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

[dreaminginplaid]

Hi all!! Just found this thread and I'm so glad to have other people planning their trip because mine is tired of hearing about it!!

We will be at Caribbean Beach 11/30-12/4. My room will be myself, my husband, and our two boys who will be 3.5 and 9 months but we are also traveling with my inlaws and my brother in law and his wife and their two girls ages 4 and almost 2!

Our plan is Disney Springs/pool depending on weather for arrival day.

12/1: Epcot with Candlelight dining package, maybe Garden Grill? Really it's whatever is available for for a party of 11!

12/2: Hollywood Studios with Mama Melrose Fantasmic dining (we are trying to minimize the waits at night for all the kids!!)

12/3: Magic Kingdom with an early breakfast at the Crystal Palace

12/4: Drive back home to Alabama.

We have to skip Animal Kingdom this trip but we are planning a big week long trip in 2017 for my son's 4th birthday. This is a quick trip to visit my other brother in law who will be doing a professional internship at Disney. Perfect excuse for a Disney trip!!

 

[Winniebell10]

Hi all!! Just found this thread and I'm so glad to have other people planning their trip because mine is tired of hearing about it!!

We will be at Caribbean Beach 11/30-12/4. My room will be myself, my husband, and our two boys who will be 3.5 and 9 months but we are also traveling with my inlaws and my brother in law and his wife and their two girls ages 4 and almost 2!

Our plan is Disney Springs/pool depending on weather for arrival day.

12/1: Epcot with Candlelight dining package, maybe Garden Grill? Really it's whatever is available for for a party of 11!

12/2: Hollywood Studios with Mama Melrose Fantasmic dining (we are trying to minimize the waits at night for all the kids!!)

12/3: Magic Kingdom with an early breakfast at the Crystal Palace

12/4: Drive back home to Alabama.

We have to skip Animal Kingdom this trip but we are planning a big week long trip in 2017 for my son's 4th birthday. This is a quick trip to visit my other brother in law who will be doing a professional internship at Disney. Perfect excuse for a Disney trip!!

Hi there! Ha! I am in the same boat as you.......my people look at me like I'm crazy when I'm asking them for opinions on dinners/Fast Passes, etc, that are over 6 months away. So, I found the Dis and am in my element.

Sounds like a fun trip. Your plan looks perfect. You are doing some great stuff and I bet the trip will feel longer than it is. That's awesome that you know you guys will be coming right back in 2017.
Birthdays at Disney are the best! We will be celebrating our oldest son's 14th birthday on our December trip. I'm having lots of fun planning birthday surprises for this trip. So, you'll have that to keep you busy after this December trip.

 

[TiggerManiac]

We've finally set most of our plans. But everything is always subject to change. Just DH and me.

11/26: Leave home by 7 am; arrive in Orlando between 6 and 7 pm; check into off-site hotel near Main Gate; head over to Disney Springs; dinner at Raglan Road or Cookes of Dublin

11/27: check out, drive over to CBR, check in at Customs House, head to MK, 8:00am ADR at Be Our Guest, 9:30 Keys to the Kingdom tour, head to room to unpack late afternoon or early evening (depending on crowd level), 8:30 ADR at Narcoossee's (will probably drive)

11/28: Epcot, dinner at Akershus

11/29: HS am, Epcot pm, dinner at Marrakesh or Shutters

11/30: Harry Potter and Universal, possible evening EMH at MK

12/1: MK am, dinner 1900 Park Fare, Epcot pm

12/2: AK, dinner at Yak and Yeti

12/3: Disney Springs and hotel touring day, dinner at Boma

12/4: split between Epcot and MK, dinner at Be Our Guest

12/5: head home

 

[Tattylou]

Hi all!! Just found this thread and I'm so glad to have other people planning their trip because mine is tired of hearing about it!!

We will be at Caribbean Beach 11/30-12/4. My room will be myself, my husband, and our two boys who will be 3.5 and 9 months but we are also traveling with my inlaws and my brother in law and his wife and their two girls ages 4 and almost 2!

Our plan is Disney Springs/pool depending on weather for arrival day.

12/1: Epcot with Candlelight dining package, maybe Garden Grill? Really it's whatever is available for for a party of 11!

12/2: Hollywood Studios with Mama Melrose Fantasmic dining (we are trying to minimize the waits at night for all the kids!!)

12/3: Magic Kingdom with an early breakfast at the Crystal Palace

12/4: Drive back home to Alabama.

We have to skip Animal Kingdom this trip but we are planning a big week long trip in 2017 for my son's 4th birthday. This is a quick trip to visit my other brother in law who will be doing a professional internship at Disney. Perfect excuse for a Disney trip!!

I'm in the throws of planning for the same exact dates as you. I envy people who can drive there in a reasonable amount of time. Our flight doesn't arrive until 10:30pm on 11/30 so basically we will just be going to bed that night. We will also be skipping AK too since we will only have 3 park days. Normally for a longer vacation we get hopper tix, but this time we weren't going to do that to save a little money. This is kind of an extra trip, we were just there last month and don't usually do twice in same year. I want to see MK with the castle lit up in all it's holiday but I was thinking that we would go there on Fri 12/2 (a party night) b/c I read MK will be less crowded Fri than it will be on the Sat. Do they kick you out at 7pm? Will the holiday lights be on by 6pm? My plan so far (although it can change) involves lots of character meals b/c my kids love them:

12/1: Epcot with Via Napoli for dinner

12/2: MK with Crystal Palace breakfast and then Chef Mickey's at about 645pm

12/3: HS with dinner at Minnie's at H&V

I'm hoping if we are at MK til 630pm and then head to Chef Mickey's that will allow us to the see the holiday lights. Also, hoping for some pool time each day b/c we will be leaving cold Boston to come down there.

 

[Tattylou]

Changed my reservation to AoA from AsMusic to avoid the Pop Warner crowd.

 

[nicynot]

Okay so... It's mid-May and a Monday. Seems like a good day to post December park hours wouldn't you say!?
Where are they : (

 

[ValerieK]

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[Mintycake]

I hear you guys about the park hours! I'm trying to plan my ADRs (coming up in 2 weeks!). We plan to RD most days and go for a break in the afternoon back to BC. Here's what I have so far. Would appreciate feedback!

Friday 12/2 - arrival BC around 8pm - we plan to walk to Boardwalk pizza for dinner and then ice cream at Ample Hills!
Saturday 12/3 - HS day. RD, Jedi training, rides. Breakfast in our room (we are ordering from Garden Grocer), Lunch ? not sure, Dinner: 50s prime time. I'm trying to figure out this day because not sure if we should lunch at 50s prime time instead or should we do Mama Melrose Fantasmic package?
Sunday 12/4 - Epcot - Breakfast PPO Akershus, Lunch: Les Halles Boulangers, Dinner: Katsura Grill
Monday 12/5 - MK - Breakfast 7:30am Ohana, Lunch: Pinnochio Village Haus, Dinner: Columbia Harbour House
Tues 12/6 - Epcot - Breakfast 7:30am Cape May, Lunch: Sunshine Seasons, Dinner: Kona Cafe (our daughter will go the kids club at Poly)
Wed 12/7 - MK - Breakfast in room, Lunch: Be our Guest, Dinner: The Plaza
Thurs 12/8 - MK - Breakfast in room, Lunch: Cosmic Rays (?) I am not sure here. Dinner: 1900 Park Fare
Friday 12/9 - Early Departure day - breakfast in room

I'm struggling with meals in the MK and HS...also we are not planning the Christmas party or AK.
TIA!

 

[nicynot]

I can book mine on June 4th.
I have park hoppers and usually head back to POFQ in the afternoons too.
I could do a rough draft pretty good, but the animal kingdom is throwing me off, especially if it may only be open late certain nights in the off season...

 

[lsbarton]

MY PEOPLE!! I am so glad to have stumbled across this thread as I love the planning aspect of a Disney vacation almost as much as the vacation itself! (Well, definitely not AS much). Here's the lowdown (as I refer to my multi-tab, color coded trip planning spreadsheet...):

Sunday, 11/27: AK - Arrive at MCO and take ME to BCR then head to AK for our first day! Dinner ADR at Yak & Yeti.
Monday, 11/28: AK - Meet up with extended family (who are staying off site, Boooo!) for Early morning ADR at Tusker House. Spend half day or so at AK then head back to BCR for Dinner ADR at Beaches and Cream.
Tuesday, 11/29: MK - Breakfast in room then head to MK for early lunch ADR at BOG with extended family. QS somewhere before MVMCP!!
Wednesday, 11/30: Epcot - Meet extended family at Akershus for breakfast ADR. QS for dinner at Epcot.
Thursday, 12/1: MK - Breakfast ADR at CRT! My 7yo DD will be so excited! Play at MK for the rest of the day and/or go back to the resort for some pool time R&R (weather permitting). Maybe head over to Disney Springs that evening.
Friday, 12/2: Epcot - Walk to Epcot from BCR for quick breakfast in France. Spend the day at Epcot. Maybe tour monorail resorts in the evening.
Saturday, 12/3: HS - Breakfast in the room Arrive early for Extra Morning Hours! Early lunch ADR at SciFi Drive-In. Late departure. ME to MCO. Return to reality. Blah.

So...what are your thoughts on MVMCP on Tuesday, 11/29? I've heard that it is the least busy day for MVMCP, which is what I am hoping for!

 

[Candycane83]

I hear you guys about the park hours! I'm trying to plan my ADRs (coming up in 2 weeks!). We plan to RD most days and go for a break in the afternoon back to BC. Here's what I have so far. Would appreciate feedback!

Friday 12/2 - arrival BC around 8pm - we plan to walk to Boardwalk pizza for dinner and then ice cream at Ample Hills!
Saturday 12/3 - HS day. RD, Jedi training, rides. Breakfast in our room (we are ordering from Garden Grocer), Lunch ? not sure, Dinner: 50s prime time. I'm trying to figure out this day because not sure if we should lunch at 50s prime time instead or should we do Mama Melrose Fantasmic package?
Sunday 12/4 - Epcot - Breakfast PPO Akershus, Lunch: Les Halles Boulangers, Dinner: Katsura Grill
Monday 12/5 - MK - Breakfast 7:30am Ohana, Lunch: Pinnochio Village Haus, Dinner: Columbia Harbour House
Tues 12/6 - Epcot - Breakfast 7:30am Cape May, Lunch: Sunshine Seasons, Dinner: Kona Cafe (our daughter will go the kids club at Poly)
Wed 12/7 - MK - Breakfast in room, Lunch: Be our Guest, Dinner: The Plaza
Thurs 12/8 - MK - Breakfast in room, Lunch: Cosmic Rays (?) I am not sure here. Dinner: 1900 Park Fare
Friday 12/9 - Early Departure day - breakfast in room

I'm struggling with meals in the MK and HS...also we are not planning the Christmas party or AK.
TIA!

on 12/3, I will say that if you do the F! package I have heard that the dinner hours are very early... like around 4-5pm? 50s open at 11:30am I think. There might not be enough time in between meals... I struggled with the same problem My solution is to eat breakfast at EPCOT- Akershus (9/10am?) and plan F! package for around 4pm.

 

[Candycane83]

@Lisa F How are your plans looking? Are you adding Chef Mickey's? I'm asking because I'm considering adding it in for my first morning at Disney...

 

[Winniebell10]

Ok, here I go, I'm going to write out what I'm thinking so far with our 12/3 - 12/10 trip. For some reason writing this here stresses me out....nut job, I know. I think I feel committed or something if I write it out, but at the same time I'm wanting to get some things in place before my June 6 ADR date. (This all sounds like I'm frazzled, not really though, actually I'm a really flexible person and I am kind of missing the days of being able to decide park days on the trip or even the day of because of old fast pass. Sometimes planning this far out is too much, but gotta do it).

Some goals for the trip.....celebrate oldest son's 14th bday. Enjoy Christmas decorations and just Christmas season itself around WDW. Go to AK, the last 2 trips we haven't made it there and the boys really want to go. Still get in Disney Springs time. Was thinking of letting go of HS this trip, but youngest son wants to do Jedi Training and time is running out, he will be 11. Somehow enjoy some downtime doing whatever......that may not happen though.

12/3 - check in to CR early. Do most of our driving from Atlanta area the day before. For daytime, thought about pool if warm enough, checking out resort decorations, possibly doing some fast passes at MK, (if I decide to do this, I'll need to add on another day of tickets), or going to Disney Springs. Early dinner at Chef Mickey's. (I know, I know, but kids really want to go, they remember it from when they were little. And thought since we're staying at the Contemporary, we can just get it done and out of their systems since we'll be seeing CM all the time at the CR.) after dinner, watch MK fireworks from our room and get to bed.

12/4 - I love to start our park days at MK. But, thinking to RD HS to get in to Jedi Training. Hang out half day at HS. Eat early lunch at 50's Prime Time. (We've never eaten there, and would really like to, so that's another good reason to go to HS). Go back to resort or whatever. Do some ofEpcot when we feel like it later. Dinner at Biergarten.

I'll break this up. This may be long and painful to read.....

 

[Lisa F]

@Lisa F How are your plans looking? Are you adding Chef Mickey's? I'm asking because I'm considering adding it in for my first morning at Disney...

I'm not sure still. Life has been so crazy (and stressful) that I haven't even been able to think about this trip and just realized tomorrow is Southwest booking day. Now still can't remember if it is midnight, 6am or later? anyone know????

 

[Winniebell10]

12/5 - RD AK. Once we know the scoop on night time there, I'll have a better idea of how this will play out. Sounds like if night time is awesome, we may want to leave the park and head back again for evening. If not, just stay til we're tired. Either way, thinking of Tusker House or Yak and Yeti for dining. Maybe there will be some sort of dining package thing by December. Who knows.

12/6 - MVMCP from 4 to midnight. Not sure how much to plan for the daytime. Want to sleep in and kids to be rested. Then maybe swim, tour Xmas decorations at resorts, maybe a late heavy lunch somewhere. Could be a good time to get in T-Rex....I don't know if there is ever a good time for T-Rex, but the kids love it, so it's special to us.

12/7 - I don't know. Don't want to plan an early day after MVMCP, but wanting to get in a RD Epcot morning. Definitely a park this day, but not early. Can't decide. Maybe sleep until we want, then do some Sorcerer's at MK. Boys have wanted to do that. Then maybe leisurely non party eve at MK.

12/8 - RD Epcot. Eat lunch at GG. MK in afternoon. Watch MVMCP fireworks from room.

12/9 - son's actual birthday. Hoping to get early HDDR dining. Then head back to MK.

12/10 - check out day. May try to get an O'hana breakfast, it won't be a trip without that...but may try another. May do Disney Springs some, or just head home.

Well, now I'm glad I wrote that out. I actually see that I have tons of room in there as we find out more info on dates, etc. I still have more dining I want to fit in, but just hate to be overbooked. Want to go to Sanaa. Possibly tea at GF.

Only thing I really want is instead of 12/4 HS day is to start RD at MK, (especially since we are staying at CR), do a couple of quick favorite rides at MK, then head to HS. But I guess we wouldn't be able to get into Jedi Training then huh? Does anyone have experience with how early you need to be there to get in?

Another thing, we may actually be able to start the whole trip earlier...like maybe get there Thursday instead. That would give us more time for the xmas decoration enjoying, etc that I have stuck in my head. However, we Won't know until several months from now. Husband usually has a work trip this week and can't get home until late Thursday night. If we can go earlier, we'll just get there and stay where we stay, then move to CR 12/3.

Ok, I'd love input and suggestions. I'm really just excited. I've never been at xmas and want to really see it all but also enjoy it. Let me know if any thoughts. Oh, and I want to do an in room small birthday thing for son from Disney floral and gifts. And I really want one of their dang Christmas trees delivered. They don't have them out yet, but I'm ready when they do. I know they are the price of gold, but I have my heart set on one. (I'll let you guys know if it was worth it).

 

[myhoney]

We've been trying to hammer this out. June 3rd will be here soon! Here are the plans so far...DxDDP for 6 nights = 18 credits per person

11/30 - travel day, arrive @ 3:33pm, MDE to POFQ, dinner at Sassagoula's (1 credit used, 17 left)

12/1 - MK - Breakfast at CRT, lunch - snack credits?, dinner - Mickey's BBQ (4 credits used, 13 left)

12/2 - EP - Breakfast at Sassagoula's, lunch - Via Napoli (?), Dinner - San Angel or La Hacienda (?) (3 credits used, 10 left)

12/3 - AK - Breakfast at Tusker House, lunch/dinner depends on River of Light or Disney Springs(3 credit used, 7 left)

12/4 - MK - Breakfast - Main Street Bakery (snack credits), Lunch - Liberty Tree(?) , Dinner - HDDR (3 credits used, 4 left)

12/5 - HS - breakfast at Kona, lunch - snack credits (?), Dinner - 50's Prime Time (2 credits used, 2 left)

12/6 - ?? - breakfast - ?, lunch - ?, travel day leaving for MCO @ 3pm (0 credits left)

Items in green are probable, but still undecided. I would love to go to Kona for breakfast. We meant to last time and didn't make it. There is and there isn't a lot for us at HS. Rock N Roller and TOT are not big attractions for us. We want to see the Star Wars fireworks, especially since we won't be seeing the MK fireworks. (We are not doing the MVMMCP and both of our MK days are party days.) So, we thought a slow morning, arriving at HS for lunch time and plan to stay until close. We will get FP+ for TSMM, and everything else...meh.

We are leaving the last day a little more unscheduled so the kids can decide where to spend the day. We don't have a lot of time for Disney Springs...unless we go the first night?

 

[myhoney]

@Winniebell10- it makes it so difficult to plan when so much is up in the air as far as hours, ROL shows, etc. Looking at your schedule, it seems like you have planned the special/important things for your family, which is the important thing, and you also have room to relax and be flexible. Perfect! We did 50s PTC on our last trip, and while it wasn't on our "must do" list, DH and I both picked it right away for our HS day. The food was good and the atmosphere was fun, even though our waitress was on the tame side!

 

[goav2000]

Hello all! Happy to have found this thread as my wife and I are venturing south (we are from Minnesota) for our 1st Christmastime Disney vacation.

We are staying at CBR 11/27 - 12/3 and also celebrating our belated 10th wedding anniversary. We wanted to go in October, but the date limitations on FD pushed us back.

Some of our quandaries include whether we want to spend almost $200 for MVMCP or use that cash for a nice dinner at one of the signature restaurants...or do both...
and trying to figure out our daily schedule so we can get ADRs ready for 180+.

 

[Winniebell10]

@Winniebell10- it makes it so difficult to plan when so much is up in the air as far as hours, ROL shows, etc. Looking at your schedule, it seems like you have planned the special/important things for your family, which is the important thing, and you also have room to relax and be flexible. Perfect! We did 50s PTC on our last trip, and while it wasn't on our "must do" list, DH and I both picked it right away for our HS day. The food was good and the atmosphere was fun, even though our waitress was on the tame side!

Aww, thank you for your feedback. I'm taking notes from your schedule too. Looks great. Now that I'm figuring out park time, a couple of more dining ideas are coming into place.

 

[nicynot]

Hello all! Happy to have found this thread as my wife and I are venturing south (we are from Minnesota) for our 1st Christmastime Disney vacation.

We are staying at CBR 11/27 - 12/3 and also celebrating our belated 10th wedding anniversary. We wanted to go in October, but the date limitations on FD pushed us back.

Some of our quandaries include whether we want to spend almost $200 for MVMCP or use that cash for a nice dinner at one of the signature restaurants...or do both...
and trying to figure out our daily schedule so we can get ADRs ready for 180+.

Its a lot of money for MVMCP.. but its worth it!
I also love to eat while on my vacations there, but iv never been bothered to spend the money on a signature restaurant, for me i don't think it would be worth it