Working the System - A NYE PTR - Link to TR is up! 1/13

[eandesmom]

Love the BFP overview!! I am going to have to pay close attention to your PTR. Lots of learning opportunities. The FP+, the magic bands, the transfer and the car... I need to learn more about all of these. Sounds like you are all going to have the BEST time!!!

I have lots of learning opportunities here too! We've done the transfer and car before but the Universal/Mears transfer will be new as are the whole MagicBands, FP+ and the holiday crowds/NYE!

The plan looks great; just wondering, how are you doing breakfasts/lunches the first couple of days before the grocery delivery?

Good question! I could get a delivery earlier but the service I like to use is on vacation until the 31st and I'd rather use her and don't really need that much before then. On the 29th, we have a breakfast ADR and an early dinner so figure snacks/counter service over at MK for lunch as needed. For the 30th, I actually plan to pack cereal, oatmeal and coffee so we will just buy some milk at the resort for breakfast. We will pack some other things as well, probably at least one bottle of wine and rum lol. I'm packing the PB&J but not the bread and not everyone will want that so....most likely lunch will need to be CS. It may come down to room. Theoretically I could pack chips and bread, tuna and mayo and maybe get by but the idea of packing lunch meat...probably not going there! Never know though. We plan to check 2 bags and carry on 2-3 so may bring an extra large one and bring more food that way.

On the 31st we will still have the breakfast items that we brought and lunch....with the crowds I am not sure. Our delivery will not be until around 3pm so we will have to figure out something for lunch that day as well. While I could probably save some $$ those first 2 days with lunches delivered...knowing the gang it might be very hard that early in the trip to get them back to the resort for lunch so I figured I'd be ok. If crowds allow (i.e. no closures) we would be able to do an afternoon snack/drink on the 31st before heading into Epcot. Our ADR isn't until 8, first FP+ at 4 so I am hoping we can do an afternoon break/breather from the crowds at the resort

We love bluezoo, I was actually surprised to see we could make reservations directly through MDE, so that's already set up (usually we just call the restaurant the day of for a ressie).

I was surprised to see that as well. I love it too, no one else has been and the rest of the gang liked the menu better than flying fish. For 7, and on the weekend, reservations seemed wise.

I'm liking this MDE so far, because we are never in a park long enough to get 3 FP's (spoiled by APs)!! Though, DH had to start over with all our FP+s yesterday - we had made some through me and some through him, and despite the fact that we're all linked, under my name it didn't show 4 people for the ones that DH had set up for all of us.... Seems to me it shouldn't matter, if all in the party are linked?

UGH. The phantom second person...that has happened to us and I've had to call to get it fixed. No, it shouldn't matter but sometimes it does. I've had that issue with one ADR that is under his name. Sometimes it shows on my plans, sometimes not. It is there though. Right now only 9 out of the 11 of us are linked and only 6 have tickets in there so I am sure I will be calling to fix one or more at some point. So far I've called three times. 1st to get rid of a double me, 2nd to get rid of 2 versions of my sister Melissa and 3rd to get my other sister and BIL to show up correctly with their options. I do figure it's easier to do as much now and hopefully have less issues once there.

 

[IheartDDuck]

The BFP sounds pretty good so far. It's certainly one of my favorite parts of any trip. I normally have my BFP in the works for months.

I've heard that NYE in Epcot can be crazy, so be prepared for being shoulder to shoulder with a log of new friends. We did NYE in DHS and it wasn't so bad when we went a few years ago. But you'll certainly make a lot of new acquaintances with the crowd level. It's so fun!

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Not a lot of time right now to do a lot of posting, but I wanted to sub in so I can at least follow along on my phone app.

Your BFP looks really good and exactly like something I might do during a trip around New Years, especially leading up to the big day!

I know you are going to have a great time and meet up with a lot of wonderful people! Glad all the plans are coming together.

 

[rentayenta]

You are so organized and your BFP looks awesome! Can't wait to read about the girls' tea. I'd love to do something like that. Will you be able to tour the new VGF while you're there?

 

[emmysmommy]

Cynthia seriously how hard is it to create your plans for everyone? You do an awesome job! The girls GF tea has become a favorite of ours.

So you will be ringing in the NY at Epcot. I've heard that MK is a zoo but I'm not sure about Epcot. Actually now that I think about it, it's likely to be crazy anywhere on NYE.

Looks like you'll have Amy Grant for the CP?? We'll have Whoopi Goldberg for our first CP and then Dennis Haysbert who I had no idea who he was until I booked the dinner and the CM told me.

Again, awesome plans so far. I know you have more to plan before you leave.

BTW, the guys with kilts and their lederhosen were awesome!

 

[franandaj]

I don't know if it's the weekend I just had, the amount of wine or just your plans, but my head is still spinning from how everything is supposed to fit together. I will just follow along and enjoy, and not worry and let you do all that!

Our band weekend trip worked out great, but not without some humps. I think I'll talk about that in my TR since no one here really cares about it! In hindsight they were funny moments!

Your plans look GREAT, but I'm not sure how you keep all these folks together! I'd be OK for maybe a day or two, but after that I'd be pulling my hair out!

 

[teekathepony]

Your plans look great so far! It must be mind boggling to keep track of everyone and make plans that suit the whole group. Looks like you are well organized though! And it looks like such a fun trip all together!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[afwdwfan]

The BFP looks good. I do like the idea of using the FP+ in the evening. No point wasting them for the morning time when you might be able to beat some of the crowd to the lines.

And while the last day is always a little bittersweet, I think you're choosing an excellent meal to end the trip with.

 

[Chilly]

Still very jealous of your trip, I know I'll make it back at Christmas one day but probably not for a long time.

 

[eandesmom]

The BFP sounds pretty good so far. It's certainly one of my favorite parts of any trip. I normally have my BFP in the works for months.

180 days at least, right? Although now with the CC hold on EVERY ADR I don't know, not that it's a big deal but it is a lot more data to enter that early.

I've heard that NYE in Epcot can be crazy, so be prepared for being shoulder to shoulder with a log of new friends. We did NYE in DHS and it wasn't so bad when we went a few years ago. But you'll certainly make a lot of new acquaintances with the crowd level. It's so fun!

I have heard the same and we are prepared. I have heard MK is worse which is part of why we are at Epcot but also the fact that we can walk home is pretty key. We are also prepared to bail to DHS if we need to or even our villa as we should be able to see fireworks from our balcony. Some may bail, others may not, it will all be good.

Not a lot of time right now to do a lot of posting, but I wanted to sub in so I can at least follow along on my phone app.

! It's hard to find time for posting, I am forever behind. Phone is great for keeping up a bit, not so great for more than a one line response (for me at any rate). But the app helps a lot.

Your BFP looks really good and exactly like something I might do during a trip around New Years, especially leading up to the big day!

Thanks! I think it's a decent outline, we will see how close we stick to it

I know you are going to have a great time and meet up with a lot of wonderful people! Glad all the plans are coming together.

Yes, it will be a wonderful trip and likely full of many DISmeets!

You are so organized and your BFP looks awesome! Can't wait to read about the girls' tea. I'd love to do something like that. Will you be able to tour the new VGF while you're there?

I did the girls tea with Kendall and my MIL, we had an absolute blast and I can't wait to do it with my mom and sisters. I doubt I will tour the VGF, I don't know if there is actually a model at GF or if you have to go to SSR to see it. I might peek at it at SSR but given how unbelievably anti VGF Jeff is, I am not sure it's worth the time. I will stay there at some point, either solo or on a girls trip so I know I will get to see it one of these days.

Cynthia seriously how hard is it to create your plans for everyone? You do an awesome job! The girls GF tea has become a favorite of ours.

Thanks Brenda. 11 isn't much different than 6 or 8 other than maybe ADR challenges. I am really looking forward to the tea, Kendall, my MIL and I had an absolute blast at it in 2010, some very special memories (despite K not liking tea lol!).

So you will be ringing in the NY at Epcot. I've heard that MK is a zoo but I'm not sure about Epcot. Actually now that I think about it, it's likely to be crazy anywhere on NYE.

Yes, it will be ugly anywhere. What I have heard is MK is the worst, then Epcot, then DHS. Epcot is a little better suited to absorb the crowds. Epcot makes sense staying at the Boardwalk. If we need to, we will bail to DHS or even our balcony as we do have boardwalk view so may have decent viewing. May not, the views are varied so fingers crossed!

Hmnnn...that makes me think that maybe I should add a bottle of bubbly to the order in case we do end up back on our own balcony...

Looks like you'll have Amy Grant for the CP?? We'll have Whoopi Goldberg for our first CP and then Dennis Haysbert who I had no idea who he was until I booked the dinner and the CM told me.

I LOVE his voice, that will be wonderful. Yes, Amy Grant! I am BEYOND excited for this. I was a a huge HUGE fan as a teen, still am. The actual CP package will just be a "mom and me" thing which will be incredibly special for both of us. Very excited about this.

Again, awesome plans so far. I know you have more to plan before you leave.

BTW, the guys with kilts and their lederhosen were awesome!

Thanks! Yes, I was tweaking some ideas and FP+ yesterday, am sure there will be more. I also need to figure out shirts for the group, I am behind on that.

I don't know if it's the weekend I just had, the amount of wine or just your plans, but my head is still spinning from how everything is supposed to fit together. I will just follow along and enjoy, and not worry and let you do all that!

Oh we may or may not stick to much of this other than the ADR's. What I have learned about my crew is this...they do not do well without an outline at least. If it is completely open they all look at each other like they have 3 heads...I dunno, what do you want to do? I don't know, what do you want to do?

Our band weekend trip worked out great, but not without some humps. I think I'll talk about that in my TR since no one here really cares about it! In hindsight they were funny moments!

I care! I need to get over there and get caught up. We were THIS close to buying our band trip tickets last week as there are some killer flight prices out right now. However, we haven't been "officially" accepted by Disney. While no one can seem to imagine that we won't, given that it could be another 3-5 weeks before we officially know, we aren't sure we want to take the risk. I do think, now that my parents have decided they want to go on the band trip too, that we are going to just suck it up and go down Saturday and figure out Easter there. My folks will head back Wednesday, the boys and I on Thursday so somewhere in there we must meet . Jeff is still a tentative at best and I keep trying to decide if I should suck it up and upgrade to a 1b (still avail as of a week ago) so my folks could stay with us, or leave it alone. I really don't want to spend the extra points, and don't have enough for all the nights but...

Your plans look GREAT, but I'm not sure how you keep all these folks together! I'd be OK for maybe a day or two, but after that I'd be pulling my hair out!

Oh we won't be together all the time. We will eat dinner together, do FP+ together in some cases but I am quite positive there will be a bunch of splitting off and meeting back up. Which is fine. We have done it that way before and it worked out well, I am hoping for the same this trip. It's a bit different in that the kids will have potentially way more freedom but we will be playing that one by ear. The weather will be a factor too, pool breaks may or may not happen, that kind of thing.

Splitting up will keep all of us sane.

 

[KatMark]

Cynthia, playing catch up again (we were gone visiting the kids all weekend and I haven't even done an update or done replies on my TR yet).

I don't know how you do it. You are definitely SUPERWOMAN in my book. To book all those plans for all those people.

The plans sound great.

 

[dizneeat]

Okay, one question ........


How do you keep track of all the family members and your reservations. My head spins just reading about it.

Love your plans so far.

 

[eandesmom]

Your plans look great so far! It must be mind boggling to keep track of everyone and make plans that suit the whole group. Looks like you are well organized though! And it looks like such a fun trip all together!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I guess because I come from a large family, and years of big trips that my mom coordinated that it really doesn't seem like that big of a deal. It's just adding more people to what we'd already be doing.

Getting there on the organized side, I will be glad when the others have tickets and we have all booked the universal stuff.

The BFP looks good. I do like the idea of using the FP+ in the evening. No point wasting them for the morning time when you might be able to beat some of the crowd to the lines.

Exactly! Right now we have a combo of "late" morning, afternoon and evening ones.

And while the last day is always a little bittersweet, I think you're choosing an excellent meal to end the trip with.

I think so! The kids don't seem very excited but they've not been and as a result don't quite "get" it. I think they will love it.

Still very jealous of your trip, I know I'll make it back at Christmas one day but probably not for a long time.

It may be my only chance so I'm going to maximize as much as I can!

Cynthia, playing catch up again (we were gone visiting the kids all weekend and I haven't even done an update or done replies on my TR yet).

Aw, and you came here! We had an insanely busy weekend too. Then again we usually do...it's why I am perpetually behind everywhere!

I don't know how you do it. You are definitely SUPERWOMAN in my book. To book all those plans for all those people.

The plans sound great.

Well I am not booking ALL the plans. People booked their own flights, their own off site hotels, are getting their own tickets etc. I do use TripIt to track everything though and absolutely love it!

Okay, one question ........

How do you keep track of all the family members and your reservations. My head spins just reading about it.

TripIt! I put everything in there, it's a godsend

Love your plans so far.

Thanks! I noticed a few things that might need tweaking over the weekend but nothing major really yet.

 

[englishrose47]

Cynthia you are the master planner without a doubt!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Cynthia you are the master planner without a doubt!!!

I think Jeff has other words for it

 

[eandesmom]

Allrighty then! Let's get down to some of the nitty gritty here. Im going to do our day to day detail plans first and then we will get into fun things like SHOPPING. LOL

In my mind, day one really starts Saturday December 28. This is kind of a good and a bad thing.

Christmas is on Wednesday. Jeff, my sister Melissa and my parents (who are retired) will all have that entire week off.

I will not.

While I "could" take the days off...it is not how I like to use up my vacation time. Ideally I can work part of it from home but...they are cracking down on that. BLEH. So what that means is that packing really wont start till Friday night. With Christmas I just dont see it as being all that realistic that Ill get anything beyond laundry done the weekend prior and really, will still need to do some the day before.

Our first group, Melissa and her boys will take off on a Delta flight that leaves around 6pm. They will change planes in Salt Lake City around midnight and land at 6:10 am. The will likely not check any bags. My folks, Jeff and I and the E's are on an Alaska 9:45pm flight that lands at 6:15am. Thanks to all that fall work travel I finally got status back on Alaska so will be 2 free bags! YAY! We will check 2 for us and then carry on 2-3 depending on how much groceries I pack. My parents will also check a couple. I will drug Evan and Jeff with melatonin for the flight, it doesn't do anything for Eric and I so we will just try to sleep without it. Eric is my problem child in this area but I can always hope. I did at least get a window seat for myself...which increases my odds and Jeff is in a different row behind us (3 to a row) so that increases his. My parents, likely deliberately lol, have seats at the very back of the plane whereas we are near the front.

All checked bags will be headed straight to our resort. How?

Working the System Part 1.
With my nephew Isaac unable to join us it occurred to me that "technically" my villa can hold 9. While my parents are actually staying at the Swan, they are also listed on my BWV reservation. Why? I've got 3 reasons!

Disneys Magical Express. This saves them dealing with a mears shuttle or cab both hassle and expense. It also lets them skip baggage claim (or clam as Eric called it back in 2009 and weve never let him live it down).

Magic Bands. They will get MagicBands that are good for the BWV dates. This is key as it

• Will let them go back to the villa on their own for a rest if they prefer a living room to their hotel room at the swan (or an adult beverage on the balcony
• Allows them to participate in FP+ which, during the holidays I do think we want!
• Hopefully helps to link photos etc for our photopass

Thanks to this, all of us can skip baggage clam and go straight to DME.
After we stop at 1) The restroom and 2) Starbucks! We have our rituals. Mel and the boys may be in a different terminal but either way we will meet at DME and I guess&test out those bands for the first time.
Which by the way&as some of you may already know...

I am allergic to.

Yes, I have confirmed to the extent that Disney is willing to release their "patented and confidential" material compositions that both the MagicBand and the CoverBands that they sell to make them more comfy if the bands irritate your skin include stuff I am allergic to.

Of course they do.

The band, among other things, includes "hospital grade rubber" (does anyone remember my snorkeling rubber stories?) and the cover, neoprene.
I have also confirmed that the expectation for EMH and for FP+ is that you WILL have your band with you. So while I am told that I can get all the functionality on my KTTW card it is strongly suggested that I have a band with me, even if it is in a plastic baggie. A lovely person from a FB group I am part of has made me a cover and is sending it to me. SO sweet and will make life easier I think. I am crafty. I could make one. But, the time, effort and cost to go get the materials and then make it...UGH. Even though it does sound super easy.

As of today I have customized all our bands and linked 6 of the 9 tickets for those in our villa. Or at least those who show as staying in our villa. We have read that the Swan/Dolphin will get "in park" use of FP+ upon arrival, it will be interesting to see how that works. My guess is we won't test it till Kerri and Eric arrive on the 30th since they won't have MagicBands.
So by 6:15 assuming no delays we all head to DME and head to the Boardwalk! Where we will

1. Check in
2. Leave carryons with Bell Services
3. Walk next door to the Yacht Club and have breakfast at the Captains Grille
4. Walk to IG guest services so I can get a TIW card and pick up my PAP

This will all be done, not necessary in that order, it will depend on timing. I've taken a little bit of heat for my 8am breakfast reservation, plenty of folks seem to think I am insane and we will never make it there in time. To that I say...

We might not. CG is not exactly slammed with folks waiting for breakfast, at least not as a general rule. I can't imagine that late will really be an issue. If it is, it is. It is a non CC reservation made before the 31st and we can always walk in at Kouzzina if for some bizarre holiday crowd reason there is really an issue getting in. That said...

This is my 3rd red eye. There is virtually NO ONE on the DME quite that early. We've never had to wait long. In fact, twice, we've had the bus to ourselves and it hasn't waited. 2 trips ago we were an hour early for our breakfast ressie as a result. LOL!

If we are cutting it close we will dump bags, go have breakfast and then go back and check in (or Ill run over once we've been seated). Important thing is to get red eye travelers into something pleasant asap. I will also need to run over to the IG to get my TIW card and PAP. If possible Ill do it before/during breakfast. If not I will stop back later to get a credit/have the bill adjusted.

By the time all of this is done I am estimating it will be about 9:30. Which yes, is only an hour and a half for breakfast but if everyone does the buffet it could even be faster than that. With a no character breakfast at a less than slammed restaurant, I just can't see it taking longer than that. Which is good as we have places to be!

We are headed here

We will HAVE to stop and get at least one photo. Or at least I'm sure going to try! I ordered the PhotoPass+ over the weekend and am coordinating a share.

We will then have our very first FP+ ever, here







Our FP+ time is 10-11. I don't expect us to make it there until about 10:30. If it seems at breakfast that it just won't work, we will adjust accordingly with our app! Still, I cannot imagine that with breakfast at 8, we can't make it here by the 11am window cut off. I am hoping for 10:30 though as we are then headed here













It's a first day tradition! Eric and Kolby have 11:30 appointments, Evan at noon. LOVE that you can do appointments now! Per Evan, here will be a pre and post barber shop shot!

Like this




Our next FP+ window is 12-1 so there is a little buffer if they are running late but I really hope not. Id have preferred FP on the half hour but...that isn't what was offered. The kids will NOT be getting any glitter or gel as they are headed here:



The adults...

Here

This could change, the kids want to see this too but right now have elected for FP+ for Splash. On day 1, in December, prior to being in our room, after a red eye..yeah, I dont feel like getting wet.

Depending on timing and moods, a snack or counter lunch may be in order after this. We have an early dinner but breakfast was a long time ago.

Our last FP+ at 2-3pm will be



I know someone else who has this FP+ time so it could be my first DISmeet if this agenda "sticks" for us and this DISer.

After that we will head over to either Boardwalk by bus, if the room is ready and get our bags sent up or straight to Epcot by monorail.



I am hoping even if our villa isn't ready, my folks room at the Swan is, my dad will be ready for a nap! If our villa is ready... I will unpack. I always feel better once unpacked. If time, a shower may be in order but I don't really expect there will be.

The rest of the adults may well be ready to go straight here



Either way, we will all end up here

We have 2 reservations. One for 2 people at 5:05 for the Candlelight Processional Package and one for 5:15 for non Candelight for 8 people. It is supposedly noted in our reservation that these are linked and we'd liked to be seated together. The 8 people will really be only 7. Question is...do I call and 1) change it to 7 and then 2) check on the links or&leave well enough alone? I know some of you (Ellen) have done this split thing before, how did it work for you? This is a new restaurant for all of us and we are all very excited for it.

My mom and I are doing CP. While the others would enjoy it, it is not a big enough deal for it to be worth the $$ for the package. If they want to, they can enjoy from outside. Dad will definitely be ready to head to bed after dinner. The rest we will unleash on Epcot to do what they will or, whatever. Jeff and my sister Melissa will be in charge of that decision. They may want pool time or who knows. Mom and I will go to the 8:15 show.

Our narrator is Amy Grant. I am beyond excited for this. I was a HUGE fan as a teen and still am. I am a bit of a Christmas music junkie (have over 60 hours of xmas music on my iphone lol) and of all of that, her 1983 "A Christmas Album" is still one of my most beloved and played to death.
Ideally mom and I will be able to stay up and see Illuminations from our special package viewing area and everyone else will let us know what they are up to. Im sure they will be seeing if FP works with cards and the like among other things. Or just doing Test Track single rider over and over and over! I also hope to see a storyteller or two, maybe have a glass of some sort of Christmas Cheer while strolling around.

We will see how long/late everyone lasts. Though it will be starting to get late FL time and we may not have had much sleep, we will still be sort of on west coast time. It is a commando day...which honestly helps. A lot. So, really, will the 4 teen energy/excitement feeding off of each other. Historically the wall will hit between 10-11, we will see if that holds true.

The gang's all here. Do we set them free?

 

[Poolrat]

Quite a full day. I think you will be fine time wise but will Guest relations be open before 8 am when the park opens at 9?
I linked my band and in my excitement forgot to go to GS first and yes you need to activate your PAP pass first.

I hope you make it all day and keep to your timeline.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Wow that is one intense first day following the redeye!!! I don't know whether to or

Breakfast, haircuts, rides, DISmeets right off the bat, two parks, more coordinated meals and closing your evening with the Candlelight Processional......you are really hitting the ground running! Hope everyone adjusts to the time change quickly and gets plenty of rest! Can't wait to see what you have in store for them come Day 2!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Just reading about your plans & logistics make my head spin! I can't imagine doing all of that for vacation. Did some major planning for a trip to Montana that dealt with two separate airport drops & pickups along the way. That was nothing compared to your plans!

 

[Millie12591]

Such a great introduction and plan list!

Your family looks like they are a lot of fun.