Christmas Itinerary...Any Thoughts?

[loribell]

You know I really can't believe that I need to make my dining reservations in just a little over a month. Now that MVMCP dates have been posted I have come up with my tentative itinerary. Let me know what you guys think.

Sat Dec 16:
Early AM Flight - arrive MCO noonish
Pick up rental car & luggage
Lunch on way to Royal Pacific Resort
Check in Resort, head to Universal Studios
Dinner at Margarittaville

Sun Dec 17:
Breakfast - Cinnabon/Pastamore - Citywalk
Universal Studios AM & PM park
Lunch - Monster Cafe
Dinner - Nascar Cafe

Mon Dec 18:
Breakfast - Cinnabon/Pastamore - Citywalk
IOA AM & PM park
Lunch - Burger Digs
Dinner - Margarittaville (gotta have one more margaritta)

Tues Dec 19:
Breakfast - Cinnabon/Pastamore - Citywalk
IOA AM
Lunch - Snack
Head for Wilderness Lodge for check in about 2 pm
Head to MK for MVMCP at 4:00
Dinner - Crystal Palace 4:30ish
Watch parades, fireworks & shows

Wed Dec 20:
Breakfast - Chef Mickey's 9:30
Epcot after breakfast to tour the countries and see the Santa's
Le Cellier CDP - 4:30ish?
CDP - second show
(Illuminations - will we have time?)

Thur Dec 21:
Breakfast - Roaring Forks
MGM for opening
Lunch - Beaches & Cream
Dinner - Whispering Canyon Cafe

Fri Dec 22:
Breakfast - Roaring Forks
MK for opening
Lunch - Cosmic Rays
Dinner - Pepper Market

Sat Dec 23: (DD's Birthday - she planned the day)
Breakfast - Donald's @ AK
AK for opening
Dinner - Chef Mickey's
Evening Sleigh Ride

Sun Dec 24:
Breakfast - Ohana 9:30
Open morning for shopping/get ready for Christmas
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for Ally
Lunch - Snack
Afternoon arrival at MGM for parade & Fantasmic
Dinner - Hollywood & Vine FDP 4:30ish

Mon Dec 25:
Christmas morning - presents & breakfast in room
Christmas Lunch - Whispering Canyon Cafe 12:30
Christmas Dinner - 1900 Park Fare 6:30
Evening round of Mini Golf

Tues Dec 26:
Breakfast - Crystal Palace
MK for opening
Lunch - MK CS
Dinner - Pepper Market

Wed Dec 27:
Breakfast - room
Epcot for opening
Lunch - CS
Dinner - Concourse Steakhouse

Thur Dec 28:
Breakfast - Room
AK for opening
Lunch - Pizzafari or Flametree
Dinner - Rainforest Cafe

Fri Dec 29:
Breakfast - Room
MGM for opening (DH & DS)
Grand Adventures in Cooking for DD
Lunch - Beaches & Cream
Dinner - ?ESPN maybe

Sat Dec 30:
Breakfast - Room
MK for opening
Lunch - Cosmic Rays
Late flight home

We will normally leave the parks and not return in the evenings. Our plan is to do as much of the Christmas stuff as possible and in the evening resort hop some to view the different Christmas decorations. If the weather is nice we will have to spend time at the pools as well.

I'm not sure on dining times yet. The breakfasts will all be early am before park openings and we will be at the parks ready to go for opening.

I had originally planned to go to the Candlelight Processional on Christmas Eve but with the additional MVMCP's I thought Epcot would be a great place to be on Wednesday night, figure everyone else will be at the MK!

So does anyone have any thouhgts?
Lori

Edited to make a few changes! Thanks for all the input everyone!

 

[tomandrobin]

Are you spending any time at Osborne's?

 

[bobbiwoz]

If you go to any of the Candlelight Processional shows, you will be able to see Illuminations after. It's going to be a wonderful vacation, lucky you! We're going to be at BWV Dec. 16th to the 20th and you're just barely beginning your vacation and ours will be over. I think we'll be at the same MVMCP as you!

Bobbi

 

[loribell]

Yes we will attend the Osborne Lights on one evening, just not sure which night yet. I'm sure I left out plenty of other things as well so if you see anything else please post it here.

Bobbi,
I was thrilled to see the additions to MVMCP. Now we can go to something other than the last one. Maybe we will see you there!

Thanks,
Lori

 

[carol1231]

Don't forget to keep some time open for the Member's Merry Mixer. I think they were on Thursdays last year.? They are fun, our kids had a great time!

 

[loribell]

Carol,

What exactly is the Member's Merry Mixer?

Thanks,
Lori

 

[carol1231]

It is a party given by DVC for members. Last year was the first that we had attended. It was located in the area behind International Gateway just before you enter Epcot (under those big canopys). They served Christmas cookies, hot cider. There was a dj playing music and there were some games and activities for the kids. DVC CM's were there, there was DVC merchandise for sale. And at the end when you exit, you were given a DVC ornament (one per family). It started around 4pm (?). I was glad we were there at that time of the week and able to attend

 

[Rella Bella]

Sounds like a fun and busy week. BUT I highly recommend doing CP or getting an early ADR on your MVMCP night. We went twice last Dec and both nights Cosmic Rays was packed! The first night DH was "starving" and very determined to eat there but the line took forever! They ran out of food (? ? how could this happen??) and he was in line for all of Wishes! When we came back he still wasn't up to the front! The second night we didn't have & couldn't get an ADR in the park, so we ate before we went in.

If you get in at 4:00, all the rides are still running, so you could do a few things that won't be open during the party and then have an ADR. Since you're making ADR's so early, you should be able to get whatever you want.

That first night we arrived about 5:45 and you could barely walk up Main Street for the crowds headed out! We hit Casey's right away and after that the rides we're all closed except Frontier Land, where they gathered the party guests, and it was pretty packed. So we hung out at the theater in Tomorrow Land waiting for the 6:45 show. It was standing room only and of course we were standing.

Long story short... next time we will get an ADR for about 5:30 and miss all the waiting & confusion and get a good meal so we'll be satisfied with just Hot Cocoa & cookies the rest of the night! We were both surprised by how fast the time flew by! There is so much to see and do, it was midnight before we knew it! Oh, you're going to have a wonderful time!

 

[Doctor P]

Having gone at this time of year several times, my opinion and advice is that 1) you have probably tried to cram too much in to each day and 2) you are going to be hopping around a little bit too much. It sounds like a very fun vacation and one that I would love taking, but I fear the pace may be a bit too high given the crowds, etc. I think you will enjoy yourselves a lot more if you allowed some things to just happen rather than planning out some many ADR's that require you to go from place to place almost every day (that doesn't mean not to have ADR's every day, just don't try to do them every meal). In addition, at that time of year, I think you will find that if you want to be at the parks at opening you will not be able to do some of the breakfasts you have planned. Several of the restaurants don't begin breakfast seatings until 7:30 am and all the parks during Christmas week are generally open by 8:00 am (officially or unofficially) with some open at 7:00 am ( I do notice that most of Xmas week you are doing breakfast in the room, but even the previous week you may run into some problems). When we were there last Christmas, some of the parks did not close until 4:00 or 5:00 am, so if you intend to use late EMH you may want to account for that, too. I am not in any way trying to be harsh, but I would recommend slowing your pace a little (stop and smell the roses) and plan things so you don't have to travel as much or as far each day.

 

[FRANKTSJR]

Lucky you!

 

[Judique]

You know I really can't believe that I need to make my dining reservations in just a little over a month. Now that MVMCP dates have been posted I have come up with my tentative itinerary. Let me know what you guys think.


Late flight home

We will normally leave the parks and not return in the evenings. Our plan is to do as much of the Christmas stuff as possible and in the evening resort hop some to view the different Christmas decorations. If the weather is nice we will have to spend time at the pools as well.

I'm not sure on dining times yet. The breakfasts will all be early am before park openings and we will be at the parks ready to go for opening.

I had originally planned to go to the Candlelight Processional on Christmas Eve but with the additional MVMCP's I thought Epcot would be a great place to be on Wednesday night, figure everyone else will be at the MK!

So does anyone have any thouhgts?
Lori

I think I want to come with you! Sounds wonderful!

 

[loribell]

Carol - thanks for the info on the Merry Mixer. We will try to check it out.

Rella - thanks for the insite on Cosmic Rays. I will definetly go ahead and book CP for an early ADR. I'm thinking around 4:30 or 5:00?

Dr P - thanks so much for the advice. What I didn't mention was that we seldom ever stay in the parks much past 1 or 2 in the afternoon. It really is much more laid back than it looks! I will be sure to be in the park for our meal for the Candlelight Processional, Fantasmic and the Osborne Lights but other than that the evening meals at other places shouldn't be a problem because we will already be out of the parks with no intention of going back. For the two morning ADR's at Donald's & CP we will just wing it, especially the one at Donald's since that is DD's birthday and she planned that day. If we can't get our breakfast over with before the park opens we will either schedule a little later breakfast or just not be out in the park for opening. Believe me we will not over do it, if we don't feel like doing something we won't. Thanks again for the advice!

Franktsjr,
Yes we are very lucky! Now if only I could find a way to make it back before then!

Judique,
The more the merrier!

Thanks again everyone,
Lori

 

[mlill]

I feel so behind in my planning after seeing your fabulous itinerary! Great job! I think you guys will have a wonderful Christmas vacation!!!

-Michelle

 

[JodyTG]

You're going to be there they same time as my familiy and me. We're flying down Saturday, December 16 and leaving Saturday, December 30 at the Boardwalk Villas. My DH & DD will be visiting Universal on day on our last week while I stay back at WDW with our 2 year old DS. He likes to go shopping with mommy right now, so I guess I'd better get as much in as possible before THAT changes.

We haven't decided whether or not we'll do the MVMCP. I've heard that it is very, VERY crowded so you're not really able to see too much of the special stuff. If I heard wrong, someone please tell me and I'll get those tickets, too!

 

[Doctor P]

Dr P - thanks so much for the advice. What I didn't mention was that we seldom ever stay in the parks much past 1 or 2 in the afternoon. It really is much more laid back than it looks! I will be sure to be in the park for our meal for the Candlelight Processional, Fantasmic and the Osborne Lights but other than that the evening meals at other places shouldn't be a problem because we will already be out of the parks with no intention of going back. For the two morning ADR's at Donald's & CP we will just wing it, especially the one at Donald's since that is DD's birthday and she planned that day. If we can't get our breakfast over with before the park opens we will either schedule a little later breakfast or just not be out in the park for opening. Believe me we will not over do it, if we don't feel like doing something we won't. Thanks again for the advice!
Lori

That definitely does make a big difference and is a very good strategy. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[loribell]

I do have a question about the Osborne Lights. Is it possible to do it on the same night as we do Fantasmic or do I need to plan it on a different night?

Thanks again everyone!
Lori

 

[loribell]

You're going to be there they same time as my familiy and me. We're flying down Saturday, December 16 and leaving Saturday, December 30 at the Boardwalk Villas. My DH & DD will be visiting Universal on day on our last week while I stay back at WDW with our 2 year old DS. He likes to go shopping with mommy right now, so I guess I'd better get as much in as possible before THAT changes.

We haven't decided whether or not we'll do the MVMCP. I've heard that it is very, VERY crowded so you're not really able to see too much of the special stuff. If I heard wrong, someone please tell me and I'll get those tickets, too!

Jody,
I have heard that it is pretty busy and I have heard that it is great. I do know that we absolutely loved MNSSHP so we are definetly doing the Christmas party. Whats even better is that they added extra ones so now I don't have to go to one of the last two.

I really would have preferred to do Universal last but my rooms there would have been about $40 per night more.

Maybe we will bump in to you somewhere, the Merry Mixer sounds interesting.

Lori

 

[tomandrobin]

I do have a question about the Osborne Lights. Is it possible to do it on the same night as we do Fantasmic or do I need to plan it on a different night?Lori

I don't see that being a problem. You just walk through the streets. We actually go several nights to see them. First, its just a "WOW" factor. Second, with so many lights and decorations you will miss something the first time thru. We love it! Our kids which are 13,15 and 21 are really looking forward to our trip dec 27 thru jan 2 this year. Osborne Lights will be the first night activity we will go see.