A 2009 Magical Christmas Anniversary Pre-Trip Report

[raider97]

Date: 12/19
Park: Animal Kingdom
Hours: 9:00 - 5:00p.m.

Wake-up Time: Sleep in!!

Grab a quick snack in the room depending on what time we get up.

Grab a bus to Animal Kingdom by 11:00 a.m.
Grab a fastpass for Expedition Everest or Kilimanjaro Safari.
Depending on how early we get there try and get a few things done before lunch.

Lunch: Flame Tree (between 11 and 1 depending on what time we got up and what we ate for breakfast)

Hoping to see/do:
Kilimanjaro Safari
Expedition Everest
Finding Nemo - The Musical
Festival of the Lion King
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Pangani Exploration Trail

If we have time:
Boneyard
It's Tough to be a Bug
Rafiki's Planet Watch

Leave at 5 p.m. and catch a bus back to Port Orleans resort. Catch a boat to Downtown Disney for the evening.

Dinner ADR: T-Rex (out of pocket) at 8 p.m.
Spend the evening eating and shopping. Must see WOD, Goofy's Candy Shop, Build your own dinosaur, Lego Store, and Once Upon a Toy Store.

Take boat back to Port Orleans.

 

[happenin2you]

Your itinerary is looking so fun! I can't wait for you to go! What are these Wishes Dessert Party and Campfire things I keep hearing about?

 

[creativeamanda]

I haven't looked at all of your days, but this looks good--I'll be at AK the same day, so I hope to see ya'll somewhere.

I have dinner reservations at Hoop dee Doo, though.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Another good looking day!!

 

[tanyabanana]

We LOVED the boat back and forth to DTD when we were there in May. Coming home at night in the dark was so quiet, peaceful and relaxing. I think we did the roundtrip 3 times in a week. Sounds like you have a good trip shaping up and I am enjoying your PTR

 

[raider97]

Congrats on getting all of your ADR's! They look great~!

Veronica

Thanks! I am very happy with what I got!!

Congrats on the ADR's! Your intineraries look good so far! I am not sure if we are going to be able to fit the campfire in?? I really want to, but just don't know if it will work? I did book the carriage ride, though.

Thanks! I'm not sure we are going to be able to fit the campfire in either. Hopefully though!!

How exciting! The girls will be dressed in Belle's Christmas dress for the party! That's great! They will have such a wonderful time! Did you see if you could get the Wishes dessert party (if you are interested)?

Thanks! I can't wait! My mom is actually making them "work" dresses to wear to their makeovers. I'll have to post some pictures.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

I haven't looked at all of your days, but this looks good--I'll be at AK the same day, so I hope to see ya'll somewhere.

I have dinner reservations at Hoop dee Doo, though.

Thanks! Hopefully, we will run into you sometime. We will be flying around this day since it is our only day at Animal Kingdom. Our early flight out of our last day has really taken a toll on our AK time this year.

Another good looking day!!

Thanks!

We LOVED the boat back and forth to DTD when we were there in May. Coming home at night in the dark was so quiet, peaceful and relaxing. I think we did the roundtrip 3 times in a week. Sounds like you have a good trip shaping up and I am enjoying your PTR

Thanks for stopping by. have a feeling that the water taxi is going to be a big hit with my bunch too!

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

Your itinerary is looking so fun! I can't wait for you to go! What are these Wishes Dessert Party and Campfire things I keep hearing about?

Thanks! How are you? Your SIL? School?

I typed out a whole bunch of stuff on the campfire and dessert party and then my computer shut itself down. So I am going to copy and paste some info for you.

Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party
UPDATE: The Wishes Dessert Party has been extended through December 29, 2009. The event is subject to availability and WILL take place on nights of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party but will still require purchasing separate admission. Adults 10 and older are $23.42 and children 3-9 are $12.77. This price includes tax.

This event includes a self-service buffet at the Tomorrowland Noodle Station with sweets, beverages and exclusive viewing of Wishes, the nightly fireworks. Reservations are not required, but are recommended as seating is limited. To reserve a space, prepayment is necessary. Space permitting, there may be seating available for walk-ups. Currently the Disney Dining Plan is not accepted.

Campfire on de' Bayou is a seasonal activity for guests that takes place October thru February on Sunday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 pm - 8pm. The whole family can enjoy story telling and sing-a-longs around the campfire and remember children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. This activity takes place behind the Fishin' Hole. S'mores kits can be purchased for $7.00 and they include graham crackers, marshmallows,
chocolate and sticks. This event can be canceled due to inclement weather.

We decided against the dessert party this year and we are going to try and make it to the campfire, but it isn't looking good. The first Thurs. we are there we have the Candlelight Processional, Sunday we have dinner at Le Cellier, and then the next Thurs. is Christmas Eve and our last night at MK.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

A Tour Guide Mike subscription.... I was curious about his touring plans and his crowd calendar so I bit the bullet. So far it seems to be interesting reading.... a little difficult to find what you are looking for at times, but he has some good points and ideas.

Any TGM fans out there? How bad are his yellow days? I did pretty well on my own.... we ended up with 3 mornings of yellows and 2 evening yellows. Not bad for 9 days in the parks.... 5 out of 18 possible. Right? I hope so.

Stephanie

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I don't know about TGM...I got the Ridemax though and that seems to have a pretty high success rate. We'll see! I am keeping my fingers crossed! I'd love to have it save me some time. The dates are not up for December yet for it, I have only been able to play with it...not put our actual dates / parks / rides in.

 

[raider97]

I had to change up today's touring plan since I was working on Day 5 and realized I would have to be repeating quite a few with our other friends this day. So I revised what I want to get done on that 1st day.

Date: 12/17
Park: Epcot
Hours: 9:00 - 9:30 p.m.

Wake-up Time: Sleep In!!!!

Wake up whenever the kids and dh get up. Call down to baggage services and have them deliver Garden Grocer order.

Hit Port Orleans Food Court for a Quick Breakfast.

Catch bus to Epcot
Make a bee-line straight to Soarin' to pick up FastPass if still available

Around noon -- Head to Sunshine Seasons for lunch

From arrival - 4:30 pm

Must Do's Today:
Soarin'
Turtle Talk
Test Track
Epcot World Showcase Storytellers
Character Connection
Pick a Pearl

Then fit in other rides/attractions as time permits.

Can skip:
Universe of Energy (but Woody may like the dinosaurs in this one)
Circle of Life
Innoventions

Dinner: 5:00 pm Teppan Edo
Candlelight Processional: 8:15 showing
Illuminations: Special Viewing Area

After Illuminations take our time leaving. I know how crowded those buses can get and how long the lines can be at closing time. Head back to Port Orleans and crash for the night.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

You should be able to get all of that in...Teppan Edo is so yummy and fun to eat at!

 

[raider97]

I went back and after reading some threads on the topic, looking over touringplans.com and TGM's touring plans decided I probably should go back and come up with a detailed plan for the night.

MVMCP 7:00 - midnight

Dinner at 4:30 CRT hopefully out by 5:30/6:00 pm. After dinner head towards Fantasyland and Toontown. Try to see Ariel and the fairies before the party starts. Try to see Mickey and Minnie and the princesses in the judges tent shortly after the party starts.

After these work our way around Fantasyland and then Tomorrowland riding rides we want to. Make sure to see Belle's Enchanted Christmas at 8:10 p.m.

Around 9:00 p.m. head towards Main Street to catch the fireworks at 9:30 pm. After the fireworks see Santa on Main Street. Grab cookies and drinks and settle in for the parade at 10:30 pm. Try and finish up with a few rides in Liberty Square before the end of the party -- hopefully POC at least.

O.K..... so what do you guys think? I am skipping the castle lighting because we have 3 more evenings at MK and I figured we could do it then. I know the parade begins in Frontierland so it would require less waiting there, but I thought it might be nice to see it under the snow of main street. I am a little worried since this will probably be a sold out night and I don't want to get stuck in the mass crowds. What would you do differently?

Thanks!!

Stephanie

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I think your plan sounds good. Just as a warning...don't expect a lot of snow. It is very fine...bubbles I think and a bit hard to see. But, you will be able to see something.

 

[creativeamanda]

Your plans for MVMCP almost exactly mirror mine, but too bad I haven't put them together anywhere other than in my mind, lol.

 

[raider97]

Your plans for MVMCP almost exactly mirror mine, but too bad I haven't put them together anywhere other than in my mind, lol.

Great minds think alike!!

 

[raider97]

I think your plan sounds good. Just as a warning...don't expect a lot of snow. It is very fine...bubbles I think and a bit hard to see. But, you will be able to see something.

Thanks for the tip! I am hoping the kids will enjoy it.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

I am doing the happy dance.

I have less than 45 days before we will be on vacation at my favorite vacation spot!! Actually only 44 more days. Yippee!!

I still have so much to do...clothes shopping, t-shirts to make, autograph books to make, journals, activity books... I am already starting to stress about it all. Better get a move on and start working on it all!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful 1st week of November. I will be back soon with my latest purchases and more itineraries.

Stephanie

 

[creativeamanda]

I am doing the happy dance.

I have less than 45 days before we will be on vacation at my favorite vacation spot!! Actually only 44 more days. Yippee!!

I still have so much to do...clothes shopping, t-shirts to make, autograph books to make, journals, activity books... I am already starting to stress about it all. Better get a move on and start working on it all!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful 1st week of November. I will be back soon with my latest purchases and more itineraries.

Stephanie

Yay for less than 45 days!

 

[raider97]

I caught the dreaded H1N1 flu last week. It sucks!! Even on tamiflu it took me a good 6 days before I started feeling better. Hoping the rest of the family can get their H1N1 flu shots before our trip. I don't want anyone getting sick right before the trip... I think I am going to try and stay close to home in the early part of December... Just don't want to take any chances with the little ones getting sick right before our trip!!

And my dad got a new position!! Yippee!! Such a relief! Now we just have to figure out when he can join us... I am pretty sure he won't have enough vacation to leave with us. Hopefully, he will have enough vacation, and holidays to make the full week from the 19th - 26th. That is what I am hoping for. I think worst case scenario he may be flying out Monday night late (21st). Crossing my fingers that somehow he can make it for the week. I know how much my parents have been looking forward to the trip. But in this economic times a job is a job you know.

And a few Halloween pictures...

Minnie - Princess Anneliese (Barbie Princess and Pauper)
Tinkerbell - Princess Aurora

Woody - Captain Jack Sparrow