Finally getting to see the lights! Nov '11 Anniversary/Holiday/F&W PTR-New 11/4 p50

[DisMomAmy]

My mom and I were in Disney the weekend before Thanksgiving last year and we saw the Osborne lights. It was't the first weekend for the lights, so my guess is they opend the weekend before. Or possibly earlier. I hope you get to see them during your trip.

We found a spot near the globe and Peace on Earth lights and had some snacks while we waited for the lights to turn on. It was truly spectacular watching all of those lights turn on and dance to holiday music. If your boys don't mind waiting a bit, I'd get there before the lights go on. And since you have to walk around to see it, you don't need to sit in one particular spot or get there too early.

Maybe we'll try to see them turn on one night then come back the second time near closing to do the photopass stuff & linger around a bit longer.

I recopied my FB posts here:

no I doubt it ...we saw them before T-giving last yr...my guess is 1st week of Nov they will be on. Only Holiday stuff that starts after T-giving is the CLP and storytellers in EP

and then you said:

I guess 2-3 years ago they started after t-giving... So we'll see...

and I said:

I'd remain hopeful never trust the "real Disney info" LOL

You're funny... Thanks for the info! We'll see what happens...

 

[DisMomAmy]

While I wait things out to find out when the Osborne Lights will officially be starting, I'm going to plan two itineraries... one as if the lights start on Thursday 11/10 and a second one for if we miss them. I'll try to make them as similar as possible to avoid too many "back-up" ADRs but I'm sure I'll have a few. My ADR date is this Thursday so I'll post my back-up plans as soon as I figure them out! It looks like the Osborne Lights dates were announced sometime in May last year so hopefully I can have it all sorted out within the next couple week.

Happy Mother's Day from one DisMom to all the others!

I am finally getting to watch Snow White today!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yeay for watching Snow White!

Happy Mother's Day to you, too, Amy! Hope you had a wonderful day!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Your plans look like they are coming together very nicely.

Can't wait to see what ADR's you end up with.

and here is some for the Osbourne lights happening while you are there

 

[Kari-B]

We are going around the same time as you! I'm also hoping for the Osborne Lights to be lit when we are there.

 

[Angies1274]

I'm late....but I'm here!!!

It sounds like you have picked a perfect time to go! You get to experience F&W and MVMCP!! We had originally planned to go for the holidays next year but with taking this year off....I couldn't wait that long to go back. All the pictures I have seen make it look so beautiful though..... I hope you are able to see the Osbourne Lights!

The BWV sound wonderful!! I would love to stay there one day. Your plans sound great too! Can't wait to hear more.......

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Joining in for the fun! We will be there in November as well---just later, Thanksgiving week! We have been before and it is truly a magical time. You will absolutley love the decorations!

Yay for the Boardwalk or Beach Club. We are staying Boardwalk the first few days and then switching to SSR. However, I am really hoping my waitlist comes through for the rest of the week at BW.

It is crowded but very magical to see the Osborne Lights come on. We were there opening night so it could have been more crowded for that reason as well. The dancing does take place periodically throughout the night. I think the radio announcer usually announces before it happens.

Erika

 

[DisMomAmy]

Yeay for watching Snow White!

Happy Mother's Day to you, too, Amy! Hope you had a wonderful day!

I hadn't watched Snow White in forever! It was a nice day.

Your plans look like they are coming together very nicely.

Can't wait to see what ADR's you end up with.

and here is some for the Osbourne lights happening while you are there

Why is it that plans get all messed up right before ADR day?

We are going around the same time as you! I'm also hoping for the Osborne Lights to be lit when we are there.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

I'm late....but I'm here!!!

It sounds like you have picked a perfect time to go! You get to experience F&W and MVMCP!! We had originally planned to go for the holidays next year but with taking this year off....I couldn't wait that long to go back. All the pictures I have seen make it look so beautiful though..... I hope you are able to see the Osbourne Lights!

The BWV sound wonderful!! I would love to stay there one day. Your plans sound great too! Can't wait to hear more.......

I hope it turns out to be the right time to go... we'll see what happens with the Osborne Lights. Even if we don't get to see them, they'll be plenty of other new things for us to experience.

Joining in for the fun! We will be there in November as well---just later, Thanksgiving week! We have been before and it is truly a magical time. You will absolutley love the decorations!

Yay for the Boardwalk or Beach Club. We are staying Boardwalk the first few days and then switching to SSR. However, I am really hoping my waitlist comes through for the rest of the week at BW.

It is crowded but very magical to see the Osborne Lights come on. We were there opening night so it could have been more crowded for that reason as well. The dancing does take place periodically throughout the night. I think the radio announcer usually announces before it happens.

Erika

I'm excited to see the Magic Kingdom all decorated for Christmas. I'm not expecting to see many other decorations though... hopefully Osborne Lights.

I'll be completely happy if our waitlist doesn't come through & we end up at BWV. The location is just amazing!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Of course with tomorrow being ADR day, I'm having some second thoughts on our itinerary... Here is what I had originally planned:

At the moment, our itinerary looks something like this:

Tuesday 11/8 – Arrive in Orlando around 11:00am. Check in at resort & store luggage if villa isn’t ready. Return rental car at the Dolphin then take the boat/walk to DHS for a few hours. Return to resort mid-afternoon to settle into villa. Epcot for dinner (ADR TBD).

Wednesday 11/9 – Happy Anniversary to us!! Today is our MVMCP day!! I bought our tickets (with AP discount) on Sunday night!! We will spend the morning having breakfast at Cape May then head to DTD (I’m planning on using cabs to/from DTD). We’ll probably swim & have lunch at the resort before getting ready to head to the party. Dinner will be counter service at Magic Kingdom.

Thursday 11/10 – We’ll sleep late today (I suspect the latest we’ll get the kids to sleep is 8:00) then make our way to Animal Kingdom. This will be our only Animal Kingdom visit so we’ll be sure to take it all in! After a break (and probably swim) at the resort, we’ll head to Epcot and brave the crowds on what is expected to be a busy night. The way the park hours look right now, tonight will be opening night for the Osborne Lights at DHS. It’s also a Fantasmic night so everyone will be there. We’ll have an early dinner at 50s Prime Time then head over to see the Streets of America in all lit up! We may or may not get a chance to visit a ride or two!

Friday 11/11/11 (how cool is that!) – Veteran's Day – Today will be our only visit to Magic Kingdom aside from the party. We’ll plan to arrive around rope drop & stay until early afternoon. I’d like to be back at the resort by 3pm because tonight is our Anniversary Dinner night! Tim & I will be eating at Shula’s (at the Dolphin) because it’s Tim’s favorite! The kids will be visiting one of the kids clubs – TBD. I’ll talk more about this later as I will definitely need some input.

Saturday 11/12 – Our last park day – Today we’ll spend the morning at Epcot, including lunch at one of our favorites – Teppan Edo!! After a mid-day break, we’ll visit DHS again. I want to take in the Osborne Lights one more time.

Sunday 11/13 - Departure day! We’ll have to see what today brings after I book our airfare but I’m hoping to get a late morning/early afternoon flight so we don’t have to get up too early but also get home early. If we have a little time before Magical Express, we’ll have breakfast (maybe Captain’s Grille) and relax at the resort. No parks today – unless I somehow end up with a really late flight.

When I went back to think about how I would want the itinerary to look if the Osborne Lights aren't opening until the end of the month & it was amazingly similar to what I had already been planning. But the one issue I'm rethinking is Epcot on Saturday... DHS will have EMH morning, MK will have EMH pm & Epcot will be finishing up the Food & Wine Festival. All super crowded... I really don't want to leave AK until our last day because it would be torture for Alex & I'm not sure that's how I want to spend the last day either.

How bad will it be at Epcot on Saturday 11/12? We would only be there in the morning, starting at rope drop & staying through lunch in the WS.

Any thoughts??

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Yikes Amy. I don't know. I hate crowds so probably would avoid it myself. But if you get into the park and leave before it gets too bad, it might be doable?

 

[DisMomAmy]

Yikes Amy. I don't know. I hate crowds so probably would avoid it myself. But if you get into the park and leave before it gets too bad, it might be doable?

I think you're right... I just got off the phone with Tim & he talked me off the ledge. I THINK... At least for the moment, we're sticking with the original plan of Epcot on Saturday... focus on FW, eat lunch & get out.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I think that if you do rope drop until mid-afternoon, you should be absolutely fine. Don't overthink it too much!

 

[KathyRN137]

Most folks would be intimidated by TWO itineraries... not you, Amy!!


Hope the Lights get turned on early...


Kathy

 

[MRYPPNS]

If we were hopping this trip I would have gone to Epcot Saturday "DAY". I think all the lines are going to be at the food booths so you'll be fine. The pre-park crowd level is only a 6 out of 10 for Saturday.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I think that if you do rope drop until mid-afternoon, you should be absolutely fine. Don't overthink it too much!

Thanks! I needed that Missy! You are absolutely right - I'm overthinking!

Most folks would be intimidated by TWO itineraries... not you, Amy!!


Hope the Lights get turned on early...


Kathy

I hope they turn the lights on early too - for both of us!

I'm not intimidated by two itineraries... just by all the ADRs that potentially come along with them!

If we were hopping this trip I would have gone to Epcot Saturday "DAY". I think all the lines are going to be at the food booths so you'll be fine. The pre-park crowd level is only a 6 out of 10 for Saturday.

Thanks for logging on Heidi!! I feel better with your stamp of approval.

 

[mousescrapper]

Ok I actually had to re-read the EP dilemna 2 times I was confused...I thought you were saying you now wnated to do EP that day but that's what it says in your orginal post...

but I think your Q is re crowds...

If you are not thinking about F&W then I think you'll be ok plus you know what to hit when...I would imagine most crowds arriving more in the 11 am hour...

6/10 doesn't sound that bad anyways for crowds not as good as a 2 but not as bad as a 10...

 

[DisMomAmy]

Ok I actually had to re-read the EP dilemna 2 times I was confused...I thought you were saying you now wnated to do EP that day but that's what it says in your orginal post...

but I think your Q is re crowds...

If you are not thinking about F&W then I think you'll be ok plus you know what to hit when...I would imagine most crowds arriving more in the 11 am hour...

6/10 doesn't sound that bad anyways for crowds not as good as a 2 but not as bad as a 10...

Sorry to be confusing... I'm confusing myself!

Yes - the crowd question... I guess a 6 out of 10 isn't all that bad. We'll stick with our original plan and hit Epcot Saturday morning. We'll just be prepared and know we need to make rope drop, then plan to head out after lunch.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Here are the ADRs I will be trying to get tomorrow morning:

Le Cellier lunch
Teppan Edo (lunch one day, dinner another day - keeping one, canceling the other once Osborne Lights dates are released)
Via Napoli dinner
Cape May breakfast
50s Prime Time Cafe dinner
Shula's dinner
Captain's Grille breakfast

I'm also going to make an ADR for either Tony's Town Square or The Plaza for dinner at the very beginning of the Christmas party - 4:30/5:00. Not sure we'll keep it, but I want a TS option. I'm waiting for Tim to decide which one he prefers.

I also need to make a reservation at the Sandcastle Club for our anniversary dinner night. Can I make that online or do I need to call? And when can I do that? 180 days?

(As a side note, I told Karen (DSIL-ish person) about our November trip & she says she & Jeff will come babysit. I didn't ask & I'm not sure it will actually pan out. I certainly can't count on them to decide today if they'll be available in six months or not... so I'll make the kids club reservation & go from there. I love them dearly but knowing them, they'll decide to show up expecting to babysit on our MVMCP night! Although I guess that wouldn't be the end of the world... they could just come along with us to the party... I doubt that date will sell out.)

Wish me luck!!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Your plans look good Amy, so did you have ADR day already or is it tomorrow? or am I so off? I want to know what you bookededited: you posted when I was making my post, your ADR's look GREAT

And I think keeping Epcot Saturday will be ok especially if you do the go early and leave by lunch, and plus I think you'll be ok crowd wise. I think when we went Epcot was an 8 and it was crowded and we slept in that morning, but still managed to get a lot done and the boys talk about Epcot the most of all the parks.

 

[KathyRN137]

Sorry to be confusing... I'm confusing myself!

Yes - the crowd question... I guess a 6 out of 10 isn't all that bad. We'll stick with our original plan and hit Epcot Saturday morning. We'll just be prepared and know we need to make rope drop, then plan to head out after lunch.

Perhaps most of the crowd they're expecting Sat will be in WS b/c of the F&WF... isn't that the last weekend?


Sending tons of pixie dust for your ADRs!


Kathy