We'll I booked the cruise

[LivingforDisney]

Yep, booked the Fantasy Jan 9th 2016, so far away lol.
Was hoping to go on the Magic , cause it's a bit smaller, but it wasn't to be!
Anyhow, next on the agenda is flights for Dec 2015.
I have done rough plans, so I don't forget to plan enough days for this trip so we don't miss anything.
Plans are to fly out hopefully around the 9tth Dec and get the parks done before the crowds arrive!
But now they ( as in my sister & daughter) want to stop at DL for 3 nights, as we have not seen Carsland, so I said we would have to do that on the way.
As I am the planner, I said I will see
If we do this then we won't get to WDW until the 12th.
When I look at it, this might work better, I am thinking of doing the first 4 nights at BWI and then 14 nights at All Star Sports, yes I know a downgrade, BUT,
If the historical dates are more the same as this year, we could get a room discount for BWI and free dining for *** and maybe, upgrade the dining plan.
It's a gamble when u have to book everything so far in advance and then wait to see what they offer.
My sister will celebrate her birthday on Dec 23rd, my daughter will celebrate her 15th on Dec 27th and poor me, we'll I will celebrate mine at home on Dec 3rd.

They have been warned of the crowds, but we are all eager to see Xmas in Orlando.
Now I have been and seen I don't think we will be as overwhelmed as last year.
But I booked everything last year and it all went off with a hitch, even including NY. We saw and did everything we planned, so that was good.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Congratulations! Let the planning fun begin.

 

[lffam]

Thats so awesome. Was the smaller size of the Magic the only preference over Fantasy? DS has said he wants to go on the Magic because if Marvel Avenger Academy. I was reading that the first two weeks of Dec were (relatively) less crowded and then builds to the busiest time, but personally I think WDW (or DL) at actual Christmas would be a very magical experience. Keep us updated on your planning!

 

[LivingforDisney]

Yes, thought as the Magic as a smaller ship, might be better for our first cruise, but I think the Fantasy looks beautiful.
My kids will be 15 & 17 , so I think they will enjoy the aquaduck ride.
We have a verandah, so we will be able to escape the crowds if we wish lol

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Yay for booking on the Fantasy! There is little not to love about that ship.

Some of the things I particularly loved about the Fantasy aren't on all the other ships, such as the adults pool deck, the Europa nightclub area (particularly Skyline), and both shows in Animators Palate. I don't think you'll be disappointed by your choice.

 

[Tashinwdw]

Congrats on booking the cruise, your holiday sounds like it will be great and all the upcoming planning is exciting. Christmas at WDW will be magical though I have heard how packed and crowded it is christmas day. Our driver told us that by mid morning all the carparks are full and they have to stop entry into the park because they have reached capacity. As we have always gone in September when crowds are at their min, I could not even imagine that. My kids complained when they had to wait more than 10 mins for a ride Although being overseas and enjoying christmas time would be a wonderful experience.

 

[LivingforDisney]

Yes, when we were there last Sept, the crowds were pretty good. I think it was only one day we decided to go to MK on a Saturday & when we arrived, thought holy moly look at the people lol.
I did think about doing MK Xmas day, you know get their for rope drop and stay till after lunchtime, but I think now we might give it a miss and just head over to Fort Wilderness after lunch , have a look around there , have dinner, do sled ride & then maybe, watch the fireworks on xmas night from Polynesian,
but of course would have to see how crowded it is.
Is it correct we get a boat from outside MK to Wilderness Lodge?? I assume we will have to give ourselves plenty of travel time to get there?
On this years calander MK is open till 3am on Dec 26th, so if that happens next year, this is something we would do.
Go to the park around 8-9 and stay until 3am
I am just a bit confused on this part, so our ticket is good if we enter on 26th & stay until park closes on 27th ( this years dates)
At this stage, if we go to DL prior to WDW, we will do 2 days Epcot, one day HS, one day AK, and 2 days MK & the xmas party.....
I am trying to plan it so we are not in the parks after 20th, apart from the 3am day ( if they do that )

 

[lffam]

Yes, when we were there last Sept, the crowds were pretty good. I think it was only one day we decided to go to MK on a Saturday & when we arrived, thought holy moly look at the people lol. I did think about doing MK Xmas day, you know get their for rope drop and stay till after lunchtime, but I think now we might give it a miss and just head over to Fort Wilderness after lunch , have a look around there , have dinner, do sled ride & then maybe, watch the fireworks on xmas night from Polynesian, but of course would have to see how crowded it is. Is it correct we get a boat from outside MK to Wilderness Lodge?? I assume we will have to give ourselves plenty of travel time to get there? On this years calander MK is open till 3am on Dec 26th, so if that happens next year, this is something we would do. Go to the park around 8-9 and stay until 3am I am just a bit confused on this part, so our ticket is good if we enter on 26th & stay until park closes on 27th ( this years dates) At this stage, if we go to DL prior to WDW, we will do 2 days Epcot, one day HS, one day AK, and 2 days MK & the xmas party..... I am trying to plan it so we are not in the parks after 20th, apart from the 3am day ( if they do that )

Yep boat from outside MK to WL. Easy and quick, I remember after one of the parties either Halloween or Christmas we didn't fit on the first boat that came and had to wait a little while for the next one but it wasn't long. Only time that happened. While we didn't do it I would expect that the day you enter you can stay till park closes (unless it closes for another event that you need special tickets for like Xmas party) and this would be considered the same day in terms of usage. Anything else would not seem to make sense.

Sleigh ride? Now that sounds awesome!