**December 2012 Roll Call** Holidays, FLE Opening & MVMCP!! A very, merry thread!

[tofubeast]

Just need to download/subscribe to a Touring Plan and then figure out how EMH's fit in. I'd like to avoid the morning EMHs and go for the evening ones, since even with 5, 6, and 7 year olds our time change clocks will be geared towards night time hours.

We have had great success with RideMax at both WDW and DLR. I am considering subscribing again for Dec.

What's a touring plan? Well I mean are there programs out there that do it all for you? I'm a newbie but for our first trip in Feb and our next trip in Dec I'm just writing stuff down. What are these downloads/subscriptions you speak of

A touring plan is something you create to plan out your day at the park. It helps you figure out how to make the most of your time, incorporating ride wait times, shows, breaks, etc. Some software also 'knows' the busiest wait times of the day and helps you avoid certain rides at that time, making the best use of fast pass etc.

Two popular touring plans sites include:
RideMax
TouringPlans

**IF anyone has others, feel free to chime in here.

Other helpful sites, that are free, and help you figure out the recommended parks each day are EasyWDW and Undercover Tourist.

 

[moozle]

We are planning on:

T-Rex Cafe
Chefs de France
Whispering Canyons
Fairfax Faire
and an Illuminations cruise!
(with a possibility of Chef Mickeys for a character dinner if we can fit it in for the kids) on our first week.

Kouzzina
Tusker House character breakfast
Wolfgang Pucks Express
and possibly Coral Reef (maybe just dessert?) on week 2.

Just need to download/subscribe to a Touring Plan and then figure out how EMH's fit in. I'd like to avoid the morning EMHs and go for the evening ones, since even with 5, 6, and 7 year olds our time change clocks will be geared towards night time hours.

I subscribe to touring plans and found it really helpful with planning this past trip.

Personally - and I know a lot of people feel very differently - but since we always travel in December and it gets crowded closer to xmas - we have had a lot of success avoiding whichever park is having EMH. For example, we went to Magic Kingdom on a day it actually closed early for MVMCP - and we weren't going to that. I found we were able to do more in the shortened time (8am - 7pm I think) than if we had went on a day with extra hours because the crowds were much lower (people tend to flock to the parks with extra hours). So that strategy has worked really well for us. Find the park offering extra hours, and go to ANY park but that one.

 

[kt_mom]

We don't usually do a touring plan but I do use the crowd predictions and best days from touring plans and easywdw to pick my days for each park. But early December isn't too crowded so ride waits aren't too bad especially if you get there for rope drop.

On our trip a few weeks ago DD and I often went against the best/worst park predicitons because I let her pretty much choose what she wanted to do when. But we did get up and get to the parks early so we were still able to do just about everything we wanted to do, and some things multiple times even in the big crowds. December will be way less crowded which will be so nice.

 

[nickle831]

I got a subscription to the touringplans via unoffical guide to disney. I figure the crowds won't be to bad, but I think there will still be lots of good information about park times and lines.

 

[JLa01844]

First let me say....THIS IS MY FIRST DISBOARD POST! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

We will be Arriving Dec. 2nd, and Leaving Dec. 10th. Staying at the Art of Animation Little Mermaid Hotel.

You can gather from my ticker that yes, I have been to Disney a handful of occasions but, I never planned anything, looked into crowd calenders, show schedules, park times (seriously)...I just kinda showed up and did my thing. This will be our (DH, DD-2) first "BIG" Family Trip. (We visited Epcot about a year ago but DD was to little really to do much and we walked around relaxed more than anything else).

I'm excited to see all the holiday decorations and special Christmas Events. I'm excited to not be sweating my butt off (always went in the sweltering heat)...and I'm so excited to see the face on my daughter! SHE IS GOING TO LOVE EVERY MINUTE! Especially meeting Flynn Ryder which she just informed me is going to "kiss her and say I love you"

 

[nickle831]

woohoo finally added a ticker in my signature!

 

[tofubeast]

First let me say....THIS IS MY FIRST DISBOARD POST! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

WELCOME!!
Wow, brand new member with an already nice siggie!! Welcome to the boards. You will have SO much fun planning!! I will go add you to the roll call now.

woohoo finally added a ticker in my signature!

It's looking good!!!

 

[leeford88]

In the beginning stages of planning we will be there Dec 1-9. First time posting on here still figuring it out. I was also contemplating Illuminations cruise as a surprise for family. we also have 5. Lets keep in touch on this.

 

[tofubeast]

In the beginning stages of planning we will be there Dec 1-9. First time posting on here still figuring it out. I was also contemplating Illuminations cruise as a surprise for family. we also have 5. Lets keep in touch on this.

Yay another new Dis'er!!! WELCOME!

Just an FYI, when you edit, you can leave the reason section blank. I was so happy when I realized that because I edit a lot.

 

[pequele]

We have had great success with RideMax at both WDW and DLR. I am considering subscribing again for Dec.




A touring plan is something you create to plan out your day at the park. It helps you figure out how to make the most of your time, incorporating ride wait times, shows, breaks, etc. Some software also 'knows' the busiest wait times of the day and helps you avoid certain rides at that time, making the best use of fast pass etc.

Two popular touring plans sites include:
RideMax
TouringPlans

**IF anyone has others, feel free to chime in here.

Other helpful sites, that are free, and help you figure out the recommended parks each day are EasyWDW and Undercover Tourist.

Sorry I'm on my phone and couldn't edit down your quote some. But thanks for the info! I'll look into em more. I saw someone else had mentioned ride max and I checked it out but read it wasn't Mac friendly? I'm a new Mac user so when it talked of converting things I went into ADD mode and paid no attention! Anyone know how well touring plans works with Mac?

Btw since I am on my phone could someone also fill me in on the illuminations cruise and where to find info for that please? This will only be our 2nd trip! Thanks!

 

[tofubeast]

Sorry I'm on my phone and couldn't edit down your quote some. But thanks for the info! I'll look into em more. I saw someone else had mentioned ride max and I checked it out but read it wasn't Mac friendly? I'm a new Mac user so when it talked of converting things I went into ADD mode and paid no attention! Anyone know how well touring plans works with Mac?

Btw since I am on my phone could someone also fill me in on the illuminations cruise and where to find info for that please? This will only be our 2nd trip! Thanks!

Illuminations Cruise at EPCOT. You can rent a small boat where a driver takes you out into the lake in World Showcase to watch the show. People on the Dis will sometimes seeks others, when making a reservation, on the Dis who will be there the same date to see if they want to split the cost of the rental. Similarly, there are boats you can rent at the dock of the Contemporary that take you out to see Wishes.

Re: RideMax, I used it on my Mac and had no prob in the past.

 

[BDL]

From 1st hand knowledge, I have received word, the Pop Warner Tournament is scheduled to run 12/1-12/9. This was received from a reliable source who deals with from WDW resorts on a regular basis and found this out. This means that many of the Values will be close to capacity. Though my source could neither confirm nor deny whether POR and POFQ are still the over flow resorts. These dates may change, but I doubt it.

In the past, I had arrived and checked in to the POR on the Friday before the last weekend of the tourney. There was not much evidence of the tournament, save 1 detail. The cheerleaders and their mothers. Makes for loud buses and CS meals. But it was only for that first day and a half. They are a non-factor in the parks themselves and TS meals.

 

[mom2rtk]

From 1st hand knowledge, I have received word, the Pop Warner Tournament is scheduled to run 12/1-12/9. This was received from a reliable source who deals with from WDW resorts on a regular basis and found this out. This means that many of the Values will be close to capacity. Though my source could neither confirm nor deny whether POR and POFQ are still the over flow resorts. These dates may change, but I doubt it.

In the past, I had arrived and checked in to the POR on the Friday before the last weekend of the tourney. There was not much evidence of the tournament, save 1 detail. The cheerleaders and their mothers. Makes for loud buses and CS meals. But it was only for that first day and a half. They are a non-factor in the parks themselves and TS meals.

I could be wrong, and it might be different this year. But historically I don't think they have used Pop Century for Pop Warner. Just the All-Stars.

 

[pequele]

Illuminations Cruise at EPCOT. You can rent a small boat where a driver takes you out into the lake in World Showcase to watch the show. People on the Dis will sometimes seeks others, when making a reservation, on the Dis who will be there the same date to see if they want to split the cost of the rental. Similarly, there are boats you can rent at the dock of the Contemporary that take you out to see Wishes.

Re: RideMax, I used it on my Mac and had no prob in the past.

ooh thank you on all of that! I've got a bit before I worry about the touring plan thing so I can ask around about people's experiences on the Mac, too. But good to know you had no probs. Now if I can find 7 more people for the boat haha

 

[JLa01844]

From 1st hand knowledge, I have received word, the Pop Warner Tournament is scheduled to run 12/1-12/9....

This is true I've seen it a fe different places now, this year the Pop Warner and Cheer & dance Competitions will be held during that time frame. I did find a page on "Your First Visit" that said it's more of a "mythological problem" than an actual problem.... which is a little reassuring that it won't be THAT bad. I would post the link but I can't...I don't have privaleges yet! Need 10 posts

I am wondering if I chose the right week now??!!! Yikes! I've always been to WDW during peak times (april vacay, early summer) so a 3 Crowd Level seems refeshing to me....but I wonder if I'd enjoy the 2nd week more with a 2 Crowd Level???

I was a little shocked that the AoA Little Mermaid was practically full already that week. The hotel is going to be hoping that's for sure!

Anyone want to share their opinion?

 

[tofubeast]

This is true I've seen it a fe different places now, this year the Pop Warner and Cheer & dance Competitions will be held during that time frame. I did find a page on "Your First Visit" that said it's more of a "mythological problem" than an actual problem.... which is a little reassuring that it won't be THAT bad. I would post the link but I can't...I don't have privaleges yet! Need 10 posts

I am wondering if I chose the right week now??!!! Yikes! I've always been to WDW during peak times (april vacay, early summer) so a 3 Crowd Level seems refeshing to me....but I wonder if I'd enjoy the 2nd week more with a 2 Crowd Level???

I was a little shocked that the AoA Little Mermaid was practically full already that week. The hotel is going to be hoping that's for sure!

Anyone want to share their opinion?

I posted about Pop Warner week a few months ago on the Dis. People said it was not big deal unless you are staying at the particular value they stay at. They are usually busy with whatever stuff they do, so they aren't really all that noticeable in the parks.

 

[BDL]

I posted about Pop Warner week a few months ago on the Dis. People said it was not big deal unless you are staying at the particular value they stay at. They are usually busy with whatever stuff they do, so they aren't really all that noticeable in the parks.

Its not so much crowds or lines you have to worry about. Just get ready to hear some unnecessary yelling and chanting. During the middle of the day, the Pop Warner crowds will be at their competitions. And, as has been attested to by others, it has gotten better in recent years. Luckily, all the wonder of WDW at Christmas will more than compensate.

 

[JLa01844]

Well that is good to hear. And I can't wait, literally it's all I am thinking about, to see the magic of WDW around Christmas!!! I actually got a pin in the mail today(1 day after I booked), got really excited and then it said "Art of Animation not included" on the last line of the fine print! Figures.

 

[dogsmom]

Got a new ticker. Had to change my dates by one day each way. Now leaving for WDW early am Sunday Dec. 16 and sadly leaving the night of Thursday Dec. 20. Saved about $60 each airline ticket by flying on Sunday instead of Saturday! Now everything is booked except for dining.

 

[brooklyn615]

Last night we booked our trip! We will be arriving December 4 and staying in Port Orleans, riverside. we have been to the wold twice, once staying at pop century and once at CBR. It will have been almost three years since our last visit, I can't wait! We also have never been there in the winter months so we are really looking foreward to seeing it at the holiday time!