PTR Dec. 6-15! Wait list came thru!

[minniecarousel]

So this'll be a log and planning thread for me. (I'm usually on the Community Board, and I rarely start a thread - mainly because no one reads them!)

Cast: DH, me, our older DS and his wife (younger DS and his wife work in retail management & there's no way they could get time off in Dec for a 9 day vacation.)

Our son is turning 30 during this trip, and he and his wife are complete Disney nuts. He proposed to her on a Disney trip 3 1/2 years ago. They've gone to WDW several times in December. I have always wanted to go at the Christmas Holiday time, but I work at a school and have never felt comfortable taking time off during the school year. But hey - I work less than half-time and I make photocopies for teachers. I've trained someone to use the huge Xerox (it's not brain surgery!) The School District doesn't want us to carry much vacation time, so I need to take some off. Ya don't have to tell me twice!

DH & I own DVC and have only ever used it in Disneyland (we love the Grand Californian - too bad we can't add just a few points there.) We'll be staying 4 nights at SSR (where we own) then switching over to the Boardwalk for 5 nights. We have a 2 bedroom unit at both places.

On my lists of things to do: the Candlelight Processional (with the dining package); MVMCP & the Osbourne Lights.

Since our DS & DDIL have been many more times than us, they'll be our Tour Guides. DH & I haven't been in 6 years!

More to come....

 

[disneyaddicted]

Hi my name is Ty. I'll read your PTR. I have been to Disney in December, it was wonderful in every sense of the way. You will love it. I also did MVMCP, drank myself sick in free hot chocolate. The special fireworks for MVMCP are a must.

I'm excited to hear/read your plans.

 

[minniecarousel]

Why, thank you, disneyaddicted!

Some of the places we really want to eat at: Le Cellier (partnered with the Candlelight Proc?), Rose & Crown (for Illuminations), Fifties Prime Time, Sci-Fi Drive-In, ESPN. I think the Mexican Restaurant at Epcot, too. Also, the breakfast place: Boma?

There's talk of going to Le Cirque. We're going to skip the waterparks and Disneyquest.

 

[disneyaddicted]

Your choices to eat sound great. I have eaten at Sci-FI which I totally love and 50's Prime Time. It was OK, I didn't know at the time that I could substitute vegetables so I was stuck with collard greens and our waitress made me take a "No Thank you " bite before I could order dessert. My Mother and I are taking a trip this January, she has requested fun/lively restaurants and character dinings, it's her first time going so I want to indulge her, make her love it so she will want to go again, my kids won't go with me.

I skipped the water Parks and Disney Quest as well. Me and water parks don't go so well together, and video games turn me into a screaming idiot.

 

[Raecheal]

I'll read along and post...

I'm Racheal.. Nice to meet you!!

 

[minniecarousel]

waaa... I wanna go to Disneyland! We went last June, and I'm itching to go again. DH's birthday was on Saturday and I had a dream that we got up really early Sat. morning, drove the 5-6 hours to Disneyland, spent the day, checked into a motel and drove home on Sunday. (DS & DDIL were at Disneyland May 15 - 19, so I have "disneyland on the brain"!)

The (above-mentioned) DS & DDIL that we're going to WDW in Dec with are moving next month, so we may wait and have a planning session sometime in the summer. They're the WDW vets, so we'll defer to them on most things.

I have eight days of work left - then I'm off for 2 months - can't wait!

 

[minniecarousel]

woo-hoo! Got our tix ordered for MVMCP!

I've received my new Passporter (I decided that the 2003 edition might be outdated.)

I've started to check the restaurants that I want to go to. There are several attractions that are new since we were there last. Mission: Space was soft-opening while we were there, but we never hit it right, so we still haven't been on that one. I'm still thinking of doing the "mild" version.

 

[minniecarousel]

We're having a "planning session" next week. In a few weeks, we'll be able to make ADR's. DS really wants to have his birthday dinner at Le Cellier. I hear that is a really difficult ADR to get.

We were able to change our reservation to arrive a day earlier and then leave a day earlier. Getting there on a Sunday makes more sense & then taking one less day off work works better.

I've GOT to go out and get the book Mousejunkies. It sounds like a good read.

 

[minniecarousel]

So one of us will have to get up at 3 AM on Labor Day to make ADR's on-line. egads! (at least it's not a work-day!)

 

[minniecarousel]

egads!

Where did the summer go?! The good thing about working at a school is the same thing as the bad thing about working at a school: you get 2 months off in the summer.

The summer went by fast. No Disney for us which is unusual. We usually make it down to Disneyland for a few days. But we remodeled our kitchen instead.

Looking for any tips on getting LeCellier reservations for DS's birthday. Of course, this just happens to be on a Saturday. Are Saturday ADR's any harder to get than weekdays?

 

[sharter07]

Sounds like so much fun! We are trying to get a trip together for December as well. I haven't been during the holiday in about 10 years so can't wait! Went in July of 2008 (HOT) and rode Mission: Space.. I was sure the mild side was all I could take buy my Godaughter talked me into the wilder side and it was GREAT! ESPN is also a lot of fun, especially if anyone is a football fan. If you are going during a Sunday or Monday night it is the best place to watch a game!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I just found you and am following! We will be there Dec. 1-10! Waiting for the rest!

 

[minniecarousel]

ESPN is high on our list mainly for the wings. DS & I are going to order the hottest ones! They'll laugh themselves silly when I start to hic-cup, which I always do when I eat stuff too spicy!

We're on a waitlist to get into the Boardwalk a day earlier and cut one day off of our SSR stay. We know we love the Boardwalk location.

They just came out with the Candlelight Processional info. They've added a special viewing area for Illuminations too - gotta book that package!

 

[minniecarousel]

I'm pleased as punch! Got all the ADR's we wanted!

Dinners at: Tappen Edo, Le Cellier, California Grill, 50's Prime Time, a b'fast at Kona, a lunch at Sci-Fi and the Candlelight Processional package with dining at 9 Dragons. We've had MVMCP for months. And I was able to book a Keys to the Kingdom Tour.

Next up: Airfair.......and I guess I better ask for the days off from work!!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Congrats on your ADR's! Did you do it online?? That's how I did ours for the beg. of Dec!

 

[minniecarousel]

We booked our ADRs online - just after midnight on Labor Day. DH stayed up late and checked a few times, and it let him book early. We had heard rumors that people were finding the online booking available at 3 AM, EDT. I reset the clock to wake up at 4 AM to call in & book the Candlelight Processional & the Keys to the Kingdom Tour.

What hoops we jump over just to eat nice meals! And we're not even on a dining plan!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

It's all worth it in the end though!!!!!!

 

[MissBritt]

looking forward to more! we will be arriving on the day you depart, and are also looking forward to le cellier and candlelight package!

 

[minniecarousel]

I finally made an appt to talk to my Principal on Thursday regarding my time off. I have over 90 hours of vacation time. I only work 19.5 hours per week. I need 7 school days off for this vacation. I'll still have about 62 hours after this vacation. The School district doesn't want us to carry that much time. (I hear it's a "liability" that shows up on the "books"?) Dunno what I'll do to whittle it down more.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Maybe a bounceback?????? (Even if you have to go yourself!)