We Had Two Magical Moments!!! Trip Report Coming Soon!!!!

[njdisneyfreak]

I agree that you should keep checking, in case people cancel. Why not schedule it for Christmas, if it's still open, and then work on convincing your DH? Worse case, you have to cancel the ressie later. Best case, you still get to eat there. It is worth going. I hope you are able to get a ressie there, but don't let it ruin your planning and trip if you don't. There is so much to look forward to.

But, I do understand. I am such a planner, and when I have to readjust things, at the moment, I am so NOT happy. We wanted a ressie for a restaurant for dinner during our last trip. We were staying for nearly two weeks, and can you believe that there was not one opening for dinner, at any time, during our stay? We even kept checking.

Here's some pixie dust your way, so things work out for you guys: Keep us informed on what happens.

 

[joelp]

Well, I just called Disney Dining to ask a question and got a HUGE surprise. I didn't know that I could book my CP package more than 180 days out. I thought I had to wait until Wed! If I had known this, I would have called this morning. Everything for Le Cellier on Christmas Eve was booked except for the lunch showing and I feel so bad b/c DH was looking forward to going for dinner. I was about to book for Christmas Day, but he said no, to go somewhere else. So now, we are booked for Rose & Crown (mmmm, bangers & mash), 4:10 PM seating with the passes for the 6:45 CP show.

Hey - if you have your heart set on Le Cellier - why not go for lunch and then hit a CS for dinner and then get in line early for the CP? (you could tag team the waiting in line - 2 of you wait while the other two "run to the bathroom" for half 'n' hour, etc. etc. ... )

 

[NYPDwife]

Hey - if you have your heart set on Le Cellier - why not go for lunch and then hit a CS for dinner and then get in line early for the CP? (you could tag team the waiting in line - 2 of you wait while the other two "run to the bathroom" for half 'n' hour, etc. etc. ... )

Maybe I will convince him to do that, b/c I've looked at the menu's and they're basically the same. Also, then we'd really be able to go to HS after CP and see Fantasmic & the Osbourne Lights. Sooo, hmmmmmmm. He's coming home early today so let's see what he says.

 

[kadesha]

Call everyday and ask about LC! you never know when someone will cancel!! Sending pixie dust your way!!!!

 

[NYPDwife]

Just spoke to DH and he says that when he actually looked at the menu for Le Cellier, he was surprised b/c they took so much stuff off. We were in DW in August of 06 and when we passed by the restaurant, there was such a HEAVENLY smell! We looked at the menu and he saw all the steaks and said, you know we have to eat there. But I had him look at the menu yesterday and now he's telling me it's not such a big deal that we eat at Rose & Crown. Aaah! The man kills me!!!

But then again, this is a man who has tried to eat the 76'er at J&R's within an hour and he does love a steak. He could've finished it, but he said it would've killed his love for red meat.

I digress...Rose & Crown it is.

 

[princessCKL]

Hey NYPDWife!

My daughter, son in law, and I went to the CP last Christmas. It was wonderful. We did not do a meal reservation for it. We got counter service from the American Pavilion and ate while we waited in line to be seated in CP. We had wonderful seats.

This will be my third Christmas trip to Disney in a row. I know its expensive, but it is my favorite time to go. Nothing like Disney at Christmas. We go on the 26th or 27th and always go to MK for New Years Eve. The key to New Years Eve is Stay Behind The Castle. Rides in Adventureland were a walk on after the fireworks while in front of the Castle there was human gridlock.

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[NYPDwife]

Hey NYPDWife!

My daughter, son in law, and I went to the CP last Christmas. It was wonderful. We did not do a meal reservation for it. We got counter service from the American Pavilion and ate while we waited in line to be seated in CP. We had wonderful seats.

This will be my third Christmas trip to Disney in a row. I know its expensive, but it is my favorite time to go. Nothing like Disney at Christmas. We go on the 26th or 27th and always go to MK for New Years Eve. The key to New Years Eve is Stay Behind The Castle. Rides in Adventureland were a walk on after the fireworks while in front of the Castle there was human gridlock.

Have a wonderful trip.

New Year's will be my next trip!!! I'm lucky I'm there for Christmas (only 5 days ).

 

[joelp]

Okay, I have been going over my nifty spreadsheet and I'm pretty sure I know what I want to do while I'm at the House of the Mouse.

Monday 12/22 - Arrive, check-in and go resort hopping. I would like to take the sleigh ride at the WL and eat at the Roaring Fork for dinner. That's all I have for Monday.

Tuesday 12/23 - Get up early and head to 1900 PF for a 8:00 breakfast with Mary & Alice.

Go to MK and have a snack at Scuttle's Landing in Fantasyland around 2. That means by the time we finish breakfast and head to the parks, we have to !

Leave the Kingdom around 5 and head to Epcot for EMH. Get there around 6, get our wristbands for EMH and go eat at Sunshine Seasons at the Land for dinner, then to see characters! Get on the rides in Future World and head back to the hotel.

I don't think we'll do WS, b/c we'll be there on Thursday.

Wednesday 12/24 - Here's where I'm stuck...Animal Kingdom opens early, we definitely want to see the Candlelight Processional & HS is open late and I want to see Fantasmic love: that show!) & the lights.

Here's what we should be doing:

Eat Pop-Tarts in our room for breakfast & head out to Animal Kingdom. I'd like to see Dino-land, Festival of the Lion King, Expedition Everest (b/c DS was too small last time), the safari, & maybe Kali River Rapids. Eat lunch at Flame Tree BBQ around 12.

Leave by 2 pm, go back to CBR, shower & change and go to Epcot for a 4:30 seating at Le Cellier. Eat a WONDERFUL meal then head to the 6:45 pm seating of the Candlelight Processional. Do you think I've left myself enough time?

Leave Epcot for HS and HOPEFULLY make it for a 9:00 PM showing of Fantasmic. I really do love this show! It's about dreams and music and it makes me cry, . After HOPEFULLY seeing Fantasmic, watch the Osbourne lights, then DRAG ourselves back to the hotel.

Thursday, Christmas Day -
Head to Cinderella's Royal Table for an 8:00 AM seating, where we will use TWO of our TS credits to have a magical, Christmas breakfast. Walk, I'm sorry, I meant, push our way through the crowds for a bit, eat at Liberty Tree Tavern around 4 for dinner then head to Epcot to see the World Showcase and the Christmas version of Illuminations.

Make it an early night, open some presents & go to bed .

Friday, LAST DAY 12/26 - go to HS and see the stuff we missed, then if we can, go back to MK for the late closing. Can I do that if we've already checked out but were resort guests? We'll still have two CS credits left, where should we go?

Well, there it is, a whole day and night of planning. I've been trying to ask hubby questions between snores but all I get is "huh, what, come to bed" so I'm off for some shut eye with the sounds of motorcyles (snoring) in my head. Please, please leave your comments. Let me know if you think my plan is too crazy. The kids will be 7 and 9 so I'm sure they can keep up but I'm listening to any suggestions my loyal Dis'er friends might have...

Nighty nite!

Finally - I'm reasonably awake - and your plans have my undivided attention (until the DD falls asleep and the DW comes in here and says "I need to use the computer ..." )

Monday - that's a good way to start your WDW vacation (and that's what we're doing ... but we're sticking to the monorail resorts) But don't stay up tooooo late - cuz you'll be tired from traveling (? - travelling? ... neither of those look right!! so: travelllling ... ... ) and you need to get a good night's sleep to prepare for the next few days ... Plus you have an 8:00 am breakfast, which means you gotta be on the road by 7:15 at the latest ... which means ... up EARLY!! (unless you're like me and wake up at 5:30 every morning even when you don't have to go to work ... )

One thing to be careful about: park hopping during THE most crowded time of the year - it could be a blessing or a curse: you don't want to leave a park - drive to your next park - and find out it's "full" and you can't get in!!


So - I would seriously thinking about not park hopping on Dec 24, 25, and 26 ... [Personally - I'm not a big fan of it, anyway ... unless you're at WDW for an extended period or have visited a LOT ... You could end up spending a lot of time "in transit" instead of "having fun" ...]

About EMH: the "Unofficial Guide" recommends that you avoid parks with EMH ... Why? - because they are more crowded and you could actually end up doing less ... However, the DW and I did take advantage of EMH on two nights last May - and the parks were pretty empty ...

[At this point - you hate me, don't you?? ]

I don't think you'll be able to do 3 parks on Christmas Eve ... sorry ... Really - I don't ... So why not head over to DHS around 5 on the 23rd for the Osborne lights and Fantasmic? And then spend all of Chistmas Eve at Epcot ... (and take the kids to see all of the Santas ...?)

... and then all of Christmas at the MK ...

and then AK on the 26th ... and if you're gonna hop - hop over to MK for Wishes for a perfect ending to your wonderful Christmas vacation at WDW ... (and yes - you can take advantage of the EMH on the day you check out ...)

[BTW - I assume you're staying off-site somewhere on the 26th and not going to start driving home late at night ... after spending all day in the parks ... We wouldn't want you or the hubby to fall asleep ... ]


For your 2 CS credits:

AK - Flame Tree (sooo gooood!!)
MK - Cosmc Ray's (lots of choices)

That's my 2 cents (and then some ...)

Looks like the DD took the DW down with her ... so I'm gonna go get some ICE CREAM!!

 

[NYPDwife]

Good Morning Everybody!!!

Well, this morning I got up bright & early and started going over my list for ADR's. A few days ago, I set up Disney Dining's number on my on my cell phone complete with pauses and prompts. Well, the second my cell phone read 7:00 AM, I hit the call button and called Disney Dining. Well, for some reason, the prompts that I set up and tested the other day, didn't work this morning. I heard hold music, but decided to also call from my house phone. Now I was listening to Disney music from both phones.

Well, an operator came on to the cell line but said "Welcome to Victoria & Albert's"!!!! So I told her I pressed the wrong prompt and to please connect me to the general dining. I had to go through all the prompts again, and then, I was listening to Disney music in STEREO!!

A few minutes later, I get through on my house line and IMMEDIATELY ask about a breakfast reservation for 4 at CRT on Christmas Day! I wanted 8, but got 8:30. Not bad, I can deal with that!

I then made the rest of my reservations without hassle and I can now say that

Christmas at Disney is going to be GREAT!

I'm so happy, so here are my ADR's.

12/23 - 1900 PF @ 8:00 AM
12/24 - Rose & Crown CP Pkg. @ 4:10/6:45PM
12/25 - CRT @ 8:30 AM. this is good b/c I think I can get on a ride or two before going to the castle!
12/25 - Liberty Tree Tavern @ 4:05 PM

Now I have to plan my days around my ADR's!

Thanks for listening....I'm going to whip out my spreadsheet now and enter all of my Ressie #'s in there and then put everything in my Blackberry as a backup!

I'm open to any comments or suggestions.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Looks good so far! We'll be at CRT when you're there. We have an 8:10 ADR. How cool. You're the second Disfamily I know who will be there that morning around the same time.

 

[NYPDwife]

Looks good so far! We'll be at CRT when you're there. We have an 8:10 ADR. How cool. You're the second Disfamily I know who will be there that morning around the same time.

I really hope I get to meet you! That would be a cool Christmas present!!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

I really hope I get to meet you! That would be a cool Christmas present!!

Aw! You're sweet. I just double checked, and our ressie is for 8:30, not 8:10. So, we'll be going to get seated when you guys do. How cool is that? This will be my first trip where I might actually get to see some Disers I've been communicating with. How cool!!!

 

[Alysa]

Subscribing! Your kids are beautiful! And you'll love Disney at Christmas - magical!

Plus don't be too disappointed about Le Cellier. This way you have something to go back for after you do the DVC tour!

 

[Native NYer]

Joining in!!!

Where in NY are you from?

 

[Mom2Kate-Anna]

Joining in! Disney is absolutely beautiful at Christmas time. We will just miss you as we are headed down on the 29th. Your kids are too cute!!

 

[NYPDwife]

Sorry I haven't been here to reply, I've had pink eye and a sore throat so I haven't been up to Dis'ing. But, I'm back!

Aw! You're sweet. I just double checked, and our ressie is for 8:30, not 8:10. So, we'll be going to get seated when you guys do. How cool is that? This will be my first trip where I might actually get to see some Disers I've been communicating with. How cool!!!

I know! This would be the first time I get to meet a fellow Diser also. I've also been trying to keep up with a December Dis meet. It all depends on the hubby and kiddies and how they're feeling!

Subscribing! Your kids are beautiful! And you'll love Disney at Christmas - magical!

Plus don't be too disappointed about Le Cellier. This way you have something to go back for after you do the DVC tour!

Aww, thank you! Although Miss Bobbi was just sneaky and closed her door to watch TV when I told her to clean her room. Hmph, she's waaay too much like me when I was her age .

Joining in!!!

Where in NY are you from?

I'm Bronx born and raised, but hubby and I came out to LI about 7 years ago.

Joining in! Disney is absolutely beautiful at Christmas time. We will just miss you as we are headed down on the 29th. Your kids are too cute!!

I've been to Disney for Thanksgiving; will post some pics.

 

[NYPDwife]

I recalled seeing the Christmas lights at Disney not too long after we made our plans for this year.

In 1996, my Dad was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. We weren't on the best of terms at the time (I was living with my mom's sister),but he decided that we should all go on a family trip to Disney. My best memory is eating Thanksgiving dinner at some cheap buffet, but being together. My Dad is no longer here, but I will always remember our Thanksgiving Disney trip!

Here's a picture of Dopey, me & my sister LeAndra.

Who doesn't like a little Cruella DeVille? My mom put the pigtails in my hair that morning.

The castle in it's cake mode. I loved the castle like this!! I know some people hated it, but I think my favorite thing was that it was pink!

My sis, my Mom & my Dad. Don't mind the red stripe going down all the pics. There was sand in my camera from a trip to PR and it never was the same again.

Toy soldier in MGM.

My Dad & Brother-in-Law Dave

Christmas bus in Epcot. I hear they still do this. Pooh looks really fake to me though.

I had to take this picture, b/c the girl in front of us looked so happy, she was kicking up her heels!

That's all!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Sorry I haven't been here to reply, I've had pink eye and a sore throat so I haven't been up to Dis'ing. But, I'm back!


I know! This would be the first time I get to meet a fellow Diser also. I've also been trying to keep up with a December Dis meet. It all depends on the hubby and kiddies and how they're feeling!

I hope you're feeling better now. How does the December Dis meet work?

 

[NYPDwife]

I hope you're feeling better now. How does the December Dis meet work?

In the Dis Meets boards, there's a "Late December Dis Meet" thread. The people on it are pretty much there for the same days we are. I noticed that some of them have ADR's at MK on Christmas morning. I'm suggesting that we meet before rope drop b/c that's an EMH morning. It would be so nice to meet everyone!!

Here's the thread link:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1850332

 

[NYPDwife]

I just called hubby to find out the name of the motel we stayed at the night before we checked into Disney back in August of '06. I figured if we got to FL too early, we can check into a cheap place and then drive to our Disney resort, just like we did last time. Well, he tells me, "how much is it to upgrade for the room and dining for another night" and I say, it's 327, so said, go ahead and get the extra day!!!!!

So, before I call and add the extra day, should I put it at the end or the beginning of the trip? MK has EMH at night on the 26th and it would be nice to go back to the room afterwards.

Please help!!!