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

[ksromack]

So I am really trying to justify a dinning plan. We had free dining once and it was wonderful never having to say, "I'll just get the cheaper item on the menu". We booked a room only discount, so no free dining. If I am reading the pricing right it would be about $721 for 2 adults for 7 days.

We currently only have 3 ts meals planned because we do not have a dinning plan and I was planning on doing cs for the rest. We also thought about just buying cereal and milk for breakfast every day and snacking for lunches.

If we did the dinning plan I could do more ADRs! Let's face it, I am restless not right now not stalking ADRs.

Any opinions for or against. It is a lot of money...I am so torn and DH is like NO.

Our last trip was the summer of 2004 and we had 4 of our kids with us......only one of which would have been considered a "child" (strangely enough, the one who would have eaten the most).....we stayed at a condo off-site because we were POOR! My oldest, dd, was in Orlando for a dance competition (which was our summer vacation every year...wherever her dance competitions took us). Anyway we ate breakfast in the condo every morning, I brought water bottles for each child every day along with snack bars. We ate ONE big meal in the parks every day, around 2pm or so.......then snacked most evenings and ate once we got back to the condo (we never stayed in the parks until closing time, usually until 7pm or so at the latest). It worked for us given our limited budget but I'm so happy to be on the dining plan now. We can eat things and at places we never dreamed of eating if we had to pay oop and it's allowed us to basically pay for everything ahead of time. Divide up your cost of being on the meal plan by the number of days you will be there and see if you come out ahead. Pick your restaurants and what you expect you would order and add them all up. I hope you can convince dh to doing the meal plan.....stalk the dining reviews here.....my hubby loved looking at those and he actually claimed what dessert he was planning on getting at what restaurant and "called it"so I couldn't later.

 

[ksromack]

Left the DH at home? I don't think I could ever do that. DH and I are so close that we practically do everything together.

Well, that was my EX husband and he didn't want to go.....and I was married for less than a year at the time.......and did I mention he was really a jerk anyway?

Phew! Ok, I think I'm caught up with all the posts! I went to church this morning, came back and found that an additional 4 or 5 pages were added!

I know! Same here.......I am really a sick-o. I took a picture of a hidden mickey WHILE I was at church today. But I think it's okay. It gave me an idea for christmas ornaments......I know, I'm in big trouble. I'm seeing hidden mickeys at CHURCH!

 

[SAT887]

I know! Same here.......I am really a sick-o. I took a picture of a hidden mickey WHILE I was at church today. But I think it's okay. It gave me an idea for christmas ornaments......I know, I'm in big trouble. I'm seeing hidden mickeys at CHURCH!

So this cracked me up. I'm thinking about searching for hidden mickeys on our trip because my 3 year old spots them everywhere. We were at Home Depot and there was three rolls of Underlayment so it looked like a Mickey head. She starts yelling "it's Mickey it's Mickey!!!" Hehe

 

[BDL]

I think I'm on a roll and everything is done but let me go through a checklist

• Hotel booked for night before (12/6), to break up journey.
• Resort booked. POR Royal Guest Room. Requests: Oak Manor, Garden View, room with roll-in shower for Mum.
• Park Tix & Deluxe Dining Plan
• Photopass Plus ordered & received - have coupon to trade in for PP+ card when we arrive
• MVMCP tix ordered & received
• La Nouba tix ordered & received
• All ADRs secured, none outstanding
• Park days figured: 12/7 DTD & Epcot (emh); 12/8 MK; 12/9 HS (emh); 12/10 Epcot; 12/11 MK & MVMCP; 12/12 AK & La Nouba
• Excitement: Engaged
• Packing - Meh, day before we leave

Is there anything I have forgotten?? Surely not. Ooh, ooh! Don't let me forget to get an anniversary card for my parents before we leave - its their 42nd anniversary on the 12th, I can get a gift there.

Looks like our itineraries are practically identical. Except our motel night before check-in will be in Orlando. We aren't doing La Nuba , we will be doing pp+. And we also have POR-RGR. Can't wait to see the decor and headboards.

 

[ksromack]

Sorry if these were posted yesterday, but wow wow wow!

Inside peek at BoG.

OMGosh.......I have this sneaky suspicion that I will be a little blubbering idiot on much of this trip. Those pictures are just bigger than life!

 

[Valgoof]

Then, since I was already out, I stopped at Toys R Us to get some gift cards. And I found tree toppers - the perfect size for a small tree.


IMG_0286 by tltorrez, on Flickr


IMG_0285 by tltorrez, on Flickr

Sorry for the blur. No flash. Anyway, I got the Mickey one. They also had other small plastic ornaments (CARS, Toy Story, Nemo, Princesses) that would be good for a small tree and non-breakable.

Those are cute!! I live in an apartment so we always have a smallish tree. I might have to go to Toys R Us this week.

 

[Valgoof]

I know! Same here.......I am really a sick-o. I took a picture of a hidden mickey WHILE I was at church today. But I think it's okay. It gave me an idea for christmas ornaments......I know, I'm in big trouble. I'm seeing hidden mickeys at CHURCH!

Hilarious!!

 

[ksromack]

My weakness is sweets....

Mine is sweets too.....more specifically, CUPCAKES.

 

[ksromack]

I started something

With the exception of long pants, a couple *signature restaurant-worthy* clothing items, my new shoes I just ordered, and the ornaments and shirts I'm planning on tie-dying.....my suitcase was done 2 weeks ago.

 

[Valgoof]

I love trip reports and have read several written by the frumps. Kristen is on this thread, but her friend Jess went to Disney last December. I think someone posted the link to her report at some point. Anyway, I was reading it today and it is really good. She describes and takes pictures of so much of the Christmasy things. I highly recommend it if you want to see how it really is. She had a short trip early in December and then a long trip over Christmas and New Year's. I showed DH some of the pics and he was even getting excited about the trip. And we are now saving our pennies to stay at CR with TPV.

 

[Valgoof]

Mine is sweets too.....more specifically, CUPCAKES.

No way! Really?

 

[ksromack]

I normally avoid brick & mortar stores as much as possible. But I had to get DS's hair cut today at the mall so stopped at Target to look for wrapping paper. No luck, but it turns out we now have a Big Lots. So I checked there and stocked up big on gift boxes, ribbon, bows and Disney Christmas wrapping paper. They had Mickey, Pooh, Toy Story, CARS and Tink.

Then, since I was already out, I stopped at Toys R Us to get some gift cards. And I found tree toppers - the perfect size for a small tree.


IMG_0286 by tltorrez, on Flickr


IMG_0285 by tltorrez, on Flickr

Sorry for the blur. No flash. Anyway, I got the Mickey one. They also had other small plastic ornaments (CARS, Toy Story, Nemo, Princesses) that would be good for a small tree and non-breakable.

Awesome! I've been wondering what to use for a tree topper! I stopped at our Dollar General and found some beautiful gold frame ornaments. I'm going to print 5 of the princess' pictures and put them in the frame for ornaments. It's exactly what I envisioned and is totally "princess worthy". I almost bought a small tree too but I don't see how I can fit it in my large suitcase......you know, I know I've seen people check "bags" while flying.....but they weren't "bags" they were boxes all taped up with duct tape. I've noticed this more with international flights.........can I package up a box and check it like a piece of luggage? Of course, I don't see how TSA would be able to open them up to see inside......because they would need to be taped back up otherwise the contents could get spilled during flight. Hm......I hope I don't need to buy another suitcase! I may need to do some re-arranging here. OR I could just go with my original plan of buying my tree through Walmart and have it delivered to POR along with my snacks and water.

 

[ksromack]

I love trip reports and have read several written by the frumps. Kristen is on this thread, but her friend Jess went to Disney last December. I think someone posted the link to her report at some point. Anyway, I was reading it today and it is really good. She describes and takes pictures of so much of the Christmasy things. I highly recommend it if you want to see how it really is. She had a short trip early in December and then a long trip over Christmas and New Year's. I showed DH some of the pics and he was even getting excited about the trip. And we are now saving our pennies to stay at CR with TPV.

Link? I'm subscribed to so many trip reports now.....most of them a food related. I don't think one or two more will hurt

 

[sunnysideup3]

With the exception of long pants, a couple *signature restaurant-worthy* clothing items, my new shoes I just ordered, and the ornaments and shirts I'm planning on tie-dying.....my suitcase was done 2 weeks ago.

I've been throwing things for the trip in the spare bedroom closet, I finally got to organize all that this weekend... Felt good!!!

I made cute luggage tags and put those on the suitcases. It's starting to feel real... Just need to survive work, a 5th birthday party, and Thanksgiving and it will be time!!

 

[sunnysideup3]

I love trip reports and have read several written by the frumps. Kristen is on this thread, but her friend Jess went to Disney last December. I think someone posted the link to her report at some point. Anyway, I was reading it today and it is really good. She describes and takes pictures of so much of the Christmasy things. I highly recommend it if you want to see how it really is. She had a short trip early in December and then a long trip over Christmas and New Year's. I showed DH some of the pics and he was even getting excited about the trip. And we are now saving our pennies to stay at CR with TPV.

She's awesome, very good trip reporting!

 

[BDL]

So I am really trying to justify a dinning plan. We had free dining once and it was wonderful never having to say, "I'll just get the cheaper item on the menu". We booked a room only discount, so no free dining. If I am reading the pricing right it would be about $721 for 2 adults for 7 days.

We currently only have 3 ts meals planned because we do not have a dinning plan and I was planning on doing cs for the rest. We also thought about just buying cereal and milk for breakfast every day and snacking for lunches.

If we did the dinning plan I could do more ADRs! Let's face it, I am restless not right now not stalking ADRs.

Any opinions for or against. It is a lot of money...I am so torn and DH is like NO.

We originally started with just paying for the DDP (we had free DDP last trip). After planning some more, booking some combo meals (CP & Fantasmic!) And basically looking at all the reviews at allears (... to a very Pavlovian response), it made sense to upgrade to DxDP.

Did I mention how much I love the food at Disney?

 

[Valgoof]

Link? I'm subscribed to so many trip reports now.....most of them a food related. I don't think one or two more will hurt

Ultimate Christmas Survival Guide

 

[srauchbauer]

I can't help it, I'm in love with this bag

it's a great bag plus it could be used as a hand warmer.

 

[srauchbauer]

You all such enablers after reading all the posts about how much you will have without your children I started thinking maybe we should go without ours. DH said NO this is the holidays and we have had this planned for a while (yes it is still a secrect). But he suggested how about a long weekend in January. Of course I said YES made all the arrangements for my sister-in-law is going to watch our kids. So to make this long post short DH and I are getting a second honeymoon at the WDW.

 

[Tltorrez]

Awesome! I've been wondering what to use for a tree topper! I stopped at our Dollar General and found some beautiful gold frame ornaments. I'm going to print 5 of the princess' pictures and put them in the frame for ornaments. It's exactly what I envisioned and is totally "princess worthy". I almost bought a small tree too but I don't see how I can fit it in my large suitcase......you know, I know I've seen people check "bags" while flying.....but they weren't "bags" they were boxes all taped up with duct tape. I've noticed this more with international flights.........can I package up a box and check it like a piece of luggage? Of course, I don't see how TSA would be able to open them up to see inside......because they would need to be taped back up otherwise the contents could get spilled during flight. Hm......I hope I don't need to buy another suitcase! I may need to do some re-arranging here. OR I could just go with my original plan of buying my tree through Walmart and have it delivered to POR along with my snacks and water.

Yes, you can ship a box. That's how we shipped the wine boxes last year. If they open it, they'll tape it back up. They may ask you to sign a waiver, like when you pack your own box for UPS, that says you won't hold them liable if something breaks. You should be able to find the specific policies for your airline online.

I have Amazon Prime, so I'm going to have the tree shipped right to my resort. The ones available on Amazon keep changing, but I should be able to get one for $20-$30 pre-lit. I'm still debating whether to ship the tree home again. I'll also be shipping an air bed for DS which I will be shipping back home. But since we're going early in the month, I might just pass the tree along.

While the rest of the family was watching football, I spent a couple hours downloading Disney Christmas clipart. I now have about 100 images in Lightroom all ready to use.