Loved Dec07 so much...we're going back for Dec08 12/6-12/14.

[Lcaemom]

Great minds do think alike! Yes, we are flying out of Logan but we are flying Delta. Would have been funny if we were on the same flight. What time is your flight? Mine is at 7:10 AM which is pretty early but we've done earlier! I'm keeping my fingers crossed about the snow too, last year it snowed just a little the night before we left and I was in a panic!

Good morning. We are also flying this year at 7:03am. Is your flight non-stop? We flew Delta last year and I would have preferred to stick with them but, their non-stop flights this year were outrageous. So, we're flying Airtran non-stop; we should be arriving around 10am-ish. I am still crossing my fingers that that doesn't get changed, cancelled or involved with a snowstorm. I do remember last year, that it snowed the night before. It was my mom's birthday, I took her to get our nails done, and as we were sitting there I said "wow, are we supposed to get this much snow?!?" But, it stopped around 9ish and cleared up so, we were fine in the morning...of the 8th. I wonder if we were on the same flights last year...Delta flt 1857 (I only know because I just scrapbooked it ) Coming home, on the 15th, was a different story...we were supposed to fly out of MCO around 7:45pm. We got to the airport and were told our flight was cancelled, we ended up at some hotel at the airport and then held our breath the whole next day that we would get out of Orlando...our first rescheduled flight was cancelled, midflight...it flew up north as far as NC and turned around and relanded at MCO. Our friends and family, up here, were calling to tell us they were in the middle of a blizzard...and we started hearing we wouldn't get into Boston until that Monday or Tuesday. By then I did really want to get home but, I was scared to fly right into the middle of a storm. We did manage to get home Sunday night...while it was still snowing...I was scared to death. But, we landed...got home...and all was fine...and I was ready to rebook and do it all again.
The DVC...that's another story. My girls are in a soccer tournament this weekend...and of course, that's a big socializing opportunity for us moms. One of the moms has been trying for over a year to explain the DVC to me. I saw her yesterday actually, and told her I was thinking that if we do start to plan a trip for 2010 that I would seriously consider buying a DVC resale...it would have paid for itself by then, after three trips. I have been looking at WL villas and BC villas. At some point, I may PM you and ask about that...if you don't mind.

My DDs have made it to the finals at their soccer tourny and we have a bday party today so, we'll be gone all day...again. We were supposed to be at our pigroast yesterday but, one of my DD played soccer into the night...kept winning. That was great but, we missed most of the pig/dinner part. Oh well...not heartbroken to have missed out on that, really. We ended up staying til after midnight...we moved a big screen tv outside and all watched the Patriots, while we sat around a fire. It's been a great weekend, beautiful weather, lots of being outside, a party with the neighbors. But, I feel like we need to get back to work and school, so that I can get this house back to normal...and maybe some more scrapbooking. None of that will happen today but...we're another day closer to Disney...54 days to go!!!

 

[Melissa79]

Hi! Glad you had fun at the pig roast/neighborhood party! The weekend was beautiful! I LOVE New England in the fall! Our Delta flights are nonstop, when we bought them in April they were $249. We looked one day to start getting a feel for prices and grabbed them when we saw that price. Last year we flew Jet Blue, and I remember the craziness of the storms coming home. We were supposed to fly out in the evening around 7:00 but we were afraid of the storm up here so we rebooked an earlier flight. I believe we flew out around 5:00 and got back to Boston just in time! Changing the flight mixed up our luggage and it didn't come on the plane with us...it ended up on the later flight. When we got up in the morning our suitcases were on our front steps...covered in snow.
Feel free to PM me about the DVC. Did you book garden view at the GF?

 

[Lcaemom]

OK...my heart is pounding...just started transferring $$$ from savings to checking to pay for this trip. I hate dealing with money. I'll be glad when the end of the month is over...the trip is paid for...the bills are paid and the leftover $$$ (hoping there's ALOT!!!) goes back to the savings to use as spending $$$. This is the part that I don't look forward to. However, I remember booking this trip and being told the "balance doesn't need to be paid in full until October 23, 2008...on December 26, 2007 that seemed like a million years away. AND NOW IT'S HERE!!!

51 DAYS FROM TODAY WE'LL BE ON OUR WAY!!!

 

[Lcaemom]

Did you book garden view at the GF?

Honestly, I don't remember. LOL! I know that must sound crazy but, I'm not familiar with the names of the different types of rooms. I'll be getting out my Unofficial guide soon...in the next couple of days to read up on what to request and what to avoid. After this crazy weekend, I got caught up at work. Today is my first day off...I figured out the the $$$ stuff. I NOW (as I sit here at the computer) need to get the house back together...then, I'll get to the room details, then, the itinerary details...and THEN, I can't wait to get back to scrapbooking. I'm having anxiety issues with it all staring me in the face. LOL! But, I have the weekend off...soccer games Sat AM and then nothing Sunday. I might be ready after that to discuss DVC

 

[Lcaemom]

The day that I have been waiting for all week has finally arrived. We have no plans today so, I can work on the itinerary and scrapbook!!!
We're down to 48 days today!!! Running out of time for both...I know...poor me!?!
I've transferrred all the money into one account and I'll pay for the trip on Tuesday. I'm a huge worrier...once that $$$ is gone I'll worry for the next 48 days that something MIGHT go wrong. But, that's just me.
I checked the air itinerary yesterday...as I do everyday..some days multiple times. I almost had heartfailure. I've been accustomed to seeing certain times...the appearance of the page is what registers, not the actual times. Yesterday, the page suddenly looked different...our flights changed!!! But, by only 16 minutes...still holding my breath and probably will until we land at MCO.
OK...off to scrapbook. It is 32 degrees in Boston, the forecast this week calls for highs only in the 40s and 50s...the trees are almost bare...let the Christmas music begin...

 

[darlabru]

I am enjoying your pre trip report. I am going to be there Dec 3rd- 9th.
Out of curiousity I am new at posting. Did you recieve your hard copy MVMCP tickets? Or do we get them at check in? At what point do we receive our luggage tags? thank you for any advice you have this is our 1st trip!
We are going to be in the same parks some days with you , We'll be there so soon!!!

 

[Lcaemom]

I am enjoying your pre trip report. I am going to be there Dec 3rd- 9th.
Out of curiousity I am new at posting. Did you recieve your hard copy MVMCP tickets? Or do we get them at check in? At what point do we receive our luggage tags? thank you for any advice you have this is our 1st trip!
We are going to be in the same parks some days with you , We'll be there so soon!!!

Thanks for joining Darlabru! We did receive hardcopy tickets for MVMCP...there was an option at the end of the transaction that gave you the option of how you wanted to receive them. Being the worrier that I am...I had them sent to me. So, that I could hold on to them and not have to worry that we would arrive at some window, somewhere in Disney to be told that there was no record of them. So, instead I run the risk of losing them...but, that's just me. I check to make sure they are in their spot everyday...I guess I do the Disney checklist everyday to make sure everything is in place...I know neurotic!!! Luggage tags??? I'm not sure...I have been afraid to call in my flight times because I'm so afraid the times/flights will change...WOW!!! I really do sound ridiculous...I just haven't done it yet. Hopefully, in the next few days I'll start tying up all the lose ends. I think all that arrives though, once you pay the final balance.
We are getting closer...can't wait to get to the parks!!! I am still scrapbooking day one of our trip, last year. I just did a Buzz Lightyear page...that was one of our favorite rides. This scrapbooking is very helpful at passing the time but, it is also, making the anticipation of getting back there even worse than it already is. But, we're getting closer!!!

 

[bellasmommy0]

Shortly after the 45 day mark they mail out a package that has your Magical express tickets and your luggage tags! So we should get them in the next few weeks!!! Yeah!!

 

[Lcaemom]

Shortly after the 45 day mark they mail out a package that has your Magical express tickets and your luggage tags! So we should get them in the next few weeks!!! Yeah!!

Looking quite forward to that...so, I'm thinking I should get on calling WDW to give my flight info. I guess it actually won't matter if the flights do change...as long as the bags have the name of the resort on them, they will get to us. Going home, they attach the number of the flight, from the resort. So, I guess I shouldn't have any problems. I'll do that this afternoon. I'm getting so excited!!!

Scrapbooking all day...and listening to Christmas music. Just scrapbooked my girls at the Crystal Palace, last year...mmmmm...I can almost taste it!!! We loved eating there. Our first day, we did Tomorrowland, then Toontown, then Fantasyland...then lunch at CP, then the parade. This year, I think we'll go to the left...or straight to Fantasyland...need to start planning that.

 

[Lcaemom]

OMG!!! We're paid in full!!! I got the confirmation email that the balance is $0!!! The savings account is looking rather meager...but, I won't look at that again until I can make a deposit. Being the worrier that I am, I am holding my breath that we all stay healthy...that it doesn't snow...that our flights don't get cancelled and/or changed. But, mostly I am so excited because we are 44 days away!!!
When I called last night, I made my request for a balcony room, with a view that did not face the back of a building...so, the girl put in "marina view." I did my ME information. So now, all that is left to do is make a final, more detailed itinerary, and pack. OMG!!! I am sooooooo excited...time for some Christmas music!!!

 

[Melissa79]

We are getting closer!!! Last December we had booked a garden view (standard view) and we were upgraded to a marina view...we looked out at the beach/wedding pavilion/Polynesian. It was sooo nice! We could watch the electrical water pageant from our balcony! I hope you have a view like that...or even better, the Magic Kingdom! Search for soxdisneyfans on youtube and you will find my vacation video and you can see our room and view if you would like! Six weeks from Saturday!!!!

 

[Lcaemom]

It's getting closer!!! 41 days!!! Making some progress this week. It's all paid off...whew!!! Once that was done, and the ME information was done, and I DID make a room request...some on this board suggesting not requesting anything; my unofficial guide says that if you really want something you should...so I did. I requested a balcony, with a view that did NOT face the back of a building...not too demanding, IMO. Anyways, the flights, have not changed...crossing all my fingers...yet. But, now that ALL those things are done, it seemed so real and so close that I was able to start the final itinerary. I just couldn't get excited about that, until now...and now, I'll pop if I get anymore excited!!!
So, I started with the spending $$$ budget. I didn't want to say, "we need to save another $1500-$2000," without having some idea of what we would realistically spend. I can't go by last year, because I feel we went a little crazy on souveniers, and after-ride pictures (the pics that you buy on the spot, of yourself on rides...what am I really going to do with 8 8X10s of all of us screaming on roller coasters?!?). So, I felt that I could really cut out alot of the budget. So, I added souveniers per person...going with $200/pp...alot, I think, but, I'd rather overestimate...I'm sure we'll find something to buy...even if I am paring down. Then I did food...thinking the DDP would be way more than we would ever spend on food...I thought we would absolutely save $$$ by eating whereever, whatever, and whenever we wanted. WRONG!!! I estimated conservatively...planned to pack poptarts and cereal bars, etc, planning to skip paying for breakfast most days...and still came up with $1150. So, after scouring this website and the WDW website I could not find the actual price for the DDP. I ended up calling WDW. I was told that to add it on to my package it would be $1134. I was shocked!!! Then the girl says, "oh, you have already paid for CRT...so if you were to pay for the DDP, I would then credit back to you $214." I never included that in my estimate. So, I paid $200 less than what I would have budgeted on for food, we have the DDP...and that is ALOT of food!!! I was already excited about this trip but, now I am excited beyond belief!!! The only thing left to pay for is the souveniers, boat rentals, a GF photoshoot, and any additional screaming 8X10s...yes, I know we can choose 5X7s...but, my point is...how many do we really need...if they came as regular 4X6, or wallet sized prints I'd be a little more receptive to them, this time. Even the 5X7s take too much room on a scrapbooking page...but, I'm sure we'll feel the need to buy them.
Now that we have the DDP, I need to make some more ADRs. I already have 4 plus CRT, which counts as 2. So, we need one more. Two of the ressies I already have are for breakfast at Chef Mickeys and dinner at the Rose and Crown. I may change those; there are other places that are higher on my list. I have started my list of possibilities. I'm not crazy about having ressies because they are somewhat confining...what if you are not where your ressie is? What if you feel like polynesian and you are "scheduled" to eat in Mexico? My favorite meals, last year, were the ones that we walked up for...and luckily got seated for...Ohana and LTT. I know that is risky but, I have said before that I wasn't a fan of the DDP for those reasons...I did become a huge fan however, when it came down to $$$ and not having to pack poptarts
I think that's it for now...off to scrapbook. Going to start Day#2 today...very excited to have the whole day off...with no other plans...other than scrapbooking. I have a new stack of really cute Disney stickers and restocked on paper. I also switched from CVS to Walgreens...not sure if I can say this here...but, they do a MUCH better job. Shhhhh!!!

 

[Lcaemom]

We are getting closer!!! Last December we had booked a garden view (standard view) and we were upgraded to a marina view...we looked out at the beach/wedding pavilion/Polynesian. It was sooo nice! We could watch the electrical water pageant from our balcony! I hope you have a view like that...or even better, the Magic Kingdom! Search for soxdisneyfans on youtube and you will find my vacation video and you can see our room and view if you would like! Six weeks from Saturday!!!!

Thanks Melissa79...I'd love to have a view like that...any view however that does not include wet leaves and rain would be my preference today...except the back of a building, of course. I'll definately check out your video...just a question, though. Why is Sox before Disney in your youtube name?!? What's the matter with you?!?
5 weeks and 6 days!!!

 

[Melissa79]

Thanks Melissa79...I'd love to have a view like that...any view however that does not include wet leaves and rain would be my preference today...except the back of a building, of course. I'll definately check out your video...just a question, though. Why is Sox before Disney in your youtube name?!? What's the matter with you?!?
5 weeks and 6 days!!!

The youtube name was my husband's choice, I would have reversed the order! My husband says not to worry about your view...he has stayed at the GF something like 10-12 times and has never had a bad view. Now that you have made your request hopefully you will get a great view. We finally booked our transportation from home to the airport and also the Magical Express, so now this vacation feels real! My project today is going through my summer clothes and putting aside what I may take to Disney and putting the rest in storage because it is time for my winter clothes to come out! We have had a few cold mornings, time for some sweaters. Have fun scrapbooking! I can't believe six weeks from now I'll be walking around the Magic Kingdom!

 

[fire6164]

We will be at WDW 12/4-7 staying at CBR. Reading your PTR has increased my excitement.

I also have 800-900 photos from our last trip in January 08 to start scrapbooking. Hey maybe I start soon

 

[Lcaemom]

On to day #4!!! I just finished scrapbooking day #3...if I do this all day, every Sunday from now til we leave, I'll finish last year's trip on November 30th...just in time to leave for the next trip!!! I will definately take some very different pictures this year...doing this now is a real eye opener.

Thanks for joining in Fire6164...so happy to be able to add to your excitement. Is this your first time at Disney in December? What was January like? Scrapbooking is a great way to pass the time...especially scrapbooking Disney...until the next trip gets here. Can't wait for this trip to get here!!! BTW...love your avatar...the thing on the side, under your name.

Melissa...I'm sure your DH is right about the view. Although, that man needs to adjust his priorities!!! I agree, too about setting up the ME, it makes it feel so real...it just needs to get here now!!! I haven't done the winter/summer clothes swap yet but, I did start my list of things to pack last night. I was thinking I could start loading suitcases with the summer clothes that we would bring and realized...we need new suitcases!!! The weather here today is beautiful but, I've heard it is supposed to be in the 40s for part of this week. I started checking the Disney forecast today...70-80s for the next 10 days...brings us to November 4th. I'll take any opportunity to make this trip seem closer.

 

[fire6164]

On to day #4!!! I just finished scrapbooking day #3...if I do this all day, every Sunday from now til we leave, I'll finish last year's trip on November 30th...just in time to leave for the next trip!!! I will definately take some very different pictures this year...doing this now is a real eye opener.

Thanks for joining in Fire6164...so happy to be able to add to your excitement. Is this your first time at Disney in December? What was January like? Scrapbooking is a great way to pass the time...especially scrapbooking Disney...until the next trip gets here. Can't wait for this trip to get here!!! BTW...love your avatar...the thing on the side, under your name.

Yes this will be our first time in December. When we went last January we took our DD, DGD, DGS with us and stayed at the POP. We had a blast - went to a P&PP and spent 7 days touring the parks. Weather was good but wore sweatshirts at night. Grandkids and DH went swimming while DD and myself went to DTD one night. We felt that it wasn't very crowded and made sure to use fastpasts when ever we could.

The picture in my avatar is a photo I took at the P&PP. We are looking forward to being able to do whatever we want to do and not have to confer with others.

 

[Lcaemom]

40 days to go!!! I can't believe how close it's getting...but, yet still seems like it's taking forever to get here. It's back to work today...no scrapbooking for me. I am half way through Day #4...next up is the MVMCP. I now, remember that while we there, I ran out of memory on my memory stick. I had taken 200 pictures in 3 1/2 days and had only 30 pictures left. So, I was trying to conserve memory. How sad...that is where I would have loved to have taken more pictures. So, I will make sure that we have plenty of memory and rechargable batteries this year. I will also bring the laptop...didn't do that last year. My DH would have killed me...but, it would have definately come in handy. A. for the memory issue...I could have downloaded all the pictures out of the camera. B. I handwrote a journal every morning of what we did the day before. I interviewed the kids and my DH and wrote down my thoughts. That lasted until day #3...I got tired of writing. It has been invaluable with journaling for scrapbooking but, I ran out of that yesterday, when I started day #4. Now, I need to try to remember what we did and when, by dates on pictures and receipts. So, I will bring the laptop this year, if only for those two reasons...And maybe every now and then, I'll jump on these boards, and check emails, and the weather, and so on. That is why DH will be steamed when I put my laptop on the list.

Only 4 days til Halloween...need to get "in the spirit" for that. We're the house on the block that the kids run screaming from. I really don't know why it's so scary...we do a smoke machine and scary music, and orange lights...that's it. Although, it could have nothing to do with my house and everything to do with my dad, who shows up wearing a mask and plays dead until the kids walk by and then he jumps up and screams. Hmmmm...maybe that's it?!? Every year, I get so excited. We do a fire in the driveway and order pizzas; this year it's on a Friday...could it get any better?!? And what are my thoughts this year: "yeah, yeah...take your candy...and let's move on to CHRISTMAS!!!" LOL!!!

 

[bellasmommy0]

: "yeah, yeah...take your candy...and let's move on to CHRISTMAS!!!" LOL!!!


You are so funny, but I feel the same way.... hurry up Halloween and Turkey day I want Disney!!

 

[Lcaemom]

OK, so much has happened this week and I've been so busy. I've wanted to sit down numerous times and update but, haven't had a chance. Really stinks when work gets in the way. Today of course is scrapbooking day...I mean Sunday so, I finally have a chance. I added on the dining plan...which I'm pretty sure I already wrote about. So, I went over my ressies...which forced me to go over my itinerary. I haven't quite finished the final plan but, added Yak and Yeti and will play by ear one day of TS dining...I know risky but, I purposely left one day completely open to just get up and have no plan. We'll see how that goes. We walked into two restaurants last year and were seated immediately. Going with that thought...I'm hoping if we decide late morning, on our free day, where we want to go and what we want to eat that we may get lucky again.
We got our ME tags Friday. I skipped around the kitchen like it was Christmas morning...my children officially think I've lost my mind. Now, I just need to buy new suitcases to attach them to. I priced those this week...dh just left to get the Sunday paper...hoping to find a great deal somewhere. We'll be switching resorts so, I'd like to have suitcases that roll...the ones we have in addition to being ripped, are missing wheels...making rolling impossible. And they are just really ugly.
Also, this week, I found the cutest Halloween Mickey and Pooh light up pumpkins, at Walgreens. They were full price...$12.99...need to save any and all spending $$$ for Disney. So, I waited a few days and saw in their flyer that they were reduced to 50% off. So, I traveled to 4 different Walgreens and finally found both. They are so cute. But, Halloween is now over!!! Time to toss them up in the attic...and move on to Christmas. I'll probably wait a couple of weeks to start decorating. Just having the Christmas music playing on Comcast's music choice channel is quite gratifying...it means I'm no longer alone in playing Christmas music...the rest of the world has officially caught up...it's about time!!! I can be quite happy with just that, for awhile...fa la la la laaaa...la la la la.
We went out to lunch in Rockport, Ma yesterday...it was very beautiful, a little chilly but, really nice. We walked around browsing...the kids asked for everything they could get their hands on I kept repeating "NO!!! We're going to Disney in a few weeks...you'll want a ______ when we're there." I was pretty aggravated with them...apparently they are huge impulse shoppers but, secretly I loved saying "...we'll be at Disney in a few weeks." IT'S GETTING SO CLOSE!!! 34 days to go!!!

This is the almost final plan:
Saturday, Dec 6th
7:16am flight
10:21am arrive at MCO
Check in to POR
Pool if it's warm...hoping that it is...if not...
Boat to DTD
Earl of Sandwich
Ghiradelli's
Visit Santa
Boat back to POR
Pool...if it's still warm...still hoping it is
Back to room...watch Stacy...bed early

Sunday, Dec 7th
7:00am Check out POR
8:00am Check in GF, store luggage, Gasparillas
9:00am rope drop at MK...I know this is cutting it close
3:00pm parade...view from train station, make a quick exit
4:00pm...pick up luggage, go to room
6:00pm Epcot tree lighting
8:40pm Rose and Crown...hoping for patio seating to watch...
9:30pm Illuminations

Monday, Dec 8th
9:00am DHS
11:30am lunch Backlot Express
3:00pm Block Party Bash
6:30pm Fantasmic snack on stuffed pretzels
7:30pm Osborne Lights
9:00pm Back to resort, late CS dinner, watch electric light parade

Tuesday, Dec 9th
Sleep late
12:25pm CRT
1:30 back to resort...?pool if it's warm
4:00pm MVMCP...stay til it's over...

Wednesday, Dec 10th
NOTHING!!!
?Pool, DTD, gingerbread men from the gingerbread house...

Thursday, Dec 11th
9:00am AK
11:00am Yak and Yeti
3:00pm leave...go to Epcot
rides at Epcot
7:50pm Biergarten
9:30pm Illuminations...if we didn't get patio seating at the R and C

Friday, Dec 12th
8:55am Chef Mickey's
10:00am MK
7:00pm DTD...shopping
If it's warm...may cancel Chef Mickey's, skip MK and do Blizzard Beach all day

Saturday, Dec 13th
sleep late
1:15pm Le Cellier
2:30pm Epcot...WS by day...then rides...then eat our way around the world for dinner

Sunday, Dec. 14th
7:00am Check out/store luggage
9:00am Rope drop MK...finish with Splash Mountain
12:00pm GF...lunch, pool...relax til ME back to MCO
3:00pm ME
5:00pm fly home

On the sleep late days...I'll be up and I'll be able to do my own thing...hopefully on my balcony...which I did request. Last year, I tried to drag the whole family out in the AM and it didn't go so well...they were grumpy, I was aggravated. So, this year...I can get up and do my thing...read and journal on the balcony...while they all sleep...we'll all be happy...I hope!!!
The last few days are not set in stone because things may need to be adjusted if the first few days don't go as planned. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated...let me know if I missed anything.