Update: we're in BLT! DD announced today that she wants to go Dec 5th and 6th

[jennypenny]

Is that possible at this point? Her 14th birthday is that weekend. I understand why she wants to go--her friends are all fighting with each other and she doesn't want her party to turn into a snipefest.

I'm going to call when I get to work. I can't even imagine what airfare will cost at this late date.

UPDATE: You should always try! We got a MK view studio at BLT this past Sunday. It took many calls, but I always think calling is better than waitlist for last minute changes. Also, we were able to book flights using FF miles only a week out. And the discounted mileage rate was still available. And for a Fri-Sun flight. You never know until you try.

Now if the forcast would just improve a little. I don't want it to rain on the Christmas party Friday night!

[colonialtinker]

Sending some your way.

[jennypenny]

Thank you for the pixie dust, but alas, only Vero is available.

I'll ask her about Vero when she gets home, but I doubt she's take it.

I'll check CRO to see what's available there.

[dallastxcpa]

Originally Posted by jennypenny

Thank you for the pixie dust, but alas, only Vero is available.

I'll ask her about Vero when she gets home, but I doubt she's take it.

I'll check CRO to see what's available there.

I hope you find something through CRO and a great airfare. I understand drama. I have a 15yo girl, 13 yo girl, and a 12yo boy. Between them and their friends something is always going on.

[thesupersmartguy]

Best of luck getting something.

[DenLo]

If you can't get into WDW how about a trip to NYC to see a Disney show on broadway. http://disney.go.com/THEATRE/ There are a couple of shows running, The Lion King and Mary Poppins. Do some shopping and dining.

A nice family gathering (or just a mother-daughter weekend).

[DebbieB]

That's going to be rough, most of the resorts are soldout. Pop Warner arrives Dec 5 plus that's the parade taping. Disneyworld.com shows no availability for values, a pirate room at CBR, some deluxe rooms.

[jennypenny]

OK, there is nothing available through DVC for that weekend. There are a handful of rooms the following weekend, but we can't go that weekend.

I was able to snag a YC room with an AP discount so I went with that. Now I have to plan our trip. We've gone a zillion times, but never during the holidays. I have so many questions about that weekend--
What's the deal with the parade taping?
Is the Christmas party at MK worth attending?
How good is the birthday fastpass they give you in lieu of the free day?

So many questions, so little time! And I haven't even thought about dining. My DH doesn't understand my panic, but since most of my trips are booked 11 months out, and my dining 6 months out, it's really strange to book a trip 2 1/2 weeks out. He just doesn't get the uber-planner thing

[natt]

My advice would be find out what day is the taping is.
Unless it's extremely important for you to say you were there, plan on a different park that day! We stumbled upon it one year unknowingly and it was almost impossible to find a way to get OUT of the park with all the blocked off areas!

Just my opinion.. others may have awesome stories to tell on the subject

Originally Posted by jennypenny

How good is the birthday fastpass they give you in lieu of the free day?

WHAT'S THIS?? I had not heard about this (I thought it was a giftcard option) Woud this be for the entire group of the birthday person? My daughter will be celebrating her birthday on New Year's day, so that would be a pretty cool thing! Anyone know more about this?

[ead79]

Originally Posted by jennypenny

I was able to snag a YC room with an AP discount so I went with that. Now I have to plan our trip. We've gone a zillion times, but never during the holidays. I have so many questions about that weekend--
What's the deal with the parade taping?
Is the Christmas party at MK worth attending?
How good is the birthday fastpass they give you in lieu of the free day?

I have stayed at the YC a couple of times, and it's a really nice resort--I think y'all will enjoy it! Also, they do heat the pools, so your daughter might enjoy some time at Stormalong Bay even though it's December.

The parade taping happens at the Magic Kingdom, and it majorly clogs up Main Street. However, if you really want to go to MK that day, the lines on the attractions typically aren't too long (since so many people are standing on Main St. for the parade taping).

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is really a lot of fun--I would say to give it a try for sure if you've never done it before! They really deck the MK all out for the party, plus you can see the Christmas parade and the special Holiday Wishes.

The birthday Fastpass is a nice perk, but just so you know, you can also pick a Disney gift card instead of the free park day. It's for the amount of a one-day ticket, and it does have restrictions (can't use it on food, etc.).

[wdrl]

Originally Posted by jennypenny

How good is the birthday fastpass they give you in lieu of the free day?

When we were at WDW in June, we opted for the birthday fastpasses in lieu of the free day. Here is how it worked: You get a total of 6 fastpasses for each person in your group. The size of the group is limited to 6, if I remember correctly. The 6 fastpasses can be used for almost all the rides with restrictions: 3 can be used on major rides (like Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, Rock& Roller Coaster) and 3 on not-so major rides (like Voyage of the Little Mermaid). The Birthday Fastpasses are available at Guest Services at each park, and you must have the park pass of each group member with you when you obtain the Fastpasses. Also, the Fastpasses are good only at the park where you redeemed them,; you can't use some at HS and some at AK.


One good thing about the Birthday Fastpasses is that they are still good even when an attraction's regular Fastpass machines have been shut down. This happened to us at TSM at Hollywood Studios after lunch. All the fastpasses had been distributed, but there was a CM in the area who activated one of the machines and let us obtain our FPs for TSM.

[Good Ol Gal]

Originally Posted by jennypenny

How good is the birthday fastpass they give you in lieu of the free day?

FYI: I think you can also pick a gift card.

Your DD may want to do that and then she can buy herself a nice birthday present!

[jennypenny]

We got in BLT! So we're flying down Friday to go to the MK party Fri night. Then we'll fly home on Sunday. I hope the weather forcast improves. Thanks for the pixie dust. My DD really needs this trip. Now I have to pack

[spiceycat]

WOW congratulations!!!

last minute trips are the best.

[Micca]

Awesome! Happy Birthday to your DD.