We're Dreaming of a WL Christmas! DEC 2010 INTERACTIVE PTR NEW: 12/9 BYE-BYE!

[klacey1]

I have a twitter, but I don't tweet on it, haha. I just use it to follow others. I'll add you!

 

[pooh'smate]

I just started following you. I am springb06. I don't really tweet much but I love following people.

 

[moparop]

WDW QUESTION OF THE DAY:​

“On your first day at WDW, can you resist heading to the parks?”​

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We have always gone to the parks on arrival day in the past. This year we are landing at 7pm on Friday and our first park day will not be til Sunday. It's kind of killing me to be there, but not in the parks. We'll see how I like it!

HEY YA'LL!!

I want to keep all of my DIS friends and friends back at home posted on what is going on at WDW while I am there. Trying to avoid looking like a complete Disney nut to my non-Disney-loving facebook friends, I made a Twitter account! I am very new to Twitter, but I love following the DIS, a few choice celebrities and friends . It is so fun! If you tweet---look me up! We can chat about Disney stuff.

www.twitter.com/DISBippityBoo

BONUS--for those of you wondering what I look like--GASP there is a picture of me on my twitter account

I added you! What a pretty lady!

 

[BippityBoo]

Sounds like a fabulous first day!
I'd be okay with not going to the parks on our first day there, because after such a long time traveling and then not getting to WDW until half the day is over, I'dbe willing to relax

Thank you!! I agree---traveling will take a lot out of you. How nice it will be to just relax for a while! And---it saves ticket money!

I'm so glad to see you on the DIS again, Katie! Wow, going back to school already?! We still have two weeks left until school starts!!
No matter how old the girls get, they always laugh so hard during Mickey's Twice Apon A Christmas. It's a tradition to watch it the first weekend of December since we're in Disney Thanksgiving weekend.
Your first day sounds like a ton of fun! I usually like to hurry up and unpack so we can head to either DHS or MK but my kids are older and we don't have a very long drive. If everyone goes to a park after a long drive there will be meltdowns. Staying at a MK resort is great during the Christmas season. You can take the boat to FW and walk around their to see Christmas decorations! (really cool, by the way!) Also you can hop the monorail and stop at the resorts. The GF has an amazing gingerbread house. Oh, and the Epcot resorts are not to be missed during the Christmas season.

YES! School starts so early over here! Twice Apon A Christmas is sooo funny---glad you guys like it too. I agree--we are so close to MK which is awesome. We have plans on our DAY 3 to explore the GF before our Ohana Dinner at the Poly (we will take the monorail from MK). Stay tuned so you can give me the scoop!

Sounds like an awesome plan! I do wonder though, can anyone go see the geyser or is it one of those things like the pools where you must stay at that resort?

OH---of course you can see the geyser! It is very close to the boat dock, so you could just hop on the boat from the MK and check it out. I believe it explodes every hour on the hour. HTH!

Sounds like a wonderful first day!! I just love the WL-- so beautiful. So Christmasy-- I think it has the most gorgeous tree at WDW. The log cabin look compliments the tree/decor so nicely.
I think the exploring idea sounds really nice! After such a long day of traveling, I think relaxing and a fun family dinner will be perfect.
Honestly, no, we can't resist the parks on our first day! We usually go for a fairly short time (5-6 nights), so we want to maximize every second. Plus, we fly, so we only travel for about 3 hours (from NY). Not too tiring! We always start with Epcot-- it's hard to resist MK, but my first visit to the MK on a trip MUST be in the morning when we can watch the opening show and then see the castle emerge.

CANT WAIT for the WL at Christmas!!!! You know, if it was just my hubby and I, we would hit the parks for EMH. However, with the kids, we will be pooped! Awww I wish I could fly too...just too dang expensive! We went right to the MK last year from the WL and it was great!

Haha...last year we were only going to do MNSSHP on our arrival day. We got in at noon. I drove my BF crazy until we left for the party!

HAHA! I would be JUST like that. I think if we were there at noon again, we would totally go to the MK. But, getting there at 4 or 5pm after driving is just too much. I am DYING to go to MNSSHP one day!!!!

Love your update!!!
We're mixed on going to the parks on the first day. If we take the early morning flight from NY, we have gone to the parks the 1st day. Last time we did this we had a 3 hour flight delay and regretted having ADRs at Epcot! This trip we're arriving close to bedtime so no park the 1st day (although now that we have APs, it matters much less!).

Amanda

I know!! It is a hard call. We decided that this trip would be low key, so no rushed ADRs or anything. It will be SO hard not to go, though! Awww I want an AP! ha.

Sounds like a great first day! I love the WL, looking at your pictures made me a little sad that we are not staying there this year. But I'm excited for POR and I plan to visit WL while I'm there so it's ok!

In response to your question...NO, we can't resist going to the parks on the first day! It would be nice to fly down in the middle of the day, check in, get settled and everything, but I just can't do it! I like getting into Orlando early, going to the resort, hoping the room will be ready, and then going straight to a park! I don't get to go to WDW that much, I need to get in as much time as possible!

I am looking into POR for when my DH and I go! I just think it looks beautiful! Yes--visit the WL for sure! I will need some serious will power not to head to the MK!

As a child, we never went to the parks on our arrival day. We'd either head over to shop at DTD or go to the Boardwalk and take in some of the entertainers. Back in Jan 09, we went to DTD our first day (after settling in to our hotel, off-property, and hitting up Public's for some groceries) but in June 09, we went straight to the parks!!!!

Since we're fortunate enough to get great flight times from Buffalo, we can fit in 1/2 a day on our arrival day. It's just too much fun!!!!

I agree---having that full 1/2 day is key. We were thinking about DTD, but it is still unclear when my SIL and BIL will get there. Just better for us this trip not to. Ohhh what is on the Boardwalk for kids? We may go one night.

Day 1 looks fantastic!!

Welcome back, BTW!!

I'm working in a lot more resort time this year, but we are going to MK our first day since that will be our only day there besides the MNSSHPs that we're going to!

Thanks!! Glad to be back. I LOVE the MK on the 1st day. Awesome way to start the vacay.

Hey Katie! Nice to see you back. I gave you a shoutout on my PTR for the carriage pearl cages I just bought off eBay. They're beautiful!

What we do on our first day totally depends on the time of day we arrive at. The last few trips we've arrived mid afternoon-ish so we've opted to completely relax on the first day and not go to the parks. Our first trip was super fun though too when we arrived very early and we hit MK right off the bat.

WOOHOO! Love shout outs. Also, those necklaces are amazing!

Sounds like we have the same plans! If we do go to a park, it is def. the MK. We will get there so close to dinner---will just be better to eat and relax!

Oh, how I love Christmas music and Starbucks Peppermint Mochas during the holiday season!

The Wilderness Lodge is going to be so much fun to explore especially all decorated for Christmas.

As far as resisting heading to a park on the first day -- we have done it both ways and liked both ways, but it is pretty hard for me to resist heading straight out to a park.

YUM! Peppermint Mochas---wow. I am so excited for the WL at Christmas. Can't believe it is even better than it was without the decorations. I agree--hard to resist. I will have to remind myself that I am resting up for our week-o-fun!

Welcome back! Your first day plans sound great! I usually can't resist going to the parks on the first day. This trip we probably won't get to our hotel from the airport until almost 4 and we have an ADR at Downtown Disney at 7. I'm still scheming to try and come up with a way to get to the parks that day, but I don't think it will work out.

Thank you!! Seems like no one can resist the parks! haha. I really want to try DTD. Who knows, we may end up going! Where is your favorite place to eat at DTD?

Yay!! Katie's back!! Summer is kind of crazy, huh? So much for the lazy days of summer, right? Ha!

The Wilderness Lodge is so gorgeous for the holidays! It's the top place I would want to stay if I were there for Christmas! We went over there for dinner at WCC when we were there for Thanksgiving and I could have walked around for hours!

I think it is a fabulous idea to not go to a park that day! A Disney trip is about more than just the parks - make it a true resort experience, the total package. You're staying at a gorgeous place - enjoy it!!

Sara

YAY! Happy to be back. Can't wait for the WL!! It is a fun place to walk around--so much to see!

SO glad you agree. We are just really soaking in the atmosphere and Christmas things. I keep having to remind myself to take it slow when I am planning! I will have to skip a lot, but it will be so nice to relax!

Awesome Day 1 plans.

I can't resist going to the parks on our first day. A few times we've just gone to DTD an settled in, but it usually depends on arrival time. If we get an early flight, we head to the parks.

I would love to try DTD--never went! I agree---if we were there earlier, we would go to the MK. Getting there at 5pm does not give us much time.

Welcome back! Up here in New England, the kids don't go back to school for 3 more weeks. So we are enjoying our last 3 weeks of summer. Day 1 plans look just perfect. In the past, we have always spent our arrival day exploring the resort and going to DTD. But in 2009, we went to EPCOT on arrival day. I am torn. As much as we are always excited to get to a park, I almost feel like getting to one in early afternoon is a waste for us. Next year, I am thinking we will go back to our original plans and use our 1st full day (after a good night's rest) to get to the parks!

3 more weeks! Wow that is great! Another vote for DTD---I really want to try that! I agree, I like to have a good full day to explore a park. After a nice rest, we will be ready to hit Epcot!!

I love your question of the day at the end of posts. What a fun idea!
I'm loving this pre trip report. We are going this December as well . It will be our first time there ever (except for my DH).
I can't wait to read more!

Thank you!! I am loving all of the responses from the questions! Tons of tips and tricks!

What are your dates in December? Where are you staying? You will LOVE it! I can't vacation anywhere else!

Oh, how I adore the Wilderness at Christmas. The tree will take yoru breath away. And yes, many pictures will be taken by that tree, I'm sure! None of mine ever turned out right, though, because of all the lights on the tree and the dim lighting of the lobby, all mixed in with the flash on my camera. I didn't get one decent picture in front of the tree, but never fret, there are usually PP photogs there. I will definitely be doing that if I am ever fortunate enough to be at Disney around Christmas-time again!

And to answer your question regarding going to the parks the first day you arrive, well I always like to go right away! Just throw my stuff down and head straight to the MK. My husband on the other hand, wants to lounge around in the room and get familiar with the bed and the remote control. We're on vacation! You can watch TV at home! But usually I can convince him to get moving and head to the parks with me!

Thanks for the heads up about the flash and the tree. I did have a really hard time trying to find the right setting for the low lighting in the lobby. I will have to rely on the PP people!

HAHA. I agree with you--NO TV (unless it is Stacy). I would love to head to the MK like we did last time, I just have to remind myself that it is a slower, more relaxing trip this time.

We went to DTD on our first day. It was fun and our only time to go there. I would think I would want to do our resort or explore another resort on our arrival day instead of a park. Who knows I might change my mind next time we go

I am really wanting to try DTD one day! We are considering DTD for lunch on our check out day. Where is your favorite lunch spot there?

 

[BippityBoo]

Hi!!! YAY you are back! WOW, day one looks fantastic!! That dinner looks amazing!

Hmm, no I cannot resist not going to a park on the first day, haha.

Thanks, Lynn!! Dinner will be sooo yummy!

I can not resist, either. This should be interesting....ha!

Hey Katie! Glad to see you back and posting

I wish we were close enough to drive and be in WDW in 9 hours! I think I'd get alot more trips in that way

I like your idea of just chilling at the resort and enjoying a meal at WCC that first day. We've done both - headed straight to a park, and skipping them in lieu of resort time - and we've had fun both ways. The WL is so pretty decorated for the holidays, you'll have a fabulous time just walking around and checking it all out. Then you'll be fully rested and ready to go for your first full park day!

HAHA I guess I never looked at a 9 hour drive as a positive, so thank you! You are right, we are lucky to be a close day away. I agree, fun both ways. I know we will have lots of fun things to do at the WL! I am really just looking forward to getting my kids (and DH for that matter) all rested for our vacation!

Hi Katie!!!

Love your Day 1 plans - looks like fun!!!

I love the holiday Starbucks -yummo!!! My fav is the spiced apple cider.

I am now thinking of a solo trip in May 2011 & looking where to stay - might have to be WL - looks gorgeous!!

HI KATIE!! YUM--spiced cider. I will have to try that for sure! Oh you would LOVE the WL. Perfect for a solo trip I would say. Lots of lounging to do!

welcome back Katie- love your arrival day- looks like fun! love all the pics too- what a great idea, i might have to borrow that idea!! makes the report more fun- with pics each step of the way.

love the starbucks cups and all the holiday movies and music! can i ride with you guys?

Thank you!! Yes--love to have a visual picture of my day. Would love to see what you come up with!!

HAHA SURE!! Come along (you just have to sit between the kids and regulate the fights, ok?) haha.

Day one sounds great! It gave me goosebumps just looking at the picture of the gate. I absolutely love WL and hope to visit when I'm down there in October.

And no, I can never resist going to the parks! MK is open til 1 am the night we get in and I'm going, whether I'm by myself or not!

Thank you!! I absolutely love the WL too. It is just SO big and grand!

Go for it, girl! If I had no kids, I would be at the parks from opening to closing!

I took advantage of the VB sale too. I ordered a messenger bag and I just love it!

Nope, we are heading to the parks that first afternoon!! We will be getting into the resort soon enough, that I want to take Lilian for her first look at the Castle.

LOVE the Messenger! Glad you got one. OH go right away FOR SURE if it is her first look at the castle! How special!

Your Day 1 sounds amazing!!!

9 hours really isn't a lot when it's Disney World that you're driving to! My parents would always wake us up super early for road trips too. I can't even count the number of times I woke up and we were in a different state.

Olive Garden is my all-time favorite!!! But Subway is usually a much better lunch option for road-tripping. Especially when you have WCC to look forward to!

I'd always gone to a park on arrival day with my family, but I took TourGuideMike's suggestion and we just hung around the resort and went to DTD this time, and we LOVED it!! I'm sure that we'll do it this way from now on. It made things so much more relaxing. And since we made it to rope drop every morning (but our last), we didn't regret not having park time that first day.

I can't wait to see all of your gorgeous pictures of Disney World at Christmastime!!!

Oh--and this isn't a done deal AT ALL (and please don't say anything on FB), but Michael has made it to the second cut for a job in Tampa, FL. We REALLY love the church, and we're so ready to move. Aaaannnnnndddddd.... we'd only be an hour and 20 mins from Disney World!!! We've already looked at annual pass rates for FL residents... Even without Disney, we REALLYYYYYY want this job. But Disney would be a great bonus! So please keep us in your prayers!

HI STACI! I agree. Subway will be quick and we will have room for our yummy WC dinner. However, LOVE me some Olive Garden!

Glad you loved a relaxing day one. I really want to get to DTD some time during our trip. Maybe a check out day? I think relaxing will help us feel rested for the long days ahead!

I am praying SO hard for the job in Tampa! How great---being so close to Disney AND in Florida!! Let me know what the final outcome is. I know he will do great!

I am so glad you are back. I love the holiday drinks at Starbucks and when you listen to Christmas music while drinking them even better. I don't know if we will go to a park on the first day or not. This upcoming trip will be our first.

OH I love Christmas music!! Well, if you get there at a reasonable time, go to the park (especially MK!) You will not be able to fight it being that it is your first time. Just magical!

Starbucks' yummy holiday specials...yuuuummmmmmmmmmm

Love it!

I just started following you

YAY!! Saw that! I already tweeted 3 times....I am on a roll (HA~)

Hmmm....I don't do twitter, but how am I going to keep up with you on your trip if you are not FB-ing?? I may have to consider taking the tweet leap!!

(Great pic, by the way)!

Sara

Thanks, Sara!! Oh, you have to join twitter and follow me. It is SO fun. I just don't want to update my status 100 times a day and have all of my non-dis loving friends and family think I am absolutely crazy! You can tweet pictures too. Join up and add me! I am already tweeting bout my pre-Disney princess diet! haha

I have a twitter, but I don't tweet on it, haha. I just use it to follow others. I'll add you!

YAY! Saw you on there! I am starting to tweet about my new pre-Disney diet. Hope to do some shopping soon---stay tuned! Glad to be following you too!

I just started following you. I am springb06. I don't really tweet much but I love following people.

Seems like a lot of people do that. It is fun to see what everyone is up to. Thanks for following me!! I am following you too!

We have always gone to the parks on arrival day in the past. This year we are landing at 7pm on Friday and our first park day will not be til Sunday. It's kind of killing me to be there, but not in the parks. We'll see how I like it!



I added you! What a pretty lady!

OH MY! Good luck with that will-power not to go to the parks!! Thanks for the compliment---so glad you are following me! Just tweeted about my pre-Disney diet! hehe.

 

[DWGal210]

I just set up a Twitter account too . I'll follow you; that sounds kinda creepy, huh?

 

[magickingdom]

Thanks for reminding me...we can listen to Christmas music on our road trip down, YAY!!

 

[BippityBoo]

I just set up a Twitter account too . I'll follow you; that sounds kinda creepy, huh?

HAHA not creepy at all! Glad you are following along!

Thanks for reminding me...we can listen to Christmas music on our road trip down, YAY!!

Woohoo! Your welcome Makes the time go by much quicker.

 

[jenny105]

I'm on twitter too, Jenny105! I'll be tweeting from the parks when I'm there.

 

[Dancegrl624]

I agree---having that full 1/2 day is key. We were thinking about DTD, but it is still unclear when my SIL and BIL will get there. Just better for us this trip not to. Ohhh what is on the Boardwalk for kids? We may go one night.

There are usually some juggler/magicians at the Boardwalk plus there is a wonderful ice cream parlour. The view is so beautiful at night...everything is all lit up and you can see the BC/YC as well. There are some shops as well that are fun to look in.

 

[eecteacher82]

Glad you're back on here! I've been slacking with my PTR as well...but I think I'm back in the swing of things! I'm following you on twitter now as well, I'm eecteacher82 over there too. Can't wait to read more!

 

[Charlefours]

added you to Twitter finally! Glad I could finally get your added.

 

[laashley]

Glad you are back! First day, since we drive too we usually go to DTD. With kids it is just easier not to go to the parks too late (IMO). Probably because we are more of rope drop people.

I will have to sign up to follow you on twitter for your trip!

 

[disney<333]

I thought Twitter was pointless in the beginning but now everyone is on it. I'm so not into social networking, but I need to learn. My DD tried to teach my how to do FB and that was just a failure.
I'll definitely be making a Twitter for my next WDW trip. You look great in your picture.

 

[moparop]

OH MY! Good luck with that will-power not to go to the parks!! Thanks for the compliment---so glad you are following me! Just tweeted about my pre-Disney diet! hehe.

I am not in favor of the no park thing, but we have that pesky split stay. We will have no park tickets for days 1 and 2. Boo!!

 

[klacey1]

Thanks for making your Twitter-- it forced me to edit mine and make a post or two. Haha-- I always tell myself I'll be more active on it, and always fail. We'll see how long I last this time, lol.

 

[oregonmommyof2]

Signing on!! I am caught up, but I cheated and just read the links, but from here on out I will try and follow it all...

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

...
Thank you!! Seems like no one can resist the parks! haha. I really want to try DTD. Who knows, we may end up going! Where is your favorite place to eat at DTD?

...

We've done mostly CS in DTD. The only TS I've done is Rainforest Cafe, which is the same as Rainforest Cafes elsewhere, decent food plus good atmosphere. We're trying T-Rex in December and we're expecting it to be similar. My favorite CS for actual food is probably Wolfgang Puck, but my overall favorite place is Ghirardelli! Mmmm ice cream!!

 

[2kids2luv]

Enjoying your updates and questions. Back to school already - wow. We don't start back until 9/1 (although today wouldn't have minded sending them off.)

Your first day sounds wonderful. Starbucks peppermint mochas always put me in a happy mood. Exploring the WL will be fun. We didn't visit a park on our last trip and don't plan on it this trip either. We leave at 5 am for the airport and last time the kids stayed awake the entire trip. We plan to hit DTD and eat at T-Rex.

 

[MickeyisBeast]

I don't have a twitter... If I did have one, I'd probably just follow celebrities. Twitter's not that popular around here/with my age group
And your twitter picture is very pretty!