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

[LBlovesM&WDW]

Woohoo finally updated! So I have Robby Benson, the voice of the Beast and from the movie Ice Castles (from childhood). I'm pretty happy about this.

• Steven Curtis Chapman
  November 25 to 27, 2016
• Neil Patrick Harris
  November 28 to December 1, 2016
• Whoopi Goldberg
  December 2 to 3, 2016
• Edward James Olmos
  December 4 to 6, 2016
• Robby Benson
  December 10 to 12, 2016
• Meredith Vieira
  December 13 to 15, 2016
• Jim Caviezel
  December 16 to 18, 2016
• Joe Morton
  December 19 to 21, 2016
• Ming-Na Wen
  December 22 to 24, 2016
• Jodi Benson
  December 25 to 27, 2016
• Cal Ripken, Jr.
  December 28 to 30, 2016

 

[DisneyBelle27]

That reminds me, I NEED to get a wireless charger!

Just as an fyi, fast charge wireless chargers actually charge slightly slower than fast charge wired chargers.

Also, I highly recommend getting a portable charger for anyone who will be relying heavily on their phones while in the parks! They come in various capacities, which means various sizes/weights. I've had great experiences with Anker brand portable chargers. This way, you can charge on the go without having to stress about finding an outlet somewhere and wasting time while you wait for it to charge.

Woohoo finally updated! So I have Robby Benson, the voice of the Beast and from the movie Ice Castles (from childhood). I'm pretty happy about this.

UGH, my date, 12/7, still isn't announced! I'm just so curious who it's going to be!

 

[Candycane83]

Just as an fyi, fast charge wireless chargers actually charge slightly slower than fast charge wired chargers.

Also, I highly recommend getting a portable charger for anyone who will be relying heavily on their phones while in the parks! They come in various capacities, which means various sizes/weights. I've had great experiences with Anker brand portable chargers. This way, you can charge on the go without having to stress about finding an outlet somewhere and wasting time while you wait for it to charge.



UGH, my date, 12/7, still isn't announced! I'm just so curious who it's going to be!

I actually got a portable charger specifically for this trip. Plus additional memory for my iPhone too! And a pocket blanket... and the list goes on and on.... LOL!

 

[Iowamomof4]

For anyone interested --

Big Lots does sell the Christmas Light necklace that Disney does for more than 1/2 the price. ($15.00 for Disney/$5.00 Big Lots). I bought 4. I also found some cheaper breakfast items to have in the room there too.

If you have a Tuesday Morning, go ahead and check out their Christmas stuff. I found socks for DH and I, hats for DH and I, and gloves as well to have for MVMCP or any other cold morning/evening we may encounter. Everything was under $5.

We have 36 days to go, and it feels like it's crunch time!

Squee!! We have a Big Lots! I was totally eyeing those necklaces! I'll go check it out soon. Thank you!

 

[Iowamomof4]

Woohoo finally updated! So I have Robby Benson, the voice of the Beast and from the movie Ice Castles (from childhood). I'm pretty happy about this.

Aw man, I would have LOVED Jim Caviezel! Oh well. I think we'll be content to listen to it from outside if we feel like it.

 

[Lisa F]

My phone kept dropping it last time. I'm going to be relying on it this time, so we'll see! I guess I may have to visit the kiosks if nothing else.

I thought Disney wifi was quite good 2 years ago when I was there. I have t-mobile which is the suckiest service anywhere and I am dead in the water even at home and work without wifi

 

[Lisa F]

Yep, the WiFi isn't the best. I found that if I used the app earlier in the day, it processed much better than later in day. Like @Iowamomof4 said, it may be best to just visit the kiosks. Otherwise, it'll just drain the battery life!

That reminds me, I NEED to get a wireless charger!

they sell cell phone charging batteries there. I forget how much, expensive for what it is but you can exchange a spent one for a full one in the parks for free (and you can of course keep it and recharge it like normal). I bought a big backup battery and it already doesn't seem to be holding a charge, I might do this just to make my life easier.

 

[Iowamomof4]

they sell cell phone charging batteries there. I forget how much, expensive for what it is but you can exchange a spent one for a full one in the parks for free (and you can of course keep it and recharge it like normal). I bought a big backup battery and it already doesn't seem to be holding a charge, I might do this just to make my life easier.

Yeah, that would have been very handy last time when my brand new lipstick charger wasn't working on day 1! Thankfully, I had other chargers with me and one of those worked fine the rest of the trip. I'm glad this option exists in the parks now. I won't have to worry this time.

 

[SilSprBea]

Woohoo finally updated! So I have Robby Benson, the voice of the Beast and from the movie Ice Castles (from childhood). I'm pretty happy about this.

I'm in Epcot on 12/7 and that date is still missing a narrator. It's odd. It doesn't even say TBD for 12/7-12/9. As of now we're not planning on CP but who knows if the narrator might entice me to change our minds

 

[pigletgirl]

Squee!! We have a Bit Lots! I was totally eyeing those necklaces! I'll go check it out soon. Thank you!

Yes, they'll be good for a party night, or maybe JBJB too.

they sell cell phone charging batteries there. I forget how much, expensive for what it is but you can exchange a spent one for a full one in the parks for free (and you can of course keep it and recharge it like normal). I bought a big backup battery and it already doesn't seem to be holding a charge, I might do this just to make my life easier.

Yep, not sure what route I want yet.

 

[Lisa F]

OMG Edward James Olmos. I SWEAR that is the narrator I had the last time we saw it like 15 years ago. maybe more lol. I went looking for a pic but could not find it. But I have one! After talking to the ex I believe it was christmas of 2001 because he remembers seeing Edward James Olmos in the lobby of the contemporary and I remember we stayed at the contemporary on a great deal after 9/11 ($125 a night in the garden wings and we were upgraded to a suite because someone was in our room when we arrived, we flew out christmas night because the special expired on 12/25, and got in super late, like after 11pm).

actually it wasn't that year. it was gary sinese that year. we have seen him, edward james olmos, levar burton, neil patrick harris and david ogden stiers. I haven't seen it in over 10 years. that tells you how often we used to go mostly in early december but we did a few trips that were NYE into early January too in 1999 and 2000 and maybe even 1998 though not sure.

 

[Maryemcd]

We are keeping our 12/8 dessert party ressie...our first dessert party ever! BUT, we are going to two MVMCPs...so we can watch the fireworks from the hub the first party and enjoy the dessert party the second.

I had plans for 2 MVMCP's from the beginning of planning too! Just got my hard tickets (cards) in the mail (to use for SDFP too)! We've got the dessert party planned for the 4th. Even if fireworks aren't the best viewing, we'll have the awesome parade spot.

12/6 is the last discounted party. but it is not sold out at this point (none of them are).

I thought also that there were slightly different dates for DVC vs. AP (ie DVC had more dates than AP was) but that might have been early inaccurate information. I stopped paying attention honestly after I bought my tickets, the discount is so slight - $89/$94 vs $92/97 that it was not worth fussing over the $6 for the two of us

I think it was the touring plans site that rated the crowd levels for 2015. Tuesday, December 8th was the second least crowded date of the year. Since Tuesday is the 6th this year, my thought is that the 6th will be a very low crowd level. Tuesday, December 1st was the fifth least crowded date. The other 3 dates in the top 5 were all in November. December 8th looks like it won't sell out or maybe only the day before (based on last year's event).

Not sure if I can post the link, but do an internet search for "least crowded mvmcp 2016" and you'll find the blog post.

I'm getting so confused! I suddenly realized after searching for a Tusker House breakfast all morning, for the first Tuesday we're there, that I was looking in December instead of November! This trip spanning 2 months is for the birds! I've gotta get my act together or I'll have ADR's for 3 weeks AFTER our trip! lol

d'oh!

Or people asking the exact same question over and over again, usually less than a page after it was already answered. Has no one noticed the happy little search thread button? Yes, for the love of God you can get in the party at 4pm! YES IT SNOWS ALL NIGHT ON MAIN STREET OMG!

I haven't been keeping up with the MVMCP or MNSSHP threads. On that other chat board, there are constant questions about specific travel agents and people asking about renting DVC points!! I totally agree with your emoticon!

My company offers a desktop thing that you can raise so you can stand or sit at your desk. All you need is a doctor's note to get one. But we have short cubicle walls so when you are standing, everyone walking by can see you and your monitors and it just feels awkward. People walking by just seem to be drawn to looking at you because you are standing up. Someone in the next cube over has one and never uses it because of that.

More and more people at my work are getting these. We don't need a doctor's note, but an ergonomics person has to come to go through your workspace and your department has to pay for the desk. Never had back issues, but more and more I'm getting minor back aches/spasms. I also have been trying to get up and walk more at work. Hard to break away from the desk sometimes.

Woohoo finally updated! So I have Robby Benson, the voice of the Beast and from the movie Ice Castles (from childhood). I'm pretty happy about this.

Would have LOVED to see Jim Caviezel. No interest in Whoopi and not much interest in Edward James Olmos. Robby Benson would be cool.

 

[Winniebell10]

For anyone interested --

Big Lots does sell the Christmas Light necklace that Disney does for more than 1/2 the price. ($15.00 for Disney/$5.00 Big Lots). I bought 4. I also found some cheaper breakfast items to have in the room there too.

If you have a Tuesday Morning, go ahead and check out their Christmas stuff. I found socks for DH and I, hats for DH and I, and gloves as well to have for MVMCP or any other cold morning/evening we may encounter. Everything was under $5.

We have 36 days to go, and it feels like it's crunch time!

I just saw the Christmas bulb necklaces at Michael's for $5.00 also. They looked like the exact Disney ones.

 

[Iowamomof4]

I just saw the Christmas bulb necklaces at Michael's for $5.00 also. They looked like the exact Disney ones.

Did they light up?

 

[DisneyBelle27]

Ahhh! Just got my Disney's Magical Express tags in the mail today! This just got even more real!

 

[jillyh]

I just scored a 10 am BOG on 12/8. I have an 8:00 PPO BOG that same day that I'm going to let go along with an 11:00 BOG lunch also on the 8th that I got from our friend @Candycane83. I thought I would offer them up to my friends here on this thread before posting on the December Cancelled ADR thread. We already have 2 PPO breakfasts at the beginning of our trip, and I was thinking this one was overkill, but really wanted to eat at BOG at least once

PM me if you're interested!

 

[areno79]

Oh yes! Thank you for reminding me! Something else I can obsess over is finding a Disney Christmas manicure I like! Lol. When I went last year, for one single night just so I'd be able to experience the Osborne Lights I got a design that looked like Mickey-shaped Christmas lights. I'll have to find a pic!

I have been gathering ideas for my main/pedi too! I'm glad @Lisa F brought up the point about not having freshly scrubbed feet though. I will make sure to let my nail tech know not to go crazy on getting the calluses off. I just need to decide what kind of design I want!

I'm kinda bummed about Disney's change in plans they posted. They had been doing a Frozen Holiday Wish at 6:15 and 7:30 (8:15 on party nights) every day regardless of whether you attended a party. We're not going to a party but we had planned on the 6:15 show and then exiting the park for dinner on our opening day. Now it's gone (I noticed it in my touring plans that my plan couldn't be updated unless I removed it) and I went to the Disney website for my park day and they only list the 8:15 show on 12/4 (party night) and no shows on 12/5 (non party night). I wonder why they decided to make that change?

That is a bummer, because we were going to do the same thing so as to not use precious party time. Oh well, at least we still have Chef Mickey's!

Ugh I had a busy weekend. Some good, some bad. The worst was that we lost 2 turkeys to coyotes and another was injured. Luckily he seems to be doing well after being treated and we have since rearranged their nighttime shelter situation for better protection. Then we went to a close by restaurant with my parents and nieces and had the worst experience I've ever had at any eating establishment. After being there about 3 hours and still only 2 out of 3 kids got their meals and none of the adults did...the owner apologized profusely and said we didn't owe anything, they even said "keep the Groupon for your next visit" but I don't think we'll be back ever, even with a Groupon for a 3 course dinner for 4 to use. At least if we have any bad experiences on vacation, I can just say to DH "Just remember, this isn't nearly as bad as that time at Rosalee's."

On the plus side, DH is working OT this week and possibly for a few weeks. Extra $$ that is much needed! But that means I'll be doing all the chores myself and working on building the permanent poultry pens alone. I guess you can say we're both working OT. Remember how I said life is getting in the way?

I did manage to keep up with reading my favorite threads and checking for ADRs at least. I even picked up an Ohana dinner ADR that fits better into my plans, but is still not the optimum fit I'm looking for. And I picked up a couple BOG ADRs that I just happened to see while searching. Those will be up for grabs to someone soon! I need to go through and clean up my ADRs.

@Lisa F thanks for sharing the foot regime!

I enjoyed everyone else's suggestions on footwear too. This is something that I am really concerned about. I have a desk job, but DH is a carpenter and on his feet a lot. I always walk at lunchtime, but that's nothing compared to Disney. I've been trying to exercise more at home, but life keeps getting in the way lately! I plan to bring at least 2 pairs of sneakers. I just completed a "wear in" period on one new pair and started on the 2nd new pair and finding that I don't think they'll work! So I ordered another new pair last week and will switch to them when they arrive. Then I have comfortable flats that I wear to work. I would only wear these for small parts of the day I think because they are very firm. I already ordered and received my moleskin (which I didn't know about until the DIS!). I just realized that bandaids weren't on my packing list, so got that added.

My Disney store order arrived and seems I over guesstimated on sizes. Both my hoodies are way too big. This is my fear of online ordering, especially from the Etsy stores that you cannot return to. At least I can send back my Disney order. On the plus side, they sent an extra sleeping shirt that I didn't even order.... I don't think I need 3, so I'll probably send at least one back.



I have the same problem! Plus you have to check both the November and December ADR threads...


Thanks for that info! I actually didn't know it snows all night. Now I don't have to ask.

Oh no! Sorry to hear about the troubles with the farm
I have something to confess...I have a fear of turkeys. Not dead ones you eat at Thanksgiving, but live ones. I was trapped in my house for a few hours last year because my DH called and told me that 3 wild turkeys were hanging out at the end of our street. We all have our crosses to bear, I guess! LOL

My phone kept dropping it last time. I'm going to be relying on it this time, so we'll see! I guess I may have to visit the kiosks if nothing else.

Ugh, that stinks! I'm glad when I just upgraded my phone I went to Best Buy and they let me keep my unlimited data plan though AT&T. The guys at the AT&T store kept telling me the only way I could keep it was if I got Directtv through them, but BB did it with no issues.

I just saw the Christmas bulb necklaces at Michael's for $5.00 also. They looked like the exact Disney ones.

I was just there on Saturday! Guess I'll have to make another run over there soon!

 

[jillyh]

Ahhh! Just got my Disney's Magical Express tags in the mail today! This just got even more real!

Me too!!! So exciting!

 

[Winniebell10]

Did they light up?

Yes mam

 

[JamieOak]

Oh no! Sorry to hear about the troubles with the farm
I have something to confess...I have a fear of turkeys. Not dead ones you eat at Thanksgiving, but live ones. I was trapped in my house for a few hours last year because my DH called and told me that 3 wild turkeys were hanging out at the end of our street. We all have our crosses to bear, I guess! LOL

I actually had, and kind of still do have, a fear of all birds! It was DH's idea to get chickens, and mine to get ducks. Then turkeys were just the next logical choice. And I don't blame you about turkeys...there are some mean ones out there! Our four were all sweet and followed us around. Maybe we made them a little too friendly?

That's a funny story about being trapped in your house!