A 2009 Magical Christmas Anniversary Pre-Trip Report

[raider97]

They do still have that skyway thing, it's perfect for looking out at the ocean. My trip was awesome and mainly consisted of hanging out lazily reading and eating amazing san diego old town mexican food and chick fil a, which we don't have in vegas overall, it was perfect and everything a san diego trip should be.

I'm so glad you were able to convince your friends to join you as well. I'm trying to get all kinds of people to join in my trip and i don't have many takers. My BFF wants to go but her fiance isn't willing to spend the holidays away from his family. They're going to need to do some talking about things, because she has been doing the holidays in Utah with her family forever and he has been doing Vegas, they're going to need to start compromising sometime. Better to do it before you're married I think. Anywho. DH's friends are not really into it, but they are all single and still in that bachelor drinking mode... We still have plenty of time to round people up, though, I'm not worried.

How is your ADR list coming along?

Glad to hear you had a nice trip! Those take it easy ones are always so rejuvenating. Yummmm! The food in Old Town can't be beat. No Chick-fil-a in Vegas? How do you live there? LOL!! It is one of my favorite fast food places. I don't get to go very often though since my middle baby has peanut allergies and they fry in peanut oil. So I only go occasionally when I don't have her with me. I LOVE their waffle fries.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

Hey, have you called to get in on Free dining for your trip? I am actually going to get to go in December after all because of free dining!!!! You really need to call if you haven't--I have a feeling our week will be sold out quickly.

Thank you for thinking about me!! I am glad the free dining code will allow you guys to go at Christmas. I'll have to check in with your trip report.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

Hi! I lost you for awhile! We are staying at POR for 5 nights and AKV for 3 nights. We are still tweeking our dining plans. Come on over to my PTR to read all about it! I just started it, so there isn't much there, but there soon will be!

Hi! I'll be stopping by to check out your trip report today!
Stephanie

 

[raider97]

Busy!! Good busy though. On Friday, I stumbled upon the fact that they had extended the free dining into December for disney visa card holders. Yippee!! This is why I had applied for the card to begin with... in hopes that last years free dining for visa holders would again be offered this year.

I called with butterflies in my stomach. I was thrilled when I got a CM. He applied the disney visa free dining code to my reservation saving us over $1100 for our stay. WooHoo!!

I was thrilled... now on to my parents stay. I got it applied for their entire reservation too, but it was for less than I thought it should be so I got off the phone and figured it out and called back. The CM I had talked to this morning had jumped them to a water view room. I had them switched back to a regular room and it saved them their whole dining amount - $800!

Then I called my cousin's wife. I'll call her Daisy. She doesn't have a disney visa card, but I had heard that the free dining visa codes was rumored to be going public on Monday. I told her and my aunt the great news. My aunt and her husband's son and family had been planning to stay at Shades of Green, but were thinking about moving over to All Star Music with the free dining code.

Well, low and behold on Monday (thankfully) Daisy was able to apply the free dining code to her reservation. She upgraded the quick service to the basic! Still saving her about $500. My aunt decided to go ahead and move their reservations to All Star Music too. So now she has two rooms booked with free dining (upgraded also) at All Star Music.

While researching this I found out DVC members staying on points aren't eligible for free dining. I was so bummed for our friends that are going with us and staying on points. I understand the logic behind it, but I'm still bummed.

So, overall I am very happy with how things worked out. I am already thinking of ways to spend the savings. LOL!! Don't tell Donald that though.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

Also on Friday Daisy came over so we could talk disney. I wanted to see what they wanted to do and tell her about the things I was excited about. We sat down and worked out a tentative plan. This is what we came up with:

Dec. 16th: We fly in late at night with my parents. We probably won't get to POR until after midnight. We may need to ask about changing rooms in the morning.... I have heard the horror stories about room locations when you check in that late.

Dec. 17th: We are planning to sleep in and then head to Epcot for the day. We might try to get a Candlelight Processional Dinner pkg for the evening since I would like to hear Abigail Breslin.

Dec. 18th: Our 10th Anniversary. We are planning to sleep in today. We will probably have cs breakfast at POR (maybe some of those beignets I have heard about from POFQ food court). WE will probably head to MK around noon. I am hoping to get BBB appointments for the girls. I need to order my dresses for this soon. I was also thinking about booking a cool dude appt for my son. We will be staying for MVMCP this night.

Dec. 19th: We will probably sleep in after the late night the night before and head to AK around noon. We are planning to spend the afternoon at AK and then heading to DTD for the evening.

Dec. 20th: We are planning the get there at rope drop, break in the afternoon, and back to the parks in the evening strategy. We are planning to go to Epcot today. We are hoping to get a Candlelight Processional dinner package and staying to see Holiday Illuminations.

Dec. 21st: My son's 4th birthday. We are planning the get there at rope drop, break in the afternoon, and back to the parks in the evening strategy. We are planning to go to MK today.

Dec. 22nd: My mom's birthday. We are planning the get there at rope drop, break in the afternoon, and back to the parks in the evening strategy. We are planning to go to MGM. I want to make sure we see the Osborne Lights tonight.

Dec. 23rd: We are planning the get there at rope drop, break in the afternoon, and back to the parks in the evening strategy. We are considering going to AK or MGM again. Maybe AK since we will have gone to MGM the day before?

Dec. 24: We are planning to spend the entire day at MK. Start early, take a sit down lunch break, have my son do the pirate makeover, and the eat at LTT for dinner.

Dec. 25th: We are planning to hit the park early, probably MGM and then take a break mid-day. Dinner at a resort and maybe back to MGM for Osborne Lights if we get the chance.

Dec. 26th: Our ME bus will leave at 8 in the morning.

So what do you guys think? In my next post, I will go back and compare to UG. Let's hope it isn't worse than the originals.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

Dec. 17th: Epcot
Dec. 18th: MK
Dec. 19th: AK
Dec. 20th: Epcot
Dec. 21st:MK
Dec. 22nd: MGM
Dec. 23rd: AK
Dec. 24th: MK
Dec. 25th: MGM

Hmmmm.... guess we will have to recheck when the hours come out for December and the EMHs.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

What planning tools do you guys use? Of course, I research here on disboards and other boards as well. I have the 2007 Unofficial Guide, and the 2009 Passporter. I also have a subscription to touring plans. Any other must haves? I used to be interested in TGM, but he has had some really bad customer service complaints lately....and I'm intrigued by RideMax.

Stephanie

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I was just going to say, Ridemax. We have always just done what I planned. This year, I am going to try to maximize our time in the parks since we will be having down time every day which we normally don't do. It is fairly reasonable in price, I think also. It stinks now that the hours don't come out til 90 days before. it doesn't allow much time for tweeking plans and adr's!!

 

[creativeamanda]

Wow-Stephanie! How great for ya'll--Free dining saved us around $1100, which is why it made it affordable for us.

And the good news is. . .we are going to MVMCP the same night! Worried by ehat this fd promotion would do, I went ahead and called today and got the tix!

To be honest--I don't honestly think there is a bad location in Alligator Bayou at POR. That's just me, though. I've stayed real close to the front in building 15 and real close to the back in building 28. On both occasions, I was pleased with the location. I plan to let the Pixie Dust fall where it may.

We are probably going to arrive on the 17th around noon. DH and I are both supposed to be teaching that day, (1/2 days both days) but I (*cough* *cough*) already think that I won't be feeling well those days. DH can take personal days. I can't--but my students will only be at school 2 hours each day and the ROTC classes will be taking them Christmas shopping anyway (I'm a special ed teacher).

ETA: as far as planning tools, I use the Unofficial Guide (2009 edition), The UG for Kids (2008 ed), Passporter (2009), Touringplans.com, the Dis, the Passporter website, and I bought a year subscription for Ridemax when I was planning the June trip. I'm glad I did it that way, because now I can use it again. But here's the kicker--I do the RM plans, but really only follow the plan for the first hour, because after that I think I do pretty good with winging it. I think that the 1st hour in the park is the most crucial. But that is just me.

 

[raider97]

I was just going to say, Ridemax. We have always just done what I planned. This year, I am going to try to maximize our time in the parks since we will be having down time every day which we normally don't do. It is fairly reasonable in price, I think also. It stinks now that the hours don't come out til 90 days before. it doesn't allow much time for tweeking plans and adr's!!

I am thinking about trying RideMax too...especially since the Christmas crowds will be huge.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

Wow-Stephanie! How great for ya'll--Free dining saved us around $1100, which is why it made it affordable for us.

And the good news is. . .we are going to MVMCP the same night! Worried by ehat this fd promotion would do, I went ahead and called today and got the tix!

To be honest--I don't honestly think there is a bad location in Alligator Bayou at POR. That's just me, though. I've stayed real close to the front in building 15 and real close to the back in building 28. On both occasions, I was pleased with the location. I plan to let the Pixie Dust fall where it may.

We are probably going to arrive on the 17th around noon. DH and I are both supposed to be teaching that day, (1/2 days both days) but I (*cough* *cough*) already think that I won't be feeling well those days. DH can take personal days. I can't--but my students will only be at school 2 hours each day and the ROTC classes will be taking them Christmas shopping anyway (I'm a special ed teacher).

ETA: as far as planning tools, I use the Unofficial Guide (2009 edition), The UG for Kids (2008 ed), Passporter (2009), Touringplans.com, the Dis, the Passporter website, and I bought a year subscription for Ridemax when I was planning the June trip. I'm glad I did it that way, because now I can use it again. But here's the kicker--I do the RM plans, but really only follow the plan for the first hour, because after that I think I do pretty good with winging it. I think that the 1st hour in the park is the most crucial. But that is just me.

Congrats on getting the free dining!! I am glad to hear you don't think there is a bad location at POR. I would really like something close to the main building since we still have little ones. My son will only be three, almost 4, when we go. But then again... I had forgotten about the multiple bus stops. That was nice when we were about CBR for our honeymoon. Our Pop room was a good distance from the main building despite being preferred.
I am so excited!! Have you done the carriage rides at POR?

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

Well, a couple of weeks ago the rates on my parents airfare dropped on the way down so I rebooked them and saved them $20 a seat. Yesterday, I was checking SWA and noticed ours had dropped!! Yippee!! So I rebooked our 5 at a savings of $23 a seat. So I have $115 in SWA funds to use in the next year... I wonder where I can convince Donald to go. It would have to be a beach somewhere I think. LOL!

Stephanie

 

[happenin2you]

Well, a couple of weeks ago the rates on my parents airfare dropped on the way down so I rebooked them and saved them $20 a seat. Yesterday, I was checking SWA and noticed ours had dropped!! Yippee!! So I rebooked our 5 at a savings of $23 a seat. So I have $115 in SWA funds to use in the next year... I wonder where I can convince James to go. It would have to be a beach somewhere I think. LOL!

Stephanie

thats awesome, i had no idea that southwest credited people for cheaper flights. i'll have to remember that for future use. always good to hear when someone saves a lil $$

 

[raider97]

thats awesome, i had no idea that southwest credited people for cheaper flights. i'll have to remember that for future use. always good to hear when someone saves a lil $$

I just found about this recently too... according to the experts here on the dis it is best to book your travel one way with SWA that way if one way of your trip drops you can just rebook it without having to rebook the other way. This worked out great for us since our after Christmas tickets are up $92 dollars a ticket (ouch) so if I had booked it roundtrip I wouldn't have been able to rebook it since I would have had to rebook the return trip at the higher prices.

You can even do this with their ding rates. The only problem is that you can only use two ticketless funds credits towards each seat purchase. Hope that makes sense. They will drop it into a fund that you can use for a year from the original date of purchase.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

..... T-Rex!!!

I finally got the group together and we decided we did indeed want to try T-Rex... this place looks so cool! So I called this week. I was hoping for a 7:30 reservation, but ended up with one at 8:00 for Dec. 19th.

So on the 19th it looks like we will sleep in, eat counter service at AK for lunch, spend the afternoon at AK (I think they will close at 5 pm this night), and then head to downtown disney for shopping and dinner. Sounds like fun, right!

Plus I MUST try those make your own snacks at Goofy's this time.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

..... T-Rex!!!

I finally got the group together and we decided we did indeed want to try T-Rex... this place looks so cool! So I called this week. I was hoping for a 7:30 reservation, but ended up with one at 8:00 for Dec. 19th.

So on the 19th it looks like we will sleep in, eat counter service at AK for lunch, spend the afternoon at AK (I think they will close at 5 pm this night), and then head to downtown disney for shopping and dinner. Sounds like fun, right!

Plus I MUST try those make your own snacks at Goofy's this time.

How were you able to get an adr for more than 90 days out??!! We want to eat there on our trip and didn't think I could call yet??

 

[raider97]

How were you able to get an adr for more than 90 days out??!! We want to eat there on our trip and didn't think I could call yet??

T-Rex will accept reservations 180 days out. Call the restaurant directly. Here is the #407-828-8739. Good luck.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

T-Rex will accept reservations 180 days out. Call the restaurant directly. Here is the #407-828-8739. Good luck.

Thanks! I'll try tomorrow!!!

 

[happenin2you]

..... T-Rex!!!

I finally got the group together and we decided we did indeed want to try T-Rex... this place looks so cool! So I called this week. I was hoping for a 7:30 reservation, but ended up with one at 8:00 for Dec. 19th.

So on the 19th it looks like we will sleep in, eat counter service at AK for lunch, spend the afternoon at AK (I think they will close at 5 pm this night), and then head to downtown disney for shopping and dinner. Sounds like fun, right!

Plus I MUST try those make your own snacks at Goofy's this time.

Oh! I wanted to go there on my honeymoon, but it was under construction or something... It looked really fun though. Congrats on your ADR!

 

[creativeamanda]

Congrats on getting the free dining!! I am glad to hear you don't think there is a bad location at POR. I would really like something close to the main building since we still have little ones. My son will only be three, almost 4, when we go. But then again... I had forgotten about the multiple bus stops. That was nice when we were about CBR for our honeymoon. Our Pop room was a good distance from the main building despite being preferred.
I am so excited!! Have you done the carriage rides at POR?

Stephanie

Nope, no bad location, and with all of the different bus stops, there isn't a bus stop too far away. In June, we'd get on the bus in the am at South Depot, which is close to the front. I can see how you could take your own strollers for a calm ride in the morning. In the afternoon, we took the bus to the West Depot, which was real close to the room--about 1-2 minute walk.

We didn't do the carriage rides. Frankly, being originally from Charleston, SC, I have always been disappointed with carriage rides that were not of Charleston. . .

Well, a couple of weeks ago the rates on my parents airfare dropped on the way down so I rebooked them and saved them $20 a seat. Yesterday, I was checking SWA and noticed ours had dropped!! Yippee!! So I rebooked our 5 at a savings of $23 a seat. So I have $115 in SWA funds to use in the next year... I wonder where I can convince James to go. It would have to be a beach somewhere I think. LOL!

Stephanie

That is great!

..... T-Rex!!!

I finally got the group together and we decided we did indeed want to try T-Rex... this place looks so cool! So I called this week. I was hoping for a 7:30 reservation, but ended up with one at 8:00 for Dec. 19th.

So on the 19th it looks like we will sleep in, eat counter service at AK for lunch, spend the afternoon at AK (I think they will close at 5 pm this night), and then head to downtown disney for shopping and dinner. Sounds like fun, right!

Plus I MUST try those make your own snacks at Goofy's this time.

By my calculations, Animal Kingdom's hours for taht day will be 8am-6pm. HTH. TRex looks like it would be cool.