Busting the DDP! Christmasy WL at CCV! Adults only HS, MK, Epcot.

[Dotluvsdisney]

Celebrating 6 years of wedded bliss! Loads of trials and tribulations these past 6 years and they have served to bring us closer than ever.
We are a 2 hour hop away and love our DVC getaways! Bought resale in 2021. Added on at CCV last year.

Hubby retired from the Navy in February. We were pixie dusted to a freshly renovated 1 bedroom at BR! He’s now back at work on the civilian side of things.

I am an SLP specializing in dyslexia and language disorder. I am very thankful to work for myself and be able to take off time during this busy time of year!

This is our first stay at Copper Creek during the holidays! We lucked out on a reservation for 12/18-20 after stalking the system one weekend back in October. Two days of taking in the magic of Wilderness Lodge, HS, Epcot and MK.

We HOPE to ride Haunted Mansion as it has been years since I’ve made it on. While raising my son, he was always scared of it so I sat outside while everyone else went on. Last year, we waited for about 30 min and the ride went down. I have hopes we can make it!

Also HOPE to bust the DDP. This is our first time trying it. Made reservations for table service at Toledo’s for our romantic date night dinner and Biergarten the next day for our Epcot day. We both enjoy a lunchtime cocktail while on vacay and an adult bevvie at dinner. Looking forward to some fun snacks, drinks and treating ourselves as we normally would bring our own and only have one sit down dinner.

Will share our experience next week!

Have a magical day!

 

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Hooray! I just got released from jury duty in day 1 of my leave from work. 2 more sleeps until Disney! After discussion with hubby, we splurged on 2n ILL for Rise and Tron. Both are new to us!

Dining Plan Challenge: to beat the DDP. We have never used a dining plan. With just two adults who enjoy adult beverages, I believe we can come out ahead.

Planning on QS at Docking Bay 7 on day 1. Not sure how far that is from Rise… Dinner at Toledo with an 8:05 reservation. Plan to enjoy dinner and view Luminous at Epcot fireworks, 9:30.

Day 2 is either MK in the morning with a snack then, resort rest at lunch before hopping to Epcot OR sleeping in and enjoying MK and Tron early afternoon before hopping to Epcot in time for our 6:00 dinner at Biergarten. MK is a party day so maybe the crowds won’t be too crazy? We will just miss NPH at CP. Pat Sajak will be the host. Would like to catch CP or Remy along with a snack or QS at Epcot.

We have a military salute pass and this is our 2nd round using it. Unfortunately, life got in the way and we didn’t make it back to use the water parks or mini golf that we had added on.

 

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On our way! Checked into CCV via the app this morning as we got ready. Hope our DDP credits load for our HS day!

 

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Bathroom break at Bucc-E’s! Also, DDP credits did load up automatically a bit after electronic check in. For you fellow road trippers…Buc-ee’s Daytona is WAY less busy and easier to get into and out of than St Augustine.

 

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We got the car wash, $1 off gas deal. Grumpy Cat quote, “This is the best car wash I’ve ever been. That’s the 3rd time they’ve applied soap!”

FYI, hubby is my Grumpy Cat.

 

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Made it! Left Jax at 7:10. Arrived at HS 10:10. Riding MMRR by 11. Wait time posted was 40 min but we were only in line 25. Muppet Vision is leaving soon so that was our next stop! Statler and Waldorf, some other grumpies quote of the day, “Hey! Look at that guy with the Goofy mask!—Thats no mask.—Oh, sorry lady! Hah!” Marching band group with a cheerleader, Daisy and Goofy were all just outside the Muppets area. This is my first trip outside of a school year break or weekend and the crowds are very manageable but, with amazing entertainment and decorations! Wait times are mostly under 30 min for everything except Rise, RR and MMRR which are around 40-55.

 

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Next, Star Wars time! Oga’s Cantina with a 12:30 reservation. Hubby got a Yub Nub in the fancy souvenir cup. Soooo cute! Ewoks, R2, C3-PO and lots of cool fighters. Sat in a booth with two other parties. Neighbors had Tauntin with foam that they said number your lips and something Fizz which looked like fun. Not on DDP but, we had a gift card saved from my birthday to cover.

 

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After Oga’s, we saw the wait for Toy Story Mania was 45 min. Hopped over as that is our FAVORITE shooting game and were riding after 30. Played the Disney Play games for the rides while we waited today. We found them a pretty enjoyable way to pass the time. Hubby really got me in the last round! High score for the month was in the 500k range. We are definitely rookies.

 

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And thennnn we broke in our DDP with lunch at Ronto Roasters. The mobile order makes food orders SO much faster and more convenient. Hubby grabbed a Ronto Wrap and beer, $13.99+15.50=$29.49 before tax. I had the Zuchii Wrap and Coruscant Cooler, $12.99+17.50=$30.49 before tax. We really liked our food, but the drinks were both too acidic for our tastes.

 

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Our last “thing” at HS was Rise. Saw Mandolorian character meet and greet on the way to use our ILL. I kind of regret not waiting in line but, were itching to get to our ride. Completely surprised us both in a wonderful way. The environments, cast interactions, the way you were moved through the story. We were happy we splurged the $25 each it cost. It was AMAZING!

I do know if we were to come back with our kids, we would not opt to add the expense of ILL or LL to our trip. Would rather, at their ages, attend a party night or shoot to get in at the end of the night. Also, we saw it went down shortly after we rode so, counting our lucky stars!

 

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As we walked back to our car, got the text that our room at CCV was ready. Hat’s off to the Tigger car we spotted on the way out.

First time checking in with mobile app. No issues! Used my magic band and we watched Christmas movies to unwind.

Snack monster grabbed us so after some Four Christmases, nabbed our resort mugs and a side of fries as a snack. Impressed by our will power to pass the cupcakes and pastries. So tempting and cute! Forgive me in advance but, there willlll be some food pictures.

Now, time to get ready for our 8:00 ressie at Toledo!

 

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If you have DDP, GO to Toledo! Flavors, presentation, setting, service and quality were all top notch. It is a wonderful value for 1 TS credit. Ordered the bone in rib eye for two (28 ounces) with brussel sprouts and patatas bravas, Carro Spanish red wine blend, an old fashioned, chocolate ganache tart (vegan), espresso and the “Toledo Tapas Bar” dessert to take home. Also pictured is the Orange Flancocho which was accidentally served to us. Annnd! Our table had views of MK fireworks at 8 and the outdoor patio had views of Epcot’s Luminous at 9:30 with the music piped in. Our 8:00 reservation was magical! Grumpy Cat, upon tasting the brussel sprouts, “How did they even do that?” They were the best we ever had. He’s now in a meat coma as I estimate he consumed approximately a pound of rib eye. The bone is coming home with us. Our doggo Gordy will be very happy with his Disney souvenir! TTFN!

*Our meal came to approximately $180 before tip. Today, if we had paid out of pocket for our DDP orders, we would have spent around $245.

 

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Do better than me. Turn off your workday alarms on vacation. I was able to go back to sleep. Eyes opened at 7:08. Checked Tianna VQ on a whim and got assigned boarding group 48.

Day 2! Snuggled hubby up, hydrated and did some yoga and weights at the Sturdy Branches fitness center. Hubby enjoyed some free time on his computer in the room creating graphics of the things relating to the math and physics parts of his brain. My comment, those look like hidden Mickeys!

We saw humongous bear claw pastries in the QS when getting our morning coffee. Another DDP win! Counts as a snack credit, costs about $11 after tax and is a big as your head. I ate 1/5 of it for a late breakfast. So far we have gotten about $256 worth of Disney yummies (except the overly tart cocktails at GE) for 2 TS, 2 QS and 2 snack credits.

 

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After fuel and rest, finally ready for MK day! As a younger lady, pre kids and not local, I came down once every few years, spent maybe 2-3 nights in a value resort and did as many rides as possible. I remember the tactical planning of literally running to FP kiosks. Rope drop through night time fireworks.

With my son, I introduced afternoon rest at the resort. He was so funny and cute. I still fondly remember how excited he was to ride the Goofy coaster at MK.

Things sure have changed! Now, hubby and I enjoy the little touches like Hidden Mickeys, the WL architecture tour, and the entertainment. We are also able to be DVC resale members. Very thankful for the experience, decor and improved food across the Disney properties.

As I write this, I am feeling sleepy. About to board Space Mtn and then, enjoy a boat ride and rest back at WL!

 

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More about Day 2! When we got to MK at noon, our VQ boarding group 48 was eligible to ride Tianna. It was very cute and we just loved it. As someone who started her own business with lots of “unpaid overtime” it was great to see the “employee owned company” stamps on some of the crates.

As we rode, overheard a sweet conversation between the dad and his young son behind us talk about the ride as they remembered Splash and were enjoying Tianna.

As I checked the app throughout the morning, saw Tron was having issues. It was up for like 5 minutes but, by the time we got there, had gone down again. No Tron for us! Got our ILL refunded at a blue umbrella station. We rode SM as a runner up. Our favorite part was the dioramas after. Raise your hand if you’re old! If I were a battery, I was down to after SM.

I was feeling queasy pretty much upon arrival at MK and so we revised our plans from Biergarten and Epcot to rest, lunch and dinner at WL. Hot tub and pool time were the cure.

Some DDP damage! RF with a burger for hubby, salad for me and 2 untouched beers was about $50 after tax and dinner at Geyser Point () was $100 with a bison burger, salmon with salad, old fashioned, whiskey sour, campfire mousse and “pie” which was a mini fruit tart.

Got a second wind after dinner…

 

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After some rest and quiet at WL for lunch and dinner, I was ready to get back on the horse and finish our evening at Epcot. BEAUTIFUL at night, dressed for the holidays. Loved it.

Won the bus lottery there and back with buses pulling in within less than 5 minutes waiting.

First stop was The Land with glimmering greenhouses. It looked nuts! Crowded lines with a 25 min wait time posted. Actual wait, 12 min.

Next, we were all about those snacks. We had 2 snack credits left and were determined to use them in WS. Heavenly, light and fluffy beignet ($6, snack credit) filled with hazelnut chocolate cream in France and a baguette ($4 out of pocket).

Shopped our favorite store in the Japan pavilion store and checked out the cuteness of the little Kawaii museum.

Enjoyed watching some of the pageantry of CP including Pat Sajak (bright blob in pic) reminding us of the humility, empathy and love of Christ for all of humanity.

Last snack credit to use, booths were closing left and right! Aaron is half Swedish so I urged him to Norway where he chose almond and raisin Kringla ($7.50, snack credit). Many carbs were consumed at Epcot.

As we rode the bus away at 9:30, we saw some fireworks overhead and then again at the hotel from our balcony. Wonderful day!

 

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Time to leave! With our dining plan, we got to enjoy some things we normally would not have splurged on like Toledo, desserts and extra snacks and drinks. Would definitely not do it for more than a couple of nights. For breakfast, we had toasted baguette with butter, resort mug coffee and campfire mousse from dinner. To take home, we have 2 cans of Yuengling, the berry tart “pie” from Geyser Point, the Toledo dessert bar and a big ole bone from that ribeye for Gordy. Hubby ate ALL of that meat!

** DDP Damage day 2: $150 lunch and dinner, $14 snacks=$164
DDP day 1: $256
Resort mugs value to us: $20
Total value: $164+256=$420.00. DDP cost $94.28x4=$377.12
*My take: worth it to us. We typically spend about 100 per person for food and drink per day with alcohol when finances allow. Even with me getting queasy and not fulfilling our original plans to have dinner at Epcot we still came out “ahead” though we never drank our beers and have dessert to take home. That is something that happens even paying out of pocket. Our teens love eating at fine dining restaurants. They want the mocktails or shakes. They would certainly use the resort mugs for 2-3 refills per day. Would not do this if you’re more frugal on vacation. Nor would I do this for more than 2 night stays. We have had times when we brought coolers of food and cooked for ourselves to save money. Packed sandwiches to the parks and only splurged on one snack each. It’s been nice to splurge and “have to” get snacks at WS!

Loved our CCV room, 5121. Booked as a standard view. Right next to elevators, beautiful views. Loved coming to Disney the week before a school break, during the week. The crowds were low at every park with wait times of 5-55 min max for every attraction. The cast members and serving teams were all just perfect. Friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. We had a wonderful time and are so grateful.

Going to pack up now. Looking forward to our next stay which we decided will be resort only relaxation somewhere in our DVC world this summer.

Have a magical, peace filled, loving day!

 

[Dotluvsdisney]

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