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

[mabreu75]

Wow!!! I'll see you in Disney!!

 

[Valgoof]

So last night after we straightened out the FPs, DH asked to see the whole schedule. I always consult him on the details but he never pays attention to the whole schedule until the end. That's how I know it's close.

So we went over it and he says, "I don't understand this day. It looks like we don't have anything planned until evening." We'll, yeah - that's what makes this trip so great. So much time to just do whatever we want.

So nothing on my agenda for the next two days except finishing prepping and packing. I slept in a bit then spent an hour catching up on this thread. But that's part of trip planning, right?

Yes dear, it is called down time. I had the same problem with our MVMCP morning. We will be at MK EMH as late as I can stand it so I have nothing planned the next day until our 4:15 LTT ADR and then the party. DH wants to know why we arent doing anything that day. . We can do whatever we feel like, honey.


I LOVE hearing the countdowns in hours!!!!

 

[dnsmills]

At the airport right now. Flight leaves in about an hour. We'll be checking into AOA in just a few hours and then dinner at Yachtsman. Soooooooooo excited!!!!!!!

 

[Mom2Cody06]

We'll basketball practice this morning was horrible. The people never came to unlock the school so there are a ton of us out there with kindergarteners freezing out butts off. Ugh. But we are taking the kids family glow bowling this afternoon and tonight we are going to see Christmas Lights (as long as its not too cold since its a walk through). A little over 24 hours to go.

 

[ksromack]

While we're on the subject of pets, here's the big girl just home from the hospital:

Is that a pitiful pooch, or what?

I suspect this is why I just can't get in the Disney mood. But the vet says everything went well.

Poor poochie! I'm sure she'll be feeling better in a few days...it's hard to keep a dog down for long!

Those sound great! I'm bummed this is after we leave.

I thought I read that they mail FP+ cards to you that get scanned when you go to each ride

Yes, I'm 7 days out right now, though...and we're technically NOT taking DME to our resort, but staying 1 night at Universal first. I think I did read that I can pick up fast pass card at MK City Hall and at DHS Guest Relations.....maybe a disney miracle will occur and the FP+ will be in my mailbox by friday!

I don't want to FP Dumbo though. I want to check out the new queue.

Mmmmmmmmm I have chosen Little Mermaid as a FP. I should probably change that one since we want to enjoy the queue there too. What other ride gets long lines? Would Pooh be a good choice?

Correct. No FP during the party.

So after I booked our FPs for our MK day, DH came home and said, "But don't you really want the preferred viewing for the parade?" Given that he could care less about parades, I was a little surprised. So we all sat down and reviewed the schedule. And after I played around with the FPs some more, I realized I could get them for the second MSEP on the 12th as well.

So I moved our artist Point reservations up to 5:30 and we'll go from there to see Wishes and the parade. And Wishes viewing lets you in at 7:30 so we'll be able to see the castle light show too. This was really the only part of my plan I wasn't happy with. The FPs made it perfect.

I'm glad it all worked out! I'm tickled with the addition of extra MSEPs. Now we have 2 times we can see it. I'm not choosing it as a FP, though. The night we will most likely do it is the night of our Dessert Party. Oh, gee, I wonder if that would be a better choice? Hmmmmmmm What do you think, Terri? FP return time is 8:40-8:55 for MSEP and I'd hate to cut the Dessert Party short....or worse, not be able to get to the FP location. I thought I was done making decisions!

 

[mom2travel]

We arrive at POR on Friday!!! We're neighbors

Hi neighbor

Here's me & DD. my hair is curly when it's down.
Say hi if you see us

 

[ksromack]

I had a Dream about Disney last night. I dreamt that DH kept trying to change our itinerary at the last minute. He has refused to discuss details of our plans. In the dream, I was like "But we have ADRs!" and "We have to get TSM fast passes and sign up for JTA first thing in the morning!"

We had DS birthday party yesterday afternoon. He turns 4 on Wednesday. He got a talking Darth Vader mask and loves it! I afraid that he may agree to go over to the Dark Side during JTA.

My son LOVED Star Wars when he was a little boy. He's almost 21 now. I saved all his star wars figurines....they are stored in an awesome CP3O organizer.

Leaving sequence commences in 22 hours....

Ahhhhhhhhhh!!

So excited for you!

That's great. My planned MK day didn't really give me a good time to see Enchanted Tales with Belle or the Little Mermaid, but with the FP+ it's going to work out well.

Ok, here's a question for all you December Dis-ers- if you had an entire day to yourself, what would you do? The family is going over to the dark side to see Harry Potter on Sunday the 16th and I have no plans whatsoever. We're staying at the YC.

I would relax at the resort. We're staying at POR and I have a feeling I'm going to be sorry we haven't allotted extended time to enjoy the resort. From what I understand everything is very lush and beautiful. I would do that then take the boat from POR to DTD and do some shopping! Maybe even take in a movie of MY choosing!

If you're in the window but didn't receive email or cards, try your resort confirmation number. The one listed on your Disney account or the Disney Confirmation emails.

EDIT: or even if you're not in the window since it seems to have worked for Kathy.

I think it's because I do have the DME luggage tags. As Jordan suggested I used THAT confirmation number and not the one I use for reservations, etc.....I was mildly surprised to see it worked.

That's awesome. Now you just need the physical plastic cards. If you don't get them before the trip you should be able to get them at Guest Relations. If I don't get my second set in today's mail I'll call and confirm where I can get them.

Do you think they will mail them that quickly?

Leaving TONIGHT!!!

It's really real! I have a feeling I will be getting very little sleep this week.......

 

[ksromack]

Yeah, I'm right behind you at 6AM tomorrow!!!!!

yeah!!!

So last night after we straightened out the FPs, DH asked to see the whole schedule. I always consult him on the details but he never pays attention to the whole schedule until the end. That's how I know it's close.

So we went over it and he says, "I don't understand this day. It looks like we don't have anything planned until evening." We'll, yeah - that's what makes this trip so great. So much time to just do whatever we want.

So nothing on my agenda for the next two days except finishing prepping and packing. I slept in a bit then spent an hour catching up on this thread. But that's part of trip planning, right?

I suppose I should go over the itinerary with dh. He IS interested....but I think he gets too excited as well......the food porn really makes him happy

POFQ!!! So excited!!! Actually we are flying out of Philly at 8 tomorrow, but staying the night in Philly tonight!!

close!

We arrive at POFQ on Thursday

Kristine, I didn't realize you were at POFQ! We're at POR and will arrive next sunday afternoon......we're staying sat night at IOA resort and will finish up there early afternoon sunday....then head to POR

We arrive at POR on Friday!!! We're neighbors

Me too, see above.

We arrive at POR on Saturday (says with pit in stomach as she has so much left to do)!!! We're also neighbors

Sue, I did see you were staying at POR from that thread....but I didn't realize our trips were so close together. We'll be there the day after you. What area are you staying in? I hope we'll be in AB. I'd be happy with the mansions but hubby liked the look of the AB rooms. We're in a King room so we could end up anywhere, really.

YAY!!

I hope everyone is going to wear a LGMH (Lime Green Mickey Head).

Our schedule is absolutely packed but I will ALWAYS have the time to at least stop, say hi and give you a hug

I'm bolding this because I need attention. Is there an OUTLINE of the LGMH? I want the santa Mickey in color and I want the Dec DISers on the ear but I don't want it to be green. Apparently my printer has decided to run out of yellow ink and my LGMH are blue. I have green cardstock I can print them on!

I would go to IoA! I love Harry Potter.

If you really don't, though, then I would head to DTD for some shopping time.

We're at IOA next saturday and sunday 1/2 day. Wow....that sounds really close when you put it that way!

 

[alorac]

well I've definitely been out of touch with you guys for the last few weeks. Crazy to see you have made it all the way to the 5th page... I got super swamped with work and just couldnt keep up anymore.

But I figured I'd check in today while I have some free time. I leave next Saturday (Dec 8th) and am getting things all lined up for the trip. I checked in online and got my tickets from AAA this morning. I couldn't make up my mind about what I wanted so I kept putting it off. I ended up getting the full blown 7 day park hopper water parks and more passes. Through AAA they came to $746.54 ($373.27 each) which ended up being a few bucks cheaper than undercover tourist and like $50 off disney prices. Cant complain about that.

Since I was last on I ended up changing my reservations so we are spending the first part of the week at Port Orleans Riverside and the the last few days at Boardwalk still. We plan on going out at night a lot and this way we'll go hang in Downtown Disney for the first part and at the Boardwalk for the last few nights (and save a few bucks too!).

I'm going to be doing the online check-in this afternoon... anyone have any recommendations for requests on my reservation at Riverside? I'm thinking of requesting Magnolia Terrace since it is close to the bus station and not too far from a quiet pool or the main pool. I've read the landscaping is nice over there too. (My gf is a landscape architect so she appreciates that stuff)

Hope all of you that are down there are having fun! I cant wait to hear everyone's stories when they get back (and hopefully share a few of my own!)

 

[alorac]

whoops... just realized you can only request things like ground floor, near transportation or for a pack and play thing... that's a bummer. I'll guess I can just ask when I arrive then?

Also, theres going to be a bunch of us at Port Orleans arent there? I may be at River Roost that first Saturday evening (8th) to see the show... anyone else gonna be hanging around? Is it worth going to?

 

[ksromack]

We leave in 96 hours! I have to work today and tomorrow (ah retail!) then I'll have Monday and Tuesday to do laundry and last minute errands.

Ack. 46 hours here! Perhaps I should get out of bed and do some laundry.

Oh, man.....somebody has to do it! I did our colored clothes last night. That'll give me and hubby enough scrubs to wear for the entire work week.....which means I technically won't need to do any laundry before we leave! Woohoo! I'm already packed with the exception of the clothes we will wear on the plane. Hubby needs to return some jeans to Old Navy so those will need to be washed. Maybe we'll do that tomorrow after he gets home from work.

Mmm. Good question. I wouldn't go to IOA either. I think I would go to DTD and if it is a nice sunny warm afternoon (which I am believing for) I would grab an adult beverage (my choice - cold beer) and sit in the sun and watch the great entertainment they have at the band shell. They usually have talented kids performing - singing, dancing, etc. Ahh, wish I were there now. And, of course, people watch - nothing more entertaining than that.

I like this idea too

Ha! At least he won't be the first then!

So has anyone heard anyone more about the Fantasyland dragon thing? I've been distracted by Thanksgiving and kids' birthdays lately and haven't been keeping up on Disney rumors.

I have not but hubby is very curious about this!

Oh- the entertainment/people watching is a great idea. Since I'm at the YC, I think what I could do is walk over to WS with Steve Soare's list of performances and concentrate on those all day. With an adult beverage- of course!

The live performers often get lost in the shuffle. This would be a perfect day to see them.

It turns out that the tour I would most want to see only happens during the Food & Wine Festival.

People watching sounds great too!

I took some time to think about this. If I had the time I would have added a Keys to the Kingdom tour on this trip. I'd also probably take a book and just find a nice spot to sit and people watch for a few hours.
Have a nice lunch, by myself, somewhere that the rest of my party wouldn't care to go, find a spot in WS to grab an adult beverage, read and people watch. If it was warm enough, use the pool/hot tub.

The 16th is our unplanned day at this point. We will be at a park just not sure which one yet. We haven't made plans besides our breakfast ADR (not sure if it's going to be 'Ohana or Askershus) and HDDR for dinner.

Now that I'm up, not sure what I want to do today.

I think a KTTK tour would be great. We looked at that but not enough time.

I have my high school BFF Christmas Party tonight! Yeah! I still have to wrap that present. I love my BFFs and our Rob Your Neighbor game is always the highlight of the evening!

 

[PrincessAurora27]

I'm still tweaking our ADRs. I just got a Tusker House brekkie for our AK day and I got us a 1900PF brekkie on Saturday. We still need to decide if we are keeping Askershus or 'Ohana on Sunday.

I need to step away!!!

 

[ksromack]

At the airport right now. Flight leaves in about an hour. We'll be checking into AOA in just a few hours and then dinner at Yachtsman. Soooooooooo excited!!!!!!!

I'm going to need a Yachtsman dining review!

Hi neighbor

Here's me & DD. my hair is curly when it's down.
Say hi if you see us

Supercute and your dd looks just like you Where was that picture taken?

well I've definitely been out of touch with you guys for the last few weeks. Crazy to see you have made it all the way to the 5th page... I got super swamped with work and just couldnt keep up anymore.

But I figured I'd check in today while I have some free time. I leave next Saturday (Dec 8th) and am getting things all lined up for the trip. I checked in online and got my tickets from AAA this morning. I couldn't make up my mind about what I wanted so I kept putting it off. I ended up getting the full blown 7 day park hopper water parks and more passes. Through AAA they came to $746.54 ($373.27 each) which ended up being a few bucks cheaper than undercover tourist and like $50 off disney prices. Cant complain about that.

Since I was last on I ended up changing my reservations so we are spending the first part of the week at Port Orleans Riverside and the the last few days at Boardwalk still. We plan on going out at night a lot and this way we'll go hang in Downtown Disney for the first part and at the Boardwalk for the last few nights (and save a few bucks too!).

I'm going to be doing the online check-in this afternoon... anyone have any recommendations for requests on my reservation at Riverside? I'm thinking of requesting Magnolia Terrace since it is close to the bus station and not too far from a quiet pool or the main pool. I've read the landscaping is nice over there too. (My gf is a landscape architect so she appreciates that stuff)

Hope all of you that are down there are having fun! I cant wait to hear everyone's stories when they get back (and hopefully share a few of my own!)

I think the mansions are beautiful! I think we'll be in the AB section....I've heard to NOT request ground floor unless you need it for medical purposes.....a higher floor gives you nicer views!

whoops... just realized you can only request things like ground floor, near transportation or for a pack and play thing... that's a bummer. I'll guess I can just ask when I arrive then?

Also, theres going to be a bunch of us at Port Orleans arent there? I may be at River Roost that first Saturday evening (8th) to see the show... anyone else gonna be hanging around? Is it worth going to?

Request to be near transportation if that is your first priority. They assign rooms 5 days out.

 

[Valgoof]

So many of you check in to POR or POFQ next weekend!!!!! Now I am hoping we go with Plan B. Ok not really, that would really stress me out. I need to go back to the list and see who will still be here with me. And of course our first group will be back so that will be good.

Today is DH's birthday. We went out to breakfast and then watched our nephew bowl. He went to the casino to play slots and I took a nap. He will be home soon and we are going shopping and to dinner.

I was talking to my SIL at bowling and their 6 year old cat ran away on Tuesday. He goes out a little bit during the day, but usually stays on their back porch and never goes out after dark. So they were all upset and searched for him and notified everyone around them. BIL got home late Friday night and the cat was sitting on the front porch, hungry but otherwise fine. I thought all of you animal lovers would appreciate that.

 

[mom2travel]

Oh- the entertainment/people watching is a great idea. Since I'm at the YC, I think what I could do is walk over to WS with Steve Soare's list of performances and concentrate on those all day. With an adult beverage- of course!

The live performers often get lost in the shuffle. This would be a perfect day to see them.

It turns out that the tour I would most want to see only happens during the Food & Wine Festival.

That's totally something I would do! A cold drink, my camera in hand, ... Aaahhh, bliss

 

[ksromack]

I'm still tweaking our ADRs. I just got a Tusker House brekkie for our AK day and I got us a 1900PF brekkie on Saturday. We still need to decide if we are keeping Askershus or 'Ohana on Sunday.

I need to step away!!!

I'm the same way....although I scored a 7:05am Chef Mickey and a 8:20 Crystal Palace yesterday! I say tweak all you can.....it keeps us occupied and out of the bars

So many of you check in to POR or POFQ next weekend!!!!! Now I am hoping we go with Plan B. Ok not really, that would really stress me out. I need to go back to the list and see who will still be here with me. And of course our first group will be back so that will be good.

Today is DH's birthday. We went out to breakfast and then watched our nephew bowl. He went to the casino to play slots and I took a nap. He will be home soon and we are going shopping and to dinner.

I was talking to my SIL at bowling and their 6 year old cat ran away on Tuesday. He goes out a little bit during the day, but usually stays on their back porch and never goes out after dark. So they were all upset and searched for him and notified everyone around them. BIL got home late Friday night and the cat was sitting on the front porch, hungry but otherwise fine. I thought all of you animal lovers would appreciate that.

I think we need to list all those at POR in the next few weeks. I know Sean (BDL) is there as well as Wedgie, me, Maddie's Nana, and Mom2Travel. Who did I miss and what section are you staying in along with dates? I'll start and will copy and paste so it's all together.

ksromack (Kathy) POR AB? Dec 9-17

 

[taaren]

Surprisingly despite the nonexistent layover our luggage made it!
Animal Kingdom has been great all the attractions we wanted were walk on other than expedition everest which we fast passed and switch passed. It drizzled for about 20 min but otherwise had been shorts and shirts kind of weather. Will link to fb pics later tonight!

 

[geckodani]

Delta is bad about not notifying people about changes. I logged on a couple weeks ago to add my frequent flyer info and found they had changed the times on 3 of our 4 flight legs and had changed the aircraft on one and no longer had sissy and me seated together on that flight. The time changes were only minor but if I'd only caught the when checking in 24 hours before our flight I'd have been ROYALLY pissed!

Yeah, luckily our flight times are still almost spot on (about a 10 minute difference, no biggie) but I was still not happy!!!

Had a scary time at the airport our California flight to connect in Kansas City went out an hour and a half late so we almost missed the Orlando flight! Ended up walking from one plane to the next they held it for the dozen passengers who would have otherwise been spending the night in kc.
The Orlando airport is gorgeous all decked out for the holidays!

I'm glad you made your flight okay! When DH and I were coming back from Mexico this past summer they were holding the plane for folks so they wouldn't miss their connections. Pulled people into a separate customs line etc. and escorted them over to the plane!

While we're on the subject of pets, here's the big girl just home from the hospital:

Is that a pitiful pooch, or what?

I suspect this is why I just can't get in the Disney mood. But the vet says everything went well.

Aw, poor pup! Looks like you've got her all set up with a comfy pillow and lots of love though.

 

[alorac]

I think we need to list all those at POR in the next few weeks. I know Sean (BDL) is there as well as Wedgie, me, Maddie's Nana, and Mom2Travel. Who did I miss and what section are you staying in along with dates? I'll start and will copy and paste so it's all together.

ksromack (Kathy) POR AB? Dec 9-17

I'll be there for 5 nights before we head to BWI... Soo...

alorac (Tom) POR MB? Dec 8-13th

I've been keeping an eye on the accuweather extended forecast for a few weeks now (I know, I have a problem... but I'm ok with it)

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/lake-buena-vista-fl/32830/december-weather/2257551

I'm thinking my current schedule makes the 9th or 13th the best options for Blizzard Beach... anyone know what the crowds are like on Sundays?

 

[Valgoof]

The reservation page says it will be down starting 12/3 at 5:00 and should be back up 12/4 afternoon. Hope I am not needing to make changes. Didnt they just update a few months ago?