DIS Dads in December - Let the Party Bus Roll!

[FreezinRafiki]

Well, now that my March 2010 Trip Report is finished, I'm ready to start planning this vacation pretty hard and heavy.

I certainly don't want to dictate what we do, but since I started this thread, I will volunteer to moderate our discussions, tally votes, etc.

So I guess the first thing we want to decide is what we want to get out of this trip. Based on our list of potential event suggestions on the first post of this thread, we run the gamut from a simple 5 minute handshake and picture to an afternoon on the golf course to an evening around Epcot.

As awesome as it would be to meet and do any of the items on the list, we are all going to be there - first and foremost - on a vacation with our families. (And in my personal situation, we're bringing an old friend and her son, and we want to show them a good Disney time). How much time we want to devote to the Dads meet is going to be a personal decision to each of us. That being said, we may organize several meets throughout the week, with dads/families coming to the ones that suits them best.

Ideally to me, we would all get go to the MVMCP on the same night. We could meet up either at the start of the evening or all gather in the same place for the fireworks. It's flexible enough to accommodate a group of 9 or so families, but not so restrictive that you feel you are missing a portion of your vacation. Disney says tickets will go on sale in "late spring." So it's possible that we will know those dates soon. I don't know when we will know what dates will be available for discounts (DVC member, etc). This also assumes that we are all planning on going to the party - which can be pretty expensive for a larger family.

I also really like the idea of gathering for breakfast one morning. Two potential hurdles for this, though: 1. Rope Drop. Many of us like to hit the parks at rope drop, and with morning EMHs this can be as early as 8 am, meaning we would probably have to gather by around 7.
2. Transportation. Finding a suitable meeting place could be challenging that early, especially since many of us will have to rely on Disney Transportation. With proper planning, I'm sure we could work around these obstacles if this is something we want to do.

So those two would get my votes. Let us know what you think.

Most of us are arriving between December 3rd and 5th, so the 180 day ADR windows open between June 6th (a Sunday) and June 8th. If you are like my family, we'll plan our park days around ADRs. I would assume we would like to have a rough idea of what we are doing by this time so we can start making ADRs and getting the rest of our days planned.

 

[Disney Commando]

I was thinking along the same line, Some of the families (wives) might have a problem with hanging out with the Dads all the time.

The group photos are good since they can be takin' then anyone who wants to go on there own can do so, the group rides are also quick.

As far as the breakfast, we could always turn it into a brunch or a lunch

 

[dvczerfs]

even the mvmcp will be hard, we always go the ap holder night. (they only sell certain pins on that night etc..) we have another couple with us also. the guys who met up all ready know how hard it was just getting 2 people together. just my op, i think we should at least try to pick a day and time and place to meet up for a pic and a hand shake than after that we will have to see if who ever does what event does that event? (the pic thing i would stay away from meal times and rope drops, that seams to be where we are all going to bo in dif. directions)

 

[DisneyDadC]

What does everyone do at night? What I mean by this is in Dec the parks close early.So what does everyone do during the evening hours? How would an evening meet and greet work for everyone?I know sometime my wife and I would get the kids settled in and then hit espn zone for some wings.Not sure if this would work for everyone or not,but if we did an evening thing it really would not take time away from family for us.any thoughts?

I think what we need to do is for the guys going to give a brief summary of who they are traveling with and their trip plans.For example touring style what you want to get in your trip etc. Knowing other style will help us plan something

 

[DisneyDadC]

I will start of by saying.I will be traveling with my family (listed in sig),My mother and Step Father,my Mother-in-law,my Sister-in-law and her husband and son.My father may meet up with us for a day or two while there.Though we are all there we dont always all stay together,we go off on our own ways sometimes as families.

My family will be getting park hoppers for the length of our trip.We are very laid back in our park scheduling,as matter of fact we schedule nothing.We just wing it day by day night by night.For the most part we decide night before which part to hit in am,We usually got to that park until lunchtime then head back to resort to eat and swim and just do whatever.Then we try to go back to a park later in evening to finish out the night.In Dec if we can get our rooms changed over to the BBW or BCV we will do more Epcot (because your right there)This is usually our afternoon place to go,as we like to go in and visit the story tellers.We just do a couple each night( the kids also enjoy doing the masks).So in short we are freestylers,the only thing I think we are definitely planning is the MVMCP

As for dinning we basically just eat on the fly or back at room.We really only do one or two sit down meals a trip maybe breakfast,maybe dinner.Ohanas,cape May,Chef Mickeys,Briergarten ok so thats more then 2 ,but we dont always do all of these these are the four we try to do.

Activities for us vary,sometime my wife will take girls and do something with them and I will take boys and do something ( boys don't like girlie things)Some trips I get out and golf especially if my older son makes the trip with us.Again all in all we plan nothing and wing it.


ps I forgot to mention we are driving,So if the Dads want to do an evening thing after the kids are settled I would be willing to offer my time and vehicle to pic up dads at their hotel lobbies( reference trip title let the party bus roll )

 

[Goofy + 3]

What does everyone do at night? What I mean by this is in Dec the parks close early.So what does everyone do during the evening hours? How would an evening meet and greet work for everyone?I know sometime my wife and I would get the kids settled in and then hit espn zone for some wings.Not sure if this would work for everyone or not,but if we did an evening thing it really would not take time away from family for us.any thoughts?

I think what we need to do is for the guys going to give a brief summary of who they are traveling with and their trip plans.For example touring style what you want to get in your trip etc. Knowing other style will help us plan something

Good idea.
Our trip will be me, wife, and the two big kids. DW and I haven't been there since 2002 and the kids have never been. Since we don't know when our next trip will be, we'll be cramming as much Disney-goodness in to each day as possible. Stressful, but tough to avoid when you don't know when your return trip will be. I mention this because it would probably be a bad idea for me to carve out disdad time during the day - we'll be busy and trying to coordinate a meet with the family in tow won't work for me - not on this trip, anyway.

However, our kids are used to going to bed pretty early - around 7:30. I know the fatigue of running around the parks and potential naps may throw this off a bit, but they'll still be in bed at a decent hour. This frees me up at night. Since we're staying at BWV, I like the idea of the ESPN zone. Very conventient for me. You all may like that as well, since that is where the free bevearge (1) of your choice will be awaiting you.

We would probably be out if it's a breakfast meet. We'll probably be hitting as many rope drops as possible. We haven't even thought about MVMCP yet. What's it cost?

 

[FreezinRafiki]

We haven't even thought about MVMCP yet. What's it cost?

I believe tickets are usually in the $50 range. The party starts at 7:00 (but your ticket will get you to the Magic Kingdom starting at 4:00). There are Christmas parades, shows, fireworks, character greetings, free cookies and hot chocolate. Plus most of the big rides are open until midnight.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

My traveling party will be myself, DW our kids (DD 6 and DS4) along with an old friend and her DS6. It will be their first trip - we're veterans.
We're in a similar boat as Chris - we don't know when (or if) our friends will be back to WDW, so we want to show them as much as we can. Typically we would hit the parks at or near rope drop and go until park close. We usually don't go back to the hotel, but we will find areas to take a little break in the park so we don't get too warn out. This could all change, though, as our friend does have some mobility issues (bad knees).
We are staying Sunday - Thursday nights at AKV. Planning a day in each park, plus one at Downtown Disney / around the resort. Hoping for ADRs at CRT, Whispering Canyon, Ohana.
Depending on how our ARDs fall, I could swing an evening at ESPN.

 

[Goofy + 3]

At that point in the season, the NFL has Thursday night games as well as Sunday and Monday nights. If the games look compelling, we could choose one of those nights. Just a thought... (Go Bears.)

 

[stopher1]

Of course my traveling party makes my flexibility a bit easier, since if I do end up going at that time (which I am planning on), I'l be staying at AKV and it will just be me. I'll be there from Sunday afternoon - Wednesday afternoon... and am open to pretty much whatever. BUT, the variable for me comes in that the WL Groupies are also having a meet during that time that I want to go to, since about 12 of us will be there all during the same timeframe. The date hasn't been firmed up yet on that side either. So just think of me, and know that I'd love to meet up with any of you - and will have a bit of flexibility as well. I do have an AP so that should help if needed, but I'm not sure I would fork out the money for MVMCP for just me. I've done it before. If my kids were there, who haven't experienced that yet, then sure, but just me, I'm not so posiitive. But there are a few weeks yet before those dates get released and I might change my mind.

 

[Disney Commando]

Our party will consist of myself,wife & DS5. We are out and about from 7am till midnite everyday of the trip. We will be going to MVMCP & maybe the Wishes Dessert Party.

We will have parkhoppers, we usally hit 2 parks a day, then if the latest park closes at 10 we do the Boardwalk or DTD.

This will be our last year bringing a umbrella stroller, son takes cat naps during the day, and when he finailly bombs out,that is when we get any shopping done, do the World Showcase,etc.

I usally do not do a.m. EMH's found that the other parks are less crowded, since most are doing EMH. I do most of the nightime EMH's since alot of people are too tired to stay for them.


A Big thing to remember for Dec. is that everything is decorated so the night will be a quite busy time inorder to catch all the lights & decorations, so plan on being out late.

 

[DisneyDadC]

Good idea.

This frees me up at night. Since we're staying at BWV, I like the idea of the ESPN zone. Very conventient for me. You all may like that as well, since that is where the free bevearge (1) of your choice will be awaiting you.

?

I love the BWV.I would hit Espn at least 3 4 times when we stay there.I would just tuck the kids into bed, give goodnight kiss and say see ya in the morning lol My wife would come out once inawhile but for most part she is in bed with the kids lol
I have my fingers crossed we can get into BWV on the 7 month window

 

[dvczerfs]

it will be us, (dw and dd) and another dvc couple with there 10 year old. we go to the park that opens early every day at emh, stay at the park till about 12-1 than go back to okw for a nap.(i can for go my nap) we generaly go back to the park around 4ish. we make an adr for every full day we are there.mostly dinners. we do have 2 breakfasts (crystal palace ) and one lunch (sci fi ) this trip. we are doing mvmcp on an ap night and also going over to osborne spec. lights one night. we also are going to do the dinner pkg at epcot for the processional of lights proformance. we also go hotel hopping and to the market place but we are doing that on dec.1st the day we get there. other than that im free!!

 

[dvczerfs]

once the hours come out for december, i will know what,where and when. we plan every day were we are going and doing,adrs etc.... i also am willing to give the guys my cell number who are going down.( i know, its not my work phone, trust me. it has 5 names in the directory.) if someone is in the same park we are in for example, you can text me. i can post our plans when we finalize eveything.

 

[DisneyDadC]

here is a link to last Dec park hrs just so some can get an idea http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dec09.cfm?requesttimeout=1000

 

[GoHerd1028]

Have any of you guys done this Merry Christmas Party? Is it worth it? We have done the Halloween party a few times and loved it. How do they compare?

 

[dvczerfs]

Have any of you guys done this Merry Christmas Party? Is it worth it? We have done the Halloween party a few times and loved it. How do they compare?

there set up about the same steve. they have the parade twice per night. (some of the same floats but alot of dif. floats) they have a show and character meet and greets. it snows on main street!!! they have free hot choc and cookies and the rides are open late just like halloween. we hit it the last few times we were down in december. it can get crowded at times but if you liked the halloween party your like the christmas party!

 

[GoHerd1028]

The thing that I liked the most about the Halloween party was not only the Headless Horseman but also how the lines for the rides were short if there was a line at all...is the Christmas Party like that or is it more crowded?

 

[dvczerfs]

The thing that I liked the most about the Halloween party was not only the Headless Horseman but also how the lines for the rides were short if there was a line at all...is the Christmas Party like that or is it more crowded?

ive done it 3 times. the first time the lines were short if none at all. the next two times the place was packed. but, the last two times were ap holder nights which im sure you get alot of locals for those nights.

 

[GoHerd1028]

ive done it 3 times. the first time the lines were short if none at all. the next two times the place was packed. but, the last two times were ap holder nights which im sure you get alot of locals for those nights.

do they advertise which night are AP nights? i would be sure to steer clear of those. I would think that going early in December that the crowds might not be too bad either.