Overwhelmed! Advice Please

[CadiesMom]

First time poster here and looking for expert opinions! DH surprised me last night by saying "Lets take a trip to Disney"! I am a mega planner (control issues,lots of laughs). Here is the problem: The only time that would really work for this is Nov 26 (day after Thanksgiving) to December 3rd. Are we crazy to think that I can make these plans in this short of time?Our last trip was in 2001, and with careful planning it was the time of our life! We did/saw everything we wanted to see even though it was a busy time (Easter break). Will I be able to pull this off? We like to have a ps for each day, would like to attend the MVMCP, and one charcter meal for our daughter age 8. We stay on-site, an All-Star if I can get it. Any opinions on crowds, etc... I would rather postpone than not have a great trip! Help! Thanks!

 

[laceemouse]

Hi, welcome to the DIS!!!! All I can say is call and see which rooms are available and which PSs you can get. I agree with you, if you can not get the hotel you want, or the meals you want, maybe you should plan another trip that gives you more time to plan. We just decided about a month ago to make a quicky trip in October. Our kids have a 4 day weekend and we got a 2 bedroom at OKW (we are DVC members), tickets to MNSSHP and Cirque, and a Fantasmic dinner package. It all worked out for us, but all I can say to you is give it a try and good luck!

 

[BelleBeast]

I have been there usually beginning the week after Thanksgiving and its a beautiful and quiet time to go. The crowds from Thansgiving have left and there are no lines and the weather is usually nice.

I wouldn't postpone - I think you can do it if you get to work now!!

Plan your character meal first and then work around that.

 

[shellybaxter]

I planned our last trip in just 35 days for the beginning of May. It was GREAT!! We got the hotel (no problem) and even an upgrade in room categories. We had little to no problems getting all our PS. The hardest were a Princess Breakfast (didn't care which one) and 1900 Park Faire for dinner (Cinderalla). They were full at first, but I called everyday and got PSB after trying for about 2 weeks. I actually got 1900 for a party of two on the first try for our last night. Problem was, we were a party of three. Ended up not being a problem. I went by the resturant and explained the situation before we showed up for our PS. They said going from two to three was no problem.

For such a quickly planned trip, everything went REALLY Well!! So go for it

Shelly

 

[CadiesMom]

Thanks for the advice and the welcome! Off to work and daydream! Cadiesmom

 

[DisneyMSF]

We once planned a last minute trip in 5 days... It was a little hectic getting everything ready before we left, but we had a great time once we got there!

I think you have plenty of time to plan a trip for the end of November, so I say go for it!

 

[jmclester]

The Room Only discount code for that time period is BAT. Shouldn't have a problem getting the room reserved. We've been once at Thanksgiving and I remember the weather to be pleasant and the crowds were minimal. Have a great time!! We're going 11/2-11/7 so I can let you know crowd/weather reports afterwards if you like.

 

[Mommaof3]

The advice above sounds good. Get the big issues in place (hotel, etc.) first and then fill in the rest. You can do it!!!!! Then relax and enjoy your trip. Remember that you can NEVER do it all, but that just leaves something nice for the NEXT trip!! Have fun!

Melissa

 

[AimeeM]

cadiesmom- we will be there from the 25th-1st. Its a great time to go. You should have low crowds for the 2nd half of the trip. MVMCP is great. YOu will love it. You will also love the Osbourne lights at MGM. You may not get a PS that you want, but there are so many that you can get something, esp later in your trip. You will be there for the special holiday version of Donald's Breakfastosauras with santa goofy at Animal Kingdom! Id call and at least book the room TODAY. ( I think they are finally taking reservations after the storm starting today). After that, it should be smooting sailing and a phone call to book your PS's. You still have 78 days! Thats more than enough time!! Here.. i did a search on disneyworld.com for you.. they have room at sports!

Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
Arriving on 11/26/04 for 7 nights
2 Adults, 1 Child
Room Type: Standard View Room

Package Type: None

Ticket Type: None

Resort Stay only
$609.14†

Call them now!!

 

[bigbabyblues]

I think you'll be fine!!! I've heard the 2-3 days after Thanksgiving are usually crowded, but maybe about the same as spring break? It doesn't sound like you're hard to please, one of the All Stars should have a room open, haven't heard about MVMCP selling out on any dates yet, and I'm sure at least one character meal has a spot, just for your family!!!

I'm excited for you, I say go for it!!! Let us know what you find!

Steph

 

[jmclester]

Note on AimeeM's resort quote: You should be able to get that All-Star Sports room for quite a bit less if you use the BAS or BAT codes. $55.00 per night beginning 11/28 through the duration of your stay. (Newspaper says BAT, WDW official website says BAS). I used BAT for 11/2-11/7 @ $55/nite. That's a $22.00 savings over the standard room rate!!!

 

[Praying Colonel]

Based on our experience, yes, you definitely can do it. We made a decision in May to spend the 1st full week in August in Disney. I'm a fairly obsessive/compulsive planner myself , and it all worked out fine.

 

[swilphil]

I was looking at going around the same time period. My problem was getting a cheap flight there from Kansas City the day after Thanksgiving. Hopefully, you will have better luck than me. You should be able to get a very cheap flight back on Dec. 3, so hopefully that will offset the total price of flying.

I don't think getting a PS for a character meal should be a problem as long as you don't want CRT or the Princess Storybook breakfast. Good luck!!

 

[CadiesMom]

Thank you all so much for the great advice! I am so excited now! Let the preparations begin! Special thanks to you--jmclester--we got the room with a BAS rate 55.00 plus tax!! Did I mention I am excited?!? Thanks again!

 

[Joyciemc]

Yay, I'm excited for you! I think planning a trip in a short amount of time can be fun- you have less time to stare longingly at your countdown! Have a great trip!

 

[Mommaof3]

I am so excited for you. PM me if you have anything I can help you with. Which hotel did you decide on? For my daily planning, I divide each day into two or three big parts. Then I take each day or part of the day and decide which park we're going to. Then I write the names of the rides or shows on strips of paper and move them around for a good touring plan. When I am happy with the order, then I give it to my nice hubby and he puts it on a spreadsheet. Then I cut it apart so I have a schedule for each day. Sometimes I laminate it if it is short, but usually not so I can fold it to fit in my fanny pack! I also put hidden mickeys, fun facts, shopping info. etc. on note cards and put this on a ring to carry with me. Have fun planning!

Melissa

 

[Eeyore2003]

Definitely do-able. My trip in 3 weeks is one of these and I'm so excited. We decided to take a quick week-end trip about 3 weeks ago, so I have about 6 weeks. Finalized most of my PS's today and typed up my little itinerary this morning and mailed a copy to my sister and her friend who we're going with. We'll be going right after you in December too, and that trip is virtually unplanned except we have our room and MVMCP tickets so far. Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[LoriMistress]

You should be okay after Thanksgiving. Just look online for cheap tickets, stay on site at All Star Music (less crowded and noisey), and there are plenty of message boards and sites to help you plan your trip.

 

[jmclester]

Great!! Now you can kick back and enjoy the next few weeks with anxious anticipation and have fun planning! We're going in 55 days and my family talks about the trip every day. Both of our children are grown (18 and 22) but they wouldn't miss it for the world. When we hit the gate all 4 of us become 10 year olds!! The park hour calendar is out for Nov. and should be out for Dec. soon. Part of the fun is strategizing which park to go to each day to maximize your time. Have a magical trip!!