December 2013: We just booked!

[serene56]

16 people booked for dec 8 thru 15 th 5 families 5 rooms

we are booked at Pop Century but i am on a waiting list for points

 

[zanakikazz]

Is anyone else making a long drive instead of flying? We drive every time we go and our drive takes around 24 - 27 hours one way.

 

[::danielle::]

Is anyone else making a long drive instead of flying? We drive every time we go and our drive takes around 24 - 27 hours one way.

We're driving. It's our first time but it's only 16 hours non-stop for us. We're planning to split that into 2 days.

 

[pigletto]

Well folks it looks like I belong in here. We just came back from a trip to Disney in the last week of February and decided we weren't going back for our regular last week of August trip. After debating for a month on where to go we booked a cruise for August last week. And then after booking we did a good hard look at the numbers. The cruise fare was very reasonable, but then you add major amounts for tipping, major amounts for shore excursions and spending and airfare and all of a sudden we realized we were paying over 6000 for 3 islands we've been to several times.

So we cancelled the cruise 3 days after booking and changes up our plans. We still aren't sure on what we'll do with our August vacation week but we're thinking it will be somewhere close to home.

Now for the Disney part.. we're going to go the week before Christmas
That should give us a nice long Disney break and then we'll surprise the kids for their Christmas present. I am very much looking forward to the surprise if I can pull it off. They think we have no plans to go back and while they were good about it they really want to.

So I am waiting to hear back about a DVC rental request I sent out this morning but our dates will be Dec14th to the 23rd and we plan to do Disney, Universal, ICE at the Gaylord Palms and a day for shopping the outlets

Seeing Disney at Christmas has always been on my bucket list. So even though I was feeling over-Disneyed I am really excited about the surprise Christmas plan!

 

[MichelleVW]

Is anyone else making a long drive instead of flying? We drive every time we go and our drive takes around 24 - 27 hours one way.

We're driving this time...blech. But with 4 of us going air fare is so expensive.
With the girls in college and the older one graduating Spring 2014 I'm sure it will be our last long car ride together.

We're driving. It's our first time but it's only 16 hours non-stop for us. We're planning to split that into 2 days.

Texas here too..but it takes us 18-19 hours. We usually do one super long day and one shorter day. Thankfully we have a dvd player in the car this time so DD20 and I will be in the back watching movies. DD22 gets carsick so I'll let her sit in the front with DH.

 

[Kathymford]

Well folks it looks like I belong in here. We just came back from a trip to Disney in the last week of February and decided we weren't going back for our regular last week of August trip. After debating for a month on where to go we booked a cruise for August last week. And then after booking we did a good hard look at the numbers. The cruise fare was very reasonable, but then you add major amounts for tipping, major amounts for shore excursions and spending and airfare and all of a sudden we realized we were paying over 6000 for 3 islands we've been to several times.

So we cancelled the cruise 3 days after booking and changes up our plans. We still aren't sure on what we'll do with our August vacation week but we're thinking it will be somewhere close to home.

Now for the Disney part.. we're going to go the week before Christmas
That should give us a nice long Disney break and then we'll surprise the kids for their Christmas present. I am very much looking forward to the surprise if I can pull it off. They think we have no plans to go back and while they were good about it they really want to.

So I am waiting to hear back about a DVC rental request I sent out this morning but our dates will be Dec14th to the 23rd and we plan to do Disney, Universal, ICE at the Gaylord Palms and a day for shopping the outlets

Seeing Disney at Christmas has always been on my bucket list. So even though I was feeling over-Disneyed I am really excited about the surprise Christmas plan!

Hi Pigletto! We were on the February thread together!! yay! We are going early Dec though! Leaving about 2 days before you get there!

 

[Lbachelot]

I just booked our December 2013 trip also! So excited. This will be my 6th trip but my first time during the Holidays. This will be daughter's second trip and I am not telling her till we get in the car. She is 4 and will ask me everyday for the next 8 months if we are going to Disney today. This will be my son's first trip. He will turn 1 right before we leave! Hoping to do his first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop. We will be there December 12th-21st.

 

[Lbachelot]

Is anyone else making a long drive instead of flying? We drive every time we go and our drive takes around 24 - 27 hours one way.

We are driving from Texas, it takes us about 13 hours.

 

[pigletto]

Hi Pigletto! We were on the February thread together!! yay! We are going early Dec though! Leaving about 2 days before you get there!

Yay!! Hi Kathymford! We get to plan together again!
Davidsdvc got back to me this afternoon for the point rentals and they don't have the points available that I would need for my reservation yet. So we are on the waiting list. Sigh.. we all know what a patient person I am

There was availability at Wilderness Lodge so hopefully the points come through before it fills up. Our second choice was a studio at Boardwalk Villas. I'm fine with either. I just picked based on location and Christmas atmosphere

 

[::danielle::]

We are driving from Texas, it takes us about 13 hours.

Where are you coming from? We're in North Houston. I'd love some driving tips!

Where are you staying? Our dates overlap with yours!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Yay!! Hi Kathymford! We get to plan together again!
Davidsdvc got back to me this afternoon for the point rentals and they don't have the points available that I would need for my reservation yet. So we are on the waiting list. Sigh.. we all know what a patient person I am

There was availability at Wilderness Lodge so hopefully the points come through before it fills up. Our second choice was a studio at Boardwalk Villas. I'm fine with either. I just picked based on location and Christmas atmosphere

Hi Pigletto! We were on the February thread together!! yay! We are going early Dec though! Leaving about 2 days before you get there!

I was on the February thread, too. We booked a bounce back while we were at the WL in Feb. We will be back at the WL again Nov 30th to Dec 7th.

 

[pigletto]

I was on the February thread, too. We booked a bounce back while we were at the WL in Feb. We will be back at the WL again Nov 30th to Dec 7th.

I remember you!!
It will be fun to do all the planning again. Is anyone else planning on booking a Candlelight Processional Package or going to Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party?

We are planning to do every holiday event that we can! I am a Christmas nut!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I remember you!!
It will be fun to do all the planning again. Is anyone else planning on booking a Candlelight Processional Package or going to Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party?

We are planning to do every holiday event that we can! I am a Christmas nut!

That February thread had a great group on it. )

I'm going to try to book the Candlelight Processional. It is hard to think about Christmas music in April but I know it will be lovely for the first week in Dec.

.

 

[pigletto]

That February thread had a great group on it. )

I'm going to try to book the Candlelight Processional. It is hard to think about Christmas music in April but I know it will be lovely for the first week in Dec.

.

Isn't that the truth?
We're going so close to Christmas that I found myself starting to plan all the things we'll need to have done well ahead of time since we won't be back until the 23rd. And then I realized I was making Christmas lists in APRIL.

 

[NightAngelX]

Is anyone else making a long drive instead of flying? We drive every time we go and our drive takes around 24 - 27 hours one way.

Our drive is 20-22 hrs each way unless I find a really awesome airfares and can then convince dh to fly...

I remember you!!
It will be fun to do all the planning again. Is anyone else planning on booking a Candlelight Processional Package or going to Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party?

We are planning to do every holiday event that we can! I am a Christmas nut!

Pigletto! Hi! Aren't you from August 2012 too???
We plan on going to MVMCP and doing CCP. I have not booked yet. Waiting for specials but I plan on doing ADRs at 180 days this time regardless.
This will be my 2nd trip ever and first time at Christmas! I just love Christmas too so I can't wait!!!

 

[zanakikazz]

Well we got a few long drives ahead of us! We're driving straight through, so wish us luck! We actually love the drive though, well the drive TO Disney I mean. The ride home is kind of depressing

 

[Kathymford]

Yay!! Hi Kathymford! We get to plan together again!
Davidsdvc got back to me this afternoon for the point rentals and they don't have the points available that I would need for my reservation yet. So we are on the waiting list. Sigh.. we all know what a patient person I am

There was availability at Wilderness Lodge so hopefully the points come through before it fills up. Our second choice was a studio at Boardwalk Villas. I'm fine with either. I just picked based on location and Christmas atmosphere

I was on the February thread, too. We booked a bounce back while we were at the WL in Feb. We will be back at the WL again Nov 30th to Dec 7th.

Yay! More February people! We will be at the WL villas the 6th - 12th (maybe 13th). BWV are great too. Last Sept we did a split stay between the two so we never had to take a bus. LOL.

I am planning to try and squeeze in every holiday event there is! CP, MVMCP, Osbourne, and possibly even Sea World. Not sure the funds are going to agree with me, but I won't know until I plan it, right? LOL

 

[pigletto]

I have the weirdest story to share

So this morning I woke up my 15 year old at 6:30 a.m. for school. She did her usual morning stuff, and came out as it was time to leave for the bus. As she was putting on her coat she said "Ugh.. I dreamt last night we were going to Disney today.. I wish we were going to Disney today". Ok.. not so unusual but a little weird because I told you they have zero idea we're booking a Christmas trip. We have not discussed it around them at all.

So .. she leaves and I go to wake up my 9 year old as he leaves an hour later than she does. He rolls around in bed a bit, opens his eyes and says "Oh mom.. I was dreaming we were going to Disney today"

What are the odds of BOTH of my kids dreaming about going to Disney when I just tried to book yesterday?!?!

It took everything I had not to say anything. In fact I said "Hmm.. maybe next Spring after we've gone some other places".
Well.. at least I know the surprise will go over well!
We even know how we're going to do it. Every year when we decorate the tree as a family I give each of the kids a new ornament. Something they are interested in or a character they like etc. This year I am looking to find glass balls that can be written on or personalized with their names and "Surprise Christmas Trip 12/14 -12/23/ 2013". I'll give them the box with the ornament and film as they unwrap, which they won't find weird since I'll be filming us decorate the tree. I'll be looking for the glass Mickey Ear balls I think.
We'll do it about a week before so they have time to tell their friends and teachers etc. I like the idea of giving them a week to adjust better than just whisking them away so they don't make plans they would be upset about cancelling etc.

Now just to wait 8 months

 

[Wood Nymph]

Yay! More February people! We will be at the WL villas the 6th - 12th (maybe 13th). BWV are great too. Last Sept we did a split stay between the two so we never had to take a bus. LOL.

I am planning to try and squeeze in every holiday event there is! CP, MVMCP, Osbourne, and possibly even Sea World. Not sure the funds are going to agree with me, but I won't know until I plan it, right? LOL

I've thought about doing a split stay with an Epcot resort to avoid the buses, but have decided instead to go back to the BC in the spring. It seems like I am planning more trips to WDW since I joined the Dis forums than I ever did before.

I have the weirdest story to share

So this morning I woke up my 15 year old at 6:30 a.m. for school. She did her usual morning stuff, and came out as it was time to leave for the bus. As she was putting on her coat she said "Ugh.. I dreamt last night we were going to Disney today.. I wish we were going to Disney today". Ok.. not so unusual but a little weird because I told you they have zero idea we're booking a Christmas trip. We have not discussed it around them at all.

So .. she leaves and I go to wake up my 9 year old as he leaves an hour later than she does. He rolls around in bed a bit, opens his eyes and says "Oh mom.. I was dreaming we were going to Disney today"

What are the odds of BOTH of my kids dreaming about going to Disney when I just tried to book yesterday?!?!

It took everything I had not to say anything. In fact I said "Hmm.. maybe next Spring after we've gone some other places".
Well.. at least I know the surprise will go over well!
We even know how we're going to do it. Every year when we decorate the tree as a family I give each of the kids a new ornament. Something they are interested in or a character they like etc. This year I am looking to find glass balls that can be written on or personalized with their names and "Surprise Christmas Trip 12/14 -12/23/ 2013". I'll give them the box with the ornament and film as they unwrap, which they won't find weird since I'll be filming us decorate the tree. I'll be looking for the glass Mickey Ear balls I think.
We'll do it about a week before so they have time to tell their friends and teachers etc. I like the idea of giving them a week to adjust better than just whisking them away so they don't make plans they would be upset about cancelling etc.

Now just to wait 8 months

Wow, that is really weird that they both dreamed about going to Disney. I hope you can hold out that long before telling them. I could never do it. Did you surprise them for your February trip, too?

 

[houstonmama]

Hello (again) everybody!!

I haven't posted in a while, you know, life gets in the way of my planning ...Anyway, we were originally going to go Nov 28-Dec 8 but the Thanksgiving crowds had me a little concerned so we changed to Nov 30-Dec 10. We will still have some Tday people on the 30th & 1st but nothing like the 28th and 29th (I hope). Now just waiting impatiently for June 3rd!