School's Closing Early? Let's Do Disney in December! 12-10

[disneydreamingdebby]

Hello! Next month I will be in Disney!

Halloween was quite successful for my girls even though they had to wear shoes instead of roller blades due to some remaining snow...

covered the face of friend's daughter just in case...

Their costumes were a huge hit...comments about Pan Am too...to think they didn't want to wear the pillbox hats. I think the three of them together added to the impact.

Disney planning...

I called and paid for the Pop room. Dh told me our card wasn't charged, so I called and took care of that- 88.59 including tax for the night using our AP discount seems like a bargain to us. I also arranged for our Magical Express pick up.

I haven't made much headway with dining. I wanted to book dinner at 1900 Park Fare, and I am not having any luck.

What's worse is my bff, whose family is going the same time, has kidney stones and terrible pain. (She was told the stones are the cause of the pain though.) She is getting a run around from a doctor (specialist) and after a procedure is back again to terrible pain. She's been suffering for two weeks. Hopefully, next week she will be able to meet with a new specialist who will solve the mystery. On top of this, her husband just had surgery for bad kidney stones. Odder yet is that my principal is out due to complications with these darn stones too. (His problem is a culmination of years, however.) Needless to say, school isn't running as smoothly as it should with him not there.

Tangent over, back to Disney...

I bought some ponchos for our trip (those just in case supplies that we appreciate when we need them!), and I did some Christmas shopping for my dds. I need to make sure I am finished before we leave!

So on my to do list tomorrow is to call and set up the Unmagical Express pick up for 12/21. I also need to work on the touring plans. I really wouldn't worry about this so much, but there are so many special decorations and events for the holidays and I am not sure if we will be able to go back during this time any time again in the near future.

 

[emmakatbaby]

Wow! You are actually going to be there for Christmas! I read most of your report. You have some great photos, which is why I stopped reading... I want to have the decorations surprise me. This is uncharacteristic of me, of course, since I have to research EVERYTHING!

I listen to more podcasts than I should admit. Everyone of them is reporting a $10 per person charge for not cancelling 24 hours in advance. I totally appreciate this since I've read where some people book five restaurants since they can't decide ahead. I plan our restaurants and sometimes change my mind, and cancel the others.

I do not know the time for the parade. I think it replaces the 3:00... The Cinderella's Wish Castle Show will be at 6:15, though.

Your boys are handsome and your daughter is adorable. It's great that they love Disney. My girls are being brainwashed to be excited. They love Disney too, but not yet as much as their mom.

Thanks so much for the info on the $10 charge. And believe me when I say, the best photos in the world do not do justice to the beauty of the parks at Christmas!! I hope you and your family have a magical time!!

 

[Queenofallthings]

What great costumes! They look adorable...I can see the Pan Am reference! Jasmine are I are addicted to that show, we watch it and PVR Long Island Medium...my favorite new show! Ok, I just got totally off track

I can't believe you are going to Disney next month! I feel so bad for your friend...we had one lady at work with kidney stones....it wasn't pretty! I felt so bad for her! Fortunately, hers passed within 24 hours. We will be thinking of her and hope she is back to her old self before long!!!

 

[MeMom]

Hello! Next month I will be in Disney!

Us, too, and I better start getting my money together to pay for it!

I also need to work on the touring plans. I really wouldn't worry about this so much, but there are so many special decorations and events for the holidays and I am not sure if we will be able to go back during this time any time again in the near future.

There is so much to see at Christmas even without going into the parks. Just touring all of the resorts to see all of the decorations is so cool. There is a fun tree in DTD, too, outside Earl of Sandwich.

Hope you don't mind me bringing a little Disney Christmas over here this morning. I am looking so forward to seeing these again soon!

DTD

Polynesian

Wilderness Lodge

Grand Floridian

Fort Wilderness

POFQ

POR

Contemporary

All Star Music

All Star Movies

All Star Sports

Pop Century

Add in the parks and all of their decorations and there is more to see and do during a December Disney trip than anyone could get to!

 

[Charleston Princess]

The girls' Halloween costumes are great!!! So cute!!!

What a shame about your friend and the kidney stones -- I hope that gets resolved soon for her.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Thanks so much for the info on the $10 charge. And believe me when I say, the best photos in the world do not do justice to the beauty of the parks at Christmas!! I hope you and your family have a magical time!!

You're welcome. If you go to Disney dining, and click book a reservation, the $10 charge is now detailed.

I am sure we will have a magical time- even more so with the decorations for the season! You have a fantastic time too! I have to go back and reread your report to see where you are staying!

What great costumes! They look adorable...I can see the Pan Am reference! Jasmine are I are addicted to that show, we watch it and PVR Long Island Medium...my favorite new show! Ok, I just got totally off track

I can't believe you are going to Disney next month! I feel so bad for your friend...we had one lady at work with kidney stones....it wasn't pretty! I felt so bad for her! Fortunately, hers passed within 24 hours. We will be thinking of her and hope she is back to her old self before long!!!

I totally love it too! Tonight I watched the two episodes of Once Upon a Time and now I love it too!

Thanks for the well wishes for my friend! I hope she is better soon too. It really stinks because she is an active person with a four year old! a very active one!

Us, too, and I better start getting my money together to pay for it!

There is so much to see at Christmas even without going into the parks. Just touring all of the resorts to see all of the decorations is so cool. There is a fun tree in DTD, too, outside Earl of Sandwich.

Hope you don't mind me bringing a little Disney Christmas over here this morning. I am looking so forward to seeing these again soon!

DTD

Polynesian

Wilderness Lodge

Grand Floridian

Fort Wilderness

POFQ

POR

Contemporary

All Star Music

All Star Movies

All Star Sports

Pop Century

Add in the parks and all of their decorations and there is more to see and do during a December Disney trip than anyone could get to!

Oh my gosh! Thank you for the great pictures!!! I can't wait to get there and take some of my own!

Hooray for you being there next month! I wish it was when we were there...

The girls' Halloween costumes are great!!! So cute!!!

What a shame about your friend and the kidney stones -- I hope that gets resolved soon for her.

Thanks! ... My friend might be better sooner than later. She might be heading to the ER instead of waiting until Dec to see the specialist. It is a shame that this is how she will need to get treatment. I am frustrated because I know she has a high pain tolerance, and she has been patiently dealing with this for two weeks.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I did some planning tonight. I thought of some questions and did research...Please chime in about anything that doesn't match your experience or that you want to add info too!


I found a great website for Pop fans!


What are the hours of Everything Pop?

~They open at 6:30 am. Flatbreads and bakery open until 10 pm; Grill until 11pm, and it's open until 12 midnight (I guess for grab and go)

What about the store at Pop?

~Hours are 6am to 12 midnight.

(I may be shopping after checking in at 11pm)

Should I book a Candlelight Processional Package (just for me- my family isn't really interested...)

~This one is a risky one, but I decided against it. I am going to arrive on Sat at 4:15ish to try to see the 5:00 show. I will have the family go over to future world and do some rides or stay at the hotel and swim... If I can't see it, maybe hearing it will be enough for me. If not, I have several other days to make the attempt to see it. The 5:00 show is supposed to be the least crowded and I think I read that they don't have package seating for this show. (But then I also read something about the lunch pkg being for this show. )

 

[Charleston Princess]

I have nothing to help you with the Candlelight Processional, but from the pictures and descriptions I have seen, it is fabulous! Why doesn't the rest of your family want to go? Do they just not want to sit through it?

 

[mgsmom]

Love the pics of all the decorations! Nice shot of the rig at FW - I believe that is Hilda. You would be surprised at how many "full timers" spend several months of the year at FW every year. Can you imagine "living" at Disney???

Glad you googled Sandi Patti - you should YouTube her too - a great vocalist. I recommend finding her singing "How Great Thou Art" - amazing.

Sounds like you are right on track with your planning! Thanks for the Pop info - nice to hear how everything is open so late! That's the one downside of staying at the Fort - everything closes down earlier there.

I hope your friend feels better really soon! That must be awful to have so much pain, not know what's going on, and have a vacation on the horizon that you don't want to miss!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I have nothing to help you with the Candlelight Processional, but from the pictures and descriptions I have seen, it is fabulous! Why doesn't the rest of your family want to go? Do they just not want to sit through it?

It is our first day/night at the parks. I can't imagine making my nine year olds attend what will be like a beautiful church service instead of ride on the rides...and dh, well, he is a big kid. Wait until you read about his response to the show...

Love the pics of all the decorations! Nice shot of the rig at FW - I believe that is Hilda. You would be surprised at how many "full timers" spend several months of the year at FW every year. Can you imagine "living" at Disney???

Glad you googled Sandi Patti - you should YouTube her too - a great vocalist. I recommend finding her singing "How Great Thou Art" - amazing.

Sounds like you are right on track with your planning! Thanks for the Pop info - nice to hear how everything is open so late! That's the one downside of staying at the Fort - everything closes down earlier there.

I hope your friend feels better really soon! That must be awful to have so much pain, not know what's going on, and have a vacation on the horizon that you don't want to miss!

I can't imagine living there...okay, I can, when we retire and the girls move their families to Florida also.

I was surprised by the hours... great for nightowls and earlier birds!

I will have to youtube it; that is my one of my mom's favorite hymns too.

Thanks. I am hoping she will just go to the ER tomorrow, and make someone do something.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I made some progress today...

I am not excited about Chef Mickey for lunch. I figured we could always arrive early and jump in on breakfast; however, the park opens at 9. I don't want to leave the park after an hour and a half...especially, when Main Street Bakery is right there with some yummy goodness waiting for us to share!

I did a dining search for dinner, and 1900 Park Fare popped up for 6:50! I quickly booked it, entering in that credit card to secure... This is not ideal since our evening plans are to head to HS as it is open until 11.

Also, this is a meal that I know my BFF's daughter would LOVE! We have been trying to book it for the next night for all of us. (They aren't getting park hoppers and I tried for their MK night.)

I looked at the plan though. I do want to see Cinderella's Holiday Wish Show and the lighting of the castle. The next night is EMH until 1, so we probably won't arrive at the park by 6.

Then, I worried about the length of the show, and making it to GF for the dinner. No worries! The show is 7 minutes! So, by 6:25, my family can turn around and head out of the park (with the masses since it is the last MVMCP!). This gives us 30 minutes to make it to GF. (Really 45 with that 15 min late cushion...)

I am very excited about this!! We haven't been to this dinner, and with this being the last trip on the dining plan (the girls will be adults next trip), it is ideal to fit it in now. I can't see spending $200 on this in the future ($43 per person plus tip.) I will tell my friend to keep trying so she can fit it in her schedule, but her daughter can go in future trips..she won't cost them $43 for some time...

Photos courtesy of charactercentral.net


So now for a story to show you how hilarious the man I married is...

I was double checking that he didn't want to see the CP. I explained that he and the girls would have about two hours to swim, go to future world etc.

DH: I don't even know what CP is.
Me: It is the telling of the birth of Jesus with a 50 piece orchestra; it is like a church service.
DH: Does Mickey play Jesus?
Me: laughing...no
DH: Then I'm not interested.

Later-
Me: Why would Mickey play Jesus? Who would Minnie play?
DH: It all started with the mouse.

I love dh; he cracks me up.

 

[Charleston Princess]

1900 Park Fare will be fun for dinner!

I am cracking up over your DH's comments! Too funny!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Great Halloween costumes!

Yay on getting a 1900 PF reservation. We had breakfast here and loved it but have never tried it for dinner so look forward to you review of the place.

I at DHs comments - hilarious!!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Your DH comments are hilarious!! I can't stop laughing!

 

[wishing4PA]

I'm loving the thread so far, especially the pics.
Christmas! Oh, yes, I bought my first Christmas gift yesterday. Easy Bake Oven for DD -- shhh...
I think you are making a great choice to go the 1900 PF. It's fun and relaxing at the same time! And you can get your daily calories there too!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

1900 Park Fare will be fun for dinner!

I am cracking up over your DH's comments! Too funny!

I am excited to try it and be entertained!

My dh does keep me laughing...

Great Halloween costumes!

Yay on getting a 1900 PF reservation. We had breakfast here and loved it but have never tried it for dinner so look forward to you review of the place.

I at DHs comments - hilarious!!

Thanks--they were unique ones for nine year olds, and not scary like last years.

We love their breakfast too. That is one of dh's usual requests when I book ADR's. The price is reasonable enough for breakfast that I can see going there when we aren't on the dining plan.

Your DH comments are hilarious!! I can't stop laughing!

He will enjoy being appreciated!

I'm loving the thread so far, especially the pics.
Christmas! Oh, yes, I bought my first Christmas gift yesterday. Easy Bake Oven for DD -- shhh...
I think you are making a great choice to go the 1900 PF. It's fun and relaxing at the same time! And you can get your daily calories there too!

Thanks! I am trying to put photos in without adding Christmas ones that would spoil the surprise for me. I will flood the TR with photos for everyone's enjoyment!

I have been busy buying gifts; I only have five weeks - I plan on having it all done before we leave! (My dd mentioned an easy bake oven too...I think Santa will be filling that order.)

Glad to hear an endorsement for dinner!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I went to Target last night...with a good excuse. I've had irritation with my left eye and contact for the past month or two and I finally went to the eye doctor...(who is also a diser and just returned...)

I have pollen and dust collected under my eyelid... bizarre...anyway, she prescribed eydrops. So back to the story...

While shopping, I went to the usual area to find fun Mickey stuff...and looky what I saw...

After a couple of minutes of what could I not live without...I walked away empty handed of Mickey items...

I did score some 90% deals on Halloween items for next year. (We do "ghosting" or "booing" in our neighborhood. It is where you live a bag/ bucket full of goodies (preferably fun Halloween stuff not candy) on the doorstep with a ghost taped to the door. The receiver then has to ghost two others. Someone begins it the first week in Oct and by Halloween nearly each of the forty/ fifty houses had been ghosted...even ones without kiddos!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Mmmmm Target What restraint you showed my friend Not sure I would have left with nothing, but I have learned to shop at Target first (where I have no restraint whatsoever) then by Sunday before we head home, I go thru everything and return what I really bought on impulse

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Mmmmm Target What restraint you showed my friend Not sure I would have left with nothing, but I have learned to shop at Target first (where I have no restraint whatsoever) then by Sunday before we head home, I go thru everything and return what I really bought on impulse

Oh you have to know that I return stuff to Target every week or two... My SIL posted on her facebook about returning stuff and still spending more...

(I have some socks upstairs waiting to go back.)

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Only 35 days !

​

So it was a great Disney Friday...(when I play Disney music at the beginning of my classes while the kids do their warm-up...) At one point Soarin was playing, and the kids asked about it. I closed my eyes and explained that at that point in the song, I am Soarin over the water, smelling pines, trying to kick the water with my feet... One of my students had a wide grin as she knew exactly what I was talking about!

So, let me share two pictures of my classroom:

The first is my new toy! I am very excited by this, and I am very lucky.

It is a Promethean Board (smartboard). Many of our teachers have them due to grants that the state gave in the past. The grant money ran out before the English dept could benefit, so only one other English teacher and I have them. She runs circles around me when it comes to technology, but I am quite tech savy myself. The only sadness that comes with this situation is that my dad would have thought it was the coolest. I remember last year, when the assistant principal said we might have an extra and asked if I wanted it, I promptly stiffled a scream and said yes. I hung up the phone and sobbed at my desk. I so desperately wanted to call my dad.

Okay, so back to happy thoughts!!

Here is another pic from my room:

A student transferred up to my AP class. After about a week, she brought me this Mickey. He is mine to borrow until the end of the year!

Another student in one of my other classes was asking about the artwork and asked if I wanted him to draw me something. He asked about Mickey. I said how about the castle? Then, I added, the castle with our class in front of it. Really folks, I demand way too much! I really need to talk to this wonderful boy and tell him that was a tall order!

So, after a great day which resulted in me staying at school until 5, I headed to the Y. I did the eliptical, ran on the treadmill and listened to a podcast...

On the way home, I stopped at Rite Aid to see if they had a Disney decorations for our room at BCV. Sadly, they did not. I did buy disposible travel coffee cups for our trip.

They did have these though...

Large

Small (if they had a small Minnie, I might have bought the set...)

They also had these (Jackie, I was thinking of you...)

They are coffee cups filled with chocolate candy.

Okay, so if you are still with me, that's the excitement of the night...I'll update Disney plans tomorrow or Sunday.