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

[vleeth]

I hope you don't mind me asking what Little Christmas is but my dd3 was born on Jan 6 and one of the nurses mentioned it was Little Christmas and at the time I didn't ask her about it.

Thanks
Tammy

I may be mistaken, but i'm pretty sure that's the day the wise men actually made it to Bethlehem.

It's also the start of Carnival Season and the 1st day you can get king cakes in Mardi Gras country! (Though some places now sell king cakes year round.)

I don't mind at all. Epiphany or "Little Christmas" is the day we celebrate the Maji presenting Baby Jesus with gifts. It is also called "Kings Day" and that is where King Cakes come from. The plasic baby hidden in the King Cake is said to be Baby Jesus. Carnival is a season of celebration. It lasts from Kings Day to Mardi Gras. The day after Mardi Gras is Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent (which is a season of prayer and fasting.)

Can't remember if Canada has a mission, but I know Germany and China do. Germany is one of the most fun, IMO. We also liked Mexico and UK a lot.

For us, it was easy to fit the missions in with touring-they take maybe 30 mins and can be done while looking around at the pavilions and shops. DD and her friend did every mission (back when it was Kim Possible) over 1 full day at Epcot- once they had the phone/communicator thingy, they could do as many or few missions as they wanted.

I think I will plan on my DH taking my DD to do the Germany mission while I stand in line for the Candlelight Processional.

Do they stop doing the missions before dark?

 

[Eeyores#1Fan]

Morning Everyone!

QQ-anyone planning to go by Top of the World while there in Nov? We are thinking about going, just the adults, for drinks one night. However I have a concern. I have two friends coming with us but they aren't on our reservation and I can't add them since we are at capacity. Would they still be able to come with us?

 

[squirrel4569]

Glad to see that the My Disney Experience app is available for use on iPhone and Android. The previous Mobile Magic app wasn't available for my Android work phone. I have a Verizon Android phone for work and an AT&T iPhone for personal and I'm curious which will work better in the park. With today being the announcement of the new iPhone and my wife and I ready for an upgrade I'm debating on staying with AT&T or moving to Verizon. I'm leaning towards AT&T but I am curious about who works better in the parks. I know there is wi-fi there now, but I've read it's not very good.

So the question comes in 3 parts. For you is it iPhone or Android, AT&T or Verizon, cell service or wi-fi if available?

 

[vleeth]

I'm leaning towards AT&T but I am curious about who works better in the parks. I know there is wi-fi there now, but I've read it's not very good.

Is the wi-fi in all of the parks or just Magic Kingdom?

Sorry I can't answer your questions, I don't have a smart phone...but I plan on getting one before this trip!

 

[AquaDame]

Morning all!

Quick WWYD question... we are sailing out of PC on Nov 3rd and I am wondering if we should go have breakfast in the park before we leave to see some of the transformation that happens overnight... will very much be done? Or will they have just REMOVED the halloween stuff by that morning since the last party goes so late?

 

[PixiePrincesses]

Can you pay gratuity with Disney gift cards??

 

[MomofKatie]

Can you pay gratuity with Disney gift cards??

Yes!

 

[KatWI]

Hello! I’m new to the site and am so glad I found this thread! We’re going to Disney World on Sun 11/4 and leaving Sun 11/10. We’re so excited! My DH, DD17 and I were at Disney over 12 years ago so it will be a completely different experience. We’re also taking my nieces who are 14 and 11, along with my nephew who is 9 yrs old and it will be their first time at Disney! We’re staying in the Nemo section of AOA.

We’re hoping it will be warm enough to swim, but not too hot or crowded at the parks. 53 Days and counting!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Hello! I’m new to the site and am so glad I found this thread! We’re going to Disney World on Sun 11/4 and leaving Sun 11/10. We’re so excited! My DH, DD17 and I were at Disney over 12 years ago so it will be a completely different experience. We’re also taking my nieces who are 14 and 11, along with my nephew who is 9 yrs old and it will be their first time at Disney! We’re staying in the Nemo section of AOA.

We’re hoping it will be warm enough to swim, but not too hot or crowded at the parks. 53 Days and counting!

 

[PixiePrincesses]

Yes!

Thanks!! I'm trying to decide how much to spend on gift cards vs taking just cash.

 

[Whazzatk]

We arrive at the world 11/1.... We are thinking about maybe doing MNSSHP on 11/2. For folks that have been, do you think it will be worth he money since it is after Halloween? We will be leaving home on 10/31 so my kids won't get much trick or treating at home.

 

[uscgmouse]

I'm trying to decide how much to spend on gift cards vs taking just cash.

I am too! Our local stores have them and if I buy them at the Stop n shop I can get gas points!

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

Hello! I’m new to the site and am so glad I found this thread! We’re going to Disney World on Sun 11/4 and leaving Sun 11/10. We’re so excited! My DH, DD17 and I were at Disney over 12 years ago so it will be a completely different experience. We’re also taking my nieces who are 14 and 11, along with my nephew who is 9 yrs old and it will be their first time at Disney! We’re staying in the Nemo section of AOA.

We’re hoping it will be warm enough to swim, but not too hot or crowded at the parks. 53 Days and counting!

Our travel dates are almost the same & we'll be in Nemo, too! We arrive Mon and leave Sat.

Maybe you'll run into us -- I'll be the frazzeled mom chasing after 3 little blonde girls in matching outfits... not because they are triplets, just because I have issues...

Do you have any dining reservations?

 

[MomofKatie]

We arrive at the world 11/1.... We are thinking about maybe doing MNSSHP on 11/2. For folks that have been, do you think it will be worth he money since it is after Halloween? We will be leaving home on 10/31 so my kids won't get much trick or treating at home.

We aren't doing the party this year (I have 2 teens who would rather spend the $$ on hopping), but we did the 11/2 party in 2007. It was really fun, but expect a sold out party- we thought we were gonna miss out on the really big crowds since it was after Halloween, but it was a sellout. We still had a great time, though.

 

[AquaDame]

We aren't doing the party this year (I have 2 teens who would rather spend the $$ on hopping), but we did the 11/2 party in 2007. It was really fun, but expect a sold out party- we thought we were gonna miss out on the really big crowds since it was after Halloween, but it was a sellout. We still had a great time, though.

They do limit the # of tickets, right? What crowd level would you say a sold out crowd would be...? A 7? Less? More??

 

[MomofKatie]

They do limit the # of tickets, right? What crowd level would you say a sold out crowd would be...? A 7? Less? More??

Don't worry- a sold out party is like a slow day at MK. I'd say it is about equal to a level 3-4. Totally a guess, based on my observations- Disney won't release actual numbers of how many tickets they sell, but they do limit the total number of tickets sold. Most rides have minimal waits. Longest line we saw all night was 40 mins for Peter Pan before the first parade (40 min wait is about average for PP even on a level 1 day). Most are walkons or near walkons, though.

We were able to get a great spot for the first parade in Liberty Sq area near the Hall of Presidents 20 mins before it started. The Hub was pretty full for the Hallowishes fireworks, and there was a big spike in crowds and lines in Tomorrowland right after the fireworks, but by 10:30 or so, the whole park was really emptying out.

Lines for meet and greets, especially for the more rare characters, were looong most of the night. We avoided those, since DD is not a huge autograph hound. Trick or treat lines weren't bad at all- most were less than 5 minutes, and they go really fast. Later in the party, CMs were giving out full handfuls of candy- DD made a huge haul. I ended up emptying her little bag into my big tote several times.

 

[AquaDame]

Don't worry- a sold out party is like a slow day at MK. I'd say it is about equal to a level 3-4. Totally a guess, based on my observations- Disney won't release actual numbers of how many tickets they sell, but they do limit the total number of tickets sold. Most rides have minimal waits. Longest line we saw all night was 40 mins for Peter Pan before the first parade (40 min wait is about average for PP even on a level 1 day). Most are walkons or near walkons, though.

We were able to get a great spot for the first parade in Liberty Sq area near the Hall of Presidents 20 mins before it started. The Hub was pretty full for the Hallowishes fireworks, and there was a big spike in crowds and lines in Tomorrowland right after the fireworks, but by 10:30 or so, the whole park was really emptying out.

Lines for meet and greets, especially for the more rare characters, were looong most of the night. We avoided those, since DD is not a huge autograph hound. Trick or treat lines weren't bad at all- most were less than 5 minutes, and they go really fast. Later in the party, CMs were giving out full handfuls of candy- DD made a huge haul. I ended up emptying her little bag into my big tote several times.

Great! I was never worried about a sold out crowd (Im going on Halloween so of course it will be) but everyone keeps mentioning it as if it is horrid so I started worrying. thanks!

 

[uscgmouse]

So I am trying to decide how much money I need to plan on for just food. We are not staying onsite so we won't have the ddp. It is going to be dh, myself and son who will be almost 2. He will probably eat off of our plates. We don't usually get drinks so I didn't add that in.

Does this seem right? I was thinking of cost plus tip and tax

Chef Mickeys breakfast -
$70

Trex dinner-
$60

MK CS dinner -
$30

Biergarden dinner -
$ 100

Sci-Fi dinner-
$ 50

Boma dinner -
$80

AK CS -
$ 25

Snacks/drinks-
$50

How much do you usually tip at a buffet? I have never done a Disney buffet so I am not sure what all the wait staff does for the customer...

So I am coming up with a total of $445

 

[MomofKatie]

How much do you usually tip at a buffet? I have never done a Disney buffet so I am not sure what all the wait staff does for the customer...

We tip the same as we do at a "regular" TS- between 15-20%, based on service.

It looks like you might need to add a bit to CM and Boma for bigger tips. Example- you gave yourself $70 for Chef Mickey breakfast. 2 adults, including tax but not tip, is $62. You have only allowed $8 for a tip- I would tip more like $12 or so.

You have allowed a bit extra for Biergarten- 2 adults for dinner is around $70. With tip, it would come to about $85, unless you are going to have a beer or 2.

Overall, the total looks pretty good.

 

[uscgmouse]

We tip the same as we do at a "regular" TS- between 15-20%, based on service.

It looks like you might need to add a bit to CM and Boma for bigger tips. Example- you gave yourself $70 for Chef Mickey breakfast. 2 adults, including tax but not tip, is $62. You have only allowed $8 for a tip- I would tip more like $12 or so.

You have allowed a bit extra for Biergarten- 2 adults for dinner is around $70. With tip, it would come to about $85, unless you are going to have a beer or 2.

Overall, the total looks pretty good.

Thanks... I will adjust those places. At a buffet do you get your own drinks or does the waitstaff do that?