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

[ksromack]

I'm still hoping the Wanna Get Away fares from Southwest will drop soon as well. Although, right now we aren't even ready to book that.

I've been very tempted to just go ahead and book our airfare with SW. As it stands right now, we're at $282 each round trip from StL. I don't see it going any lower but I guess if it stays like this in 2 weeks, I'll go ahead and book. I like the idea of having this off my mind!

 

[darkwingeeyore]

Didn't see my name on the front page - I posted a while back and subscribed to the thread, but forgot to come back and check the front page until today. We're heading down December 8-15 and staying at CBR. My DD will have just turned 2 and it'll be my first time at WDW with a child!! Freaking out about that.

We're doing MVMCP on December 13 (Thursday). We have all our ADRs except for the Luau, because a bunch of our friends are going down as well, but haven't exactly made their plans and the numbers are still in limbo at this point. We should have that straightened out by the end of the month. (I hope! I've been planning this trip since my DH & I got back in December 2009, had may ADRs worked out and got everything we wanted. My husband thinks I'm crazy for having gotten up at 5:30am to book ADRs, but he'll thank me when we're eating! Needless to say, the other people not having their plans made is making me a bit insane!)

 

[pequele]

ok, finally, our prelim plan for our 1st DVC trip to AKV-KidaniDec 15-27! Shoot I forget which parks which days! I don't have that here! I'll fill it in later. I am still waiting for Pirate & Pals dates and Wishes....

Dec 15
fly in around 2pm
6:30- Mickey's BBBQ

Dec 16
9:00 Cape May BC
Epcot
5:15 Garden Grill with CP package
8:15 CP

Dec 17
5pm Garden Grove

Dec 18
hotel morning then to MK later
3:30 xtal Palace
MVMCP

Dec 19
I believe this is a MK day also with BBB knight package or Pirate League (but of the top of my head BBB I think)
10am 1900 PF
5:30 CRT

Dec 20
AK
11:05 Tusker House
5:15 Spirit of Aloha

Dec 21
some MK some hotel day (to rest for MVMCP)
9:00 Ohana
5:05 1900 PF
MVMCP take 2!

Dec 22
Epcot in the afternoon
5:00 Les Chef de France

Dec 23
DHS
12:05 H&V

Dec 24
probably a hotel day
5:30 Chef Mickey's
HOPING to get pirate & pals cruise this day too

Dec 25
a little of Epcot in the am then hotels
9:20 Akershaus

Dec 26
probably hotel day or AK
12:00 Sanaa- lunch with an animal trainer or something like that

Dec 27
9:00a Boma
checkout
a park
flight leaves around 5pm

my son wants me to put in a here!

 

[clynngibson]

I updated our PTR and added pictures! The link is in my sig...please go read and comment!! I will be adding pics of our Disney Movie Nights as they happen!

 

[JLa01844]

Ok, I wrot down all the scenarios for My husband and told him to pick. He chose our original. So no additional days or using Free Dining.

I am fine with this decision. As there were many pros/cons with each one and now I don't have to prey about rebooking anything!

 

[levenhopper]

The package is very worth it to me. I do not want to have to wait in line for 4 hrs to see CP as we are doing this Christmas Eve. This will guarantee we see Gary Sinise! It will also give us VIP viewing to Illuminations that night. We actually just changed from Coral Reef to Biergarten....my in laws are German and think they would enjoy that more.

I got lucky, and Le Cellier had a 11:50AM opening for the CP package. So I canceled the one at 1:20PM, and booked the 11:50 CP package (5:00PM showing).

If anyone gets a free second, I'd thoroughly appreciate any feedback on my pre-trip report (link in my signature).

 

[Phatoomch]

my son wants me to put in a here!

cute

Your plan looks great - love your ADRs

 

[Phatoomch]

I got lucky, and Le Cellier had a 11:50AM opening for the CP package. So I canceled the one at 1:20PM, and booked the 11:50 CP package (5:00PM showing).

If anyone gets a free second, I'd thoroughly appreciate any feedback on my pre-trip report (link in my signature).

From everything I have read I think the CP package is well worth it so you did the right thing ... off to read your PTR

 

[TexasDreamer]

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.

Yes, i realize that DHS closes early on 12/5. That was the original dilemma of the OP. (And mine too). The OP posed the question as which other night to go see the Osborne Lights. One of the options was whether or not to go to AK or back to DHS on the evening of 12/8. I was just point in out that AK closes at 5pm on 12/8. (In fact the calendar show AK closes at 5pm most days in Dec) and as such going to see the Osborne Lights on 12/8 might be a good alternative. Sorry if there was confusion

 

[mrstomrice]

Our dining plans:
Here is what we got!
12/22: Arrival Day 1900 Park Fare for dinner
12/23: Liberty Tree Tavern, dinner
12/24: Crystal Palace, dinner (hoping for Be Our Guest though!)
12/25: Garden Grill for Candlelight Processional package
12/26: No Adr yet? Have to double check this!
12/27: Mama Melrose Fantasmic package late lunch 12/28:Tusker House, late breakfast

Now, what's for dinner tonight?

Since we decided to head down in August, our touring and adr's could be changed so we can enjoy the holiday events more.
12/22: Arrival Day 1900 Park Fare for dinner changed to dinner at Chef Mickey so we can see the castle lighting then head over to CR. We have also never tried CM for dinner, always breakfast.
12/27: Mama Melrose Fantasmic package late lunch Changed to 50's Prime Time Cafe. We will do Fantasmic in Aug and save this night for Osbourne Lights.
Still finding the availability of adr's amazing for Christmas week! I am having an easier time getting Chef Mickey and Fantasmic packages for this week than I did for the 40th anniversary week of MK last year at my 180 day!

 

[cybrkitn]

I've been very tempted to just go ahead and book our airfare with SW. As it stands right now, we're at $282 each round trip from StL. I don't see it going any lower but I guess if it stays like this in 2 weeks, I'll go ahead and book. I like the idea of having this off my mind!

From Islip, NY to Orlando, FL the price is $130 each way for us. I remember 6 years ago when I was able to get the Wanna Get Away price of $99 each way. I doubt it will get that low again.

 

[budcollector]

i was just checking airfares to see if my flight had changed price yet, [i'm flying airtran], i booked a month ago and picked my seats for $300 rt, which i figured for the holidays wasn't bad. today the same flight Without picking seats is $445 rt I'm so glad i booked when i did , i can just imagine what it wiil cost the closer to the holidays it gets.

 

[JLa01844]

Yes, i realize that DHS closes early on 12/5. That was the original dilemma of the OP. (And mine too). The OP posed the question as which other night to go see the Osborne Lights. One of the options was whether or not to go to AK or back to DHS on the evening of 12/8. I was just point in out that AK closes at 5pm on 12/8. (In fact the calendar show AK closes at 5pm most days in Dec) and as such going to see the Osborne Lights on 12/8 might be a good alternative. Sorry if there was confusion

I understood! I think we are going to do that. Because DHS isn't a big draw for us. we will probably be lazy the morning of the 5th, and this will give us the opportunity to get it all in and see Osborne. thank you!

 

[JLa01844]

Anyone holding out for airfare you may want to ask you carrier if they refund money if prices go cheaper. Southwest will let you rebook your airfare with a lower price and you can use the credit for another trip within a years time.

I've done it before. Booked at $140 and got a $99 special a few weeks before and ended up having almost a whole ticket free my next trip with them because of the credit.

 

[SouthernBelles]

For anyone interested in sleigh rides, I just called and they can now be booked. I had actually called to try and book the Pirates & Pals cruise, but the dates aren't released yet. That's when she added that the sligh rides had just opened up for booking.

 

[Destructsean]

For anyone interested in sleigh rides, I just called and they can now be booked. I had actually called to try and book the Pirates & Pals cruise, but the dates aren't released yet. That's when she added that the sligh rides had just opened up for booking.

Where are the sleigh rides done at? This sounds perfect as a little surprise for the wife to be.

 

[cybrkitn]

Where are the sleigh rides done at? This sounds perfect as a little surprise for the wife to be.

Fort Wilderness. But I thought I read from someone on these boards that Disney may not do that this year I could be wrong b/c we were thinking of doing that.

If Disney does keep it this year, then you would need to call the Disney tour line to book it. I don't remember if it's a 20 or 30 minute ride (I forgot what the CM told me when I called to get more info on it).

 

[AnnaS]

Count us in Dec. 5th - 12th - OKW

 

[SouthernBelles]

Where are the sleigh rides done at? This sounds perfect as a little surprise for the wife to be.

They are at Fort Wilderness. You can actually look it up on youtube. It looks like a lot of fun looking at all of the Christmas lights. We were going to do it but our party is 4 adults & 2 kids and that is too many people. We would have to split into two groups and we don't want to do that.

There is also a carriage ride in case that might interest you too!

 

[mom2rtk]

So what is the difference between the sleigh ride and carraige ride? Anyone have photos?

I also saw someone suggest renting a golf cart and driving yourself around the campground. This sounds better to me so I can stop and take photos if I like.

Does anyone have feedback on any of these options?