January 4, 2014 Fantasy, Trust, and Pixie Dust!

[Kabuli1]

Thanks for the good wishes, fanatic.

luv2, the crowds really diminish after the holidays, I have been there the first week of Jan and it really isn't bad especially if you are just there to see the lights. It is SO beautiful with the castle all done up with the icicle lights - breathtaking! Just head on over there when you get there. Capacity is usually only reached on the big holidays which would be 12/31 not 1/1! And don't miss Wishes - my favorite fireworks - be sure to watch it from Main Street.

We got to eat at Be Our Guest for dinner last time, it was wonderful! They do allow a few walk-ins every seating - emphasis on A FEW!!! Expect to wait, maybe hours, if you want to try for that.

I won't do any really early ADRs this time - except maybe California Grill, I usually start looking for dining a few weeks ahead. During the holidays they have higher prices in place and I like to avoid that.

Looks like we won't be flying out before 1/2, I had wanted to have my 60th bday at WDW (12/31) but my kids can't make it down there - so will celebrate with them and then fly down. Don't know where we will stay now, and will release my reservations at OKW soon. I may just bunk at my daughter's!

Arghh! I am so late for work!

Karyn

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

I just looked at the touring plans for the 1-3, high crowds, as expected. Numbers were 10/10 on the 1st, then dropping slightly to 9/10-8/10 depending on which park for the remaining dates.

If I don't get an ADR for BOG, we plan to just do quick service lunch there and I'll find a different place for dinner.

It feels really good to have my flights, two excursions, and one hotel booked. Now I still need to book a rental car, dcl airport transportation... The MCO Hyatt, and get my WDW tickets. I looked into the premiere pass and the only way it would make sense is if we planned on going to wdw again within the year (not likely).

I also just bought my Halloween party tickets for DL! Looking forward to that trip.

 

[luv2sleep]

Thanks! Really going to see HS and Epcot. We might not make it to MK. We see the castle lit up here every year. We have DL APs. My son can't watch fireworks inside the park. Too loud. Sensory issues. We have an ADR for La Hacienda because you can see the fireworks show from behind glass. Hopefully we can get in at dusk every night to see the lights. Not much of a ride focused trip this year.

 

[luv2sleep]

My vacation request has been approved! Yay! Now I just need to pay the cruise balance and get park tickets. Anyone considering the Premier pass? I'm pondering.

 

[luv2sleep]

Christmas on the Magic for 2014 was just released last month! Had no idea! This would be after dry dock and those upgrades so I booked it! I've always wanted to do a Christmas cruise.

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

How exciting, that will be such a fun trip!

 

[Pikezh638]

How much?
Did you try other airlines?

it was right at 1000$ for the two of us to fly, which may not be a lot in some airports but it was more than we have paid before. thankfully my family had airline miles saved up, so our airfare is taken care of, just have to finish off the cruise

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

We paid just under 400 for each for our round trip flights on united to go from sfo to Mco, I was happy with those prices!

 

[luv2sleep]

it was right at 1000$ for the two of us to fly, which may not be a lot in some airports but it was more than we have paid before. thankfully my family had airline miles saved up, so our airfare is taken care of, just have to finish off the cruise

Ours were just under that. I upgraded to a seat that was closer to the front of the plane which cost about an extra $120. Total was $940 RT for two with that. We are flying on Virgin Atlantic nonstop from Los Angeles. Where are you guys flying from?

 

[PenskeSth1]

is there a FE exchange being planned? we dont do FB and was wondering if there was going to be a list on here if one is planned. with only a few months until cruise time it is good to be prepared for those who like to make their gifts. just a headcount of boys, girls, ages, favorite princess or character is always good to know. just wondered.
thanks all so ready to be cruising.

my son and i are going to Disneyland for the first time in Nov. cant wait. we will only be there for a few days but plan on taking in as much as possible. i know we have WDW here and have been so much my son hates going anymore.

 

[luv2sleep]

is there a FE exchange being planned? we dont do FB and was wondering if there was going to be a list on here if one is planned. with only a few months until cruise time it is good to be prepared for those who like to make their gifts. just a headcount of boys, girls, ages, favorite princess or character is always good to know. just wondered.
thanks all so ready to be cruising.

my son and i are going to Disneyland for the first time in Nov. cant wait. we will only be there for a few days but plan on taking in as much as possible. i know we have WDW here and have been so much my son hates going anymore.

I think there is. I'm not participating in the FE so hopefully someone can fill you in.

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

There is a fe group started on the Facebook page. I'll look at the doc and try to add it to this page!

 

[PenskeSth1]

ty

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

All my ADR's are booked!!! So now I can stop waking up at 3 am every morning!!! we got everything we wanted: sci fi, le cellier, Kona cafe, be our guest, boma, and Jiko. All with plenty of time for us to see the nighttime entertainment.

Has anyone looked into the chocolate factory tour in cozumel? We are thinking of doing it, looks like it gets great reviews on trip advisor, and we wanted to just be low key that day anyway. Looks like kids need to be 6 in order to go on the tour.

Just bought some packing cubes, can't wait to try em out on my upcoming trips.

 

[luv2sleep]

All my ADR's are booked!!! So now I can stop waking up at 3 am every morning!!! we got everything we wanted: sci fi, le cellier, Kona cafe, be our guest, boma, and Jiko. All with plenty of time for us to see the nighttime entertainment.

Has anyone looked into the chocolate factory tour in cozumel? We are thinking of doing it, looks like it gets great reviews on trip advisor, and we wanted to just be low key that day anyway. Looks like kids need to be 6 in order to go on the tour.

Just bought some packing cubes, can't wait to try em out on my upcoming trips.

Exciting!

I'm doing only DCL excursions. Is that a DCL one?

 

[luv2sleep]

How's everybody?

I haven't been on in awhile, getting ready to move downstate and it is STRESSFUL!!!! Next week I work up here on Monday, empty and drop off my vehicle (get a ride home) and drive downstate. Then on Tuesday drive to Springfield, pick up a different vehicle, then drive down near St Louis to meet my new regional folk and head out to my new territory. It will be such a change for this city girl going from a smallish urban territory to a huge rural route! AND I haven't found a place to live!!!

I don't even know whether my closest airport will be Indianapolis or St Louis yet, so I don't have my tickets for January. Midway is always cheaper, I will miss Midway.

Just wanted to comment on the port/ship time thing. Last Feb out of Miami on the Wonder they did not change ship time to reflect local time and they told us over and over not to change our watches and not to ask locals the time. But this is not always the case and I think the longer cruises may change especially since the ship will be in the Central time zone for more than a day or so.

No clue about shore excursions for us. Will probably decide just before online checking opens for me. Hopefully I will be getting settled someplace by then.

Enjoy today everybody!

Karyn

How's the move going?

 

[luv2sleep]

is there a FE exchange being planned? we dont do FB and was wondering if there was going to be a list on here if one is planned. with only a few months until cruise time it is good to be prepared for those who like to make their gifts. just a headcount of boys, girls, ages, favorite princess or character is always good to know. just wondered.
thanks all so ready to be cruising.

my son and i are going to Disneyland for the first time in Nov. cant wait. we will only be there for a few days but plan on taking in as much as possible. i know we have WDW here and have been so much my son hates going anymore.

You will love DL! Where are you staying?

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

Not a DCL one, unless they offer it I'm not really sure, haven't looked... I'm the opposite and only doing non DCL excursions :-D

 

[luv2sleep]

Not a DCL one, unless they offer it I'm not really sure, haven't looked... I'm the opposite and only doing non DCL excursions :-D

Oh ok. I will check.
I have a small kid and don't want to chance getting stranded with him in a foreign country.

 

[cflmom]

We are only doing one day at Magic Kingdom before the cruise. Got an ADR at The Crystal Palace. Wanted Be Our Guest but we are a party of 8 so that might not happen! Then we have one day at Downtown Disney. Would like to eat at Wolfgang Puck's cuz my kids LOVE sushi but no ADRs available for that either. Might just try a walk up for that one.
Then we are off to Ron Jon's for a couple nights. We'll do the Space Centre while there. Then off to the cruise.

This is our second Western Carribean cruise so we've been to Cozumel and Grand Cayman before. Last time we did the Butterfly/Turtle Farm on Grand Cayman and the Dolphin Encounter at Cozumel.
Looking at doing a Jeep Excursion this time, either at Cozumel or Costa Maya. Then not sure about the other ones. Last time we were at Grand Cayman, they had a Pirate Ship excursion. Unfortunately it's not offered this time. It's offered privately but the times don't work for when we are there.

166 days until we leave!