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

[mommyof3princess27]

ATTENTION ALL: 2 MONTHS!!!!!!!!!

Somehow I missed Smileybug paying off her trip?!?!

 

[aubreysmom09]

Wow we had a busy weekend, and preparing DD for school. I come back, and it was busy. I really shouldn't be surprised. I need to catch up.

 

[Schmoodle]

Hello, November Trippers.
I am already listed, but have had a busy summer and haven't posted on this thread much. There's no way I can catch up on all I've missed, so I'll just jump right in.
Currently reserved at POR with "free" dining November 13 - 18 for an adults-only 50th birthday celebration with by best friend since high school. Flights were purchased, itinerary is loosely planned, and dining reservations made at 180 days out:
Tues 13th - Dinner at Kona Cafe
Weds 14th - Lunch at Cpt Grill, dinner at Les Chefs
Thurs 15th - Dinner at 'Ohana
Fri 16th - Breakfast at Tusker House, dinner at Boma
Sat 17th - Lunch at Le Cellier

All that's left now is to pay my package (due in two weeks) and find other details about which to obsess. I do want to take another look at our lodging options in case any fabulous deals are being offered anywhere.
And I sure wish they would add a MVMCP on Tuesday 13th. That would be the perfect arrival evening activity! Seems like they added some nights last year, maybe wishful thinking?
Now, we just wait impatiently...

 

[Eeyores#1Fan]

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!! I managed to not cry today when dropping DD off to school. I'm making progress.

 

[mamamini]

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!! I managed to not cry today when dropping DD off to school. I'm making progress.

I feel your emotion! Mine just started school yesterday and I still get emotional and they are 9 and 7! Back to the gym today, finally.

Congrats Smiley for paying off everything, I'll be there in a couple of weeks. It just feels great when that happens, and sooooo real!!

Have a great day everyone

 

[AquaDame]

I have to admit, I was bummed about a few things (no free dining, no "room only" discount on our days/resort, no BOG or Fantasy Land expansion, just to name a few) but now I'm getting ANGRY!!! I was so excited for the girls to play there!!!

I have to keep reminding myself that they won't have any idea what they are missing, and I haven't mentioned ANY of these missed discounts to H, haha.

I almost wish I was in the dark and didn't know just how much we're missing out on... oh well, I'm wiser for the next time...

Sometimes it just feels like luck of the draw... when I booked I had no idea FLE wouldn't be open (they said Fall, but Dec 6th is very much on the very tail end of fall and IMO already into the holiday season, not before), they hadn't announced TL or the HISTA being closed, etc. Maybe if we wait until a couple months before to book...? But then we miss out on the exciting ADRs.... oof!

i agree,im feeling really disappointed. this might be our only trip down there for a long time and we are going to miss so much.

If we sat down and made a list of everything that was closed and everything that is not, we really aren't - it just feels like we are!

 

[MamaPoppins]

cant wait to have a turkey leg and ride rides oh and have dinner with belle...super excited time to start my decorating plans n jus found out (by reading boards then askin big sis) the fam is wanting to do disney count dwn dinners again...yaya luv these so much

 

[disneychic2]

ATTENTION ALL: 2 MONTHS!!!!!!!!!

Doing the dance with you...can't wait to be at 2 months!

I know how you feel on the discounts. The days we're going are blacked out with the FD, the room discounts, airline miles, plus our room choice at AoA LM is excluded from what discounts there are on other dates. I feel fortunate that we booked our trip before the prices went up so we're getting a pretty awesome deal, even without discounts. Fantasyland will be closed while we are there but we may see some soft openings. The other thing that will be closed is the Test Track at Epcot, which I've yet to try because on previous trips either it was closed for maintenance, weather or we didn't go to Epcot. The Honey I Shrunk the Audience movie closing is also a bit of a bummer. While I know the movie series is very old and that probably needed refreshing, the 3D movies were a lot of fun and that's one less thing to do at Epcot.

All of that being said, the new Agent P World Showcase will be fun, as will the Phineas and Ferb Meet & Greet and the Phineas and Ferb interactive at DTD. (our girls love P&F) We're going to do a lot of stuff we didn't do last time, including Ohana, F!, fireworks at Epcot and more. The wonderful thing about going to The World to see The Mouse is that there is always something new and exciting to see and do! That's the same reason my wife and I love going to Las Vegas. It's nearly impossible to see/do everything there and it gives you a reason to go back.

Like any of us need a reason to go back right?

Love the great attitude! If it makes you feel any better, it's the Honey I Shrunk the Kids PLAYGROUND that is closing, located in HS. The 3D movie was replaced by Captain EO at Epcot a couple years ago.

I originally had date earlier in November and switched in order to do CP. I'm very glad I did because I really want to ride Test Track! But the thing is, you are so right, there is so much to do and experience that you'd be hard pressed to NOT have a great time. And the memories you're making with your family are of course, priceless!!

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!! I managed to not cry today when dropping DD off to school. I'm making progress.

Bless you're heart. It is such an emotional event, isn't it? My DD cried putting her little one on the bus for the first time last week. I would have too! Hope your DD has a great experience at school!

cant wait to have a turkey leg and ride rides oh and have dinner with belle...super excited time to start my decorating plans n jus found out (by reading boards then askin big sis) the fam is wanting to do disney count dwn dinners again...yaya luv these so much

Gotta love the count down dinners!

The things I can't wait for is that first walk into the MK and down Main Street, smelling the wonderful aromas and then spotting the castle in the distance. I admit to tearing up every time. That first ride on soarin, ToT, RnRc, HM, the list goes on. I'm like a kid at Christmas. The attractions, the music, the parades...all combine to just be so magical! Now I'm really wanting to be there!

 

[disneychic2]

One thing for you earlier November peeps to keep in mind is that there probably WILL be a soft opening, it's just a matter of if you'll be at the right place at the right time prior to 11/19. Keep checking and you may get lucky. The trade off is, you'll most likely have better weather than we will and you get to go to MNSSHP!!! Love that party!!

After our son leaves to go back to Florida tomorrow morning, I'm going to get serious about figuring out what clothes we're packing for Disney. In December 2010 we experienced two days in a row with highs of 32 degrees and since the 10 day forecast was for the 70s the whole week, we were caught without much in the way of warmer clothes. The whole 8 days we were there, we wore shorts only one day and actually wished we hadn't as we were chilly. So, I will be trying to figure out a happy medium in my packing.

 

[Shunasee]

Paid off our trip today!

Got the reservations for the dessert party!

My mom won a free trip to Vegas on the radio this morning!

Its a good day all around!


Now that we got the dessert party and the trip paid off, nothing left to do but wait. It is way to early to pack.

Hope everyone has a good rest of the day.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Hello, November Trippers.
I am already listed, but have had a busy summer and haven't posted on this thread much. There's no way I can catch up on all I've missed, so I'll just jump right in.
Currently reserved at POR with "free" dining November 13 - 18 for an adults-only 50th birthday celebration with by best friend since high school. Flights were purchased, itinerary is loosely planned, and dining reservations made at 180 days out:
Tues 13th - Dinner at Kona Cafe
Weds 14th - Lunch at Cpt Grill, dinner at Les Chefs
Thurs 15th - Dinner at 'Ohana
Fri 16th - Breakfast at Tusker House, dinner at Boma
Sat 17th - Lunch at Le Cellier

All that's left now is to pay my package (due in two weeks) and find other details about which to obsess. I do want to take another look at our lodging options in case any fabulous deals are being offered anywhere.
And I sure wish they would add a MVMCP on Tuesday 13th. That would be the perfect arrival evening activity! Seems like they added some nights last year, maybe wishful thinking?
Now, we just wait impatiently...

ok i will add you!

Paid off our trip today!

Got the reservations for the dessert party!

My mom won a free trip to Vegas on the radio this morning!

Its a good day all around!


Now that we got the dessert party and the trip paid off, nothing left to do but wait. It is way to early to pack.

Hope everyone has a good rest of the day.

 

[MomofKatie]

One thing for you earlier November peeps to keep in mind is that there probably WILL be a soft opening, it's just a matter of if you'll be at the right place at the right time prior to 11/19. Keep checking and you may get lucky. The trade off is, you'll most likely have better weather than we will and you get to go to MNSSHP!!! Love that party!!

I have my fingers crossed that we will luck out with soft openings at the FLE. We decided to add hopping to our tickets just for that- I am going to keep looking at my LINES app while we are there, and if I hear of people getting to experience the FLE, we will head over to the MK.

 

[vleeth]

My dd7 is working on a badge for American Heritage Girls. She had to pick 3 countries, make their flag, and play a game or do a craft for each country.

She picked China, Canada and Germany. With help from an Epcot map we made the flags. Now we are working on the game/craft part. Does anyone know of any games or crafts they sell at those countries in Epcot? I really want her to be able to connect what she is doing with what she sees when we get to Epcot.

Thanks!!!

 

[Broncobilly83]

One thing for you earlier November peeps to keep in mind is that there probably WILL be a soft opening, it's just a matter of if you'll be at the right place at the right time prior to 11/19. Keep checking and you may get lucky. The trade off is, you'll most likely have better weather than we will and you get to go to MNSSHP!!! Love that party!!

That is definitely good advice, and is actually being given to guests who inquire about it with hotel & food CMs. I asked my Club Level CMs at WL, and they said the best bet is to check at Town Hall in the morning to see if there is anything going on that is not AP restricted

 

[disneychic2]

Paid off our trip today!

Got the reservations for the dessert party!

My mom won a free trip to Vegas on the radio this morning!

Its a good day all around!


Now that we got the dessert party and the trip paid off, nothing left to do but wait. It is way to early to pack.

Hope everyone has a good rest of the day.

That IS a good day!

My dd7 is working on a badge for American Heritage Girls. She had to pick 3 countries, make their flag, and play a game or do a craft for each country.

She picked China, Canada and Germany. With help from an Epcot map we made the flags. Now we are working on the game/craft part. Does anyone know of any games or crafts they sell at those countries in Epcot? I really want her to be able to connect what she is doing with what she sees when we get to Epcot.

Thanks!!!

That sounds so neat. I can't help with the games or craft question, but I just think that's a cool assignment.

 

[disneychic2]

Okay, I was on another thread and someone just got back from WDW and posted this (Warning, if you don't want to know how Maurice's cottage works, don't read this!!):

Maurice's Cottage
We just got back last night from WDW and can't wait for our January trip, especially for Fantasyland to open up. To our surprise yesterday after being inside Mickey's Philharmagic an announcement was made that Disney is doing a testing on one of the new attractions at Fantasyland and if we had an hour to spare and would like to take part please head back to the blue construction walls and cast members will direct you from there. So of course we went to check it out, we only had 1.5 hours until we had to catch the ME to the airport but we weren't going to miss this opportunity to be some of the first to see parts of the new Fantasyland additions.

DD had a Belle outfit on and the CMs leading us into Fantasyland kept making a fuss over DD. So we started to think we were going to see some of the new Beauty and the Beast areas of Fantasyland.

Just let me tell you the details we saw were AMAZING .

We got to enter in Maurice's cottage. Hanging on a wall is a picture of Belle as a child with her mom. There is also a growth chart of Belle on one of the walls. We of course had our DD stand next to it to see where she compared with Belle. There is even the book that Belle is reading in the movie and the sheep took a bite out of the page sitting on a table inside the cottage.

Then they take you into Maurice's workshop. There are blueprints all over the place and a beautiful mirror hanging on one of the walls. We made sure to stand in front of the mirror. Once everyone is inside, the CM tells you no more flash photography and asks us to repeat after him. "Show us the night Belle and Beast fall in love" The mirror then transforms into a doorway and we are asked to walk through. It was so magically to see the mirror transform and then walk into Beast's castle.

Once inside the castle, which is breathtaking , another CM is there with the enchanted wardrobe. Yes, there is a lifesize talking/animated wardrobe inside this room. They explain that the Beast wants to surprise Belle by having us "villagers" help retell the story of how they met. They ask for villagers to help act out the parts. DH was picked to be one of the "marching" knights. The villager actors are given props for their roles and we all practice our "parts".

We are then lead into the Castle Library and Luminaire is on the mantle to meet us along with two additional CMs. The actors are asked to take their places and the rest of us "villagers" are asked to take a seat on three different rows of benches. We decided to sit on the far right side of the room up front to be position in front of DH. WHich happened to be a great spot because we were seated right next to the door that Belle entered and exited. Everyone acted out their parts and they had a Photopass photographer taking pictures. All the actors got a bookmark from Belle and a special photopass card with Belle on the card. I wasn't planning on buying photopass from this trip but now I might be tempted once I load up all our cards.

I am so excited that we got see this firsthand and now can't wait to see the rest of fantasyland in January. We didn't make reservations for BOG and now I am regretting it since we got to see some of the new Fantasyland yesterday. I guess I will keep trying to add BOG or just try our luck for lunch in January.



I think this sounds so cool!! Can't wait to experience it. I thought the early November people might be heartened by the fact that they are having people randomly go through this early.

 

[Smileybug]

Okay, I was on another thread and someone just got back from WDW and posted this (Warning, if you don't want to know how Maurice's cottage works, don't read this!!):

Maurice's Cottage
We just got back last night from WDW and can't wait for our January trip, especially for Fantasyland to open up. To our surprise yesterday after being inside Mickey's Philharmagic an announcement was made that Disney is doing a testing on one of the new attractions at Fantasyland and if we had an hour to spare and would like to take part please head back to the blue construction walls and cast members will direct you from there. So of course we went to check it out, we only had 1.5 hours until we had to catch the ME to the airport but we weren't going to miss this opportunity to be some of the first to see parts of the new Fantasyland additions.

DD had a Belle outfit on and the CMs leading us into Fantasyland kept making a fuss over DD. So we started to think we were going to see some of the new Beauty and the Beast areas of Fantasyland.

Just let me tell you the details we saw were AMAZING .

We got to enter in Maurice's cottage. Hanging on a wall is a picture of Belle as a child with her mom. There is also a growth chart of Belle on one of the walls. We of course had our DD stand next to it to see where she compared with Belle. There is even the book that Belle is reading in the movie and the sheep took a bite out of the page sitting on a table inside the cottage.

Then they take you into Maurice's workshop. There are blueprints all over the place and a beautiful mirror hanging on one of the walls. We made sure to stand in front of the mirror. Once everyone is inside, the CM tells you no more flash photography and asks us to repeat after him. "Show us the night Belle and Beast fall in love" The mirror then transforms into a doorway and we are asked to walk through. It was so magically to see the mirror transform and then walk into Beast's castle.

Once inside the castle, which is breathtaking , another CM is there with the enchanted wardrobe. Yes, there is a lifesize talking/animated wardrobe inside this room. They explain that the Beast wants to surprise Belle by having us "villagers" help retell the story of how they met. They ask for villagers to help act out the parts. DH was picked to be one of the "marching" knights. The villager actors are given props for their roles and we all practice our "parts".

We are then lead into the Castle Library and Luminaire is on the mantle to meet us along with two additional CMs. The actors are asked to take their places and the rest of us "villagers" are asked to take a seat on three different rows of benches. We decided to sit on the far right side of the room up front to be position in front of DH. WHich happened to be a great spot because we were seated right next to the door that Belle entered and exited. Everyone acted out their parts and they had a Photopass photographer taking pictures. All the actors got a bookmark from Belle and a special photopass card with Belle on the card. I wasn't planning on buying photopass from this trip but now I might be tempted once I load up all our cards.

I am so excited that we got see this firsthand and now can't wait to see the rest of fantasyland in January. We didn't make reservations for BOG and now I am regretting it since we got to see some of the new Fantasyland yesterday. I guess I will keep trying to add BOG or just try our luck for lunch in January.

I think this sounds so cool!! Can't wait to experience it. I thought the early November people might be heartened by the fact that they are having people randomly go through this early.

Can't wait!! Thanks for sharing.

 

[disneychic2]

In addition to reading the post on Maurice's cottage, someone posted that they just got an ADR for BOG today for Dec 2nd! So, keep trying, those of you who lost out. As the 45 day payment deadlines arrive, there will be cancellations for all kinds of places. Don't give up!

 

[Smileybug]

In addition to reading the post on Maurice's cottage, someone posted that they just got an ADR for BOG today for Dec 2nd! So, keep trying, those of you who lost out. As the 45 day payment deadlines arrive, there will be cancellations for all kinds of places. Don't give up!

Things are always changing. And I am a firm believer in not giving up.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

yes I read those things too! So early Novemberer's may still have a shot! ANd those that still want a BOG ressie may get one!