Help with December itinerary

[alexedan]

Very excited about 1st Disney trip with DSs 2 and 4. Will be staying for 5 nights at the Polynesian after Thanksgiving but have to go back to in-laws the next weekend. (they live in Naples).
How is this?
Sun: Arrive. Pool. MK at 2pm--stay for MVMCP/Ps Liberty Tree--try to stay late but depends on kids.

Mon:breakfast at Kona's. DS4 is booked on pirate cruise. Will let DS2 ride monorail. Back to Poly for nap then MGM at 2 for Stars and Cars(DS2 loves cars!). Fantasmic dinner package --? suggestions for restaurant--I'd prefer Brown Derby but it's a kid's day.

Tues:MGM EMH: Lunch at Pizza Planet--maybe afternoon ice cream at Sci-Fi. Back to Poly for nap. Then pool or MK. Babysitter and room service for little ones and adults to Epcot. (Can't decide about CP dinner package or just eating in every country!) Illuminations! I've never seen it.

Weds:? Breakfast at Chef Mickey's? Epcot for EMH(if we make it). Plan on late lunch in WS or at Beaches and Cream. Back to Poly for nap. Dinner at O'Hana's with fireworks.

Thurs:MK EMH then back to Poly for nap. (? Should I do Chef Mickey's here instead?) Hoop-de-Doo already booked.

Fri:Check out. AK EMH. Leave after lunch and go to naples. (Kids can nap incar after we tire them out!)
Wish we could stay longer. Any suggestions, esp about whether or not to switch the Epcot and AK mornings, or anything else. My honey will be sad however if he can't ride Test Track and Mission Space! Thanks for your help!--Kelly

 

[Grumpy92]

Your schedule looks great. The breaks for naps or pool time are very wise and will help you enjoy your trip much more. You are visiting at a great time because all the holiday decorations and shows will be occuring. You will love it and the crowds the first part of Dec tend to be smaller.
Here are some suggestions:
1. Make sure you have pre purchased the MVMCP tickets before you arrive. If you wait you may not be able to get in.

2. Dont miss the flag ceromony & tree lighting at MK. At 5pm there is a moving flag ceromony in Town Sq. then immediately following is a cute show and official lighting of the MK xmas tree. This occurs everyday.

3. You might want to schedule in time for the Osbourne lights at the studios. This is an incredible display that you DO NOT want to miss. We usually have dinner and then meander over to the back lot afterwards. I would suggest Prime Time or Mama Melrose.

4. I would forget about Chef Mickey's just too much in one day. Besides I see you are doing character meals on other days and the Hoop de doo is all you can eat. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time for transportation to Pioneer Hall.

5. Candlelight processional, This maybe an adult evening out. Reserve the Dinner pkg, this includes dinner at EC, reserved seating for the show and a small merchandise discount. The price is worth it. The show is the best on property and a dont miss. Depending on your children they might enjoy it as well. It last about and hour and is the telling of the first xmas story with a wonderfully large choir singing every carol conceivable. We never miss it.

6. Leave time to visit the resorts. Each has decorations that match their theming. GF has a huge gingerbread house that sells gingerbread right out of it. Each evening the cms sing carols in the lobby and then the band does the same for the rest of the evening. EVen FW has decorations and fun events. On a future trip you might want to take the mouseketeers over for the Chip and Dale sing along and movie. SHhh its free.

Finally your are on the right track. Dont overplan, be flexible and leave time for some rest like the pool or nap.

 

[DebbieB]

The Osborne Lights will not be showing this year. They have torn down residential street to make way for a new stunt show.

Here's some info on Christmas activities:

http://wdwig.com/holiday.htm

 

[alexedan]

Grumpy92--Thanks for your insight. I'm sure you're right about Chef Mickey's--I just hate to miss it since I've heard such great things and we're so close. Fortunately we've already purchased the MVMCP tickets. Should we try to do fantasyland that night or save it for EMH? Thanks again and I'd appreciate anyone else's thoughts.

 

[Harambe]

Sounds good! I was going to say skip EMH at Epcot because there is not much for little kids, but I see your honey is the problem!!! If you can get him on those rides during your adult's night at Epcot, then I'd say take your time at Chef Mickey's and skip the EMH at Epcot!

Since you're going in the off season, you may not even need to do the Fantasmic dinner pkg - maybe others who go at this time could answer that. Unless you want to have a big dinner this day! Anyway Fantasmic is a must-see show!

 

[helenm29]

Hey Debbieb...Thanks for the great link for December! we're going the first week also and I can't WAIT to see all of the awesome decorations - Christmas and Halloween are my two favorite times of year! Helen