**Official December 2010 Thread!!**

[stephielela]

I totally agree with the PP about the order of things. Something to keep in mind is if the line is short enough, you could even do single rider lines on the things DS can't ride as opposed to baby swap. Another thing is that the last time we were there, they were very strict about handing out those baby swap passes. They required that all people be present, including "baby", and then the person waiting had to wait outside the attraction and then re-enter through the fast pass line once it was their turn. It had been a long time since we had needed baby swap, but I remember when my sister was little, everyone waited together in line and then the person waiting just waited by the exit and handed over the baby after the first rider was done. On the plus side, the baby swap passes specifically state they are good for several additional people (I think maybe 3 people total?) so that's a bonus!

 

[exwdwcm]

ok.. i'll try! ..

Did I get everything?! That was quite fun to do lol

Emma x

YES- awesome- love the plan!!! thank you. i was thinking similar for AK (safari first), but just wasn't sure. the Safari is so far away, so it makes sense to do it first and then head to EE and the Dino area which are close to each other. thank you!!! and starring rolls, i so want to try!! i used to have to come in right behind starring rolls each morning to work, when i worked at Hollywood and vine, and i never once ate there!! The entrance to the cast member cafeteria is back behind there a bit.

I totally agree with the PP about the order of things. Something to keep in mind is if the line is short enough, you could even do single rider lines on the things DS can't ride as opposed to baby swap. Another thing is that the last time we were there, they were very strict about handing out those baby swap passes. They required that all people be present, including "baby", and then the person waiting had to wait outside the attraction and then re-enter through the fast pass line once it was their turn. It had been a long time since we had needed baby swap, but I remember when my sister was little, everyone waited together in line and then the person waiting just waited by the exit and handed over the baby after the first rider was done. On the plus side, the baby swap passes specifically state they are good for several additional people (I think maybe 3 people total?) so that's a bonus!

Thanks! Yes, they make you wait outside, you don't wait in line together. we used the child swap often in December this past year and they did require that we appeared with our son before they would hand us the pass. .

So what is included in the CLP meals when you buy the dining package?

 

[jesridge]

We are going December 26th-Jan 2nd not sure yet where we are staying Trying to decided between Poly, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Contemporary and Yacht club

 

[disneybarbie]

YES- awesome- love the plan!!! thank you.

So what is included in the CLP meals when you buy the dining package?

Glad I could be of help! 'in training' for my dream job as a Disney-specialist travel agent

Our CLP package at Teppan Edo included..

- soup or appetiser (not the sushi dishes though)
- any entree
- dessert
- soda


Emma x

 

[scdak]

I am hoping someone can help with a question about the Candlelight Processional event. Is there a handicapped section for w/c users and family? If there is an area, would you recommend waiting for regular admission to the event or opting for a dinner package? Similar question about the special seating to view Illuminations, will a w/c guest and family be in the regular w/c viewing areas or would the special area for dinner package guests be preferable? Thanks for any information that you can give me.

 

[jesridge]

We made our decision and booked our trip December 26th-Jan 1st at Saratoga Springs!!Can't wait!! This our 1st time staying there.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I am hoping someone can help with a question about the Candlelight Processional event. Is there a handicapped section for w/c users and family? If there is an area, would you recommend waiting for regular admission to the event or opting for a dinner package? Similar question about the special seating to view Illuminations, will a w/c guest and family be in the regular w/c viewing areas or would the special area for dinner package guests be preferable? Thanks for any information that you can give me.

I'll answer this as best I can, although perhaps someone else may have experience with accessibility issues. For the Candlelight Processional, I would not recommend waiting for regular admission. There are places for wheelchairs, but those with packages are guaranteed a seat. So if all package holders take up the available accessible areas (and/or the family seats around the accessible areas), you may wait in the standby line, but never get in. Same for Illuminations. I've heard that the designated wheelchair areas for general admission fill up quickly. So I would assume the reserved viewing area would be preferable, unless you are able to snag a good spot early enough in the regular viewing areas. (The general admission accessible viewing areas are marked on the map in this link: http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/epcot.htm. I believe the reserved area is next to the orange "Showcase Plaza" box on the map.)

If viewing the CP and Illuminations is something you are interested in, I would splurge for the package. If you could take it or leave it, then feel free to try for a regular admission seat, knowing you may just pass on it if the lines are too long or the sections are too crowded. Hope this helps!

 

[jenndla]

Hi everyone!

We booked our trip for December 10-15 at Wilderness Lodge! Can't wait - it's my DD3's first trip to Disney...she will be almost 4 by then, so hopefully she won't be scared of everything.

We will do an MVMCP, the candlelight processional dinner package, and the Osbourne lights...any other fun things going on at Christmas that I don't know about?

Can't wait!

 

[Vickis3js]

Well I just canceled our Dec trip. But don't fret fellow December Disney goers I will be rebooking. I got nervous about some DVC booking procedures so I called and cancelled and now I have to call back in a few days to reschedule. I may not get the BLT that I wanted but oh well. I asked if there was availabilty for the begining of our trip and they were missing one day. So we will see. I did get to book AKL CL studio for DH and I for March!!!! That I am beyond excited about!

 

[shalecesjourney]

Since we have upgraded to Premium Annual Passes, we have decided to go for New Year's Eve!!! We'll be at the Grand Floridian from the 30th until January 3rd!!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Hi everyone!

We booked our trip for December 10-15 at Wilderness Lodge! Can't wait - it's my DD3's first trip to Disney...she will be almost 4 by then, so hopefully she won't be scared of everything.

We will do an MVMCP, the candlelight processional dinner package, and the Osbourne lights...any other fun things going on at Christmas that I don't know about?

Can't wait!

I would make a pitstop at the Grand Floridian to see their gingerbread house. It actually holds a little store inside where they sell gingerbread and other items (note that the store is only open at select times). http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ouse-opens-at-disneys-grand-floridian-resort/

Other than that, there are things like Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade at Animal Kingdom. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/animal-kingdom/entertainment/mickeys-jingle-jungle-parade.

It's a great time to visit!

 

[jami77]

We are going Dec 1 - Dec 5! I have been to Disney about 20 times and have NEVER been there at Christmas time! So excited! We are staying at Saratoga Springs

 

[exwdwcm]

Hi everyone!

We booked our trip for December 10-15 at Wilderness Lodge! Can't wait - it's my DD3's first trip to Disney...she will be almost 4 by then, so hopefully she won't be scared of everything.

We will do an MVMCP, the candlelight processional dinner package, and the Osbourne lights...any other fun things going on at Christmas that I don't know about?

Can't wait!

woo hoo- welcome! you will adore the WL at Christmas. we just stayed there this past December and loved it!!! i wanted to just constantly hang out in the lobby and enjoy. btw- if you do use photopass, they had a PP photographer in the lobby on most days in the early evening, taking photos in front of the tree.

We had our DS 2 with us, he will be 3 this trip. besides the things you mentioned, if you have time:

• see the gingerbread house at the GF (and just explore the resort if you never have, the grounds outside are beautiful!)
• see the gingerbread houses (small ones) at the Poly
• see the candy carousel/candy displays at the Boardwalk/Beach club
• AKL also has a beautiful tree worth checking out, plus you can walk out to the back to see the animals
• epcot has the storytellers in each country
• there is an official tree lighting each night in the parks for the main tree
• 'sleigh ride' in Fort Wilderness/WL (not sure the cost)
• if you are over near fort wilderness (like for HDDR), right near the outpost general store is where some of the campsites are that are all lit up - we walked over and saw one- so cool- just like on samantha brown's special. tons of lights! (pics below)
• Santa is available at MK on Main st (although now that they are moving characters around due to the fantasyland construction, not sure where he will be), plus he is at DTD too.

Well I just canceled our Dec trip. But don't fret fellow December Disney goers I will be rebooking. I got nervous about some DVC booking procedures so I called and cancelled and now I have to call back in a few days to reschedule. I may not get the BLT that I wanted but oh well. I asked if there was availabilty for the begining of our trip and they were missing one day. So we will see. I did get to book AKL CL studio for DH and I for March!!!! That I am beyond excited about!

you scared me there for a second Vicki!!! i am so sorry you are going through this. what happened? i'll cross my fingers you get BLT. hopefully some folks have cancelled now if waitlists have opened up for other resorts BLT folks were wanting..and something will open up for you. woo hoo on the AKL CL studio for March- i really want to try CL sometime!

Since we have upgraded to Premium Annual Passes, we have decided to go for New Year's Eve!!! We'll be at the Grand Floridian from the 30th until January 3rd!!

woo hoo!!! i bet it will be magical!

 

[exwdwcm]

Okay, so post some of your favorite WDW holidays pics! here are a few of ours from this past December 10-20, 2009!

main street dancers in holiday gear!

gingerbread cookie display in CR

Epcot, Mickey and Minnie all decked out!

WL tree

Osborne lights- notice very little crowds- go right before closing (especially on an EMH night) and it is pretty empty!!!

osborne lights- our second time- notice much larger crowds, earlier in the night

MK tree

MK decor

Tree at the Dolphin with train around it.

Tree at AKL

MVMCP night

castle lights!

campsites decorated at FTW

MVMCP parade

entrance of MK

Epcot tree

 

[jenndla]

Thanks so much to ThereYouSeeHer and EXWDWCM! I can't wait to show my little girl all of those gingerbread houses - she loves them and we build one every year for Christmas.

EXWDWCM - are you planning to go back this December?

 

[exwdwcm]

and here are pics from 2005 first week of December

chocolate display at the CR, they didn't have it this year.

osborne lights

Main St!

gingerbread house at the GF

GF tree

MVMCP parade

Poly gingerbread house

weekend night at osborne lights----it was MOBBED. you couldn't even move, it was a bit scary. this was after the lights were not on for a few nights due to weather and the POP Warner private event (which closes down the park early). so everyone came out that weekend to see and it was a madhouse.

 

[mom2val]

I am so excited to be heading back for our second December trip! We will be there Dec 11-17 staying at WL. We were at Pop last year and booked a bounceback. I am crossing my fingers and hoping for another bounceback while we are there. I have my heart set on Dec 2011 at Contemporary Garden Wing.
We did the GAD and will use it for fast passes. We have booked the Deluxe DIning Plan and cannot wait to make ADR's next month.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

osborne lights- our second time- notice much larger crowds, earlier in the night

Couldn't help but notice the Romo jersey, my daughter has one as well! My DH is from Dallas, so alas, the rest of us are fans by default!

 

[PoppyGirl]

I don't know why, but I just woke up this morning SUPER excited about our trip! And now I'm looking at all these wonderful photos and getting teary-eyed just thinking about it! I can't wait!!!!!!!!

 

[exwdwcm]

I am so excited to be heading back for our second December trip! We will be there Dec 11-17 staying at WL. We were at Pop last year and booked a bounceback. I am crossing my fingers and hoping for another bounceback while we are there. I have my heart set on Dec 2011 at Contemporary Garden Wing.
We did the GAD and will use it for fast passes. We have booked the Deluxe DIning Plan and cannot wait to make ADR's next month.

welcome to December. i've updated our list (see link in my signature) and will add you. yeah for bouncebacks. hopefully you get another one!

Couldn't help but notice the Romo jersey, my daughter has one as well! My DH is from Dallas, so alas, the rest of us are fans by default!

ah yes, we are from Dallas- well just outside in Plano. We live about 20 minutes from DFW airport and are BIG cowboys fans. My sister actually dated Tony Romo before he was famous (back when he was third string!)

I don't know why, but I just woke up this morning SUPER excited about our trip! And now I'm looking at all these wonderful photos and getting teary-eyed just thinking about it! I can't wait!!!!!!!!

me too! i am so ready to make ADRs and get hours to really plan!! christmas at disney truly is a magical time!!

So Question for those that know the CLP- what are the slated times for you to eat dinner if you are doing the second or third show? I read on another thread that CLP info might not be released until late summer, so i want to try and book my epcot meals for the 'right time frame' so one can be for the CLP package later. i know if you want to do the early show (5pm) they say to do lunch from 1:45-2:45. but what about the other two shows? anyone know?