Weber's at the World this Christmas!

[taramoz]

Ok, so I am so excited planning my first Holiday trip to DW that I decided to start a pre-trip report of my own! I will start with introductions, I am the mommy/planner extrodonaire Tara ...

[/IMG]

My wonderfull husband Kris who puts up with me and my crazyness...

And my most beautiful, princess happy sunshine daughter (6) Ainsley...

So a little on our Disney backgrounds, Kris visited DW some as a kid/teen and when he was in college he worked summers as a monorail driver . I on the other hand had never visited anything Disney until Kris suprized me on our first wedding aniversary with tickets and a stay at BWV (paper anniversary!!!). Ainsley was just a wee baby for that trip, we left her at th in-laws for most of the trip(who luckily lived in Orlando) and brought her to Animal Kingdom for 1 day! While I enjoyed his anniversary trip, I was not yet the Disney nut I am today!!

Fast forward about 2 years and I had just started grad school and needed a quick vacation, what better then a 4-night cruise in the Bahamas, on the Disney Wonder of course!! This was fun for the whole Weber gang and much needed! The Disney fever was starting to set in after this trip!

So we decided that next we would need to go back to DW when Ainsley was old enought to remember, and since my nephew is the same age, we decided in 2008 to take Ainsley and her cousin Davis on a 7 day trip to Disneyiraterincess:...

I was officially addicted to Disney after seeing their joy (as well as expierencing it myself!)!

Well, late in 2009 I got an e-mail from Disney Cruiseline about the cruises to Alaska, and did some arm twisting to convince my sister and her hubby to book with us, we are on the Aug 9th sailing!!!

Then, this past spring break (mid-march for us Texans) we decided to visit California and finished off our trip with 2 days at DL!!

So we get back and somewhere in may I get anxious for another trip to DW, but was so afraid DH would say no, so I started just looking around online when I came across blogs about Christmas at DW as well as information on renting DVC points, so I bring up the idea to my wonderful hubby and he says YES!

And that brings me to where I am today, we will be headed back to the happiest place Dec 18-23, staying at Saratoga Springs with a whole list of dining and touring plans! I have been hard at work with plans and trying to get great ideas off the disboards for ways to make this trip extra special!

That is all for now, wanted to start with the intro and background! Share any great ideas you may have for me, I cannot wait for our magical Christmas trip!!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

I'm in! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Vickis3js]

I'm in as well!!

 

[taramoz]

Wow, so I was just looking through my old pic and found one of Ainsley from that anniversary trip I mentioned. We still have these Mickey Ears!!

So I got tickets to MVMCP for Dec 19, I know everyone says we will see everything for free after, but we really just couldn't pass up going, I have no doubt it will be magical!

Right now we have MYW tickets, bought them before the price increase from undercover tourist, happy with the deal!

But onto planning, I want to secretly have a special gift waiting in the room each day for Ainsley and Kris. Here are my ideas so far:

Day of arrival (Dec 18) we have ADRs for Spirit of Aloha dinner, I bought a Disney Luau dress for Ainsley, will look for a cool shirt for Kris (ideas welcome!).

We plan to do Animal Kingdom our first full day, Ainsley loves teddy bears so I may do some kind of animal (as her suprize) she doesn't have yet (which may be difficult!). We have lunch ADRs at Tusker House which I am so excited about. I have read mixed reviews, but looking at he menu it is our kind of food! When we finish at AK we will be off to MVMCP!!!

Following day we head to Epcot, I am pretty sure I have decided Ainsley's gift will be a princess pearl cage necklace and "coupon" to open her own pearl. She has been dreaming of getting her own pearl... My hubby is actually Canadian, so I may do something special related to Canada!

Next day we are onto MK, I have nothing pre-planned yet besides Lunch at Crystal Palace (FYI - the only resturant we do every trip to WDW).

Then our last full day we plan HS. When we came with Ainsley and her cousin Davis (April 2008) HS was so crowded it was hard to get everything in. I hope to plan better this time. I already have ADRs at Mama Melrose (3:55) on the fantasmic package, whic rocks since Fantasmic was filled up April 2008, then we figured we'd see Fantasmic at DL this past Spring break just to be dissapointed it was shut down for refurbs of the park, so anyway, excited that we will finally see fantasmic together!!

Our last day we will only have the morning. It is expected to be super crowded so I am not sure what we will do yet. Toying with DTD, never been there and with us stayin at Saratoga Springs we are so close...

So as you can see, have some stuff planned, but am still working it. What would you do in my place????

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Very smart getting your tickets before the increase.

Sounds like you have a great start on surprise ideas. I haven't really thought much about them, except that I want to do them for my 2 kiddos.

The thing I am most excited for is my DD will be doing the Wonderland Tea Party with Alice and the Mad Hater. Its only her because parents have to wait outside the room. She will be so excited! It sounds pretty neat.

I got the pearl cages for DD and myself from e-bay. That will be fun too!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Wow, so I was just looking through my old pic and found one of Ainsley from that anniversary trip I mentioned. We still have these Mickey Ears!!

LOVE thos ears!!! They are too cute. And I love how you call her your "princess happy sunshine daughter. " She is precious!

 

[MBKELmom]

I'm here...can't wait to read more.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Wow, so I was just looking through my old pic and found one of Ainsley from that anniversary trip I mentioned. We still have these Mickey Ears!!

So I got tickets to MVMCP for Dec 19, I know everyone says we will see everything for free after, but we really just couldn't pass up going, I have no doubt it will be magical!

Right now we have MYW tickets, bought them before the price increase from undercover tourist, happy with the deal!

But onto planning, I want to secretly have a special gift waiting in the room each day for Ainsley and Kris. Here are my ideas so far:

Day of arrival (Dec 18) we have ADRs for Spirit of Aloha dinner, I bought a Disney Luau dress for Ainsley, will look for a cool shirt for Kris (ideas welcome!).

We plan to do Animal Kingdom our first full day, Ainsley loves teddy bears so I may do some kind of animal (as her suprize) she doesn't have yet (which may be difficult!). We have lunch ADRs at Tusker House which I am so excited about. I have read mixed reviews, but looking at he menu it is our kind of food! When we finish at AK we will be off to MVMCP!!!

Following day we head to Epcot, I am pretty sure I have decided Ainsley's gift will be a princess pearl cage necklace and "coupon" to open her own pearl. She has been dreaming of getting her own pearl... My hubby is actually Canadian, so I may do something special related to Canada!

Next day we are onto MK, I have nothing pre-planned yet besides Lunch at Crystal Palace (FYI - the only resturant we do every trip to WDW).

Then our last full day we plan HS. When we came with Ainsley and her cousin Davis (April 2008) HS was so crowded it was hard to get everything in. I hope to plan better this time. I already have ADRs at Mama Melrose (3:55) on the fantasmic package, whic rocks since Fantasmic was filled up April 2008, then we figured we'd see Fantasmic at DL this past Spring break just to be dissapointed it was shut down for refurbs of the park, so anyway, excited that we will finally see fantasmic together!!

Our last day we will only have the morning. It is expected to be super crowded so I am not sure what we will do yet. Toying with DTD, never been there and with us stayin at Saratoga Springs we are so close...

So as you can see, have some stuff planned, but am still working it. What would you do in my place????

I'm in. I would go with DTD the last day and go shopping. Try to hold off on buying souvenirs until you go there. The World of Disney store is HUGE, and has everything. There are some other great stores as well.

 

[taramoz]

I got the pearl cages for DD and myself from e-bay. That will be fun too!

That is what I am gonna do too! It would look too suspicious if I was the only one not getting gifts!

 

[nessz79]

How exciting! We'll be at the World 12/17-12/21 at CBR. Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[taramoz]

I'm in. I would go with DTD the last day and go shopping. Try to hold off on buying souvenirs until you go there. The World of Disney store is HUGE, and has everything. There are some other great stores as well.

Oh good to know, I need to get researching on DTD so I can get excited about it. I have never been, what is a good place to grab a bite to eat?

 

[taramoz]

LOVE thos ears!!! They are too cute. And I love how you call her your "princess happy sunshine daughter. " She is precious!

Thanks, it is really how she is, always so joyful and fun!

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Oh good to know, I need to get researching on DTD so I can get excited about it. I have never been, what is a good place to grab a bite to eat?

Depends on what you want. They have the House of Blues, Fulton's SteakHouse, the Earl of Sandwich, Wolfgang Pucks, Capn Jacks, The Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood...
OK, just go to this Link

Here are your shopping options

 

[PoppyGirl]

Depends on what you want. They have the House of Blues, Fulton's SteakHouse, the Earl of Sandwich, Wolfgang Pucks, Capn Jacks, The Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood...
OK, just go to this Link

Here are your shopping options

My DS LOVES Earl of Sandwich! He's a bit of a picky eater, so for him to mention by name a place he loves is really something. We've always had good food there.

We didn't really care for Planet Hollywood but I think partly it was because my kids were still pretty young when we ate there and they didn't get all the movie references. They would probably like it better now.

We love shopping at the World of Disney store and DS LOVEs the Lego store of course. There are all sorts of fun Lego creations inside and outside the store. Lots of photo ops.

I personally think it's just fun to walk around, get a bite to eat, shop a little and enjoy the atmosphere there. We always take a day (or at least part of one) for DTD.

Have fun!

 

[taramoz]

So I am taking my lunch break at work (my hubby and I both work in finance) and wanted to write a bit about my one biggest frustration with my planning- THE FLIGHT ARRAINGEMENTS!...

So we are coming from Houston, leaving right after Ainsley gets out of school and trying to make it back for Christmas Eve (big deal with my extended family) so flying is our only option! I realized this when making my plans, and have been watching fares religiously for the past few months. Now I know my trip is still over 4 months away, but all fares have done are get worse. Right now I am looking at over $500 per person (YIKES).

I plan to sit tight and keep watching fares and hope for some pixie dust to bring me better fares! I just wanted to vent for a minute. I love my planning but I am also a barganista and over $500 each to fly is far from a bargin!

 

[taramoz]

Ok, so I finished off my lunch break on a happier note, I created a signature with trip countdowns. Now that was fun!

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

4 months, 1 week and 5 days until your Disney Christmas Vacation!

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I hope the week before your trip is a very looooooooong week.

 

[taramoz]

4 months, 1 week and 5 days until your Disney Christmas Vacation!

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I hope the week before your trip is a very looooooooong week.

Now this made me laugh! And FYI- I am sure it will be a long week!

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Now this made me laugh! And FYI- I am sure it will be a long week!

I can guarantee that the are a bunch of people here who are hoping the week before my trip is a long week as well.

 

[taramoz]

So this trip we are renting DVC points for our stay! I didn't even know you could do this until early this year when I stumbled across some message boards and what not on it. So I decided to give it a shot and as luck would have it I found someone to rent from (My DVC angel!!)!!! So by the time we booked and given our travel dates we really had to choose between OKW and SSR, we chose SSR!

Now before I talk about why SSR and what we are excited or worried about, I want to mention our past resort expiriences! My first trip was the suprize anniversary trip with Kris , and he planned it all, we stayed at Boardwalk. This was a good choice, I remember liking it. Was a cute resort, close to all the things, we liked having stuff to do at night. I honestly don't remember too much more about it, which must mean it was good!

So when we went in 2008 and brought Ainsley and our nephew Davis we decided to go all out and stayed at the Grand Floridian

Was a beautiful resort, we did Park Fare, but the truth is I think we had the worst room in the whole resort! We were close to the boats, on the ground floor, below is a pic of the kids outside our room

Notice the first big problem with the room, ther area where they are standing is where the resort grounds trucks would park each night, shining their lights into our room and making sitting on the balcony generally a bad idea!! We didn't let it ruin our trip, kinda made a joke out of it each night! Other big issue with the room, the elevators were right outside our door so there was so much noise. Lessoned learned- make room requests (we obviously didn't)!!! Besides the bad room, the resort was lovely and monorail access rocked with 2 little ones wanting to do MK alot!

So for this trip as I mentioned we has OKW or SSR. I was originally going to do OKW for the lower points and bigger studio (I had done a little research), but decided to let Kris take a look and he choose SSR, so SSR it was! And my DVC angel booked our room!! So I have done my research on SSR now. Must say I am excited to stay here. It looks lovely. We don't plan to spend a whole lot of time at the resort this trip since it is short so I will plan to definetly make the right room requests for us. Kris is worried about the bus only transportation. So I think our request will be to be in an area that picks up first. I think that is the Grand Stand area. We plan to be on the first bus out each morning to do rope drop at that days park.

I am certainly excited to try a different resort. We are the type of family who will probably try to stay in different places each trip, just to expierence it all!!!