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

[JamieOak]

Having Holiday Spiced Tea this morning because I would much rather already be on this trip than at work today!

I hear ya! I usually start listening to Christmas music at work at the start of November (with headphones of course to hide my craziness!). It just puts me in a better mood. I love Christmas time. My tea usually doesn't get Christmasy. Currently I'm working on Harvest Moon tea.

 

[Lisa F]

Solidarity, sister! My dd is sensitive too and prone to meltdowns and I have gotten the looks and heard people say how spoiled she is. She just gets overwhelmed sometimes. It would be great if she could spend time with your son too because she likes other kids.

everyone is a parenting expert nowadays. I have to say that pretty much ALL children of our generation in the middle class or better are spoiled. They just are. They have things the previous (ours and before us) generations could not even dream about existing. It's a tough world to raise your kids in and we have to raise them to be good people in SPITE of all of the material wealth. It is not easy. But I don't think that is the reason kids have meltdowns. I think most kids have meltdowns because they can no longer handle whatever is going on around them. They have to learn better ways of dealing but they do that at their own pace, not mine. I just try to think that no kid ever went to college still in diapers (what they always say when potty training) and they don't go to college melting down either. They grow out of it. And until they do it's our job to help them through it and learn better ways of coping.

 

[Talby]

I'm considering doing EMM at MK right now, but it's only offered on the day I booked the Wild Africa Trek at 8am. The trek is able to be cancelled though, so I wasn't worried about that so much.

I was thinking of changing my party night because right now I have it scheduled for 11/27 and we are spending our last morning at Universal and then moving over to WDW. It just seems like a very long and busy day. We'd basically drop luggage at BWV (assuming room isn't ready) and get over to MK. It will probably feel rushed. Instead I think it would be better to leave Sunday evening open to exploring the Epcot area resorts, Disney Springs, and resting a bit since we will have already done 2.5 days at Universal at that point and WDW is going to be so new to us in general. Currently our departure day is a "go explore Disney springs and stuff" day, but that seems out of order and also a waste because we have a really late flight home. So really we could make that a park day and be in the parks until at least 4 or 5pm.

I'm also not sure if I like the idea that our first time in MK is a party night. There will be so much "oh look at that!" going on with me and my husband and we might screw up the touring with that. I think I'd rather it be nearer to the end of our trip, after we've been in MK already for a day and got the lay of the land.

Does any of that make sense?? Cause I feel a little like this guy...

Totally followed that every step of the way and it makes perfect sense. Disneyspeak--we all know it! haha It's quite remarkable not only what is involved with the planning, but if you want to make ONE change there is often a tremendous domino effect. But I really like your rationale for switching things up. Sounds like a great trip!!

 

[Talby]

I don't even know what non transferrable MEANS because you can transfer your ticket easily on MDE. Maybe it is a CYA thing that give them the right to not make changes but right now their policy is that they do. Or maybe it is to prevent people from waking up on say 12/6 and seeing the weather is iffy and saying "eh I'd rather go on 12/8". If half the people in the party did that it would be a logicstical nightmare. I'm guessing this far in advance they are more lenient.

Oh yeah, well CYA does make sense. Logistical nightmare for sure, can you imagine that sort of mess?! Would you happen to know how many tickets are sold for each party? I've been really curious about that.

PS: Could it mean not transferable to another group/party I wonder?

 

[JamieOak]

Totally followed that every step of the way and it makes perfect sense. Disneyspeak--we all know it! haha It's quite remarkable not only what is involved with the planning, but if you want to make ONE change there is often a tremendous domino effect. But I really like your rationale for switching things up. Sounds like a great trip!!

Phew! It really does help to have someone to talk to about these things, so you guys all rock! When I bought the party tickets, I was just thinking "Oh this evening wasn't going to be a park day, so we can get extra park time. But now that I've stared at it for a while it just looks "off" somehow. So I think I'm at the very least going to try and switch my party day to Thursday 12/1. That really doesn't change a whole lot. Have to cancel the HDDR ADR that took so long to get, but I'm not worried about that. It's a 'we do it or we don't' kind of thing, not a must do.

Picking up EMM...now that will have a domino effect because of switching park days. But better to do it now than after FPs are made!

 

[Lisa F]

I'm considering doing EMM at MK right now, but it's only offered on the day I booked the Wild Africa Trek at 8am. The trek is able to be cancelled though, so I wasn't worried about that so much.

I was thinking of changing my party night because right now I have it scheduled for 11/27 and we are spending our last morning at Universal and then moving over to WDW. It just seems like a very long and busy day. We'd basically drop luggage at BWV (assuming room isn't ready) and get over to MK. It will probably feel rushed. Instead I think it would be better to leave Sunday evening open to exploring the Epcot area resorts, Disney Springs, and resting a bit since we will have already done 2.5 days at Universal at that point and WDW is going to be so new to us in general. Currently our departure day is a "go explore Disney springs and stuff" day, but that seems out of order and also a waste because we have a really late flight home. So really we could make that a park day and be in the parks until at least 4 or 5pm.

I'm also not sure if I like the idea that our first time in MK is a party night. There will be so much "oh look at that!" going on with me and my husband and we might screw up the touring with that. I think I'd rather it be nearer to the end of our trip, after we've been in MK already for a day and got the lay of the land.

Does any of that make sense?? Cause I feel a little like this guy...

All of that makes a lot of sense to me. It DOES sound a crazy day with the changeover. I also agree with having some non party MK time under your belt so you don't feel competing priorities to experience the park and experience the party. They ARE two entirely different things. I feel a little weird that my only daytime MK time is going to be at the END of my trip, we are doing two nights there (from about 7pm to midnight EMH and the party) and then the day after the party which is also a party day but leaving for 6:15 HDDR. But I think it will be fine. I hope

 

[JamieOak]

OMG now I'm considering staying an extra day and flying back Monday morning instead of Sunday night. Then I could just move the party from Sun 11/27 to Sun 12/4! Really what's the point of flying home at 10:30pm anyway on a Sunday night. We won't be going to work the next day.

I can already tell it's going to be a busy weekend for me! My husband is working overtime, so I can plan without interruption.

 

[Lisa F]

Phew! It really does help to have someone to talk to about these things, so you guys all rock! When I bought the party tickets, I was just thinking "Oh this evening wasn't going to be a park day, so we can get extra park time. But now that I've stared at it for a while it just looks "off" somehow. So I think I'm at the very least going to try and switch my party day to Thursday 12/1. That really doesn't change a whole lot. Have to cancel the HDDR ADR that took so long to get, but I'm not worried about that. It's a 'we do it or we don't' kind of thing, not a must do.

Picking up EMM...now that will have a domino effect because of switching park days. But better to do it now than after FPs are made!

couldn't you just swap the two? HDDR for xmas party I mean? HDDR sounds like a good relaxing thing to do on your switch day.

 

[JamieOak]

couldn't you just swap the two? HDDR for xmas party I mean? HDDR sounds like a good relaxing thing to do on your switch day.

Yes that is very plausible, and I agree that could be a nice fit. I didn't mean that I had to drop it completely for the whole trip, but really attempt to reschedule.

 

[Lisa F]

Yes that is very plausible, and I agree that could be a nice fit. I didn't mean that I had to drop it completely for the whole trip, but really attempt to reschedule.

that should be pretty easy. HDDR does not sell out like that, I knew the availability stuff was a glitch

 

[Lisa F]

After the morning I had with my little one melting down,I'm so happy that I'm not alone! He didn't want me to leave today

@rasadkowski im so happy you decided on the Christmas party! It's going to be one great magicalnight! It's hard when kids have a set schedule but if you can make it work, I'm betting they will love it!

@Lisa F i completely agree with you, just so messed up they had to leave in the middle of the show! I can't believe they set it up so badly. I'm going to continue holding on for now until the first Xmas party dessert party reviews come up (just because I have a hard time letting go) but I am going to cancel...

@BDFmom woohoo for ROL!! I really hope they have it open!! (I hope I got the right person posting this, lol)

honestly having a hard time letting it to too lol. I'm not ready yet. BUT I WILL BE!!!!!!!!

 

[Iowamomof4]

I'm considering doing EMM at MK right now, but it's only offered on the day I booked the Wild Africa Trek at 8am. The trek is able to be cancelled though, so I wasn't worried about that so much.

I was thinking of changing my party night because right now I have it scheduled for 11/27 and we are spending our last morning at Universal and then moving over to WDW. It just seems like a very long and busy day. We'd basically drop luggage at BWV (assuming room isn't ready) and get over to MK. It will probably feel rushed. Instead I think it would be better to leave Sunday evening open to exploring the Epcot area resorts, Disney Springs, and resting a bit since we will have already done 2.5 days at Universal at that point and WDW is going to be so new to us in general. Currently our departure day is a "go explore Disney springs and stuff" day, but that seems out of order and also a waste because we have a really late flight home. So really we could make that a park day and be in the parks until at least 4 or 5pm.

I'm also not sure if I like the idea that our first time in MK is a party night. There will be so much "oh look at that!" going on with me and my husband and we might screw up the touring with that. I think I'd rather it be nearer to the end of our trip, after we've been in MK already for a day and got the lay of the land.

Does any of that make sense?? Cause I feel a little like this guy...

That makes a lot of sense. I know you're talking about the awe and wonder of it all, but allow me to share our experience:

Our first time in MK was a Saturday night w/ emh until 2:00 AM. We arrived not long before it started to get dark and didn't have a lot of time to get the lay of the land before we lost the sun altogether. We were surprised and dismayed at how dark the park felt and how difficult it was to navigate. Our local amusement park is so much fun at night with lots of neon lights everywhere! It's totally not like that at Disney. They have lamps and things, but it's just darker than I expected (with the exception of Main Street and parts of Tommorowland). Anyway, I really wish we had done MK during the day the first time just so we had a better idea of where we were going and where everything was. Even figuring out where ride entrances actually are can be a bit of a challenge. We were at Epcot (again, it was our first time and it was getting toward evening) and saw the sign for Soarin', but it wasn't obvious to us at first that you had to go INTO the building and then DOWN the stairs. Maybe we're just dumb, but all of wdw felt that way to us. Once we had things figured out, it was all no problem! We did have a wonderful trip, but navigation was much more challenging than we anticipated.

 

[JamieOak]

That makes a lot of sense. I know you're talking about the awe and wonder of it all, but allow me to share our experience:

Our first time in MK was a Saturday night w/ emh until 2:00 AM. We arrived not long before it started to get dark and didn't have a lot of time to get the lay of the land before we lost the sun altogether. We were surprised and dismayed at how dark the park felt and how difficult it was to navigate. Our local amusement park is so much fun at night with lots of neon lights everywhere! It's totally not like that at Disney. They have lamps and things, but it's just darker than I expected (with the exception of Main Street and parts of Tommorowland). Anyway, I really wish we had done MK during the day the first time just so we had a better idea of where we were going and where everything was. Even figuring out where ride entrances actually are can be a bit of a challenge. We were at Epcot (again, it was our first time and it was getting toward evening) and saw the sign for Soarin', but it wasn't obvious to us at first that you had to go INTO the building and then DOWN the stairs. Maybe we're just dumb, but all of wdw felt that way to us. Once we had things figured out, it was all no problem! We did have a wonderful trip, but navigation was much more challenging than we anticipated.

Thanks for sharing that. Definitely something I hadn't thought of, but I agree that it'd be best to get into the park during daylight first. That is something to consider since during our trip timeframe it does get dark ealier.

 

[Talby]

OMG now I'm considering staying an extra day and flying back Monday morning instead of Sunday night. Then I could just move the party from Sun 11/27 to Sun 12/4! Really what's the point of flying home at 10:30pm anyway on a Sunday night. We won't be going to work the next day.

I can already tell it's going to be a busy weekend for me! My husband is working overtime, so I can plan without interruption.

There is NO point in flying home on a Sunday night! lol YAY for extra days!! I had so little understanding of what was really involved with planning when I first started planning our trip. And while still no expert by any stretch, I have such a better understanding of certain things (largely thanks to these boards!). That understanding has caused me to change many, many things over the last couple months. I ADORE planning when I'm the only one home!! Have a blast with it!!

 

[Talby]

@BDFmom You're so great about sharing updates on things--thanks for that! I am SO STOKED about the possibility of RoL!!

Let the juggling begin. Or...well...Let the juggling continue!

 

[JamieOak]

There is NO point in flying home on a Sunday night! lol YAY for extra days!! I had so little understanding of what was really involved with panning when I first started planning our trip. And while still no expert by any stretch, I have such a better understanding of certain things (largely thanks to these boards!). That understanding has caused me to change many, many things over the last couple months. I ADORE planning when I'm the only one home!! Have a blast with it!!

Monday morning airfare is so much cheaper, almost by half! I'm going to have to run this by the husband tonight, and my mother who is house/animal-sitting for us. Now to consider hotel options. Easiest is to stay at the BWV, if available, or another BW room at least. Cheapest is to switch over to a marriott where I have enough reward points to stay free. But if we do make that the party night, leaving MK late and then dealing with getting to the Marriott might be a pain. If it's not a party night, then it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Lisa F]

Monday morning airfare is so much cheaper, almost by half! I'm going to have to run this by the husband tonight, and my mother who is house/animal-sitting for us. Now to consider hotel options. Easiest is to stay at the BWV, if available, or another BW room at least. Cheapest is to switch over to a marriott where I have enough reward points to stay free. But if we do make that the party night, leaving MK late and then dealing with getting to the Marriott might be a pain. If it's not a party night, then it shouldn't be a problem.

there is zero availability at BWV for early december. not sure what monday you mean though but everything I've been checking has been dismal. maybe later it is not so bad!

 

[rasadkowski]

It hits me hard when I get dirty looks. I do have good girls, but they are little and have meltdowns. Once I was way in the back of a store and calmly walked her our when I couldn't calm her down. I got two nasty looks from 2 different older women. I was furious. I stopped and calmly asked both of them if they themselves have any had any kids. They looked at me astonished; they both answered "well, no"
Don't judge, you know?

I hear ya! I usually start listening to Christmas music at work at the start of November (with headphones of course to hide my craziness!). It just puts me in a better mood. I love Christmas time. My tea usually doesn't get Christmasy. Currently I'm working on Harvest Moon tea.

i put my Halloween decorations up sept 1 and Christmas the day after Halloween!

 

[JamieOak]

there is zero availability at BWV for early december. not sure what monday you mean though but everything I've been checking has been dismal. maybe later it is not so bad!

I'm not surprised. When I typed that I was just thinking out loud without any research. I just looked too through Disney and indeed villas are unavailable the night of 12/4, but I see they do have standard view BW rooms available. Originally, I had my heart set on staying at the Wilderness Lodge but I changed after hearing of the major construction and realizing the benefits of staying at an Epcot area hotel. The Wilderness Lodge has a courtyard room available for 12/4. That could be an option! So we'd definitely have to move for that last night, but do we just say our Disney goodbyes and taxi on over to an airport Marriott and stay free on points, or do we move rooms at the BWI, or do we hop over to WL which is a little cheaper than the BWI but still expensive. Decisions, decisions!

 

[areno79]

Having Holiday Spiced Tea this morning because I would much rather already be on this trip than at work today!

You're singing the song of my people, sister! So done with work this week!!

Oh yeah, well CYA does make sense. Logistical nightmare for sure, can you imagine that sort of mess?! Would you happen to know how many tickets are sold for each party? I've been really curious about that.

PS: Could it mean not transferable to another group/party I wonder?

I was wondering if it meant non-transferable to another person as well. That makes sense to me so you don't get people selling them en masse or something.