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

[Amunet]

Hello ^_^

Would you guys please take me off the list? My family has run into a few things and we cannot do a Family Christmas vacation

Don't worry, DH and I will look into going in October instead

 

[kappyfinn]

What are the dates for the pin? I've been hoping for one so we can stay on property, but am certain they will blackout the dates I need! TIA!

I don't remember exactly but I think the dates were 12/1-12/20.

 

[jimjenkids]

Hi to all the new December buddies!

I'm looking for some good guide books/hidden mickey books for my 10 & 11yos. And possibly something for the 6yo who is just beginning to read. Any suggestions?

Also, what do you use to plan? Any special spreadsheets, planners, lists, websites, etc. that you love? I love planning, planning, and over planning!

I'm also thinking about a few extra special touches for the kiddos to make it extra magical. I checked out the goody bags that someone made (sorry, I can't remember who right now, but you know who you are!) which are super cool & I can't wait to see your 12 days of Christmas ones! I love the personalized notes from the different characters. I'm making special outfits for each of the parks including US & IoA, and possibly for each DAY because I love to sew & apparently I'm a bit crazy. Okay, a LOT crazy!

When my kids were @ 6&8 they loved the Burbaums "Kids" book, it had a lot of things for them and even if they werent reading well, the pictures helped them....now, they are older and stll refer to the old ones we have laying around....As for their new fav, we all tend to like "the little black book of Disney world" and the "Pocket guide book(Burbaums)" we have already bought a new one and are waiting to buy another til after summer in hopes that more of the newer areas are included....

 

[melissac]

Almost had to cancel out trip. Family we were going with backed out and husband decided he would rather go to Aregentina to hunt. No fear I asked a GF and it will be a girls only trip. Sounds good to me.

Truthfully, I love my kids(DS10 & DD15) and usually feel guilty if we plan a trip without them but after taking them every year on a big vacation and sometimes twice they start to expect and not appreciate it. I think they need to take a break from vacations for awhile.

Plus it is nice to have no kids or husbands sometimes.

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

Almost had to cancel out trip. Family we were going with backed out and husband decided he would rather go to Aregentina to hunt. No fear I asked a GF and it will be a girls only trip. Sounds good to me.

Truthfully, I love my kids(DS10 & DD15) and usually feel guilty if we plan a trip without them but after taking them every year on a big vacation and sometimes twice they start to expect and not appreciate it. I think they need to take a break from vacations for awhile.

Plus it is nice to have no kids or husbands sometimes.

I'm going without DH or DS (2&7) this trip Just me, sis, SIL and mom.

 

[BDL]

I was looking for a video that would help my group that is going down to WDW in Dec. get into the spirit (maybe motivate some decisions too ). I think it is really cool, and I wanted to help everyone else get a little psyched for their trips. It's from wdwInfo and it's the 2011 MVMCP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtzC4422jNE

 

[brookmey]

Count us in for December 16-21, staying at POP!

Last fall we decided to do a December 2012 big trip and then a Disney cruise for my 40th b-day in June 2013. Our kids have always had a full week off of school before Christmas, so we were going to pull them out a couple days early and have lots of time at Disney before the major Christmas crowds arrived. But, then we found out that my kids' school calendar changed from having a full week off before Christmas to now getting out the 21st, so we decided to scrap the trip and add on to our June 2013 cruise to make that the big trip. I was a little disappointed because the kids have never been during Christmas before and we were going to surprise them, but I got over it pretty quickly. I hadn't made our reservations yet, so that helped.

Then I got a PIN code in the mail for 30% off during the December dates we wanted! I followed all the suggestions people gave for getting a PIN code, and got one just after we decided to cancel the trip. Figures!

There was no way we could pass up 30% off, so I called and found out it would be $70/night (before tax) at a value. So now we have 2 rooms at POP (MIL is coming with us, another surprise for the kids!), for 5 nights. And, yes, we're taking the kids out of school the last week before Christmas break, but that's never been a busy academic week, so we're not too worried. We're not doing MVMCP, but we are planning on the Candlelight Processional.

I'm very excited to surprise the kids with the trip and that their grandmother is coming, too! DD has been hinting that she wants us to surprise them with a trip, so I'm hoping this one goes well!

 

[RCMommy]

I just booked December 8th - 15th for our family staying at AoA !!

Very excited to see the new resort and see WDW at Christmas time again.

 

[moozle]

Count us in for December 16-21, staying at POP!

Last fall we decided to do a December 2012 big trip and then a Disney cruise for my 40th b-day in June 2013. Our kids have always had a full week off of school before Christmas, so we were going to pull them out a couple days early and have lots of time at Disney before the major Christmas crowds arrived. But, then we found out that my kids' school calendar changed from having a full week off before Christmas to now getting out the 21st, so we decided to scrap the trip and add on to our June 2013 cruise to make that the big trip. I was a little disappointed because the kids have never been during Christmas before and we were going to surprise them, but I got over it pretty quickly. I hadn't made our reservations yet, so that helped.

Then I got a PIN code in the mail for 30% off during the December dates we wanted! I followed all the suggestions people gave for getting a PIN code, and got one just after we decided to cancel the trip. Figures!

There was no way we could pass up 30% off, so I called and found out it would be $70/night (before tax) at a value. So now we have 2 rooms at POP (MIL is coming with us, another surprise for the kids!), for 5 nights. And, yes, we're taking the kids out of school the last week before Christmas break, but that's never been a busy academic week, so we're not too worried. We're not doing MVMCP, but we are planning on the Candlelight Processional.

I'm very excited to surprise the kids with the trip and that their grandmother is coming, too! DD has been hinting that she wants us to surprise them with a trip, so I'm hoping this one goes well!

We're taking ours out the week before Christmas break for WDW too. Nothing big ever seems to happen that week other than class parties and fun activities, so I don't feel too bad about it!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Count us in for December 16-21, staying at POP!

Last fall we decided to do a December 2012 big trip and then a Disney cruise for my 40th b-day in June 2013. Our kids have always had a full week off of school before Christmas, so we were going to pull them out a couple days early and have lots of time at Disney before the major Christmas crowds arrived. But, then we found out that my kids' school calendar changed from having a full week off before Christmas to now getting out the 21st, so we decided to scrap the trip and add on to our June 2013 cruise to make that the big trip. I was a little disappointed because the kids have never been during Christmas before and we were going to surprise them, but I got over it pretty quickly. I hadn't made our reservations yet, so that helped.

Then I got a PIN code in the mail for 30% off during the December dates we wanted! I followed all the suggestions people gave for getting a PIN code, and got one just after we decided to cancel the trip. Figures!

There was no way we could pass up 30% off, so I called and found out it would be $70/night (before tax) at a value. So now we have 2 rooms at POP (MIL is coming with us, another surprise for the kids!), for 5 nights. And, yes, we're taking the kids out of school the last week before Christmas break, but that's never been a busy academic week, so we're not too worried. We're not doing MVMCP, but we are planning on the Candlelight Processional.

I'm very excited to surprise the kids with the trip and that their grandmother is coming, too! DD has been hinting that she wants us to surprise them with a trip, so I'm hoping this one goes well!

Yea for a PIN AND a suprise trip in Dec!

We are pulling our kids out of school 2 days before they get out for Christmas break. Not terribly worried about it...they will miss parties, classroom rotation activities, movies...I think we will be ok. My kids know about the trip, but dont know we added 2 extra nights to it a few months back

Have fun planning!!

 

[MUDisneyCouple]

So, I see some rumors of free dining in Dec...is there some teeth to this rumor, or should I not get excited?

Just called and got the OFFICIAL release date for SW. May 21st they will open up dates for December and about 3/4 of January.

I just checked JetBlue and I can get a flight for $160 Non Stop from Boston. I hope that 1) Southwest Rates are about $140(Wanna Get Away Rate) and if not 2) Jet Blue is still open May 21st! LOL.

THANKS for checking...I was worried that flights would go on sale while we are on our little parents getaway to the "world". This is much better timing for me - lol!

 

[VikingInMouseEars]

We will be arriving Dec. 1st and not leaving until Dec. 15th. Will be staying off-property this time at the Polynesian Isles Resort. We have stayed here twice before and love it, its our first choice if we don't stay on-property.

 

[JLa01844]

So, I'll post here because I feel a sort of December camaraderie with you guys (and not to mention I've posted some other places on here and was completely ignored by hundreds...LOL)

I started crunching a few numbers on food for us. We've never stayed on property so this will be the first trip we need to plan for all our food being WDW food (give or take). I will bring as many juice boxes, Horizon Organic milks, and snacks in my luggage as I can to help alleviate the cost. My DD2 will be a brand spanking new three year old when we go and she does not need her own meals most the time and when she gets her own meal, she doesn't eat it...and eats ours

An OOP Counter Service day would look like this to us:

7am, Breakfast AOA

Refillable Mugs X 2 = 3.50 (cost divided by our nights there)
Kid Waffle & Bacon = 4.99
Adult Waffle & Bacon = 5.69
Adult Sausage Crossainwich w/ potatoes = 6.69
​

12pm, Lunch, Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Rays

Drinks X 2 = 5.20
Chicken & Ribs Dinner = 14.69 (splitting with my daughter)
Chicken & Ribs Dinner = 14.69 (husbands)
​

4pm, Afternoon Snack, Aloha Isle

Dolewhips x 2 = 7.00
​

6pm, Dinner, Columbia Harbor House

Drinks X 2 = 5.20
Salmon Dinner = 10.19 (splitting with my daughter)
Salmon Dinner = 10.19 (husbands)
​

It costs about $95/day including tax and rounding up.

So I was thinking that if we purchase the Dining Plan, Disney will make us purchase one for her correct? Or can we just buy the 2 Adult plans? The 2 adult plans would be the best bet for us. Usually when we eat out I share my meal with her. I'm trying to lose weight so it's win-win! That would cost us $70/day and I'd try hard not to buy much OOP over the course of the week say no more than an additional $100.

If we have to buy the kids plan for her, than that would be $81/day, still a good deal in my opinion after seeing the OOP day breakdown. Does this look right to everyone? I did want to do a character meal or 2, but I dunno now. I feel like if we did $100/oop everyday for counter food + 2 character meals, it would make more sense to buy the dining plan & pay for the character meals oop. Any advice?? I know if we bought "cheaper" counter food it would make it a few bucks less per meal, but If I'm sharing with my daughter, I'm going to go for the bigger meal and we try to stay away from the hot dog/chicken nugget anyways.

 

[DisneyMom0709]

AoA Little Mermaid Room november 20-24 Thanskgiving week Thanksgiving day at MK. Will there be codes for thanksgiving week? If not I might go after the holiday im not sure I really want to be there for Thanksgiving day

 

[kappyfinn]

So, I'll post here because I feel a sort of December camaraderie with you guys (and not to mention I've posted some other places on here and was completely ignored by hundreds...LOL)

I started crunching a few numbers on food for us. We've never stayed on property so this will be the first trip we need to plan for all our food being WDW food (give or take). I will bring as many juice boxes, Horizon Organic milks, and snacks in my luggage as I can to help alleviate the cost. My DD2 will be a brand spanking new three year old when we go and she does not need her own meals most the time and when she gets her own meal, she doesn't eat it...and eats ours

An OOP Counter Service day would look like this to us:

7am, Breakfast AOA

Refillable Mugs X 2 = 3.50 (cost divided by our nights there)
Kid Waffle & Bacon = 4.99
Adult Waffle & Bacon = 5.69
Adult Sausage Crossainwich w/ potatoes = 6.69
​

12pm, Lunch, Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Rays

Drinks X 2 = 5.20
Chicken & Ribs Dinner = 14.69 (splitting with my daughter)
Chicken & Ribs Dinner = 14.69 (husbands)
​

4pm, Afternoon Snack, Aloha Isle

Dolewhips x 2 = 7.00
​

6pm, Dinner, Columbia Harbor House

Drinks X 2 = 5.20
Salmon Dinner = 10.19 (splitting with my daughter)
Salmon Dinner = 10.19 (husbands)
​

It costs about $95/day including tax and rounding up.

So I was thinking that if we purchase the Dining Plan, Disney will make us purchase one for her correct? Or can we just buy the 2 Adult plans? The 2 adult plans would be the best bet for us. Usually when we eat out I share my meal with her. I'm trying to lose weight so it's win-win! That would cost us $70/day and I'd try hard not to buy much OOP over the course of the week say no more than an additional $100.

If we have to buy the kids plan for her, than that would be $81/day, still a good deal in my opinion after seeing the OOP day breakdown. Does this look right to everyone? I did want to do a character meal or 2, but I dunno now. I feel like if we did $100/oop everyday for counter food + 2 character meals, it would make more sense to buy the dining plan & pay for the character meals oop. Any advice?? I know if we bought "cheaper" counter food it would make it a few bucks less per meal, but If I'm sharing with my daughter, I'm going to go for the bigger meal and we try to stay away from the hot dog/chicken nugget anyways.

You will need to purchase the dining plan for your daughter since she will be 3.

I would also compare the regular dining plan to the QS plan if you are thinking character meals. I think the regular dining plan is about $16 extra per day per adult. The difference in the kids plan is not that much. I think I figured the DDP for us would be around $120 per day for 2 adults and 1 child.

The dining plan doesn't work for everyone. But based on your numbers above it seems like it may be a better deal for you. And even if your daughter and you share meals, you can use her credits later.

We do use the DDP. Our kids love the character meals and I find it's the best bang for our buck. My kids are are 2 and 4 so we only buy one childs dining plan. They share their meals.

 

[queenbeaz]

An OOP Counter Service day would look like this to us:

7am, Breakfast AOA

Refillable Mugs X 2 = 3.50 (cost divided by our nights there)
Kid Waffle & Bacon = 4.99
Adult Waffle & Bacon = 5.69
Adult Sausage Crossainwich w/ potatoes = 6.69
​

12pm, Lunch, Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Rays

Drinks X 2 = 5.20
Chicken & Ribs Dinner = 14.69 (splitting with my daughter)
Chicken & Ribs Dinner = 14.69 (husbands)
​

4pm, Afternoon Snack, Aloha Isle

Dolewhips x 2 = 7.00
​

6pm, Dinner, Columbia Harbor House

Drinks X 2 = 5.20
Salmon Dinner = 10.19 (splitting with my daughter)
Salmon Dinner = 10.19 (husbands)
​

It costs about $95/day including tax and rounding up.

So I was thinking that if we purchase the Dining Plan, Disney will make us purchase one for her correct? Or can we just buy the 2 Adult plans? The 2 adult plans would be the best bet for us. Usually when we eat out I share my meal with her. I'm trying to lose weight so it's win-win! That would cost us $70/day and I'd try hard not to buy much OOP over the course of the week say no more than an additional $100.

If we have to buy the kids plan for her, than that would be $81/day, still a good deal in my opinion after seeing the OOP day breakdown. Does this look right to everyone? I did want to do a character meal or 2, but I dunno now. I feel like if we did $100/oop everyday for counter food + 2 character meals, it would make more sense to buy the dining plan & pay for the character meals oop. Any advice?? I know if we bought "cheaper" counter food it would make it a few bucks less per meal, but If I'm sharing with my daughter, I'm going to go for the bigger meal and we try to stay away from the hot dog/chicken nugget anyways.

I responded to this last night, but I think it may not have posted because of the maintenance they've been doing. Remember, you only get 3 meals a day if you buy the DxDP! Otherwise it's just 2 per day. We tend to only eat breakfast, then a "lunchdinner" later in the day, plus some snacks when we're out and about, so if we were staying on property we would consider it. Plus, we want to do several character meals which I think are a good use of a TS credit (I know some will disagree) if you go with a plan that has TS. Think about how YOUR family eats on vacation, pick the meals you would eat at ALL the restaurants you're planning on going to & run the numbers a few more times. Good luck!

 

[tofubeast]

Don't forget that the dining plans do not include gratuity, so that adds money that you might not have accounted for.

 

[JLa01844]

Don't forget that the dining plans do not include gratuity, so that adds money that you might not have accounted for.

I didn't crunch the numbers yet for the regular dining plan because I knew we would be leaving 20% more down for tip. But I think I will to see the difference in QSDP + 2 OOP Character Meals, opposed to Regular DP + Tip at TS Meals.

Thanks everyone! This is Disney World...I don't want to skimp too much!

 

[molitva]

As a previous poster mentioned, be sure to factor in that the Dining Plan (quick service one at least) only gives you 2 CS meals a day. So you'd still be paying out of pocket for 1 meal if you intended to eat 3 meals through counter service.

My plan is to take some granola bars/cereal and have a quick b-fast before we hit the parks. then use our 2 CS meals for lunch and dinner. We got free dining for our December stay. I'll probably pay OOP for 2 sit down meals (at least 1 for the CP package)

 

[annieb727]

We are for sure going to WDW Dec 22-26. I am HOPING to extend that trip to 14 Dec - 1 Jan...staying offsite...we shall see if I can do it though!