Just Planned A December Trip - would love advice!!!!!

[BlondeAppetit]

Hello my fellow Disney friends!

I just planned a December trip and took advantage of free dining!

Goals of Trip - a fun filled, jam packed trip on a budget, with a Christmas theme!

We will be traveling with our almost 3yo (night owl/wild child) and our almost 7 yo (sweet/loves thrill rides) daughters.

We are staying at Pop Century. Friday - one night stay and then Sat-Tues with Free Dining.

Tentative Agenda:

Friday:

Travel Day - easy drive from SC - arrive about 3pm.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party -
Counter Service Food, Snacks
Fast Passes - Space Mountain, SDMT, and ????
Stay late!

Saturday:

Sleep in!!!!!.....which means 8am!

Disney Springs???
Trying early lunch at T-Rex????
Head back to Pop
Freshen up

Monorail tour/Wilderness Lodge

4pm - Hoop Dee Doo Revue (out of pocket)

Chip & Dale Campfire Singalong

Sunday:

Magic Kingdom - arrive for morning show, in general....low crowds bc tonight is a party night

Animal Kingdom - lunch time - Flame Tree BBQ lunch - Fast Passes - Safari, Kali River, Evening Show/Jungle Book (maybe do Tusker House instead of GG???)

Monday:

Epcot -
8am Prepark opening breakfast at Akershus
Elsa/Anna Meet and Greet
Fast pass for Frozen Ever After and ??????
Rides
Late lunch at Garden Grill or eat at Sunshine Seasons or WS
Watch 5pm Candlelight Processional from outside theatre
Snack
Head to Hollywood Studios
Enjoy a little Star Wars stuff
Maybe the Star Wars dessert party if it is offered?????
Star Wars fireworks

Tuesday:

Check out

Boma breakfast or another suggestion?????? We can drive to AKL before heading home, so transportation is not an issue.

Head home!

I know that it would make sense to do a Tusker House TS dinner with special seating for evening show but I really wanted to try Garden Grill. Thoughts? My family could handle two TS in one day. Thoughts? ***Upon further review - TH is sounding more logistically practical and a better value with show seating - TBD.

Thank you in advance for your time!

BASED ON YOUR FEEDBACK AND THE FACT THAT WE SCHEDULED A SPRING BREAK TRIP, I DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO TRY AND DO IT ALL. I AM GOING TO FOCUS ON THE MOST "CHRISTMAS-Y" ACTIVITIES.

THIS IS MY REVISED SCHEDULE! THOUGHTS???

Friday:

Travel Day

MVMCP

Saturday:

11am Breakfast at Kona - out of pocket

Tour the monorail resorts

4pm - HDDR

Chip and Dale's Campfire Singalong

Sleigh Ride around Ft. Wilderness

Sunday:

Magic Kingdom - this is a party day, so good for touring

PPO Be Our Guest - out of pocket

11:30am - Liberty Tree Tavern

3pm - Parade

Head to Epcot via monorail

5:40pm - Garden Grill with Candlelight Processional Package

8:15 - Candlelight Processional

Holiday Illuminations

Monday:

PPO Akershus and then do all of the new Frozen activities

Head to Future World, rides, then head back at lunchtime to enjoy storytellers

Walk or boat to Boardwalk area for midday break and get ice cream, etc. View the trees at the Epcot resorts.

5pm-ish take monorail to MK, boat to Wilderness Lodge

6:20pm - Dinner at Artist Point, view Wilderness Lodge decorations

Head to MK for evening activities (in 2015, the parade was at 9pm and 11pm and Wishes at 10pm)

Tuesday:

9:45pm - Breakfast at Boma, view the AKL decorations

Head home!

 

[aloha517]

Maybe after the campfire at Ft Wilderness you could do the sleigh ride? We enjoyed it so much and loved seeing the campsites all decorated for the holidays.. Nice ,relaxing, festive experience which exceeded our expectations! Sounds like a great trip you have planned °0°

 

[Lumiere Lover]

I think you need more time at Epcot to hear the story tellers. They are very fascinating. Also if you have time go to the contemporary and check out the decorations and the gingerbread house.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

I would absolutely do Tusker House over Garden Grill for 2 reasons... The AK show is supposed to be amazing AND quite frankly I think Tusker House is a better all around choice.
Also, on your night at FW you can also stay and watch the Electric Water Parade.
It's a nice ending for the night. I also love @aloha517 idea of the carriage ride to see the decorations. FW peeps go all out decorating and it's just awesome!

 

[BlondeAppetit]

I could drop the Garden Grill for Tusker and it would free up more time at Epcot.

I love trying new things and we have done HDDR, Akershus and Tusker House before.....but that's okay.

HDDR is a must. Akershus is strategic pending the waits at Elsa and Anna and then TH or GG would be to see Mickey and friends.

Love the idea of adding the carriage ride!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

So totally agree with HDDR!
When you go to FW take the boat from MK rather than the bus... The bus drops you off waaaaay far away and you have to then take an internal bus to get to the campsites and HDDR. Not only does it save time but it's a lovely ride before and after dark!
BTW: LOVE your screen name and avatar! So cute!

 

[BlondeAppetit]

So totally agree with HDDR!
When you go to FW take the boat from MK rather than the bus... The bus drops you off waaaaay far away and you have to then take an internal bus to get to the campsites and HDDR. Not only does it save time but it's a lovely ride before and after dark!
BTW: LOVE your screen name and avatar! So cute!

Have you ever taken the boat from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness? We were thinking of doing a resort crawl to see all the Christmas decorations before the show. Was thinking of taking monorail to Poly, Grand Floridian, and back to Contemporary. Then boat ride to Wilderness Lodge.

BTW - I am a fellow Nutmeg-er! I grew up in the Hartford area!

 

[BlondeAppetit]

Maybe we could do T-Rex for lunch at Disney Springs? Thoughts?

 

[tsme]

Instead of park advice I'll give packing advice because Florida weather in December is ever changing.
Check the weather for Disney the day before you leave!!
Pack long pants, shorts, sun screen, sweater/jacket, close toe shoes & sandals, hats, in other words pack a little of everything. We've been there in December where it was freezing at night, think upper 20's, & other times where it's hot. Mostly though, it seems it's chilly in the early morning RDs & late evenings, but during the day warm, so be prepared. I had to buy gloves & a hat there one year & another I was sweating like a villain in the castle . But weather aside from the resorts to the parks, Disney is beautiful that time of year. Hope ya'll have fun.

 

[BlondeAppetit]

Instead of park advice I'll give packing advice because Florida weather in December is ever changing.
Check the weather for Disney the day before you leave!!
Pack long pants, shorts, sun screen, sweater/jacket, close toe shoes & sandals, hats, in other words pack a little of everything. We've been there in December where it was freezing at night, think upper 20's, & other times where it's hot. Mostly though, it seems it's chilly in the early morning RDs & late evenings, but during the day warm, so be prepared. I had to buy gloves & a hat there one year & another I was sweating like a villain in the castle . But weather aside from the resorts to the parks, Disney is beautiful that time of year. Hope ya'll have fun.

Great advice!

 

[BlondeAppetit]

after your advice -

Thinking of dropping Garden Grill for more time at Epcot and sub with Tusker House with ROL seating at AK

Adding T-Rex at Disney Springs - potentially dropping Boma at AKL and just getting on road to come home - or should we got o see the tree and just pay the $22/pp out of pocket cost = $80 breakfast

Maybe adding the Star Wars Dessert Party??? Do y'all think it is worth it? I was thinking that since we would be arriving late, this would be nice to have to see fireworks and relax, etc. My daughter loved the Frozen one - even though, I think it is overpriced.

 

[DizneyNutz]

Hello my fellow Disney friends!

I just planned a December trip and took advantage of free dining!

Goals of Trip - a fun filled, jam packed trip on a budget, with a Christmas theme!

We will be traveling with our almost 3yo (night owl/wild child) and our almost 7 yo (sweet/loves thrill rides) daughters.

We are staying at Pop Century. Friday - one night stay and then Sat-Tues with Free Dining.

Tentative Agenda:

Friday:

Travel Day - easy drive from SC - arrive about 3pm.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party -
Counter Service Food, Snacks
Fast Passes - Space Mountain, SDMT, and ????
Stay late!

Saturday:

Sleep in!!!!!.....which means 8am!

Disney Springs???
Trying early lunch at T-Rex????
Head back to Pop
Freshen up

Monorail tour/Wilderness Lodge

4pm - Hoop Dee Doo Revue (out of pocket)

Chip & Dale Campfire Singalong

Sunday:

Magic Kingdom - arrive for morning show, in general....low crowds bc tonight is a party night

Animal Kingdom - lunch time - Flame Tree BBQ lunch - Fast Passes - Safari, Kali River, Evening Show/Jungle Book (maybe do Tusker House instead of GG???)

Monday:

Epcot -
8am Prepark opening breakfast at Akershus
Elsa/Anna Meet and Greet
Fast pass for Frozen Ever After and ??????
Rides
Late lunch at Garden Grill or eat at Sunshine Seasons or WS
Watch 5pm Candlelight Processional from outside theatre
Snack
Head to Hollywood Studios
Enjoy a little Star Wars stuff
Maybe the Star Wars dessert party if it is offered?????
Star Wars fireworks

Tuesday:

Check out

Boma breakfast or another suggestion?????? We can drive to AKL before heading home, so transportation is not an issue.

Head home!

I know that it would make sense to do a Tusker House TS dinner with special seating for evening show but I really wanted to try Garden Grill. Thoughts? My family could handle two TS in one day. Thoughts? ***Upon further review - TH is sounding more logistically practical and a better value with show seating - TBD.

Thank you in advance for your time!

Just wanted to give you a heads up that Kali can SOAK you. Take ponchos if you don't want to walk around totally wet. Have a GREAT trip.

 

[rajak73]

Have you ever taken the boat from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness?

There are smaller boats that run between Ft Wilderness, Contemporary, and Wilderness Lodge. It's a fun little trip on the boats. Bigger boats, some are direct to MK, others have a stop at Wilderness lodge. Sounds like a good trip lined up, also will agree with tsme, pack clothes for all types of weather, a slight breeze at night will make it feel chilly that time of year.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Have you ever taken the boat from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness? We were thinking of doing a resort crawl to see all the Christmas decorations before the show. Was thinking of taking monorail to Poly, Grand Floridian, and back to Contemporary. Then boat ride to Wilderness Lodge.

BTW - I am a fellow Nutmeg-er! I grew up in the Hartford area!

I am by heart and soul a NYer, Born, bred, raised through college. Came to CT and never left. It's really a beautiful state!
But still hoping for Florida!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Also, about Kali, we bring those foldable water shoes, or you could just bring flip flops to wear on the ride. Shoes are so uncomfortable to spend the day all wet!

 

[Lumiere Lover]

I think you need more time at Epcot to hear the story tellers. They are very fascinating. Also if you have time go to the contemporary and check out the decorations and the gingerbread house.

Sorry about that-the gingerbread house is at the grand Floridian not the contemporary.

 

[Amanda Hall]

We went last year after Thanksgiving. My kids (3 and 6) LOVED the Epcot storytellers. We only has a chance to see 3 (possibly the best 3) and missed a little of the last one because he started early. If you only see one make sure it's Norway. The biggest disappointment of the trip for my kids was not being able to see more storytellers. We are going back same time this year. Outside of Soarin we will spend the rest of the time in the World Showcase soaking up the entertainment. Also, the holiday treats are the best. Loved the hot caramel kiss drink!

 

[disneyrunner]

Its been several years since we have been there in December. Can anyone tell me the hours for the story tellers? I seem to remember it was from around noon to 5. Trying to make sure we see all the story tellers this trip.

 

[Nancyg56]

BTW - I am a fellow Nutmeg-er! I grew up in the Hartford area!

Me too!!! All my life, lived North of HTFD!

I love December in WDW. The resorts are stunning, the parks decorated. I agree that if possible you should spend time in Epcot enjoying the storytellers, and try to see Illuminations. The final piece that is added on is a favorite of mine, and one I see at least once every December visit.

FW is awesome. There is a wagon ride that will take you all over the campground, It is about $8 PP and is well worth the cost. The campgrounds are decorated so the trip is fun.

I did not see any Epcot resort hopping. If you can fit that in, I would. I would take that over DS to be honest. The lobbies of each Epcot resort have displays that are incredible, and are decorated beautifully.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Its been several years since we have been there in December. Can anyone tell me the hours for the story tellers? I seem to remember it was from around noon to 5. Trying to make sure we see all the story tellers this trip.

When I was there in first week Dec 2013, they had them starting around noon but they went through the evening. I wasabke to fit them all in over a couple of days. The schedule didn't really allow you to go in order tho..I think I started with Mexico, Italy, France, Canada, back to Germany. And then another day I did the rest. I am a sad soul and drew myself my.own Epcot map and then listed all the times so I could more easily see what made sense to do when. I want to say the schedule was released sometime in Nov.