**Official December 2010 Thread!!**

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Children have emotional memories even before they have the ability to remember in words or descriptions. So when we offer them joyful, happy experiences when they are very young, it gets imprinted in their little minds as happiness. And who cares if they don't remember everything??? Like you said, WE remember the joy and the fun of those experiences when they were young! The magic is totally worth it! My friends have been taking their twins at least once a year since they were 6 WEEKS old! And if YOU are joyful and happy on that trip, you communicate that to you children.

I am so glad someone brought this up. DD will be 4, almost 5 and DS will be 3 when we go to WDW. When I told my family they thought I was NUTS! They said the kiddos wouldn't remember anything. I tried to explain that I wanted to go when they still had the magic in them to believe the characters are real. They are still trying to tell us how my DH and I are WASTING thousands of dollars on a vacation the kid's will remember NOTHING about. This makes me feel a little better. I really do think my kiddos will remember tons. We take them to Hersheypark twice a year for special holiday events, Halloween and Easter. This year we decided to skip Easter so we could save some extra money. The kids started asking about a month before Easter when we were going. So they have to remember something, even on a little place (in comparison) like HersheyPark. At least I feel better now. I know I am not alone in believing the magic will be there and that alone is worth the money for the trip.

Totally agree!

My daughter loves looking at our Disney pictures from when she was 2. Although I'm sure she probably recalls the experience from pictures more than memory, she often refers to events that happened during that first trip. And it does build happy experiences year-after-year. It is absolutely not a waste of money.

Plus, regardless of specific memories, it's an enjoyable time for the whole family! Roller coasters scare me, so I'm just happy to have a place where I can actually go on rides and not sit on the sidelines as the designated bag holder!

 

[disneybarbie]

maybe somewhere new in DTD- we always end up at Earle and have to do Earle at least once per trip!

i think that almost covers it. so what haven't i done that i MUST try!?????

Just wondered if you'd looked at Paradiso 37 at Pleasure Island DTD?
I ate there last trip and loved it! no ADR needed (that was about 6.30pm dinner) live music & a really varied menu

Rose & Crown is very good too (food is very authentic, portion sizes are a little larger than we get in the UK though !) - I'd say get an ADR for about 7.30/8pm to secure a place for Illuminations - if you don't get a table outside, then the restaurant has a small area to the left of the restaurant reserved for R&C guests - we stood there after our meal last July


Emma

 

[wbl2745]

We're looking forward to a December trip too! My brothers and our wives are going without the kids! I'm a DVC member and I'm trying to put together staying at the Animal Kingdom Villas from Dec 1 through 7. We're looking at a studio and a two bedroom, which costs less points than the three bedroom villa. Right now we have 6 of the 10 days we need and I'm wait listed for the rest. As a fall back we'll probably stay at Pop Century, kind of one extreme to the other, but we like Pop Century. (Like AKV better, but Pop Century is good.)

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

We're looking forward to a December trip too! My brothers and our wives are going without the kids! I'm a DVC member and I'm trying to put together staying at the Animal Kingdom Villas from Dec 1 through 7. We're looking at a studio and a two bedroom, which costs less points than the three bedroom villa. Right now we have 6 of the 10 days we need and I'm wait listed for the rest. As a fall back we'll probably stay at Pop Century, kind of one extreme to the other, but we like Pop Century. (Like AKV better, but Pop Century is good.)

Wow, all these DVC members! Welcome to the December thread!

 

[lazidazi07]

Trying to book for Dec 1st-7th! I've never been during Christmas and I'm a little overwhelmed with all there is to consider. Pop Warner, Christmas Parade tapings, etc! Its DBF's first time so I want it to be perfect! Thinking about either POFQ or BWI, and I can't decide between Basic or Deluxe Dining! Oh, the indecision!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Trying to book for Dec 1st-7th! I've never been during Christmas and I'm a little overwhelmed with all there is to consider. Pop Warner, Christmas Parade tapings, etc! Its DBF's first time so I want it to be perfect! Thinking about either POFQ or BWI, and I can't decide between Basic or Deluxe Dining! Oh, the indecision!

I would save money on the dining plan by going basic and then spend the savings on BWI! Plus, try not to worry too much about crowd control. We seem to go every year when Pop Warner is there (or some other event), and we always have a great time. Once you get past the Thanksgiving rush, December crowds are generally fine.

 

[exwdwcm]

Just wondered if you'd looked at Paradiso 37 at Pleasure Island DTD?
I ate there last trip and loved it! no ADR needed (that was about 6.30pm dinner) live music & a really varied menu

Rose & Crown is very good too (food is very authentic, portion sizes are a little larger than we get in the UK though !) - I'd say get an ADR for about 7.30/8pm to secure a place for Illuminations - if you don't get a table outside, then the restaurant has a small area to the left of the restaurant reserved for R&C guests - we stood there after our meal last July


Emma

i actually have looked at Paradiso 37 and it looks really cool! i might have to add it - maybe a last day lunch on the way out before our flight or something. i hear the beer is kept super cold on tap too! it is going on the possibility list now.

thanks on the R&C info. We've been in the pub/bar area many times, but never eaten there. I think we are going to replace Teppan Edo with it now. So if you don't get patio seating, there is still an area you can see Illuminations from? great news!

We're looking forward to a December trip too! My brothers and our wives are going without the kids! I'm a DVC member and I'm trying to put together staying at the Animal Kingdom Villas from Dec 1 through 7. We're looking at a studio and a two bedroom, which costs less points than the three bedroom villa. Right now we have 6 of the 10 days we need and I'm wait listed for the rest. As a fall back we'll probably stay at Pop Century, kind of one extreme to the other, but we like Pop Century. (Like AKV better, but Pop Century is good.)

welcome! good luck on getting your dates- when will you know for sure- should be near the 7 month mark right? hope all goes well, i know BLT was practically sold out at 10 months already. AK should be a bit easier hopefully. at least you have a backup plan though. let us know how it goes- i'll be crossing my fingers for your waitlist!!

Trying to book for Dec 1st-7th! I've never been during Christmas and I'm a little overwhelmed with all there is to consider. Pop Warner, Christmas Parade tapings, etc! Its DBF's first time so I want it to be perfect! Thinking about either POFQ or BWI, and I can't decide between Basic or Deluxe Dining! Oh, the indecision!

welcome! i know, so much to see and do and fit in! I really enjoy POFQ for a moderate. Never stayed BWI, but hope to one day. it looks amazing too and i hear great things about it, plus if you love epcot, can't beat the location. I don't know if i would do deluxe dining. it seems you just don't get your money's worth really. even with basic dining, we felt forced to eat so much and all the eating and sit down meals really took so much time out of our schedule. especially if you are doing all the signature meals.......it can eat 2-3 hours when it is said and done out of your day for a nice meal at Cali Grill if you are taking your time with all the courses, wine etc. But if that is the kind of trip you want, then go for it- some people want to go and just enjoy the fine dining and that works too (just not for us this last time with a toddler- lol!). i agree that maybe skip Deluxe and spend the savings on the BWI!!!

 

[mrsksomeday]

Nov. 28 - Dec. 7 mrsksomeday Wilderness Lodge MVMCP Nov. 30th
Dec. 7 - Dec. 10 mrsksomeday Polynesian Resort

Link to our PTR: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2447065

We have never done Deluxe Resorts so we are so excited!

 

[exwdwcm]

Nov. 28 - Dec. 7 mrsksomeday Wilderness Lodge MVMCP Nov. 30th
Dec. 7 - Dec. 10 mrsksomeday Polynesian Resort

Link to our PTR: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2447065

We have never done Deluxe Resorts so we are so excited!

Welcome! we've got you updated and added on the list (and your PTR too) . i am reading it now!

 

[katybugsmom]

Hey everyone! We changed our dates and resort! We'll be at WDW December 16-21 at POPs! Seeyou there!

 

[JoeyAnyc]

Going to Disney World December 5 - 10th.
Just waiting on Park & Magic Hours, and
of course the ADRs. Disney always calls for
early planning. Can't wait.

 

[stephielela]

We are now doing a split resort stay! Since I had a pin code that was good through the 16th, we are staying at the CR for our first night! So our new dates are:
Dec 16th CR
Dec 17-22 CBR and my PTR link is in my sig!

We have never stayed at a deluxe resort, in fact the only moderate we've ever been to is CBR, so this is a whole new experience, so I planned aorund spending some actual time at the resort that first night and morning! I am super excited!

 

[exwdwcm]

list is updated again.

Happy Friday all! And Happy Mother's day to all our moms out there!!!

So one week down in May---maybe in a couple of weeks we will see December hours??? We can hope!!

So a little possible bump for our trip unfortunately.....we are bringing my MIL and FIL (DH's stepdad) in december.....but they got into a huge fight and have been fighting for a while now (he spent weekend in jail) and we are hoping she is divorcing him at this point. There is a restraining order now etc. He is an alcoholic and that is where the trouble stems from usually for them. Unfortunately they had both already purchased their airfare, so that is done (and non refundable on AA). So our trip won't change, but we might not have 5 of us now, only 4. oh the drama. I am already considering who else we could take, since our 1bed at BLT holds 5. DH has a 14yo nephew in Oklahoma that never gets to travel and this would be a once in a lifetime trip if we could take him.......so that's an option. hmmmmmmmmm, guess we have to wait for the drama to unfold. It's like a soap opera, i swear!

 

[lumpydj]

Put us down for Dec! We'll be at AKV (unless our BCV waitlist comes through) from 12/4 - 12/11. DH and DD(11) and MIL will be with me. Looking forward to all the Christmas stuff! MVMCP, CP, OFSL, and all the decorations! And DH & I will be celebrating our 14th anniversary while we're there. I'm going to try to get V&A Chef's Table that night (if I'm lucky!).

 

[Hobbitmomma]

That's when we're going. It'll be me, DH, DD celebrating her 10th birthday which actually falls on 12/24 and DS 12. We're staying at CSR. We aren't telling the kids until Christmas morning. This was a long time coming. We surprised them in August of 2006 with a land/sea and we all loved it. We wanted to do the Magic this past Dec. and had reservations but had to cancel when the economy tanked. Tried for a cruise again for this Dec. but timing and price were prohibitive. So we opted for the World! We're a little nervous about the crowds, but I'm sure it'll be all good. We got DDP this time too. Hope it isn't too much food. We're also hoping to do a romantic dinner one night and put the kids in one of the clubs. Can't wait!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Happy Mother's day to all our moms out there!!!

So a little possible bump for our trip unfortunately.....I am already considering who else we could take, since our 1bed at BLT holds 5. DH has a 14yo nephew in Oklahoma that never gets to travel and this would be a once in a lifetime trip if we could take him.......so that's an option. hmmmmmmmmm, guess we have to wait for the drama to unfold. It's like a soap opera, i swear!

Happy Mothers day as well!

Happily, there is still time to work out details, and taking someone who might not otherwise be able to go is always a great idea. Either way, best wishes for a favorable outcome for all involved!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Nov. 28 - Dec. 7 mrsksomeday Wilderness Lodge MVMCP Nov. 30th
Dec. 7 - Dec. 10 mrsksomeday Polynesian Resort

Link to our PTR: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2447065

We have never done Deluxe Resorts so we are so excited!

Tracy--I just read your whole PTR (which I've never done before!) and I really appreciated all the things you shared. Hope you have a wonderful b-day at WDW. I celebrated my b-day there once and then this last year at DL--I felt so special the whole day. Wear that button!

list is updated again.

Happy Friday all! And Happy Mother's day to all our moms out there!!!

So one week down in May---maybe in a couple of weeks we will see December hours??? We can hope!!

So a little possible bump for our trip unfortunately.....we are bringing my MIL and FIL (DH's stepdad) in december.....but they got into a huge fight and have been fighting for a while now (he spent weekend in jail) and we are hoping she is divorcing him at this point. There is a restraining order now etc. He is an alcoholic and that is where the trouble stems from usually for them. Unfortunately they had both already purchased their airfare, so that is done (and non refundable on AA). So our trip won't change, but we might not have 5 of us now, only 4. oh the drama. I am already considering who else we could take, since our 1bed at BLT holds 5. DH has a 14yo nephew in Oklahoma that never gets to travel and this would be a once in a lifetime trip if we could take him.......so that's an option. hmmmmmmmmm, guess we have to wait for the drama to unfold. It's like a soap opera, i swear!

Family drama always adds SO much fun to any outing, doesn't it? I hope it works out for you.

 

[Katie & Glen]

Hi December DISsers! I got an email last night that the vacation connection widget is up and running. I downloaded it this morning.

Here's the link : www.disneyvacationconnection.com

 

[taylor3297]

Hi December DISsers! I got an email last night that the vacation connection widget is up and running. I downloaded it this morning.

Here's the link : www.disneyvacationconnection.com

I downloaded it last night and there are still some bugs. Just be patient with it.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Welcome! we've got you updated and added on the list (and your PTR too) . i am reading it now!

Thanks for the welcome and adding me. I have read your PTR too, I just need to reply, I will be doing that today!

Tracy--I just read your whole PTR (which I've never done before!) and I really appreciated all the things you shared. Hope you have a wonderful b-day at WDW. I celebrated my b-day there once and then this last year at DL--I felt so special the whole day. Wear that button!

Thanks for reading the PTR. I know I can be long winded . Bill says he wants me not to really plan for my b-day so he can plan something special. He should know that I have trouble not planning , but I will listen to him.