I'm thankful for...MICKEY!!! My Thanksgiving '08 TR!: TR Update, Last Day!

[luvfigment]

CharlestonPrincess just reminded me over on her thread (which everyone should check out if they haven't already!) that I am...

GOING TO DISNEY WORLD NEXT MONTH!!!!

YAY!!! Dancing with you!!!

 

[JaxJags08]

WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

You are too sweet!

 

[lisalonglash]

CharlestonPrincess just reminded me over on her thread (which everyone should check out if they haven't already!) that I am...

GOING TO DISNEY WORLD NEXT MONTH!!!!

Yahoooo! Dancing with you!

 

[pierresgirl]

CharlestonPrincess just reminded me over on her thread (which everyone should check out if they haven't already!) that I am...

GOING TO DISNEY WORLD NEXT MONTH!!!!

Rock on girlfriend!!!! How awesome ias that??!!

 

[xoktenox]

yayyy for next month!!! I'm so jealous!

 

[xoktenox]

If you don't mind I have a question for you since you seem to know your stuff about WDW. Is the Fantasmic dinner package worth it? I dont know if you've ever done it but I'd like your opinion. We were planning on booking it with Mama Melrose's but I'm scared of "fake" Italian food and wasting money on the package when I could get just as good of seats since we're not going during a time thats super crazy busy. I don't want to wait in like for 60-90 mins to get a good seat though. I really would like to eat at 50's Prime Time so I was thinking we could eat there for lunch and do MM for dinner with the package but if the package isn't worth it we could just do 50s PTC for dinner and save us some money to spend somewhere else in the World. lol If you wouldn't mind I'd like to hear what you think

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

YAY!!! Dancing with you!!!

Thanks for dancing with me!

WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for dancing along with me!

You are too sweet!

I know!

Yahoooo! Dancing with you!

Thank you for the dance party!

Rock on girlfriend!!!! How awesome ias that??!!

Yay!!!

yayyy for next month!!! I'm so jealous!

Thanks for joining in!

If you don't mind I have a question for you since you seem to know your stuff about WDW. Is the Fantasmic dinner package worth it? I dont know if you've ever done it but I'd like your opinion. We were planning on booking it with Mama Melrose's but I'm scared of "fake" Italian food and wasting money on the package when I could get just as good of seats since we're not going during a time thats super crazy busy. I don't want to wait in like for 60-90 mins to get a good seat though. I really would like to eat at 50's Prime Time so I was thinking we could eat there for lunch and do MM for dinner with the package but if the package isn't worth it we could just do 50s PTC for dinner and save us some money to spend somewhere else in the World. lol If you wouldn't mind I'd like to hear what you think

I did the Fantasmic dinner package a few years ago and I thought it was great. Like you, I did not want to wait in line so long before the show. So I would go for it in order to ensure good seats with minimized wait times!

We're not doing to package this time because I'm not sure which day we'll want to see Fantasmic. Totally depends on crowd levels. So I'm going to be one of the people waiting for 60 - 90 minutes before the show. More time to work on my trip journal, right?

As for Mama Melrose's, I have never eaten there. I have eaten at 50's PTC and it was fun. We ate at Hollywood and Vine when we did the Fantasmic package and I definitely liked the food there. I'll be checking your PTR to see what you decide!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

...that is the question.

Now that the house is all set and on the market, I have more time on my hands. Aside from the daily cleaning and straightening, there is not much to be done. Our trip is getting closer every day (54 days today ). With this extra time, I've begun to make our official Disney schedule. I love making the Disney schedule and deciding just how to get the most out of our time there.

In my Disney past, I have been a complete Disney commando. This has been made possible by my trip companions. On each trip, there has been at least one other person who is all in for commando touring style. On past trips, it has been DH (BF at the time), my BFF Beth (several times), and my cousin Sarah. I have always crammed every minute with as much Disney magic as possible. However, in reading other people's TRs, I have begun to appreciate the more laid back style of touring that really allows one to feel the magic. Ironically, there are so many things I have missed in my efforts to not miss a thing. Furthermore, I have noticed on previous trips that around day 5, I have the inevitable crabby spell that last a few hours. The crabbiness is probably induced by lack of sleep and physical exhaustion. I hate these crabby spells and it is very hard to shake them once they start.

So in an effort to slow down and leave time to smell the Disney smells and avoid the crabby spell, I have put a break in each day's schedule. This break will hopefully be used to go back to Pop and rest. Perhaps we will take a nap. Or if the weather is still warm, we'll swim. (I have a feeling though, that now that DH and my blood has had 3 years to be thinned to adjust to Arizona weather, we may not be as ready to jump into that pool as we have been on past Thanksgiving WDW trips when we were Chicagoans! My brother and sister-in-law, however, live in Wisconsin and will probably jump in the pool no matter the temp.) Perhaps the break will be used to go to Downtown Disney and have a treat and people watch. Whatever the time is used for, it will be downtime from the parks.

Now the question is this: Will I be able to tear myself away from the parks long enough to have a sufficient break? Or will I get back to the resort and get all anxiety-ridden and need to get right back to the parks? In an effort to make the breaks more likely to actually occur, I have made it so that will will spend an entire day in each park. For example, on our Magic Kingdom day, we will go to MK in the morning, then break, then back to MK. I hope that because we are going back to the same park after the break, I will not have that same itch as when we are going to a different park in the evening.

I know that my brother and SIL will appreciate this schedule. When they are on vacation, they want to feel like they are on vacation. Not only do they want to have lots of fun, but they also want to get some rest.

My parents will also appreciate this schedule. My mom has bad knees, which she has so generously passed on to me. Her knees will surely appreciate the break. My dad is still going strong, but at 68 years old, I am sure break will be good for him too.

So that leaves DH and me. We are both the type of people who want to do every possible thing to be done on vacation. We come back exhausted from every vacation we take and we like it that way. But I do think it is time for a more relaxed Disney trip.

Alas, we will try to take breaks each day in an effort to make this truly the best trip ever.

 

[xoktenox]

Thanks for the advice on the Fantasmic package, I really appreciate it. I think your idea with breaks throughout the day is a really good idea. I've also always been one to just stay at the park ALLLL day and then crash at night and that crabby spell most definitely happens We also plan to do only one park each day since we're not getting park hoppers so you're gonna hafta let us all know how it works out!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Sounds like a great plan. We are hoping to do more of the same since it will be just the 4 of us in April. I always feel like the tour guide when there are others with us. We plan to smell those Disney smells this time around too!

I'll have to look at our schedule and see if we could swing doing one park per day. It would save us on our passes, plus I can appreciate your reasoning behind it. I'm just starting to figure out our schedule since April hours came out this week.

 

[JaxJags08]

I'm in the same boat! We've never taken a break in past trips, but will this December when we go to MK. We're getting there for RD and there's no way DD would make it to Wishes if we don't go back to our room and rest. I'm just worried that I'll feel like I'm missing things or not getting my money's worth! I'm hoping that we get alot done before lunchtime.

 

[TarzansKat]

Honey, just take it one step at a time. Schedule in breaks, and you'll know what you feel like doing. If you want to keep going, keep going, and if you want to relax, relax. It's a good idea. And although I can appreciate the commando style of touring, I have to tell you, if you're reading my trip report, you'll know that there's something to be said for going with the flow. And a lot of good things happen when you do that. Things you wouldn't expect, and are even sweeter because they weren't planned. And that's part of the magic of Disney as well.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I think that because you are going to go back to the same park in the evening, you may find breaking in the afternoon a little bit easier. Also, isn't it pretty crowded around Thanksgiving? You may be thankful to escape the crowds for a little bit. However, like TK said, if you don't feel like breaking, don't break -- just keep going.

 

[luvfigment]

Taking breaks sounds like a good idea and we almost always take one. Even going as a kid with my parents we would take an afternoon break of course that was in Aug and it was too hot and we needed the break. Now DH HATES commando style therefore it forces me to be more of a break person but it does make everything more enjoyable.

With saying that on my trip in Sept with my friend we didn't take a break the day we did MK and were there ALL day except for when we went for dinner at Kona Cafe, it was fun but man we were tired. We weren't even running around like crazy b/c we had no waits for any rides...sorry that was a spoiler from my TR. So after that trip I have come to realize that I really do like my breaks. Ummm yeah I guess that was kinda a long winded response to your comment. Sorry! Can't wait to see how the rest of the plans go!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

...that is the question.

Now that the house is all set and on the market, I have more time on my hands. Aside from the daily cleaning and straightening, there is not much to be done. Our trip is getting closer every day (54 days today ). With this extra time, I've begun to make our official Disney schedule. I love making the Disney schedule and deciding just how to get the most out of our time there.

In my Disney past, I have been a complete Disney commando. This has been made possible by my trip companions. On each trip, there has been at least one other person who is all in for commando touring style. On past trips, it has been DH (BF at the time), my BFF Beth (several times), and my cousin Sarah. I have always crammed every minute with as much Disney magic as possible. However, in reading other people's TRs, I have begun to appreciate the more laid back style of touring that really allows one to feel the magic. Ironically, there are so many things I have missed in my efforts to not miss a thing. Furthermore, I have noticed on previous trips that around day 5, I have the inevitable crabby spell that last a few hours. The crabbiness is probably induced by lack of sleep and physical exhaustion. I hate these crabby spells and it is very hard to shake them once they start.

So in an effort to slow down and leave time to smell the Disney smells and avoid the crabby spell, I have put a break in each day's schedule. This break will hopefully be used to go back to Pop and rest. Perhaps we will take a nap. Or if the weather is still warm, we'll swim. (I have a feeling though, that now that DH and my blood has had 3 years to be thinned to adjust to Arizona weather, we may not be as ready to jump into that pool as we have been on past Thanksgiving WDW trips when we were Chicagoans! My brother and sister-in-law, however, live in Wisconsin and will probably jump in the pool no matter the temp.) Perhaps the break will be used to go to Downtown Disney and have a treat and people watch. Whatever the time is used for, it will be downtime from the parks.

Now the question is this: Will I be able to tear myself away from the parks long enough to have a sufficient break? Or will I get back to the resort and get all anxiety-ridden and need to get right back to the parks? In an effort to make the breaks more likely to actually occur, I have made it so that will will spend an entire day in each park. For example, on our Magic Kingdom day, we will go to MK in the morning, then break, then back to MK. I hope that because we are going back to the same park after the break, I will not have that same itch as when we are going to a different park in the evening.

I know that my brother and SIL will appreciate this schedule. When they are on vacation, they want to feel like they are on vacation. Not only do they want to have lots of fun, but they also want to get some rest.

My parents will also appreciate this schedule. My mom has bad knees, which she has so generously passed on to me. Her knees will surely appreciate the break. My dad is still going strong, but at 68 years old, I am sure break will be good for him too.

So that leaves DH and me. We are both the type of people who want to do every possible thing to be done on vacation. We come back exhausted from every vacation we take and we like it that way. But I do think it is time for a more relaxed Disney trip.

Alas, we will try to take breaks each day in an effort to make this truly the best trip ever.

Hi Julie! Just back from Mexico, so I'm not all caught up yet. Glad your house is ready. You have pegged our schedule in March exactly. We found out of necessity we had to break with small kids, and got pretty used to it, so we are doing it ourselves without kids. Also a thought - single park tickets are much cheaper than hoppers if you are not doing water parks or hopping for meals. We are saving aboug $400 by getting single day tickets, hitting one park a day, with the last day being whichever park we enjoyed the most and want to repeat. I planned our meals so that we don't need to hop. I think you will enjoy the break, knowing that you'll have energy to stay out later, and it feels good to freshen up before dinner.

Here's my TR if you wanted to know about PV!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1973141

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Thanks for the advice on the Fantasmic package, I really appreciate it. I think your idea with breaks throughout the day is a really good idea. I've also always been one to just stay at the park ALLLL day and then crash at night and that crabby spell most definitely happens We also plan to do only one park each day since we're not getting park hoppers so you're gonna hafta let us all know how it works out!

You're welcome!

I definitely have crashed hard at the end of every day I've ever had at Disney. It might be kind of nice to not be delirious at the end of the evening!

Sounds like a great plan. We are hoping to do more of the same since it will be just the 4 of us in April. I always feel like the tour guide when there are others with us. We plan to smell those Disney smells this time around too!

I'll have to look at our schedule and see if we could swing doing one park per day. It would save us on our passes, plus I can appreciate your reasoning behind it. I'm just starting to figure out our schedule since April hours came out this week.

I feel like the tour guide as well! Sometimes it feels like a lot of responsibility to make all the decisions and ensure that everyone is happy. But who am I kidding? Any Disney decision is a good decision to have to make!

You are so right about saving money on the passes...I hadn't even thought of that. I need to check into that!

Have fun figuring out your schedule! Can't wait to hear what you decide!

I'm in the same boat! We've never taken a break in past trips, but will this December when we go to MK. We're getting there for RD and there's no way DD would make it to Wishes if we don't go back to our room and rest. I'm just worried that I'll feel like I'm missing things or not getting my money's worth! I'm hoping that we get alot done before lunchtime.

I can imagine that you will absolutely NEED a break with your DD. A nap will be of utmost importance.

I feel EXACTLY the same way about missing things! I feel like it's such a waste to be sitting in a dumb old hotel room (even if it is a Disney hotel room) when there's so much fun to be had!

Getting a lot done before lunch time is my goal as well.

Honey, just take it one step at a time. Schedule in breaks, and you'll know what you feel like doing. If you want to keep going, keep going, and if you want to relax, relax. It's a good idea. And although I can appreciate the commando style of touring, I have to tell you, if you're reading my trip report, you'll know that there's something to be said for going with the flow. And a lot of good things happen when you do that. Things you wouldn't expect, and are even sweeter because they weren't planned. And that's part of the magic of Disney as well.

Of course I'm reading your TR (as should everyone else!)!!

You are right...we should just go with the flow. I will try to strike a nice balance between commando and relaxed style. I will schedule in the breaks and we will use them if we choose to use them!

I think the only "bad" part of my past trips has been that i have had every MINUTE planned out. And that did not leave any time for unexpected things to happen. So I will definitely take your advice to heart.

I think that because you are going to go back to the same park in the evening, you may find breaking in the afternoon a little bit easier. Also, isn't it pretty crowded around Thanksgiving? You may be thankful to escape the crowds for a little bit. However, like TK said, if you don't feel like breaking, don't break -- just keep going.

I agree...the break will be easier to do since we are returning to the same park in the evening. When we leave the park in the afternoon, we will know what we want to do when we get back and plan the break time accordingly.

I've been twice before at Thanksgiving and I honestly can't remember it being super crowded. But everyone says it's really crowded, so it must be! So, yes, a break might be just what Walt ordered at that point!

And I am REALLY going to try to just go with the flow!

Taking breaks sounds like a good idea and we almost always take one. Even going as a kid with my parents we would take an afternoon break of course that was in Aug and it was too hot and we needed the break. Now DH HATES commando style therefore it forces me to be more of a break person but it does make everything more enjoyable.

With saying that on my trip in Sept with my friend we didn't take a break the day we did MK and were there ALL day except for when we went for dinner at Kona Cafe, it was fun but man we were tired. We weren't even running around like crazy b/c we had no waits for any rides...sorry that was a spoiler from my TR. So after that trip I have come to realize that I really do like my breaks. Ummm yeah I guess that was kinda a long winded response to your comment. Sorry! Can't wait to see how the rest of the plans go!

I love those days where you just go and go and go till you can't go anymore! But I definitely pay for it in the morning when I don't want to get out of bed!

Oh, I can't wait to hear about your marathon day at MK!

Hi Julie! Just back from Mexico, so I'm not all caught up yet. Glad your house is ready. You have pegged our schedule in March exactly. We found out of necessity we had to break with small kids, and got pretty used to it, so we are doing it ourselves without kids. Also a thought - single park tickets are much cheaper than hoppers if you are not doing water parks or hopping for meals. We are saving aboug $400 by getting single day tickets, hitting one park a day, with the last day being whichever park we enjoyed the most and want to repeat. I planned our meals so that we don't need to hop. I think you will enjoy the break, knowing that you'll have energy to stay out later, and it feels good to freshen up before dinner.

Here's my TR if you wanted to know about PV!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1973141

Welcome back from Mexico! Can't wait to read all about it on your TR!

I definitely need to look into the cost difference of park hoppers and single park tickets. There are a couple days where we plan to go to two parks, but I may change that if the price difference is significant enough.

If we do manage to take breaks, it will be so nice to be able to stay out late and actually enjoy being out so late! And hopefully I'll see Wishes and Spectro this way!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Random thoughts:

Today, I took my little sister from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua. It was SO cute! I definitely recommend it (if you don't mind talking dogs!)

Also, we went out to dinner with two other couples this evening. We made reservations for an outside table at this super cute Mexican fusion restaurant. The weather is starting to get much nicer in the evenings and we can finally dine outside again. Okay, so we live in the desert, right? So if it's not monsoon season (it's not), it NEVER rains. But guess what! Just as we were finishing our dinner and sipping the last of our delicious margaritas, the skies OPENED up and it started to POUR! It was actually pretty funny as we ran into the restaurant for cover. Unfortunately, I was wearing some pretty spiky heels, and one of my heels got caught in between two boards on the patio! I got extra soaked as I tried to pry my shoe out! Sheesh! All that rain reminded me of my trip to WDW last October!

It was a fun Saturday and we're hoping for some showings of the house tomorrow. We plan to go for a nice, long hike tomorrow with the dogs, so hopefully people will come while the dogs are out of the house!

 

[xoktenox]

good luck with the potential showings!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Wohooo for 53 days!!!

I've never been one for breaks. It just seems to take so long to get to the hotel and back again. But as you have read in my TR I will be taking things slow. Maybe if you guys decide to do the same a nice trip to the boardwalk for an afternoon stroll. Or maybe just some relaxing at one of the delux resorts around the monorail admiring the Christmas decorations. Whatever you decide it will be great because you are in Disney!