TR for our December WDW trip! (Almost there!) Now with Dining itinerary!!!

[redoschi]

Well, how to start this? From what I read, usually people present themselves and their families so this is what I'm gonna do!
Let the Magic begin!

Cast:
Myself - Eduardo - 23
DGF - Bruna - 23
DSis - Patricia - 19
DBiL (DSis DBF) - Rafael - 21
DDad - Luiz - 50
DMom - Silvia - 49

My history with Disney and WDW!

I'm a Brazilian (like all the people who are travelling with me) and I've been a fan of all things Disney since I was little (1 or 2 y/o I believe) and my parents returned from a trip to WDW and some other places and they brought me dozens of plush classic characters that I knew so well from the cartoons and movies (specially Dumbo , who was always my favorite when I was little).

On a side note: I also hate the Brazilian travel groups that need translating guides and that make a lot of mess. I love and respect everything in my life and of course have always done so on WDW which for me is one of the best places in the world!

Since then I've been to WDW 4 times (Dec89, Dec94, Oct98, Oct00) and then I got into college and several other stuff to do, so we couldn't find the time (and money) to return! But we're finally making it!

My DGF and my DBiL have never come to the USA so this trip is extra special for that also.
She was booked for a trip with her family (before I even knew her) in Jan01, but due to some visa issues they couldn't go to the US and went to Europe. Since then she lost some interest in WDW (due to the visa and embassy issues), so I want to make this trip into one she will never forget and hopefully she becomes a Disney freak like I am! (Any ideas are ALWAYS welcome!)

Before I get to the actual Trip itinerary I'd like to explain a couple other things. This is a strange trip as there are 3 couples and each will be flying over on different dates (!!!)

Myself and DGF are flying on December 6th to NYC (since we were going to the US and I love NY as well, I thought I should extent the trip a bit and stay there for some days) and then on the 11th to Orlando. My DSis and her DBF are arriving on the 11th as well, meeting us at the airport (about 1 hour difference between the arrival of the flights) and then we're all taking the Magical Express Shuttle to All Star Sports. Then on the 15th, my parents are arriving (they'll be working till the 14th and only then they managed to take some vacation time) and meeting us also at the POP.

Our trip dates are then from December 11th (I'm not counting the NYC days as this is a board for Disney vacations!) and leaving on the 23rd (arriving back in Brazil on the 24th, right in time for christmas eve with my grandparents and the rest of the family ).

DSis, her DBF, my DGF and myself are getting Magic your way tickets for 8 or 9 days with park hopper and Water park and fun. My parents are getting just 5 or 6 day MYW tickets with just the PH.

---------------

Here is the start of a day-by-day plan (more days on the replies to come):

December 2007

December 11th
Arrive at the airport
Magical Express to AS Sports
Check-in and leave stuff in room
Bus to DTD
Grab a snack (possibly the great Sundae from Ghirardelli)
Go into DisneyQuest

---------------

From 12th to 14th we're doing couple parks per day as we'll have a full-day for each park later with my parents, this is mainly to see stuff that my parents won't want to do again (since they've been to WDW several times also) or thrill things that we like to do more than once (and as my mother doesn't go on most of these, we'll most like do several times if possible on these days then once with my father after they arrive)

December 12th
Magic Kingdom - (as DGF and DBiL never been to WDW, I thought it was best to start at the main park!)
Arrive early to see park opening
Head to Frontierland to SM and BTM (FASTPass for those)
Then Pirates , Tiki Room and back to Liberty Square for Haunted Mansion.
Go to Fantasyland for most of it: Peter Pan, Small World, Pooh, Snow White, Mad Tea Party (Phillarmagic will be left to be seen with parents)
Go to Tomorrowland for Carousel of Progress and Space Mtn.
Lunch at Casey's Corner

If we managed to see all these quickly (now that I'm typing them I'm not so sure we'll be able to do all these till lunch, even though it is supposed to be Value Season and one of the Wonderful Weeks of Disney) then we'll see them all, if not that's OK, we'll be back next week for more MK with my parents.

After lunch it is time to grab a bus to AK.

Animal Kingdom
This is evening magic hours day for AK, so we'll be going here to take advantage of that.
Arrive at AK and see animals at the Oasis and head to EE
Ride EE, PW, Dinosaur and grab a It's tough to be a bug show
Dinner at AK (depending on closing time, see questions at the end of this pre-trip report)

Status from the day:
Stuff left on MK to be done with parents:
Jungle Cruise
Country Bear Jamboree
Phillarmagic
Monster's Inc. Comedy Laugh Floor
Stitch's Great Escape
Buzz Lightyear
any rides left undone of the list

Stuff left on MK to be done again with parents:
Splash Mtn.
PotC
Big Thunder Mtn.
Haunted Mansion

Stuff left to be done on AK with parents:
Everything except PW and Dinosaur (will do EE and the Bug's show again)

---------------

Since we started planning we changed the itinerary a bit (as you can see on some of my replies). At the end of this post is the original itinerary just in case you're curious what changed.

December 2007
Tue 11th - Arrival, DTD and DisneyQuest
Wed 12th - MK and AK (EMH)
Thu 13th - Maybe MK (MMH) in the morning (if we haven't seen all we wanted on the 12th) and then some outlet shopping in the afternoon followed by DTD and Cirque du Soleil
Fri 14th - MGM and EPCOT (EMH)
Sat 15th - IoA (parents meeting us after their arrival during the afternoon)
Sun 16th - MGM (EMH)
Mon 17th - AK + MK (Wishes + Spectromagic)
Tue 18th - MK + MVMCP
Wed 19th - Busch Gardens
Thu 20th - Universal Studios + Blue Man Group
Fri 21st - EPCOT (EMH)
Sat 22nd - Sea World
Sun 23rd - EPCOT (till Le Cellier lunch) then head to Airport for our flight back home.

Stuff not with a fixed date yet:
Blue Man Group (not booked yet, but intended for the 20th)
MVMCP (not booked yet, but intended for the 18th)
La Nouba (not booked yet, but intended for the 13th)
Pleasure Island (with our Water Park and Fun options I believe we'll go after La Nouba on the 13th and after AK on the 12th and probably one more day on the second week)

---------------

Questions still left unanswered
- How many extra hours are the Evening Magic hours in December (specially at AK on the 12th and EPCOT on the 21st)? At what time will these parks close?

---------------

Old questions that I had bumped into while typing this:
- How/where can I book the MVMCP?

---------------

Well, this is it for now. I'm very excited about this trip and want to make it my best WDW trip ever!!!

Please post your comments, suggestions, tips, ...


___________________
Edit] Changed resorts and original days.
Here was the original calendar:
December 2007
Tue 11th - Arrival, DTD and DisneyQuest
Wed 12th - MK and AK (EMH)
Thu 13th - MGM and EPCOT
Fri 14th - Universal Studios and IoA
Sat 15th - IoA (parents meeting us after their arrival during the afternoon)
Sun 16th - AK then MK for MVMCP
Mon 17th - Busch Gardens
Tue 18th - MGM (till Fantasmic)
Wed 19th - MK (till Wishes)
Thu 20th - Universal Studios + BLue Man Group
Fri 21st - EPCOT (EMH) - (till Illuminations)
Sat 22nd - Sea World
Sun 23rd - Some park in the morning if we want to see stuff again, but we have to head to Airport right after lunch as we have to arrive there before 2pm.

Original name of this topic:
First Pre-Trip Report Ever for a Dec07 WDW Trip!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Great start to your pre-trip report. I am a teacher who works in a town that has a lot of Portuguese speaking people, both from Portugal and Brazil.

My DH and I will be going to WDW in December, as well! We'll be there from 12/18 through 1/1. You will actually be at the MK on the 19th, the same as us.

Your itinerary looks good so far. We stayed at POP last summer. You'll love it. Very Disney.

As for your two questions, here's where you can find out what you need to do:

- How/where can I book the MVMCP? http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/mvmcp.htm (This has all you need to know. Buy tickets soon. Many days have sold out already, from what I've read on other threads.)

- How many extra hours are the Evening Magic hours in December (specially at AK on the 12th and EPCOT on the 21st)? At what time will these parks close? http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours.htm (This has all you need to know.)

Feel free to read my TR. I love discussing Disney and trip planning!

 

[Creekermom]

WOW, you are an inspiration as I am leaving in 16 days and don't have a pre-trip report as I don't know where to start????????


I guess it is like my own personal blog ect... huh?

Your plans sound quite exciting!

 

[redoschi]

Thanks for the replies! Keep them coming!

njdisneyfreak, nice to know about the portuguese speaking people that you know! And you're gonna be on WDW for both Xmas and New Year's, that seems pretty magical, crowdy, but magical!
We thought of staying there for Xmas at least, but my parents wanted to be back home to stay with the rest of the family and my DGF and my DBiL also wanted to be with their families for Xmas eve.

Creekermom, GREAT to know about your upcoming trip! I'm trying to post all of my trip report days till next week, so I believe it can give you some ideas for your own trip, but feel free to ask anything here (or through PMs for me to help you with your planning (and I believe lots of other fans on these boards might be able to help you as well!)


I've been out for the weekend and now I'm gonna post some more days of planning (I've been thinking and may change one of the days of US/IoA for a Kennedy Space Center visit , but not sure, it would mean extra money as this third day at the USO is "free" as we're buying the 7 day ticket they sell online - but this is just a thought at this moment).

starting about the MVMCP, I'll talk to my family about already ordering it, we were just waiting for confirmation about a couple of things to complete our orders of tickets and stuff like that, but maybe this has to be done quicker!

I've looked at those hours of the parks but I thought it was strange that AK sayd all days that they open at 9am and close at 6pm even when there is a Magic Hours event (morning or evening). As far as I remember from my last trip and from reading about magic hours, the morning magic hours mean 1 hour before the regular opening of the park, but the evening magic hours can mean from 1 to 3 hours after the park is closed for regular guests. My doubt was how many hours it means for AK and Epcot in December.

And about POP: I think it will be a great stay there! Last time we stayed at All star movies (101 Dalmatians area) and it was incredible!

Well, back to the trip report.
---------------

December 13th
MGM Studios
Arrive early to see park opening
Head first to Tower of Terror (grab fastpass to Rock n' Roller Coaster on the way there)
Back to Rock n' Roller Coaster and ride for regular line (if it has just a little waiting time) then use FASTPASS.
Go to Star Tours, grab FASTPASS.
Go to Great Movie Ride and the Backlot tour (Star tours in the middle of those depending on FASTPASS time)
Grab lunch at the Pizza Planet and then head for EPCOT.

EPCOT
Arrive at EPCOT and go straight into Spaceship Earth.
Head for The Land, see if there are still FASTPASS available for Soarin' and how long is the line.
Depending on the situation go to Test Track, or if no FASTPASS was acquired, get by Mission Space for a FASTPASS, then to Test Track.
From there go to Universe of Energy and then to Honey, I shrunk the Audience and into World Showcase.
Take a stroll around the lagoon seeing each pavillion, maybe taking a look at Canada's and China's movies and the American Adventure.
During this time, grab dinner at some restaurant of the World Showcase (I was thinking Nine Dragons as I like Chinese food and culture, but my Sis was thinking Biergarten).
Note: We're thinking either the reopened Teppanyaki restaurant or Le Cellier for our dinner when we get back to EPCOT with my parents.


Status from the day:
Stuff left on MGM to be done with parents:
Indiana Jones
MuppetVision3D
Lights, Motors, Action
Fantasmic!
Journey into Narnia
Disney Animation
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Stuff left on MGM to be done again with parents:
Tower of Terror
Rock n' Roller Coaster
Great Movie Ride
Star Tours

Stuff left to be done on EPCOT with parents:
Maelstrom
Gran Fiesta with the Three Caballeros
Journey into Imagination
The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Stuff left on EPCOT to be done again with parents:
Soarin' (if we managed to go, if not this would be on the list above as we ARE gonna do it with my parents)
Mission SPACE
Test Track

---------------

I'm skipping the Universal days as I'm not sure if I'll cut one of these days out for KSC and this would surely change the itinerary of those parks a bit.

---------------

December 16th
Animal Kingdom
Arrive early to see park opening
Head first to Expedition Everest (if lots of people outran us, then grab fastpass and go to Kali River Rapids first then do EE, if EE is "free" when we get there, then to Kali after it)
Get FASTPASS for Kilimanjaro Safaris and plan the rest accordingly with the time of the pass. There are still these attractions to be done:
Pangani Trails
It's Tough to be a bug
Finding Nemo Musical
Festival of the Lion King

After all of these are done (and if there isn't extra time for some more attractions to be done again if wanted), head for MK for the MVMCP.

MVMCP @ WDW's Magic Kingdom
Arrive at MK, stroll across the Main Street and left to Adventureland for Pirates, Jungle Cruise then to holiday Country Bear Jamboree and Haunted Mansion.
Then grab dinner, cookies and hot cocoa and see the parade and Wishes. Of course, the official list of special attractions like live shows and things like that hasn't been released for the 2007 MVMCP, so that might change things a bit in case there are loads of cool stuff to see in the party. (I remember a great show from when I went to the MVMCP back in 89 and 94)

Status from the day:

Animal Kingdom completed

Magic Kingdom with parents: Attractions left to be done after MVMCP
Splash Mtn.
Big Thunder Mtn.
Phillarmagic
Monster's Inc. Comedy Laugh Floor
Stitch's Great Escape
Buzz Lightyear
Space Mtn.
any leftover attractions from the first day and things we wanna do again (probably Haunted Mansion again!)

---------------

New stuff that I don't know answers to!
I know that the Wonders of Life Pavillion is closed, but opens seasonally. I've heard it opened last holiday season (not sure of this though). Does anyone know if it might open in the second half of December this year?

 

[jordanyosh]

Hey....

I don't think you'll be seeing anything in the WOL pavilion. They have taken down the sign and it looks like they are turning it into a special events pavilion according to some other WDW fan sites. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

[redoschi]

Too bad for the WOL pavillion! I loved Body Wars and Cranium Command.

Well, I was out for the past few days as last Friday (Sept 7th) was our Independence Day here in Brazil so I was didn't stay in front of the PC on the holiday.

---------------

December 17th
Busch Gardens
Arrive early to see park opening after a long drive (after my parents have arrive we'll have a car as they have reserved one for the days they'll be with us).
Check the times for Pirates 4D and Katonga (the african musical show).
Head first to Sheikra on the left side of the park, then still in the morning do both big water rides: Tidal Wave and Congo River Rapids.
Then ride KUMBA and head to Timbuktu area. Depending on the time, have lunch now or after Rhino Rally and/or Pirates 4D.
After those attractions, head back for Skyride and down to Egypt (unless there is a Katonga show at that moment). If Montu doesn't have a long line, do that before going into Edge of Africa and taking the train around Serengeti Plain.
After this go to Katonga if not seen yet and Myombe Reserve to see the Gorillas.
While at Myombe Reserve and while seen the Birds nearby, DSis and DBiL will go to Gwazi (all the rest aren't fans of Wooden Roller Coasters).
After this, ride Sheikra again if wanted and if there is still time.

Status from the day:

Busch Gardens completed (or it will have to be as this is the only day we're coming here!)

---------------

Later tonight or tomorrow I'll post some more disney days as we head back to MGM studios, Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Then a Sea World day and I'm still taking time to post the Universal days.

Keep the replies coming!

 

[redoschi]

I'm back again for another day of the trip report.

---------------

December 18th
MGM Studios
Arrive early to see park opening.
Head to the right for Tower of Terror like last time stopping at RnR for FASTPass.
Do those 2 rides then head back for Great Movie Ride.
Watch Indiana Jones after grabbing FASTPass for ST.
After ST, see Muppets and head for Lights Motors Action!
Then return for Narnia, Walt Disney and Disney Animation.
See Voyage of the Little Mermaid and depending on the time and queue take a ride on either ToT or RnR again before Fantasmic!
Please read my question at the end of this post about the Fantasmic Dinner Package

Maybe after this we'll head back for DTD for some shopping and walking around and probably sundae at Ghirardelli.

Status from the day:

MGM Studios completed with Fantasmic!

---------------

New stuff that I'd like to get some opinions for
I was thinking of doing the Fantasmic Dinner package, but I don't want to spend too much. (so surely not the most expensive package, maybe the cheaper or the medium one). I'd like to know about some of your experiences with it and if it's worth it!

 

[redoschi]

Last few days brought lots of changes to this trip!

1st - We may not stay at POP. but on one of the All Stars again (due to some special rates for AS or something like it, my DSis and DM are dealing with the travel agent.

2nd - Due to MVMCP having discounts for Dec 18th if bought in advance, we're changing our itinerary to do AK + MK (Wishes and Spectromagic) on the 17th and then MK the whole day and MVMCP on the 18th (to avoid having to drive or take buses to get to MVMCP as I believe the roads and transports from AK to MK would be crowded.

3rd - I believe I have convinced my DSis to drop the third day at Universal (saving us one day of having to get multiple buses to get there) and we're thinking of either going to a WDW park in the morning and then to an outlet and DTD for some shopping in the afternoon or to Kennedy Space Center. Either way, we'll probably go to La Nouba on this day also.

4th - Our decisions lean to go to EPCOT on the last day for some more attractions like Soarin, Test Track and Mission SPACE again and then lunch at Le Cellier before going to the airport and returning sad1 to Brazil for Xmas.


here is the current itinerary:

December 2007
Tue 11th - Arrival, DTD and DisneyQuest
Wed 12th - MK and AK (EMH)
Thu 13th - Kennedy Space Center or Outlet Shopping day + La Nouba
Fri 14th - MGM and EPCOT (EMH)
Sat 15th - IoA (parents meeting us after their arrival during the afternoon)
Sun 16th - MGM (EMH)
Mon 17th - AK + MK (for Wishes and Spectromagic)
Tue 18th - MK + MVMCP
Wed 19th - Busch Gardens
Thu 20th - Universal Studios + Blue Man Group
Fri 21st - EPCOT (EMH)
Sat 22nd - Sea World
Sun 23rd - EPCOT up to early lunch at Le Cellier and then back to Airport as we have to arrive there before 2pm for check-in.

 

[redoschi]

ok, reservation confirmed at All Stars Sports!

now that we decided on just 2 days at USO I can post those days!

---------------

December 15th
Wake up REALLY early, grab bus from *** to DTD and then a Lynx bus to Sea World. Then grab an I-trolley or a taxi cab from there to USO. Getting there head directly to:

Islands of Adventure
I hope we get here still before the park opens or shortly after that.
Head first for Amazing Spiderman, or if that is crowded, do Incredible Hulk Coaster. After this first attraction head for the other and also do Dr Doom's Fear Fall.
Next get to Toon Lagoon and maybe do Popeye's and/or Dudley Do-right's.
After this go to Jurassic Park for both the main adventure and the visitor's center.
Head for Lost Continent. Depending on the time, do Dueling Dragons (both) and then lunch.
After that go to Poseidon's Fury and Sinbad.
Then complete the park with The Cat in the Hat on Dr Seuss's Island.
By this time my parents should be arriving and we can meet them to do Spidey, Hulk and Dragons again (if there is time for all these).

After we leave here (my parents will have the rented car already), we will probably get closer to Disney for dinner (Rainforest Cafe or Planet Hollywood at DTD probably, maybe Jiko's at AKL, but I believe we'll do that on another day)

---------------

December 20th
Islands of Adventure
We drive to USO to be there for park opening.
Go first to IoA and do with parents the 3 water rides (Popeye, Dudley and JP) early in the morning and then go to Universal.

Universal Studios
Start with Shrek 3D and head for Revenge of the Mummy.
After Mummy, do Twister, then go clockwise for Earthquake, JAWS and MiB.
After this, we'll probably mourn the lack of my favorite attraction on US: Back to the Future.
Then go to Fievel's playground (my sister wants to go there again!)
From there do ET and Terminator.
After all these check the time. If there is just little time left, do Jimmy Neutron if wanted and/or go to mummy again or something like that. If there is some more time, maybe in addition to those two, grab a Beetlejuice Horror show.

After leaving US, we should grab dinner at the NBA City and then head for Blue Man Group.

---------------

Status
With these 2 days we do the whole USO complex including BMG.

 

[redoschi]

Less than 9 weeks for our trip!!!

 

[redoschi]

Managed to get some ADRs made yesterday and thought about the rest of our dining itinerary!

All breakfasts will be done either at All Star Sports Food Court or our room (maybe a late breakfast after the opening of one of the parks, but no ADRs for breakfast)


11th(Arrival - DTD)
Dinner - Wolfgang's Puck Express or Earl of Sandwich

12th (MK/AK)
Lunch - Casey's Corner
Dinner - Flame Tree Barbecue

13th (MGM/EPCOT)
Lunch - Pizza Planet or Mexico CS
Dinner - Teppan Edo (ADR)

14th (Outlet Shopping / DTD)
Lunch - something at the outlets
Dinner - Planet Hollywood

15th (IoA)
Lunch - Some CS at IoA
Dinner - Jiko's (ADR)

16th (MGM)
Lunch - Sci-Fi Dine In (ADR)
Dinner - CS after or before Fantasmic

17th (AK/MK)
Lunch - Yak & Yeti (if manage to get ADR when they release them)
Dinner - Some CS at MK, Casey's Corner probably

18th (MK/MVMCP)
Lunch - Cosmic Rays
Dinner - Another CS at MK, Casey's Corner if not done on the 17th

19th (BG)
Lunch - Some CS at BG
Dinner - Restaurant on the way back from Tampa (possibly something like a Red Lobster)

20th (US)
Lunch - Some CS at US
Dinner - NBA at Citywalk

21st (EPCOT)
Lunch - The Land CS (is this still open? I remember some nice stuff here)
Dinner - Marrakesh (ADR)

22nd (SW/DTD)
Lunch - Some CS at SW
Dinner - Rainforest Cafe (DTD)

23rd (EPCOT - Departure)
Lunch - Coral Reef (ADR)


What do you think of this plan?

I wanted to get Coral Reef for 2 on the 13th or 14th for dinner and Le Cellier or Teppan Edo for 6 at 11:30 for lunch on the 23rd, but couldn't get either. Will call some more times, as we would love to be able to go to Cellier, but I think this is a nice plan already!

 

[redoschi]

the day finally arrived and my DGF had her interview and was accepted for the US Visa!!! (she was never in the US so she didn't have one yet)

so now we're all set to go, just some more planning and then packing!


I just bought our MVMCP tickets for 12/18 and the plane tickets, hotel reservations and MYW tickets had already been confirmed. Only tickets left to buy online are La Nouba and the Blue Man Group.

 

[redoschi]

Finally! 1 month till our trip!

Yesterday I managed to book my Blue Man Group tickets, bought the 2 Park Unlimited Admission for Universal Studios and now the only things left to book are Yak/Yeti (if they open, of course), La Nouba (waiting for a couple things, but almost booked) and to buy the Sea World, Busch Gardens and ICE! (at Gaylord Palms) tickets.

Also need to book the Disney's Magical Express, but my Travel Agent hasn't given me a reservation number from WDW!

Do you know if I can reserve DME on the phone or online without this number? just with our names?

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Managed to get some ADRs made yesterday and thought about the rest of our dining itinerary!

All breakfasts will be done either at All Star Sports Food Court or our room (maybe a late breakfast after the opening of one of the parks, but no ADRs for breakfast)


11th(Arrival - DTD)
Dinner - Wolfgang's Puck Express or Earl of Sandwich

12th (MK/AK)
Lunch - Casey's Corner
Dinner - Flame Tree Barbecue

13th (MGM/EPCOT)
Lunch - Pizza Planet or Mexico CS
Dinner - Teppan Edo (ADR)

14th (Outlet Shopping / DTD)
Lunch - something at the outlets
Dinner - Planet Hollywood

15th (IoA)
Lunch - Some CS at IoA
Dinner - Jiko's (ADR)

16th (MGM)
Lunch - Sci-Fi Dine In (ADR)
Dinner - CS after or before Fantasmic

17th (AK/MK)
Lunch - Yak & Yeti (if manage to get ADR when they release them)
Dinner - Some CS at MK, Casey's Corner probably

18th (MK/MVMCP)
Lunch - Cosmic Rays
Dinner - Another CS at MK, Casey's Corner if not done on the 17th

19th (BG)
Lunch - Some CS at BG
Dinner - Restaurant on the way back from Tampa (possibly something like a Red Lobster)

20th (US)
Lunch - Some CS at US
Dinner - NBA at Citywalk

21st (EPCOT)
Lunch - The Land CS (is this still open? I remember some nice stuff here)
Dinner - Marrakesh (ADR)

22nd (SW/DTD)
Lunch - Some CS at SW
Dinner - Rainforest Cafe (DTD)

23rd (EPCOT - Departure)
Lunch - Coral Reef (ADR)


What do you think of this plan?

I wanted to get Coral Reef for 2 on the 13th or 14th for dinner and Le Cellier or Teppan Edo for 6 at 11:30 for lunch on the 23rd, but couldn't get either. Will call some more times, as we would love to be able to go to Cellier, but I think this is a nice plan already!

You have some great choices of places to eat. I have eaten at almost every one of the places where you plan to eat. They are all great choices. The only ones I haven't been to are Wolfgang's Puck Express, Earl of Sandwich, Jiko's, Le Cellier and the Yak & Yeti (whichi hasn't opened yet). With the exception of Jiko's, however, we plan to try all of these places for either lunch or dinner.

If you still can't get reservations for Coral Reef or Le Cellier, keep calling once you are at Disney and you can also try walking up to the restaurants when you are in Epcot and asking if anything is available. That sometimes works.

Finally! 1 month till our trip!

Yesterday I managed to book my Blue Man Group tickets, bought the 2 Park Unlimited Admission for Universal Studios and now the only things left to book are Yak/Yeti (if they open, of course), La Nouba (waiting for a couple things, but almost booked) and to buy the Sea World, Busch Gardens and ICE! (at Gaylord Palms) tickets.

Also need to book the Disney's Magical Express, but my Travel Agent hasn't given me a reservation number from WDW!

Do you know if I can reserve DME on the phone or online without this number? just with our names?

That's exciting that you have only one month left! We have exactly six weeks from today left. We also make our Disney plans through Disney, and when we first booked we arranged for the Magical Express. I would try getting your necessary information from your Travel Agent again, so you can get this set up. You can also call Disney and see if they can arrange this for you, without the reservation number. It couldn't hurt to try. I wish you well with that.

 

[redoschi]

If you still can't get reservations for Coral Reef or Le Cellier, keep calling once you are at Disney and you can also try walking up to the restaurants when you are in Epcot and asking if anything is available. That sometimes works.



That's exciting that you have only one month left! We have exactly six weeks from today left. We also make our Disney plans through Disney, and when we first booked we arranged for the Magical Express. I would try getting your necessary information from your Travel Agent again, so you can get this set up. You can also call Disney and see if they can arrange this for you, without the reservation number. It couldn't hurt to try. I wish you well with that.

Nice to know we chose some nice places to eat! I'm still trying to get the other ADRs. Too bad that I can't call everyday as it would be expensive! (We're in Brazil so each call for reservations is an international call! )

I'll call them later today about the DME if my Agent hasn't given me the data till this afternoon.

 

[redoschi]

10 days only to go!

this weekend I was thinking on the clothing and packing and when I entered weather.com I noticed that it's pretty hot in Orlando right now for this season. It's in high 70's F (about 25-27oC). I was thinking it would be just 50's and 60's in mid december. Do you know if there is any weather changes predicted for mid december in Orlando?

I hoped to catch some cooler weather and hopefully no rain!

 

[chbc]

Hi there! Saw you on the who's going in December and read most of your report. You have many great dining choices. I wish I could have helped to call those in for you. In the future enlist some help and send PM to some of us and we could call them in. I have never done a trip report before, but have planned and organized and planned.
I have some special things to do to bring some magic into your DGF trip. Our family watches wishes from the rose garden.
I gave our daughter a tinkerbell doll after tinkerbell flew over. You could present your special girl a tink pin, necklace, or doll. As tinkerbell emerges, watch her eyes and then present her with whatever you chose. Look into each others eyes, smile and Wishes will begin.
Place a special something on her pillow
Buy the light up cocoa mug at osborne lights at MGM- I hope they still have them. My husband brought me cocoa in it last night and turned out the lights. I can hardly wait for our Christmas trip. We will be at all star sports for a couple of the days you are there. I'll send a few more special ideas later. PM if I can help with any reservations.

 

[redoschi]

Hi there! Saw you on the who's going in December and read most of your report. You have many great dining choices. I wish I could have helped to call those in for you. In the future enlist some help and send PM to some of us and we could call them in. I have never done a trip report before, but have planned and organized and planned.
I have some special things to do to bring some magic into your DGF trip. Our family watches wishes from the rose garden.
I gave our daughter a tinkerbell doll after tinkerbell flew over. You could present your special girl a tink pin, necklace, or doll. As tinkerbell emerges, watch her eyes and then present her with whatever you chose. Look into each others eyes, smile and Wishes will begin.
Place a special something on her pillow
Buy the light up cocoa mug at osborne lights at MGM- I hope they still have them. My husband brought me cocoa in it last night and turned out the lights. I can hardly wait for our Christmas trip. We will be at all star sports for a couple of the days you are there. I'll send a few more special ideas later. PM if I can help with any reservations.

wow, thanks very much for the tips!

I'm boarding my plane on thursday, then I'll be in new york for some days and will fly to WDW on tuesday at about noon.

I hope I can sneak for a sec and buy a tinkerbell necklace, pendant or pin for her for Wishes, it was a great tip!!!

I hoped I could have posted more stuff, but with work, college and trip planning, I had very little time to post stuff here!


Well, I guess this is my last post before the trip (maybe I'll post one more tomorrow if I see some replies or discover something new). If I manage to go online sometime I'll probably log in here to check for replies quickly and maybe give a little update on how everything is going, but I'm not sure if I'll get online at all for the next couple weeks.


I hope this trip will be as magical as I think it will be!


Thanks everyone for the replies and soon I'm back with a huge TR with pictures and lots of stories probably!

 

[redoschi]

11 hours for our flight to leave!!!