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

[QueenElinor]

I just made our FINAL payment on our vacation house. Why does shelling out hundreds of dollars make me so giddy?

Are you talking about a rental? Because I was never so giddy as when we SOLD our vacation house!
So we could come to places like Disney more often.



So after all that drama with the dress from Athleta that was 9 inches shorter than the catalog description, I got two dresses from Travelsmith. They are below-the-knee on the model, but are just above the knee on me- actually quite perfect!! The quality is also very nice. I got a lovely merino wool one that I probably won't bring to Orlando, but I will bring this one:

It'll be nice enough for dinner, but I could actually wear it in the parks so it'll be great for those days we plan to tour a little before dinner.

 

[Tltorrez]

Hmm. I was going to order groceries from WeGoShop (really need to do this soon), but you've got me wondering if we'd be better off just ordering from Walmart (although if its delivered like a package, you have to pay a fee at the convention center resorts right? [Both of mine are: Bay Lake and Boardwalk]). I think Walmart would have everything we want and might be cheaper than using WeGoShop.

Yes, I think the fee is $10 per package. So that might negate any savings. Plus you have to go pick it up in the shipping office. I'm already doing that for the air bed and the christmas tree. I'll just pay the premium for water in the parks.

 

[SAT887]

The only drawback I can see is if someone wants to leave early- but it seems like your group would probably not be a die-hard touring group so you probably have that all figured out. When I go with my sister's family we try to share just to be able to stick together more easily, as I have a placard. Just be aware that Disney handicap parking is usually up close to the entrance, but it may actually be less walking for your mom to park near a tram stop (which isn't handicap parking). If she has an ECV the actual handicap parking is probably better.

No ECV - and I think the hardest park for her will be MK... Also, I figure it like this - we are staying on Disney Property if someone wants to go back or come later - thats what buses are for....

Also the thoughts of my MIL driving around Disney (its her first trip) could be interesting... Haha It might be in everyone's best interest to get it!! Not that MIL is a bad driver (she's done the east Jersey Commute FOREVER) but Disney is semi distracting if you don't know where you going!! Hehe sorta like my shiny object syndrome!

 

[DisneyMom0709]

What are your dates?

Disney suggests 90 minutes when using thier transportation. If you are going later in the month I would definitely stick close to these times. I would give myself and hour - most of the parks are a short drive and they drop you off near the gates.

You can easily walk from MK to the Contemporary (a few minutes like 10 tops) the monorail may take longer depending on where it is on the loop.

You can walk from Epcot (exit the near England in the world showcase) to both the Beach Club and Boardwalk, again only a few minutes...
(Sorry didn't notice the DHS comment! oops!)

How old are you kiddos? Worst case scenario is the 60-90 min gives you too much time and you can explore some of the beautiful decorations at the resorts - however I am in the "better be safe than sorry stressed out and running to my next ADR" type - I like to be relaxed and reduce any sort of anxiety things.

Basically, you need to use the parks, TTC and DTD as sort of your "transfer" .... Did you get park hoppers?

Hi!!! Thanks for responding I'm going from 13-17
My kids are 3 1/2 and 5,
My ADR are basically

My first day arriving dinner at chef Mickey at 8

10 am at Hollywood and vine
8:30 beach club cape may

CRT at 10 am

Tusker house at 10 am

Then last day trex cafe for lunch and need to be back at hotel for magical express and our flight time is 6pm

Im still trying to figure out If I should stick to driving but kinda don't want to since I'm from Chicago and it might be snowing bad in Indiana , ughhh decisions decisions

Anyway, you basically give yourself an hour ahead to get where you want to go?

 

[Tltorrez]

Thank you! I am now worried about the times lol, how does everyone prepare for their bus times? If I have 10 am ADR at Hollywood n vine should I catch the bus 8:30 am ??

To take a bus to the park I generally allow 40 minutes. Most trips take 20 minutes or less and the buses run 20 minutes apart. So worst case scenario, if you just miss a bus, you'll take about 40 minutes. Of course, if you're then hopping from a park to another destination, add on that time.

From DHS to Cape May you can take the ferry or walk. It's about 20 min to half an hour.

I highly recommend buying the Unofficial Guide book. They have a whole section on Disney transportation including a chart which lists the times between every park and resort via the various transportation methods. Disney transportation is very easy and reasonably efficient. You just have to know how much time to allow.

Good luck!

 

[DisneyMom0709]

Oh I won't be hopping! Only my animal kingdom day I have an ADR at 10 am and plan on leaving around 1:30 to magic kingdom

 

[Tltorrez]

Hello fellow December Dis-ers! My goodness, we're getting chatty in these last few weeks- when I posted last Monday we were still on thread #3 and now look! Hope everyone's plans are coming along nicely.

You can use your ipad with polarized sunglasses, it just has to be held in the landscape (wide or horizontal) position so the polarization in the ipad lines up with the polarization in your sunglasses. The pages are smaller, though, because there are two on there instead of one.

Really! I never knew that. Now I have to go try it out. Thanks.

 

[Tltorrez]

Hi if Someone can please help me, I found super cheap tickets for my family of 4...

Ok, I have to ask. Sorry if I'm being nosy but there are so many scams out there that I hate to think of anyone getting ripped off on their magical vacation. Where did you get your tickets? Is it a timeshare deal?

 

[ksromack]

Hmm. I was going to order groceries from WeGoShop (really need to do this soon), but you've got me wondering if we'd be better off just ordering from Walmart (although if its delivered like a package, you have to pay a fee at the convention center resorts right? [Both of mine are: Bay Lake and Boardwalk]). I think Walmart would have everything we want and might be cheaper than using WeGoShop.

Like I said, if you spend $45 in the "Home Free" items, shipping is free but you are correct, shipping to a convention resort WILL cost you a special fee. I'm not familiar with this but I know I've read about it at one of the threads on the DIS. It's regular Walmart prices....so I'm sure it'd be cheaper to order from Walmart (although I don't believe they ship things that need refrigeration.....so if it's milk you need, that won't work).

I don't know why, but I just had a "It's 19 days... 19 FREAKING days until we leave" freak out. Maybe because we don't have a free weekend between now and then, and since this is a surprise, I can't exactly pack like we did last year.

We just ran to Target and I got a couple little things. I'm hopping that DH and DS really want to nap today and I can lock myself in the guest bedroom and get everything figured out.

You will get it figured out! I'm at 28 days and I'm in a minor panic about the trip too......not so much a panic as an excited frenzy.

Hi if Someone can please help me, I found super cheap tickets for my family of 4 I was originally driving but now thinking of flying, my question is about the buses how do I use them I have two small kids and I hope it won't be hard


For example my first day which is resort day how would I get from AOA to chef Mickey for 8 pn dinner?

Another from Hollywood studios to cape may beach club for 8:30 dinner? Then after dinner to get back at AOA?

I'm clueless about it how do these buses run and do they make stops? Any info would be great and how would I get downtown Disney ? It's confusing to me lol thanks in advance

We're depending on Disney transportation the entire trip with the exception of a taxi ride for 2 of our excursions. I just don't want to be rushed for those 2 ADRs.....the rest of our days we won't be so rushed for time.

I also found out that if one's DH drives a bit fast over winding mountain roads while one is using an ipad, it's necessary to lock down the screen to keep it from rotating on the curves.

I feel ya on that one.....but it's best to have the distraction of that iPad to keep you mind off the driving, isn't it?

Oh, I forgot about that! Thanks for the reminder, I really need to get our GardenGrocer order in. If worse comes to worse, those little Stabucks Via packets are pretty good. Anything but Disney coffee!!

I have about a dozen pods packed already but I'm going to order some more from Walmart to have it delivered with my other items. They pack flat in case we need to bring them back home. Have all the resorts gone to the "pod" system? It makes me wonder what brand of pods Disney has been buying. Maybe they make a better tasting cup of coffee?

 

[Tltorrez]

Oh I won't be hopping! Only my animal kingdom day I have an ADR at 10 am and plan on leaving around 1:30 to magic kingdom

So you will be hopping one day? From AK to MK? Your tickets have Park Hoppers, right?

 

[WedgieSock]

I don't know why, but I just had a "It's 19 days... 19 FREAKING days until we leave" freak out. Maybe because we don't have a free weekend between now and then, and since this is a surprise, I can't exactly pack like we did last year.

Haha - I had one of those freak outs at around 100 days .... then at 50 days .... I don't even wanna know how any days we have now

Hehe sorta like my shiny object syndrome!

Did someone mention a shiny object

 

[Tltorrez]

I just realized I can do online check-in *before* I'll even know whether we're doing Plan A or Plan B. Aaargh! This waiting is going to kill me.

On hold with Disney now, trying to find out where the first half of my DME tickets are.

 

[DisneyMom0709]

So you will be hopping one day? From AK to MK? Your tickets have Park Hoppers, right?

No not all I have couple free hoppers and will only use them for one day rest are 1 day passes that I have got with my dining package,

 

[DisneyMom0709]

Ok, I have to ask. Sorry if I'm being nosy but there are so many scams out there that I hate to think of anyone getting ripped off on their magical vacation. Where did you get your tickets? Is it a timeshare deal?

My airline tickets? Spirit right now their 55 dollars one way ! I flew spirit a couple of times and their good!

 

[QueenElinor]

No ECV - and I think the hardest park for her will be MK... Also, I figure it like this - we are staying on Disney Property if someone wants to go back or come later - thats what buses are for....

Also the thoughts of my MIL driving around Disney (its her first trip) could be interesting... Haha It might be in everyone's best interest to get it!! Not that MIL is a bad driver (she's done the east Jersey Commute FOREVER) but Disney is semi distracting if you don't know where you going!! Hehe sorta like my shiny object syndrome!

I don't know how old your MIL is, but my sis's MIL drives around the SF bay area like a fiend because she's done it all of her life- I would not trust her to drive anywhere outside her usual routes, though.

My elderly aunt and uncle actually take binoculars when they go to "the big city" so she can see the signs and tell him what to do well before they need to do it. At least they know they need to be careful!

I feel ya on that one.....but it's best to have the distraction of that iPad to keep you mind off the driving, isn't it?

Definitely! But it's hard to keep my eye on the page when I'm sliding to and fro.

I have about a dozen pods packed already but I'm going to order some more from Walmart to have it delivered with my other items. They pack flat in case we need to bring them back home. Have all the resorts gone to the "pod" system? It makes me wonder what brand of pods Disney has been buying. Maybe they make a better tasting cup of coffee?

I'm staying at the YC, and I know the Deluxe resorts all have pods, not sure about the other resorts. (Except the CL and/or deluxe view rooms- I believe they may have Keurigs?). I actually haven't ever used the pods- I'm sure whatever Disney buys is probably made for them, but my main concern with the coffee in the room is that they don't give us enough! My hope is that we'll get our required few cups before leaving for the parks, then we won't have to deal with the poor coffee there.
(Although I do think having Starbucks in the MK and EPCOT is overkill. Surely there are more Disney-ish ways of fixing the coffee with resorting to that!)

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I don't know why, but I just had a "It's 19 days... 19 FREAKING days until we leave" freak out. Maybe because we don't have a free weekend between now and then, and since this is a surprise, I can't exactly pack like we did last year.

We just ran to Target and I got a couple little things. I'm hopping that DH and DS really want to nap today and I can lock myself in the guest bedroom and get everything figured out.

Oh jeez, thanks for reminding me!!! I'm at 19 days today too. I'm working on finishing up my room decorations now. I can't believe I am in the teens now

 

[QueenElinor]

I'm ready for Disney NOW!!
It's 19 degrees and snowing.
Even Bambi's daddy looks unhappy out there today.

 

[Mom2Cody06]

Where did you see this? I'm curious b/c we're staying at POR Thanks!

I'll have to see if I can find the thread. I think it was on the community board. The poster was talking about how to handle it if they didn't want the upgrade.

 

[Mom2Cody06]

Hi if Someone can please help me, I found super cheap tickets for my family of 4 I was originally driving but now thinking of flying, my question is about the buses how do I use them I have two small kids and I hope it won't be hard

For example my first day which is resort day how would I get from AOA to chef Mickey for 8 pn dinner?

Another from Hollywood studios to cape may beach club for 8:30 dinner? Then after dinner to get back at AOA?

I'm clueless about it how do these buses run and do they make stops? Any info would be great and how would I get downtown Disney ? It's confusing to me lol thanks in advance

For your Chef Mickeys dinner I'd take a bus to MK and walk over to the contemporary or you could hop the monorail if you have enough time.

You can either take the bus or friendship boat from HS to Beach club and back to HS to catch a bus to AoA if HS is still open. If not DTD is always a transfer option.

You could always grab a taxi too of that's easier.

 

[DisneyMom0709]

For your Chef Mickeys dinner I'd take a bus to MK and walk over to the contemporary or you could hop the monorail if you have enough time.

You can either take the bus or friendship boat from HS to Beach club and back to HS to catch a bus to AoA if HS is still open. If not DTD is always a transfer option.

You could always grab a taxi too of that's easier.

Taxi would be a lot easier, thank you!