WDW Commando Club

[Disney Commando]

I'm going to start posting our day to day agenda, unless a attraction has a hard time I don't list a time we will be doing it (example I'm not going to say we will be on It's A Small World @ 11:49am) instead I like to keep it real, I am very aware of my surrounding, so if a Magic Moment pops up, we usally catch it


Now the 1st day in the AM is pretty much out of my hands, we are arriving via The Autotrain, if no delays occur the arrivial time in Stanford (39miles from WDW) is 8:30am with a est. time of getting the van off and on your way by 9:30, would be at Resort by 10:15am.

Now for the other thing out of my hands, Will the room be ready that early, Last year we arrived at the Resort at 10:20, we did the online pre-check-in, much to my surprise room was ready, but will it happen this time, One or both of these factors could be a big delay in 1st part of plans

At check in the 1st thing I'm looking for is the pamplet for Resort Holiday Guide, so we can figure out what each Resort has to offer for the Christmas Season
This is what I'm praying for

If everything goes well we will be at All Star Movies no later than 10:30am, Hopeing room is ready

11 am- Lunch at All Star Movie Cafe (don't want to waste time)

Want to be at Epcot by 12 noon, 3 & 1/2 hours,

My DS picked out the 1st thing he wants to do, it is the Test Track, I got a plan for this to move it along, got to PM Dave

Now since Christmas Activities Trump EVERYTHING at least according to DW (the Boss)

I'm going for:

1:25 Japan for storyteller O'Shogatsu
2:00 Italy for storyteller La Befana
3:00 Morocco for storyteller Taarji
3:30 France for storyteller Pere Noel
Also hopeing to meet up with a few of my fellow Dis Dads
Of course anything we can do in between will be maxed

After last storyteller we will be leaving for Boatwright Dining Hall at POR for 5pm ADR, I think I'll have the Slow Roasted Prime Rib MW Thank You!

We will check out all the Christmas Deco at POR before leaving

HS after dinner should arrive around 7pm with a EMH till 11pm that gives us 4 hrs, No matter how awesome Hollywood Blvd looks, we will skip it until we leave , Top Priority is Osbourne Lights , DS wants to do TSM , I will not wait more than 30 mins , so we could be skipping it until later in the week for AM EMH, Goal is to blow through as much as we can ,so we can shave off some time to get back to Epcot to get more done I'm thinking if we can get everything exept TOT, RNRRR, TSM and Jedi Training done, on the AM EMH we can probably gain 3-4hrs for Epcot When leaving we will enjoy Hollywood Blvd to the fullest (no rush leaving)

I want to Thank all the Commandos out there for your input, tips and info have helped out more than you know, Some of the time might seem wasted, but I'm also meeting up with at least 15 different families,(Dis Dads & Commandos) so believe me when I tell you any extra time is justified

Any input is appreciated, More to come

 

[Disney Commando]

Day 2

8am EMH at AK
Enter AK through Rainforest Cafe entrance, after rope drop. hit Killmanjoro Safari then Maharajah Trail & Pangani Exploration trail.

QS lunch will be Flame Tree BBQ, I'll have the ribs
Must Do's for the day are,

- Finding Nemo
- Lion King
- Rafikki's Plant Watch
- Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade
- Flight's Of Wonder

We will be at Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade where it starts near Killmanjoro Safari so we can maximize and take advantage of time. At 4pm we will be heading to Whispering Canyon for a 5pm ADR, Not sure on the Ribs or Steak yet Will be checking out all the Christmas Deco

7pm - MK EMH till 1am
This is the greatest number of Dis Dads ever at a park at one time, the major meet, some are also Commando's so it is a Duel meet We have some events planned and hopefully knock out alot of extras, since I have a day and a half set aside for MK once again I hope I can shave a few hours off for Epcot, otherwise I'm not going to get it all done, I know we will be at the parade, fireworks, group photos, plus rides and other avents, we will be looking for the Castles kiss good nite, and taking advantage of Main Streets Christmas Decos as we are leaving

 

[Disney Commando]

Day 3


ADR- 9am Cape May Cafe, will hit all the Christmas Decos there

10:30 - Seaworld

Can get through quickly been there many times, Must do is the Polar Bear Exibit since it seems like everytime we go it is closed

Leaving at 3pm going to DTD to T-Rex cafe hope we can get in around 3:30

After Dinner back to Resort to drop off van , off to HS for Fantasmic at 7pm
after Fantasmic off to Epcot for Illumunitions, then off to the Boardwalk, will check out all Christmas Decos at Resorts along the way

 

[zianha]

I'm super jealous about your upcoming trip! I wanted to do a short 3-4 day trip in Dec while my kids are out of school but I decided instead to add days to my end of May 2011 trip.

You're cut list made me all panicky!!
I'm learning from all you experienced Commandos so that I can crunch everything that both my DSs have not ever done into our trip. (I've been 14 or more times....lost count a few years ago but my kids have only been 5 times or less for my youngest DS.)

I've read alot about other people using TourinPlans.com or Tour Guide Mike. Can everyone give me their opinions on using these? I'm still over 6 months out til my trip but I'm getting preliminary plans in place and will post in a couple weeks to get all of your opinions!

 

[jmm476]

Your plans so far seem great! I'm really jealous that you'll get to see all the Christmas decorations. I hope you take lots of pictures and post them in a thread when you get back!

 

[Disney Commando]

Day 4

Just incase anyone is wondering DS is 5, we will be bringing a stroller with us, he has no problem bombing out when he needs a nap, but on the otherhand he's not much of a sleeper (just like Dad) he's full of energy, even I don't know how he manages to do it

9am Rope Drop Epcot

Will be hugging a tight left, ready for, you guessed it Test Track + FP, DS favorite ride would catch hell if we don't get on it.

Universe of Energy is next, DS loves Dinos

Hit the Meet and Greet, we will be skiping the main part since we have done it so many times and will be entering through the exit to see if any extra Characters are there

I don't have any hard times on when Duffy has his meet & greet, but hope we can get it done before doing the WS.

11:30 Canada A Chritmas Journey, Now this one might be moved to Day 6 depending on Duffy

12:45 Chinia- Storyteller Monkey King

Not sure where we will be doing QS lunch yet

1:30 US Santa & Mrs Clause this is a must, on DW most important list
2:35 Mexico - 3 Magigical Kings

Go do the AAA photo shoot, Leave for AK


Looking to be at AK by 4-4:30 for EMH, Don't have any to do's to list all depends on what we got done on previous trip there

7:30 - Leave AK for OKW for 8:30 ADR for Olivia's, I think I'll have the Grilled NY Strip Steak , check out all the Christmas Deco's

After Dinner off to DTD, mostly there for Christmas Deco's, only 2 main stops is Lego Store & Christmas Store

Feeling more comfortable with Epcot only 2 maybe 3 more storytellers to go DW has informed me that anything Christmas over rules EVERYTHING Plus the rides my DS has to do, Failure is not a option here Can't let them down and I accept the challange

 

[Disney Commando]

I'm super jealous about your upcoming trip! I wanted to do a short 3-4 day trip in Dec while my kids are out of school but I decided instead to add days to my end of May 2011 trip.

You're cut list made me all panicky!!
I'm learning from all you experienced Commandos so that I can crunch everything that both my DSs have not ever done into our trip. (I've been 14 or more times....lost count a few years ago but my kids have only been 5 times or less for my youngest DS.)

I've read alot about other people using TourinPlans.com or Tour Guide Mike. Can everyone give me their opinions on using these? I'm still over 6 months out til my trip but I'm getting preliminary plans in place and will post in a couple weeks to get all of your opinions!

With the cut list , I'm going with Priority's since it is a overload of events that only are for the season, usally this problem is not a issue

As far as TourinPlans or Tour Guide Mike, they are great for ideas, But you have to remember that anyone who goes to them will have the same plans, so if you give it a mix up you will most likely be in better shape, since alot of people will follow it to the tee You have been there before go with what YOU think will be best

 

[Disney Commando]

Your plans so far seem great! I'm really jealous that you'll get to see all the Christmas decorations. I hope you take lots of pictures and post them in a thread when you get back!

Last trip on PP we had over 700 photos plus our own, I have to get my DW involved to post photos, (since I don't know how to do it) I want to get her on as Disney Commando's Wife or Better Half, but I have to try to get her involved on the DisBoards I have caught her many times now on my name on the boards

 

[Disney Commando]

Day 5

This is going to be a busy day

8am be at MK
Any and all vechicles out on Main Street we WILL be riding
- If anyone like The Mayor or Fire Chief is out we WILL go and meet them
9am Rope Drop
-Heading to SM , get FP and ride
-Hit rides we did not do during Mon nights EMH
-A must do even if we did it already is The Jungle Cruise (got to get the night & day affect in)
- Tiki Room - I hope I can arange it that my son gets to wake up Jose to start the show (he loved that last year)


Cosmic Ray's for lunch, would like to be there no later then 11am

12noon - Haircut at Harmony Barber Shop, Dapper Dans will be there

More rides

This is not confirmed yet, looking to be at the AAA platform at the Main St, train station for the afternoon parade

After parade we will be heading for the Monorail and off to the Contemp, for 5pm ADR at Chef Mickeys. We will be there about a hour early (last year we were the 1st ones there for dinner, but we did not know they did a opening ceramony, we were walking around the resort and missed it Won't happen again)

- Check out decos at Contemp
- 6ish MK for MVMCP
- should be meeting up with a couple of Dis Dads
-Meet & Greets, Dance Parties, Shows, Parade, Fireworks all come before any ride in the park, since it's a hard ticket event, I got to get our monies worth
- Will be doing the sights on Main Street near leaving time, unless it is a special event going on
Midnite - back to the resort and off to bed

 

[DisGal520]

Day 5

This is going to be a busy day

8am be at MK
Any and all vechicles out on Main Street we WILL be riding
- If anyone like The Mayor or Fire Chief is out we WILL go and meet them
9am Rope Drop
-Heading to SM , get FP and ride
-Hit rides we did not do during Mon nights EMH
-A must do even if we did it already is The Jungle Cruise (got to get the night & day affect in)
- Tiki Room - I hope I can arange it that my son gets to wake up Jose to start the show (he loved that last year)


Cosmic Ray's for lunch, would like to be there no later then 11am

12noon - Haircut at Harmony Barber Shop, Dapper Dons will be there

More rides

This is not confirmed yet, looking to be at the AAA platform at the Main St, train station for the afternoon parade

After parade we will be heading for the Monorail and off to the Contemp, for 5pm ADR at Chief Mickeys. We will be there about a hour early (last year we were the 1st ones there for dinner, but we did not know they did a opening ceramony, we were walking around the resort and missed it Won't happen again)

- Check out decos at Contemp
- 6ish MK for MVMCP
- should be meeting up with a couple of Dis Dads
-Meet & Greets, Dance Parties, Shows, Parade, Fireworks all come before any ride in the park, since it's a hard ticket event, I got to get our monies worth
- Will be doing the sights on Main Street near leaving time, unless it is a special event going on
Midnite - back to the resort and off to bed

Good going!

There is an opening ceremony at Chef Mickeys???? Does it happen at 5 PM???Do tell us what goes on

 

[MiceFan]

Thanks for mentioning the 3 Kings in Mexico, that was the 1st I'd seen/heard of them being there. I've added them to my list!

 

[Disney Commando]

Good going!

There is an opening ceremony at Chef Mickeys???? Does it happen at 5 PM???Do tell us what goes on

The last trip to WDw was the end of Oct- 1st week of Nov. My DW made all the ADR's, she wrote down that our ADR for CM's was at 4, OK 3:45 we get there, no one in sight, finially a CM comes around who informed us that they are only open for breakfast & dinner, she looked up our ADR and sure enough it was for 5pm (DW is no longer in charge of making ADR's)

So we had a good hour to kill, so we toured the Contempory, when we got back around 4:40 a few people were in line, no big deal, WOW was I wrong,

At 5pm the 1st family on line was brought into CM's, they faced them torwards everyone in line said thier last name, while this was going on Mickey & the Gang came up behind them for alitte surprise. Then they got a group Photo with Mickey and the gang, then were paraded off to thier seats.


Now I know they changed some things at CM's in the last year, with Mickey only doing the pic. opp. I don't know if they do a lunch now or not or if they still do the opening ceramony or not

It's been a chip on my shoulder for over a year now, (my bad, I dropped the ball) and will right the wrong if possible

When we get back I will be able to confrim it , one way or the other, but I'll let you guy's know

 

[Disney Commando]

 

[Disney Commando]

Got to get Day 6 & Day7 am posted, will do that this week I got to step it up, as of Day 6 way too much resting so far

If anyone can think of any Christmas deco's or event's that I overlooked let me know, DW wants to make sure we get as much Christmas things done as possible.

 

[Disney Commando]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone

 

[Disney Commando]

Day 4 update - We were able to get a 10am AAA storytime It really should not throw everything off, since it is early

 

[Disney Commando]

Randall, Have a GREAT Trip I'll be there right behind you, hope you get to meet up with alot of the Dads

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Randall, Have a GREAT Trip I'll be there right behind you, hope you get to meet up with alot of the Dads

Thanks Ron, I hope to meet up wit Steve tomorrow and with Tim on Thursday. Dave is floating around, so I hope to meet with him too. You have a great trip too.

 

[Disney Commando]

Day 6


Alot of this day will depend on last visit

8am - HS EMH rope drop- Now my Dw & DS will head to Jedi Training to sign up, I will be going to get FP for TSM, This is the least amount of time in a WDW park, it's not our favorite park so I'm hopeing we can finish it by 1pm, + what we did in the night EMH.

11am - lunch at Fairfax Fare


1pm- hope to be on our way to Epcot

2pm - Epcot

Solid things to do -

- UK - Father Christmas
- Canada- A Christmas Journey
- Germany- Helga
-US (Kwanza/Hanukkah)

Try to get anything else we missed in Epcot done park is open till 12:30 with EMH's

8:20 we have a ADR at Le Ceillar

with at least 10& 1/2 hours at Epcot this day, I feel good about getting it all done

 

[Disney Commando]

Day 7 - We have to be on our way to the train station by noon

8am - Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare

- will be checking out Christmas Deco's there and at the Poly afterwards

Figure around 9:30 with 2&1/2 hours to go before we leave, we do anything we did not get to or anything we want to do again. I'm hopeing it's the Test Track a few times, if that;s the case I'm looking at Victory

Here's a breakdown
Figure we will be on the go for 98hrs out of 146

62 hrs are park hrs
12 hrs eating
12 hrs travel
2hrs Boardwalk
4 hrs DTD
6 hrs (meets, extra time in a park, checking out Christmas Decos etc)

62 hrs Park are
Epcot- 20hrs
MK- 17hrs
AK - 11 hrs
HS - 9 hrs
Seaworld - 5hrs

After doing the WDW tour many times, even with all the Christmas things going on I feel good about getting it all done, although it could cut it close, I'm sure my son will put his own plans into play, when all is said and done, I'm there for him so he can Trump me anytime he feels the need