A 2009 Magical Christmas Anniversary Pre-Trip Report

[raider97]

Stephanie, your right I should give my hand at doing a my own pre trip report but I feel so foolish as things keep changing over and over and I don't want people to think gosh how is she gonna get this together.
Such as well it looks like the kids may not come after all. The boyfriends may have issues with time off work and paying their share on time. So I made the offer to rent them all a car and get them a room and send them to Cali were they will then go to Magic Mtn. My DH and I would still go to WDW with our grandson. They think this is better for all of them and so do my DH and I but don't tell them. So I went to get to get online to find out pricing for us and well wouldn't you know it it's down for construction or something. Geesh I want to know now not later.
My DH and I took our GS to our Disney outlet. My DH is going to be spoiling him for sure. He kept finding some really cute outfits and adding them to our purchase.
Oh and thanks for the comment about me being a surrogate. It's such a wonderful experience. I have nicked named the baby Thumper and his mommy loves it. They are planning to decorate his nursery with a Disney theme too. How cool is that?

That sounds like it would be a fun trip. Where you able to get some pricing online? I hope so. Where are you all thinking of staying?

Are you all thinking about going to MVMCP? I went with my parents back in 1998 and loved it, granted I hear it is much more crowded these days. But we are going on our 10th anniversary so I hope it will be a nice night, despite the fact that I am sure our date will be a sell out.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

Last time we went I bought the kids simple autograph only books off of ebay. They loved them and they worked out well. I took them apart when we got home and made the kids basic scrapbooks with the character pictures. But I have been browsing all the threads on autograph books, plus the beautiful designs over on the design board. So I am trying to decide what to do this time....

Should I:

1) buy another basic book and take it apart and make another scrapbook

2) buy a wdw autograph picture book and then just add the pictures

3) make my own autograph pages and then use them to make a scrapbook

4) buy another basic autograph book and take it apart and scan all the pages to make a photobook

5) buy another basic autograph book and leave it alone. Then use the pictures from the parks and character signings to make them a photo book in addition to their autograph books.

What do you think? What do you all do? I am leaning right now to buying a basic autograph book and then making them each their own photo book of the trip. I just can't decide. Plus those autograph pages over on the design board are just adorable.

Maybe I could make the autograph books and then make them a separate photo book. That might be fun....

Decisions, decisions... I just can't make up my mind. I would love to hear what you think.

 

[pixidustmom]

I did finally get on line and got my pricing. It sure made a good break not having the girls now. We are planning on staying at POR. Now I didn't book it still I have to wait until Sept. I need to check on my delivery date with my doc. So say they are booked there for our plan I will then be ok with any mod I suppose. As long as we are there enjoying our time were we stay isn't so important.
I haven't decided about doing MVMCP yet. I would like to do it but will see. If I miss out such is life. I have decided not to get to worried about these things. This helps with not getting heart broken if it doesn't work out.
My DH and I have decided to make this into an anniversary trip too. But we actually just celebrated it about two weeks ago. Can you believe 20 years? But we have so much going on, getting ready to move later this month we didn't get to do anything special. So we think this will make up for it. Plus it's close to our when we first met date so why not right? I also started my own Pre Trip report. I guess I should put a link in my siggy huh?
I loved it when my girls were little and we had autograph books for our girls. They loved doing that. Those days are gone now.

 

[raider97]

I did finally get on line and got my pricing. It sure made a good break not having the girls now. We are planning on staying at POR. Now I didn't book it still I have to wait until Sept. I need to check on my delivery date with my doc. So say they are booked there for our plan I will then be ok with any mod I suppose. As long as we are there enjoying our time were we stay isn't so important.
I haven't decided about doing MVMCP yet. I would like to do it but will see. If I miss out such is life. I have decided not to get to worried about these things. This helps with not getting heart broken if it doesn't work out.
My DH and I have decided to make this into an anniversary trip too. But we actually just celebrated it about two weeks ago. Can you believe 20 years? But we have so much going on, getting ready to move later this month we didn't get to do anything special. So we think this will make up for it. Plus it's close to our when we first met date so why not right? I also started my own Pre Trip report. I guess I should put a link in my siggy huh?
I loved it when my girls were little and we had autograph books for our girls. They loved doing that. Those days are gone now.

I remember you know saying you were thinking about POFQ, but your dh and you loved POR so much you had decided to go back there. Please forgive. Apparently, I'm losing my mind.

I can't wait to check out your trip report!!

Stephanie

 

[happenin2you]

My DH and I took our GS to our Disney outlet. My DH is going to be spoiling him for sure. He kept finding some really cute outfits and adding them to our purchase.
Oh and thanks for the comment about me being a surrogate. It's such a wonderful experience. I have nicked named the baby Thumper and his mommy loves it. They are planning to decorate his nursery with a Disney theme too. How cool is that?

Hey fellow Las Vegan! I was just wondering if you knew about the Disney store in the mall formerly known as Belz (I remember when that mall opened and since they've changed the name i'm not really sure what it is, Las Vegas Premium Outlets or Platinum OUtlets... ? who knows) It's in the annex section closest to Las Vegas Blvd and Robindale and they have stuff from Disneyland that is last season and I've got shirts there as low as $4! You probably do, but thought I'd share with you anyway. And I agree, being a surrogate is an amazing thing to do for someone! Kudos to you!You make peoples dreams come true.

 

[happenin2you]

I think you would be best off with the same type of autograph books you had before and either scrapbooking them or doing that photo book thing. They both sound really cute. I wouldn't spend the money on a disney autograph book if you're just going to cut it up, and it sounds like your way worked for you last time.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I know it is not at all what you were considering, but...what we did last time was bought a Disney Jr. Encyclopedia of Characters from Amazon. It had almost every character listed in it and a story or description of them. We had each character sign their respective page in the book. It's a kind of big book, so you'd need a back pack, but a neat keepsake!

 

[jmjwillis]

Donald's had Donald, Daisy, Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy when we went, so you'd only be missing Pluto. I think the food was better here than at Chef Mickey's, there's more fruity stuff and exotic food as well as the regular stufff you'd find at Chef Mickey's... plus the Jungle juice, best stuff ever!!

and yak and yeti is sooo good!!

hope that helps

I agree! The character interaction is the best, especially Daisy. My favorite thing is the chocolate croissant! We even packed some fruit to eat later.

 

[BKFairy]

Hi, What a great thread, i stumbled upon it while i was looking for dining ideas. I just booked AKV for 12/24 - 12/27 . My DH's Bday is the 24th and my DD-7 is so excited to be at Disney on Xmas. She said she would write Santa a letter & explain why we weren't home.

I also am a little worried about the crowds but i was thinking of doing the dinner package for the processional lights on xmas eve. I just haven't decided which restaurant. its very exciting though & now that i found this thread i can follow along.

 

[raider97]

I think you would be best off with the same type of autograph books you had before and either scrapbooking them or doing that photo book thing. They both sound really cute. I wouldn't spend the money on a disney autograph book if you're just going to cut it up, and it sounds like your way worked for you last time.

Thanks for the help...I'm still up in the air about them. Whenever I think I have made up my mind... I seem to change it again.

What have you been up to?

 

[raider97]

I know it is not at all what you were considering, but...what we did last time was bought a Disney Jr. Encyclopedia of Characters from Amazon. It had almost every character listed in it and a story or description of them. We had each character sign their respective page in the book. It's a kind of big book, so you'd need a back pack, but a neat keepsake!

What a cute idea? I'll have to look into this one. Thanks for the idea.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

I agree! The character interaction is the best, especially Daisy. My favorite thing is the chocolate croissant! We even packed some fruit to eat later.

Hi! Thanks for stopping by. Chocolate croissants sound so yummy!! Mi girls would LOVE to meet Daisy!

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

Hi, What a great thread, i stumbled upon it while i was looking for dining ideas. I just booked AKV for 12/24 - 12/27 . My DH's Bday is the 24th and my DD-7 is so excited to be at Disney on Xmas. She said she would write Santa a letter & explain why we weren't home.

I also am a little worried about the crowds but i was thinking of doing the dinner package for the processional lights on xmas eve. I just haven't decided which restaurant. its very exciting though & now that i found this thread i can follow along.

Hi! Thanks for stopping by. Wow.... I bet your dd will love the animal kingdom lodge!! We are also celebrating my son's birthday. He will turn 4 on the 21st. My mother also has a birthday on the 22nd. I am sure they will both love spending their birthday fun card money. Has your dh decided what birthday promotion he wants?

I am worried about the crowds too this year. The parks are decorated so beautifully though it really makes it worth while. Are you writing a trip report? I would love to follow along with your planning too!!

Hopefully, with the girls going back to school next week I will be able to keep the trip report caught up better.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

I don't know how much you guys have been watching the Candlelight Processional package discussions this year. I have been following them closely since we had hoped to book one this year. But the new details are out and I am not happy about them!!

From what I can tell they increased the dining plan price from 1 table service to 2 table services. They added in an appetizer and at some places a salad. Plus you get reserved (standing) places at Illuminations. BUT in addition to being 2 table service credits you also have to order off a set menu.

I am not thrilled with it jumping up to 2 table service credits, but having to order off a set menu just made up my decision for me. I think we will be taking our chances with the stand by line. We were hoping to get Le Cellier for it. My kids LOVE steak, but a TA just posted the set menu for Le Cellier for kids and the choices are spaghetti or a hot dog. That is crazy for 2 table service credits. So I think we will still try for an ADR at Le Cellier, but without the package. I think it is a much better deal.

How do my fellow December goers feel about the change?

 

[jmjwillis]

I completely agrees with you. I guess my family will taking a chance in the standby line too.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I hadn't really heard anything about it. I was really only just looking at the narrators at this point. I don't know why they need to make it 2 TS?? You are getting the same food that you would if you were not doing the package and just eating in the restaurants. That really stinks! I was planning on going, but not for 2 TS!

 

[happenin2you]

I don't know how much you guys have been watching the Candlelight Processional package discussions this year. I have been following them closely since we had hoped to book one this year. But the new details are out and I am not happy about them!!

From what I can tell they increased the dining plan price from 1 table service to 2 table services. They added in an appetizer and at some places a salad. Plus you get reserved (standing) places at Illuminations. BUT in addition to being 2 table service credits you also have to order off a set menu.

I am not thrilled with it jumping up to 2 table service credits, but having to order off a set menu just made up my decision for me. I think we will be taking our chances with the stand by line. We were hoping to get Le Cellier for it. My kids LOVE steak, but a TA just posted the set menu for Le Cellier for kids and the choices are spaghetti or a hot dog. That is crazy for 2 table service credits. So I think we will still try for an ADR at Le Cellier, but without the package. I think it is a much better deal.

How do my fellow December goers feel about the change?

That sounds like complete garbage! I can't believe that they would increase everywhere except the menu. Do you think the poster could have been wrong? I would make other plans, too.

 

[happenin2you]

Thanks for the help...I'm still up in the air about them. Whenever I think I have made up my mind... I seem to change it again.

What have you been up to?

I'm sure whichever option you select will be great and the kids will love them. As for me, I've had a couple of hectic weeks; we're getting ready to move, the fall semester is starting back up and i'm taking 13 credits at UNLV (i won't be teaching full time, maybe i'll stay on to sub periodically, though), i got hit by a car while walking my dog (no injuries, just really freaked out), and some other family drama with my SIL (who is only 16, but teenagers can cause a lot of damage, as we all probably know). The dog incident is fully detailed in my TR. Other than all that, I'm alive and healthy, and that's all that matters. How have you been? Got the kids ready for school?

Deanna

 

[creativeamanda]

Well, I am so glad you let us know about this, but I think we are going to go ahead and do the CP dining package, anyway. I think we might actually do it Sunday night in lieu of going to church, which is our typical habit the week of Christmas. I'm glad I know now--I am hoping it will now be easier to get reservations at Le Cellier--we were planning to go to Le Cellier to celebrate dh receiving National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Math.

 

[raider97]

I completely agrees with you. I guess my family will taking a chance in the standby line too.

I hadn't really heard anything about it. I was really only just looking at the narrators at this point. I don't know why they need to make it 2 TS?? You are getting the same food that you would if you were not doing the package and just eating in the restaurants. That really stinks! I was planning on going, but not for 2 TS!

That sounds like complete garbage! I can't believe that they would increase everywhere except the menu. Do you think the poster could have been wrong? I would make other plans, too.

I know I can't believe they changed it!! I don't think we will try the package this year after all. I am hoping we can get standby on the 17th since this should be before the mad Christmas rush really hits. I just can't really justify another OP meal since we will be doing T-Rex, Sci-Fi, and maybe the Plaza out of pocket. Plus we are trying for CRT on our anniversary for dinner which would already use up 2 credits. And I would hate to give up one of my meals at Epcot to try one of the lower priced meals oop.

Stephanie