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

[DsnyMama]

thanks for updating us!!! SOOO excited!

 

[dogsmom]

We are going to MVMCP 12/18!! Hoping none of you are going then.

We are going on 12/18 also! Only three of us. So maybe we will have the party to ourselves!!

 

[nickle831]

I don't see the party date for Dec 13th a Thursday.

 

[levenhopper]

Just booked my first trip to Disney World!!

Dec 15-21 - Art of Animation.

 

[levenhopper]

Has anyone started their touring plans?

Yup, but it's a little crazy. I'm trying to tame it so we're not running all over. It'll be me and my girlfriend (we're college aged).

Travel: 12/15/12-12/21/12, staying at Art of Animation (with Disney Dining plan).

Sat: Flight lands at 10:00AM. Get to AoA, head to EPCOT for a few hours. Cirque du Soleil at 6PM, dinner at T-Rex after.
Sunday: EPCOT. Dinner at Via Napoli. Illuminations at night.
Monday: Animal Kingdom. Dinner at 1900 Park Fare. Disney Boardwalk after (maybe Jellyrolls).
Tuesday: Magic Kingdom. Dinner at 'Ohana (will try to move to Be Our Guest once they start taking reservations). Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.
Wednesday: Magic Kingdom. Seas Aqua Tour at EPCOT at 12:30PM. Dinner at Crystal Palace. Parade and Wishes Fireworks at night.
Thursday: Hollywood Studios. Lunch at Sci-Fi Dine-In. Fantasmic! and Osborne Family lights at night.
Friday: Hollywood Studios. Flight leaves at 5:45PM.

 

[mrstomrice]

Yup, but it's a little crazy. I'm trying to tame it so we're not running all over. It'll be me and my girlfriend (we're college aged).

Travel: 12/15/12-12/21/12, staying at Art of Animation (with Disney Dining plan).

Sat: Flight lands at 10:00AM. Get to AoA, head to EPCOT for a few hours. Cirque du Soleil at 6PM, dinner at T-Rex after.
Sunday: EPCOT. Dinner at Via Napoli. Illuminations at night.
Monday: Animal Kingdom. Dinner at 1900 Park Fare. Disney Boardwalk after (maybe Jellyrolls).
Tuesday: Magic Kingdom. Dinner at 'Ohana (will try to move to Be Our Guest once they start taking reservations). Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.
Wednesday: Magic Kingdom. Seas Aqua Tour at EPCOT at 12:30PM. Dinner at Crystal Palace. Parade and Wishes Fireworks at night.
Thursday: Hollywood Studios. Lunch at Sci-Fi Dine-In. Fantasmic! and Osborne Family lights at night.
Friday: Hollywood Studios. Flight leaves at 5:45PM.

Looks like a fun filled week! You may want to consider no dinner ADR during MVMCP. When we went to the Halloween party, the crowds could start to come in at 4 pm. If you leave the park to go to dinner you'll be missing some of the party. Maybe try for a breakfast adr that day? You will love Jellyrolls if you go!

 

[JLa01844]

What is the general consensus about DHS closing early for POP Warner? I know last year they closed at 5pm. Was there any rumors yet about this year?? We only have DHS planned for 1 day and it happens to be 12/5. I may need to rearrange my trip a little so we can see Osborne lights....maybe not. Is 1 day enough for Animal Kingdom? Really? If we did DHS during the day on the 5th, we could come back on the 8th to see just Osborne Lights or use the Evening Magic Hours on the 9th after our MK Day. I just don't want to stretch the limits of us being over tired and ruining our trip. We have a lot planned as it is already but would hate to let our WDW vacay slip by without seeing Osborne Lights.

We have:
2: Travel, Ohana Dinner
3: Epcot AM, Biergarten Lunch, MK PM (parade, fireworks, chapeau)
4: MK Day, Whispering Canyon Dinner, Chip and Dale Campfire Program
5: DHS, Beaches & Cream Dinner, Epcot Illuminations
6: Lazy Morning/DTD, MVMCP, 5:00 Harmony Barbershop (DD)
7: Animal Kingdom, BOMA Dinner
8: Epcot AM, Le Cellier Lunch, DHS or AK PM
9: MK Day, 8:05 CP, 11:30 Pirates League, (Hoping for BOG, we have LTT right now)
10: 9am Ohana Breakfast, Monorail ride/DTD, 4:30 Magical Express to MCO

 

[Leger13]

We are arriving on the 15th of December and staying at AoA

 

[Leger13]

What is the general consensus about DHS closing early for POP Warner? I know last year they closed at 5pm. Was there any rumors yet about this year?? We only have DHS planned for 1 day and it happens to be 12/5. I may need to rearrange my trip a little so we can see Osborne lights....maybe not. Is 1 day enough for Animal Kingdom? Really? If we did DHS during the day on the 5th, we could come back on the 8th to see just Osborne Lights or use the Evening Magic Hours on the 9th after our MK Day. I just don't want to stretch the limits of us being over tired and ruining our trip. We have a lot planned as it is already but would hate to let our WDW vacay slip by without seeing Osborne Lights.

We have:
2: Travel, Ohana Dinner
3: Epcot AM, Biergarten Lunch, MK PM (parade, fireworks, chapeau)
4: MK Day, Whispering Canyon Dinner, Chip and Dale Campfire Program
5: DHS, Beaches & Cream Dinner, Epcot Illuminations
6: Lazy Morning/DTD, MVMCP, 5:00 Harmony Barbershop (DD)
7: Animal Kingdom, BOMA Dinner
8: Epcot AM, Le Cellier Lunch, DHS or AK PM
9: MK Day, 8:05 CP, 11:30 Pirates League, (Hoping for BOG, we have LTT right now)
10: 9am Ohana Breakfast, Monorail ride/DTD, 4:30 Magical Express to MCO

I would go for the Osborne lights on the 9th after MK since it's Evening EMH at DHS. Lower crowds to fight at the lights

 

[txtara]

I need opinions about Christmas Day. ....I was thinking about Hollywood Studios...any opinions?

 

[Phatoomch]

I need opinions about Christmas Day. ....I was thinking about Hollywood Studios...any opinions?

Probably a very good option - I hear MK gets MOBBED and they often have had to 'close' the park by lunchtime Whatever your decision, I would certainly avoid MK on christmas day

 

[debrapagliasotti]

We are going to MVMCP 12/18!! Hoping none of you are going then.

We will be there on the 18th

 

[TexasDreamer]

What is the general consensus about DHS closing early for POP Warner? I know last year they closed at 5pm. Was there any rumors yet about this year?? We only have DHS planned for 1 day and it happens to be 12/5. I may need to rearrange my trip a little so we can see Osborne lights....maybe not. Is 1 day enough for Animal Kingdom? Really? If we did DHS during the day on the 5th, we could come back on the 8th to see just Osborne Lights or use the Evening Magic Hours on the 9th after our MK Day. I just don't want to stretch the limits of us being over tired and ruining our trip. We have a lot planned as it is already but would hate to let our WDW vacay slip by without seeing Osborne Lights.

We have:
2: Travel, Ohana Dinner
3: Epcot AM, Biergarten Lunch, MK PM (parade, fireworks, chapeau)
4: MK Day, Whispering Canyon Dinner, Chip and Dale Campfire Program
5: DHS, Beaches & Cream Dinner, Epcot Illuminations
6: Lazy Morning/DTD, MVMCP, 5:00 Harmony Barbershop (DD)
7: Animal Kingdom, BOMA Dinner
8: Epcot AM, Le Cellier Lunch, DHS or AK PM
9: MK Day, 8:05 CP, 11:30 Pirates League, (Hoping for BOG, we have LTT right now)
10: 9am Ohana Breakfast, Monorail ride/DTD, 4:30 Magical Express to MCO

AK closes at 5pm on the 12/8. So DHS might be a better option.

We are having the same problem as you. 12/5 was to be our only DHS Day but I feel I need to come up with a plan B if the park closes so early. I definitely don't want to miss the Osborne Lights.

 

[My2Qtz0205]

AK closes at 5pm on the 12/8. So DHS might be a better option.

We are having the same problem as you. 12/5 was to be our only DHS Day but I feel I need to come up with a plan B if the park closes so early. I definitely don't want to miss the Osborne Lights.

You might want to check the hours again. I thought I remembered a post last week saying that DHS was closing at 5pm on 12/5.

 

[cybrkitn]

You might want to check the hours again. I thought I remembered a post last week saying that DHS was closing at 5pm on 12/5.

That is correct. I checked Disney's site last month to see what day DHS was closing early. They have December 5th down for closing early (I think it's 5 pm) due to Pop Warner's party.

 

[ksromack]

Has anyone started their touring plans?

I have! And now I won't have anything to do for the next 5 months except look at the calendar and read these boards

8-fly in noonish, get rental car and drive to store for snacks then to Royal Pacific Resort at Universal, mess around resort and go to IOA, Blue Man Group 6pm? Citywalk after.
9-early admission to WWoHP, spend all day there, dinner at Mythos. Drive to LaQuinta for a cheap sleep
10-free breakfast at LaQuinta, drive to POR, drop bags, get KTTK, return rental car. Tour the POR resort, maybe rent a bicycle? Dinner at Yachtsman at 5:35, fireworks at MK and also EMH there until 11pm
11-MK day, breakfast at Kona 7:40, hopefully a counter service at BOG for lunch and what the heck, a dinner TS there too Also, Dream Come True Parade at 3pm. Early park close due to MVMCP. <-we're two adults, should we do this party?
12-Begneits at POFQ for breakfast? Epcot day, lunch ADR 2:45 Le Cellier. Illuminations 9:30. Or maybe come back to resort for Ye Haa Bob or Scat Club at POFQ? :
13-Another Epcot day. Breakfast ressies at Akershus 9:35. Candlelight Processional dinner at 4:45 Tuttio Italia. CP 8:15pm Watch Illuminations if we didn't catch it the night before, Jazz Club at POFQ or maybe Jelly Rolls?
14-Animal Kingdom Day , Jammin' Jungle Parade 3:45. Mickey snack : Tour resorts for Christmas decorations (at least AKL) Maybe grab a zebradome snack EMH at Epcot until 12:30 am. Maybe we'll do Illuminations then? Clearly I don't have every minute accounted for
15- HS early admission 8am. Starring Rolls latte? Counter Service lunch....i think we can get this park done in time to head back to MK for 3pm Dream Come True Parade if we didn't catch it on the 11th. Dinner reservations at O'hana 6:45. Catch Christmas decorations at Polynesian at least and maybe Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and WL as well if we don't want to go back to MK right away. I do want to catch the 10pm Wishes as they won't do it tuesday night
16-Free morning and afternoon! Go to Hollywood Studios to catch Osborne Lights in the evening. It's EMH at HS, they are open until 11pm.
17-EMH at AK. 8am.....only if we need to see more here. We fly out in the late afternoon. Back to reality.

Do I need to make any changes? We haven't been to WDW since 2007 and hubby has never been during the holiday season (I've only been once during the holidays). I'm so stinkin' excited! Do they make it snow on main street during wishes or is it only during the MVMCP?

 

[DsnyMama]

Has anyone started their touring plans?

Yep! Rough TP's are DONE more detailed one's coming soon! Link for my PTR is in my siggy and has all the details

 

[Phatoomch]

Has anyone started their touring plans?

I've done a touring plan but I don't go as far as factoring in when to ride what rides.

Mine is:

12/7
arrive POR RGR @11am
explore resort, hang out
5pm - 12.30am EPCOT
5.45pm dinner @ Via Napoli
8.15 Candlelight Processional (booked package so I can secure seating and VIP for Illuminations)

12/8
MK day
8.05am Cinderella Castle for breakfast
5.15pm Crystal Palace for Dinner
10pm closes

12/9
DHS day
12.00 50's Prime Time lunch
6.30pm Fantasmic
7.50pm Hollywood Brown Derby for dinner

12/10
Epcot day
12.20 Biergarten lunch
6.15pm Rose & Crown dinner

12/11
AK day
Tusker House lunch

MK Evening for Xmas party!! Yay!

12/12
MK day
12.30 Liberty Tree Tavern lunch
Leave at 2.30pm
Go back to POR to get ferry to DTD
6.00 T-Rex for dinner
Build-a-dino
Shopping
9pm La Nouba

12/13
Go home waaaaaaaaaa :cry:

 

[MUDisneyCouple]

For an earlier discussion, we're going to MVMCP on 12/6

 

[My2Qtz0205]

I don't have our touring plans down to the ride yet, either, but here's our general park days and ADRs, and what I am most looking forward to at each park:

12/7: Travel Day. Kids will attend school half-day, then we will pull them out at twelve to go to the airport for our late afternoon flight. Arrive at MCO at dinner time. Probably go straight to the house, where my in-laws will be waiting for us. Eat and swim!

12/8: AK. ADR TH 8:20 . I didn't really enjoy AK as much as I think I could have the last time we were there, so I'm hoping to give it another shot and LOVE it this time! What I am looking forward to:
Trees at Camp Minnie Mickey
Kilimanjaro Safari
Festival of the Lion King
and things that we missed last time:
Expedition Everest
Finding Nemo
Wonders in Flight
and Rafiki's Planet Watch I know that's not popular, but I've got to throw something educational in there since they're missing school.
What we will NOT be doing:
Virtually anything in Dinoland USA . Dinosaur will be too loud for my DD, It's Tough to Be a Bug probably also too much for either of my kids, and don't get me started on the festival games they want you to shell out extra cash for. Uh, no.
Anywhooo....
Oh, the park closes at 5, so I'm thinking we'll head back to the house, refresh, and then go to DTD for dinner (Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express) and shopping.

12/9: MK, and DD's BIRTHDAY!! 8:10 appointment at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at the Castle!
As I said, I don't have specific plans down to the ride yet, but I usually follow the Unofficial Guide's suggestions. However, they, of course, do not have the Fantasyland expansion in their plans, so that will be interesting to see how that pans out.
Needless to say, we are excited about:
The Little Mermaid . We really hope it is open in time!
This is day one out of two days planned at MK, so whatever we don't get done here this day, we will hopefully get done on our second day.
I am planning on a mid-day break, however, because this is also our MVMCP night!
Birthday girl has her birthday dinner at CRT at 6:45pm (I know, wasting party time, but as I said, we've spent the day here, will come back again later, and the party lasts until midnight!)

12/10: Epcot Day One (World Showcase focus) which means we are sleeping in!
Get to WS around the time that it opens at 11.
Do the Agent Perry Missions.
Meet the different Father Christmases/national representatives
CS at Kringla Bakery in Norway for lunch.
This will be a short day ( at least for DH and I) because we have a date night ADR at Cali Grill at 5:45. Wishes is at 8:00, so hopefully we will be able to see it while we are finishing up dessert.

12/11: IoA Day. Get up early to be there half-hour before it opens. Head right over to Harry Potter, then to Seuss Landing, then whatever suits our fancy. We are not going to take a break on this day.

12/12: DHS Day. Again, there is so much we missed the last time we were here. We only did a half-day because we were going to MNSSHP that evening. Highlights of what I definitely want to see:
Beauty & the Beast
Toy Story Midway Mania
Animation Academy
Muppet Vision 3-D
The Great Movie Ride
Rock n Roller Coaster (rode this last time, but now DS is tall enough to ride!)
We will probably have to take a break for lunch, then we will return for our 4:35p ADR at Sci-Fi Dine-In , then head over to see the Osbourne Lights!

12/13: Epcot Day Two (Future World focus). We're going to shoot for Rope Drop on this one.
Today will be ride day. Take a break mid-day and return for our CP Dinner Package ADR at Via Napoli at 5:45 . Watch the Candlelight Processional Show at 8:15. Catch Illuminations at 9:30.

12/14: Magic Kingdom Day Two. Ride our favorites or anything we didn't ride on Saturday. If we can get by without taking a break, :thumbsup: This is a party night, so we will leave the park via the monorail for our goodbye dinner at 1900 Park Fare at 7pm . This will also allow us to see the gingerbread house, and maybe, if we're not too tired, we can ride the monorail over to the Polynesian and Contemporary also to see their decorations (though that might be pushing it). At least I'll have seen the Contemporary's while we're at the Cali Grill for dinner.

12/15: Departure Day. Must be to airport early. Such a rude ending to what I'm sure will be an amazing vacation!