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

[Iowamomof4]

Oh I see. I do think EMM and party in one day is excessive and would not make for a whole lot of fun, too long of a day. It's just that H&V is such a tough ADR to get. I don't feel like you need to RD at MK though. It seems like if you are there more than one day that 3FP+ early in the day + a lot of stuff that is more like walk on + adding FP+ as you go (there is tons of availability) that you could do a FP+ an hour pretty much while you are there and there is plenty of stuff to fill the time in between. Just my feeling though.

Well, my gears are certainly spinning this morning!

 

[BDFmom]

DD and I had a very successful planning meeting last night. I think we have finally settled on which park on which day.

I was feeling very stressed with all the in decision and being 20 days out from FP day.

I'll post an updated schedule later.

@areno79 Yes.... Power in numbers for viewing at the dessert party!

@TiggerManiac My DD is interested in following a very similar educational path as your DD. She's obsessed with genetics and wants to leave a positive mark on this world.

@Iowamomof4 I vote for DHS on 11/28 and MVMCP on 12/1... those are my plans. Truly yours need to pick what works best for your family.

@everyone.... Love hearing all the stories! No matter what everyone's final plans turn out to be, it will be magical . We're doing to be at Disney!!!

 

[Lisa F]

Agreed. So many of my plans go like this:
If I get X ADR, I'll cancel A ADR.
But if I don't get X ADR, I'll keep A ADR and look for B ADR on another date.

Planning is basically a complicated algebra problem. LOL

lol this is why i spent 3 months planning before 180+. even then i switched a few things around first few days. The only thing i am waiting on is swags and I did manage a "plan b" if fireworks were on monday but not saturday (the part week schedule they had LAST year) but I don't love my plan B enough to do it I don't think. if it's not on saturday I might just skip it all together. not sure.

 

[Lisa F]

Well, my gears are certainly spinning this morning!

people are also reporting long lines at MNSSHP. I don't think the parties are "selling out" like they used to with the higher prices. have you been following reviews?

 

[TiggerManiac]

wow I did not know we had a celebrity in our midst! I work with people ALL DAY LONG but in truth I am an introvert. I am exhausted. After I talk to a customer for like an hour I just want to crawl under my desk and recharge, lol. it's not that I can't be outgoing, it's just that it really exhausts the hell out of me. crocheting is so cool, I can do a chain and the other basic stitch. no patience!

As my daughter tells me, I'm a celebrity in the overall teeny-tiny world of crochet! Outside of the crochet and fiber arts world, nobody has a clue who I am!

 

[Lisa F]

I think those of us going to the party are counting on strength in numbers. I mean, the big plus to do the party is to not have to fight the crowds for a good viewing spot. As for the party itself, the rest of us pretty much plan on strong arming people to give us space!

(Kidding!!)

Seriously though, if you're not into it, I get it. It would be awesome to get to meet everyone though!

um... totally glad you are on our side, lol.

 

[rasadkowski]

Okay, THAT would be hilarious!! Can you picture us all after our trip coming back here and complaining about each other?? "And then there was this BEYOTCH in a red Minnie Mouse shirt with brown hair who kept giving me the stink eye and wouldn't move!"





Umm I am totally doing that now!! LOL

Guilty!!

 

[TiggerManiac]

@TiggerManiac My DD is interested in following a very similar educational path as your DD. She's obsessed with genetics and wants to leave a positive mark on this world.

@BDFmom I can't remember how old your daughter is. If she's not in college yet, I can give you some really good tips about the college application process. If she is in college, I can give tips about the grad school application process. Feel free to send me a PM. My daughter got some very good undergrad scholarships (UA guarantees full tuition scholarships based on GPA and SAT/ACT test scores, even to out of state students); she got another scholarship with full housing. She graduated debt-free. Now they're paying her a stipend to get her PhD, so no student loans at the end of it either.

 

[Candycane83]

@TiggerManiac and @BDFmom I hope my child will be as aspiring as your kids! My sister is in med school now (just started) but I'm not sure where is she really headed. I know she wants to work on cancer since our dad passed away because of it. But it looks like she's taking it a step at a time right now.

@rasadkowski @areno79 at least you're just changing parks and ADRs, I've just officially switched resorts! I caved to DH since he rarely has an opinion anyway

 

[Winniebell10]

Hi everyone! I just caught up on everyone's introductions. Great stuff!!!! I love this board! My husband knows how much I have learned from and love this board and asks me when he sees me at my iPad, "what are you finding out on the board?"

My first trip to WDW was when I was 2 with my parents. Way back in 1975. We went often in my childhood and some of my favorite memories are from those trips. My husband and I went a few times before we had our kids and we just adore Disney together. We took oldest DS for the first time when he was 2, and have been almost every year since. We've never gotten tired of it, or grumpy with Disney. Each trip is different because the kiddos change. I am an ultrasound technologist and work 2 mornings a week at a busy OBGyn office really close to my house. My husband is in medical sales. Both boys are cool and kind guys if I do say so myself. Oldest loves to watch football, and play soccer. Youngest loves to draw and write stories. He just started a drama class at a local playhouse and loves it. Both boys love our Basset Hound rescue puppy and Minecraft and PokemonGo.

Our trip......12/2 - 12/10. Contemporary Resort. Me (Amy). DH. DS (13) will turn 14 on 12/9. DS(11).
We've never been around the holidays. Really really excited!! We are doing MVMCP on 12/6. And just signed up for EMM at HS on 12/3. Hubby's idea. Even the kids are like huh? it's just TSMM and Star Tours, but, he was really excited about it and there ya go. Youngest hates fireworks, but @Lisa F he just said he likes the idea of ear plugs. So, we'll see. We have a 5:30 CG reservation on 12/3, but thinking about SW fireworks now just to meet up with the best board ever! Are you guys doing the actual dessert party or meeting as a group?

Our plans so far are......
Arrive 12/2. Haven't decided on flying or driving yet. Pros and cons to both. Flights from Atlanta to Orlando are usually cheap, so we can decide later.
I have 2 reservations for dinner right now. 4:30 Homecoming. 6:50 at Sanaa. Can't decide.

12/3 - HS. EMM. (I know, my youngest and husband's thing.) Hopefully do JT. Lunch at 11:30 at 50's. 5:30 dinner at CG. Maybe Star Wars party with this awesome group.

12/4 - MK. RD hopefully. Stay as long as we want. Rest mid or late afternoon. Dinner at Garden Grill at 5:50. FP Soarin or TT.

12/5 - AK. No dining booked there. Just changed the order of AK day. Probably do QS. Have dinner booked at 6:30ish at Biergarten. Going to try for FEA FP this day. Hoping to tour the WS this evening. Now, not sure what to do about nighttime AK stuff. Just can't worry about it now. Want to see tree. But, can just figure out how to get there if it all works out on Disney's end.

12/6 - Sleep in. CM at 1:30. MVMCP.

12/7 - There's been a change with this day now that we are arriving earlier and starting at the parks Saturday instead of Sunday. Could be a day off here, or may do non party evening at MK. Lots of options. Tour resorts to see decorations. Swim if warm. More park time. DS. Need to decide.

12/8 - EP. Try to RD. 4:35 Minnie's Holiday and Dine.

12/9 - MK. Oldest son's birthday. 6:15 HDDR.

12/10 - Departure day.

So, I have a lot of flexibility. We love to eat, but I hate to feel tied down with too many reservations. May add more though. And I swear, we have often had luck with walk ups but are fine with QS if need be. Want to eat at the Wave since it is at our resort. Hoping for Tonga Toast from the Poly.


Thanks for all of your help and trip planning and listening everyone!!! I just adore the FWoD board!!! You guys have become such a part of my life, that I swear I've gone to mention my Disboard friends in conversation and stopped b/c I realized there would be too much explanation involved. Xoxo, Amy.

 

[Iowamomof4]

people are also reporting long lines at MNSSHP. I don't think the parties are "selling out" like they used to with the higher prices. have you been following reviews?

Yes, I've seen the reports of long lines for characters. Is that what you're referring to or did you see something about rides?

 

[Winniebell10]

@TiggerManiac I'Ll be checking out Crochetville too. I have been wanting to learn. I love to make stuff and always have my hand in something. Needlepoint, cross stitch. Love to read too. Thanks for sharing about your site!!

 

[BDFmom]

@TiggerManiac My DD is just starting her senior year. Her first choice for undergraduate is Cornell. She has an SAT of 1450 and ACT33 ... she lots picked 10 schools .
I would love to chat about any tips!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I have my M.Arch degree but currently am doing kitchen design because I find that that job is a lot more flexible with my time and conducive to being a single mom (architecture is a man's world, kitchen design is mostly women so bosses are very understanding). Plus, I love kitchens. It was always my favorite part of any project. My most interesting kitchen was inspired by the art of Piet Mondrian and it was written up in a local design magazine (complete with my picture). Almost as exciting as getting my DVC back.

We are having our kitchen remodeled this fall and I have depended on our designer to read my mind and give me the kitchen of my dreams. Seriously, we have been putting this off for years because the thought of picking out cabinets, counter tops, etc., was overwhelming to me. In fact, my husband and daughter picked out the cabinets, counter top and tile while I stood there, talking to the designer and refusing to look at all of millions of options. So we sign off for the final design this weekend and wait for the permits to be approved. Our designer works Saturdays and evenings, so I'm guessing that she has long days. But she has been great and I can tell she loves what she does.

 

[areno79]

@Lisa F DH is 6'2, and I'm 5'9, and I NEED my personal space. Between my size and my resting b***h face, people are usually pretty good about moving when I give them them the stink eye! I swear, even though I look mean, I'm actually really nice (unless you are too close to me...then the claws come out!!)

And yes, I protect my people! So yay for all of you guys. LOL

 

[rasadkowski]

Hey guys.. Asking for your opinion..
I passed on the canceled H&V yesterday for 545 for 4. It was the day I hoped for BUT... The main reason for wanting the dinner was to get into fantasmic. The holiday dine is a major plus!!! But, it was for 4 and I need 6 really.. ( could do 4 if we had to) ..also, without the package I thought 545 was a bit late to get in line for fantasmic.
What do you think? Was I wrong to really plan this hs evening for fantasmic? What's " better" and should really be a bigger priority ? H&V holiday dine or fantasmic?

 

[Candycane83]

@Lisa F DH is 6'2, and I'm 5'9, and I NEED my personal space. Between my size and my resting b***h face, people are usually pretty good about moving when I give them them the stink eye! I swear, even though I look mean, I'm actually really nice (unless you are too close to me...then the claws come out!!)

And yes, I protect my people! So yay for all of you guys. LOL

Woohoo! I'm your complete opposite, I'm 5'2 and pretty much look like a 12 year old! I need protecting!!! LOL! Just kidding! I may be small but I can put up a fight when I need to!

 

[Candycane83]

Hey guys.. Asking for your opinion..
I passed on the canceled H&V yesterday for 545 for 4. It was the day I hoped for BUT... The main reason for wanting the dinner was to get into fantasmic. The holiday dine is a major plus!!! But, it was for 4 and I need 6 really.. ( could do 4 if we had to) ..also, without the package I thought 545 was a bit late to get in line for fantasmic.
What do you think? Was I wrong to really plan this hs evening for fantasmic? What's " better" and should really be a bigger priority ? H&V holiday dine or fantasmic?

If I could find a holiday dine, I would take it and FP Fantasmic as an option. I would still look for the package but I would take what I can in the meantime. I'm doing Fantasmic on 12/5 too

 

[Talby]

If I could find a holiday dine, I would take it and FP Fantasmic as an option. I would still look for the package but I would take what I can in the meantime. I'm doing Fantasmic on 12/5 too

@rasadkowski Agree. That's exactly what I would do too. The essential part, in my opinion, is GETTING INTO H&V. You can FP F! if you need to.

ETA: In fact, we have Mama Melrose F! package and then the regular Holiday Dine because that's what I could get.

 

[Candycane83]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/fantasmic-without-the-package.3542772/

@rasadkowski just saw this thread and it looks very useful for fantasmic