Recovering Commando's Christmas- 14 Texans Grand Gathering @ WL

[annnewjerz]

DAP Main EVENT announced!!!!!!!!

So on this week's DIS Podcast, John and the team announced the Main DAP event. For those of you not in the 'know', Dreams Unlimited and the DIS are hosting a few special events the weekend of 12/12, as a sort of 'substitution' for the Mousefest event that was usually held during this time each year (but isn't this year). The weekend includes lots of small casual gatherings that various DIS board members have headed up, like a drink around the world (DATW) on 12/11 and some gatherings at meals etc.

Unfortunatey, since I am vacationing with my family of 14, I can't really make any of these other events. As much as I love my DIS friends, I really want to focus on spending time with my family on this trip. I am sure all their events (especially DATW) will be a blast and I'll hear all about them later on!

BUT, there is one event that we are going to try and make and it is fun for the entire family!!!!! I'll get to see many of my DIS friends I have chatted with online or met in May on the DIS cruise.

Saturday night, 12/12, they are hosting a more formal private event and it was just announced this week. We have been anxiously awaiting the details. Last year, they hosted a private party at Toy Story Mania, the ride was open after hours for ONLY those registered/invited to the party. Desserts were served as well. Folks said it was a blast. Why wouldn't it be? Getting to ride one of the most popular rides in all of WDW, over and over again with no line? Sounds like heaven!

So there was much speculation on the DISUnplugged boards over what this year's event would be........maybe renting out the Land pavilion for rides on Soarin all night? Maybe DisneyQuest? We were given clues that the venue could hold 1500, kids would enjoy it etc. We weren't sure what could top TSM. Well, nothing really! So, they are doing Toy Story Mania 2.0 this year!!!

There will be a 'street carnival' party at TSM! Guests will be ushered to the back of the park by SARGE and the Green Army Men. Once there, food will be in abundance, including sandwiches, popcorn, funnel cakes and other carnival type food. Toy Story characters will be hanging out, as well as street performers for our entertainment. And of course the ever famous podcast crew, our hosts for the night. And the main event, all the rides you want on TSM for a few hours that night. I hear last night's event went until midnight or 1am.

So we don't have exact details on the time or anything yet, just those general happenings. Dreams Unlimited clients who are booked for 2nights or more during that time will get priority registration to attend the event, I believe at no cost. We are booked on this 10 day trip through DREAMS, so all 14 of us get to go to the party!!! We are just awaiting the official email from our agent so we can RSVP/register. After that, they will open up the registration to others (limited number though I believe) at a small fee (we have guessed $25 a person??).

So there it is- our itenerary has changed a bit- now on our second full day at disney, Saturday, 12/12, we will be joining the DIS and DREAMS crew for DAP (dis-a-palooza) TSM 2.0!!!!! We cannot wait.

We were very nervous about having to rush with the masses at rope drop to TSM to ride it. We only had one morning planned at HS to ride TSM. Now, we won't have to worry about that, instead, we can head to TOT/RNR and ride those instead, since we will have already had our fill of TSM at the party!!!

so THANKS Pete, John and the gang at the DIS/Dreams. We can't wait!!!!! This will make our trip all that much more special and memorable.

WE'RE GOING TOOO!!!! (as long as we can still register once it opens to the masses) I was so excited to hear about this. I wasn't aware of all of the details---I just knew that there would be party on 12/12 at Pixar Place, it would be after park closing and it wouldn't be limited so I didn't have to rush to be 1 of 100 or anything. AND---$25?!!? Awesome.

I was really worried about dealing with the crush headed to TSM on our DHS day also, but now---not so worried anymore.

 

[exwdwcm]

WE'RE GOING TOOO!!!! (as long as we can still register once it opens to the masses) I was so excited to hear about this. I wasn't aware of all of the details---I just knew that there would be party on 12/12 at Pixar Place, it would be after park closing and it wouldn't be limited so I didn't have to rush to be 1 of 100 or anything. AND---$25?!!? Awesome.

I was really worried about dealing with the crush headed to TSM on our DHS day also, but now---not so worried anymore.

that's great news- hope to see you there then!!!!

 

[exwdwcm]

Peter Pan Planning Party!

so my mom hosted this great Peter Pan Planning party for us on saturday to get us excited about the trip. The girls met over at her house early to work on our homemade autograph books. we made some progress!

then we started the party- she had several games planned. first up was a scavenger hunt with clues hidden around the house- my sisters, BIL and I nearly knocked each other down running around. I lost! But next we did Peter Pan trivia, which I won first prize. My mom had disney dollars for prizes and a lot of them- first prize was usually $25, then it went down from there. she also had a crocodile tossing game, which i also won second on. Then we had some other games aimed towards the kiddos and DS got some disney dollars for that. In the end, i had over $100 i think between DS and me! THANKS MOM!!!!

the party was great fun- we had grilled kabobs, potatoes and pirate cupcakes. We also enjoyed sitting and talking over our schedule and dining choices. We hope the Dec hours are released in a few weeks, since we need to make ADRs on 9/11. I wanted to firm up our dining choices to be ready. We had discussed meals before, but i wanted to finalize We did end up changing a few things:

dropped dinner at San Angel Inn, the menu changed quite a bit since our last visit a few years ago, not sure everyone was into it now.

we also moved our Sci Fi Dine inn dinner to the second night, the night of the DIS party at the HS. we also moved around our hoop dee doo dinner to another night.

So we have a schedule now, but i bet it will change again once hours are released, so stay tuned.

I'll post some pics of our great peter pan party soon too!

 

[exwdwcm]

I am taking a break from the insanity I call work to do a quick update. Life has been busy and we are quickly approaching the double digit mark!!! Hopefully DEC hours will be released on Sept 1 or no later than 9/5. WE can hope right?

I just booked a 15 passenger van through National for $1450. OUCH! yes, pricey, but I know it will go down as we get closer to the trip. I am keeping my eye on discount codes. We really like national due to the emerald aisle program which I am a member of from travelling on business in the past. I can walk right out, pick a car, get in and go. no lines or waiting. We definitely refuse to do an off site car rental again, that was a nightmare! If you hear of any good discounts, let me know!!

We almost have our entire dining schedule and itenerary planned out- here it goes- we have 11 sit down meals planned, we are paying for HDD out of pocket, the other 10 meals are on the dining plan. let's see how much it changes between now and when hours are released:

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10

4:50pm AA flight departs DFW
8:15pm Flight arrives Orlando (MCO)
9:30pm Arrive WL!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

9am MK opens (get Peter Pan FP, ride Dumbo, Pooh etc)
10am Toontown opens (see princesses and tink/pixie hollow early to avoid lines)
12:30pm head to DTD for lunch at Earle and shopping
4pm back to hotel- break/nap
7:30pm Chef Mickey’s buffet dinner (Rosenfelds to San Angel Inn)
10:30pm Mandy/Jeff flight arrives (they get second car)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12

8:15am head to Epcot
9am Epcot opens (Soarin FP first)
10am Turtle Talk with Crush/Living Seas
11:30am Lunch at Coral Reef
2pm break
4pm to HS
6pm Sci Fi Dine Inn Dinner
9pm meet at front of park to be escorting to private DIS party
9:30pm private party at Toy Story Mania/Pixar Place (TSM 2.0) with food/entertainment
12am party ends


SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

9am MK opens (get Space Mtn/Splash FP)
10:15am Crystal Palace breakfast buffet
2pm guys head to ESPN for football, others take break or continue MK
4:15pm Dallas Cowboys vs San Diego Chargers (3:15pm CST)
5pm head to Hollywood Studios, see Osborne lights (6pm)
7:30pm dinner at 50s Prime Time Café
11pm HS close (extra magic hours)


MONDAY, DECEMBER 14
7:30am head to AK
8am Animal Kingdom opens (EMH- get FP for EE first, then ride Safari)
11am lunch- fast food
2pm break
4:45pm babysitter arrives (4 hour minimum)
5:30pm Le Cellier dinner- Mike grad celebration
7pm DRINK around the world! (DATW)


TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15 – NO PARK DAY

9:30am breakfast at BOMA at AKL
11am head to DTD, shop
12pm BBB for Ally and Will
1pm shop and explore!
3pm guys/kids to room for break
3pm girls to SPA! (GF or WL, not sure which one yet)
6pm head to MK
6:15pm fast food dinner at Cosmic Ray’s
7pm-12am Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party


WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16

9:30-10am fast food late breakfast at WL (after late night)
10:30am head to HS
2:30pm back to WL for short break/refresh
5pm Dinner at O’hana at Polynesian
7pm head to MK for Spectromagic parade- do MK for a bit
9pm back to resort for early night


THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17

8am MK opens (EMH)
12pm fast food lunch (Pinnochio’s or Columbia harbor house)
2pm break for naps/swim
5:15pm boat to HDD?, explore FTW
7:15pm Hoop Dee Doo Revue


FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18

8:15am head to AK (Dino FP first? Then show?)
9am AK opens
11:30am lunch
2:30pm break
5pm to Epcot, eat around the world
9:30pm Illuminations, park closes


SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19

8:30am head to Epcot
9am Epcot opens
10am Norway Princess breakfast
2pm break, pack!
5pm Dinner- Whispering Canyon Café at Wilderness Lodge
6:30pm check in at airport checkin desk at hotel downstairs for boarding passes
6:30pm to MK for a few hours for the last time!
10pm night night!!!


SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20

5am check in at RAC desk
8:30am Flight departs MCO for DFW
10:30am Flight arrives DFW

 

[exwdwcm]

3 months and 15 days to go!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Subbing

I'll be back tomorrow to read your report. Found you on another PTR and I just love reading December PTR's!

 

[shellywalker]

I also found your TR on someone else's TR! I love it, can't wait to read more! I hope someday I can do a GG with my family like that! It sounds like so much fun!!!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

HaHa! We all came at the same time! I saw you hopped on my PTR, so I came over to yours, too! What a great story! Your family sounds like a lot of fun! What memories you will be making in December! Can't wait for more! Let's see your autograph books!

 

[exwdwcm]

Welcome guys! and thanks for coming over- i'll definitely sub and check yours out as well- i too, love Dec reports- so fun to share!!!!!

so hopefully hours will be released early next week- we can hope right? are you guys doing your ADRs online or calling? I have to call since we have more than 10. i hope we get what we want!

Subbing

I'll be back tomorrow to read your report. Found you on another PTR and I just love reading December PTR's!

I also found your TR on someone else's TR! I love it, can't wait to read more! I hope someday I can do a GG with my family like that! It sounds like so much fun!!!

HaHa! We all came at the same time! I saw you hopped on my PTR, so I came over to yours, too! What a great story! Your family sounds like a lot of fun! What memories you will be making in December! Can't wait for more! Let's see your autograph books!

 

[shellywalker]

Welcome guys! and thanks for coming over- i'll definitely sub and check yours out as well- i too, love Dec reports- so fun to share!!!!!

so hopefully hours will be released early next week- we can hope right? are you guys doing your ADRs online or calling? I have to call since we have more than 10. i hope we get what we want!

You have to call for more than 10 people or more than 10 ADR's? I was planning on maybe trying out the online since I think it opens up earlier than the phones do??

 

[khertz]

so hopefully hours will be released early next week- we can hope right? are you guys doing your ADRs online or calling? I have to call since we have more than 10. i hope we get what we want!

I'll probably try online for our Chef Mickey's ADR. Looks like we can't book the CP package online yet, so I'll have to call for that. But I'm much better with a computer than sitting on the phone waiting on hold!

Since we aren't staying onsite, I don't get the 90 +10 anyway...so I'm hoping for park hours by the 4th or 5th! That'll only give me a couple days, but hopefully I can finalize park plans before it's time to make ADRs! I'm getting sooooo excited!!!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Phew... all caught up! I am so excited for you and your family to be going on this trip! And what a great gift your grandfather gave you and your DH! When does Will turn 2? My Madi will be 2 on the 6th of Sept - a week away - Where'd the time go?

I would also like to second a PP - let's see those autograph books!!!

Welcome guys! and thanks for coming over- i'll definitely sub and check yours out as well- i too, love Dec reports- so fun to share!!!!!

so hopefully hours will be released early next week- we can hope right? are you guys doing your ADRs online or calling? I have to call since we have more than 10. i hope we get what we want!

I plan on getting up at 5:45 on Labor Day and looking a lot like this: If I am unsuccessful, I am prepared to play the waiting game on hold, calling promptly at 7:00!

Wishing us all luck!!!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

The last CM I spoke to said to try online for the best success!

 

[Tippy 6]

We check in 11/28 and were able to call yesterday morning. I was on hold for about 20 mins but got every restaurant we wanted at the exact time we wanted. YEA!

 

[exwdwcm]

You have to call for more than 10 people or more than 10 ADR's? I was planning on maybe trying out the online since I think it opens up earlier than the phones do??

yes, we are a 'grand gathering' and have a grand gathering number that our reservation is under. So we have to call a different number to book our dining- not the regular one, but a GG number instead and it also said we can't book for groups of 10 or more online. here is what the site says:

"those with groups of 8 or more should call Disney Group Dining at 407-939-5665"

I'll probably try online for our Chef Mickey's ADR. Looks like we can't book the CP package online yet, so I'll have to call for that. But I'm much better with a computer than sitting on the phone waiting on hold!

Since we aren't staying onsite, I don't get the 90 +10 anyway...so I'm hoping for park hours by the 4th or 5th! That'll only give me a couple days, but hopefully I can finalize park plans before it's time to make ADRs! I'm getting sooooo excited!!!

well here is hoping you get all you wish for!!!!!!!! i almost wish we could use the online system, it looks really nice.

Phew... all caught up! I am so excited for you and your family to be going on this trip! And what a great gift your grandfather gave you and your DH! When does Will turn 2? My Madi will be 2 on the 6th of Sept - a week away - Where'd the time go?

I would also like to second a PP - let's see those autograph books!!!



I plan on getting up at 5:45 on Labor Day and looking a lot like this: If I am unsuccessful, I am prepared to play the waiting game on hold, calling promptly at 7:00!

Wishing us all luck!!!

Will turns 2 the day before Halloween- oct 30th, i gotta start planning his bday party pretty darn fast! I'll post some scrapbooking pages later this week hopefully and once we get autograph books done, i'll post some of those as well. i hope to work no them some on the holiday weekend.

We check in 11/28 and were able to call yesterday morning. I was on hold for about 20 mins but got every restaurant we wanted at the exact time we wanted. YEA!

that is good news to hear. I've heard it quite a lot and makes me hopeful that we will get what we want and that maybe crowds won't be so bad, even wtih free dining! here's to hoping, right?

So, wtih the release of official park hours, did your plans change at all?

so far, I had all the hours right, even the EMHs on our original itenerary- which i had based on last year's hours. The only change was the MK closes at 8pm on 12/16 instead of 11pm like i had thought, which does throw a little wrench in our plans. we have only 2 chances to see spectro. it is not showing on MVMCP nights, and MVMCP is going on 4 of the 9 nights of our trip. we are doing one of those of course. then one nhight it is running, we have to do the TSM 2.0 party the DIS is putting on, on 12/12 at HS after hours. the party doesn't start until 9:30pm probhably (still waiting on the official info from Pete and team), but we don't want to have to rush from one park to the next. the other night spectro is playing, we have dedicated to our drink around the world and babysitter for the kids night. so that leaves only our very last night to see spectro or 12/16. so we have to adjust our plans just a bit, as i had originally scheduled dinner at 5ish and spectro is at 7pm. knowing that O'hana runs late in seating folks, even with ADRs, i don't want to have to rush our 5pm dinner at ohana to try and get over to MK for the 7pm spectro. i think we will instead do a late dinner after spectro instead. we will see.

i'll post up our final itenerary shortly!!! and our final meals we plan to TRY and get. when do you guys call for your ADRs if you haven't already? what are you shooting for?

oh and my mom/sister are hosting an Alice in Wonderland 'unbirthday' party for me on 9/12! it will be a tea/lunch with games and fun! i can't wait, i've never had a party thrown for me like this, at least not in a long time and not for a birthday! i'll be 36, ouch! They are promising lots of fun surprises, so i can't wait. Alice is my second fave disney movie behind Peter Pan. of course i love the original books as well. i'll post some pics from the party and more details too.

 

[shellywalker]

Oh your unbirthday party sounds like so much fun!!! I'm jealous!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

I'm jealous too! I want an unbirthday!

 

[annnewjerz]

So, wtih the release of official park hours, did your plans change at all?

I changed my plans COMPLETELY, but not because of the hours I originally planned to do all EMH nights because the parks usually closed so early, but instead, I decided we'd do a 4 hour break mid-day instead of 6, skip EMH and just have dinner after we finish at the parks around 8:00. We're 3 adults, so it shouldn't be too hard to stay away until 10:00 or so

i'll post up our final itenerary shortly!!! and our final meals we plan to TRY and get. when do you guys call for your ADRs if you haven't already? what are you shooting for?

I haven't done ADRs yet, but do get to make them next weekend on the 13th. I'll be up at 5:30 on a Sunday!!! but hopefully I'll get everything I want. Unfortunately, we have the dreaded split-stay happening with 1 night on cash and 1 on DVC points, so I have a feeling I may not be able to do everything online like I wanted, but I'm trying to stay positive.

oh and my mom/sister are hosting an Alice in Wonderland 'unbirthday' party for me on 9/12! it will be a tea/lunch with games and fun! i can't wait, i've never had a party thrown for me like this, at least not in a long time and not for a birthday! i'll be 36, ouch! They are promising lots of fun surprises, so i can't wait. Alice is my second fave disney movie behind Peter Pan. of course i love the original books as well. i'll post some pics from the party and more details too.

An un-birthday party sounds like SO MUCH FUN. I was watching Alice in Wonderland the other day while we were babysitting the neighbor who is 3 and I forgot how much I love that movie. I'll be celebrating my birthday while we're in WDW on October 17th with free park admission and hopefully a free cupcake at The Plaza, so I guess I can't complain too much about not having an un-birthday party for myself planned.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Have a fun unbirthday! Looking forward to your plans to come!!!

 

[exwdwcm]

so some of my fellow December trip reporters have posted pics of past scrapbook disney pages. thought I would share some of mine too. These days, with a full time/demanding job and a 2yo, i just don't have time to scrap anymore. I have gone digital instead! Although i might still have to scrap my disney trip the old fashioned way, it's just too fun with too many great papers and stickers out now.

so here are some mostly from our 2005 trip