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

[Tltorrez]

Hi, As far as the noon start time for reservations for Be Our Guest on Aug 20th, I also found this information in the thread.

"We open from 7am-10pm Eastern Standard Time. I'm not quite sure if the system will be updated the moment we open that's just why we let our guest know to call by noon."

Think I will start calling around 6am.

I agree with that strategy.

 

[TeresaNJ]

This is a great thread! So happy I found it. I'm arriving on December 13th, staying at the Boardwalk Villas until the 16th, then switching over to the Villas at Wilderness Lodge until the 22nd, possibly the 23rd. So excited!!! I've been during December several times before, but this is a special trip for me, as I'm celebrating the end of my year of breast cancer treatment. What better way to celebrate than a trip to Disney! Have MVMCP planned for Tuesday, December 18th, and the CP for Thursday, December 20th, when Trace Adkins is the narrarator! Yippee!!!

PS What is the Facebook group, and how do I join?

 

[srauchbauer]

Been there, threatened that.

I can't even threaten them with the trip since they don't know about the trip

There are viewing areas at Kidani too. I think one of the cool things about AKL is all the cultural activities the have going on. Not just for kids either - animal feedings, discussions with animal keepers, culinary tours. All free. If you go to the viewing areas at night they have special binoculars.

We're booked at Kidani. I would've preferred Jambo but I was just happy I could get a 2BDR savannah view at all, since I waited so long to book the split stay.

If I had a choice I would pick Jambo much more exciting and eventful.

 

[Tltorrez]

I can't even threaten them with the trip since they don't know about the trip

If I had a choice I would pick Jambo much more exciting and eventful.

I couldn't threaten mine with the trip - he would *never* believe me.

 

[BDL]

Been there, threatened that.

I can't even threaten them with the trip since they don't know about the trip
]

I couldn't threaten mine with the trip - he would *never* believe me.

I got a solution for all of you. When the kids push you past the point of no return, arrange for someone to watch them for the weekend, and give yourselves a weekend away at a local hotel.

When they come home some Friday after school, and see your suitcases by the door... "Sorry kids. This was going to be a surprise for you. But you did/didn't insert phrase here , so now we're heading to Disney with a couple of friends. We'll bring you back something nice."

During your weekend away, hit a Disney Store and bring back a couple of "souvenirs". It may seem cruel. But do you think they will doubt your resolve, for a second, for the next 4 months?

 

[Belle4311]

Hi all -

I hope this isn't off-topic, since we're all going in the holiday season, I thought it might be helpful for us all!

So, I've been doing a lot of reading about packing for the holiday season in Disney and I still feel lost! I have plans to bring a bit of everything, but because we're flying and I refuse to check bags, I have a bit of a packing limit. I was planning on bringing an LLBean Storm Challenger 3-in-1 jacket for my husband and I - is that likely to be too much or too little? Also, for those days when we don't plan on leaving the park between day and evening festivities, should we really rent a locker so we don't have to carry our coats?

I keep reading that I should wait until the 10 day weather report to make a packing list, but I'm WAY too OCD for that. If anyone has done the Disney Christmas thing before and can offer some great tips for me (and for all of us!) I would be very grateful!

 

[jamnich314]

So this has probably been asked already in this thread but I'm keen on looking back 3000 posts

DW and I are planning a trip for Dec 15-19ish - the dates aren't cemented in yet (we are figuring that out in the next week or so). This will be both of our first times at Disney during the Holidays.

Anyway, for the last few years Disney has offered room only discounts during Dec. We are planning on staying at one of the Value Resorts and typically they only discount those 15% or so (from what I remember). Does anybody know/remember what the room rate discounts were last year during December or any year before that?

We have APs so the discount can be a bit larger sometimes I know. Just trying to figure out what the room rates will come out to in the end. Also, shouldn't they be releasing those discounts soon...assuming they do at all.

 

[Tltorrez]

Hi all -

I hope this isn't off-topic, since we're all going in the holiday season, I thought it might be helpful for us all!

So, I've been doing a lot of reading about packing for the holiday season in Disney and I still feel lost! I have plans to bring a bit of everything, but because we're flying and I refuse to check bags, I have a bit of a packing limit. I was planning on bringing an LLBean Storm Challenger 3-in-1 jacket for my husband and I - is that likely to be too much or too little? Also, for those days when we don't plan on leaving the park between day and evening festivities, should we really rent a locker so we don't have to carry our coats?

I keep reading that I should wait until the 10 day weather report to make a packing list, but I'm WAY too OCD for that. If anyone has done the Disney Christmas thing before and can offer some great tips for me (and for all of us!) I would be very grateful!

I get the need to plan ahead - but this one you really can't. Most years you won't need that coat. But get a winter like 2010 and you'll need all the cold weather gear you own.

 

[Tltorrez]

So this has probably been asked already in this thread but I'm keen on looking back 3000 posts

DW and I are planning a trip for Dec 15-19ish - the dates aren't cemented in yet (we are figuring that out in the next week or so). This will be both of our first times at Disney during the Holidays.

Anyway, for the last few years Disney has offered room only discounts during Dec. We are planning on staying at one of the Value Resorts and typically they only discount those 15% or so (from what I remember). Does anybody know/remember what the room rate discounts were last year during December or any year before that?

We have APs so the discount can be a bit larger sometimes I know. Just trying to figure out what the room rates will come out to in the end. Also, shouldn't they be releasing those discounts soon...assuming they do at all.

Rates vary by resort and past years are no longer a good indicator. Discounts are much more targeted now by room type as well as resort. But you can find a lot if good info here. http://www.mousesavers.com/walt-dis...orld-resort-hotel-discounts-codes/#historical

Discounts should be released sometime soon. Maybe by the end of the month.

 

[Valgoof]

Hi all -

I hope this isn't off-topic, since we're all going in the holiday season, I thought it might be helpful for us all!

So, I've been doing a lot of reading about packing for the holiday season in Disney and I still feel lost! I have plans to bring a bit of everything, but because we're flying and I refuse to check bags, I have a bit of a packing limit. I was planning on bringing an LLBean Storm Challenger 3-in-1 jacket for my husband and I - is that likely to be too much or too little? Also, for those days when we don't plan on leaving the park between day and evening festivities, should we really rent a locker so we don't have to carry our coats?

I keep reading that I should wait until the 10 day weather report to make a packing list, but I'm WAY too OCD for that. If anyone has done the Disney Christmas thing before and can offer some great tips for me (and for all of us!) I would be very grateful!

I get the need to plan ahead - but this one you really can't. Most years you won't need that coat. But get a winter like 2010 and you'll need all the cold weather gear you own.

I agree!! We went in Dec 2011 and I had heard about how cold 2010 was. We didnt pack winter gear, but I planned to wear jeans everyday. I ended up washing my one pair of capris several times so I could wear them everyday. It was hot our whole week!! DH and DB wore shorts all week. Not complaining about 80's in December, just wasn't expecting it.

 

[BDL]

I get the need to plan ahead - but this one you really can't. Most years you won't need that coat. But get a winter like 2010 and you'll need all the cold weather gear you own.

Oh, come on... It wasn't that cold in Dec 2010.

Everyone wears a football jersey over a hockey sweater while wearing a Santa hat, and/or a windbreaker over a hoodie with the hood on.

I'm just teasing. There were, however 3-4 days that were unseasonably cold. It was the lead story of the news every night.

 

[cybrkitn]

I agree!! We went in Dec 2011 and I had heard about how cold 2010 was. We didnt pack winter gear, but I planned to wear jeans everyday. I ended up washing my one pair of capris several times so I could wear them everyday. It was hot our whole week!! DH and DB wore shorts all week. Not complaining about 80's in December, just wasn't expecting it.

This is what is hard for me. We're going to have our coats with us anyway since we are from NY and used to the cold weather. But Florida is so different and unpredictable in December, that I don't know what to pack for us. Should I pack shorts just in case? The last 2 years have been colder than usual for Florida. So now I don't know what to do

 

[Valgoof]

Listening to Wishes on sorcerer radio. 4 more months!!!!!

 

[Valgoof]

This is what is hard for me. We're going to have our coats with us anyway since we are from NY and used to the cold weather. But Florida is so different and unpredictable in December, that I don't know what to pack for us. Should I pack shorts just in case? The last 2 years have been colder than usual for Florida. So now I don't know what to do

We drove from Ohio. I made my DB leave his coat at home. We left after work on a Friday and just drove a few hours so of course it was still cold when we stopped for the night somewhere in WV and then again when we left early the next morning. He was so mad, but I knew we wouldnt need them in FL. We all had sweatshirts in case we needed them at night, but no coats. Hoping the weather is similar this year!!! I dont want any pictures like BDLs.

 

[DisneyMom0709]

is there a cancel thread for december, I am trying to get a adr for ohana 4:30 dec 16 before xmas party, if not i have to stick to cape may at 4:30, if i do get ohana i will be doing cape may on the 13. I am just figuring it will save me time, but even with cape may, I should be at the party by 6. Were fast eaters!

 

[mom2rtk]

This is what is hard for me. We're going to have our coats with us anyway since we are from NY and used to the cold weather. But Florida is so different and unpredictable in December, that I don't know what to pack for us. Should I pack shorts just in case? The last 2 years have been colder than usual for Florida. So now I don't know what to do

Pack it ALL. This will be our 4th December at Disney (including 20 something temps in Dec 2010) and we've seen it all.... hot, cold, rain.......... and just right. Thankfully there's more "just right" than anything else. But our motto is "prepare for the worst, hope for the best".

 

[barbeml]

gotta

Thanks so much!

 

[ciao_gina]

Oh, come on... It wasn't that cold in Dec 2010.

Everyone wears a football jersey over a hockey sweater while wearing a Santa hat, and/or a windbreaker over a hoodie with the hood on.

I'm just teasing. There were, however 3-4 days that were unseasonably cold. It was the lead story of the news every night.

I remember watching The Today Show every morning when we were there in January 09 and hearing that we were breaking records. Of course we were dying and completely unprepared. I remember being at Epcot and running from building to building.

 

[levenhopper]

I think I would pick Jambo since it's the main building. Seems like that's where all the action is and Kidani is quieter. Again, not from personal experience. Or go with the more reasonably priced one? Which I think is Jambo from your post. Have you looked at the AKL thread? What does Abby think? Have you ever shared so much of your life with total strangers???

The guy who was looking at availability looked at the wrong dates when he said Jambo was available :/.

I don't want to stay in Kidani for my first time at WDW...it's not (in my mind) as true of a Disney experience (in terms of environment, for lack of a better way to describe it) as is AoA/Jambo.

So, AoA LM it is (for now, lol)! We'll see how long this holds up, until something else catches my eye. My big debate now is whether to keep Liberty Tree, or try to trade it for BOG. I wish we could see a BOG menu...

In other changes, I'm pretty sure I'm dropping Akershus on Sunday AM. With Le Cellier as an early lunch, and Via Napoli for dinner, that's be a lot of food in one day. I just need to decide if we should do it Saturday for lunch, or skip it totally. I'm leaning towards skipping...an ADR on the day of arrival is a close squeeze, but very doable. And a princess lunch would be a great way to get in the Disney spirit. But that's a personal decision I can decide closer to the trip (I have ADRs for Sat lunch and Sunday AM, as of now)

And I'm usually on the other side of sharing with strangers. As a paramedic, I'm used to hearing all sorts of strange/unique/personal details from people I just met, in the back of an ambulance, trying to help them.

 

[bellaally]

Oh, come on... It wasn't that cold in Dec 2010.

Everyone wears a football jersey over a hockey sweater while wearing a Santa hat, and/or a windbreaker over a hoodie with the hood on.

I'm just teasing. There were, however 3-4 days that were unseasonably cold. It was the lead story of the news every night.

I am bringing a north face fleece nice and light but keeps me very warm, since it will be cold in NYC when we leave we will have some warmer clothes anyway, just in case we need them at wdw