Week After Turkey Day Shenanigans

[BDFmom]

Hello my peeps! I've been awol again, but for good reason. Let's just run down my last month and a half, shall we?
-I spent all of September thinking I could possibly have breast cancer, but thankfully the biopsy was benign.

-Dh was in his very first wreck, and some old lady hit him/totaled my beloved, paid for car. Now we're back to two car payments. grrrrr

-oh, here's the worst. Dh fell off our roof two Saturdays ago. (During the hurricane! Our roof started leaking in two places, so he went up to throw a tarp across it until it could get fixed.) Spent 3 days in the hospital with two brain bleeds, a week missed from work, and he's still nowhere near normal. He went back to work yesterday, and it was hard for him physically and mentally. He has major brain fog at the moment. I really think he needs a lot more time off from work, but he won't listen. He's worried about bills, so off to work he goes. I am so thankful though, that he didn't get hurt any worse than he did. He fell 14 feet and didn't break anything! I do think it did something to his neck, but the doctors all said they didn't see anything.

Today's our 20th anniversary though.

Stressed doesn't even begin to describe how we all feel. Even the kids are stressed.

I know the big hospital bills are about to start rolling in, and I'm really going to find it hard to go to Disney and have fun. Being an adult just sucks sometimes. We won't cancel the trip though. It was part of my dd's birthday present, and it's our present to each other for our anniversary. It's going to be so tight financially though. This trip is what has gotten us through the last month. We did postpone the surprise beach trip I planned for Dh for our anniversary. We were supposed to leave in two days, but we'll go sometime next year, since I know this is the last Disney trip for a long time now.

Can 2016 be over with already? I'm so done with this year.

Wow! You've had a really rough month. I hope that things start improving for you!

Happy Anniversary!

Sending you and your family lots of positive vibes and good karma

 

[JamieOak]

If you have someone that is interested in the train ride , just ride it and reload on the next train back. The trip over you are able to see some of the behind the scenes animal housing and some animals.

I'm glad I have room in my schedule to return to AK again, because I wasn't able to fit this in on touring plans so it got the cut, along with the Gorilla trails I think.

 

[Iowamomof4]

There is currently a Nov. 30th 7:45 fastpass for 2 at the frozen ride..

Thank you! I was able to move my 8:10 to 7:45. Lol, every little bit helps, right?

 

[Sharla75]

Robo's map shows it here - it doesn't look *too* bad, but with a walking 5 year old it may take 3x longer than planned

Thanks very much for the map! Yes, everything takes at least 3x longer with my little guy!

 

[missnikki411]

I just read over on another thread that the Saturday after Thanksgiving is a "madhouse." Worried about doing Minnie's Dine and JBJB now that night. I did the Star Wars H&V meal during SWW and that was fine, I didn't really rushed, got a picture with every character and some twice so I'm thinking that meal will be ok since SWW is a zoo as well. I'm more concerned with the crowds for JBJB. I was at Wishes for the 24 hour MK party and that was scary crowded and that's all I'm picturing now. Now wishing I had got that damn JBJB dessert party! Wondering maybe if now on 11/30 we should sneak over to DHS from Epcot to see that show, then hop to MK for Wishes and EMH. So much hopping. Guess I need to add even more alternative scenarios to my schedule.

 

[kellyjeanie]

@chewysmom I'm so sorry to hear all that! I hope your DH recovers soon, and you can enjoy your trip. Also, happy anniversary!

 

[Meeko5]

I just read over on another thread that the Saturday after Thanksgiving is a "madhouse." Worried about doing Minnie's Dine and JBJB now that night. I did the Star Wars H&V meal during SWW and that was fine, I didn't really rushed, got a picture with every character and some twice so I'm thinking that meal will be ok since SWW is a zoo as well. I'm more concerned with the crowds for JBJB. I was at Wishes for the 24 hour MK party and that was scary crowded and that's all I'm picturing now. Now wishing I had got that damn JBJB dessert party! Wondering maybe if now on 11/30 we should sneak over to DHS from Epcot to see that show, then hop to MK for Wishes and EMH. So much hopping. Guess I need to add even more alternative scenarios to my schedule.

I assumed crowds would be insane so we aren't doing a park at all Saturday - but I think since it's just you and DH you could make it work by staking out a spot early. Grab a snack and settle in. People watching is sure to be interesting enough right?!

 

[JamieOak]

I have a decision for our first day that I could use opinions on. Our first day we are doing a resort crawl and hopefully will hit WL, FW, Poly, GF, and CR. It's a MVMCP night at MK. I currently have a California Grill ADR at 9:30pm where I didn't plan to order meals, but maybe drinks and desserts to watch the Holiday Wishes. I'm rethinking this, for a couple reasons. Here are my proposed options:

1. Just focus on the resort crawl and not try to see Holiday Wishes at all. Would you even recommend pre-watching the Holiday Wishes like this? We are going to be at a MVMCP during our trip and get to see them up close and personal. Would I be kind of "spoiling" it for us if we see them from a distance first and here the music and everything? Or am I completely overthinking this like I do everything else. This option leaves us more freedom to tour the resorts in a different order than I currently scheduled. And maybe we could end up at FW after dark and do a sleigh ride...
2. Do a Wishes Fireworks cruise that night for $45/person. I've already seen someone post that they are looking to fill spots on a cruise that night. Would this be a better option? It may be more expensive, or it may not. I'm not sure what exactly we'd order at California Grill.
3. Keep the current plan of the California Grill reservation.

 

[kellyjeanie]

I just read over on another thread that the Saturday after Thanksgiving is a "madhouse." Worried about doing Minnie's Dine and JBJB now that night. I did the Star Wars H&V meal during SWW and that was fine, I didn't really rushed, got a picture with every character and some twice so I'm thinking that meal will be ok since SWW is a zoo as well. I'm more concerned with the crowds for JBJB. I was at Wishes for the 24 hour MK party and that was scary crowded and that's all I'm picturing now. Now wishing I had got that damn JBJB dessert party! Wondering maybe if now on 11/30 we should sneak over to DHS from Epcot to see that show, then hop to MK for Wishes and EMH. So much hopping. Guess I need to add even more alternative scenarios to my schedule.

I think you're right with the H&V meal being safe, at least that's what I'm hoping as I have some reservations too on that Saturday in Epcot. I'm figuring the parks will be busy but if we can fit in the meals and a couple of fast passes, hopefully we can handle the crowds. I've been looking for reports too about that Saturday and have seen that it's going to be pretty busy. What time is your H&V? Can you eat and then decide based on crowds if you want to stay?

I have a decision for our first day that I could use opinions on. Our first day we are doing a resort crawl and hopefully will hit WL, FW, Poly, GF, and CR. It's a MVMCP night at MK. I currently have a California Grill ADR at 9:30pm where I didn't plan to order meals, but maybe drinks and desserts to watch the Holiday Wishes. I'm rethinking this, for a couple reasons. Here are my proposed options:

1. Just focus on the resort crawl and not try to see Holiday Wishes at all. Would you even recommend pre-watching the Holiday Wishes like this? We are going to be at a MVMCP during our trip and get to see them up close and personal. Would I be kind of "spoiling" it for us if we see them from a distance first and here the music and everything? Or am I completely overthinking this like I do everything else. This option leaves us more freedom to tour the resorts in a different order than I currently scheduled. And maybe we could end up at FW after dark and do a sleigh ride...
2. Do a Wishes Fireworks cruise that night for $45/person. I've already seen someone post that they are looking to fill spots on a cruise that night. Would this be a better option? It may be more expensive, or it may not. I'm not sure what exactly we'd order at California Grill.
3. Keep the current plan of the California Grill reservation.

I don't think it will ruin it to see it from California Grill, but I have no experience to back that up. Drinks and desserts following a resort crawl sound nice. Though the sleigh ride also sounds awesome...

 

[JamieOak]

I don't think it will ruin it to see it from California Grill, but I have no experience to back that up. Drinks and desserts following a resort crawl sound nice. Though the sleigh ride also sounds awesome...

Well we will be drinking and eating appetizers during our crawl, so the ADR kind of seemed like overkill to me at first. But I figured we'd just treat it like another lounge and only order a little.

 

[missnikki411]

I think you're right with the H&V meal being safe, at least that's what I'm hoping as I have some reservations too on that Saturday in Epcot. I'm figuring the parks will be busy but if we can fit in the meals and a couple of fast passes, hopefully we can handle the crowds. I've been looking for reports too about that Saturday and have seen that it's going to be pretty busy. What time is your H&V? Can you eat and then decide based on crowds if you want to stay?
.

We have a 3PM and a 5:15. I think we are doing the 5:15 now since JBJB isn't until 9PM and I don't want to spend that much time in the parks if they are going to be insane. I'm thinking we eat and assess the madness after and I will leave that other night open for lots of hopping. I'm definitely excited to hear the first reviews of JBJB to see if it is worth the chaos!

 

[M&J's Mom]

I spent way too long today working on some semblance of a touring plan for AK. My day is bisected by our afternoon lunch at Sanaa - everything is in the back of the park and trekking all the way to the bus and back is going to take a serious chunk out of my day. Not that I'm going to drop it, I've read way too many reviews about that bread service. But there's so much I want to see in AK, we missed out on a lot of it last time! Like the wildlife train and Rafiki's Planet Watch or whatever it is - is that worth going to see? How long does it take? I also want to see Nemo (missed it last time) and Lion King (saw it last time and it was awesome). What about the Flights of Wonder?

We saw Flights of Wonder on our last visit and really enjoyed it! We had always skipped it in the past. I had Rafiki's Planet Watch in my plans for AK and then took it out, but I know my DD would enjoy the train ride so we may just do that. I think the Wilderness Explorers has some activities out there though, so we'll see. I want to do it all! And some things twice!!

 

[CCxmas]

We d

We have a 3PM and a 5:15. I think we are doing the 5:15 now since JBJB isn't until 9PM and I don't want to spend that much time in the parks if they are going to be insane. I'm thinking we eat and assess the madness after and I will leave that other night open for lots of hopping. I'm definitely excited to hear the first reviews of JBJB to see if it is worth the chaos!

We did HS with H&V last year on Saturday after Thanksgiving. It was crowded but not terrible. I don't like crowds. We couldn't walk through Osborne lights bc of crowds but still stood at edge of street and enjoyed the show for a bit. I'm planning on HS that Saturday again this year. I'm thinking that JBJB may not be that terrible since the show is 9p? Either way I think you could grab a spot to enjoy the show. That's my plan anyways. We will either be super happy or super miserable!!

 

[EcknMama]

Just catching up on the thread and I am completely rethinking my plans. We have our fast passes and a few ADR's but that's it as far as planning. None of us have ever been and I am not sure what everyone will enjoy. Buuuuut,looking at everyone's detailed plans totally makes me look like a slacker.

 

[kellyjeanie]

Just catching up on the thread and I am completely rethinking my plans. We have our fast passes and a few ADR's but that's it as far as planning. None of us have ever been and I am not sure what everyone will enjoy. Buuuuut,looking at everyone's detailed plans totally makes me look like a slacker.

I'm sure you're not a slacker! This is our second trip. For our first trip, I had ADRs and fast passes as a framework, and that was about it for the same reason. It's so hard to know until you're there! I think you just have to do the amount of planning you are comfortable with. Some people need to have things planned down to the minute, others are more go with the flow. You're going to have a great time.

 

[Sharla75]

I just dropped this ADR, if anyone wants it:

Reservation for 4 on Thursday Dec 1, 2016
Cape May Cafe
7:30 AM - Breakfast

I had to cancel it to grab something else...

 

[happymom2one]

Hi! Sorry, just joining! I just found this through one of the other members. We are going Nov 27 through Dec 2 and staying at the CBR!! So excited. I am taking my mom, husband, 9 DD and 3 DD.

 

[ElenaofAvalor]

Hi! Sorry, just joining! I just found this through one of the other members. We are going Nov 27 through Dec 2 and staying at the CBR!! So excited. I am taking my mom, husband, 9 DD and 3 DD.

Hi! Not much longer!

 

[goav2000]

I have a decision for our first day that I could use opinions on. Our first day we are doing a resort crawl and hopefully will hit WL, FW, Poly, GF, and CR. It's a MVMCP night at MK. I currently have a California Grill ADR at 9:30pm where I didn't plan to order meals, but maybe drinks and desserts to watch the Holiday Wishes. I'm rethinking this, for a couple reasons. Here are my proposed options:

1. Just focus on the resort crawl and not try to see Holiday Wishes at all. Would you even recommend pre-watching the Holiday Wishes like this? We are going to be at a MVMCP during our trip and get to see them up close and personal. Would I be kind of "spoiling" it for us if we see them from a distance first and here the music and everything? Or am I completely overthinking this like I do everything else. This option leaves us more freedom to tour the resorts in a different order than I currently scheduled. And maybe we could end up at FW after dark and do a sleigh ride...
2. Do a Wishes Fireworks cruise that night for $45/person. I've already seen someone post that they are looking to fill spots on a cruise that night. Would this be a better option? It may be more expensive, or it may not. I'm not sure what exactly we'd order at California Grill.
3. Keep the current plan of the California Grill reservation.

This is similar to our Wednesday (11/30). When you all are having dessert parties and whatnot, we'll be watching from above .
I wouldn't think that seeing it from CR before your party would ruin anything. Wishes is Wishes!! And another member in here previously noted that Holiday Wishes is even > Wishes (possible?).

So...I would try to see it as many times possible!

 

[JamieOak]

Hi! Sorry, just joining! I just found this through one of the other members. We are going Nov 27 through Dec 2 and staying at the CBR!! So excited. I am taking my mom, husband, 9 DD and 3 DD.

Welcome to the group! We also have a Facebook group if you'd like to join. The link is a couple posts/pages back (it was posted today). Our first WDW day is 11/27 also!

This is similar to our Wednesday (11/30). When you all are having dessert parties and whatnot, we'll be watching from above .
I wouldn't think that seeing it from CR before your party would ruin anything. Wishes is Wishes!! And another member in here previously noted that Holiday Wishes is even > Wishes (possible?).

So...I would try to see it as many times possible!

So...CR, Wishes cruise, or just one of the beaches/spots at a monorail resort that doesn't require an ADR?