Please help me plan our Xmas Vacation

[HmSkoolMommy]

I am new to the boards and I am overwhelmed. I would love it if I could get step by step information on planning our Xmas vacation for 2007. I already have plans to call the Tour Coordinator that is listed on the vacation packages.

Here are my stats:
There will be 5 people--11dd, 15dd, and 3 adults.
I would like a decent priced hotel that can accomodate all 5 of us.
We will be staying for 4 days.
We will be visiting two parks--Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.
I fully plan on purchasing autograph books, making little "learning packets" (counting the Hidden Mickeys and such) and doing things outside the park at our hotel (I guess a pool is irrelevant due to the weather, but a "play place" maybe?)
I have dined at Chef Mickeys and I LOVED it. If we could eat there, I'd be in heaven.
I want a package that includes tickets to both parks, the meal plan and hotel accomodation. No rental car needed, as I'll be driving.

This is our Xmas gift for the kids as well as the whole family. Any help for this need-to-start-budgeting-now mom?

Our time to go would be the 17th-20th of December 2007 (crowded a LOT or just crowded?)

Things to see? Things to do? Help? Please?

Thanks!
~~Toni

 

[DVCLiz]

Hi, Toni!!! You'll get lots of advice on this board, so welcome!!!!!

We went two years ago from Dec. 16 -23rd. I thought it was very crowded, almost on the level of summer visits, but I had been before in early December and was expecting those kinds of crowds (pretty light) so maybe I was expecting too much. It still is a wonderful time to visit - you can't go wrong!!! Just plan to get to the parks early, use FastPasses wisely, and you'll be fine.

Do you want to stay on the Disney property? If so, the Port Orleans resort sleeps five at a moderate price. If you want to go Deluxe, we stayed in a room for five at the Polynesian last summer - two queen size beds and a day bed that my teenage daughhter found very comfortable. Don't know how your sleeping requirements are with 3 adults, so I hesitate to recommend any specific hotel. If you'll post how many beds you need, etc. others will give you a better idea. Also it would be helpful to know if you need a particular budget range, or if you'd rather rent an off-site villa (some come with heated pools, so that might be something to think about!!)

You can definitely make a reservation for Chef Mickey's while you're there. You'll just need to watch and make it as soon as you can, as it gets filled up very quickly at Christmas!!!

Have fun planning your trip!!