Planning Our Happily Ever After - A Disneymoon PTR! (NEW 7/13 - TR Link!)

[klacey1]

The castle lighting will be magical!! I've never been at the holidays, but I definitely feel like I've read that they do a little ceremony/countdown. Something.
Ooo, be sure to take lots of pictures of the WL! I feel like it has the most beautiful decorations-- plus, it feels Christmas-y even not during the holiday season!

 

[Jennifer48]

They do do a castle lightning ceremony, usually at dusk each night. Its so fun!

IHO, I think 2 hours for the Osborne Lights is a lot. You follow the herd as you walk through the Streets of America so it doesn't take much time at all. Besides, depending on the amount of people, you might not want to be there that long. You are packed in like sardines so its difficult to just stop and look around in some spots.

 

[Princess_K]

Disney during Christmastime is absolutely my favorite time to go... I'm jealous! The Osbourne lights was probably at the top of my list of things we did. It was such a neat experience. I think 2 hours is a little long. We probably spent 30-45 walking around & taking Photopass pics, and I thought that was plenty of time!

I missed the castle lighting ceremony when we went, but they do have something. You should definitely check it out!

The resort decorations are all so pretty. I really enjoyed the GF! I've read where the Yacht or Beach Club (or is it the Boardwalk??) have fun decorations too. If you are in that area, maybe you could see

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi there!

Yup there is a castle lighting ceremony every day at MK.. here are some nice photos of last years show... Castle Lighting Ceremony

I would think about an hour would be enough to see the Osborne Lights IMO ... my sister and I spent about 30minutes there, taking it all in & filming one of the 'dancing light' segments.. it's breathtaking!!

Remember there is also a gingerbread house in the Liberty Inn (American Adventure pavillion) if you don't make it over to the GF lol.
The Beach Club has a gingerbread carousel which is great.. and the Yacht Club had a HUGE train-set and lovely trees too!
oh and the Boardwalk had a smaller gingerbread house too
15 week countdown for us now!!


Emma x

 

[Joyciemc]

I agree with the others- an hour should be the most time you'd need for the Osbourne Lights.

I loved being at WDW during the holiday season! It's all so gorgeous.
The only thing I didn't like was that by the end of the week I was so tired of Christmas music... it was playing everywhere and I missed the regular background music in different places. But that is only a teeny complaint!

 

[Nermel9]

I didn't get to see the Castle lighting last year! Just seeing it lit up was enough for me...and when they do the fireworks they shut the lights off and then light them again so that's pretty magical too! I'd like to find a way to see it this year but it probably won't happen with the way I have everything scheduled.

I LOVE the Osborne lights! Another thing I can't wait to see again! 2 hours should be enough time to take it all in, I don't know how long we were there looking at them last year, but it was over an hour!

And the resorts are so beautiful! WL is amazing, and the gingerbread house at GF is beautiful too! I want to check out BC and YC this year if I have time!

 

[therussells08]

I am so excited to be going to WDW during Christmastime! I want to see the Osborne lights really badly, but DH and I decided to skip out on the CP because we aren't really interested in the celebrity narrator. Maybe next time!!

 

[praisehisname]

3) Castle Lighting
We loved seeing the castle lit up in January! This time, I would really like to see it the moment they turn the lights on – I think they do a little ceremony right?

You would absolutely love the castle lighting! I video-ed the whole thing this past December. It's in my trip report if you want to see it.

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I'm pretty sure there is some kind of ceremony for the tree lighting. I remember something happening while we were sitting on main street waiting for the parade to start last year. MVMCP was insanely packed last year. Even the second parade was jammed. Hmm...be sure to take a picture of all of the Christmas trees. There's one large one at every park. 4 months until Christmas!!! I better start making a list of everyone we need a gift for.

Isn't it crazy that Christmas is only 4 months away! Seeing all of the different themes of the trees was one of my favorite things in January. I can't wait to see some more!

The castle lighting will be magical!! I've never been at the holidays, but I definitely feel like I've read that they do a little ceremony/countdown. Something.
Ooo, be sure to take lots of pictures of the WL! I feel like it has the most beautiful decorations-- plus, it feels Christmas-y even not during the holiday season!

I so hope we have time to make it over to the WL! I bet it is just gorgeous during the holidays.

They do do a castle lightning ceremony, usually at dusk each night. Its so fun!

IHO, I think 2 hours for the Osborne Lights is a lot. You follow the herd as you walk through the Streets of America so it doesn't take much time at all. Besides, depending on the amount of people, you might not want to be there that long. You are packed in like sardines so its difficult to just stop and look around in some spots.

Oh good! I'm glad I wasn't just imagining the lighting ceremony! Good point about the Osborne lights. 2 hours of being in a massive crowd of people might get overwhelming.

Disney during Christmastime is absolutely my favorite time to go... I'm jealous! The Osbourne lights was probably at the top of my list of things we did. It was such a neat experience. I think 2 hours is a little long. We probably spent 30-45 walking around & taking Photopass pics, and I thought that was plenty of time!

I missed the castle lighting ceremony when we went, but they do have something. You should definitely check it out!

The resort decorations are all so pretty. I really enjoyed the GF! I've read where the Yacht or Beach Club (or is it the Boardwalk??) have fun decorations too. If you are in that area, maybe you could see

It sounds like 1 hour for the lights is all we'll need. And I'm so excited there are PP photographers! Good thought about the YC/BC and the BW! I'd like to check those out too!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Hi there!

Yup there is a castle lighting ceremony every day at MK.. here are some nice photos of last years show... Castle Lighting Ceremony

I would think about an hour would be enough to see the Osborne Lights IMO ... my sister and I spent about 30minutes there, taking it all in & filming one of the 'dancing light' segments.. it's breathtaking!!

Remember there is also a gingerbread house in the Liberty Inn (American Adventure pavillion) if you don't make it over to the GF lol.
The Beach Club has a gingerbread carousel which is great.. and the Yacht Club had a HUGE train-set and lovely trees too!
oh and the Boardwalk had a smaller gingerbread house too
15 week countdown for us now!!


Emma x

Thanks for the link to the pictures! I'm getting so excited about getting the full Disney decor experience! I didn't know about the gingerbread house at Liberty Inn! Thanks for the tip!

I agree with the others- an hour should be the most time you'd need for the Osbourne Lights.

I loved being at WDW during the holiday season! It's all so gorgeous.
The only thing I didn't like was that by the end of the week I was so tired of Christmas music... it was playing everywhere and I missed the regular background music in different places. But that is only a teeny complaint!

It's good to know so many agree about one hour for the lights! Oh, and I completely agree about the music! In January, they were still playing the music everywhere. I remember walking into EPCOT and being sad they didn't have the normal music playing!

I didn't get to see the Castle lighting last year! Just seeing it lit up was enough for me...and when they do the fireworks they shut the lights off and then light them again so that's pretty magical too! I'd like to find a way to see it this year but it probably won't happen with the way I have everything scheduled.

I LOVE the Osborne lights! Another thing I can't wait to see again! 2 hours should be enough time to take it all in, I don't know how long we were there looking at them last year, but it was over an hour!

And the resorts are so beautiful! WL is amazing, and the gingerbread house at GF is beautiful too! I want to check out BC and YC this year if I have time!

I can't wait to see the castle lights again! It was just so mesmerizing last time! I think I might need to head over to the BC and YC, too!

I am so excited to be going to WDW during Christmastime! I want to see the Osborne lights really badly, but DH and I decided to skip out on the CP because we aren't really interested in the celebrity narrator. Maybe next time!!

I hate that we don't have the time for CP this year, but that just means I'll need to go back during the holidays sometime, right? And so will you!

You would absolutely love the castle lighting! I video-ed the whole thing this past December. It's in my trip report if you want to see it.

I'll have to check that out! Thanks, Denise!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

THE MAKINGS OF AN ITINERARY

Now that we’re officially under 3 months until our November trip, I figure it’s time to share our itinerary! While I’ve told you all where we’ll be staying and what we’ll be eating, I’ve yet to share with you what we’ll be doing!

For me, creating an itinerary for our trips is always the most exciting part of planning. I like to start my itineraries with a basic frame – MK on our first (full) day, Epcot on the second and build from there. Normally, I like to put my itineraries in list format, but when planning my itinerary for our Disneymoon in June, I found I needed something a little more organized, and thus the “master schedule” spreadsheet was born.

As you will see, I’ve broken down our day, by hour, from 6 am until 12 am. The schedule will serve more as a guide than a rule, and if we change our mind from what’s listed on the spreadsheet, that’s no big deal. Still though, after three trips together, I pretty much know how our days shape up. This is why, even though we’ve only got 4 park days, we’re not “scheduled” to spend every waking moment in the park – because that’s just not how we are. We like our breaks in the afternoon, and we often decide we don’t want to return to the parks after dinner. So, without further ado, here is our November itinerary!

Thanks to all of you great DISers, I was able to cut down my Osborne lights time to one hour and add in an extra hour for resort decor hopping! I figure after DHS we could easily go over to the BC/YC or the BWI, or all of them! If you have any suggestions/opinions about our itinerary so far, please let me know! This is definitely just the first draft!

 

[Princess_K]

You have to be the most organized person I know....love the spreadsheet!

I love making the trip itinerary too (although mine isn't nearly as detailed! ). My DBF doesn't get it and always makes fun of me for planning out what parks to be at each day. But once we're in Disney, he loves me for it!

I think everything looks great so far. You're going to have such a good time!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

You have to be the most organized person I know....love the spreadsheet!

I love making the trip itinerary too (although mine isn't nearly as detailed! ). My DBF doesn't get it and always makes fun of me for planning out what parks to be at each day. But once we're in Disney, he loves me for it!

I think everything looks great so far. You're going to have such a good time!

Thanks! I'm no Excel expert, but I sure do love making spreadsheets! I get the same response from Miguel. I showed him the work-in-process disneymoon spreadsheet and I definitely saw some eyes rolling! They just don't understand the planning that goes into a Disney vacation!

 

[disneybarbie]

WOW you have hour-by-hour planning! love it
I use spreadsheets all the time for work so I'm always making them for planning - especially Disney trips (and now wedding! ) - my December one is all colour-coded and has links through to each restaurant's menu hehe.

The plans look great!! Glad you can fit in some resort-hopping/looking at decorations after DHS - you could take the FriendShip from the park to the Boardwalk or take the walkway, it's about 20 minute walk - I really enjoy the stroll along there, unless it's raining!

Emma x

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love your spreadsheet!! Look at you go with your organizational skills! That is how I work my itineraries for Marc & I. It's more of a guide and if we change our mind, no big deal.

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

WOW you have hour-by-hour planning! love it
I use spreadsheets all the time for work so I'm always making them for planning - especially Disney trips (and now wedding! ) - my December one is all colour-coded and has links through to each restaurant's menu hehe.

The plans look great!! Glad you can fit in some resort-hopping/looking at decorations after DHS - you could take the FriendShip from the park to the Boardwalk or take the walkway, it's about 20 minute walk - I really enjoy the stroll along there, unless it's raining!

Emma x

I need to make a wedding spreadsheet! That would definitely come in handy! And I love that you put links to the menus on your December spreadsheet - you should post a picture on your PTR. I would love to see it!

I've never taken one of the FriendShip boats before. That sounds like just the time to take one! Do they go to the BC/YC too, or just BWI?

I love your spreadsheet!! Look at you go with your organizational skills! That is how I work my itineraries for Marc & I. It's more of a guide and if we change our mind, no big deal.

Thanks! I really enjoyed putting together the spreadsheet for November. The Disneymoon one is quite an undertaking, though! But, I think it's going to be worth it in the end!

 

[Nermel9]

That's a great itinerary! That's pretty much what we do, get up early, go to the parks, take a break for a few hours in the afternoon, then go back to the parks and do something else! I don't plan each hour out like that, but it's the same idea!

 

[Joyciemc]

I don't deserve to be a DISer Have you seen my plans? I don't even know where we'll be for the last few days of our trip! And the plans I do make are just written in a document in Word (I upgraded from handwritten, at least!)
I would love to be more organized, but it never happens for me!


Your itinerary looks great- you'll hit every park and still have plenty of time for enjoying the holidays around the resort. Nice job!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

That's a great itinerary! That's pretty much what we do, get up early, go to the parks, take a break for a few hours in the afternoon, then go back to the parks and do something else! I don't plan each hour out like that, but it's the same idea!

Thanks! I know some people really like to spend the whole day in the parks, but we really enjoy having some time to relax at the resort. It works out well for us.

I don't deserve to be a DISer Have you seen my plans? I don't even know where we'll be for the last few days of our trip! And the plans I do make are just written in a document in Word (I upgraded from handwritten, at least!)
I would love to be more organized, but it never happens for me!


Your itinerary looks great- you'll hit every park and still have plenty of time for enjoying the holidays around the resort. Nice job!

Of course you deserve to be a DISer! Up until this point I've been using lists in Word, too!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

MY ITALIAN ADVENTURE - PT. 2 - FLORENCE

When we last left off, my family and I had just wrapped up our final evening in beautiful Venice. We woke up the following morning and prepared for our trip to Florence! We boarded the water taxi...

And then took the train to Florence. Florence had a much different look than Venice. It was a bit more...muted?

Our first stop was of course to our hotel to check out our new rooms. Here's some pictures

After, we made our way to the famous Boar Market, where it's apparently good luck to rub the nose of the boar.

Our first day we mostly just browsed through the market and explored some of the city on our own. That night, we had a nice dinner at the restaurant in our hotel.

The following day, we woke up bright and early for our 10 hour tour of the Italian countryside! Our first stop was a charming town called Monteggrioni. We only stayed for a while, but it ended up being my favorite...it was so beautiful!

Next up was Montalcino, a small wine village where we had lunch. Then it was back to the road where we passed this lovely field of sunflowers.

Our third stop was in Sienna, the largest of the towns with a gorgeous church.

We did make another stop, but unfortunately I didn't take any pictures. I was pretty tired by that point. We did do a bit of pottery shopping in that town, though. San Gimignano was the name, I believe.

Finally, our driver took us to a beautiful look-out spot where we could see the whole city of Florence before dropping us back by our hotel.

The next day was our walking tour of the city. Our first visit was to the Academia to see the real statue of David (there are 2 replicas throughout Florence). Wow! It was amazing at how massive the statue actually was. Of course, we weren't allowed to take pictures of it.

Next, we just walked through the city and took in some of the architecture and of course, another beautiful church!

That evening we had another lovely meal in a piazza

And then made our final stroll along the river before heading back to our hotel to pack for Rome!