*~~Official December 2016 Thread~~*

[LBlovesM&WDW]

@xlsm--We've changed resorts because of today's discounts. Please mark us for Coronado Springs--thank you.

 

[yeheyprincex2]

We booked our resort today AKL December 3-10

 

[5olearys]

Quick question: how do al of you make your touring plans now? It seems like the park times are not up to date. This will be our 3rd time to go over Christmas (so excited!) and I remember much early openings and much later closings than what is currently posted. And two MSEP and Wishes, etc.

Any idea when they will update the times? I want to start planning!

If I remember it right, they didn't announce the 7AM park openings until that week last year! I'm just going to go off the historical and cross my fingers, lol.

 

[xlsm]

Good morning! I'll come back to chat and update later today or tomorrow morning...School craziness gets into full swing today with haircuts, a little shopping, first PTO meeting of the year, and Back to School night for my youngest. I'd keep listing all the things, but I don't want to make myself cry. This week is going to be NUTS.

Happy Tuesday, December friends!

 

[BDL]

Hi everybody. Been away for a while. Stupid life and bills getting in the way.

But, anyhoo... I had a pretty good rough draft today. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law are going to WDW in Oct. And today was their FP+ day. This led to "You're really good at this Disney stuff, Sean. Can you handle it?" Of course I said yes. So, my SIL gave me a list of rides... And that's it. I had to take the list back to her. "OK... Which ones are your absolute must haves." After a few highlighter strokes and stars, I had the final copy. And 1st thing this morning, I got them all of their premium rides. 7 Dwarfs, Toy Story Mania and Frozen Ever After.

It was a good day for a rough draft.

PS: If you haven't been to my PTR, I did a review on a knee wrap I bought when I bought my new sneakers. And if you are like me, and have nothing under your knee cap, get yourself a titanium knee wrap. I never went for fads or those magnet or copper bracelets. This was an impulse buy during a 30% off sale, and oh my God, it's made a difference. Just throwing it out there in case someone might need it.

 

[dnllmz]

I'll check out your PTR. I just started following one for someone going in November.

@xlsm you guys start school earlier than us. We don't go back until after Labor Day. I haven't even begun to think about it. I have a hard time with every new milestone my kids have. My daughter's bday is on Labor Day and she starts Pre-K 4 the next day so I'll be an emotional wreck that whole week. Milestones are bittersweet.

 

[SilSprBea]

Hi, everyone! Joining this thread. We have a trip booked in December. I've been to Disney a number of times but have never stayed on property. It's also the first time taking my kids who will be 3 and 5 (my daughter will turn 5 while we are there and we will be celebrating her birthday in park!). We're staying at the Port Orleans Riverside December 4-10, and plan on being in the parks the 5th-9th. So excited!!

 

[Bethislucy]

I've been to Disney a number of times but have never stayed on property. It's also the first time taking my kids who will be 3 and 5 (my daughter will turn 5 while we are there and we will be celebrating her birthday in park!). We're staying at the Port Orleans Riverside December 4-10, and plan on being in the parks the 5th-9th. So excited!!

You are going to have a blast and your daughter will thing she is a real life princess

 

[BDL]

Hi, everyone! Joining this thread. We have a trip booked in December. I've been to Disney a number of times but have never stayed on property. It's also the first time taking my kids who will be 3 and 5 (my daughter will turn 5 while we are there and we will be celebrating her birthday in park!). We're staying at the Port Orleans Riverside December 4-10, and plan on being in the parks the 5th-9th. So excited!!

Welcome aboard.

And, you and your family are gonna love Port Orleans-Riverside. It has a great combo of fun for the kids (Ol' Man Pool, movies under the stars), decompression for the adults (the scenery, River Roost) and things for both (bike rentals, Yee Haw Bob). Also, don't deny yourselves the relaxing and fun boat ride to Disney Springs. Also, if it fits in your plans, maybe book a dinner at Boatwright's. In my opinion, it is 1 of the most underrated restaurants on property.

Enjoy.

PS: I didn't include this in the fun part and I don't know if your family is into it; also, I'm not sure if they've re-opened yet since the tragedy this summer, but there's a fishing hole and fishing trips that can be booked at POR.

 

[Talby]

Hi, everyone! Joining this thread. We have a trip booked in December. I've been to Disney a number of times but have never stayed on property. It's also the first time taking my kids who will be 3 and 5 (my daughter will turn 5 while we are there and we will be celebrating her birthday in park!). We're staying at the Port Orleans Riverside December 4-10, and plan on being in the parks the 5th-9th. So excited!!

We will also be at POR during that time--love this resort! All ages are perfect for Disney; 3 and 5 will be super magical! So exciting!

 

[luv2tvl]

Hello fellow December DIS peeps!
My family will be traveling 12/30 - 1/8. This will be a new time of the year for us, but we are really excited to make the most of everything! We are yearly Disney fans so we aren't new to the parks just new to level 10 crowd days!
We are confirmed at WL, but who knows if I will stick with that choice!
Happy to have found this thread!!

 

[ociana]

Hello December travelers!

We will be traveling from Oregon to WDW 12/10-12/15, then to Universal until the 17th and then cruising to the Caribbean! Our boys are both in college starting this year and their finals week ends on 12/9, so we figured we would take advantage of the slightly quieter week before K-12 schools are out and take a vacation.

We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside and really looking forward to it after hearing great things. We have only been to WDW once before (5 years ago) and stayed at the Dolphin for that trip.

If anyone has any tips/advice for the week we are there I am all ears.

 

[SilSprBea]

PS: I didn't include this in the fun part and I don't know if your family is into it; also, I'm not sure if they've re-opened yet since the tragedy this summer, but there's a fishing hole and fishing trips that can be booked at POR.

My husband will be excited to hear about the fishing hole. He loves fishing with the kids!

 

[xlsm]

to our new friends!!

I have the front page updated again with new December travelers and and switcheroos from our thread veterans.

 

[BDL]

For all of the people that are going to POR or thinking about it, and are not totally familiar with the resort, here is the recreation page from portorleans.org , created by Port Orleans aficionado, "Andrewilley". It includes a couple of things that I mentioned, and more.

Enjoy.

CLICK HERE

 

[Talby]

I'm quite new myself, but I just wanted to say hello and welcome to everyone else who has also recently joined. I have found this to be a really great bunch! Loads of collective experience and great ideas, plans, and advice are shared here. Hope you have fun as you prepare for your December trips! Christmastime at Disney is spectacular. Cheers to December Disney goers!!

 

[xlsm]

Good morning, Friends!

Finally more than a couple of seconds to post!

Both kids have done Back to School night, got locker assignments, etc...This year they will both be in middle school, so no running back and forth for me this year, thank goodness! One year of that was quite enough!!

Their first day is Monday, so we're trying to enjoy the last few days before going back to the "real life" of school. Usually I am more than ready for them to go back, but this year summer went by so quickly, and I'm dreading next week. At least I'll have some time to get my house clean...is that a positive?? Haha!

I've started getting myself all worked up about traveling in December now. I guess I didn't think about it too hard at first, was just coasting by on general Disney excitement, but now all I can think about is bad weather here at home, delayed/cancelled flights, etc...No real panic or anything, just a daily "what if..." that creeps into my head and needs shut down with thoughts of other things like coffee, Zac Efron movies, the hairstyle of the Olympic USA men's gymnastic team, cake...you know, distractions.

Our plan for this trip is to keep everything loose and open, but I'm going to start sitting down and working up a plan of attack for our Epcot days, at least for seeing the different "holidays around the world" speakers. I have a strong feeling we're going to pop into Epcot often since we'll be so close at the Boardwalk.

I also have to say, I'm probably the only person who cheered when I found out MSEP was going away, LOL!! I have never had a good experience with that darn parade, and people seem to be on their very worst behavior during and after it. The music starts up and my blood pressure rises! I do wonder if they'll bring over Paint the Night, I know opinions on that are split between "No, they said they won't" and "Yes, my neighbor went and asked a bus driver and they ARE". We saw it in June at Disneyland. It's a fun parade, but to me, nothing matches Festival of Fantasy during the afternoon. It's my very favorite. I'm really looking forward to the holiday parade during MVMCP, though! I do love a parade! (just not Main Street Electrical!!)

On another controversial topic, I'm also team No Handle on the Disney mug/tumbler situation. The day before it was announced, I was grumbling while putting away dishes because the mugs are such a pain to have in the cabinet. The handles make them take up so much space. Also, plus one for them being able to fit in cup holders. We never took them into the parks, so I do see why people will miss being able to use a carabiner to clip them to things, though. It will make it hard for one person to do a fill up, too. I'm planning to get a caddy thing from Thirty-One I saw on another thread that can carry 4 or so at a time. But, my line of thinking says a week at WDW with inconvenient cups is less important than those cups being in my house for much, much longer than a week. I need that cabinet space!

That's my rambles for now! Hope everyone is having a great week so far!!

 

[dnllmz]

lol @ Zac Efron movies and gymnast's hairstyles.

I read very briefly about the holidays around the world speakers. Do you think it's something young kids would like? They'll be 4 & 6 when we go.

Since I never experienced the parade, it doesn't really matter to me that it's canceled. We're going to see a parade at MVMCP and we were planning on seeing MSEP on a nonparty night but it's not something that's a must for us. We weren't sure if dd would be able to handle a lot of night stuff anyway. Honestly I really dislike crowds and I get easily annoyed when people are rude like pushing or butting in front of you while you've been waiting, so maybe the parades aren't for me. We'll definitely give the day one a try at least once. I did read an article yesterday that Paint the Night was confirmed to be staying at DL. I'll see if I can find where I read that.

The mugs are also something that I don't care about because I've never had one so I have no opinion on which is better. I also have very little cabinet space so no handle would probably be better for me and I don't plan on carrying them into the park since you can't get refills with them. We'll only be using at the resort food court and I don't think we'll be visiting there that much.

 

[OregonJenn]

Wondering what everyone thinks after hearing that the Main Street Electrical Parade will be ending October 9th at Magic Kingdom. I am so disappointed as I have been saving for this our first Disney trip for years and we will miss it now. I also had the Main Street Electrical Parade Dining Package for Tony's that I was so excited to get and now will be useless. My travel agent said the parade will probably not be replaced due to time constraints and money problems for Disney. She also said she heard that the Tony's dining packages will be cancelled with no other option given. I had scheduled to be at Magic Kingdom on 2 predicted very high attendance days in order to see the parade and Wishes when there was not a Xmas party taking place and now I am wondering if it is worth it but is late now to change my schedule due to already having made ADRs. Just wondering others thoughts or if you have heard anything?

 

[xlsm]

lol @ Zac Efron movies and gymnast's hairstyles.

I read very briefly about the holidays around the world speakers. Do you think it's something young kids would like? They'll be 4 & 6 when we go.

Since I never experienced the parade, it doesn't really matter to me that it's canceled. We're going to see a parade at MVMCP and we were planning on seeing MSEP on a nonparty night but it's not something that's a must for us. We weren't sure if dd would be able to handle a lot of night stuff anyway. Honestly I really dislike crowds and I get easily annoyed when people are rude like pushing or butting in front of you while you've been waiting, so maybe the parades aren't for me. We'll definitely give the day one a try at least once. I did read an article yesterday that Paint the Night was confirmed to be staying at DL. I'll see if I can find where I read that.

The mugs are also something that I don't care about because I've never had one so I have no opinion on which is better. I also have very little cabinet space so no handle would probably be better for me and I don't plan on carrying them into the park since you can't get refills with them. We'll only be using at the resort food court and I don't think we'll be visiting there that much.

Maybe you could pick and choose a few that you think they'd be more interested in? HERE is the link to Disney Tourist Blog with a breakdown of each country's storyteller. Norway, Italy, and China are the ones they recommend, and the ones that are my priorities, but we'll try to see as many as we can over the week.

The first time we tried to see MSEP was August 2014, we got trapped on the bridge on the Tomorrowland side of the castle coming from Fantasyland. Like, TRAPPED. We could not move at all. There was a lady with a stroller who kept ramming into anyone who tried to squish through and keep walking to get to Tomorrowland or the hub. She would scream, "There is a CHILD in this STROLLER and you are CRUSHING HIIIM!" if anyone came close. It was a nightmare!! I had to laugh the whole time because it was just so ridiculous.

But please don't take that experience as a parade norm, this was an extreme case!

A good spot is the train station and main street for parade viewing, if you can get there early and get a spot. Then it's not so bad. We really like watching Festival of Fantasy from Frontierland or Liberty Square.