Serenity Now, Insanity Later: December 2008 Pretrip Report

[wendylady36]

I'm talking about the Christmas tour, not the Halloween one. I hear the Christmas one is really good.

I'm talking about the Christmas one too!

 

[toocherie]

I took the Christmas one last year too and was not impressed. Wendy--did we have the same guide? I had the guide that everyone hated on the Ladies' Only ViP Tour (he will remain nameless, at least on this thread, other to say that many ladies seemed to admire his, ummmmm, rear). The tour just seemed like something they could throw together in order to charge people for it. I would rather that they just gave me the parade seating, a fastpass for IASW and HMH, a voucher for the pin and the "treat" and leave it at that--the "tour" was an afterthought.

 

[bumbershoot]

...so it looks like I'll head down that morning so we have someone in the SoCal area to pick up the travelers and keep myself entertained in Disneyland while waiting for their flight to arrive.

I think I can deal with that.

Snowball!

Just checked out this TR, I'm glad it's back on.

FWIW, I do think the Costco package idea is good b/c of Mickey's ToonTown Morning Madness, but I think the difference in MM (GAT saying Tomorrowland and Costco saying Fantasyland) is just a difference in wording, whatever's open is whatever's open.

Just be sure they understand MTTMM...I counseled an extended family who didn't totally get it and were quite peeved...they thought they got into Disneyland early, didn't understand that ToonTown normally opens an hour after the park and so their vouchers getting them into TT an hour early WERE a good deal AND that the festivities don't start right AT opening, since they know very well that no one would be there!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Thanks for clarifying that bumbershoot. I'll make sure to pass it along. With an AP, I won't be able to do early entry, but it sounds like I'll be able to "tag along" for ToonTown. We actually just received the packages from the Walt Disney Travel Company so that's very exciting.

Anticipating higher crowds on Saturday, we've also booked a second priority seating, this time at Carnation Cafe for Saturday dinner. Now we don't have to worry about getting swamped by the crowds at a quick service restaurant or trying to find enough seats for our party.

We're still figuring out a few other meals, but to minimize costs, I don't know how many will be in the parks. We may just have sandwiches back at the hotel for lunch on two of the days and just hit counter service in Disneyland for the other.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

With the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough now open, as soon as I get to the DLR, I'm going to walk right to the castle and experience the walkthrough, regardless of what time I get there.

I haven't decided what I'm doing after that, though I may head over to DCA and go on Toy Story Midway Mania. I'm already addicted to that attraction.

 

[Jenn1116]

I am soooo excited about the castle walk through... very fond childhood memories. I can't wait!!!

Anyhoo, what dates will you and your family be there? Did I miss it? This weekend or next?

BTW Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you have a good time.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Next weekend, although I'm reading that the walkthrough is closing again on Monday for some finishing touches, so I may not be seeing it after all next weekend.

 

[Disneygrl36]

I can't believe it's almost time for you to go to Disneyland again!!!!!!!
I have 6 more days until we leave!!!!!! We won't be to Disneyland until the 11th though!!!!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

By this time tomorrow morning I'll be on the road. Of course before that time, I need to finish packing and get my camera ready. I'm fast approaching the point where information overload hits.

 

[wendylady36]

Just rub it in my face!

I hope you have a super duper wonderful trip!

 

[Daisybelle]

Woohoo! Another trip for the Dis' fearless Knight to write about! Have a great time. And take lots of pictures! Please.

 

[Jenn1116]

Next weekend, although I'm reading that the walkthrough is closing again on Monday for some finishing touches, so I may not be seeing it after all next weekend.

Oh no!! We leave tomorrow and will be there through the weekend. I can't wait another year!!!!!!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Woohoo! Another trip for the Dis' fearless Knight to write about! Have a great time. And take lots of pictures! Please.

And I still have to finish my August TR first.

And Jenn1116, the walkthrough was open yesterday, so we'll see if it was just another rumor that the walkthrough was closing.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Just got back last night. It was an unusual trip full of lots of lessons about touring the parks, which will be detailed out when I get to writing about it(there's another one I have to finish first).

Suffice it to say for now, the castle walkthrough was open and I enjoyed it immensely. The Candlelight Processional was breathtaking and so very worth it.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I'm glad you got to see the walkthrough, SK. I saw it was open last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and closed Thursday. It made me think of you that you hopefully got to see it.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

When I got to Disneyland Wednesday afternoon, I walked directly to the castle to see if it was open, and was happy to see that it was.

On Saturday night as the park neared closing, I went through it with my parents, sister and her husband. When my sister asked if I wanted to do it, my mother looked at her and said, "it's your brother we're talking about here."