Pre-Trip Planning: Danielle's 2008 WDW Christmas Adventure

[joelp]

Hey Joel!
I am finally catching up!!


Sounds familiar Yea - I think we've pretty much given up on Great Adventure ... although the safari park and the area with the tiger show is pretty cool ...

Oh My she not just cute, she is beautiful!!!!! Thanks!!
Did you get the Fairies DVD?? Pre-ordered it at the Disney store and picked it up last night!! My guess is I'll be watching it with the DD (and her cousin - a birthday sleepover) on Sunday morning ... )


Ummm.... this from the man who goes to the Disney Outlet once a week???? That's not shopping - that's kinda like visiting the MK ... there's a statue of Sorcerer Mickey in the store!! And "theme" music playing in the background ... and CMs ... and lines to the checkout (sometimes - but no Fastpass )

LOVE IT!! BORROWING IT!!!
Dude, you just took ...(wait did I just say dude?!?) ...Okay anyway you just took all the work outta planning my park day.....
Here is my request for being put on your mailing list for all your schedules
leonsmom1102@yahoo.com

I think I already posted or MK schedule for the first day - but that may change a little since Jed, Mindi, and Nina won't be coming along ... and I have a feeling we'll be spending a lot of time in the new "Pixie Hollow" Character meet and greet (especially if Danielle wears her Tinkerbell outfit to the park!!)

I'll keep posting the schedules here - do you want the park "summaries" I'm putting together?



TPTB?????

Now - that's a secret ...

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Uh -oh ... That's too bad ... I'll have to report him to TPTB ...

lol.

I love your Epcot plans. I think the tree lighting is at 6pm and I think Server Amusant in France has his last show around 5pm so try to squeeze that in earlier if you can.

....But looks great!

Hope your DD is feeling better.

 

[joelp]

5 WEEKS TO GO!!












And today is the day we tell Danielle!!


But on the "down" side - I don't think she'll be wearing her Tinker Bell costume to WDW ...

After and hour-and-a-half of trick or treatin' last night, she came into the house exclaiming "This costume is killing me!!"

It was too itchy and "rubbing" her the wrong way in a bunch of places ...
(well - Tink is supposed to be a bit "annoying" ... )

8 hours till Birthday Party time ...

 

[bellasmommy0]

[SI===





[SIZE=3]And today is the day we tell Danielle!![/SIZE]


But on the "down" side - I don't think she'll be wearing her Tinker Bell costume to WDW ...

After and hour-and-a-half of trick or treatin' last night, she came into the house exclaiming "This costume is killing me!!"

It was too itchy and "rubbing" her the wrong way in a bunch of places ...
(well - Tink is supposed to be a bit "annoying" ... )

8 hours till Birthday Party time ...

I am joining the 5 week party!! WOO HOO!!!

Have fun at DD's bday party, she is going to be so excited to learn she is going to WDW again!! I know I would be!! My DD last night tells me, OK now it is halloween and it is daddy's bday in 2 days (tommorow), and then how many more until we go to WDW. We definitely need to make her countdown calender...but not today..today I have to clean .. , as we have people coming over tommorow for DH bday! Cant wait to see pics of bday party!

 

[Lcaemom]

I'm so excited that I could burst!!! I can't believe we're down to 4 weeks and 6 days...the official count at this point.

Can't wait to read about and/or see pics of your DD when she is told about WDW. Hope she had a great party and a great day.

 

[joelp]

Why "Part 1"? - because I don't have pictures yet (the DW didn't take many - so we have to wait for the guests to send us theirs ...)

So I will just (for now ... skip to the "big moment" ...)

Now I'm sure, when any "adult" (and I use that term loosely here ... ) envisions surprising their kid(s) with a trip to WDW, the look and reaction they hope to see is something like:

Big wide eyes ...
Radiant smile ...
Jumping up and down ...
Clapping hands ...
And shouts of ...

"We're going to Disney World!! We're going to Disney World!!"

What I got when Danielle unwrapped the box holding her countdown chain was:

"Huh? What's this stuff?" "Can you open my Barbie for me?"




[I'll survive - another funny story to tell ... ]

However - all is well ... as I hung the Countdown Chain this morning and Danielle was excited about tearing off the first link!!

34 days to Go!! (but who's counting??? )

So I'm sure, with the help of the Countdown Chain, some Disney movies and the web site, and the WDW Planning videos, the DD will be primed and ready for some magic!!

Danielle's Top Ten Favorite Birthday Presents:

(1) Barbie Mariposa doll with the Big Wings (No - not the one I bought for her - but a present from one of her school friends ...
So I guess I'll hold onto the one I bought her in "strategic reserve" - until she trashes this one ... )

(2) Little Einsteins Instrument Fairies DVD (watched it last night ...)
(3) Tinker Bell DVD
(4) Disney One-time Use Camera (pretty much used up already - so much for taking it to WDW!! )
(5) Fairy Book and Magnet set (again - not the one I bought her!! )
(6) Barbie Halloween Witch
(7) Little Einsteins T-shirt
(8) Stuffed Mickey and Minnie (there's hope for her yet ... )
(9) Fairy puzzle (63 piece spread out on the floor in the middle of a party ... )
(10) That "stuff" .... (but moving up the list fast ... )

More on the party in a few days ...

 

[morgtroy]

Just found your TR. I'm subscribing, looking for tips and ideas for my fast approaching trip. Nov.28 through Dec. 3. I've dreamed of going during the holidays and just can't wait.

I'll have to read back through and catch up. Have you ever done the sleigh ride through fort wilderness during the holiday season?

 

[joelp]

Welcome!!

Sorry - this our first time at WDW during the holidays, so I can't help you with the sleigh ride ... But I would try and book it ASAP if you really wanna do it ..!!

 

[joelp]

The DD is in the bath tub - so I have a few minutes here ...I promised her we'd watch "Tinker Bell" if she was good ... (bribery works!)

Got THE call from AAA: my package arrived and is ready to be picked up!! So you know where I'll be tomorrow!!

And ... here is our touring plan for Friday December 12 at the Animal Kingdom:

Animal Kingdom - 12 Dec 2008

(1) Arrive at Epcot ~ 8:30 am (9 am – 5 pm)
(2) Get Events Guide
(3) Characters and Live Entertainment (times & locations? – check Events Guide)
(4) Kids Discovery Club

The Oasis and Discovery Island

1- Animal habitats
2 - Tree of Life (optional; Characters? – check Events Guide)

Camp Minnie-Mickey

1 – Festival of the Lion King
2 – Character Trails

Africa

1 – Kiliminjaro Safaris (Fastpass)
2 - *Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
3 - *Village of Harambe (Live entertainment and shopping)


Lunch – Flame Tree BBQ (Discovery Island)


Option #1 – Dinoland USA (*Live entertainment, *The Boneyard [*Dinosaur], Triceratop Spin, Characters, *Fossil Fun Games)
Option #2 – Asia (Finding Nemo, Maharajah Jungle Trek, Flights of Wonder)
Option #3 – *Rafiki’s Planet Watch (Wildlife Express Train, Conservation Station, Affection Section, Characters, Kids Discovery Club) & Kiliminjaro Safaris (optional)
Option #4 – Discovery Island (It’s Tough to Be a Bug, Tree of Life, Shopping)


*4:00 pm Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade


 *Kali River Rapids (Fastpass)
? - Maharajah Jungle Trek
? - The Oasis (animal habitats)


5:00 pm Leave


7:00 pm Dinner at Boma (ADR)


The main focus is to spend some time in Africa this trip, catch the parade, and get soaked on the Kali River Rapids!!

So while the morning and late afternoon are "planned", the middle of the day is up in the air and we'll "go with the flow" ...

Have any of you taken the train out to Rafiki's Planet Watch? Is it worth the trip? - particularly with a DD-5?

OK - time to see how wrinkled the kid is ...

Later ...

 

[huff1269]

We took the train in 2005 as an end of the day something to do. The ride was fine. We had pictures with Pocahontas and Rafiki. We practically had the characters to ourselves. A CM did an animal show if I can remember right. We saw a little bit of the petting zoo. My kids were 6 and 3 at the time and they were dead from the heat of the day in July. It was ok but we probably won't head back there this time unless we run out of things to do. It was ok but only if you are bored and need some time off your feet for the train ride.

 

[joelp]

Just picked up our packet at AAA!!!








Time to go vote ... followed by a shower!!

 

[joelp]

I was just on the AllEars web site and found that Camp Minnie-Mickey also has "Santa Goofy's Holiday Village" ... so amend the AK touring plan accordingly ...

 

[joelp]

Yesterday was

One Month to GO!!


... which means today is

One Month Until the MK!!


... which means tomorrow is

One Month Until Epcot!!


which means ...

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I like your AK plans and I like how you have options.

Yesterday was my 1 month too!
A month from today I'll be in MK too so I might see you there!

 

[TPCShauna]

Just finished reading your PTR as we are at the World Dec. 7-14.

Your DD is beautiful and is going to be a real heartbreaker one day. Y'all are a cute family.

Your plans look nice. It's good that you are focusing on the big things you want to hit in each park as the holidays are an even more overwhelming time to visit the World.

Our Epcot goals are similar this time as well as I really want to catch all of the Santas and some of the Epcot acts. I've been to Epcot several times and I've still never managed to see everything.

*4:00 pm Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade

Just a reminder that it will be Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade while we are there and it starts at 3:45pm instead of 4:00. Route is the same so you should have no problem finding a good spot.

Nice plans. If I'm at 30 sleeps today, that means you are only at 29!

 

[joelp]

I like your AK plans and I like how you have options.

Yesterday was my 1 month too!
A month from today I'll be in MK too so I might see you there!

We'll be front and center for the opening ceremonies - then it's off to the Main Street Bakery ... we'll probably watch the "Dreams Come True" show ... and then back into Fantasyland and Toontown ...

Hope to see you in ... 4 WEEKS!!

 

[joelp]

Just finished reading your PTR as we are at the World Dec. 7-14.

I'll check out your PTR ...

Your DD is beautiful and is going to be a real heartbreaker one day. Y'all are a cute family.

Even at 6:00 am on a Saturday morning?!?

Your plans look nice. It's good that you are focusing on the big things you want to hit in each park as the holidays are an even more overwhelming time to visit the World.

Our Epcot goals are similar this time as well as I really want to catch all of the Santas and some of the Epcot acts. I've been to Epcot several times and I've still never managed to see everything.

... and I don't thnk we'll see everything this trip, either ...

Just a reminder that it will be Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade while we are there and it starts at 3:45pm instead of 4:00. Route is the same so you should have no problem finding a good spot.

Thanks!!

Nice plans. If I'm at 30 sleeps today, that means you are only at 29!

Sleep? You can sleep?!?

Thanks for joining the fun ...!!

 

[joelp]

21 DAYS TO GO!!!





Three weeks from now, we'll be sittin' down at Chef Mickey's!!

[... and my stomach will be sooo "excited" I won't be able to eat a thing ... ...]

I've started making my lists (in a small notebook ...)

... and Danielle and I picked up some Disney window clings for the room today ...


Later ...

 

[joelp]

We finally figured out what's going on for the DIS Meet at the Dec 9 MVMCP ... so here's our plan for that day:

Sleep in and hang out at AKL until ...

4:50 pm Dinner at 1900 Park Fare (the DW has no idea what is about to transpire here!!)

MVMCP Special Events

(1) 6:30 pm - Cinderella’s Holiday Wish (Castle Dream Lights)
Probably won't make it MK in time for this, especially if the stepsisters are holding me "hostage" ...

(2) Celebrate the Season (Castle Forecourt show; 20 minutes)
Ø 7:45 – 10:05 – 11:20

So we walk down Main Street, relaxing and sucking up that Christmas spirit - trying to catch show flakes in our mouths, and grab a spot for the show ...

(3) Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade (30 minutes)
Ø 8:15 – 10:30
... and then stay there for the parade ... and then dash around the castle to the

(4) 8:45 - DIS Meet in Ariel's Grotto Dance Party
... where the stepsisters will be waiting for me again!! ... and then we dash back to the front of the castle for ...

(5) 9:30 - Holiday Wishes (fireworks; 15 minutes)
... and then sally over to

(6) Belle’s Enchanted Christmas (Fairy Tale Garden show; 20 minutes)
Ø 7:15 – 8:10 – 10:00 – 11:15
or not - depends on what the DD wants to do, cuz we haven't done any rides yet!!

(7) Mickey’s Twas the Night Before Christmas (Galaxy Place Theater show; 30 min)
Ø 7:00 – 8:00 – 9:00 – 10:15 – 11:15

... last show of the night ... followed by some more rides ...

(8) Dance Party: Cosmic Ray’s (Chip & Dale), Ariel’s Grotto (Lady Tremaine & Co.)
... and let's not forget the Characters, Cookies, and Cocoa!!

Open Attractions (*visit at night)this is the list of open rides/attractions - the ones with the * have been recommended to do at night ...

Adventureland: POTC, *Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Frontierland: *Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, *Splash Mountain, Shootin’ Arcade
... anyone for Splash Mtn at 12:15!?!
Liberty Square: Haunted Mansion

Fantasyland: *Cinderella’s Golden Carousel, Peter Pan’s Flight, Dumbo, Mickey’s Philharnagic, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Winnie the Pooh, Mad Tea Party, It’s a Small World, Pooh’s Playful Spot

Tomorrowland: *Astro Orbiter, *Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Indy Speedway, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, Stitch’s Great Escape, Monsters Inc., Arcade if you see us sleeping on the TTA - wake us up!!!

Toontown: Goofy’s Barnstormer, Mickey’s Country House, Minnie’s Country House

... and then drag our butts back to AKL for a good night's sleep!!

[Now - I just have to remember to bring the MVMCP tix with us ... ]

 

[bellasmommy0]

We finally figured out what's going on for the DIS Meet at the Dec 9 MVMCP ... so here's our plan for that day:

Sleep in and hang out at AKL until ...

4:50 pm Dinner at 1900 Park Fare (the DW has no idea what is about to transpire here!!)

We will see you there!! I am thinking that DD will be wearing her Christmas dress that I have pics of on my PTR so keep your eye out for us!!