A Birthday Celebration - The Holidays, Disney Style (Dec. 2010)

[Nemo32]

Welcome to the PTR of Katie & Joe's adventure to Disney for some Holiday festivities and Birthday celebrating!!

Today officially marks that we are ONE MONTH out!! Really, is there anything better than the anticipation and excitement before a WDW trip?!

We are going to WDW from December 8th-13th and staying at Coronado Springs Resort in a King Room with a 35% pin code. We requested the Casitas, near Bus Stop 2. We will not be on the DDP, but we will be nonetheless eating at lots of sit-down restaurants.

Other than experiencing Disney during the Holidays, I will be celebrating my 23rd Birthday!! Now, really, my birthday is December 14th...but believe me, I will be wearing that Birthday pin from Dec. 8th-13th. Why not? I am after all in Disney celebrating my Birthday!

Anyway, here we are, back in our '08 trip, riding the monorail:

And now the Cast

Katie (Me-22): I am a hardcore WDW fanatic! I don't think there is anything I enjoy more in life than planning WDW vacations. My favorite park is Magic Kingdom, but my favorite ride is a tie between Mickey's Philharmagic and Expedition Everest. Other than WDW, I work in Visitor Services at the Museum of Biblical Art and will be attending Graduate School at Brooklyn College in Spring 2011.

Joe (DBF-26): Joe, up until he was 24, had never been to WDW. Then, I changed his life forever, introducing him with a very magical first timer trip back in May '08. Joe's favorite park is also Magic Kingdom and his favorite ride is a tie between Mickey's Philharmagic and Space Mt. Other than listening to me talk about WDW non-stop and playing drums in a band, Joe is a Web Developer at Manhattanville College, where we both attended!

Us: Both of us met in College and have been together for four years! We are the early to rise, late to bed kind of people when it comes to WDW. We try to see and do as much as we can, with ample nap time, and are always looking for something new and exciting to do at WDW.

The Trip: 2 reasons - FINALLY seeing WDW during the Holidays AND to celebrate a little early my 23rd Birthday! There will be lots of new restaurants, a new resort and of course, a whole new experience being at WDW when it is full of Holiday spirit and decoration!

This will be my 2nd successful TR...well, 3rd. The 2nd was never finished because I was in my last semester of school and super busy. You can read my 1st TR here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1792402

So, I promise you lots of photos, lots of food, perhaps a meltdown in EPCOT (what is it about that place?), Candlelight Processional with Jodi Benson!, MVMCP, lots of decorations and never a dull moment!

Stay tuned to hear about how the magical trip came to be after many “No’s” and “Haven’t we been there enough?”...

 

[Nemo32]

Alright, alright...no posters yet...perhaps before I give you more details on this trip I will tell you a little about our previous trips.

My first real, full-week, 4 park experience to WDW was in 2006 with my father, stepmom (hey there, jjohnson!) and 3 siblings. Yeah, it was a great first time experience, but it wasn't until our 2007 trip that I found myself counting down the days until our trip. I had it bad.

Here is our group at the Hoop dee doo Revue:

And here are my siblings and I:

The second trip may have been better than the first because it was then I realized how much I LOVED being at WDW. It was during this trip I tried my 1st upside-down roller coaster

Unfortunately, the following year I couldn't join my family due to school...so I convinced DBF to go because he had never been. It was truly a magical trip and of course, he FELL IN LOVE with WDW.

We took lots of photos...

On our 1st day

We even squeezed in a Dismeet!

Joe and his 1st Dole Whip...and yes, he was a trooper and wore the 1st timer pin everyday

Now, at the time it was the Year of a Million Dreams and we can't running into the Dream Squad at every turn...but always just missed them!! Usually by being nice and letting people in front of us. But one day getting off Splash Mountain, there they were! And they handed us a pass entitling us to ONE WHOLE HOUR at Magic Kingdom AFTER IT WAS CLOSED.

WOOHOO!!

A near empty park

Our buttons

And Mickey & Minnie...and to this day, I have no idea who that man is

Now, during this trip we were staying on DVC points (thanks, jjohnson!) so the 2nd time we went I convinced DBF with WDW's Buy 4, Get 3 deal. We went during January, which yet again just like May, was relatively low in crowds, but the weather was dicey.

About 70 degrees...

About 40 degrees...

Thank goodness we were in Orlando...there was a cold front across the nation and the 40 degrees there was better than 15 degrees back in NY! The poor Floridians were wearing big, puffy jackets.

And yes, we were holding HOT tea

Anyway, so that pretty much sums up our past trips...all wonderful. Despite them being wonderful, it took quite a bit of persuading to get Joe on board this time...which I'll go into that more next time!

 

[racefanof88]

I'm subbing .


Once that Disney bug bites; there is no cure . Not that anyone would want a cure if there was one..... I don't blame you for wearing your birthday button; after all you should be able to celebrate your birthday the whole month of December.

I love the picture of you and your DBF in front of the castle .

 

[Nemo32]

I'm subbing .


Once that Disney bug bites; there is no cure . Not that anyone would want a cure if there was one..... I don't blame you for wearing your birthday button; after all you should be able to celebrate your birthday the whole month of December.

I love the picture of you and your DBF in front of the castle .

YAY!! Thanks for joining! Exactly...I know plenty of people that celebrate their birthday for an entire week!

 

[amazingact21]

Subbing.

I'm glad your DBF agreed to go again, I mentioned in a reply on my thread that WDW is wonderful during the holidays, but I'll say it here as well. It is definitely a sight I would recommend to any Disney fan, it multiplies that holiday spirit a hundred times and makes it even harder to leave the parks.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[Nemo32]

Subbing.

I'm glad your DBF agreed to go again, I mentioned in a reply on my thread that WDW is wonderful during the holidays, but I'll say it here as well. It is definitely a sight I would recommend to any Disney fan, it multiplies that holiday spirit a hundred times and makes it even harder to leave the parks.

Can't wait to read more!

Thanks for joining!!

 

[Nemo32]

This is long-winded...

My dream has always been to go to WDW during the Holidays to take part in the magic of Disney at Christmas! After going to WDW twice, DBF swore off going back and wanted to explore new places. Fine. He wanted to go on a cruise because he thought it’d be romantic and lovey dovey. However, my heart belongs to WDW.

There were a few factors that were making me itch to make it happen within the next year or so. After the introduction of Summer Nightastic (for a while I was in a panic they’d completely do away with Wishes!), I thought, “Well, if they could get rid of something as magical as Wishes, they could toss out the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Light or the Castle Lighting Ceremony! Both things I HAD to see.

Another thing that was preventing me from going was the prospect of grad school, as I would be in classes during the time I wanted to go - early Dec. for 1. low crowds 2. good weather and 3. my birthday. Grad school didn’t work out (at first as I’ve been accepted somewhere for the Spring semester, yay!!), so the opportunity opened up and it would probably be the last opportunity for another 2 years since I was determined to get into school by the next Fall.

Then the Disney gods starting sending me signs...I received a pin code in my e-mail. I mentioned it to DBF - no way he’d spend money on ANOTHER trip to WDW. A few weeks later, another pin code came (mind you I have 3 e-mail accounts w/ Disney). Then another in the e-mail and finally one at the house. I was the queen of pin codes and I couldn’t even use them!

I tried not to think about it...despite saving the e-mails in my Disney folder on Gmail. But the thought was nagging, so I called Disney and made a ressie at POP Century - at least if I convinced DBF I’d have the pin code & at a reasonable hotel. I made the ressie for 3 nights - I’d convince him we’d go for 3 nights, see the Christmas stuff and come back w/ our pockets still full. He seemed indifferent knowing it could be cancelled.

Then, a few weeks later DSM (Joyken4492 on the Dis!) called me and told me there was a sale on Jetblue for our dates. I didn’t hesitate, ran to a computer while simultaneously dialing DBF to tell him what was going on! You all know, rates like $79.00 to MCO don’t happen every day! And if by some chance they do, it may never happen again! Amidst typing furiously to seal the deal, I was explaining this to DBF. “Aren’t those non-refundable?” he asked. “Correct - if you don’t go, I’ll find someone else!” Harsh, yes, in the scheme of things, but I just HAD to get those flights.

They were booked - phew!

That was in May...and around mid-summer I began thinking “Well, if its only for 3 nights, why not stay at a Moderate?” “Ok, fine” was all I got out of DBF.

UPGRADE! We moved from POP Century to Coronado Springs - somewhere neither of us had ever been!!

About a month later, my DSM’s son got a 35% pin - better than any I had. So, I called Disney and fudged my residence a little and got their pin! Better pin was music to DBF’s ears.

Up until about September, DBF really wasn’t on board (just going w/ the motions, but not really acknowledging the fact that we were going), but around then he accepted we were going, but told me not to talk about it every minute of the day. This, of course, made planning boring and no fun! If we were both going, we should both plan, or he should at least give me some feedback on what he wanted to do.

Recently, I showed him the itinerary. It hit him then how short 3 nights really is. I said I was happy to be going regardless. He then began inquiring about changing the flight and we hammered out what it would cost...he ultimately decided it’d be worth the change in flight to spend 2 more nights...WHAT?! DBF advocating spending longer and thus more money?! OKAY!

Well, went online to change the flight and by some miracle, or computer glitch, the money spent on the flights we were cancelling was put TOWARD the $100 each for the flight change. That is not supposed to happen. They are supposed to charge an ADDITIONAL $100 each on top of previous flight & the difference in new flight! WOOHOO!!! AND I got credits out of it because the new flights were cheaper.

While we’re at it, I suggested a Park Hopper, since I had my AP (surprise trip in August! which I’ll tell you about in my next post) and to avoid an EMH morning, DBF agreed to upgrade his Park Ticket.

Before I had been looking forward to the trip, but lamented on how short it was...NOW, it was going to be awesome! 6 days of WDW Holiday magic that would provide new experiences for both of us!

And the added bonus was that DBF was finally on board! He even spent time looking at the itinerary and offering suggestions.

Next time I’ll tell you about my 4 day trip to surprise my family in WDW...

 

[Nemo32]

So, before I go on about previous trips, I should probably tell you where DBF and I are going, eating and when!

Here goes:

Wed. 12/08
Arrive MCO 8:50am
After check-in, MK
WL Decorations?
Rest
Dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh
EP for Candlelight Processional w/ Jodi Benson

Thurs. 12/09
EP
Rest
MK for MVMCP

Fri. 12/10
DHS
Boardwalk and Yacht & Beach Club Decorations
Lunch at Beaches & Cream
Rest
DHS for Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Sat. 12/11
AK
Lunch at Yak & Yeti
Rest
EP for Illuminations

Sun 12/12
MK
Lunch at Plaza Restaurant
Monorail Loop Decorations
Rest
AK for Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade
Dinner at Boma (surprise for Joe!)

Mon. 12/13
DHS
EP
Lunch at Chefs de France (another surprise!)
Flight home at 7:20

And there it is! So, it isn't as detailed as my daily itineraries, but I won't bore you! I scheduled last minute Boma and Chefs because Joe loves those places and why not? I think the plan looks good and we are definitely doing a lot, especially a lot of new things. I think MK is the perfect way to start and EP is the perfect way to end.

Now, really...next time I'll tell you about my surprise trip to WDW in August...

 

[jjohnson]

Great start but its jjohnson

 

[PirateKate]

Hi! Followed you over from my PTR. We are doing the Osbourne Spectacle of Lights Friday night, too!!

Coronado Springs is so beautiful! That's where we stayed on our honeymoon, so it is one of my favorites.

I like the picture of you with Snow White and the Dwarfs. Where was that taken? I usually recognize most photo spots, but I can't remember seeing that one...

Your Year of a Million Dreams prize is so cool. I got a pin lanyard, but yours is much more magical.

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[EmpressBubbles]

Subbing.

We arrive on the 11th, so I'm interested in your plans. They are very similar to ours the next week. We are taking time each day to visit resorts and view their decorations as well.
I'm so excited!!! How many times can you read the travel documents prior to your trip before they get worn out????

 

[Nemo32]

Great start but its jjohnson

Yay, glad you're on board! I wish all of us could go to see the Holiday stuff.

Hi! Followed you over from my PTR. We are doing the Osbourne Spectacle of Lights Friday night, too!!

Coronado Springs is so beautiful! That's where we stayed on our honeymoon, so it is one of my favorites.

I like the picture of you with Snow White and the Dwarfs. Where was that taken? I usually recognize most photo spots, but I can't remember seeing that one...

Your Year of a Million Dreams prize is so cool. I got a pin lanyard, but yours is much more magical.

Looking forward to reading more!

Thanks for reading!

Well, I'll have my Donner bag w/ Lime Green Mickeyhead (will post pic soon), so maybe you'll spot me! It is taken in the Town Square Exposition Hall...make a right when entering MK and there are a ton of photo ops inside. We were very fortunate to win that prize and a lanyard is pretty cool too Anything to remember that wonderful promotion, which IMO, was much better than "What will you Celebrate?"

I cannot wait to stay at Coronado Springs! So, I'm glad to hear good things.

Subbing.

We arrive on the 11th, so I'm interested in your plans. They are very similar to ours the next week. We are taking time each day to visit resorts and view their decorations as well.
I'm so excited!!! How many times can you read the travel documents prior to your trip before they get worn out????

Thanks for joining!

I'm happy to hear a fellow Dis'er has similar plans...it means I've planned well I'm trying not to go ride crazy, take it slow and really enjoy the decorations etc.

I look at my documents every day...maybe every 2 hours But really, going in December was something I thought wouldn't happen for a very long time, so I'm still in disbelief. I don't think it will hit me until our plane lands in Orlando.

 

[Nemo32]

Any lurkers, here?? Speak up! Perhaps the PTR Title should be changed to get more people? Well, thanks to all of you who have posted and are coming along on my TR! Great to have you!

My family had a trip planned for WDW in August 2010 and I ultimately decided I couldn't go because 1. Possibility of grad school and 2. New job after graduation.

While grad school didn't work out right away I did get my new job in June, so it was fortuitous that I didn't plan on going to WDW because I felt bad taking vacation days so soon.

However, I took 5 vacation days for December and had 15 to use...so it was maybe 2-3 weeks before they were scheduled to leave my DDad made a passing comment along the lines of, "You should look up airfare and fly down to surprise us..."

Well, I thought to myself, "That doesn't sound too bad...I have vacation days anyhow that my boss encouraged me to use."

So, I looked up airfare on Jetblue and the airfare wasn't too bad. They were going from Aug. 7th-14th and would be staying at BWV and AKV. I called DSM (jjohnson!) and told her I was planning on flying down to surprise my DDad and the kids. It wasn't going to cost too much because I just had to pay for airfare and my ticket. She thought it might be best to tell DDad because he may not like surprises. Sure, fine. So, we talked it over with him (after I said, "Guess what?" and handed him my booked plane itinerary!) and we all decided we should tell the kids (under a week before the trip!) so we could get excited about it together. We gather the kids together and told them I'd be flying down to WDW on Aug. 7th and leaving on the 10th. 3 nights of WDW fun at my favorite resort, BWV!

Of course, the kids were thrilled.

The only problem was well, WDW, themselves. Since I wasn't booked on their ressie we planned for me to sneak onto property. I know, I know...I was a rebel. But WDW was certainly not going to allow 6 people in a 1 bedroom at BWV. But my family had an air mattress anyway, so I wouldn't take up too much space

I booked transportation on MEARS...which went very smoothly! And stopped off at the Swan/Dolphin and DDad met me on the bridge to BWV. Easy, squeezy.

Now, a little back tracking - DSM took advantage of the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" and knitted 6 quilts, entitling each of us to a FREE day at the park.

Well, I brought that voucher to EP and told them I would like to upgrade to an AP...for my Dec. trip. There is something so exciting about purchasing an AP knowing that another WDW trip is within your grasp.

Anyway, unfortunately I have no pics of the trip with me (I'm at work ). But it was a great trip! I was able to visit EP, MK and DHS...no AK for my fav. ride, EE But that will make riding in Dec. all the more fun.

And so we're not photo-less...Joe and I somewhat experienced Disney magic for the Holidays - in the NYC World of Disney store. These pictures are from 2007!!!! How time flies...

And my family from our 2006 trip...

Ok...next time...I'll show you some pictures from me and Joe's Jan. '09 trip, where we got a glimpse of the Holidays due to the transitioning and I'll tell you more about us.

Thanks for reading!!

 

[Nemo32]

Great start but its jjohnson

I just realized

And love the ticker! YAY!

 

[francis6306]

Awe... your trip sounds like a lot of fun! I would LOVE to stay at a Mod... but the rest of our group wanted to stay at Pop, so that's what we did!

So, did you keep your pin code rather than get free dining, or was it not an option for you?

More later!

 

[jjohnson]

too bad I missed your DDad going thru the service entrance

 

[Nemo32]

Awe... your trip sounds like a lot of fun! I would LOVE to stay at a Mod... but the rest of our group wanted to stay at Pop, so that's what we did!

So, did you keep your pin code rather than get free dining, or was it not an option for you?

More later!

Pop is great too! I feel like they have the most efficient bus system, which is hard to come by in WDW. DBF and I stayed there in Jan. '09 and have no complaints.

We kept the pin code - with the cost of a Mod we save more than on the DDP. Plus, we don't mind sharing some CS Lunch meals.

too bad I missed your DDad going thru the service entrance

It was very sneaky

 

[Nemo32]

Jan. 2009 was the last time Joe and I were at WDW together - almost 2 years when we go back in Dec.!

Since we went at the beginning of January, WDW was in the midst of taking down Holiday decorations and were in the middle of transitioning from "Year of a Million Dreams" to "What Will You Celebrate."

Talk about an identity crisis.

So, you can imagine what a tease it was to see Christmas lights and Christmas finery, ie cups and napkins, but not actually experience the Holidays at WDW!

DHS Osbourne Lights

The crane taking down the lights at MK

Year of a Million Dreams

A Holiday cup at MK (and Joe being creepy)

So, I've started a packing list and I suppose it is a bit early but having been teased by WDW in January, I simply just cannot wait to get there in December. Making lists is helping the time pass by...

Any suggestions for December weather? January was pretty up and down temp. wise, as I said, so I'm guessing December will be the same.

Today I discovered soap"dot"com - it is absolutely amazing. I can create lists in my account and with 1 click order everything I need. So, that's what I did today. I ordered health stuff, skin stuff, make-up etc. with FREE shipping. What a deal!

Also, as you'll learn, I am a total germaphobe, well, only when it comes to the stomach virus. I avoid it like no other. So, during my TR, yes, you will hear about how I ask the Mousekeeper to double-clean my bathroom with Clorox, that I am packing 5 packs of Wet Ones and that I will have Lysol

Ok, I feel the presence of Mickey Mail...are we really that close?!

 

[amazingact21]

I couldn't imagine getting to see the Holiday decorations, but not actually see them put to use. That'd be torture!

I know what you mean about being a germophobe. I used to work at a daycare, and I would go through a bottle of Purell in a week!

In terms of Florida weather, it can be pretty weird. From past experiences, it is usually warm during the day and chilly at night. When I went last time, I wore either a thin long-sleeved shirt and pants, or a short sleeve shirt with a light jacket. I live about seven hours away from WDW, and it's been in the high 70s, so I doubt by the beginning of next month it gets too much colder.

 

[DisneyPups]

I'll think I'll jump on board for the ride. Since you mentioned wanted to cruise as well, I HIGHLY recommend DCL. In fact, my DH and I will be cruising in the beginning of December (while you're at the park) and our paths might cross when we come to WDW for a night when we return. (It's best to postpone returning home whenever possible). So we will likely be exploring the decorated resorts on the 12th too.
Can't wait to hear more and see pics!