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

[areno79]

Look what just arrived in the mail! I love the placement of the characters!

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So cute!!

 

[areno79]

I know! That's the main reason I wanted this particular bag. DH's dad (used to be parents when MIL was alive) have a tradition of getting each person a Hallmark ornament every year. For the past I don't know how many years, he gets me a Mickey/Minnie one. So this is sort of an homage to that ornament collection, which may just be making the trip down with us, along with a tabletop tree and lights!

The colors are close to the colors of my new business logo.

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Aww, what a great tradition to have!

 

[Mintycake]

I actually have hard copiesof my reservations (thinking about printing the ones for my PPO reservations too) and have a excel file on my phone and update my phone calendar too! I also keep all my emails including my cancelled ADR emails. (I have tons!)

I have all the emails including cancelled ones too! Lol

 

[CynBeth]

Look what just arrived in the mail! I love the placement of the characters!

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I love it! Where did you say you ordered it from?

 

[Lisa F]

Look what just arrived in the mail! I love the placement of the characters!

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i carried a mini hipster in my 2014 trip. it was the perfect bag (with the backpack on the stroller lol). but it is nice to have a small bag to carry!

 

[Lisa F]

What helpful hints or great ideas have you picked up thanks to these boards? Here are some of mine:

1. Have a back-up plan. And a backup to the backup!
2. You need to make ADRs 180 days out! (haha...I seriously did not know!)
3. Cheeseburger spring rolls in MK (and LOTS of other fantastic snack ideas!)
4. When planning stops being fun, take a break!
5. To make sure there is a balance in late nights/early mornings/rest time vs. commando touring.
6. Look at the big picture and consider the overall flow of your itinerary.
7. Talking Mickey!!
8. Consider viewing Wishes from Fantasyland.
9. Dining plans are not a one-size-fits all-sort of thing. It's okay if one works for you, and it's okay if one doesn't work for you.
10. There are as many ways to do Disney as there are families/groups that visit Disney.
11. The Beast is only at BOG at dinner.
12. Touring Plans Reservation Finder!!
13. I'm not weird for obsessively planning.
14. BE FLEXIBLE!!
15. Silhouettes on Main Street for a cool souvenir.
16. Disney Pandora charm bracelets!
17. You really, really, really cannot do e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g!
18. People do give up ADRs. Every. Single. Day. I had no clue and initially thought we were out of luck with a bunch of stuff we wanted. Persistence pays off!
19. SDFP!
20. The 1st week of December thread is the BEST on DIS! (Thanks @Lisa F!! You deserve a boatload of credit for starting this and for sharing your knowledge! Plus, you're super funny! lol)

aw you are so sweet. but this thread is what it is because of everyone! I am merely one person of a great group of people!

 

[CynBeth]

I have all the emails including cancelled ones too! Lol

Me too. Last trip I went into the itinerary part of MDE where it shows your ADRs and FPs in order each day and printed that out to keep in my trip folder.

 

[Lisa F]

OMG DxDDP guys. I had a protein shake for breakfast and kind of a big sandwich for lunch and just had tacos for dinner and could barely put away 2 small tacos. I think I am going to die on the DxDDP!

 

[Wolfpack]

My intro

My name Mallary (@Mal6586 how often does that happen)
Travel party if 3: DH and DS who will be turning 11
Staying at PPFQ. We have never stayed there, but heard good things.
arriving 12/1 departing 12/6.
Doing the party 12/1.
DS is way into Star wars, so all of that will happen, and anything else is fair game. I'm the thrill ride junkie, the othere not so much, so I often go solo on ride, like ToT.
It is my goal in life to get DS on that one. Hasn't happened yet, we got as far and the lobby last time and he panicked. So here's to hoping.

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

Ha ha, oh Lisa, just because it's there, doesn't mean you have to eat it all. I think the good thing is that you will have options and can choose to eat a little or a lot. The one major reason we chose not to go with a DDP was because as I lose more weight, my stomach shrinks. Sometimes, I have an app or two rather than a main. Be prepared to take a bunch of yummy snacks home with you. When we did Dx, we brought home a ton of stuff and it was nice to have a little bit of Disney with us at home.

 

[pigletgirl]

What I've learned from this board:

1. I've been apart of this community for 10 years! I was 17 when I joined.
2. Everyone has different tastes. Just because one member didn't like a restaurant doesn't mean you shouldn't try it!
3. No matter what your budget is, you can have an amazing vacation!
4. Disney doesn't do a very good job in updating hours, shows, etc
5. Everyone should eat at least 1 dole whip during their trip.
6. Stop and enjoy the small things while in Disney. Sometimes they become the favorite part of the trip!
7. Touring commando isn't always the best way to go (see above)
8. Bring a little extra cash for things in the parks! (balloons, drinks, etc -- not all kiosks take a MB as a form of payment)
9. The tragical express, really is tragic!
10. Be kind, and wait your turn!

 

[Winniebell10]

this was my christmas card in 2014 after our trip. This was our last ride of the whole trip and we got stuck for like 5 minutes in the tunnel while they stopped the ride. when we came out of the tunnel this pic was taken. I had to use it.

That's my "tired at disney" face which is virtually the same as my resting b-face.

now you all know kiddo's name. If you hear me yelling it you will know it is me. Everyone on the island knows his name because I'm always calling it. we walk into stop and shop and everyone is all like "Hi, Grant!"

Love it!!!! This has made my week.

 

[Candycane83]

OMG DxDDP guys. I had a protein shake for breakfast and kind of a big sandwich for lunch and just had tacos for dinner and could barely put away 2 small tacos. I think I am going to die on the DxDDP!

Ummm... I'm probably in the same boat. I'm hoping the walking will inspire me to eat a little more

 

[Lisa F]

Ummm... I'm probably in the same boat. I'm hoping the walking will inspire me to eat a little more

I'm not a skinny minnie either but I don't eat huge portions. I'm glad we're only doing two meals, I think that will help too. No way I could do 3. If I had a bigger breakfast this morning and then skipped lunch I prob would have been ready to eat by dinner. I am pretty good about self limiting at buffets but at sit down I feel like I need to clean my plate. I need to get out of that habit! You're right @LBlovesM&WDW ! I pretty much don't feel like I need to eat everything but I tend to overeat if it is in front of me. Though a lot of the restaurants we are hitting for TS have smaller portions for their main meals (if someone is complaining about portion size I put it on my list lol).

 

[Mal6586]

My intro

My name Mallary (@Mal6586 how often does that happen)
Travel party if 3: DH and DS who will be turning 11
Staying at PPFQ. We have never stayed there, but heard good things.
arriving 12/1 departing 12/6.
Doing the party 12/1.
DS is way into Star wars, so all of that will happen, and anything else is fair game. I'm the thrill ride junkie, the othere not so much, so I often go solo on ride, like ToT.
It is my goal in life to get DS on that one. Hasn't happened yet, we got as far and the lobby last time and he panicked. So here's to hoping.

It's a small world!!! Haha! Strangely enough, every one of us I meet spells their name differently. The others I've met were Malorie and Mallori!

 

[Maryemcd]

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.

@Winniebell10 (Amy) - my b-day is the 9th too

 

[Lisa F]

It's a small world!!! Haha! Strangely enough, every one of us I meet spells their name differently. The others I've met were Malorie and Mallori!

One of kiddo's old preschool teachers who I still keep in touch with is Mallory. She will be there too around the same time for her honeymoon. I let her know when free dining came out and she was so thrilled because she was already paying rack rate so it was a huge bonus to her. But it is her honeymoon so I am giving her space on her vacation. We'll say hi if we see each other but no plans to see her.... again this is the mom and kiddo extravaganza

 

[TiggerManiac]

I love it! Where did you say you ordered it from?

I found it on eBay. Got it for $40 including shipping with no sales tax instead of $65 plus shipping straight from the Disney Store. I looked at all the listings for sellers who showed photos of the actual bag instead of using stock photos. I was trusting that the seller was telling the truth about them being actual photos. But she had many sales and a very high rating, so I wasn't really worried.

I couldn't be happier. It's definitely a brand new bag in perfect condition.

 

[Lisa F]

Ummm... I'm probably in the same boat. I'm hoping the walking will inspire me to eat a little more

ugh now i am hungry again. i guess that bodes well for snacks in the evenings!

 

[Maryemcd]

Omg, I have to go through all the tips posted today!

I too, have been keeping a spreadsheet with multiple tabs. I have screenshots of all ADRs and cancellations and my main list of ADRs, calendar, and other To Do's. I have other links that I have emailed myself so I have to go back through those and compile. Also have to make snack list... and plan FPs... so much to do!

I don't think I mentioned, I'm on vacation next week in the Outer Banks. Leave Saturday and can't wait. Hope to catch up on some more planning