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

[Tinker06]

what are your goals at the xmas party?

if you love the fireworks/parade and want to see it twice and money is no object, why not?
if you want to spend one of them doing parades/shows and the other doing just rides, it is probably worth it - not everything will be walk on but I bet most things will be esp during parades and fireworks
there is enough to do there that you could do two and not do it all and it is less than a 1 day admission to the park so I think if you have the money it could be justified.

I am only there for a week and we are doing it once

We would like to see the parade, but my kids like rides the best. We don't have a party plan yet, but the only reason I really want to do it is to justify taking the morning off and maybe some shopping at Downtown Disney. But with the lack of late nights available we think the party might be the best choice. There is no way my kids would be willing to take the whole day off from a park.

 

[Lisa F]

You guys will Love a Disney cruise. We sailed on the Dream in 2011 and my DS still talks about it. He has asked for a Disney cruise for his high school graduation present. Luckily we have 4 years to save up for it!

you know what? i've actually been on them. 5 of them I think. I am a castaway club gold member. but that was all pre kid, pre divorce. I was a little shocked to see that disney still has all of my info lol. But my last cruise was in 2015. I never thought I'd go on one again but I REALLY want to take the kiddo while he is in the sweet spot for kid clubs. I'd also like to do it with my parents - they are both slowing down and this would be the ideal vacation for us all.

 

[areno79]

I need to read from page 293 til yesterday sometime yes the thread exploded. maybe friday night I can sit down and indulge.

I need this trip so badly I can't wait, only then it will be over and there will be nothing left to plan

I hear you. My post Disney blues is BAAAAAD. So much that sometimes I don't even come back to the boards after.
I'll try not to do that this time though...I really want to read everyone's trip reports!

the next trip is going to be a cruise. I want to take kiddo on a disney cruise before he gets too old to really enjoy the kid clubs.

My DH has been asking me to go on a cruise for years. My sister cruises every year and loves it. When we don't go to Disney, we usually go to an all-inclusive somewhere. DH has recently tried to tempt me into cruising by dangling a Disney cruise as an option.
My biggest issue with the idea of a cruise is that I think it's a floating Petri dish. Especially on a Disney cruise with all those kids. *shudder* I love kids, but you have to admit they're not always the cleanest.

 

[Lisa F]

We would like to see the parade, but my kids like rides the best. We don't have a party plan yet, but the only reason I really want to do it is to justify taking the morning off and maybe some shopping at Downtown Disney. But with the lack of late nights available we think the party might be the best choice. There is no way my kids would be willing to take the whole day off from a park.

I am planning to do night EMH on wednesday til midnight, take the next day off (breakfast at Boma at 10 and pool) and then the party the following night. I figure the free midnight hours will help get us prepped for the next day sort of like a practice run!

 

[JamieOak]

I am planning to do night EMH on wednesday til midnight, take the next day off (breakfast at Boma at 10 and pool) and then the party the following night. I figure the free midnight hours will help get us prepped for the next day sort of like a practice run!

I'm doing the same, except 1 week before you. And with Epcot open until 11:30pm on Tuesday night, we'll have 3 late nights in a row.

 

[Candycane83]

I am planning to do night EMH on wednesday til midnight, take the next day off (breakfast at Boma at 10 and pool) and then the party the following night. I figure the free midnight hours will help get us prepped for the next day sort of like a practice run!

LOL, I'm doing the same but not sure how long my DS can last. I'm hoping after Wishes... want to see it in Fantasyland. Are you planning to watch Wishes that day?

 

[Lisa F]

Ok, I'm having a very busy morning at work and am able just to press like buttons!

@Lisa F I'd love to take my little one on a cruise but maybe when he's 6? I feel he is a little too young right now to enjoy. I plan to go to Asia next year if I can. I'm hoping to have a vacation with my mom and sisters!

@Tinker06 I have one party planned... but was considering a second one on our last night. Unfortunately, DH is not on board with that... I still don't have last day plans

yes, you would basically be using babysitting services for him.

The thing is, there is some great adult stuff there and I'm not sure how i feel about that solo. But if my parents came I could maybe do brunch at Palo with mom and leave kiddo with poppop for a couple of hours. I would love to do a Palo dinner too but as much as the food is AMAZING I also cherish the time with kiddo. Maybe I could plan that on a night for later in the evening when there is some activity he wants to do and go to regular dinner and just have an app or something then a nice later dinner. But that would be solo. So maybe I'll skip it. Not having another adult to go with is kind of a bummer for certain things. My parents are not so into fancy food so while my mom would be great for brunch I think they would rather just have a family dinner than an adult only one with me.

But he is really interested in the kid club activities and is at the right age. you will have to know your own kid but the oceaneer club and lab are 3 and up so basically as soon as he is old enough to enjoy those activities and feel comfortable not being with you I think he'd have a great time!

 

[Lisa F]

I'm doing the same, except 1 week before you. And with Epcot open until 11:30pm on Tuesday night, we'll have 3 late nights in a row.

huh I am not sure I realized that. I have a couple of long days planned but then followed by a break.

12/3 is morning EMH at AK and then planning to do star wars fireworks and maybe illuminations after that if we feel like it
12/4 is morning EMH at HS and then planning to do 5pm CA Grill dinner and this is the night I can do RoL if they have it and if it is late enough. if not Illuminations.
12/5 is my Epcot day, we are going RD to end with Candlelight Processional and a relaxed afternoon into evening exploring the world showcase.
12/6 is my rest day. we have 9:35 breakfast at Ohana, and will do disney springs and maybe pool but maybe not. Then at 4:30 we have H&V dinner and F! planned. Nothing after that. I'm half wondering if it would be better to take advantage of EMH at Epcot to do Soarin' a whole bunch rather than RD Soarin the next day. We wouldn't even have to stay until super late to probably do whatever I want to do there.
12/7 is my switchover day. I was going to rope drop soarin and then breakfast at 10am at GG but maybe we'll go late the night before and sleep in til breakfast instead! I can FP+ Soarin' for after breakfast and it might make going til midnight easier at MK. I just have to basically pack during the day on 12/6 and be ready to go.
12/8 is 10am breakfast at boma and then pool, MVMCP
12/9 is 9:50 breakfast at CP and we'll spend the day at MK before 6:15HDDR then back to hotel to pack, I have lake view poly so planning to watch fireworks from the room (holiday wishes).

HMMMMMMMMMM I think this might work a lot better and be a lot easier! (did I mention I am not a morning person? kiddo is but he will sleep in a bit if i keep him up and can control the light)

so I have two 8am mornings, a 9am morning, a 9:35 morning, then 3 10am mornings (CP is close enough to 10) as I gradually stay later and later. @Candycane83 previously expressed concern over my very long day RD epcot to EMH in MK even with a nice break in between to switch resorts (we will leave Epcot by 2pm and hope we can get into the room, change for dinner etc).

So on 12/6 I would FP+ Illuminations because the viewing area is right by future world and then play the heck out of future world. I am liking this plan.

Opinions? I need the approval of my peeps!

 

[rasadkowski]

Hi guys!
Trying to look at a few maps ...where exactly is the Jungle Book show located in AK?...I'm assuming this is where RoL would be held if it's open for us?

 

[Candycane83]

huh I am not sure I realized that. I have a couple of long days planned but then followed by a break.

12/3 is morning EMH at AK and then planning to do star wars fireworks and maybe illuminations after that if we feel like it
12/4 is morning EMH at HS and then planning to do 5pm CA Grill dinner and this is the night I can do RoL if they have it and if it is late enough. if not Illuminations.
12/5 is my Epcot day, we are going RD to end with Candlelight Processional and a relaxed afternoon into evening exploring the world showcase.
12/6 is my rest day. we have 9:35 breakfast at Ohana, and will do disney springs and maybe pool but maybe not. Then at 4:30 we have H&V dinner and F! planned. Nothing after that. I'm half wondering if it would be better to take advantage of EMH at Epcot to do Soarin' a whole bunch rather than RD Soarin the next day. We wouldn't even have to stay until super late to probably do whatever I want to do there.
12/7 is my switchover day. I was going to rope drop soarin and then breakfast at 10am at GG but maybe we'll go late the night before and sleep in til breakfast instead! I can FP+ Soarin' for after breakfast and it might make going til midnight easier at MK. I just have to basically pack during the day on 12/6 and be ready to go.
12/8 is 10am breakfast at boma and then pool, MVMCP
12/9 is 9:50 breakfast at CP and we'll spend the day at MK before 6:15HDDR then back to hotel to pack, I have lake view poly so planning to watch fireworks from the room (holiday wishes).

HMMMMMMMMMM I think this might work a lot better and be a lot easier! (did I mention I am not a morning person? kiddo is but he will sleep in a bit if i keep him up and can control the light)

so I have two 8am mornings, a 9am morning, a 9:35 morning, then 3 10am mornings (CP is close enough to 10) as I gradually stay later and later. @Candycane83 previously expressed concern over my very long day RD epcot to EMH in MK even with a nice break in between to switch resorts (we will leave Epcot by 2pm and hope we can get into the room, change for dinner etc).

So on 12/6 I would FP+ Illuminations because the viewing area is right by future world and then play the heck out of future world. I am liking this plan.

Opinions? I need the approval of my peeps!

I like that plan better for you. Just jump to EPCOT after F! and enjoy as long as you can. Since you're not a morning person, you could just make it to your 10am GG and be fine.

 

[Candycane83]

Hi guys!
Trying to look at a few maps ...where exactly is the Jungle Book show located in AK?...I'm assuming this is where RoL would be held if it's open for us?

 

[areno79]

LOL, I'm doing the same but not sure how long my DS can last. I'm hoping after Wishes... want to see it in Fantasyland. Are you planning to watch Wishes that day?

On our last trip we watched Wishes from the middle of Fantasyland. While not the typical castle view, it was really cool, and something I think everyone should see once!!

 

[JamieOak]

so I have two 8am mornings, a 9am morning, a 9:35 morning, then 3 10am mornings (CP is close enough to 10) as I gradually stay later and later.

So on 12/6 I would FP+ Illuminations because the viewing area is right by future world and then play the heck out of future world. I am liking this plan.

Opinions? I need the approval of my peeps!

I believe you said you aren't a morning person, so that sounds like a great progression of days to me. I'm really hoping that the PM EMH at Epcot on Tuesdays are pretty dead and we can get in a lot without having any firm plans. Right now my Wednesday after is schedule to be RD Epcot and stay for most of the day, break, then go to MK for PM EMHs.

I might have 4 out of 7 days planned so far. Hopefully I'll be able to post my updated plans this weekend for opinions.

 

[rasadkowski]

View attachment 194905

ohh! ok! thanks the online map i was looking at didn't even have that building on it! It's so hard to find an updated map! yikes
and I thought I was looking at the one from the official Disney page!

 

[Candycane83]

On our last trip we watched Wishes from the middle of Fantasyland. While not the typical castle view, it was really cool, and something I think everyone should see once!!

I've heard a lot of people say so. If I could swing it (meaning if DS is not cranky) this is what I would plan on doing! Thanks @areno79

 

[Candycane83]

ohh! ok! thanks the online map i was looking at didn't even have that building on it! It's so hard to find an updated map! yikes
and I thought I was looking at the one from the official Disney page!

This is the one I use: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/maps/

It only works on a computer though, not on the phone...

 

[Candycane83]

Is there anywhere your kids can play (run around) at DHS?

 

[Meeko5]

Is there anywhere your kids can play (run around) at DHS?

Not really now that HISTK playground is gone I'm still so sad about that one

 

[Lisa F]

I like that plan better for you. Just jump to EPCOT after F! and enjoy as long as you can. Since you're not a morning person, you could just make it to your 10am GG and be fine.

yeah and I will just FP+ soarin for 11-12 and maybe grab a SDFP for the same time period for living with the land and by then we should have done pretty much everything we want to do at Epcot. I assume both TT and Soarin' will be doable during EMH. I can even FP+ TT I would think since I'm not booking any FP+ at HS... we'll maybe do some SDFP activity between dinner and F! if there is time.

12/3 I will RD EMH dinoland rides and tough to be a bug, FP+ everest (just in case kiddo will ride it) KS, Lion King,
12/4 I will RD EMH Jedi Training Academy TSMM x 2, great movie ride, SDFP star tours and indiana jones, FP+ RoL late show (here's hoping)
12/5 I will RD Soarin', FP+ FEA for after dinner, Spaceship Earth and Figment, SDFP whatever else I can, maybe even TT if I can
12/6 I will see what SDFP I can get for between dinner and F! (or just walk on to something or maybe explore launch bay or something) and FP+ Illuminations at Epcot before doing EMH to try to get the big rides done again, maybe even hit FEA on the way out
12/7 I will FP+ Soarin' for 11-12 (one last time before we go) SDFP livin' with the land for the same time period and whatever else we still want to do. After my soarin FP expires I will book two more FP+ for the MK for that evening, for 7:30-8:30 and 8:30-9:30 or something (hoping I can get space mountain and buzz), EMH
12/8 I will book FP+ 7DMT, PP, Pooh and a 4th fantasyland FP+ not sure what yet (using MVMCP tickets for the second two)
12/9 I will book FP+ splash mountain, BTMRR, jungle cruise, SDFP magic carpets of aladdin, pirates, haunted mansion.

NOW comments?

 

[Wood Nymph]

What made this thread explode today??? I've been off-line packing and getting reading for a weekend trip to Chicgo area; I also had to attend my local crochet guild chapter meeting this evening. I'll be the featured teacher at a crochet retreat this weekend. I've packed yarn, garment samples, and all my clothes. I'm packed except for toiletries, which I'll pack in the morning. I need to go to bed, but I don't want to miss anything here!

My plane lands at Midway at 12:30 pm tomorrow, but I won't have anything to do until I'm picked up by a local chapter member late morning on Friday. Anybody know Chicago well who can suggest anything for me to do tomorrow afternoon and evening. I'm up for taking the train or bus to downtown, if that's safe for me to do on my own.

I am in Chicago right now and I know a lot about the city. Any touring in the main downtown area is safe. The trains from the suburbs to downtown Chicago are safe. But without knowing where you will be staying I can't really offer too much advice.

I switched my Wild Africa Trek to the 8:00am time slot instead of 8:45am. The CM this time said to be at the gate at 7:30am and that I will have to take a taxi because buses wouldn't be running that early. Is this what I should plan on doing? We need to get there from the BWV and won't have a car.

We had an early tour planned at MK and were very nervous about getting to the park on time, since we had to be there 45 minutes before the park opened or the tour would leave without us. So we decided to wait for a park bus and if one didn't arrive within a certain window of time, then we would grab a cab. We ended up getting the early ADR bus and got there in plenty of time, but it was good to know that we had a plan in case a bus didn't arrive.

Okay disers! I need advise- 1 christmas party or two? And why??

I would not do two Christmas parties. They are too expensive and as long as you can see the parade and the fireworks, you've pretty much done everything that is unique to the party. And you can always decide to do a second party once you do the first one. That way you will know if you really need to go to it twice.