Trip Report: * Christmas with Mickey 2010 * "The Surreal Trip!" w/lots of pictures!

[disneychic]

Hi! Glad I found your PTR! We are in the process of planning our trip to WDW for next Christmas (counting down the days to book our DVC room at our home resort 11 months out for next Christmas). It will be my mom,step dad, my DH and myself, my brother and his fiance. Can't wait! Even though we have 2 more WDW trips planned and a DCL before next Christmas, I'm just SUPER excited for our Xmas trip because this is something we've always dreamed of doing. Anyway, can't wait to read more of your PTR and your TR!!!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Just popping in to say hi!! I can't wait to see you guys again it seems like forever since our ABD trip!

Chris isn't coming on the cruise. After the cruise I have to go home and back to work but we will be coming back to Orlando on Dec 23 for 10 nights over Christmas!!

Perhaps we can find time to meet before you guys leave, I know Chris would love to see you again as well!

Hi Tracey! (with an "e" ) (Did you ever get your Disney sketch fixed?)

Can you believe how quickly the cruise is approaching?!?!?! I am glad you decided to come along on the cruise. It is going to be a blast! Chris will be missed.

Yes, we'd love to get together while Chris is in town. I will get with you when we meet up on the cruise to see what fits with your schedule.

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Hi! Glad I found your PTR! We are in the process of planning our trip to WDW for next Christmas

Welcome!

I am VERY excited for you on your upcoming WDW Christmas trip for next year. I hope this thread helps you in some way to plan your magical Christmas trip or learn from some of my mistakes ...

I will be honest, normally I am very confident in our plans since we've been to WDW so often even during busy times (week of Thanksgiving (5xs), Spring Break, Summer, Mother's Day, Father's Day (Well, Father's Day wasn't that busy. Poor Dads! ) We have never been for Christmas Day or the days around Christmas. This is a whole new planning experience for me. I have made ADRs, canceled ADRs, made Candlelight Processional Packages and changed dates and restaurants. To me, planning is usually half the fun of our Disney trips. I feel like I've won the lottery if I get a coveted Le Cellier or Tusker House breakfast ADR. At some point in planning this trip, I said enough changing plans and we have what we have. We'll be at Walt Disney World for Christmas, that in itself is enough if nothing else falls into place. So, with this newfound outlook on the trip, I am more relaxed and am having fun shopping for our trip. I am now looking forward to the trip and not dreading the holiday crowds.

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Hi Jennifer!

I've done the Liberty Tree Tavern Lunch and the Kona Breakfast.

The Liberty Tree Tavern lunch is awesome. I like the Pilgrim's Feast, it's essentially Thanksgiving on a plate. Turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans and gravy...I think it is terrific, and something you don't see in a lot of restaurants at WDW. The pot roast is another very good choice. Great colonial atmosphere, very calming break from touring the MK.

Kona breakfast is very nice as well, I always have trouble deciding between the Tonga Toast and the Macadamia Nut Pineapple pancakes. Both are outstanding!

Have a great time!!!!

Jason

Hi Jason!

Thank you for the information on Kona Cafe and Liberty Tree Tavern. These are both new restaurants to us. I've heard nothing but rave reviews on KC for breakfast. I think we are getting the Tonga Toast. We are the type of people that browse a WDW restaurant menu online before even making an ADR. I think I already know what I am getting at every restaurant during our trip. Initially, we had a LTT dinner ADR. But, I changed it to lunch. I read too many negative reviews on dinner. I can't wait to try lunch at LTT.

Jennifer

FYI - I take lots and lots of picture on our trips. So, expect lots and lots of pictures including food photos in my upcoming trip report. I am a visual person. I like to include pictures to complete the "story".

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Disney Mail!

You know your trip is coming up soon when you get things like these in the mail ...

We got our cruise documents last night. We got my Mom's Magical Express documents a few weeks ago.

We ordered the PCC 2.0 t-shirts on cafepress. Here's what they look like ...

I ordered pink for the girls in our group and white for the boys.

I love Disney mail!

Jennifer

 

[Nemo32]

Loving your PTR so far! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[GoofTroop]

Just found your pre-trip report and all caught up.....Like another poster, my family of six (DH, me, DS17, DD13, DS10, and DS5) are planning Christmas at Disney for 2011.

Ironically, our first trip was also in 2004.

Oh, and we're also planning a cruise during that same trip next year.

Elizabeth

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Just found your pre-trip report and all caught up.....Like another poster, my family of six (DH, me, DS17, DD13, DS10, and DS5) are planning Christmas at Disney for 2011.

Ironically, our first trip was also in 2004.

Oh, and we're also planning a cruise during that same trip next year.

Elizabeth

Glad to have you reading along!

Who knows ... if this Christmas trip goes well, we might be with y'all there next year too!

We were on a Disney Cruise in December a few years ago. However, that one went to the Eastern Caribbean. The latest we have done a Bahamas cruise is November. So, I am curious how warm the waters will be in the Bahamas. Will we be swimming or dipping our feet in the water?

Our first WDW trip back in 2004 was a very last minute planned trip to WDW. I made ONE dining reservation and that one was made on-site! Oh how we've come a long way on planning our WDW trips.

Without the DIS, I never would have known about ... Rider Switch, ADRs, make breakfast ADRs before the park's official opening time, extended hours at Future World attractions on normal park days, how to get 999,999 on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, etc ...

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Loving your PTR so far! Can't wait to hear more!

Welcome!

I can't wait to go on this trip! As previously posted, I normally don't do a Pre-Trip Report. I like to come back and report on our experiences. However, I was giddy when I looked at our itinerary. So, I wanted to share with others. I still can't believe all the amazing things we have planned. It is still all surreal to me. On paper, it looks to be an amazing trip. We'll see how closely we stick to the itinerary. We have been know to go off the itinerary if Bill needs to sleep in (it is his vacation too afterall) or if a park is getting to crowded, we will have our trusty Annual Passes to hop on over to a little less crowded park.

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

25 Days Until ...

We're rolling down the interstate in the family truckster on our way to Wally World!

Jennifer

 

[bigmoonmullen]

Disney Mail!

You know your trip is coming up soon when you get things like these in the mail ...

We got our cruise documents last night. We got my Mom's Magical Express documents a few weeks ago.

We ordered the PCC 2.0 t-shirts on cafepress. Here's what they look like ...

I ordered pink for the girls in our group and white for the boys.

I love Disney mail!

Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,

You Gota love seeing those documents...

Got ours and the shirts too!!!

Tell Bill I said Hi.


Mark

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Jodi Benson Concert
One of the highlights of the cruise for me is our DIS group "exclusive" concert with Jodi Benson. For those that don't know, Jodi Benson is the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid. I can't wait to hear her sing in person! Also, she is the voice of Barbie in Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3. After the concert, we will have an autograph session with her. I bought a Toy Story 3 Barbie in the blue work-out outfit for her to sign the box. I am also bringing the DVD sleeve of The Little Mermaid for her to sign.

Jennifer

 

[Hedy]

Jodi Benson Concert
One of the highlights of the cruise for me is our DIS group "exclusive" concert with Jodi Benson. For those that don't know, Jodi Benson is the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid. I can't wait to hear her sing in person! Also, she is the voice of Barbie in Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3. After the concert, we will have an autograph session with her. I bought a Toy Story 3 Barbie in the blue work-out outfit for her to sign the box. I am also bringing the DVD sleeve of The Little Mermaid for her to sign.

Jennifer

I have yet to decide what I am having Jodi Benson sign. Pleased to meet you Taylors!

 

[Nemo32]

I love looking at our trip on paper! It looks like its awesome and certainly makes waiting difficult.

DBF and I are seeing Jodi Benson at CP on Dec. 8th!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I love looking at our trip on paper! It looks like its awesome and certainly makes waiting difficult.

DBF and I are seeing Jodi Benson at CP on Dec. 8th!

I will be the first to admit, I am NOT a very patient person. But, I do enjoy the anticipation of our Walt Disney World trips. Since we've already been there, I know what awaits us. So, I can't wait to get back! I can't wait to hear these sweet words ...

WELCOME HOME!

I am very excited for you!!!!! You get to see Jodi Benson before we kidnap her for our cruise. Have you seen the Candlelight Processional before? This is our first time actually sitting down. We watched it from afar just passing by a few years ago. The kids were not cooperating. With age, they have gotten a lot better. Since my Mom will be with us this trip, we thought it was the appropriate year to do the Candlelight Processional. We'll see ...

One thing I will tell people that don't have kids yet ...

GO TO WALT DISNEY WORLD BEFORE YOU HAVE KIDS!!!!!

If I knew back then what I know now, Bill and I would have visited WDW before we had kids. It just never occured to us that adults could have fun there too because all they advertise is families visiting with the kids riding Dumbo. They need to do some marketing for all types of guests. JMO. If they had, we definitely wouldn't have waited until 2004 for our first visit. Don't get me wrong, we love experiencing WDW with the kids. I think booking a sitter at least once during our WDW trips has me spoiled. It gets me thinking of more than one meal at WDW where I get to eat my food hot or when I get to actually enjoy riding attractions with Bill. Even though we have been married almost 14 years love: Our Anniversary is next week!!!! ), I still feel like we are in the honeymoon phase. I like spending time with Bill. Once we close our room door with the kids inside with the sitter, we are set loose just the two of us at WDW. It is like we have reverted back to being newlyweds. I can actually hold Bill's hand and get to leisurely walk through World Showcase (This is my favorite thing to do with Bill at WDW without the kids! Being in Italy one moment and Germany the next is a very romantic way to spend a "childless" evening and you don't get jet lag. )

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

24 Days Until ...

We get to test out the new DVD player in the Sequoia!

Bill had a DVD player installed in his new SUV on Saturday.

Jennifer

 

[Nemo32]

We have never been during the Holidays before, so it will be our first CP experience. Originally we were going to sit outside the theater, but I wanted to get the whole experience, so we booked the dinner package.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Hi Jennifer,

You Gota love seeing those documents...

Got ours and the shirts too!!!

Tell Bill I said Hi.


Mark

We seem to get mail later than most people because our mail travels to a bigger town near us and then to our local mail carriers. So, I was surprised we got our cruise documents before others on our trip. We haven't cruised since they have the new booklets. I like this newer format much better than the older version. We already registered online and printed the forms needed for check-in at port. My trip folder is getting fatter and fatter. I will need to transfer everything to an accordian folder soon.

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

We have never been during the Holidays before, so it will be our first CP experience. Originally we were going to sit outside the theater, but I wanted to get the whole experience, so we booked the dinner package.

OMG! You are going to have such a magical trip! WDW decked out for the holidays is Disney magic at it's best.

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I have yet to decide what I am having Jodi Benson sign. Pleased to meet you Taylors!

Pleased to meet you too! If you see me around the ship, don't hesitate to say "Hi!"

I was ordering Christmas presents online the other day and saw the Toy Story 3 Barbie in her blue work-out outfit, I just had to get it! Now, I have to figure out what type of pen I want Jodi to use to sign it. I started Emily (DD8) a Barbie collection on her first Christmas. So, she already knows every Christmas she will get the holiday Barbie. I also have collected "for her" the Nationality Barbies and special edition Barbies like Election Barbie and Emily's birth year Barbie. This Toy Story 3 Barbie signed by Jodi Benson will be a great addition to her collection.

There are five people in our family. But, I honestly don't want to hold up the line having Jodi sign five items for us. I've read on the cruise threads where some people have a "pile" of things they want her to sign. To me, that honestly doesn't seem right. So, I will probably let Emily have Jodi sign her Barbie and I'll get The Little Mermaid cover signed. Bill and the boys probably won't want to wait in line. They can meet us by the pool. That sounds so nice right now! Since we will be in port, the pool area should be fairly empty!

Jennifer