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

[sunnysideup3]

A Facebook group, what a great Idea! I just requested, my name in RL is Jillian

 

[molitva]

You're driving down from ATL the day we drive back to ATL - I'll wave on the way passed

We're also going to see The Hobbit the night after we get back to kinda help with the Disney blue

Hopefully they have the construction on 75 south of macon cleared up by then. Wait...who am I kidding? They'll stretch it another 20 years.

This weekend I was more excited about seeing the Hobbit trailer in the theater (again) than the actual movie

 

[srauchbauer]

A Facebook group, what a great Idea! I just requested, my name in RL is Jillian

gotta

 

[bellaally]

Wow, looks like a lot of folks are arriving on the 10th. Great minds think alike.

Do you think that week will be busier than usual?

Now I do since everyone is arriving on the tenth lol. But I chose this week because kids are still in school but I know that college kids are out already. It's been known to be one of the slower times overall, so i don't think the parks will be empty but I don't think they will be overwhelming as this will be our first time. Also I am not wanting to go to the parks on the weekend or MK on Monday's cause that's when all the locals visit wdw as well as most people arriving on Sunday do MK on there first full day........I have learned a ton on these boards can you tell.

 

[bellaally]

125 days to go woohoo

 

[Phatoomch]

Hopefully they have the construction on 75 south of macon cleared up by then. Wait...who am I kidding? They'll stretch it another 20 years.

Yeah right

This weekend I was more excited about seeing the Hobbit trailer in the theater (again) than the actual movie

I know right! We're huge fans .... its kinda in my blood, I was named after one of the characters - Arwen. Glad I was a girl really, if I was a boy it was gonna be Gandalf

 

[Phatoomch]

Got my Photopass Plus package today

 

[barbeml]

Fantasyland Expansion Grand Opening is December 6, previews begin Nov. 16. Can't wait!

 

[ses1230]

Fantasyland Expansion Grand Opening is December 6, previews begin Nov. 16. Can't wait!

I just saw this on Disney Parks Blog!! So excited!!

 

[sokerfrog]

So now I have a question for any current AP holders: how long is the sneak peak of Fantasyland going on?

We are planning to buy an AP when we arrive on Dec 1. It would be nice to be able to get in on the sneak peak before the crowds hit it on the 6th.

 

[bellaally]

Oh gosh I'm super excited be our guest open for us hopefully we can get some reservations.

 

[Phatoomch]

Awesome news about FLE

 

[bellaally]

Does anyone know what is the protocol for reservation will they open for reservation or wait till closer to the soft opening in November?

 

[ksromack]

Got my Photopass Plus package today

I am so toying with this idea. So it was $169.99? And the deal is everytime you see a WDW photographer you have your picture taken, give him/her your photopass card, then get access to all of those pictures as well as a bunch of stock photos? Do you plan on bringing your own camera as well? I'm a camera freak and purposefully bought a smaller camera to take to WDW (but I still plan on bringing my Canon EOS rebel as well). I guess the whole idea of the Photopass is to be included in the pictures along with your family as opposed to always being missing from the photos (because you are the photographer)? I've found strangers to be really nice about taking our photos with my camera when I ask......although I must admit it's nice to not to have to worry about it. Will the photopass photographer take time to take "couples" photos (it's just hubby and me on this trip), or will they gravitate towards families?

 

[EeyoreJen]

Got my Photopass Plus package today

I ordered mine a few weeks ago - was too excited to wait until closer to the time lol

The stock pictures are cool - I think it's a great package!

 

[ses1230]

I am so toying with this idea. So it was $169.99? And the deal is everytime you see a WDW photographer you have your picture taken, give him/her your photopass card, then get access to all of those pictures as well as a bunch of stock photos? Do you plan on bringing your own camera as well? I'm a camera freak and purposefully bought a smaller camera to take to WDW (but I still plan on bringing my Canon EOS rebel as well). I guess the whole idea of the Photopass is to be included in the pictures along with your family as opposed to always being missing from the photos (because you are the photographer)? I've found strangers to be really nice about taking our photos with my camera when I ask......although I must admit it's nice to not to have to worry about it. Will the photopass photographer take time to take "couples" photos (it's just hubby and me on this trip), or will they gravitate towards families?

I'll answer some of your questions.

$169.99 is the preorder price for Photopass Plus. You are correct that when you see a photopass photographer you give them your card and they take your picture. The Plus option also includes select ride and dining photos, and the CD of stock pictures.

We always take our own camera as well since the photographers don't follow characters around at the dining places, and well, we just like taking lots of pictures. I am thinking about doing a dining report this trip, too.

I think that the photographers are good with all types of groups. If you let them know you are getting the CD they will often take many for you.

Don't forget about all the magic shots, too!

 

[Mom2Cody06]

I am freaking EXCITED! Just booked our trip in December for just DH & I for our 12 year anniversary. Everyone thinks we are weird for picking that for just us without the kids but who cares!

Neither of us have ever been in December before - I am looking forward to it not being as hot as it is in May!

Oh, we are arriving on 10th at All Star Music (I know, not a "romantic" hotel for our anniversary but we are just happy to be going. lol)

My DH and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary the week before and are staying at POP. Definitely not romantic but that's fine with us. We, too, are having a kids free week

 

[MUDisneyCouple]

We're going to MVMCP the same night FLE opens - yikes!!! Anybody else! I have mixed emotions! Do we think the park and party will be crazy busy b/c of it? I'm super excited to be at WDW on an opening day of something, though! Think there will be some cool stuff like they had for Cars Land? At least a pin or something?

 

[party-of-five]

I am so toying with this idea. So it was $169.99? And the deal is everytime you see a WDW photographer you have your picture taken, give him/her your photopass card, then get access to all of those pictures as well as a bunch of stock photos? Do you plan on bringing your own camera as well? I'm a camera freak and purposefully bought a smaller camera to take to WDW (but I still plan on bringing my Canon EOS rebel as well). I guess the whole idea of the Photopass is to be included in the pictures along with your family as opposed to always being missing from the photos (because you are the photographer)? I've found strangers to be really nice about taking our photos with my camera when I ask......although I must admit it's nice to not to have to worry about it. Will the photopass photographer take time to take "couples" photos (it's just hubby and me on this trip), or will they gravitate towards families?

The photographers will take couple pics too. With Photopass plus, you also get the photos from any character dining (that offer a photo package) as well as ride photos (again, for rides that offer it). I think it's a good deal... Got ours in the mail last week.

 

[Phatoomch]

I am so toying with this idea. So it was $169.99? And the deal is everytime you see a WDW photographer you have your picture taken, give him/her your photopass card, then get access to all of those pictures as well as a bunch of stock photos? Do you plan on bringing your own camera as well? I'm a camera freak and purposefully bought a smaller camera to take to WDW (but I still plan on bringing my Canon EOS rebel as well). I guess the whole idea of the Photopass is to be included in the pictures along with your family as opposed to always being missing from the photos (because you are the photographer)? I've found strangers to be really nice about taking our photos with my camera when I ask......although I must admit it's nice to not to have to worry about it. Will the photopass photographer take time to take "couples" photos (it's just hubby and me on this trip), or will they gravitate towards families?

I love Photopass!

Yep, thats it - just hand over your card and all photos go onto your account. Definitely take your own camera for your personal shots - I like to take pictures in World Showcase especially, I have a little Nikon CoolPix point & shoot. Plus, even though there are plenty of them, there may not be a photographer exactly when you need one.

Photopass is perfect so that you can be included in the photo without having to ask a stranger and yes, they will definitely take "couples" photos, they certainly do not gravitate to just families Photographers are throughout all parks and there is always one on hand to take pictures in front of each parks iconic building - Castle, Spaceship Earth, the Hat, Tree of Life, we try and get one at each in the morning and then again when its dark

You can take better advantage of "Magic Photos" - the photographer will tell you to hold your hand out palm up and when you get your photo, Tinkerbell will be standing in your hand You can either ask for a Magic Shot or they may offer it. I believe the pre-paid cards are different to the ones given out for "free" so, you do get a little extra special treatment sometimes as you are a paying customer

Personally, I think it is well worth it - I get tons of photos of our whole family together with wonderful backgrounds of Disney, the Meet & Greets and me & Hubby got some great "couple" photos.

In my pack today I received a voucher which I exchange for the PhotoPlus Pass when I get there (when you do that you get a lanyard for it aswell); a coupon to redeem my CD after the vacation AND a CD with 400 gallery shots from Disney for me to use in personal projects & albums etc.

If you do not figure on getting photos from ride attractions and/or dining experiences you may want to get the regular PhotoPass package which is $99. PP Plus is $169 (thats advance price, if you buy there its 199) but the attraction photos alone are a lot of money.

Hope that helps