Weber's at the World this Christmas!

[2gr8DisneyKids]

Hi! I saw on your note on my PTR you had one so I had to come say hello and read up!

I love the Disney Cruise! We took our first this past March and are taking the MR cruise (kids sail free) next March! I am hoping for kids sail free on an Alaskan cruise. I want to take the train shore excursion over to the Yukon.

We skipped the DDP in March when I ran the Princess 1/2 and way underestimated what we would spend. We do tend to "waste" some at the sit-down dinners, but have mastered the combos of 2 adult meals and some snacks for lunches and breakfasts. So it all kinda works out for us.

We are all picky eaters here, well, except DH! And DD has severe lactose intolerance and can not have any dairy at all. Disney is so great with it!

Hope you get to spend the extra night! We might end up with one too, if we cannot get the non-stop morning flight at a decent time and would leave the afternoon before.

We thought about the MVMCP on the 19th and DH vetoed it due to the "free" factor of the very next night. It was a tough call, but DH won that one. I am sure it will be great, though.

 

[stephielela]

subbing! i really wanted to rent points this time too, but we needed to have the flexibility to cancel if necessary. i am very interested in how it works though, so i'll be tuned in!

 

[exwdwcm]

Ok, so I have a potential update!!! I was worried about flight prices, so I started to look at prices if we flew in a day earlier, well, yayay, that would be a big savings. So I wrote my DVC angel last night, and she can sell me another nights points if there is still availability. So it's not official yet (she is calling today) but I may be going a day early!!!

wow, great news!!! i'll cross my fingers for you- going in earlier is always more fun!

 

[taramoz]

I got distracted after my galveston trip with work, imagine that! Plus, my sweet angel child Ainsley started first grade last week!!! Wow they grow fast, I cannot believe my little baby girl is already a first grader!

So the not so update is we did add on an extra night to our trip, we are now arriving friday the 17th instead of saturday the 18th!! Not only does this give us the 17th to eat and play in DTD, which we wanted to do anyway, but the 18th will now be a full park day for us! Plus this solved our major airfare problem, airfare was so much cheaper on friday then saturday the we come out more then ahead even after paying for the extra night! And since I mentioned earlier I had wanted to try Libery Tavern in MK, I book a lunch ADR there on the 18th!!! I really want to try that fried cheese appitizer I keep drewling over in the food porn blogs! And now I am again trying to decide what we will do friday evening in DTD. So much fun and I am so excited to do DTD for the first time. And staying at the right resort for it, so it all worked out perfect! My DVC angel really came through for me, I feel so lucky! I will be all done with my ADRs if I can get my CP dinner package, plan to be up bright and early thursday to book!

So on a final note, again, this is way past due, but I did want to post the picture of my anniversary gift from the hubby earlier this month:

 

[stephielela]

wow! i love your bag! what a great present!

 

[taramoz]

wow! i love your bag! what a great present!

Thanks, I was very excited to get it! I have wanted one.

 

[taramoz]

So, I woke up this morning bright and early just before 5AM Houston time to book my CP dinner package, only to call in and get the recording which clued me into the fact that I was calling 1 hour to early! So, I get back in bed!! (I was tired) An hour later I was up again. Dialed the numer at 5:59 according to my computer, and got the "not open" message, dilegently hung up and redialed, and what luck, I start listening to It's a Small World! It was very loud for 6AM and I couldn't figure out how to turn down the volume, so I had to hold the phone away from my ear for the roughly 10 minute wait until the very friendly CM picked up. Well, after some slight problems with he computer slowing up (probably with the tons of people booking CP packages) I had my CP package reservation at Nine Dragons in less then 20 minutes, miracle! And thank you to those who helped me decide on Nine Dragons. We look forward to it!

So, after finishing up it was time to snuggle with my 2 very sweet puppies then get the family going! While getting ready I told Kris (DH) that we were all booked. And his response, "we have all our reservations booked, guess it's time to start planning!". I realized he was right, I have our room booked and paid for. I bought park tickets and MVMCP tickets, got the plane tickets, and now all our sit down dinners are booked!

So I have decided I will start to think about my plans day by day. I cannot wait to start posting to see what others think and get your suggestions (if anyone is still reading this, LOL).

 

[taramoz]

subbing! i really wanted to rent points this time too, but we needed to have the flexibility to cancel if necessary. i am very interested in how it works though, so i'll be tuned in!

Hey, sorry for my late reply. End of summer/start of school really set me back! I will say that the whole renting points thing was a leap of faith, but I have had a good experience so far. Canceling is no an option for me, so renting points worked. I will do a post soon on how it felt/feels to rent points!

 

[taramoz]

So like I said, it is onto some more detailed planning for me. I love to plan, and anticipate! I am the type of person that looks at the menu before trying a new resturant to pre-decide what to eat! Kris on the other hand likes the element of suprize a bit more, but he totally falls into a planner for WDW.

Thankfully in my family we are all ride people! Ainsley isn't big on waiting in lines to meet characters, she'd rather do the rides, so it works, but we do let her meet a few characters when it fits in our schedule!

So, onto macro-level plans....

Day 1, Dec 17, flight from Houston arrives in Orlando 10:30AM. We are using Magical Express, I remember from our last trip it is slooooow so I will have to be patient (not one of my better qualities)!. I assume we will get to our hotel, SSR, after 1:00. Hopefully we can check in, but if not we can leave the luggage and get going. No park this day, so I think a boat to DTD is where we go! I cannot wait to make plans for DTD since I have never been. But right now it is just DTD to eat and get into the disney spirit!!

Day 2, up early for rope drop at MK. So excited about this day since this used to be our travel day. Now that we added an extra night we get a park day!! We all love MK. How can you not, right? I will have a very detailed plan later, but right now I polled the family for favorite rides. Me, Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain. Kris, Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion. Ainsley, Haunted Mansion and Thunder Mountain. LOL, pretty consistent! So we will do these plus try to hit everything, though we are probably in the minority on this, but we don't care to ride Dumbo! That night we see Spirit of Aloha, since we ahve more days at MK I think we may leave a bit early to see the holiday decorations at GF!!

Day 3, up early for rope drop at Animal Kingdom! Our only day here. Favorite ride of DH and I, Expidition Everest! Ainsley's favorite, Kali River Rapids! May be too cold for her ride, but I guarentee that won't stop her!!! So I hope for some sunshine this day That evening we have tickets to MVMCP so it will be back to MK to hit some of our favs there again and enjoy that party!

Day 4, up early for rope drop at Epcot! Unanimous family favorite, Soarin! BUT on our last visit we never got to ride Test Track, so we will make sure to fit that in! I also want to tour all the countries to see the cool Christmas stuff, I anticipate this will be a busy day and we won't get everything in (so we may have to be back next year, hee hee)

Day 5, up early for rope drop at MK. Already listed favs here, plan to hit them and round off anything we haven't done yet! And we are doing the Wish's dessert party!

Day 6, up early for rope drop at HS! Family favs, Me - Tower of Terror (LOVE it!!!), Kris also ToT! I thought it was going to be Ainsley's choice too, bt she shocked me and said Toy Story! I never would have guessed that! We our super excited cuz we have the Fantasmic package, we missed this last 2 trips, will not miss this trip!

Day 7, last day, back to Epcot, at rope drop of course cuz we expect big crowds! Will do what we can until we must get back for ME to airport for our 5PM flight!

So there are our plans on the macro level! I cannot wait to overly plan and replan each day as the trip gets closer!!!

 

[stephielela]

Your plans sound great!

 

[taramoz]

Your plans sound great!

Thanks! We are really looking forward to this trip!

 

[exwdwcm]

i can't believe you got through right away for the CP! i am in Dallas and started calling at 5:59, go the no open message, and then continued hitting redial for the next 90 minutes on TWO phones- never once even got through- always busy or circuits busy message. so annoying. i was posting on the CP package thread at the time and a friend online that lives in Fort worth saw i wasn't even getting through and she was on hold, so she got my ressie for me! so nice!!! I got Le Cellier for 12/8 for dinner and late CP show.

You've never done DTD? you will love it! Be sure and try lunch at Earle of Sandwich, it is our favorite spot for lunch. don't mind hte long line, it moves fast. and check out goofy's candy company for dessert! of course the world of disney is awesome- easy to get lost in there.

definitely fit in Test Track this time! we like to run to Soarin, get FP, ride if the standby isn't too long, then run to Test Track! single rider line is always shorter there too.

 

[taramoz]

Be sure and try lunch at Earle of Sandwich, it is our favorite spot for lunch. don't mind hte long line, it moves fast. and check out goofy's candy company for dessert! of course the world of disney is awesome- easy to get lost in there.

definitely fit in Test Track this time! we like to run to Soarin, get FP, ride if the standby isn't too long, then run to Test Track! single rider line is always shorter there too.

I am definetly leaning towards Earle of Sandwich. I have read nothing but great reviews, sounds so yummy! And Goofy's Candy Company, Mmmmm, I will definitly save room for that...

I do look forward to doing Test Track as well. We are good at baing pretty gung ho with our plans so I know we can run to Soarin and TT to get both in!

 

[taramoz]

Day 1 is my hardest day to plan since it is a non-park day. We have never had a non park day! But here are my initial thoughts on what we will do…

Well, we don’t arrive in Florida until 1:30PM. This is later then I initially thought (wishful thinking)! But this is good; it allows us to take it easy and not have to rush bright and early to the airport. Plus, Ainsley gets to skip a day of school, so this will make her day no matter what! Our flight leaves at 10:30 Houston time, but I will plan to be at the airport early and we can eat Breakfast there. I had my hip replaced a few years ago and it is now titanium (bionic woman??!?!?) so getting through security when traveling is always a fun hassle! On the plane I will bring a DVD player and let Ainsley watch her favorite Disney movies or maybe I will buy her a surprise of a couple seasons of her favorite show, Wizards of Waverly Place (yes, she is a teenie-bopper already at only 6!, it happens fast!!). I am assuming they will feed us some sort of snack on the plane, which should be enough; I want to arrive hungry for DTD!

Once we land we will get all set for Magic Express to SSR! Since we are landing a bit later I think our chances of being able to check in when we arrive are better. I hope to go get settled into our room, have a bit if a look around SSR, and then take a boat over to DTD for a relaxing evening of food and shopping! I figure we will all do some sort of counter service. Me, I have chosen Earl of Sandwich! I assume Kris will do that as well, but I know princess Ainsley will not. I am thinking I wanna try the Caprese, although the Caribbean Jerk Chicken sounds good as well! I guess I have lots of time to decide. I will grab Ainsley something somewhere, nachos and cotton candy would make her day!!! Then we will shop around, try to see Santa, get some candy at Goofy’s, and then enjoy a beverage or 2 before heading back to our room!

Back in the room, first suprise present will be waiting for everyone, Ainsley will get her Hawaiian dress for tomorrow night SOA dinner plus her Cinderella stocking that makes music! For Kris I may give him his sweatshirt jacket, it is nightmare before Christmas themed! And for me, I got myself a Tinkerbelle sweatshirt jacket! Not sure if I will make these gifts from Mickey or Santa….

 

[stephielela]

Sounds like an awesome first day! I wanted to get there super early too, but the earliest flight we could get was around 10:30 as well, so we will get there around 2:30/3 pm. We are planning a non park evening as well, maybe some swimming if we are lucky!

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Day 1 is my hardest day to plan since it is a non-park day. We have never had a non park day! But here are my initial thoughts on what we will do…

Well, we don’t arrive in Florida until 1:30PM. This is later then I initially thought (wishful thinking)! But this is good; it allows us to take it easy and not have to rush bright and early to the airport. Plus, Ainsley gets to skip a day of school, so this will make her day no matter what! Our flight leaves at 10:30 Houston time, but I will plan to be at the airport early and we can eat Breakfast there. I had my hip replaced a few years ago and it is now titanium (bionic woman??!?!?) so getting through security when traveling is always a fun hassle! On the plane I will bring a DVD player and let Ainsley watch her favorite Disney movies or maybe I will buy her a surprise of a couple seasons of her favorite show, Wizards of Waverly Place (yes, she is a teenie-bopper already at only 6!, it happens fast!!). I am assuming they will feed us some sort of snack on the plane, which should be enough; I want to arrive hungry for DTD!

Once we land we will get all set for Magic Express to SSR! Since we are landing a bit later I think our chances of being able to check in when we arrive are better. I hope to go get settled into our room, have a bit if a look around SSR, and then take a boat over to DTD for a relaxing evening of food and shopping! I figure we will all do some sort of counter service. Me, I have chosen Earl of Sandwich! I assume Kris will do that as well, but I know princess Ainsley will not. I am thinking I wanna try the Caprese, although the Caribbean Jerk Chicken sounds good as well! I guess I have lots of time to decide. I will grab Ainsley something somewhere, nachos and cotton candy would make her day!!! Then we will shop around, try to see Santa, get some candy at Goofy’s, and then enjoy a beverage or 2 before heading back to our room!

Back in the room, first suprise present will be waiting for everyone, Ainsley will get her Hawaiian dress for tomorrow night SOA dinner plus her Cinderella stocking that makes music! For Kris I may give him his sweatshirt jacket, it is nightmare before Christmas themed! And for me, I got myself a Tinkerbelle sweatshirt jacket! Not sure if I will make these gifts from Mickey or Santa….

What's a non-Park day? We are going for 8 days, and will be in a park each day. Some might be shortened days though so we enjoy other things.

 

[PoppyGirl]

Earle of Sandwich

Starting with a non-park day sounds very nice and relaxing! One of the best parts at WDW is the details and having a relaxing day like that gives you lots of time to enjoy the little things.

 

[taramoz]

We are planning a non park evening as well, maybe some swimming if we are lucky!

Ok, totally agreed here. I was afraid to mention swimming since it will be Dec, but if the weather is good to us I will definetly be building in swim time.

 

[taramoz]

What's a non-Park day?

LOL, this is my mentality totally! I am trying new things this trip, should be interesting!

Earle of Sandwich

Starting with a non-park day sounds very nice and relaxing! One of the best parts at WDW is the details and having a relaxing day like that gives you lots of time to enjoy the little things.

This is definetly the right way to think of it. What a great way to start a vacation, will be new for me, but hey, I could make a habit out of it!!

 

[taramoz]

So I have been on a bit of a break from my Disney planning because I have been busy planning a birthday surprise weekend for DH Kris! He turns the big 35 Sunday (man he is getting old). As a surprise I am flying his mom down from Toronto for a visit. We haven’t seen her in awhile, and we couldn’t visit her this summer like we wanted, so she and I concocted the idea to surprise him on his birthday. It has been a lot of work because my MIL is high maintenance, a bit afraid of flying, and completely needy! But looks like she will be boarding a plane this afternoon in Canada and making her way down to Texas. I think Kris will be surprised, and this should win me best wife points (did I mention how high maintenance she is???).

Just because I am on the topic I wanna tell y’all about the whole surprise, the mom is just the start. I am going to take him and Ainsley to pick her up at the airport this afternoon, will make up some story about having to pick up a friend. Once we get her we are straight to Kris’s favorite restaurant, the original Carraba’s. Not one of those chain Carraba’s, but the original one, it’s sooo much better! Then it is home to relax and catch up with his mom.

Saturday comes surprise #2, we are going to head to my mom’s house, telling Kris I want his mom and my mom to say hello, but in truth I have arranged for his dad, step mom, 2 half sisters, and my sisters and family to be there for a surprise party! Catered with some good old BBQ (another favorite for Kris) from The Countyline Restaurant in Spring, TX! BBQ is NOT my thing (I know, what kind of Texas girl am I), but everyone else will love it, especially Kris! And for those wondering, Kris’s mom and dad and Mary (Kris’s Step mom) all get along so well it’s great! We have done Christmas’s together and stuff, so it’s nice that we can have get together’s with everyone there and no hard feeling exist.

Sunday I plan to have just his family to my place for a cake and present opening time (since this is the actual b-day), then I want to take his mom out to the Galleria for some shopping, and she loves the Cheesecake factory so we will do some dessert there! YUM!

Monday afternoon the MIL travels back to Toronto. Her flight leaves late afternoon, but she likes to arrive at the airport about 4 hours before her flight (and I am not exaggerating), so I will take her to a nice lunch, maybe drive her by Ainsley’s school for a looksee, then off to the airport!

So, anyway, I am super excited to surprise Kris. I am worn out from dealing with MIL, but I know we will have a good time when she is here and Kris will be glad to spend time with his mom. I will be back to my Disney planning next week!