MVMCP - My Very Merry Chistmas Pre-Trip Report

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Ok- i know I study those maps like they were long lost kids- (LOL)

For us in DS- TSM, VoTLM, Animation Studio. (Limited time) Disney Playhouse. (while here-- the others will get FP for ToT and ride RnR.
Will meet at Beatuy and the Beast for that show- Ride Tot - Muppets-
Sci Fi for lunch-- then go find our places for the parade outside American Idol since that is where the Monsters stop and do their dance.

then we are outta there. (see how I studied the map and kept us all neat and in once place-- youwould be so proud of me)

I don't know if my days will be planned out as much as yours, but I will put more effort into it this time. Lucky for me it's only July so I still have alot of time left for planning. Right now I just have a high level plan with ADR's.

We can talk on Sunday. The kids should have fun playing in the pool together.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Wow I'm starting to feel bad after reading some of that long post

We usually fly, but with airline ticket prices being so high now (I check them pretty often) we decided to drive. It will just be me & DH, no kids. We are using my parents timeshare (free stay) so we are staying off site. We are going to attempt to drive straight through, but change out drivers so the other person can rest some. It will probably take us anywhere from 10-15 hours I would guess. We will leave late Saturday night and arrive sometime Sunday afternoon. I will most likely take a nap during the day Saturday as well. I don't plan to do much of anything the day we arrive. Go to bed early and be ready for the next day. There is a Starbucks right by our resort so that is helpful

Since we are staying off site we have no choice but to use our own car to get everywhere. I plan to print off maps of the area and study them well, as well as asking around online when time gets closer about the best routes to take incase of construction or anything else.

Right now I have a tentative schedule for each day and what parks we are going to do and what rides/attractions we are giving priority to. I also have alternatives since some things may change as we get closer. I have not made a final decision on what day for sure we are going to do MVMCP. Waiting to see also what day we can get CP package for.

I make a trip binder for every Disney vacation I have taken. I keep all my info (tickets, hotel ressie, dining ressie, maps, etc) in it organized with tabed dividers. I usually create a packing list and add items to it when I think of something else. I print it off and cross the item off once it has been packed.

So far we have had stress-free vacations this way. I just try to make sure I have as much info as possible and all my "ducks in a row"

Well, you have a good plan since you are splitting the task of driving. My wife doesn't like driving at night. She also doesn't like driving on the highway, merging with traffic freaks her out, so I didn't have much choice. I did have her drive a some on the way back, and we wound up going off an exit ramp at Jacksonville because she got stuck in an exit lane and couldn't get back over. I took over from there.

I agree with you about ticket prices, but once again, that is a topic for a future post so I won't get into it much here.

I may steal your binder idea. Sounds like a great planning tool. This PTR is really paying off, I stole the idea for an index on the first page from Mickey_Mom, and will be incorporating your binder idea into my plans. If this keeps up, I can have a future post dedicated to stolen ideas.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

To quote Queen “And bad mistakes.... I’ve made a few...”

Hey, good song to have stuck in my head now. Thanks

1. Driving.

Each trip I consider driving down but always decide against it. We price out two days there, two days home and the savings just don't justify four days of travelling versus four hours of flying. On the other hand, the way these dang flight costs keep getting higher year after year......

2. Nemo show at the Animal Kingdom

I know exactly which bleacher seats you're talking about, that happened to us the first time we saw the show too and you're right, it did really detract from the show. Next trip though, we lucked out and got fabulous seats almost front row next to the stage that runs up the middle and it was a completely different experience. That's too bad you couldn't enjoy it.

3. Go see the Osborne lights.
And why does Disney have a light show to Ozzy’s music anyway?

I thought the exact same thing until I started looking into it here on the DIS. I can't wait to see this.

4. Driving your own car vs. using Disney bus.
5. Use the park maps when planning what to see.
6. Spend some time on your plans.

Good stuff! I'm not planning on CP either. I too don't think my kids would enjoy it and probably wouldn't be able to sit through it.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Hey, good song to have stuck in my head now. Thanks

Glad I could help. Yesterday I got Morning Train by Sheena Easton stuck in my head because DevonsDisneyMom mentioned something about riding the train into the city each morning.

I know exactly which bleacher seats you're talking about, that happened to us the first time we saw the show too and you're right, it did really detract from the show. Next trip though, we lucked out and got fabulous seats almost front row next to the stage that runs up the middle and it was a completely different experience. That's too bad you couldn't enjoy it.

If we are lucky enough to get in line towards the front, I might do the show, otherwise, we will skip it.

I thought the exact same thing until I started looking into it here on the DIS. I can't wait to see this.

So I'm not the only nitwit. Good to know.

Good stuff! I'm not planning on CP either. I too don't think my kids would enjoy it and probably wouldn't be able to sit through it.

I thought about posting in the December 2010 thread that I won't be doing that, but there are a bunch of people there who are waiting to book their CP ADR's. I have enough stuff to worry about without trying to get CP reservations on whatever day they decide to start taking them, but that's just me.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Glad I could help. Yesterday I got Morning Train by Sheena Easton stuck in my head because DevonsDisneyMom mentioned something about riding the train into the city each morning.

My baby takes the morning train, He works from nine to five and then, He takes another home again, To find me waiting for him!

Aaaaaack! Quickly thinking of something else.......

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Sorry about that. My brain works odd that way. Someone will say a word, and BOOM, I got a stupid song going through my head.

Since I don't want to be the only one suffering, I will tell people what song I have in my head so they get it stuck in there had as well. It's my own little way of entertaining myself.

 

[nonni]

To quote Queen “And bad mistakes.... I’ve made a few...”


3. Go see the Osborne lights.

Haha, I bet a lot of people think the same thing. We live about an hour north from the Osbornes. Every year we would drive down to see their lights. And every year they got bigger and bigger. They actually bought the houses on each side of them to put up more lights. It started causing a lot of traffic problems and neighbors were not happy. They finally were told they could not put them up anymore. We are looking forward to seeing them at DHS.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Maybe they can play the parody song Bob Rivers came up with. Instead of "I am Iron Man" it is "I am Santa Claus"

Here is a video that someone made for a light show set to this music. Nowhere near the level of what the Osbornes or Disney does, but interesting.

I AM SANTA CLAUS

 

[exwdwcm]

subbing! loving it so far! love your pics from 07, the girls are just too cute!

the drive sounds fun, but like you said, it is hard coming home. as a 36yo myself, i know how we don't bounce back like we used to, especially after chasing toddlers! Anyhow- we fly these days from Dallas. WE did the drive a number of times as kids and I even drove when i went to work for WDW for the college program (so i could have a car down there for that semester). But now, it is flying all the way! just too far for us to drive and we don't have enough extra time off work to spare it. AA has affordable direct flights that work for us and we live 15 minutes from DFW.

We actually prefer to rent a car when in WDW. i know, it is sort of not a popular idea, but we love it. Since i worked at WDW, i know my way around pretty well and we just don't have patience to wait for buses. Sure it means we often have to walk (we don't mind) or take a tram to the front entrance, but it isn't a big deal to us. We like the flexibility of driving to DTD (hate the parking! ) or stopping by another resort for a drink or tour or even hitting up the outlets outside the parks. It just works well for us.

Can't wait to hear more about your plans. I"ll try and get your PTR linked in your name in the Dec trippers list too!

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

I knew I was forgetting something. That something was asking you to add to the PTR links. I should have the next edition up a little later tonight. More of the early planning information. Possible dates, and resorts.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Ok, so my last two submissions talked more about my trip from 2007 than they did about my plans for this year’s trip, but this trip was thought of shortly before we took that last trip. We told Ally we were going to Disney on Christmas Day, a week prior to us actually leaving. Doing it after most of her presents were opened probably wasn’t the best idea. I probably should have put something in the Lessons learned entry. I tried using the planning video to tell her, but she wasn’t interested in the video, she only wanted to play Candy Land. When we talked about going to Disney, Ally always mentioned waiting until Olivia was 5, which wouldn’t be until next year, so when we told her we were going in a week here response was, “I thought we were going when Olivia was 5” like she was disappointed. Hearing that Grandma was coming along as well got us “Why is Grandma coming?” Not really the enthusiastic response I was expecting. No worries though, I had a phone call from the big Mouse planned as well. Of course, my phone rang while I was taking a nap. I woke up, grabbed the video camera, put the phone on speaker and gave it to my 4 year old who proceeded to put it down on the couch next to her and strain to look around me at the TV. I did not realize that she was watching one of her new Dora videos that she got for Christmas, and didn’t care about what the phone was saying. I really should submit the videos to America’s Funniest Home Videos. I would probably win the $10,000 easily and maybe eventually the DVC prize. Are they still doing that?

OK, got to apologize again, the last vacation is interfering with telling you about the planning for this one. As I previously mentioned, something happened last year that made me start thinking about this trip again, and got my Disney juices flowing again. A woman I work with was planning on going to Disney for Christmas last year, but didn’t know where to start, and asked my advice since I had been there before. I told her about the unofficial guide books, Disney’s website, AllEars.net, DIS... All kinds of stuff. A few weeks later I asked her how the planning was going, and got a “I haven’t really done much” response. This is like 7 months prior to when she wanted to go.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!! YOUR TRIP IS IN DECEMBER!!! YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR ROOMS, ADR’S BOOKED, PLAN WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE, GET YOUR MVMCP TICKETS!...

OK, I didn’t say that, but I was screaming it at the top of my lungs in my head. I am obviously dealing with somebody who doesn’t realize just what she is getting herself into. I must help. I went and found my books from 2007 and gave them to her to read. I made her promise that she would read them. I also went online and printed off all kinds of information for her from various sites. Of course in doing all this research, I couldn’t help but start thinking about my trip that would be coming up in just a short year and a half. Gotta start the planning.
First thing I need to figure out is when we will go. I want to go around Christmas again because I loved the decoration. Should we go the beginning of January like we did last time? Well, Ally will be in third grade, and do we want to have her miss the first week of school after Christmas break? No. OK, January is out. I know that the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the value season, so we will get the cheapest price on the resort, and it isn’t too crowded at that time since kids are in school. Ok, got a good idea going now. Lets fine toon, oops, tune it a bit. Similar to the first week in January, the week after Thanksgiving won’t work since she is just getting off of an extended time away from school since they have Parent/Teacher Conferences the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and no school on Black Friday. The week before Christmas is out, 1, because of Christmas break, and 2, it is expensive to go to Disney at this time. This leaves the week of the 4th, or the week of the 11th. I want to leave on a Saturday, and come back on a Saturday so I can have a day to relax before going back to work, so it is the 4th - 11th or the 11th - 18th. How to choose.

In my research for my friend who was going the first week of December, I found out that Disney tapes the Christmas Day parade the first week in December. My first thought is “IT’S NOT LIVE! I’VE BEEN DUPED!” After I calmed down a bit my next thought is “OMG! I AM THINKING OF GOING THE FIRST WEEK, I CAN BE PART OF THE CHRISTMAS PARADE AND THEN I CAN WATCH IT ON TV!” Please let the taping be Dec 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, well you get the idea.

It is decided. We are definitely going down on the 4th-11th. Nothing is going to change that.

Where to stay. We like the All-Star Movies but it is kind of out in the middle of nowhere, and without my car do I want to stay there? The buses worked out fine for us, but we did have to wait sometimes. Eh, let’s think about other places. Where would I want to stay?

Wilderness Lodge – Very nice resort. Love the pics online. OK, that’s on the list.

Port Orleans – Wow, these places look nice. Add them to the list.

Caribbean Beach Club – Well, we have been to Jamaica and the Bahamas, do we need to stay at a place in Florida similar to them. Nah, ok off the list.

Boardwalk Inn – Nice looking place, but if I want to go see a boardwalk I can drive to Jersey. Take them off the list.

Diane said she would love to stay at the Grand Floridian. Hmm. Holy Crap, it costs how much? Sorry, off the list.

The Polynesian is a Monorail Resort... Whoa! That’s expensive too. Off the list

Animal Kingdom Lodge – A Deluxe level hotel, but has the lowest prices. Views of the animals, so I could wake up every morning look out my balcony and see animals. The Pics of the resort are beautiful. OK, I think we can swing this, it’s a bit pricey, but hey it’s Disney, you know “The most expensive place on Earth”. If I can get the buy 4 get 3 free or a 40% off PIN code from Disney then maybe, just maybe we have a winner. We could be staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge from December 4th – 11th. Hopefully we can even get in on the taping for the Christmas Parade on ABC.

This is exciting, I gotta tell the wife. What was the response?

OK, I will see if I can get that time off of work.

Why am I the only one who gets excited for these things? I know it is a year and a half away, but COME ON! Show me something here.

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Ok, so my last two submissions talked more about my trip from 2007 than they did about my plans for this year’s trip, but this trip was thought of shortly before we took that last trip. We told Ally we were going to Disney on Christmas Day, a week prior to us actually leaving. Doing it after most of her presents were opened probably wasn’t the best idea. I probably should have put something in the Lessons learned entry. I tried using the planning video to tell her, but she wasn’t interested in the video, she only wanted to play Candy Land. When we talked about going to Disney, Ally always mentioned waiting until Olivia was 5, which wouldn’t be until next year, so when we told her we were going in a week here response was, “I thought we were going when Olivia was 5” like she was disappointed. Hearing that Grandma was coming along as well got us “Why is Grandma coming?” Not really the enthusiastic response I was expecting. No worries though, I had a phone call from the big Mouse planned as well. Of course, my phone rang while I was taking a nap. I woke up, grabbed the video camera, put the phone on speaker and gave it to my 4 year old who proceeded to put it down on the couch next to her and strain to look around me at the TV. I did not realize that she was watching one of her new Dora videos that she got for Christmas, and didn’t care about what the phone was saying. I really should submit the videos to America’s Funniest Home Videos. I would probably win the $10,000 easily and maybe eventually the DVC prize. Are they still doing that?

OK, got to apologize again, the last vacation is interfering with telling you about the planning for this one. As I previously mentioned, something happened last year that made me start thinking about this trip again, and got my Disney juices flowing again. A woman I work with was planning on going to Disney for Christmas last year, but didn’t know where to start, and asked my advice since I had been there before. I told her about the unofficial guide books, Disney’s website, AllEars.net, DIS... All kinds of stuff. A few weeks later I asked her how the planning was going, and got a “I haven’t really done much” response. This is like 7 months prior to when she wanted to go.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!! YOUR TRIP IS IN DECEMBER!!! YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR ROOMS, ADR’S BOOKED, PLAN WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE, GET YOUR MVMCP TICKETS!...

OK, I didn’t say that, but I was screaming it at the top of my lungs in my head. I am obviously dealing with somebody who doesn’t realize just what she is getting herself into. I must help. I went and found my books from 2007 and gave them to her to read. I made her promise that she would read them. I also went online and printed off all kinds of information for her from various sites. Of course in doing all this research, I couldn’t help but start thinking about my trip that would be coming up in just a short year and a half. Gotta start the planning.
First thing I need to figure out is when we will go. I want to go around Christmas again because I loved the decoration. Should we go the beginning of January like we did last time? Well, Ally will be in third grade, and do we want to have her miss the first week of school after Christmas break? No. OK, January is out. I know that the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the value season, so we will get the cheapest price on the resort, and it isn’t too crowded at that time since kids are in school. Ok, got a good idea going now. Lets fine toon, oops, tune it a bit. Similar to the first week in January, the week after Thanksgiving won’t work since she is just getting off of an extended time away from school since they have Parent/Teacher Conferences the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and no school on Black Friday. The week before Christmas is out, 1, because of Christmas break, and 2, it is expensive to go to Disney at this time. This leaves the week of the 4th, or the week of the 11th. I want to leave on a Saturday, and come back on a Saturday so I can have a day to relax before going back to work, so it is the 4th - 11th or the 11th - 18th. How to choose.

In my research for my friend who was going the first week of December, I found out that Disney tapes the Christmas Day parade the first week in December. My first thought is “IT’S NOT LIVE! I’VE BEEN DUPED!” After I calmed down a bit my next thought is “OMG! I AM THINKING OF GOING THE FIRST WEEK, I CAN BE PART OF THE CHRISTMAS PARADE AND THEN I CAN WATCH IT ON TV!” Please let the taping be Dec 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, please let the taping be Dec. 4, well you get the idea.

It is decided. We are definitely going down on the 4th-11th. Nothing is going to change that.

Where to stay. We like the All-Star Movies but it is kind of out in the middle of nowhere, and without my car do I want to stay there? The buses worked out fine for us, but we did have to wait sometimes. Eh, let’s think about other places. Where would I want to stay?

Wilderness Lodge – Very nice resort. Love the pics online. OK, that’s on the list.

Port Orleans – Wow, these places look nice. Add them to the list.

Caribbean Beach Club – Well, we have been to Jamaica and the Bahamas, do we need to stay at a place in Florida similar to them. Nah, ok off the list.

Boardwalk Inn – Nice looking place, but if I want to go see a boardwalk I can drive to Jersey. Take them off the list.

Diane said she would love to stay at the Grand Floridian. Hmm. Holy Crap, it costs how much? Sorry, off the list.

The Polynesian is a Monorail Resort... Whoa! That’s expensive too. Off the list

Animal Kingdom Lodge – A Deluxe level hotel, but has the lowest prices. Views of the animals, so I could wake up every morning look out my balcony and see animals. The Pics of the resort are beautiful. OK, I think we can swing this, it’s a bit pricey, but hey it’s Disney, you know “The most expensive place on Earth”. If I can get the buy 4 get 3 free or a 40% off PIN code from Disney then maybe, just maybe we have a winner. We could be staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge from December 4th – 11th. Hopefully we can even get in on the taping for the Christmas Parade on ABC.

This is exciting, I gotta tell the wife. What was the response?

OK, I will see if I can get that time off of work.

Why am I the only one who gets excited for these things? I know it is a year and a half away, but COME ON! Show me something here.

Just love this post!!! And yes the parade is taped on the 4th this year!!! STAY AWAY from MK that day!!! It is a mad house!!! But seriously if you are thinking of going to the taping, search around the boards I believe you can get tickets to get close to the performances.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Hmmmmm, when was that parade taping again?

I just can't put my finger on it.

Seriously it's on the tip of my tongue....... OK enough of that.

I didn't know it was that day actually, that's an MK planned day for me. Great update! Love how you were duped.

 

[Tinker_Tam]

We were originally planning on MK on the 4th but when I read how crazy things get with the parade taping and how long it really takes I decided to skip it. We had reservations for Tony's that night so I canceled those too.

 

[TruBlu]

And yes the parade is taped on the 4th this year!!! STAY AWAY from MK that day!!! It is a mad house!!!

We were originally planning on MK on the 4th but when I read how crazy things get with the parade taping and how long it really takes I decided to skip it. We had reservations for Tony's that night so I canceled those too.

We'll be at MK that day, too. It's our first day, so we HAVE to go to MK!!! We're going to hang out in Epcot until our dinner at WCC at 5:00. After dinner we plan to take a boat to MK. I booked a Wishes dessert party that night. I am hoping that it wont be too crazy.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Just love this post!!! And yes the parade is taped on the 4th this year!!! STAY AWAY from MK that day!!! It is a mad house!!! But seriously if you are thinking of going to the taping, search around the boards I believe you can get tickets to get close to the performances.

Thanks. I had alot of fun writing this one. I don't think my friend had as good of a trip as she could have. I need to start my own business as a Disney Vacation planner. Talk about a job you could love. Of course, I would have to live on Disney property. Anybody want to give, err I mean loan me a couple of million so I can buy one of those new houses Disney is building? Once my business is successful, and I am making lots of money I will pay you back.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Great update! Love how you were duped.

I never realized that the Christmas Day parade was taped. I guess the lack of the word "Live" on the screen didn't clue me in, but I don't recall any disclaimer stating that it was pre-taped. Oh well. Guess those sneaky Disney folks got me. I can just see them now, sitting in front of their computers and reading this PTR laughing at me, celebrating that they got me. Here is what they look like too.






Am I the only one who thought it was live?

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

We'll be at MK that day, too. It's our first day, so we HAVE to go to MK!!! We're going to hang out in Epcot until our dinner at WCC at 5:00. After dinner we plan to take a boat to MK. I booked a Wishes dessert party that night. I am hoping that it wont be too crazy.

Not sure what it will be like that day, but the taping is in the morning, and people may be avoiding the park that day, so you might be safe going that evening. Of course it could be a madhouse too. What do I know, I didn't even know the parade was taped. You shouldn't rely on me for information.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

I just found an interesting site that lists the best weeks to travel to Disney. Dec 4th is tops on the list for the week to check in, Dec 11th is third on the list. Using the link below you can see the 2010 and the 2011 rankings.

**************.net

 

[serene56]

I had a friend that went with her grand kids recently- I tried to tell them "stuff" but you know the travel agent knows more then what I am talking about.
They PAID for their dining and thought that they can only eat the meals in the Pop Century food court-- even spent their snack credits there- came home with all the table service credits since there was no place available for them to eat.
They got to the parks about 11:30- noon because the kids wanted to swim- so of course they arrived while the parks are at the hottest--let along more crowded.
Then they tried to stay late with 2 little kids---
(Scarey is the word) why do people put out that kind of money and expect miracles?