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

[Disneyalltheway]

Booked my CP today for Coral Reef on the 23rd, 4pm for the 6:45pm show. I wanted to book for the 24th but I'm off property and I guess the 180 window is still in affect for CP packages. I'll phone tomorrow and see if I can get the same time and place and if not just switch my plans. So excited to see Gary Sinise! My only disappointment is the fact that I'm going to have to pay full adult price for my 10 year old, seems a bit crazy to me!

 

[Thumper_Man]

I totally spaced today was the day for CP. I just went online and got Le Cellier for lunch at 11:55 am and the 5:00 PM show for Saturday 12/8. I already had an ADR for 2:00 pm this day, so a couple of hours earlier won't be bad. I just need to confirm that DW and D'Sis still want to do the CP before canceling my 2pm ADR.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I just now booked my CP package online, and it couldn't have been smoother. We are going to see Gary Sinise on Christmas Eve after dining at Restaurant Marrakesh. I know that isn't the traditional "top choice," but we haven't been there and thought this would be a nice touch to remind us of the lands of the Bible.

This was sooooo much better than 2010 when both DH and I held on the phone for hours. One of us holding would have been enough, normally, but I had a meeting at 10:00 CST, and we were afraid I would have to hang up. I wasn't going to put myself through that again this year. There hasn't been as much hoopla or advanced notice about the package this year, and I figured that if I couldn't get Christmas Eve, I could almost certainly get some other night during my trip.

 

[Tltorrez]

Question for anyone who has traveled to WDW during someone's birthday - not trying to start ethical debates here either, I'm just curious. Do you add the "celebration" option to your dining reservation for just the day of the event, or for other meals during that stay? We always travel in December during my youngest daughter's birthday. This year she's turning 6 while we are there. Her actual birthday falls during HS day, and we'll be at 50's prime time. I have already added that it's her birthday to that reservation (for anyone who doesn't know - this means they'll bring out a cupcake or something and sing Happy Birthday).

Anyway, two days later, on our last day, we will be at Chef Mickey's. They do a cute bday celebration there (we were there on her bday last December), but it's two days after the fact. Would you still add it to the reservation? I know I've seen some people on these boards talking about how if it's not the day of their bday, you're doing something wrong.

The CMs will actually encourage you to celebrate the whole trip. And even if the birthday is close to the trip. On one trip DS's birthday fell a couple days after we got home. But the CM on the phone encouraged us to celebrate and added the celebration to our ADRs. And the CM at the resort insisted he should wear the button the whole trip. Thats totally the way it should be.

 

[Tltorrez]

While on the subject v of birthdays ...what do you do about your other child(ren)? My kids aren't spoiled, and I never have a problem with one getting jealous when the other gets presents, etc (my girls are 5 and 8), but I have to admit it's seeming unfair. This will be the 3rd year in a row that my youngest has celebrated her birthday at Disney World. It's just the most convenient time of year for us to travel - her birthday is really just a coincidence. I'd like to do something special for my oldest though, who never complains about her sister getting the birthday button and getting all the special birthday wishes through the park (her only complaint came when we let DD pick out her birthday present in downtown disney and she wanted something too ... and of course we got

I only have one child but, particularly given this is a repeat occurrence, I would consider picking a day to celebrate each child's birthdays. Get them the cupcake and a small gift. Doesn't matter when their actual birthday is. And, again, based on my experience, I suspect any CM would advise the same. They done care about the date, they just want to encourage you to celebrate.

 

[Tltorrez]

My parents are so *together*, they have been together through the good and the bad and there have been some very difficult times and yet their togetherness, companionship & love is so strong that you darn right that I have noted 'Anniversary' on EVERY reservation. Their anniversary is only one day but I want to make a fuss of them every day - they deserve it!! And what better place to do it than in Disney

We often go in Oct. my DH and DS have Oct birthdays. So we always celebrate DS but last time I made DH wear the birthday button too. Everyone deserves to celebrate at Disney!

 

[Tltorrez]

I think I'm one of the few with no urge to go to CP! LOL. I hope everyone makes out well!

It's not our thing either. Hope everyone got what they wanted.

 

[RCMommy]

Nope, you are not alone. We are not making any CP plans. Myself and my hubby would enjoy it but not my children. I would not enjoy hearing "is this almost over?" every 10 minutes

We are however doing MVMCP, P&Ps and HDDR !

 

[Valgoof]

Another for the non-CP list. Saw it last year, but DH was not up for it again. You can hear and see it as you walk by the theatre if you want just a taste. And had to post to see my ticker. I think it's broken. It's just moving so slowly.

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Got our CP booking done this morning!

Heard from BW IPO and we got our 1st choice.

We are attending Dec 19, 815pm show. La Hacienda de San Angel @ 5pm

 

[Maddie's Nana]

Another for the non-CP list. Saw it last year, but DH was not up for it again. You can hear and see it as you walk by the theatre if you want just a taste. And had to post to see my ticker. I think it's broken. It's just moving so slowly.

My thoughts exactly on the CP. On the ticker problem I think it is the ticker - we have the same one and mine is really really moving slowly.

 

[BDL]

I just now booked my CP package online, and it couldn't have been smoother. We are going to see Gary Sinise on Christmas Eve after dining at Restaurant Marrakesh. I know that isn't the traditional "top choice," but we haven't been there and thought this would be a nice touch to remind us of the lands of the Bible.

This was sooooo much better than 2010 when both DH and I held on the phone for hours. One of us holding would have been enough, normally, but I had a meeting at 10:00 CST, and we were afraid I would have to hang up. I wasn't going to put myself through that again this year. There hasn't been as much hoopla or advanced notice about the package this year, and I figured that if I couldn't get Christmas Eve, I could almost certainly get some other night during my trip.

I hear you. I was part of the nightmarish Hold-a-thon in 2010 (do you remember the post CP/ADR system wide crash Disney had?). This was WAY smoother and quicker. Congrats on Christmas Eve and Sinise. I've heard good things of his narrations.

 

[tofubeast]

And had to post to see my ticker. I think it's broken. It's just moving so slowly.

Is that the reason? I bet my ticker is broken too!!

 

[TexasDreamer]

I'd like to see some of the Christmas decorations at the resorts. Any must see recommendations?

 

[ses1230]

I'd like to see some of the Christmas decorations at the resorts. Any must see recommendations?

I vote for the GF - the gingerbread house is amazing, imo!

 

[Tltorrez]

I'd like to see some of the Christmas decorations at the resorts. Any must see recommendations?

Ive been wanting to tour some of the resorts anyway. So seeing the decorations is a major part of our trip plan. We decided on BWI, BC, GF, Poly, Contemporary and WL.

I've been working from theses posts.

http://disneytourreviews.com/self-guided-yuletide-tour-review/
disney-world-christmas-decorations-tour/
http://allears.net/tp/h_decor.htm

 

[NewsiesGoil]

I just booked my flights today, but this trip still doesn't feel real. It's my first solo trip and I'm feeling so confused, like I've never been to WDW before. Like, I haven't even started looking at any ressies because I'm so hesitant! Last year and the year before I had all this stuff on lock-down by now.

 

[Tltorrez]

I just booked my flights today, but this trip still doesn't feel real. It's my first solo trip and I'm feeling so confused, like I've never been to WDW before. Like, I haven't even started looking at any ressies because I'm so hesitant! Last year and the year before I had all this stuff on lock-down by now.

What are your high-level plans for your trip? Anything in particular?

 

[houstonmama]

oooohhhh...check out the disney parks blog tomorrow for information on Be Our Guest!!

In today's blog (http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ory-of-new-fantasyland-at-magic-kingdom-park/) they posted this: Many of you have been asking for an update on the Be Our Guest Restaurant, and I’m happy to announce that we’ll have an update on this topic tomorrow on the Disney Parks Blog. Our Food Author Pam Brandon will share details with you on the delicious menu items you can expect, when reservations will begin, and more! Don’t miss it.

Yes!! I was just reading that...so exciting!!

 

[houstonmama]

Sorry you guys can't partake. But at least you can be on the outside and take in the music and some of the story telling.

Hmmmm, didn't think of that. You can hear the music/story telling even though you're not inside? THAT we could handle