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

[MadilynnsMomma]

YAY WILL!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! ​

 

[exwdwcm]

So on to the next day on the itenerary!

Day 5- Tuesday, December 15th!
MVMCP day!!!!

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15

8:15am Meet in lobby- to AKL
8:55am Brkfst- BOMA Buffet- AKL
11am head to DTD, shop/play
12:10pm BBB for Ally/Will/Michael
3pm back to hotel for break/nap
6pm meet in lobby- to MK
6:30pm dinner at Cosmic Ray’s
7pm Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
8:15 Early Christmas parade
9:30pm Holiday WISHES
10:30pm Late Christmas parade

so this is the day after our 'drink around the world' voyage! But no rest for the weary, or hungover. Pop some tylenol and let's get going guys! We have breakfast at BOMA scheduled at almost 9am, so I figured that gives folks time to sleep in until almost 8am.......and if they miss breakfast, well, they miss. But most of our crew said they wanted a big breakfast to cure their hangovers! Maybe that special 'juice' at BOMA will work wonders?

After breakfast, we are heading to DTD to do more shopping. Yes, we are already hitting up DTD on our first day, but we really love that area and love shopping. So we are going back- we want to make sure we have time for the kiddos to do the build your own light saber, build your own mr. potato head etc. Plus spend some time in the lego store too and the fountains! We have a BBB appt for the kiddos- the big package for Ally- with dress and all, then the 'cool dudes' for Michael and Will- I think they just put some glitter and style their hair. It is under $10! If we get hungry- then lunch at Earle or snacks.

After shopping and BBB, back to the resort for a break and LONG nap, especially for the kiddos! This is our MVMCP night. We won't be arriving early or anything- we have 10 day length of stay tickets, so getting in at 4pm isn't saving us any money or anything. We figure we will do dinner fast food at Cosmic Ray's and the hit the party! We will do our best to stay up for the later parade, we will see how that goes. We were able to ride a TON Of rides with no lines during the first parade on our last trip. we didn't even attempt the shows, since the lines were so long. We did see lots of characters and enjoyed the hot chocolate, so we plan to do the same again.

Here are a few pics from MVMCP in 2005!!
it was really cold that night!

taking a spin with dad!

 

[Tippy 6]

Your plans sound great! We will be there the same time as you but have not decided on Mickeys Christmas party yet. It gets a lot of bad reviews out here because of crowds so I am just not sure the 250.00 extra is worth the hot chocolate. Since you have been and are going back I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Thanks!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Day 5 looks great!!! Thanks for posting your MVMCP pics! I am SOOOO looking forward to going this year!

 

[TXYankee]

Michelle,

Great so far. I am not a big fan of the Rainforest Cafe food, but the service is always something! And the kids like it!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Happy Birthday to little Will!!!!!

LOL I would have hung out at that chocolate fountain all night! I wouldn't be alone. either. DH would have hung out right next to me!! Not for the chocolate though...for the Jager in the bucket right next to it!! LOL

Plans again are looking great!! We were just talking about our early days and how it is going to work if we have a few drinks the night before. I told him we have to put on our big girl panties and suck it up!!! It's Disney! Plus, we will never really be able to afford enough drinks to get drunk!! I'll settle for a nice perma-grin!!

 

[exwdwcm]

Your plans sound great! We will be there the same time as you but have not decided on Mickeys Christmas party yet. It gets a lot of bad reviews out here because of crowds so I am just not sure the 250.00 extra is worth the hot chocolate. Since you have been and are going back I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Thanks!

We actually weren't sure either the first time- but it was a blast. we went on a tuesday then too (and planned tuesday this time again). Weekends are a bit busier with locals. Yes, it was slightly crowded, but manageable, especially since we saw the later parade. We were able to ride everything in fantasyland during the first parade- it was empty back there, it seems just about everyone watches the first parade. We enjoyed the overall party atmosphere and more availability of characters. While we didn't see the night before christmas show (we hate having to stake spots out for anything 30 min or more in advance), we did do the dance party in the back of FL near Ariel's grotto and that was so fun~! The parade was amazing and the holiday wishes was not to be missed- simply brought tears to our eyes. We really enjoyed it and it was a splurge for us.

Michelle,

Great so far. I am not a big fan of the Rainforest Cafe food, but the service is always something! And the kids like it!

Teresa- hola woman!! thanks for stopping by. Can't wait to meet you again- of course unless you get lost with some brazilian tour group or something.

Happy Birthday to little Will!!!!!

LOL I would have hung out at that chocolate fountain all night! I wouldn't be alone. either. DH would have hung out right next to me!! Not for the chocolate though...for the Jager in the bucket right next to it!! LOL

Plans again are looking great!! We were just talking about our early days and how it is going to work if we have a few drinks the night before. I told him we have to put on our big girl panties and suck it up!!! It's Disney! Plus, we will never really be able to afford enough drinks to get drunk!! I'll settle for a nice perma-grin!!

i was wondering when someone would spot the jager machine! lol- i didn't post pics, but there was a margarita machine too! yum.

that's right, hangovers aren't allowed in disney! up and at em, hangover or not. maybe it is time to try some of those hangover remedy pills or something just in case?

 

[nic100308]

Happy Birthday, Will!!!

Kids parties are so much better than adult parties. I mean grown ups get the fun cocktails and drinks, but given the choice I would have the thing twice between cocktails and a bouncy castle. Have you ever been in one, as an adult, it's just too much fun!!!

 

[exwdwcm]

Happy Birthday, Will!!!

Kids parties are so much better than adult parties. I mean grown ups get the fun cocktails and drinks, but given the choice I would have the thing twice between cocktails and a bouncy castle. Have you ever been in one, as an adult, it's just too much fun!!!

why not have both?

we used to have this annual party to celebrate my husband and his buddie's bday's (same day)--- we called it the 'bald bitter bash", as my hubby is known as being the bitter/sarcastic one and well her hubby is balding. We had a bounce house many years at it- drinks and then bouncehouse---lots of fun! who says they are only for kids? let's just say the guys were trying to tip it over, someone broke out a water hose and there were wrestling matches!

 

[exwdwcm]

So I've been slacking a bit lately- sorry guys! I feel like i lost some of you along the way---come back, please! lol

So here is another taste of our schedule!
DAY 6- WEDNESDAY, December 16
Morning open- sleep in or hit HS for few hours
1:30pm Lunch- Whispering Canyon Café at WL
3pm meet in lobby- to MK
6pm fast food dinner
7pm to WISHES dessert party/Spectromagic

8pm WISHES and MK closes- early night!

So this is Wednesday, more than halfway through our trip now. BLAH- i hate that feeling when it is more than half gone- don't you? Especially after 2 years of planning. It is over so fast. So Wednesday is our 'rest' day, but as you can see, there isn't a ton of resting. This is our ONLY real day to sleep in. We don't have anything planned until 1:30pm for a late lunch at the hotel. Some of us might hit HS that am if we feel up to it, or jsut lounge around and enjoy the WL and all it offers. After our late lunch, we will head to the MK for the evening. we booked the WISHES Dessert party for all of us. We HATE and LOATHE having to get a spot an hour before for fireworks or parades, we simply refuse to wait that long for a ride or anything else. and I think if you plan sufficiently, do the parks early, you can accomplish most rides and things without long waits.

so the Dessert party is a good thing for us- get to see wishes with a decent spot and enjoy sitting at a table (not on the ground) while eating dessert before heading to the ledge to watch. I hear you can see Spectro as well from here- while it is not close up or the best view, i think it will be suitable for our needs. this is one of only 2 nights we have available (due to their schedule for Spectro and ours) to see SPECTRO. so i hope it is great! DS loves lights!



I had to travel to Seattle for work on Monday and came back Tuesday. Yes, someone thought it was necessary for me to fly out for the LAST day of a tradeshow and be there for a reception that night we hosted. Everything was already done, they didn't need me there. So I spent over 10 hours on a plane travelling to be there for less than 24 hours. what a waste.

So yes, life has gotten in the way of my DIS'ing.....some updates- i got my homemade autograph book finished- i'll post up pics later this week. I also created 'luggage tags' with green lime mickeys and our individual addresses and cells for all the family to put on their backpacks and strollers. we had a autograph book session on sunday to finish them up and my sisters, mom and cousin all brought fun gifts for the trip- lots of anti bacterial wipes, tylenol, meds, our official itinerary notecard style/laminted on a keychain and more! very fun.

It has been busy around here for us- not only is our trip just 6 weekends away, we have something planned for each weekend. Will's actual bday is tomorrow- we have cupcakes at day care and his fall festival, then halloween. might head to visit my uncle who has pancreatic and lung cancer in galveston next weekend. then my great aunt who is coming on our trip- well she is getting married!!! Congrats to her- so we have a wedding shower and wedding before our trip. Is her new hubby coming with us- Nope- we are just keeping plans as they were. He apparently does hunting trips with the guys, so this can be her 'girls' trip with her family! Yeah for Auntie!!!! I hope she will be very happy.

It seems like the trip will be here before we know it!!!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I can't wait to see the autograph book! I keep saying I am going to make one...but have not started! So, with less than 5 weeks left unitl the trip, I don't really know if it is going to happen? We'll see! It is coming so SUPER fast! Yay for Auntie!!!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Day 6 sounds lovely!!! And yes, our trips will be here before we know it!!! I too am really looking forward to the Dessert Party! Can't wait to see pics of your books!!!

 

[nic100308]

Welcome back!!! You didn't loose me, no worries!!!! Sorry you had to travel for no reason, that's kind of stinky.

LOL I totally love the bouncy drinky pictures. So great, when I have a backyard I totally have to have a bouncy drinky party!!!

Plans look good. A sleep in day!?!?! On my Disney trip, I know not what that is. I would be with the crew that plans on going to DHS. Let us know how the dessert party is, We're not going to do this, it just didn't work with the schedule this time. Maybe hopes for the future.

 

[exwdwcm]

Hey ladies- hope all had a happy halloween- once i can get some halloween pics loaded, i'll post them up or you can find me on my blog or FB

http://williamreed1.blogspot.com/

So 38 days and counting! who counting? not me?

we got more accomplished- I ordered DS a super cute embroidered shirt from etsy that came in with his name on it and a mickey pirate head! I also finished some lime green tags for all of our backpacks and also ordered name bands for the kiddos (for safety with our cell on them in case they get lost).

Also bought a new cup holder for my stroller today.

and our car service is all booked and finalized- i booked a towncar for us- it will pick us up at our house on thursday, 12/10 at 1:15pm. stop at DH's work (about 30 min away) to get him and then drop us at DFW airport (he works like 5 min from DFW). So i figure we will be there plenty early, which DH hates. But he has made me miss TWO, yes TWO flights in the past 10 years, due to his 'not wanting to get there too early' plan. since we will have William and a car seat, stroller and other crap, i want to give us plenty of time. So I think we will arrive hopefully around 2:30pm at the latest......and our flight is at 4:50pm. So that should be good. It will be nice to be dropped right at the gate, check the bags and head in to security (will preprint boarding passes at work the day before).

I also got a car service (SUV) for my parents. Auntie and my cousin Nancy will join them for the ride in. I told them on Sat night about it and they were thrilled. They usually park at an off site lot and take the shuttle in. It is a pain to do. so this will make it convenient and easy, plus a little 'special'. I am hoping they get an escalade or something nice! I was going to do a limo, but it is harder to get in and out of and scoot around etc.

So we are excited about having a car service (round trip!).

next up is to cancel our second rental car- we finally convinced my parents it wasn't necesary to have a second mini van when we will already have a 15 passenger van. There are quite a few times we are splitting up for separate meals (and my sister/BIL are arriving a day later than us), but we can use disney transportation or cab it when necessary and it will still be cheaper than a second mini van for a week (over $700!). Our 15 passenger van is about $1200 or so, if you know of any better rates (on site), let me know, right now we are booked with National, so i can just walk out to the van and go, no lines or counter (emerald aisle).

so that is it for updates for today. next day itenerary coming soon!

 

[nic100308]

When we first decided to go to Disney we were originally going to rent a car. We didn't need it for the entire stay so we were going to do a 4 day rental and pick it up at the Alamo/National on Disney property. It was actually the best price we had, $200 for 4 days. I searched the net for a discount code and found a pretty good one. Anyway the whole point of us getting the car was so we could go to Universal and get an early (7 am) Chef Mickey's ressie. Well, for one day at Universal, between the tickets and the car, it was costing us an extra $500. So we decided to scrap Universal, we're not huge fans but we like the roller coasters, and to just get a later ressie or just cab it. Anyway, if you have sometime you may want to look into some different discount codes for different rental places. Never hurts to look, plus mousesavers.com has some discount codes.

Isn't car service the best!?!?! DH and I splurged for our honeymoon (to and from JFK) and it was so nice. I liked that as soon as we left the hotel we stayed at the honeymoon began. We didn't have to deal with our parents or friends, it was just us for 2 weeks of vacationing bliss. I feel like the service starts the vacation that much sooner. And so much more convenient, especially with a baby I can imagine!!

I'd love to see some pictures of your crafts. If you get a chance share!!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

38 days....awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just went under the 30 day mark and that is exciting!!!!!!! $700 is a huge savings for you guys!!! You should be fine with the Disney transportation!

 

[khertz]

I think that's a smart idea to cancel the second car. We had thought of doing something similar since we know the 6 of us won't always want to be together. But we figure we can use our resorts transportation at least a couple times, even though it's not as frequent as Disney transportation. It'll do! And anywhere you can save money deserves a . We are about to be under 30 days!! I can't wait!!

 

[annnewjerz]

So 38 days and counting! who counting? not me?

I am SO counting down the days. I can't believe most of us are in the 30's now (today is 39 for me). It's completely insane. I'm more than ready to head to the World, but I have so much real-life stuff to do between now and when we leave (holiday shopping, wrapping, baking, cleaning, etc. etc.). It's exhausting just thinking about it!!

But he has made me miss TWO, yes TWO flights in the past 10 years, due to his 'not wanting to get there too early' plan. since we will have William and a car seat, stroller and other crap, i want to give us plenty of time. So I think we will arrive hopefully around 2:30pm at the latest......and our flight is at 4:50pm. So that should be good. It will be nice to be dropped right at the gate, check the bags and head in to security (will preprint boarding passes at work the day before).

I have never missed a flight (knock on wood) but it's my nightmare. I'm one of "those" people who has to arrive at least 2 Hours (okay 2.5, who am I kidding) in advance. I can't relax until we're sitting at the gate, or even better on the plane. In December, I booked a sedan to take us to the airport for a 7:00am flight. Normally, we'd leave at 4:00 and arrive at 4:30am, but this time I'm thinking of living life on the wild side and asking the driver to arrive at 4:30am. That would get us there 2 hours in advance, which should be plenty. Right??

So we are excited about having a car service (round trip!).

I've been going back and forth about the car service, since we only live 35 minutes from the airport---but I think it'll be a nice treat for DH. He always drives us and since we are going to be up at 3:30 it'll be nice for him to just sit back and relax. I'm excited about it!!

next day itenerary coming soon!

Looking forward to it, it seems like a lot of our days (including MVMCP on the 15th now) are matching up!

 

[exwdwcm]

When we first decided to go to Disney we were originally going to rent a car. We didn't need it for the entire stay so we were going to do a 4 day rental and pick it up at the Alamo/National on Disney property. It was actually the best price we had, $200 for 4 days. I searched the net for a discount code and found a pretty good one. Anyway the whole point of us getting the car was so we could go to Universal and get an early (7 am) Chef Mickey's ressie. Well, for one day at Universal, between the tickets and the car, it was costing us an extra $500. So we decided to scrap Universal, we're not huge fans but we like the roller coasters, and to just get a later ressie or just cab it. Anyway, if you have sometime you may want to look into some different discount codes for different rental places. Never hurts to look, plus mousesavers.com has some discount codes.

Isn't car service the best!?!?! DH and I splurged for our honeymoon (to and from JFK) and it was so nice. I liked that as soon as we left the hotel we stayed at the honeymoon began. We didn't have to deal with our parents or friends, it was just us for 2 weeks of vacationing bliss. I feel like the service starts the vacation that much sooner. And so much more convenient, especially with a baby I can imagine!!

I'd love to see some pictures of your crafts. If you get a chance share!!

2 week honeymoon sounds heavenly!!! it must have been awesome! yep, i log onto the mouseforless to check for updated car rental codes- they seem to be the best about keeping them updated. We like national though since they don't charge extra for multiple drivers and they have the emerald aisle club where you just walk out, get in a car and drive off, no line or counter. most of the 15 passenger vans are just super pricey no matter who they are with, unfortunately, so i'll keep looking though. at least we are cancelling one car.

38 days....awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just went under the 30 day mark and that is exciting!!!!!!! $700 is a huge savings for you guys!!! You should be fine with the Disney transportation!

30 days! i can't believe it- it is going by so fast- are you ready?

I think that's a smart idea to cancel the second car. We had thought of doing something similar since we know the 6 of us won't always want to be together. But we figure we can use our resorts transportation at least a couple times, even though it's not as frequent as Disney transportation. It'll do! And anywhere you can save money deserves a . We are about to be under 30 days!! I can't wait!!

yeah, resort transportation is pretty great, so we figure we can use it when need be and always cab it if we want for a few instances. Like for our drink around the world night- we have dinner at shula's at the dolphin, so getting over there is pretty tough (other than going to epcot and walking over from there- which isn't good for my mom). so we will probably cab it that night, then use transportation from epcot on the way home.

I am SO counting down the days. I can't believe most of us are in the 30's now (today is 39 for me). It's completely insane. I'm more than ready to head to the World, but I have so much real-life stuff to do between now and when we leave (holiday shopping, wrapping, baking, cleaning, etc. etc.). It's exhausting just thinking about it!!

I have never missed a flight (knock on wood) but it's my nightmare. I'm one of "those" people who has to arrive at least 2 Hours (okay 2.5, who am I kidding) in advance. I can't relax until we're sitting at the gate, or even better on the plane. In December, I booked a sedan to take us to the airport for a 7:00am flight. Normally, we'd leave at 4:00 and arrive at 4:30am, but this time I'm thinking of living life on the wild side and asking the driver to arrive at 4:30am. That would get us there 2 hours in advance, which should be plenty. Right??



I've been going back and forth about the car service, since we only live 35 minutes from the airport---but I think it'll be a nice treat for DH. He always drives us and since we are going to be up at 3:30 it'll be nice for him to just sit back and relax. I'm excited about it!!



Looking forward to it, it seems like a lot of our days (including MVMCP on the 15th now) are matching up!

I am the same way, i like being at the airport super early, but DH refuses. this time, he won't have a choice! with a toddler, i want to be sure we have plenty of time!

and on the car service, i've only used it a few times for business, so we are looking forward to this! and we live about 30 minutes from DFW max. so it isn't a far drive, but the parking alone would run us probably $125 for the week, then we have to take a shuttle from the parking area to the gate and back with all our 'crap'. lol......for $200 i can get a car service and not worry about all that!

 

[exwdwcm]

Okay- guys, here is a finished pic of the autograph book!

and here is the adorable shirt i ordered on etsy for Will

and some of my shirts- i need to go through and figure out what for what day! plus we are ordering some 'DIS-A-PALOOZA' shirts that the DIS now has on cafe press, plus i recently ordered a D23 expo shirt that is super cute (not pictured). and we recently saw Mary Poppins when it came to town, so the last set of photos has the black mary poppins shirt (super cali frag.......). and this isn't even all of the shirts- i have at least 5 more!

i plan to pack DS's outfits in large ziplocs, marked with the day on each, with a 'backup' outfit each day, he is 2 and drinks a lot of water, so i nkow he will need a backup each day! i might have to put my outfits in ziplocs too! Mom bought us all space bags for our luggage as well!