Christmas Road Trip that's not a road trip any more! Update with TR link 1/1/14

[Suziannie]

I thought I'd post a final itinerary since things have been changed around a little bit since I started this. You know what they say about best laid plans!

Day 0: Not sure what to count this day officially but this is the day I've planned to pack and drop our dogs off for boarding. They go to a fantastic place in Plano we love called Doggie's Wonderland that allows them to pretty much come in and out on their own and just be dogs. Love it!
Day 1: Travel
We lucked out with a mid-afternoon flight and since we planned on driving we'll all be home for a change. Our morning plan is to sleep in (with a two year old this means we might be sleeping in until 7am!) then head out for a nice breakfast. We favor this place here in the Dallas area and it will probably be where we go.

Photo is not mine, Google search results.

After that I'm fairly certain we'll need to stop at Target and pick something up we forgot. Then it will be home and the wait until it's time to load up and head to DFW Airport for our flight!
We're trying a new to us airline and are even going so far as to check both the stroller AND car seat (we rented a special airline safe belt system), the airline doesn't charge for those so that's nice.

We'll put wheels down in Orlando at 7:00pm and head straight to the Alamo desk so we can pick up our car!

Hopefully we'll get to snap one of these, but it will be dark so I'm not sure what will happen.

Also not my photo, another nifty Google search result.

Then we'll head over to Downtown Disney and hopefully be able to really quickly convert our Armed Forces Salute tickets over.

Afterwards we'll be heading over to Shades of Green and hopefully check in will go smoothly. I'd love the opportunity to explore the resort there a bit that night but it will depend on my daughter's mood of course. For dinner, if the mood allows for it we'll walk over here:
http://www.****************/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DSC_0020.jpg
And have something quick and easy. We're late dinner eaters normally, and I think after the flight, and car ride my daughter will be a little bit wound up so a walk and a meal aren't totally out of the question I think.

After that we're going to try for fireworks on the beach but we also might swap that out for a late night swim to better unwind. I booked a poolside room at Shades of Green so I'd really like to take advantage of that since our plans have changed and aren't allowing for a longer visit there.

But doesn't it look lovely there...

My husband and I have been toying with the idea of buying DVC. We want either the Poly (since we're a few years away anyways) or Bay Lake Tower so we're prepared to spend. But on the other hand...thanks to my husband's call to service and desire to remain at least part time involved in the military for the rest of his life we might just make multiple trips to Shades of Green and by APs. If we like it of course. But Shades is such a nice price, how could we not?

To Be Continued...

 

[Suziannie]

Well sadly an ADR will be forcing us out of bed a little early, but I think it's a good one!

I have dreamed about staying at the Polynesian since I was a little girl and colouring in a colouring book that looked an awful lot like this one...

And can you believe that apart from quick trips to the beach there and the bar I've yet to really explore it! Well I have a chance this time because I'm also heading over a little early to stop in at Trader Jack's and get our PhotoPass+ stuff so we can use it at breakfast.

Lilo & Stitch are my in daughters top favorites right now so I'm really glad I set this up way back when I did.

After breakfast we'll be jumping on the monorail and going to see a man about a mouse! We have a 10am Fastpass+ for Space Mountain so we're starting there!
After that we've got another Fastpass+ to meet Mickey Mouse then we'll head out to check into our resort for the weekend, Art of Animation! So excited about staying in one of the Car suites, even if it's not our favorite. Since we're using the Armed Forces Salute we could only pick this sort of room here. I'm not complaining at all since the discount is so generous but if I had it my way we'd be in one of the Nemo suites.

After checking in we're hoping that we can get a quick lunch, then head to the room for a nap break. My husband and I will likely take advantage of the suite concept and watch a movie or maybe we'll get up to something else entirely...

We've got an early ADR though so we won't be in the room long and before we know it we'll be headed back to the Magic Kingdom so we can pay a visit to Belle and her Beast for dinner!!

I am so looking forward to this meal.

After dinner we've got a Fastpass+ for one of my favorite rides...

And I'm not ashamed to admit I've been watching more than a few ride through videos to brush up on where exactly I need to be hitting targets. I'm going to WIN!!

About that time we'll probably see about getting our wrist bands because we've got tickets to the Christmas Party that night!! This is our fist Christmas Party night and I think we may spend the evening focusing on Character meetings and the parade instead of rides. I'm making a point though to stop by and see Woody and Jesse for sure, I love the Diamond Horseshoe and wish they were open like they used to be!

We've also got a reservation for the dessert party and this is the part of the trip I'm looking forward to the most! The whole reason we decided to go at Christmas was for the fireworks!

One of my pre-trip purchases has been a new camera and I've been spending my free time reading up on it and playing around with the various features. I've already figured out how to take great photos in the dark with no flash!! I've even been thinking about getting a tripod too. I'd love to be able to take a few great photos of fireworks.

After the fireworks, if my daughter's mood allows we'll try for a few rides and more characters. I'm fairly certain she'll be ok with it though. She's a great kid and I think it will be ok. But I promise I won't be one of those Mom's who drags a screaming tired kid around the park all night long! We've got a great room to head back to so we don't mind doing so if needed.

That's it for Day 2! Not a bad plan I think.

Also...all of the photos here are results of Google Image Searches.

 

[Suziannie]

We're starting our EPCOT day with a trip to the Beach Club for breakfast with Minnie at the Cape May Cafe. I've heard nothing but great things about this place...but I have to be honest here. The real reason we're going is so I can check this out:

Building a gingerbread house is a long standing family tradition for me so I'm so excited to see something like this!

Afterwards I think we're planning on strolling over to EPCOT. We may drive though. It all depends.

We've got Fastpass+ selections for Future World so we'll spend the morning there. I'm excited to take my daughter to meet Crush and see Nemo. The local aquarium is a frequent stop for us most weekends-we're even season pass holders! So I think this part of our day will go smoothly!

My husband and a NASA nerd. Not sure really what that means but he loves anything NASA related so I think he'll enjoy Mission Space quite a bit!

We didn't do it when we were there last time because I was pregnant and he felt bad about leaving me alone to ride things.
We've also got a Fastpass+ for Test Track. Hopefully Soarin' won't be ridiculous but that's ok if it is. I'm sure we'll find something else to do.

Lunch that day is one of my favorites...

I actually prefer Akershus to Cinderella's Table, I think the food is better. Ariel looks like she might be my daughter's favorite (unless Sofia the First is around of course) so I hope she'll be there! She usually is though.

After lunch we're heading back to our room for a few hours.

That evening we'd like to return to EPCOT and spend some time in the World Showcase. We've got a mini snack crawl with stops to hear the holiday storytellers in a few countries planned instead of a sit down dinner and we're going to shoot for the Candlelight Processional. We couldn't find an ADR that would fit for the package so hopefully it will work out well! We'll stay there as long as our legs and our moods allow!

And that's our EPCOT day!!

 

[Suziannie]

We've got yet another ADR and this one is a pre-park opening breakfast at one of my favorites...Crystal Palace!

Found this on Google, really love the angle!

Hopefully we'll be able to get in a few empty park photos before hand. I'm planning on getting to MK a full 45 minutes in advance. Maybe they'll let us in...maybe we'll have to wait. We'll see!

Our Fastpass+ reservations for the morning include Under the Sea and Enchanted Tales with Belle. I'm hopeful that we'll get those done on Friday but made them just in case. We've got an ADR for lunch...but it's really an opportunity for me to check out the Grand Floridian all decked out for Christmas. Specifically this...

I'm just blown away by the fact that PEOPLE can fit inside of it!

Our lunch is at the Grand Floridian Cafe and that's a first time visit for us.

Afterwards we'll be returning to the hotel for the majority of the afternoon. We don't have an ADR for dinner that night but would like to make it back into Magic Kingdom in time for the Flag Retreat that night. But...we also want to check out the pool at Art of Animation so weather permitting after nap time we'll be heading over to do that.

We've got party tickets that night and since we're planning on focusing on the parades & characters on Friday night I think we'll focus on some rides.
and hopefully shorter lines. We're planning on heading to MK around 6. Ideally we'll get some dinner at Columbia Harbor House but we'll also play it by ear. If we're hungry we may go earlier and skip the pool. If not...we'll take it slow.

If I could just step aside and get on a Fastpass+ soapbox...one of the things that have me so excited about it is that we'll have our MUST do rides set up already. I should say that we're not really Fastpass people anyways but I have found that since I made those plans a lot of the stress surrounding visiting the parks has vanished. I'm really looking forward to NOT rushing first thing in the parks to see what we want to right off the bat. Especially since this trip we're bringing a two year old and our normal rope drop plans probably won't work out so well. So that's how I feel, I see a lot of value in the new program and I really wish more people would not get so worked up about how a massive corporation is choosing to implement a FREE program that makes lines a little shorter. Also, this free program is completely optional to use!

Back to my plans though..

Pretty sure we'll get some cookies and cocoa at least ONCE that night though.

My husband and I are planning on celebrating our birthdays and I've got something great planned for him...not sure what he's doing for me but I may suggest that it on Sunday night he take our daughter back to the room and I'll sit back and enjoy the subtle Kiss Goodnight...

There are a lot of videos on You Tube of it, it's not a fantastic fireworks show but I've decided I need to see it this trip and know it's not fair to keep a two year old and my husband who's not quite as devoted as I am to the Disney Experience.

Also...he's got to be up early the next day...but I'll get into that next post.

I will say this though...all of these photos were found via Google searches.

 

[Suziannie]

One of the ways that we're able to get a second Christmas party in (other than my mix up covered in this post) is that we're retiring our rental car on Saturday instead of keeping it until we go back to the airport on Tuesday.

We choose Saturday instead of Friday when we officially check into a Disney resort because we've got an early ADR at another resort and experience has taught me that it's not always a quick and easy trip on a Disney bus. So with that in mind...my husband's birthday gift got a little tricky since I booked it thinking we had a car of our very own.

I did a little checking and found that a cab between Art of Animation and the Contemporary Resort should cost about $20. Not bad. And cheaper than keeping the rental all week.

So what have I got planned for him? He's going on a Magic Kingdom tour. Specifically...the Behind the Steam Trains tour. His grandfather was a train conductor and his entire family has a soft spot for trains, specifically older ones. So the opportunity to get close like this...

to the trains at the Magic Kingdom, which is actually his favorite ride.

Meanwhile...my daughter and I will sleep in a bit, pack up the room get the bags over to bell services and then head to meet up with him at the Magic Kingdom. I heard that the tour gets out around 10:30 so my daughter and I are planning on meeting him at Starbucks around that time. He'll have his phone, but up until he arrives at the Contemporary he won't know where he's going. My plan is for him to text me for "instructions" once he gets there and I'll unveil it all then.

After we enjoy a snack and coffee we'll head off and do some more rides or whatever. Then I've got lunch plans for us! Specifically Fastpass+ plans so we can spend more time in here:

We've got our food picked out already too.

After lunch we'll meander around the park until we get a text message to let us know it's time to head over to Pop Century to check in!

We'll head to our room for a break and maybe a nap.

In the mid-late afternoon we'll head over to Hollywood Studios!

We've got our Fastpass+ choices set up...Rock 'n' Roller Coaster & Toy Story Mania for sure. We'll also try to catch the Beauty and the Beast show, Star Tours, and of course the Disney Junior Show and maybe even the Little Mermaid show. We've also got a Fastpass+ for Fantasmic. Although I'm not too sure about that one. So I might swap it for something else because I've got an ADR that we really want to keep...

We normally do 2 or 3 signature meals so this trip, which is heavy on breakfast ADRs and character meals is a little different for us. I'm not sad, or complaining as our family dynamic has changed.

This is the first time we're eating here though so that's always fun!

Afterwards we'll see if we can catch the lights that night and then call it a night!

Once again these photos aren't mine. Won't it be nice when I can take some for myself!

 

[Suziannie]

We've come to the final day of our trip. Departure day.

We've been toying with the idea of adding tickets for a trip to Animal Kingdom but decided that we'd probably do better with a more restful day. So we'll wake up and maybe stay in bed for a bit. Then head down to see what's for breakfast.

I'd like to spend some time wandering around the resort a bit or at the pool that morning.

We're planning on requesting a late check out that day so we'll likely go to the front desk to confirm everything before heading over to Downtown Disney for a few hours around lunchtime.

Depending on our mood lunch will either be here:

Or here:

Followed by dessert here:

Because we ate there on our last day of our honeymoon trip and decided it should be done every trip!

We'll do some shopping after that and since our flight isn't until 8pm we MIGHT try for a movie in the early afternoon. I'm not too sure about that though. We're planning on taking our daughter to see Frozen when it comes out in a few weeks so that will determine a lot.

If we skip the movie we'll just go back (hopefully) to our room. And hang out there until it's time to head to the airport. I'm thinking Disney will be loading us onto the Magic Express around 5:30 or 6 so we may plan on eating at the airport or just get something to go as we leave Pop Century.

But that's about it. We'll get back to our airport a little late...but I think we'll manage with our awesome Disney memories!

 

[englishrose47]

Subbing and hoping to see you as I will be there 12/3-12/10! Staying at POR and CSR , my first split stay and also first time anywhere but Pop !! I am pretty sure I have seen you on my threads , so you will know this is also my first Christmas trip !! My #1 is the Osborne Lights #2 the Storytellers at Epcot . We are doing the Christmas Party on the 8th !
Going back to read and catch up!!

 

[englishrose47]

Okay I am answering what I can !!! The Dessert Party was awesome !!I went to it last year with a group of 8 Special Needs folks . The desserts were plentiful and we had a great view of Wishes , it was really relaxing to have the private viewing area . I would definitely do it again!!

 

[englishrose47]

All caught up , plans sound great !! I think we are gonna be at the Christmas Party the same night !!!!!

 

[Suziannie]

Subbing and hoping to see you as I will be there 12/3-12/10! Staying at POR and CSR , my first split stay and also first time anywhere but Pop !! I am pretty sure I have seen you on my threads , so you will know this is also my first Christmas trip !! My #1 is the Osborne Lights #2 the Storytellers at Epcot . We are doing the Christmas Party on the 8th !
Going back to read and catch up!!

How cool-we'll be at the Christmas party on the 8th too! I'm still kind of new here and kind of amazed that I'm "meeting" other people that will be at Disney the same week I am and doing the same things! I read a PTR the other day where someone has an ADR at the same time and place as we do. I've been there enough times to know the amount of people seated at even one restaurant so I'm also kind of surprised that I feel like this.

I've never done a split stay before, but I'm really looking forward to it. We're considering a moderate hotel our next trip so I'm curious to see how you like it. Honestly I'm not sure about traveling beyond the value resorts because they are really so nice!

 

[Suziannie]

All caught up , plans sound great !! I think we are gonna be at the Christmas Party the same night !!!!!

Thanks! I think I've done a good job. I mean I would hope so given the amount of reading and time I've put into it. MY husband is convinced I missed my calling as a travel agent or tour guide.

We will be I think! How fun!

 

[Suziannie]

Okay I am answering what I can !!! The Dessert Party was awesome !!I went to it last year with a group of 8 Special Needs folks . The desserts were plentiful and we had a great view of Wishes , it was really relaxing to have the private viewing area . I would definitely do it again!!

I am so glad that you had a good experience here with a group! I'm sort of scouting ideas out for a very large family trip in a few years so I'll keep this in mind.

Do you think the "private" viewing was an advantage for the special needs people? I was drawn to it since we're going with a two year old (and eventually planning a trip with a 3 and 4 year old as well as a few teens and some adults too). I've been thinking having a table to ourselves and a little more elbow room will make the wait for the fireworks much more bearable.

Also, who doesn't love all you can eat desserts?

 

[englishrose47]

I am so glad that you had a good experience here with a group! I'm sort of scouting ideas out for a very large family trip in a few years so I'll keep this in mind.

Do you think the "private" viewing was an advantage for the special needs people? I was drawn to it since we're going with a two year old (and eventually planning a trip with a 3 and 4 year old as well as a few teens and some adults too). I've been thinking having a table to ourselves and a little more elbow room will make the wait for the fireworks much more bearable.

Also, who doesn't love all you can eat desserts?

It made keeping tabs on them a whole lot easier !!Crowds can be scary with these guys and Lord knows we don't want to loose anyone !!We registered fairly early when the window opened and had great seats , not right up front but close enough !! Only issue we had was the rude family at the table in front blocked the way to our table and we had to go further down to get thru to it and yes we politely asked if they would let us thru , but that was toooo much trouble for them

 

[Suziannie]

It made keeping tabs on them a whole lot easier !!Crowds can be scary with these guys and Lord knows we don't want to loose anyone !!We registered fairly early when the window opened and had great seats , not right up front but close enough !! Only issue we had was the rude family at the table in front blocked the way to our table and we had to go further down to get thru to it and yes we politely asked if they would let us thru , but that was toooo much trouble for them

I registered the day Dec dates opened up so I'm hoping for a good table. To be honest though, I hear everyone moves to the rail anyways though so I'm not sure it will make a difference.

At least they do reserved seats! Pretty sure I wouldn't have bothered with it if that wasn't the case.

 

[Suziannie]

Since I've still got 17 days (since it's past 5pm here I'm not counting today ) I thought I'd post some of the things that we MUST do while in the parks during our trip.

This post will be about the Christmas Party. We're going on two nights (thanks to my little mix up and some creative budgeting) so I think we'll have plenty of time.

In no particular order:

Meet the 7 dwarfs. I know we'll have to jump in line early but I'm a huge Snow White fan so I think I need to do this.

We've got character meals so other than the big guy I don't know that we'll really try for that many characters during the party. We have decided that we'll focus on the party itself one night...taking full advantage of the dance party, the parades and the cookies and cocoa.

The other thing is that I've become rather enamored with these so I'll have to see if I can find one or something similar.

So far that's it. But I've got plenty of time to add more I think!

 

[LB1122]

All caught up once again. Look like some majorly fun plans and flyinf now...nice touch.

You asked about Disney Floral and Gift....I have done this 3 times now
1. a fun pumpkin filled with treats for Halloween visit
2. a wedding gift to a honeymoon couple
3. the current full out in room celebration

I love the service I have gotten and the first 2 were filled with fun. the couple told me it was such a special touch when they arrived after dinner one night to see this gift and it included a picture frame to last - I spent what I would have on a wedding gift

The pumpkin was over flowing with goodies - rice krispie treats, light up necklace, bag, stuffed minnie and treats...very nice deal

I have to say it was such fun and daughter loved. They now have the create your own option so you get just what you want. That is my story. I know I could make something like this on my own, ship it and have it sent in, but well my time to put that together is worth the added cost to me.

Super close to your amazing trip. Enjoy

 

[Suziannie]

Well I guess it's not that bad...I got a 25% off coupon when we bought my daughter's Halloween costume and decided that instead of buying t-shirts to take home it made more sense to buy some before we got there and where them there. So....for my little one:

Her favorite characters. We also have a cute tutu sort of skirt that she'll wear one day and a Princess Sofia dress complete with tiara and amulet.

For moi I bought just two:

I'm not really a souvenir t-shirt kind of person and it's highly unlikely that I'll wear these again. As much as I'm a confirmed Disney nerd beyond a Mickey Mouse watch I don't actually wear any obvious Disney stuff. I do have a neat mirror/apple necklace that is Disney couture or Disney fine jewelry but it's not obviously Disney unless you're a Snow White fan.

I didn't get anything for my husband because I didn't think he'd like it or wear it but when he saw my daughter's Monster's Inc shirt he said he wanted one too. So next weekend we'll stop in at the Disney Outlet near my mother's and pick one or two for him.

The prices were pretty good so I also got my daughter the Sofia the First backpack I've been eyeing for a year or so...and since it was offered for free had them sew her name on it. I have a lovely embroidery machine but get nervous about stitching names onto stuff like that so I usually resist.

Since there was also a decent sale going on I picked this up for my daughter. I don't think it will keep her entertained for long but it's cute, and it was like $6 and free shipping after everything so I figured why not.

We think Ariel is her favorite besides Sofia. It's not a real camera but it's a cute toy. I think I'll either hold it for the plane ride or as we're getting onto Main St our first Magic Kingdom day.

Everything came in a nifty box too:

I'm saving it for Christmas I think it would be a cute thing. We're going to buy her a few Christmas presents there and have them be "from Mickey" because 2 year olds really care about that sort of thing right? but I think the Mickey box will be cute for that.

Also...not quite related to spending money...but our other Magic Bands finally came:

I'm a huge fan of the color pink so I'm really excited about these. I do wish that you could switch them out during your stay. I'm sure eventually that functionality will be there but I'll be wearing my red band the first 4 days, then the pink on the 5th.

I'm still waiting on:
Replacement MVMCP tickets since my screw up

And then I'll be all set!
Although I'm thinking about getting a tripod. My camera came with a little one but I think I'd like a bigger one. It's not a DSLR so I don't really want to invest a whole lot into it, but I think I can get a decent one for around $20. If anyone has any suggestions let me know!

 

[Suziannie]

You asked about Disney Floral and Gift....I have done this 3 times now
1. a fun pumpkin filled with treats for Halloween visit
2. a wedding gift to a honeymoon couple
3. the current full out in room celebration

I love the service I have gotten and the first 2 were filled with fun. the couple told me it was such a special touch when they arrived after dinner one night to see this gift and it included a picture frame to last - I spent what I would have on a wedding gift

The pumpkin was over flowing with goodies - rice krispie treats, light up necklace, bag, stuffed minnie and treats...very nice deal

I have to say it was such fun and daughter loved. They now have the create your own option so you get just what you want. That is my story. I know I could make something like this on my own, ship it and have it sent in, but well my time to put that together is worth the added cost to me.

Super close to your amazing trip. Enjoy

Love this info thank you so much for sharing!

I'm so tempted to do this...the only thing that's holding me back is my daughter's age. It will be more or less lost on her unless it's one of the giant decoration packages or the big toys. Which is a little beyond my price range for this.

And on the other hand...I do love these things. I always do some sort of surprise on our cruises and it's such a nice touch.

I'm thinking about adding it to our night at Pop since it will be our last night and we'll be making the switch from a suite to a regular room. I might do something snack heavy and maybe we'll just make it an early night (well early right after our ADR at Hollywood Brown Derby) and watch TV.

Sounds like I'm making a plan doesn't it.

 

[englishrose47]

All those purchases looked really neat !!

 

[Suziannie]

All those purchases looked really neat !!

Thanks!