*Mommy & Me & the Mouse! A Christmas Time PTR!!*

[EnchantedPlayroom]

***First post updated wth a chast of characters***

Hi-ya folks! This is my first ever PTR. Hope you enjoy.

CAST OF CHARACTERS~

Brandy (Mommy) 31
My name is Brandy, and I am a Disneyholic. Ex DL CM, ex Disney Store CM, current executive administrative assistant for a software company. If I had my way, I'd be inside a Disney park every day. Disneyland has been my one "constant" (any LOST fans out there?). My dad was in the military, so we moved around a lot. But we spent a few stations being here in CA. So, Disneyland was always something that was there for me. It is one of the few places I have childhood memories of that I can still visit easily. I'm an AP, and even though we live 65 miles away, we seem to make it up to Disney quite a bit. Sometimes even on a Tuesday after work! I am planning this trip for my DD.....

Lily Belle (DD) 3

She is the perfect child for me. She loooooooves Disney every bit as much as I do. Her first trip was at 7 weeks. She is a crazy and wild girl, full of energy...just like her mama! She loves Disney princesses, the main characters, even the Mad Hatter, thanks to a wonderful CM at Goofy's Kitchen. She can't WAIT to see Tangled. She got a Rapunzel doll yesterday for a surprise. She loves it. She promptly asked me "Does she live at Disneyland?" I said "Not yet, but she will. They're building her house." So she walked around the rest of the day introducing her doll to everyone and telling people all about Rapunzel's house being built by "the guy". Don't know where she got that. I'm assuming she means Flynn Rider.

This will be her 1st trip to WDW!!!!!!!!


I am a single parent to Lily Belle (DD3), but we live at home with my parents. I am a DVC member. I had booked this trip last December, but through some last minute work conflicts, I was not able to make the trip happen. I was on the phone talking to DVC about possible trips a few weeks ago, when the CM brought to my attention that I had 30 "vacation points", which HAD to be used by September 1st or they would forever be lost. So, I started thinking of a quick trip out the World. Well, as it became apparent that a trip in August would not be feasible for me, I started looking at longer vacations later in the year. After WEEKS of agonizing over dates and which resort I would want, the decision was made for me last night while I was perusing different flights and airlines and dates for the millionth time this month. I stumbled upon a nonstop flight from LAX to MCO for $153 each way p/p. That was by far the cheapest I had seen, especially going nonstop. So, not wanting to use a credit card to book it, but not wanting to wait until my payday and risk losing a great deal, I decided to sleep on it and decide in the morning, if the flights were still available.

They were!

The other problem was that I wanted to stay at WL. But my home resort is SS. I can book SS at any time for December, but I have to wait until May 7th to book the WL. So, what if I buy these nonrefundable tickets, wait until May 7th to book a room and they are sold out?? So, I called DVC, booked the SS having decided to just call back next week and switch the rezzie if WL was available for the dates I wanted. Hung up the phone, charged the airline tickets and promised myself to pay that off (mostly ) with my next paycheck. Woo!

So, here I am. Booked, permission from DD's dad to take her out of the county, and ready to start the serious planning.

That still left the problem of needing to spend the original 30 vacation points that started this whole mess in the first place. So I just decided to book Paradise Pier out here at DL for 4th of July, since I am off the next day. Taa-daa!

So, I need help with decisions on dining plans and dining reservations. I have been thinking I want the Deluxe dining plan, but the CM on the phone tried to talk me out of it!! He said that my 3 year old wouldn't want to eat that many times, I said "But I do!"

I am thinking I would like to take her to eat mostly at character dining, to get her to actually eat. She loves going to Goofy Kitchen and Breakfast with Minnie out here. When we go to "normal" restaurants, she is "done" and "ready to go" within 15 minutes. I would like to try 1900 Park Fare, Hoop Dee Doo (I REALLY want to check that out), Crystal Palace and Cinderella's. What do you guys think? Any suggestions?



Okay, one more picture in the dress....

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

I was finally able to book MVMCP for December 9th. The only DVC discount day during our trip. I was having a nightmare of a time with my cc company and DVC miscommunicating. But that is now behind me and my tickets will be waiting at will call!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Well, I called today to try and get my rezzies switched over to WL, but to no avail. EVERYONE but SS was booked. Oh well. I found a good thread on SSR that has my hopes up. As it is, DD LOVES horses and coloring. And I just found out that one of the restaurants has easels at the tables...or something like that. Lemons into lemonade!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Super quick update:
I am SO excited!!! Today I booked Lily and I on the Christmas sleigh ride around Fort Wilderness. I saw this on another trip report and have been DYING to book it. Yessss!! I cannot wait to take her on this. She loves horses and I love Christmas lights. I heard they drive you past all the motorhomes (who have decked themselves out with Xmas decor) and the sleigh plays Christmas music inside. We will have just finished up Hoop Dee Doo before sleigh ride time.

All Mommy's dreams are coming true! Next up...look into the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage.

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

*whew* Got rezzies for Liberty Tree Tavern. Lily has been wanting to go there to eat mashed potatoes ever since she saw the Samantha Brown WDW Xmas episode (which she has on her itouch. LOL) I can't wait to take her there and get some of those yummy looking potatoes!!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Alright, Mommy is cookin' now! I got some ADR's for CRT for breakfast, Crystal Palace for dinner and 1900 Park Fare for breakfast. And all while I was at work!

Hopefully I can buckle down and make more solid plans in the next few days that will help me chose more ADR's. My original plan was to wing it as much as possible. But I am hearing from other mommy's that this is absolutely the wrong way to go. So, Lily and I will do our best I suppose. I cannot tell you how excited I am for the opportunity to take my little girl on this vacation with just the two of us. I know this is something we will never forget!

 

[chanti]

How exciting!!! Your daughter is going to love WDW!!!

It is a great time to go as well!! We went last year on a pre-christmas trip and we are doing it again this year.

Have a lot of fun planning your vacation!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

How exciting!!! Your daughter is going to love WDW!!!

It is a great time to go as well!! We went last year on a pre-christmas trip and we are doing it again this year.

Have a lot of fun planning your vacation!

Wow. From the looks of your countdown ticker, you'll be there the week before us!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Got a few more ADRs today. Epcot this time. I wasn't sure I wanted to spend more than a few hours at Epcot originally. I was planning on splitting a day between Epcot and DHS for fear they wouldn't hold an entire days worth of entertainment for DD. But in looking at my WDW book today, I noticed the Seas with Nemo and my DD will LOVE that. I bet we'll spend over an hour in there. I also had forgotten about all the Santa stories around the different countries. Not sure how well she'll like it, but she seems to like the idea of it on her Samantha Brown WDW Travel Channel show. I have an 8:20 breakfast reservation at Akershus (before park opening. WOOT!) and dinner at Biergarten. I am a little afraid of the Biergarten menu, more for myself than my DD. My own palate never developed much past that of a 3 year old's. I'm a peanut butter and jelly, pizza, spaghetti kind of gal.

I don't think we will spend much time at DHS still. I do have 4:15 rezzies at Sci Fi. So I'm thinking we will just go in time for dinner and stay for the Osborn lights. I am SOOOOOOO looking forward to that.

So I'm thinking maybe the morning at AK to see some animals, ride Kilimanjaro Safari and see the Nemo musical, then afternoon/evening at DHS.

Ug, every time I think about it, I second guess myself. It's the confounded DDP and the ADR's that have me silly. I sort of wanted a less scheduled plan but I know if we want to eat ANYWHERE we need the ADR's.

I'm also wondering what the weather will be like this December out there. Will there be an opportunity to go to one of the water parks? Maybe I'll just have to visit again in the spring/summer. Muah ha ha haaa.

I know there should be a day in the middle somewhere to take it super slow, maybe avoid the parks altogether. Just have a character breakfast somewhere, shop DTD, and do the campfire sing-along/movie night at FW.

I also think that I will want to spend as many days as possible at MK, just because I feel that it'll be the most magical for us. It's funny, I keep forgetting that my trip will be taking place during Christmas time.

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

I'm getting nervous with all this talk of ticket price increases. So I will be purchasing our tickets on Friday! Weeeeeeeeee!!! Oh man, it is going to feel so real when I see those bad boys!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

I have been fretting for weeks about the stroller on the buses. I just know she'll pass out before we can get on the bus and I'll have to hold her and fold the behemoth up and lug it onto the bus. I think I can do it though. Strike that, I KNOW I can do it. Question is...do I want to? I have been thinking about renting a car for the purpose of having a trunk for the stroller and a guaranteed seat for getting back to our resort. Also, I'm afraid of missing our early morning ADR's because we had to wait for several buses to go by, not only because they are for the wrong park, but because they are full.

So, in the case that I do NOT rent a car, I have also taken steps to ease the bus pain some. I called today and requested we be put in the Grandstand area of SSR, because they have the first stop on the bus route for the parks. (Thank you DIS!!!) I also requested a ground floor room so I don't have to wait for the elevators every morning and on check out days, that can be a HUGE hassle. So, either way, I am feeling better about this trip every day. My DD is gone for this weekend with her dad, and for one extra day at that, and I am so sad without her. I know this will be the trip of a lifetime for us.

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Talking with Disney right now purchasing tickets over the phone!!!!!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

MINE! MINE! MINE!
I feel like the seagull's on Finding Nemo. I just purchased our WDW tickets over the phone!!!! I am sooo super excited and relieved. The man on the phone was very reassuring about the fact that I can upgrade my tickets to park hoppers at any time. Even 2 days into my trip if I wanted. Woot! This is incredible!!! Now I just have to use my next few paychecks getting enough money back on my credit card to pay off the Disney Dining Plan upon check in and I am SET baby!!!! Oh man! I'M TAKING MY BABY GIRL TO DISNEY WOOOOOOOORLD!

: ​

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

On a recent trip to Disneyland.​

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

I JUST GOT MY TICKETS IN THE MAIL!!!!!!

Whew! What a way to perk up any Thursday afternoon! I am grinning from ear to ear! I am so stooooooooked!!! I think I have flashed them to ever person who has walked past my desk. They said it would take 7-10 business days. More like 4!! Oh man, I'm sure many of you have felt my joy before. I am so excited. DD is only 3, so she's not completely grasping the concept of what is to come. And I only bring it up to her every once in a while. This weekend I was showing her pictures of SSR and saying "See this? This is where we are going to stay when we go to Disney World." So she woke up the next morning and the first thing out of her mouth was a very cute and enthusiastic "Mommy, are we ready to go to the hotel?" She is going to LOVE this!!!

To add to my magic, a co-worker of mine gave me as a gift for helping him with a project a $50 Disney gift card!!! Woot! Looks like Lily just scored a sweet souvenir from the Magic Kingdom! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!

​

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

I am getting more and more excited for this trip with each passing day. I have been reading up on the room decorating boards to get ideas for our SSR room. I pretty much need the printable window clings I'm hearing about. I am waiting to see if some of my DISign requests get filled. And, to make it even better. It looks like DD is now FULLY potty trained. WHEW! That will make packing a bag for the park every day SO much easier. The potty training had seemed like it would take forever. It's not that she wouldn't go on the potty if I put her there, but she wouldn't tell me when she needed to go. But we have only had one accident over the weekend and none since then. Weeeeee!

I have decided not to over do it on the ADR's. I know that she and I will both be perfectly happy eating at QS places. I am thinking of canceling Biergarten. I just don't know if it will captivate her, and I don't think I will like the food. We are a traveling pack of picky eaters.

 

[moparop]

I am getting more and more excited for this trip with each passing day. I have been reading up on the room decorating boards to get ideas for our SSR room. I pretty much need the printable window clings I'm hearing about. I am waiting to see if some of my DISign requests get filled. And, to make it even better. It looks like DD is now FULLY potty trained. WHEW! That will make packing a bag for the park every day SO much easier. The potty training had seemed like it would take forever. It's not that she wouldn't go on the potty if I put her there, but she wouldn't tell me when she needed to go. But we have only had one accident over the weekend and none since then. Weeeeee!

I have decided not to over do it on the ADR's. I know that she and I will both be perfectly happy eating at QS places. I am thinking of canceling Biergarten. I just don't know if it will captivate her, and I don't think I will like the food. We are a traveling pack of picky eaters.

Hi! I am jumping in! Your daughter is a total cutie and how exciting for you to have her first Disney trip coming up. Being at SSR makes you awful close to DTD and that means lots of shopping! So excellent! I have found in the past that the buses have not been too crowded early in the morning. I think most people think a Disney trip is a time for sleeping in.

And great news about potty training. My son learned a week before Disney and what a lifesaver that was.

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Hi! I am jumping in! Your daughter is a total cutie and how exciting for you to have her first Disney trip coming up. Being at SSR makes you awful close to DTD and that means lots of shopping! So excellent! I have found in the past that the buses have not been too crowded early in the morning. I think most people think a Disney trip is a time for sleeping in.

And great news about potty training. My son learned a week before Disney and what a lifesaver that was.

Oh! Thank you so much for jumping in. I have zero fans. I hae been nervous about SSR. Just that it wouldn't be fun enough for her. But I may be over thinking it. I'm sure she'll have a blast no matter what. I am hoping FL has a warm winter so we can take advantage of the pool there. And yes, I am planning on hanging out quite a bit at DTD. ha ha ha.

 

[moparop]

Oh! Thank you so much for jumping in. I have zero fans. I hae been nervous about SSR. Just that it wouldn't be fun enough for her. But I may be over thinking it. I'm sure she'll have a blast no matter what. I am hoping FL has a warm winter so we can take advantage of the pool there. And yes, I am planning on hanging out quite a bit at DTD. ha ha ha.

Yeah, SSR is not as "kid-like" as one of the all stars, but I think they have characters out on the splash pads and she isn't going to realize what she is missing out on. I am sure she'll be so overexcited by Mickey and all of the princesses that what the hotel looks like may not matter as much!

 

[DISRY]

Joining, cant wait to here more about your trip!