Headed to Disney for Christmas!

[Suzanne033]

I forgot to add: After we left the World we found out that you can 'order' celebrations directly to your room. See the link below for many options:

Disney Florist

 

[foxyroxy40]

finally someone who is going to be their the same time as us and at the same hotel except were checking in on the 22nd and checking out the 28th

 

[1stvisit0909]

I have enjoyed reading over your trip plan!! I, too, have been there at Christmas. It was truly a magical experience.

Here are a couple of thought I came up with as I was reading through your plan:

*A great way to end the night at MK is the Wishes Dessert party. My DD13 LOVED it. It is a pre-paid event that can be booked roughly 60 days in advance. Last year December reservations opened on 10/4. There are a limited number of seats so there is no crowding to see the show and Tinkerbell flies RIGHT OVER YOUR HEAD!!!

*I know the special of getting 4X fuel points in over at Kroger but they usually do it again during the weeks leading up to Christmas. You could buy your DDs Disney giftcards as Christmas gifts that they can use for souvenirs. As an added bonus you would get your 4X fuel points.

*When we were there for Christmas we were able to buy a small pre-decorated Christmas tree from the resort (AS Sport). It had some Disney ornaments on it. It was really cute.

*I ditto a PP who said that the carousel at the Beach Club is worth the trip. You could easily take a quite walk over to the Beach Club on your Epcot day. The International Gateway entrance is a very short walk from the Beach Club. I doubt it would take more than 30 minutes.

*On your HS day try to stay until it gets dark. The Osbourne Spectacle of Lights is amazing!!!

**Most of all - have fun honoring the memory of your late FIL!!!!!

Thanks! We have little things planned to remember him for example: we are going to pick a pearl and let the girls get it set. My fil and DH both used to harvest and sell freshwater mussels to buyers for the cultured pearl industry. 98% of cultured pearls have a us freshwater mussel "starter seed" to get the oyster to create a pearl. Cool huh?

I wonder how much the dessert party is...

 

[1stvisit0909]

finally someone who is going to be their the same time as us and at the same hotel except were checking in on the 22nd and checking out the 28th

Awesome! Are you as excited as me????

 

[mnmrmustard]

Ahoy from another December traveler and fellow overplanner! I think you are doing a great thing with the money you received from FiL’s passing and he would be happy with such a joyous celebration in his honor. Good call upgrading to the full DP, I think it will be worth it for you and the fam. Looks like some good reses, nice job swinging Le Cellier on Christmas

We also have two daughters and were planning for December of 2013 but complications including our DDs being 11th & 8th graders respectively. We didn’t want to try for a trip during school (I work during the “holidays” so we have to go in early December plus I’m a crowd avoider) their freshman/senior years of HS. And we’re struggling with having to put my MiL in assisted care due to her health and pain levels

As for going to WWHP I think it is a perfect present for your fam and is worth the one day admission price. Plus Seuss land is pretty cool to look at and Jurassic Park and Toon Landing have some great water rides. And you thrillseeker DD will like the Hulk Coaster. My DW and I went there in April of 2011 and had a blast

For transportation we used the MEARS shuttle busses. It is cheaper than a taxi and they do pick up/drop off at the front entrance of your resort – just have to call 24hrs in advance. The price is $36 per adult round trip, not sure what the child rates are.

Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[1stvisit0909]

Ahoy from another December traveler and fellow overplanner! I think you are doing a great thing with the money you received from FiL’s passing and he would be happy with such a joyous celebration in his honor. Good call upgrading to the full DP, I think it will be worth it for you and the fam. Looks like some good reses, nice job swinging Le Cellier on Christmas

We also have two daughters and were planning for December of 2013 but complications including our DDs being 11th & 8th graders respectively. We didn’t want to try for a trip during school (I work during the “holidays” so we have to go in early December plus I’m a crowd avoider) their freshman/senior years of HS. And we’re struggling with having to put my MiL in assisted care due to her health and pain levels

As for going to WWHP I think it is a perfect present for your fam and is worth the one day admission price. Plus Seuss land is pretty cool to look at and Jurassic Park and Toon Landing have some great water rides. And you thrillseeker DD will like the Hulk Coaster. My DW and I went there in April of 2011 and had a blast

For transportation we used the MEARS shuttle busses. It is cheaper than a taxi and they do pick up/drop off at the front entrance of your resort – just have to call 24hrs in advance. The price is $36 per adult round trip, not sure what the child rates are.

Looking forward to hearing more!

Thanks for joining! We didn't have a choice, his wishes were to do something fun with this part of the money. He knew if he didn't stipulate it it would be used for practical things. Lol I had to place my mom in a nh this past May, so I understand those issues.

I'm concerned about ioa because of the crowds....

 

[1stvisit0909]

Well, I ordered some pins off eBay from one of the good list sellers on the dis. We got 25 awesome pins, new in package to start. Including a package of vinylmation pins, with a mystery pin, that turned out to be the fairy godmother! Since you can't divide 25/2, I made the made the mom call to keep the FG. not for trade!

 

[Suzanne033]

I wonder how much the dessert party is...

When we went in June it was approx. $25pp and well worth it.

 

[1stvisit0909]

When we went in June it was approx. $25pp and well worth it.

Thanks! Looks like it might be $35 or 40 our dates. Currently stalking the web to see if they open the ADRs.

 

[Suzanne033]

Just saw this and thought it might interest you:

Ultimate Survival Guide to Disney World at Christmas

 

[cogero]

We are going for our 3rd Christmas trip at Disney. and the best advice I can give anyone is the importance of rope drop.

We are flying down on 12/25 and coming home on 12/30.

This is my favorite time to go

 

[1stvisit0909]

We are going for our 3rd Christmas trip at Disney. and the best advice I can give anyone is the importance of rope drop.

We are flying down on 12/25 and coming home on 12/30.

This is my favorite time to go

Thanks! We are excited and planning early mornings.

Booked our Wishes Dessert Party for the 27th today!

 

[1stvisit0909]

Just saw this and thought it might interest you:

Ultimate Survival Guide to Disney World at Christmas

Thanks! That was a great read. She does great trip reports

 

[1stvisit0909]

Whew - I have been very very very sick. So sick I could barely keep my eyes open. The doc thinks it is West Nile. We wont know for another two weeks b/c the test has to be done by the CDC. The doc says I have a "mild" case. Dang, I dont want to see the worst case. My goodness. Aside from stalking and getting the Wishes Dessert party while I was home sick, I havent done much at all.

Today is the first day in 6 I actually feel like sitting up. Yeah, its been that bad. Y'all, wear your DEET! This is nothing to mess with!

I got the Wishes Dessert Party, and tweaked our ADRs, so we can make opening the days we plan to be in a park. Should help with lines I hope.

 

[1stvisit0909]

Whew - so I was home sick last week and managed to score Wishes Dessert Party Ressies right after it opened. Then fell asleep. Finally went to the doc on Friday and he thinks its West Nile, because I was negative for everything else, had very very bad head/neck ache, with tingly hands and some other symptoms. I won't know for sure for two more weeks from last Friday, bc the test is done at the CDC. Either way, there wasnt much he could do for me, except give me a work excuse, tell me to go to bed and take ibuprofen.

So that was my last 7 days.

Yesterday I started feeling better, which meant tweaking time!! Current Plan:

12/24 - DTD after we check in for the atmosphere, and a WPE dinner.

12/25 at Epcot before opening at 9, Soarin, Test Track Nemo, Lunch at Le Cellier at noon for our CP meal, and CP at the first show. Hope to catch some of the WS storytellers, but anything extra will be gravy. We are thinking we'll hop over to DHS for the lights after the CP. And back to the hotel kinda early

12/26 at MK early for RD. Get as much done as possible early, then slow down for large capacity attractions and work the FP system. Early dinner right now at Tony's, but idk about that. gonna make this an early night.

12/27 at AK before opening (hoping the hours change to 8 like usual) and Tusker House at 1030. Finish up at the AK hopefully after the parade, maybe a little after, then back for a rest before we hop to MK for our Wishes Dessert Party

12/28 DHS - including a F! Package at Mama M's for lunch, and seats for the first F! probably outta there after that.

12/29 - no firm park plans, we do have ressies at 1900 Park Fare for an early dinner- may just check our resort decorations. - probably let the kids decide - maybe DTD if they have money left from the Christmas gc's

12/30 we have a 930 bfast at Kona - decided not to do anything real early. havent decided which park to attend, Probably Epcot to finish up some of the WS, and we want to do pick a pearl, I bought carriages from ebay, and cultured pearls have a significance to us and my FIL. We would love to wrap up our trip watching the NYE practice FW from the Poly Beach, not sure about fighting the crowd in MK for it. I think it would be a great end to the trip

12/31 - sleep in and catch the DME about 11 for our trip home

We decided against IOA this trip. we do have plans to get back for that in the near future. I also have Christmas gifts figured out - DD 11 said she wanted a video camera, and DD 7 wants an ipod touch. sounds like easy gifts to get there for that morning. other things planned are new disney pjs, special pins of their fave characters, and stuffed animals of their fave characters too.

 

[mnmrmustard]

Thanks for joining! We didn't have a choice, his wishes were to do something fun with this part of the money. He knew if he didn't stipulate it it would be used for practical things. Lol I had to place my mom in a nh this past May, so I understand those issues.

I'm concerned about ioa because of the crowds....

Glad to be on board – I was AFK for over a week too with our MiL in the hospital with congestive heart failure. Luckily she’s feeling better too And it is a good thing that he made sure the money didn’t just go for bills and stuff. No lasting memories can be made from making a car payment.

All of the parks will be tricky this time of year, just a dice roll I guess


Nice haul on the pins! We still have to do that – just gave DW a bump as she is the eBay Queen.

Just saw this and thought it might interest you:

Ultimate Survival Guide to Disney World at Christmas

Thank you for posting this Suzanne!!! Looks like some good reading there


West Nile??? Yikes! I’m so glad you’re starting to feel better. Nice job getting the Wishes Dessert Party – we still haven’t managed that one, largely because I insist on having Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner so we’re always too full for any dessert, even hours later

I like the modifications on the itinerary including keeping things pretty loose towards the end of the trip. You can make decisions based on crowd levels and the fam’s energy level when the time comes.

No IoA aye? I can understand that given the busy season you’re going. There’s always next time, right? And nice that you have the kiddos Christmas presents figured out. We’re still not sure what ours are getting but it won’t be anything big or expensive, that’s for sure!

Hope you are able to get plenty of rest and will be back on your feet soon

 

[shalom]

Sorry to hear you've been sick. Glad to hear you're getting better.

Yesterday I started feeling better, which meant tweaking time!!.

Heh! I always make all kinda "tweaking" sort of plans when I'm sick as well.

Your Christmas plans look good to me, and as sensible as is possible for that season. It's hard to be going back December 31st, but OTOH, can be tough to get much sleep that night in a hotel anyhow.

 

[1stvisit0909]

Sorry to hear you've been sick. Glad to hear you're getting better.

Heh! I always make all kinda "tweaking" sort of plans when I'm sick as well.

Your Christmas plans look good to me, and as sensible as is possible for that season. It's hard to be going back December 31st, but OTOH, can be tough to get much sleep that night in a hotel anyhow.

Back to the doctor this afternoon. Tingly hand bothers my DH.

 

[1stvisit0909]

Back to the doctor, and he said the tingly hands are still from West Nile. Lovely.
So, back to bed for me. Monday will start the 3rd week. I'm tired of being sick and tired. My public service announcement - USE DEET.

In disney news, I haven't done anything today. I did buy some pull over fleeces for the girls for Christmas from the Disney store. I think I've settled on the ADRs - but I cant help but check them every day to see if a better time opened. Havent done so today though.

 

[1stvisit0909]

ok so I decided to see about a tree for our resort room.
I looked at the Disney Florist Site prices.

So headed to Amazon, thankful we are flying SW and can have up to 8 bags among us!!! I bought a little tree, and some window clings, some mickey head ornaments, and some multi mini lights.

We'll take the girls stockings, some command strips and we'll be all set!

In case you are curious:

Mickey Ornaments

Aren't they just adorable!