A Very Disney Christmas! Nov/Dec 2010 PTR (Trip Drama & 2 Days! 11/24)

[ladybugmom]

I didn't think the crowds were too bad. I mean night time at World Show case for food and wine were a little crowded. But we went two days in a row around 10 and went straight to WS and there was no one there! I think people mostly start at the front and work their way back. We noticed by Friday the 22nd that it started to get more crowded everywhere. They said it was because this was halloween week and it tends to be more crowded and people were just arriving for it. We plan on going the exact same week next year too. We stayed at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge and loved it! So relaxing. We don't have any kids yet so we like to go to the parks early spend time by the pool in the after noon and then go back at night. The quiet pool was really nice and peaceful during the day. I would have to say that over all that is was a good week to go. A couple years ago we went the week before we did this year and found it a little more crowded. Hope this helps!

It sounds like a great time to go!! Thank you so much for taking the time describing it for me!! It is very helpful!!

 

[Nbarker]

Glad to see you back on here!

One reason I'm waiting about going back to WDW til next Christmas is b/c of the height restriction. When we went when Landry was 3 1/2, she was 42 inches tall. Langston will have just turned 3, so I'm hoping for 40. She was pretty fearless, so I'm hoping he'll be the same way. And talking about big feet, Landry, who is 6 1/2 is in a size 5! I about died when we went to get new tennis shoes, the prices go up to adult sizes once you get out of a 3. Her new Nike's were $84! I guess I'll be going without! Langston will be 2 in Dec. and he's already in a 7! I shouldn't say anything b/c they get it from me.

I can't believe how soon your trip is!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[pinkpixie0920]

It sounds like a great time to go!! Thank you so much for taking the time describing it for me!! It is very helpful!!

No problem! Also I forgot but the weather was perfect all week. Low 80's and sunny. It wasn't too hot to walk around the parks but was perfect to sit by the pool.

 

[aharbin88]

We rented this stroller from Orlando Stroller Rentals in May: https://www.orlandostrollersrentals.com/Step2.aspx?PID=4. We LOVED it and will be renting from them again! They delivered the stroller to our resort and we picked it up from Bell Services once we arrived. It is super lightweight and easily collapsible. Both girls were able to ride comfortably and both seats fold down so they were able to sleep comfortably in it as well. At the end of the week you return it back to Bell Services and they pick it up from them. It was only $85 for the week! I HIGHLY recommend them!!

I'm debating on using them or Magic Strollers, who have the same strollers for a bit cheaper. I always loved the Disney strollers, but I heard that they've been redesigned and are much smaller than they used to be- in fact, I think you might have been the one that told me that! I wondered how the double strollers you rented might do on the bus. Are they a pain?

 

[ladybugmom]

Glad to see you back on here!

One reason I'm waiting about going back to WDW til next Christmas is b/c of the height restriction. When we went when Landry was 3 1/2, she was 42 inches tall. Langston will have just turned 3, so I'm hoping for 40. She was pretty fearless, so I'm hoping he'll be the same way. And talking about big feet, Landry, who is 6 1/2 is in a size 5! I about died when we went to get new tennis shoes, the prices go up to adult sizes once you get out of a 3. Her new Nike's were $84! I guess I'll be going without! Langston will be 2 in Dec. and he's already in a 7! I shouldn't say anything b/c they get it from me.

I can't believe how soon your trip is!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Thank you!! It's good to be back!! Oh wow!! And I thought my girls had big feet!! They don not get it from me--Brent wears a size 14!!

No problem! Also I forgot but the weather was perfect all week. Low 80's and sunny. It wasn't too hot to walk around the parks but was perfect to sit by the pool.

Oh great!! Thanks so much!!

I'm debating on using them or Magic Strollers, who have the same strollers for a bit cheaper. I always loved the Disney strollers, but I heard that they've been redesigned and are much smaller than they used to be- in fact, I think you might have been the one that told me that! I wondered how the double strollers you rented might do on the bus. Are they a pain?

Yes--Katie (BippityBoo) and I had a big discussion about it in my last May PTR!! Actually the double stroller was not bad at all on the bus. It collapsed very easily and was very light to carry on. Brent liked it sooo much more that our Sit-N-Stand we took the year before--MUCH more manageable!!

 

[ladybugmom]

I'm soooo excited!! I just booked a Holiday Sleigh Ride at Fort Wilderness for Thursday, December 2nd at 10:00 pm!! I had thought that we wouldn't be able to fit this in but I didn't realize that they had later hours! Ideally I had wanted to do this on Sunday, Nov. 28th since we had a 5:30 ADR at Boma but this year the sleigh rides don't start until December 1st and they run through December 30th. They start at 5:30 pm and run until 10:30 pm (per what the CM on the phone told me and our ressie time!). Then I tried to get Wednesday, Dec. 1st but the only time they had left was 6:00 pm (we have an ADR at 4:55 pm in Epcot--wasn't going to work). So the 3rd time was the charm! I spoke with the nicest CM who went on and on about what WDW has to offer at Christmastime. He was sooo very nice and helpful and even told me the best way to get from Hollywood Studios (where we'll be that day) to Fort Wilderness (take bus to MK and boat to Fort Wilderness--walk up hill at Marina and I will run into Pioneer Hall--check-in there)! Oh--and it's $60 for a 30-minute ride! The number to book is 1-407-939-7529. Jennifer (Happydog) wrote about it in her TR last year if you want to check it out: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2359071&page=29. Just scroll down for the pics/review!! And Michelle (SoonerGirl) also wrote about it in her Christmas TR: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35505746&postcount=527. (Oh--and I think I'm going to keep this as a surprise for the kids!! And maybe even Brent!)

So here is my FINAL (for real this time) list of ADRs/reservations:

11/27: touring other resorts decorated for Christmas
Whispering Canyon Cafe
7:30pm

11/28: Animal Kingdom
Boma
5:30pm

11/29: Magic Kingdom
BBB (Ally & Claire)
Castle Location
8:00am

11/29: Cinderella's Royal Table
4:20pm

11/30: Magic Kingdom
O'hana
5:00pm

11/30: MVMCP
7:00pm-midnight

12/1: Epcot
The Garden Grill
4:55pm

12/2: Hollywood Studios
1900 Park Faire
8:00am

12/2: Fort Wilderness
Holiday Sleigh Ride
10:00pm

12/3: Epcot
Le Cellier
5:25pm
8:15pm Candlelight Processional show (narrator: Corbin Bernsen)

12/4: Magic Kingdom
Claire's 1st Haircut at the Harmony Barbershop
9:30am


And while I was researching the sleigh ride last night, I came across this unofficial website of the Wilderness Lodge: http://www.wildernesslodgesite.com/. Not sure if any of you have seen it but it looks to have a TON of great info and pictures!!

 

[klacey1]

What a fun way to kick off the holiday season! Can't wait to see your pictures/hear all about the sleigh ride! I'm sure the girls will be so surprised!

 

[ladybugmom]

What a fun way to kick off the holiday season! Can't wait to see your pictures/hear all about the sleigh ride! I'm sure the girls will be so surprised!

Thanks Kylie!! I cannot wait!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

You're going to love the sleigh ride! And going later is perfect, we went when it was just dusk out and really wished we had gone after dark and were able to experience all the displays with the lights on. I kept it a surprise for my boys too - it was driving them crazy all day and evening trying to figure out what we were doing!

 

[ladybugmom]

You're going to love the sleigh ride! And going later is perfect, we went when it was just dusk out and really wished we had gone after dark and were able to experience all the displays with the lights on. I kept it a surprise for my boys too - it was driving them crazy all day and evening trying to figure out what we were doing!

Oh good! Glad to hear that later is better!! Oh--and I added the link to your TR above so I could others can read about your sleigh ride experience as well!

 

[999ghostslover]

How fantastic! That sounds so fun. I just put together my "bucket list" on my PTR and was really glad that I remembered everything I had wanted to include. Except for the sleigh ride! Oh well. Not going ot happen for a long while as Holiday trips are tough for us right now.
How is your school about taking your DD out? Ours gives us a really hard time even when they are little.

How did you make out in the storms?
We are about to get slammed!

 

[Happydog]

HI!!!!! I have been reading along, I am BEHIND, but of course hearing all about your christmas plans and the SLEIGH ride, is soooo exciting! I am sure you will have so much fun. It was a very memorable experience for us!! I am going to be away next week, and that means more time for DISing, so I will definitely catch up with all the pre-holiday plans! ALSO, I think we are there at the same time? I am going with DH only, for the 28th - 1st right after Thanksgiving. Sun - Wed. Before we have a conference to attend in St. Pete's... We probably wont be going to the parks, but I am really wanting to go to the MVMCP on the 30th, I think it is.... I can't remember the exact date. I will have to compare where you are and maybe we can say HI!

Anyhow, great plans! Jingle Bells!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

That sleigh ride looks like so much fun! I am sure you will have a great time!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I'm so glad you were able to work the sleigh ride into your schedule - it sounds like so much fun! It really is amazing how many things Disney offers for the holidays. Our 5 night trip is definitely not going to be long enough to experience all of the fun things. I guess that just means we'll have to plan another holiday trip!

 

[Nichellebelle]

I'm soooo excited!! I just booked a Holiday Sleigh Ride at Fort Wilderness for Thursday, December 2nd at 10:00 pm!! I had thought that we wouldn't be able to fit this in but I didn't realize that they had later hours! Ideally I had wanted to do this on Sunday, Nov. 28th since we had a 5:30 ADR at Boma but this year the sleigh rides don't start until December 1st and they run through December 30th. They start at 5:30 pm and run until 10:30 pm (per what the CM on the phone told me and our ressie time!). Then I tried to get Wednesday, Dec. 1st but the only time they had left was 6:00 pm (we have an ADR at 4:55 pm in Epcot--wasn't going to work). So the 3rd time was the charm! I spoke with the nicest CM who went on and on about what WDW has to offer at Christmastime. He was sooo very nice and helpful and even told me the best way to get from Hollywood Studios (where we'll be that day) to Fort Wilderness (take bus to MK and boat to Fort Wilderness--walk up hill at Marina and I will run into Pioneer Hall--check-in there)! Oh--and it's $60 for a 30-minute ride! The number to book is 1-407-939-7529. Jennifer (Happydog) wrote about it in her TR last year if you want to check it out: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2359071&page=29. Just scroll down for the pics/review!! And Michelle (SoonerGirl) also wrote about it in her Christmas TR: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35505746&postcount=527. (Oh--and I think I'm going to keep this as a surprise for the kids!! And maybe even Brent!)

So here is my FINAL (for real this time) list of ADRs/reservations:

11/27: touring other resorts decorated for Christmas
Whispering Canyon Cafe
7:30pm

11/28: Animal Kingdom
Boma
5:30pm

11/29: Magic Kingdom
BBB (Ally & Claire)
Castle Location
8:00am

11/29: Cinderella's Royal Table
4:20pm

11/30: Magic Kingdom
O'hana
5:00pm

11/30: MVMCP
7:00pm-midnight

12/1: Epcot
The Garden Grill
4:55pm

12/2: Hollywood Studios
1900 Park Faire
8:00am

12/2: Fort Wilderness
Holiday Sleigh Ride
10:00pm

12/3: Epcot
Le Cellier
5:25pm
8:15pm Candlelight Processional show (narrator: Corbin Bernsen)

12/4: Magic Kingdom
Claire's 1st Haircut at the Harmony Barbershop
9:30am


And while I was researching the sleigh ride last night, I came across this unofficial website of the Wilderness Lodge: http://www.wildernesslodgesite.com/. Not sure if any of you have seen it but it looks to have a TON of great info and pictures!!

Becky your trip sounds like so much fun! How fun is a sleigh ride at Christmas? I have been seriously slacking in planning..lol I just booked the Candlelight Processional though but on a different day.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

A sleigh ride at WDW sounds HEAVENLY!! I'm glad you were able to fit it in your schedule!

 

[Charleston Princess]

A Christmas sleigh ride sounds so perfect!!! I can't wait to see your pictures from it!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I'm so glad to see you back!!! Sorry to hear about those couple of rough months, I know how it is to leave a church and deal with the assumptions. You'd think that Christians wouldn't do all that considering what the Bible says...but well...it happens. A lot. And it drives me bonkers! I'm so glad to hear you guys are doing well and got through it all and God has led you to a new church home, it sounds like a perfect fit.

Your plans are looking wonderful too! The sleigh ride sounds amazing! It's such a Christmasy thing to do!

 

[aharbin88]

Yes--Katie (BippityBoo) and I had a big discussion about it in my last May PTR!! Actually the double stroller was not bad at all on the bus. It collapsed very easily and was very light to carry on. Brent liked it sooo much more that our Sit-N-Stand we took the year before--MUCH more manageable!!

Good! I'm glad you had such a good experience! I think I've decided to try out Magic Strollers. I posted a thread asking for recommendations for both, and the feedback that I got says that Magic is a bit cheaper to begin with, but they also throw in a parent's organizer (read: drink holder) and a rain cover for free! Everything else being equal, the free items really give them the edge. I think some people had an issue with their drop off time, but it works just fine for us. I plan to place my reservation tomorrow!

And (as you know), we got our Mickey mail today! I'm so excited! It's almost here!

 

[aharbin88]

Oops! I forgot to say YAY for the sleigh ride! I really wish we were doing it. I may see if I can talk the rest of the family into doing it one night. I'd love to do it our first night there, so I may just call at the the last minute and see if they have an open reservation. That would make the cutest picture!