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

[lustergirl]

2nd solo trip- December 10th-14th. My ticker says CSR but thinking of AKL, they have a great room discount right now for 149 a night.

 

[snykymom]

2nd solo trip- December 10th-14th. My ticker says CSR but thinking of AKL, they have a great room discount right now for 149 a night.

That's the rate I got for my September trip; I'll let you know how it is!

 

[MissBritt]

DH and I will be POR 15-18!

 

[WDWKOOK]

We've had about a dozen on property stays, but this will be our (me, DH, DD11) first during Christmas week (12/22-29) and our first "off" property stay. How does this plan sound?

Avoid parks with EMH - get to the park early - get our FPs - eat lunch in the park - after lunch seek refuge from the crowds back at the Waldorf Astoria - on a non-EMH night, make a dinner ADR at Epcot/monorail resort

Should we completely avoid any park during both AM and PM EMH?

Do you think it might be less crowded this year because there aren't any promos running during Christmas and many guests will have already gone earlier in the year due to the 4/3 and numerous room-only discounts?

How would you plan your Christmas week at WDW?

TIA

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Congrats on getting to visit at Christmas!!!
I have never been that week...but your plan sounds pretty good to me! I think if you get there at RD, hit what you want and leave, you will have a less stressed time.
I don't know about crowd predictions...I think people are still going...just not buying when they get there.

 

[johnGorski]

Nah you are not crazy to plan that far ahead. We start to plan our next trip to disney on our plan ride back home going Dec 1-11 our first holiday experiance there.

 

[lovesmurfs]

We're going the 18th - 24th!

We last went December 2006 -- it was supposed to be a family trip, but DH got deployed (kids and I went anyway--it was a good chance to bond). Now this is the first trip as a family.

Financially, I think we got some great deals. We've got a condo at Vista Cay -- 3 BR/2 BA for $119/night. And got car rental (Thrifty with Orlando MagicCard code) for $173/week for a full size!

I'm frustrated not being able to make dining and show reservations! I think it was 180 days out when I was planning in 2006.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

We've had about a dozen on property stays, but this will be our (me, DH, DD11) first during Christmas week (12/22-29) and our first "off" property stay. How does this plan sound?

Avoid parks with EMH - get to the park early - get our FPs - eat lunch in the park - after lunch seek refuge from the crowds back at the Waldorf Astoria - on a non-EMH night, make a dinner ADR at Epcot/monorail resort

Should we completely avoid any park during both AM and PM EMH?

Do you think it might be less crowded this year because there aren't any promos running during Christmas and many guests will have already gone earlier in the year due to the 4/3 and numerous room-only discounts?

How would you plan your Christmas week at WDW?

TIA

Well, the week of Christmas is ALWAYS going to be crowded, because a lot of local people can go during school breaks too.
I would definitely avoid PM EMH unless you like crowds and can stay up really late. We go to AM EMH, b/c we're up early and a lot of people are not. Can get in a lot of rides that way. It would probably be good to have hoppers. We will just leave if it gets too crowded. If you're not staying on property, you can't use EMH, so I'd stay away from that park no matter what.
But know that if a park closes due to crowds (usually on the big holidays), you may not be able to get in later in the day.
I think you'd have good luck with reservations at a resort restaurant. There are so many good ones! Good luck!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Well, the week of Christmas is ALWAYS going to be crowded, because a lot of local people can go during school breaks too.
I would definitely avoid PM EMH unless you like crowds and can stay up really late. We go to AM EMH, b/c we're up early and a lot of people are not. Can get in a lot of rides that way. It would probably be good to have hoppers. We will just leave if it gets too crowded. If you're not staying on property, you can't use EMH, so I'd stay away from that park no matter what.
But know that if a park closes due to crowds (usually on the big holidays), you may not be able to get in later in the day.
I think you'd have good luck with reservations at a resort restaurant. There are so many good ones! Good luck!

Congrats on getting to visit at Christmas!!!
I have never been that week...but your plan sounds pretty good to me! I think if you get there at RD, hit what you want and leave, you will have a less stressed time.
I don't know about crowd predictions...I think people are still going...just not buying when they get there.

Thanks!

 

[ennisb]

This should be a blast. Our first Holiday trip every December 24 to January 2 at CBR. Using DVC points but could not book the lenght we wanted to transfered to CBR so we get two rooms for us and the kids. So excited I'm working out those ADR's now so we are ready at the 90 day mark.

 

[LaWa]

Hello All -

So excited to be planning our first trip to WDW!

Staying at Wilderness Lodge for the big tree and decorations. Trying to plan out our ADRs with the Old Faithful Club. I'm having a hard time planning what and where we want to eat 3 months from now. Not doing the dining plan - we're not big eaters. Anyone else feel this way? Usually we split meals - for calorie control.

PM me if you'll be at the WL when we are. Would love to get some pals for my DS 8 and DD 6.

Looking forward to snow and cold weather since it means we'll be closer to our trip.

Take care - Happy Planning!

 

[momtoamulan]

I am just curious though, do Americans can better rates for rooms at Disney?? I would have loved to have stayed at a deluxe, but it was out of our price range..we will be at the Coronado...free dining (which def. helps!)

 

[chrissid7]

Well im not exactly sure yet but my daughter (10) is being granted a wish from Make-A-Wish and she wish for a disney world trip. They asked us for dates and basically they were all in December which worries me because ADR's. We havent been given a yes or dates yet but I hope we can still get in on some of the great stuff. I will post as soon as we know. I am excited to get started especially since its so late!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hello All -

So excited to be planning our first trip to WDW!

Staying at Wilderness Lodge for the big tree and decorations. Trying to plan out our ADRs with the Old Faithful Club. I'm having a hard time planning what and where we want to eat 3 months from now. Not doing the dining plan - we're not big eaters. Anyone else feel this way? Usually we split meals - for calorie control.

PM me if you'll be at the WL when we are. Would love to get some pals for my DS 8 and DD 6.

Looking forward to snow and cold weather since it means we'll be closer to our trip.

Take care - Happy Planning!

Personally, I think you made the right decision NOT to do the DP since you're staying CL and you usually split meals anyway. You will have a nice assortment of hot foods after 5 in the OFC, and you can even do some QSs without an ADR, so I wouldn't worry too much about those ADRs in your situation.

Well im not exactly sure yet but my daughter (10) is being granted a wish from Make-A-Wish and she wish for a disney world trip. They asked us for dates and basically they were all in December which worries me because ADR's. We havent been given a yes or dates yet but I hope we can still get in on some of the great stuff. I will post as soon as we know. I am excited to get started especially since its so late!

If your DD is granted her wish and I were in charge, I would make sure your family got every ADR you wanted no matter when they were made. I would also make sure you were set-up with a personal concierge who would take care of all of those details for you. But, I'm not in charge and I don't know how the program works, however, I do hope that your DD gets everything she wished for - and more.

 

[chrissid7]

Thank you that is very sweet and I am hoping that all of her wishes come true too. We went to WDW spring break 2007 for 3 days and it wasnt nearly enough time for her. It was so nice because the weather was great and we were so spoilded by being able to ask for gluten free food and not be looked at like we have 2 heads. It was a last minute trip but I was so blessed and got a couple ADRs then but now I am freaking out because it looks like its going to be pretty busy. I have ocd when it come to planning (and much more) because I just need a plan. I hope to hear something soon. I am excited and dont have plans but I love love love planning and this is going to be a great trip it looks like. I stressed over 3 days, Im going to have my hands full with 7 days. I am accepting that challenge with open arms!!!

 

[chrissid7]

BTW I also cant wait to see my ticker.... that is driving me nuts that I dont have one lol!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you that is very sweet and I am hoping that all of her wishes come true too. We went to WDW spring break 2007 for 3 days and it wasnt nearly enough time for her. It was so nice because the weather was great and we were so spoilded by being able to ask for gluten free food and not be looked at like we have 2 heads. It was a last minute trip but I was so blessed and got a couple ADRs then but now I am freaking out because it looks like its going to be pretty busy. I have ocd when it come to planning (and much more) because I just need a plan. I hope to hear something soon. I am excited and dont have plans but I love love love planning and this is going to be a great trip it looks like. I stressed over 3 days, Im going to have my hands full with 7 days. I am accepting that challenge with open arms!!!

Why don't you just go ahead and make some online ADRs today? You can always change them later and then you'd at least have some made until your dates are actually booked.

 

[Elevationist]

60 more days for us. The time is going by sooooooo slooooooow....

 

[disneygal29]

Just found out I get to go to a conference at Contemporary in December! That means 2 trips for me this year!! Life is good

 

[Diznejen1]

DH and I are staying at WL (for the first time ever!) in December...the 11th-13th. It's gonna be a short weekend, but hopefully a magic filled one.