A 2009 Magical Christmas Anniversary Pre-Trip Report

[raider97]

I've missed so much!
Missed ya, but I know you have been very busy!

Those dresses your mom made are the cutest things! The girls will love them! And the autograph books are super cute, too! Are those the ones you ordered or made? Either way I love them =) I might be crazy, too, but it seems like your daughters have really sprouted up since the last pics I saw of them. They're so beautiful! And Woody in his pirate costume! Although you can't see his face under that mask, I'm sure he's still super cute!
Thanks! I LOVE the dresses! I hope the girls like them as much as I do. I ended up buying the sutpgraph books. When we get home I will take them apart and make them scarpbooks. I was going to make ones for MVMCP, but just ended up ordering a second set because I am running out of time. I will have to post the pictures they just came in the mail today.

I'm so excited for you to have recieved all your Mickey Mail and be inside the 30 day mark. You're going to have a blast!
Thanks!! I am excited! But I am running out of time and I still need to make 21 shirts, three journals, and get all my itineraries and ADRs organized and such. Yikes!! When we get back from my inlaws for Thanksgiving it will be 2 1/2 weeks. Super Yikes!!

The school semester is winding down for me, but that means lots of studying for finals and not so much free time on the Dis, so incase I don't make it back to your page before you go, have fun, don't stress, and take lots of pictures! (so you can post them here! selfish reasons, i know)
How is school going? Good luck on your finals. I'll take lots of pictures, I promise!!

And congrats to your dad for finding a job! It's so rough right now, my dad's been out of work about since february...
Thanks!! I was happy this one came thru. It is with the same company. He interviewed for the position like 6 times and it took them over 8 months to hire for it. Crazy!! Hoping your dad finds something soon. It is so hard to be looking in this market.

PS- It's a good thing you're flying southwest with all that stuff. I think they still allow 2 bags per person, and I think you're gonna need it! I can picture the kids' suitcases, one packed with their clothes and one packed full of their surprises, each! They're gonna have the time of their lives!

I was trying to explain how much stuff I have to DH last night. He is going to die when he actually sees it all. Yep, good thing it is SW because I am thinking I am going to need a dedicated bag for all this stuff. I am also thinking about sending a package down with some stuff in it, but I better get going or I won't make it.

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

 

[raider97]

I am having Mickey-mail envy right now. Glad yours came in. Maybe mine will come in tomorrow.

Thanks!! Did yours come in? How is the tshirt making going?

Mickey Mail!!! Looks like a lot of DISers are getting that this week! Very exciting! And the countdown continues!!! YAY!!!! We are not making it to MVMCP because we miss the final party by a day! I wish they would take it a few more days but they end it that Friday and we won't be there for it. It seems like great fun though! I loved the Halloween party, so I am sure the Christmas party will be equally as fun

Thanks! I had forgotten you would be getting in a few days after the last party. I am hoping we will have a good time despite the crowds at it. Is your Mickey mail in?

Yay for your Mickey Mail!!!! I can not believe how close it all is!!!! Have you started packing yet?

Thanks!! Talk about close....yours is within stirking distance! Bet you are getting so excited! Nope, haven't started packing yet? You?

No Mickey Mail yet. Dh went to the post office. Sometimes when we have a package of that nature, the postmaster puts it in our PO box instead. Here's hoping!

Read about your corruption issues! That is crazy!! I am hoping you get a Mickey Mail Thanksgiving surprise!!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I hope you all have wonderful holidays! We are off to families houses for the rest of the week. So I will have to catch up with everyone early next week!!

Stephanie

 

[DisneyMom14]

Yep - Finally got the Mickey mail!!!! Also got to make a few more shirts. Supposed to have 31 total but we'll see. I'm almost there!

 

[creativeamanda]

LOL, you could switch our days 6 and 7, except I am only going to DHS for EMH on the 21st. In fact--I'm going shopping that day after a late night at MK for EMH.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Your days look great!!

I have started packing...not as much as I should have probably!!! LOL

 

[raider97]

Date: 12/23
Park: Magic Kingdom
Hours: 9:00 – 11:00 pm

Wake-up Time: Wake up 7:00 am or so for me….rest of the crowd 7:30 am. Be at bus stop at 8:00 am.

Breakfast: Main Street Bakery

After breakfast take it easy picking up rides we have missed so far, or ones we want to repeat.

Lunch at Cosmic Rays or Caseys depending on mood.

Leave park around noon to head back to resort for some down time.

Resort Down Time: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Swimming, naps, bikes, fishing, etc. Whatever we decide we want to do

Big Surprise!!! I booked two carriage rides from POR for us and my mom at 5:30 p.m.
I am the only one who knows about them. So excited!!!
After carriage rides we will catch a bus back to Magic Kingdom and then the ferry over to the Grand Floridian.

Dinner: Grand Floridian Café 7:30 p.m.
** I am ordering a cake this week for this meal to celebrate Woody’s birthday. I am hoping to get the Mickey head one!! J

After dinner we will take the monorail back to Magic Kingdom staying at least for the fireworks.
Bus back to resort.

 

[raider97]

Date: 12/24 – Christmas Eve!!
Park: Magic Kingdom
Hours: 9:00 – 11:00 pm
** Extra Magic Hours 8:00 am – 9:00 am

Wake-up Time: Wake up 6:30 am or so for me….rest of the crowd 7:00 am. Be at bus stop at 7:30 am.

I would love to make it to early magic hours, but with the time change, a late night the night before, and a long day I’m not sure how we will do this morning

Breakfast: Main Street Bakery

After breakfast take it easy picking up rides we have missed so far, or ones we want to repeat.

Lunch: The Plaza 12:05 pm

Surprising the kids with Pirate League makeovers at 1:30 pm
Spend the afternoon at the park.

Dinner: Liberty Tree Tavern 6:55 pm

Stay at park through fireworks and as late as we want.
Last day at Magic Kingdom

 

[raider97]

Date: 12/25 - Christmas
Park: Hollywood Studios
Hours: 9:00 – 9:00 pm

Wake-up Time: Wake up 7:00 am or so for us

Breakfast: POR Food Court

Grab a bus to Magic Kingdom 8:00 am
Grab a fastpass for TSM and ride any rides we missed or shows we missed before it gets too crowded. Leave when the crowds start arriving for some downtime back at our resort.

Lunch: POR Food Court

Head over to Wilderness Lodge, maybe Contemporary, and Polynesian Resort to see Christmas decorations.

Dinner: Ohanas 4:55 pm

After dinner take bus back to Hollywood Studios to see Osborne Christmas Lights.
Bus back to resort at closing time.

 

[raider97]

Date: 12/26 – Departure Day
Park: None

Wake-up Time: Wake up 7:00 am or so for us

Breakfast: POR Food Court

Pack and get ready for Magical Express pickup at 8:40 am
Our flight leaves at 11:40 am We have a flight back to Texas and then we change plans to head home.

Arrive home about 2:30 pm – Check out what Santa brought while we were away!!

 

[raider97]

So I opened my email today and I got the merchandise credit pin!! WooHoo!! Now I just need to decide if I want to use it. The problem is I have already saved $300 for spending money for the kids so I could put in the extra $95 and get the $500 card. $105 free stuff!!! But I can't use it at T-Rex and I figured they would want to use some of their money at T-Rex to build a dinosaur. So that would be another $60 bucks I would have to spend on top of the $95. Sooooooo torn!! It would be nice for dh and I to have some extra spending money too.....

What do you guys think?

 

[DisneyMom14]

Date: 12/23
Park: Magic Kingdom
Hours: 9:00 – 11:00 pm

Wake-up Time: Wake up 7:00 am or so for me….rest of the crowd 7:30 am. Be at bus stop at 8:00 am.

Breakfast: Main Street Bakery

After breakfast take it easy picking up rides we have missed so far, or ones we want to repeat.

Lunch at Cosmic Rays or Caseys depending on mood.

Leave park around noon to head back to resort for some down time.

Resort Down Time: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Swimming, naps, bikes, fishing, etc. Whatever we decide we want to do

Big Surprise!!! I booked two carriage rides from POR for us and my mom at 5:30 p.m.
I am the only one who knows about them. So excited!!!
After carriage rides we will catch a bus back to Magic Kingdom and then the ferry over to the Grand Floridian.

Dinner: Grand Floridian Café 7:30 p.m.
** I am ordering a cake this week for this meal to celebrate Woody’s birthday. I am hoping to get the Mickey head one!! J

After dinner we will take the monorail back to Magic Kingdom staying at least for the fireworks.
Bus back to resort.

OH!!! I contemplated the carriage ride!!! I hope it will be wonderful for you!

Date: 12/24 – Christmas Eve!!
Park: Magic Kingdom
Hours: 9:00 – 11:00 pm
** Extra Magic Hours 8:00 am – 9:00 am

Wake-up Time: Wake up 6:30 am or so for me….rest of the crowd 7:00 am. Be at bus stop at 7:30 am.

I would love to make it to early magic hours, but with the time change, a late night the night before, and a long day I’m not sure how we will do this morning

Breakfast: Main Street Bakery

After breakfast take it easy picking up rides we have missed so far, or ones we want to repeat.

Lunch: The Plaza 12:05 pm

Surprising the kids with Pirate League makeovers at 1:30 pm
Spend the afternoon at the park.

Dinner: Liberty Tree Tavern 6:55 pm

Stay at park through fireworks and as late as we want.
Last day at Magic Kingdom

It's so sad to leave Magic Kingdom the last time. I am REALLY contemplating (I contemplat a lot! ) heading back to MK after DHS closes on our last day.

Date: 12/25 - Christmas
Park: Hollywood Studios
Hours: 9:00 – 9:00 pm

Wake-up Time: Wake up 7:00 am or so for us

Breakfast: POR Food Court

Grab a bus to Magic Kingdom 8:00 am
Grab a fastpass for TSM and ride any rides we missed or shows we missed before it gets too crowded. Leave when the crowds start arriving for some downtime back at our resort.

Lunch: POR Food Court

Head over to Wilderness Lodge, maybe Contemporary, and Polynesian Resort to see Christmas decorations.

Dinner: Ohanas 4:55 pm

After dinner take bus back to Hollywood Studios to see Osborne Christmas Lights.
Bus back to resort at closing time.

You're grabbing a bus to HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS for TSM, right?
MMMM eat some beignets for me while you're there (at POR food court)!

So I opened my email today and I got the merchandise credit pin!! WooHoo!! Now I just need to decide if I want to use it. The problem is I have already saved $300 for spending money for the kids so I could put in the extra $95 and get the $500 card. $105 free stuff!!! But I can't use it at T-Rex and I figured they would want to use some of their money at T-Rex to build a dinosaur. So that would be another $60 bucks I would have to spend on top of the $95. Sooooooo torn!! It would be nice for dh and I to have some extra spending money too.....

What do you guys think?

Here I go contemplating again!!!! I just got that email too. My issue is that I have 300 or so Disney Reward dollars on my visa card that I CAN use for food, merchandise, etc. I think it would be a great deal for you depending on all the stipulations and how much you actually spend on "merchandise." For us, we typically don't spend a lot on souvenirs so all the rules on what you can spend it on is a bummer. Sorry, I don't think I was too much help.

 

[Happydog]

Oh what great itineraries you have for your final few days!!! How special!!!! I am excited for you! I think we are all going to have a marvelous time!!!! You have made great plans... we are not doing a carriage ride, but I did decide on the Sleigh ride our last night after the Hoop de Do! I hope your packing is working out alright!!!! I don't know what to say about that gift card, I think it is also really unfortunate that they won't let you use in on beverages, tips, etc... but if there are things you know you want then it makes sense... I did hear it doesn't expire -- so you can save what you don't spend. Can you use it for the Pirates League?

 

[creativeamanda]

I don't know what to say about the merchandise offer. I wouldn't do it if it would actually make me go over budget. That's just me.

 

[raider97]

Happy Dance!!! Two weeks from today we leave!!

I saw this adorable bouncy countdown on Erin's (LOVEMY3KIDDOS) trip report and I thought I would start my countdown at 2 weeks so here we go. I'm not counting today so we actually have 13 happy bouncies!!


:

 

[creativeamanda]

LOL, I'm not counting today, either! 13 for me, too!

 

[raider97]

MMMM eat some beignets for me while you're there (at POR food court)!

Here I go contemplating again!!!! I just got that email too. My issue is that I have 300 or so Disney Reward dollars on my visa card that I CAN use for food, merchandise, etc. I think it would be a great deal for you depending on all the stipulations and how much you actually spend on "merchandise." For us, we typically don't spend a lot on souvenirs so all the rules on what you can spend it on is a bummer. Sorry, I don't think I was too much help.

I can't wait to try some beignets....they sound so yummy!!

Oh what great itineraries you have for your final few days!!! How special!!!! I am excited for you! I think we are all going to have a marvelous time!!!! You have made great plans... we are not doing a carriage ride, but I did decide on the Sleigh ride our last night after the Hoop de Do! I hope your packing is working out alright!!!! I don't know what to say about that gift card, I think it is also really unfortunate that they won't let you use in on beverages, tips, etc... but if there are things you know you want then it makes sense... I did hear it doesn't expire -- so you can save what you don't spend. Can you use it for the Pirates League?

I think the sleigh ride would be so much fun!! I decided on the carriage rides since we are staying at POR figured it would save me some travel time.

I don't know what to say about the merchandise offer. I wouldn't do it if it would actually make me go over budget. That's just me.

Thanks for all the thoughts on the merchandise credit. I think we have decided to use it after all..... I figured even if I took out $60 for the build a dinosaurs that would be $240 plus I know dh and I will spend $100 between the two of us and I still need to pick up Woody a few actual birthday gifts while we are there so I figured I am already pretty close to $400. For $395 I would get $500 so I think it works out like a good deal for us.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

LOL, I'm not counting today, either! 13 for me, too!

2 weeks!! I am so excited. It is a good thing we haven't told the kids yet.... I am having such a hard time concentrating on anything else I can imagine their schoolwork would have really taken a hit.

 

[raider97]

Hint, hint....nudge, nudge.....

I would really LOVE a bouncing Christmas mickey if anyone would like to send me one I would be

 

[raider97]

Down to 12 days!!


:

 

[creativeamanda]

I can't wait to hear about the kids' reactions! Also, TBH, I probably would have done the merchandise credit, too.