Holiday Lights & Magic December 2013

[LB1122]

TRIP REPORT HERE...A Pixie Dusted Christmas 2013


I'm L.B. and have been enjoying reading trip reports and pre-trip planning fun (you so learn a lot doing this!) and wanted to be part of the action and excitement that is getting ready for a Disney trip. I never thought it would happen, but we are

Going to Disney World for Christmas 2013!!


Trip Update Links are at the bottom in case you want to skip this part...

The planning for this trip began on the airplane ride home after taking my husband, Erik, and daughter, Sophie, on their first trip to Disney World in the summer of 2010. Even after waiting 5 hours in the airport due to storms, my husband leaned over my sleeping 4-year-old and asked, "When are we going again?" We decided on that plane we would look into going for Christmas when our daughter was 7. I never really thought it would come to be but the countdown is on.


This is us on that first trip. June 2010 at Cinderella's Castle.

First, A Little bit about us:
L.B. (35) That's me! I am a middle school English teacher and drama director. I guess you could call me a bit of a Drama Queen, but it is all in good fun. I have always loved Disney and was able to travel with my family growing up to both Disney World and Disneyland several times. Belle is my favorite Disney character (big reader and independent!) and I have loved Figment for as long as I can remember (all about Imagination!!) I enjoy taking pictures and scrapbooking!



Erik (36) I met my husband in college and in him I found someone as crazy and silly as me. We dated for 2 years but it wasn't until after breaking for 3 years, that we got back together and married within 10 months in 2003 (so 10years in November 2013!!) He works as a restaurant manager currently. He loves board games and is looking forward to the interactive games at the different parks. *He also does work as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, but that is all I will say about that because I want to follow the rules" (I think that is okay as long as I do not post a link or anything ??) His favorite Disney prince is Naveen (I think it is because it is the first movie we took my daughter to)


Halloween 2012 - Merida

Sophie (7) My ball of energy! She is the spitting image of her father as a kid and the complete mix of our personalities. The best cuddle giver I know, passionate about dancing and creating. Her current favorite Disney character is...I am not sure she could pick just one, but she loves Princesses and Stitch. She is on the Asperger's side of the Autism Spectrum, which has given her some challenges that is likes to rise up to meet.

Thanks for getting to know us. I look forward to sharing our trip details with you and our journey as we get closer and closer to our trip.

Trip Updates
Pause a Moment before this trip Halloween 2011
Trip Plans - First Attempt
Our Count Down Style
Call Me Crazy...Should I switch rooms?
Wilderness Lodge - HERE WE COME!
Taking Advantage of Deluxe Dining - New ADR's
A Visit with Doc McStuffins...sort of
Getting a Job Rant...so off topic, but why I need this trip.
The Walking Company Loves ME...and Hired my hubby!!!
Sewing Time for Grandma
Periwinkle Sneak Peak
Periwinkle Soars - Costume Completed
FastPass+ Choices
In Room Celebration Crazy
Autograph Book - Signatures Needed
We Got Mail!!
Our Disney Christmas Tree
Wrapping Us Up!

 

[LB1122]

Before we even got into planning our trip for December 2013 my daughter and I got to go to Disney together in October of 2011.

I found out a former student would be in the college program and suggested to my husband how fun it would be to go see her. Amazing...he said to go. I told him I could not go without my daughter and we made it happen as her Christmas present.

Together we got to go for 1 day to the Magic Kingdom and attend Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party, with my cousin who lives in Florida. What a blast.

 

[PanIsMine]

Joining in! Can't wait to hear more details about your upcoming trip. Feel free to ask my any questions about Christmas time. I've been practically every year of my life. It's so magical!!
How cool that you're an English teacher. English is my favorite subject in school. I'm reading How to Read Literature Like an English Professor and Jane Eyre for AP Literature now.
Your daughter is adorable!

 

[happybelle]

Joining in.

 

[LB1122]

Welcome to those who are joining in. I think it is finally time to share the details of our December 2013 trip.....SO EXCITED!!!

This trip I taking place over Christmas for myself, husband and daughter. She knows all about the trip (no way I could keep my mouth shut that long!!) so we really wanted to have some surprises planned just for her. My husband and I sat down on night and made a list of things w really wanted for this trip and what things we could do to make it extra special...we both laughed when we said that because HELLO...
It is Disney World for Christmas!!

Still what could we do??? Here is our current plan.

Sunday December 22
- Arriving in the late afternoon for 6 days, 7 Nights!!
- Thanks to my in-laws gifting us their frequent flier miles!!
- Staying at Port Orleans Riverside in a Royal Guest Room (Surprise #1)
- Deluxe Dining Package (WE LOVE TO EAT!!)
- ADR at Chef Mickey's for that night. (Surprise #2)

Monday December 23
- Magic Kingdom for Rope Drop (Never seen this before!!)
- Meet Merida (the only princess my daughter doesn't have an autograph from)
- Enjoy Magic Kingdom
- ADR 1900 Park Fare for Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner (Surprise#3)

Christmas Eve December 24
- ADR at Akershus for Breakfast (have I mentioned we love to eat?)
- A day at Epcot (Figment is a must and we have never been on Soarin'
- ADR for Candlelight Processional Dinner Package at Garden Grill!!!!!!!!!!!
- In room Surprise being delivered before we get back to room for the night. Not sure what it will be yet??? (Surprise #4)

Christmas Day December 25
- Thinking matching Pajamas all day as this is a family tradition
- ADR at Crystal Palace
- Be in Magic Kingdom for the day (crowds and all!!)
- ADR at Tony's in Town Square for Dinner

Thursday December 26
- ADR Hollywood & Vine (My daughter's first TV love was Handy Manny!) so she picked this one.
- Time in Hollywood Studios
- Move to Epcot for some more fun
- ADR at Le Cellier (my husbands top pick!)

Friday December 27
- ADR Tusker House
- Finally go on the Safari ride at AK
- Magic Kingdom later
- ADR Be Our Guest!!!!! (This one is all about me!)

Saturday December 28
- Totally Open as we will hopefully be having some Florida family join us for the day!!
- Want to go to Hollywood Studios for lights for sure.

Sunday December 29
- ADR at O'hana (a top pick for my daughter!)
- Relaxing, packing and heading home!

That is our trip in a nutshell...a large wonderful nutshell being stored at Disney World by Chip & Dale for the holidays!!

Any tips, tricks, fun ideas or well...any thoughts you have to share please do. We want magic everyday and have no worries, but anything any one has to add would be super helpful.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I'll join in! I'm a huge sucker for Disney World at Christmas time. Your plans sound great so far, and your daughter is going to be thrilled with the surprises you have planned for her. We have done MK on Christmas day before, and while it is really busy, there is nothing like it!

 

[LB1122]

Joining in! Can't wait to hear more details about your upcoming trip. Feel free to ask my any questions about Christmas time. I've been practically every year of my life. It's so magical!!
How cool that you're an English teacher. English is my favorite subject in school. I'm reading How to Read Literature Like an English Professor and Jane Eyre for AP Literature now.
Your daughter is adorable!

Thanks for the sweet words about my daughter. I just read your trip report form Aug 12 and plan on reading your other one soon. Thanks for joining in.

 

[LB1122]

I'll join in! I'm a huge sucker for Disney World at Christmas time. Your plans sound great so far, and your daughter is going to be thrilled with the surprises you have planned for her. We have done MK on Christmas day before, and while it is really busy, there is nothing like it!

So going to read your trip reports about the holidays. thanks so much for coming along with me.

 

[Dream426]

Joining in!!

 

[Sam33]

Joining in! I love Disney all decorated for Christmas
One thing I noticed that I consider a MUST-DO is the Osborne Lights at DHS. Just noticed you didn't have a night time planned at DHS!
They were by far the highlight of our November trip last year.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Finally found your PTR. I am joining in. I would love to see WDW at Christmas. Someday. Your plans look great so far.

 

[LB1122]

Joining in! I love Disney all decorated for Christmas
One thing I noticed that I consider a MUST-DO is the Osborne Lights at DHS. Just noticed you didn't have a night time planned at DHS!
They were by far the highlight of our November trip last year.

We have that on our list and I forgot to add it ...Saturday night they have extra magic hours at DHS...on the list for sure. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[wiigirl]

Joining in!

 

[LB1122]

So excited about having a pre-trip thread! Thanks to those who are following along already and anyone who decided to join in.

I welcome advice (already saw I had left something off my plans!!) and tips and suggestions and well your thoughts at all.

Things this week have been a little intense in our home. My husband is in the middle of a job search. Working late at night is very hard on our family. My daughter thrives on routine and I thrive on getting to see and discuss things with my husband. The late nights for summer not so bad, but during the school year would mean not seeing each other very often, so he is perusing other options and he has left the restaurant. Lucky for us, my salary takes very good care of us, but it will be a little tight until he starts working again. Thankfully, he has gone on a second interview for a new office position very nearby home. Keep us in your wishes or prayers or both.

NOW...Let's talk Disney. I do not know what you do to countdown, but we like to have a visual in our home. The first trip we went on I cut out a bunch of Mickey heads and we taped them all around our daughter's room. Each night we took on down. FUN.

This trip we decided that seeing as we plan on going more often we needed a more permanent countdown I created this one. It sits at the top of the stairs so each night we head to bed we change it over!! As of today 152!!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I am reading more and more reports about people having to be on the hunt for a job, it is so unfortunate. I hope that your husband finds something soon. I love your countdown calendar!! It is so creative and very Disney!

 

[LB1122]

JOB HUNT UPDATE- My husband is looking for a job that will allow him to be home with us more. We are lucky that with me salary he needs really only minimum wage for us to make the same we made last year, but h is over qualified for many of these job and have found he does not get called in for interviews with them....AHHHHHHH

Planning Update - I am going to have our Elf on the Shelf deliver some goodies during his visits with us between Thanksgiving (he arrives the Saturday after usually) and the time we leave. I was lucky to find a bunch of Disney Squinkie on sale and my daughter adores these. Also, got some books and games in the dollar bins at various stores. Michael's the craft store always seems to have great stuff for this if you need fun travel gifts for Disney.

 

[Sam33]

We have that on our list and I forgot to add it ...Saturday night they have extra magic hours at DHS...on the list for sure. Thanks for the reminder.

Excellent!

They're just so magical. I cried

Also, that counter is adorable and good luck with the job search!

 

[Dream426]

Hope your husband finds another job so he can be home more. I hate when you are overqualified for a job. You would think that they would want you that much more.

Love Michaels. That store does have a lot of little things that are great for travel gifts. And there is always a coupon to use.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

I wish your husband luck on his job hunt.

I had never heard of elf on a shelf until last Christmas. Too late to start that tradition. It sounds like you got some good stuff.

 

[DisMomJill]

Joining in