December 2013: We just booked!

[Disneylover99]

I'm actually thinking about staying at the Swan or Dolphin in December. I've never actually stayed off site before, but what the heck, it looks pretty nice!

 

[pigletto]

I'm actually thinking about staying at the Swan or Dolphin in December. I've never actually stayed off site before, but what the heck, it looks pretty nice!

And the location is perfect! If you can get it cheaper than the Epcot area resorts I say go for it. It is so nice being able to walk or boat over to two parks!

 

[michelleiada]

I'm actually thinking about staying at the Swan or Dolphin in December. I've never actually stayed off site before, but what the heck, it looks pretty nice!

We stayed at Swan once and that is when we fell in love with the EPCOT Resort area. The Swan and Dolphin are very nice resorts in a location that can't be beat.

 

[Disneylover99]

And the location is perfect! If you can get it cheaper than the Epcot area resorts I say go for it. It is so nice being able to walk or boat over to two parks!

We stayed at Swan once and that is when we fell in love with the EPCOT Resort area. The Swan and Dolphin are very nice resorts in a location that can't be beat.

Thanks guys! I'm feeling better about this choice already.
I priced out the Beach Club and almost had a heart attack! Plus I'm thinking my dates in December won't even qualify for a room discount at a Disney resort. I think I'm gonna go for it!!!!

 

[michelleiada]

Thanks guys! I'm feeling better about this choice already.
I priced out the Beach Club and almost had a heart attack! Plus I'm thinking my dates in December won't even qualify for a room discount at a Disney resort. I think I'm gonna go for it!!!!

If the other EPCOT resorts are not within your budget now, then Swan and Dolphin are a great choice and IMHO a "no brainer"! Like I said they are beautiful hotels, and how much time are you really in your room when at WDW? I would absolutely stay there if in your shoes. Keep in mind no dining plan though. If you are a nurse, or teacher, or US military, they offer pretty good discounted room rates. I hope you enjoy it and have a great time!

 

[Disneylover99]

If the other EPCOT resorts are not within your budget now, then Swan and Dolphin are a great choice and IMHO a "no brainer"! Like I said they are beautiful hotels, and how much time are you really in your room when at WDW? I would absolutely stay there if in your shoes. Keep in mind no dining plan though. If you are a nurse, or teacher, or US military, they offer pretty good discounted room rates. I hope you enjoy it and have a great time!

Thanks again. I will be using the teacher rate. I guess I'll call them in the morning.

 

[pigletto]

Thanks again. I will be using the teacher rate. I guess I'll call them in the morning.

There was a ridiculously low rate on Orbitz and through the Dreams RES box at the top of this forum last week! I was checking the last week of August and only one of them.. the Dolphin I think.. was discounted, but it was $169 a night. Even when you figure in the resort fee that blows the prices at the Epcot Resorts out of the water. Just make sure to book something that is refundable if you can in case a deal comes out. I did get a free dining pin that covered the first week of December, and the week before Christmas so something may come out in that time frame.
Regardless I think it's a great decision and I would stay there in a heartbeat. When we stayed at BWI I made a mental note to keep Swan and Dolphin in mind. The bus and the boats dropped off there first when we were there, and the property was lovely

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Hey guys!!! I'm calling tomorrow to book our Dec 2013 trip!!! I have spent weeks trying to work everything out, and I think I have finally nailed down some dates.

Now I'm off to check the MVMCP ticket info! I may do that to surprise the kids!!

 

[Disneylover99]

There was a ridiculously low rate on Orbitz and through the Dreams RES box at the top of this forum last week! I was checking the last week of August and only one of them.. the Dolphin I think.. was discounted, but it was $169 a night. Even when you figure in the resort fee that blows the prices at the Epcot Resorts out of the water. Just make sure to book something that is refundable if you can in case a deal comes out. I did get a free dining pin that covered the first week of December, and the week before Christmas so something may come out in that time frame.
Regardless I think it's a great decision and I would stay there in a heartbeat. When we stayed at BWI I made a mental note to keep Swan and Dolphin in mind. The bus and the boats dropped off there first when we were there, and the property was lovely

I think when I checked for my December dates, the price was $179 which I think is amazing for December! But I know what you mean. If it's not refundable, I will not book it.

I've never noticed a S&D bus before at MK. Do they drop off/pick up at the TTC or do they drop off/pick up where the other Disney resort buses drop off/pick up?

 

[Disneylover99]

Hey guys!!! I'm calling tomorrow to book our Dec 2013 trip!!! I have spent weeks trying to work everything out, and I think I have finally nailed down some dates.

Now I'm off to check the MVMCP ticket info! I may do that to surprise the kids!!

Congrats!!!
It will feel so official once you book your trip!!
Let us know your resort and dates once you finalize everything.

 

[ginny_lynn]

Okay, this is our second trip to WDW, but our first in December. I plan to do MVMCP, Candlelight Processional, and the Storytellers. Does any have any tips for these events? There are 3 in our party. Me, my mamma, nad my DS (7)

 

[ses1230]

Okay, this is our second trip to WDW, but our first in December. I plan to do MVMCP, Candlelight Processional, and the Storytellers. Does any have any tips for these events? There are 3 in our party. Me, my mamma, nad my DS (7)

I would consider the lunch or dinner package for the Candlelight Processional. That way you won't have to wait in the standby line, which can be very long depending on the narrator. We went to the CP for the first time last year and it is a must do for me now.

You can get in to MK at 4pm with just your party ticket. What we like to do is get there at 4, have an early dinner, and then get in line for one of the special photo-ops by 6pm. That way you are not wasting party time in line, and once the line starts you will be through quick since you will be near the front.

It will take some time to see all the storytellers. Be sure to look at their schedules beforehand and see what will fit into your schedule. I might pick a few that you really want to see and concentrate on them. Here is last year's schedule: http://kennythepirate.com/show-schedules/epcot-storytellers/

My other suggestion is to see the Voices of Liberty. Their regular show is incredible, and the Christmas theme take it to another level. They are simply amazing.

 

[MrsTeddy]

WOW! It look slike we may be doing that dreamed of December trip sooner than we thought!

We had been saving and planning for a Winter "vacation" when I got a FREE DINING PIN!! Its a sign right?!

We are booked in CBR pirate room for Decmeber 4-11th!

Its not crazy to go to Disney every 1.5 years right!? Its going to be a surprise for the kids! Hope it doesn't slip!

I'm looking at the MVMCP on December 10th.

I woudl love any suggestions!

 

[Disneylover99]

WOW! It look slike we may be doing that dreamed of December trip sooner than we thought!

We had been saving and planning for a Winter "vacation" when I got a FREE DINING PIN!! Its a sign right?!

We are booked in CBR pirate room for Decmeber 4-11th!

Its not crazy to go to Disney every 1.5 years right!? Its going to be a surprise for the kids! Hope it doesn't slip!

I'm looking at the MVMCP on December 10th.

I woudl love any suggestions!

Great news for you! Congrats!!!
Disney every 1 and a half years??? Not crazy at all!!!!
I'm going three times this year!! Two of the trips are for the weekend and I live over 1000 miles away!!

My only advise is to start deciding what restaurants you want to eat at since you can start booking adr's in just over three weeks.

good luck and have fun!

 

[Kathymford]

WOW! It look slike we may be doing that dreamed of December trip sooner than we thought!

We had been saving and planning for a Winter "vacation" when I got a FREE DINING PIN!! Its a sign right?!

We are booked in CBR pirate room for Decmeber 4-11th!

Its not crazy to go to Disney every 1.5 years right!? Its going to be a surprise for the kids! Hope it doesn't slip!

I'm looking at the MVMCP on December 10th.

I woudl love any suggestions!

If its crazy, take me to the looney bin. We go twice a year!! Or are trying to anyway!!

 

[pigletto]

If its crazy, take me to the looney bin. We go twice a year!! Or are trying to anyway!!

Ditto! We plan a summer vacation and a winter vacation and always end up at Disney these days! This year will technically be three trips in a calendar year. However that's because I moved the February trip back to December this time so we could see all of the festivities and decorations. We won't be going anywhere in the winter of 2014.

 

[2012DisneyWorldBride]

We just booked for our 1 year wedding anniversary!!!!! We got married last year at Disney on 12/8/12. We will be at the GF December 7-12 this year to celebrate!!!!!!!

 

[MrsTeddy]

Ok small change of plans, we switched to POFQ! Travel dates still Dec. 4-11. I think we will be doing MVMCP the 10th, do you need a park ticket for that entry as well?

Any restaurant suggestions for a candlelight processional package?

We will be eating at ( hopefully) o'Hana, cape may and maybe t-Rex. Still trying to come up with the rest.

Hoping to make a QS lunch at BOG as the dinner menu didn't appeal to DH.

 

[Disneylover99]

Ok small change of plans, we switched to POFQ! Travel dates still Dec. 4-11. I think we will be doing MVMCP the 10th, do you need a park ticket for that entry as well?

Any restaurant suggestions for a candlelight processional package?

We will be eating at ( hopefully) o'Hana, cape may and maybe t-Rex. Still trying to come up with the rest.

Hoping to make a QS lunch at BOG as the dinner menu didn't appeal to DH.

MVMCP is a separate ticket to purchase. You can enter as early as 4pm with your MVMCP ticket.

 

[MrsTeddy]

MVMCP is a separate ticket to purchase. You can enter as early as 4pm with your MVMCP ticket.

Perfect. So we only purchased 5 (may make it. 6) days of tickets (out of 8). If we didn't do a park that day we could use our MVMCP tickets and it wouldn't use one of our 5 days?

If that's the case I'm thinking we have a late and lazy morning and ill make a late lunch ADR at a MK resort (suggestions?) and then head to MK for 4?