November 2012 Trip planners #4~almost Disney time! Everyone welcome!

[MomofKatie]

I surprised DD when she was 9 with a Mother's Day weekend trip. I kept it from her until we were in the car on the way to FL. I picked her up from school at noon- her teacher knew about the trip and kept the secret. I told her I had an eye doctor appointment far from home.

We got over 2 hours down the road before I told her. I gave her a Mother's Day card from her teddy bear. It said that she was going to get a call and be ready for it. I had arranged for DD to get one of those automated character calls from Mickey telling her to have a good trip.

She answered the phone and listened to Mickey, but still didn't get it. As soon as she hung up, I had one of my Disney CDs playing "When You Wish Upon A Star". It finally hit her, and she just lost it- she was so excited, she was crying and screaming. It was great! She told me I was the best mom ever (made me cry, too).

We had a wonderful 3 days at WDW- went to the Pirates & Princess Party, got to see Epcot during the Flower & Garden Festival, and enjoyed a great Mom/Daughter Mother's Day weekend.

I would do another surprise trip again- she loved it and I loved surprising her!

 

[FaerieFire]

Have any of you done Jedi Training before?

DS (then 5.5) did on our last trip. He had a blast. It wasn't quite what I heard it used to be, but it's nice that most or all of the kids who want to do it get a chance now.


I am also planning to surprise DS (now 7). Right now, the plan is to tell him on Halloween that we're going to Legoland, which he's been asking about but I don't think really has an idea where it is located. It's a two-day drive for us, so I'm going to be really hard-pressed not to say anything. (It's already really difficult!) I'm hoping to have the video recording him when we get to the WDW sign, and fingers crossed he won't figure it out before then. And, surprise! We're going to LegoLand, but we're staying at Disney World!
So hard to know if the surprise potential is better than the anticipation. But he had 6 weeks' notice last trip, and I'm interested to see what the difference is...

°o° Lace — Planning our second WDW adventure, 11/1-10 AoA-LM (Sent from my iPad using DISBoards)

 

[disneychic2]

I will be staying at the All star music...don't really know if I made a good choice, but the hotel looked nice =). Where can I find that book? Cause I certainly don't know how to go about planning this trip, and the day keeps getting closer and closer! =/

You can also get the Unofficial Guide at the library. My best piece of advice would be (aside from the U Guide of course) to order the free personalized maps offered on the Disney site and study them to familiarize yourself with each park so you don't spend half your day wandering around wondering where each attraction/restaurant/bathroom is.

We're surprising out DDs (ages 6, 3, & 1.5) the morning of our trip. It is KILLING me to wait, but I KNOW it will be worth it -- especially since my 6 y/o is quite the drama queen, I know she will makes such a huge show when she finds out

We are planning on putting their suitcases (already packed) in a wrapped box with a note that says "open me" and the box will have Disney balloons in it with attached signs that say "Grab your bags" and "You're going to Disney World TODAY!"

That's not where the surprises end, though... we aren't telling them ANYTHING -- nothing about where we are staying (Finding Nemo suite), any of our character meals or the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique... and best of all, not a word about our "Good Bye" breakfast the day we leave at Cinderella's Royal Table in the castle.

I really can't wait!!!

That is such a great idea! I know they will be so excited! Get lots of pics and post them here when you get back.

I surprised DD when she was 9 with a Mother's Day weekend trip. I kept it from her until we were in the car on the way to FL. I picked her up from school at noon- her teacher knew about the trip and kept the secret. I told her I had an eye doctor appointment far from home.

We got over 2 hours down the road before I told her. I gave her a Mother's Day card from her teddy bear. It said that she was going to get a call and be ready for it. I had arranged for DD to get one of those automated character calls from Mickey telling her to have a good trip.

She answered the phone and listened to Mickey, but still didn't get it. As soon as she hung up, I had one of my Disney CDs playing "When You Wish Upon A Star". It finally hit her, and she just lost it- she was so excited, she was crying and screaming. It was great! She told me I was the best mom ever (made me cry, too).

We had a wonderful 3 days at WDW- went to the Pirates & Princess Party, got to see Epcot during the Flower & Garden Festival, and enjoyed a great Mom/Daughter Mother's Day weekend.

I would do another surprise trip again- she loved it and I loved surprising her!

Awww, that is so sweet! What a great way to start a trip. Sounds like such a special time and your DD will remember it all her life. Way to go, Mom!

Reminds me of this past April when we took our DGD for her first Disney trip. Our last day there she turned to me and said "You've made all my wishes come true." You can't put a price on that kind of feeling!

 

[mrsap]

I surprised DD when she was 9 with a Mother's Day weekend trip. I kept it from her until we were in the car on the way to FL. I picked her up from school at noon- her teacher knew about the trip and kept the secret. I told her I had an eye doctor appointment far from home.

We got over 2 hours down the road before I told her. I gave her a Mother's Day card from her teddy bear. It said that she was going to get a call and be ready for it. I had arranged for DD to get one of those automated character calls from Mickey telling her to have a good trip.

She answered the phone and listened to Mickey, but still didn't get it. As soon as she hung up, I had one of my Disney CDs playing "When You Wish Upon A Star". It finally hit her, and she just lost it- she was so excited, she was crying and screaming. It was great! She told me I was the best mom ever (made me cry, too).

We had a wonderful 3 days at WDW- went to the Pirates & Princess Party, got to see Epcot during the Flower & Garden Festival, and enjoyed a great Mom/Daughter Mother's Day weekend.

I would do another surprise trip again- she loved it and I loved surprising her!

What a wonderful story, you made me cry!!!!! Happy she was so excited!!!

 

[guarn3md]

It doesn't follow the 180 day rule. The dates for November haven't been released yet, which is why it always says that the time/day is unavailable. It can open anytime from now until about the 2nd week in Sept according to past years when November has "opened". I just keep checking every day and one day it will open up. Of course, you will also hear about it opening here and there is a DIS thread dedicated to the Dessert Party opening up. Good luck! Nov 6 is the date I have picked as well, maybe we'll both get lucky enough to get it together!! I also have some back-up dates in mind in case it sells out before I can get to it.

Good to know... I thought I missed the opening of the dates and wouldn't be able to do this again. November 6th is the date I picked for this event too!! We did this party in July of 2010 and it was AWESOME!!
Debbie

 

[mamamini]

I surprised DD when she was 9 with a Mother's Day weekend trip. I kept it from her until we were in the car on the way to FL. I picked her up from school at noon- her teacher knew about the trip and kept the secret. I told her I had an eye doctor appointment far from home.

We got over 2 hours down the road before I told her. I gave her a Mother's Day card from her teddy bear. It said that she was going to get a call and be ready for it. I had arranged for DD to get one of those automated character calls from Mickey telling her to have a good trip.

She answered the phone and listened to Mickey, but still didn't get it. As soon as she hung up, I had one of my Disney CDs playing "When You Wish Upon A Star". It finally hit her, and she just lost it- she was so excited, she was crying and screaming. It was great! She told me I was the best mom ever (made me cry, too).

We had a wonderful 3 days at WDW- went to the Pirates & Princess Party, got to see Epcot during the Flower & Garden Festival, and enjoyed a great Mom/Daughter Mother's Day weekend.

I would do another surprise trip again- she loved it and I loved surprising her!

That is so lovely! I actually had a little tear! I would love to live close enough to surprise my girls like that, what an awesome memory for you both.

 

[princesshope1982]

does anyone do pin trading? if so is it worth it to start and how would it work? i heard cast members have to trade? is this true

 

[Santa]

I have added a day to our trip.
We arrive at ASmo Nov. 23. We still depart Dec 1.

Thanks for keeping up with everyones ressies & changes.

 

[sjs314]

Schedule & Narrators
American Gardens Theatre (5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 8:15 p.m.)
November 23 to November 25, 2012 — Geena Davis
November 26 to November 29, 2012 — Neil Patrick Harris
November 30 to December 1, 2012 — Whoopi Goldberg
December 2 to December 4, 2012 — Andy Garcia
December 5 to December 7, 2012 — TBA
December 8 to December 9, 2012 — James Denton
December 10 to December 13, 2012 — Jodi Benson
December 14 to December 16, 2012 — Olivia Newton John
December 17 to December 19, 2012 — TBA
December 20 to December 22, 2012 — Trace Adkins
December 23 to December 25, 2012 — Gary Sinise
December 26 to December 28, 2012 — Amy Grant
December 29 to December 30, 2012 — Marlee Matlin / Jack Jason

 

[Smileybug]

99 DAYS!!
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Double Didgets!!​

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[disneychic2]

Schedule & Narrators
American Gardens Theatre (5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 8:15 p.m.)
November 23 to November 25, 2012 — Geena Davis
November 26 to November 29, 2012 — Neil Patrick Harris
November 30 to December 1, 2012 — Whoopi Goldberg
December 2 to December 4, 2012 — Andy Garcia
December 5 to December 7, 2012 — TBA
December 8 to December 9, 2012 — James Denton
December 10 to December 13, 2012 — Jodi Benson
December 14 to December 16, 2012 — Olivia Newton John
December 17 to December 19, 2012 — TBA
December 20 to December 22, 2012 — Trace Adkins
December 23 to December 25, 2012 — Gary Sinise
December 26 to December 28, 2012 — Amy Grant
December 29 to December 30, 2012 — Marlee Matlin / Jack Jason

I just checked yesterday morning and it wasn't there!! Thanks for the update. We'll be hearing Andy Garcia on the 4th. Very happy about that!

99 DAYS!!
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Double Didgets!!​

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Yay for double digit dances!!

I'll dance with you this morning...

 

[Divaofdisney]

Schedule & Narrators
American Gardens Theatre (5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 8:15 p.m.)
November 23 to November 25, 2012 — Geena Davis
November 26 to November 29, 2012 — Neil Patrick Harris
November 30 to December 1, 2012 — Whoopi Goldberg
December 2 to December 4, 2012 — Andy Garcia
December 5 to December 7, 2012 — TBA
December 8 to December 9, 2012 — James Denton
December 10 to December 13, 2012 — Jodi Benson
December 14 to December 16, 2012 — Olivia Newton John
December 17 to December 19, 2012 — TBA
December 20 to December 22, 2012 — Trace Adkins
December 23 to December 25, 2012 — Gary Sinise
December 26 to December 28, 2012 — Amy Grant
December 29 to December 30, 2012 — Marlee Matlin / Jack Jason

Good Morning!! It is so nice out there this morning a little cool and sun shining so brightly!!

I see they have switched out Isabella Rossellini for Geena Davis on 23rd which is when we are slated to go. I wonder why? It doesn't really matter to us, just being there to experience it, is enough for us and we are thrilled with who ever is there!!

The next order of business is for ADR for BOG, really really hoping for dinner on Thanksgiving- now that will be one memorable evening for sure!! A little pixie dust couldn't hurt either. Wish me luck on Monday at 11:59am- that's when I am calling!!

I have a long day of work ahead so I hope everyone has a fantastic and magical day!! Oh and BTW we are at 91 days and counting!! Ta ta!!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

ok here is our detailed WDW vacation plan and ADR's:

Walt Disney World Vacation: November 14-22, 2012
Day #1- Thursday Nov. 14 Arrive @ Port Orleans Riverside
Dinner- Jiko- Animal Kingdom Lodge -6:05PM

Day #2- Thursday Nov 15 Rest Day & Downtown Disney:
Breakfast- Coffee and Beignets at resort
Lunch- House of Blues- 1pm

**Carriage Ride around resort @ 5:30 PM (Conf.# 422081074625)

Dinner- California Grill @ Contemporary Resort- everyone 7:30pm

Day #3 Friday Nov. 16 Magic Kingdom Park:
Breakfast- Breakfast @ Main Street Bakery
Lunch- Crystal Palace- 12:05pm everyone
Dinner- Cinderella’s Royal Table- 5:15pm (Sarah, and Rachel)
Tony’s Town Square- 5:10pm (Mom and Dad)

**Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – 7PM

Day #4- Saturday Nov. 17 Epcot
Breakfast- grab something at hotel before leaving for EPCOT
Lunch- Coral Reef- 12:20pm
Dinner- Tappan Edo- Sarah and Rachel- 7:10pm
Turf Bar and Grill @ Saratoga Springs Resort- (Mom and Dad) 6:30pm

Day #5 Sunday Nov. 18 Animal Kingdom Park
Breakfast- Donald’s Breakfast Safari Tusker house @ 9:10am
Lunch- Rainforest Café-1:30pm everyone
Dinner- Narcosee’s- Grand Floridian 7:15pm

Day #6- Monday Nov. 19 MGM Studios
Breakfast- Grab quick bite at hotel before leaving for MGM
Lunch- Prime Time Café: 12:35pm
Dinner- Yachtsman’s Steakhouse- Beach and Yacht Club 7:00pm

*Osborne’s Family Christmas Spectacle of Lights

Day #7- Tuesday Nov. 20 Blizzard Beach- fun & rest day
Breakfast- grab bite at hotel before heading to water park
Lunch- grab lunch at Water Park
Dinner- Wolfgang Puck’s “The Dining Room”- Downtown Disney 7:00 PM

Day #8- Wednesday Nov. 21 Magic Kingdom Park/ whatever else-
Breakfast- Kona Cafe – 8:45am
Lunch- Liberty Tree Tavern- 1:30 pm
Dinner- Spirit of Aloha Show- Polynesian Hotel –*show 8PM arrive @ 7:15PM

Day#9- Thursday Nov. 22 Happy Thanksgiving- Leave for Universal Orlando
Be Our Guest- hopefully for dinner at MK

Day #10 Friday Nov. 23- Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure
EPCOT at 4pm
Dinner at Chefs De France @ 4:15pm
**Candlelight Processional at EPCOT- American Adventure Pavilion
Dinner Package- for 6:45PM show with Isabella Rossellini –share the biblical story about the Birth of Christ and also prime seating for Illuminations Fireworks Spectacular!!!

Day #11- Saturday Nov. 24- Universal Orlando/IOA

Day #12- Sunday Nov. 25th – leave for home.

Ill update it in a bit!

I assume you are talking about the tomorrowland dessert terrace party.....I have tried to make resisies for Nov. 6th for several months but never any luck. Do you think that date is truly not avail or perhaps are they just not taking ressies for it yet....I would think it would follow the 180 day rule that restaurants do but then again I am a DW novice.....I would love to surprise family with that!!!!

No it doesnt follow the 180 day rule...the dates should open up late Aug or Early Sept

It doesn't follow the 180 day rule. The dates for November haven't been released yet, which is why it always says that the time/day is unavailable. It can open anytime from now until about the 2nd week in Sept according to past years when November has "opened". I just keep checking every day and one day it will open up. Of course, you will also hear about it opening here and there is a DIS thread dedicated to the Dessert Party opening up. Good luck! Nov 6 is the date I have picked as well, maybe we'll both get lucky enough to get it together!! I also have some back-up dates in mind in case it sells out before I can get to it.

I have picked November 27th...our MVMCP night but that is the only night we have for it....my DD doesnt wanna go but I do

Thanks so much for the info....couple other questions...do they have multiple seating or just one time slot per night...for instance that night..Nov. 6th....no main street parade just wishes at 8pm....so what time would I pick for ressie or would it default to just one time...lastly when do I need to be in line and what time do they start to seat....

you get a time... DH and I got 820 last year. It was our MVMCP night so wishes was at 930. we were all let in about 810-815. It was staggered times but everyone was let in together.

does anyone do pin trading? if so is it worth it to start and how would it work? i heard cast members have to trade? is this true

yes I do. My DD's did it. I got a 40 pin lot on ebay and split them up. When you go to the parks, yes if the CM has pins, they have to trade them with kids.. but I only asked a cm if they were wearing a whole bunch of pins... it was really neat! We are doing it again this year

I have added a day to our trip.
We arrive at ASmo Nov. 23. We still depart Dec 1.

Thanks for keeping up with everyones ressies & changes.

I will get it in a few!

Good Morning!! It is so nice out there this morning a little cool and sun shining so brightly!!

I see they have switched out Isabella Rossellini for Geena Davis on 23rd which is when we are slated to go. I wonder why? It doesn't really matter to us, just being there to experience it, is enough for us and we are thrilled with who ever is there!!

The next order of business is for ADR for BOG, really really hoping for dinner on Thanksgiving- now that will be one memorable evening for sure!! A little pixie dust couldn't hurt either. Wish me luck on Monday at 11:59am- that's when I am calling!!

I have a long day of work ahead so I hope everyone has a fantastic and magical day!! Oh and BTW we are at 91 days and counting!! Ta ta!!

We have NPH.... wondering if I should switch to Geena Davis! I love her!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

99 DAYS!!
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Double Didgets!!​

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you know when us end of the monthers get to less then 100 days, its gonna go fast!!!! I am at 101 dyas today, 100 tomorrow and 99 on saturday!!!!

 

[dazednconfused]

I'm at 102 days. Just 3 more days till I get to do the double digit dance!!

 

[Hitchhiking Ghost]

does anyone do pin trading? if so is it worth it to start and how would it work? i heard cast members have to trade? is this true

I think they have to trade, but I can't confirm or not.

We don't do pin trading, I know a lot of families and adults in particular take it pretty seriously. What I am planning to do before our upcoming trip at Thanksgiving is to either thru Craigslist or Ebay buy Disney Pins in bulk for our 3DD (ages 5-7-10). They don't know they are going yet, so I may surprise them with a bunch of pins as a way of telling them or giving them a hint. I'll pick up 3 lanyards then let the girls choose which pins they want then as they go thru the parks they can simply ask the CM's to trade. They won't be worrying about retired, hard to get or anything like that, it will just be the fun of finding a pin they like and the idea they can trade. I think you can usually get a lot of 25 pins or more for a pretty decent price, probably less than $2 a pin, so its a quick and affordable way to get someone started on it. The downside is that its pot luck, you don't know which pins you are getting, but if the intent is to trade them anyway, it doesn't matter.

 

[mom2rose&john]

Too funny. I have been so busy with work and my non-disney life that I haven't been online in a few days. I finally get on to the disboards go to my subscribed files and see that there haven't been posts to thread 3 in two days. And then find out there is a 4th thread and already 13 pages into it. How can I be so out of the loop

I am at 100 days Tomorrow is the double digit for me.

Is anyone ordering from Garden Grocer? I wonder if I should or just pack what I need.

I will post my ADR's below:

11-24: Garden Grill 6:35pm
11-25: 1900 Park Fare 6:10pm
11-26: Fantasmic Package H&V 3:35pm
11-27: Tusker House 11:15am
11-28: Crystal Palace 6:10pm
11-29: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall 11:00am

Mommyof3princess27, you are awesome for organizing all this. Thank you!!

PS - And I originally posted to the wrong thread. I need more coffee!!

 

[disneychic2]

I think they have to trade, but I can't confirm or not.

We don't do pin trading, I know a lot of families and adults in particular take it pretty seriously. What I am planning to do before our upcoming trip at Thanksgiving is to either thru Craigslist or Ebay buy Disney Pins in bulk for our 3DD (ages 5-7-10). They don't know they are going yet, so I may surprise them with a bunch of pins as a way of telling them or giving them a hint. I'll pick up 3 lanyards then let the girls choose which pins they want then as they go thru the parks they can simply ask the CM's to trade. They won't be worrying about retired, hard to get or anything like that, it will just be the fun of finding a pin they like and the idea they can trade. I think you can usually get a lot of 25 pins or more for a pretty decent price, probably less than $2 a pin, so its a quick and affordable way to get someone started on it. The downside is that its pot luck, you don't know which pins you are getting, but if the intent is to trade them anyway, it doesn't matter.

Up front I'll say I don't know a lot about the trading aspect of pins. I just buy ones I love and never part with them. But I have read here on the DIS that a lot of the bulk ebay pins are not authentic Disney pins. I have also heard that the CMs don't trade for non-authentic pins. Not sure what the real truth is, but maybe if you do a search on fake pins you'll find some info on it. I just mention this because I would hate to have your little ones disappointed if their pins are not tradable. Good luck!

 

[Smileybug]

you know when us end of the monthers get to less then 100 days, its gonna go fast!!!! I am at 101 dyas today, 100 tomorrow and 99 on saturday!!!!

I know...... A little scary.

 

[disneychic2]

Okay, I just did a search on fake pins and found a lot of information. Apparently there are "overruns" of pins that are called scrappers. Disney orders 5,000 of a pin and the company makes 7,000 so they have 5,000 good ones to ship. They sell the others to 3rd party vendors.

The fake ones come in when a company manufactures copies of pins and sells them as authentic. Like any counterfeit product, you can tell the difference. Here is a link to more information about this if you care to check it out. It does look as though CMs trade for the scrappers but not the counterfeit ones. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2213419&highlight=fake+disney+pins

Oops the link didn't work, but just search "fake pins" and you'll find lots of info. Hope this helps.