PART FIVE!! *December 2012 Roll Call* Holidays, FLE & MVMCP!! A very, merry thread!

[happy tink]

We got to Epcot at 725 this morning they opened at 745. I nearly cried at the opening!! We were the first family thru our turnstile! Went to get FP for Soarin. pn our way to ride tt we took a wrong turn, and a door opened. mickey, minnie and pluto came out with a whole bunch of CMs. they flagged us down and i got great pics of minnie and Emma running towards each other. amazing! then rode test track, grabbed a TT FP, then rode Soarin, seas, and test track again, and spaceship earth all before 10. Then, we had a snack. Strolled in the WS till our Le Cellier ressie. After lunch, we left and let the girls swim so they could say they swam on Christmas Day. Went back for the candlelight processional, also awesome. But after that, WS was Slammed....went to Germany and gor popcorn and two caramel apples. Out to the front, paused for some photo pass, the bus home. Ate a pizza at POFQ, now getting showers and resting...MK tomorrow, so early to slep. It opens at 7! Early is TOTALLY worth it.

Oh, wow, what a totally perfect Christmas! I already miss WDW so much. Have an extra helping of fun times for all of us here at home!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, DISNEY DIS BUDDIES! Linda

 

[tofubeast]

Belated Christmas wishes to everyone!! Sorry I have been MIA. A mixture of holiday stress, holiday activities, post dis vacation blues, and what have you.

We got our PP cd on Christmas Eve. Wanted to share an awesome pic taken by the PP photographer of our DD with the Big Man himself on Main Street.

See you over on the group TR thread as well as soon turning my PTR into a TR!

 

[mom2travel]

Belated Christmas wishes to everyone!! Sorry I have been MIA. A mixture of holiday stress, holiday activities, post dis vacation blues, and what have you.

We got our PP cd on Christmas Eve. Wanted to share an awesome pic taken by the PP photographer of our DD with the Big Man himself on Main Street.

See you over on the group TR thread as well as soon turning my PTR into a TR!

That is an adorable photo!!

 

[1stvisit0909]

Oh, wow, what a totally perfect Christmas! I already miss WDW so much. Have an extra helping of fun times for all of us here at home!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, DISNEY DIS BUDDIES! Linda

Early was great again today! At MK at 640, walked on everything in tomorrowland. Got most of fantasyland, including under the sea, belle and Peter pn done by 1030. Crowds nut so after that. Hit the wall at 2, left for rest.

 

[Lcaemom]

Hoping everyone had a great Christmas! We did here! It has been quite a December and 2012, to say the least! Spent the day catching up and going through all of the photos from our trip. I think I'm finally ready to focus on a TR. Can someone post the TR link? Thank you!

 

[mom2travel]

Hoping everyone had a great Christmas! We did here! It has been quite a December and 2012, to say the least! Spent the day catching up and going through all of the photos from our trip. I think I'm finally ready to focus on a TR. Can someone post the TR link? Thank you!

I can't post links within the boards from my app but I bumped up the TR for you

 

[happy tink]

That is an adorable photo!!

That photo of your daughter with Santa is priceless! Worth the cost of the pp right there!

 

[patriciaofoz]

It's our second to last day today Hitting AK and back to EPCOT for dinner this evening. I hope everyone else have a fantastic and magical day too!

 

[Tinkerboy00]

OK just got back.

Please remind me to NEVER go in December again.

We hit MK first and it was a zoo. We walked through NFL and it was painful. With continous construction the flow through it is difficult. They had CMs standing every few feet directing traffic and keeping people on one side etc.

All the new rides were almost 2 hour waits so we didnt get to ride any of them. Be Our Guest was a 90min wait so we skipped it.

We didnt really see much other than walking through and it was too insane to really stop and take picstures or look at anything. Gastons Tavern was the only thing we got to really see and that was a nightmare as well. We waited in line for ever to get some drinks/snacks and they kept us messing up orders and one lady in line in front of us threw a tantrum.

Then they opened a line up, and took people who just walked right in instead of taking the people like us that had already been in line for 20 minutes.

Le Frous Brew is really really good though.

Epcot wasnt as crowded so we got to see and do all or favorite stuff. We got a FP and Test Track and that was a HUGE disappointment (see my post in the TT thread)

The line for CP was too long so we skipped it.

I will never go back during the holidays, its way too crowded and people seem to lose their minds and manners when they are there. I'll stick to our usual April and November trips.

 

[SAT887]

OK just got back.

Please remind me to NEVER go in December again.

We hit MK first and it was a zoo. We walked through NFL and it was painful. With continous construction the flow through it is difficult. They had CMs standing every few feet directing traffic and keeping people on one side etc.

All the new rides were almost 2 hour waits so we didnt get to ride any of them. Be Our Guest was a 90min wait so we skipped it.

We didnt really see much other than walking through and it was too insane to really stop and take picstures or look at anything. Gastons Tavern was the only thing we got to really see and that was a nightmare as well. We waited in line for ever to get some drinks/snacks and they kept us messing up orders and one lady in line in front of us threw a tantrum.

Then they opened a line up, and took people who just walked right in instead of taking the people like us that had already been in line for 20 minutes.

Le Frous Brew is really really good though.

Epcot wasnt as crowded so we got to see and do all or favorite stuff. We got a FP and Test Track and that was a HUGE disappointment (see my post in the TT thread)

The line for CP was too long so we skipped it.

I will never go back during the holidays, its way too crowded and people seem to lose their minds and manners when they are there. I'll stick to our usual April and November trips.

I wouldn't discount early December- we went the first week and aside from FLE opening the crowds to me were pretty low. I know I couldn't handle the chaos of Xmas week- my anxiety would go through the roof with all of the people there!!

 

[cybrkitn]

Things have been busy around here these past few days. First off, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone! Our Christmas was the best one so far.

Last Sunday I got a call from my BIL in Virginia. Turns out he was visiting NY and was in the next town over with his girlfriend. BIL is 62 and had lost his wife to cancer 7 years ago (he is 20 years older than DH, who'se the youngest). We haven't seen him since our SIL passed away when DS was 3. So I immediately invited them over for Christmas dinner if they didn't have any plans. They accepted with two conditions. The first being not to put it up on FB (ok, DISboards is not FB and he's not on this site anyway). The second being not to tell his father that he is here . Ok, no problem. It was ok to tell DH, so I told him. Of course DH was shocked b/c his brother has not visited NY in over 15 years.

Christmas day comes and BIL arrived before his father did. When my FIL arrived, BIL opened the door for him. The site of the two of them was so heart warming watching them hug and smile. We had a wonderful Christmas dinner that night! BIL and his girlfriend went back to VA either late last night or early this morning, and yes, into the Nor'Easter that we got.

Normally, I don't like having guests over that I wasn't planning on. But this was different. It was family and one that we hadn't seen in a very long time. I couldn't say no to them, especially since they didn't have any plans for Christmas dinner. All in all, this was the best Christmas ever for us and especially for my FIL.

Now onto NYE! Anyone have any plans? We're doing our annual NYE bowling at the local bowling alley, which includes 4 hours of bowling and a hot and cold buffet. Also got the confirmation from DH that afterwards we are going over to a friend's house. I was asked to bring the bacon and pineapple again (bacon wrapped pinapple chunks). They were such a hit last year that all 3 pounds went before all of the guests arrived ! So I'm gonna have to make 4 lbs this year. Bacon and pinapple was a tradition that my father had every NYE and one that I have continued with my own family. The combination of the bacon with the pinapple is oh, so delicious!

 

[cybrkitn]

OK just got back.

Please remind me to NEVER go in December again.

We hit MK first and it was a zoo. We walked through NFL and it was painful. With continous construction the flow through it is difficult. They had CMs standing every few feet directing traffic and keeping people on one side etc.

All the new rides were almost 2 hour waits so we didnt get to ride any of them. Be Our Guest was a 90min wait so we skipped it.

We didnt really see much other than walking through and it was too insane to really stop and take picstures or look at anything. Gastons Tavern was the only thing we got to really see and that was a nightmare as well. We waited in line for ever to get some drinks/snacks and they kept us messing up orders and one lady in line in front of us threw a tantrum.

Then they opened a line up, and took people who just walked right in instead of taking the people like us that had already been in line for 20 minutes.

Le Frous Brew is really really good though.

Epcot wasnt as crowded so we got to see and do all or favorite stuff. We got a FP and Test Track and that was a HUGE disappointment (see my post in the TT thread)

The line for CP was too long so we skipped it.

I will never go back during the holidays, its way too crowded and people seem to lose their minds and manners when they are there. I'll stick to our usual April and November trips.

Sorry you had a rough time. Christmas week (including NYE) is the busiest time of the year for Disney. I've seen pictures from other DISers in the past showing MK guests packed in like sardines during this time, filled to capacity. On the brighter side, I agree with SAT887. Don't discount early December.

We went end of November into the first week of December this year and loved it! The crowd level for all the parks was nothing like you had experienced at MK. In fact, they were very manageable. While some of the rides did have some long wait times others did not. But for those that did have long wait times we either got a FP or waited until EMH when the wait time went down drastically. If we could do it again, I would definitely pick end of November, beginning of December again. You still have the holiday decorations out and festivities, but not the crowd you experienced.

 

[taaren]

Things have been busy around here these past few days. First off, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone! Our Christmas was the best one so far.

Last Sunday I got a call from my BIL in Virginia. Turns out he was visiting NY and was in the next town over with his girlfriend. BIL is 62 and had lost his wife to cancer 7 years ago (he is 20 years older than DH, who'se the youngest). We haven't seen him since our SIL passed away when DS was 3. So I immediately invited them over for Christmas dinner if they didn't have any plans. They accepted with two conditions. The first being not to put it up on FB (ok, DISboards is not FB and he's not on this site anyway). The second being not to tell his father that he is here . Ok, no problem. It was ok to tell DH, so I told him. Of course DH was shocked b/c his brother has not visited NY in over 15 years.

Christmas day comes and BIL arrived before his father did. When my FIL arrived, BIL opened the door for him. The site of the two of them was so heart warming watching them hug and smile. We had a wonderful Christmas dinner that night! BIL and his girlfriend went back to VA either late last night or early this morning, and yes, into the Nor'Easter that we got.

Normally, I don't like having guests over that I wasn't planning on. But this was different. It was family and one that we hadn't seen in a very long time. I couldn't say no to them, especially since they didn't have any plans for Christmas dinner. All in all, this was the best Christmas ever for us and especially for my FIL.

Now onto NYE! Anyone have any plans? We're doing our annual NYE bowling at the local bowling alley, which includes 4 hours of bowling and a hot and cold buffet. Also got the confirmation from DH that afterwards we are going over to a friend's house. I was asked to bring the bacon and pineapple again (bacon wrapped pinapple chunks). They were such a hit last year that all 3 pounds went before all of the guests arrived ! So I'm gonna have to make 4 lbs this year. Bacon and pinapple was a tradition that my father had every NYE and one that I have continued with my own family. The combination of the bacon with the pinapple is oh, so delicious!

Wow, what a great heartwarming story!

I'm super excited for New Years ... for me its always been the main event holiday, because I love parties and fireworks. This year it just got better since one of my college buddies who lives on the next island over informed me that since most fireworks are now banned on his island, he's going to have to join me here in order to get his explosion quota for the year!

And last night, after I've been leaving DH alone about any more Disney trips next year while planning a girl getaway to DLR with a friend (at the end of the trip he said he wanted to skip Disney and spend more time visiting his family), DH said "You know, if we went to see my family for Thanksgiving we could add on a DisneyWorld trip the week before or after and then it'd only be a little extra for airfare since our Annual Passes would still be good ...". (His parents live in Phoenix.) So now I get to plan a post-Thanksgiving trip! Now the discussion ensues whether we'll stay at BLT or AKV (my first choice) or BWV or BCV (his first choice) though it'll probably be decided by what's available at 7 months since we don't have time to trade home resorts this year already.

OK just got back.

Please remind me to NEVER go in December again.

We hit MK first and it was a zoo. We walked through NFL and it was painful. With continous construction the flow through it is difficult. They had CMs standing every few feet directing traffic and keeping people on one side etc.

All the new rides were almost 2 hour waits so we didnt get to ride any of them. Be Our Guest was a 90min wait so we skipped it.

We didnt really see much other than walking through and it was too insane to really stop and take picstures or look at anything. Gastons Tavern was the only thing we got to really see and that was a nightmare as well. We waited in line for ever to get some drinks/snacks and they kept us messing up orders and one lady in line in front of us threw a tantrum.

Then they opened a line up, and took people who just walked right in instead of taking the people like us that had already been in line for 20 minutes.

Le Frous Brew is really really good though.

Epcot wasnt as crowded so we got to see and do all or favorite stuff. We got a FP and Test Track and that was a HUGE disappointment (see my post in the TT thread)

The line for CP was too long so we skipped it.

I will never go back during the holidays, its way too crowded and people seem to lose their minds and manners when they are there. I'll stick to our usual April and November trips.

Sorry you had such a terribly crowded time. I'll echo what a PP said about considering the beginning of December, for most of our trip (first two weeks) it was walk on for most of the attractions and I took a ton of pictures with many of the walkways in MK just _empty_ because I was so stunned at all the space we had.

 

[1stvisit0909]

OK just got back.

Please remind me to NEVER go in December again.

We hit MK first and it was a zoo. We walked through NFL and it was painful. With continous construction the flow through it is difficult. They had CMs standing every few feet directing traffic and keeping people on one side etc.

All the new rides were almost 2 hour waits so we didnt get to ride any of them. Be Our Guest was a 90min wait so we skipped it.

We didnt really see much other than walking through and it was too insane to really stop and take picstures or look at anything. Gastons Tavern was the only thing we got to really see and that was a nightmare as well. We waited in line for ever to get some drinks/snacks and they kept us messing up orders and one lady in line in front of us threw a tantrum.

Then they opened a line up, and took people who just walked right in instead of taking the people like us that had already been in line for 20 minutes.

Le Frous Brew is really really good though.

Epcot wasnt as crowded so we got to see and do all or favorite stuff. We got a FP and Test Track and that was a HUGE disappointment (see my post in the TT thread)

The line for CP was too long so we skipped it.

I will never go back during the holidays, its way too crowded and people seem to lose their minds and manners when they are there. I'll stick to our usual April and November trips.

Interesting, we've had the opposite experience. Most everyone is happy and friendly. We are going early, that may be the difference.

 

[levenhopper]

Hey all. Sorry I haven't been posting a lot. I came home to a ton of shifts at work. I've been lurking, though

I'm glad a lot of people have had a great time. I'll echo what other PP'ers have said: early December was nice for us. But, our last few days were winding up in crowd level.

I'll have my TR up soon. I just need time to finish writing it, lol.

 

[patriciaofoz]

We were at AK today and that's the first time since the 21st that the crowds overwhelmed me. I'm not sure because I'm just plain exhausted and have lower tolerance now or because AK seems smaller compared to the other parks so crowds are more compacted in.

Now that we've experienced the "holiday Disney" we're glad we can strike that off the bucket list. I doubt it'd be our first choice for a date if given another option. But still having a blast though! (Our last day is tomorrow)

 

[1stvisit0909]

We were at AK today and that's the first time since the 21st that the crowds overwhelmed me. I'm not sure because I'm just plain exhausted and have lower tolerance now or because AK seems smaller compared to the other parks so crowds are more compacted in.

Now that we've experienced the "holiday Disney" we're glad we can strike that off the bucket list. I doubt it'd be our first choice for a date if given another option. But still having a blast though! (Our last day is tomorrow)

We were at ak today too, but left after the 1230 lion king. It was fine before our Tusker house ressie at 1015, but after that, nuts. We have a day off tomorrow. Thankfully!

 

[SAT887]

Wow. No posts since yesterday. I miss my dec dis friends!

 

[Valgoof]

Wow. No posts since yesterday. I miss my dec dis friends!

Hi Sarah! I am still around. It is kinda crazy how talkative we all were and now.....nothing. Maybe once the holidays are over and kids are back in school, people will be back. Should we move over to the post-trip thread to chat now? . How was your Christmas?
I feel weird after this trip. Not really PDD, more like it doesnt seem like the trip really happened. We had fun, but it was definitely different for us. And I was in a cold medicine fog for most of it. I have been reading the resort threads ready to plan the next trip. It wont be until Feb 2015, but we are definitely staying deluxe. We spent a lot of time at the resort this time. We discovered that we liked that, but were wishing for more space and a balcony. I was going to make a ticker, but 2+ years seems a bit long. Although it would be exciting to see it go down to 1 year, 11 months.

 

[Valgoof]

Hey all. Sorry I haven't been posting a lot. I came home to a ton of shifts at work. I've been lurking, though

I'm glad a lot of people have had a great time. I'll echo what other PP'ers have said: early December was nice for us. But, our last few days were winding up in crowd level.

I'll have my TR up soon. I just need time to finish writing it, lol.

You can always post it in installments. Leave us waiting for more.