Also another consideration is breaks. I rarely add that I want a break cause it will automatically put another on in somewhere...then I am left with too much free time. 
Thinking about that now... I think I am going to have to see if she even fits the McClaren. She has gone from a size 5 in September to a size 7 now.
However, I want Zoe to eat with the princesses and then I do plan to eat light for lunch. Then hopefully we can get Le Cellier for the CP dinning package. Yes, I know it is 2 TS credits, but since LC is now that for dinner anyway... I figured that it would be good for the package
I have even considered going somewhere non disney for a nice meal. Suggestions here are reaaaaaaaly needed. ) I also know that we plan to share a couple lunches.. I know it is frowned upon, but I am not sure we will be able to eat full meals plus it enables us to stretch our credits.
). I am thinking about adding it to our list. When I stayed there last summer we just flew right past it...maybe we should give it a chance.
*Boatrights...I saw it in your TR (there she blows
*We are breakfast people...and doing a breakfast each morning will tie us over until dinner with a mid afternoon snack. Plus there are so many "breakfast things" I want to try. Want to add Roaring Forks to the breakfast list...kids and dh would love the bottomless milkshakes! Plus ds eats ketshup on everything...it might be fun...this is the place right?
*Love the last day plan...I have 1 day blocked out of Epcot to do the same thing...maybe since September you learned your lesson...NO SNACKING if you are going to Le Cellier that evening.
So I posted what parks I plan to go to, but now I thought I would break it down further and list where I want to eat. Also, since a goal is to see the different decorations at the various resorts I thought I would add that. I think it will kinda explain why we may be eating where we are.
12/15 - Non Park Day - Visit CSR - Dinner at Pepper Market Pepper Market has a love/hate relationship (as does the resort). We have never had a bad meal in nine stays; we're not fond of the breakfast food, but we've had great things for lunch and dinner.
Is it hard to get to CSR? We have never been there nor obviously at at PM. Is it good? I would take the boat or bus to the MK and then catch the CSR bus...I think this would be the quickest way for you.
12/16 - EP - Visit BC and BW - Breakfast oop @ Roaring Forks, Lunch @ Sunshine Seasons, Dinner @ Coral Reef. Love Sunshine Seasons; haven't done Coral Reef in over 12 years
We may just end up using a snack credit instead of paying oop. However, since it will be early on in the trip, I think we may be hungry for a larger breakfast
12/17 - MK - Visit Poly - Breakfast oop @ CP, Lunch @ CHH, Dinner at OhanaLOVE CP breakfst--my favorite and really enjoy CHH for quick service; we've never eaten dinner at Ohana
I am not certain everyone will go to CP. I want to take Zoe to BBB and be in the park before opening so this is a must. Lunch hopefully won't be terribly filling and then dinner will have us stuffed!
12/18 - DHS - Breakfast w/ a snack credit @ writers stop, Lunch @ Starring Rolls, Dinner @ Mama Melrose for Fantasmic Dinning Package. We did Writers Stop and Starring Rolls last year and really enjoyed both. We haven't been to Mama Melrose in two years (just trying new places), but have always liked it.
Kira pointed out on this day, eating such a large lunch at Starring rolls and then doing the dp for fantasmic might not works since we will not at all be hungry. I am going to think on this. We may end up just sharing a lunch here and then later in the trip not sharing
12/19 - MK - Visit GF - Breakfast w/a snack credit @ Mainstreet Bakery, Lunch @ Gasparrilla Grill, Dinner @ KonaBelieve it or not, we've never eaten at any of these places. I want to try to find a spot for Mainstreet Bakery this year for breakfast but can't; Mark won't even walk into Grand Floridian so I can't get him to eat there.
My thought is that a quick snack in the morning once in the park will be sufficient. When traveling over to GL, I thought we could eat at Gasparrilla Grill. We have never been there, but it is a cs and thought it might work. Any thoughts? Then dinner at Kona should be yummy.
12/20 - AK - Visit AKL - Breakfast oop @ Roaring Forks, Lunch @ Restaurantasaurus, Dinner @ SanaaHaven't done any of these
We may not have to pay oop if we really only need a snack for breakfast. Lunch will be at a new place as will dinner.
12/21 - AK - Visit POR and POFQ - Breakfast oop @ Tusker, Lunch @ WGPE, Dinner @ Boatwrights Again, have not done Tusker house or WGPE. Perosnally, we did not care for Boatwright's at all.
So another oop breakfast. I want to be able to be in this park before RD too.
12/22 - DHS - Explore WL - Breakfast oop @ WCC, Lunch oop (light lunch maybe aps) @ Sci Fi, Dinner @ Studio Catering Company Love Sci Fi!!!
Yet another large oop breakfast. I am not sure this is a good idea. Since we won't have enough TS credits to eat at Sci Fi, but I want to...and since we will have had a large breakfast... I figure going but having an ap would be sufficient. Then a lighter dinner using a cs credit. We have never been to Studio Catering Co. Anyone have thoughts?
12/23 - MK - Visit CR - Breakfast w/ snack credit Main Street Bakery, Lunch @ Casey's, Dinner @ The WaveI didn't like Casey's hot dogs, but I am in the minority; we've been wanting to try the Wave and just haven't been able to find a time or spot for it so I'll be curious what you think
I have never ate at Casey's or the Wave. It should be a good day.
12/24 - Epcot - Breakfast oop @ Akershus, Lunch in WS(sharing), Dinner @ Le Cellier for the CP Dinning Package We did Akershus for lunc and it was "eh", but I understand breakfast is good. LOVE LOVE LOVE LeCellier
Hmm, I am definitely starting to think the oop breakfast thing maybe getting a bit out of hand.
12/25 - Non Park Day - Visit YC - Breakfast oop w/ In room Dinning, Lunch (sharing) @ Roaring Forks, Dinner @ Captain's Grill Never done
I am TOTALLY not sure of this day. Between the in room dinning and the heading to a different resort for dinner... I am not sure...
12/26 - EP - Breakfast in WS (sharing), Lunch in WS (sharing)
Basically, this day will be spent using credits up that have not been used. Where else to do this at, but Epcot! WS has some of the best snacks and counter service offerings.
I have accounted for all ts and cs credits. I know this is a LOT of food and realistically, some of the oop may not come to pass. Also some of the venturing to different resorts may not work well. (like on 12/25... traveling to YC to eat???
I know I have tons of stories when it comes to why or why not Steve likes things.
Thank you for all the insightful comments, kathy! I figured that you might know a thing or two about how to get to CSR and Pepper Market.
Is there a story why you can't get Mark to go to GL?
Yah know, I know you and a ton of other people didnt care for Boatwrights... But it is an excuse to go back to POR. Hopefully we won't learn a hard lesson.
I agree with you on the food at Akershus. It isn't great.... But I skipped it last trip and feel like we should have done a princess meal. So, with or without the boys I figure we should do it this time. We have never done breakfast,so that will be new. I hope to get an ADR before RD.
I have wanted to try new restaurants, but coral reef is Steve's favorite... So we have to go. Personally, I could pass since I have been there several times already.
when we visited about a year after it opened. I've never tried to force him, but I do want to try the GF Cafe. I keep telling him we aren't staying there (I have no desire to stay there...too victorian and "grandmotherly" to me), I just want to eat there.
Ill be staying there in a couple of weeks and Ill let you know
Let's just say that he found most of the staff and some of the guests rather
I wondered. I have never been been there even to visit, but I remember reading a thread that was referencing something that happened there and the people who responded even sounded a bit... 
Whispering Canyon sounds like something I want to try for breakfast, but Steve does not want to deal with any "shenanigans" at a dinner meal. Kinda a shame since we are staying at WL... but oh well, it falls to a low spot on our list as well. 
So I posted what parks I plan to go to, but now I thought I would break it down further and list where I want to eat. Also, since a goal is to see the different decorations at the various resorts I thought I would add that. I think it will kinda explain why we may be eating where we are.
12/15 - Non Park Day - Visit CSR - Dinner at Pepper Market
Is it hard to get to CSR? We have never been there nor obviously at at PM. Is it good?QUOTE]
We have enjoyed Pepper Market and CSR is beautiful in a very different way than WL will be. That said, I'm not sure I'd journey all the way out there to eat at PM.
12/16 - EP - Visit BC and BW - Breakfast oop @ Roaring Forks, Lunch @ Sunshine Seasons, Dinner @ Coral Reef.
We may just end up using a snack credit instead of paying oop. However, since it will be early on in the trip, I think we may be hungry for a larger breakfast
12/17 - MK - Visit Poly - Breakfast oop @ CP, Lunch @ CHH, Dinner at Ohana QUOTE]
We LOVED'Ohana! So much fun. I have an ADR there for July that I"m thinking of cancelling. Just not sure I won't want to stay closer to our resort and getting there from AKL would be sort of a pain.
I am not certain everyone will go to CP. I want to take Zoe to BBB and be in the park before opening so this is a must. Lunch hopefully won't be terribly filling and then dinner will have us stuffed!
12/18 - DHS - Breakfast w/ a snack credit @ writers stop, Lunch @ Starring Rolls, Dinner @ Mama Melrose for Fantasmic Dinning Package.
Kira pointed out on this day, eating such a large lunch at Starring rolls and then doing the dp for fantasmic might not works since we will not at all be hungry. I am going to think on this. We may end up just sharing a lunch here and then later in the trip not sharing
12/19 - MK - Visit GF - Breakfast w/a snack credit @ Mainstreet Bakery, Lunch @ Gasparrilla Grill, Dinner @ Kona
My thought is that a quick snack in the morning once in the park will be sufficient. When traveling over to GL, I thought we could eat at Gasparrilla Grill. We have never been there, but it is a cs and thought it might work. Any thoughts? Then dinner at Kona should be yummy.
12/20 - AK - Visit AKL - Breakfast oop @ Roaring Forks, Lunch @ Restaurantasaurus, Dinner @ Sanaa QUOTE]
We're trying Sanaa in July. I love Indian food. And visiting AKL is so much fun, even when you're not staying there.
We may not have to pay oop if we really only need a snack for breakfast. Lunch will be at a new place as will dinner.
12/21 - AK - Visit POR and POFQ - Breakfast oop @ Tusker, Lunch @ WGPE, Dinner @ Boatwrights
So another oop breakfast. I want to be able to be in this park before RD too. QUOTE]
We also loved Tusker House. I think it was my favorite character breakfast. Delicious bread pudding!
12/22 - DHS - Explore WL - Breakfast oop @ WCC, Lunch oop (light lunch maybe aps) @ Sci Fi, Dinner @ Studio Catering Company
Yet another large oop breakfast. I am not sure this is a good idea. Since we won't have enough TS credits to eat at Sci Fi, but I want to...and since we will have had a large breakfast... I figure going but having an ap would be sufficient. Then a lighter dinner using a cs credit. We have never been to Studio Catering Co. Anyone have thoughts?QUOTE]
We were so excited to go back to Sci-Fi this year and bring Max. We enjoyed it...it IS Sci-Fi, and its so cool in there...but...our food was horrible! Really, really bad. One of the worst, if not the worst, meals of our trip this year. I will not feel bad about not eating there again for awhile.
12/23 - MK - Visit CR - Breakfast w/ snack credit Main Street Bakery, Lunch @ Casey's, Dinner @ The Wave
I have never ate at Casey's or the Wave. It should be a good day.
12/24 - Epcot - Breakfast oop @ Akershus, Lunch in WS(sharing), Dinner @ Le Cellier for the CP Dinning Package
Hmm, I am definitely starting to think the oop breakfast thing maybe getting a bit out of hand.
12/25 - Non Park Day - Visit YC - Breakfast oop w/ In room Dinning, Lunch (sharing) @ Roaring Forks, Dinner @ Captain's Grill
I am TOTALLY not sure of this day. Between the in room dinning and the heading to a different resort for dinner... I am not sure...
Not much help here, really. Having said that, even if you took a cab to YC it wouldn't be so terrible. Or if you took Disney transportation there and a cab back. It was only about ten dollars to go from CSR to the BC. Don't know if that helps at all.
12/26 - EP - Breakfast in WS (sharing), Lunch in WS (sharing)
Basically, this day will be spent using credits up that have not been used. Where else to do this at, but Epcot! WS has some of the best snacks and counter service offerings.
I have accounted for all ts and cs credits. I know this is a LOT of food and realistically, some of the oop may not come to pass. Also some of the venturing to different resorts may not work well. (like on 12/25... traveling to YC to eat???
I feel like everytime we go out to eat, I end up looking at my husband about halfway through and say, "Why didn't we share this???" And Disney portions are BIG.
You've obviously put a lot of thought into this and you've got some great places lined up!
I have never been to Hollywood and Vine. That is low on your list? It is low on mine, and I guess it is unfair since I have not been there, but there are so many other places I want to try too
I am happy to pay for this oop. I love Tusker in general, but we have been there so many times... I think it will have to be a breakfast in order for me to get Steve to go again. AND... if we happen to be there before RD all the better
)Think of H&V as a school cafeteria -- only worse!
Believe it or not, the night we went to WCC for dinner, there were no shenanigans going on at all! And we just didn't like the food (Mark got sick on the chicken or ribs and I just didn't care for any of the food in the skillet). I'd actually be willing to try breakfast, but not sure Mark wants to go back.
Last there is my ds, Alex.
Alex is 15. He is reluctant to all things Disney. He will watch Phinneius and Ferb, but that is about the extent to which he will go. On our last trip, an 11 night trip..he chose to spend much of it alone in our room or tooling about in the parks by himself. I guess that is a typical teen boy for you.
You might have noticed 2 missing children. Our older two are starting off on their own and may or may not be joining us. For now, we are booked for just the four of us.
I have a hard time searching for the right title for my reports. I always think that they are not quite as catchy or may seem confusing. In any case, I feel there is always a need to explain why I have named it what I have.
In this case, the title "Christmas all year long" has to do with not only Christmas 2010 just being over, but that in preparing for this next trip I will be preparing for Christmas 2011. It will be a year of me being excited and waiting for Christmas. It will be a year of making purchases for the trip that are Christmas related. I hope to not go too far
What I did do though, is purchase a red bin to start placing items for Christmas in. Yes, I have also already began to purchase items to place in said bin. I will take a picture soon enough and you can all revel in the wonder of red and green that I have in it. With the holidays having just finished, it is the perfect time to find Disney related holiday items on clearance.
Since this is a year long PTR and I have a lot that I will have to get through this year I warned you all that I would be posting regarding personal stuff too. When I do that, I will make sure to put "non trip related" in the title. That way, you can kinda skip over if you want.
So some personal notes...
I mentioned that my older kids are going off on their own this year and so they are not included in the characters of this PTR. Well, I should probably introduce them any way. Even if they do not go with us...much of this year will involve them (obviously)
So there is Kira. She is our oldest. She is getting married to our wonderful future son in-law, Josh in May. Funny side note on the two of them...they share a birthday. They were literally born minutes apart. They have known each other since they were young children since Steve and Josh's dad worked together.
Then there is Zach. He is our oldest son and will be shipping out with the military in March.
For my last trip, I was lucky enough to get an offer for the Disney Rewards Visa. I was unsure if I wanted it. It seemed like I should at least get it for no other reason than the offer. ($200 rewards card after 1st purchase) It was so nice to have extra money that I wasn't planning on for the trip.
Well, I continued to use it since and have really liked how easy it has been to get points. I have yet to pay any interest on this card so I am proud of myself for that.rolleyes1 credit cards and me are not always a good mix)
With Kira going on her disneymoon, I knew I would put that amount on the card. 6 months interest free will give me enough time for tax return to come in and such...plus I figured I would get a bit more points and maybe have a small gc to use on our december trip.
Well...I am so excited because I got a triple point offer on my Disney Visa.I think with the points I already have and the points I get from charging Kira's trip and then any incidental purchases between now and fall, I should have a $100 gc to use on our trip!!! Pretty cool, eh?
On my last TR, I never really finished up my thoughts regarding the trip. Had I done so, I would have listed the things I want to do different next time and the things I thought worked well.
Things that I liked;
1. Flying in early enough to enjoy a meal after checking in but not so early that we went to a park.
2. Bringing items from home to help organize the room. The toothbrush holder I got to stick on the mirror was my favorite item.
3. Eating at other resorts instead of limiting ourselves to just meals at the park.
4. Having a character breakfast before the park opened to put us in the park early. Definitely awesome!
5. Actually, going to DTD. I had only gone there briefly before and it was only to eat at Raglan Road before we had to hustle back to catch DME back to the airport. DTD is the best!
6. Booking both the Fantasmic dinning package and the Finding Nemo Musical dinning package. Love Fantasmic, how was Nemo musical?
7. Eating/drinking around the world at Epcot. that's always fun (especially the drinking part!)
8. Bringing someone who had never been to WDW and enjoying seeing it for the first time through their eyes. ooooo yes super fun when you're with someone that's never been before
9. Staying in a different resort.
10. Letting Zoe finish an entire mask at Epcot. How long did that take?
Things I didn't like
1. The buses at Pop. agreed, they suck! But I hate WDW buses in general
2. Not making better use of our mugs The mugs are the best! I think WDW loses $ with us on those
3. Not spending more time enjoying the resort Agreed, especially Pop since it's so huge and there's lots of hidden gems there. We never take the time to walk around.
4. Caring about making sure that everyone was happy hah you can never make everyone happy.
5. Participating in a fridge swap never done that
6. Missing the aquarium at Epcot The aquarium is fun.
7. Not getting more photos with the pp taken I say this every year too
8. Scheduling a TS meal after eating all day in WS at Epcot oh man I feel ultra full just thinking about that.
9. Missing all the performers in WS I find it's hard to catch the performers at EPCOT. And my DH never wants to stop and watch them.
10. Bus stops at Pop not being covered. agreed!!!!!!
Based on these I can come up with a to do list for our next trip. I am not sure it will be limited to a top ten... but this give me a starting point.
Obviously, I have some time to think about this but I have already begun to wonder what a trip to WDW during the holidays means......
If you have gone or would go, what are some of your favorite things to do or things you would think you had to do while there around Christmas?
Steve and I have been talking and he really doesn't think that there will be enough to keep him entertained for a full week since he won't be going to the park all day every day.
Again, not that I have to nail anything down today... just giving some thought to what I might want to spend time doing.
Well, ridemax isn't too hard... but you do have to take things into consideration and "tinker" My dd, Kira... she has a fantasmic dinning package booked. She doesn't need to arrive at the theater as early as ridemax would like her to... so she had to remove that from her ridemax plan in order to fit a bit more in. Who here doesn't like to tinker with plans though? Am I right?
Kira and I were just talking about her getting park hoppers and I think it makes sense for her to spend the little extra. When you have 6 or even 4 people to add that to the ticket price... it really adds up. Then there is the traveling between parks. If you are young and it is just adults going you can travel easily. We have always had bags and stroller... it becomes a hassle to load everything up and unload everything (anyone remember my TR and the stroller incident?) In December, Zoe will be almost 7. I am not so sure we need to bring a stroller.... I know she will get tired and may even nap at times so I might bring the McClaren that we have. The one I had to buy in WDW last September was really a bit small for her and when she dozed, her head would flop back over the top of the seat.
I really want to try that starring rolls cafe that you suggested! And a few others!
So I posted what parks I plan to go to, but now I thought I would break it down further and list where I want to eat. Also, since a goal is to see the different decorations at the various resorts I thought I would add that. I think it will kinda explain why we may be eating where we are.
12/15 - Non Park Day - Visit CSR - Dinner at Pepper Market
Is it hard to get to CSR? We have never been there nor obviously at at PM. Is it good?
12/16 - EP - Visit BC and BW - Breakfast oop @ Roaring Forks, Lunch @ Sunshine Seasons, Dinner @ Coral Reef.
We may just end up using a snack credit instead of paying oop. However, since it will be early on in the trip, I think we may be hungry for a larger breakfast
12/17 - MK - Visit Poly - Breakfast oop @ CP, Lunch @ CHH, Dinner at Ohana
I am not certain everyone will go to CP. I want to take Zoe to BBB and be in the park before opening so this is a must. Lunch hopefully won't be terribly filling and then dinner will have us stuffed!
12/18 - DHS - Breakfast w/ a snack credit @ writers stop, Lunch @ Starring Rolls, Dinner @ Mama Melrose for Fantasmic Dinning Package.
Kira pointed out on this day, eating such a large lunch at Starring rolls and then doing the dp for fantasmic might not works since we will not at all be hungry. I am going to think on this. We may end up just sharing a lunch here and then later in the trip not sharing
12/19 - MK - Visit GF - Breakfast w/a snack credit @ Mainstreet Bakery, Lunch @ Gasparrilla Grill, Dinner @ Kona
My thought is that a quick snack in the morning once in the park will be sufficient. When traveling over to GL, I thought we could eat at Gasparrilla Grill. We have never been there, but it is a cs and thought it might work. Any thoughts? Then dinner at Kona should be yummy.
12/20 - AK - Visit AKL - Breakfast oop @ Roaring Forks, Lunch @ Restaurantasaurus, Dinner @ Sanaa
We may not have to pay oop if we really only need a snack for breakfast. Lunch will be at a new place as will dinner.
12/21 - AK - Visit POR and POFQ - Breakfast oop @ Tusker, Lunch @ WGPE, Dinner @ Boatwrights
So another oop breakfast. I want to be able to be in this park before RD too.
12/22 - DHS - Explore WL - Breakfast oop @ WCC, Lunch oop (light lunch maybe aps) @ Sci Fi, Dinner @ Studio Catering Company
Yet another large oop breakfast. I am not sure this is a good idea. Since we won't have enough TS credits to eat at Sci Fi, but I want to...and since we will have had a large breakfast... I figure going but having an ap would be sufficient. Then a lighter dinner using a cs credit. We have never been to Studio Catering Co. Anyone have thoughts?
12/23 - MK - Visit CR - Breakfast w/ snack credit Main Street Bakery, Lunch @ Casey's, Dinner @ The Wave
I have never ate at Casey's or the Wave. It should be a good day.
12/24 - Epcot - Breakfast oop @ Akershus, Lunch in WS(sharing), Dinner @ Le Cellier for the CP Dinning Package
Hmm, I am definitely starting to think the oop breakfast thing maybe getting a bit out of hand.
12/25 - Non Park Day - Visit YC - Breakfast oop w/ In room Dinning, Lunch (sharing) @ Roaring Forks, Dinner @ Captain's Grill
I am TOTALLY not sure of this day. Between the in room dinning and the heading to a different resort for dinner... I am not sure...
12/26 - EP - Breakfast in WS (sharing), Lunch in WS (sharing)
Basically, this day will be spent using credits up that have not been used. Where else to do this at, but Epcot! WS has some of the best snacks and counter service offerings.
I have accounted for all ts and cs credits. I know this is a LOT of food and realistically, some of the oop may not come to pass. Also some of the venturing to different resorts may not work well. (like on 12/25... traveling to YC to eat???
I seriously only see that our paths could cross at AK on the 20th! 
My stomach is growling! Between your meal plans and the cake ball pic on another thread... I think it's almost time for lunch!
