**Official December 2010 Thread!!**

[momof2buzzboys]

We are going December 4-11. This will be our first Christmas Time Trip. Have you done December Disney before? Any Suggestions?

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

We are going December 4-11. This will be our first Christmas Time Trip. Have you done December Disney before? Any Suggestions?

We are going the same dates as you!!

 

[leo711]

I just checked out the park hours. I must say I am not to happy. MK is only scheduled for fireworks for the MVMMCP holiday wishes. No regular wishes or fireworks unless it is the extra party night. Spectro magic is only running 2 times during those dates and 1 of the nights are the same as Fantasmic at DHS. Fantasmic is only showing two time during these dates.

This will be our 4 th trip during this time of year and every time the shows/ fireworks become less frequent. I am really starting to feel like because it is value season the customer's experience is less important. The park tickets are the same price all year long. Discouraged and contemplating canceling the trip.

 

[MickeyLover20]

I am glad the hours are posted for December but now I need January as we will be there from Dec. 29th to Jan. 5th. I am hoping that it won't be very busy Jan. 2, 3 and 4.

 

[PoppyGirl]

Is it possible there will be NO Wishes at all during our trip? I just checked the calendar and I can't find any nights between Dec. 8-15 when Wishes is scheduled. I'll be so disappointed if I don't get to see it!

Will they add it later?????

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

December EMH Yah or Nah???

I keep going back and forth with our schedule wondering if we should plan on going to the parks with PM EMH or not??? Tour Plans and Tour Guide Mike both say to stay away from these parks on those days, but is that only for people staying off property or is that for everyone? We will be there Dec. 1-8and plan on doing the Friday night Epcot EMH, do a MVMCP one night and then not sure if we should do the DHS on Sunday and MK on Monday for EMH or do a different park those nights??? Is Monday night totally nuts at the MK during PopWarner? I feel like I'm going crazy moving everything around on our schedule all the time, but our ADR window opens on June 4th, so I want the schedule all figured out by then...I don't want to change things once I do the ADR's.

I always try to plan on going to the parks when EMH are available. It's a perk for resort guests only, so why not? I know some people feel like it creates more crowds, but we've always found them to be fine. We are also generally at Disney during Pop Warner week and have never had a problem with that either. My advice would be to make a schedule that works for you, be flexible, and try not to worry too much about crowd control!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I just checked out the park hours. I must say I am not to happy. MK is only scheduled for fireworks for the MVMMCP holiday wishes. No regular wishes or fireworks unless it is the extra party night. Spectro magic is only running 2 times during those dates and 1 of the nights are the same as Fantasmic at DHS. Fantasmic is only showing two time during these dates.

This will be our 4 th trip during this time of year and every time the shows/ fireworks become less frequent. I am really starting to feel like because it is value season the customer's experience is less important. The park tickets are the same price all year long. Discouraged and contemplating canceling the trip.

I know it can be frustrating, but I wouldn't cancel because I think the schedule is incomplete. I have another schedule from a travel agent website, and it shows Wishes Fireworks during your trip on 12/4, 12/6, and 12/8. I would have to assume that schedules for shows and fireworks will still be added later.

December has great weather, great crowds, and great decorations and festivities. Hang in there, it's worth it!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Is it possible there will be NO Wishes at all during our trip? I just checked the calendar and I can't find any nights between Dec. 8-15 when Wishes is scheduled. I'll be so disappointed if I don't get to see it!

Will they add it later?????

Yes, I'm assuming they will add it later. I have another schedule from a travel agent website and it shows Wishes during your trip on 12/8, 12/11, 12/13, and 12/15. I would just keep checking Disney's website to see if they officially add dates for Wishes later.

 

[rachaface]

WOOOOO! I just booked today!!

December 1st through the 10th! Staying at the Contemporary in the Tower w/Bay Lake View. It's gonna kill my wallet because its all 4 of the family, but it's the only time we're going and it's for my birthday so that justifies it (right? :X LOL) We also have the dining plan, so I've made a huge spreadsheet of my ADRs. Unfortch because my family doesn't live on a schedule like me, most of the times i'll be dining alone, but i almost sort of prefer it. Here's a list of all my ADRs, excluding the 1st because IDK when we'll get in (i also have to finalize in 10 days when im allowed to book them LOL). you'll also notice a slight theme :X my goal is to hit as many character meals as possible (outside of vine & dine bc thats playhouse disney)


Dec 2- Donald's Safari Bkfst @ Tusker House; (nothing for lunch); Liberty Tree Tavern for Dinner before the Very Merry Christmas Party
Dec 3- Akershus for Bkfast; Le Chefs de France for lunch (hoping to see Remy!); Le Cellier for Dinner - also might do the Undiscovered Future World tour
Dec 4- 1900 Park Fare for Breakfast (i loved it last yr!)
Dec 5 (bday!!)- Chef Mickey's for Bkfst; (nothing for lunch); Garden Grill for dinner
Dec 6- (nothing for breakfast); 50's Prime Time for lunch; Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue for Dinner @ 9:30 - also auditioning for AI Experience this day
Dec 7- 'Ohana for Breakfast; (nothing for lunch); California Grill for Dinner (with my dad - hopefully we can catch holiday wishes)
Dec 8- Cinderella's Royal Table for bkfst; (nothing for lunch); Rose & Crown for dinner
Dec 9- Crystal Palace for bkfst; (nothing for lunch); Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare for dinner
Dec 10- Possibly Cape May for Breakfast - im wondering on how to get there outside of taking the ttc to epcot, and then going in through the main entrance and shimmy my way down to the Intl. Gateway. Any suggestions?

sounds so eventful! i can't wait

 

[disneybarbie]

Welcome Rachaface.. looks like a great list of ADRs!

In my experience I've always used EMH (especially the morning ones) and found that we can get so much done in that first hour.. usually all of the 'E Ticket' attractions, then we can slow down and enjoy the rest of the park!

I'm fairly sure that there will be Wishes on the non-MVMCP nights and it might be the Main Street Electrical Parade rather than Spectromagic still in December! I love Spectro but am excited to see MSEP again

Emma x

 

[PoppyGirl]

I just sent my ADR list to the Itinerary planning office at AKL!!!!!!!!!!! I feel SO pampered! (and a little bit bossy too.....)

Here's my ADR wish list:

• Candlelight Processional package at LeCellier (lunch) (with Tutto Italia or Coral Reef as second/third choice if LeCellier is unavailable)
• 50's Prime Time (lunch)(new to us)
• Crystal Palace (dinner) (one of my favorites!)
• Grand Floridian Garden View Tea Room--just me and DD (new to us)
• Chef Mickey (breakfast) (new to us)
• Sanaa (lunch) (new to us)
• Boma (breakfast once and dinner once) (my absolute favorite place in the world--Disney and otherwise!)
• Whispering Canyon (new to us)

I mentioned to a friend of mine about the "no Wishes" on the Dec. calendar and she said she had read a rumor that they were changing the fireworks to another show and that maybe that is why it wasn't posted yet. Anyone else heard or read that???

 

[Tinker_Tam]

I mentioned to a friend of mine about the "no Wishes" on the Dec. calendar and she said she had read a rumor that they were changing the fireworks to another show and that maybe that is why it wasn't posted yet. Anyone else heard or read that???

The TA schedule that was posted a few days ago, not the Disney site but the other schedule, does have wishes on it. Maybe they just haven't gotten around to putting those on yet...we can hope anyway!

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

Here is my itinerary (if I get all ADRS I want!)
What do you guys think? I am so excited but I REALLY hope that Spectro is still there instead of the MSEP! I like the MSEP but I have seen it a million times in CA and like to go to WDW for something different. I have also seen Wished on the travel agents site so I am sure it will be showing during our trip!

12/2: Departure Night
Leave LAX 1005pm Flight Number 1063

12/3: Arrival Day
Land MCO 549am
Take DME and check-in to CSR
Grab quick breakfast at CSR
Be picked up by Alamo and rent car from car care center
Go to Universal Orlando
L-Three Broomsticks (CS)
Drop off car at Dolphin
D-Kouzzina approx 8pm
Illum 930 (if we have time)
Epcot EMH 930-1230

12/4: Epcot Day (hrs 9am-930pm)
B- Pepper Market or Café Rix (CS)
L- Le Cell or Coral Reef-CP Package (latest lunch possible)
Candlelight Process-the last one before illuminations
Illum 930

12/5: AK Day (hrs 9am-6pm)
B- Pepper Market or Café Rix (CS)
L-Tusker House approx 130pm
Jingle Jungle Parade: 345pm
Leave AK by 4:30pm to change into Christmas attire
MVMCP (7pm-midnight)

12/6: MK Day (hrs 9am-11pm including EMH)
B-Chef Mickey’s as early as possible
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade: 3pm
D-Tony’s
Spectromagic: 7pm
Wishes: 8pm
EMH until 11pm

12/7: DHS Day (hrs 9am-8pm)
B- Pepper Market or Café Rix (CS)
AM Horseback Ride (approx 815am-9am)
L- Sci-Fi at approx 1pm
Osborne Lights (start at sundown until 8pm)
Shopping/Earl of Sandwich at DTD
Characters in Flight

12/8: Free Day (can swap with 12/9 if adrs require it)
B- Pepper Market or Café Rix (CS)
Segway Tour-745am
L- Le Cell or Coral Reef approx 1 or 2pm
AK EMH 5-8pm
DTD if time afterwards

12/9: Free Day (can swap with 12/8 if adrs require it)
B-Boma (as early as possible)
Free Time
D-California Grill approx 8pm

12/10: Free Day
B- Pepper Market or Café Rix (CS)
AM Horseback Ride or Melanie to Manta
Free Time
D- T-Rex Café approx 6 or 630pm
Epcot EMH 930-1230

12/11 Free Day/Leaving Day 
B- Pepper Market or Café Rix (CS)
Free Time
L-Beaches and Cream approx 1 pr 2pm
Be ready to leave on DME by 345pm
Depart mco 650pm land lax 918pm 1062

 

[disneybarbie]

[FONT="Comic Sans MS]I mentioned to a friend of mine about the "no Wishes" on the Dec. calendar and she said she had read a rumor that they were changing the fireworks to another show and that maybe that is why it wasn't posted yet. Anyone else heard or read that???
[/FONT][/QUOTE]

[COLOR="Magenta"]There is a new fireworks show coming for the summer season ("Nightastic!") - rumored to be called "Magic, Music & Mayhem" which will be similar to the fireworks used in the Pirate & Princess parties a couple of years ago?
However Disney have said that Wishes will be back at the end of summer (I guess August?) [/COLOR]

Here is my itinerary (if I get all ADRS I want!)
What do you guys think? I am so excited but I REALLY hope that Spectro is still there instead of the MSEP! I like the MSEP but I have seen it a million times in CA and like to go to WDW for something different. I have also seen Wished on the travel agents site so I am sure it will be showing during our trip!

Hi! Looks like a great itinerary.. you have a lot planned for that first day!! does the jet-lag not effect you coming from the west coast? I'm always so tired on our first day we get to Florida, but guess the the jet-lag is coming from the 'other direction', 5 hours backwards lol
So jealous that you worked in DL - I dream of going there one day!

Emma x

 

[siskaren]

Dec 10- Possibly Cape May for Breakfast - im wondering on how to get there outside of taking the ttc to epcot, and then going in through the main entrance and shimmy my way down to the Intl. Gateway. Any suggestions?

I would suggest either taking the bus to DHS and then taking the boat to BC or walking over to the MK and taking the bus to BC.

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

disneybarbie-I love your name! Well we are only 3 hours and we will be sleeping on the red eye flight over so we should be alright....but it is a pretty big day. If we are too tired after Kouzzina we may just hit Test Track and then go back to the resort. it all depends on how everyone is feeling!

Coming home (back to the West Coast) is much harder in terms of Jet Lag.
BTW I still work for Disney and love it! I take advantage of my benefits by going to WDW at least twcie a year, and play at DL as much as possible

 

[exwdwcm]

There are a group of us friends headed down over the Christmas holiday. Are you mad you say, because the crowds will be huge, well yes we are, but then again I think the only thing that needs to be said is, sometimes you have to take the opportunity when it arises. Nine of us staying at different resorts and will be there from Dec 18-28 2010.

My wife and I will be staying at the Port Orleans Riverside Resort. My first trip to WDW will be a memorable one.

woo hoo- like you said, anytime at disney is better than none, even if it is busy. i think if you go in with your eyes open and know it will be busy, you can still have a great time with a little planning, plus it is disney- it will be magical!

Alright well I changed resorts. We are now staying at OKW. I didn't want to do SSR two years in a row so I just changed the resort. DH is going to kill me because I have been obsessed with this for about 2 weeks now. I keep calling him to ask him and I get the same answer do whatever. So now I did. Please tell me I did not make a HUGE mistake? We did AKL last year and we are HOPING to get a THV next year so I figured lets try something new.

sorry you couldn't get what you wanted, but OKW sounds very nice, plus it is something new. you should enjoy it!

December EMH Yah or Nah???

I keep going back and forth with our schedule wondering if we should plan on going to the parks with PM EMH or not??? Tour Plans and Tour Guide Mike both say to stay away from these parks on those days, but is that only for people staying off property or is that for everyone? We will be there Dec. 1-8and plan on doing the Friday night Epcot EMH, do a MVMCP one night and then not sure if we should do the DHS on Sunday and MK on Monday for EMH or do a different park those nights??? Is Monday night totally nuts at the MK during PopWarner? I feel like I'm going crazy moving everything around on our schedule all the time, but our ADR window opens on June 4th, so I want the schedule all figured out by then...I don't want to change things once I do the ADR's.

we are big fans of AM EMH, but i don't know if we will do them this time or not. we did get SO much done in the am EMH especially at MK last December. we were able to tackle all of fantasyland basically in that hour. Evening EMH is a crapshoot- it might be good or could be crowded, but due to the limited hours in early december and knowing we will take a break each day, we will probably do evening EMH once at MK, HS and Epcot for the extra time. We will go in knowing it could be crowded, but will plan to do less popular attractions or just enjoy the atmosphere, entertainment or sights if it is crowded. In 10 days i only saw pop warner in the parks ONCE. they really were not a factor for us in the parks at all.

I just checked out the park hours. I must say I am not to happy. MK is only scheduled for fireworks for the MVMMCP holiday wishes. No regular wishes or fireworks unless it is the extra party night. Spectro magic is only running 2 times during those dates and 1 of the nights are the same as Fantasmic at DHS. Fantasmic is only showing two time during these dates.

This will be our 4 th trip during this time of year and every time the shows/ fireworks become less frequent. I am really starting to feel like because it is value season the customer's experience is less important. The park tickets are the same price all year long. Discouraged and contemplating canceling the trip.

i would definitely not cancel, i am almost certain that there will be fireworks on non MVMCP nights, there has been the last 5 years. there were last year when we were there. they just don't always add that on the calendar right away, so don't make any rash decisions. WISHES will typically be at 8pm on those non MVMCP nights when it closes at 8pm. spectro ran on non MVMCP nights for our last dec trip too. Fantasmic will probably be more limited, but i wouldn't give up on fireworks at the MK. it hasn't been said whether it will be WISHES, something new or if the will continue the summer version they are changing to.........so that could be a reason too. i would give it a little time and not count it out- we were able to see wISHES at least twice last december during our stay, plus once for the holiday version.

 

[exwdwcm]

WOOOOO! I just booked today!!

December 1st through the 10th! Staying at the Contemporary in the Tower w/Bay Lake View. It's gonna kill my wallet because its all 4 of the family, but it's the only time we're going and it's for my birthday so that justifies it (right? :X LOL) We also have the dining plan, so I've made a huge spreadsheet of my ADRs. Unfortch because my family doesn't live on a schedule like me, most of the times i'll be dining alone, but i almost sort of prefer it. Here's a list of all my ADRs, excluding the 1st because IDK when we'll get in (i also have to finalize in 10 days when im allowed to book them LOL). you'll also notice a slight theme :X my goal is to hit as many character meals as possible (outside of vine & dine bc thats playhouse disney)


Dec 2- Donald's Safari Bkfst @ Tusker House; (nothing for lunch); Liberty Tree Tavern for Dinner before the Very Merry Christmas Party
Dec 3- Akershus for Bkfast; Le Chefs de France for lunch (hoping to see Remy!); Le Cellier for Dinner - also might do the Undiscovered Future World tour
Dec 4- 1900 Park Fare for Breakfast (i loved it last yr!)
Dec 5 (bday!!)- Chef Mickey's for Bkfst; (nothing for lunch); Garden Grill for dinner
Dec 6- (nothing for breakfast); 50's Prime Time for lunch; Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue for Dinner @ 9:30 - also auditioning for AI Experience this day
Dec 7- 'Ohana for Breakfast; (nothing for lunch); California Grill for Dinner (with my dad - hopefully we can catch holiday wishes)
Dec 8- Cinderella's Royal Table for bkfst; (nothing for lunch); Rose & Crown for dinner
Dec 9- Crystal Palace for bkfst; (nothing for lunch); Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare for dinner
Dec 10- Possibly Cape May for Breakfast - im wondering on how to get there outside of taking the ttc to epcot, and then going in through the main entrance and shimmy my way down to the Intl. Gateway. Any suggestions?

sounds so eventful! i can't wait

wow, quite a list of ADRs- looks like great choices too. but i can tell you from experience- that we felt like we overdid it on the meals. we had free dining and as you know, you only get one sit down meal per day of the trip to use as you want over the length of your stay. so we were there 10 nights, so we got 10 sit downs, but my family booked a quite few more than that- i think 15 total. the days where we had 2 sit down meals- well it just really ate into our touring time too much- i felt like we spent 4 hours a day just eating. my family had one day that they ate a sitdown meal for breakfast, lunch and dinnera nd we passed on that- it was just too much. it took us at least 90 minutes for each meal, and with the shorter hours in the parks, we just felt like we spent too much time eating and not enough enjoying the park. We LOVE to eat and love disney dining, but this trip, i said only one sit down meal per day, lol

I just sent my ADR list to the Itinerary planning office at AKL!!!!!!!!!!! I feel SO pampered! (and a little bit bossy too.....)

Here's my ADR wish list:

• Candlelight Processional package at LeCellier (lunch) (with Tutto Italia or Coral Reef as second/third choice if LeCellier is unavailable)
• 50's Prime Time (lunch)(new to us)
• Crystal Palace (dinner) (one of my favorites!)
• Grand Floridian Garden View Tea Room--just me and DD (new to us)
• Chef Mickey (breakfast) (new to us)
• Sanaa (lunch) (new to us)
• Boma (breakfast once and dinner once) (my absolute favorite place in the world--Disney and otherwise!)
• Whispering Canyon (new to us)

I mentioned to a friend of mine about the "no Wishes" on the Dec. calendar and she said she had read a rumor that they were changing the fireworks to another show and that maybe that is why it wasn't posted yet. Anyone else heard or read that???

that is so fun to have them do it for you!!! i want to hear how the tea room is- it sounds like a lot of fun and something new we might want to try next time.

Here is my itinerary (if I get all ADRS I want!)
What do you guys think? I am so excited but I REALLY hope that Spectro is still there instead of the MSEP! I like the MSEP but I have seen it a million times in CA and like to go to WDW for something different. I have also seen Wished on the travel agents site so I am sure it will be showing during our trip!

looks great- i agree the first day might be a little long, so you might just play it by ear for the evening EMH. same for your AK and MVMCP day- it might be a long day to do both- do you have kiddos in your party or just all adults? If all adults, it probably isn't a big deal, but if there are kiddos, it could be a little long for them to make it all day at AK (even in December it can get warm) and then the long late night at MK. We like to sort of do a 'rest' day before MVMCP or at the very least, take a nice 3 hour break or so, swimming, relaxing or napping before hte MVMCP. but then again we have kiddos too that simply couldn't go that long (heck, some of our adults couldn't either, lol- don't tell them i said that!). looks like a fabulous trip!!!!!! i'll cross my fingers that spectro stays for you.

 

[rachaface]

Here is my itinerary (if I get all ADRS I want!)

Go to Universal Orlando
L-Three Broomsticks (CS)

Jingle Jungle Parade: 345pm

a) totally jealous that you're going to the HP thing!

b) where did you find the times for the jingle jungle parade? I couldn't get dates on the calendar to show past november but I want to make sure I see it (i never have before!)

 

[Vickis3js]

I'm going to ask on the restaurant board as well but I figured I'd ask my fellow December folks as well. Where would you do Christmas breakfast? We are not going to do MK or really any park that day. We might head to one after dinner but we don't do the parks during the day. We want to try something new we always seem to do the same breakfast places. So we have already been to
Ohana
Chef Mickeys
Crystal Palace
1900 PF
Akershurs
Boma
and we have Tusker House already booked.

So where else has really yummy food? The kids are only requesting CM for dinner not too happy about that one but its their day to plan as long as they all agree on it and all 3 of them want CM!