It's The Spirit of the Season-As If 8 Months of Disney Wasn't Enough! A Dec. 2012 PTR

[bellebookworm9]

Here we go again!

Hi, I'm Gretchen!

I'm 21 years old, currently in my first year of the Clinical Doctor of Audiology program at the University of Buffalo, and a current WDW Seasonal Cast Member. That's where the title comes from. I spent four months (January 11th-May 11th) working at Epcot on the College Program. Then I went back for another three months (May 22nd-August 21st) working seasonal aka full time. Truthfully, I'm working at Disney-d out, but I'm always ready to plan a vacation!

My traveling companion is my mom, Debbie.

She is officially a "senior" this year and works in a group home for developmentally disabled individuals.

We may also be joined at some point by my BFF and work-hubby, PB.

PB was on the CP with me and is currently still living in Florida.

(BTW, you've also now seen my complete collection of mouse ears )

If you're wondering about our Disney history, Mom chaperoned my high school band trip in February 2007, and the two of us have traveled together in both May 2010 and October 2011. The October trip brought us the new experiences of the Food & Wine Festival, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, and two and a half straight days of torrential, cold rain. Mom also came to visit me for a few days this past February.

We've stayed in an array of Disney hotels, at all levels. But Mom has always wanted to stay at Port Orleans French Quarter. Alas, it never seems to be available when she is able to come visit. But I was able to nab it for this trip!

So that's the who and where.
The when: December 17th-20th. It's after finals are over for me, but before the really big Christmas crowds...I hope.
The what: Osbourne Lights, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and the Candlelight Processional.
The how: This is the really fun part. We're going to try to do this on a budget of $1000. Selling your soul to Disney kind of does have it's perks...

So I hope you'll join us during the planning of our trip to experience the spirit of the season!

 

[bellebookworm9]

We had originally planned this trip for Thanksgiving Weekend (November 23rd-26th). And then I got my class syllabi and found out I have a presentation on the 26th. Plus, airfare was outrageously expensive for those dates. POFQ was unavailable at any cast member rate, so we settled on Caribbean Beach.

Then we decided to change the dates. While POFQ was not available at the 50% off cast member rate, it was available at the 40% "friends and family" rate. I booked it immediately. It's a standard view aka parking lot, but we won't be in the room that much anyway. And I'm still hoping that there will be some availability there when the cast member holiday rates (60% off) are released.

So currently, our hotel total at 40% off is: $342.24 (of which $114.08 is already paid and not counted in the running totals)

For the first time in five years, it looks like we will not be flying Southwest. Their cheapest flights are at super inconvenient times (like arriving in Orlando at 11pm) and times that do make sense are still almost double that of JetBlue. Although the flights have not been officially booked yet, I hope to book them next week or so.

Depart Buffalo at 8:50am, Arrive in Orlando at 11:34am ($100/person)
Depart Orlando at 6:50pm, Arrive Buffalo at 9:22pm ($131/person)

Total for flights: $461.20
Running Total: $689.36

Park Admission: FREE
My ID gets me in for free all the time. I have two complimentary tickets for Mom to use on our days at DHS and Epcot. I also will be receiving a holiday pass that allows me to get 3 people in on any one day, if we choose to go to another park on a different day. All of these are park hoppers, though I doubt we'll be park hopping on this trip.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets: $125.58
Unfortunately, I can't get into the party for free. And there's no CM discounts on the tickets for that night, so we're just going to use the advance purchase discount. Again, I hope to purchase these next week.

Running total: $814.94

My dining situation is a mess and is going to be it's own post at some point. There's dining plans, discounted dining plans, general cast member discounts, and holiday dining coupons to be combined and considered. Not an easy combination at all-but I found an excellent spreadsheet that's helping me out!

 

[bellebookworm9]

How about an itinerary? I think this is pretty solid and highly unlikely that it will change.

Monday, December 17th

• Arrive in Orlando 11:34am
• Take Magical Express to POFQ (1pm arrival?)
• Light Lunch at Sassagoula Foodcourt
• Travel to Hollywood Studios
• Dinner at 50s Prime Time Cafe- 4:10pm
• Fantasmic! at 6:30pm
• Osbourne Lights after Fantasmic (6-8pm?)

After DHS closes at 8pm, assuming I/we feel up to it, I have tentative plans to go to Magic Kingdom, solely to see the parade and fireworks.

• Main Street Electrical Parade-9pm
• Wishes 10pm
• Extra Magic Hours (10pm-1am)

Tuesday, December 18th

• Breakfast at Sassagoula Floatworks
• Hang out at resort
• Lunch at Riverside Mill
• Travel to Magic Kingdom (MVMCP tickets should be active at 4pm)
• Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern-4:25pm
• MVMCP (7pm-12am)

Wednesday, December 19th

• Breakfast at Sassagoula Floatworks
• Travel to Epcot
• Lunch at Via Napoli-12:45pm (Candlelight Processional Package)
• Candlelight Processional (5:00pm, Narrator TBA)
• IllumiNations-9:30pm

Thursday, December 10th

• Breakfast at Olivia's Cafe-9:10am
• Downtown Disney
• Lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express
• Magical Express Pickup 3:30pm-ish
• Flight departs Orlando at 6:50pm

 

[mnmrmustard]

I'm on board, sounds like you have things pretty well laid out. Those discounts certainly make a difference - good for you

Looking forward to hearing more details about your trip

 

[bellaally]

Hey I'm in my name ally and my husband and I will be going to wdw world for the first time , our dates are December 10-15. I reading and learning great to know discounts even if I can't use them love a vacation on savings! Your plans sound great so far.

 

[bellebookworm9]

I'm on board, sounds like you have things pretty well laid out. Those discounts certainly make a difference - good for you

Looking forward to hearing more details about your trip

Welcome! The discounts definitely help!

Hey I'm in my name ally and my husband and I will be going to wdw world for the first time , our dates are December 10-15. I reading and learning great to know discounts even if I can't use them love a vacation on savings! Your plans sound great so far.

Hi Ally! Let me know if you have any questions about anything related to your trip. I love answering Disney questions!

 

[bellebookworm9]

Just when I say "Hey, these plans are pretty solid", Mom throws a curve ball and says. "Why don't we add another day?"

So the first point was to add another day to our reservation. Which of course wasn't easy. I couldn't make a new reservation (using any cast member code) for all the days, December 17-21. But, I was able to make a separate one solely for the 20-21. So now we have two reservations, which I'm hoping can be linked so we don't have to move rooms. Better yet, I'm hoping I'll be able to get a ressie using the 60% discount when it comes out soon. False alarm the other day: the 2011 holiday link was back up on the reservation site, and when you clicked on it, the dates for 2012-2013 were displayed. But no matter the dates or hotel choice, NO rooms were available. The link has disappeared now.

Also changing then were our flights. I am stalking the airline websites like you wouldn't believe. I'm using Kayak, Bing, you name it. But right now, flights look as such:

December 17th
JetBlue Flight 667: BUF 8:50am--> MCO 11:34am Total Cost: $199.60

December 21st
AirTran Flight 373: MCO 5:49pm--> BUF 8:22pm Total Cost: $199.60 + $20 for one checked bag. Of course, there's the minor problem that there are only three seats left at this price...

And this has also led to some minor revisions of our previous itinerary.

Monday, December 17th

• Arrive in Orlando 11:34am
• Take Magical Express to POFQ (1pm arrival?)
• Light Lunch at Sassagoula Foodcourt
• Travel to Hollywood Studios
• Dinner at 50s Prime Time Cafe- 4:10pm
• Fantasmic! at 6:30pm
• Osbourne Lights after Fantasmic (6-8pm?)

After DHS closes at 8pm, assuming I/we feel up to it, I have tentative plans to go to Magic Kingdom, solely to see the parade and fireworks.

• Main Street Electrical Parade-9pm
• Wishes 10pm
• Extra Magic Hours (10pm-1am)

Tuesday, December 18th

• Breakfast at Sassagoula Floatworks
• Hang out at resort
• Lunch at Riverside Mill
• Travel to Magic Kingdom (MVMCP tickets should be active at 4pm)
• Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern-4:25pm
• MVMCP (7pm-12am)

Wednesday, December 19th

• Breakfast at Sassagoula Floatworks
• Travel to Epcot
• Lunch at Via Napoli-12:45pm (Candlelight Processional Package)
• Candlelight Processional (5:00pm, Narrator TBA)
• Dinner at Sunshine Seasons
• IllumiNations-9:30pm
• YeeHaw Bob Jackson at River Roost

Thursday, December 20th

• Breakfast at Tusker House (10:30am)
• See Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade
• Tour Various Resorts for Christmas Decs (Grand Floridian, Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness-I've always wanted to go check out the light up campers and crazy stuff!)
• Hoop dee Doo Revue, 8:30pm show (we've been wanting to do this for ages!)

Friday, December 21st

• Breakfast at Olivia's at 9:10am
• Downtown Disney
• Lunch to go from Wolfgang Puck Express
• Magical Express Pick Up around 2:30
• Depart Orlando at 5:49pm

 

[mnmrmustard]

Gotta love those curve balls aye? At least it was to add a day and not take one away Good luck with wrestling those flights, it is getting close enough now that the seat availability will make things more challenging.

Nice adjustments to the itinerary, looks like a grand time

 

[bellebookworm9]

I think now it's time to explain that mess of a dining situation I mentioned before. Right now, we have a Plan A and a Plan B.

Plan A
-Dining Plan Discount for Cast Members-$29.99/person/night
-This may or may not be an available deal.
-Combine with holiday coupons and general CM discounts.

Plan B
-Pay all out of pocket, using holiday coupons and general CM discounts.
-Holiday coupons are generally one each 50%, 40%, and 30% to be used at any CS or TS meal of your choice, excluding Candlelight Processional Packages/Fantasmic Packages, etc.

So here we go with the dining options-we share almost all of our meals (all prices include tax and gratuity, where applicable):

-Sassagoula Foodcourt Lunch: 1 CS Credit/20% CM discount = $12.84
-50s Prime Time Dinner: 50% Holiday Discount = $22.41/30% Holiday Coupon = $29.11
-Sassagoula Foodcourt Breakfast: 1 CS Credit
-Riverside Mill Lunch: 1 CS Credit
-Liberty Tree Tavern Dinner: 2 TS Credits + $12.96 gratuity/50% Holiday Coupon = $51.29
-Sassagoula Floatworks Breakfast: 1 CS Credit/20% CM Discount = $7.91
-Via Napoli CP Lunch: 4 TS Credits + $15.33 gratuity/No discounts = $106.05
-Sunshine Seasons Dinner: 1 CS Credit/No discounts = $16.80
-Tusker House Breakfast: 2 TS Credits + $9.72 gratuity/40% Holiday Coupon = $44.21
-Captain Cook's Lunch: 1 CS Credit/20% CM Discount = $11.14
-Hoop dee Doo Revue Dinner: 50% 8:30pm show CM discount = $47.90 (category 2, I think)/50% 8:30pm show CM discount = $47.90 (category 2, I think)
-Olivia's Cafe Breakfast: 40% Holiday Coupon = $24.53/20% CM Discount = $30.92
-Wolfgang Puck Express Lunch: 2 CS Credits + $2 gratuity/20% CM Discount = $33.86

What a mess, right? But a very well planned mess!

Plan A Total Cost: $390.36
Plan B Total Cost: $413.80

So really, a savings of just over $20. However, note that these plans do not include snacks or the cost of refillable mugs. So the savings could potentially be a bit more. If the mugs weren't included with the cost of the Dining Plan, we wouldn't buy any (we're those people who will keep using the mugs we bought a year ago as long as the design hasn't changed ) or buy one new one if the design has changed and just share it. And truthfully, I think snacks are a bit too hard to plan for. So there's your math. Hoping for the DDP discount is the end result, but not a big deal if it doesn't happen.

 

[mnmrmustard]

I think now it's time to explain that mess of a dining situation I mentioned before. Right now, we have a Plan A and a Plan B.

Plan A
-Dining Plan Discount for Cast Members-$29.99/person/night
-This may or may not be an available deal.
-Combine with holiday coupons and general CM discounts.

Plan B
-Pay all out of pocket, using holiday coupons and general CM discounts.
-Holiday coupons are generally one each 50%, 40%, and 30% to be used at any CS or TS meal of your choice, excluding Candlelight Processional Packages/Fantasmic Packages, etc.

So here we go with the dining options-we share almost all of our meals (all prices include tax and gratuity, where applicable):

-Sassagoula Foodcourt Lunch: 1 CS Credit/20% CM discount = $12.84
-50s Prime Time Dinner: 50% Holiday Discount = $22.41/30% Holiday Coupon = $29.11
-Sassagoula Foodcourt Breakfast: 1 CS Credit
-Riverside Mill Lunch: 1 CS Credit
-Liberty Tree Tavern Dinner: 2 TS Credits + $12.96 gratuity/50% Holiday Coupon = $51.29
-Sassagoula Floatworks Breakfast: 1 CS Credit/20% CM Discount = $7.91
-Via Napoli CP Lunch: 4 TS Credits + $15.33 gratuity/No discounts = $106.05
-Sunshine Seasons Dinner: 1 CS Credit/No discounts = $16.80
-Tusker House Breakfast: 2 TS Credits + $9.72 gratuity/40% Holiday Coupon = $44.21
-Captain Cook's Lunch: 1 CS Credit/20% CM Discount = $11.14
-Hoop dee Doo Revue Dinner: 50% 8:30pm show CM discount = $47.90 (category 2, I think)/50% 8:30pm show CM discount = $47.90 (category 2, I think)
-Olivia's Cafe Breakfast: 40% Holiday Coupon = $24.53/20% CM Discount = $30.92
-Wolfgang Puck Express Lunch: 2 CS Credits + $2 gratuity/20% CM Discount = $33.86

What a mess, right? But a very well planned mess!

Plan A Total Cost: $390.36
Plan B Total Cost: $413.80

So really, a savings of just over $20. However, note that these plans do not include snacks or the cost of refillable mugs. So the savings could potentially be a bit more. If the mugs weren't included with the cost of the Dining Plan, we wouldn't buy any (we're those people who will keep using the mugs we bought a year ago as long as the design hasn't changed ) or buy one new one if the design has changed and just share it. And truthfully, I think snacks are a bit too hard to plan for. So there's your math. Hoping for the DDP discount is the end result, but not a big deal if it doesn't happen.

Nice breakdown, and it is hard to factor those little things like snacks and mugs. I too wouldn't buy them if they weren't part of the DP. Good luck getting the discount!

 

[bellebookworm9]

Flights are booked! Total cost was $539.20, but I was able to get Bill Me Later (didn't even know that was an option!) and we won't have to pay for them until April!

So, the flight itinerary is JetBlue, both ways.
Depart Buffalo 12/17 @ 8:50AM
Arrive Orlando @ 11:34AM

Depart Orlando 12/21 @ 6:50PM
Arrive Buffalo @ 9:22PM

More good news: My Holiday Discount booklet showed up the other day! And there are all sorts of awesome discounts I didn't even know about! (A free day at a water park, a free day at DisneyQuest, a free round of mini golf, six coupons for a free popcorn or soft drink.) Plus some that we had last year, like the 40% merchandise discount.

There is a discounted dining plan, for $32.99/person/night. After doing some more detailed recalculating, this is still a good deal. Even more so because the dining coupons and normal discount (20% per meal) is blacked out for the last two days of our stay. So we will be getting the dining plan.

I've also decided against Hoop dee Doo, because the night we are going the discount isn't available. Instead I booked us at Trail's End. I've eaten there before and enjoyed it.

We've decided to rent Mom a scooter because of problems with her back and feet, that give her horrible trouble every trip. I reserved one through Apple Scooters, as I know a lot of people use them.

And then the bad-ish news. I called Disney on Friday night to cancel our POFQ ressies, hoping the rooms would go back in the queue and I could re-book them as one ressie. But they didn't go back. I haven't given up yet, but POFQ is not available at any CM discount at the moment. But it is available at a general public discount of ~30%, so I may end up booking that. However, I have to find out if I can book that and add the CM dining plan. I'll keep you posted on that.

Our other hotel choices are OKW, BWV, or AoA (family suite). We almost think a family suite would be best, but Mom doesn't like the Cars suites and while I love the Lion King movie, I think the suites are just too bright and colorful.

 

[bellebookworm9]

And after much debate and photo viewing, the winner is...


WILDERNESS LODGE!

Is there any place better to stay for the holidays?

We debated between WL and Boardwalk, and Mom decided she likes the "feel" of WL better. And she loves the lobby and fireplace. Courtyard view at 60% off is $630 for four nights.

 

[Valgoof]

I just came over from the Dec thread. It was kinda funny to read about the resort choices. I had to go back and make sure you had said WL on the other thread.
We are going to MVMCP the same night AND eating at LTT at 4:25.

 

[librarygeek]

Hello! I love your pictures, and I especially love that your Disney travel buddy is your mom!

Also, I know what you mean about flights being so expensive, especially on Southwest. I usually have flown SW in the past, but for my upcoming February trip the prices were so much higher than other airlines! I couldn't find anything reasonable. And unfortunately Jet Blue doesn't fly out of Philadelphia. But at least I found something that wasn't going to end up being over $350 round trip!

Your dining ressies look great. I hope you do some sort of dining review or even just a trip report when you get back, as I'd love to hear about them (especially the Tusker House breakfast, we have it planed for our next trip but I've never done it!)

WL sounds awesome at Christmas time. I've seen pictures and it's just gorgeous. Good choice!

 

[bellebookworm9]

I just came over from the Dec thread. It was kinda funny to read about the resort choices. I had to go back and make sure you had said WL on the other thread.
We are going to MVMCP the same night AND eating at LTT at 4:25.

Haha, and today I found out that they've changed the decor and WL. But I refuse to change resorts again! I sense a possible Dis meet!

Hello! I love your pictures, and I especially love that your Disney travel buddy is your mom!

Also, I know what you mean about flights being so expensive, especially on Southwest. I usually have flown SW in the past, but for my upcoming February trip the prices were so much higher than other airlines! I couldn't find anything reasonable. And unfortunately Jet Blue doesn't fly out of Philadelphia. But at least I found something that wasn't going to end up being over $350 round trip!

Your dining ressies look great. I hope you do some sort of dining review or even just a trip report when you get back, as I'd love to hear about them (especially the Tusker House breakfast, we have it planed for our next trip but I've never done it!)

WL sounds awesome at Christmas time. I've seen pictures and it's just gorgeous. Good choice!

When I first booked a trip to Disney for May 2010, I payed something like $318 TOTAL for two people round trip. I miss those days...though I did manage to catch a Southwest sale this past May where my flight was $69 one way-but I had to go like a week after I booked it!

I always do dining reviews and trip reports-the ones from this past year were on my blog, which my managers gave me grief about so I had to make private. So I'll definitely do a TR after the fact, and I may do a live dining review, depending on free time. If not, that will also be done once we get back. We've never done Tusker House either (or Via Napoli) for any meal, and while we've visited both LTT and Olivia's before, it's never been for the meals I have reserved this time.

 

[SAT887]

Coming over from the Dec thread! We are there earlier in the month and can't wait! It's great that they give you such great discounts!!

 

[bellebookworm9]

Coming over from the Dec thread! We are there earlier in the month and can't wait! It's great that they give you such great discounts!!

The December thread is awesome! The discounts are a huge perk. Truthfully, the reason they justify paying the CMs so little is the amount of discounts we get!

 

[SAT887]

The December thread is awesome! The discounts are a huge perk. Truthfully, the reason they justify paying the CMs so little is the amount of discounts we get!

It's an awesome group.

So true! You guys earn the discounts too!

 

[bellebookworm9]

Monday December 17th
-Depart Buffalo 8:50am
-Arrive Orlando 11:34am
-Check into Wilderness Lodge ~1pm
-Lunch at Roaring Fork (1 CS Credit)
-Time to rest if room is ready
-Head to DHS ~4:30pm (CM ID for me; E-ticket for Mom)
-Fantasmic at 6:30pm
-Osbourne Lights
-50s Prime Time Cafe ADR 8:20pm (40% discount OOP)

Tuesday December 18th
-In Room Dining ~9am (OOP)
-Lunch at Captain Cook's (1 CS Credit)
-Explore WL and GF Christmas Decorations
-Liberty Tree Tavern ADR 4:25PM (50% discount OOP)
-MVMCP 7pm-12am
-Late dinner at Cosmic Ray's (1 CS Credit)

Wednesday December 19th
-Tusker House ADR 10:30am (2 TS Credits)
-AK for a few hours (holiday pass for both of us)
-Explore other resorts holidays decs (AKL, BC/YC, BW)
-Lunch at Roaring Fork (1 CS Credit)
-Dinner at Trail's End 6:05pm (30% discount OOP)
-Explore Ft. Wilderness decorations
-MK for Wishes and MSEP (CM ID for me, holiday ticket for mom)

Thursday December 20th
-Breakfast at Roaring Fork (1 CS Credit)
-Epcot (CM ID for me, e-ticket for mom)
-Chefs de France ADR (CP Package) 12:40pm (4 TS Credits)
-Candlelight Processional 5pm (Trace Adkins)
-Dinner at Sunshine Seasons (1 CS Credit)
-IllumiNations 9:30pm

Friday December 21st
-Olivia's Cafe ADR at 10:15am (2 TS Credits)
-Downtown Disney
-Lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express (2 CS Credits)
-ME Pickup ~4pm
-Depart Orlando 6:50pm
-Arrive Buffalo 9:22pm

 

[taaren]

Also came over from the December thread. Wow, those discounts are fantastic ...

Love how much your itinerary has evolved over the week of planning! Sounds like you have a great trip planned.