The Girls are going to Disney! A Nov. 2011 pretrip report. (Upd. 11/22 - we're home)

[wdwgirl03]

The only characters we saw at the Christmas party were Snow White and her prince. It sounds like long lines are to be expected so you'd probably have to pick and choose which ones you really want to see. If you've done most of the rides then you might be able to meet a few more. I know I'm sort of planning on doing something similar when we go to MNSSHP so we can try to meet characters. Don't forget about some of the other shows too.

As for the parade, I'd definitely stay on Main Street. When we went we found a spot early and part of the fun was listening to the Christmas songs and just watching people stroll by. It was awesome.

 

[wisblue]

The only characters we saw at the Christmas party were Snow White and her prince.

We also had pictures with Stitch in Tomorrowland.

 

[joy13]

Yep, sounds like a perfect day to me
It will be my first party too (well first for most things Disney really) and I'm just not sure what to expect and whether we'll try to watch first or second parade or what. Either way....how could it not be fun? MK is probably gorgeous at Christmas time!

From pictures I've seen it really is. The big tree doesn't go up until after they tape the parade in early December, but everything else will be there. I can't WAIT to see the castle!

 

[joy13]

The only characters we saw at the Christmas party were Snow White and her prince. It sounds like long lines are to be expected so you'd probably have to pick and choose which ones you really want to see. If you've done most of the rides then you might be able to meet a few more. I know I'm sort of planning on doing something similar when we go to MNSSHP so we can try to meet characters. Don't forget about some of the other shows too.

As for the parade, I'd definitely stay on Main Street. When we went we found a spot early and part of the fun was listening to the Christmas songs and just watching people stroll by. It was awesome.

Thanks for the info, that's what we will do, then we can just stay there for the fireworks!

We also had pictures with Stitch in Tomorrowland.

I'm sure we'll see Stitch too - we'll go to all the dance parties.

 

[joy13]

So I have been super neglectful of my trip report I will get back on track this weekend - I promise. I am 33 days out from our trip - I still haven't gotten Mickey Mail - but it has to come soon - right?

 

[jenseib]

So I have been super neglectful of my trip report I will get back on track this weekend - I promise. I am 33 days out from our trip - I still haven't gotten Mickey Mail - but it has to come soon - right?

It hasn't come yet, but should be here anyday!

 

[joy13]

It hasn't come yet, but should be here anyday!

Does it get mailed to you first?

 

[jenseib]

Does it get mailed to you first?

Yes, to the agency first and then we double check to be sure everything is in order and usually wait till ME comes as well. But most times they arrive close to the same time. I'll let you know as soon as I hear/see anything.

 

[FosterA]

So I have been super neglectful of my trip report I will get back on track this weekend - I promise. I am 33 days out from our trip - I still haven't gotten Mickey Mail - but it has to come soon - right?

It's just GOT TO come. I bet it will today (Saturday).
For some reason, getting the mail sort of seals the deal and makes it official!

I got the Magical Express mail at about 36 days out but I'm at around 31 days out now and still haven't gotten any other mail.

 

[joy13]

Yes, to the agency first and then we double check to be sure everything is in order and usually wait till ME comes as well. But most times they arrive close to the same time. I'll let you know as soon as I hear/see anything.

Sounds great - I didn't know it came to you first. Now that I do - I know not to check everyday - lol!

It's just GOT TO come. I bet it will today (Saturday).
For some reason, getting the mail sort of seals the deal and makes it official!

I got the Magical Express mail at about 36 days out but I'm at around 31 days out now and still haven't gotten any other mail.

Jen is my travel agent, so I guess she gets the mail first.

 

[joy13]

Jen emailed me yesterday that my mickey mail is on it's way! Woohoo!

I have to get caught up on what I last wrote about because it's been so long I think I'm up to Saturday, which will be an Animal Kingdom day. I picked Animal Kingdom for after the party because it's the only park that I don't mind if we don't get there right at rope drop.

 

[jenseib]

 

[aksunshine]

Almost time!!!!!!!!!!

 

[joy13]

Almost time!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so excited that I'm going to do an update

 

[aksunshine]

Woooohooooo!!!!!!

 

[joy13]

After the Christmas Party on Friday, we will sleep in until we wake up and have a relaxing breakfast. Then we'll head to:

There are just a few things I want to do at Animal Kingdom:

Everest (single rider hopefully)

While I am riding that I figure that Maddie can play in the boneyard (she said she wants to play there this trip) and my Mom can rest.

We'll do the Safari of course and I really want to see Flights of Wonder this trip, we saw it in 2005 but skipped it in 2009. 2007 we didn't go to AK at all. Since 2009 I've become enamored with barn owls by watching people who have webcams in their owl boxes. It's really addicting:

(Picture by owner of this owl box)

So I'm psyched to see this show because there is a barn owl in it

I'm sure we'll walk the trails:

I love Festival of the Lion King, so we'll try and catch that and for sure visit Camp Minnie and Mickey. I wouldn't mind trying to catch the Nemo show, I've heard great things, but that will depend on timing. We don't usually bother going out to Rafiki's planet watch, so I doubt we'll go there on this trip. I'm thinking since we will have gotten there later we'll probably be there long enough to catch Mickey's Jammin' Jingle parade, but we will probably head out after that. It all depends what time we get there. I have a back-up ADR at Tusker House, but if we get into Orlando on time on Wednesday, and we make it Chef Mickey's that night, we'll cancel this one.

We ate at Tusker House in 2009 and it was very good! So if we end up eating here, I won't be upset

So thinking that we will be leaving somewhat early, I'm hoping to head to DTD that evening to eat some dinner and hopefully see Santa (I think I read he should be there by then) I also want to head to Ghiardelli too, I want to see if they have some of their coffee. They sold sample sizes of it at Target a few years ago and it was really good. We may have to try and Sundae too I haven't had one yet.

So that should finish up our day at Animal Kingdom/Downtown Disney.

Since aksunshine is following along - I have to give her props too. She is a sewer extraordinaire, so I ordered a shirt from her for Maddie to wear to Animal Kingdom. It arrived this week and is soooo cute!

(The lighting was a bit tricky)

While I am giving props, I have to give more to jenseib - my travel agent. She sent Maddie the cutest tye-die Mickey Tanktop, along with our confirmation paperwork. I don't have a picture of that yet, but I will after the trip. Thanks Jen!!!!


Up next: Epcot!

 

[aksunshine]

After the Christmas Party on Friday, we will sleep in until we wake up and have a relaxing breakfast. Then we'll head to:

There are just a few things I want to do at Animal Kingdom:

Everest (single rider hopefully)

While I am riding that I figure that Maddie can play in the boneyard (she said she wants to play there this trip) and my Mom can rest.


Since aksunshine is following along - I have to give her props too. She is a sewer extraordinaire, so I ordered a shirt from her for Maddie to wear to Animal Kingdom. It arrived this week and is soooo cute!

(The lighting was a bit tricky)

While I am giving props, I have to give more to jenseib - my travel agent. She sent Maddie the cutest tye-die Mickey Tanktop, along with our confirmation paperwork. I don't have a picture of that yet, but I will after the trip. Thanks Jen!!!!


Up next: Epcot!

Yay!!! It looks GREAT on her!! I think those muted shades are perfect for her!

I always do single rider on EE, usually 5 min wait!!! I LOVE it! Talked Isabelle into going last year, she didn't care for it.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Your Animal Kingdom plans sound great! Flights of Wonder is such a fun show. Also I remember seeing that owl cam at school a couple years ago-so interesting!

Very cute shirt from aksunshine!

 

[joy13]

Yay!!! It looks GREAT on her!! I think those muted shades are perfect for her!

I always do single rider on EE, usually 5 min wait!!! I LOVE it! Talked Isabelle into going last year, she didn't care for it.

The shirt really does look and fit perfectly! She loves it too - she was grinning ear to ear when she tried it on. Thanks so much!

Yeah - I won't get Maddie on any rollercoaster except Big Thunder at MK. But that makes it easier since I can do single rider I road Everest 3 times in a row on our last trip - I just love it!

Your Animal Kingdom plans sound great! Flights of Wonder is such a fun show. Also I remember seeing that owl cam at school a couple years ago-so interesting!

Very cute shirt from aksunshine!

The first owl cam I watched started in Feb 2010 so that's about right - I think that was part of the reason my 2009 trip report failed so miserable

 

[jenseib]

That shirt is adorable.
Are you packed yet?