michayla doesn't eat anything orally.

Looking forward to seeing your plans as the year goes by!! :yay:

newtexan · Jan 24, 2012

subbing

debrapagliasotti · Jan 24, 2012

DizNee Luver said:
How awesome to have your trip almost paid off already!!!

You know, we looked at the deluxe dining plan because we were more interested in the table service meals.....but even doing all the ones we wanted.....we still wouldn't have used them all up......so I couldn't see that working for us. We only eat 2 meals a day while traveling (actually that's about how we eat at home too).....so trying to force a mid-day meal wouldn't feel right. We're already going to have extra counter-service meal credits & snacks that will get used by others in our party since Michayla doesn't eat anything orally.

Looking forward to seeing your plans as the year goes by!!

I'm excited to have this trip almost paid off, but then we have another one to start paying down (Its a vicious Disney cycle!!)

We knew immeadiately the QSDP was out, we just dont care much for QS. Then we looked at the regular DP and the DxDP...in the end we chose the DxDP mainly b/c we usually do eat 3 meals a day, plus the little boys always need a couple snacks throughout the day, and my older kids always need at least one GIANT snack (basically a whole meal!!) when they get home from school. DH also didnt want to try and scope out places to sit at the QS places...so, DxDP it is. We will be doing all TS meals.

I think in your situation, I would have opted away from DxDP too. With all the variables you mentioned, I can understand it.

newtexan said:
subbing

Welcome!! Looking at your ticker, it appears you have a Dec trip booked too :santa:

DizNee Luver · Jan 24, 2012

debrapagliasotti said:
I'm excited to have this trip almost paid off, but then we have another one to start paying down (Its a vicious Disney cycle!!)

We knew immeadiately the QSDP was out, we just dont care much for QS. Then we looked at the regular DP and the DxDP...in the end we chose the DxDP mainly b/c we usually do eat 3 meals a day, plus the little boys always need a couple snacks throughout the day, and my older kids always need at least one GIANT snack (basically a whole meal!!) when they get home from school. DH also didnt want to try and scope out places to sit at the QS places...so, DxDP it is. We will be doing all TS meals.

I think in your situation, I would have opted away from DxDP too. With all the variables you mentioned, I can understand it.

Welcome!! Looking at your ticker, it appears you have a Dec trip booked too

......but a GOOD vicious cycle!!!! :cool1:

That means there's always a Disney trip on the horizon!!! :woohoo:

If you have big eaters....then it makes total sense to go with the deluxe. I did map it out (taking in the bigger meals with 2 credits) and still couldn't get it to make sense....but YAY on getting lots & lots of sit down (TS) meals!!!! :yay:

Yippee for December trips!! :cheer2:

debrapagliasotti · Jan 24, 2012

DizNee Luver said:
......but a GOOD vicious cycle!!!! That means there's always a Disney trip on the horizon!!!

If you have big eaters....then it makes total sense to go with the deluxe. I did map it out (taking in the bigger meals with 2 credits) and still couldn't get it to make sense....but YAY on getting lots & lots of sit down (TS) meals!!!!

Yippee for December trips!!

Definately a GOOD vicious cycle...I totally agree!!

My only concern with all the TS meals is that it will be taking up precious park time, but at the same time, I know the little boys will need the down time every few hrs too.

I'll post my list of hopeful restraunts in the next couple days.

debrapagliasotti · Jan 24, 2012

330 days to go until we are relaxing at Boardwalk :santa:

Still a long time to go, but considering we booked at 499 days (well, techincally we were able to at 501 days), I feel that getting to the 300's was a huge feat in itself...and knowing we are just a month away from dropping into the 200's...yea!

DizNee Luver · Jan 24, 2012

debrapagliasotti said:
Definately a GOOD vicious cycle...I totally agree!!

My only concern with all the TS meals is that it will be taking up precious park time, but at the same time, I know the little boys will need the down time every few hrs too.

I'll post my list of hopeful restraunts in the next couple days.

debrapagliasotti said:
330 days to go until we are relaxing at Boardwalk

Still a long time to go, but considering we booked at 499 days (well, techincally we were able to at 501 days), I feel that getting to the 300's was a huge feat in itself...and knowing we are just a month away from dropping into the 200's...yea!

I'm looking forward to seeing what places you're looking at doing!! Does your family enjoy the character meals or dinner shows? To me, those are part of the park experience.....even some of the restaurants in the parks would be fun & entertaining!!

OH BOY, if you're dropping into the 200's in a month....that must mean, I will be too!!!! :cheer2:

YAY for the 200's!!!!! :cheer2:

debrapagliasotti · Jan 25, 2012

DizNee Luver said:
I'm looking forward to seeing what places you're looking at doing!! Does your family enjoy the character meals or dinner shows? To me, those are part of the park experience.....even some of the restaurants in the parks would be fun & entertaining!!

OH BOY, if you're dropping into the 200's in a month....that must mean, I will be too!!!! YAY for the 200's!!!!!

We do love our character meals :cool1:

Its a fun way to see the characters without having to wait in line. PLUS, the kids stay occupied while waiting for the characters to come around while eating, as opposed to just standing still. We are definate character meal people. We do still wait in some character lines, just not as many. We will still want to get some pics w/ characters in Christmas :santa:

gear...and of course Santa. I will try and get the list up later today. We have some new places picked out and some requested repeats from 2008.

As far as the dinner shows, we have done Spirit of Aloha, but thats it. I would love to do Mickey's Backyard BBQ sometime and I hear lots of great stuff about HDDR. The dinner shows are definately fun.

Yea for making the last stretch into the 200's!! I have a countdown on my phone that I downloaded that tells me how many more days I have. I look at it everyday :lmao:

sunnysideup3 · Jan 25, 2012

YAY, I'm subbing in. We'll be there Nov 30-Dec 8th. I love that time of year!!

debrapagliasotti · Jan 25, 2012

sunnysideup3 said:
YAY, I'm subbing in. We'll be there Nov 30-Dec 8th. I love that time of year!!

Welcome & hello!!

So glad to have you following along. I am beyond excited to see WDW at Christmas. All the pics I have seen of the decorations just look amazing. Reading other TR's from people who were there during the holidays has just made me so much more excited.

Where are you staying for your trip?

DizNee Luver · Jan 25, 2012

debrapagliasotti said:
We do love our character meals Its a fun way to see the characters without having to wait in line. PLUS, the kids stay occupied while waiting for the characters to come around while eating, as opposed to just standing still. We are definate character meal people. We do still wait in some character lines, just not as many. We will still want to get some pics w/ characters in Christmas gear...and of course Santa. I will try and get the list up later today. We have some new places picked out and some requested repeats from 2008.

As far as the dinner shows, we have done Spirit of Aloha, but thats it. I would love to do Mickey's Backyard BBQ sometime and I hear lots of great stuff about HDDR. The dinner shows are definately fun.

Yea for making the last stretch into the 200's!! I have a countdown on my phone that I downloaded that tells me how many more days I have. I look at it everyday

I feel the same way you do about the character meals.......we'll hit some of the lines as well.....but we don't feel like we have to since we'll see such a great assortment at the meals. I love seeing the holiday dressed characters!!! :santa:

We looked at doing the Spirit of Aloha, but decided since we've done a luau in Hawaii.....we could pass on that here. I think if we had more days, we'd try to take in some of the dinner shows. I wanted to check out the camping/cabins area (forgot the name) but we can't do everything.

Oh, I forgot about my phone countdown ap.....will have to go update that on!! :yay:

debrapagliasotti · Jan 25, 2012

DizNee Luver said:
I feel the same way you do about the character meals.......we'll hit some of the lines as well.....but we don't feel like we have to since we'll see such a great assortment at the meals. I love seeing the holiday dressed characters!!!

We looked at doing the Spirit of Aloha, but decided since we've done a luau in Hawaii.....we could pass on that here. I think if we had more days, we'd try to take in some of the dinner shows. I wanted to check out the camping/cabins area (forgot the name) but we can't do everything.

Oh, I forgot about my phone countdown ap.....will have to go update that on!!

We have never been to Hawaii, but I cant imagine the Spirit of Aloha show being anything close to the real thing. I think my kids reason to go back is for the chocolate lava cake...and the fire-twirler-guy.

I have heard that Ft Wilderness is awesome during the holidays. They even have a horse drawn sleigh ride during the holiday season, looks so fun. We wont have time to check out the area either, but maybe one day.

debrapagliasotti · Jan 25, 2012

As promised, here is the list of our hopeful dining spots. This list has changed several times over the last few months, but I think its pretty much set (as long as I can get all the ADR's in June!!)

Arrival day - Dinner @ T-Rex

HS - Bkfst H&V
Lunch Sci Fi
Dinner 50's PT

MK - Bkfst CP
Lunch LTT
Dinner 1900 PF

AK - Bkfst Cape May
Lunch Tusker House
Dinner Whispering Canyon

MK - Bkfst CRT
Lunch Tonys (REALLY not sure on this one :confused3

)
Dinner Ohana

Epcot - Bkfst Akershus
Lunch Coral Reef
Dinner Garden Grill (CP Pkg)

AK - Bkfst Tusker House
Lunch Yak & Yeti
Dinner Spirit of Aloha

Departure day - Bkfst Club Level
Lunch Big River Grille

So, thats what we are hoping for. I really need to pick out some alternate places just in case we cant get everything we want. Kona or Boma are other choices for bkfst. Via Napoli would also be fine for lunch or dinner. Beyond that :confused3

. Mid June needs to hurry up and get here so I can focus on something else :rotfl:

DizNee Luver · Jan 26, 2012

Looks fabulous!!! I guess I should have alternates figured out as well. When you book online.....do you do each meal separately?? I guess what I'm asking is......if I book a couple of my meals & get them & then one I wanted won't work for the day we were looking at, but I could get it at a time I have another meal booked....will I be able to make those changes easily or does it really screw things up?? (I'm very new to this....usually I call Disney Dining....lol)

Big difference between DL & WDW......you call Disney Dining at 60 days out & can only book for that day....I have to call them 60 days out for each day of the trip. So I like the idea of going on and booking online for the entire trip at once!!! Just need a little guidance on what to do if I can't get something & if changes can be made to ressies I did confirm.

newtexan · Jan 26, 2012

Great list. We are hoping for T-Rex on arrival night too.

debrapagliasotti · Jan 26, 2012

DizNee Luver said:
Looks fabulous!!! I guess I should have alternates figured out as well. When you book online.....do you do each meal separately?? I guess what I'm asking is......if I book a couple of my meals & get them & then one I wanted won't work for the day we were looking at, but I could get it at a time I have another meal booked....will I be able to make those changes easily or does it really screw things up?? (I'm very new to this....usually I call Disney Dining....lol)

Big difference between DL & WDW......you call Disney Dining at 60 days out & can only book for that day....I have to call them 60 days out for each day of the trip. So I like the idea of going on and booking online for the entire trip at once!!! Just need a little guidance on what to do if I can't get something & if changes can be made to ressies I did confirm.

You do book everything separate. As far as your other question about conflicts...not 100% sure on that one. Last time we went in 2008, you had to call Disney Dining and werent able to do anything online. We could probably find out on one of the Dining type forums.

That is a huge difference with DL dining. Having to call for each day?? What a pain!!

One more thing, the Dining website will allow you to start booking at 6am EST for your 180+10, whereas if you call, you have to wait until 7am EST. Didnt know if you knew about that or not :thumbsup2

Also, I have read that you need to clear your cookies from your computer before booking any ADR's, otherwise you may have problems.

newtexan said:
Great list. We are hoping for T-Rex on arrival night too.

My oldest thinks it sounds fun and since we could possibly have 3 Princess meals, we had to give him a few picks too. His picks were T Rex, Coral Reef and Sci Fi :thumbsup2

debrapagliasotti · Jan 26, 2012

This PTR is about our Dec trip :santa:

, BUT we do have another trip booked for this year as well.

A few details about that trip...Oct 17-20 (yep, just 3 nights), staying at...

THE CONTEMPORARY!!! I have always wanted to stay here because its just such a Disney icon. Evan will still be 2 when this trip rolls around, so we were able to book here because we were a family of 5 with an infant (I :love:

Disney logic when it benefits me). We are booked in a theme park view room.

We are headed to WDW for just a few days over the kids Fall break to take them to MNSSHP :hmghost:

and for us to enjoy a day at F&W.

The BEST part of the trip...THE KIDS KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS TRIP AT ALL!!! We are pulling them out of school for Wednesday and flying out early in the morning (fingers crossed). We wont tell the kids about the trip until we arrive in Olrando (hopefully making it all the way to ME counter). I want to keep the hotel a secret as long as possible. I cant wait to see their faces when they walk out on the balcony and see the castle. At that point we will also tell them about MNSSHP. We are still debating between 1 MNSSHP or 2. We will make that decision in a few months when tickets go on sale.

For that trip we are doing the regular dining plan. Not many ADR's to book for that one since its such a short trip. Our ADR date is in mid April. We are hoping for the following...

Arrival night - Ohana dinner
MK day - bkfst Chef Mickey
Epcot day - possible late lunch Via Napoli (OOP)
Departure day - bkfst Kona

If you are interested in hearing more about this trip, click HERE

Dear Santa, I'd like a double-deluxe Disney Xmas!! Dec'12 PTR! Upd 1/20 TR & DR links

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Luver of all things Disney!

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Luver of all things Disney!

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Luver of all things Disney!

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Luver of all things Disney!

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Luver of all things Disney!

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Share this page