Dear Santa, I'd like a double-deluxe Disney Xmas!! Dec'12 PTR! Upd 1/20 TR & DR links

[francis6306]

Hello!

We cant wait for this trip. Super-dooper-beyond-excited!! I am really hoping for naps on the arrival/travel day.

I honestly dont know if I have ever looked at The Plaza. I will check that out in a minute and see. Thanks for the advice!!

Yeah, the arrival day was the party, so we weren't able to get a nap out of her. I really do think if she had gotten a nap, we could have enjoyed the night more!!

We loved the Plaza! Honestly, I remember when we booked it, I was worried because it's not very popular, but I think it is one of those "best kept secrets" in the World.

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Yeah, the arrival day was the party, so we weren't able to get a nap out of her. I really do think if she had gotten a nap, we could have enjoyed the night more!!

We loved the Plaza! Honestly, I remember when we booked it, I was worried because it's not very popular, but I think it is one of those "best kept secrets" in the World.

I've read most of your Christmas TR...I am just about to start your AK day.

I read The Plaza's menu last night and it looked pretty good. I guess I just assumed since it was sandwiches, it wouldnt be anything super special. I think I will try and get an early dinner ressie there on MVMCP night and skip ESPN Club (wasnt super excited about that anyways, just figured it was conveniently located at the hotel). Again, thanks for the suggestion!

 

[francis6306]

I've read most of your Christmas TR...I am just about to start your AK day.

I read The Plaza's menu last night and it looked pretty good. I guess I just assumed since it was sandwiches, it wouldnt be anything super special. I think I will try and get an early dinner ressie there on MVMCP night and skip ESPN Club (wasnt super excited about that anyways, just figured it was conveniently located at the hotel). Again, thanks for the suggestion!

YAY! Glad you are enjoying my TR!! I hope that you enjoy the Plaza. I think it will be a perfect early dinner. If you hate it don't tell me!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

YAY! Glad you are enjoying my TR!! I hope that you enjoy the Plaza. I think it will be a perfect early dinner. If you hate it don't tell me!

Ha ha, no, we wont hate it!!

I loved the pics of the characters in Xmas gear in your TR!! All the Xmas decor...ahhh...I cant wait!!

Also, the baby pics were super cute too

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Back in October we decided to start doing Disney dinner & movie nights a few times a month. Here is what we have done so far...

October 21 - Haunted Mansion ~ mummy dogs, Master Gracey's spooky tots, Madame Leoda's blood brew (red Kool-Aid), boneyard brownies (I made little tombstones like some of the ones you see waiting in line for the ride). The kids loved the movie.

Oct 29 - Legend of Sleepy Hollow/Lonesome Ghosts ~ Halloween cookies

November 5 - Toy Story 3 ~ Pizza Planet pepperoni pizza, To Infinity and Beyond breadsticks, Sheriff Woody sugar cokies (star cut out cookies)

November 12 - Hercules ~ Greek chicken pasta, rolls, peanut butter cookies

November 22 - Pirates of the Carribean On Stranger Tides ~ BBQ chicken legs, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes

November 26 - Pochahantas ~ Thanksgiving "feast"...turkey, ham, dressing, sweet potato casserole, corn casserole, green bean casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, apple pie

December 3 - Bedtime Stories ~ French toast, sausage, milk, OJ. We watched the movie in our PJ's.

December 21 - Santa Clause ~ no special dinner

December 22 - Santa Clause 2 ~ Christmas cookies

December 23 - Santa Clause 3 ~ no special dinner (we just wanted to get all 3 movies done with before Christmas)

January 14 - Three Caballeros/Saludos Amigos ~ Chicken/spinach enchiladas, black beans, chips/salsa, Jarritos Mexican soda, Mexican vanilla cookies

January 21 - Mulan ~ Chicken stir fry, jasmine rice, "faux-tune" cookies (I couldnt find fortune cookies, so I just used yellow Easter eggs and wrote out WDW related fortunes). We also discussed Chinese New Year and I told everyone their Chinese zodiac sign and meaning.

On the calendar for February...Mary Poppins, Mickey & Minnie Sweetheart Stories, Lady & the Tramp, Princess & the Frog I will update at the beginning of each month as to what we did the month prior with our movie nights. We have lots more planned between now and the time the trip rolls around in Dec.

 

[newtexan]

dinner and a movie nights - so creative! may have to copy some of those ideas for our kids

 

[vikkil70]

Joining in. Enjoying your PTR so far.
We are hoping to go to WDW this December also. We are in the process of buying a house and moving in a few months, so DH wants us to wait until everything is done before we book. I'm pretty confident it will all work out. With our picky eaters the QS plan works fine for us so at least I don't have to worry about ADRS. It will be our first time at Christmas and can't wait. We went in 2010 in August and DH swears he will never go again in the summer. I worked it in my favor that if we are going to pull the kids out of school for a trip in cooler weather than we should go see the Christmas decorations.
Looking forward to reading more.

 

[francis6306]

Ha ha, no, we wont hate it!!

I loved the pics of the characters in Xmas gear in your TR!! All the Xmas decor...ahhh...I cant wait!!

Also, the baby pics were super cute too

It was so much fun!! I can't wait for you to go! It really is the MOST magical place during the Holidays!!!

On the calendar for February...Mary Poppins, Mickey & Minnie Sweetheart Stories, Lady & the Tramp, Princess & the Frog I will update at the beginning of each month as to what we did the month prior with our movie nights. We have lots more planned between now and the time the trip rolls around in Dec.

Mary Poppins is a favorite around here! I wish I could plan out meals/movies like that. But I never know what kind of mood my 3 year old will be in, and she would probably wouldn't want to watch what I planned!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

dinner and a movie nights - so creative! may have to copy some of those ideas for our kids

There is an AWESOME thread on here where I got the idea from. They have TONS of ideas for lots of Disney movies. I do things pretty basic, but lots of people go all out and decorate the dining area with the same theme and play games. I am doing a little bit more for Lilo & Stitch when we get to that one just b/c of the Hawaiian theme, so I will probably post pictures of that one when we do it.

Joining in. Enjoying your PTR so far.
We are hoping to go to WDW this December also. We are in the process of buying a house and moving in a few months, so DH wants us to wait until everything is done before we book. I'm pretty confident it will all work out. With our picky eaters the QS plan works fine for us so at least I don't have to worry about ADRS. It will be our first time at Christmas and can't wait. We went in 2010 in August and DH swears he will never go again in the summer. I worked it in my favor that if we are going to pull the kids out of school for a trip in cooler weather than we should go see the Christmas decorations.
Looking forward to reading more.

Welcome!!

I can understand about wanting to wait until everything is done with the house buying process before booking. I hope it all works out for you guys so you can spend Christmas with the mouse We went in Aug 2008 and yes indeed it was hot!! We are originally from TX and now live in OK, so we are used to the heat, but if I had my choice, I would pick fall or winter for sure!! I cant wait to see those decorations!

Nice to have you following along!

It was so much fun!! I can't wait for you to go! It really is the MOST magical place during the Holidays!!!



Mary Poppins is a favorite around here! I wish I could plan out meals/movies like that. But I never know what kind of mood my 3 year old will be in, and she would probably wouldn't want to watch what I planned!

We SOOOO cannot wait to go! Its all we ever talk about at dinner. Its so hard for me not to mention the Oct trip b/c I just get so excited with the kids.

This was the first time the kids saw Mary Poppins. DH and I were wondering ahead of time how long it would take for them to ask about all the singing...but, they never did. They really enjoyed it!! The little boys really dont watch too many of the movies with us. They sat through quite a bit of Toy Story 3, but they have watched that several times.

 

[debrapagliasotti]

313 days to go

I've done quite a bit of shopping for this trip. Took advantage of lots of after Christmas sales and have been keeping a close eye on several different websites for Disney clothing.

Here are some of the goodies so far that I've purchased for this trip to decorate the room...

Harper & Hunter's stockings

Jaxon & Evan's stockings

Door hangers (but we will probably use those Command hooks that peel off to hang them somewhere)

Window Clings

I've also got some Christmas lights packed away to hang in the room as well as a candy dish for the room. I also plan on purchasing some holiday scented hand soap and air freshener for the room to feel more "homey". We are also purchasing a Christmas tree from Disney Florist to be set up in the room.

I will post pics of some of the other purchases in the coming days

 

[newtexan]

those door hangers are awesome!
well really all the decorations are cool.
why not take some mickey head soap from target along?

 

[debrapagliasotti]

those door hangers are awesome!
well really all the decorations are cool.
why not take some mickey head soap from target along?

I've never seen the Mickey head soap from Target!! Now I must make a trip there to look Does it smell good?

 

[newtexan]

It is the method brand that they carry, comes in mickey and minnie heads.
my kids love having it in their bathrooms. and I have one too!

 

[BenKling]

Great PTR! It sounds so exciting!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

It is the method brand that they carry, comes in mickey and minnie heads.
my kids love having it in their bathrooms. and I have one too!

How have I never seen this at our Target?? I will have to go look. The kids would love having that in their bathrom all the time! And so would I!! Thanks for letting me know about it!

Great PTR! It sounds so exciting!

Welcome! Thank you very much! We are super excited!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

You have some really neat stuff for your room!! I've seen other reports with the windows all decorated up....is that something that most families do while at WDW?? I might need to start keeping an eye out for decorating our 2 rooms while we're there!!!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

You have some really neat stuff for your room!! I've seen other reports with the windows all decorated up....is that something that most families do while at WDW?? I might need to start keeping an eye out for decorating our 2 rooms while we're there!!!

Thanks! I had so much fun looking around during the holidays for stuff for the room. I havent shown the kids any of it. I want everything to be a suprise.

A good amount of people decorate their windows at WDW. Its much easier for others to appreciate it if you stay at a Value or Moderate b/c of the way those rooms are set up with the outside entries (everyone will walk by your window). You will see all sorts of cute things...stuffed animals on the window ledges, lights, window clings...all sorts of stuff. I remember seeing quite a few windows decorated when we stayed at CBR in Aug 2008. People decorate regardless of holidays or not. As long as it doesnt damage the glass or paint, they dont mind. You just have to clean everything up before you check out.

At the Deluxes b/c of the way they are set up, no one will see the window b/c of the inside entries. Its really more just for the kids to enjoy. I will put some on the balcony glass door and probably a few on the mirror. I really wanted the room to feel Christmas-y for the kids since we will be away from home.

 

[debrapagliasotti]

So, last night DH and I went out to dinner, just the 2 of us. We caught up on a lot of things and then DH brings up our Dec trip. He said he had been thinking about it and he wants me to just go ahead with the planning...AND INCLUDE THE 2 DAYS AT THE BEGINNING! He said not to worry about them missing school...whether it be 2 days or 4 days and there was no need to worry about it anymore or keep waiting until we get the distict calendar for school. So, I officially have the green light and the 2 extra days at the beginning are a GO!!

We have decided not to tell the kids about the 2 extra days. We are just going to go about our day on the 17th as normal, then we will tell them after school that we are headed to a hotel that night and flying out the next morning!

 

[newtexan]

Yeah!
Keeping the surprise would drive me crazy!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Yeah!
Keeping the surprise would drive me crazy!

It will be hard. We talk about the trip almost nightly at dinner time. They keep asking when we are going to what park and when we are eating where...its going to get confusing. Assuming MVMCP dates work out for the 18th, we will keep that a secret too.

Our Oct trip is a complete suprise for the kids. That one is increadibly difficult to keep a secret. It will be so worth it to see their faces though.