Our first trip to Disney at Christmas - the plan so far

[Becx N Gav]

Since joining DVC last year we are counting down the days until our first trip home

We decided to stay out our home resort Saratoga Springs, the points per night were very reasonable and we're there for 15 nights.

The excited crew are;
Myself - Becky. 27 years old. Always loved Disney and so glad I found DH who I've converted into just as much a Diney nut as me Fave character - Ariel

DH - Gav. 30 years old. He fell in love with Disney after a trip to DLRP in 2004 and couldn't wait to visit the World Fave character 50/50 Donald and Goofy

We're flying with Virgin on 7th Dec. (landing 5.20pm). We've used them over the last few years and have collected points with their reward system so we were able to get a buy one get one free (almost, you still pay taxes etc. on the 'free' flight) flight which gives us more money to spend on the Mouse

We like to travel premium economy for the leg room and quicker baggage collection, not sure if it's 'worth' the extra £ but DH needs to be able to move during the 7+ hour flight . We learnt this to his cost in 2004 (we went to Vermont for a week) when he was sat behind a woman who kept trying to recline her seat despite the fact Gav's legs were already touching the back of the seat I was ok with the space but I'm not gonna be sitting in 'cattle class' while he enjoys the room, I'm willing to join him though It's so convenient to get the bags before most others, also they tend to let the premium economy passengers off the plane first so we're straight through immigration pretty much

We tend to be creatures of habit so are using (for the third time) Quick Silver Transport to get us to/from Orlando Int. - SSR. We always go for a town car but have had on four trips a Cadillac Escalade ESV . We're not used to such a big car, it is always a great start to the vacation.
This year we're going via Walmart (they offer a 30 min free grocery stop and you can pay $20 for 30 mins extra) however there is an exra fee ($20) to stop at Walmart. Normally we would go to Publix as it has all the food we need, but since we'll be there over Crimbo we wanted to get a tree too and probably a load of other stuff I 'need' - hey it is Christmas - hence the hour of time we went for.

We booked our resort exactly 11 months out but were told there was plenty of availability. Previously we've had split stays but this time we didn't want the hassel of packing up all our gear midway and lugging about all our valuables (laptop, phones, passports) which we'd normally keep in the safe. I tend to mis-place things when we do this too, I'll pop something I've decided I won't need anymore in an obscure pocket and then panic when I can't find it later

All these things were booked at the start of this year so in the mean time we both looked at menus on wdwinfo.com and other threads on 'things to do' on this board. We calculated our 180 day + 10 day window and waited until we could make 'the call'.

Next up - our ADR's and other 'must do's'

 

[bellasmommy0]

I will be the first to sub in. We will be at All Star Movies from Dec 6-16th. I dream of getting DVC...but the time is not right
Maybe in a few years

 

[Becx N Gav]

I will be the first to sub in. We will be at All Star Movies from Dec 6-16th. I dream of getting DVC...but the time is not right
Maybe in a few years

Hey there, thanks for joining
You beat us by a day then hope you have a really great time, I just can't wait to feel the holiday magic and try all the holiday themed things.
I really hope you will be able to join DVC at some point, if you think about it, if you join in a few years you'll have a great range of resorts to choose from for your home resort. I can't wait to try the Contemporary villas, I hope they have a show room there when they open, I love to go to the Boardwalk and look around Have you done the tour? It really is no pressure and is totally worth it just to see the grand villa - it's is bigger than our house (but houses are teeny over here )

I'm just hoping I can keep this report going, to be honest most stuff is planned (will be posting which ADR's and other bits we've decided to do later) and I'm so desicive - there prob won't be any decisions to make! Oh well, I'm sure I'll find something to write about

 

[bellasmommy0]

Hey there, thanks for joining
You beat us by a day then hope you have a really great time, I just can't wait to feel the holiday magic and try all the holiday themed things.
I really hope you will be able to join DVC at some point, if you think about it, if you join in a few years you'll have a great range of resorts to choose from for your home resort. I can't wait to try the Contemporary villas, I hope they have a show room there when they open, I love to go to the Boardwalk and look around Have you done the tour? It really is no pressure and is totally worth it just to see the grand villa - it's is bigger than our house (but houses are teeny over here )

I'm just hoping I can keep this report going, to be honest most stuff is planned (will be posting which ADR's and other bits we've decided to do later) and I'm so desicive - there prob won't be any decisions to make! Oh well, I'm sure I'll find something to write about

I have ran out of things to plan!! So I am just looking for anything to write. All my ADR's are made and the MVMCP tickets are bought...what to do for 4 months!! I know talk about it and dream about it!!

 

[Becx N Gav]

OK, here goes our plan so far -

Sun 7th - get on plane! Get to Orlando, go to SSR via Walmart then basically see how we feel and wing it for dinner/activities (knowing us we'll take it easy, unpack and check out the resort)

Mon 8th - lazy day. We will have to get our AP's and DDE - prob at DTD so we can see how far the walk is and do a little shopping. May try to fit in a mall visit too (I really want a pair of Marc Ecko sneakers - the black ones Ashley Tisdale wears in one of the commercials).

ADR - Raglan Road 5pm. We've not eaten here before but I've read good things.

Tues 9th - The DVC AGM is happening on this day - not sure yet when and where (thinking CSR) so will plan around it when I find out.

ADR - Yachtsman Steakhouse at YC 7.05pm. 9th Dec is our anniversary of when we first met (coming on for 6 years now ) and we have been to YSH every time we've been to the world. Actually we're hoping to get the same server we had the last two years - Rocky - he is a star and remembered us last year from 2006 and the Raztini drinks we loved but they then took off the menu so he made them for us specially - now that is the Disney touch!

We will prob have to stop by the UK in Epcot too - can't keep DH away -he loves the pub (and we hope to see Carl the bar manager, who happens to have the same b.day as DH - found out last year) and also the British Invasion.
In fact I've made a deal; if I get to see all the characters I want (we've always been too busy going to something to stop for them) DH can see the British Invasion lots

Weds 10th - I'm guessing we'll have a late night so we're gonna get up when ever we feel like it, take it easy the head for AK at some point.

ADR - Jiko AKL 6.20pm. We'll take some more 'dressy' clothes and leave them in a locker, just in case it's really warm and we get all gross

Thurs 11th - again no rush to get going. We'll head to DHS mid-morning mainly because we want to go to the DVC Merry Member Mixer (just outside Int. Gateway near Epcot) and we can walk there (we prefere that to taking the boat and have got there quicker a couple of times ). Then prob back to Epcot for some drinks around the world

ADR - Hollywood & Vine 11am - we've not tried this one yet, we loved the Hollywood Brown Derby last year and we're hoping this will be good too.

 

[Becx N Gav]

Ok on with the show;

Fri 12th - So far we're off to Epcot again! looking at this I may have to squeeze in some time at MK, just to even things out

ADR - Coral Reef 7.05pm. I've read so many reviews about this restaurant, the food seems a bit hit and miss but the decor looks amazing (which is my main reason for trying it). I don't eat fish/seafood - DH does and is quite adventerous - but I checked the menu and found a couple of things I'd eat, I don't like to plan exactly what to have beforehand I prefere to see how I feel on the day

Hmmm, we're in Epcot, in the evening, during EMH - sounds like time for drinks around the world (can you see a theme?) I have to say of all the EMH Epcot pm is a must do. There is so much to see (and drink - we're not alocoholics honest) without having to go on rides and charge about the park. Even people watching is fun, esp. if they've had a few too many I hate to admit that we are smokers (gonna try and quit that filthy habit) but you meet so many people whilst you're there killing yourself (inc. a Diser, a guy who owns/owned a restaurant and leisure complex and loads of DVC members who convinced us to join - I'm sure Disney 'plants' some of these people )

Sat 13th - Ah ha, MK here we come (after a late get up) This year as I said earlier I'm on a character stalking mission, we missed so many last year. The queues were long and we missed some by a few minutes got to find my autograph book and chunky pen, I may even keep a tally/score (I feel another spreadsheet coming on).

ADR - Plaza Restaurant 5.40pm. We've not tried this one before (have been to LLT and CP for lunch) and didn't want to (potentially) waste money at Tonys. After we'll maybe do a few more rides then make our way around the Monorail resort bars and check out the crimbo decs. However we'll get to bed early as we have an early one on Sunday.

Sun 14th - GET UP EARLY - I think we'll have to build up to it (or hope we're still on UK time, that is so annoying!) as we're doing the KTTK tour in MK We've both read all about it and DH was very keen to see behind the scenes. Also we were able to use our DVC discount - first time as well, we've only just used it in Disney Store about a week ago - we're hoping to save a bit of money by shopping strategically too, we'll 'browse' and then try to find all the bits we want in World of Disney (another spreadsheet then!)
The tour starts at 8.30am so afterwards we'll do a bit more in MK before dinner.

ADR - Ohana 5.30pm. We have been here for breakfast before but missed our dinner ADR last year as we weren't feeling up to it. I'm hoping the prawns are cooked and served seperate? All the meat offerings look yummy, DH is excited about the wings, he just can't get enough (they're so meaty, in this country you get a nibble at best)

Anyhoo, hi ho hi ho, it's off to bed I go

Goodnight.

 

[bellasmommy0]

Ok on with the show;

Fri 12th - So far we're off to Epcot again! looking at this I may have to squeeze in some time at MK, just to even things out

ADR - Coral Reef 7.05pm. I've read so many reviews about this restaurant, the food seems a bit hit and miss but the decor looks amazing (which is my main reason for trying it). I don't eat fish/seafood - DH does and is quite adventerous - but I checked the menu and found a couple of things I'd eat, I don't like to plan exactly what to have beforehand I prefere to see how I feel on the day

Hmmm, we're in Epcot, in the evening, during EMH - sounds like time for drinks around the world (can you see a theme?) I have to say of all the EMH Epcot pm is a must do. There is so much to see (and drink - we're not alocoholics honest) without having to go on rides and charge about the park. Even people watching is fun, esp. if they've had a few too many I hate to admit that we are smokers (gonna try and quit that filthy habit) but you meet so many people whilst you're there killing yourself (inc. a Diser, a guy who owns/owned a restaurant and leisure complex and loads of DVC members who convinced us to join - I'm sure Disney 'plants' some of these people )

Sat 13th - Ah ha, MK here we come (after a late get up) This year as I said earlier I'm on a character stalking mission, we missed so many last year. The queues were long and we missed some by a few minutes got to find my autograph book and chunky pen, I may even keep a tally/score (I feel another spreadsheet coming on).

ADR - Plaza Restaurant 5.40pm. We've not tried this one before (have been to LLT and CP for lunch) and didn't want to (potentially) waste money at Tonys. After we'll maybe do a few more rides then make our way around the Monorail resort bars and check out the crimbo decs. However we'll get to bed early as we have an early one on Sunday.

Sun 14th - GET UP EARLY - I think we'll have to build up to it (or hope we're still on UK time, that is so annoying!) as we're doing the KTTK tour in MK We've both read all about it and DH was very keen to see behind the scenes. Also we were able to use our DVC discount - first time as well, we've only just used it in Disney Store about a week ago - we're hoping to save a bit of money by shopping strategically too, we'll 'browse' and then try to find all the bits we want in World of Disney (another spreadsheet then!)
The tour starts at 8.30am so afterwards we'll do a bit more in MK before dinner.

ADR - Ohana 5.30pm. We have been here for breakfast before but missed our dinner ADR last year as we weren't feeling up to it. I'm hoping the prawns are cooked and served seperate? All the meat offerings look yummy, DH is excited about the wings, he just can't get enough (they're so meaty, in this country you get a nibble at best)

Anyhoo, hi ho hi ho, it's off to bed I go

Goodnight.

We will be at the Plaza rest. at the same time... Our ADR is for 555 pm. Now you definitely need to get some pictures up here, so I can pick you out of the crowd!

 

[Becx N Gav]

We will be at the Plaza rest. at the same time... Our ADR is for 555 pm. Now you definitely need to get some pictures up here, so I can pick you out of the crowd!

Oh yey! This may be my first official Dis meet, or wave across a restaurant I will defo look out for you guys, I'll pop a note on my spreadsheet - I think I'll do mini plans for each day to take with us.

Here is a pic of the two of us from March at DLRP

I'm the one on the right here

Tiggeriffic

And when I saw this one I just had to buy me an Angel (I love Lilo & Stitch )

Thanks again for posting, hoping to add more at the weekend, hopefully more people will read this and post If not maybe we will just converse counting down to our vacations

 

[Alysa]

I love your report! You guys look like such a cute couple! How exciting - your first trip "home"! We are trying SSR and the Plaza for the first time too! What are all the bits you want to get?
Our shoping list includes a Mulan polly pocket set for DD, a Wilderness lodge Lincoln Logs set for DS, a fancy Mickey watch for DH and for me? no idea yet. But I'll know it when I see it!
Can't wait to hear more!

 

[bellasmommy0]

YAY!! Pictures . I joked to my husband that I was going to save the pics of the people I knew I woud see and print them out so I could find them, he thought I was CRAZY....hmm maybe I am. I think I will be reading these reports enough I will have your faced memorized.

 

[Becx N Gav]

I love your report! You guys look like such a cute couple! How exciting - your first trip "home"! We are trying SSR and the Plaza for the first time too! What are all the bits you want to get?
Our shoping list includes a Mulan polly pocket set for DD, a Wilderness lodge Lincoln Logs set for DS, a fancy Mickey watch for DH and for me? no idea yet. But I'll know it when I see it!
Can't wait to hear more!

Well, other than the Marc Ecko sneakers (non-Disney), I always get a Christmas decoration (or 2), a resort pin, an outfit for my Pal Mickey, potato head parts, scrap book bits (esp. if they have year), charms for my necklace, pressed pennys, those holographic tall cups (although we have 4 now and there's only 2 of us but hey when we have guests ), I want a pair of those Mary Jane Crocs (unless I'm wrong thinking they do adult sizes?), some socks (the ones with no ankle bit), hopefully a skirt (Disney) as you can't buy any nice Disney clothes in the UK, some magnets as our fridge needs brightening up a bit! plus anything else cuties or different. So not much really . We do save up to go on vacation so I don't tend to shop much during the year hence the extravagance!

DH got a lovely watch last year (from WL shop) it has a green background with Mickey saluting, on the main face it has 3 smaller dials (day/date/month) and (so he can always see what time it is in Florida ) another clock on the strap (will post a pic).

Good luck with getting all the goodies you want I wish we could buy larger items but shipping is expensive and I don't want to let my brand new 'toys' out of my sight and our suitcases are full on the way there let alone afterwards

I do hope you have a great stay at SSR, I'm looking forward to getting some free ice cream (I hope you can anyway). Also walking to DTD is so handy. And here's hoping the Plaza Restaurant is a good feed

 

[Becx N Gav]

YAY!! Pictures . I joked to my husband that I was going to save the pics of the people I knew I woud see and print them out so I could find them, he thought I was CRAZY....hmm maybe I am. I think I will be reading these reports enough I will have your faced memorized.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets excited meeting 'virtual' people I don't think you're crazy it just adds another dimension to the trip

I did a small Wedding TR (just the Wedding day, I must go back and do a full one) if you want some (slightly) more glamorous shots.
I had hair extentions so my real hair isn't quite as long

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1832764

 

[Alysa]

What is this about free ice cream? DD would be in heaven!

They do sell Adult Mary Janes (but I don't know if you can get them at the parks or not).

Looking forward to reading your wedding trip report. Wilderness Lodge is our favourite resort!

 

[Becx N Gav]

What is this about free ice cream? DD would be in heaven!

They do sell Adult Mary Janes (but I don't know if you can get them at the parks or not).

Looking forward to reading your wedding trip report. Wilderness Lodge is our favourite resort!

At SSR they have an Ice cream parlour, you end your DVC tour with this . When we were in there we met a family who had done the DVC cruise (they recommended it ) and they were chowing down So we're gonna stop by and see if we can score a freebie I'll let you know in my TR if we're successful

I hope they have the Mary Janes somewhere, we're hopefully gonna go to a mall, any suggestions about which stores to look in? (TIA)

We just loved the WL, we stayed in a 1 bed villa there which really helped us make the decision to buy DVC.

Hope you guys have a wonderful trip

 

[bellasmommy0]

If you dont want to take a chance on the crocs you could always order them and have them shipped to meet you at your resort... just an idea. I am going to get the chocolate brown and pink minnie janes before I go. I just got DD some really cute ones, there is a pic on my trip report. I wish they had those in my size!!

 

[Becx N Gav]

If you dont want to take a chance on the crocs you could always order them and have them shipped to meet you at your resort... just an idea. I am going to get the chocolate brown and pink minnie janes before I go. I just got DD some really cute ones, there is a pic on my trip report. I wish they had those in my size!!

Great idea - thank you Where would you recommend getting these from? We will prob get some clothes from disneyshopping.com I love their sales

I saw the lil' crocs for your DD, they are lovely Perfect for a little one, but as you say I wish they'd do a few adult ones in pretty colours

 

[Becx N Gav]

Ok next up;

Mon 15th - more time at AK, we love to walk around and see the animals. We try to go at different times to catch more action, I loved watching the gibons (not monkeys as a 4 year old stated to her father ) we could just do that all day never mind the rides Also we didn't make it to AK last year so I'll have to do everything at least once We may even try to get up early for EMH.

ADR - Tusker House 11.30am. We haven't been here before but we loved the characters (I think it's so cool they wear outfits themed around the restaurant) at Donalds Breakfastosaurus, this time we decided on an early lunch esp. if we do EMH then we can get a snack early and have a brunch to fill up on

Any more time we have today we are going to do things we may have missed. I've read about the crowds the first week of Christmas so we're hoping that we can do more parks the first 2 weeks and not bother from about Sat 20th Dec. See the resorts instead

Tues 16th - Off to MK hopefully before it gets too busy.

ADR - Crystal Palace 10.30am. We did CRT last year for my B.day so we've done the early ADR. This year we're leaving ourselves more time to get to places and not having a packed shedule so it's more relaxing (hopefully). I think 10.30 is late enough to do a few rides but not too late that we are starving (which makes for one grumpy DH). I'm hoping we'll have a big appetite for all they have to offer - reviews I've seen look good, I just love American breakfast food in general (it was my favourite meal when I was a counsellor at a summer camp in VT - worth getting up early for )

Not sure about the rest of the day, we'll see how we feel. I'm thinking we'll end up at DTD for dinner, maybe the new Dino restaurant ?! If I can't find any reviews on the Dis before we leave I will prob make sure we have some drinks there one night and check out the ambience. It sounds like a fun idea - I'm a kid at heart and love the theming of RFC and PH - and remember how in awe I was when I first saw Jurassic Park in the cinema, I'm hoping it will provide a similar thrill factor. Hopefully there will still be things to do at DTD (other than shop, but that's a good back-up plan), we shall see.

Weds 17th - we'll prob have another late night, so may not be up at the crack of dawn We will be going to the Beach Club first off, to see Art the greeter when we stayed there in 2005 and 2006 he just made our stay so magical He is a true gentleman and we got him a pin at DLRP that hopfully he will like A friend of DH is going in Oct and I am going to make a card for him with a picture we got taken with him last year (again we went there just to see him).
Lunch is our fave place to eat on property Beaches and Cream
I think this will be a good oppertunity to look around the resorts here also there is a Welcome Home Wednesday at the Atlantic Dance Hall.

ADR - Teppan Edo 7.30pm. Now you may remember I don't eat fish/seafood - so why are we going here???? I love Japan - never been - and I've enjoyed other Sushi I've tried, veg and chicken. It just looked like a fun thing to do so in for a penny, in for a pound
This should be just in time for Illuminations.

Thurs 18th - MK has EMH but I'm not sure yet if we'll bother - maybe if we haven't done all the rides we want to do. We may just go to the Poly as we are hoping to have a resort photoshoot (going to book in Nov) before breakfast.

ADR - Ohana 10.55am. We did this in 2005 and we both love Lilo & Stitch We're hoping to do the photoshoot before breakfast (just incase we mess up our clothes!) but if it's not available we'll do it afterwards.
Next up more rides we haven't done yet or a resort or two, I can't wait to see them all decorated.

There is another Merry Member Mixer aswell so if we enjoyed the other one we'll head back there

ADR - Wave 7pm. I'm very excited about trying here, esp. after the Podcast's review. I love to try new vegetarian options (I still love meat btw) we often have veggie curry and pasta to save money more than anything and in my opinion it tastes just as good It'll be a judgement call whether we do more in a park or just head back to SSR.

 

[bellasmommy0]

Great idea - thank you Where would you recommend getting these from? We will prob get some clothes from disneyshopping.com I love their sales

I saw the lil' crocs for your DD, they are lovely Perfect for a little one, but as you say I wish they'd do a few adult ones in pretty colours

I bought hers at Dick sporting goods.com. But there are lots of place to find them. These are the ones that I want!!

 

[Becx N Gav]

I bought hers at Dick sporting goods.com. But there are lots of place to find them. These are the ones that I want!!

Oh they are so cute Me like

That colour will be versatile aswell (I so want pink ones but I don't have much they will go with), although I will make sure (if I go for that colour) I'm not wearing them when we go to the Plaza Restaurant

Thanks for that

 

[Becx N Gav]

Just had a look at the Crocs site, I love the HSM ones They're a good mix between the pink Minnie Janes and the brown ones. I may get some sandals/flip flop things too, I wish they would do Disney versions of all the styles I almost feel like I'm being unfaithful for looking at the non-Disney ones - maybe there is something in the water/some subliminal message when you're at WDW not that I'm complaining, esp. if DH gets the bug too

I also want to get some straps for my old Crocs, I have some Jibbitz (and I just saw the cuties ones they do ) but as the holes are too big I wasn't sure what to do with them