Just Back - Our Impressions

[KeepSwimming]

Just got back from a wonderful 8 day trip and thought I would pass along some of our impressions/tips:

#1. MVMCP - a must do if you are there at this time of year. We never waited more than 5 minutes for any attraction. My kids met all kinds of hard to find characters, and my DD's went nuts over all the "princes" that were there (Snow White's prince, Prince Philip, and the Beast were some of their faves).

#2. CP - was a very moving show. Enjoyed it, however did not feel like the package was worth it for our family. My kids just do not eat enough to make the dinner prices a "deal". Lesson learned.

#3. WONDERLAND TEA PARTY - my DD's had a blast doing this. Got to take home a cute autographed pic with Alice and the Mad Hatter and a bouquet of flowers.

#4. TIME OF YEAR - we were there from the 8th to the 19th and noticed a SIGNIFICANT increase in park attendence around the 16th. Before that we had no problems/waits, even at the MK.

#5 WEATHER - we're from Northwest Florida, so keep that in mind, but we found the weather to be pretty cold every day except one. At night we had on our hats and gloves and had our hand warmers going.

#6 HOTEL - we stayed at the ASMovies and enjoyed it as usual. We were in building nine/ Woody (loved telling people we were staying behind the Big Woody...sad, we know). Food Court was no problem until the 16th and then it was pretty packed.

#7 BRITISH INVASION - not sure why, but we found ourselves surrounded by people from the UK from the 15th on. Met so many great people from there, and had a lot of great conversations with them. I'll take the Brits over Jersey Week anytime (flame away...it lets me know you care). It was actually kind if cute hearing people scream "Connor get over here" instead of "Anthony get over here" for a few days....

#8 - WHISPERING CANYON CAFE - had dinner there and it was a trip highlight. My kids loved the horse races, and the ketchup thing. Jethro was there and picked on my father in law all night. We loved it and are definitely going to eat there again....a new family favorite.

I will try to do a short trip report with pics in the next few days. If anyone has any questions do not hesitate to ask.

 

[T-i-double-g-err]

Wow! Sounds like you had a great trip! Thanks for the impressions!

 

[Skroops]

Thanks! Glad you had a great time. It's so fun to hear about holidays at WDW!

 

[jwfla422]

Yes, I recall reading at one time or another that mid December is a popular time for the British to go on holiday. I definitely noticed MANY British people here in the past week. It was kinda neat actually, I think I can almost pick up the accent myself now

And I totally agree that by Saturday the parks were jammed. We got here on Thurs. 12/15 and the parks were quite manageable on Thurs and Friday but by the weekend, yipes!! I think we'll be moving our holiday visit back to early Dec. Even though I heard it was much busier than last year at that time it still wasn't as busy as it's been the past few days!! I'm actually looking forward to going home

 

[dismom9761]

I am glad you had a good time.I can't wait to try Whispering Canyon.

 

[LoriMistress]

Sounds like you had a great time, though you should post some pictures!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

#5 WEATHER - At night we had on our hats and gloves and had our hand warmers going.

#7 BRITISH INVASION - not sure why, but we found ourselves surrounded by people from the UK from the 15th on. Met so many great people from there, and had a lot of great conversations with them. I'll take the Brits over Jersey Week anytime (flame away...it lets me know you care). It was actually kind if cute hearing people scream "Connor get over here" instead of "Anthony get over here" for a few days....

Sounds like you had a great trip and thanks for the wonderful posts. We are planning our trip for next year and I keep going back and forth between the weeks. All advice is helpful.
And I'm not flaming - just teasing - they sell hand warmers in Florida?? As a Jersey girl, I find that comment funny.
And as an Italian Jersey girl, its not "Anthony" - its "ANTony" - no h.
The Brits do have a nicer sounding accent. I don't blame you!

 

[dixiedizfan]

What are hand warmers and where do you buy them? We're leaving January 1st and those sound like something we might need to have!

 

[ujpest_doza]

Yes, I recall reading at one time or another that mid December is a popular time for the British to go on holiday. I definitely noticed MANY British people here in the past week. It was kinda neat actually, I think I can almost pick up the accent myself now

Judging by how quiet the traffic has been on my journey to and from work this week i think you might be right.

Fee paying schools finished for 3 weeks Christmas and New Year holidays on Friday 16th December and Public Schools have a staggered closing this week beginning yesterday but only for 2 weeks.

 

[Partridge4ever]

Hand warmers---I've bought them at WalMart in the hunting/camping department. They're little pouches that you squeeze to activate. The heat lasts a few hours. I'm so glad OP mentioned these...I always pack them for Pigeon Forge but never gave it a thought for WDW.

 

[liveforthemagic]

My DH is from Jersey and VERY Italian. I laughed outloud at your Connor vs Anthony statement.

BTW, with my inlaws, its actually "Ant-ny"--there are apparently only 2 syllables in that name.

 

[KeepSwimming]

We got our hand warmers at Wal-mart and Big Lots.

I had other adults at the Christmas party offering to buy some from me...I could'a made a killing!!!

 

[disneyfreak74]

Sounds like you had a great time!!!! I wished I had hand warmers at the party!!! It GOT COLD at night!!!!! But as you can see in my signature!! We had CHEETOES to keep us warm!!!!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

We were there from the tenth until the 20th and I had the same experiences.

Being that we are from the midwest and are used to the cold it was not as bad on us. We just kept saying that it was much colder back home and it helped out. We actually did have to wear our medium winter jackets on night though. Mine ended up covering some children watching Spectro with us. Sometimes it comes in handy being large as it covered several children and two others sheltered on my lap during the parade. A good time was had by all. LOL

Slightly Goofy

 

[Weluvdisny]

I can't wait to go! It sounds like I should get some of those hand warmers for our trip in January!! My friend is going with us and she doesn't think they need to bring heavy coats. I looked at the weather last night and it looked pretty cold down there.

 

[Weluvdisny]

I can't wait to go! It sounds like I should get some of those hand warmers for our trip in January!! My friend is going with us and she doesn't think they need to bring heavy coats. I looked at the weather last night and it looked pretty cold down there.

 

[Kay1]

It IS cold. I've read posts from people in the north who just got the heating bills and it seems most keep their houses about 65. Yesterday I looked at out thermometer and our house was only 60 and about 38 outside. We're going over for five nights next week and I'm definiitely taking plenty of warm stuff since we'll be outside so much and going on some wet rides.

 

[tecdavidt]

My husband has been checking the weather for next week, 12/27 - 1/3. The high temps are upper 60's to low 70's and the lows are in the 50's. Not bad, considering our highs this time of year are maybe, 30's and lows are well, C O L D! teens to zero. Last year when we were at the Poly after Christmas the high was upper 40's. I felt like I was still in Iowa! If I had my winter coat I would have been fine, I only had a light weight jacket and layers. This year, the winter coat and jacket will be packed. I have read layers are the way to go so this year I will be better prepared. Kathy