Can I Bore You With My Xmas Itinerary!?

[allie5]

Months in the making, ££££ spent on phone calls to WDW, plans changing by the day, but FINALLY, I have shaped some sort of plan! Any comments, suggestions or advice welcome!!

Our party consists of myself, DH, my mum and our two kids aged 4 and 2. We are going for 3 weeks leaving Dec 9th. We are doing twilight check in on Dec 8th after DH finishes work (hopefully early) so we can get to LGW for around 5pm. Back home (will probably have a TGIs or Outback for tea to get us in the mood!). Kids hopefully in bed by 8pm!

Day 1. Dec 9th.

Depart LGW on the 11:15 Virgin flight. Land and pick up our Jeep ordered through US Car hire via Dollar. Drive to Villa at Highlands Reserve (have stayed here before so no nasty shocks in wait!!). Leave mum with kids whilst DH and I pop to the Publix to pick up essentials and Chicken tenders, Potato salad for dinner!

Day 2. Dec 10th. 8.05am ressie booked for Crystal Palace. Lunch will probably be Cosmic Rays or Peco Bills burgers. Stay at MK till kids fade. DH and I are usually allowed out for dinner on the first night. Nothing booked, but possible Boma.

Day 3. Dec 11th. Will probably be up early again, so Animal Kingdom, followed by the Wal-Mart.

Day 4 Dec 12th. Epcot in the morning to do Futureworld. Early evening in Celebration to hear the carol singers and see the snow fall.

Day 5 Dec 13th. Sea World.

Day 6. Dec 14th. Lie in and potter around till lunch...possibly a salad at Chilis. Proceed to MK and have LTT Very Merry Christmas Dinner booked for 6.20pm, followed by MVMCP...tickets already here!

Day 7. Dec 15th. Disney Studios till 5pm, then proceed to Ohana for a 6.20 PS. Meet up with Karen (Miffy2003) and family for a Wishes Cruise booked for 8pm.

Day 8. Dec 16th. Possibly Universal Studios, but as yet not decided for sure. Leave around 4pm for Wilderness Lodge and 5.10 PS for Whispering Canyon Cafe, followed by a Sleigh ride at 7pm.

Day 9 Dec 17th. Drive to Busch Gardens

Day 10 Dec 18th. ICE show / exhibition at the Gaylord Palms, followed by lunch here. Afternoon Epcot and World Showcase. Stay for Illuminations.

Day 11. Dec 19th. Day on the Gulf Coast.

Day 12. Dec 20th. Free morning for shopping. Afternoon at MK or the studios.

Day 13. Dec 21st. Totally free day. Possibly visit some resorts. Cape May for dinner.

Day 14. Dec 22nd. Free day again...see how the crowds are.

Day 15. Dec 23rd. Sea World. DH and I to Epcot for 5pm Candlelight processional, followed by dinner at Le Cellier at 7.40pm. Watch illuminations after.

Day 16. CHRISTMAS EVE! Last minute shopping, DTD, hire some mouseboats. 6.20 PS for 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. Back to wrap presents!

Day 17. CHRISTMAS DAY! 8.15 PS for CINDERELLAS ROYAL TABLE at Mk!! Stay here until the crowds become unbearable. Back to villa to change into posh togs for Xmas dinner at the Yachtsmans Steakhouse!

Day 18. Boxing Day. Lie in and let kids play with presents. Afternoon to MGM Studios. 4.10 PS for Hollywood & Vine on the Fantasmic Dinner Package. Stay for the show.

Day 19. Dec 27th. Animal Kingdom.

Day 20 Dec 28th. Last visit to Mk.

Day 21. Dec 29th. Whatever park the kids choose.

Day 22. Dec 30. DTD check in. Florida Mall until flight home at 18.05 . Back home to plan our October trip!!

 

[Miffy2003]

Looks fabby Allie

How could a WDW itinerary be boring??

 

[susie2]

sounds great, busy but good, also at the party on the 14th, lets keep fingers crossed for no rain!!! hope you have a great holiday susie2

 

[Lisa1976]

Sounds great, we are going to be at WDW for 3 and a bit weeks for our wedding and honeymoon.

We always have good intentions and do an itinerary but when we get there we never seem to stick to it.

 

[KayleeUK]

So good........can I come too??

 

[natalielongstaff]

sounds like heaven

 

[Julie-Anne Hennessy]

WOW! Back to the drawing board for me! Allie that itinerary sounds like I'd died and gone to heaven, just looking for the light now???

My biggest ambition is to be at WDW for Christmas one year, and I'm guessing I should start saving as soon as I get back? Exactly how much more does it cost to go for Christmas? I'm a single parent and my job pays badly so I would need plenty of time to save, come on, how much are we talking here?

Julie-Anne

 

[allie5]

Thanks for the positive feedback everyone!

Julie-Anne, if you want to go for Xmas than the one piece of advice I would give is too book early! We orginally were going in November, but had to go at Christmas due to hubby's work schedules. I booked in April and got one of the last Virgin flights available (they sold out the following week). I booked through Expedia, and the adult price was £387, child £259 inc all taxes. I thought that was pretty good. I booked the car seperately as well. That was £530, but that was a 4x4, a compact would be about £100 p/w.

We chose to stay offsite, due to the fact my Mum was coming too and we wanted the flexibility of a villa. Plus it was MUCH cheaper than a hotel! Why not see if you could share a villa with some friends or relatives as that would cut your costs considerably!?

To be honest, as with every WDW holiday, it was the tickets that added the most to the cost. If you have 2 trips planned within a year then APs seem the best way to go. I have got Mum a Fun In The Sun pass as she isnt coming next year.

Good luck with planning a Christmas trip! We are looking forward to it a great deal!

Allie

 

[fizz13]

Allie, this is just incredible! Anyone can see the detail of work that has gone into this. I was thinking how tired you were going to be but actually you have a lot of relaxation time. Xmas at MK.. well I couldn't think of anywhere I'd rather be and a PS at CRT..I'm welling up just thinking about it. If you ever go into the itinerary business, please PM me (in time for my January trip maybe).
Have a wonderful time and I wish you all the pixie dust in the world,
Claire

 

[janeossie]

Allie

What wonderful plans oh how I wish I could be eating Xmas Dinner (again) at Yachtsman Steakhouse. Yum.....

Didn't do a park on Xmas Day but would think you will need to get there early.

Had to go to lost and found to pick up Dad's reading glasses he only has one pair

and MK was "shut" so must have been really busy.

Have Fun (like that will be hard )

Jane