December 2009~ Am I the only crazy one planning already?

[Disney Mommy 3]

Yeah, it's definitely a stress inducer!! I wonder if they really thought that out when they did it. Surely they didn't ask the mommies!!!!

 

[Tig67]

I am new to these boards and am soooo excited. I just booked our Dec. trip. We've going the 26th through Jan 2. I know, crazy time to go but I teach and they frown on me taking days other than school vacations off. I've been there that time before and didn't find it unmanageable but AK and DHS weren't there then. (I'm showing my age.) I too wish they'd release the hours soon. I'm a planner and I need to know when the early hours are! I also want to have an idea what parks we are going to when so I can plan dinners since we will be using the meal plan. We booked the AS Movie resort. No frills I know but at that time of year, it fits our budget and it was either that or stay off property. ANyone stayed there b4? Can't wait to go!!! It will be my 8 year old's second visit-we went last in 2005. I think he'll enjoy it more this time.

 

[Tig67]

That sounds delicious!

I'm getting really antsy for park hours to come out for December, even though I know it won't be until August or September! How am I supposed to plan everything??? Doesn't Disney know how OCD I am about this yet?

I am sooo glad I'm not the only one!! My hubby was thinking of surprising us with the trip but knows that the planning for me is half the fun. I already have the restaurants I'd like to go highlighted in my Unofficial Guide book but can't book them. Hoping to do Mickey's Backyard BBQ too.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I know you can go back and look at last year's park hours. Of course, it's subject to change (at a moment's notice). Especially the Fantasmic times. I'd bet that they are pretty good for the week of Christmas though.
I have a tentative schedule and list of restaurants too!! I'm going to meet up with my SIL to go over plans the first week in August, so when it's time to book I'm ready!
Since we're going the first part of Dec (6 - 10), I have to be ready by the beginning of September. Oh the agony of waiting!!!

We stayed at AS Movies once but it was back in Feb 2000 - pre kids! I barely remember it other than the room was nice, the shower was walk in (rather than a tub). I'm sure things have been redone since I was there. I liked the pool if I remember!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Tig67!! We stayed at the All Star Music when my boys were little. I loved it. Of course, I was just sooooo happy to be on property!!!I can't remember the bathrooms at all!! Isn't that crazy?! Well, I am sure you'll love it!!! I am gonna work on using the Dec 08 times this week and sketch out a plan...God must be trying to help me with my compulsion.AAAHHH Patience is a virtue,, I keep reminding myself of this Really I like to plan soooo much that I sometimes think it's abnormal, is that possible? I think I feel some sort of security in having A PLAN!! My husband like to 'wing it' for lots of things and I just get absolutely freaked out by that. of course, the older he gets (& the longer hes with ME) the more he likes the plan!!! I just think life is smoother with A PLAN. I think that would be an awesome license plate,would it not? Ha!!!! I love it!!!

It's such a comfort knowing you all are little planners just like me!!!! I feel so....normal!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

It's easy to feel normal when you're surrounded by others with the same weirdness.

I don't make HUGE plans, like how we tour the parks. We just pick a day to go to a park (last time we didn't have hoppers, this time we will) and make an ADR for each day. I usually avoid PM EMH and try to get to AM EMH because we're usually up fairly early. Of course, we don't go to a lot of the really big rides, like space mountain, TOT etc. We're thrill avoiders. Saves us a lot of time.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

that's how we do it...pick a park and ADR for where we are. got a question..since we ALWAYS miss rope drop!!! On days when the park opens an hour early, rd is an hour early..... do the parks fill up more on those days, or when they have EMH for that evening? I am thinking I would like to do the AM hours for Magic Kingdom for sure. we are booked at CR, so that would be soooo doable!!!! The last time we did extra hours at MK for the evening, we didn't get hardly anything done!! And that was in Jan. The park was really full.And since the MVMCP is gonna be going on, I think it would be wise to do early mornings....any thoughts on that?

 

[Tig67]

I ALWAYS have to have a plan A and sometimes a B! I swear by the Unofficial Guide to Disney so I always take the tour guide with me. I am easy going enough that I don't stress if something comes up but, since the plans are so well planned, it's easy to alter them if you need to. We almost always get the major rides done early so we can relax about getting other things done. We also usually leave for lunch but we may not since we'll be doing the meal plan this time. Of course, we could get lunch at the resort and then swim. ARRGHHHH, I NEED those calendars! I do know I want to go to Libery Tree Inn for a meal. We did it when it was still the character dinner and it was one of the best meals we had there. ANyone been to the Backyard BBQ or Whispering Canyon? I'm thinking of doing those too.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I would think am EMH would work. I doubt they'll have it on MVMCP days, but you never know. We usually get a lot done on EMH mornings. By noon it gets busier.
It seems the evening EMH are more crowded (we were there that same night at MK last Jan Shawna!)

We've never tried Whispering or Backyard BBQ. We're considering WCC for this trip. Want to go to see the Christmas decorations at WL too.

 

[Ruthless1967]

I'm been planning our Dec. vacation for a LONG time now. Were supposed to go last Christmas, but lost my job and had to postpone. I have been planning obsessively, changing and rearranging ADR's, trying to squeeze everything in - not gonna happen!

We are gonna be there from Dec. 17-27th, my DD birthday is on the 19th.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I'm been planning our Dec. vacation for a LONG time now. Were supposed to go last Christmas, but lost my job and had to postpone. I have been planning obsessively, changing and rearranging ADR's, trying to squeeze everything in - not gonna happen!

We are gonna be there from Dec. 17-27th, my DD birthday is on the 19th.

And you get 10 days!! Lucky duck! Try cramming it into 4 days! Good thing we were there in January so we don't feel the need to do stuff we just did (although we probably will!)

 

[lisaanddenny]

I have been to WD in the summer/fall/spring/winter but never in December to see it @ Xmas.

How decorated are the parks?
I was a lucky one, I got 2 pincodes for free dining during December so I booked a 8 night stay. We were just there in Feb for 8 nights with DXDP and will be there in Sept for FD for 7 nights with FD and we just were at RPR @ Universal for 4 nights in June, but were building a lake home next year so vacations will be on hold for the next couple years. I did go ahead and book the DXDP for 8 nights but I got to thinking..............................I basically just want to see the MK, MGM and Epcot decorated for the holidays, not AK. With the DXDP, we usually eat in the Deluxe resorts anyways so eating at the park restaurants aren't really important to us! We always rent a car.........buses are not in my DH's picture. I was just quoted a ridiculous amt for a Windor Hills home with a car...........the price really was ridiculous, almost like we were stealing it. Private heated pool/spa, 3 bed/3 bath (there are only 2 of us but what the heck!)

Has anyone stayed in this gated community? Windsor Hills
Basically we are going to see the decorations, we will have gotten to see a lot this year and rides/attractions will not be important for us during this trip, do you think a 3 day base ticket will do to see the holiday lights/decorations? We are not interested in AK this trip.

There is so much to do in Orlando and so many restaurants but we never get to explore because we are always focused around Universal or Disney.............

Anyone ever do a trip of this nature?
Has anyone ever bought diseny tickets from anyone other than disney?

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I would think am EMH would work. I doubt they'll have it on MVMCP days, but you never know. We usually get a lot done on EMH mornings. By noon it gets busier.
It seems the evening EMH are more crowded (we were there that same night at MK last Jan Shawna!)

We've never tried Whispering or Backyard BBQ. We're considering WCC for this trip. Want to go to see the Christmas decorations at WL too.

Sheree...didn't it seem just crammed that afternoon? It did to me!! I know the parade time is busy, but that whole afternoon seemed !

 

[snowwhitesmom]

When do they tape the Christmas Parade at MK?

 

[mybgirl]

I'm been planning our Dec. vacation for a LONG time now. Were supposed to go last Christmas, but lost my job and had to postpone. I have been planning obsessively, changing and rearranging ADR's, trying to squeeze everything in - not gonna happen!

We are gonna be there from Dec. 17-27th, my DD birthday is on the 19th.

Hi, My DS and DH , Birthday are on the same day , Hppy Birthday and have a great trip
This will be are first DEC trip , 12-21

take care
Mary

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I have been to WD in the summer/fall/spring/winter but never in December to see it @ Xmas.

How decorated are the parks?
I was a lucky one, I got 2 pincodes for free dining during December so I booked a 8 night stay. We were just there in Feb for 8 nights with DXDP and will be there in Sept for FD for 7 nights with FD and we just were at RPR @ Universal for 4 nights in June, but were building a lake home next year so vacations will be on hold for the next couple years. I did go ahead and book the DXDP for 8 nights but I got to thinking..............................I basically just want to see the MK, MGM and Epcot decorated for the holidays, not AK. With the DXDP, we usually eat in the Deluxe resorts anyways so eating at the park restaurants aren't really important to us! We always rent a car.........buses are not in my DH's picture. I was just quoted a ridiculous amt for a Windor Hills home with a car...........the price really was ridiculous, almost like we were stealing it. Private heated pool/spa, 3 bed/3 bath (there are only 2 of us but what the heck!)

Has anyone stayed in this gated community? Windsor Hills
Basically we are going to see the decorations, we will have gotten to see a lot this year and rides/attractions will not be important for us during this trip, do you think a 3 day base ticket will do to see the holiday lights/decorations? We are not interested in AK this trip.

There is so much to do in Orlando and so many restaurants but we never get to explore because we are always focused around Universal or Disney.............

Anyone ever do a trip of this nature?
Has anyone ever bought diseny tickets from anyone other than disney?

I've been doing some research as we are doing a similar trip. We will have at best 4 days and plan to skip AK this time. All the parks do decorate, but MK and Epcot do a lot. Epcot has different "Santas" from around the world at each country, they have a Huge Xmas tree, plus Candlelight Processional. MK has lots of garland and Mickey decorations, big tree, special Icicle lights on the castle. DHS does the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights in the evenings. Check out a video - it's AMAZING! We're planning to hit those, see the Gingerbread house at GF and the chocolate carousel etc. at Yacht/Beach club. We might get over to WL to see their tree too. We were just there in January and don't need to hit too many rides. My family doesn't do the big thrill rides. We just want to see the decorations and EAT!

When do they tape the Christmas Parade at MK?

I read somewhere on the boards that it is the first Friday or Saturday in Dec. Possibly both days. So it would be the 4th/5th this year.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Sheree...didn't it seem just crammed that afternoon? It did to me!! I know the parade time is busy, but that whole afternoon seemed !

Yeah, we didn't even get to MK until 4 or 5 and it was nuts!! Spectro was insanely crowded!

Hi, My DS and DH , Birthday are on the same day , Hppy Birthday and have a great trip
This will be are first DEC trip , 12-21

take care
Mary

You guys should get together for dessert and celebrate!

 

[Tig67]

Still frustrated I can't do dinner reservations but that's a bit of OCD in me LOL. Did work out when I can start with the reservations. Can't wait until they release the Dec. calendars too so I can see when magic hours are.

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Still frustrated I can't do dinner reservations but that's a bit of OCD in me LOL. Did work out when I can start with the reservations. Can't wait until they release the Dec. calendars too so I can see when magic hours are.

You're among family here we've all got a touch of OCD and can't wait much longer!!!

 

[divanicki75]

There are quite a few threads on Dec 2009, we should start an official one like some of the other months have

Hi all,
DH, DS (5) DD (3 minus 1 week) are going to The World from 2-6 December and staying at All Star Movies. This is our 2nd trip as a family and 1st staying onsite. We are celebrating the kids & my birthday's, but will only actually be there on my bday (3rd- going to MK that day) I've already started planning, of course and I'm itching for September 3rd to roll around, so I can book ADRs. I saw someone who did a PTR and had created a PPT Presentation and each day was a new slide. It had the hrs of all the parks, confirmation #s and their itinerary. I'm doing the same thing right now. It's what's keeping me sane I even have a slide for all the holiday stuff, last years hours, etc... I should put it on a shared site so I can play with it at work too *hee hee* (evil snicker)

Well, I'm glad to have others to talk about our December trips with and maybe I'll see some of y'all there ...