PTR for December 2012

[disney212]

This is our last full day in the parks. So we are hoping to make it extra fun. This day is also the Saturday before Christmas so we are planning on the parks being jammed pack. We plan on taking it easy in the morning. Have our coffee on the balcony maybe. Then off to MK. We have 2 ADR's this day as I was concerned about the crowds. We have an early lunch at 11:30 at LTT, we figure a nice holiday meal will get us in the Christmas spirit. We plan on doing a lot of people watching this day and maybe catching the holiday decorations one final time. We have a 7:30 pm ADR for BOG! We are so excited we got our first choice of date and time. One final time to TOWL lounge, maybe a final dip in the hot tub before our final slumber at BLT.

 

[disney212]

Our last morning waking up at "home". We plan on getting an early start this morning. We have to catch the ME back to MCO at noon. Still have not decided if we are going to try to an ADR for breakfast this morning. Figure we will take one final walkthrough of MK. Grab a snack before we head to the airport, and pick up a few last minute gifts since it is Christmas Eve Eve, hope that made sense. This brings the day by day play of this PTR to an end but I am sure I will continue to have updates as we near our departure. I just saw that WCC changed their menu and it doesn't look like there is much on there I can eat now.....Thanks for following along and I do plan on doing a "real" trip report once we return.

 

[disney212]

Canceled our arrival night ADR's at WCC. Due to my Crohn's there wasn't much on the new dinner menu that I can eat. We are now thinking about going to DTD that night to pick up our AP's and TIW card. We may end up grabbing at bite at WP Express or maybe checkout Earl of Sandwich since folks on the boards seem to love it. Hope it is not too much like Panera. Don't get me wrong, I love Panera but we try to get things on vacation that we can't get a home. Only 74 more days!

 

[taaren]

Canceled our arrival night ADR's at WCC. Due to my Crohn's there wasn't much on the new dinner menu that I can eat. We are now thinking about going to DTD that night to pick up our AP's and TIW card. We may end up grabbing at bite at WP Express or maybe checkout Earl of Sandwich since folks on the boards seem to love it. Hope it is not too much like Panera. Don't get me wrong, I love Panera but we try to get things on vacation that we can't get a home. Only 74 more days!

No clue about Earl of Sandwich, but WP Express is on our must-do list. WP Express was pretty much our favorite meal in Vegas on our honeymoon, plus the one in Waikiki is delicious when we island hop, so I'm psyched about there being one in WDW! I thought about cancelling WCC but DH still wanted the skillet, in spite of the price, so I figure I'll go and enjoy an appetizer or two. Really for us its more about the antics anyways. Can see avoiding it if you have dietary restrictions that don't work well with the menu though.

 

[disney212]

No clue about Earl of Sandwich, but WP Express is on our must-do list. WP Express was pretty much our favorite meal in Vegas on our honeymoon, plus the one in Waikiki is delicious when we island hop, so I'm psyched about there being one in WDW! I thought about cancelling WCC but DH still wanted the skillet, in spite of the price, so I figure I'll go and enjoy an appetizer or two. Really for us its more about the antics anyways. Can see avoiding it if you have dietary restrictions that don't work well with the menu though.

We love it too. I know that is where we will end up! Be sure to let us know how the new skillet is. Maybe it the change isn't as much of an issue that I am making it out to be. I would love to hear a description.

 

[disney212]

I am so happy. We are doing it the night of the MVMCP. I know it will take time away from the party but we figure by that time we will need a bit of sit down break so we are fine with it. Since it is just DH and I we plan on closing the park down! DH will be so surprised!

 

[taaren]

I am so happy. We are doing it the night of the MVMCP. I know it will take time away from the party but we figure by that time we will need a bit of sit down break so we are fine with it. Since it is just DH and I we plan on closing the park down! DH will be so surprised!

Congrats! I'm so jealous, we'd really like to add it but just couldn't find any place that was convenient in our schedule so we're going to have to save it for next time. You'll have to put pix in your TR ...

 

[disney212]

Congrats! I'm so jealous, we'd really like to add it but just couldn't find any place that was convenient in our schedule so we're going to have to save it for next time. You'll have to put pix in your TR ...

You sound like me, we must be long lost sisters . I am always adding things to the next trip before I have left for the current trip. My DH just laughs at me. At this point I think I must have things added through 2025!

 

[ksromack]

Disclaimer: This is the first trip report of any type I have attempted so please bear with me.

Cast of characters: me (45), DH (43). We have 2 "kids" 23 and 24 but they will not be joining us, much to their dismay.

We hadn't planned on going at Christmas but after surviving 2 surgeries for cancer in 10 days and finding out they got it all and no radiation or chemo was needed we decided that it was time to start living some of our dreams. We were EXCELLENT at planning for tomorrow but not so great at the living for today. I have been to WDW over 30 times (starting as a small child) but never right before Christmas.

DH had never visited any Disney park. We went for the first time as a family 5 years after DH and I married (2nd marriage for me) in 2004. He immediately fell in love even though it had taken me 3 years to talk him into it. My dad goes with us (also DVC owner) and he and DH are like two kids together which I love since DH doesn't have the best family on his side.

We will be flying in the morning of December 15 and returning to reality on December 23. (even though they are grown I couldn't bear to be away from my kids for Christmas). We have a standard view studio at BLT. We don't have meals (except for our morning coffee and light breakfast fix) in our room and are pretty much park commando's so no need for a large room or better view.

Back to the Olympics, I will post more info tomorrow. Any tips on writing a good PTR would be appreciated.

You seem to be doing just fine with your PTR! You will absolutely love Disney at Christmas. I've been once before (15 years ago with my EX) but my hubby now has never been......it is so magical. I'm a bit worried myself about coming home on Dec 17th and feeling some Disney-blues (we'll be there Dec 8-17th).

I had to giggle in your first paragraph when you said the kids will not be coming, "much to their dismay"! I think it's time you and your hubby got down to really enjoying the NOW! My kids are almost 21 and 22 yo and I didn't even consider bringing them.....but ds is a junior in college and dd is working full-time.....they wouldn't have been able to come anyway

 

[ksromack]

I have mentioned booking the Wishes Dessert Party for DH & I as a surprise for him. I go from it being a "must do" to "meh, I wonder if it is worth it". This is our first time at Christmas so it thought it may be more magical somehow. We have not been to a dessert party before. Money is not an issue due to the fact we are using our Disney Visa rewards and we buy Disney Gift Cards each week at Kroger (love those fuel points) using our Disney Visa so we have a nice budget for eating out and extra's. I did think about doing the "behind the seeds" tour but think I may say that for our F&G trip in the spring. Does anyone have any advice? Is the party good, DH does love dessert and it is a "treat" we he gets it (gotta keep him healthy). Will it be a better experience at Christmas? We would not be sacrificing anything else to go to this. We always come back with leftover $ on our Gift Cards that we use for the next trip. HELP!

I booked the Dessert Party too.....and I'm second guessing myself. I think I'll keep the reservation, though. I can't imagine eating enough desserts to make it worth the price but I think the benefit will be having an unobstructed view of Wishes and also not having to fight people to see it! I mean, hubby is 6' and I'm 5'4"......he can't lift me to his shoulders anymore so I can see the fireworks....

We've never done the Dessert Party so I think it's a good thing to do at least once!

 

[disney212]

You seem to be doing just fine with your PTR! You will absolutely love Disney at Christmas. I've been once before (15 years ago with my EX) but my hubby now has never been......it is so magical. I'm a bit worried myself about coming home on Dec 17th and feeling some Disney-blues (we'll be there Dec 8-17th).

I had to giggle in your first paragraph when you said the kids will not be coming, "much to their dismay"! I think it's time you and your hubby got down to really enjoying the NOW! My kids are almost 21 and 22 yo and I didn't even consider bringing them.....but ds is a junior in college and dd is working full-time.....they wouldn't have been able to come anyway

Glad you enjoyed Christmas there! We are excited. We are taking our "kids" next October. DD just moved out on Saturday! DS graduates from gad school in May and should hopefully be employed and either moved out or looking for a place by then. Not that we don't love them with all our hearts but both went to a local university so this will be a first for us! Empty house here we come!

 

[disney212]

I booked the Dessert Party too.....and I'm second guessing myself. I think I'll keep the reservation, though. I can't imagine eating enough desserts to make it worth the price but I think the benefit will be having an unobstructed view of Wishes and also not having to fight people to see it! I mean, hubby is 6' and I'm 5'4"......he can't lift me to his shoulders anymore so I can see the fireworks....

We've never done the Dessert Party so I think it's a good thing to do at least once!

We hope to have conquered that delima by having an early dinner at 4:30 due to the MVMCP so by 8:30 we should be ready for dessert. Our ADR is at The Plaza and we plan on having a sandwich but no dessert. DH is a huge sweet freak and I try to limit his sweets so I am hoping he will use this party as an opportunity to make up for lost time. I am typical 40something female and try to watch every bite that goes into my mouth but when it comes to dessert I can eat like a linebacker!

 

[disney212]

59 days until our trip! I found rain poncho's at The Coleman Outlet for $1.00 each, much nicer than the ones at Walmart. I bought a dozen so we should be covered for the next few years!

 

[disney212]

Less than 50 days Ended up adding Rainforest Cafe to our ADR's for our arrival night. We were concerned with long lines since we are coming in on a Saturday. We have not eaten there so that is another first for this trip!

 

[margitmouse]

I ate at Rainforest last April with friends, the line was unbelievable!... but my friend had been there before and asked if we didn't mind eating at the bar. We got seated right away and were done before the line had moved much. It was really fun, but it was loud! I would definitely go again, and I would not mind sitting at the bar again, the painted stools are really fun, but don't expect to carry on intimate conversation and be heard ; )

 

[disney212]

I ate at Rainforest last April with friends, the line was unbelievable!... but my friend had been there before and asked if we didn't mind eating at the bar. We got seated right away and were done before the line had moved much. It was really fun, but it was loud! I would definitely go again, and I would not mind sitting at the bar again, the painted stools are really fun, but don't expect to carry on intimate conversation and be heard ; )

Thanks! Hopefully we won't have to wait too long with an ADR.

 

[disney212]

My ME packet came yesterday! Yippee! We are less than 40 days. We do have a trip to TN for Thanksgiving to keep me from going bonkers waiting.

 

[nutz2notz]

Totally enjoyed reading through your pre-trip report. You are going to have such a great time.

My kids and I went to the Dessert party in January 2011 and I think it was so worth the price. Along with enjoying the desserts, it was wonderful being able to see the fireworks and to have Tinkerbell fly right over us. I would definitely spend the money again.

 

[disney212]

Totally enjoyed reading through your pre-trip report. You are going to have such a great time.

My kids and I went to the Dessert party in January 2011 and I think it was so worth the price. Along with enjoying the desserts, it was wonderful being able to see the fireworks and to have Tinkerbell fly right over us. I would definitely spend the money again.

So glad you enjoyed it, I think we will too! I am so excited. Any desserts I should skip and more important, any I should get 2 or 3 portions?

 

[disney212]

Only 28 days until our trip! I always find the last few weeks fly by in a way and also drag in a way. The hardest part is the waiting!