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

[MickeyisBeast]

Sounds like such fun plans!
Oh, I want to go back to WDW during Christmas again soooo bad, during Christmas time WDW is just 100 times more magical

 

[disneybarbie]

Glad your planning meeting was a success! I had one for DF's family last year before we went... they looked at me like I was totally nuts when I got out guide books, draft itineraries.. and Disney snacks!
They had been to WDW before but not stayed on property... it was soo hard to explain it to them without giving far too much information .. for example, DF's mother suggested that we go off-site every morning to get breakfast.. like at Denny's or McDonalds .. luckily I managed to convince her there were plenty of places to get breakfast in the parks/resort!


That new restaurant at the Mexico pavillion, La Hacienda, should be opening next week... it is counter service during the days but will be table service after 4pm!

But... I think you will get access to a reserved area to watch Illuminations as part of your CLP package! we did last year... it was near the entrance to world showcase, between the two small shops the CM at Le Cellier will probably explain it to you.

And definitely take the 'long way' out of the park after the fireworks... I loved doing that last year (got the idea from Nikki!), we missed all the crowds and World Showcase was sooo peaceful!

not long til our trips now!

Emma x

 

[laashley]

Great day 2 plans. Glad you got the CP package for Le Cellier. We had lunch there and it was wonderful. I think deciding on getting the fastpass option instead of the free day is going to work out perfectly for you and your extended family. That way you don't have to rush to get anywhere.

Sounds like your meeting went well. I agree, you can't let your in-laws waste their dining plan meals

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

So glad your meeting went so well! It's soooo much fun to do things like that but can be such a downer if everyone is not interested.

After the park closes, we will hang back for a while and enjoy walking around the park while everyone runs to the bus/monorail. We stayed for about 30 minutes extra last time and it helped a lot! No crazy crowds to fight.

And definitely take the 'long way' out of the park after the fireworks... I loved doing that last year (got the idea from Nikki!), we missed all the crowds and World Showcase was sooo peaceful!

Emma x

Taking the long way around WS after Illuminations is the BEST!! The park empties out so quickly and once you pass the herds that are going in the opposite direction, all you see are happy CMs cleaning while listening to the "after Illuminations" music. Sometimes we just pick a bench and sit. By the time we leave Epcot, the bus stops are pretty much empty. One time, we even had a CM just ask us where we were going, directed us to the first bus that was waiting and we got a private ride back to our hotel! We stayed close to an hour pas closing that time!

 

[dismagiclover]

Sounds like a great day! Awesome that your GAD fastpasses will help you avoid having to worry about rope drops and getting fastpasses!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I'm so glad to hear that your meeting went well! I'm sure the DDP could be confusing to someone who knows very little about it - if confused me way back when I first started looking into it too! I know planning for such a big group is stressful, but I don't think you have anything to worry about! They are going to have such a wonderful time with the itinerary you're creating! Your Day 2 sounds amazing - what a great way to start off with those GAD vouchers, CP and Illuminations!

And yay for getting the LC ADR! I know you are so excited about it!

 

[klacey1]

Sounds like the perfect Epcot day!! I agree, having the break between lunch and the CLP will be nice!
Having a quiet WS will be the best! Great photo opportunities, without a thousand people around!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Sounds like a good plan! We were trying to decide between SCC or Whoopi for our CLP. Whoopi won which I'm really shocked about because my parents are always listening to contemporary christian music and enjoy him but I guess they thought Whoopi would be good too so we went with her. We always try and do Epcot for 2 days when we are there in Dec. My dad will usually stand in the back and watch the show again (with a diff narrator) while we shop or check out the pavillions so hopefully we made a good choice!

Last year, we were supposed to be at a show with Vanessa Williams but she canceled and we had Chita Rivera who was BY FAR THE BEST CLP narrator I've ever HEARD!! I saw 3 or 4 when I had lived/worked down there in 2008 and we were so blessed to get her as a replacement last Dec because she was amazing!! She's not on the list for this year but I know they have a ton of TBA's but they are all before we are getting there!

I must say too, I'm super jealous you are all at WL. I've tried for weeks to get in but should have known from last year when I booked it in June and had to make changes in Aug and everything there was already booked that I'd have a problem. We are going to be at AK-Savana with bunk bed but we will be wishing we were at WL!! I'm going to try and start my PTR for Dec as soon as I finish up the Aug TR which should be in a week or so!!

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

Your Day 2 plans sound great! I'm glad the meeting went well! Congrats on getting Le Cellier for your CLP!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

I'm glad your meeting went well!! My extended family has talked about doing a big trip before, but I know I'd end up planning most of it, and I don't know if I'd be OK with so many different adults trying to change plans. Major props to you for not going crazy!!

I'm glad you got the ADR you wanted, too! I think you'll have a great meal there whether it's lunch or dinner!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

World Showcase will be such a fun place to explore with all the Christmas decorations and storytellers! Plus, the Candlelight Processional and Illuminations will be a great way to end the day. I believe the new Mexican CS is supposed to open this month, so you could definitely try to nab a spot there to watch the fireworks.

 

[jenny105]

Your plans look great!

I booked my friend's trip (they're traveling the same week as us) and I talked them into the dining plan. They're newbies at it. I'm sure I'm going to be a getting a million questions about it while we're down there.

I really want to go to Disney World during the holidays. Epcot always looked so interesting to me cause of the different Santas and how different cultures celebrate the holidays. Looking forward to hearing about it!

 

[2kids2luv]

Glad your planning meeting went well. Your day 2 plans look wonderful. It makes for a more relaxing trip when you don't have to rush to get on your favorite rides. Touring WS and looking at the decorations sounds perfect about now. Congrats on getting LC for your CP.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Yay! You got Le Cellier! I'm so excited for you!

We absolutely loved the CLP and all the Storytellers around World Showcase. I'd say UK, Norway, Italy and Germany were my favorites - make sure you catch those!

 

[praisehisname]

Your plans look great; so glad you got Le Cellier! I'm looking forward to hearing about these "changes" you mentioned...

 

[999ghostslover]

Thank you all for your helpful advice!! It really came in handy for my meeting last night.

My family was in good spirits and all 8 of us were able to attend. They listened and asked questions without being too pushy. I was really pleased with the progress of the meeting. The main thing they are having trouble understanding is the Dining Plan (mainly my MIL and FIL). We will go over it again at our next meeting. We had the dining plan with them when we went in 2008. They had a few Counter Services and one Table Service left over because they did not understand the idea of the DP. I want to make sure they get it right this time

ON TO DAY 2!

After a relaxing check in day with no ADRs or park plans, we are off to EPCOT for our first full day at WDW!

We will have the luxury of getting a later start (we plan to meet in the lobby at 10am) because of our Give a Day/Get a Day vouchers! We will use these as fastpasses on rides such as TT and Soarin, so there is no need to get there early You can walk right up to the fastpass line and use the "magical fastpass" we get from customer service.

So--10-10:30AM we will meet at Roaring Forks (Counter Service) in the WL. We all agreed that we should get a bite to eat before heading to the parks each day. This way, none of us will be cranky or desperately searching for food when we get there!



LE CELLIER!!!! Because of our party size, we were only able to book lunch. I was a little upset at first because I had my heart set on dinner. Now I am really excited! I like the idea of going to the ADR and then having lots of time in between to tour. Otherwise, the entire night would be filled with dinner, waiting in line for the CP and watching Illuminations. This way, we will have a good balance of touring and seeing the incredible CP!

We will arrive in America right in time to get in line for the Candlelight Processional. Our narrator is Steven Curtis Chapman! We are beyond excited, I bet he is wonderful at it!

I'm so jealous that you get to see Steven Curtis Chapman at CP. He is so amazing. He and his family are really close with my neighbor's family. He sung at her wedding and his daughter was a bridesmaid and my neighbor was her bridesmaid 2 years ago. They have all been though so much together with the death of his daughter. Sometimes "Cinderella" comes on in the grocery store and you can see all of the grown women just blubbering to that song. It is so pretty.

 

[mom2mek]

That's great that you got Le Cellier for your CP package. We loved having the lunch meal and the first CP show. The sun goes down during the performance, and the candles start glowing brighter and brighter - it's really lovely.

One thing I would note is your timing. I don't know what time your ADR is, but we had a lunch seating at Garden Grill at 2:30 and we were pushing it to get to the CP in time. They start letting you in like 30-45 minutes prior to the show starting and they open it up to non-package people about 15 minutes prior.

Now, there are a few differences between our trip and yours - we were there Thanksgiving weekend so the crowds were heavier, we were a group of 16 - in otherwords...a HERD, and the Garden Grill is a bit further away than Le Cellier.
However, our meal was served family style and was probably a faster meal then Le Cellier. Our other mistake we made was we went the wrong way when we approached the WS figuring it was the same distance since the American pavillion is right in the middle. Well, the line for the package people goes towards Japan, so we were approaching the line from the wrong direction. Ugh - that was a LONG walk! We got to the theater after walking around the WS from the Mexico side, only to have to keep walking all the way to Japan where the line ended. You will be a lot closer coming from Canada, so that's good!!

Anyways, just keep it in mind that you MAY not have as much time in between lunch and lining up for the CP. You will however have your evening which will be SO nice. Plus they have that special Illuminations area for CP package holders.

Sara

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

Just got this e-mail update on the new restaurant in Mexico:

The new full-service La Hacienda de San Angel restaurant in Epcot's Mexico pavilion is scheduled to open to walk-in diners September 16, 2010. La Hacienda de San Angel will open daily at 4 p.m. The menu will feature starters like queso fundido (warm cheese with poblano pepper and chorizo); a taco trio with rib eye, roasted chicken and pork; and traditional black bean soup. Entrees include a mixed grill for two with flank steak, chicken, chorizo and vegetables (a seafood version features grouper, shrimp and scallops); roasted shrimp in pepper garlic broth; flank steak with spring onions, refried beans and cactus leaves; and grilled red snapper with roasted corn and cactus leaves; and for dessert, chocolate churros, sweet tamales and fruit empanadas. Reservations will become available later in September for October 15 arrivals and later. Next door, La Cantina de San Angel, the quick-service restaurant, will reopen on September 16 and will operate from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The new La Cantina menu will offer chicken and beef tacos on fresh handmade corn tortillas, nachos, a cheese empanada, guacamole and chips and churros.

So, it looks like the plan changed and the new restaurant will just be TS, open for dinner and the old CS will be reopening for lunch and dinner. Still, it will be open when y'all are there so you should be able to get a seat for Illuminations!

 

[LMN]

I am enjoying your PTR. We were at WDW last December and I just loved all of the Christmas decorations. Makes WDW even more magical, if that's possible! We were there last December because my dd10's cheer squad made it to the National Competition at WWoS. We are hoping to make it this year too, so we are already talking about another Christmas at Disney. If the squad makes it, we will be there Dec 5-10, just a little before you. We'll know the day after Thanksgiving whether we're going or not. Makes it crazy to try and get airfare. I wish we were only 9 hrs away like you guys- it is an 18 hour drive for us. Your ADR's look great. Congrats on getting LC. That is one place that I definitely want to try! If I can figure out how to tweet, I'm signing up as one of your followers!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

A very nice and relaxed Epcot day!

Yay for pick-a-pearl!! The other day Alex's girlfriend came for a visit and I hid the carriages in a "safe place" so she wouldn't inadvertantly see them.... and I forgot where I hid them!! Luckily I found them a few days later -- hate it when I do that!