The NEW Official November 2010 Countdown & Planning Thread ~ Come join us! (Part 1)

[Momof2Disneyboys]

OK, I've been working feverishly on my ADRs which I am hoping to make on Tuesday. Critiques welcome!! I am trying to find a balance (aren't we all?). We are also on the regular dining plan.

Arrive Sunday Nov. 28 -- MK, MVMCP (no ADRs)
Mon Nov. 29 -- Ohana's bfast, MK day, Mama Melrose/fantasmic package for dinner
Tue Nov. 30 -- DHS in morning, Epcot at night (No ADRs)
Wed Dec. 1 -- Epcot in morning, Boma for dinner
Thur Dec. 2 -- Tusker House bfast, AK all day, 1900 Park Fare for dinner
Fri Dec. 3 -- whispering canyon bfast, dtd t-rex lunch, MK til closing
Sat Dec. 4 -- no ADRs, leaving for home

Looks great ~ Good luck!

DH told me not to even consider changing resorts again. That he would drive threw and turn around before checking in, if it was that important to me to go under the sign and threw the gate! LOL

Thank you for posting this! I have been wondering when they would start. As far as updating the calendar.....do you think they are going to extend hours? I know that they close at 7pm every night we are there except for one EMH night when they stay open till 10. I have just been assuming it's the night they stay open till 10 that we should plan on being there to see the lights?

Honestly I don't have a clue never having traveled in November before, I wish I did , right now I have planned to head to DHS on the Fantasmic Night and go see OL while it is taking place,since sunset is 5:30 (most should be waiting for Fantasmic, since it starts at 6:30)and I read they throw the switch about 6 for the lights. I have read on here on another thread that they usually route the people from Fantasmic over to the OL after they are over and then allow everyone to stay later even though the park is "technically closed" true or not no idea .......anyone know ???

I don't know. Last year they turned the lights on at 6:00. We planned an early dinner (4:30) and walked over to the OL area as soon as we were done and waited. At 6:00 sharp they had their little opening thing and switched them on. It was amazing!! We stayed until about 7:15. The park was open until 8:00 that evening, and every evening that week (second week of Nov). Fantasmic was showing at 6:30 and 8:00. So maybe they do let people go over there after the later Fantasmic and keep the lights on late. . .

 

[sjs314]

Something occurred to me last night. This trip, it will be the first time in 30 years I have not went under the Magic Kingdom sign on my arrival day. Even when we stayed off site, we parked at MK. And when we stayed at All-Star Sports, we arrived that morning and went right to MK. It makes me sad. I know, silly thing to make me sad. It is like I am breaking a mandatory tradition!

DH told me not to even consider changing resorts again. That he would drive threw and turn around before checking in, if it was that important to me to go under the sign and threw the gate! LOL

I know exactly how you feel......last year was the first time I never went to MK on arrival day, in fact it was the first time I never made it to MK at all and even missed my beloved fireworks ............to say it ruined my vacation is probally a little harsh, but a part of me felt as if I never went to Disneyworld last year

We went last year with DS(youngest) and wife, now DS has to head over to MK first to ride Splash Mountain his favorite ride, but DH said he felt too tired and wanted to take a nap, so I told the kids to go ahead, not wanting to be a "third" wheel. Well we never did make it over there, kids came back went to eat and crashed since we had been going since early morning planning on going to MK another day.
Our entire trip was sorta Helter Skelter at DisneyWorld, ...I had left the planning in Ddil hands well the only ADR she made was for HDDR, it was spring break so we did not get into any TS during our stay with the exception of Biergarten one afternoon, Rainforest Cafe in AK, and Olivia's at the resort and ESPN over at BW which was a ghost town the day we went there.
Our last night we were going to head to MK then Ddil said she did not feel like going, my DS was disappointed you could see it in his face, DH and I headed out , but I stopped just outside the resort building and called my DS asked him if they might want to go to DTD since we had also missed that this trip and there was a water launch from OKW which we had talked of going on but had not, so that is how we spent our last night in WDW, after all I had seen the fireworks sorta since we watched them the night before from the beach at FW while waiting to go to the HDDR.

Maybe this is why I bought tickets for MVMCP on our arrival day??? Yes Yes, I know DH won't pass up going since they cost so much $$$
There is an evil plan to my "Madness" or and since DS and wife(not the same son) wanted to do HDDR which we did not this trip( I talked them into going the first night,tickets bought and paid for) so no one is going to keep me from MK this year

 

[sjs314]

Looks great ~ Good luck!









I don't know. Last year they turned the lights on at 6:00. We planned an early dinner (4:30) and walked over to the OL area as soon as we were done and waited. At 6:00 sharp they had their little opening thing and switched them on. It was amazing!! We stayed until about 7:15. The park was open until 8:00 that evening, and every evening that week (second week of Nov). Fantasmic was showing at 6:30 and 8:00. So maybe they do let people go over there after the later Fantasmic and keep the lights on late. . .

Oh that gives me hope that they might extend the hours and add a second show, I had a 4:30 dinner ressie but changed it up to a late lunch 2:30, since I figured with my luck we would get seated late, the meal would take forever to get to us and I would end up missing when they first turned the OL on at 6pm. I am planning on dinner once we get back to the resort that night, a quick meal either in the room or at the food court, everyone best fill up good at lunch

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I think if the OL date is the 8th they will eventually extend the hours until 8:00. Last year it was 8:00 when the schedule originally came out, but last year it came our 90 days in advance, not 180 days.

I kept my Times Guide from last year just in-case I wanted to plan the same week this year!! Good thing!

 

[sjs314]

I think if the OL date is the 8th they will eventually extend the hours until 8:00. Last year it was 8:00 when the schedule originally came out, but last year it came our 90 days in advance, not 180 days.

I kept my Times Guide from last year just in-case I wanted to plan the same week this year!! Good thing!

Good thinking, we almost always seem to go at a different time of the year with the except of of years ago when we went for easter break like 3 years in a row. I recall the year we went in October, I was surprised when I found out how early the parks were closing most nights, having gone at busier times before easter and summer I just thought the parks were always open late

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Good thinking, we almost always seem to go at a different time of the year with the except of of years ago when we went for easter break like 3 years in a row. I recall the year we went in October, I was surprised when I found out how early the parks were closing most nights, having gone at busier times before easter and summer I just thought the parks were always open late

Yes, it was quite a different experience going from 2 May trips in a row - when the parks are open late and it is in the 90's everyday, to a January trip - when the parks closed super early and the high temps fluctuated between 50-80 each day!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Oh this conversation just sparked a QOTD :

What months have you visited WDW and what is your favorite so far?


We have gone in:
October
May 2X
January
November

And. . . . November is the winner!! (like you didn't already know that ) Perfect temps and low crowds!

 

[Hmom]

Anyone have a good idea on which Pirate Party is best one. Have 2 DS's age 4 and 8 that love pirates.

Our DS did the one from the GF in Nov 2008. He had a great time! He had just turned 6 on our trip. I don't have anything to compare it to, but he was a happy pirate getting off of the boat.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

In just 10 days my ticker will start with a 4!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Anyone have a good idea on which Pirate Party is best one. Have 2 DS's age 4 and 8 that love pirates.

My boys did the Islands of the Caribbean Pirate Adventure Cruise at CBR when they were 7 & 9 and had a blast!!!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2074555&page=6

 

[sjs314]

Oh this conversation just sparked a QOTD :

What months have you visited WDW and what is your favorite so far?


We have gone in:
October
May 2X
January
November

And. . . . November is the winner!! (like you didn't already know that ) Perfect temps and low crowds!

This took a bit of thinking to remember

Jan
Mar
April 3X
May
June
July
August
Oct
Nov-this year

Great question! Now I have an excuse to return at least 3 more times(Feb,Sept,Dec) so I can say I have gone every month of the year

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Some updates I just read in my All Ears newsletter. . .


REHABS AND CLOSINGS

Magic Kingdom

Construction for the Fantasyland expansion has begun, necessitating the closing of several existing Magic Kingdom areas. Pooh's Playful Spot playground, Ariel's Grotto Character meet-and-greet and Scuttle's Landing have closed. Pooh and Tigger will appear in Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A. Enchanted Grove will now be open in Fantasyland for Extra Magic Hour mornings offering coffee and muffins. The Fantasyland pretzel cart will be located near Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Frozen Coca-Cola products will continue to be available at The Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland. During this expansion, classic Fantasyland attractions, including "it's a small world," Peter Pan's Flight, Mickey's PhilharMagic, Snow White's Scary Adventures, Cinderella's Golden Carrousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Mad Tea Party, will remain open.

Epcot

Via Napoli, the new 300-seat restaurant/pizzeria being constructed in the Italy pavilion in Epcot, is slated to open in September. Disney has released an artist's rendering of what the new structure will look like when it's completed. Via Napoli wil be a full service pizzeria. The construction will create a whole new look, the area has been extended back another 50-60 feet and there will be a new piazza. In Europe there is often one building with different facades out front and that's what you will see in Via Napoli. The 3 pizza ovens are inspired by the 3 famous volcanoes in Italy: Mount Etna (Sicily), Stromboli (Aeolian Islands), and Mount Vesuvius (near Naples). The 3 oven "mouths" where the pizzas go in are inspired by Italy's Park of Monsters sculptures. Very thin crust pizza and when it's ready it will be served quickly and hot.




Cantina de San Angel at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot has closed for a significant refurbishment and expansion until September 2010. The company that operates the restaurants in the Mexico pavilion, San Angel Inn, LLC, plans to open Hacienda San Angel on the site, a new 400-seat waterside restaurant and quick service food location "specializing in the freshly baked culinary flavors of Mexico." The restaurant will have indoor and outdoor seating. It will be a dual purpose, flex restaurant. There will be 150 seats outside and 250 seats inside. During lunch the Cantina (quick service) is very busy, but there is not as much seating as desired. Therefore a portion of the sit down restaurant will be blocked off for Cantina guests to also enjoy the air conditioning. Around 4pm, the Cantina will still be working, but the whole inside will open as the full working table service restaurant. None of the seats will have backs to the windows so you can enjoy the lagoon and IllumiNations.

During the refurbishment, the San Angel Inn Restaurante and La Cava de Tequila, located inside the Mexico pavilion, and the Taqueria Del Lago, located alongside the promenade, will still be open for Mexican dining.

Honey I Shrunk the Audience closed on May 9 to make way for Captain EO, which is due to open in July 2, 2010.

Saratoga Springs

Work will begin this spring on a new feature pool in the Paddock area of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, building on the resort's turn-of-the-20th-century, upstate New York theme. Plans call for the new pool, scheduled for completion in mid-2011, to replace the Paddock area's 1,100-square-foot quiet pool with a 3,300-square-foot zero-depth-entry pool, a 146-foot water slide, a 1,600-square-foot wet-play area, an expanded pool deck spanning more than 11,000 square feet and, for hungry swimmers and sunbathers who'd rather not make the trip across the lake to Artist's Palette, an on-site, quick-service-dining location.

http://land.allears.net/blogs/dnews/2010/03/new_feature_pool_at_disneys_sa.html

The Breathless II is unavailable until further notice due to unforeseen maintenance issues. If you have an existing reservation you will be contacted to reschedule if possible.

A complete list of rehabs can be found here: http://allears.net/tp/rehabs.htm

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great question! Now I have an excuse to return at least 3 more times(Feb,Sept,Dec) so I can say I have gone every month of the year

Sounds like a plan!

 

[Trackey79]

Count me in..November 30-December 7.... DS 8th Birthday... We have been planning this since his first trip....(He was 3.5).... We have never stayed deluxe and this time we are doing BC-CL (shhh, don't tell DH, he doesn't know that I upgraded us to CL)....

That's awesome. I am sure you will all have a great time!

 

[Trackey79]

DH told me not to even consider changing resorts again. That he would drive threw and turn around before checking in, if it was that important to me to go under the sign and threw the gate! LOL

Sounds a bit like my hubby. Don't you just love it when they are willing to do the little things to make us happy!!

 

[Trackey79]

Oh this conversation just sparked a QOTD :

What months have you visited WDW and what is your favorite so far?


We have gone in:
October
May 2X
January
November

And. . . . November is the winner!! (like you didn't already know that ) Perfect temps and low crowds!

Now keep in mind I am a Florida resident when I say, I have been to Disney at least once in every month of the year.

By and far early November and early February are my favorites. The weather is usually just right and the crowds aren't quite as crazy.

 

[Trackey79]

In just 10 days my ticker will start with a 4!!!!

Hehe, mine too!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Now keep in mind I am a Florida resident when I say, I have been to Disney at least once in every month of the year.

By and far early November and early February are my favorites. The weather is usually just right and the crowds aren't quite as crazy.

Lucky!

Hehe, mine too!!!

Awesome!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

QOTD: Jan 2x
Mar/Apr (spring break as a kid...not sure-terrible!!)
May
June(as a kid..hot and long lines)
July(as a kid...SUPER HOT and the lines were unimaginable!)
Oct 2x
Nov
Dec 4x
The first time we did Oct it was wonderful..the 2nd time the humidity was terrible!!! We have had good Dec days and cold Dec days...but I think November was the best! Crowds were decent and the weather was really nice...backstory: I was pregnant with dd and I had been nauseate the entire time...I was 1/2 thru the pregnancy when we went...that was the first time the smell of food or garbage wasn't ever-present!!!! You know how at home everything is magnified...taking my youngest son to any public bathroom would just about do me in.... but at Disney everything is soooo clean...so of course, bathrooms don't smell either!!!! Not at Disney!! I felt soooo much better when we were there....but we stayed at the Poly that year...first time at a Deluxe...with a 7yo and a 3yo and a pregnant mamma...dh wanted us on the mono line!!!! So, it was a wonderful trip!! Sooooo looking forward to our next time in November!!!!!

 

[sjs314]

Something occurred to me last night. This trip, it will be the first time in 30 years I have not went under the Magic Kingdom sign on my arrival day. Even when we stayed off site, we parked at MK. And when we stayed at All-Star Sports, we arrived that morning and went right to MK. It makes me sad. I know, silly thing to make me sad. It is like I am breaking a mandatory tradition!

DH told me not to even consider changing resorts again. That he would drive threw and turn around before checking in, if it was that important to me to go under the sign and threw the gate! LOL

Your post just made me smile remembering when we use to drive to WDW, and there is just something fantastic about seeing the first palm tree, the Florida sign and then all the signs leading up to WDW then finally seeing the Last one and you know you have arrived!!!
Flying just is not the same