Christmas 2010 advice please

[iuelliott]

We are staying at POR. What about you? You mentioned purchasing hopper tickets once you are there. Is it possible to purchase the hopper just for the earlier days that we are there??
So far, I have reserved: (made changes from earlier post)
21st - hoping for candlelight
22nd - Ohana
23rd - CRT
24th - Le Cellier
25th - Fantasmic w/Mama Melrose

When we went to Disney CA the kids loved space mountain, soaring, tower of terror, all coaster rides. My DH gets motion sick so he rode most of the rides w/his eyes closed! - what a trooper!
- I love these little guys. (is there a way to save them to use on a word document?)

 

[mom0299]

We are staying at POR. What about you? You mentioned purchasing hopper tickets once you are there. Is it possible to purchase the hopper just for the earlier days that we are there??
So far, I have reserved: (made changes from earlier post)
21st - hoping for candlelight
22nd - Ohana
23rd - CRT
24th - Le Cellier
25th - Fantasmic w/Mama Melrose

We are going to Universal for two nights first then we are staying at Caribbean Beach.
You get all or nothing with the park hopper. But if you have it and it isn't too busy later in the week, then you'll be glad you have it.
We have:
20th-'Ohana
21st-Cape May Cafe (but hoping for Candlelight)
22nd-Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic
23rd-Boma
24th-San Angel Inn (will switch for Candlelight if necessary)
25th-We leave late that day, so probably counter service.

I tried to get LeCellier every day of our trip and couldn't get it. You are so lucky! We love to eat there! Maybe I can get it with Candlelight.

 

[iuelliott]

Keep trying for LeCellier. I couldn't get it earlier and I tried it again a couple of days ago and there was an opening.
It is a 7:50 time but it's on Christmas Eve so I snapped it up.

 

[Rylee]

We will have a 17, 13 & 11 year old on this trip. If you have only 5 days and can't count on using hopper passes which parks would you think the older kids would find most interesting??

Maybe I've misunderstood,- I was not counting on hopper passes since everyone says that the parks reach capacity during Christmas break and I thought we wouldn't be able to depend upon hopping?? (We'll be there Dec 21-26)

I was under the impression that MK was geared more for younger children so I had thought HS would be a 2 day choice due to it having Osborne lights???
Please give your suggestions before I get bookened w/ressies.
I truly appreciate any and all Christmas holiday input!

I would still plan on 2 days in MK, and 1 day in Epcot, DHS and AK. Or, maybe 2 in Epcot, since it is so large, but only if you think you family will really enjoy the World Showcase.

Our kids are 9, 12, 20, 25, and 29. Magic Kingdom has always been their favorite park, (all 5 of them) and still is! Although, when we go, we stay longer and have 2 days in MK, Epcot and DHS, with 1 day at AK.

If you won't be using hoppers, (and I don't think they are necessary, especially for a first trip) is it possible for you to leave your last park day open, so you could return to your favorite (everyone votes) or to the park where you feel you didn't get to see and do enough?

 

[Rylee]

We are staying at POR. What about you? You mentioned purchasing hopper tickets once you are there. Is it possible to purchase the hopper just for the earlier days that we are there??
So far, I have reserved: (made changes from earlier post)
21st - hoping for candlelight
22nd - Ohana
23rd - CRT
24th - Le Cellier
25th - Fantasmic w/Mama Melrose

When we went to Disney CA the kids loved space mountain, soaring, tower of terror, all coaster rides. My DH gets motion sick so he rode most of the rides w/his eyes closed! - what a trooper!
- I love these little guys. (is there a way to save them to use on a word document?)

Hoppers have a "one time fee." Doesn't matter if you have tickets for 3 days or 7, the price to add on the hopper option is the same.

You can upgrade your ticket options at anytime during your stay. However, if you are thinking you really want hoppers, I would do it at the beginning of your stay, or even prior to arrival, so you'll hopping privileges right from the start of your vacation.

Without hoppers, you need to schedule your meal for the park you will be in, (or at a resort or DTD, but not another park.)

You have some of the most popular restaurants booked... and I would NOT change them. So... without hoppers, it's looks like you have -

21st - Will need to be in Epcot.
22nd - ? Can visit any park since your ADR is at a resort.
23rd - MK
24th - Epcot
25th - DHS

 

[iuelliott]

It sounds like we need to consider MK for a 2nd day. I think we will skip AK since we just did the San Diego zoo and we have a fabulous zoo here in San Antonio. - unless AK has more than just animals.
Is AK high on your kids list? Of course a hopper would give us the choice to do a 1/2 day at AK.

I know we loved having the hopper when in California but those parks are so close together and you can easily walk back and forth.

 

[ngtotd_dtrt]

We've been many times to Disney, our kids are now 10, 12, and 14 and I think you're dead on with the days you have planned, the restaurants you've booked and no hoppers for that time of year. It will be so crowded the days you're there, you will want to read all about, and get Fastpasses every morning to use in that park in the afternoons. As for best parks for teens, I would say MK and Epcot. MK has three coaster type rides, although Barnstormer is short, and one video arcade type ride Buzz Lightyear) and one flume ride, as well as Pirates of the Carribean. The other rides there are definitely worth doing. Epcot however turned out to be my kids favorite, hands down, 4 years ago. They asked to go back almost every day. It has Soarin', Mission Space, Test Track and a short flume ride in Norway, not to mention Living with the Land, which was one of my kids favorites. Don't worry about the details, you will all have a wonderful time. Just be sure to get to the parks 1/2 hour before they're stated to open, use the Unofficial Guide touring plans for the order you should ride the rides and you should be able to do most things you want to before 11am. We stayed at POR last time and loved it!! Had only done Deluxe before. I'm so excited for you!!

 

[mom0299]

It sounds like we need to consider MK for a 2nd day. I think we will skip AK since we just did the San Diego zoo and we have a fabulous zoo here in San Antonio. - unless AK has more than just animals.
Is AK high on your kids list? Of course a hopper would give us the choice to do a 1/2 day at AK.

I know we loved having the hopper when in California but those parks are so close together and you can easily walk back and forth.

We love AK! It is so much more than a zoo. Expedition: Everest is our favorite ride in all of WDW. We also LOVE Primevel Whirl in Dinoland, USA. The Safari is great, especially if you do it early in the morning when the animals are more active. Dinosaur is another great ride that your kids would really like. I'm not a big parade person, but I really like AK's parade. The only thing AK doesn't have is a lot of dining options, which is why we're going to Boma at AKL the day we go to AK.

However,you do have very good dining reservations made and it doesn't really leave room for AK on this trip. You may just have to plan another trip and leave extra room for AK.

 

[Rylee]

It sounds like we need to consider MK for a 2nd day. I think we will skip AK since we just did the San Diego zoo and we have a fabulous zoo here in San Antonio. - unless AK has more than just animals.
Is AK high on your kids list? Of course a hopper would give us the choice to do a 1/2 day at AK.

I know we loved having the hopper when in California but those parks are so close together and you can easily walk back and forth.

Animal Kingdom has WAY more than just animals.

We have been to WDW many many times. AK is their newest park, and we are among the group of people that didn't instantly fall in love with it. However, it has a few really cool attractions and after a few visits, my family has really come to enjoy it and appreciate the uniqueness of the park. AK closes earliest of the parks, and we don't spend time wandering the trails, so we use our AK day to do DTD in the evening, or make a special dinner reservation for that night.

IF you decide to go to AK, the major highlights are...

Expedition Everest - (major roller coaster)
The Safari - (ride through to view animals)
Dinosaur (ride)
Kali River Rapids (water rafts, you will get wet)
Finding Nemo the Musical - (live performers on stage with huge puppets, sorry can't remember what the puppets are called. You can see the puppet and the performer. I LOVED it.)
The Lion King - (live show)
Tough to be a Bug - (3D movie)
The Tree of Life - (Truly amazing to look at.)

Still, if I were you, I might do exactly as you suggested and skip AK on this trip, since you only have 5 days. (hmmm... tough choice.)

Make a list of the attractions in each of the parks and compare. Perhaps, view some attractions on youtube, to get an idea what is a must-see-and-do in each park, and go from there.

BTW - I've seen a few people give their opinions on DHS... my family loves it, in fact, it's DH's favorite.

 

[iuelliott]

Thanks for the input! I may have to see about adding an extra day to include AK after all. It sounds like the kids would enjoy it as well.

Can everyone please give info regarding favorite quick service places & other ideas to take a break in the parks? Thanks!

 

[ngtotd_dtrt]

Favorite quick service-
MK - Cosmic Ray's or giant Turkey Leg stand in Tommorowland
AK - Flame Tree BBQ
HS - again, Turkey Leg stand
Epcot - too many to list but a few favorites, Tangerine Cafe for Middle Eastern food, Norway for sandwiches, China for Pot stickers, Japan for Teryaki Chicken, the Land pavilion for a wide range of many choices to suit everyone, all in one area (food court type set up)

Be sure to check www.allearsnet.com for all dining menus. It's very helpful and most are updated several times a year.

 

[ngtotd_dtrt]

Breaks in the parks: there are many places to sit and relax, although Christmas week it may be harder to find them. Epcot is huge (twice the size of MK) but even crowded there are areas tucked away in the very back of the countries where you could get away from crowds. The World Showcase (the Countries) does not open until 11am so if you finish touring Future World by then, you can head to the back of the countries, Morocco, Italy, Japan and basically have the place to yourself for about an hour.

I can't recommend highly enough the book Unofficial Guide to WDW. You can get it anywhere online, bookstores, etc. and it gives you tons of detailed information about everything Disney and includes touring plans for the order to see things or ride attractions so that it saves you about 4 hours standing in line on a busy day. It is your next best resource after the DISBOARDS. Some people don't like the "commando" style it requires at the beginning of the day but it does work to see most everything and we always take the afternoons off to slow down and smell the roses.

If you find you've had enough of the park you are in for the day by afternoon, then head to one of the resorts nearby. For MK, it would be Grand Floridian. For Epcot, maybe Beach Club. It's free to walk around and each resort is beautiful that time of year. Don't know if you will have access to a car, but really research bus times, travel time between parks/hotel, etc. if using the buses during Christmas. They are really crowded and slow that time of year.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Since you are staying at POR, you should have gotten the regular dining plan for free, or did you not book free dining? We are going the same dates (Dec 21 thru 26), except we are staying at Pop Century and got the free dining plan (I upgraded to the regular plan for $15/night/person). That will save you a bundle.

We are not getting hoppers, since the likelyhood of large crowds will keep us in 1 park each day. There are plenty of places for some down time in each park, most of the time, probably not during that week.

You can't miss the MK, especially at Christmas, they show the Christmas parade during the day and the Holiday Wishes each evening, no party ticket required.

Our days look like this:

12/22 AK- Breakfast at Tusker House/midday at DTD lunch at Cooke's of Dublin/back to AK for Evening Extra Magic Hours
12/23 DHS- No ressie in the park: evening DTD dinner at HoB, got a $25 gift certificate from restaurant.com for free using My Coke Rewards
12/24 Epcot- Breakfast at Akerhaus, Lunch at Biergarten
12/25 MK- Breakfast at Crystal Palace
12/26 Breakfast at Chef Mickey's before driving home


We went last year and I don't think the crowds were really all that bad and I hate crowds. I believe it was due to the economy, but I don't see thta it has recovered enough for the crowds to really be that bad this year either, but I am willing to take my chances. We ven took midday breaks most days and were able to get back into each park with no problems. I would just assess the crowd and make that decision that day.

Suzanne

 

[iuelliott]

My DD is a vegetarian (though not too strict; she usually adapts to whatever is being served and just omits the meat)- what is the procedure to request a vegetarian dish option at the restaurants? When I reserved our dinners, when I pulled up the special dietary requests they didn't list vegetarian by itself but listed diet restrictions. I'm mostly concerned w/our Ohana reservation

 

[dizmom2mwjk]

First off, don't worry so much about the vegetarian stuff...the wait staff will help you, or the cheff will come and talk to you personally...Disney is great about special diets...

Second, get the Unofficial Guide to WDW...what a previous poster said is spot on...fantastic book, great info, and saves tons of time...especiall y on busiest days...we will be there the 22nd to 29th...you got lucky with the dining plan!!! WAY TO GO!!! I have 4 kids...we should meet up...I have 14, 2 10's and a 3...our kids can entertain each other...we plan to do Candlelight processional Christmas eve...Coral Reef is one of our favorites to eat at...

I think all the quick service are the same...horrible...

And, AK has great rides...Not to be missed are Festival of the Lion King, Dinosaur!, Mt. Everest, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safari, there are other good rides, but these are the BEST of the park...And their parade is different than all the other parks...very unique...Tough to be a Bug is good, but if you see Honey I Shrunk the Audience, it is very similar...

Also, if you go to Disney.com and go to the travel site...you can order free frame quality souvenir maps customized with your family name on them and specify which rides to have on them, etc... we did this several years ago and they are phenomenal...

 

[iuelliott]

great ideas! thanks

Ok, a couple of other ?s. (you are so helpful)
1. Favorite table service in AK since it looks like we'll add another day.

2. Transportation to and from POR and how easy/difficult is it to get to and from parks & also to tour the resorts to look at the decorations.

 

[Orleanslady]

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park's Pan-Asian inspired full serve restaurant in the Anandapur section features both a full serve restaurant and an adjacent counter serve venue.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

great ideas! thanks

Ok, a couple of other ?s. (you are so helpful)
1. Favorite table service in AK since it looks like we'll add another day.

2. Transportation to and from POR and how easy/difficult is it to get to and from parks & also to tour the resorts to look at the decorations.

1. Tusker house has a really good lunch buffet.

2. POR transportation is by bus and you can take the bus to any park and catch a bus, monorail, or boat to other resorts. You can even walk from some of the parks to some of the resorts.

Suzanne

 

[ngtotd_dtrt]

Since you've been to Disneyland and it's rather contained within itself, I want to mention I've heard it could take up to an hour and 1/2 to get to the Magic Kingdom on a busy day and definitely that long if leaving at closing time.

If you arrive by car at the MK, you park across a lagoon from MK and have to ride a ferry or monorail to get to the entrance. It can take up to 30 minutes if you drive to get from just the parking lot to Main Street. I've heard the buses drop you off on the Main Entrance side of the lagoon but you have to wait at POR for the bus, then ride it to MK. Others who've used the buses would be better at telling you how those work and how long they take.

The MK resorts (Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Poly and Wilderness Lodge can be gotten to easily by boat from the MK or the first three by monorail (take the resort monorail). Just get back to the bus loading area for MK before they stop running (which s/b fairly late since it's Christmas and parks are open late) because I think all resort buses take a much less direct route back to POR, with a transfer somewhere. You can actually walk back and forth to Contemporary.

From either Hollywood/Disney Studios or Epcot, you can walk to Boardwalk area and hotels near Epcot. Again, get back in time for the last bus leaving either park you started from. I don't know of any way to get from AK to the Lodge resort without driving or a bus.

 

[iuelliott]

Woo hoo! I just added an additional day for approx. $243.00 w/free dining. So basically the free dining pays for the room. What a deal! Ok, now we can add AK park.