Ho! Ho! Ho! Away we go - A Disney Christmas - 2/15 Dec TR final thoughts and FEB TR!
- Thread starter Happydog
- Start date
KathyRN137
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Native NYer
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Thanks! I will try to get organized today! Can you believe I have to actually WORK tomorrow??!!!
At least it's a short week
When does school usually begin and end in MD? My brother has been trying to get me to leave my teaching job in NYC and find one in MD. I'm not sure I can handle that much snow
Happydog
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- Mar 10, 2007
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Hi there everyone!
So somehow between the wrap up of this TR and the beginning of my next PTR, I managed to sneak in a surprise trip to Disney World…
This was completely unexpected!!!! But never the less, I think it warrants its own TR, and so I have started one! The link is below!
Snow, Savannah, and NO School! a February 2010 TR
I do hope you will come to visit!
But before I end this TR I wanted to just say some final words about
My Christmas Experience at Disney World…
First I will just say that it was an incredible experience and I will hopefully have a chance to do it again some day. To be there before Christmas was really a wonderful time with my family, and I loved being in a place that celebrated the holiday with an amazing amount of festivity and lavishness. I am a sucker for presentation, and Christmas at Disney is 100% presentation. It is amazing. That said, I know there are things I didn’t remotely get to experience or enjoy, but I know if we return for Christmas again I will have the chance! It was crowded, but not unbearably so. Crowds must be taken in stride. And if you don’t let that get in your way, you will have a lovely lovely time.
The two photos below prove that I hope!
SO what tips could I leave any random reader of this TR? Those planning a Christmas trip in the future? Well here it goes:
1.Do take advantage of the EMH in the morning, and GET Tour Guide Mike! Even he said he was going against his own advice in this case, because basically with all the parks on holiday hours, everything was open later and thus everyone was out later. SO this made for less getting up early for the parks. Especially as the week wore on. I even noticed that!
2.Get to park openings (not EMH mornings) all mornings, at least 30 min early -- I KNOW I KNOW every frickin' guide book tells you this, but during Christmas... BELIEVE it!!!
3.IF you can, and you know you are only touring for a few hours, consider giving up the bag and stroller (this depends on the age of your children obviously) But when we could walk through the “no bag” line, it was a great feeling since it was such a short time. GO see Osbourne Lights as close to the park closure as possible! IF you try to go when they just turn them on, you will be wall to wall with everyone else. Later in the night the crowds thin considerably! Get a late ADR in DHS and then see the lights! Take a short hop to a park just to see the decorations and walk around. The festivities are endless and it doesn't require riding a single attraction.
4.Make a list of what you want to see at each park. I didn’t do this, but I wish I had. There is so much to see, that it is easy to get side tracked or to forget about something. I forgot to make time for the Epcot entertainment, and it was hit or miss for us with the times for the shows and entertainers and when we were in Epcot on any given day.
5.TAKE BREAKS!!! GO back to the resort and enjoy the activities and photo ops they will have there (Santa Claus, too!) Make it a place to be after lunch, fit in swimming while it is at its warmest… do the crafts or other special activites. AND the same for DTD... I didn't include much of DTD for our daily activities and it would have been fun to spend more time there.
6.If you were on the fence, I would consider the Dining Plan! If you can. I say this because Christmas is in that special Holiday pricing, the DDP can be more of a value at this time of year since you are paying extra per person, especially with character dining!
7.Resort HOP! So much fun seeing Christmas all over the World! Disney resorts are amazing! Be sure to take advantage of restaurants at different resorts, this gives you the reason to check out the decorations and explore the different Christmas displays.
8.GO to FORT WILDERNESS!!! The lights there are amazing and so festive and fun to see! A great way to be in the mood without the crowds! We did the sleigh ride, but you can rent a golf cart someone wrote, and you can also do the carriage ride...
9.Random cool things I loved included the storytellers in Epcot (and I only saw a few!) GINGERBREAD everything! -- even if you don’t like gingerbread, the displays are amazing and they sell cookies (sugar and gingerbread) that are special bakery items for the holidays. VERY tasty! Christmas Stolen too! All of the Park entertainment and special holiday activities – there was so much added to the park experience on top of the normal park attractions. See the shows and the storytellers! We barely scratched the surface here, but at MK they had entertainers and carolers, and so much to keep you busy.
10.COLLECT Fast Passes! Use them later in the evening! They made such a difference for us!
11.Special holiday items – desserts, entrees, snacks! Flavors! A lot of options were available because they were themed to the holiday… Peppermint icecream, Hot Chocolate floats, All the restaurants we ate at had some special items on the menu on account of the holiday.
These are just some final thoughts, tips and ideas that came back to me. IF you had a holiday trip, be sure to share yours too! This is hardly an exhaustive list, and I am no expert, it being my first trip during the holidays… But I read and am still reading some wonderful Christmas TRs so there sure is a lot to look at and consider as you plan for a Christmas at Disney. I am sure when I do it again, I will be back to read up on tips and ideas as well…
Okay, so we finally move forward from a Holiday theme to a Beach theme 
or a nautical theme aboard the Disney Wonder! The count down continues everyone! A week from Wednesday I will be headed back to Florida to take our short Disney Cruise… I sure cant wait to try this adventure! 
And of course come on by my fledgling TR, for our recent Animal Kingdom Snow Escape!
So somehow between the wrap up of this TR and the beginning of my next PTR, I managed to sneak in a surprise trip to Disney World…
This was completely unexpected!!!! But never the less, I think it warrants its own TR, and so I have started one! The link is below!
Snow, Savannah, and NO School! a February 2010 TR
I do hope you will come to visit!
But before I end this TR I wanted to just say some final words about
My Christmas Experience at Disney World… First I will just say that it was an incredible experience and I will hopefully have a chance to do it again some day. To be there before Christmas was really a wonderful time with my family, and I loved being in a place that celebrated the holiday with an amazing amount of festivity and lavishness. I am a sucker for presentation, and Christmas at Disney is 100% presentation. It is amazing. That said, I know there are things I didn’t remotely get to experience or enjoy, but I know if we return for Christmas again I will have the chance! It was crowded, but not unbearably so. Crowds must be taken in stride. And if you don’t let that get in your way, you will have a lovely lovely time.
The two photos below prove that I hope!
SO what tips could I leave any random reader of this TR? Those planning a Christmas trip in the future? Well here it goes:
1.Do take advantage of the EMH in the morning, and GET Tour Guide Mike! Even he said he was going against his own advice in this case, because basically with all the parks on holiday hours, everything was open later and thus everyone was out later. SO this made for less getting up early for the parks. Especially as the week wore on. I even noticed that!
2.Get to park openings (not EMH mornings) all mornings, at least 30 min early -- I KNOW I KNOW every frickin' guide book tells you this, but during Christmas... BELIEVE it!!!
3.IF you can, and you know you are only touring for a few hours, consider giving up the bag and stroller (this depends on the age of your children obviously) But when we could walk through the “no bag” line, it was a great feeling since it was such a short time. GO see Osbourne Lights as close to the park closure as possible! IF you try to go when they just turn them on, you will be wall to wall with everyone else. Later in the night the crowds thin considerably! Get a late ADR in DHS and then see the lights! Take a short hop to a park just to see the decorations and walk around. The festivities are endless and it doesn't require riding a single attraction.
4.Make a list of what you want to see at each park. I didn’t do this, but I wish I had. There is so much to see, that it is easy to get side tracked or to forget about something. I forgot to make time for the Epcot entertainment, and it was hit or miss for us with the times for the shows and entertainers and when we were in Epcot on any given day.
5.TAKE BREAKS!!! GO back to the resort and enjoy the activities and photo ops they will have there (Santa Claus, too!) Make it a place to be after lunch, fit in swimming while it is at its warmest… do the crafts or other special activites. AND the same for DTD... I didn't include much of DTD for our daily activities and it would have been fun to spend more time there.
6.If you were on the fence, I would consider the Dining Plan! If you can. I say this because Christmas is in that special Holiday pricing, the DDP can be more of a value at this time of year since you are paying extra per person, especially with character dining!
7.Resort HOP! So much fun seeing Christmas all over the World! Disney resorts are amazing! Be sure to take advantage of restaurants at different resorts, this gives you the reason to check out the decorations and explore the different Christmas displays.
8.GO to FORT WILDERNESS!!! The lights there are amazing and so festive and fun to see! A great way to be in the mood without the crowds! We did the sleigh ride, but you can rent a golf cart someone wrote, and you can also do the carriage ride...
9.Random cool things I loved included the storytellers in Epcot (and I only saw a few!) GINGERBREAD everything! -- even if you don’t like gingerbread, the displays are amazing and they sell cookies (sugar and gingerbread) that are special bakery items for the holidays. VERY tasty! Christmas Stolen too! All of the Park entertainment and special holiday activities – there was so much added to the park experience on top of the normal park attractions. See the shows and the storytellers! We barely scratched the surface here, but at MK they had entertainers and carolers, and so much to keep you busy.
10.COLLECT Fast Passes! Use them later in the evening! They made such a difference for us!
11.Special holiday items – desserts, entrees, snacks! Flavors! A lot of options were available because they were themed to the holiday… Peppermint icecream, Hot Chocolate floats, All the restaurants we ate at had some special items on the menu on account of the holiday.
These are just some final thoughts, tips and ideas that came back to me. IF you had a holiday trip, be sure to share yours too! This is hardly an exhaustive list, and I am no expert, it being my first trip during the holidays… But I read and am still reading some wonderful Christmas TRs so there sure is a lot to look at and consider as you plan for a Christmas at Disney. I am sure when I do it again, I will be back to read up on tips and ideas as well…
Okay, so we finally move forward from a Holiday theme
to a Beach theme or a nautical theme aboard the Disney Wonder! The count down continues everyone! A week from Wednesday I will be headed back to Florida to take our short Disney Cruise… I sure cant wait to try this adventure! And of course come on by my fledgling TR, for our recent Animal Kingdom Snow Escape!
SoonerGirl
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- Nov 9, 2006
- Messages
- 4,850
Great tips! I need to work on a list of these myself, since I will probably be finishing up my TR in the next couple of weeks.
I'm off to check out your new TR now
I'm off to check out your new TR now
Happydog
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- Mar 10, 2007
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- 4,937
Happy 10 days!!
YAY! Thanks!! I am so excited -- just got to get through this week!
Yes! I know! I told DH -- just throw the suitcases in the sewing room, stupid to lug them up from the basement again!
Seriously!
Kathy
I will probably leave all my toiletries in my case!
THANKYOU! YES! It was amazing! Had so much fun!
At least it's a short week
When does school usually begin and end in MD? My brother has been trying to get me to leave my teaching job in NYC and find one in MD. I'm not sure I can handle that much snow
We usually start last week of August, and end mid-June. Not bad. Depends where in MD, probably -- but most are in that range of dates... HA HA -- I think you get more snow than we usually do!
10 days!!!!
You are making me dizzy!!Did you book a dinner at Palo for the cruise? I can't remember!! I wonder if you qualify to be officially called snowbirds now since you have spent so much time in the South this winter?
Tracy
I guess you could say that! How funny I know! I make myself dizzy! Oh yes, Palo's booked! I will share all my Pre Cruise news on my New TR... I wanted to start my NEW PTR for summer, but I just cant write that much at once! SO I will start with my surprise trip TR and add pre cruise info there! AND it will include packing!!!!
Happydog
DIS Veteran
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- Mar 10, 2007
- Messages
- 4,937
Great tips! I need to work on a list of these myself, since I will probably be finishing up my TR in the next couple of weeks.
I'm off to check out your new TR now
Oh yes! You should! AND make sure you let me know, because if I ever do this again, I will want to remember all the details! I was so impressed that you got all of the storytellers in! I am sad I missed so many... NEXT time, though! Next time.
Oh and you get to go over the Flower and Garden Show!!! THAT has me longing for another trip! Seriously! Okay, maybe NEXT spring!!! Just love love love flowers and such. It is a favorite past time for me.... so I know I would just be amazed.Come on over! It should be fun!
Mickey_Mom
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- Mar 17, 2009
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- 3,360
Great tips!! Those are going in my trip binder!
I really want to resort hop to see all the decorations but the hubby's not so big on the idea. I'm going even if he has to head back to the room himself and nap!
I love how your little guy is waving the froggies leg! Very nice pics!
I really want to resort hop to see all the decorations but the hubby's not so big on the idea. I'm going even if he has to head back to the room himself and nap!
I love how your little guy is waving the froggies leg! Very nice pics!
Charleston Princess
DIS Legend
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- Jan 28, 2008
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- 21,444
Great tips, Happydog! I will, especially, take numbers nine and eleven to heart!
I loved, loved, loved your Christmas trip report, and the interactive treats you sent to go along with it! Thanks for sharing all your fun with us!!!
Now, I am headed over to the next Happydog adventure!
I loved, loved, loved your Christmas trip report, and the interactive treats you sent to go along with it! Thanks for sharing all your fun with us!!!
Now, I am headed over to the next Happydog adventure!
2xcited2sleep
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2008
- Messages
- 11,274
What a magical Christmas trip you had! Thanks for all the tips-- and the gingerbread. Those photopass pics of the family are great- you can definitely see what a great trip it was on your faces.
Now off to read about your snow trip and then it will be time to hear about the cruise.
You two are my heroes!!
Those photopass pics of the family are great- you can definitely see what a great trip it was on your faces.Now off to read about your snow trip and then it will be time to hear about the cruise.
You two are my heroes!!
Lady Lallie
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- Apr 7, 2008
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- 18,540
Those are really great tips! Someday I want to be in Disney on Christmas so I will save them in my brain for future use!
shannn
If I spend my kids' college funds on DVC, can I ha
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- Oct 7, 2006
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Great tips!! You made my brain start working on what mine would be. I'll have to end up my TR with my own list.
I can't believe you're starting a new TR!!! I'm afraid I'll have to just work on a PTR when I finish mine.
I can't believe you're starting a new TR!!! I'm afraid I'll have to just work on a PTR when I finish mine.
heaven2dc
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- May 26, 2003
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- 4,126
Thanks for sharing your tips! I remember from my last trip how I wished I wasn't carrying a bag (I first started out with the one that goes around your hip and then ended up just carrying my camera bag). Not every CM looked into the camera bag - some just waived me through. Do you know if I decide to use it again if I can go through the "no bag" line?
I agree 100% about taking breaks plus visiting Osbourne Family Lights later in the evening. I wanted to experience the lighting ceremony with my family this year but they definitely hate crowds so we will wait til later in the evening. I visited it for the first time in Dec 2008 when I was alone the first four days and loved it (later that week my DD & GS arrived and we went together and I loved seeing my GS's face. He was 14 mos old at the time and will be 3 on our next visit.)
You are definitely correct that everyone should experience WDW at Christmas time at least once!
I agree 100% about taking breaks plus visiting Osbourne Family Lights later in the evening. I wanted to experience the lighting ceremony with my family this year but they definitely hate crowds so we will wait til later in the evening. I visited it for the first time in Dec 2008 when I was alone the first four days and loved it (later that week my DD & GS arrived and we went together and I loved seeing my GS's face. He was 14 mos old at the time and will be 3 on our next visit.)
You are definitely correct that everyone should experience WDW at Christmas time at least once!
Native NYer
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- Dec 25, 2007
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Love your list of tips. I'm hoping to plan a holiday visit soon!
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