November/December 2012?

[alicia1506]

can i be added to the roll call?

we're going to be gone from nov 23 - dec 13 with nov 24-dec 1 on the fantasy cruise & dec 1-9 at disneyland (desert inn & suites), with dec 9-11 at the disneyland hotel.

how cool is it that so many of us are going at the same time -- i can't wait to read all the trip reports

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I just bought tickets for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular!

If anyone else is interested here is the link:

http://www.radiocitychristmas.com/newyork/tickets.html?code=prerccs

with the code: PRERCSS to buy tickets before they go on general sale. I bought tickets in the back of the Ochestra section (after reading this review: http://www.nytix.com/Links/Broadway/Shows/Annual/radiocityxmasspectacular.html). They were just over US$100 each, there were no children's prices.

I'm sure closer to the time they will offer discounts and deals but I am happy to pay full price for this one

I bought mind today too. What date are you going? Because I paid a whole lot more than $100 each !!!!!!.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I just followed your link on the seating review with beads on sweat on my brow . I tried to find some seating reviews this morning before I bought tickets but couldn't really find anything. I also looked at the pricing with horror because we want to go on Christmas day which of course is peak. I know we could've chosen another day but this is a special treat that we have been looking forward to since 2007 when we decided we had to spend a Christmas in NYC. And like you I didn't want to miss out by waiting for cheaper tickets.

With that said, I was shocked at the prices. Yikes. So I decided to have a look at the mezzanine levels because I always quite like front row of the first mezzanine for a great overall view of a live show. We could get front row and the tickets were $100 per ticket cheaper but not right in the middle. They were off to the side a bit but the sight lines look good for the stage so I bought them.

Anyway, I just read that review you linked and they say first row of the first mezzanine is a good option so thank goodness because I would've had a little cry if they said "don't do it" .

I feel content with my purchase and I can't wait to see this amazing stunning incredible show. What a special Christmas day we will have.

 

[dabecs]

can i be added to the roll call?

we're going to be gone from nov 23 - dec 13 with nov 24-dec 1 on the fantasy cruise & dec 1-9 at disneyland (desert inn & suites), with dec 9-11 at the disneyland hotel.

how cool is it that so many of us are going at the same time -- i can't wait to read all the trip reports

added

 

[dabecs]

I bought mind today too. What date are you going? Because I paid a whole lot more than $100 each !!!!!!.

We are going on the 26th November which is the Monday after Thanksgiving so not peak pricing. We are in the Orchestra section about half way back in the very middle section (section 4).

Now I'm curious - how much are Christmas Day tickets? It will be magical so worth every penny

Have you looked at the merchandise they have? I think that will get expensive for me because I love it all!

 

[DisneyGirlInOz]

Is anyone else waiting for free dining at WDW in November? Or is it just me

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

We are going on the 26th November which is the Monday after Thanksgiving so not peak pricing. We are in the Orchestra section about half way back in the very middle section (section 4).

Now I'm curious - how much are Christmas Day tickets? It will be magical so worth every penny

Have you looked at the merchandise they have? I think that will get expensive for me because I love it all!

Well first 10 rows of Orchestra were $275 per ticket. I paid $185 for the front row, but slightly to the side of the 1st Mezz for the 4pm show on Christmas day. All up it came to $750 for my little fam of 4 . Horrifying but wonderful all at the same time. It better be the best 90 minutes I've ever spent at a show .

Is anyone else waiting for free dining at WDW in November? Or is it just me

I've got my fingers crossed for my December dates. We'll be waiting until August though to hear don't you think? Judging by historic dates and free dining releases. Gee I hope we get it, it would make the trip so much better.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Have you looked at the merchandise they have? I think that will get expensive for me because I love it all!

No I haven't looked yet, I'm a little scared . Should I?

 

[DisneyGirlInOz]

Well first 10 rows of Orchestra were $275 per ticket. I paid $185 for the front row, but slightly to the side of the 1st Mezz for the 4pm show on Christmas day. All up it came to $750 for my little fam of 4 . Horrifying but wonderful all at the same time. It better be the best 90 minutes I've ever spent at a show .



I've got my fingers crossed for my December dates. We'll be waiting until August though to hear don't you think? Judging by historic dates and free dining releases. Gee I hope we get it, it would make the trip so much better.

I agree. I think we will be waiting till August. That was when it was released last year. Have you booked already and if free dining is released will you change your booking? I'm just curious as I have read that you have to make a new booking and cancel your original one.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I agree. I think we will be waiting till August. That was when it was released last year. Have you booked already and if free dining is released will you change your booking? I'm just curious as I have read that you have to make a new booking and cancel your original one.

I booked through Bob Hill at Mousetales Travel and if and when either free dining or a room discount get offered for my dates, he will apply it to my booking for me. If the offer is only for some of my dates we may have to rejig some things in terms of checking in and out again, or something like that but that is the beauty of booking with a US TA, they can apply to discounts for you without you having to worry and stress about it.

Fingers and toes and eyes crossed for free dining though.

 

[dabecs]

No I haven't looked yet, I'm a little scared . Should I?

they have a pop up book really gorgeous Christmas ornaments and vintage style posters

I'm already thinking a programme for each of my girls, and a pop up book an ornament or 2 and a poster for me

Has anyone been following the Fantasyland expansion thread? It sounds like at least some of the new parts will be open by November. I bet even if Gaston's Tavern and Be Our Guest restaurant are open they will be so packed it won't be worth going.. I would love the new Ariel ride and Eric and the Beast's castles to be open though!

 

[DisneyMom0709]

is christmas day a bad day to be at magic kingdom I am unsure when to go thanksgiving or christmas?

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

they have a pop up book really gorgeous Christmas ornaments and vintage style posters

I'm already thinking a programme for each of my girls, and a pop up book an ornament or 2 and a poster for me

Has anyone been following the Fantasyland expansion thread? It sounds like at least some of the new parts will be open by November. I bet even if Gaston's Tavern and Be Our Guest restaurant are open they will be so packed it won't be worth going.. I would love the new Ariel ride and Eric and the Beast's castles to be open though!

OH gosh, now I'm going to have to go look. My DD is obsessed with programs so will have to have that. I'm obsessed with Christmas so will have to have an ornament (or two ). Hmmm, I better go and look, I don't want to be ignorant about my options .

 

[dabecs]

OH My DD is obsessed with programs

I have bought my girls a programme each for every show they have been to - my 6 year old already has half a dozen or so! They love when I get them out and we look through them

And I am a bit of a Christmas nut too!

 

[dabecs]

is christmas day a bad day to be at magic kingdom I am unsure when to go thanksgiving or christmas?

Sorry I am no help! I have heard MK fills to capacity on Christmas day but it probably does on Thanksgiving as well...

From the discussion on this thread I think airfares, accommodation etc would be cheaper at Thanksgiving.

 

[ColinA]

is christmas day a bad day to be at magic kingdom I am unsure when to go thanksgiving or christmas?

Christmas day in Magic Kingdom is usually full to capacity by 10.30am, resort guests will sometimes be allowed entry depending on the grade of capacity. Best time to go Christmas day is after 8pm. Before this it is crazy!

Can't help you with Thanksgiving.

 

[Royal Consort]

is christmas day a bad day to be at magic kingdom I am unsure when to go thanksgiving or christmas?

My understanding is that TG and Xmas are the two busiest, most crowded, out-of-all-comprehension periods for MK and WDW as a whole and that things are just unmanageable.

Are you flexible with dates at all to avoid those bottlenecks?

If it were me, I'd prefer to avoid a WDW holiday if it was going to be crowd crazy. I simply wouldn't enjoy it and huff and puff.

 

[DisneyGirlInOz]

I booked through Bob Hill at Mousetales Travel and if and when either free dining or a room discount get offered for my dates, he will apply it to my booking for me. If the offer is only for some of my dates we may have to rejig some things in terms of checking in and out again, or something like that but that is the beauty of booking with a US TA, they can apply to discounts for you without you having to worry and stress about it.

Fingers and toes and eyes crossed for free dining though.

Sounds great!!!! Free dining would be great

 

[Marlea98]

well today i am back to planning with a vengeance, and we've finally decided on dates - nov 23 to dec 13 so i will be on here a little more frequently with all my questions about flights/where to go/value for money etc.

last time we went in nov only and we were at disneyland nov 6-8 which made it a relatively non-busy time of the year and the weather, while rainy and cold on our first day, was fabulous on our second and third days.

this year, we'll be in california from dec 1 - dec 11, so i'm wondering for those that have been there at that time of year... what's it like?? should we be prepared for chilly nights and rain, or is it still nice, warm, temperate sunny weather??

also, crowds? are there likely to be huge crowds, especially at disneyland at that time?

We were at Disneyland in the first week of December 2011 and found the crowds were nowhere near as bad as I'd heard. We hardly used FPs or queued for anything. There was a need for FPs at World of Color for close to the water, which we picked up as soon as we got into the park.

We found the mornings and late afternoons chilly (but we are nth Qld'ers) with a need for jackets, gloves etc. We stayed until after the fireworks every night and on some nights we found it really really cold by that time. During the middle of the day, though, it was lovely. It did seem to start getting dark around 4.30pm and that's when we felt it get chilly. Remember to bring layers and you can always hire a locker to store stuff if you need to.

We were blessed with no rain but the fireworks were cancelled one night because of the strong Santa Ana winds, so keep in mind that the decision to cancel them is made at the VERY last minute and not made lightly. We did have the snow to compensate. I didn't care as it was my first time at Disney and I was just so excited to be there in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle regardless.

Enjoy your trip. Remember to take time out to just sit and watch and listen. And get a book on Hidden Mickey's from a gift shop as soon as you get there and follow the trail. I didn't get mine until we were leaving on the second last day and I think I missed out on so much because of it.

 

[alicia1506]

We were at Disneyland in the first week of December 2011 and found the crowds were nowhere near as bad as I'd heard. We hardly used FPs or queued for anything. There was a need for FPs at World of Color for close to the water, which we picked up as soon as we got into the park.

We found the mornings and late afternoons chilly (but we are nth Qld'ers) with a need for jackets, gloves etc. We stayed until after the fireworks every night and on some nights we found it really really cold by that time. During the middle of the day, though, it was lovely. It did seem to start getting dark around 4.30pm and that's when we felt it get chilly. Remember to bring layers and you can always hire a locker to store stuff if you need to.

We were blessed with no rain but the fireworks were cancelled one night because of the strong Santa Ana winds, so keep in mind that the decision to cancel them is made at the VERY last minute and not made lightly. We did have the snow to compensate. I didn't care as it was my first time at Disney and I was just so excited to be there in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle regardless.

Enjoy your trip. Remember to take time out to just sit and watch and listen. And get a book on Hidden Mickey's from a gift shop as soon as you get there and follow the trail. I didn't get mine until we were leaving on the second last day and I think I missed out on so much because of it.

thanks for this insight... when we were there in november, it was quite rainy and chilly of an evening, which we were not prepared for as we'd heard california temps are usually quite mild that time of the year... sounds like a few extra hoodies/jackets and scarves are going on my packing list...

i love the idea of the hidden mickey book -- sounds like great fun and a great way to see parts of the park you would otherwise maybe not pay such close attention to