***1st Week of December Thread ADR Plans, Park Hours, and dealing with Pop Warner***

[pigletgirl]

Now I'm rethinking our day for 11/30. We currently have an ADR for Rose and Crown at 12:45. I did this so we could sleep in from our late night from traveling and not pushing ourselves the next day. DH also wanted to eat at Raglan Road that night. To me, both places serve similar types of food. Also, because we're staying at the BCV, I'd like to stay in the Epcot/HS area. Long story short, I'm thinking of dropping our RR ADR.

With CP going on, does FW tend to have shorter wait times? If Disney announces SW fireworks for that time, we could hop to HS and eat there (though their QS places aren't that good). We already have an ADR for Cape May. Has anyone eaten at Trattoria Al Forno?

Help a girl out!

 

[SilSprBea]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1541574469481002/

Thank you! The link came through and I clicked it to join. Now I'm just waiting for them to approve me

Actually, it was for November. Is there a December group?

 

[Candycane83]

Just wanted to share, for anyone going to Universal, looks like there's several reviews (video on Dis Unplugged and someone else mentioned TheTimTracker on youtube) on Toothsome Chocolate Factory now! Looks amazing and quite unique I think... Thinking now of going here 2x if I can swing it!

 

[Mal6586]

Just wanted to share, for anyone going to Universal, looks like there's several reviews (video on Dis Unplugged and someone else mentioned TheTimTracker on youtube) on Toothsome Chocolate Factory now! Looks amazing and quite unique I think... Thinking now of going here 2x if I can swing it!

Has anybody heard anything about whether they will take reservations at some point? I would LOVE to try this out, but we only have 1 Universal Day in our schedule, so I'd love to be able to lock it down!

 

[BDFmom]

Thank you! The link came through and I clicked it to join. Now I'm just waiting for them to approve me

Actually, it was for November. Is there a December group?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1541574469481002/

 

[pigletgirl]

Just wanted to share, for anyone going to Universal, looks like there's several reviews (video on Dis Unplugged and someone else mentioned TheTimTracker on youtube) on Toothsome Chocolate Factory now! Looks amazing and quite unique I think... Thinking now of going here 2x if I can swing it!

I CANNOT WAIT!!!

 

[Candycane83]

Has anybody heard anything about whether they will take reservations at some point? I would LOVE to try this out, but we only have 1 Universal Day in our schedule, so I'd love to be able to lock it down!

no news yet that I can see but I imagine it'll only take reservations around 1-2 months before like most UO restaurants

 

[SilSprBea]

Ok, I'm doing some serious second guessing of our plans. We're driving down to Florida starting on Thursday night (sleeping on the road Thursday). We are staying in Cocoa Beach Friday and Saturday night. On Saturday we are doing Kennedy Space Center because my husband really wants to, and we'd been planning to sneak in some beach time Sunday morning before driving to WDW Sunday afternoon for check in at POR. Sunday was never going to be a park day for us and we were going to start our parks on Monday at MK with RD in the morning, long break in the afternoon, and then back for dinner/fireworks in the evening. Sunday was originally going to be a quick service dinner and Disney Springs night, but I already ditched that idea for a Chef Mickey dinner Sunday night.

I had arranged a 5 day park pass, but thinking what if we skipped the beach on Sunday am (since it will be cold for swimming in December) and headed over to MK for a few hours Sunday afternoon? Since Monday is going to be a busy 9/10 crowd day, would it be better to do a few hours Sunday PM at MK, then Monday morning RD for a few hours at MK, long break at our hotel Monday afternoon, and then back to MK Monday night for dinner/fireworks? I don't know how my husband will feel about this, but the price difference between the 5 day and 6 day pass for our family of 4 is only $60 total. With this crazy new scheme of mine, we'd be in MK some on Sunday, some on Monday and most of the day on Friday. Ack is this too crazy? It would also throw a wrench in my son's nap schedule. Should I just stick to my original plans? I wonder if I just need to "let it go" and realize that my kids will be happy with a few hours of MK park time Monday and Friday.

Ack!

 

[Candycane83]

For me I would do the few hours of MK on Sunday afternoon, watch FoF and dinner at Chef Mickeys. More Mk time for the family seems like a good idea especially if you only have 2 days there. There seems to be so much more to do in MK for the younger kids compared to all the other parks. Plus if you RD and nap in between, might be better for your son? But... it really depends on your family and what you enjoy more. It may or may not be too cold to swim in December. I think the weather last year was really hot. Maybe you could talk to your DH and decide later on? You could always wait and see how the weather is before deciding?

 

[Candycane83]

Ok, so I did get a call for the Tony's MSEP reservation I have not cancelled yet... So they did say it is for special viewing for the FoF instead. But it was weird... So I said: this is the 3pm parade, right? She answered that I should check the schedule a little closer to the date because they did not have 'the exact time schedule' yet. I'm speculating now (pure guess on my part, of course) that they may move FoF and make it into an evening parade??!? Does that sound feasible?

 

[BDFmom]

Ok, I'm doing some serious second guessing of our plans. We're driving down to Florida starting on Thursday night (sleeping on the road Thursday). We are staying in Cocoa Beach Friday and Saturday night. On Saturday we are doing Kennedy Space Center because my husband really wants to, and we'd been planning to sneak in some beach time Sunday morning before driving to WDW Sunday afternoon for check in at POR. Sunday was never going to be a park day for us and we were going to start our parks on Monday at MK with RD in the morning, long break in the afternoon, and then back for dinner/fireworks in the evening. Sunday was originally going to be a quick service dinner and Disney Springs night, but I already ditched that idea for a Chef Mickey dinner Sunday night.

I had arranged a 5 day park pass, but thinking what if we skipped the beach on Sunday am (since it will be cold for swimming in December) and headed over to MK for a few hours Sunday afternoon? Since Monday is going to be a busy 9/10 crowd day, would it be better to do a few hours Sunday PM at MK, then Monday morning RD for a few hours at MK, long break at our hotel Monday afternoon, and then back to MK Monday night for dinner/fireworks? I don't know how my husband will feel about this, but the price difference between the 5 day and 6 day pass for our family of 4 is only $60 total. With this crazy new scheme of mine, we'd be in MK some on Sunday, some on Monday and most of the day on Friday. Ack is this too crazy? It would also throw a wrench in my son's nap schedule. Should I just stick to my original plans? I wonder if I just need to "let it go" and realize that my kids will be happy with a few hours of MK park time Monday and Friday.

Ack!

I don't think you can ever have enough time in MK. I'd say add time to go to MK on Sunday!

 

[Talby]

@SilSprBea Nope, not too crazy I don't think! I also think second guessing is part of the territory when in comes to planning. There are just so many options and so many ways of doing things. When it comes to Disney, my philosophy is you can't do everything but everything you can do will be great! So no matter which way you decide, your family is going to have an amazing vacation! I think I would want to know how intent your DH and kids are about going to the beach. Is there a chance you would regret not going to the beach (maybe a rare opportunity to see the ocean or something?) Is anyone's heart totally set on it? If everyone is mostly neutral, I don't think you can go wrong with more MK time! Like @Candycane83 said, there's so much to do for younger kids. I know when we left last time in 2013, I was wishing for just ONE more day!! But even if we had one more day, I'd probably still wish for one more, so take that part with a grain of salt! lol But I honestly don't there is is such a thing as too much MK time.

 

[SilSprBea]

Nope, not too crazy I don't think! I also think second guessing is part of the territory when in comes to planning. There are just so many options and so many ways of doing things. When it comes to Disney, my philosophy is you can't do everything but everything you can do will be great! So no matter which way you decide, your family is going to have an amazing vacation! I think I would want to know how intent your DH and kids are about going to the beach. Is there a chance you would regret not going to the beach (maybe a rare opportunity to see the ocean or something?) Is anyone's heart totally set on it? If everyone is mostly neutral, I don't think you can go wrong with more MK time! Like @Candycane83 said, there's so much to do for younger kids. I know when we left last time in 2013, I was wishing for just ONE more day!! But even if we had one more day, I'd probably still wish for one more, so take that part with a grain of salt! lol But I honestly don't there is is such a thing as too much MK time.

These thoughts are so helpful, thank you all! We go to the beach a lot (we were at the beach in NC for a week in July and we'll be at the beach on the Oregon coast in September for another five days) so it's for sure not a rare opportunity. The Cocoa Beach addition was actually my idea since we're driving down and had the vacation time and I had some Hilton rewards points to use, and I knew my husband wanted to see the KSC. We'd still "see" the beach since we have two nights at a Cocoa beach ocean front hotel with an ocean view, they just might not get to swim in the beach/play in the sand if we head to Orlando a little earlier on Sunday. And who knows, depending on how much time we spend at KSC on Saturday, they may get to play on the beach Saturday afternoon too. I don't foresee that my kids (3 and 5) will object to an extra day in the MK, but my DH might

 

[rasadkowski]

Sorry everyone! I know I ask a ton of questions... But I was wondering about park hoppers. We don't have them right now, but I'm thinking of adding it . Can I ask for your opinions? We have 4 and 6 year old girls, and I was concerned that park hopping would be too much for them. Any experience wth this? Anyone regret not doing it?

 

[rasadkowski]

I think this is my third question today.... I'm sure there will be more. Which CRT meal did people make reservations for if dining there? Anyone recommend breakfast versus dinner? Sorry! I know there are threads on this, but I really value everyonEs opinion here! Thanks

 

[Lisa F]

Ok, I'm doing some serious second guessing of our plans. We're driving down to Florida starting on Thursday night (sleeping on the road Thursday). We are staying in Cocoa Beach Friday and Saturday night. On Saturday we are doing Kennedy Space Center because my husband really wants to, and we'd been planning to sneak in some beach time Sunday morning before driving to WDW Sunday afternoon for check in at POR. Sunday was never going to be a park day for us and we were going to start our parks on Monday at MK with RD in the morning, long break in the afternoon, and then back for dinner/fireworks in the evening. Sunday was originally going to be a quick service dinner and Disney Springs night, but I already ditched that idea for a Chef Mickey dinner Sunday night.

I had arranged a 5 day park pass, but thinking what if we skipped the beach on Sunday am (since it will be cold for swimming in December) and headed over to MK for a few hours Sunday afternoon? Since Monday is going to be a busy 9/10 crowd day, would it be better to do a few hours Sunday PM at MK, then Monday morning RD for a few hours at MK, long break at our hotel Monday afternoon, and then back to MK Monday night for dinner/fireworks? I don't know how my husband will feel about this, but the price difference between the 5 day and 6 day pass for our family of 4 is only $60 total. With this crazy new scheme of mine, we'd be in MK some on Sunday, some on Monday and most of the day on Friday. Ack is this too crazy? It would also throw a wrench in my son's nap schedule. Should I just stick to my original plans? I wonder if I just need to "let it go" and realize that my kids will be happy with a few hours of MK park time Monday and Friday.

Ack!

it is not crazy at all. In fact it sounds like a good idea to me. You are right that december is probably not beach weather - not just for water temps but the surf is a whole lot rougher that time of year too. You are also right that any non MVMCP day is going to be very crowded at MK as people want to get their money's worth out of the MK ticket. I think your plan to do two days at MK (with twice the FP+s too!) is a good one. But then I live near the beach so will never waste vacation days there. It doesn't seem to be a huge departure from what you already have.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Has anyone eaten at Trattoria Al Forno?

We have eaten at Trattoria al Forno a few times and we like it. We only eat there when we are staying at the BC or YC and often it is a last minute decision to eat there. It has a limited menu and they stopped serving my favorite shrimp dish, but the lasagna is good.

I had arranged a 5 day park pass, but thinking what if we skipped the beach on Sunday am (since it will be cold for swimming in December) and headed over to MK for a few hours Sunday afternoon? Since Monday is going to be a busy 9/10 crowd day, would it be better to do a few hours Sunday PM at MK, then Monday morning RD for a few hours at MK, long break at our hotel Monday afternoon, and then back to MK Monday night for dinner/fireworks? I don't know how my husband will feel about this, but the price difference between the 5 day and 6 day pass for our family of 4 is only $60 total. With this crazy new scheme of mine, we'd be in MK some on Sunday, some on Monday and most of the day on Friday. Ack is this too crazy? It would also throw a wrench in my son's nap schedule. Should I just stick to my original plans? I wonder if I just need to "let it go" and realize that my kids will be happy with a few hours of MK park time Monday and Friday.

MK should be a low crowd day on Sunday, since it is closed for a party that night. We plan to go to MK on Sunday for that reason. Monday night will be very crowded for the fireworks.

Sorry everyone! I know I ask a ton of questions... But I was wondering about park hoppers. We don't have them right now, but I'm thinking of adding it . Can I ask for your opinions? We have 4 and 6 year old girls, and I was concerned that park hopping would be too much for them. Any experience wth this? Anyone regret not doing it?

It all depends on what you want to do in each park and what resort you are staying at. If you are at a monorail resort or an Epcot resort, then park hoppers are great, in fact, almost necessary. If you are the type of family that likes to spend the day in the park and then return to the resort for the remainder of the evening, then no park hoppers. We like the park hoppers so that we can see fireworks or hop into a park after dinner. And we never spend more than a few hours at AK or DHS.

 

[Candycane83]

Sorry everyone! I know I ask a ton of questions... But I was wondering about park hoppers. We don't have them right now, but I'm thinking of adding it . Can I ask for your opinions? We have 4 and 6 year old girls, and I was concerned that park hopping would be too much for them. Any experience wth this? Anyone regret not doing it?

Hmm... for me, the way I look at it, there's pros and cons to both. Pros: if your kids still take afternoon naps or if you plan afternoon breaks then you could hop without getting tired. Another pro is if a park closes early, you could go hop to another park, I find this is true especially if DHS really closes by 7pm, you can hop to EPCOT pretty easily. I'm partial to park hopping Cons: travel time between parks and getting tired. It's a bit of travel time especially if you're going to rely on Disney transportation.

 

[TiggerManiac]

Souvenirs anyone? Do you have any traditional Disney souvenirs you buy?

Dated Christmas ornament, the big round glass ornament

Trading pin to remember something special about the trip

Refrigerator magnet: trying to collect one for each park and each hotel we've stayed at

Sometimes we get t-shirts or artwork or something else that strikes our fancy.

 

[Talby]

These thoughts are so helpful, thank you all! We go to the beach a lot (we were at the beach in NC for a week in July and we'll be at the beach on the Oregon coast in September for another five days) so it's for sure not a rare opportunity. The Cocoa Beach addition was actually my idea since we're driving down and had the vacation time and I had some Hilton rewards points to use, and I knew my husband wanted to see the KSC. We'd still "see" the beach since we have two nights at a Cocoa beach ocean front hotel with an ocean view, they just might not get to swim in the beach/play in the sand if we head to Orlando a little earlier on Sunday. And who knows, depending on how much time we spend at KSC on Saturday, they may get to play on the beach Saturday afternoon too. I don't foresee that my kids (3 and 5) will object to an extra day in the MK, but my DH might

Okay, so that makes me give you a great big thumbs up on your new scheme! So true, can't see any kids objecting to more MK time! Hopefully your DH will be on board as well!