December 2020 trip - The 'Making up for lost time' Tour

[BDL]

Hello All:

The Mrs. and I are in the preliminary stages of planning our Dec 2020 trip. The reason, I'm calling this the:

Making Up For Lost Time Tour

... is because, up until a couple of years ago, we would save up our PTO (paid time off) and head down to Disney World, once every 2 years. But in 2017, life got in the way and we had to push back our 2018 trip. Then in 2018, I started a great new job, so we couldn't go this year either. Don't feel too bad for us. We were able to sneak in a long weekend at Universal, to celebrate my sister-in-law's 40th. A fun trip, to be sure. But it's not spending 8-12 days at Disney.

So, here we are. Looking to head back to 'The World' in Dec 2020. We always go in December. It is always amazing. The decorations. The theming. Holidays Around the World. MVMCP. The Candlelight Processional. The music. And, snow(p).

A rough estimate of our plans, we will fly out of Boston on 12/2 and stay until 12/11 or 12/12. We are a die hard Port Orleans - Riverside family. There is just something about the resort. The laid back motif, makes it so, even though you are exhausted from walking around the parks all day, or wake up sore and tight from the previous day's activity's (or had too many drinks the night before), You just feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the day, or stroll back to your room.

Hopefully nothing will get in the way of this trip. And hopefully, some of you will follow along. Be happy to answer any planning questions you might have about that time of the year.

 

[BDL]

About us.

Me:
I'm a forty-shjkaygyb year old. I'm described as a kid in an over-sized body. I have had every kind of job you can imagine. White collar, blue collar and no collar. Currently, I work in an IT department for a municipality in Massachusetts. I'm a die hard Boston sports fan. That is usually how you can recognize me at WDW. The 6' 300 lbs guy decked out in Boston jerseys. I find it's a great way to start conversations in lines. Especially wearing my Bruins stuff in Canada at EPCOT.

Favorite Ride: Rock n Rollercoaster
Favorite Restaurant: Tutto Italia (Tusker House breakfast is in 2nd)
Favorite Drink: Whatever the specialty drinks are at Muddy Rivers at POR
Best Show: Illuminations. Soon to go the way of my previous favorite show, Osbourne Lights

The Mrs.:
She is ksfkkfhkf-uiueute years old (I don't ever reveal a lady's age). She is an office manager for a construction company. And can cut like a razor blade with her cynicism if she thinks you are trying to BS her. She's been a Disney fan all her life.

Both of us had gone to Disney as kids, with our folks. I had the benefit of going a couple of times as a grown up. But our first trip to Disney together, that's when I proposed to her in front of Cinderella's castle.
I will add her favorites after I've asked her.

 

[mdsouth]

It looks like you and I have a few things in common. The first is that we are going to WDW in December! The second is that it has been awhile since our last trip, my last trip was in 2014. So, I am finally getting to return after FIVE years! Ugg.

I stayed at PORFQ during my last trip and loved it. Since the pool was being remodeled, we spent time at POR and enjoyed it too. I just love the peaceful setting. For my December trip, I am currently booked at All-Star Sports to save some money since I am going around New Year's. Plus my son is a HUGE sports fan and is excited about the theme of the resort.

 

[Eeyore daily]

My DBF and I plan on going in December 2020 too! He's a huge Red Sox since he's from NH, but I think he'll stay a Lightning fan lol. Sounds like a wonderful trip for you two.

 

[BDL]

It looks like you and I have a few things in common. The first is that we are going to WDW in December! The second is that it has been awhile since our last trip, my last trip was in 2014. So, I am finally getting to return after FIVE years! Ugg.

I stayed at PORFQ during my last trip and loved it. Since the pool was being remodeled, we spent time at POR and enjoyed it too. I just love the peaceful setting. For my December trip, I am currently booked at All-Star Sports to save some money since I am going around New Year's. Plus my son is a HUGE sports fan and is excited about the theme of the resort.

My DBF and I plan on going in December 2020 too! He's a huge Red Sox since he's from NH, but I think he'll stay a Lightning fan lol. Sounds like a wonderful trip for you two.

Welcome aboard you guys. The Mrs. and I Dec Dis veterans. if you have any questions, please let me know. And Eeyore, if your husband wants to engage in some good natured trash talking, I'm always game.

 

[BDL]

Nothing new on our front. But a bit of an eye opener the past couple of weeks.

A co-worker is going to DL with her husband for their honeymoon this week. There are some big differences in the planning practices. FastPasses cannot be booked until day of. And the ADR's are pretty much wide open.

Will update you all when she comes back

 

[kclark9830]

Following along on your planning. My family is also planning a Dec 2020 trip (it will be our first time going at that time of year, but we've gone during the summer plenty of times). I'm looking forward to seeing what kinds of choices you guys make, since you've been at this time of year before!

 

[BDL]

Following along on your planning. My family is also planning a Dec 2020 trip (it will be our first time going at that time of year, but we've gone during the summer plenty of times). I'm looking forward to seeing what kinds of choices you guys make, since you've been at this time of year before!

Thank you for following. If you have any questions, please let me know. I can say, that if you have the means, definitely do MVMCP at least once. The tricky part about only doing it once, you have to prioritize things. Do you want to see the lighting of the Castle show, or get in line for a 7 Dwarfs photo? What kind of event specific merch do you want and where is the best stores for it? See the 1st parade of the night or go on rides with non-existent lines?

BUT... Shockingly, there is a lot of free (a very loose term when it comes to Disney) entertainment. Holidays from around the world is really great. Seeing how different countries celebrate their Christmas or winter holidays. Resort hopping, to check out the different decorations and, in some cases, gingerbread structures. And 1 thing that we really like doing, after attending Hoop Dee Doo Revue (and the never ending fried chicken and Bud Lights), we walk around Ft. Wilderness and look at the limitless ways people have decorated their campsites. It really is a treat.

 

[BDL]

Me and the Mrs. have literally been feeding into our Disney jones-ing, lately. We keep talking about our past trips, reminiscing, and thinking about the stuff we need to do next time and the things we missed last time.

That in mind, I thought I'd share some pics with you, from our first trip, together, in 2010.

1) Here we are at the now defunct Osbourne Lights. I am still angry that Disney made no effort to find a new location for this. Personally, I thought it would be awesome at Disney Springs.



2) This is us on Main St USA. Like the Osbourne Lights, the garland and wreaths stretching across the street, is no longer done. The more newer floats for the MVMCP are too big to fit under them. I think this looks way better than just decorating the lamp posts.



3) The Castle lighting is always a must for us. I think you can see why.



4) Here is Santa at (then Downtown Disney, now...) Disney Springs. In case you are wondering, Santa just said to my, then girlfriend, "I think I know what YOUUUU want for Christmas."



5) And Santa guessed right. I had no plans on proposing. But the night before we were supposed to leave, I had my wife ride the bus to the stop closest to our room. I said I was going to fill the soda cups at the cafeteria at POR, and then meet her at the room. Before I went to the caf, I stopped by the gift shop and got a Mickey shaped ring. Didn't sleep all night. Kept my wife on my right side the whole day, because the ring was in my left pocket. And then I spontaneously proposed at this photo-pass spot.

 

[Eeyore daily]

I only got to see the Osbourne Lights once and I really wish they still had them. So beautiful!

That's awesome on how you proposed!

 

[kclark9830]

I LOVE the pictures and the proposal! How wonderful .

 

[BDL]

A little update AND a little helpful tip...

Ever since we started the planning for our first trip, we had way of putting funds away for our trip. Like most others, we collect change in a 5 gallon water jug, and that comes in really handy. But, we took it a bit further. My tip...? Disney gift cards. Every birthday, holiday, anniversary, we get each other Disney gift cards. But we don't just need to get them for special occasions. If one of us is grocery shopping, we pull out $100 to pay, and the tab is $75, grab a gift card. Play a $1 scratch ticket and hit for $50, get a gift card. Either me or the Mrs. has a bad day, the other will pick up a chocolate frappe and, yes, a Disney gift card.

You'd be amazed at how quickly it adds up. Last night I added up our collection of gift cards and the dollars accrued from our Disney Visa. We now have over $2500 dedicated to our next trip.

Getting closer guys. Inch by inch.

 

[kclark9830]

Love this tip. I've actually been thinking of doing this but hadn't pulled the trigger. Maybe this is a sign I should start.

 

[BDL]

Hey guys. Sorry it's been a while. But a quick update, and another alternative way to pay off a Disney trip. We all have spare change at the end of the day. Some of us put it in a tray in the car for tolls and coffee. Some, like the way I used to, put it in a 5 gallon water jug. But, for me, I've found a better destination for my change. A small tin. Now here me out... It is nowhere near as impressive as the 5 gallon jug. And not as practical as having change in the car for a meter. BUT... The rewards, I feel, are more encouraging. It is quicker to fill, you get to track your progress better.

Because this:



Turns into this:



A lot easier.

Now we are $46 closer to Orlando. Yee Haw!!!!