Let's do this all over again...Update 12/6 7:00 am @ MK

[topdog]

Hey Topdog -- glad to see you're back in action. Am late to this thread so haven't read it all yet. I think I told you about SSRMonkey on your Disaster TR -- here's his latest: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2413900&highlight=ssrmonkey

I think I also posted the link to our trip with Figment to Grand Cayman (it's in my siggie blog).

If you haven't decided yet, I vote for driving this time -- gives you so much more flexibility.

Take better care of your feet this time (proper shoes, moleskin if you at all start to get "hot spots", blister bandaids, maybe pretreat with Bodyglide, etc.).

You could do a split stay and get a cash ressie at one of the DVC resorts (WL has some DVC villas) to see what you think about DVC. Of course, one of the reasons I like DVC is being able to do some of our food in the room and not have to spend the time and money eating out (I save money on food so I can stay longer). I did enjoy trying a couple of places based on your last TR -- esp for the desserts (but entrees, not so much). I guess I had to eat out so much when traveling for work, that it's not as much fun for me as it is for some people (it's kind of been there, done that, and I generally prefer my own cooking, simple as it is).

Looking forward to the absolutely gorgeous photos you'll be able to get over the holidays! Ted will love it! (Does he have a red vest?)

Hi Mellcap. How are you doing? Yes. I did read some of your blog. Fascinating. I just read SSRMonkey TR. That was hilarious. Great stuff!!!

We'll be driving this time. I am bringing everything and the kitchen sink. I am definitely will be prepare for all possible situation this time.

DW has asked me about getting DVC. I am still debating. Maybe some time in the future. I eat at home all the time since there isn't a whole lot of restaurant at where I live. We only have one local diner and they all know us pretty well. Therefore, when we are on vacation, we don't want to cook. I know that's a lot of reservation we have but I think that's part of the fun at Disney. We get to try different things at different parks and resorts.

"Ted" is ready for the trip. He has his red & green jump suit and a big green bow. It will be his debut on all the parks. Maybe he might climb a few Christmas trees. I can assure you "Ted" will make plenty of appearance on this trip.

I'm here! I was so upset when the 09 trip report was done... but SOOO happy to see that you have a Pretrip report. Love your pics, but it appears that the best picture from your trip (please see above) was taken from DW! Now I have to go catch up from the beginning... subbing!

Welcome!! So glad you can join us for another journey. DW is very proud of that picture.

http://www.cafetututango.com/

Here is a cafe right in front of where you are staying. My DH and I always eat here. Hope this helps your first night dinner or even Linner decisions!

That's awesome!! I was a little worry about where can we have dinner on the first night because I am not going to relive what happen to us at KFC when we got stuck at Atlanta. Remember, "I would like to have 4 sliders." "We only got five." "But I only want 4." "We only have five."

 

[topdog]

ADR is almost done now. Most of them has been confirm. Unfortunately, Candlelight Processional is still not open for reservation yet. DW has been calling every single day. Last we heard was 6/23 should be ready to take reservation for CP, but who knows.

I will post our plan of attack one more time with all the confirm reservation in the next day or so and you can see some of the changes. We even bought the Steamtrain Tour. Has anyone been to this tour before? We were told by the CM that no camera bag is allow and no big camera like DSLR. Only small point & shoot is allow and you can take pictures only when they tell you to. It's a little better than the KTTK tour. We weren't allow to take any picture at that tour. I'll have to come up with some creative way to take pictures on this tour.

 

[chunkymonkey]

ADR is almost done now. Most of them has been confirm. Unfortunately, Candlelight Processional is still not open for reservation yet. DW has been calling every single day. Last we heard was 6/23 should be ready to take reservation for CP, but who knows.

I will post our plan of attack one more time with all the confirm reservation in the next day or so and you can see some of the changes. We even bought the Steamtrain Tour. Has anyone been to this tour before? We were told by the CM that no camera bag is allow and no big camera like DSLR. Only small point & shoot is allow and you can take pictures only when they tell you to. It's a little better than the KTTK tour. We weren't allow to take any picture at that tour. I'll have to come up with some creative way to take pictures on this tour.

Good luck on booking the CP. I have no doubt that you will be able to get your preferred times. You guys seem very on top of things!

Have not done either KTTW or Steamtrain tour. But I am sure you will be lost without your DSLR. Do they give you a locker to put it in while on tour or are you just not supposed to bring your DSLR with you to the parks that day?

 

[topdog]

Good luck on booking the CP. I have no doubt that you will be able to get your preferred times. You guys seem very on top of things!

Have not done either KTTW or Steamtrain tour. But I am sure you will be lost without your DSLR. Do they give you a locker to put it in while on tour or are you just not supposed to bring your DSLR with you to the parks that day?

I don't know what to do yet about my gears on the steamtrain tour day. When we went to the KTTK tour in 2005, I did have my old crappy camera bag with me and my D100. They did told me not to take any pictures and I behave. So I never took my DSLR out during the tour and they didn't give me any grief about it. Back then, DSLR was still fairly new technology so Disney wasn't too concern what it can do anyway. Fast forward to today, I guess Disney doesn't want too many back stage "good" pictures out there from the guest.

I probably won't bring my DSLR to the steamtrain tour that moring. Instead, I might borrow my cousin's Canon S90. Since that's the MK day, I can always take a boat ride back to WL to pick up my gears then head back to MK.

 

[chunkymonkey]

I don't know what to do yet about my gears on the steamtrain tour day. When we went to the KTTK tour in 2005, I did have my old crappy camera bag with me and my D100. They did told me not to take any pictures and I behave. So I never took my DSLR out during the tour and they didn't give me any grief about it. Back then, DSLR was still fairly new technology so Disney wasn't too concern what it can do anyway. Fast forward to today, I guess Disney doesn't want too many back stage "good" pictures out there from the guest.

I probably won't bring my DSLR to the steamtrain tour that moring. Instead, I might borrow my cousin's Canon S90. Since that's the MK day, I can always take a boat ride back to WL to pick up my gears then head back to MK.

true! But now that you are thinking about the GF1 that may not have to bean option anymore...

 

[Trinity524]

So, I had an idea for your photo scavenger hunt. Seeing that you will be there in the dead of winter, try to find someone dressed like it is negative 30 below, (probably a Floridian) and then someone who is wearing an out fit that makes it seem as though it's over 100. I always find this interesting as it's the same temperature for everyone dressed completely different.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Great dining choices TD! You're going to FULL my friend.

Looks like you are going to have a great trip. Can't wait to read all about and check out all the photos.

 

[topdog]

So, I had an idea for your photo scavenger hunt. Seeing that you will be there in the dead of winter, try to find someone dressed like it is negative 30 below, (probably a Floridian) and then someone who is wearing an out fit that makes it seem as though it's over 100. I always find this interesting as it's the same temperature for everyone dressed completely different.

That's a great idea. I like that very much.

Great dining choices TD! You're going to FULL my friend.

Looks like you are going to have a great trip. Can't wait to read all about and check out all the photos.

Hey!! Mr. Biscuit. It has been a while. How are you and your family doing??

I can't wait to start eating at the World again. I am preying for dessert party extend to Dec.

There will be more gears this time than ever since we are driving. I can assure you my next TR will be long.

 

[topdog]

We still can't get the Candlelight Processional ADR. Grrrr....

 

[chunkymonkey]

We still can't get the Candlelight Processional ADR. Grrrr....

Oh dear, is it because they haven't released the ADRs yet or you are just not able to get one? Crossing fingers that you guys get them soon!

 

[topdog]

Oh dear, is it because they haven't released the ADRs yet or you are just not able to get one? Crossing fingers that you guys get them soon!

Yeah. DW has been calling every single day for the Candlelight Processional ADR. So far...nada. They are pushing the CP ADR now to end of July, even that is still not 100% sure. Regardless, DW still call every day.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Yeah. DW has been calling every single day for the Candlelight Processional ADR. So far...nada. They are pushing the CP ADR now to end of July, even that is still not 100% sure. Regardless, DW still call every day.

Sounds like persistence will pay off. If you call every day I am sure you will get your first choice of ADR. Maybe you can make a back up ADR just in case?

 

[topdog]

I hope every one have a great 4th of July. It sure is hot here in PA.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

TopDog- Loved the last trip report and since I caught it late it was like reading a novel a good novel. So subscribing to this trip report and my family will be there in December also!

 

[4HppyCamprs]

 

[topdog]

TopDog- Loved the last trip report and since I caught it late it was like reading a novel a good novel. So subscribing to this trip report and my family will be there in December also!

Thanks. That's awesome you'll be there in December too. Hopefully, maybe we'll run into each other if you are there in the same week. I am planning to wearing my LGMH tag.

 

[topdog]

We are getting one step closer. Disney has extended the Wishes dessert party and we booked it. Yet, the Candlelight Processional ADR still going no where fast. Grrr...

 

[eandesmom]

We are getting one step closer. Disney has extended the Wishes dessert party and we booked it. Yet, the Candlelight Processional ADR still going no where fast. Grrr...

for wishes dessert!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for the ADR, I can't recall what you are trying to do.

They start taking reservations for Via Napoli on the 6th, is that an option for CP?

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/07/via-napoli-opens-next-month-at-epcot/

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I'm interested to see how you find the dessert party. I've heard such up and down reports about it. I almost booked it myself for our last trip about a billion times but stopped myself.

 

[chunkymonkey]

We are getting one step closer. Disney has extended the Wishes dessert party and we booked it. Yet, the Candlelight Processional ADR still going no where fast. Grrr...

I saw the announcement of the Wishes dessert party, and I have yet to book it...I am trying to figure out which day I am spending the evening in MK, and although I think it's doable, I wonder if I can eat too much dessert, LOL. We're going to Boma that night for dinner, so I think I may be maxed out on my sugar for that day, haha. You'll probably get some fantastic pictures though!