Less than TEN days to go; I can do this! *Updated 12/2*

[squeegee]

Just a quick update - FP night was a success! I was on as soon as the system opened, and I got everything I wanted, within the time frames I wanted them. Was so happy afterwards that I still couldn't sleep. Lol.

Will post details later.

 

[squeegee]

As promised, here's the latest version of the spreadsheet. Hopefully, it's at least marginally legible. LOL.



I think it's changed quite a lot from the original incarnation at the beginning of this PTR, and I'm pretty happy with what I've got going on. I'll post my Billie-inspired day-to-day plans in subsequent posts. I think I can print this out and keep it in my pocket when we go, for quick reference.

 

[squeegee]

And here's my current dining plan-vs-OOP calculations:


We did settle on Narcoossee's for our Date night, instead of Morimoto's. DH had been so looking forward to an Omakase menu there, and was very disappointed to hear that the menu had been "dumbed down," and that even the sushi listed was the same stuff we can get everywhere. Oh well; this means we'll get to see some of the Holiday Wishes, since our reservation is at 8:50 and the fireworks are scheduled for 9:30. Even if we don't luck into a window seat, there's supposed to be a great view from the deck. This also means we can put Little Monster in the kid's club at the Poly, since it's just a monorail ride away. It will be so much easier than trying to get around DTD and back and forth to Beach Club.

 

[squeegee]

Day 1 (Travel Day):


I don't think much has changed here; flights were booked long ago, and there's not really that much *to* play around with on this day.
We've stopped talking about Disney World so much around Little Monster, and have tried to make it seem like some vague, far-off trip. We've instead started talking about some boring trip to visit "Uncle Walt" that will involve flying on an airplane. So, the destination, at least, will be something of a surprise.

We're 59 days out! only 59! I feel like it's not real. LOL.

 

[squeegee]

Day 2 (1st park day):


I've had to tool things around here a little bit; especially with breakfast time since I wanted to see the rope-drop show and the food court doesn't really start serving hot food 'till seven. Eating breakfast *in* the park will let us sleep in a little later, and make it easier to get to the rope-drop show on time, I think. I'd like to get a BOG breakfast for 9:00, and will keep checking to see if one opens up, but I'm not holding my breath. We'll just see what quick-service options are available at the Bakery when we get there, or see if they've decided to make those breakfast waffles part of a QS meal at Sleepy Hollow again. I know they've done it seasonally before.

FP+'s got made at 11:00 CST 60 days out, and I was able to get what I wanted, at times that work really well for us. It's going to be an awfully late night, but there's no other way for us to see Wishes this trip. It's entirely possible Little Monster will be passed out in her stroller by then, but it's just as likely that she'lll be a wired, screaming whirlwind of energy. LOL. We never know, with her.

We're still vacillating on the rental car issue. I have a reservation with Dollar that will be about $197 for the whole trip, with pickup and dropoff at the airport. I think that's good price, based on what I've seen others on the board talking about, but I'm also contemplating using taxis or uber for the few times that we really need faster transportation. Is the peace of mind and ability to drive ourselves worth $200? I know that's small in the scheme of costs in this trip, but it would be nice to have that money for other things, too. Thus, the flip-flopping every couple days or so. LOL. Thank goodness it's not something I have to pre-pay. We have our DME reservations, so we at least have that as a backup.

 

[squeegee]

Day 3:


This is our date-night day, and I'm really really looking forward to some grown-up time, at a nice restaurant. I've bought a dress. Yes, a dress. LOL.

I've got some black cable-knit leggings to wear under it, and am going to find a black camisole and cardigan to wear with it. I'm undecided about shoes, but probably something somewhat sensible, in black. I am a jeans-and-tshirt kind of gal, so the dress is kindof a big deal in this house. LOL.

This is the day where I think having a car will save us the most time. The Poly is just a monorail ride from the GF, but getting from AK to the Poly for dropoff, then to POR to get cleaned up, then to GF for dinner (then monorailing it to get Little Monster at the Poly), then from Poly back to POR will be an insane amount of time in transport if it's by bus, and might cost as much as the rental car, if it's all by taxi. What do y'all think?

 

[squeegee]

Day 4:


Here's our DHS day. I'm actually kindof glad a bunch of stuff is closed already, as that helps us narrow down what we're trying to accomplish in just one day. We missed the Osborn lights on our last trip, and this is the last year, so we will have to join the (anticipated?) maddening throngs and gawk for a good long while. LOL. Maybe we'll even manage to get Little Monster's picture with Santa Goofy?

This is also going to be our only chance this go-round to see Fantasmic!. We've got the H&V Lunch Fantasmic! package, so we should get good seats, but I've got my fingers crossed the weather gods are in a good mood this December.

 

[squeegee]

Day 5:


EPCOT!!!! 'Nuff Said.

 

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Day 6:


...and back to the MK. This is a MVMCP party night, so we'll be bailing pretty early. Depending on how much we decide to tool around DTD, we could even get to bed at a very decent hour! LOL. I debated using one of the FP+ for the Festival of Fantasy parade here, but I figure there are so many places to see it from, that it would be alright. I'd be heartbroken, however, if I somehow didn't have a chance to ride PP, JC, or BTMRR. So, that's what I went with.

I did end up getting the 'Ohana breakfast worked into the plans, so Little Monster will get to dance around with Stitch afterall.

 

[squeegee]

Day 7:


EPCOT!!!!! *drops mic*

 

[squeegee]

Day 8:


This is the day I have the highest hopes for, I think - Little Monster's BBB appointment, meeting with Anna & Elsa, and dinner in the castle, and a carriage ride afterwards. It can't possibly get more princess-y than that, can it? Depending on the visit with A&E, and whether or not we saw it on the previous MK day, or if we just plain feel like it, we'll have an opportunity to see the FoF parade again. Now that I'm really looking at it, though, I'm wondering if the Splash Mtn FP wasn't poorly thought through by me. LOL. I hear those BBB buns are practically bulletproof, though. Worse comes to worst, we can always skip it, 'cause I really think we'll have had plenty of opportunity to ride it by this time, at least once.

 

[squeegee]

Day 9:


The last Epcot day. BOO! *sobs uncontrollably*

This is the only day where I wasn't terribly happy about the FP+ time I got - Mission Space is way too early in the morning to really save us any time. I think it would be a short wait at that time, regardless - but there was *nothing* in the afternoon, until around 4:00, and I didn't want a really late night one. So, I took what I could get, and if we don't use it, I guess it's not a big deal.

 

[squeegee]

Day 10:


This is an Animal Kingdom day, and our last *full* day in The World. *sigh*

I'm really looking forward to dinner at Sanaa, even if I *can* get good Indian food here at home. I'm thinking DH will try to ride EE about 50 times this day, if he can - it's his favorite ride at Disney, I think. We'll definitely have to plan another trip for Little Monster, when she's old enough to ride these bigger rides. She's going to pitch fits every time we do a rider swap and she can't go on. I picture myself buying her a LOT of mickey bars to pacify her. LOL.

 

[squeegee]

Day 11, A/K/A the Saddest Day Ever:


The dreaded travel-home day. Woe is me!

We had such a limited time frame here for FP scheduling, and it was a little challenging. The Kona Cafe breakfast will eat into a little of our HM FP window, but I think it's do-able. Again, we will have had ample opportunity to ride it at least once before this day, so it's only really there as a bit of "insurance," to make *sure* we get to it.

This is another day where I think the rental car will save us some time. I know we need to be at the airport a couple of hours early, and I understand the reasoning behind DME's 3-hour rule, but the rental car might get us an extra 30 minutes to an hour before we'd *have* to go, wouldn't it?

Anyhow, I think that brings this PTR all up-to-date, and I've probably made everyone's eyes glaze over by now. LOL.

I'm planning on going through my box-o-Disney stuff later tonight, start organizing things (put the pennies & quarters in their respective tubes, put dollar bills in the mousekeeping envelopes, etc...). I asked DH if I could go ahead and start packing, and he looked like he wanted to knock me upside the head, so that's on hold for now. He said I have to wait 'till about two weeks before, or else he'll have me sent to the crazy house.

 

[squeegee]

My project this evening:


The pink ones have my daughter's name running down the sides, and she knows the rest are MINE - ALLLL MINE!

 

[NJlauren]

You plans look great! I always envy people who can make such detailed plans for there days! I keep attempting it and it doesn't work!

Frankly I think little monster is getting the better deal here Mickey bar for every missed ride sign me up for this plan

 

[Elevationist]

Spreadsheets! Oh, happy day! You know how spreadsheets make my heart go thumpa-thumpa! Yours look great girl! And I LOVE the dress, too!!! You're gonna look amazing!

 

[squeegee]

I got it! I got that BOG breakfast for the 9th, at 8:15 am.

While it does cut into prime touring time, I think it will make the rope drop show easier to see, and still get DH his "hot" breakfast. Happy, happy, joy, joy, happy, happy, joy, joy!

 

[squeegee]

Upon further reflection, it's doubtful that I'll be able to watch the rope drop show and then make it to that ADR on time. So, I set it free..... Lol.

 

[NJlauren]

So are you trying to make the rope drop show?

So close to trip time!