Our First Christmas with Mickey a magical trip on a budget!

[crzyred]

LOVE the sweatshirts!!

 

[Moodyzblu]

Joining in ! Your plans sound SO exciting .. can't wait to hear more !

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

Awesome job on the sweatshirts! Can't believe your trip is getting so close!!

 

[seacrestpromo]

Wow! Those are very cute shirts Kim!! So creative!

I'm slowly making progress. Our trip is 10 days away and I still haven't sat down to look at park hours and crowd predictions to plan our days. I'm feeling very ill prepared!!! DH downloaded an app for his cell phone that tells us the wait times so that will be helpful!

I made these for the kids today! The DISign is by Shadowriter. I love the Creative DISign forum!

Little by little I'm crossing things off my "To Do" list!

 

[kittylady1972]

Just stumbled across your report and had to jump in and read...yippee another Maryland person!!

Love the trip planning so far and your idea to leave earlier! We have another year to wait until our next trip but I just love Disney around the holidays! You are going to have a great time!

I'm also becoming more and more aware of budget constraints and saving money in Disney is TOUGH but I'm working on doing better. We'll see how I do on our two trips in 2012...one with kids and one without!

Can't wait to hear all about your trip!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi Kim,
I've been MIA but just caught up! Things are moving along,I can't believe how close your trip is now! YAY for your trip being so close now that you moved it up some!! Love all the tshirts/sweatshirts you picked up!!! I hit the dollar aisle at Target and picked up some cute Mickey socks for the boys, love them! I also managed to find a pair for myself!!

I can't wait to hear more!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

Yay! I'm glad you're leaving earlier!! We do that a lot and try to get a few more hours closer. Of course, we often end up driving all night!!

Super cute MVMCP shirts!! those DISigners are awesome!

I thought about driving overnight but then I'm afraid we'll be so sleep deprived that we won't be able to enjoy the first day there. Who knows what will happen!

LOVE the sweatshirts!!

Thanks! I'm glad they turned out!

Joining in ! Your plans sound SO exciting .. can't wait to hear more !

Thanks for stopping by!

Awesome job on the sweatshirts! Can't believe your trip is getting so close!!

Thanks! It feels like the days are dragging right now. Disney can't get here fast enough!

Wow! Those are very cute shirts Kim!! So creative!

I can't take credit for the creativeness. I just printed and ironed them!

Just stumbled across your report and had to jump in and read...yippee another Maryland person!!

Love the trip planning so far and your idea to leave earlier! We have another year to wait until our next trip but I just love Disney around the holidays! You are going to have a great time!

I'm also becoming more and more aware of budget constraints and saving money in Disney is TOUGH but I'm working on doing better. We'll see how I do on our two trips in 2012...one with kids and one without!

Can't wait to hear all about your trip!!

Howdy neighbor! It is definitely becoming more difficult to budget for Disney these days. I can't wait to see Disney at Christmas!

Hi Kim,
I've been MIA but just caught up! Things are moving along,I can't believe how close your trip is now! YAY for your trip being so close now that you moved it up some!! Love all the tshirts/sweatshirts you picked up!!! I hit the dollar aisle at Target and picked up some cute Mickey socks for the boys, love them! I also managed to find a pair for myself!!

I can't wait to hear more!!!

Lucky you finding a pair of cute socks for yourself!

 

[Monny2AE]

I am super stressing right now. Our trip is only 9 days away and I still have so much to do. I wish I could have taken this week off work just to focus on planning for Disney!

My goal for the next day or so is to sit down and decide our list of "must do's" for each park and also look at the crowd calendars to pick which parks on which days.

After I finish folding the mountain of laundry on my bed I will devote some time to Disney planning!

Be back soon!

 

[Monny2AE]

DH and I talked yesterday. First we decided trying to cram everything into our little car isn't going to work. We are going to take our 12 passenger van that I use for my daycare aka the "little school bus" as my kids call it. At least we won't have to stop so often for fill ups. Since it has such a big gas tank it should only take one fill up to get us to FL. And we will have more room for souvenirs!

We also talked because I feel like this is the most unprepared I have ever been for a trip to Disney. Then DH reminded me of our last trip. I had it all planned out- which days for which parks and such. When we got there we pretty much threw those plans out the window and just went where we felt like going. We went to whatever park we wanted and hopped to another park whenever we pleased. It was such a laid back trip and we all loved it.

Well I have decided to do the same this time around. I did print out the crowd calendars, recommended parks and park hours to help us avoid the most crowded parks but for the most part I think we are going to just decide while we are there what to do each day. DH also downloaded an app for wait times and crowds.

Here's my itinerary...

Thursday
- start driving at 5pm and hopefully make it North Carolina before stopping for the night

Friday
- continue driving
- arrive and check in with our room only ressie at ASMo hopefully around dinner time

Saturday
- check out of ASMo and check in again at ASMo with our package and free QSDDP
- Epcot...our first park has always been MK but judging by the crowd predictions this time we may break tradition and head to Epcot instead

Sunday
- Magic Kingdom

Monday
- Hollywood Studios

Tuesday
- Animal Kingdom
- Magic Kingdom for MVMCP in the evening

Wednesday
- Epcot

Thursday
- Hollywood Studios

Friday
- Magic Kingdom

Saturday
- enjoy our last breakfast at ASMo and start the long drive home

Somewhere in those days we will take some time to visit different resorts to see the Christmas decorations and also do a little shopping at DTD.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I forgot to comment about driving all night and being tired the next day. It usually affects Dave the most, since he does most of the driving, but adrenaline gets going when we arrive. Most of the time our first night there is an early one!

I think taking the big van is an awesome idea!! You'll be more comfortable having more room.

I also think lack of planning is nice - you'll be relaxed and enjoy the holiday stuff!!

 

[TinkerbellinNY6]

Your plan sounds great! I may have a plan going in but things always change for us The only thing that usually doesnt cahnge is our last day as we always end our trip with one last ride on the Tower of Terror

 

[seacrestpromo]

In our family the motto is "blessed is the flexible" - I think that is the best approach to a visit to WDW during the holidays. You can do all the planning you want, but things just happen, and you have to just decide to just go with the flow and make a few changes.

Good idea to take the van. You don't want to feel crammed up.

Sea

DH and I talked yesterday. First we decided trying to cram everything into our little car isn't going to work. We are going to take our 12 passenger van that I use for my daycare aka the "little school bus" as my kids call it. At least we won't have to stop so often for fill ups. Since it has such a big gas tank it should only take one fill up to get us to FL. And we will have more room for souvenirs!

We also talked because I feel like this is the most unprepared I have ever been for a trip to Disney. Then DH reminded me of our last trip. I had it all planned out- which days for which parks and such. When we got there we pretty much threw those plans out the window and just went where we felt like going. We went to whatever park we wanted and hopped to another park whenever we pleased. It was such a laid back trip and we all loved it.

Well I have decided to do the same this time around. I did print out the crowd calendars, recommended parks and park hours to help us avoid the most crowded parks but for the most part I think we are going to just decide while we are there what to do each day. DH also downloaded an app for wait times and crowds.

Here's my itinerary...

Thursday
- start driving at 5pm and hopefully make it North Carolina before stopping for the night

Friday
- continue driving
- arrive and check in with our room only ressie at ASMo hopefully around dinner time

Saturday
- check out of ASMo and check in again at ASMo with our package and free QSDDP
- Epcot...our first park has always been MK but judging by the crowd predictions this time we may break tradition and head to Epcot instead

Sunday
- Magic Kingdom

Monday
- Hollywood Studios

Tuesday
- Animal Kingdom
- Magic Kingdom for MVMCP in the evening

Wednesday
- Epcot

Thursday
- Hollywood Studios

Friday
- Magic Kingdom

Saturday
- enjoy our last breakfast at ASMo and start the long drive home

Somewhere in those days we will take some time to visit different resorts to see the Christmas decorations and also do a little shopping at DTD.

 

[princess&her4princes]

I know how you're feeling about not being prepared for Disney! Our trip is still 45 days out, but with Christmas, the fact we're suprising our kids on Christmas morning with the trip as their gift, and I haven't done anyting about that is starting to freak me out! But then I do a reality check and remember, it's not about the plans, it's about the memories....and every day at Disney is just that! I just have to keep telling myself that over and over in the weeks prior to the trip! You'll get there, it will all fall into place, I'm sure of it! And the van sounds like a great idea, more room and more souvies! YAY!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

I forgot to comment about driving all night and being tired the next day. It usually affects Dave the most, since he does most of the driving, but adrenaline gets going when we arrive. Most of the time our first night there is an early one!

I think taking the big van is an awesome idea!! You'll be more comfortable having more room.

I also think lack of planning is nice - you'll be relaxed and enjoy the holiday stuff!!

Since we've never been at Christmas I'm not sure what to expect. It's going to be a whole different experience so maybe it is best we aren't planning too much and can just enjoy taking everything in at our own pace.

Your plan sounds great! I may have a plan going in but things always change for us The only thing that usually doesnt cahnge is our last day as we always end our trip with one last ride on the Tower of Terror

You're a brave girl! No TOT for me!

In our family the motto is "blessed is the flexible" - I think that is the best approach to a visit to WDW during the holidays. You can do all the planning you want, but things just happen, and you have to just decide to just go with the flow and make a few changes.

Good idea to take the van. You don't want to feel crammed up.

Sea

Great motto! We're pretty flexible people so I think that will help us for this trip. I'm actually really excited we are taking the van. It will be so much easier packing and not having to limit too much of what we are taking. I was trying to figure out how we were going to squeeze warm coats in the car in case the temps drop in the evenings. Now we'll have plenty of room for coats. We also decided to take our cooler to pack drinks and snacks for the ride. We can use it in the room to keep drinks too since ASMo doesn't have a fridge. That's one amenity we will miss. We can make do with a cooler and ice machine.

I know how you're feeling about not being prepared for Disney! Our trip is still 45 days out, but with Christmas, the fact we're suprising our kids on Christmas morning with the trip as their gift, and I haven't done anyting about that is starting to freak me out! But then I do a reality check and remember, it's not about the plans, it's about the memories....and every day at Disney is just that! I just have to keep telling myself that over and over in the weeks prior to the trip! You'll get there, it will all fall into place, I'm sure of it! And the van sounds like a great idea, more room and more souvies! YAY!!!

I think no matter what you decide to do to surprise the kids with the news at Christmas they will be excited! And you are right on the money- it is the memories made with your family that is most important.

 

[Monny2AE]

Happy ONE week to me!!!!​

ONE week from now I will be getting DS on the school bus, tossing laundry in the washer, running to the store for some snacks and drinks for the car ride, cleaning my house (can't come home to a messy house ) and getting in all my last minute packing done in preparation for our 5pm departure!!!!

I'm still trying to figure out how we are going to tell the kids? They still think we are leaving early in the morning on Saturday. Little do they know Saturday will actually be our first full day in Disney!!! Maybe we'll just get in the van as if we are going to get something to eat for dinner and see how long it takes them to figure it out.

 

[kittylady1972]

Happy ONE week to me!!!!​

ONE week from now I will be getting DS on the school bus, tossing laundry in the washer, running to the store for some snacks and drinks for the car ride, cleaning my house (can't come home to a messy house ) and getting in all my last minute packing done in preparation for our 5pm departure!!!!

I'm still trying to figure out how we are going to tell the kids? They still think we are leaving early in the morning on Saturday. Little do they know Saturday will actually be our first full day in Disney!!! Maybe we'll just get in the van as if we are going to get something to eat for dinner and see how long it takes them to figure it out.

DISNEY surprises are the best...can't wait to hear how it goes!

Love your plans and I'm sure winging it will work out well too. It shouldn't be too crowded for you. Our Dec. 2009 trip was about this time and I don't recall it being too bad. Glad you went with the larger vehicle too...you just NEVER know what you might need. I'm the type that packs for EVERY possible scenario!

I hear that is a slight chance of some snow here next week too...so you may be getting away at a GREAT time!

 

[seacrestpromo]

Congrats on ONE WEEK Kim!!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

DISNEY surprises are the best...can't wait to hear how it goes!

Love your plans and I'm sure winging it will work out well too. It shouldn't be too crowded for you. Our Dec. 2009 trip was about this time and I don't recall it being too bad. Glad you went with the larger vehicle too...you just NEVER know what you might need. I'm the type that packs for EVERY possible scenario!

I hear that is a slight chance of some snow here next week too...so you may be getting away at a GREAT time!

That's a relief about the crowds. Hopefully they will be thinned out for us since Pop Warner ends the day we arrive.

Congrats on ONE WEEK Kim!!!!

I can't wait!!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

Whew! I'm exhausted! I had all of my daycare families over last night for our annual Christmas party. After planning and cooking for it, cleaning up after it and having a dozen kids running around for 3 hours after already having half of them in care since 7am...I'm ready for a vacation!!!!

Today DH cleaned the van, changed the oil and gave it a good checking before we go. It's nice being married to a mechanic!

This arrived in the mail today for DD. She's going to be so surprised and excited to pick a pearl at Epcot!

We decided how we are going to surprise the kids! Tonight we went to see a Christmas lights display.

They loved it so much we told them we know of another place that has lots of lights that we could go to on Thursday after DH gets home from work. We told them it's a little further than the place we went to tonight so we will put them in their pajamas in case we get home late from it. I can't wait to see how long it takes for them to figure it out!

 

[Monny2AE]

Since we don't have any set days or specific plans I decided to go park by park and make a list of our MUST DO's! Now that DD is finally over 40" we can ride lots of things together we couldn't in the past.

First Up... MAGIC KINGDOM!

It's usually our first stop when we go to Disney. Seeing that castle makes it feel like we're officially at Disney!

Here's what's on my list for MK this trip...I'm planning on at least 2 days at MK since it's our favorite park!

• MVMCP- We've never been and we have tickets for Tuesday night! DH said for the cost of it, he's going to eat and drink cookies and hot chocolate until he bursts to get his monies worth!
• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Haunted Mansion
• Liberty Belle Riverboat
• Tom Sawyer Island- my kids favorite!
• Enchanted Tiki Room- usually skipped but I'm excited to see it since it's back to being close to the original!
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Jungle Cruise
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• Eating a Dole Whip!
• Dumbo
• It's a Small World
• Mad Tea Party
• Winnie the Pooh
• Mickey's PhilharMagic
• Peter Pan's Flight
• Carrousel
• Space Ranger Spin
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover