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

[Winniebell10]

Oh and Star Wars dessert party folks.......I would soooooo be there with you guys! To me, it looks amazing. Hubby would love it too. Our youngest son can't stand fireworks. It just wouldn't be fun for him. We duck into gift shops during fireworks at Disney. I hate to miss out on the fun, that party looks awesome.

 

[Candycane83]

Oh and Star Wars dessert party folks.......I would soooooo be there with you guys! To me, it looks amazing. Hubby would love it too. Our youngest son can't stand fireworks. It just wouldn't be fun for him. We duck into gift shops during fireworks at Disney. I hate to miss out on the fun, that party looks awesome.

I feel for you. I love fireworks too and so does DH! Now, I'm not sure how my son would take it but I certainly hope he would like it too... or tolerate it...

 

[Iowamomof4]

Well, thought I'd share here some grief I've been going through. It's been a journey, but, I think I've decided not to get the Disney floral in room tree. Ever since a friend told me about it years ago I've always wanted one. I thought, man, when we go to WDW around the holidays I'm definitely going to get it.

Anyway, I can rationalize paying for anything, but I don't think I want to go $400 for the larger tree. And I'm not digging the $200 tree. It's not that cute to me. So, I came here for grief counseling. I'm pretty sure no one else here wanted it, but I'm betting you guys will understand my pain of FOMO of letting something go at Disney. Oh, and I'm all for being talked into it if anyone makes a great argument for it.

Some things are worth paying Disney prices for, others just plain aren't. This kind of thing falls into the "aren't" category for me.

When I consider a splurge on a Disney trip (which is already a splurge in and of itself!) I consider first whether we can afford it, then what else we could do with that money, and finally we decide if the money spent on this experience/item is worth it for our family. The extras we're looking at are upgraded dining plan (up from Quick Service to the regular plan), MVMCP, EMM, and SW Dessert party. We've pretty much decided against the dessert party because we don't have enough money to do all 4 things I listed and we have enough days at Disney that we can spend the time to hold a spot for the fireworks at the end of the day rather than spend money on the dessert party. Also, I've not been happy about the reports I'm hearing of crowded parties the last few weeks. I'd rather use snack credits to buy a couple things and then find a spot to eat outside while we wait.

I'm just sharing this so you know how I think through things in case it helps.

 

[Maryemcd]

Well, thought I'd share here some grief I've been going through. It's been a journey, but, I think I've decided not to get the Disney floral in room tree. Ever since a friend told me about it years ago I've always wanted one. I thought, man, when we go to WDW around the holidays I'm definitely going to get it.

Anyway, I can rationalize paying for anything, but I don't think I want to go $400 for the larger tree. And I'm not digging the $200 tree. It's not that cute to me. So, I came here for grief counseling. I'm pretty sure no one else here wanted it, but I'm betting you guys will understand my pain of FOMO of letting something go at Disney. Oh, and I'm all for being talked into it if anyone makes a great argument for it.

I'm all for a splurge and I could easily spend $400 on a lot of things (I bought the Lego Disney Castle on day 1), but I wouldn't pay $400 for a tree to have on vacation. There will be trees all over the parks and resorts and I'll be looking forward to setting up my own tree at home (but I put mine up late and leave it for the whole 12+ days after).

My opinion ;-)

 

[Maryemcd]

Can I join?

We are arriving 11/25 and staying through 12/7. November 25-27th we will be at the Doubletree @ Disney Springs and the 27th-December 7th, we will be at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. This trip will be me, DH, and our 4 kids, ages 10, 7, 4, and 4. This will be our second trip! We are doing the DDP for free J

This trip is to celebrate my 40th birthday and our 15th wedding anniversary which this trip is happening after our 16th wedding anniversary! LOL!

After our last trip we decided we wanted to try a different touring plan, so we are dividing our park days at Epcot and Magic Kingdom by lands or sections. Once everything we want to do in our designated area is done, we leave the park.

Itinerary:
11/25 – Arrive at 11:20 pm, head to Doubletree
11/26 – Doubletree, Disney Springs, T-Rex ressie, Character Warehouse Outlets
11/27 – MK (Frontierland & Main Street U.S.A.), PPO Crystal Palace, Tony’s Town Square Late Lunch, Campfire and Movie at Fort Wilderness
11/28 – EP (Future World), Sunshine Seasons Lunch, Garden Grill Dinner for 8:15 Candlelight Processional
11/29 – MK (Tomorrowland before party), Chef Mickey’s Brunch, MVMCP
11/30 – FREE DAY, Trails End Lunch
12/1 – HS, Sci-Fi Dine In Lunch, Cape May Café Dinner (probably cancelling Cape May)
12/2 – MK (Liberty Square & Adventureland), Pirates League for the whole family, Liberty Tree Tavern Lunch, Contempo Café Dinner, Pirates and Pals Firework Voyage
12/3 – MK FREE DAY/DATE NIGHT (Whatever mom and dad want to do), Ohana's Best Friends Breakfast, Lilo’s Playhouse, DH and I --Be Our Guest Dinner
12/4 – EP (World Showcase), Akershus Lunch, Ohana Dinner(probably cancelling Ohana to eat around World Showcase or Via Napoli or La Hacienda de San Angel)
12/5 – AK or FREE DAY (Let the kids decide), 1900 Park Fare Breakfast, Boma Dinner (probably cancelling 1900 Park Fare in favor of eating at AK)
12/6 – MK (Fantasyland), Be Our Guest Breakfast, Columbia Harbour House Lunch, Roaring Forks Dinner
12/7 – Flight leaves at 4:45 pm L

Welcome! Great plans and a nice long trip!

 

[Lisa F]

Oh and Star Wars dessert party folks.......I would soooooo be there with you guys! To me, it looks amazing. Hubby would love it too. Our youngest son can't stand fireworks. It just wouldn't be fun for him. We duck into gift shops during fireworks at Disney. I hate to miss out on the fun, that party looks awesome.

is it a sound thing or a lights thing? Have you considered getting him earplugs? the SW fireworks are actually some of the less pyro intensive shows. It's a lot of lasers and projections.

 

[Lisa F]

Well, thought I'd share here some grief I've been going through. It's been a journey, but, I think I've decided not to get the Disney floral in room tree. Ever since a friend told me about it years ago I've always wanted one. I thought, man, when we go to WDW around the holidays I'm definitely going to get it.

Anyway, I can rationalize paying for anything, but I don't think I want to go $400 for the larger tree. And I'm not digging the $200 tree. It's not that cute to me. So, I came here for grief counseling. I'm pretty sure no one else here wanted it, but I'm betting you guys will understand my pain of FOMO of letting something go at Disney. Oh, and I'm all for being talked into it if anyone makes a great argument for it.

lol take that $400 or even $200 and go to the disney christmas shop and buy a ton of ornaments for your tree at home that you can use year after year. retail therapy: it works.

 

[areno79]

Welcome @arrical8

 

[areno79]

@Winniebell10 it is a beautiful tree, but maybe you could take the money and instead take a special tour; I think there's a behind the Christmas decorations one

 

[Winniebell10]

I'm all for a splurge and I could easily spend $400 on a lot of things (I bought the Lego Disney Castle on day 1), but I wouldn't pay $400 for a tree to have on vacation. There will be trees all over the parks and resorts and I'll be looking forward to setting up my own tree at home (but I put mine up late and leave it for the whole 12+ days after).

My opinion ;-)

Ooohhh, we are really wanting the Lego Disney Castle here! Have you put it together yet. It's awesome!
Yeah, I'm definitely decided on no WDW in rom tree. They do pack it up for you and mail it home. (For another fee.)

 

[Winniebell10]

is it a sound thing or a lights thing? Have you considered getting him earplugs? the SW fireworks are actually some of the less pyro intensive shows. It's a lot of lasers and projections.

It's the noise. Didn't even think of earplugs. You wise woman!

 

[Lisa F]

It's the noise. Didn't even think of earplugs. You wise woman!

it is a common sensory thing for kids on the spectrum (and others too but that is why I am aware of it). they make special earplugs for kids that are soft and comfortable. I usually end up putting my hands over kiddo's ears, he loves fireworks and tolerates it but cringes a lot at the noise. he enjoys it a lot more without it.

 

[Winniebell10]

In other planning news, now that we have switched our HS day to Saturday 12/3, I've been wondering how to still be able to keep our California Grill reservation at 5:30 and go to 50's. I originally had 50's booked for late lunch on 12/5. The only lunch I was able to find there on 12/3 was at like 2:30 and no way would we be able to eat dinner at 5:30. Today I was checking for a Friday night California Grill ADR but then found an 11:30 lunch at 50's so I took that. That'Ll be much more doable.

 

[Lisa F]

In other planning news, now that we have switched our HS day to Saturday 12/3, I've been wondering how to still be able to keep our California Grill reservation at 5:30 and go to 50's. I originally had 50's booked for late lunch on 12/5. The only lunch I was able to find there on 12/3 was at like 2:30 and no way would we be able to eat dinner at 5:30. Today I was checking for a Friday night California Grill ADR but then found an 11:30 lunch at 50's so I took that. That'Ll be much more doable.

6 hours start to start is my goal between meals. sounds perfect!

 

[BDFmom]

@Winniebell10 If you really want an in room tree there are table top options for around $20 from Amazon. You can have it shipped to your resort.... then go shopping like @LisaF suggested and have a tree and wonderful hand picked ornaments to bring home.

I love retail therapy!!

 

[Lisa F]

All of you DDPers (and NON DDPers because non DDPers need to snack too!)
what SNACKS are you most looking forward to? We are doing DxDDP first 5 nights and have 20 snack credits to use. Maybe doesn't sound too awful until you realize it's just for me and the kiddo and we are doing two meals a day and have to have them used up by Wednesday. Most of our DDP snacking will be in the AK/DS/Epcot/BW area. Here are some I am targeting:

AK: promised the kid the pulled pork cheese fries. I hope we can squeeze these in between TH breakfast and Y&Y lunch. we'll share.
DS:not sure honestly. They used to have funnel cake topped with ice cream here but that is gone so not sure what to do now lol
Epcot: Funnel cake at American Adventure (kiddo loves funnel cake, i could take it or leave it), flavored popcorn in futureworld, macaron ice cream sandwich in france, caramels and caramel corn and caramel apple from germany
MK: will all be OOP but I want to do a nutella fruit waffle and kiddo might want a special treat during the christmas party like the ice cream sandwich
at BW: ample hills creamery ice cream! now on DDP
at DS: goofy's candy company make your own.

20 is a lot of snack credits to use!

 

[Iowamomof4]

All of you DDPers (and NON DDPers because non DDPers need to snack too!)
what SNACKS are you most looking forward to? We are doing DxDDP first 5 nights and have 20 snack credits to use. Maybe doesn't sound too awful until you realize it's just for me and the kiddo and we are doing two meals a day and have to have them used up by Wednesday. Most of our DDP snacking will be in the AK/DS/Epcot/BW area. Here are some I am targeting:

AK: promised the kid the pulled pork cheese fries. I hope we can squeeze these in between TH breakfast and Y&Y lunch. we'll share.
DS:not sure honestly. They used to have funnel cake topped with ice cream here but that is gone so not sure what to do now lol
Epcot: Funnel cake at American Adventure (kiddo loves funnel cake, i could take it or leave it), flavored popcorn in futureworld, macaron ice cream sandwich in france, caramels and caramel corn and caramel apple from germany
MK: will all be OOP but I want to do a nutella fruit waffle and kiddo might want a special treat during the christmas party like the ice cream sandwich
at BW: ample hills creamery ice cream! now on DDP
at DS: goofy's candy company make your own.

20 is a lot of snack credits to use!

Au contraire, mon ami! The funnel cake w/ ice cream is back!!! I don't know if it's still a snack credit or not, but Oasis Canteen's menu has reverted back to funnel cakes!

 

[Lisa F]

Au contraire, mon ami! The funnel cake w/ ice cream is back!!! I don't know if it's still a snack credit or not, but Oasis Canteen's menu has reverted back to funnel cakes!

it has!? er. mer. gerd!

 

[Candycane83]

All of you DDPers (and NON DDPers because non DDPers need to snack too!)
what SNACKS are you most looking forward to? We are doing DxDDP first 5 nights and have 20 snack credits to use. Maybe doesn't sound too awful until you realize it's just for me and the kiddo and we are doing two meals a day and have to have them used up by Wednesday. Most of our DDP snacking will be in the AK/DS/Epcot/BW area. Here are some I am targeting:

AK: promised the kid the pulled pork cheese fries. I hope we can squeeze these in between TH breakfast and Y&Y lunch. we'll share.
DS:not sure honestly. They used to have funnel cake topped with ice cream here but that is gone so not sure what to do now lol
Epcot: Funnel cake at American Adventure (kiddo loves funnel cake, i could take it or leave it), flavored popcorn in futureworld, macaron ice cream sandwich in france, caramels and caramel corn and caramel apple from germany
MK: will all be OOP but I want to do a nutella fruit waffle and kiddo might want a special treat during the christmas party like the ice cream sandwich
at BW: ample hills creamery ice cream! now on DDP
at DS: goofy's candy company make your own.

20 is a lot of snack credits to use!

Ice cream sandwich is also a snack credit! (if you didn't already know) I have much more but now have to run to the branch! Just did a quick check but I will be back!

 

[areno79]

I think we'll use a lot of snacks on the holiday goodies at Epcot (the peppermint trifle and the cinnamon ice cream sound delish!), and of course Dole Whip.
We also plan on trying the pulled pork fries at AK, and will have leftovers so will lost likely end up at Goofy's getting souvenirs to bring home for people.