Any Suggestions are welcome!!!!

[davishalfdoz]

Okay here's my story...I have been lurking on here for about a month and thought I would finally post.

My children son 12, daughter 9, son 8 ask Santa for a trip to DW for their only Christmas 08 present. My daughter emailed Santa just after New Year's. So the trip is planned for Dec 20-27 at the ASM family suites with the Deluxe DP. We will be picking up my 15 yo step-daughter on our way to DW. My kiddos were patiently waiting for word from Santa on whether their wish would be granted, so I had Disney monogrammed duffel bags made for each of them and shipped them from Santa to them. They got there bags on Monday and are super excited. That is all the good stuff.

Now I am a nervous wreck, because I have been looking on this board and seeing that things are not going smoothly with the dining. I am also stressed about getting to see as much as possible and planning our days well. I would like to do as many Character Breakfast as possible and dinner at CRT. This is our first and probably only trip to Disney, because with such a large family we just can't afford to be this extravagant often. Our vacations normally involve a tent .

My question is "how do I make the most of our time and make it a magical experience for the kiddos I love so dearly?"

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Bob P]

Hi and welcome to the DIS!

I would not be worried about the dining situation. Just all for your ADRs at 180 days out to ensure you get the times and places you want.

To be honest, what I would be concerned about is the cost and the crowds. Christmas week is not only among the most expensive weeks to travel (airfares and hotel rooms are way way higher than normal), but the crowds at WDW are about a 15 on a scale of 1-10.

So "making the most" of your experience will be tougher than it would be at a less crowded time.

 

[Miz Diz]

I agree with Bob. Even though it is a XMas gift, when do the kids go back to school. Can you take them the first week in January instead? Crowds will be less and all the decorations will still be up. Or can you take them the week before Xmas?

If not. Lots of people have used Tour Guide Mike and swear it is worth it. Hope you have a magical time.


Don't worry about the dining, just make your ressies as soon as you can.

 

[southtexasmom]

We've never had a problem with getting the ADR's we want.

You are going at the busiest time but try to relax and think about all the wonderful memories you will be making with your family. Seeing your children's faces the first time they see the castle at Magic Kingdom is priceless.

 

[davishalfdoz]

The main reason for not going at a different time of year is that is the only time my husband ever gets any time off. He works construction and doesn't get vacation pay. His company usually gives them off a total of 5 days off for Christmas and New Years so he won't be missing much more time. I realize it is probably alot busier at that time, but I'm hoping that it won't be so bad that it hampers our enjoyment.

And who knows, if we ever make it back at a different time of year, the crowds will seem so much less.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Try to relax and enjoy the planning. I would ask your kids to help you make up a list of all the rides and attraction they would REALLY like to see the most and plan around that. You will not be able to do/see everything during Xmas week. So pick everyone's favorite choices and start there.

In terms of the dining plan, it's really not as awful as it seems on here. We have used it for years w/o issue. It will change this year because of the tip situation but we expect that so knowing what you are getting into is half the battle. I would also suggest rethinking the deluxe plan. I dont' know if your family REALLY likes to eat but the Deluxe plan is really too much food. The regular DDP is a lot of food. But the Deluxe plan is only worth it if you plan to eat 3 sitdown meals a day. And if you are eating 3 TS meals a day, you are going to spend a LOT of time in restaurants and little time actually in the parks. Plus, that's a lot of tip $$$ if you eating 3 TS a day. The regular dining plan is more than enough food for my family is a day. We bring cereal/breakfast bars and get milk/fruit/juice with snack credits to have for breakfast.

 

[Rylee]

They're going to love it!

You might want to reconsider the Deluxe DP, though, with all those Table Service meals (TS), you will have less time for the attractions (usually far more impotant to children than fine dining). With the crowd level so high... the lines and wait times will be very, very long and you might not get to see and do very much.

I would stick with the basic Dining Plan, which is plenty, and focus on the attractions at Disney, especially since you don't know if/when you'll be going again.

Also, you can see and do a lot more in the mornings, before it gets too crowded, so... if you really want breakfast, schedule the earliest meal offering of the day (usually before the park opens and that way you'll already be in the park) or the latest seating they offer (park will be getting very crowded by then). Also consider character dinners.

I don't know if you are purchasing hoppers, but remember it takes time to travel from place to place... schedule meals in or at a resort near the park you will be visiting at that time.

Are you staying on-site at a Disney Resort? If so, take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours.

 

[Disneychix]

I would also rethink the Deluxe dining plan. Especially since you have an AStar Suite. You could easily to breakfast in the room.

I think you'll have so much fun going for the holidays! Just make a plan and go with the flow. It seems as if your family is very close if they all agreed to get this as their "only" present from Santa so you'll have fun no matter what!

 

[ksumn1]

I agree with Rylee and Disneychix. That's alot of TS meals. I know on our last trip we ate breakfast in the room (regular room with minifridge only). Cereal, poptarts, muffins, yougart etc. We usually had a CS lunch and a TS dinner. Or occasioanlly we would have a late lunch/early dinner combo and CS later (for Spectro, Fantasmic) I can't imagine trying to do 2 TS in one day. That's alot of food, and you also have to consider travel times if you plan on eating at a resort. It could really make your trip more about the food than WDW and the parks.

 

[daisyduck123]

So the trip is planned for Dec 20-27 at the ASM family suites with the Deluxe DP.

This is our first and probably only trip to Disney

My question is "how do I make the most of our time and make it a magical experience for the kiddos I love so dearly?"

Any help is appreciated.

Taking all of the above into consideration...coming from a WDW veteran....change your trip dates. I heartily recommend pulling them out of school to get the most out of your week as possible.

If you can't pull them out...I recommend going in the summer. Anytime is better than the week you have planned, esp. since Christmas is falling on a Thursday this year. Much of the crowds will be checking in early that week.

 

[davishalfdoz]

I greatly appreciate all of the advice so far. Unfortunately, changing the time of year we go just isn't feasible at this time. Not only is my husband not able to take off, I am a full time college student and have a full-time job that is sometimes less than flexible.

I did however talked to my TA and if I change to the the 1TS dining plan, I can add one more day and still save $500 or so dollars. So, we would have the money to spend on the tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party if dates were available and/or gratuities.

We have plans to do the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast, Chef Mickey's Breakfast, Princess Storybook Breakfast, and Crystal Palace Breakfast with Winnie the Pooh. As far as dinners go, I think we are going to eat at the Coral Reef, Planet Hollywood, CRT, Mama Melrose's as part of the Fantasmic Package.

I thought that we could get in to the breakfast early and it not interfer much with the rest of the day and if necessary we could have lunch where ever we happen to be or just snack.

Is this sounding any better? Feedback is greatly appreciated. I am learning soooooooo much.

 

[DoryDays]

HI
I too am new to the boards! I actually just spent this last christmas in Disney with my family and thought I could maybe help you out with my experience.
First of all with the crowds, just be prepared to face the crowds. I think going in knowing that there will be lots of people and lots of waiting eases tensions tremendously! With my famliy (we also stayed at ASM) we took advantage of the early hours! They were great!!! The night before we would decide what popular rides we wanted to do and then when we got in the park early we would grab a fast pass for one and go stand in line for another. It worked out really well! Usually by noon or so we were done with the big rides and the crowds start filling in and then just took the rest of the day pretty easy.
Second of all, taking it slow is key. Just to let you know around that time of year parks usually close by 9 or 10am because they have reached capacity (especially christmas day!!), so thats why we would arrive early and do each park in a day. If you go to fast, at least in my family, people start getting irritable and everything goes down hill from there!
Third thing is food. We did breakfast in the room. It saved money and allowed us to do things in the park earlier. Then we usually did something fun for lunch or snack for lunch and then something fun for dinner. For Dining in the park just reserve seating EARLY!! (again especially christmas!) With early booking we didn't have a problem getting what we wanted.
I hope this helps! For my family the crowds were bad but tolerable! Just remember that this is your magical family vacation and have fun! We had a great time and didn't feel overwhelmed by the crowds at all. Having a little patience will be crucial to a wonderful holiday!

 

[buckler]

I highly suggest you sign up for Tour Guide Mike. He will help you decide which day to tour each park and help you see as much as possible. I would sign up for TGM before you make your ADR's because the ADR's will depend on his suggestions of which park to do on which day. He hasn't loaded his which parks, which days recommendations for Dec. 08 yet.

 

[Rylee]

I greatly appreciate all of the advice so far. Unfortunately, changing the time of year we go just isn't feasible at this time. Not only is my husband not able to take off, I am a full time college student and have a full-time job that is sometimes less than flexible.

I did however talked to my TA and if I change to the the 1TS dining plan, I can add one more day and still save $500 or so dollars. So, we would have the money to spend on the tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party if dates were available and/or gratuities.

We have plans to do the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast, Chef Mickey's Breakfast, Princess Storybook Breakfast, and Crystal Palace Breakfast with Winnie the Pooh. As far as dinners go, I think we are going to eat at the Coral Reef, Planet Hollywood, CRT, Mama Melrose's as part of the Fantasmic Package.

I thought that we could get in to the breakfast early and it not interfer much with the rest of the day and if necessary we could have lunch where ever we happen to be or just snack.

Is this sounding any better? Feedback is greatly appreciated. I am learning soooooooo much.

One TS meal per day will definitely give you more time to enjoy the parks and attractions. (When planning, remember dining credits are times (X) the number of nights of your stay.)

A few tips that come to mind -

• You will need to calculate the 180 day mark, and be on the phone that morning, to make your ADR's to get your choice of restaurants and desired dining times.
  
• Are you buying hoppers (an additional cost of about $45 per person)? If not, remember to make ADR's in or near the park you will be visiting each day.
  
• I also recommend using Tour Guide Mike. Disney vacations are expensive and you want to get all you can for the money.
  
• Take advantage of the EMH and/or be at the parks early, for rope drop, if possible.
  
• Studies maps of each park, (a great way to involve your 12 year old and step-daughter in the planning). Figure out a few must-do-and-sees for your family, and where these attractions are located within the parks. Hit these attractions first thing in the morning.
  
• Learn how fast-passes work and use them. Example - Grab fast passes for Splash Mountain and then wait in the stand-by line for Thunder Mountain, then return to Splash. (If you think there is a popular attraction your children will want to do more than once... grab fast-passes, but then get in the stand-by line, ride it and move on to something else, and return at the fast-pass time to ride it again.) Also, plan on shows and 3D movies, which seat large crowds, during the afternoon.

You really do need a plan, especially at a very crowded time, BUT after you hit a few of the must-do-and-sees... RELAX... just go with the flow and discover the magic at your own pace.

And, lastly... don't be afraid to say the heck with the plan... if everyone is tired and cranky from the crowds, late night/early mornings and/or heat, I'll bet they'll be all smiles if Mom says, "Who wants to go back to the resort and go swimming?"

 

[davishalfdoz]

Wow Rylee, I see you have a large family too. We have six children altogether. The oldest two (20 and 21) can't take off work to go. I tried to talk them in to it but they just won't cooperated. Must be the age????!!!!!!

Anyway to my good news, talk to the TA today and she worked a deal to add a day on the beginning and the end for the same price. TEN Whole days at disney I couldn't be happier.

 

[zoemurr]

Are you sure you want to do CRT for dinner? I believe it is much more of an "experience" to go for breakfast or lunch. There are no princesses at the dinner. (We really enjoyed lunch... but it's definitely a one time only thing.) Have you thought about taking your daughter to the Bippity Boppity Boutique? My 8yr. old loved it, and is asking to do it again next time.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I have never been at Christmas, but I always want to go when I read about their Christmas trees in the rooms and how magical it is! I think with ten days you will be good to go! You can do 2 days at MK and Epcot, a day for AK and the Studios,a day of rest (swimming, Downtown Disney, touring the resorts), a water park day (?), and then 2 days to hit favorites or what you missed!

Have fun! I bet it will be a wonderful vacation!

 

[Rylee]

Wow Rylee, I see you have a large family too. We have six children altogether. The oldest two (20 and 21) can't take off work to go. I tried to talk them in to it but they just won't cooperated. Must be the age????!!!!!!

Anyway to my good news, talk to the TA today and she worked a deal to add a day on the beginning and the end for the same price. TEN Whole days at disney I couldn't be happier.

Excellent. You'll appreciate having those extra days.

Our children are 20 years apart, from youngest to oldest - 6b, 9b, 17g, 22g & 26g.

In Feb., 2006, we all went to Disney World. We've all been many times, but the 2006 trip was the first trip all 5 children were together at Disney. (Years ago, some of the kids weren't even born for some trips and in later years, the older girls have had college/work conflicts.) The oldest daughter was away at a 4 year college, before the youngest was even born. They have never lived together, except for the baby's first 2 summers. The trip was a great way to reconnect.

Last year, my husband, the 2 little guys, and I, flew down on a Friday but the 16 & 21 year old flew down on Monday, (probably had a party over the weekend ) to spend the rest of the week with us. It worked out okay because I booked 2 seperate rooms/packages.

If you have any more question, just ask... obviously, people around here love talking Disney and the planning is part of the fun!


*Be absolutely certain one or both of the older children haven't change their minds about going, before making ADR's. If you have to change the reservations later, you will be stuck with odd meal times or may not get your choices at all. We added our nephew one year ('cause we don't have enough kids already) and it was difficult to get our choices.

 

[davishalfdoz]

Are you sure you want to do CRT for dinner? I believe it is much more of an "experience" to go for breakfast or lunch. There are no princesses at the dinner. (We really enjoyed lunch... but it's definitely a one time only thing.) Have you thought about taking your daughter to the Bippity Boppity Boutique? My 8yr. old loved it, and is asking to do it again next time.

I thought about that, but we are going to do the Princess Storybook Breakfast, so we should have interaction with Cindy there. I just think looking out of the castle over the park at night would be great.

 

[poohfriend]

I suspect that princess storybook dining may go to two credits before the end of 2008. If you add the castle, that is additional dining credits. I would just do one or the other.

I have also found that for our family, it can take just as long to do a counter service during peak times as it does to go to a TS meal. Two days after Christmas one year I talked with a family eating Casey's on the Curb of main street. They waited in line an hour for their food. It was around 1:30 when I talked with them. They were miserable. We'd just eaten at Cindy's Castle and were on our way out of the park after 12 attractions that morning and a lovely lunch. We spent the afternoon by the pool (it wasn't too chilly) and that evening at at Concourse steakhouse before going back to MK for some parade/fireworks. Our day was magical. Morale: prepare and plan. Arrive early to take advantage of less crowds.

Really, every day you're there it will get more crowded. So plan to take advantage of your early days...maybe have a down day later in your trip.

If you could add two days to the beginning of your trip and nothing to the end, it would be better days to be there. Adding days won't necessarily add to your enjoyment of the trip! Plan and be ready at 180 days before your vacation to make your dining arrangements...you really won't have much more to do after that! Tour Guide Mike would be worth it during that time of year. But his advice on which parks to go to during that time will probably not be available until well after the 180 mark...

Since you've dropped Deluxe dining, I'd get breakfast stuff for the room. Breakfast before the park opens really doesn't happen that time of year. You will get more attractions done using your morning to do rides and afternoon and evenings to experience great lunches/dinners and shows/fireworks.

I wonder if Wilderness cabins would be a similar price for your family...there is SO much more to do at Ft. Wilderness. The family suites are nice though.

Is your TA a Disney expert? She/he should be able to talk you through this, make dining arrangements, and help plan...a great Disney TA will do more than just get you the prices for a trip!

What a nice Christmas present! Have fun.