****Official December 2011 Thread****

[mamaprincess]

December 5-10!

It's my first trip to Disney World, and I am SO excited. My dad and I have been going to Disneyland together for the past 3 years in early December for a father/daughter Christmas vacation and always have a blast. I've never imagined getting to go to Florida though - just never in the cards. It's a short trip, but I'm just happy about getting to be there and having the experience.

We're staying at AKL whilch might be more exciting to than any of the parks, lol. I hope it doesn't disappoint, which based on reviews and things I've read I don't think it will.

AKL is tremendous!!! Your jaw will hit the floor when you walk into the lobby and you are going while it is all dressed up for Christmas! Your 1st trip is going to be so magical!

 

[Redarrow5150]

Come on December 20th...get here faster!!!!!!!!!

 

[Merida]

Joining in as well! We'll be down the 15th-19th at the Contemporary.

 

[kathie859]

DH agreed to a quick Dec 2-7 visit to see all the holiday decorations. Scored decent airfare and STILL hoping for a PIN or discount. Staying at our favorite spot---BWI CL.

 

[mlnbabies]

We will be there Dec. 3- 10 and staying off site. So excited. Now to finalize what parks on what days.

 

[jessiegirl84]

Hello, this is my very first post here.
I am from Australia and my BF and I are going to be in WDW in December 2011! I cannot wait. We will be staying off site, well at Lake Buena Vista from 12-17 December.

We have booked in to have dinner at Cinderellas Royal Table and also to see Mickeys Very Merry Christmas !

Last year we travelled to the USA and visited Disneyland in April but I cannot even begin to imagine how amazing WDW will be.

144days until we fly out!
I'm sure I'll be on here a bit more to get more of my planning done!

 

[DisneyGayl]

Hello,

We are having a family reunion at WDW during Christmas week! There are 16 of us spending the week together. I know it will be a crazy time there, but I can't wait to go!

The only thing I'm stressing about is making CP dinner package ressies! With such a large group, I think it will be a challenge!

Gayl

 

[eyeshadow]

We're hoping for December 5th-11th. Hoping for some kind of code and decent airfare.

 

[21hearts]

Wow lots of new people since the last time I posted here.

Our dates have changed. We are now going from December 2nd to the 12th!

 

[kjblovesdisney]

We are going December 3rd to the 10th. It will be my DS, DS-in-law and DF. we love traveling at Christmas time and enjoying the beautiful decorations. Plans include dinner at the California Grille, MVMCP, hopefully the Candlelight Processional. We are still waiting to see who will be the narrator for 12/4 to 12/6. We will be at POP Century (first time there). I can't wait!

 

[Sweetsunshine]

This question may be a bit off topic, but does anyone have any tips on where to buy some Christmas-themed Disney trinkets to buy before you leave and bring with you? My kids, ages 6, 4, and 1, will want to buy every toy in every gift shop we see.

I've never paid attention to that kind of thing at home until now. I did score some Minnie Mouse tshirts for $3 at Target today (not Christmas though). Maybe stocking stuffer things will be at CVS or Walgreens?

Also, any ideas for what I definitely should buy while there? A special Christmas tree ornament comes to mind, but that's it so far.

 

[Sweetsunshine]

Welcome to the dis! You will love it here. So much invaluable info. My youngest was 10 mos. when we 1st went and it was wonderful. So many rides have no height requirement then there are the shows. Our baby had fun. Just make sure you know where all the baby care centers are and utilize them. They are great for when baby is cranky, hungry or overwhelmed. Our family would take a break in them with the baby. I miss the convenience and comfort of the baby care centers.

Thanks for the idea! I've never heard of them before at Disney, but have used them at other places. I'll definitely remember that!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Hello, this is my very first post here.
I am from Australia and my BF and I are going to be in WDW in December 2011! I cannot wait. We will be staying off site, well at Lake Buena Vista from 12-17 December.

Welcome aboard!

We have booked in to have dinner at Cinderellas Royal Table and also to see Mickeys Very Merry Christmas !

When are you planning to go to MVMCP? I started a thread in this forum as a guest list. You should come check it out and see the other DISsers that will be there too!

Last year we travelled to the USA and visited Disneyland in April but I cannot even begin to imagine how amazing WDW will be.

DLR and WDW are very different, in their own special way!

They are all the Disney company, but have their own personality!

We are having a family reunion at WDW during Christmas week! There are 16 of us spending the week together. I know it will be a crazy time there, but I can't wait to go!

The only thing I'm stressing about is making CP dinner package ressies! With such a large group, I think it will be a challenge!

The CP window is rumored to open up on July 26 - you'll be fine!

This question may be a bit off topic, but does anyone have any tips on where to buy some Christmas-themed Disney trinkets to buy before you leave and bring with you? My kids, ages 6, 4, and 1, will want to buy every toy in every gift shop we see.

I've never paid attention to that kind of thing at home until now. I did score some Minnie Mouse tshirts for $3 at Target today (not Christmas though). Maybe stocking stuffer things will be at CVS or Walgreens?

Walgreens usually has stuff. Check on the Disney Store site too. Keep it simple though - you're going to have enough stuff that accumulates down there - don't torture yourself with too much extra stuff!

Also, any ideas for what I definitely should buy while there? A special Christmas tree ornament comes to mind, but that's it so far.

My new favorite thing is getting antenna balls down there. I've not been able to find an ornament I fall in love with, so that doesn't always happen. We also let the kids buy 1 special pin.

 

[jessiegirl84]

Thankyou so much for the welcome!

I've just popped over to that thread and added our date we are going on the 14th Dec to Mickeys Christmas party!

I read somewhere that the car park at magic kingdom can fit Disneyland in it plus an extra 500 cars! What we are planning on doing is spending half a day at epcot, half a day at magic kingdom. Then half a day at animal kingdom then half a day at magic kingdom then another half 3/4 day at Disney hollywood.
Do you think we will still see a bit? I wish we had more time but unfortunately there is a few other things we want to see.
I suppose it gives us the motivation to come back again very soon! Just wish we didn't live so far away ;(

 

[phinz]

Thankyou so much for the welcome!

I've just popped over to that thread and added our date we are going on the 14th Dec to Mickeys Christmas party!

I read somewhere that the car park at magic kingdom can fit Disneyland in it plus an extra 500 cars! What we are planning on doing is spending half a day at epcot, half a day at magic kingdom. Then half a day at animal kingdom then half a day at magic kingdom then another half 3/4 day at Disney hollywood.
Do you think we will still see a bit? I wish we had more time but unfortunately there is a few other things we want to see.
I suppose it gives us the motivation to come back again very soon! Just wish we didn't live so far away ;(

You most likely will not be able to do a significant portion of EPCoT in half a day. Many of their attractions are long, and for a few the wait can be long no matter what time of year you go. You can easily do most of AK in half a day if you don't stand in line too long for the more popular attractions. The Magic Kingdom in half a day will be pushing it for a first-timer. 3/4 of a day at MGM/DHS is a long time for a lot of people, but if you fit some of the longer attractions in it might take that long. It's a pretty small park. Usually I'm ready to go in about 4 hours.n Others spend all day there and don't get enough of it.

You also have to factor in driving/riding buses, taking the tram to the front gate, going through the bag search and getting through the gate. Sounds like you're in for a go, go, go type of vacation.

We'll be at the MK for MVMCP on the 14th too.

 

[DisneyMagic06]

Looking at going Dec 26-Jan1, this will be just me and my then 5 year old son. We have been to Disney so I know that this will be a very busy week but can anyone give me any pointers about going this week?

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I read somewhere that the car park at magic kingdom can fit Disneyland in it plus an extra 500 cars! What we are planning on doing is spending half a day at epcot, half a day at magic kingdom. Then half a day at animal kingdom then half a day at magic kingdom then another half 3/4 day at Disney hollywood.
Do you think we will still see a bit? I wish we had more time but unfortunately there is a few other things we want to see.
I suppose it gives us the motivation to come back again very soon! Just wish we didn't live so far away ;(

You won't be able to cover what you think you will! I would look over things and prioritize what you want to do the most AND look into following a touring plan.

Getting to the park first thing in the morning will be your best ally. The parks are notoriously not as busy as later in the day. Party days are also supposed to be very quiet, so you may get a lot done in Magic Kingdom.

Looking at going Dec 26-Jan1, this will be just me and my then 5 year old son. We have been to Disney so I know that this will be a very busy week but can anyone give me any pointers about going this week?

Touring plan. Find one, live by it. Start early!!!

 

[mlnbabies]

We are going to the Candlelight Processional on Dec. 8. What times are the show? The narrator is Isabella Rossellini (Film/Television Star and Wildlife Conversationalist) Dec. 7-9. Will I need to book a package or take my chance on it not being filled up?

 

[kimlooman]

I am not sure if I posted our family plans for Disney or not but here goes; we have had many family and financial struggles over the past 4 years. We had been going each year at least once to DW but then had to stop in 2007. Our boys have wanted to go back so badly but we have not been able to take a family vacation since then. We have been saving and paying off debt, so that we can surprise them with a their Christmas present, a trip to DW in Dec. 2011! We plan to surprise them by having them open a present a week early before we are leaving to drive to Florida. They are 8 and 14 and can handle that well. They think we will go back some year in the future but it will be awesome to go as a family again, soon. We are staying at our favorite place, BCV Dec. 17-23. It is so hard to keep this secret as we have told very few friends or family at this point. This will be our first vacation paying all cash for our trip ahead of time, so it will be such a great time of memories together. Just had to share with you all, this is and will be our happy place, DW!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I am not sure if I posted our family plans for Disney or not but here goes; we have had many family and financial struggles over the past 4 years. We had been going each year at least once to DW but then had to stop in 2007. Our boys have wanted to go back so badly but we have not been able to take a family vacation since then. We have been saving and paying off debt, so that we can surprise them with a their Christmas present, a trip to DW in Dec. 2011! We plan to surprise them by having them open a present a week early before we are leaving to drive to Florida. They are 8 and 14 and can handle that well. They think we will go back some year in the future but it will be awesome to go as a family again, soon. We are staying at our favorite place, BCV Dec. 17-23. It is so hard to keep this secret as we have told very few friends or family at this point. This will be our first vacation paying all cash for our trip ahead of time, so it will be such a great time of memories together. Just had to share with you all, this is and will be our happy place, DW!

That's an awesome story! We agree that saving cash up front is the way to go. We do the same, although generally for value resorts, so BCV is a big endeavor. Congratulations, the vacation will feel much nicer knowing it won't follow you home on a credit card!