*~~Official December 2016 Thread~~*

[dnllmz]

I enjoy reading everyone's advice and how they plan their days. I know some things may or may not work for us. As of right now, I really don't know what is going to work so hearing all the different plans is even more helpful. Thanks for the map advice. I printed some out months ago but never really looked at them. I should do that soon. Since my ADRs are pretty much settled, I haven't done much planning besides checking to see if a RO discount has popped up yet. I like how your nights aren't all planned out. We aren't going to do a lot of plans at night besides some dinner ADRs which aren't very late. Oh and the xmas party. We aren't sure how late our kids will make it at night. My son will most likely be fine but if the younger one doesn't nap, she'll need to go to bed at a decent hour.

I did read a rumor that River of Lights might be up and running by the end of September. I think I read it on the dis fb page. I was at the point that I was hoping it wasn't figured out yet because it was one less thing I had to worry about fitting into our schedules. But it would be cool to see.

 

[rasadkowski]

Thank you all so much for the advice!! Anything is helpful, even if we have different schedules. My girls are early risers, and they go to bed very early. I'm nervous about our dinner times, since I know they'll be more tired than usual. It's hard planning so far in advance. Do you know what the likelihood is of the park ( MK especially) opening earlier than presently scheduled?

 

[dnllmz]

Thank you all so much for the advice!! Anything is helpful, even if we have different schedules. My girls are early risers, and they go to bed very early. I'm nervous about our dinner times, since I know they'll be more tired than usual. It's hard planning so far in advance. Do you know what the likelihood is of the park ( MK especially) opening earlier than presently scheduled?

What time did you schedule your dinners? My sil took my nephews when they were 18mos and 3yo and did all breakfast ADRs because she had no idea what her kids would be like in the afternoons and evenings. Which totally makes sense to me now BUT my dh doesn't really like breakfast so he wanted some dinners. I have some early like 4:45 and then some as late as 6:50. I wasn't sure if we would make stroller naps work which then the 445 would be awesome or if we were going to go back to the room and try to nap there then the later times would be better so there's less rushing. My plans are all over the place! lol

 

[rasadkowski]

What time did you schedule your dinners? My sil took my nephews when they were 18mos and 3yo and did all breakfast ADRs because she had no idea what her kids would be like in the afternoons and evenings. Which totally makes sense to me now BUT my dh doesn't really like breakfast so he wanted some dinners. I have some early like 4:45 and then some as late as 6:50. I wasn't sure if we would make stroller naps work which then the 445 would be awesome or if we were going to go back to the room and try to nap there then the later times would be better so there's less rushing. My plans are all over the place! lol

I'm in the same boat! We have early breakfasts (ppo). I'm a bit nervous about the possibility of parks opening earlier though. And our dinners are between 4 and 540. 445 would be ideal for us! But My husband said he doesn't want to eat before 5. We'd all be hungry later at a 4 something dinner. I wasn't planning on going back to the hotel ( poly) but now, I think we'll go back at 3ish... Change rest for an hour or so... And go to our 5 ish dinners then an early night.

 

[dnllmz]

I think if I was staying on the monorail I would be more likely to go back to the resort but we're staying at Pop. Which may change if room discounts come out.

 

[Jasmine81]

Curious if anyone has ever decorated their magic bands. I was looking at these decals from myfantasybands.com and was wondering if anyone has ever used them. They look easy and cute, and they're only like 2.50.

 

[dnllmz]

I haven't personally done it but I have a friend that uses them. She likes them.

 

[xlsm]

Curious if anyone has ever decorated their magic bands. I was looking at these decals from myfantasybands.com and was wondering if anyone has ever used them. They look easy and cute, and they're only like 2.50.

I have painted our bands the past two years, but I follow her on instagram and her designs are really cute. I'm on the fence about ordering some of these for this trip...I really want to paint Christmas themed bands, but these would be so much easier.

 

[Jasmine81]

I have painted our bands the past two years, but I follow her on instagram and her designs are really cute. I'm on the fence about ordering some of these for this trip...I really want to paint Christmas themed bands, but these would be so much easier.

These are pretty cute. And would be easier than painting them myself. I'll have to think about it. Really not bad for the price.

 

[Talby]

Can you put me in For December 17th-26th at Pop Century? We love going at Christmas. I can think of no better place to get that wonderful Christmas feeling than Disney World. Have the ADR's done, and if I don't decide to change them, then I can say I'll probably gain weight this trip. Doing the Hoop Dee Doo Revue for the first time this trip. Going to see Cirque Du Soliel for the 3rd time, I hear they have some new acts. Can't wait, at 142 days.

Disney does Christmas so incredibly well! We enjoy Cirque Du Soliel very much. It's on our must do list and will be seeing it for the second time on 12/06. That's exciting to hear they have added new acts!

 

[Talby]

@xlsm I appreciate your advice so much! I took my kids in 2013 and had a travel agent/friend for that trip who did all the leg work. I feel like a first timer in many ways. I've been fretting just a bit about the Fast Pass/touring plans and found your advice to be extremely helpful--THANKS!

 

[Talby]

You WILL have a great trip! Finding the balance between planning enough and not planning too much can be tough! As long as you go and you have fun, nothing else matters. If you take the time to stop and really, truly take in your surroundings, it will be successful

One of my BEST memories from our last trip: Last night of our trip. We had just finished watching Wishes (of course I cried) and were walking out of the park. I stopped my kids and asked them to turn around and look at the castle with me. We shared a family hug and just watched the castle for about 5 minutes or so. We did very consciously stop and really, really, truly took the moment completely in. It probably sounds cheesy; it was far more magical than I can accurately describe! lol That memory is without a doubt one of of those stay-with-me-forever memories.

 

[1437disney]

One of my BEST memories from our last trip: Last night of our trip. We had just finished watching Wishes (of course I cried) and were walking out of the park. I stopped my kids and asked them to turn around and look at the castle with me. We shared a family hug and just watched the castle for about 5 minutes or so. We did very consciously stop and really, really, truly took the moment completely in. It probably sounds cheesy; it was far more magical than I can accurately describe! lol That memory is without a doubt one of of those stay-with-me-forever memories.

That is the best memory and flooded back memories like that for me. Thank you for sharing. I personally think that is what the 'Disney Magic' is, being with your family and sharing those special moments. I hope you create many more of those!

 

[Talby]

Awww...thanks @1437disney I appreciate that!

It's so great to read what everyone is looking forward to, and also how people plan. It gives me such great ideas! Even though I've been to Disney before, I'm quite new to the planning process (TA for previous trip) and these boards have been tremendously helpful.

I'm most looking forward to being a kid myself! I enjoy that someone else is driving, someone is else cooking, and I enjoy reverting to a school-aged girl when Mickey kisses my hand. I just love playing and forgetting about the responsibilities at home while spending quality time with my kids. While making memories, time with family, and my kids' reactions to things are definitely the most special to me, I am SO EXCITED about the African Trek! And trying many new restaurants! And Cirque du Soliel! And Space Mountain! And IllumiNations! And, and, and...

 

[Talby]

Would anyone here happen to have input on Spirit of Aloha? I'm considering this as an option for our last night. Thinking about the 8:15 show and then watching Wishes from the beach. Any experience/thoughts/input on this idea? Thanks!!

 

[1437disney]

Would anyone here happen to have input on Spirit of Aloha? I'm considering this as an option for our last night. Thinking about the 8:15 show and then watching Wishes from the beach. Any experience/thoughts/input on this idea? Thanks!!

We have it booked, you can search utube for videos. I hear mixed reviews on the DIS. I hope more people answer you as I would love more feedback also. I went probably 25 years ago and it was amazing. They definitely changed it and have taken a lot of the real dancing out and made it more of a party with popular songs. We are hoping to replace our reservation with CRT, but I doubt that will happen.

 

[karen4546]

Curious if anyone has ever decorated their magic bands. I was looking at these decals from myfantasybands.com and was wondering if anyone has ever used them. They look easy and cute, and they're only like 2.50.

I looked. They are 2.50 each side-that is $5 per band

I used magicyourband they were very good.

 

[Rickat96]

Not very pleased with the crowd calendar updates on touring plans- most days in December-up to the 17th jumped 3-4 levels each day.

 

[Talby]

We have it booked, you can search utube for videos. I hear mixed reviews on the DIS. I hope more people answer you as I would love more feedback also. I went probably 25 years ago and it was amazing. They definitely changed it and have taken a lot of the real dancing out and made it more of a party with popular songs. We are hoping to replace our reservation with CRT, but I doubt that will happen.

Thanks @1437disney! I've been reading some pretty mixed reviews as well, but I have come across quite a few who really raved. I'm going to go for it, but the early show after further thought. I gotta do that hug my kids/watch the castle/cry thing on our way out of MK that last night! Wishing you luck in getting CRT!

 

[Jasmine81]

I looked. They are 2.50 each side-that is $5 per band

I used magicyourband they were very good.

Thanks! I didn't look into that much detail to realize it was 2.50 a side. 5 still isn't too bad. I'll look at that other site you mentioned too.