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

[Juliealto]

I am having a hard time thinking of what to get the kids for Christmas. Since we started going to WDW for Christmas its become a tradition that the kids get a Disney experiance for Christmas. The first year they did BBB on Christmas, then they did one of the Pirate adventure cruises and last year we did Pirate and Pals fireworks cruise on Christmas. I have no idea what to do this year. They would LOVE one of the tours but most of the ones they would like they are too young for. What to do what to do???

I know I'm late to this party, but has anybody suggested the Afternoon Tea at the grand Floridian? I've heard that it's a good experience for all ages; even adult "girls" said it was and the food pictures looked really yummy!

 

[Juliealto]

Is there anyone who goes regularly in early or mid December? I'm wondering if the crowds levels are really that low like all the guide books suggest because our last trip in mid August was miserable due to long lines and heat. Our baby will be 22 months old so we wanted to avoid long lines and heat this time around. We even agreed it was worth it to take our son out of school for a week. Also, is it typically warm enough for swimming during this time? I know these are all questions with variables, and I don't expect anyone to have the "exact answers". Thankful for any help or suggestions.

The week right after Thanksgiving has become known unofficially as "DVC Week," as it's the week many DVCers choose to go because the Christmas stuff is going full force at that point and the points required to go are really low. When we were there in 2000, it was still a much lower crowd level, but I've heard it ain't necessarily so anymore. Although we saw a few people in the pool that week, it sure wasn't warm enough for us to even think about swimming, definitely not after sundown.

The following week is "pop Warner" week when thousands of pop Warner football players and cheerleaders and their families converge on WDW. It makes the All Star resorts, Pop Century, POFQ and POR pretty noisy, but that doesn't necessarily make the parks themselves (or those specific resorts) any busier. If the rooms weren't filled by Pop Warner families, they'd be filled by free dining or pin code offers.

 

[Juliealto]

We're planning to spend Christmas with Mickey at Old Key West from December 23 to 31.

We've rescheduled our 2011 trip twice now and I don't know who else will be in my travel party (so not much I can plan at this time) but at least I can see what everybody else is planning.

 

[21hearts]

So has anyone done any planning this week?

Dh & I talked about a few ADR's but he really couldn't care less. I have a feeling I'll be planning the rest by myself.

 

[beatlesblonde]

I planned out some potential ADRs a few weeks ago with DH's input but nothing since then. I had used Touring Plans' predicted calendar to plan our park days and they were pretty spot on. I really can't do much more until we can make ADRs and see what's available.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Oh yes 21hearts we are always planning. We had a long talk the other day as to whether or not we should add the DDP. We have decided not to. We have done the dining plan every year since 2007. That is until this past January. My husband and I snuck down to WDW without the kids for a few days and skipped the DDP. We were shocked by how much money we saved. So for December we are going to try skipping it with the kids. They would all be adults this time except the baby and honestly there's noway they will eat $46 worth of food in one day. So wish us luck! I hope we aren't making a mistake! If so, we better fill up on the free cookies at MCMCP!!!

 

[Juliealto]

I, too, spent some time on Touring plans looking at crowd predictions for best/worst/neutral parks to visit each day. I cancelled my ADRs for the June trip we won't be taking. I confirmed that we can get nights on the edges of our Disney stay at our preferred off-site hotels using our Wyndham Rewards points. We've been discussing hopper passes vs APs vs just using days from our non-expiration passes we purchased last year. Also been discussing our preferred dining choices. Next Monday is the day we can call DVC Member Services for reservations, so we spent some time looking at what buildings at OKW we want to request.

 

[bitohoney]

I, too, spent some time on Touring plans looking at crowd predictions for best/worst/neutral parks to visit each day. I cancelled my ADRs for the June trip we won't be taking. I confirmed that we can get nights on the edges of our Disney stay at our preferred off-site hotels using our Wyndham Rewards points. We've been discussing hopper passes vs APs vs just using days from our non-expiration passes we purchased last year. Also been discussing our preferred dining choices. Next Monday is the day we can call DVC Member Services for reservations, so we spent some time looking at what buildings at OKW we want to request.

Looks like we will be arriving on the same day!?!

 

[Juliealto]

Looks like we will be arriving on the same day!?!

Kewl!! Is this your first time to be there for the actually holiday week? It looks like it will be madness, but we're going to give it a try. Worst case scenario we see the special holiday parades, fireworks, displays, etc, and spend a lot of time just chillin' at resorts.

 

[Juliealto]

We had a long talk the other day as to whether or not we should add the DDP. We have decided not to. We have done the dining plan every year since 2007. That is until this past January. My husband and I snuck down to WDW without the kids for a few days and skipped the DDP. We were shocked by how much money we saved.

I have a feeling we'd find the same thing if we just ate like we normally do without desserts and sodas at every meal. I'm hoping we'll give it a try at Christmas, especially if they do the coupons again for discounted CS when you eat at times earlier or later than the typical lunch & supper rush hours.

 

[rebelbuddhist]

I think the DDP is really an individual decision depending on one's plans, desires, eating habits and reasons for going to Disney World. There are couples like my wife and I who don't go for the thrill rides but for the holiday decorations, parades, shows and the great dining not the CS. For us a 2 hour or so break for a leisurely meal is a real part of the magic of a Disney day. So, if it's too much food for you- don't purchase one. If it's too much time out of your busy tour plan-- don't purchase one. But if it fits your plans like the Deluxe Dining Plan does for us, it's worth the cost even if Disney isn't offering
free dining, but it is better when it is free! No set answer to the DDP question just lots of options!

 

[rebelbuddhist]

Anyone know what the new policy about conflicting ADRs is or where it is posted?

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Anyone know what the new policy about conflicting ADRs is or where it is posted?

Here's some info from the DIS:

A change has been made to Walt Disney World's online dining reservation system that will no longer permit guests to book more than one reservation during the same timeframe. The ability to book dining reservations online has been a welcome addition for guests, who had often experienced frustration at having to make all reservations by phone. However, some have speculated that with the online system, guests are finding it easier to make multiple reservations in case of a change of plans and not bothering to cancel unused reservations. At popular restaurants, this may result in the computers showing the restaurant as full and unbookable to guests who actually intend on dining there.

With the new change, if guests try to book more than one reservation for the same time, they will get a message reminding them of the existing reservation. If they wish to confirm the new reservation, the previous reservation must be canceled.

 

[bitohoney]

Kewl!! Is this your first time to be there for the actually holiday week? It looks like it will be madness, but we're going to give it a try. Worst case scenario we see the special holiday parades, fireworks, displays, etc, and spend a lot of time just chillin' at resorts.

Yes it is our 1st time for Christmas! I'm scared but excited and ready to make ADRs on June 26th!
We have been to DL for Christmas...twice...it was nuts!
I plan on being at rope drop every day.

 

[Juliealto]

Yes it is our 1st time for Christmas! I'm scared but excited and ready to make ADRs on June 26th!
We have been to DL for Christmas...twice...it was nuts!
I plan on being at rope drop every day.

Ditto the rope drop strategy. I'd like to get in a couple of favorite rides/attractions and then just relax and enjoy the atmosphere when the crowds catch up with the early risers!

Does anybody have any favorite seasonal meals or treats they are looking forward to?

 

[Beatles_Girl]

Im so happyyyyy!!! I conviced my hubby to change our dates from september to december!!!

This is going to be our first Disney Christmas!! We're over the moon!! Dec 5-15 - Coronado Springs!! HERE WE GO!!!

 

[LaurenLC]

We just got home from our daughter’s first trip this afternoon and I've already put in a reservation request with DVC membership for a December trip Decmber 8- 14!
I'm soooooo excited!

 

[21hearts]

We just got home from our daughter’s first trip this afternoon and I've already put in a reservation request with DVC membership for a December trip Decmber 8- 14!
I'm soooooo excited!

Ooh DVC! How exciting is that? DH and I are thinking of joining next year.

So its getting closer to June! Who's planning on making ADRs? What places are you thinking of? How is the trip planning coming?

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Ooh DVC! How exciting is that? DH and I are thinking of joining next year.

Ooh, were you considering resale or direct from Disney? Any particular resort?

I like to keep my eye on it, but we'd be years away from making a decision. Honestly, we are not the typical DVC customer, as we generally choose short, inexpensive vacations at value resorts with free dining and the like. So, if we ever chose DVC, we would join more as a fun thing to have instead of viewing it as a type of vacation savings or investment.

 

[21hearts]

Ooh, were you considering resale or direct from Disney? Any particular resort?

I like to keep my eye on it, but we'd be years away from making a decision. Honestly, we are not the typical DVC customer, as we generally choose short, inexpensive vacations at value resorts with free dining and the like. So, if we ever chose DVC, we would join more as a fun thing to have instead of viewing it as a type of vacation savings or investment.

We are going to do direct from Disney & most likely SSR since its $99 per point where the other resorts are around $120 a point. Although my uncle is a CM and he said that he may be able to get us a discount depending on when we decide to do it. If that's true then we'll be able to do it sooner. We do know that we want to pay the costs up front & not do finance so we're hoping to have the money by next December or next June if my uncle can get us a discount.

My DH was the one who suggested we do it. Right now we've been mostly staying in Values and while there is nothing wrong with them its a tight squeeze for our family of five. We're staying in our first Moderate on this trip but we know that we will need more space soon since the kids are getting older. For us it'll be cheaper to do DVC and pay the up front costs and only $600 a year rather then pay $5000 a trip for a Deluxe hotel.