Your ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE to Disney World at Christmas Time! UPDATE x2 10/21

[Disneyfreak508]

Originally Posted by WEDWDW

Hello DISNEY COLLEGE PROGRAM CAST MEMBER!!!!

I saw the below post in a wdwmagic forum and thought it was interesting.

The post was in response to a question about what "might" be announced at the "What's Next" presentation for media on December 7.

"My guess is that it will be something having to do with NextGen. We were just given word that some new things will be popping up on the Disney front desk system screens on our end in conjunction with the NextGen initiative as well as that additional training will be taking place within the coming months. On top of that I know in the hotel world a whole bunch of CONCIERGE and front desk positions have opened up for hiring and these we are being told have to do with NextGen and the need for more man power. I don't have specifics on anything (and even if I did I wouldn't be allowed to share) but that is what I'm assuming this is all about. Rumor has it that the real NextGen stuff is going to start happening at the start of 2013."

Why hello there YAY YAY YAY!!!!!
Hmmm that's a really interesting tidbit of information! I bet I will end up dealing with that NextGen business quite a bit! I'll let you guys now!

Originally Posted by nfggirl5454

Congrats on getting into the college program! You'll be a great CM, they would've been crazy not to accept you considering how much you love Disney!

Thank you so much! I'm so excited!

Originally Posted by ShellieB

Congratulations on the DCP!! I have been a lurker on your trip reports for the past year, and love your updates! You will be fantastic in your new role! We were there a few weeks ago and the concierge in the evening was doing the DCP. She was pretty clueless about Disney everytime I was up there, so you will be a blessing! I helped more people in line than she did I hope you start a blog while you are there . . I would love to follow!! I was accepted to the DCP back in 1998 (sorry to age myself) but never went. I will live vicariously through your report on it

Thank you, thank you! I'm so happy you've been such a loyal follower for so long - I really appreciate it! Aww that really is unfortunate that she wasn't extremely knowledgable about Disney. It's good to know that I will have the chance to put my knowledge to good use!

I'm hoping to keep up with my tumblr: http://princessjess508.tumblr.com/ I'm sorry you never got to do the DCP, but yes, you definitely will be able to keep up with my adventures Thanks for following! It's great to have you here!

Originally Posted by emmysmommy

Jess - I am so super excited for you! Congratulations on your dreams coming true! It's like the magical moment when the glass slipper actually fits!!

I look forward to seeing which hotel you will call "home"

Aww thank you so much! It seriously is!

I KNOW I CAN'T WAIT TO FIND OUT!!!

Originally Posted by kaileighbug

Congrats on your dream job. Sorry so late I tend to be a lurker since I can't keep up.

Thank you so much!! That's okay - I'm glad you're still reading along when you get the chance!

Originally Posted by xDisneyAngelx

Congrats Jess! You got the job of your dreams!!!! I hope to see you when I head up there in January. :-) I will be there from the 12-16. I know you are going to have a great time You really do deserve the DCP so I am very happy for you. I can't wait to hear all about it and how much fun you are having. <3 *SEE YOU REAL SOON*

Thank you so much! I really did! Oh nooo I'm not arriving until the 22nd! I'm just gonna miss you. Aww thank you so much! I can't wait to experience it!

Originally Posted by TinkerbellinNY6

Congratulations! That is great this experience is one of the best things that has happened to me! I am here as a photopass photographer. I am hoping to extend into concierge for the spring semester. I am so excited for you and I knew it would all work out for you

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're loving your experience there! I hope you get concierge - that would be really cool! I am absolutely thrilled that I got assigned that job. I feel like it's going to be an incredible experience! Thank you so much!! Thanks for believing in me!

Originally Posted by cadek

Congratulations! Truly a dream come true! I just started reading your report, as I'm going to WDW in December. You do a great, entertaining report! I love your pictures too. They look amazing. I'm new to the DSLR world, so I have to ask what lens you use. I've been considering a zoom lens.

I've always thought it would be neat to work at Disney. Good for you for following your dreams.

Thank you so much! It really is! I hope that you have a magical trip!! Aww thank you - that really means a lot to me! I'm glad you enjoy the report and the pictures! I use a Nikon D3100 and I don't know what lens I have, but it doesn't zoom that far. Any of my up close pictures are cropped, thanks to iPhoto.

I have a feeling I'm gonna love it! Thank you!

Originally Posted by EpcotIsMyFave

Hi Jess! I think I have commented in one of your other TR's before, but not this one. I've been a lurker for too long! Congrats on the CP! I'm so excited for you! It looks like you are going there on January 22 - so are we! We (finally) decided to book our vacation for Pop Jan 22-30. Maybe we'll see you there, although I'm sure you'll be very busy that first week!

Your TR's are so detailed and brilliantly written, I think Disney should hire you as a permanent travel writer. You could be the new Stacy!

Hello there! Thank you so much! Ahh how exciting! We can countdown together! You're going to have a wonderful time. Yes, that week is going to be INSANELY busy, but if you ever see me, make sure you say hi!

Aww that's so sweet. Thank you so much! Maybe someday!

Originally Posted by RyansMommy1

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

so what are the plans for you DLR trip?? Still going?? I can only see one of your tickers so I was just wondering

Thank you so much!!!

Well, I am going to post about it soon. But we put the Disneyland trip on the back burner. Because of the DCP, we would be going to California, coming back, and then moving me right down to Florida. It would have been way too hectic right now. But we had to use up our DVC points from the California trip before January 31st, so we booked New Year's Ever at THE YACHT CLUB for a little family vacation! I'm extremely excited.

[WEDWDW]

Originally Posted by Disneyfreak508

Why hello there YAY YAY YAY!!!!!
Hmmm that's a really interesting tidbit of information! I bet I will end up dealing with that NextGen business quite a bit! I'll let you guys now!

Yes,it looks like you will be right there for the rollout of NextGen.How exciting!

Since I only recently discovered your amazing thread,I am sad that I am so late to the party!

I JUST read Bathrobe Princesses-best trip report EVER!

I always get so excited when I "meet" people who are on my level of LOVE for The Walt Disney World Resort and you and the other Bathrobe Princesses' love for The Walt Disney World Resort is definitely at my level!

The "Bathrobe Princesses LIVE At Beaches And Cream" concert was INCREDIBLE-that was so MAGICAL(and funny)!

I share the Bathrobe Princesses love of the British accent!When I go to WDW,I always walk through the United Kingdom pavilion and talk to the Cast Members with my British accent and tell them I am also from England.

Well,of course,they immediately start laughing and know I really am not from England.

Then,I get them to try talking with my American accent while I talk with their British accent and it is hilarious!We all always end up laughing and laughing at each other's "accents"!

LOVE the UK ICMs!Good times!

Well,I have A LOT of reading to do!(I will be reading with a FRUMP DEER FACE!)

[RI Disney Star]

Just finished reading all your chapters. Whew! took me weeks. You really are an excellent writer.

My husband and I are going to Disney World in December. We are in our 50's but only feel like our 30's. First time without our children (they are grown, maybe next time we'll bring them). I am so glad I found your TR, got a lot of good ideas....I never would have thought about going to the different resorts to look at their decorations. That's tops on my list now, especially to see the different gingerbread designs.

We are staying at Coronado Springs. We have stayed at Port Orleans when it was called Dixie Landings, Caribbean Beach and All Star Sports.

Just a quick question. We just decided to take this trip a few weeks ago. A lot of the restaurants I want to make ADR's at have no availability. I keep checking every day to see if anything opens up. I really want to go to Le Cellier. If it doesn't open up before we go, what are our chances of just going there and trying to get in? Do the restaurants save spaces for same day reservations? Do you have any secrets to getting these ADR's?

Congratulations on your DCP. I envision you running the place by the end of your program.

Thank you for this wonderful trip report. I really enjoyed the ride!

[Disneyfreak508]

Originally Posted by WEDWDW

Yes,it looks like you will be right there for the rollout of NextGen.How exciting!

Very!

Since I only recently discovered your amazing thread,I am sad that I am so late to the party!

I JUST read Bathrobe Princesses-best trip report EVER!

I always get so excited when I "meet" people who are on my level of LOVE for The Walt Disney World Resort and you and the other Bathrobe Princesses' love for The Walt Disney World Resort is definitely at my level!

The "Bathrobe Princesses LIVE At Beaches And Cream" concert was INCREDIBLE-that was so MAGICAL(and funny)!

Ahh that's the one that started it all! I'm glad you read it and enjoyed it!

I know, it is really exciting! I instantly become friends with Disney people!

Thank you, thank you very much!

I share the Bathrobe Princesses love of the British accent!When I go to WDW,I always walk through the United Kingdom pavilion and talk to the Cast Members with my British accent and tell them I am also from England.

Well,of course,they immediately start laughing and know I really am not from England.

Then,I get them to try talking with my American accent while I talk with their British accent and it is hilarious!We all always end up laughing and laughing at each other's "accents"!

LOVE the UK ICMs!Good times!

Hahaha that's HILARIOUS! How much fun that must be.

Well,I have A LOT of reading to do!(I will be reading with a FRUMP DEER FACE!)

Haha yes you do! I hope you enjoy it all!

Originally Posted by RI Disney Star

Just finished reading all your chapters. Whew! took me weeks. You really are an excellent writer.

Aww thank you so much! I'm glad you were able to read them and that you enjoyed them!

My husband and I are going to Disney World in December. We are in our 50's but only feel like our 30's. First time without our children (they are grown, maybe next time we'll bring them). I am so glad I found your TR, got a lot of good ideas....I never would have thought about going to the different resorts to look at their decorations. That's tops on my list now, especially to see the different gingerbread designs.

That's going to be such a wonderful trip! I hope you have a magical time! I'm glad that my tips were able to help you! Yes, seeing the resort decorations is a MUST! I wonder how many people miss out on that!

We are staying at Coronado Springs. We have stayed at Port Orleans when it was called Dixie Landings, Caribbean Beach and All Star Sports.

I love Coronado! It's beautiful. And aww I stayed at Port Orleans when it was called Dixie Landings, too! But I don't remember because I was so little

Just a quick question. We just decided to take this trip a few weeks ago. A lot of the restaurants I want to make ADR's at have no availability. I keep checking every day to see if anything opens up. I really want to go to Le Cellier. If it doesn't open up before we go, what are our chances of just going there and trying to get in? Do the restaurants save spaces for same day reservations? Do you have any secrets to getting these ADR's?

My advice is to just keep checking. That's all you can do! As far as Le Cellier... there's pretty much no guarantee a walkup will work because oftentimes they just book for the entire day. My advice would be to show up there at 11:30 am (maybe even 11:20!) right when the restaurant opens. Then ask if there's availability. It may not work, but it's worth a shot! Just make sure you have a backup option!

Congratulations on your DCP. I envision you running the place by the end of your program.

Aww thank you so much!! I'm so unbelievably excited!

Thank you for this wonderful trip report. I really enjoyed the ride!

Thank you! Stay tuned for the last update!

[Disneyfreak508]

Real Life Update #5: NEW DISNEY PLANS!
October 21st, 2012

Okay everybody! I am about to post the VERY LAST update of this trip report. HOW SAD!!!!!!

BUT before we move onto that... I wanted to make a little announcement!

So, you know how we were planning to go to Disneyland?

Well... unfortunately, that trip is going to be put on the back burner once again.

However, don't be sad! That trip will happen EVENTUALLY. But life is just too crazy right now with the whole DCP thing. It would be really stressful to fly all the way to the other side of the country, come home, and then move me down to Florida a little over a week later.

When I go to Disneyland, I really want to enjoy it and feel relaxed... and I just think at this point it would feel rushed and hectic.

HOWEVER, when we cancel a trip, we like to reschedule.

Actually, we had no choice in this case.

Since we used DVC reservation points to book our hotels in California... we had to use up those points before JANUARY 31ST or else they would expire! NOBODY WANTS THAT TO HAPPEN!

So what did we do?! Well, with my Mother and my wonderful planning skills, we rescheduled a trip to WALT DISNEY WORLD! HOOOORAYYYYY!!!!!!!!!

We are using our points to go down to Disney from December 30th- January 4th. It's going to be our last family vacation before my DCP! As well as a New Year's Eve celebration!

And where are we staying?

THE YACHT CLUB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just the thought of it literally makes me giddy like a five year old child.

Because if the Yacht Club was a person, I would marry it. Literally. I'm SO in love.

So even though it's sad that we had to postpone California, I am honestly equally excited for this trip. I can't even be upset at all because it's going to be AMAZING!!

We are going to drive down there and drop off my car for my DCP ahead of time. However, we need to figure out a place to park it from January 4th until January 20th. Does anyone know of a storage area/parking garage in Orlando near Disney that we can keep my car? Thought I'd throw it out there. (:

So OKAY yeah. I'm like extremely excited. I pretty much have to finish the semester, celebrate Christmas, GO TO DISNEY, come home, pack, say goodbye to Preston , and then MOVE TO DISNEY.

Guys, I'm a little too excited about my life. Like EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

Oh yeah! And we had a few extra DVC reservation points after booking the Yacht Club.... SO we are using them at CORONADO SPRINGS for the night before my DCP! YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH.

(Notice how both of my upcoming resort stays are at both of the Frump Trip resorts? What a coincidence! I didn't even plan it!

So yes.... 93 days till the DCP, folks. NINETY THREE.

That's the most recent update on my life! Now onto the last update of the Christmas trip report! Aww I'm going to be so sad and feel so empty when this is over.

Enjoy.

Continued in Next Post

[Disneyfreak508]

Chapter 101: Chef Mickey's and Going Home
January 2nd, 2012

We made it to 101 chapters between these two December trips. I can't believe I FINALLY finished writing about it all! This was a HUGE project. Between editing the pictures, catching up on comments, typing out the stories, and keeping it all organized... I would have to say I basically just wrote a trip report novel!

I hope you guys enjoy the very last update of Your Ultimate Survival Guide! Thanks for sticking with me throughout the entire thing!

I woke up and posted on twitter:
It's the last morning ): I'm sad but I had one of the most amazing trips of my entire life. #soblessed Enjoying my last few hours of magic!

This morning I slept in until about 8:30 am. Mom and Dad were up packing... and I had a reservation at Chef Mickeys and I really wanted to go! Thankfully I packed yesterday in the afternoon so all I had to do was get ready!

Nobody else wanted to go to breakfast with me, but then Dad came with me. Yay! I was not missing out on my last chance for Disney food!

We went over to the main Contemporary building and I saw that the pin board was out in the gift shop! Perfect! So I traded for a watermelon mickey pin and a Kermit mickey hat pin.

Then I went to check in at Chef Mickeys.



I traded for a Miss Piggy pin with the cast member who checked us in. Dad met me there, we got our picture taken, and we were seated within 5 minutes.



We sat in the room right near the buffet and basically went right up to get our food! YUM!















It was carb overload, like any other Disney buffet. But hey, thats the way I like it. Cinnamon Roll, Croissant, Breakfast Pizza, etc.



I posted on twitter:
Mickey waffles are absolutely magical. <3

Here's Dad's plate:



The food was really good, but by the end I just couldnt eat anymore. I reached my limit. I hit the wall. And let me tell you, I dont get full. Like I usually can eat like there's not tomorrow. But nope - not today. Even though I totally skipped dinner last night I was still SO FULL. I couldnt believe it.

I posted on twitter:
Okay it's official. I have reached my food limit.

We finished eating before any of the characters even got there! Goofy was first, Donald was second. There was this super cute family sitting at a table near us and the Mom took group pictures for us. She was a camera pro& it was fantastic. Finally someone knew what they were doing lol.





Jonathan came down because he had to bring us our TiW card.



Dad went back up to the room to pack. Jon stayed with me and took pictures of/with me and the characters! Minnie was next:



Mickey was after:





Pluto was last!



PLUTO IS MY FAVORITE!



None of the characters really had memorable experiences, they were just all in a row and filed through. It took them quite a while to get there in the first place. I didn't really mind.. I still loved meeting them no matter what!

I just wanted to go take pictures of the dessert cases at Contempo Cafe one last time. Sadness.





We finally finished and headed out. We got back to the room, picked up our final belongings, and brought down our checked bags. We stopped at the BLT desk to get our room card balance, and it was the same guy there that helped us with our lost and found slip yesterday!

We got our balance and went in line to check our bags. We weighed them and some of them were over. We had to readjust to make sure each suitcase was under the weight limit.

Once that was all set, we went up to the room, grabbed our carry-on stuff, and went back downstairs.

We were supposed to catch the Magical Express at 11:25 am, but we got there at 11:23 and it was gone. Awesome. So we had to wait for the next one.



Our new bus came at 11:50 am and our drivers name was Ronnie.

Everyone was so sad. I DIDN'T WANT TO GO HOME.





I posted on twitter:
I'm going to be running on four hours of sleep today. And I have to travel. I'm going to be so chipper it's not even funny. #justkidding

Before I knew it, we were leaving Disney property. I was SO exhausted. I only half watched the movie, I fell asleep, and then we were at the airport.

We went through security and everything was fine, and then we found out that we were dropped off at the wrong gate. It only went up to gate 60 and southwest's gates are in the hundreds. Ours was like 120 something.

We talked to a TSA and he sent us through the employee line so we would get through faster. So we had to go through security twice. What a pain.

I posted on twitter:
WHY DOESNT THE ANNOUNCER ON THE TRAM IN THE AIRPORT SAY "POR FAVOR MANTENGASE ALEJADO DE LAS PUERTAS?!?!?" ):

We took our seats at the gate and I went over to the leather chairs with the plugs in them so I could charge my laptop. I caught up on part of the trip journal by typing it (I was gettin lazy) and I called Kristen. I told her about my trip and a lot of the Disney facts that I learned& the people who were sitting around me probably thought I was psychotic because I was like "RE RE RE DISNEY!!!!" Typical frump behavior.

Suddenly it was time to board already! Our flight was at 2:20 and I think we left a little late. But we got home on time.

(This is a sad smile)



I posted on twitter:
- sigh - time to go home. oh wait. Disney is my home. So... My second home.

We sat in the second row on the left. I got the window seat. The whole time I literally typed out the last two days of trip notes because I got pretty far behind.

The flight was a lot smoother than the first one and we were suddenly home!

There was a light dusting of snow on the ground and it was FREEZING. Welcome home? Haha yeah not really. Blah.

I posted on twitter:
What is this "snow" business? And where's Mickey mouse?!?

Dad went to get the car and we got the suitcases. They took a while to come out but finally they did. They were all there. Hooray!

We packed up the car and drove home. And we ordered a pizza and chicken fingers for dinner! My body probably went into in serious shock the next day when I decreased the calorie count by a couple thousand.

I posted on twitter:
The thought of eating non Disney food disgusts me... But I'm hungry.

I think the span of 9:15 am to 6:15 pm is the longest time I've ever gone without eating. #STARVING

And at that point, the trip journaling ended. However, I have a few tweets that will fill in the blanks for the rest of my night:

I need to work at WDW. This trip has solidified it. Disney is my calling in life. like the nunhood for some :P LOL

Oh look at that! I have made my dream come true less than a year later. (:

catching up on the dis is literally going to be a full time job. #ohboy #letsgo

for the first time in my disboards history, i do not have an official ticker. #disgirlproblems but hopefully a new one will appear soon!

CAUGHT UP ON COMMENTS. omg that took almost 3 hours! okay so now i either do pictures, do an old update, or start the new TR. #decisions

SO MANY PICTURES. omg. i'm insane.

magic, memories, and you soundtrack. #crying omg i miss disney world. can i relive last night over and over and over again? ):

"believe in all you wish, believe in all you wish, believe that all you wish will come to you." <3

Sigh. How sad. Let the post-Disney depression begin! (I had a pretty bad case that time around!)

However, that was THE MOST AMAZING TRIP OF MY LIFE!

Like I said, thank you SO MUCH for following along. Those of you who have made it to this last post, you all deserve a gold star! You are great and you are the ones who inspire me to keep writing! I can't thank you enough for your encouragement and kindness... it means a lot to me!

I hope you enjoyed reading about this trip. I don't think it will EVER be topped! I will always rank it as one of the best trips of my entire life. Every moment was just so special and magical! It was the first time I got to experience a Disney Christmas and I couldn't have asked for anything better! I'm so glad that I was able to document the whole entire thing.

Since this trip report is over, I wanted to invite you over to my newest trip report -

The Most MAGICAL Trip Of Them All! "EVERYTHING'S PERFECT!" Oct. 2012

It's all about my October 2012 trip to Walt Disney World! So time to switch gears from Christmas over to Halloween!

Also, I'll be posting my pre-DCP progress in that trip report for the time being.

Once again, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. You're all wonderful.

I hope you have a magical night! Hope to see you on the new trip report! (:

[Disneyalltheway]

What a great report!!! Sad to see it end thanks for all the great tips Jess, maybe we'll run into you during your new years trip!!!

[WEDWDW]

I can definitely relate to the Southwest OIA "gate situation"!

I have also boarded the wrong mini-monorail(I love it when,upon arrival at OIA,little kids will get on it and say "Mommy,are we at Disney World?"!)and had to go back to the hub and back through security to get to the right mini-monorail-it's really a frumpy situation!

I HATE the DME ride BACK to OIA-I call it The Sad Bus!

I always just sit there with a sad Deer Face in a semi-comatose state!

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Oh!! The end of your TR! It's like an end of an era! But I am sooooo excited for you and the DCP!! That is going to be an incredible experience!

I am totally planning on printing out your tips for our December trip. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this incredible trip report!

So I'm totally sad that it's over, but I am so grateful that you have another TR in progress! You are awesome!!!

I can't wait to hear about your DCP! I'll have to live vicariously through you, haha!

Good luck with this semester and getting ready for your future!

[LifeIsDis]

I am so happy I am going to Chef Mickey’s next month for breakfast. It looks AMAZING. Mickey waffles <3

I have the same experience with characters sometimes. Nothing memorable or anything.

Awww leaving Disney ):

I LOVED this TR, Jess! It was so cool reading about your Disney Christmas and New Years! One of the best TRs I have ever read (:

[onelilspark]

For your car, I park at the Fast Park when I fly out of the airport. It's off-site airport parking, and it's not terribly expensive: http://www.thefastpark.com/location/orlando/

You can sign up for their rewards card too and earn free nights to keep your car if you fly home ever during your DCP.

[beachphotog]

Seriously, Jess, I love reading your trip reports. I laugh, I cry, I want to go to Disney. Like really want to go. Even though I have a trip planned for 19 DAYS I want to have one booked for next year.

I can't wait to read about your October trip, or as I like to call it, "The trip where you found out your Disney dreams are coming true."

I think it's great that you have such a great relationship with your family, it is so apparent in all of your reporting!

And BOO on non-Disney food, life is not fair if there are no Mickey Waffles, just sayin...

[vdub322]

Jess,

I don't post or comment too much but I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed this trip report! I love all your TRs and so does my 13 year old daughter, but this one was so much fun to follow. You started it right before we booked our first trip as DVC members and it led to me reading all of your reports and subscribing to you, Kristen, and Joni's reports and reading them religiously! I follow you on Twitter and Instagram too. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful trips and love for all things Disney! We are arriving for our next trip two days after you start DCP so if we happen to see you I will definitely say hi! They are very lucky to have you and you will make an awesome concierge CM! Just thought I would say thank you and good luck!

Vanessa

[Nermel9]

I don't comment a lot on your TR's but I read along and I love them! Thank you for such a great TR, all of your tips and pictures were amazing! I really want to do a Christmas/New Year's trip someday, and Bay Lake Tower seems like the perfect resort for that (although I'm guessing if I ever DO go during that time, it will be hard for me to not stay the the WL. Or the Yacht Club. AHHHH too many resorts to choose from! )

And CONGRATULATIONS on getting accepted to the DCP! You are going to have such a wonderful time!

Going to join your October TR now, although I can't promise I'll be able to keep up and comment!

[leshunlenese]

My post are minimal but i just wanted to say this was a wonderful report. Love reading yours. Congrats on the DCP! I still have memories from mine back in 2007. I know you will have an amazing time! And we wher just as lucky to go through the employee line at the airport last december. Appearently, they are more than 1 train and i just go the way we always go. We almost missed our fight. They called us over the intercom as soon as we got off the 2nd train.. Well congrats again!