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

[Lisa F]

Does anyone who has pre-ordered at BOG know if you can swap sides on the kids menu? Have been obsessively thinking about this meal because it is only 4 hours from other meals... Would love to try the pork but or is way too much for a light lunch and just hit me I could do the kids meal. Kid would get adult turkey and probably leave half and I'm ok with that.

I could wait until I can pre-order on Wednesday but what is the fun in that?

 

[SilSprBea]

Does anyone who has pre-ordered at BOG know if you can swap sides on the kids menu? Have been obsessively thinking about this meal because it is only 4 hours from other meals... Would love to try the pork but or is way too much for a light lunch and just hit me I could do the kids meal. Kid would get adult turkey and probably leave half and I'm ok with that.

I could wait until I can pre-order on Wednesday but what is the fun in that?

I preordered breakfast and had no options for altering anything.

 

[Lisa F]

Ok, advice from those of you that have had or will have cars with you at WDW, do you drive or bus to the MK? We're staying at POR and will drive to Epcot and HS, and likely AK too. Torn about what to do with MK.

Our first day we arrive around 11ish and we're going to go straight to park assuming room wasn't ready. We're staying until about 6:30 or so and then Chef mockey for dinner. I don't think really want to pay $20 to park at Contemporary from noon to after our dinner. I had been planning using the bus but am second guessing. I'm wondering if we will want to have our car with us or if the time it takes to get to parking lots makes it a wash anyway? I could always send my DH back to POR a bit early and have him meet us with the car at the contemporary, but that would mean me walking with both kiddos to Chef Mickey which I'm sure is not that hard.

Also, for PPO or AM extra magic hours do you bus as well? Do the buses run frequently that early or if you miss one are you stuck waiting forever? With two kids in car seats uber isn't a good option for us.

This is a no-brainer for me... The "quality of life" that $20 will add to your vacation is worth way more than the $20. It's your first day, you have two little ones, you will probably be done with dinner 8ish after travel and a half day at the MK... Park your car at CR for the day and end it by strolling to your car and driving home, no extra steps to get car from TTC, no sending DH out an hour early to get the car... None of that. Really $20 well spent given how much stress and hassle it saves.

For ppo I would not rely on the bus. Have read too many nightmare stories of people missing their ADR due to wonky transport that time of day. I'd drive to ttc and take the transportation you know will be running to service the park (monorail and ferry boat) Any other time I might choose bus because if the convenience of cutting out Ttc and drop off right at MK, but not for PPO

 

[Tink1987]

Just booked our sleigh ride around Fort Wilderness for December 4th

 

[Lisa F]

Just booked our sleigh ride around Fort Wilderness for December 4th

A little jealous I admit!

 

[SilSprBea]

This is a no-brainer for me... The "quality of life" that $20 will add to your vacation is worth way more than the $20. It's your first day, you have two little ones, you will probably be done with dinner 8ish after travel and a half day at the MK... Park your car at CR for the day and end it by strolling to your car and driving home, no extra steps to get car from TTC, no sending DH out an hour early to get the car... None of that. Really $20 well spent given how much stress and hassle it saves.

For ppo I would not rely on the bus. Have read too many nightmare stories of people missing their ADR due to wonky transport that time of day. I'd drive to ttc and take the transportation you know will be running to service the park (monorail and ferry boat) Any other time I might choose bus because if the convenience of cutting out Ttc and drop off right at MK, but not for PPO

Thank you @Lisa F. You've totally convinced me to drive on arrival day and park at Contemporary. I googled it and it's $25 and it says you have to tell them the reason you are there. So I'm assuming when we pull in we tell them that we have a Chef Mickey ADR at 6:55 but are going to hang around first. I imagine they'd let us in to valet for that reason.

So you also advise driving for PPO breakfast and you think bus would be ok for EMH morning because if we're a little late for that rope drop, so what.

Can you pay to park at Contemporary even if you don't have an ADR that day? Wonder if that might make sense on another day or if they won't even let you in to valet.

 

[Lisa F]

Thank you @Lisa F. You've totally convinced me to drive on arrival day and park at Contemporary. I googled it and it's $25 and it says you have to tell them the reason you are there. So I'm assuming when we pull in we tell them that we have a Chef Mickey ADR at 6:55 but are going to hang around first. I imagine they'd let us in to valet for that reason.

So you also advise driving for PPO breakfast and you think bus would be ok for EMH morning because if we're a little late for that rope drop, so what.

Can you pay to park at Contemporary even if you don't have an ADR that day? Wonder if that might make sense on another day or if they won't even let you in to valet.

I am not sure about the valet nowadays. It used to be that you could just "visit" a resort and park but of course they had to curtail that when it was abused. I think though fur valet because you are paying and its not overutilized they don't care much.

 

[Candycane83]

Thank you @Lisa F. You've totally convinced me to drive on arrival day and park at Contemporary. I googled it and it's $25 and it says you have to tell them the reason you are there. So I'm assuming when we pull in we tell them that we have a Chef Mickey ADR at 6:55 but are going to hang around first. I imagine they'd let us in to valet for that reason.

So you also advise driving for PPO breakfast and you think bus would be ok for EMH morning because if we're a little late for that rope drop, so what.

Can you pay to park at Contemporary even if you don't have an ADR that day? Wonder if that might make sense on another day or if they won't even let you in to valet.

Have to agree with @Lisa F especially since you mentioned that your DH is not very patient with Disney.

 

[Candycane83]

Does anyone who has pre-ordered at BOG know if you can swap sides on the kids menu? Have been obsessively thinking about this meal because it is only 4 hours from other meals... Would love to try the pork but or is way too much for a light lunch and just hit me I could do the kids meal. Kid would get adult turkey and probably leave half and I'm ok with that.

I could wait until I can pre-order on Wednesday but what is the fun in that?

I've heard that you can pre-order and change or do swaps when you get there. I'm thinking of ordering now for breakfast! But it's so anti climatic since I'm just thinking of ordering drinks and a Mickey straw. Lol!

 

[Candycane83]

Ok I need to stop fiddling with my adrs. O took back my skippers canteen on 12/7 because I want to have a sit down meal in the park and the new menu looks yummy. They have plain steamed rice, raw veggies and fruit so dd will be okay. The reviews are good. I am dying to try the kungaloosh! Now I nabbed a 520pm but there was also an 840pm and I'm wondering if that would be better given we have a 145pm bog. BUT it seems so latell even though we are staying for Wishes.

I think 8:40 is not ideal if you want to watch wishes.. seems too late for me. I would go with the 5:20 especially since you're having a light lunch at BOG anyway if you could find a 6/6:30pm one, it would be more ideal

 

[SilSprBea]

Your totally right, @Candycane83. I don't know why my mind just went to not wasting money, but it is not a waste if it makes my husband be less grumpy!

 

[Lisa F]

Have to agree with @Lisa F especially since you mentioned that your DH is not very patient with Disney.

Oh, that was you? Spend the money for sure and don't send him back to get the car!

 

[SilSprBea]

Oh, that was you? Spend the money for sure and don't send him back to get the car!

Oh yes that we me, @Lisa F. I'm the one who the guest services at Epcot refunded a 2nd day of a two day ticket because DH had a tantrum. I'm praying he is better behaved this trip for the kids sake!!!

 

[DisneyBelle27]

I need to restrain myself, lol. I just spent a few minutes looking up what it would cost me to add another day to my park ticket so that I could hit a park in the evening on my arrival day. Epcot has evening EMH so it's so tempting! But it would cost me an extra $40, since I only have a 3 day ticket, and that would be for only a few hours in the park. But it would be more opportunity to try out the seasonal holiday treats! But I also have plans to go over to FW and do a run through the campground to see all the Christmas decorations and that's 100% free! But I could just wander around World Showcase for the evening! But I'm at Epcot all day the next day! I need to stop spending money! But it's so tempting! Ugh!!! Make me stop!!!


In happier, less confusing news, the 8 mile run I did earlier today is totally going to justify the massive amounts of Chinese food I will shortly be consuming for dinner tonight!

 

[SilSprBea]

I need to restrain myself, lol. I just spent a few minutes looking up what it would cost me to add another day to my park ticket so that I could hit a park in the evening on my arrival day. Epcot has evening EMH so it's so tempting! But it would cost me an extra $40, since I only have a 3 day ticket, and that would be for only a few hours in the park. But it would be more opportunity to try out the seasonal holiday treats! But I also have plans to go over to FW and do a run through the campground to see all the Christmas decorations and that's 100% free! But I could just wander around World Showcase for the evening! But I'm at Epcot all day the next day! I need to stop spending money! But it's so tempting! Ugh!!! Make me stop!!!


In happier, less confusing news, the 8 mile run I did earlier today is totally going to justify the massive amounts of Chinese food I will shortly be consuming for dinner tonight!

Stick to your plan and do your run. You'll enjoy fort wilderness lights too!!

We added a day to our trip but to go from 5 to 6 was only $15 per person and we're going to be in the park from 12-7 so it was worth it.

 

[Candycane83]

Oh yes that we me, @Lisa F. I'm the one who the guest services at Epcot refunded a 2nd day of a two day ticket because DH had a tantrum. I'm praying he is better behaved this trip for the kids sake!!!

Here's to our DHs behaving!

 

[Candycane83]

I need to restrain myself, lol. I just spent a few minutes looking up what it would cost me to add another day to my park ticket so that I could hit a park in the evening on my arrival day. Epcot has evening EMH so it's so tempting! But it would cost me an extra $40, since I only have a 3 day ticket, and that would be for only a few hours in the park. But it would be more opportunity to try out the seasonal holiday treats! But I also have plans to go over to FW and do a run through the campground to see all the Christmas decorations and that's 100% free! But I could just wander around World Showcase for the evening! But I'm at Epcot all day the next day! I need to stop spending money! But it's so tempting! Ugh!!! Make me stop!!!


In happier, less confusing news, the 8 mile run I did earlier today is totally going to justify the massive amounts of Chinese food I will shortly be consuming for dinner tonight!

There's a lot of snacks around DS and Boardwalk too! I.e. Ice cream flight at Ample Hills what is your plan right now? There's also a lot of holiday snacks at the resorts

 

[DisneyBelle27]

Stick to your plan and do your run. You'll enjoy fort wilderness lights too!!

We added a day to our trip but to go from 5 to 6 was only $15 per person and we're going to be in the park from 12-7 so it was worth it.

@SilSprBea thank you for being a voice of calm and reason! You are totally right.

There's a lot of snacks around DS and Boardwalk too! I.e. Ice cream flight at Ample Hills what is your plan right now? There's also a lot of holiday snacks at the resorts

I'm flying in that day and land a little after 1. So my plan is to get to the resort, wander around a bit and explore, eat something. Then I'm going to change and walk over to DS (I'm staying at Saratoga for my first 2 nights) and catch a bus to WL. Check out the decorations and then I have a run mapped out to go over to the FW campground to see all the decorated campsites. Bus back to DS and back to my room to shower. I'll probably head back over to check out DS that evening. So I think I'll stick with that plan! I'm really excited to see the campsites all decorated, I've never been over there before! And I do want to take advantage of the walking proximity to DS while I'm there!

 

[pigletgirl]

The Pho totally hit the spot. In fact, we're having it again tonight.

I went ahead and printed off the MVMCP guide. I'm trying to piece together some sort of an itinerary for us for that night. Like I said, we'll probably go ahead and see the first parade, but as long as the girls are okay, we'll stay for the second. We decided that we're going to have an early lunch (11:30) lunch at Morimoto's in DS. I didn't want to use 2 credits for it, and so lunch it is. They're menu makes me salivate.

For dinner, we may eat at the Contempo Cafe. I really want to try their Lobster roll and peanut butter pie. Otherwise it'll probably be Casey's. I just prefer the desserts at the Contempo!

Tomorrow we can place our order for our BOG lunch.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

Hello everyone! Popping in to say hi. It seems most of you guys are less than 30 days now. How exciting! The Disney stork is starting to drop Magic Bands in your mailboxes so it's getting real close......finally.

@DisneyBelle27 congrats on the Savor the Savannah tour. I'm jealous!!! I really wanted to experience a tour at AK but everything is 8 years old and up so that would mean DS2 is a no go. Hope you have a great time!

@Candycane83 I totally agree with the little guy being a freebie! My first thought a year ago when this trip was just an idea was that I DID NOT want to bring a toddler to DW. I told myself when DS is totally done with diapers then we will go. But it does make sense to do it now before he is 3. I did a rough estimate of the extra cost of paying for a 4th person and it adds up quickly!!!

In other news.....I have a confession to make. I booked another extra. This time it was Illuminations dessert party. I think I might have a dessert party addiction . I know we were talking about this one, oh about 100 pages ago and it seemed like a good one. I was considering the Illuminations cruise but I kind of felt it was too expensive for what they're offering. So just tallying up my "extras" it seems I've gone a little overboard.
-MVMCP (not really an "extra" because if your there in December I consider it a must-do. But it does cost "extra" so I guess it qualifies)
-Illuminations Dessert party
-Club Villian
-JBJB dessert party
-Holiday wishes dessert party
-Carriage ride at Fort Wilderness
-2 cakes

I'm really looking forward to them but I think I need an intervention at this point. Maybe I should have someone change my MDE login info. and not tell me what it is until the morning we leave for Orlando.

On the bright side. I'm really not much for shopping so I've been able to resist the urge to over do it on the Disney related clothes/gear. Someone please tell me I'm "normal" and everything will be ok.