2 Adults 3 Kids (12,8,6) I am compulsive planner who had park days planned and Priority Seatings 60 days prior etc. etc. This was our 8th straight year in December and 6th in a row staying at GF. Was shut out of AP rates but managed to get garden view at $239 for 5 nights and lagoon view for $321 for 3 nights plus tax through Expedia. No problems having two reservations and upon check-in were assigned Boca Chica room #8245 which is a corner room facing the castle. We did not have to check out/in which was nice and I believe this was an upgrade because I had garden view for 5 nights - oh well - I guess they treated us because we always stay there.
Saturday - we went swimming and then went pin shopping at Contemporary before our dinner at Chef Mickey's. Dinner was good as usual - we purchased the pictures and I paid through my Disney Rewards Card which had a $150 credit. Used $110 on dinner and pictures.
Sunday - early entry at Magic Kingdom. Computers at entrances were down so CM allowed us in without using one our days on our Hopper Tix. What a deal! Spent about 3 hours at MK. Became very crowded so went to watch Steeler/Redskin game at ESPN Club. Family rented bicycle and went around Boardwalk a few times before having lunch. Left ESPN at 4:30 and met family back at GF for more swimming then dinner. Decided not to park hop and save the park hopper day for later in the week.
Monday - went to Animal Kingdom early entry and hit Safari first. A lot of animals out - it was great. Did Tarzan Rocks, Lion King show and most rides. Lunch at Pizzafari was very good - one of our favorites. Went to Concourse Steakhouse for dinner which was very good then to MK in evening for Spectro, Wishes, and rides. I will say at this point that most rides Mon-Fri were 20 minutes or less. On weekend 1 hour or more, especially Dec 5th.
Tuesday - went to MGM early entry and did R&R rollercoaster and ToT. Did most shows and stopped at 50's Prime Time for lunch (one of our favorites).
Went to Epcot and did Norway ride and Mexico ride.
Illuminations at Epcot in evening. Tries to get some beavertails but were told they were no longer available.
Wednesday - son Matt (6) did Pirate Cruise which was 2 hours 9:30-11:30. Wife had spa treatment at GF Spa which she also enjoyed He told us he really enjoyed it. Daughters got caught up on homework since I took them out of school for the week. Went to AK and did Kali Rapids twice then stayed for parade. Went back to GF, changed, then went to MGM for Fantasmic, Osborne lights, and a few rides.
Thursday - went to Downtown Disney for X-mas shopping. Got back to hotel and changed into our X-mas outfits for MVMCP. Had PS for LTT at 5:30. Rec'd wristbands and had a great dinner. Went to Adventureland for our picture but was disppointed that buttons were not being given out as we liked to collect them. Left MVMCP at around 10:30.
Friday - went to 3 parks (Epcot, MGM, and MK). Had dinner at Sci-Fi which kids enjoyed. Wife and I split Reuben and soup which was plenty of food.
Saturday - went to Epcot for Test Track and MS then finished off vacation by going to MK and did favorite rides of kids (Raceway, Train, etc). Lunch at Crystal Palace (our annual tradition).
Highs - employees were friendly and helpful as usual. GF was magnificent and lively. Food was good. Transportation above average except for one bus which must have been 45 degrees. Room was spectacular and very, very quiet.
Lows - parks were a little dirty by Disney standards. Monorails had napkins, straws on floor. Was surprised to say the least. Tigger was a loser at Crystal Palace. Walked around - not bounced around like year's past.
Read an interesting article in Sunday's Orlando Sentinel how Disney's part-time work force is increasing. Saves on emloyee expenses since no benefits, etc. Have to be careful with that strategy - are workers more committed?? Time will tell. All in all a very magical vacation.
Saturday - we went swimming and then went pin shopping at Contemporary before our dinner at Chef Mickey's. Dinner was good as usual - we purchased the pictures and I paid through my Disney Rewards Card which had a $150 credit. Used $110 on dinner and pictures.
Sunday - early entry at Magic Kingdom. Computers at entrances were down so CM allowed us in without using one our days on our Hopper Tix. What a deal! Spent about 3 hours at MK. Became very crowded so went to watch Steeler/Redskin game at ESPN Club. Family rented bicycle and went around Boardwalk a few times before having lunch. Left ESPN at 4:30 and met family back at GF for more swimming then dinner. Decided not to park hop and save the park hopper day for later in the week.
Monday - went to Animal Kingdom early entry and hit Safari first. A lot of animals out - it was great. Did Tarzan Rocks, Lion King show and most rides. Lunch at Pizzafari was very good - one of our favorites. Went to Concourse Steakhouse for dinner which was very good then to MK in evening for Spectro, Wishes, and rides. I will say at this point that most rides Mon-Fri were 20 minutes or less. On weekend 1 hour or more, especially Dec 5th.
Tuesday - went to MGM early entry and did R&R rollercoaster and ToT. Did most shows and stopped at 50's Prime Time for lunch (one of our favorites).
Went to Epcot and did Norway ride and Mexico ride.
Illuminations at Epcot in evening. Tries to get some beavertails but were told they were no longer available.
Wednesday - son Matt (6) did Pirate Cruise which was 2 hours 9:30-11:30. Wife had spa treatment at GF Spa which she also enjoyed He told us he really enjoyed it. Daughters got caught up on homework since I took them out of school for the week. Went to AK and did Kali Rapids twice then stayed for parade. Went back to GF, changed, then went to MGM for Fantasmic, Osborne lights, and a few rides.
Thursday - went to Downtown Disney for X-mas shopping. Got back to hotel and changed into our X-mas outfits for MVMCP. Had PS for LTT at 5:30. Rec'd wristbands and had a great dinner. Went to Adventureland for our picture but was disppointed that buttons were not being given out as we liked to collect them. Left MVMCP at around 10:30.
Friday - went to 3 parks (Epcot, MGM, and MK). Had dinner at Sci-Fi which kids enjoyed. Wife and I split Reuben and soup which was plenty of food.
Saturday - went to Epcot for Test Track and MS then finished off vacation by going to MK and did favorite rides of kids (Raceway, Train, etc). Lunch at Crystal Palace (our annual tradition).
Highs - employees were friendly and helpful as usual. GF was magnificent and lively. Food was good. Transportation above average except for one bus which must have been 45 degrees. Room was spectacular and very, very quiet.
Lows - parks were a little dirty by Disney standards. Monorails had napkins, straws on floor. Was surprised to say the least. Tigger was a loser at Crystal Palace. Walked around - not bounced around like year's past.
Read an interesting article in Sunday's Orlando Sentinel how Disney's part-time work force is increasing. Saves on emloyee expenses since no benefits, etc. Have to be careful with that strategy - are workers more committed?? Time will tell. All in all a very magical vacation.
