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

[Phatoomch]

Congratulations! How long is your holiday shut-down? Is there any chance you could go then? You'd still be out the money for the party tickets, but you'd still be there for the Christmas decorations!

totally but when I see your username I'm like how do you remember that its just letters and numbers .... but I just worked out what it stands for so I'm feeling very clever right now

 

[bellaally]

Well I did not agree to the reservations because I am still planning the parks we will be in also which day to do MVMCP. But I put in trex, le chefs de France, ohana, Sanaa. I am just going by the most popular restaurants minus character dinners because I have no kids going with me and my husband and I are not into that much? Is there other restaurants I should try?

 

[Phatoomch]

Well I did not agree to the reservations because I am still planning the parks we will be in also which day to do MVMCP. But I put in trex, le chefs de France, ohana, Sanaa. I am just going by the most popular restaurants minus character dinners because I have no kids going with me and my husband and I are not into that much? Is there other restaurants I should try?

It might also be because you are a party of 2 only

I've made all my ADRs in the parks this time. We don't park hoppers (we'll hit the parks when they open and stay til they close) so resort restaurants weren't fitting in well this time (they take up a lot of time). I've booked:

Via Napoli (Candlelight Processional package)
Cinderellas Royal Tables - I was lucky enough to score the first slot of 08.05am which means we can enter the park 15mins before it opens and get some great photos in front of the castle
Crystal Palace
Biergarten (Germany)
Rose & Crown (UK)
50s Prime Time Cafe
Hollywood Brown Derby (love this place!)
Liberty Tree Tavern (another fav)
Tusker House Restaurant

Last one I need to book is Be Our Guest so waiting patiently for ADRs to open.

We did have Sanaa booked but I changed my park plan and it didn't fit well so I cancelled.

 

[beedale862003]

I'm asking here because I know a lot of you have pre-trip reports and know how to work this site better than me. How to I add links to posts I've made in the my pre-trip report to my initial post so they are easier to find? Thanks

 

[JLa01844]

Congratulations! How long is your holiday shut-down? Is there any chance you could go then? You'd still be out the money for the party tickets, but you'd still be there for the Christmas decorations!

Our holiday shut down is the last week of the year basically the week between Christmas and New Years. That would be a fantastic time to go, as far as decorations.... but what are crowds like? Would we be a sea of people? It does make sense though..I wouldn't actually have to use my vacation time

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Our holiday shut down is the last week of the year basically the week between Christmas and New Years. That would be a fantastic time to go, as far as decorations.... but what are crowds like? Would we be a sea of people? It does make sense though..I wouldn't actually have to use my vacation time

Crowds will be heavy, but I'm sure with proper planning you'd still have a magical time! I've been reading December '11 trip reports, and basically I've gleaned not to do MK on Christmas Day--maybe even make that a day to explore the resort Christmas decorations and hit the pool if the weather allows. I'm sure there are others here on the thread who can give you tips based on personal experience, though!

 

[ejrj]

Ok December lovers, help me get on board please!! Our trip was totally booked, ADRd, etc for Sept 29-Oct 5. Then my two, two year olds got twoyearolditis and my husband said 'OMG I can't handle them at WDW right now'. Soooo earlier this week we moved our dates to Nov 28-Dec5. Yesterday I realized that is Pop Warner week (which I'm only concerned about in regard to the hotel, but unfortunately nobody can verify if POR is the moderate option this year). Today I have to make the decision to either stick with our current dates or move to Dec 10-17 (in order to still take advantage of FD). I think I want to do the latter but am struggling with 'cold' factor. I just can't imagine doing Disney and being chilly. Help give me the push December lovers!!

 

[mom2rtk]

Our holiday shut down is the last week of the year basically the week between Christmas and New Years. That would be a fantastic time to go, as far as decorations.... but what are crowds like? Would we be a sea of people? It does make sense though..I wouldn't actually have to use my vacation time

Many folks have gone to Disney that week and had a magical time. But you need to go into it with eyes wide open. It is the single busiest week at Disney all year long, with parks closing to capacity on and off all week. And it also comes with the highest prices of the season if you plan to stay onsite.

If you do go, plan on rope drop (which is VERY early with the expanded park hours) and efficient use of fastpass. Pack your patience, and adjust your expectations. Don't go into it expecting to do it all.

But Disney in Disney in December is awesome. If that were my only choice, I'd be tempted to give it a go.

 

[srauchbauer]

Sooo excited I actually got an ADR for chef Mickey (we have never been able to get an ADR here before). DH isn't thrilled that the only one time we will eat out will be at Chef Mickey's. But I have always wanted to try it.

 

[BDL]

I've booked:

Via Napoli (Candlelight Processional package)
Cinderellas Royal Tables - I was lucky enough to score the first slot of 08.05am which means we can enter the park 15mins before it opens and get some great photos in front of the castle
Crystal Palace
Biergarten (Germany)
Rose & Crown (UK)
50s Prime Time Cafe
Hollywood Brown Derby (love this place!)
Liberty Tree Tavern (another fav)
Tusker House Restaurant

Last one I need to book is Be Our Guest so waiting patiently for ADRs to open.

We did have Sanaa booked but I changed my park plan and it didn't fit well so I cancelled.

You have a lot of my favorites and must do's on your list. Good job.

Via Napoli (Candlelight Processional package) - I'm more partial to Tutto Italia. But good choice for the CP combo. We're doing Garden Grill this year for our CP combo.
Cinderellas Royal Tables - Incredible get. I doubt I'd be ever to be able to land this 1
Crystal Palace - This is always a Must Do. Who can resist giving Pooh a hug?
Biergarten (Germany) - Never ate in Germany, but have tried the different shades of beers...
Rose & Crown (UK) - Let me guess... Fish n chips?
50s Prime Time Cafe - Will be eating here for the 1st time this trip cuz BDLsgal saw they had spinach dip. That is her kryptonite.
Hollywood Brown Derby (love this place!) - Thank you for the testimonial. This will be our Fantasmic! dining combo meal.
Liberty Tree Tavern (another fav) - Might be able to hit here in passing if there is an opening
Tusker House Restaurant - Ate here for the 1st time our last trip. Is now a breakfast Must Do. Best character interaction in the park.

 

[Tltorrez]

Well I did not agree to the reservations because I am still planning the parks we will be in also which day to do MVMCP. But I put in trex, le chefs de France, ohana, Sanaa. I am just going by the most popular restaurants minus character dinners because I have no kids going with me and my husband and I are not into that much? Is there other restaurants I should try?

Well, Ohana is a tough one usually but the other restaurants you picked aren't so bad. Some of it is time of day - for example I only wanted Crystal Palace between 8:05 and 8:15. Any later and I wouldn't have taken it. California Grill during Wishes is another example. Also, there's a big difference between a party of 2 and a party of 6. And sometimes it's just luck too. I once got Crystal Palace 8:10am at 5 days out. It wasn't until later that I realized how lucky I was.

I got everything I wanted at my 180 except the Fantasmic Package at Brown Derby. (I just couldn't get anywhere close to the right time.) However, since then I tweaked my park plans and now I'm having a hard time with Yak & Yeti. I initially snagged the last dinner slot (4:45 on a 5pm closing day). But now I don't think we'll stick around that long and all the lunch ressies are full. I had planned there because I think my in-laws will like the food better than the AKL resort choices. So now I'm kind of stuck.

 

[beedale862003]

Ok December lovers, help me get on board please!! Our trip was totally booked, ADRd, etc for Sept 29-Oct 5. Then my two, two year olds got twoyearolditis and my husband said 'OMG I can't handle them at WDW right now'. Soooo earlier this week we moved our dates to Nov 28-Dec5. Yesterday I realized that is Pop Warner week (which I'm only concerned about in regard to the hotel, but unfortunately nobody can verify if POR is the moderate option this year). Today I have to make the decision to either stick with our current dates or move to Dec 10-17 (in order to still take advantage of FD). I think I want to do the latter but am struggling with 'cold' factor. I just can't imagine doing Disney and being chilly. Help give me the push December lovers!!

It's possible that it could be cold but usually its perfect weather. A long sleeve shirt should do it for you. Maybe a light jacket in the evenings if your cold natured, your toddlers will probably be perfectly comfortable.

 

[levenhopper]

Crystal Palace - This is always a Must Do. Who can resist giving Pooh a hug?

Given the choice, would you pick Crystal Palace for breakfast or dinner? There's a 8:10AM opening for breakfast, or a 6:20PM opening for dinner, and I'm not sure which to go with.

It'll be the same day as our Seas Aqua tour at Epcot, which is 3.5 hours (starting at 12PM at the Epcot gate).

 

[BDL]

Given the choice, would you pick Crystal Palace for breakfast or dinner? There's a 8:10AM opening for breakfast, or a 6:20PM opening for dinner, and I'm not sure which to go with.

It'll be the same day as our Seas Aqua tour at Epcot, which is 3.5 hours (starting at 12PM at the Epcot gate).

I think the breakfast is the better meal at CP. Also, you wouldn't want to be rushed to see Wishes at night (unless it was a MVMCP night). Ironically enough, CP will be our 4pm dinner meal on our MVMCP night.

 

[k3mommy]

Hey y'all! My family is going to Disney for the first time Nov. 28-Dec. 3. We our staying at the new AoA.

 

[Tltorrez]

Given the choice, would you pick Crystal Palace for breakfast or dinner? There's a 8:10AM opening for breakfast, or a 6:20PM opening for dinner, and I'm not sure which to go with.

It'll be the same day as our Seas Aqua tour at Epcot, which is 3.5 hours (starting at 12PM at the Epcot gate).

Is the 8:10 breakfast a morning EMH day? On non-EMH days those spots are gold because it gets you into the park and done with breakfast before park opening. Personally, I don't like to do meals that interrupt our park touring, especially at MK. But if you're not touring in MK that day then it really doesn't matter. Though it is fun to take pics on a totally empty Main Street.

 

[cybrkitn]

Ok December lovers, help me get on board please!! Our trip was totally booked, ADRd, etc for Sept 29-Oct 5. Then my two, two year olds got twoyearolditis and my husband said 'OMG I can't handle them at WDW right now'. Soooo earlier this week we moved our dates to Nov 28-Dec5. Yesterday I realized that is Pop Warner week (which I'm only concerned about in regard to the hotel, but unfortunately nobody can verify if POR is the moderate option this year). Today I have to make the decision to either stick with our current dates or move to Dec 10-17 (in order to still take advantage of FD). I think I want to do the latter but am struggling with 'cold' factor. I just can't imagine doing Disney and being chilly. Help give me the push December lovers!!

You can still get FD b/c your check in date is prior to the Pop Warner black out date. November 28 is listed on the dates for FD. We're checking in on 11/29 at CBR and getting FD for our entire stay (11/29-12/8).

From what I've been seeing from other DISers, there are only certain rooms at POR that qualify for FD (I think it was the garden view rooms, not sure though). Some DISers were also finding that FD for POR for their dates were not available. Because of this, you may want to have a back up resort in mind in case POR is not available.

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Never mind. My brain has officially reached planning capacity.

 

[Phatoomch]

You have a lot of my favorites and must do's on your list. Good job.

Via Napoli (Candlelight Processional package) - I'm more partial to Tutto Italia. But good choice for the CP combo. We're doing Garden Grill this year for our CP combo.
Cinderellas Royal Tables - Incredible get. I doubt I'd be ever to be able to land this 1
Crystal Palace - This is always a Must Do. Who can resist giving Pooh a hug?
Biergarten (Germany) - Never ate in Germany, but have tried the different shades of beers...
Rose & Crown (UK) - Let me guess... Fish n chips?
50s Prime Time Cafe - Will be eating here for the 1st time this trip cuz BDLsgal saw they had spinach dip. That is her kryptonite.
Hollywood Brown Derby (love this place!) - Thank you for the testimonial. This will be our Fantasmic! dining combo meal.
Liberty Tree Tavern (another fav) - Might be able to hit here in passing if there is an opening
Tusker House Restaurant - Ate here for the 1st time our last trip. Is now a breakfast Must Do. Best character interaction in the park.

LOL no fish 'n' chips for me - although I'm a brit, I don't like fish

Hollywood Brown Derby was a great experience for us - it was relaxed (some say slow but the laid back service is part of the fine dining experience) the food was lovely and it was a great opportunity to just have a rest. I would pick it if it was just me and hubby for a romantic dinner If you do the F! package you get a starter, main & dessert (as opposed to starter & main on DDP). Hope you enjoy it!

Looking forward to Tuskers - we're having lunch there (which is now character also). The food choices look YUM!

 

[Phatoomch]

Ok December lovers, help me get on board please!! Our trip was totally booked, ADRd, etc for Sept 29-Oct 5. Then my two, two year olds got twoyearolditis and my husband said 'OMG I can't handle them at WDW right now'. Soooo earlier this week we moved our dates to Nov 28-Dec5. Yesterday I realized that is Pop Warner week (which I'm only concerned about in regard to the hotel, but unfortunately nobody can verify if POR is the moderate option this year). Today I have to make the decision to either stick with our current dates or move to Dec 10-17 (in order to still take advantage of FD). I think I want to do the latter but am struggling with 'cold' factor. I just can't imagine doing Disney and being chilly. Help give me the push December lovers!!

The word on the DIS-street, so to speak, is they will be at CBR - the assumption for this is there are still all categories available and plenty of availability at POR whereas CBR has black-outs on categories for that week.