If we can keep this trip a secret, it will be a Disney miracle! *TR LINK ADDED 12/12!*

[Elevationist]

I think I heard the rouladen is only on the dinner buffet, but I'm not 100% on that. I love *my* totally-not-authentic rouladen, though. Am not sure it would be worth changing to diner just to try it.

I just goggled this rouladen you speak of, and I was totally feeling it until I got to the pickles... then it just lost me.

 

[squeegee]

I just goggled this rouladen you speak of, and I was totally feeling it until I got to the pickles... then it just lost me.

I looooove rouladen. But, yeah, I like pickles too. I'm lazy and use dill relish.

 

[vleeth]

Your plans look wonderful! I need to work on mine...I'm running out of time.

 

[hokieinpa]

Sounds like a lovely evening at Epcot.

I remember that some of the storytellers are known for being better than others, so you might want to look up the top recommendations if you won't have a lot of time for them. I think that Germany was a pretty good one, and you'll be right there, so that might be an option.

I think Biergarten is a good pick. The show will keep the kids amused and the food is good and plentiful. I'd like to get back there someday.

Wow, so NPH is narrating that night, huh? I bet it will be packed! Not sure it will help if there are crowds, but there are some tables in the outdoor seating for the American pavilion that you can see/hear the shows from - ones near the edge, closest to the theater. Unless you get there early, they'll probably be taken, but something to keep in mind in case they're not and you want to stop and watch/listen.

I'm really excited about our Epcot plans!

That's good to know about the storytellers. I'll need to do some more research. The boys will not be into sitting around unless it's pretty interesting!

Nate loved the Octoberfest show at Busch Gardens and I'm sure the one at Beiergarten at much better, so he'll love it! The Christmas extras and food will make it a good meal for everyone!

I'm super excited about NPH! Even if I just listen for 15 minutes outside, I'll be happy! My mom and I are planning on a quick trip around this same time in 2017 or 2018 and hopefully we'll be able to catch him for the full Candlelight Processional!

Sounds like a great evening! The Biergarten sounds like a nice addition (if you end up keeping it). I hope you get to see a little of NPH, I bet that would be a treat!!

I'm so excited about see Epcot at Christmas! I'm still not 100% on Biergarten. Part of me wants to keep it for the experience since it seems like it's a little more special at Christmas. But then it's hard to justify tying up 1-1.5 hours of our touring time when we only have one day! But I need to decide soon!

Plans look AMAZING!!

I haven't ever considered Christmas in WDW; I don't like the crowds. But this PTR is quickly changing my mind!!

I can't wa to hear about Minnie's Holiday Dine.

And I think a whole Epcot day looks awesome; we skipped Epcot this past trip and I miss it.

Christmas is my favorite time of year so I'm really excited to spend it at Disney! I always knew I wanted to visit at Christmas but this is the perfect year with the Osborne Lights going away.

The reviews of Minnie's Holiday Dine are really good - yummy food and the characters seem like lots of fun!

It's a tie for my favorite - MK or Epcot? I'm excited to see it during the holidays and again in May!

I can't recall if you've said and I missed it, but do you have a plan for the big reveal?

Right now, the plan is for a big stuffed Mickey to be holding a letter when we're at the hotel the morning of our flight out. Hopefully no one lets is slip over Thanksgiving - have to keep the wine away from my MIL!

I'm gonna have my aunt and uncle ride this with me just because (1) it's something she can ride, and (2) I think they'll get a kick out of how hilariously corny it is.

It really is seriously bad is a funny way. We watched the Three Caballeros movie and it was just the same. Nate kept asking "What is going on here? I don't even understand." Same, buddy, same.

Yay! My uncle is a big fan of German food, so I chose this for dinner on our last night for him. I'm really looking forward to it now, too!

We really like the Octoberfest meal at Busch Gardens so this will be a big hit since I expect the show to be a bit better. And I'm a big fan of the meat and carbs!

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure at Biergarten the only change between lunch and dinner is the cost.

There are a few extra dishes that are brought out for dinner, I think. We should be the last lunch seating so hopefully it won't be too crowded!

I'm a peanut butter and jealous sandwich!

NPH is perfection. I hope that he's there for my mother/daughter trip in a few years - I would love to see the full Candlelight Processional with him narrating!

Cookies and good bribery tools for me, too. And cupcakes. Mmmm.

Cookies are universal, right?

What what what! Tell me more about this!

Warm apple cider with whiskey and a cinnamon stick. Perfection, no?

Totally necessary!!

Shopping beats out waiting for a bus any day!

I think I heard the rouladen is only on the dinner buffet, but I'm not 100% on that. I love *my* totally-not-authentic rouladen, though. Am not sure it would be worth changing to diner just to try it.

I looooove rouladen. But, yeah, I like pickles too. I'm lazy and use dill relish.

Yes! DH is really excited for this and sauerbraten? I think that is a dinner only dish, too. He loves German food so he'll be in heaven at Biergarten!

Your plans look wonderful! I need to work on mine...I'm running out of time.

You and me both, sister.

There is lots of packing that needs to be done. Oh and a little Thanksgiving dinner we're hosting thrown in too. I'm slightly stressed!

 

[hokieinpa]

****************************************
8 Days until Disney!

Secret Status -
****************************************

Daily Plans Update - Day 4

I've been MIA from the boards for a little bit - I'm going to try to catch up with everyone's reports before we leave next week!

So first, let me just do a little single digit dancing! Next week at this time we'll be in our Pittsburgh hotel room!








Packing is 99.9% done. I'm just waiting to put a few clothes items in that we'll need over the next week and then it's all done! But this is what it looked like when I was in mid-packing madness.



Those laundry baskets are full of clothes. Packing for 4 people is no small task - my second least favorite thing about Disney. Unpacking being my least favorite.

I also picked up a few fun Christmas items for the boys. First are Christmas shirts from the Disney Store. I forgot to grab a picture of them before I packed them away but they are super cute with Chip and Dale on the front!

Next up, I saw these cute reindeer headbands at Walmart. They will be perfect for our Minnie dinner and the party!





Jake really liked these Mickey Santa ears but started complaining after a few minutes that they were hurting his head. So they stayed on the shelf but they were super cute!




So now on to our last day - MVMCP day!

The plan is to "sleep in" as much as we can this day. Our ADR at Ohana is at 10:00 so we'll head to the bus stop at 8:45. We'll take a bus to MK and (hopefully) the monorail to the Poly.



After stuffing ourselves silly and visiting with our pals, we'll check out the monorail resort decorations. The plan is to walk from the Poly over to the GF. I've read it's a quick walk near the water so it should be a nice change of pace from the hustle of the monorail! After the GF, we'll take the monorail back to the Contemporary and then walk over to MK to take a bus back to Pop.

Depending on the weather, it will be a combination of pool and rest time until we're back at the bus stop at 3:00 to head to MVMCP!



Sigh. I'm SO READY for this!

Hopefully we'll have time to stop for a few PhotoPass pictures before our first FP+ for Under the Sea expires at 4:30.

Next, we'll go over to 7DMT for our FP+ at 4:30. We'll need to grab a Rider Switch pass for Jake. I think I'll send whoever is waiting with him to ride the Tea Party while we wait.

By the time we finish switching (and all take a spin on the tea cups, I'm sure) the 5:30 window for our Peter Pan FP+ will be open.

My plan for dinner right now is to go to Pinocchio Village Haus. It's the only restaurant in Fantasyland that will be open at this point I think as Friar's Nook will be closing down for the party. I've heard pretty good reviews of Pinocchio Village Haus and it will be a first for us!



After dinner, we'll hop on Small World and the Winnie the Pooh!

At this point, we'll head to the front of the castle and find a spot to watch the Frozen Holiday Wish. This looks really cute and the boys will be very excited to see Olaf!



While everyone else is at the first parade, we'll be in Tomorrowland. The plan is to ride Buzz and the PeopleMover. I'm hoping we can wrap up a little before 9 so we can find a spot for Celebrate the Magic and then Holiday Wishes!!!



I'm crossing my fingers that the crowds thin out after the fireworks and we can find a good spot near the castle or along Main Street.

We'll watch the second parade...hopefully while we sip hot chocolate while it snows on Main Street!



After the parade, we'll scoot over to Frontierland. I want to ride Big Thunder Mountain because rumors are that it will be closed ruing our May trip. Jingle Cruise and possibly Pirates will round out our night.

I want to make sure to stop by the fire station and get our SOTMK cards on the way out. I think it's something the boys might like to try in May so the special party card will be fun to have!

We'll say goodbye to the Magic Kingdom and head back for our last night at Pop.

Departure day will be easy - ME will pick us up at 6:30ish ( ) since we have a 9:40 flight. Hopefully we'll be so tired that it won't fully sink in that we're leaving??


I think this might be the last update before we leave. I'm hosting Thanksgiving dinner. Awesome idea, right? Why not offer to host an important family holiday which requires massive amounts of cleaning, prep, and cooking before leaving for Disney??

If you want to follow along, I'll be posting pictures and updates on Facebook and Instagram - including a video of the big reveal! You can follow me on Instagram at jwinfield3. If you want to connect on Facebook, send me a message and I'll send you a link!

Thank to to everyone for your advice and comments! I'm ready for a magical trip!

 

[Tinkerbell7479]

So excited for you! Enjoy your trip! Just requested you on Instagram

 

[vleeth]

I hear ya with the hosting Thanksgiving thing. We have out of town family staying with us for 4 days over Thanksgiving. But I miss them, so I'm okay with it. I just have to make sure to keep up on cleaning the house so I don't have that much to do before we leave.

 

[Leshaface]

Strawberry Shortcake and Carrot Cake, anyone?

Uh, yes!

and then take our first ever ride on Figment!

I really do enjoy Figment. DH HATED him so much, but the past two trips he's grown to like him because DS likes him. So I should be thanking DS for that!

Biergarten!

I'd really love to try this place. I've never tried German food, but DH is very uninterested in the menu. Sigh....

These look yummy!

Oh please have one of these for me!

So first, let me just do a little single digit dancing! Next week at this time we'll be in our Pittsburgh hotel room!

Yay! Wow that came up quick didn't it!

I love these! Too bad the Mickey ears hurt though..

Our ADR at Ohana is at 10:00

We actually get to visit in January and i'm so excited!

ME will pick us up at 6:30ish

Yeah, we made the mistake once on our very first trip in 2008, our flight left at 8am so they picked us up at 5 Now all flights are after 1pm

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[Dugette]

So first, let me just do a little single digit dancing! Next week at this time we'll be in our Pittsburgh hotel room!

Yum! Looks so good right now!

After stuffing ourselves silly and visiting with our pals, we'll check out the monorail resort decorations. The plan is to walk from the Poly over to the GF. I've read it's a quick walk near the water so it should be a nice change of pace from the hustle of the monorail! After the GF, we'll take the monorail back to the Contemporary and then walk over to MK to take a bus back to Pop.

Sounds great - love seeing all the monorail resort decorations, especially the GF gingerbread house.

Next, we'll go over to 7DMT for our FP+ at 4:30. We'll need to grab a Rider Switch pass for Jake. I think I'll send whoever is waiting with him to ride the Tea Party while we wait.

That worked well for us too. Teacups are right there and generally not too long of a wait, but a big toddler hit.

Love that blue holiday castle! My favorite!

Have a wonderful and magical holiday trip! Good luck with the surprise reveal. Can't wait to hear all about everything!

 

[missangelalexis]

Less than a week! I can't believe how close you are!

Your plans for MVMCP sound great, so excited for you!

I can't wait to see a video of the reveal!

Have a wonderful THanksgiving and an even better time at Disney!! You're going to have the most magical time and I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back

 

[Elevationist]

DUDE, YOUR TRIP IS SO CLOSE!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[vleeth]

Were you able to keep the secret?

 

[hokieinpa]

We're back!!

We've been home for a week now and I think I've finally recovered...but not unpacked, of course!

I'm planning on starting a TR later this week and I'll post a link here. We had a great time and managed to keep the secret up until the very end!

Here are a few photo previews for you until I get a TR started!

 

[missangelalexis]

What awesome photos! I'm glad you had a great time AND that you were able to keep the secret. Cannot wait for the TR!!

 

[KathyM2]

So glad you had fun and kept it a secret too!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Dugette]

So glad things went well and I am looking forward to the full report!

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[missjackiemcg]

I totally lost track of your TR somehow and you're already back?! Glad I stumbled back over here and can't wait for your TR to be posted! I'll go back and request you on instagram and facebook anyway!

 

[hokieinpa]

What awesome photos! I'm glad you had a great time AND that you were able to keep the secret. Cannot wait for the TR!!

So glad you had fun and kept it a secret too!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

So glad things went well and I am looking forward to the full report!

Looks like the weather and trip were both great!

I totally lost track of your TR somehow and you're already back?! Glad I stumbled back over here and can't wait for your TR to be posted! I'll go back and request you on instagram and facebook anyway!

Thanks everyone! TR link coming now!