12/29/07 Western - New Year's Eve

[Caitsmama]

Oh birkner, you HAVE to visit the beach club/ and yacht club lobbys!! Last year, we stayed at the YC, and they had an awesome mini train set all set up, it was so cute!! And the BC, they have that wonderful mini carousel. All made from gingerbread/chocolate!! It is a must see. As well as the Gingerbread house at the Grand.. that is unbelieveable..
We go every year for Thanksgiving, and it is all decked out.. It's funny, b/c that is the only time of year we go -- so , we are just used to seeing WDW all decorated! To us, it is our "norm". LOL It just feels like coming home..for the holidays. But, better! LOL

 

[birkner]

Oh birkner, you HAVE to visit the beach club/ and yacht club lobbys!! Last year, we stayed at the YC, and they had an awesome mini train set all set up, it was so cute!! And the BC, they have that wonderful mini carousel. All made from gingerbread/chocolate!! It is a must see. As well as the Gingerbread house at the Grand.. that is unbelieveable..
We go every year for Thanksgiving, and it is all decked out.. It's funny, b/c that is the only time of year we go -- so , we are just used to seeing WDW all decorated! To us, it is our "norm". LOL It just feels like coming home..for the holidays. But, better! LOL

I will make sure we hit the lobbies!!! I taped all the specials on the Travel Channel on WDW for my GK's. The one on the Food Channel with Raven showed all the holiday treats that we want to see!!

Thanks again for the tips!!

Noel

 

[JimV]

Great, now I feel guilt

I had my plan. Enjoy Christmas at home with family. Fly in the night before. Stay in some non-descript hotel, see the lights and go. We get in around 4:00 PM so that we leave at a comfortable time from home (no 6:00 AM departures). It was all about it being an easy, no-stress day.

Now, compulsive vacation-planner mode kicks in:

• I need to see the lights
• I need to see the hotel lobbies
• I need to see the park Christmas decorations
• I wonder what Epcot does at Christmas?
• And so on, and so on...

Once again, my friends on the DIS RUIN MY LIFE (Thanks Caitsmama and WiscBill)

-- JimV

(still too lazy for a proper signature)

 

[Caitsmama]

Ha!!! You are quite welcome!! LOL .. Seriously though, it will put you in such a great mood to see everything.. although, to be honest.... If you are getting in that late, you are probably best off seeing just MGM then going over to the hotels.. As that time of year, some of the parks aren't open too late ( I think Epcot is about 9 or 9:30pm).. So,there's not a ton of time.. However, the hotels are open 24/7..lol. So, do the Osborn lights first - those are an absolute MUST.

Then again, being the obsesive planner i am, i would have that 6am flight.. I live on the early flight syndrome! LOL

 

[birkner]

Great, now I feel guilt

I had my plan. Enjoy Christmas at home with family. Fly in the night before. Stay in some non-descript hotel, see the lights and go. We get in around 4:00 PM so that we leave at a comfortable time from home (no 6:00 AM departures). It was all about it being an easy, no-stress day.

Now, compulsive vacation-planner mode kicks in:

• I need to see the lights
• I need to see the hotel lobbies
• I need to see the park Christmas decorations
• I wonder what Epcot does at Christmas?
• And so on, and so on...

Once again, my friends on the DIS RUIN MY LIFE (Thanks Caitsmama and WiscBill)

-- JimV

(still too lazy for a proper signature)

Too funny Jim!! I can't believe that I am worrying about what I am going to do for Xmas and it isn't even May!!

 

[birkner]

Ha!!! You are quite welcome!! LOL .. Seriously though, it will put you in such a great mood to see everything.. although, to be honest.... If you are getting in that late, you are probably best off seeing just MGM then going over to the hotels.. As that time of year, some of the parks aren't open too late ( I think Epcot is about 9 or 9:30pm).. So,there's not a ton of time.. However, the hotels are open 24/7..lol. So, do the Osborn lights first - those are an absolute MUST.

Then again, being the obsesive planner i am, i would have that 6am flight.. I live on the early flight syndrome! LOL

I am leaving at 1:05PM California time on my birthday and not getting in until 9:30PM. Will go straight to the hotel and collapse!!

 

[Caitsmama]

Birkner, your staying on WDW property right?? If you can muster the strength, you HAVE to go over and check out the BC/YC lobbys, its just a short walk.. I have faith in you!!!

BTW -- OT -- But, i just booked a second DCL cruise!! LMAO, i haven't even been on our first one, but i just booked the 5 night Double Dip with my inlaws, we are staying in a concierge suite -- I am so excited!!

 

[Caitsmama]

Too funny Jim!! I can't believe that I am worrying about what I am going to do for Xmas and it isn't even May!!

I know! I feel so bad wishing away the summer, but .. i am! LOL Hey, they'll be other summer's! LOL I got lots of Disney trips coming up!!

 

[birkner]

Birkner, your staying on WDW property right?? If you can muster the strength, you HAVE to go over and check out the BC/YC lobbys, its just a short walk.. I have faith in you!!!

BTW -- OT -- But, i just booked a second DCL cruise!! LMAO, i haven't even been on our first one, but i just booked the 5 night Double Dip with my inlaws, we are staying in a concierge suite -- I am so excited!!

We are staying in the Dolphin which I believe qualifies as WDW property except for charging purposes. I will be checking out those lobbies!!

DH and I are on the WB May 2008 repo in a cat. 3.

 

[birkner]

I know! I feel so bad wishing away the summer, but .. i am! LOL Hey, they'll be other summer's! LOL I got lots of Disney trips coming up!!

Well, I don't want to wish the summer away quite yet!! Part of the fun of a DCL vacation is the obsessive planning!!

 

[Caitsmama]

Ok, then, i won't wish the summer away, but this "so called Spring" we are having can DEFINATELY be wished away, the weather here is terrible!! LOL

Yes, Dolphin is definately WDW prop! It's a beautiful hotel.. and only a 2 min walk to either the YC or BC (well, maybe more like 10 min walk to BC) and so close to the Boardwalk too.. I love the BC/YC we have stayed there 3 times.. It just feels like home.

 

[Caitsmama]

DH and I are on the WB May 2008 repo in a cat. 3.

I am very excited to be in a cat.3, as when we go in Dec, we are staying in a room with just the porthole window, so to have a huge balcony will definately be a treat! And, my MIL took pics of their suite last time and i just keep staring at 'em! LOL.. But, i am soooo excited to be going this december as well! I think NYE is gonna be a blast!!

 

[birkner]

Ok, then, i won't wish the summer away, but this "so called Spring" we are having can DEFINITELY be wished away, the weather here is terrible!! LOL

Yes, Dolphin is definitely WDW prop! It's a beautiful hotel.. and only a 2 min walk to either the YC or BC (well, maybe more like 10 min walk to BC) and so close to the Boardwalk too.. I love the BC/YC we have stayed there 3 times.. It just feels like home.

Have you stayed at the Dolphin? I choose it because it is a Starwood hotel and wanted the points? We will be walking around a bit as we need to exercise off all of the Xmas treats!!

 

[birkner]

I am very excited to be in a cat.3, as when we go in Dec, we are staying in a room with just the porthole window, so to have a huge balcony will definately be a treat! And, my MIL took pics of their suite last time and i just keep staring at 'em! LOL.. But, i am soooo excited to be going this december as well! I think NYE is gonna be a blast!!

We are really excited to stay in the Walt in December. For DH and I, cat 3 is just fine for the WB repo but if a cat. 1 or 2 comes up, who knows??

NYE cruise will be great. Even DH who is in a secret porthole room is very excited!!

 

[GreenAcres]

I'm so sorry to hear about everyone's rough weather....Here in Louisiana it's sunny and warm (upper 70's). I love hearing how excited everyone is about the NYE cruise. Y'all will make the wait so much more bearable for me!

Lisa

 

[Caitsmama]

No, we have never stayed in the Dolphin or Swan, but have walked by it.. LOL It is a pretty hotel.. My inlaws just choose not to stay there, they like the "disney" theme hotels, that's all.. and we stay with them, so our decision is pretty much made up. LOL Actually -- We love the BC/YC for the pool -- it is bar none the best on WDW property! Beautiful!!!!

But, i am sure you will be thrilled with the Dolphin.. It's great, cuz the hotels in that area are so close to each other, and to the Boardwalk and MGM and Epcot, it's just a great central location.

 

[Caitsmama]

I'm so sorry to hear about everyone's rough weather....Here in Louisiana it's sunny and warm (upper 70's). I love hearing how excited everyone is about the NYE cruise. Y'all will make the wait so much more bearable for me!

Lisa

Hi Lisa! Could you PLEASE send some 70's over this way!? It's in the 40's here and cold, rainy and windy.. Still from that nor'easter. YUCK. However, good day to stay in and read the DIS. And, from the looks of it, it will be in the low 60's and sunny for Fri-Sunday.. and that's what counts for me! When it's nice out - the customers come, when it's rainy and cold.. man, I eat mac and cheese for dinner! LOL

 

[birkner]

I'm so sorry to hear about everyone's rough weather....Here in Louisiana it's sunny and warm (upper 70's). I love hearing how excited everyone is about the NYE cruise. Y'all will make the wait so much more bearable for me!

Lisa

Lisa:

Here is where my thoughts are today!!

Noel

 

[Caitsmama]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh........... I think my body temp just rose about 20 degrees! LOL
Thanks for that pic!!

 

[birkner]

No, we have never stayed in the Dolphin or Swan, but have walked by it.. LOL It is a pretty hotel.. My inlaws just choose not to stay there, they like the "disney" theme hotels, that's all.. and we stay with them, so our decision is pretty much made up. LOL Actually -- We love the BC/YC for the pool -- it is bar none the best on WDW property! Beautiful!!!!

But, i am sure you will be thrilled with the Dolphin.. It's great, cuz the hotels in that area are so close to each other, and to the Boardwalk and MGM and Epcot, it's just a great central location.

One of the reasons for staying at the Dolphin is we can use points for at least a couple of the nights. I am all for saving money to spend elsewhere!!

DH and I have stayed at both the GF and the Poly with youngest DD when we use to go on the Big Red Boat, the old Disney cruise line.