A Safari Christmas Goes Pop! (w/pics)

[NYPDwife]

I just found your PTR, how awesome for you guys! My family and I are going for our 1st Christmas trip to Disney and we'll be staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort! The AKL must be so beautiful during the holidays so we'll definitely go by on our resort-hop day.

You must be excited, your ADR day is coming up! Good luck getting all the ADR's you want! Maybe we'll see you at CRT on Christmas Day! I'll wear my lime green Crocs!

 

[NYPDwife]

Just read your last post; so sorry about your MIL. My condolences

 

[njdisneyfreak]

I just found your PTR, how awesome for you guys! My family and I are going for our 1st Christmas trip to Disney and we'll be staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort! The AKL must be so beautiful during the holidays so we'll definitely go by on our resort-hop day.

You must be excited, your ADR day is coming up! Good luck getting all the ADR's you want! Maybe we'll see you at CRT on Christmas Day! I'll wear my lime green Crocs!

Oh, you have to check out my last TR, from our Christmas trip last December. I posted a lot of pics, and you can see what they have and what it looks like. Feel free to ask any questions. You will LOVE it during that time of year!!! The CBR looks pretty, though I've never been there.

I get to book my ADRs on Thursday. I can't wait! Make sure you are starting to dial right at 7 a.m. for your ADRs. You may have to keep pushing redial for a while, but don't give up. Book the ADRs you absolutely want to have first, and then book the others, rather than going day by day. Otherwise, your musts may be taken by the time you get to asking for them in your line-up of ressies. Are you guys celebrating any special occasion, like birthday, anniversary or first time to Disney? They have buttons you can wear for so many occasions, which can add some extra magic to your trip.

I hope you get all the ADRs you want, too. I'll have to check out your PTR and compare notes. Isn't planning exciting?

 

[NYPDwife]

How do you get that pre-paid PhotoPass CD? I just started your TR and saw it and figured I'd ask.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Just read your last post; so sorry about your MIL. My condolences

Thank you.

How do you get that pre-paid PhotoPass CD? I just started your TR and saw it and figured I'd ask.

There are two ways to get it. Have you ever gone to WDW before? If not, whenever you are in the parks, always go up to the photographers who are all over the place. The first time you do, tell them you need a photopass card. Then, every time you see a photographer, no matter which park, give him/her the card. They'll take your picture and add it to the card. Be sure to ask for the suprise or magic picture in each park. You'll love it. For example, in the MK, they'll have you pose certain ways and when you see the pictures later, you'll see you're holding Tinkerbell. These pics are neat. At the end of your trip, go to any photo station to view the pics on your card. We did that periodically, to see how they looked. We also had them do tons of pics. Why not? You only buy what you want later, and you can do pics as often as you want. The other option, for getting the CD is to wait till you get home. Ask the photographers or photo station people for more info, but it's also on the photopass card. You go online to the website they show you and punch in the code from the back of your card. Then, you can view all your pics, add borders and other neat features if you'd like, you can download your own personal camera photos and so much more and then have them mail you the CD. Online, you can also do other things like have them put your pics into a custom made album or video tape.

We like the going online way, because it gives you more options.

Tip: copy down the card number from the back or take a picture of it with your regular camera. A photographer told of this. This way, if you lose the card, you still can access the pictures from it online. If you do lose the card, just get a new one from a photographer. You can do all your pics on one card or multiple, should you choose. Your pics are online for 30 days from when you start getting pictures done. It's so worth it!

I don't think I ever got around to posting pics from the CD on my TR, but they were amazing.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

I just found your PTR, how awesome for you guys! My family and I are going for our 1st Christmas trip to Disney and we'll be staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort! The AKL must be so beautiful during the holidays so we'll definitely go by on our resort-hop day.

You must be excited, your ADR day is coming up! Good luck getting all the ADR's you want! Maybe we'll see you at CRT on Christmas Day! I'll wear my lime green Crocs!

BTW, we're from NJ. I was born in NY, and I noticed your username.

 

[NYPDwife]

Is the CD a set price or do they charge you per pic? We were just in Disney, August 2006 and I got my PP pics from the site, but I never saw anything about a CD!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Is the CD a set price or do they charge you per pic? We were just in Disney, August 2006 and I got my PP pics from the site, but I never saw anything about a CD!

It's a set price. Check out their site to check it all out: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/landingPage?id=PhotoPassLandingPage

 

[DISNEY4XMAS]

Thank you.



There are two ways to get it. Have you ever gone to WDW before? If not, whenever you are in the parks, always go up to the photographers who are all over the place. The first time you do, tell them you need a photopass card. Then, every time you see a photographer, no matter which park, give him/her the card. They'll take your picture and add it to the card. Be sure to ask for the suprise or magic picture in each park. You'll love it. For example, in the MK, they'll have you pose certain ways and when you see the pictures later, you'll see you're holding Tinkerbell. These pics are neat. At the end of your trip, go to any photo station to view the pics on your card. We did that periodically, to see how they looked. We also had them do tons of pics. Why not? You only buy what you want later, and you can do pics as often as you want. The other option, for getting the CD is to wait till you get home. Ask the photographers or photo station people for more info, but it's also on the photopass card. You go online to the website they show you and punch in the code from the back of your card. Then, you can view all your pics, add borders and other neat features if you'd like, you can download your own personal camera photos and so much more and then have them mail you the CD. Online, you can also do other things like have them put your pics into a custom made album or video tape.

We like the going online way, because it gives you more options.

Tip: copy down the card number from the back or take a picture of it with your regular camera. A photographer told of this. This way, if you lose the card, you still can access the pictures from it online. If you do lose the card, just get a new one from a photographer. You can do all your pics on one card or multiple, should you choose. Your pics are online for 30 days from when you start getting pictures done. It's so worth it!

I don't think I ever got around to posting pics from the CD on my TR, but they were amazing.

I have to agree that the cd is the way to go if you have a lot of pictures. I do wish that more of the rides would move their photo's to photopass. It would be a lot cheaper for the average Joe. Plus there would be no bulky pictures to carry around. the borders are great there are different ones for each park and holiday. When our kids did a day at the BBB they had special ones for there. If you have a picture taken with a character you can add in their signature. Which is great!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

I have to agree that the cd is the way to go if you have a lot of pictures. I do wish that more of the rides would move their photo's to photopass. It would be a lot cheaper for the average Joe. Plus there would be no bulky pictures to carry around. the borders are great there are different ones for each park and holiday. When our kids did a day at the BBB they had special ones for there. If you have a picture taken with a character you can add in their signature. Which is great!

I totally agree with you. I wish they included those extra pics on the photopass, too. But, I guess they figured if people are willing to pay for the pictures (and we've bought quite a few of them ourselves), they'll keep selling them separately. I do love how you can add things like the character signatures or the year. Also, they have holiday add on's when you go during the holidays, which I thought was really cool.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Aw, man! I know I can't make my ADRs till 7 a.m., but I've been awake since 5:30, and I had absolutely no reason to be awake, except that I'm sooooooooooo excited about making my ressies. I tried to go back to sleep, but it just wasn't going to happen. So, now I still have half an hour to go, and I just hope we can get all the ones that we want.

Last year, we made our ressies and then made so many changes afterwards, between the 180 day mark and our departure date that I actually got CMs who remembered me talking to them earlier! I don't think that will be the issue this time. I really think we like the arrangement we have.

So, hopefully I'll be back on soon with our itinerary. If you're reading this before 7 a.m., send some pixie dust our way.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

I just called the dining line just so I'll have the number ready to redial. Soon, the madness will stop.

 

[DISNEY4XMAS]

OK I am WAITING!!!!!! It is now 823 and there is nothing posted!!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Well, I made my dining ressies and it went beautifully! I don't know if it was my plan to have the number in redial already and I just pushed the button at just the right moment, but I got everything we wanted. Most of the ressies were within ten minutes of the times we wanted, with just a couple within twenty minutes. Not bad at all!

The only date and time we didn't reserve anything for was for January 1st dinner. We wanted to spend that night at the MK and eat at the Plaza Restaurant. The latest dinner they had was something like 4:30, since they have the park closing earlier that day right now (hours for January aren't posted yet), so we left it open.

We have two ideas for that night. Either, we'll eat at Boma's (they said I couldn't reserve for that day until the 180 day mark, according to individual restaurant policy) or do the Hawaiian Luau at the Polynesian, which we'll book before the summer is out, if it's available.

So, here's the itinerary. Please feel free to offer feedback.

Tuesday, December 23rd
- We're arriving during the morning
- Lunch will be at Mara's
- We'll probably be exploring the resort and go to Downtown for a while
- Dinner at Narcoossee's (This is our first time here, and we'll get to see the MK fireworks from there!!!)

Wednesday, December 24th
- Breakfast at Mara's
- Head over to Epcot
- Segway Tour (We haven't booked yet, but plan to.)
- Lunch at the Garden Grill
- Dinner at Boma's
- Hollywood Studios to see the Osbourne Lights

Thursday, December 25th
- Head over to the MK
- Breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table
- Enjoy as much of the park as possible before it gets too crazy
- Lunch at Crystal Palace
- Head over to the Animal Kingdom
- Dinner at Jiko's

Friday, December 26th
- Breakfast at Boma's
- Go to HS
- Lunch at Mama Melrose's
- Go to Epcot
- Dinner at Chef Mickey's (We couldn't get this at all on last trip, so we're looking forward to it. We've only eaten here for breakfast.)

Saturday, December 27th
- Head over to the AK
- Breakfast at Donald’s Safari Breakfast at Tusker House (First time doing this.)
- Lunch at Kona Cafe
- Go to HS
- Dinner at Boma's

Sunday, December 28th
- Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare (one of the best ever!!!)
- Go to the MK
- Lunch at Tony's Townsquare Restaurant
- Dinner at Ohana

Monday, December 29th
- Breakfast at Boma's
- Go to HS
- Lunch at Sci-Fi (We love the cheesy movies & the Drive-In atmosphere.)
- Go to Epcot
- Dinner at the Coral Reef

Tuesday, December 30th
- Breakfast at Ohana
- Go to MK
- Go to Downtown
- Lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express
- Dinner at 1900 Park Fare (Love the interaction between Cinderella's stepsisters and stepmother!!!)

Wednesday, December 31st
- Breakfast at Boma's
- Lunch at Mara's
- Go to HS
- Dinner at Hollywood Brown Derby
- Enjoy the NYE festivities

Thursday, January 1st
- Breakfast at Chef Mickey's
- Go to MK
- Lunch at Teppan Edo
- Dinner is up in the air (read above)

Friday, January 2nd
- Go to MK
- Breakfast at Crystal Palace
- Lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern
- Go to Epcot
- Dinner at Le Cellier (amazing food)

Saturday, January 3rd
- Return Home

So that's everything! I'm so excited. This trip is going to be amazing. If anyone has ideas of where we should eat on January 1st let me know. We're open. Whew! It feels good to have the dining all taken care of. We'll be using the Deluxe Dining Plan, and we hope it was a good choice. Just based on all our dining choices though, I'm liking it already.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, we will be spending quite a bit of time at the resort. I mean we're staying at the AKL for the first time, in a savannah view, so we plan to enjoy every moment of it.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

OK I am WAITING!!!!!! It is now 823 and there is nothing posted!!

I'm sorry. My DH has been home, and he needed help with stuff while I was in the middle of posting. Can you believe it?!

I think it was worth the wait though. Let me know what you think.

 

[NYPDwife]

Well, I made my dining ressies and it went beautifully! I don't know if it was my plan to have the number in redial already and I just pushed the button at just the right moment, but I got everything we wanted. Most of the ressies were within ten minutes of the times we wanted, with just a couple within twenty minutes. Not bad at all!

The only date and time we didn't reserve anything for was for January 1st dinner. We wanted to spend that night at the MK and eat at the Plaza Restaurant. The latest dinner they had was something like 4:30, since they have the park closing earlier that day right now (hours for January aren't posted yet), so we left it open.

We have two ideas for that night. Either, we'll eat at Boma's (they said I couldn't reserve for that day until the 180 day mark, according to individual restaurant policy) or do the Hawaiian Luau at the Polynesian, which we'll book before the summer is out, if it's available.

So, here's the itinerary. Please feel free to offer feedback.

Tuesday, December 23rd
- We're arriving during the morning
- Lunch will be at Mara's
- We'll probably be exploring the resort and go to Downtown for a while
- Dinner at Narcoossee's (This is our first time here, and we'll get to see the MK fireworks from there!!!)

Wednesday, December 24th
- Breakfast at Mara's
- Head over to Epcot
- Segway Tour (We haven't booked yet, but plan to.)
- Lunch at the Garden Grill
- Dinner at Boma's
- Hollywood Studios to see the Osbourne Lights

Thursday, December 25th
- Head over to the MK
- Breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table
- Enjoy as much of the park as possible before it gets too crazy
- Lunch at Crystal Palace
- Head over to the Animal Kingdom
- Dinner at Jiko's

Friday, December 26th
- Breakfast at Boma's
- Go to HS
- Lunch at Mama Melrose's
- Go to Epcot
- Dinner at Chef Mickey's (We couldn't get this at all on last trip, so we're looking forward to it. We've only eaten here for breakfast.)

Saturday, December 27th
- Head over to the AK
- Breakfast at Donald’s Safari Breakfast at Tusker House (First time doing this.)
- Lunch at Kona Cafe
- Go to HS
- Dinner at Boma's

Sunday, December 28th
- Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare (one of the best ever!!!)
- Go to the MK
- Lunch at Tony's Townsquare Restaurant
- Dinner at Ohana

Monday, December 29th
- Breakfast at Boma's
- Go to HS
- Lunch at Sci-Fi (We love the cheesy movies & the Drive-In atmosphere.)
- Go to Epcot
- Dinner at the Coral Reef

Tuesday, December 30th
- Breakfast at Ohana
- Go to MK
- Go to Downtown
- Lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express
- Dinner at 1900 Park Fare (Love the interaction between Cinderella's stepsisters and stepmother!!!)

Wednesday, December 31st
- Breakfast at Boma's
- Lunch at Mara's
- Go to HS
- Dinner at Hollywood Brown Derby
- Enjoy the NYE festivities

Thursday, January 1st
- Breakfast at Chef Mickey's
- Go to MK
- Lunch at Teppan Edo
- Dinner is up in the air (read above)

Friday, January 2nd
- Go to MK
- Breakfast at Crystal Palace
- Lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern
- Go to Epcot
- Dinner at Le Cellier (amazing food)

Saturday, January 3rd
- Return Home

So that's everything! I'm so excited. This trip is going to be amazing. If anyone has ideas of where we should eat on January 1st let me know. We're open. Whew! It feels good to have the dining all taken care of. We'll be using the Deluxe Dining Plan, and we hope it was a good choice. Just based on all our dining choices though, I'm liking it already.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, we will be spending quite a bit of time at the resort. I mean we're staying at the AKL for the first time, in a savannah view, so we plan to enjoy every moment of it.

Oh, I SO want the Deluxe DP. Your ADR's sound awesome! What time did you get for CRT?

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Oh, I SO want the Deluxe DP. Your ADR's sound awesome! What time did you get for CRT?

We went with the regular dining package on our last trip, which was good, but we figured since we're staying at the AKL, it made sense to go with Deluxe.

We'll actually see you at the restaurant!!! The only breakfast ressie they had left was at 8:30. You guys will have to come over to us. Maybe we'll see each other while we wait to get seated. How cool is that?!

 

[DISNEY4XMAS]

I have given you my thoughts in the bold navy font!!!

Well, I made my dining ressies and it went beautifully! I don't know if it was my plan to have the number in redial already and I just pushed the button at just the right moment, but I got everything we wanted. Most of the ressies were within ten minutes of the times we wanted, with just a couple within twenty minutes. Not bad at all!

The only date and time we didn't reserve anything for was for January 1st dinner. We wanted to spend that night at the MK and eat at the Plaza Restaurant. The latest dinner they had was something like 4:30, since they have the park closing earlier that day right now (hours for January aren't posted yet), so we left it open.

We have two ideas for that night. Either, we'll eat at Boma's (they said I couldn't reserve for that day until the 180 day mark, according to individual restaurant policy) or do the Hawaiian Luau at the Polynesian, which we'll book before the summer is out, if it's available.

So, here's the itinerary. Please feel free to offer feedback.

Tuesday, December 23rd
- We're arriving during the morning
- Lunch will be at Mara's I haven't eaten here let me know how it is!
- We'll probably be exploring the resort and go to Downtown for a while
- Dinner at Narcoossee's (This is our first time here, and we'll get to see the MK fireworks from there!!!) I haven't eaten here let me know how it is!

Wednesday, December 24th
- Breakfast at Mara's
- Head over to Epcot
- Segway Tour (We haven't booked yet, but plan to.)
- Lunch at the Garden Grill I haven't eaten here let me know how it is!
- Dinner at Boma's I haven't eaten here let me know how it is!
- Hollywood Studios to see the Osbourne Lights I missed these!

Thursday, December 25th
- Head over to the MK
- Breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table I haven't eaten here let me know how it is!
- Enjoy as much of the park as possible before it gets too crazy
- Lunch at Crystal Palace I have done breakfast and lunch there is is great
- Head over to the Animal Kingdom
- Dinner at Jiko's I haven't eaten here let me know how it is!

Friday, December 26th
- Breakfast at Boma's I haven't eaten here let me know how it is!
- Go to HS
- Lunch at Mama Melrose's I haven't eaten here let me know how it is!
- Go to Epcot
- Dinner at Chef Mickey's (We couldn't get this at all on last trip, so we're looking forward to it. We've only eaten here for breakfast.) MMM we did dinner there our first night MMM it was so good! If you like Prime Rib it is sooooo good!

Saturday, December 27th
- Head over to the AK
- Breakfast at Donald’s Safari Breakfast at Tusker House (First time doing this.) I haven't had the breakfast here, I did have at the other place and the food was good!
- Lunch at Kona Cafe I haven't eaten here let me know how it is!
- Go to HS
- Dinner at Boma's

Sunday, December 28th
- Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare (one of the best ever!!!) I thnk we will try this for our next trip I loved your pics of the mad hatter and Alice
- Go to the MK
- Lunch at Tony's Townsquare Restaurant I haven't eaten here let me know how it is! I have heard MIXED reviews about it
- Dinner at Ohana This is on the list to try for the next trip that was a back up for last year incase we didn't get something.

Monday, December 29th
- Breakfast at Boma's
- Go to HS
- Lunch at Sci-Fi (We love the cheesy movies & the Drive-In atmosphere.) I haven't eaten here let me know how it is!
- Go to Epcot
- Dinner at the Coral ReefLunch here was great! I do hope that if you guys are doing your celebration for your annivesary that they don't screw it up again!

Tuesday, December 30th
- Breakfast at Ohana
- Go to MK
- Go to Downtown
- Lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express I haven't eaten here let me know how it is!
- Dinner at 1900 Park Fare (Love the interaction between Cinderella's stepsisters and stepmother!!!) OH MY GAWD I LOVED IT THERE! The Step sister were great!!

Wednesday, December 31st
- Breakfast at Boma's
- Lunch at Mara's
- Go to HS
- Dinner at Hollywood Brown Derby I haven't eaten here let me know how it is!
- Enjoy the NYE festivities

Thursday, January 1st
- Breakfast at Chef Mickey's
- Go to MK
- Lunch at Teppan Edo I haven't eaten here let me know how it is!
- Dinner is up in the air (read above) HAve you tried the HOOP DEE DOO review? Dh loved it! We also did the Luau out. We like them both.

Friday, January 2nd
- Go to MK
- Breakfast at Crystal Palace
- Lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern We did christmas dinner here the last time and I don't know I wasn't really thrilled with it! I did love the character interaction though.
- Go to Epcot
- Dinner at Le Cellier (amazing food) I could not get ressies for here that was my most sort after ressie. I called atleast once a week from june till the time we left

Saturday, January 3rd
- Return Home

So that's everything! I'm so excited. This trip is going to be amazing. If anyone has ideas of where we should eat on January 1st let me know. We're open. Whew! It feels good to have the dining all taken care of. We'll be using the Deluxe Dining Plan, and we hope it was a good choice. Just based on all our dining choices though, I'm liking it already.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, we will be spending quite a bit of time at the resort. I mean we're staying at the AKL for the first time, in a savannah view, so we plan to enjoy every moment of it.

So it looks like you are eating every place I haven't. So I will look forward to your reviews!!! OH you are so lucky to be going again !! I loved christmas just didn't like the long lines. I do plan on doing TGM for our next trip!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

I have given you my thoughts in the bold navy font!!!

So it looks like you are eating every place I haven't. So I will look forward to your reviews!!! OH you are so lucky to be going again !! I loved christmas just didn't like the long lines. I do plan on doing TGM for our next trip!

Oh, you know I'll be sharing my reviews! That's part of the fun, and don't worry. There will be tons of pics, like last time. I'll let you know how all those restaurants are, though I have been to some of them already.

It's going to be great. I loved Christmas too, but the lines weren't too bad for us. We utilized TGM's plans and didn't wait very long for much the entire time. We didn't get TGM this time, but we think we can do this trip, based on how we did it last time. A key is really using the EMHs to your advantage and taking mid-day breaks. That really helps cut down on a lot of aggravation. Also, eating at off times, when you can, helps too. Oh, I'm so glad to have my ADRs done!!!

 

[NYPDwife]

We went with the regular dining package on our last trip, which was good, but we figured since we're staying at the AKL, it made sense to go with Deluxe.

We'll actually see you at the restaurant!!! The only breakfast ressie they had left was at 8:30. You guys will have to come over to us. Maybe we'll see each other while we wait to get seated. How cool is that?!

Very cool! I already have my mom looking into patterns to make DD the pink, winter dress and red, velvet cloak that Belle had on in the winter scene of B & the B. I know it's Cinderella's Royal Table, but DD's not blond and the winter outfit is soooo pretty.

In my excitement, I bought a pair of lime-green Frocs (fake Crocs, ), and Mickey Jibbits, so you'll definitely see us.