OFFICIAL December 2009!! Celebrating the Holidays.. ADR list page 41 :)

[TiggerAllie]

My family has done New Years in Disney twice, and were going for a third this year! Dec 27 - Jan 5! Were so excited to be bringing in the new year with Mickey and Walt!

Given your past trips to WDW over New Years, can you tell me about your experiences with the park closures due to crowd volume? Approx. what times did parks close on the 30th and 31st? We are looking to be at MK on the 30th and Epcot on the 31st (for fireworks) and I'm wondering what time we should show up at the park by to be in.

Also how do you find out what "stage" closure they are at? Will the resort concierge know? Do they put it on the park hours TV channel? If you are a resort guest, but they've closed the parking lot and you are driving over, do they still let you in?

Sorry for the long string of questions--this is our first time during the high volume season. TIA!

 

[Dervis]

Given your past trips to WDW over New Years, can you tell me about your experiences with the park closures due to crowd volume? Approx. what times did parks close on the 30th and 31st? We are looking to be at MK on the 30th and Epcot on the 31st (for fireworks) and I'm wondering what time we should show up at the park by to be in.

Also how do you find out what "stage" closure they are at? Will the resort concierge know? Do they put it on the park hours TV channel? If you are a resort guest, but they've closed the parking lot and you are driving over, do they still let you in?

Sorry for the long string of questions--this is our first time during the high volume season. TIA!

We've actually never had a problem with park closures. This year, with the economy and people not vacationing as much, I doubt it will be much of an issue. Plus, Disney is like...ace on crowd management.

Last year we had late start on New Years, and got to Epcot around 9:00. We still got in and everything, no problems. We never even tried Magic Kingdom on New Years, because that just seems like it would be a death wish.

Of course, I may have gotten luck both times before, and I;m sure somebody has had a problem in the past. I wouldn't hurt to be in the parks early, and if the hotel desk doesn't know, I;m sure they can direct you to someone who would. Sorry I can't be more helpful!

 

[Tinkerbell10403]

Agreed with PP. We have been to WDW twice over the NY holidays and have never really had any problems with insane crowds. The one piece of advice that we did find useful was to try to avoid staying in the parks on NYE. Lots of people waiting for fireworks at midnight, etc. If we go, we usually go at the very begining of the day. If you plan right, you should'nt have too big of a problem.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Our ADR day is tomorrow!

I'll be up before 5am getting everything ready to go for when our window opens up.

Wish me luck!

Good luck!!! Be sure to post and let us know how it goes (after you get up again later!)

 

[HLAuburn]

Good luck!!! Be sure to post and let us know how it goes (after you get up again later!)

Got everything we wanted! I did have to switch a couple nights to get Le Cellier, but it worked out fine. I was a little surprised that they had no dinner openings for Nov 30 already. I was on at 5am sharp! What's the deal?

 

[Grandma4ever]

Got everything we wanted! I did have to switch a couple nights to get Le Cellier, but it worked out fine. I was a little surprised that they had no dinner openings for Nov 30 already. I was on at 5am sharp! What's the deal?

We must remember that the first day of our vacation has already been open for ADR for 10 days. That is why it is more difficult to get what you want at the start.

Do not give up as people will change plans and cancle. Keep calling back each day or hour if you have the time. You maybe surprised and find that the spot you desire the most may just open up.

Good luck to all who are trying to get those ADR's booked. My time is just days away. Lois

 

[HLAuburn]

We must remember that the first day of our vacation has already been open for ADR for 10 days. That is why it is more difficult to get what you want at the start.

Right, I see what you mean. I guess my thinking was that since we arrive on the 28th, which technically is a holiday/blackout night, we would be a day ahead of that week's crowd (who should mostly arrive the 29th) and the Thanksgiving week crowd would mostly be gone. So much for that theory! I was able to get LeCellier for later in the week, so what you said makes sense.

Good luck w.your ADRs!

 

[Grandma4ever]

Right, I see what you mean. I guess my thinking was that since we arrive on the 28th, which technically is a holiday/blackout night, we would be a day ahead of that week's crowd (who should mostly arrive the 29th) and the Thanksgiving week crowd would mostly be gone. So much for that theory! I was able to get LeCellier for later in the week, so what you said makes sense.

Good luck w.your ADRs!

I am not trying for the Fantismic Dinning package so I think we will be OK. I want Le Celliers but not for a few days into our vacation so I hope that will work. The other resturants I want our not the most desired so I have my fingers crossed.

I am happy that you got what you wanted even if it wasn't on your most preferred day. Let the planning continue!!!! Lois

 

[Maleficent72]

Not even packed for out December trip and I got another trip out of mu partenr for December so we can view Christmas in Disney World, granted I am doing the happy dance of 30 days for either but am sooo excited about the December trip... Any suggestions for extra events? I am looking for the good and the bad reviews!
Thanks

 

[aprilp]

I'm so excited because I can make my ADRs tomorrow!
I'm wondering, though, if the system will let me do it since the first one I want to make is on 12/1 (we're getting in mid afternoon on 11/30 and I would rather do a counter service for dinner than try to figure what time we'll get there, since we are driving 8 hours and traffic could cause delays, etc). What do you guys think? Since it has my reservation in the system as starting 11/30, will it let me make my ADRs tomorrow because of the 90 + 10? I dont want to get up super early and then it not let me do it because i'm not starting by making one on 11/30. BTW, the reason why I'm asking such a dumb sounding question is because it shows everything from 11/30 on blocked when I look at it tonight. I'm wondering if it will open up my week in the morning, or just show 11/30 available until I schedule something that day? I guess I could make an ADR and just not use it or cancel it later. (making ADRs is new to me as last year when we went 12/3-12/7 they didnt have free dining going on so we were able to do walk ups)

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Did you guys see this thread?

It apparently is the hours that the travel agents get.

Happy planning!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2248412

 

[HLAuburn]

I'm so excited because I can make my ADRs tomorrow!
I'm wondering, though, if the system will let me do it since the first one I want to make is on 12/1 (we're getting in mid afternoon on 11/30 and I would rather do a counter service for dinner than try to figure what time we'll get there, since we are driving 8 hours and traffic could cause delays, etc). What do you guys think? Since it has my reservation in the system as starting 11/30, will it let me make my ADRs tomorrow because of the 90 + 10? I dont want to get up super early and then it not let me do it because i'm not starting by making one on 11/30. BTW, the reason why I'm asking such a dumb sounding question is because it shows everything from 11/30 on blocked when I look at it tonight. I'm wondering if it will open up my week in the morning, or just show 11/30 available until I schedule something that day? I guess I could make an ADR and just not use it or cancel it later. (making ADRs is new to me as last year when we went 12/3-12/7 they didnt have free dining going on so we were able to do walk ups)

Yes, you'll be fine. Just log on a few minutes for 6am EST and go to the page of the first restaurant you want to book, enter in your res #, and it will associate all your ADRs w/your reservation. At 6am sharp, refresh you page, and all your dates will open up.

 

[aprilp]

Yes, you'll be fine. Just log on a few minutes for 6am EST and go to the page of the first restaurant you want to book, enter in your res #, and it will associate all your ADRs w/your reservation. At 6am sharp, refresh you page, and all your dates will open up.

Awesome! Thanks!

 

[aprilp]

Well the good news is that i got up in time to make my ADRs right at 6 and it was easy. I got all the 11:45 lunches I wanted (figure its better to eat heavy at lunch rather than dinner) except for Sci Fi, where I had to get 11:40. I figure in case there is a wait its better to schedule early rather than later. I dont want to be still eating after 1:00 when I have some great counter service locations planned later on in the day.... while I'm always hungry 4 or 5 hours later no matter what, my mom stays full much longer for some reason!

The bad news is, what woke me up in time to schedule my ADRs at 6 was my cat, who found a scorpion crawling around under my bed and had to try to play with it/eat it. I heard her yelp once so I'm assuming it stung her paw or face before I clubbed it to death with the back of a heavy hairbrush. I dont see anything and she acts fine, though I searched the internet and they say it can cause problems. Now I just have to wait until the vet opens to call and see if i need to bring her in. If only they had disney hours....they'd already be open by now! lol!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Well the good news is that i got up in time to make my ADRs right at 6 and it was easy. I got all the 11:45 lunches I wanted (figure its better to eat heavy at lunch rather than dinner) except for Sci Fi, where I had to get 11:40. I figure in case there is a wait its better to schedule early rather than later. I dont want to be still eating after 1:00 when I have some great counter service locations planned later on in the day.... while I'm always hungry 4 or 5 hours later no matter what, my mom stays full much longer for some reason!

The bad news is, what woke me up in time to schedule my ADRs at 6 was my cat, who found a scorpion crawling around under my bed and had to try to play with it/eat it. I heard her yelp once so I'm assuming it stung her paw or face before I clubbed it to death with the back of a heavy hairbrush. I dont see anything and she acts fine, though I searched the internet and they say it can cause problems. Now I just have to wait until the vet opens to call and see if i need to bring her in. If only they had disney hours....they'd already be open by now! lol!

Yowza! Well congrats on the ADRs! I hope your cat is okay though!

 

[aprilp]

Yowza! Well congrats on the ADRs! I hope your cat is okay though!

Well, it happened around 5:45...I was at home until 8:50, and she seemed to be fine, no swelling on her face, no limping, no pain, no weird behaviors...if it stung her on her paw or face she must be immune to it because it did nothing to her and I figure if something were going to have happened it would have happened directly after she was stung and not be a delayed reaction (though I will admit to being anxious to get home this afternoon to make sure she really is ok). Needless to say I went to walmart at lunch and got some inside/outside bug spray that will be applied tonight!!

Here's some pixie dust for the rest of you in the hopes that everyone will get the ADRs they wanted!

Now I just have to get some lime green mickey ears for the trip!

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi everyone..

Today I am doing the DOUBLE DIGIT DANCE!!

99 days to go..

Having a WDW Planning Party this Saturday with my sister - we're hoping the park hours are up by then (I checked earlier and only DHS & BB are showing?! lol) ... and we can make our ADRs next Thursday.

Getting closer and closer now!

Barbie x x

 

[HLAuburn]

Hi everyone..

Today I am doing the DOUBLE DIGIT DANCE!!

99 days to go..

Having a WDW Planning Party this Saturday with my sister - we're hoping the park hours are up by then (I checked earlier and only DHS & BB are showing?! lol) ... and we can make our ADRs next Thursday.

Getting closer and closer now!

Barbie x x

December park hours are out!

http://www.disneytravelagents.com/S.../pdf/ParkHours/WDW_Operating_Calendar_Dec.pdf

 

[chell]

Well the good news is that i got up in time to make my ADRs right at 6 and it was easy. I got all the 11:45 lunches I wanted (figure its better to eat heavy at lunch rather than dinner) except for Sci Fi, where I had to get 11:40. I figure in case there is a wait its better to schedule early rather than later. I dont want to be still eating after 1:00 when I have some great counter service locations planned later on in the day.... while I'm always hungry 4 or 5 hours later no matter what, my mom stays full much longer for some reason!

The bad news is, what woke me up in time to schedule my ADRs at 6 was my cat, who found a scorpion crawling around under my bed and had to try to play with it/eat it. I heard her yelp once so I'm assuming it stung her paw or face before I clubbed it to death with the back of a heavy hairbrush. I dont see anything and she acts fine, though I searched the internet and they say it can cause problems. Now I just have to wait until the vet opens to call and see if i need to bring her in. If only they had disney hours....they'd already be open by now! lol!

Please tell me you don't still live near Atlanta. I didn't think those things were on our side of the country.

Glad the kitty was okay when you left. I can't imagine how scared you were this morning.

 

[aprilp]

Please tell me you don't still live near Atlanta. I didn't think those things were on our side of the country.

I'm in the mountains about an hour and a half north of atlanta (about an hour from the NC/GA line) and we definitely have scorpions here....but their stings are generally comparable to bee stings and they cant kill you unless you are one of those few and unfortunate people who are highly allergic to insect stings. The scorpions here are definitely not like the bigger more poisonous ones they have out west, thank goodness.

On a side note, kitty is fine so she is apparently one tough cookie. I'm glad she's ok but I'm also glad that she let me know it was there so it didnt climb up into my bed. I went at lunch and got some spray and sprayed the house but I think tonight I'll be checking in and around the bed just to be safe so that I can sleep soundly and dream about my upcoming trip!