Christmas all year long!

[annmarieda]

Well, I always thought that if I can price it out online, it should be available when calling in.

I think it works that way if you are doing a public discount or.. that sort of thing. I am working with a pin that expired already... so i can't even cancel and start over... the most I could do is modify and hope that dates are available with my pin. In this case, they were available but only the upgraded rooms. From what I understand, WL only has around 50 or so standard rooms. It doesn't surprise me that they are full for the discount. If I went without the discount there are some available on line still... but... that is at full rack.

When will the maddness of planning and second guessing our decisions end!!!!

I know... I know... I am just plain mad most of the time when it comes to planning. I actually am happy that I called and got the response I did. Now I can't second guess...at least not for a while.

, i asked for a management CM and got it fixed right there, i think sometimes the CM's at the call center are clueless.

we need a support group

I think this cm was rather clueless. I asked him why it was more to when the stay started 2 days earlier... and cut out staying over Christmas. See... my pin only went through the night of the 22nd... and then the price per night jumps up... so not only would the 13th and 14th be under my pin discount... but they are cheaper nightly rates to begin with. If I had been able to get a standard room the cost would have been as much as 1k less. (starting the stay on the 12th) So knowing this... I was very perplexed. He couldn't tell me why though. It wasn't until I realized it probably had to do with the room that he then told me that it was a different view room. so yes... clueless.

 

[Monknmom]

I think it works that way if you are doing a public discount or.. that sort of thing. I am working with a pin that expired already... so i can't even cancel and start over... the most I could do is modify and hope that dates are available with my pin. In this case, they were available but only the upgraded rooms. From what I understand, WL only has around 50 or so standard rooms. It doesn't surprise me that they are full for the discount. If I went without the discount there are some available on line still... but... that is at full rack.



I know... I know... I am just plain mad most of the time when it comes to planning. I actually am happy that I called and got the response I did. Now I can't second guess...at least not for a while.




I think this cm was rather clueless. I asked him why it was more to when the stay started 2 days earlier... and cut out staying over Christmas. See... my pin only went through the night of the 22nd... and then the price per night jumps up... so not only would the 13th and 14th be under my pin discount... but they are cheaper nightly rates to begin with. If I had been able to get a standard room the cost would have been as much as 1k less. (starting the stay on the 12th) So knowing this... I was very perplexed. He couldn't tell me why though. It wasn't until I realized it probably had to do with the room that he then told me that it was a different view room. so yes... clueless.

Someone told me that they are not seeing what we see when we price it out... they jump from screen to screen so that might be why? But I am glad that you got the discount anyway! How exciting! Now just for the airlines and your set right?

 

[KatMark]

i got the last message from zach for a while. He has shipped again and no longer will have his phone or computer. What was his last message???

he is dead center back row.

awesome picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[annmarieda]

Someone told me that they are not seeing what we see when we price it out... they jump from screen to screen so that might be why? But I am glad that you got the discount anyway! How exciting! Now just for the airlines and your set right?

I think that could be... I just think he didn't "try" a lot. I did already have the trip booked. I just wanted to shift dates. But.. yes, once I get airfare... we are set.

awesome picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Kathy.

 

[annmarieda]

As of 6/4, plans have changed. I have a new set of dates so all this detail... gotta throw it out the window and start again.

So with the toying around with changing our dates somewhat behind me. I have moved on to my next fixation. Park days!

I realize that hours and such change and at this point are only a prediction. Heck, I made my ridemax plans a couple months out before my September trip and didn't bother to take a second glance. I was very shocked our first day in the park when the hours were longer and a second fantasmic had been added.. so I KNOW all too well, that these are GOING to change. So, keeping this in mind and mainly for fun, (not that I have the time to do this now and really shouldn't have indulged) I looked at Touringplans to see what they think the hours will be.

Here is what I came up with... Keep in mind, we don't park hop.

12/15 - We will either arrive early in the morning (due to a red eye flight the night before) or late afternoon. In either case, I think this will be a non park day. We will likely go to DTD or other resorts just to see the decorations. If we get in too late in the afternoon, we may just end up hanging out at WL.

12/16 - Predicted to have an EMH till 12:30am, Epcot will be our park of the day. We will hope to see Illuminations this day. That way if we don't, we still will have one more day that we can try.

12/17 - Mk might be open the latest of all the parks and since we also wanted to have Zoe do BBB early on in the trip, MK is the park of the day. I only wish that it would be our first park. However, if Epcot really does end up with EMH till 12:30 on 12/16 then it will make more sense to make this our park.

12/18 - EMH till 1am might be the case for DHS, so this is our park of the day. Fantasmic is also this day (or at least has been predicted to be) so hopefully we can view this then.

12/19 - As much as I wish our next park could be AK, Mk is predicted to have EMH till 3am. Now, I won't be going till 3am but I am sure that Alex might find it fun. It also may be the first night that all the Holiday festivities are offered outside of MVMCP. Having such a long period of time that the park is open will also mean we can venture away from it to enjoy other things like DTD or the decorations at other resorts.

12/20 - FINALLY, we will go to AK. I always love the Jingle Jungle Parade, but I think this year it will be especially spectacular since we will be there during the holidays.

12/21 - I actually am frustrated by this, I really hope things change, but this is the day that AK has EMH till 10pm. So even though we will have just been there the day before, we will return on this day. It will also be our last day in AK.

12/22 - This will be our second/last day at DHS. If we are unable to see Fantasmic on the 18th, we will try for this night. Also, I hope to see the Osborne Family lights.

12/23 - This will be our third and final day in MK. Again, due to it being open longer than the other parks I thought we should take advantage.

12/24 - This will be our second day in Epcot. It does have EMH on this day (well, predicted EMH) Regardless of the hours though, I think this will for sure be our park. I think that if we can do the Candlelight Processional on this night, it would be fantastic! If we missed Illuminations I am not sure we will be able to catch it on this day if there is the CP, but we will keep it in mind. Again though, it depends on if CP is going on that night. (and of course if we can wrangle a dinner package)

12/25 - We will not be going to the parks. I am not sure what we will do other than spend time at WL. I hope that we will manage to have a nice meal at either WL or another resort.

12/26 - This is the day we go home. If I am able to get our flight for the time I want, we will still have a pretty full day. Did I mention this is my birthday? Some of my favorite foods are in Epcot, so this will be the park for us this day. It will be our third and final day in Epcot. Now, if our flight is early in the morning (which it could be) then we will forgo all parks this day. This will mean that we can use one of our park tickets on 12/15 or 12/25. On Christmas day though, we would just be going for an ADR.

At 8 months out you would think I wouldn't think about this trip so much and in such detail, but... I guess I am just a bit crazy

Oh.. guess what. Airfare prices went up today. I guess I am really going to have to relax and hope that come this summer...prices will be better.

And one more side note... I can NOT for the life of me now understand how the cm quoted me the amounts he did for the different dates. Even with an upgraded room, I don't see how it could possibly be that much. I am letting it go though. For what ever reason, I have to have faith it is for the best.

 

[momabaarjo]

Everything I have read says to avoid parks that have any kind of extra hours..especially those with morning hours. What is your experience? I notice that you are embracing those parks. What is your plan of attack for making the most of these parks, once everyone is allowed to enter?

 

[lfwhipp]

Everything I have read says to avoid parks that have any kind of extra hours..especially those with morning hours. What is your experience? I notice that you are embracing those parks. What is your plan of attack for making the most of these parks, once everyone is allowed to enter?

I was thinking the same thing, although they say if you can get your butt out of bed and to RD for AM EMH then do so. Im still trying to decide if we will risk EMH myself. Im going to test it in 2 weeks when i am there in may, but i will be solo for 2 days and with DH the other 3 so i wont be dragging the kids around. We are doing EP on PM EMH and AK with AM EMH, crossing my fingers it works out. I imagine in Dec that PM EMH will be fierce, i know when we did MK in Sept 2009, the PM EMH were ridiculous.

 

[annmarieda]

Everything I have read says to avoid parks that have any kind of extra hours..especially those with morning hours. What is your experience? I notice that you are embracing those parks. What is your plan of attack for making the most of these parks, once everyone is allowed to enter?

I hadn't even considered how December is likely to be different, but... every other times we have gone we always plan around EMH's since we don't park hop. I always have used ridemax and have never found the days to be a problem. In September, there was only one night that was pretty full. It was at MK and I want to say it was either sunday before Labor day or Labor day itself. I have never had to wait in lines like that. THAT was crazy. During the day though, we had no trouble getting on to each ride very fast despite the large crowds. Also, we rarely do a morning hour... it is all we can do to make it to RD. So we just go to the night time ones. I was thinking that I have used ridemax so much that this time I could go without it... especially since we don't plan to go to the parks ALL the time. Now I think it might be necessary to help me plan my days. That way I can know if I have fit too much in or not. Course, it will mean getting Steve to install parallels on our mac since ridemax doesn't work with macs... only pcs. Even though we have a year subscription and my dd who is about to get married has been BEGGING her dad to fix it so she can play around with her schedule (she leaves next month) .... it has not happened.

So to answer the question... I plan to use ridemax to schedule my days and if ridemax tells me it is not doable...then I will shift to a different park.

 

[momabaarjo]

Thank you for always answering my questions...I get so much from your PTR that makes me think!

I used Touring Plans last summer, and I really think they are pretty much spot on in the way to tour the parks...really did not pay that much attention to park levels, except which ones to avoid. I already have my days arranged according to TP predictions, but waiting for the OFFICIAL schedule from WDW. I am thinking of subscribing to Tour Guide Mike (incentive when I reach a weight loss goal)...just to see what his angle is.

 

[annmarieda]

Ok, so I had to go back and look at my ridemax schedule from the day that I knew was the most crowded. It was an EHM. Keep in mind ridemax doesn't schedule EMH since those are only available to park guests. With that said, here is what my schedule looked like for that day when it was super crowded.

9am RD
9:07 Dumbo with 3 minute wait
9:21 Snow Whites Scary Adventure with a 1 min wait
9:26 Cinderellas Carousel with a 4 minute wait
9:37 Mad Tea Party with a 4 minute wait.

We got off schedule at some point. I know we scheduled to do both Peter Pan and Pooh.. but they were set for later. I am not sure when we fit them in. I know we did. In my TR I mentioned having rode most of the Fantasyland rides, by 9:30. That may have been the case. I am not sure.

9:48 Goofy's Barn Stormer with a 3 minute wait

At that point we scheduled to play around in TT at the various "houses". My mom who had come with us though was just arriving at the park so we met up with her instead and ate an early lunch. We did skip these until our next day in MK

Next was Story Time with Belle at noon. We were there in line early enough that Zoe got to participate in the show.

Back on track then with our RM schedule, our next item was to see Mickey's Philharmagic at 12:23 with a 15 minute wait. We had attempted to get fp's for pooh at that point and got a bonus one for philharmagic so went on that immediately. (no wait)

1:19 Hall or presidents we encountered a mishap so had to miss that right then. So we skipped that and the Princess Tiana Greeting while I made a run to customer services. We did eventually do HOP, I am just not sure if it was that day.

Back on schedule for the Dream along with Mickey show at 2:15

Then the Dreams Come True Parade at 3pm as we left the park

We went back to our resort for a short time and then to DTD

Arriving back at MK for MSEP at 9pm and then Wishes at 10pm.

After that was EMH. We fit in country bears and Pirates before 3 of us left. The one who stayed behind only got to ride a couple more rides. So definitely EMH was not such a good thing. We were amazed at how bad it was. We attributed it to the fact it was a holiday weekend and figured maybe more locals were there for just that night. Also, the extended time wasn't super long. I want to say only till midnight when the park closed at 10pm.

So this was a crowded day... and we had not scheduled a lot of rides in it. Maybe that was what made it work. I know that looking on that day's schedule the only thing we actually ended up missing was the Tiana's meet and greet. On our next MK schedule we didn't miss anything. Our wait times were never long..except for Tommorowland speedway. Our schedule listed that it would be a 29 minute wait. I am pretty sure it was close. So other than that... our waits never were listed as being more than 15 minutes and I am sure that our actual waits were less. That day too, we did all the big rides like BTMRR and SM.


Thus ends my ridemax promo

 

[annmarieda]

Thank you for always answering my questions...I get so much from your PTR that makes me think!

I used Touring Plans last summer, and I really think they are pretty much spot on in the way to tour the parks...really did not pay that much attention to park levels, except which ones to avoid. I already have my days arranged according to TP predictions, but waiting for the OFFICIAL schedule from WDW. I am thinking of subscribing to Tour Guide Mike (incentive when I reach a weight loss goal)...just to see what his angle is.

I know I said I was done with the ridemax promo... but another thing I like about it... it doesnt say what parks to avoid. Basically it just puts the things you want to do in a schedule. If you add too much for that day it will tell you and you have to shift to a different park or take things out. Maybe going in December will be completely different... however I have never had any trouble except for the one day I just listed. In Feb 09, we went to MK on an EMH and walked on and off and on and off rides. It was awesome. I would not expect that to be the case in December though.

 

[annmarieda]

I was thinking the same thing, although they say if you can get your butt out of bed and to RD for AM EMH then do so. Im still trying to decide if we will risk EMH myself. Im going to test it in 2 weeks when i am there in may, but i will be solo for 2 days and with DH the other 3 so i wont be dragging the kids around. We are doing EP on PM EMH and AK with AM EMH, crossing my fingers it works out. I imagine in Dec that PM EMH will be fierce, i know when we did MK in Sept 2009, the PM EMH were ridiculous.

I think it is absolutely important to go at RD. If you rush to Fantasyland immediately after RD, and get there before they close the castle gates... you can do all of Fantasyland in like a half hour. For us, that works. We don't need to ride Dumbo more than once. We spend a minimal amount of time in Fantasyland. December though, when I am sure it will be just Zoe and I there... I would think she would like more time there.

Another thing I notice about Dec. EHM... it goes until 3am. I am not sure how many people will still be there that late. I know I won't... but my ds probably will.

 

[momabaarjo]

Looks like I need to check out this ride max! Thanks for giving me another think to obsess with....

 

[dizneeat]

Another thing I notice about Dec. EHM... it goes until 3am. I am not sure how many people will still be there that late. I know I won't... but my ds probably will.

I am caught up again! I just can't keep up during the week - but since I am on Easter break now I should be able to stay on top of things ...... for a while!

EMH until 3am are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!! Not many people stay that long and everything is just a walk on! Sometimes they even let you stay on the ride if no one wants to enter in your row! Happened many a times to us on BTMR and Splash!

 

[tinacaplan]

Wow...I didn't realize that I had missed so much!

Recent days have been spend wondering if it makes sense to be gone on Christmas. I really wondered if I would miss being at home. I worried that I would be abandoning Kira and Zach should they be here. I also was looking at airfare and saw that I could fly out for much less if I changed dates.

So, I made the call to look at changing the dates. I asked about either the 12th to the 22nd or the 13th to the 24th. Either of which you would think would save me a substantial amount given that we would be cutting out the stay on the 24th and 25th. Well, first the cm was not all that helpful. He gave me a cost comparison of the three time frames

Current - 15th to the 26th = x
13th to the 24th = x + $13.44
12th to the 22nd = x - $480.76

I thought this looked odd since we would cut out those two more expensive nights. He couldn't tell me why they cost was even higher when checking out on the 24th. Then it dawned on me the likely reason I was not seeing the savings I thought I would. Standard view rooms are all booked. So my planning ahead has done one thing.. it has secured me a standard view room. Can you believe they are all booked? So I kept the current reservation. No need to make myself crazy over this for a while. Shoot, I just thought of one more thing... I could just check out earlier an save AND be home for Christmas. I think my original dates had us checking out on the 22nd. Hmmm.. that made it a bit tight with the ADR's though... Great... Now I am gonna make myself nuts again.

That's been the one super side bonus of planning our current trip in such a short time span... my decisions are pretty much all set! Have you decided this yet? I say go for it over Christmas...but what do I know?

I actually had priced it out online. I just had it priced with a standard room. I neglected to think that they rooms would be all taken. I did feel the cm wasn't the most helpful since I was the one who had to figure out the reason that the one period was actually a bit higher. oh well... you are right though... once I know where my kids will be... I will make a definite decision. Worse case, I just cut out those last 4 nights and end up with my original reservation.

OK...yes, I was going to say...can you wait to decide until you know for sure what the rest of your family will be doing? That seems to make the most sense and will probably make things a bit easier for you to figure out.

Everything I have read says to avoid parks that have any kind of extra hours..especially those with morning hours. What is your experience? I notice that you are embracing those parks. What is your plan of attack for making the most of these parks, once everyone is allowed to enter?

Personally, I have read that you should avoid parks on EMH days if you aren't staying onsite and/or don't plan on getting there for the early opening. My single biggest piece of advice...GET THERE EARLY! We were able to do nearly everything in Fantasyland, with hardly any wait to speak of, the morning we did a pre-park opening breakfast at CP and were in Fantasyland ahead of ropedrop. It was amazing. We were the first ride of the day on Dumbo! I'm scheduled for breakfast at CP again this summer, not so much because we loved breakfast (I thought it was OK, personally, not as good as the breakfast we had at Tusker House or Cape May), but because we got into the park so quickly in the morning.

 

[lfwhipp]

Looks like I need to check out this ride max! Thanks for giving me another think to obsess with....

I love ridemax, i use them and TP and we have never waited for much of anything, we even managed to get in 3 runs on Toy Story in one day. If you know how to use them, they can really enhance the experience

 

[Monknmom]

I like the schedule! I am a little behind so I read through a little quickly so when I am typing things may be out of order, sorry in advance!
I am sorry about the plane prices, gas is going up too and we just had to re-do our budget accordingly for the drive down there. You have to wonder who is making these prices up for gas? millionaires??? Oh yeah, that's right they do.... I wish that a blue collar worker in middle class would make up a little bit more fair prices for things but it is what it is!
I have browsed through the website that you mentioned from your advice to me- ridemax. I haven't had a chance to really look it over and decide, but if you had to choose one which would you choose- ridemax or touring plans?
Hopefully your DH gets the thing done for the computer to work with ridemax!

Hope everything is well and everyone is safe by you! Have a great weekend!

 

[annmarieda]

Looks like I need to check out this ride max! Thanks for giving me another think to obsess with....

I am caught up again! I just can't keep up during the week - but since I am on Easter break now I should be able to stay on top of things ...... for a while!

EMH until 3am are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!! Not many people stay that long and everything is just a walk on! Sometimes they even let you stay on the ride if no one wants to enter in your row! Happened many a times to us on BTMR and Splash!

That is what I remember about last spring. Course, it was cold at night. I am not sure why WDW hours are so much shorter in the months where it is so warm out. I would be so much more inclined to stay in the parks at midnight if it were still warm.

That's been the one super side bonus of planning our current trip in such a short time span... my decisions are pretty much all set! Have you decided this yet? I say go for it over Christmas...but what do I know?

Yes, I have decided... at least for now. Planning like we are staying over Christmas.

OK...yes, I was going to say...can you wait to decide until you know for sure what the rest of your family will be doing? That seems to make the most sense and will probably make things a bit easier for you to figure out.

If I had to wait on them I would wait forever. Kira has been engaged for almost 2 years. The entire time we got a "yes, of course we will attend" and now that we are 4 weeks out and the invitations have been sent and received... all of a sudden no one can give a straight answer.

Personally, I have read that you should avoid parks on EMH days if you aren't staying onsite and/or don't plan on getting there for the early opening. My single biggest piece of advice...GET THERE EARLY! We were able to do nearly everything in Fantasyland, with hardly any wait to speak of, the morning we did a pre-park opening breakfast at CP and were in Fantasyland ahead of ropedrop. It was amazing. We were the first ride of the day on Dumbo! I'm scheduled for breakfast at CP again this summer, not so much because we loved breakfast (I thought it was OK, personally, not as good as the breakfast we had at Tusker House or Cape May), but because we got into the park so quickly in the morning.

That is right.. if you don't stay on property it doesn't make sense to go to a park with EMH cause all the resort guest will be there. I have heard that as well. It makes sense.

I love ridemax, i use them and TP and we have never waited for much of anything, we even managed to get in 3 runs on Toy Story in one day. If you know how to use them, they can really enhance the experience

I like the schedule! I am a little behind so I read through a little quickly so when I am typing things may be out of order, sorry in advance!
I am sorry about the plane prices, gas is going up too and we just had to re-do our budget accordingly for the drive down there. You have to wonder who is making these prices up for gas? millionaires??? Oh yeah, that's right they do.... I wish that a blue collar worker in middle class would make up a little bit more fair prices for things but it is what it is!
I have browsed through the website that you mentioned from your advice to me- ridemax. I haven't had a chance to really look it over and decide, but if you had to choose one which would you choose- ridemax or touring plans?
Hopefully your DH gets the thing done for the computer to work with ridemax!

Hope everything is well and everyone is safe by you! Have a great weekend!

Hope all is well with you too and that your weekend has been nice. As for ridemax vs. touring plans. I have always used ridemax so I guess I am partial there. I know it works and I know how to use it. I do plan to take a gander at tp though...

 

[KatMark]

Can I ask why you don't park hop? Is it just the time of year or a general rule for you guys? Airfare is absolutely outrageous. My boss is going to New York the first weekend of June. Rather than fly into LaGuardia, he was going to fly into White Plains/Westchester so they could stay with his wife's sister. The air fare for the two of them was almost $1200 going Friday to Sunday. I checked LaGuardia and it was $575 for the two of them. It is absolutely crazy.

 

[annmarieda]

Can I ask why you don't park hop? Is it just the time of year or a general rule for you guys? Airfare is absolutely outrageous. My boss is going to New York the first weekend of June. Rather than fly into LaGuardia, he was going to fly into White Plains/Westchester so they could stay with his wife's sister. The air fare for the two of them was almost $1200 going Friday to Sunday. I checked LaGuardia and it was $575 for the two of them. It is absolutely crazy.

It is just a general rule. I just don't pay to have the park hopping tickets. There is usually so much we try and fit in, I can't imagine trying to hop over to another park. That is just us though... we also just use WDW transportation and don't drive. (we did when staying off site and honestly I hated having to park)

Airfare is really bad... I really really REALLY hope it comes down.