Snow-Wigd and the Christmas Elves, a December pre-trip!

[Flossbolna]

Hi Anita, I just realized now that you started your PTR! I am so sorry that your FES is already in trouble! I am feeling kind of responsible since he and I are from the same country!!! I hope things will improve and you will have a great time together!

I think you have a fantastic trip planned! The ADRS sound great. I think there might be a chance of more Fantasmic showings being added. It seems that the DHS hours in recent months regularly got extended and they added second shows for Fantasmic as well. So keep checking park hours, especially close to your trip and while you are there. Sometimes a second show was only announced on the day.

Also, I think LTT for Christmas Day lunch is great! Don't worry too much about getting into the MK. I have heard that the MK closes in phases and the first phase is just closing the parking lot, so less people arrive at the MK. Resort transportation is still running and whoever makes it to the entrance will get in. I think then they will only admit resort guests as the next phase and only after that they will close the gates for everyone. I think mainly MK reaches only that first phase of closing.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I thought that only pertained to bank accounts, credit cards, and DVC points!

It's all covered, EVERYTHING!

And Owner's Lockers -- were you not listening closely to your vows?

I'm guess he wasn't listening, as usual...Probably one of those "yes dear" moments.

Hi Anita, I just realized now that you started your PTR!

I know, I did start a little early and still need to get the trip report from last summer finished. I was just excited for our ADR day... I'm glad you are here!

I am so sorry that your FES is already in trouble! I am feeling kind of responsible since he and I are from the same country!!!

Oh now you stop that! It just seems to be a case of a young man that has been very catered to by his mother. I don't think he is really mature enough to be spending a year abroad. I'm not sure what will happen. We are meeting with his coordinator this Friday.Besides Floss, that would be like me taking responsibility for the actions of all Americans....You know we have no control over what others do! I have an Aunt who is German, she is quite lovely!

I hope things will improve and you will have a great time together!

Thanks for the well wishes, time will tell, but it's not looking good at the moment. It's been a long day and he has decided that he needs to go do some shopping....

I think you have a fantastic trip planned! The ADRS sound great. I think there might be a chance of more Fantasmic showings being added. It seems that the DHS hours in recent months regularly got extended and they added second shows for Fantasmic as well. So keep checking park hours, especially close to your trip and while you are there. Sometimes a second show was only announced on the day.

I hope they do go with more showings. I can do without seeing it this trip but I sure would like the big kids to go!

Also, I think LTT for Christmas Day lunch is great! Don't worry too much about getting into the MK. I have heard that the MK closes in phases and the first phase is just closing the parking lot, so less people arrive at the MK. Resort transportation is still running and whoever makes it to the entrance will get in. I think then they will only admit resort guests as the next phase and only after that they will close the gates for everyone. I think mainly MK reaches only that first phase of closing.

Whew! Oh what great information! We have never gone when there has been any danger of park closing so I was a little worried. We should be fine!
Marc, Baylor and I are great fans of LTT for lunch and I do think it will be wonderful and very festive on Christmas!

 

[lmillercrew]

I love ShockerDisLocker!

 

[Happydog]

Okay, I have not caught up I have NOT caught up but I wanted to say HI! And I am back, and I will be on track with my reading in the next few days!!! SO HI! And I can't wait to read your posts on this thread, let alone finish your summer TR!!! Is that one done yet??!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Okay, I have not caught up I have NOT caught up but I wanted to say HI! And I am back, and I will be on track with my reading in the next few days!!! SO HI!

Hi right back at you! Welcome back to the real world!

And I can't wait to read your posts on this thread, let alone finish your summer TR!!! Is that one done yet??!!

I had just a few changes on this thread and just one update on the trip report. I have a couple more updates over there and final thoughts so it will probably be a couple more weeks....

 

[Happydog]

I had just a few changes on this thread and just one update on the trip report. I have a couple more updates over there and final thoughts so it will probably be a couple more weeks....

Okay well I will be reading that tomorrow, must go to bed, talk about the real world!!

 

[MeMom]

We are meeting with his coordinator this Friday.




Whew! Oh what great information! We have never gone when there has been any danger of park closing so I was a little worried. We should be fine!
Marc, Baylor and I are great fans of LTT for lunch and I do think it will be wonderful and very festive on Christmas!

Good luck on the meeting tomorrow. Maybe you can get some things worked out. He does seem too young to be away from home for a whole school year.

Jill and I were in Magic Kingdom one night on the Christmas trip we did, and it was so crowded that we were just shuffling our feet with the crowd as it moved along literally bumper to bumper. I think we decided to get turkey legs and chips and we ended up eating them outside the MK after having been led out the back way, behind the buildings on Main Street. That was the only time we've ever been there when we felt it was just far, far too ridiculous.

I booked Crystal Palace for us for the 28th, so I'm hoping we'll get in, too.

 

[Happydog]

Does "his and her" mean her stuff does not go into his?​

Surely you must know by now that women get the larger closet, the larger bathroom vanity space, and of course if there are two lockers the bigger of the two by default. It is in the gender contract.

There is no "his" when it comes to storage space (except maybe a garage) basically consider all available space on loan to you. Consider yourself lucky she is calling it "his" and not "her's too"...

 

[Happydog]

Cha,cha, cha, changes...... or so David Bowie says!
I'm quite happy with the changes we made to our ADRs and park plans.

Here they are:

Sunday: arrive a little after 1:00 and check in at Kidani
Dinner at 50's Prime Time then Osbourne lights Fantasmic is showing tonight so that may be a possibility. Magic Kingdom has EMH that night so we may go there. This I'll let the others decide. We may even split up. I do so want to see the castle.

Monday: rope drop at Epcot lunch at Le Cellier, then may go to Magic Kingdom evening CS my choice will be Casey's but the others can go their own way. We will meet back up at Main Street Station for the surprise Wishes Cruise with Shann and her teacher friend. It will be so much fun to watch Wishes and talk school. By the way, Marc and I are the only ones that know about the cruise!

Tuesday: Tusker House bfast before the park opens. This should be a real quick ride over then we plan to do as much as possible before an afternoon break then over to W.S. for an 8:20 R&C ressie. Can you say Illuminations from the patio? Love it!

Wednesday: Rope Drop at DHS Lunch for the girls at HBD and the guys at Sci Fi there isn't a Fantasmic showing this evening so we will just decide. Maybe DTD or MK for Spectro.

Thursday: Rope drop at Epcot early seating at Candlelight Processional after a dinner at Biergarten. This will be our day to explore World Showcase
After the CP back over to MK for Spectro and Wishes.

Friday: Christmas pack up to go home, lunch at LTT then catch the ME for the airport depart at 5:30

It's a quick trip, lots to pack in, but not the last for us! It will be fun to share the fun with our newbies!

Oh and did I mention we are doing the DDP? This will be a big change for us but I think it's a good idea to put limits on ordering at meals. My girls like to order stuff then not eat it.....

OH WOW!!!!! I LOVE your plans!!! These are GREAT!!!! So I see that I lured you over to the Osbourne side!!! VERY good!!! Christmas eve at Epcot And LTT for lunch too??!!! That is great!!! I think we are going to MK on Monday -- I can't remember what I planned! I was too distracted with the September trip, now I gotta go back and see what we are doing!

I think your new ADRs and fabulous!! I am so excited for a Disney Christmas!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Good luck on the meeting tomorrow. Maybe you can get some things worked out. He does seem too young to be away from home for a whole school year.

I'm ready to have this meeting over and done with. It's been most uncomfortable around here. We need to figure out if we can resolve our differences and get on with the year!

Jill and I were in Magic Kingdom one night on the Christmas trip we did, and it was so crowded that we were just shuffling our feet with the crowd as it moved along literally bumper to bumper. I think we decided to get turkey legs and chips and we ended up eating them outside the MK after having been led out the back way, behind the buildings on Main Street. That was the only time we've ever been there when we felt it was just far, far too ridiculous.

Come to think of it we've been in those shuffle, shuffle, bumper to bumper crowds but only after Wishes during our spring break trip last year. I can't imagine the park being that crowded during the day. That would certainly ruin a good time for me!

I booked Crystal Palace for us for the 28th, so I'm hoping we'll get in, too.

I wonder if it's more crowded during that week between Christmas and NYE or spring break? I'm guessing Christmas week.....since all spring breaks are not the same.
Are you still thinkiing about a spring break trip for 2010?

I wish you the best luck on the 28th, how could they deny you entrance if you have an ADR?

Surely you must know by now that women get the larger closet, the larger bathroom vanity space, and of course if there are two lockers the bigger of the two by default. It is in the gender contract.

There is no "his" when it comes to storage space (except maybe a garage) basically consider all available space on loan to you. Consider yourself lucky she is calling it "his" and not "her's too"...

I thought it "sounded" good to make him think he was going to have his own...

 

[wigdoutdismom]

OH WOW!!!!! I LOVE your plans!!! These are GREAT!!!! So I see that I lured you over to the Osbourne side!!! VERY good!!! Christmas eve at Epcot And LTT for lunch too??!!! That is great!!! I think we are going to MK on Monday -- I can't remember what I planned! I was too distracted with the September trip, now I gotta go back and see what we are doing!

I think your new ADRs and fabulous!! I am so excited for a Disney Christmas!!!

You totally lured me over for Osbourne lights but I might just be heading over to see that castle later that night if I can keep my eyes open!
I'm pretty happy with our plans too! I keep trying to get the girls involved but they just tell me that I'm the expert so just plan it.....
I guess I just want them to get excited too.

 

[MeMom]

I wonder if it's more crowded during that week between Christmas and NYE or spring break? I'm guessing Christmas week.....since all spring breaks are not the same.
Are you still thinkiing about a spring break trip for 2010?

I wish you the best luck on the 28th, how could they deny you entrance if you have an ADR?

Yeah, I'm gonna go with Christmas to New Year's being the most crowded. Still, you can get up early and do plenty before it gets too crazy, plus you can enjoy the resort decorations and the holiday atmosphere in DTD, too. It will be crowded, but it's when we can go, so we'll be happy with it.

I would love to go during Spring Break, but I doubt that will happen. Jill won't be able to get any more time off. She might could get a Friday and come for the weekend. I could take Brooklynn for a day or two before that. My friend, Kay, who went last year, said something about going again, and if she really wants to go, I will try my best to go, because she loves it and needs a break from her stressful life. I've thought about it a lot, though, and I should really just stay home and keep that money to spend in the summer, especially if we want to stay at AKL the last two nights. There's a place near here called Beech Bend Park. It's a little amusement park that I thought we might could just make a day trip of for the girls and then maybe go to the zoo one day. As long as I get to spend some time with the little girls that week and get to do something fun, and knowing that if I stay home I can better afford to pay for the AKL stay for everyone, I think I can make it through spring break without going.

I say that now, but I'll be dying to go in March, won't I?

They can deny you entrance, even with an ADR, but I doubt that's done very often. I'm just going to have faith that it will all work out.

 

[Happydog]

You totally lured me over for Osbourne lights but I might just be heading over to see that castle later that night if I can keep my eyes open!
I'm pretty happy with our plans too! I keep trying to get the girls involved but they just tell me that I'm the expert so just plan it.....
I guess I just want them to get excited too.

Oh they will be! They do probably just trust you with all the planning!!! Once they hear about the final plans it will start to sink in... I think for those of us planning we just get more worked up, and those receiving the benefit of our planning, they don't get excitied until it is upon them!!!

If seeing the castle is important to you, then you need to do that!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Yeah, I'm gonna go with Christmas to New Year's being the most crowded. Still, you can get up early and do plenty before it gets too crazy, plus you can enjoy the resort decorations and the holiday atmosphere in DTD, too. It will be crowded, but it's when we can go, so we'll be happy with it.

I can't tell you how much I wish we were staying on longer, but our flights are purchased so Marc says that there is no changing our dates. I would love to ring in the New Year with the big DIS bunch!

I would love to go during Spring Break, but I doubt that will happen. Jill won't be able to get any more time off.

I'm not even sure we can go over spring break but if we go in the fall, it's just such a short trip and spring break we can at least stay 5 nights....

She might could get a Friday and come for the weekend. I could take Brooklynn for a day or two before that. My friend, Kay, who went last year, said something about going again, and if she really wants to go, I will try my best to go, because she loves it and needs a break from her stressful life.

It would be nice if you all could go, especially if Jill could take a day off and how sweet of you to think of Kay! In all honesty you have to do what you think is best for you!

I've thought about it a lot, though, and I should really just stay home and keep that money to spend in the summer, especially if we want to stay at AKL the last two nights. There's a place near here called Beech Bend Park. It's a little amusement park that I thought we might could just make a day trip of for the girls and then maybe go to the zoo one day. As long as I get to spend some time with the little girls that week and get to do something fun, and knowing that if I stay home I can better afford to pay for the AKL stay for everyone, I think I can make it through spring break without going.

As long as you are with those girls of yours it will be a good break! Maybe Kay could come along with you on your day trips.

I say that now, but I'll be dying to go in March, won't I?

I'm afraid so....

They can deny you entrance, even with an ADR, but I doubt that's done very often. I'm just going to have faith that it will all work out.

In the end there is nothing more that you can do but have faith that it will all work out. I'll just bet it does!

Oh they will be! They do probably just trust you with all the planning!!! Once they hear about the final plans it will start to sink in... I think for those of us planning we just get more worked up, and those receiving the benefit of our planning, they don't get excitied until it is upon them!!!

I hope they start showing some interest soon!

If seeing the castle is important to you, then you need to do that!!

I don't know what my problem is, we will be over there on Monday night before the cruise. We'll see what's going on at DHS before we think about heading over to MK for EMH.

 

[Flossbolna]

Oh now you stop that! It just seems to be a case of a young man that has been very catered to by his mother. I don't think he is really mature enough to be spending a year abroad. I'm not sure what will happen. We are meeting with his coordinator this Friday.Besides Floss, that would be like me taking responsibility for the actions of all Americans....You know we have no control over what others do! I have an Aunt who is German, she is quite lovely!

Ok, I was a bit foolish! I still hope you get things sorted out. We have hosted five different exchange students in my family and the beginning has always been a bit rough. After the first excitement most start to realize how hard it is to be away from home in a strange country. Doing totally stupid things sometimes is just a way of dealing with culture shock - even if it is not a very smart way to deal with it! And it is amazing how much every one of our exchange students changed during the year and became so much more mature.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Ok, I was a bit foolish! I still hope you get things sorted out. We have hosted five different exchange students in my family and the beginning has always been a bit rough. After the first excitement most start to realize how hard it is to be away from home in a strange country. Doing totally stupid things sometimes is just a way of dealing with culture shock - even if it is not a very smart way to deal with it! And it is amazing how much every one of our exchange students changed during the year and became so much more mature.

We've hosted girls before and they were really nice to have around. I just have to tell you, this kid is driving me crazy!

 

[MEK]

Oh Wigd.....I feel bad with you re: the FES. That is certainly more than you bargained for. My eldest teen is very difficult and oppositional, so I know what you are going through and its NOT YOUR KID! I just ordered the Total Transformation. I watched the infomercial about 6 months ago and finally decided to give it a try. I was skeptical and it costs about $300 with S & H, but son's grades have already been slipping just in the first 5- 6 weeks of school. I have been listening to the CDs for the last week and implementing the tools and I have already seen a change in his behavior. In fact, he just got a 94 on a precalc quiz. I am learning that you can't be friends with certain kids. You have to be very black and white, set limits, no reasoning, and carry through when you say there is going to be a certain consequence for a bad behavior. Already I feel like I am getting my moneys worth and I am not even half way through the series.

Anyway ....on a lighter note, I started my TR today (no pics yet) and the best news is......I just made a reservation for the Wilderness Lodge Villas for May 2 - 7th!. I am so excited. I fell in love with the place when we ate at Artist's Point and I decided I was going to try there before even the BCV. When MS said there was a 2BR avail for my dates I almost fell off my chair and decided not to search any further. I'm pretty excited!!!!!!!

 

[wsushocker]

And Owner's Lockers -- were you not listening closely to your vows?

However, I do recall her vowing to "love, honor, and OBEY"!

 

[Flossbolna]

We've hosted girls before and they were really nice to have around. I just have to tell you, this kid is driving me crazy!

Sorry for that, but I am glad that you at least know that it can be fun to host a FES! I am volunteering for "my" exchange organization here in Germany as what you seem to call coordinator, we here in Germany call it "counsellor". It's always very sad to see if it does not work out.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Oh Wigd.....I feel bad with you re: the FES. That is certainly more than you bargained for. My eldest teen is very difficult and oppositional, so I know what you are going through and its NOT YOUR KID! I just ordered the Total Transformation. I watched the infomercial about 6 months ago and finally decided to give it a try. I was skeptical and it costs about $300 with S & H, but son's grades have already been slipping just in the first 5- 6 weeks of school. I have been listening to the CDs for the last week and implementing the tools and I have already seen a change in his behavior. In fact, he just got a 94 on a precalc quiz. I am learning that you can't be friends with certain kids. You have to be very black and white, set limits, no reasoning, and carry through when you say there is going to be a certain consequence for a bad behavior. Already I feel like I am getting my moneys worth and I am not even half way through the series.

First of all I want to say congratulations on finding some success with your oldest! It's not easy to turn things around at that age, usually it takes some growing up to do that!

The FES situation has been tense, Baylor has started staying at school with me until I get my work done and sometimes it takes me an hour or two. He just doesn't want to go home and be alone with FES. Most definantly not a good thing.

Anyway ....on a lighter note, I started my TR today (no pics yet) and the best news is......I just made a reservation for the Wilderness Lodge Villas for May 2 - 7th!. I am so excited. I fell in love with the place when we ate at Artist's Point and I decided I was going to try there before even the BCV. When MS said there was a 2BR avail for my dates I almost fell off my chair and decided not to search any further. I'm pretty excited!!!!!!!

As you know I practically fell out of my seat flying over! Congrats on VWL! I can't wait to see pictures. The speech path from my old school is a member there and will have thier first stay at the same time as our Christms trip.

However, I do recall her vowing to "love, honor, and OBEY"!

Talk about selective memory.... Oh wait a minute, there was no obey in there!

Sorry for that, but I am glad that you at least know that it can be fun to host a FES! I am volunteering for "my" exchange organization here in Germany as what you seem to call coordinator, we here in Germany call it "counsellor". It's always very sad to see if it does not work out.

It makes you feel like a complete failure, believe me, I know. I also know that there are times that the placement just doesn't work out.