Added Trips! Now May, August, October & December!!! What?

[Cloe Colton]

Southwest is killing me with their late flight drop! I think its been delayed until June now!

I think Caribbean Beach will be good though! Especially with all of the fun holiday decorations at DHS and the festival at EPCOT!

August Trip:
I am now leaning towards not visiting my grandparents. 4 hours of driving just doesn't sound like a fun vacation day to me. And I am trying to balance the park days with pool time and that one day, is really throwing me off. So, now I need to see where best to fit in a water park day.

I looked last night, and I think Blizzard Beach would be best for us to go to. It's pretty close to Coronado and I think we will like the theming more there.

I feel like thats probably the best option. 4 hours really is a LONG drive and not exactly everyone's must do on a vacation. I'm sure they'll understand!

And I think the girls will love Blizzard Beach! They are probably the perfect age right now!

December Trip:
Here is my list of things that I want to do:

• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
• Resort Hop to see decorations
• Possibly Galaxy's Edge (it would be the first for the girls)
• See as many Santa's in EPCOT
• Jingle Bell Jingle Bam Fireworks and Dessert Party

Have you watched the Jingle Bell Jingle Bam on youtube or anything? Personally I don't find it worth the time to watch, I actually prefer the free show on the Tower of Terror that runs all night!

MVMCP is a definite must! The girls will love it!

Just give yourself a decent amount of time for resort hopping! Learn from my lesson of the crazy monorail lines lol It probably is a good idea to do it before friends show up so you don't feel rushed or like you aren't spending enough time on something!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Southwest is killing me with their late flight drop! I think its been delayed until June now!

I saw that it might not be till June 8th or something. It is killing me!!! They are sadly our best bet from Philly. Jet Blue doesn't fly direct from here. And Frontier was not great last time. And everyone else is always a lot more.

And I think the girls will love Blizzard Beach! They are probably the perfect age right now!

I think they are both tall enough to go on everything if they want. Which is good. I think it will be a fun day. Just have to figure out when exactly. I was just going to do Saturday but Andy thought it would be busier. Which is proably true.

Just give yourself a decent amount of time for resort hopping! Learn from my lesson of the crazy monorail lines lol It probably is a good idea to do it before friends show up so you don't feel rushed or like you aren't spending enough time on something

Good to know. I was thinking that if I could get my way, we would do it on Thanksgiving Day. Just avoid the parks all together that day. Maybe do Hoop Dee Doo Review that day as well.

 

[missjackiemcg]

See as many Santa's in EPCOT

See THE Santa!!! Seriously, Santa and Mrs. Claus in America are the real deal.

We have enjoyed some of the other holiday storytellers, but DO NOT skip these two!

Do we think that Disney will do Jingle Bell Jingle Bam? It's not listed on the website AT ALL. Or would they not do it this year with crowds?

Oh, I wonder if you're right. Maybe they will scrap it due to the insanity of SWGE. We did it the first year it was offered and weren't totally blown away. We really liked the dessert portion, but getting us out to our "reserved" area was a joke and Jimmy had to be held the entire time to see anything because they had us crammed in where we did not all fit.

I just keep hoping that the cost will be low that it just makes sense. But I won't know until Southwest release there flights!!!! And it was to be May 21st (next Tuesday) But I think they might have pushed it back till June 8th! Ugh!!!

UUUUUGH. I have been waiting on December flights, too!!!! I hadn't heard they bumped it back to June. Gross. I just want it done!! Take my money already, Southwest!!!!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

See THE Santa!!! Seriously, Santa and Mrs. Claus in America are the real deal.

We have enjoyed some of the other holiday storytellers, but DO NOT skip these two!

Good to know!!! I would really like to see all of them, which is why I was thinking 2 days.

Oh, I wonder if you're right. Maybe they will scrap it due to the insanity of SWGE. We did it the first year it was offered and weren't totally blown away. We really liked the dessert portion, but getting us out to our "reserved" area was a joke and Jimmy had to be held the entire time to see anything because they had us crammed in where we did not all fit.

hmm... maybe I won't stress about it. And just see where things fall. I do want to see Hollywood Studios all decorated, but we can do that during the day as well.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Disney doesn't have park hours yet for December and most of the times for October are even August are pretty generic! I am fine with it except, picking dinning basically locks us to certain parks on certain days and especially for December, with a party of 8 we need to book dinning ASAP! Grrr....

I find this the most frustrating thing!! I've accepted picking where I eat 6 months ahead of time- the least they could do is give us park hours!

I think we will def try and take advantage of the Extra Extra Magic Hours for this from 6:00 - 9:00 AM. Hopefully we can get coffee before we hop on a Gondola and head over. I also hop it won't be too bad that early in the morning. How many people are going to get up and be there AT 6:00 AM?!? No really, how busy do we think that will be?

I'm with you hoping that most people won't be up to get there for 6 am. I'm banking on it for our October trip.

 

[Lesley Wake]

I am thinking we will need 2 trips to EPCOT to see most of the Santas? Does that sound about right?

They seem to have reduced the number of actual Santa’s and replaced some of them with bands.
Mexico-mariachi band. Good but can be skipped and it’s hard with the crowds.
Norway-awesome! Best one there! Make sure to get there early to get a front row because they sometimes involve a kid or two
China-dragon dancers. I missed this one unfortunately.
Germany-a band, which was fun enough.
Italy-Italian Christmas witch. Interesting and funny!
America-Santa and Mrs Claus meet and greet. Also the VOL carolers.
Japan-not a Santa but a merchant storyteller. You can skip.
Morocco-a band. Skip.
France-Pere Noel-very sweet. He performs pretty often actually.
UK-father Christmas-my second favorite
Canada-band.

So depending on the schedule you may be able to do all the actual Santa performances (Norway, Italy, France, UK), but it’s not scheduled so you can easily do a lap around the WS; instead you may have to backtrack!

I was also thinking that resort hopping would be good before the L's show up. I don't think they will be on there to-do list. And good for a day when the parks will be fairly busy still.

Yeah, definitely. I loved Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Yacht Club, and Beach Club's displays. The Contemporary and Poly were skippable (Contemporary has a nice outdoor tree but the gingerbread inside was a bit underwhelming (more like a flat gingerbread poster, not a 3-D structure); Poly just has a smaller tree inside). Boardwalk had a cool gingerbread lobby display and I liked the outdoor tree, but it wasn't as amazing as the others. I think The Swolphin had a chocolate one, but I didn't actually see it! And of course I loved Animal Kingdom Lodge - huge tree and nice atmosphere with great decorations and Christmas music, but it is a little out of the way.

Do we think that Disney will do Jingle Bell Jingle Bam? It's not listed on the website AT ALL. Or would they not do it this year with crowds?

I think last year it took a while to show up on the schedule. I hope it does happen because I really enjoyed the dessert party and the show, despite being caught in a crazy rainstorm that evening!

 

[missjackiemcg]

I checked the Southwest flight schedule yesterday, and it looks like December is supposedly being released May 30th...unless they change it yet again!!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

I checked the Southwest flight schedule yesterday, and it looks like December is supposedly being released May 30th...unless they change it yet again!!

It was def the 21st at one point. And then Jun3 8th, so maybe they moved it back up. I think the 3 of us (you, me & @Cloe Colton) need to be on a mini Southwest Flight watch!!! It will probably change 4 more times in the next 2 weeks.

 

[jhoannam]

So, when I was writing that all up and going through my thoughts. I completely forgot about the idea of going to one of the water parks! Gwen mentioned it while we were there this past weekend.

I proably asked this already but is one better than the other? How long should I plan on us being there? Could we do it on the party day? That might be pushing it.

I really don't want to do it while we are at the Yacht Club. That seem silly... Or maybe on the day we switch hotels?


Also, I just booked us a Sanaa Lunch! I am thinking of dropping the Tusker House reservation. I think Andy will enjoy the lunch menu more. And i need some bread service! Ha!

Boerewors Braii
Grilled South African Sausage with Onion Jam and Confit Tomatoes served Open-faced on Traditional Naan with Sanaa Chips and Pickle Spear
Screen Shot 2019-05-11 at 5.45.28 PM

Indian-style Bread Service
Choice of Five Breads and with all Nine Accompaniments - Traditional Naan, Garlic-Ginger Naan, Spiced Naan, Onion Kulcha, or Paneer Paratha. Accompaniments - Cucumber Raita, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Mango Chutney, Tomato-Date Jam, Tamarind Chutney, Coriander Chutney, Garlic Pickle, Red Chile Sambal, or Spicy Jalapeño-Lime Pickle

Screen Shot 2019-05-11 at 5.42.41 PM

Hopefully Morgan will like the adult Shrimp dish. She enjoyed the kids version last time but will def need more!




Hmm... Yeah, Tier 3 isn't great. like you said we can text about it. Maybe Whispering Canyon? Only cause the girls would have fun with the antics? Or maybe we go to Disney Springs? Morimoto's? Also, if you can't extend a day, maybe we can plan on being back in time on Saturday to meet you guys for dinner somewhere?

It all looks delicious!!

December Christmas Trip:

Ok, so, let's see if I can get this part of the trip report going!!!

I have been wanting to go to Disney at Christmas time for awhile now! I have read a bunch of you folks who have been there during this time of year and it just seems a little extra special. So, when we decided to get the annual passes, I told Andy that it just makes sense to go this year.

PLUS, the girls school always does Parent / Teacher Conferences the first full week in December. And I was looking at the calendar, and realized that it was going to butt up with Thanksgiving being so late this year. So, we can leave Thanksgiving afternoon and come back Wednesday sometime and the girls will miss 2 half days. A win in my book! (Especially since Morgan will be entering 6th Grade this fall! The dreaded Middle School!!!

My girlfriend and I have been talking about going to Disney at the same time for awhile now. And right before they announced the official opening of Galaxy's Edge, I strongly encouraged them to book for about the same time as us. Her husband and him both went to Syracuse University together and have now had 2 former college friends pass away. And we keep talking about how life is short and you just need to stop waiting to do things.

So, what did they do? They waited till the weekend to book, Galaxy's edge was announced and they had to arrive on Saturday instead of Friday and had to book a perferred room. But they were able to book. (plus they are staying longer so it's ok for them)

OK, maybe I should backtrack a little...

Let me get the Who, What, Where, & When for this trip!

Who:
The "Regulars" in my trip reports


And then Our friends the L's


I mean how perfect are they? My girlfriend is ALL ABOUT THE Photos!!! Balloons were purchased specifically for that photo! This photo was taken when they went in 2016. There oldest DS-L was born exactly 2 weeks after Gwen. So, all 4 kids are close and we call them pho-cousins. There youngest DS-M, is spunky! And short, I am hoping he is tall enough for at least most of the rides.


What:
A Christmas Full Trip to Disney World! My goal is to try and do most if not all of the Holiday stuff!


Where:
We are all staying at Caribbean Beach. I would have loved to have stayed at Wilderness Lodge for this trip, but it was just too pricey, especially with all of the trips we are taking this year. And I figured at least Caribbean Beach, we would be able to take the gondolas to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. I was considering French Quarter as well, but the gondolas swayed me.

We are in a standard room and the L's are in a preferred room. So, we won't be near each other, but maybe I can get us close-ish. But I am not too worried about it. We will be fine meeting up places.


When:
I am still waiting to buy our plane tickets. I am hoping to fly Southwest and they haven't released there flights passed Nov 2nd yet. So, I am patiently not patiently waiting for that to happen. BUT more than likely we will be flying out Thursday, Thanksgiving afternoon/evening. I want to leave Wednesday after the girls finish school. (they will have a half day) But Andy thinks that his family will disown him if we do that. I say, they will get over it.

The L's are flying in Saturday afternoon and leave I think the following Friday, or Saturday. We will have to probably fly back Wednesday, so the girls can go to school on Thursday and Friday.


So, I have until June 1st to figure out our meals. Especially any that we want to all eat together. And I have been trying to get the L's to let me know what they want to do! It has not been easy. They are not planners, or at least not this far out.

The Ls are adorable, I've always wanted to go to Disney with friends, but I'm afraid it would ruin our touring style. We like to RD every morning and take a 3 hours nap, I don't know many people that like to take long break.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

The Ls are adorable, I've always wanted to go to Disney with friends, but I'm afraid it would ruin our touring style. We like to RD every morning and take a 3 hours nap, I don't know many people that like to take long break.

I am a little nervous about it. But hopefully we will all be ok to split up at points. And I am also hopefully, that since we have been a decent amount this year, that we can kind of do what they want. We will see!

 

[missjackiemcg]

It was def the 21st at one point. And then Jun3 8th, so maybe they moved it back up. I think the 3 of us (you, me & @Cloe Colton) need to be on a mini Southwest Flight watch!!! It will probably change 4 more times in the next 2 weeks.

YES!! I've been watching like a hawk, but if you or @Cloe Colton happen to see the flights drop, PLEASE let me know!! I'll do the same!

 

[Cloe Colton]

YES!! I've been watching like a hawk, but if you or @Cloe Colton happen to see the flights drop, PLEASE let me know!! I'll do the same!

Pretty sure SW is dropping them on 6/20, at least thats what their website says! https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/ but I think they have gone up before the date that they announced so who knows! I'll keep you both posted if I see anything!

 

[missjackiemcg]

Pretty sure SW is dropping them on 6/20, at least thats what their website says! https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/

I just checked again, and here's what I got: "We are currently accepting air reservations through November 2, 2019. On May 30,2019 we will open our schedule for sale through January 5, 2020. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently." I wish they would just get to it already!! I wonder if all the 737 Max 8 business is messing with their scheduling or what?!

 

[missangelalexis]

Your plans for December sound good! You're going to love seeing all the festive stuff and attending the Christmas party! So nice that you can go with friends!

 

[Cloe Colton]

I just checked again, and here's what I got: "We are currently accepting air reservations through November 2, 2019. On May 30,2019 we will open our schedule for sale through January 5, 2020. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently." I wish they would just get to it already!! I wonder if all the 737 Max 8 business is messing with their scheduling or what?!

Oh my goodness! It literally said 6/20 when I linked it SW is going to put us all in the madhouse! Especially since flights are usually cheapest when they drop! Definitely don't want to miss it! Thanks for the heads up!

I think the crazy date changes do have to do with the MAX 8 stuff, hopefully they just figure it out already! lol

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Oh my goodness! It literally said 6/20 when I linked it SW is going to put us all in the madhouse! Especially since flights are usually cheapest when they drop! Definitely don't want to miss it! Thanks for the heads up!

I think the crazy date changes do have to do with the MAX 8 stuff, hopefully they just figure it out already! lol

I know!!! I am postive two days ago it had a June date! I guess we will literally need to just check every morning! oye!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

December Trip:

So, I made somewhat of a plan... I just sent this to my girlfriend to see if I can get some feedback from her. I don't intend to hear from her till this weekend, as she is work hard doing the week. But that is fine.

What do you guys think? This is based on us getting a flight out Thanksgiving late afternoon / evening and flying home sometime on Wednesday. Which if you don't read the back and forth comments, Southwest has been changing the date they are going to release flights ALOT. As of today, it is now May 30th. Which would be good, as 180 Days for this trip is June 1st!

Thursday: (Thanksgiving)
Fly in Late Evening

Friday: (Black Friday)
Park: Resort Hop / EPCOT for dinner or Magic Kingdom for dinner? Hollywood Studios for Jingle Bell Jingle Bam?
Crowd Level: All 9 out of 10 or 10 out of 10
Dinner Reservation: New Space Restaurant? Liberty Tree Tavern?

• I assume we would be able to get into Magic Kingdom Black Friday, if we had a dinner reservation?
• I was thinking EPCOT might be more tollerable at a high crowd level then Magic Kingdom?
• This might be the only time that we can see Hollywood Studios at night...
• Either way, I think we would go to eat dinner and use any fast passes we happen to have.

Saturday:
Park: EPCOT or Hollywood Studios in the AM / Magic Kingdom PM with L's.
Park Hours: 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Crowd Level: 10 out of 10 (Saturday seems to be the last really crowded day for Thanksgiving)
Dinner Reservation: Maybe Skipper Canteen?

• L's would arrive late afternoon?
• Possibly do the Happily Ever After Dessert Party this night? Kick off the trip with fireworks and desserts?

Sunday:
Park: Magic Kingdom
Park Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Closing early for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Night
Crowd Level: 3 out of 10
Dinner Reservation: Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

• This is a Christmas Party day, and Magic Kingdom tends to be less crowded on these days, since they close early. But I was thinking that, that would be a good chance to be the park with less people.
• I figure we can even just stay in the park all day if we want, and go straight from Magic Kingdom to the Snow White Dinner. About what time would you want to aim for a dinner reservation? 6:30 - 7:00 PM reservation?
• Wilderness Lodge should hopefully have it's Christmas Tree up in the lobby by then, which I have heard is really beautiful to see as well.

Monday:
Park: EPCOT
Park Hours: 9:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Crowd Level: 3 out of 10
Dinner Reservation: What do you think? There are so many sit down restaurants in EPCOT that we haven't tried, we are open to almost all of them!

• There will be food booths for the International Festival of the Holidays. We could def do that for Lunch.
• Check out the Santa's in the Countries

Tuesday:
Park: Hollywood Studios / Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Park Hours: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 7:00 PM - Midnight
Crowd Level: 5 out of 10 (lowest for Hollywood Studios)
Dinner Reservations: Ohana

• I was thinking we could have dinner at Ohana before the party starts. Say 4:30 - 5:00 reservation?
• And then we can hop on the monorail to Magic Kingdom to start our party night!

Wednesday:
Park: Animal Kingdom
Park Hours: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Crowd Level: 3 out of 10
Dinner Reservation: Tusker House Lunch?

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Hi Everyone!!!

Can we talk about dinning for a minute?

I am struggling to get people to decide on things? Or well, even talk about it! I am at the point, where I really wish Disney would pull back the dinning date. Maybe do it is increments. Change it from 180 to 150 and then 120... I feel like Disney doesn't know yet, MOST people don't actually want to pick there where they are going to eat that far in advance. I think the perfect timing would be 4 months before? Or even 3 months. Anyway...

I am used to Andy not wanting to talk about Disney too much. And have learned to make a lot of the decisions with out him and just hope I pick the right things. But NOW I have 2 trips with other families!

At least the August trip, we kind of figured that out. Fast Passes are coming up for that not sure how we are going to coordinate that! But the December trip...

I can't get my girlfriend to give me any feedback on restaurants! I know it is so early and far from the trip. But for a group of 7, right after Thanksgiving... We need to book SOMETHING!!!

And I have learned to have a good idea of what my family would want to do but guessing my girlfriends is a little harder.

So, as of know, this is what I have for dinning choices:

• Skipper Canteen
• Storybook Dinning with Snow White at Artist Point
• Something in EPCOT
• Ohana
• Tusker House (lunch)

I KNOW that I will need to book Artist Point first. I am even debating booking a faux reservation to get a couple day jump on grabbing that, since it is early in our trip. And Ohana I know is the other one that will become really hard to get really quickly.

What do you guys think about Tusker House and Skipper Canteen? I should still be able to get those a few weeks later? Right?




Other than that, I have no update. Southwest is holding for now with the May 30th date to release flights. So, HOPEFULLY I can book us tickets next Thursday! Fingerscrossed.

And I am at a lose as to where we should eat in EPCOT. There are so many choices! I was also toying with the idea of Flying Fish. The L's like there food and I have heard good reviews. Suggestions?

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Hi Everyone!!!

Can we talk about dinning for a minute?

I am struggling to get people to decide on things? Or well, even talk about it! I am at the point, where I really wish Disney would pull back the dinning date. Maybe do it is increments. Change it from 180 to 150 and then 120... I feel like Disney doesn't know yet, MOST people don't actually want to pick there where they are going to eat that far in advance. I think the perfect timing would be 4 months before? Or even 3 months. Anyway...

I am used to Andy not wanting to talk about Disney too much. And have learned to make a lot of the decisions with out him and just hope I pick the right things. But NOW I have 2 trips with other families!

At least the August trip, we kind of figured that out. Fast Passes are coming up for that not sure how we are going to coordinate that! But the December trip...

I can't get my girlfriend to give me any feedback on restaurants! I know it is so early and far from the trip. But for a group of 7, right after Thanksgiving... We need to book SOMETHING!!!

And I have learned to have a good idea of what my family would want to do but guessing my girlfriends is a little harder.

So, as of know, this is what I have for dinning choices:

• Skipper Canteen
• Storybook Dinning with Snow White at Artist Point
• Something in EPCOT
• Ohana
• Tusker House (lunch)

I KNOW that I will need to book Artist Point first. I am even debating booking a faux reservation to get a couple day jump on grabbing that, since it is early in our trip. And Ohana I know is the other one that will become really hard to get really quickly.

What do you guys think about Tusker House and Skipper Canteen? I should still be able to get those a few weeks later? Right?




Other than that, I have no update. Southwest is holding for now with the May 30th date to release flights. So, HOPEFULLY I can book us tickets next Thursday! Fingerscrossed.

And I am at a lose as to where we should eat in EPCOT. There are so many choices! I was also toying with the idea of Flying Fish. The L's like there food and I have heard good reviews. Suggestions?

It's got to be frustrating to plan with someone who isn't on the same page as you.

If you can't get feedback from her, I'd just book what you think is best. When she's ready to discuss, you can see what's available. If pickings are slim, then at least you'll have something to fall back on.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

I know the feeling of being frustrated trying to plan with people who aren’t giving you their opinions! Then they offer you their opinions later on and it’s too late because the reservations are gone! I say make the reservations you think you’ll want even if you’re not sure and then cancel later if you need to