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

[marvali]

I gues I forgot SPELL CHECK!!! Now Magdalena is getting in on the Act!! Marv what have you done ??? You are corrupting our international Dissers !!!

Well good grief Rosie, where did you think the term "getting DISed" came from???

Jst for the fun of it, I checked on Google and realized that it is only 6 hours 35 minutes drive time from my house to Disneyland Paris... Wow! Katharina and I did this drive once, but I still prefer to fly. I think with our gas prices here in Europe it is even cheaper to fly (kerosin for airplanes does not have a tax, but gas for cars has a very high tax, don't ask how sensible this is...).

5 extra hours at Epcot sound great! I just saw this morning on wdwmagic that Epcot hours have been extended as well for the week after Christmas, especially in the mornings. They open at 8 am every morning and the WS also opens at 10am then - more time for you to spend there checking out the different story tellers!

Well, with only two of you and both work, I guess flying isn't so bad! But paying for FIVE airline tickets!!! Interesting that you can fly cheaper. I would prefer to fly. When there were only 4 of us, and we were taking DS18 for his first trip years ago, we actually flew for "free." I had to travel so much for business back then that I had enough frequent flyer miles for 4 tickets. Actually added one additional new "ride" to the trip for the boys.

Yea, 5 extra hours in Epcot, PLUS the extra evening in the MK the night before! I'm keeping a constant eye out for any park hours changes to adjust our schedule as needed. Early opening won't help much that first day, since we will be checking out of our off-site hotel, and into Kidani. But it will definitely make a difference later in the trip on our Epcot day when we have our LeCellier ADR. Like you said, the extra 5 hours will definitely allow us to catch more of the story tellers, since we will probably arrive that day about the time WS opens!!! Of course, will grab some fastpasses on the way in for later for sure!

 

[nodnol]

Jst for the fun of it, I checked on Google and realized that it is only 6 hours 35 minutes drive time from my house to Disneyland Paris... Wow! Katharina and I did this drive once, but I still prefer to fly. I think with our gas prices here in Europe it is even cheaper to fly (kerosin for airplanes does not have a tax, but gas for cars has a very high tax, don't ask how sensible this is...).

Well, with only two of you and both work, I guess flying isn't so bad! But paying for FIVE airline tickets!!! Interesting that you can fly cheaper. I would prefer to fly. When there were only 4 of us, and we were taking DS18 for his first trip years ago, we actually flew for "free." I had to travel so much for business back then that I had enough frequent flyer miles for 4 tickets. Actually added one additional new "ride" to the trip for the boys.

And for me it would be a drive of about 10 hours, maybe a little more to pick Magdelene up on the way west... And from what I heared, driving on American highways is much more relaxing than on a German Autobahn. I would love to go by train (very relaxing and environment friendly), but it is much too expensive and takes about a day....

Marv, your trip is getting really close!!!! I hope you will enjoy the trip - and be a hard-working reporter

 

[marvali]

And for me it would be a drive of about 10 hours, maybe a little more to pick Magdelene up on the way west... And from what I heared, driving on American highways is much more relaxing than on a German Autobahn. I would love to go by train (very relaxing and environment friendly), but it is much too expensive and takes about a day....

Marv, your trip is getting really close!!!! I hope you will enjoy the trip - and be a hard-working reporter

Thanks Katharina! I'm starting to get that pre-trip panic of whether I have thought of and taken care of everything.

I plan to take the laptop with me. It is usually easier for me to actually do a TR live during down times, instead of having to try and remember everything later. I hope to at least give brief daily updates. Then when I get back home, I will at least have an outline I can fill in with more details! Plus the added bonus of making sure Kathy and Rosie behave while I'm away!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Thanks Katharina! I'm starting to get that pre-trip panic of whether I have thought of and taken care of everything.

I plan to take the laptop with me. It is usually easier for me to actually do a TR live during down times, instead of having to try and remember everything later. I hope to at least give brief daily updates. Then when I get back home, I will at least have an outline I can fill in with more details! Plus the added bonus of making sure Kathy and Rosie behave while I'm away!!!

Hmm Live updates that Kathy and I can "fill" in the TRUTH from !Sounds Interesting Dear Watson!!!

 

[KatMark]

Thanks Katharina! I'm starting to get that pre-trip panic of whether I have thought of and taken care of everything.

I plan to take the laptop with me. It is usually easier for me to actually do a TR live during down times, instead of having to try and remember everything later. I hope to at least give brief daily updates. Then when I get back home, I will at least have an outline I can fill in with more details! Plus the added bonus of making sure Kathy and Rosie behave while I'm away!!!

Marv, the reason you tend to NOT be able to remember everything is because you are close to MY age.

Hmm Live updates that Kathy and I can "fill" in the TRUTH from !Sounds Interesting Dear Watson!!!

Payback time is so sweet, isn't it Rosie?

 

[marvali]

Hmm Live updates that Kathy and I can "fill" in the TRUTH from !Sounds Interesting Dear Watson!!!

Rosie??? Truth??? Isn't that an oxymoron??? I'm sure you two will be very creative though. Of course, I would expect nothing less....

Marv, the reason you tend to NOT be able to remember everything is because you are close to MY age.

That might have a little something to do with it, but I'm guessing the fact it was almost a year and a half ago doesn't help.

Payback time is so sweet, isn't it Rosie?

Payback time??? Why would you need payback time??? I was really good to you on your PTR!!!

Two weeks from today we will be arriving in Orlando, within hopefully an hour of right now!!!

 

[KatMark]

Two weeks from today we will be arriving in Orlando, within hopefully an hour of right now!!!

it's almost here.

 

[marvali]

Day 1 - Travel Day!!!

We will be heading out on our journey to WDW two weeks from yesterday, so time for some updates about our trip. Plus, this is a good way for me to go through everything and make sure I'm not forgetting anything important!!!

We will be visiting family on Christmas day, and the two days following, so we will already be on the road. We'll leave for Disney from my Dad's house, so we will actually be about an hour closer driving time than from home; even though it will take about 6 hours to eventually get there. I have already ordered two of our APs and need to get the other two ordered this week.

Since there is a chance he won't be able to join us on our trip next June, I am going to purchase a MYW-PH ticket for DS21 when we arrive. I started to order it ahead and have it delivered to us, but this close to Christmas I was worried about it getting caught up in the shipping crush and not making it before we leave. The place where I always purchase discount tickets would probably get it here on time, but I calculated the difference on price with shipping added in, and there is only about a $5 difference between that and the gate price, so no need to risk it.

Estimated driving time from my Dad's to Orlando is 7 hours, 20 minutes. The ticket discounter is open until 6:00pm, so if we can make it before they close, we can pick it up when we arrive and the savings will be closer to $15. My goal is to leave my Dad's by 9:00am, which will give us plenty of time to make it with stops for food, gas and potty breaks. I don't have a problem making the 9:00am schedule, but sometimes the family doesn't move so quickly in the mornings, plus trying to leave my Dad behind and get on the road I'm sure isn't going to be easy since this is the first Christmas without Mom. Will we make it before they close or have to just get Matt a ticket at the gate???

My original plans were to work that Tuesday and drive part way after work, arriving at our DVC home resort of Kidani early afternoon on Wednesday. Since I was able to adjust my work schedule to be off the whole week after Christmas, we will arrive in Orlando the day before our reservation, so we are spending the first night at an off-site hotel. The good news is we will be about 5 minutes from Kidani instead of a 4-1/2 hour drive away like we would have been originally. With two sons in college now we have had a lot of hotel stays when we took them to school and went back for weekend visits. The good news is we accumulated enough frequent traveler points that our off-site stay the first night will be $$ free!!! Free is always good!

After we get all checked in at the hotel, and probably get something to eat for dinner, we will head out for our first glimpse of

After swapping our AP vouchers for the real thing, and buying Matt a PH ticket if we still need to, we will all be anxious to get our first glimpse of

And........

I know the boys will be anxious to see how much riding they can get done in a few short hours, but DW and I plan to just make this a slow-paced (can you really expect anything slow-paced with the Christmas crowds?) stroll through the park, enjoying all the decorations and lights. If we get the chance to ride anything without spending all of our time in line, then we will probably take advantage. The HM and BTMR at night would certainly be a goal, and we can't wait to ride SM and check out the refurb since our last visit, but that one will probably have to wait until our return a few days later for our MK day!

Our big goal on this first night will be to stake out a good spot for our first MK viewing of MSEP! DW and I saw this at Disneyland 25 years ago, so we can't wait to see it again! And of course, we will certainly look forward to enjoying

and

and

The last time we were there, we got to see Wishes from a totally different perspective. We saw it from the top floor of BLT when we took our "marketing" tour the same night as Glenn and his wonderful family. This is what it looks like from there.

Glenn, it won't be the same this trip without you stalking us all over WDW!!!

Coming up - Day 2! (1 and a half???)

 

[englishrose47]

Great Plans Marv!!! Can't wait for the first full day !! Or do we have to wait for live updates ??

 

[KatMark]

Day 1 plans sound great Marv. Are you and DW just going to let the boys go to their own thing while you guys stroll around taking in all the decorations, etc?

I'm sending you and your Dad a ; I know first hand how tough that first Christmas is when you've lost a loved one. But having family around is a huge comfort.

 

[glennbo123]

Glenn, it won't be the same this trip without you stalking us all over WDW!!!

Tell me when you'll be near the UK phone booths and I'll call you.

 

[englishrose47]

Tell me when you'll be near the UK phone booths and I'll call you.

 

[marvali]

Great Plans Marv!!! Can't wait for the first full day !! Or do we have to wait for live updates ??

Thanks Rosie! No, since we are getting so close now, I plan to be more consistent with updates and cover the plans for all of the days like this before we leave. That way you and Kathy will know when it is safe to sneak in and wreak your havoc!

Day 1 plans sound great Marv. Are you and DW just going to let the boys go to their own thing while you guys stroll around taking in all the decorations, etc?

Thanks Kathy! The boys will probably run off and do their thing, at least the first night! The oldest two are old enough to watch out for their little brother, and they know that if I ever get a call from security that they weren't on their best behavior, first off I don't know them, and secondly their freedom will be drastically reduced!!! There are times we stay together for family time, but they have been allowed to roam freely for the past couple of years, and they are good kids, so never any issues!

I'm sending you and your Dad a ; I know first hand how tough that first Christmas is when you've lost a loved one. But having family around is a huge comfort.

Thanks so much! I know it will be tough. We will be spending a little more time with Dad this year than the In-laws, but I know he will need it!

Tell me when you'll be near the UK phone booths and I'll call you.

I would expect that out of Rosie!!! Okay, but you have to brush up on your British words and sayings in case I try that test Magdalene mentioned and I need you to supply me with some of the answers!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Wow! I thought I was having a dream ... or a nightmare! Marv is posting an update!!!! Yesterday morning I was dreaming about being on a cruise and getting lost, getting trapped on the stairs, only to get down and find I was stepping down onto the bar and knocking over the drinks, etc. So, you can see why I am pinching myself today!

When I saw "2 weeks" I got so excited for you!

I know you'll have a great time! If you have time, check out the ticket prices at SOG - sometimes it's worth it to take the monorail to the poly and walk over to the ticket window there. Disney is offering a great military discount right now, but blacked out Dec 27 - Dec 31. Nice. Here is the site for the SOG:

http://shadesofgreen.org/ATT.htm

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Hey Marv, looks like you have some great plans. I can't wait to see all your holiday pictures.

 

[All7OfUs]

2 weeks is hardly any time at all!!! I"m so excited- and it's not even my trip.

I"m also very glad you get to spend Christmas with your dad- we are RIGHT in the midst of going through that ourselves- so know what it's like. Mike and my FIL are already having a hard time with this first Christmas without Mom.

Your first day's plans look perfect. That first view of the castle is always so thrilling- no matter how many times you've been before!!

good call on not having that ticket shipped- you're right WAY too close to the Christmas shipping crush!

"Free is good" has been a long-standing motto for me!

 

[marvali]

Well, things just possibly went crappy on our trip plans!!!! Weather forecast last night was that frozen precipitation (freezing rain, sleet) was on the way, and everyone was expecting a possible delay for schools. But the temperatures were expected to rise into the 40s today, instead of the 30s we've been having, so by 7 or 8 they were expecting temps to be above freezing and the problems to quickly disappear.

Well, in anticipation this morning before heading down our steep driveway, I walked out the front door and checked before heading to work. When I hit the first step I'm glad I was holding the wall because even expecting it, I still almost busted my butt!!! Glad I had my hand on the wall of the house instead of the railing, because it was covered in a thin sheet of ice too.

Just after that, we get the word that county schools are closed for the day instead of on delay. Guess when the first inclement weather makeup day is??? The Monday after New Years when we are supposed to be driving home!!! If they decide that will be the makeup day then DW and DS13 will have to be back Sunday to start school back on Monday instead of Tuesday!

Stay tuned for some last second changes to our trip plans!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Oh no!! I hope they will have a different makeup day!! (I guess makeup day does not involve everyone wearing mascara and lipstick at school???)

I hope you stay safe in those horrible weather conditions! We already had a lot more winter here than we usually have in December...

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

That bites! You would think since the Christmas holiday is nearly upon us that they would choose a different makeup day since most families have made travel arrangements and holiday plans.

 

[lovealldisney]

Well, things just possibly went crappy on our trip plans!!!! Weather forecast last night was that frozen precipitation (freezing rain, sleet) was on the way, and everyone was expecting a possible delay for schools. But the temperatures were expected to rise into the 40s today, instead of the 30s we've been having, so by 7 or 8 they were expecting temps to be above freezing and the problems to quickly disappear.

Well, in anticipation this morning before heading down our steep driveway, I walked out the front door and checked before heading to work. When I hit the first step I'm glad I was holding the wall because even expecting it, I still almost busted my butt!!! Glad I had my hand on the wall of the house instead of the railing, because it was covered in a thin sheet of ice too.

Just after that, we get the word that county schools are closed for the day instead of on delay. Guess when the first inclement weather makeup day is??? The Monday after New Years when we are supposed to be driving home!!! If they decide that will be the makeup day then DW and DS13 will have to be back Sunday to start school back on Monday instead of Tuesday!

Stay tuned for some last second changes to our trip plans!!!

Not to sound cruel but I am laughing over this! Closing schools over icey conditions is that right or did you have snow as well? But then again I see you are from S.C. where I'm sure you don't get near the weather we get here in Wisconsin. I think this must be still part of the storm system that came through here last week. Hugh snow storms where they ended up closing most of the interstate highways. We didn't have it to bad because the city we live in is on the shores of Lake Michigan so we ended up with mostly rain! But then the freezing cold front came after that with winds up to 50-60 miles per hour and temps. below freezing! We finally are back up into the 20's but still cold. And we have had no school closing as of yet. Our schools figure in snow days, so if schools do close they push back the end of the school year by one day. My kids live for school closings in winter!