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

[JainaAlice]

@Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL

Taking all things you said into consideration I would skip HDDMR. I would relax after your lunch. Head to the monorail resorts a little later and time it to go to MVMCP after your done touring.

 

[Candycane83]

Ok so I'm in need of opinions if anyone would be so kind.

I think I might have a bit of a dilemma with my MVMCP night. We have HDDMR, and Holiday Wishes Dessert Party booked. It just doesn't seem like there's enough time to get back to Tomorrowland Terrace to check in for dessert party. This is our "rest" day. So we planned on:
- sleeping a little late-ish,
-11:30 Sanaa lunch
-12:30/1:00 catch a bus to MK after lunch and tour the monorail resorts to check out Christmas decorations
-4:00 HDDMR
-6:30 arrive at MK for MVMCP (which means we have to rush to Tomorrowland Terrace to check-in for dessert party and receive "credentials")


So my question is which would you cancel HDDMR or the Dessert Party?

I should add that we are: Me, DW, DD8, DS2, (that's right, I'm a guy. This thread isn't just for the ladies right!?!). None of us have ever been to either of these. We will definitely be returning to DW in the future but I can't say for sure if it will ever be at Christmastime.

Here's a few minor details that may, or may not influence your opinion:

-We are on the DxDDP and I mistakenly booked Category 1 for HDDMR which is not eligible for dining plan so we'll have to pay OOP for that which is kind of a bummer.

-It has been said that the dessert party is a huge time killer. But for MVMCP we don't aspire to do any M&Gs with characters and rides aren't a priority for us either that night. We really just want to take it easy, do a bunch of shopping on MS, eat a bunch of sweet snacks that are bad for us and get sick to our stomachs by the time it's all over. (hence the dessert party)

-What IS a priority is getting a good spot for the parade. But I'm not into camping out for 2-3 hours and holding a spot. Also wanted to see Holiday Wishes from a good spot and with (from what I've read) assigned tables and no standing at the railing the dessert party might be kind of a crap shoot!

-also on a happier note: we decided to take the $$ we save from canceling one of these and apply it the Wild Africa Trek on our AK day for me and DD8! (high 5 Talby!!!). DD and I are both total geeks when it comes to wildlife, zoos, nature shows on TV, etc. She's not exactly sure of her career path right now but she's knows she would like to work with animals in some capacity so I'm really psyched about this.

So if your still reading this, Thank You! And what would you do?

I would wait. I know this might not be the answer you are looking for but first I would see what kind of reviews there are for the dessert party. I think one to one and a half hours wait is the max on the first parade? I'm guessing because I have not been during this time of the year (we went early November in 2012). I'm pretty sure it would not be three hours though even at Main Street.
For HDDR, I would say try to look for another time? Maybe juggle ADRs if you can? (If it's possible on a day you r not attending the party) I think that more availability will come up since the reservation system is wonky you might still be able to fit it in with DxDP

 

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

Woo, I missed a lot this weekend! You kids were busy! LOL
@pigletgirl what an awesome surprise from your DH!
@Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL no idea you were a guy! I think its cool you're so into planning for your family!

DH and I are planning on the 12/8 MVMCP too

Thanks. Yep this trip is pretty much all my doing. I booked it as a surprise for DW, DD, and DS. Was going to surprise them a few weeks before we left but I finally caved and told DW about it a few weeks ago and she is thrilled! I think I even saw some happy tears when I told her. She's usually the one that does the planning for stuff like this but this time I think she's enjoying just letting me handle everything. She is like a little kid on Christmas Eve when it comes to this trip. Meaning, she doesn't know exactly what she's getting but she knows whatever it is, it's going to be awesome.

 

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

I would wait. I know this might not be the answer you are looking for but first I would see what kind of reviews there are for the dessert party. I think one to one and a half hours wait is the max on the first parade? I'm guessing because I have not been during this time of the year (we went early November in 2012). I'm pretty sure it would not be three hours though even at Main Street.
For HDDR, I would say try to look for another time? Maybe juggle ADRs if you can? (If it's possible on a day you r not attending the party) I think that more availability will come up since the reservation system is wonky you might still be able to fit it in with DxDP

Good point on waiting for the reviews to start rolling in.
I considered moving HDDR but at this point in doing that I think it would be like "forcing" it. Our ADRs on all other nights are booked up solid and they're all stuff that we really want to do too. And the way HDDR reservations have been going lately, I'm pretty sure there wouldn't get any availability.

 

[Candycane83]

Good point on waiting for the reviews to start rolling in.
I considered moving HDDR but at this point in doing that I think it would be like "forcing" it. Our ADRs on all other nights are booked up solid and they're all stuff that we really want to do too. And the way HDDR reservations have been going lately, I'm pretty sure there wouldn't get any availability.

Don't mean to stalk but I saw your plans on another thread the only one I can see the switch being good is switching HDDR with BOG dinner. If you could flip those two, you would be golden If not, there is always next time. I am looking to switch my Artist Point reservation on Dec 10 but if I don't get it, it'll be on my to do for next time too

 

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

Don't mean to stalk but I saw your plans on another thread the only one I can see the switch being good is switching HDDR with BOG dinner. If you could flip those two, you would be golden If not, there is always next time. I am looking to switch my Artist Point reservation on Dec 10 but if I don't get it, it'll be on my to do for next time too

Ha that's so funny I saw your plans on the other thread this afternoon too. The Artist Point and Cali Grill jumped out at me because we'll be there on those days too. I just didn't put 2 and 2 together until just now.

 

[BDFmom]

@Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL I would take a wait and see approach. Wait for the reviews of the Hallowishes to roll in. Then you'll have a better idea of the table situation. It would be a shame after all your thoughtful planning not to enjoy HDDR and be worried about the dessert party.

YAY on the Africa Trek!!

Your family is very luck to have you planning such an awesome vacation!!

And a 12/8 MVMCP? Oh man, if we came, we'd have TWO double strollers to save spots for the parade and fireworks!

Anyone going 12/1?

Me ...me...me 12/1 is my party night... and possibly 12/2 or 12/4

 

[Candycane83]

Ha that's so funny I saw your plans on the other thread this afternoon too. The Artist Point and Cali Grill jumped out at me because we'll be there on those days too. I just didn't put 2 and 2 together until just now.

Yes we'd be the other family bringing a two year old along!
Edit: I get the impression that not much people bring their kids to artist point...

 

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

Yes we'd be the other family bringing a two year old along!
Edit: I get the impression that not much people bring their kids to artist point...

At first I was hesitant to book ADRs at signatures with a 2yo. But at this point I'm so over it. Had to remind myself it's DW. There's kids everywhere, all the time. (Except V&A). So I'm no longer stressing about it. If he starts getting fidgety, we'll just take him for a walk outside to calm down.

 

[Mintycake]

You and @Lisa F are really convincing me on this! But $30 shipping... I still need to wait to buy the magicbands!

I am ridiculously behind on this thread but can you buy extra magic bands once you are at the park? And no mbs at disney store in Canada

 

[areno79]

I just realized I haven't shared my plans yet (probably because I am the worst decision maker ever and can't finalize anything!)
Here's what I have planned so far:

Friday 12/2-Arrive MCO 8pm; take MDE to AoA for check-in; dinner at AoA Food Court (although I would prefer to eat at Wolfgang Puck Express at DS if we get in early enough. Not sure what time they close.)

Saturday 12/3- RD Epcot, hope to HS @ 3 for H&V F! at 4:25pm, F! @ 7pm (Hoping for SW dessert party instead!)

Sunday 12/4- RD MK, Chef Mickey's at 6:45pm; head to Epcot for Illuminations (Hoping for Illuminations FP+, although not sure where the viewing area is.)

Monday 12/5- RD AK; might head back to AoA in the afternoon depending on how long we're at AK, then head to MK for BOG res at 7:35pm. May stay for Wishes after dinner... we're still holding out for a surprise nighttime parade LOL

Tuesday 12/6- RD HS, Sci Fi at 11:30, then head to Poly at 3:15 for our 4:05 'Ohana ADR. Maybe DS after dinner, then early night. (If we can change Ohana to 12/8 early dinner, and get H&V F! for this day we'll drop the H&V for 12/3 and do the dessert party that day.)

Wednesday 12/7- Take Uber to US/IOA...no idea what I'm doing that day other than immersing myself in all things Harry Potter!! Maybe late lunch, early dinner at Leaky Cauldron. Head back to resort to clean up, then Cali Grill ADR at 9:30 for drinks, apps, and Wishes.

Thursday 12/8- Sleep in, if it's warm swim at the resort, or possibly Boardwalk/BC/YC to check out Christmas decorations (lunch somewhere there), then get to MK in the afternoon for MVMCP. ADR at Crystal Palace at 5:55. A little later than I'd like, but I'll keep checking to see if something a little earlier opens up. Ideally we'll be able to switch the 4:05 'Ohana to this night instead, so that on 12/6 we could potentially stay at HS on 12/6 for F! (Have a res finder set up for H&V F! for 12/6.) That will be a late night...planning to shop on Main Street, ride some rides, watch Holiday Wishes, and then catch the late parade if we can stay up that late.

Friday 12/9- Sleep in, then head to GF for 1900 Park Fare breakfast at 10:20. (Still need to figure out best way to get there from AoA...maybe bus to TTC, then monorail to GF?) After breakfast, we're not sure what we're doing. Since we'll be in that vicinity, it kind of makes sense to hit up MK for some more rides, but we'll probably head back to Epcot, maybe try for a lunch package for CP. We have a Le Cellier ADR for 8:35pm, but hoping for HDDR instead for this night, since it's the only night it really works in our schedule.

Saturday 12/10- Check out early and leave luggage with Bell Services...potentially hit up HS, then DS for some last minute shopping/eating all the churros/whatever. Plane leaves at 8pm, so I think MDE will pick us up at resort at 5pm to head to MCO.

Feels like we don't have enough down time built into the schedule earlier in the week, but there is still so much up in the air while we wait for news at SW dessert party, ROL, and finalized hours. Please feel free to chime in!

 

[Lisa F]

At first I was hesitant to book ADRs at signatures with a 2yo. But at this point I'm so over it. Had to remind myself it's DW. There's kids everywhere, all the time. (Except V&A). So I'm no longer stressing about it. If he starts getting fidgety, we'll just take him for a walk outside to calm down.

at that age my kid barfed a stomach full of goldfish crackers (provided by the restaurant I'll add) in the CA Grill over the table after insisting on trying some fondant off of his father's cake that set off a bad gag reflex. They handled it flawlessly. I would not hesitate to bring my 2 year old to Disney signatures. It is probably one of the few places on earth where you can bring a 2yo to a place like that.

 

[Mal6586]

Who just woke up to find a TP reservation finder text, and booked their BOG dinner for 12/10?

This girl!!!

At 4:05pm, it's a little earlier than I'd have liked, but especially for now, I will take it!!

Anybody need a BOG table for a party of 2? I've got a 12/6 dinner during MVMCP at 7:00pm and a 12/10 breakfast at 8:40am to drop. I'll put it on the December cancellation thread sometime tomorrow if nobody here needs it.

 

[Maryemcd]

Ok so I'm in need of opinions if anyone would be so kind.

I think I might have a bit of a dilemma with my MVMCP night. We have HDDMR, and Holiday Wishes Dessert Party booked. It just doesn't seem like there's enough time to get back to Tomorrowland Terrace to check in for dessert party. This is our "rest" day. So we planned on:
- sleeping a little late-ish,
-11:30 Sanaa lunch
-12:30/1:00 catch a bus to MK after lunch and tour the monorail resorts to check out Christmas decorations
-4:00 HDDMR
-6:30 arrive at MK for MVMCP (which means we have to rush to Tomorrowland Terrace to check-in for dessert party and receive "credentials")


So my question is which would you cancel HDDMR or the Dessert Party?

@Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL
I was just wondering on Saturday if there were any gents in this little group Can't tell from most screen names.

I read a review that said you don't have to make the dessert party a huge time killer (maybe Josh @easyWDW).... he said he checked in, then took off to do something else, then went right to the parade spot in time for the parade (maybe 7:25), then got in a quick M&G (right in town square?), and then went back for the desserts/fireworks. If I remember correctly, he said that you could stand against the railing in TT for the fireworks. I'm not sure if people have said that isn't true and you must stick to your seat now?? I think we have to wait for some HalloWishes reviews to see what happens.

I've never done HDDMR, but travelling to get there would be a huge waste of time for me. Prime parade spot is why I booked Holiday Wishes Dessert Party.

 

[Maryemcd]

I just realized I haven't shared my plans yet (probably because I am the worst decision maker ever and can't finalize anything!)

^^^^ YES, this is me too! I've been looking through everyone else's posts and it's amazing that we all have such different plans!! I started to post mine on Saturday, but then had the failed BOG ADR pickup and was second-guessing myself too.

 

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

@Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL
I was just wondering on Saturday if there were any gents in this little group Can't tell from most screen names.

I read a review that said you don't have to make the dessert party a huge time killer (maybe Josh @easyWDW).... he said he checked in, then took off to do something else, then went right to the parade spot in time for the parade (maybe 7:25), then got in a quick M&G (right in town square?), and then went back for the desserts/fireworks. If I remember correctly, he said that you could stand against the railing in TT for the fireworks. I'm not sure if people have said that isn't true and you must stick to your seat now?? I think we have to wait for some HalloWishes reviews to see what happens.

I've never done HDDMR, but travelling to get there would be a huge waste of time for me. Prime parade spot is why I booked Holiday Wishes Dessert Party.

HDDMR was definitely a waste of time. So I decided not to do it on MVMCP night. Might try to fit in another night but at this point there's not much room in our itinerary. I really appreciate all the good advice on here. Sometimes it's difficult to imagine all of the logistics and trying to do too much can sometimes spoil the fun (if that makes any sense?)

 

[Candycane83]

At first I was hesitant to book ADRs at signatures with a 2yo. But at this point I'm so over it. Had to remind myself it's DW. There's kids everywhere, all the time. (Except V&A). So I'm no longer stressing about it. If he starts getting fidgety, we'll just take him for a walk outside to calm down.

Haha yes I initially was hesitant but I figure we'll just take him outside if ever. now I have flying fish Narcoosee's and artist point in my line up! Might be too much so I was thinking of switching artist point for HDDR if I find availability.

 

[Candycane83]

^^^^ YES, this is me too! I've been looking through everyone else's posts and it's amazing that we all have such different plans!! I started to post mine on Saturday, but then had the failed BOG ADR pickup and was second-guessing myself too.

I think you should go ahead and post I change my mind every other day and post it here to get opinions!

 

[Lisa F]

HDDMR was definitely a waste of time. So I decided not to do it on MVMCP night. Might try to fit in another night but at this point there's not much room in our itinerary. I really appreciate all the good advice on here. Sometimes it's difficult to imagine all of the logistics and trying to do too much can sometimes spoil the fun (if that makes any sense?)

you may have to give up the idea of doing it this time. I have to keep doing that with certain things I just can't fit in. it takes a while to come to come around to that though, lol.

 

[Lisa F]

ok everyone. it is getting real.

last night I dreamed that I showed up to Disney right off the flight (which is my previous plans). I forgot I wanted to do AK first so parked at the MK. Dropped the kid's coat in coat check (there is a coat check? lol) and my extra battery for my phone was in there. We go to the MK and it's dark already even though it is middle of the morning and we get on the queue for the Haunted Mansion. My kid runs ahead and I'm trying to keep an eye on him and catch up to him. Then I remember, crap, I meant to go to AK first! so I grab him off the line and tell him that we need to be flexible and we are going to AK, but already we have missed early entry... but at least I have my SDFPs... but then I realize that my SDFP bands never arrived. I realize they were due to ship on 10/31 and I go to my phone to check the date but the battery is completely dead and my extra battery is with the kid's coat. So we go back to coat check so I can get a charge on my phone and we can switch to AK but they can't find his coat. Instead they keep bringing out one after the other items of clothing that he has lost. I insist it was in section 73 but then I realize the CAR was in section 73, I have no idea what section we left the coat in. while the guy is off searching I see something with the date and it is october... and I'm trying to decide if I want to continue my trip just for the weekend or fly back home and wondering why they would let me on a plane on the wrong date. Maybe now that we're here we just do MK for the weekend and then fly back and do our real trip in december. Then I guess we decided to go to MK but we have to run between two speeding monorails to get to the MK parking lot, timing our jump just as they pass each other and before the two next ones come through. I look back at the MK and it looks like a fair with fair type cheesy lit up rides and start trying to find my car, but every time i follow the sign to section 73 I end up in some other section. I remember thinking "what am I going to say on the boards about all this?" and my child kept disappearing on me. then i woke up.

Also my counter says 102 days again. pretty sure i was under 99 the other day!