Mom/Daughter Christmas Disney Trip: A Procrastinator's Plans in Progress

[TinkerbellinNY6]

My mom and I (19) are going on a trip just the two of us in Dec. as well! Mom and Daughter Trips are great. We will be there Dec. 15-20 and are really excited!

 

[mousetravel]

Glad your daughter is feeling better.

Stay on property. We find that we can not use a car. To save money we often split meals, ie buy one meal deal in the parks and an extra drink when we are not on a meal plan. We usually buy and split snacks and desserts.
I also pack snack stuff such as nabs and granola bars in my backpack and have never been asked to remove them when my bag is searched.

Have fun. Cant wait to hear more!!

I plan to take some snacks & drinks. When we've stayed offsite, we always had a room with a fridge & microwave, which saved a little money. We always took lots of snacks, drinks, microwaveable stuff, etc. But I can deal with not having those, to stay onsite!!

Absolutely stay on site! It's so wonderful to be totally immersed in the Disney Magic. And they could transfer your bags the day you move to AKL. Would you still need a rental car if you did that? You could save that money also. But just thought, I have no idea how far Amtrak is so you might still need one.

I'm so glad DD wasn't sick long. Being sick is just the pits.

I was wondering how they do with transferring bags. Do you just pack up & leave them in your room when you check out? Or do they come get it and take it over for you?

If we stayed onsite, I was debating about the rental car. Since I'm getting a good deal, I'll probably keep it, because I checked on Mears Transportation (taxi cabs) and each way to WDW from Amtrak would be about $50, and DD is wanting to go to the Florida Mall & some outlet stores. So really, by the time I paid for cabs to get anywhere outside WDW, I'd probably be paying more than the rental car.

The Amtrak station is about 15 miles from WDW. It's located at downtown Orlando. I've never really dealt with the bus system at WDW, so if it's crowded or aggravating, I'll just drive the car to the parks. I don't think you have to pay for parking if you stay onsite, do you?

That's another thing I factored into comparing the prices of onsite vs. offsite. The hotel we planned to stay at would have actually been more expensive than the value after you factor in resort fees and parking fees at the park! Even with the cancellation fee for cancelling ($20), I'm still coming out cheaper on the value!

My mom and I (19) are going on a trip just the two of us in Dec. as well! Mom and Daughter Trips are great. We will be there Dec. 15-20 and are really excited!

That is so neat! Maybe we'll see ya'll there! Are you going to do a PTR? Or maybe a TR?

 

[mousetravel]

I'm almost set on my plans, finally! I canceled Best Western LBV, and went with the value resort, All Star Movies! I also added some ADR's:

Tusker House at Animal Kingdom for lunch. (They said starting in December, they will have character lunch, it's usually only at breakfast they have the characters.)

50's Prime Time at Hollywood Studios for lunch.

Cape May for breakfast (My DD's favorite!)

I am considering Boma at AKL for breakfast or dinner, just not sure yet.

Now, the next thing I have to do is book Amtrak, before the rates go up!

 

[anewmac]

I love 50's and Cape may too.. great dinning! And cant wait to hear how All Star is! weve only stayed at POP for value

 

[stitches of laughter]

I'm almost set on my plans, finally! I canceled Best Western LBV, and went with the value resort, All Star Movies! I also added some ADR's:

Tusker House at Animal Kingdom for lunch. (They said starting in December, they will have character lunch, it's usually only at breakfast they have the characters.)

50's Prime Time at Hollywood Studios for lunch.

Cape May for breakfast (My DD's favorite!)

I am considering Boma at AKL for breakfast or dinner, just not sure yet.

Now, the next thing I have to do is book Amtrak, before the rates go up!

I am very happy you chose to go with ASmovies!
I figure any resort, be it value or deluxe, is better than any other hotel *no offense work, I work for hilton* there is simply nothing like staying IN disney!
and what wonderful ADRs you added! I LOVE 50s prime time and Cape May for breakfast!
That is way cool about Tusker house!
I hope you and DD have a great weekend!

 

[Pinkocto]

I was wondering how they do with transferring bags. Do you just pack up & leave them in your room when you check out? Or do they come get it and take it over for you?

If we stayed onsite, I was debating about the rental car. Since I'm getting a good deal, I'll probably keep it, because I checked on Mears Transportation (taxi cabs) and each way to WDW from Amtrak would be about $50, and DD is wanting to go to the Florida Mall & some outlet stores. So really, by the time I paid for cabs to get anywhere outside WDW, I'd probably be paying more than the rental car.

The Amtrak station is about 15 miles from WDW. It's located at downtown Orlando. I've never really dealt with the bus system at WDW, so if it's crowded or aggravating, I'll just drive the car to the parks. I don't think you have to pay for parking if you stay onsite, do you?

That's another thing I factored into comparing the prices of onsite vs. offsite. The hotel we planned to stay at would have actually been more expensive than the value after you factor in resort fees and parking fees at the park! Even with the cancellation fee for cancelling ($20), I'm still coming out cheaper on the value!

Hooray for changing your plans!!! You're going to love staying on site! (I know you are going to be at AKL later, but being onsite the whole trip is just going to be awesome!)

You have to get your bags down to baggage check. I'm sure you could get a porter to help, but of course then have to tip them. At the values I'm pretty sure they are outside the check-in area. You might need to mention when you check-in that first day that it is a split stay. They'll take care of you, the CM's at the hotels are so helpful.

Parking is free for people who stay on site, so that's a plus. You guys will also get the Extra Magic Hours for your whole trip! Those are always so nice.

We have never used a car when we go, we solely rely on the buses. But, since the taxis would be so much to/from Amtrak it might be worth your while to have it. And if you want to go shopping it would definitely be worth it to have.

 

[LuvEeyore]

Ivote for Boma for dinner. It is great. If you like early dinners, get the first ressie and go a few minutes early. The opening is so much fun.

 

[jenseib]

Thanks! She's feeling better and didn't miss any school days this week! She really did tough it out though, because the first day she wasn't feeling well, I thought she was going to have to stay out.




She's feeling better now, and I'm glad it was just a "24-hour" type virus.




Thanks!!





Planning time is ON!!!


Here's a "tentative" schedule I have been working on. I still need to get a few ADR's scheduled, so depending on availabilty, the schedule might change, so ya'll can let me know what you think about what I have so far:


Dec 15 (Thurs): Arrive by Amtrak, get rental car, DTD, check in
Dec 16 (Fri): AK 9am-6pm
Dec 17 (Sat): HS 9am-8pm (EMH 8am-9am)
Dec 18 (Sun): Check in at AKL, shopping at Mall, outlet stores
Dec 19 (Mon): MK 9am-10pm (EMH 10pm-1am)
Dec 20 (Tue): Tour the resorts, DTD, etc.
Dec 21 (Wed): Epcot or MK before leaving (Need to be at Amtrak by 5pm)


I also may even change our first 3 nights stay!
They have a "room only" discount for WDW resorts during the time we're there. So I did some figuring, and found that for about $50 more, we can stay at a WDW value!! If we do, I am thinking All Star Movies!


I've got to work on this over the weekend, so ya'll let me know if you have any ideas or advice!!!

I have a ton of pictures of AS Movies in my current TR. I stayed there 1 night this Aug and tried to take some pictures of everything I could fit in time wise.
I think you will enjoy it. It is very fun.

 

[mousetravel]

I love 50's and Cape may too.. great dinning! And cant wait to hear how All Star is! weve only stayed at POP for value

I am really excited about our first time onsite!

I am very happy you chose to go with ASmovies!
I figure any resort, be it value or deluxe, is better than any other hotel *no offense work, I work for hilton* there is simply nothing like staying IN disney!
and what wonderful ADRs you added! I LOVE 50s prime time and Cape May for breakfast!
That is way cool about Tusker house!
I hope you and DD have a great weekend!

Thank you! We had a great weekend, so far! We met up with a Dis'er friend and had a great time. I'll post more on that soon!

Hooray for changing your plans!!! You're going to love staying on site! (I know you are going to be at AKL later, but being onsite the whole trip is just going to be awesome!)

You have to get your bags down to baggage check. I'm sure you could get a porter to help, but of course then have to tip them. At the values I'm pretty sure they are outside the check-in area. You might need to mention when you check-in that first day that it is a split stay. They'll take care of you, the CM's at the hotels are so helpful.

Parking is free for people who stay on site, so that's a plus. You guys will also get the Extra Magic Hours for your whole trip! Those are always so nice.

We have never used a car when we go, we solely rely on the buses. But, since the taxis would be so much to/from Amtrak it might be worth your while to have it. And if you want to go shopping it would definitely be worth it to have.

Thanks for the info on the luggage! I think I'll be glad to have a car because if the busses are really crowded, I don't think I'll have the patience to deal with it!

Ivote for Boma for dinner. It is great. If you like early dinners, get the first ressie and go a few minutes early. The opening is so much fun.

Thanks for that info!

I have a ton of pictures of AS Movies in my current TR. I stayed there 1 night this Aug and tried to take some pictures of everything I could fit in time wise.
I think you will enjoy it. It is very fun.

I don't know how I missed your TR, but I did see the thread on the resorts board with some of your pics. I think I forgot to post on that one!

 

[mousetravel]

I don't really have any trip planning updates right now, but I thought I'd share my latest "Dis meet" with my Dis-friend, Dizneydawn. For a couple of years now, we've been meeting up every once in a while when she's in town. She lives in MN, but 2 of her kids go to a college in this area.
So this weekend, we met up at the college to watch her son's game and we went out to eat at Moe's (Yummy!). We always have to take a few pics!


DD wasn't with me at this time, but later met up with us to eat.

The whole gang: (Dawn, hubby, kids, a couple of kids from the college, me, DD)

DD & Dawn's kids

Me & Dawn

We had a great time catching up! We were especially excited because we are going to WDW at the same time at Christmas!! Only thing is, we've already both made out our own (busy) schedules, but are going to try to meet up while we're there at least for a dinner or something.

 

[LuvEeyore]

Sounds like time to have a DIS meet

 

[UGAFan0829]

When you mentioned a DIS'er meet-up, I had a feeling it was Dawn!! Glad you got to see her! I hope that y'all do get to meet up in the World...I know that would be awesome!

 

[TinkerbellinNY6]

That is so neat! Maybe we'll see ya'll there! Are you going to do a PTR? Or maybe a TR?

I was thinking about doing a PTR but im not sure. I want to do a TR after. I noticed we will be at Magic Kingdom on the same day! We are going and can't wait for the EMH!

 

[mousetravel]

Sounds like time to have a DIS meet

Dis Meets are so much fun!!

When you mentioned a DIS'er meet-up, I had a feeling it was Dawn!! Glad you got to see her! I hope that y'all do get to meet up in the World...I know that would be awesome!

I was thinking about doing a PTR but im not sure. I want to do a TR after. I noticed we will be at Magic Kingdom on the same day! We are going and can't wait for the EMH!

Yes, I can not wait for the EMH. DD thinks we can "hang" the whole day, from open till EMH (1am) We have stayed at the parks open till close, but I don't know about that long! I told her we might have to take a break for a couple of hours!





Nothing much as far as plans to update on, except that I finally got our Amtrak reservations made, even found a little discount I could apply of $26.
Every little bit of savings helps!!

 

[Pinkocto]

Absolutely, all savings count. I'll change our Southwest tickets for a savings of $5, it doesn't hurt anything and I love more money back.

I agree, morning to close EMH will be exhausting. A lot of people go back to the resorts and relax for a few hours. At the very least, if you can't convice her to leave the parks, make sure to schedule a sit down lunch or dinner so you can give your feet and legs a break.

 

[TinkerbellinNY6]

Yes, I can not wait for the EMH. DD thinks we can "hang" the whole day, from open till EMH (1am) We have stayed at the parks open till close, but I don't know about that long! I told her we might have to take a break for a couple of hours!

I plan on that being our park for the day but will probably take a break n the middle of the day! And I did decide to start a PTR, its my first attempt so if you read feel free to give me some insight on it

 

[Monny2AE]

Joining in! I've read up to page 3 but I have to cut it short and catch up on the rest later.

Congrats on going at Christmastime and staying on site for the first time- and at AKL of all places!

I love your budget bucket!!!! What an awesome find!!!!

That roller coaster being stuck made my stomach queasy just looking at the picture. I would not have wanted to be one of those poor people stuck on there!

Great mini TR from apple picking! We go apple picking every fall. It's a great family tradition!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Whew.....just caught up

 

[mousetravel]

Absolutely, all savings count. I'll change our Southwest tickets for a savings of $5, it doesn't hurt anything and I love more money back.

I agree, morning to close EMH will be exhausting. A lot of people go back to the resorts and relax for a few hours. At the very least, if you can't convice her to leave the parks, make sure to schedule a sit down lunch or dinner so you can give your feet and legs a break.

I plan on that being our park for the day but will probably take a break n the middle of the day! And I did decide to start a PTR, its my first attempt so if you read feel free to give me some insight on it

I'm pretty sure we'll have to take a break. That's a really long day!

Joining in! I've read up to page 3 but I have to cut it short and catch up on the rest later.

Congrats on going at Christmastime and staying on site for the first time- and at AKL of all places!

I love your budget bucket!!!! What an awesome find!!!!

That roller coaster being stuck made my stomach queasy just looking at the picture. I would not have wanted to be one of those poor people stuck on there!

Great mini TR from apple picking! We go apple picking every fall. It's a great family tradition!

Thanks for joining in on my PTR!

Whew.....just caught up

A little Budget Update:


We went to the Disney Store over the weekend and I got myself a couple of T shirts for WDW and a couple of Christmas ornaments. They had some really cute Christmas stuff, but I think we'll try to go back one more time before our trip, and hopefully they'll have a sale by then!
DD didn't want any T shirts from there, she wants to wait till we get to DTD and get hers there, that actually says WDW on them (so picky ).

I checked on my rewards points from 2 credit cards, and redeemed them for gift cards to take with us on the trip: one gas card and one restaraunt card. So that will help a little bit!


We may be adding a college tour to our schedule!
DD wants to visit the College of Central Florida while we're there, so I'm waiting to see about that.

We are going on a college tour next Friday, but the college is closer to us, about an hour away.

She's really been interested in wanting to check out a few colleges. It's a little early for her, but I don't mind checking out a few places.

 

[RGirl]

Oh, it sounds like you are going to have a great trip! Count me in for the ride.

Your DD is so beautiful! And how wonderful that you two enjoy time together so much.