(Christmas) Lights, Decorations, Action ..A Post-Christmas PTR (update 12/22-page 42)

[Poolrat]

Finally got to checking back in around here.
Great that you will have extra time.
MK with a monorail "crawl " to see the decorations or DHS with a boat ride to the Boardwalk resorts. Both do an incredible job.

 

[onescgirl]

I was hoping we can catch a lot of the Santa's in WS on this trip, so that would certainly help the cause!

What does this mean? They have a lot of Santa's walking around?


And, I hope you're able to get your days changed. That would be great to get in a extra night.

 

[marvali]

Finally got to checking back in around here.
Great that you will have extra time.
MK with a monorail "crawl " to see the decorations or DHS with a boat ride to the Boardwalk resorts. Both do an incredible job.

I don't think I can go wrong with either decision!

What does this mean? They have a lot of Santa's walking around?


And, I hope you're able to get your days changed. That would be great to get in a extra night.

I think they actually refer to them as Storytellers. My understanding is that each country has someone dressed in traditional "Santa" attire and tells the story/history of Christmas in their particular country, and their particular version of Santa. I think it will be really interesting to hear the different traditions.

 

[onescgirl]

Oh, that would be neat.

I would LOVE to visit WDW at Christmas one day! As of now, I'll just have to see it through your TR. So, take plenty of pics!

 

[marvali]

Oh, that would be neat.

I would LOVE to visit WDW at Christmas one day! As of now, I'll just have to see it through your TR. So, take plenty of pics!

Will take lots of pics. I will probably take the laptop with me on the trip. I tend to do better with a TR if I just do it live each day while we are there. Easier to remember everything that happened and put it all down while relaxing in the room.

 

[KatMark]

Just popping in to say good morning, Marv. It is a cold, dreary day here and I was thinking that soon you'll be in the Sunshine State where it is warmer and I will be very busy taking over a certain thread....

 

[marvali]

Just popping in to say good morning, Marv. It is a cold, dreary day here and I was thinking that soon you'll be in the Sunshine State where it is warmer and I will be very busy taking over a certain thread....

Just remember, I'll probably be shopping for some new wooden spoons while I am there, so you and Rosie better not get too comfy in here..........

 

[vamassey1]

Finally getting caught back up. I got way behind during October. Doesn't look like I missed much here, just an update or two and lots of insults.

On your arrival day, I would opt for MK, just because there is more to do. But I guess it would depend on what time you make it there. Getting some shows done at DHS would be good too.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

I don't think I can go wrong with either decision!
I think they actually refer to them as Storytellers. My understanding is that each country has someone dressed in traditional "Santa" attire and tells the story/history of Christmas in their particular country, and their particular version of Santa. I think it will be really interesting to hear the different traditions.

the norway one is really funny, we saw a few minutes of it.


and im sure you would like it glenn, a norwegian blond telling the story.

 

[All7OfUs]

Hey! 'Sup?

So, you're going to buy some spoons there?? This is gonna be guuuuuuuuud. I want to see that first conversation when your wifey opens the suitcase and finds it. Please.

 

[marvali]

Finally getting caught back up. I got way behind during October. Doesn't look like I missed much here, just an update or two and lots of insults.

On your arrival day, I would opt for MK, just because there is more to do. But I guess it would depend on what time you make it there. Getting some shows done at DHS would be good too.

I think this is a busy time for everyone Vanessa! Thinks are starting to pick up though; update in a minute!

I'm guessing it will probably end up being MK. When we arrive we will have to go by Guest Relations and swap our vouchers in for our Annual Passes. The good news is that will probably get done when we arrive, so we won't have to take time the next day getting them before we can enter the parks. Since we will be able to hit Epcot for more of our first day now, I'm thinking a leisurely evening at MK and then getting some sleep will probably be the best option.

Now on to important stuff......who you pulling for in the SEC Championship game since LSU didn't make it???

the norway one is really funny, we saw a few minutes of it.


and im sure you would like it glenn, a norwegian blond telling the story.

I'll have to remember Norway comes highly recommended by my good buddy Dan! And yeah, Glenn is the only one who would be interested in a blond Scandinavian.........

Hey! 'Sup?

So, you're going to buy some spoons there?? This is gonna be guuuuuuuuud. I want to see that first conversation when your wifey opens the suitcase and finds it. Please.

I never said anything about "buying" only taking pictures.......however, buying is always a possibility!!! I'm sure DW would do what she always does.......

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

I'll have to remember Norway comes highly recommended by my good buddy Dan! And yeah, Glenn is the only one who would be interested in a blond Scandinavian.........

 

[glennbo123]

And yeah, Glenn is the only one who would be interested in a blond Scandinavian.........

Yes, I'm the ooooonly one.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

here is a short video i took of the show 2 years ago.

 

[marvali]

Time for a trip update! No, not the upcoming trip in December, but the other trip I am planning for June 2011 that I mentioned earlier. Finally got around to calling DVC Member Services today since our 7-month reservation window had opened, and I was able to change our reservation from AKV-Kidani to a 1 Bedroom Villa at OKW Resort!!! Right now they have our reservation for the Hospitality House area of the resort, but I may end up calling back and changing that before we go.

The CM who handled my call asked me why I wanted to change from Kidani to OKW, I guess for their feedback in case there are problems. I told her our last trip there, some guy with a mustache kept stalking me and I was afraid to go back!!! (j/k Glenn!!!)

Actually I told her that we stayed there our last trip, and we were staying there again this coming New Years trip. I told her we love our home resort, Kidani, but it was just a chance to stay somewhere different. The good news is that they are doing refurbishment to all of the Villas at OKW, and those are supposed to be completed around March I think, so our room should be in great condition. The other benefit of the refurbishment is, since the rooms at OKW are so large, they are adding the sleeper sofa like they have at AKV and BLT, so the 1-BR villas will now sleep 5 instead of 4.

Of course that still brings us back to the question of whether or not Matt will be able to take this trip with us anyway. Hopefully the Navy won't need him to report before he gets to go with us, but the extra sleeping arrangements will still come in handy!

While I was on the phone, I also took the opportunity to spread out the cost of our tickets. I went ahead and ordered two of our Annual Passes at the DVC discount price. With a New Years trip, followed by the one in June, we will get good use out of APs with our time in the parks, and the discounts on dining, etc. I will order the rest of the APs in a few weeks, along with adding the DDP to our New Years stay and we will be down to just needing to pack!!!

It is finally starting to get exciting with the trip getting so close!!! With the holidays coming and all the related travel, it is time to really start firming up the last of the plans, and start getting some stuff together. It will be here quicker than we realize!!!

 

[mom3sonstt]

here is a short video i took of the show 2 years ago.

Cute! The one we saw was a little different. Same cute blonde, and same little elf gu - but our little elf guy would blow a whistle and the blonde would spin around and freeze and the elf guy would say something or do something, usually involving turning her around or pointing her in a different direction. Then she would snap out of it and be confused because "we" had moved. It was my favorite one of the ones I saw. My friend's favorite was Germany.

 

[KatMark]

Time for a trip update! No, not the upcoming trip in December, but the other trip I am planning for June 2011 that I mentioned earlier. Finally got around to calling DVC Member Services today since our 7-month reservation window had opened, and I was able to change our reservation from AKV-Kidani to a 1 Bedroom Villa at OKW Resort!!! Right now they have our reservation for the Hospitality House area of the resort, but I may end up calling back and changing that before we go.

The CM who handled my call asked me why I wanted to change from Kidani to OKW, I guess for their feedback in case there are problems. I told her our last trip there, some guy with a mustache kept stalking me and I was afraid to go back!!! (j/k Glenn!!!)

Actually I told her that we stayed there our last trip, and we were staying there again this coming New Years trip. I told her we love our home resort, Kidani, but it was just a chance to stay somewhere different. The good news is that they are doing refurbishment to all of the Villas at OKW, and those are supposed to be completed around March I think, so our room should be in great condition. The other benefit of the refurbishment is, since the rooms at OKW are so large, they are adding the sleeper sofa like they have at AKV and BLT, so the 1-BR villas will now sleep 5 instead of 4.

Of course that still brings us back to the question of whether or not Matt will be able to take this trip with us anyway. Hopefully the Navy won't need him to report before he gets to go with us, but the extra sleeping arrangements will still come in handy!

While I was on the phone, I also took the opportunity to spread out the cost of our tickets. I went ahead and ordered two of our Annual Passes at the DVC discount price. With a New Years trip, followed by the one in June, we will get good use out of APs with our time in the parks, and the discounts on dining, etc. I will order the rest of the APs in a few weeks, along with adding the DDP to our New Years stay and we will be down to just needing to pack!!!

It is finally starting to get exciting with the trip getting so close!!! With the holidays coming and all the related travel, it is time to really start firming up the last of the plans, and start getting some stuff together. It will be here quicker than we realize!!!

for your next trip after this one. I'll be curious to hear what you think of Old Key West (I've heard pros and cons).

So you are adding the DDP to your New Years stay. Remind me...since it is so far between updates...do you have your ADR's made? I am assuming so at this late stage but can't remember where you are going (yes, I know...my old age is showing again).

 

[All7OfUs]

I dunno, I think it's ONLY me, but the theming at OKW just doesn't interest me IN THE LEAST! To condovillagesque looking to me. But, I'm super excited that you have a trip planned and know you'll love doing something different. Like Kathy, I'm curious to know your impressions of it.

 

[marvali]

for your next trip after this one. I'll be curious to hear what you think of Old Key West (I've heard pros and cons).

So you are adding the DDP to your New Years stay. Remind me...since it is so far between updates...do you have your ADR's made? I am assuming so at this late stage but can't remember where you are going (yes, I know...my old age is showing again).

Yes on the ADRs. I did those as soon as the window opened. I will have to go back and look. I think they are all listed in the first 3 or 4 pages. I know when we do Epcot on the 29th we have dinner at Tutto Italia. MK day we are going to WCC at the Wilderness Lodge, DHS day we have a lunch at 50s PT, and dinner at Cape May Cafe I think. The AK day I have dinner ressies at Yak & Yeti and Boma. Have to cancel one of those. Will probably stick with eating at Y&Y before leaving the park. Oh, and on our final night when we have our full day at Epcot, we have one some place I can't remember.......let's see, what was it......oh yeah, Le Cellier!!!

Unless I decide to keep Boma, the only one of these we have done before is 50s PT, so lots of new experiences coming our way on this trip!!!

 

[mom3sonstt]

Why would you want to change out of the Hospitality House area? We usually request that area - only we have always been in a 2BR and requested the "new" buildings - buildings 62, 63 & 64 I think. They were the last ones built, and are actully located where the DVC offices and models used to be located. Those buildings are some of the few with elevators. And where the laundry room is - those have a door to the bathroom - so people in the living room don't have to go through the master bedroom to get to the bathroom - they can just cut through the laundry hall to get there. The rooms that I think are actually"classified" as Hospitality House are the 10's that are across the parking lot from the HH bus stop. They don't have that extra door-way. I think I have specifically requested building numbers before, then I think I switched to requesting a room with the 2nd door to the bathroom. Since they have added a Hospitality House booking category we haven't been there. That's about the time the Treehouses opened and we decided to venture on beyond the confines of our beloved Old Key West.

Do you have any idea when you will know whether all the boys will get to go? I hope everything works out so he can go too. The first trip with one person missing is kind of strange.


Since you will have AP's - whenever you buy anything ask if they offer an AP discount. Maybe you already knew about it - and maybe it's new - but in all the trips I have gone, this last trip was the first time a cashier asked me if I had any discounts. When I asked her "like what?" she said annual pass - this was at MouseGears. We also got the discount at the boardwalk gift shops and other in park stores. I had always thought it was only available at the Downtown Disney Stores. Wish I had that cashier earlier in the trip!

Enjoy your trip! You have 2 lined up before I get back to my next one