**Official December 2010 Thread!!**

[exwdwcm]

woo hoo, booked our flights yesterday. i found direct from DFW (we live 15 minutes from DFW) on american for about $218 per person. Since we will be travelling with a 3yo and car seat, i don't want to deal with a connection. I've rarely seen American direct to MCO for less than $250. So i went ahead and booked. It was actually at $180 or so a few weeks ago and keeps going up. I figured i better bite soon, who knows how much higher it will go. I felt comfortable with the price i got, plus i got the exact times i wanted too---first flight out at 6:55am, arrive MCO 10:20am. departing at 6pm and arriving home at 8:15pm or so.

 

[taylor3297]

woo hoo, booked our flights yesterday. i found direct from DFW (we live 15 minutes from DFW) on american for about $218 per person. Since we will be travelling with a 3yo and car seat, i don't want to deal with a connection. I've rarely seen American direct to MCO for less than $250. So i went ahead and booked. It was actually at $180 or so a few weeks ago and keeps going up. I figured i better bite soon, who knows how much higher it will go. I felt comfortable with the price i got, plus i got the exact times i wanted too---first flight out at 6:55am, arrive MCO 10:20am. departing at 6pm and arriving home at 8:15pm or so.

I am waiting until June when southwest puts out the flights for the rest of the year. That is about our only airline that flies direct from here.

 

[aharbin88]

Joining in! We'll be there December 3-12th. We just bought into DVC, and we'll be in a Grand Villa at SSR. We bought sight unseen, but from everything I've heard, we won't be disappointed!
It will be DH and I and our 2 girls, MIL and FIL, and SIL and her 4 kids. Our family alone qualifies as a Grand Gathering!

Can't wait to get to know some of my fellow DIS'ers who will be there at the same time!

 

[exwdwcm]

I am waiting until June when southwest puts out the flights for the rest of the year. That is about our only airline that flies direct from here.

unfortunately, SW can't fly direct out of Dallas to MCO until 2014 due to the Wright Admendment (don't ask!). When they do, you can bet i will be flying them. love them.

Joining in! We'll be there December 3-12th. We just bought into DVC, and we'll be in a Grand Villa at SSR. We bought sight unseen, but from everything I've heard, we won't be disappointed!
It will be DH and I and our 2 girls, MIL and FIL, and SIL and her 4 kids. Our family alone qualifies as a Grand Gathering!

Can't wait to get to know some of my fellow DIS'ers who will be there at the same time!

welcome!!! we are new to DVC as well (BLT) and can't wait to experience our first DVC trip. Are you doing APs? I've heard the Grand Villas are fantastic- i can't wait to see photos of your trip!!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

I could have sworn I saw a December thread with a list of DISers on the first page and their dates and hotels. Am I dreaming? That's my FAVORITE part of the the official threads!!!

 

[taylor3297]

I could have sworn I saw a December thread with a list of DISers on the first page and their dates and hotels. Am I dreaming? That's my FAVORITE part of the the official threads!!!

You did. It is the Official December Code Watch page started by momof3gs.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

You did. It is the Official December Code Watch page started by momof3gs.

Glad I'm not going crazy!! I was just scouring the wrong board.

 

[jerlove]

I was bitten by the WDW bug on our first family vacation in Jan of 09 loved it so much that we had to book again for Dec of 09 because we missed seeing the Christmas decorations. Now we are in love with the Christmas Decorations especially the Osborne lights so we booked again for November 28till Dec 5 this year. Hoping for lower crowds then last year.

We really took the plunge. Our last 2 trips have been in the value resorts but this year we decided to try AKL. My wife felt that having the hot tub was worth the extrat $1200.00

I cant wait to see my countdown ticker after this message posts.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

I was bitten by the WDW bug on our first family vacation in Jan of 09 loved it so much that we had to book again for Dec of 09 because we missed seeing the Christmas decorations. Now we are in love with the Christmas Decorations especially the Osborne lights so we booked again for November 28till Dec 5 this year. Hoping for lower crowds then last year.

We really took the plunge. Our last 2 trips have been in the value resorts but this year we decided to try AKL. My wife felt that having the hot tub was worth the extrat $1200.00

I cant wait to see my countdown ticker after this message posts.

Oops! You better get a new ticker, then!

You'll love staying deluxe. Granted I can't compare it to anything, as we've only stayed deluxe, but it's always worth the extra $$$.

 

[DenishaT]

YAY! I just convinced myself that I need another Disney vacay! (ok, so it really wasn't all that hard! ). I've only been twice but after my Sept. 09 'big kid' vacation, I figured I needed to make this a yearly event! I/we will be there dec. 5 - 12 (if I don't get a new job before then!). I cannot wait to see all the Christmas decorations. Still trying to decide on MVMCP!! (suggestions?)

 

[exwdwcm]

YAY! I just convinced myself that I need another Disney vacay! (ok, so it really wasn't all that hard! ). I've only been twice but after my Sept. 09 'big kid' vacation, I figured I needed to make this a yearly event! I/we will be there dec. 5 - 12 (if I don't get a new job before then!). I cannot wait to see all the Christmas decorations. Still trying to decide on MVMCP!! (suggestions?)

welcome to Dec fellow Texan! I'll be there the 4th-11th. I enjoy MVMCP, but it really just depends. We like to go and just get the 'extra hours' in the park, since it closes so early (7pm) on MVMCP nights and the non MVMCP nights are crowded. We enjoy the christmas parade, free treats and the low crowds while we ride rides during parade #1. don't get me wrong, it isn't low crowds the whole night, but we tend to get a lot of rides done with little wait while most are catching the first parade. we enjoy it, but it isn't something everyone wants to dish out the extra cash for.

 

[stephielela]

We are going Dec 16-22nd, it's me, my son (2), my sister and my parents in two rooms at CBR (for now) with dxdp! we have been a couple times around christmas, but this will be the first time we are all going with my son. we plan on doing mvmcp on the 17th and also heading to universal for a partial day. i have started a PTR already... i know, it's a sickness, and i have most of the days mapped out...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2389146

 

[PalmettoPrincess]

Just booked a few days ago for Dec 5 -12 at AKL Villas! We got the dining plan and plan on spending 4 glorious days in the parks, one exploring other resorts/DTD and a day at US for HP! I can't wait!

The only problem is now I'm second-guessing my trip dates. Is this a good week to go? Or should I book for the following week, the week before Christmas? ???

 

[exwdwcm]

Just booked a few days ago for Dec 5 -12 at AKL Villas! We got the dining plan and plan on spending 4 glorious days in the parks, one exploring other resorts/DTD and a day at US for HP! I can't wait!

The only problem is now I'm second-guessing my trip dates. Is this a good week to go? Or should I book for the following week, the week before Christmas? ???

i've done both weeks and they are pretty comparable. since you are staying at AKL, you won't have any problems with POP Warner. I only saw them in the park one time the week we did during POP. So they shouldn't pose a problem.

i did notice the weekend before Christmas this past year (just went in 2009, from 12/10-12/20), that it got extremely crowded (19-20), so that is why we are doing 12/4-12/11 this time. Plus i felt so rushed when i got home this last trip- we got home on the 20th and boom, it was christmas time and i was rushed to get hte house ready to host dinner and parties etc. This time, going earlier, i'll have more time to prepare for Christmas when we return.

The do film the Christmas parade that first weekend, but we just plan to avoid the MK that day. However, i've heard many people found it to not be that bad if you were riding rides and avoiding the parade area (Main St.). We arrive that am and plan to hit up DTD for lunch and then Epcot that evening.

You can expect higher crowds on the weekends in Dec typically anyhow as the locals come in to see the Osborne lights, candlelight processional etc. We just try and plan to do the big rides on the weekdays and less popular stuff on weekends when the crowds are bigger.

otherwise, i think either week is great and i'd just stick with what you have!

 

[exwdwcm]

so has anyone started planning their itinerary? I am OCD and start early. i know CRAZY!!! I can't wait for hours to come out.

We are thinking:

Sat 12/4- arrive 10:30am, lunch at DTD (Earle), check in BLT, evening at Epcot and dinner at Teppan Edo, Illuminations

Sun 12/5- CP breakfast, MK am, break/lunch in room, HS pm for EMH (Osborne lights- see them late- 9-10pm or so when crowds die down), fast food dinner

Mon 12/6- Epcot am, lunch at Chefs de France, break, MK pm for EMH, Spectro

Tues 12/7- AK all day, lunch YakYeti QS, evening/dinner in the room, watch WISHES from top of world lounge at BLT (worried about skipping DS's nap, but want to get AK done in a day if we can, figure he can sleep in stroller!)

Wed 12/8- HS am (TSM first!), lunch at Sci Fi, break, Epcot pm, dinner Sunshine Seasons

Thursday 12/9- Epcot am EMH, lunch around the world QS, break, early Ohana dinner (5pm), MVMCP

Friday 12/10- MK am, fast food lunch, break, Epcot pm for EMH, dinner Le Cellier

Saturday 12/11- sleep in, check out, late breakfast at Chef Mickey's 10:30am? , MK am (or whatever we missed), maybe DTD. back to BLT for carry ons and leave for airport by 3:30pm. 6pm flight home.


how's it look? we want to fit in at least 2.5 days at MK and 2.5 at Epcot. We need at least one morning and night at HS (to catch TSM and Osborne lights). We need a 3/4 day at least at AK. We typically take a midday break each day. our DS will be just over 3 when we go. This past Dec, we took a 2 hour break each day and it worked well. He was able to then go late each night (and do RD each am). We are early risers and plan to be at each park at opening and stay late, hence the break. We plan to cook in the room a bit too (1 bedroom at BLT). most breakfast is in room.

i really wanted to fit a dinner at Jiko in there, but we just don't have a good night to do it. I would add it on our AK day, but we will be doing so long that day with no break, that i wanted to have our afternoon/evening free to relax in our room (eat in) and swim and visit the lounge. JIKO can't wait for another trip i figure (i have to remind myself we are DVC and will be back again!!!).


We are only doing one morning EMH. we typically do more, but just couldn't make it work. We are doing an evening EMH at HS, Epcot and MK. We know they get crowded, but we typically plan to visit the less crowded/popular attractions during EMH anyhow, it jsut gives us more time in the parks since we take a break each day.

 

[amely]

This is my first DIS board post! We are Amanda, my DH Kevin, and our five year old daughter Sofia (who truly believes she is one of the Disney Princesses). Kevin and I honeymooned at WDW in 1999 (POR), and then returned in 2000 for our first anniversary (AS...cannot remember which one!). We are planning a return trip...but I have a few questions.

1) What are the POP Warner dates? I am concerned about what I have read here...and we will most likely stay at one of the AS resorts. Our possible dates are 11/28-12/3 or 12/1-12/7.

2) We have air vouchers with AirTran. They will not post their December dates for another month or so. Would you book WDW before the airline tickets? If I have to change by a day or so...is there a penalty?

TIA!

Amanda

 

[taylor3297]

This is my first DIS board post! We are Amanda, my DH Kevin, and our five year old daughter Sofia (who truly believes she is one of the Disney Princesses). Kevin and I honeymooned at WDW in 1999 (POR), and then returned in 2000 for our first anniversary (AS...cannot remember which one!). We are planning a return trip...but I have a few questions.

1) What are the POP Warner dates? I am concerned about what I have read here...and we will most likely stay at one of the AS resorts. Our possible dates are 11/28-12/3 or 12/1-12/7.

2) We have air vouchers with AirTran. They will not post their December dates for another month or so. Would you book WDW before the airline tickets? If I have to change by a day or so...is there a penalty?

TIA!

Amanda

If you want to avoid the Pop Warner group, then go 11/28 - 12/3. The Pop groups will be arriving as you are leaving.

I am going 12/4 - 12/12, which is Pop Warner time, but we won't have to deal with except the occassional occurence in the park.

 

[exwdwcm]

This is my first DIS board post! We are Amanda, my DH Kevin, and our five year old daughter Sofia (who truly believes she is one of the Disney Princesses). Kevin and I honeymooned at WDW in 1999 (POR), and then returned in 2000 for our first anniversary (AS...cannot remember which one!). We are planning a return trip...but I have a few questions.

1) What are the POP Warner dates? I am concerned about what I have read here...and we will most likely stay at one of the AS resorts. Our possible dates are 11/28-12/3 or 12/1-12/7.

2) We have air vouchers with AirTran. They will not post their December dates for another month or so. Would you book WDW before the airline tickets? If I have to change by a day or so...is there a penalty?

TIA!

Amanda

Welcome

POP Warner is usually that second weekend in December----and it is estimated it will be the week of December . last year it was December 6-12th (sunday-sat). some will come in that saturday though, which also happens to be the day of the Christmas parade taping too typically. You will notice check in will be mobbed on that Sat/Sun (12/4-12/5) at those resorts they stay at probably.

I forget which values they stay at- but i think typically it is the all stars. I know they have overflow often to POR. We were at POR one year during POP and had a horrible experience one night with noise and cheerleaders (waking our 2yo) at midnight. I will not stay at a resort they are at ever again. However, i did NOT notice any problems in the parks at all- in fact we only saw POP kids one time in the parks and it was football players that were very well behaved and polite.

Note that they will usually close HS down early one night for a private party for POP too- i think usually midweek? If you are staying value- i would book the first week you listed to avoid most of POP, since it is very likely they could be at your resort. they only seem to be an issue at the resorts. Even at POR, we noticed the pool and food court were extremely packed.

I would have no problem booking WDW before booking flights, in fact, i always book the trip first, flight second. we've had our Dec trip booked (room) since December and just booked our flights. We know we can always adjust our room if needed- add a night, delete a night, shift dates etc. usually pretty easily unless you are on a special package deal or special rate for certain dates. i think most packages you can cancel up to 45 days out with no penalty too. The only concern really would be availability i think, not penalties.

good luck!

 

[DarthCarr]

While we have to wait to see if I get approved for SSI,the lawyer says that I'm a "poster child" for my benefits,and I plan on going December 5th-10th!!!!!! And then again in June of 2011.

 

[Carolina Mom]

Dates are December 9-14 and staying at Poly! Hoping that Disney will do Free Dining again into December but know it's probably a long shot! Already have unused tickets and want to have meal plan so free dining maximizes our savings (unless they do the $750 gift card instead-wishful thinking!)