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

[SAT887]

I also have an ipod touch. There are a few Apple Apps that I have installed as well that offer a backup to my backup. You would love your iPhone on your next trip. I can help you unlock the power.

What apps do you use?

 

[cybrkitn]

I have a folder for DME and tickets and such before we go. All of my other planning is in the cloud. I keep everything in Evernote. I have one notebook for general Disney reference and one for this specific trip.

I've tried using a folder for our first trip in 2006, but there was just too much info that I wound up getting the plastic accordian file. It kept everything organized. I pretty much cleared out everything I had in there from 2006 and started fresh.

 

[Thumper_Man]

What apps do you use?

I use Google a lot since I have a Droid and I do everything on the computer (faster and easier) and everything syncs well onto my phone. For planning our trips, I mostly use Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Docs that are associated with my gmail account.

For my iTouch, so far I'm liking an app called "Google Apps Browser.' I can access my gmail, calendar and docs in the one app, rather than installing multiple apps. Only downside to this app is I need a wifi connection to use it.

Calenmob is another app I use on my iTouch. It's a calendar app that also syncs with Google Calendar. Good thing about this app is I don't need a constant wifi connection to use it. Once the calendar has synced once, I can view the calendar and everything I entered if I'm offline. I don't make touring plans (if I did, I would use Google Docs) and all my ADR's I list on my Google Calendar. For each day I have an ADR, I put the time, place and the confirmation #.

Gmail is another app I've installed and is another app I don't need a constant wifi connection for. Even when I setup different labels. As long as I've accessed each label once, I can go back and find an email I put under these labels. Then once I access a wifi connection, I can check all my new emails.

As I stated, I use my Droid more and my iTouch is just a backup in case something were to happen to my Droid while I was there. And the other good thing using Google to plan, I can share everything with DW and she can have it as backup as well on her phone.

I'm always searching for new apps, so if I come across others I like, I'll be glad to share.

 

[bellaally]

We do use my iPad for information the use my laptop. We do have I phones but I copied my TP and printed them on 3 by3 paper then laminate, I think it will be quicker then taking out our phone every time we need to go somewhere. But then again we will probably upload it on there too cause we are using the lines app. Had to add I am super excited. Also when you purchase your package though Disney when do they mail you everything? Plane tickets, wdw park passes etc.

 

[Phatoomch]

After feeling a little overwhelmed with planning I decided to start working with a TA. So, I've learned, after calling disney myself, that she has to call for anything concerning my reservation but can I still call to check if I have a pin code? Im guessing my chances are very slim since I'm going in December and looks like people that were going to get a code have but I have a friend going in April and we were wondering how that worked. If the TA now has reservation info, including address and email, how can disney get an offer to you without that info? Has anybody that has worked with a TA still received a pin code?

Thanks!

Personally I wouldn't use a TA as I have heard to many stories about things going wrong .. not to say yours will! I like to have control of my Disney booking. PINs are totally random - the one I recieved was obviously generated through me saving vacations on the Disney website. I saved two (one in Sept, one in Dec) and I recieved a PIN for each and the dates were specific to mine.

I'm not sure how the whole PIN works when going via a TA.

You know, you could always cut out the TA and we would all be more than happy to help you plan - its not that hard, honestly. This is my second trip and the DISboards have helped me immensely!

 

[JLa01844]

I call up regularly - I like hearing that magical ring when it connects and the holding music ... then I like to tweak ADRs, room ressies it gets me all excited. I think my name is flagged as 'pest' but I can live with that

Anyways, I read a while back the ones that would be open for 'holiday season' so have asked (probably) 6 CMs now what they define as the start of 'holiday season'. They have all given the same answer - 31st Oct.

That actually sounds like a logical date...I mean Halloween night is when the decorating magic happens right? I heard that the park goes from Halloween to Christmas almost overnight! And OT---you shouldn't of said you were British...because when I see you post things like "neighbour" and the dates backwards, I start reading your posts in my British accent. Cheers!

*lol* I know, but I'm determined that this trip will be *relaxing*.

Seriously though, I planned for our first MK day to watch the opening show and then spend about an hour and a half *strolling* down Main Street. We always say we're going to browse, explore, shop, etc. And we never do.

I'm hoping to relax and discover a bit more than I'm used to. I miss soooooo many things rushing about.

We're planning for WDW, and they are planning for us too!

Christmas in July at WDW from Disney Parks Blog:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/07/christmas-in-july-at-walt-disney-world-resort-were-already-prepping-for-disney-holidays-are-you/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DisneyParks+%28Disney+Parks+Blog%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

AWESOME!!!! I have warned my family that everyone is getting something from Disney for Christmas My dad was like "great... a keychain!"

 

[cybrkitn]

After feeling a little overwhelmed with planning I decided to start working with a TA. So, I've learned, after calling disney myself, that she has to call for anything concerning my reservation but can I still call to check if I have a pin code? Im guessing my chances are very slim since I'm going in December and looks like people that were going to get a code have but I have a friend going in April and we were wondering how that worked. If the TA now has reservation info, including address and email, how can disney get an offer to you without that info? Has anybody that has worked with a TA still received a pin code?

Thanks!

Personally I wouldn't use a TA as I have heard to many stories about things going wrong .. not to say yours will! I like to have control of my Disney booking. PINs are totally random - the one I recieved was obviously generated through me saving vacations on the Disney website. I saved two (one in Sept, one in Dec) and I recieved a PIN for each and the dates were specific to mine.

I'm not sure how the whole PIN works when going via a TA.

You know, you could always cut out the TA and we would all be more than happy to help you plan - its not that hard, honestly. This is my second trip and the DISboards have helped me immensely!

We're going through a TA this time b/c it's part of the bowling league we were part of (company name is Fun Bowl Vacations). So far we haven't had anything go wrong. In fact, our TA has gone above and beyond for us to make sure we got free dining when it was released to the general public.

I did ask our TA how they handle pin codes and discounts and she told me that as soon as I have them to call them and they will apply it. She would also keep an eye out for the free dining offer as well.

We still make our own ADRs, which is great. And you can still call Disney with any general questions you may have. But for any changes, you will need to go through the TA.

 

[Phatoomch]

That actually sounds like a logical date...I mean Halloween night is when the decorating magic happens right? I heard that the park goes from Halloween to Christmas almost overnight! And OT---you shouldn't of said you were British...because when I see you post things like "neighbour" and the dates backwards, I start reading your posts in my British accent. Cheers!

You know what, I still can't get the whole date thing even after 8 years! Everytime I get asked for my DOB I have to stop and think (I get that one eye brow raised I'm thinking look).

We're going through a TA this time b/c it's part of the bowling league we were part of (company name is Fun Bowl Vacations). So far we haven't had anything go wrong. In fact, our TA has gone above and beyond for us to make sure we got free dining when it was released to the general public.

I did ask our TA how they handle pin codes and discounts and she told me that as soon as I have them to call them and they will apply it. She would also keep an eye out for the free dining offer as well.

We still make our own ADRs, which is great. And you can still call Disney with any general questions you may have. But for any changes, you will need to go through the TA.

Glad you have a good TA .... I use them for all other vacays but with Disney, I just have to have control

 

[levenhopper]

You know, you could always cut out the TA and we would all be more than happy to help you plan - its not that hard, honestly.

Agreed! I'd be glad to help however I could...and I'm sure others would, too.

 

[bellaally]

FYI if anyone has netflicks online they have this six part Disney parks series. I was watching the first one very good. Excited can wait dreaming of Disney

 

[taaren]

I really hope so but there's really been no news. I know I'm one of the few that really wants this, but as someone who uses TPs and uses very few FPs, I think this will work very well for us. Usually we just go ride the biggest thing first, but this year we have the in-laws. Our first park is Epcot. I do want to try to convince them to ride Soarin but not first thing. And the rest of us want to ride TT, but I don't want the first thing to be something they won't ride. And I dont want their first experience to be running for FPs in any if the parks either.

As near as I can tell from the reports, they only tested it in MK so I'd guess they're planning on rolling it out there first.
Yeah, FP running and noobs don't go together well. When we took the grandparents last year we sent the DH's running for FPs with everybody's tickets as soon as we entered the park, so the grandparents could stroll leisurely with the kids.

What is the X-Pass???

Here's a great article describing it right before it went into testing. And here's the follow-up article after the testing.

BTW, for those of you booked with Southwest flying before Dec 14, they're running another sale (identical to the one they ran a few weeks ago, but just in case you missed it and can get some credit/points back), check it out!

 

[Tltorrez]

I use Google a lot since I have a Droid and I do everything on the computer (faster and easier) and everything syncs well onto my phone. For planning our trips, I mostly use Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Docs that are associated with my gmail account.

For my iTouch, so far I'm liking an app called "Google Apps Browser.' I can access my gmail, calendar and docs in the one app, rather than installing multiple apps. Only downside to this app is I need a wifi connection to use it.

Calenmob is another app I use on my iTouch. It's a calendar app that also syncs with Google Calendar. Good thing about this app is I don't need a constant wifi connection to use it. Once the calendar has synced once, I can view the calendar and everything I entered if I'm offline. I don't make touring plans (if I did, I would use Google Docs) and all my ADR's I list on my Google Calendar. For each day I have an ADR, I put the time, place and the confirmation #.

I never thought about it before but I never use Google Calendar for my vacations. I use it to run the rest if my life. But if you look at Dec it shows my flights and nothing in between. When I'm on vacation I'm totally out of Calendar.n

 

[levenhopper]

If anyone is looking to book the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage, they just opened up December for booking !

 

[SouthernBelles]

Just booked our P&P cruise for Friday 12/14!!

 

[Thumper_Man]

I never thought about it before but I never use Google Calendar for my vacations. I use it to run the rest if my life. But if you look at Dec it shows my flights and nothing in between. When I'm on vacation I'm totally out of Calendar.n

You could always create a new calendar for Disney only. That's what I did. Then when on vacation, you can display that calendar only.

 

[cybrkitn]

Glad you have a good TA .... I use them for all other vacays but with Disney, I just have to have control

Trust me, I would much rather do this ourselves. I, too, lke having control over our Disney vacation. But the bowling league we had done for 2 years is run by a TA company, so we have no choice. On the brighter side, we received $375 credit per bowling totaling $1500 in 2 years. So the whole credit is going towards Disney

 

[cybrkitn]

I heard that the park goes from Halloween to Christmas almost overnight!

Yes, it does. When we were there in 2006 we checked out on November 1. Pop's gift shop was already putting out the Christmas items.

 

[cybrkitn]

Just booked our P&P cruise for Friday 12/14!!

Wait a minute - Pirates and Pals is booking for December?! I'm on another thread about that. DISers have been calling every day and have been told that January was available to book, but December could not be. It was loaded in the system but was not bookable (if that's even a word).

 

[srauchbauer]

so hoping Jeff will agree to the pirates cruise it sounds like a blast.

 

[levenhopper]

Wait a minute - Pirates and Pals is booking for December?! I'm on another thread about that. DISers have been calling every day and have been told that January was available to book, but December could not be. It was loaded in the system but was not bookable (if that's even a word).

Yup...I saw on that board thread that it was booking (I'm assuming we're talking about the same thread), so I called in, and was also able to book. December 17th . Today is the first day anyone's been able to book.