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

[pinkpixie0920]

What a nice day you had for GAD! I didn't know you could get fast passes in place of tickets. That is so nice.

I can't wait to hear everything about Christmas in WDW! We went in 2008 the week before Thanksgiving and some of the decorations were up. We got to see the icicle lights on Cinderella's castle but not Osbourne Spectacle of Lights or the Candlelight processional. You will probably never want to go at another time again!

 

[BippityBoo]

What a nice day you had for GAD! I didn't know you could get fast passes in place of tickets. That is so nice.

I can't wait to hear everything about Christmas in WDW! We went in 2008 the week before Thanksgiving and some of the decorations were up. We got to see the icicle lights on Cinderella's castle but not Osbourne Spectacle of Lights or the Candlelight processional. You will probably never want to go at another time again!

Thank you!! I did not know about the fastpasses either until my travel agent told me!! We were still sticking to the idea that we would use them for park tickets to save money, but now that I have read how wonderful they are and how many main attractions you can use them on---we are going for the fastpasses!!

OHH I think you are right---it will be VERY hard not to go back during Christmas We are loosely planning a Thanksgiving trip next year for my son's birthday. Close enough??ha

 

[pinkpixie0920]

Thank you!! I did not know about the fastpasses either until my travel agent told me!! We were still sticking to the idea that we would use them for park tickets to save money, but now that I have read how wonderful they are and how many main attractions you can use them on---we are going for the fastpasses!!

OHH I think you are right---it will be VERY hard not to go back during Christmas We are loosely planning a Thanksgiving trip next year for my son's birthday. Close enough??ha

That will be so fun! Are you thinking the week of Thanksgiving? When we went the week before it was empty! The one night we went to DHS for extra magic hours and after 10 it was completely empty. I could count on my one hand how many people we passed. The icicle lights were on the castle and all the decorations were up for the most part and we got to go to MVMCP. It was a wonderful week to be there.

 

[disneybarbie]

Lovely to hear about your GAD experience!

You must make sure you all get the "I VoluntEARed' buttons when you get to the parks!!

Emma xx

ps - the park hours for December are up on WDW website now!!

 

[Believeinfairytales]

Did not get to do the give a day promotion at Disney, but if I had, I would definitely want the FP. Especially if I could share them with my family! But, if crowds are low and you do not think that FPs will even be needed, it may make you feel really good to donate the ticket price to charity!

 

[moparop]

WDW QUESTION OF THE DAY:​

“Give-A-Day Program: Did you participate?”​

If so, let me know about your experience and what you are going to do/have done with the vouchers?

If you did not, how would you vote if you did have a voucher: Free tickets, GAD fastpasses or charity donation?

We did not participate. By the time we REALLY got our act together it was sold out. I was impressed (and slightly bummed) at how fast those slots went! If we had, I would go with FastPasses. Although, there are only a few FP rides my kids like.

 

[BippityBoo]

We did not participate. By the time we REALLY got our act together it was sold out. I was impressed (and slightly bummed) at how fast those slots went! If we had, I would go with FastPasses. Although, there are only a few FP rides my kids like.

Aww I am so sorry that you missed out!! The only way I got in was that I read that blog..thank goodness! Yes, we have more adults with us on our trip, so the FP is more for us and my older child

Did not get to do the give a day promotion at Disney, but if I had, I would definitely want the FP. Especially if I could share them with my family! But, if crowds are low and you do not think that FPs will even be needed, it may make you feel really good to donate the ticket price to charity!

You know, I think you are right. We will just have to wait until we get there to gage if the crowd levels were correct on touringplans.com. I heard that the first week of May was crazy crowded and it was suppose to be fairly low. Makes me nervous!! I would pick a children's cancer charity if I had the choice to donate the money to.

That will be so fun! Are you thinking the week of Thanksgiving? When we went the week before it was empty! The one night we went to DHS for extra magic hours and after 10 it was completely empty. I could count on my one hand how many people we passed. The icicle lights were on the castle and all the decorations were up for the most part and we got to go to MVMCP. It was a wonderful week to be there.

WOW! That would be great! I guess I never thought that MVMCP would be up before Thanksgiving We would most likely go the week before up until the day after Thanksgiving OR the day before Thanksgiving thru the week after Thanksgiving. Thanks for the advice!! I am very excited for that trip as well!

Lovely to hear about your GAD experience!

You must make sure you all get the "I VoluntEARed' buttons when you get to the parks!!

Emma xx

ps - the park hours for December are up on WDW website now!!

Ohhh thanks so much for letting me know, again Were they right on with the TA website??

I can not wait to wear the buttons!! So great

 

[Disneylove1228]

Joining in!! I saw your link on Heather's thread (Hlrababy)
can't wait to hear more, so glad I joined early!!

 

[pmpdchef]

Hi Katie,

I just found your planning thread and am so excited to follow along. We made our reservations on Sat for WL on Nov. 28-Dec. 3. I was beginning to think we were kinda strange for not staying at least a week (couldn't get DH to stay any longer) so seeing your dates made me feel better and thought it must be an omen that I had to follow along.

I've just discovered disboards about 2 weeks ago and am quickly learning that making resort reservations is just the beginning of the planning. I have so far to go. I don't know anything about the restaurants, when to go to which parks, etc. so I am really looking forward to following along with your planning so I know what I should be doing when.

Seems every waking moment I'm thinking Disney and trying to learn from the best here on the boards. Maybe this year should be our trial run and we should try and plan another one for 2011 to really do it right. I've heard something about a bouncback offer (don't really know exactly what it is) but if it is good maybe I can talk DH into taking advantage of it.

Looking forward to planning along with you!

Wendy

 

[kstatefamily]

Ohhh Flying Fish sounds awesome!! We are just missing you by one day!! That is ok, we can still plan together Thanks for joining in!! I will need to ask you lots of WL Christmas advice since you have been there before! Do you have a TR for it?


Right now I am not, but I sure do like to read others...FF is the one place that our daughter has requested...besides the princesses....and Pooh...ok so maybe not the only place. but she did love it. We are thinking Artist Point this year also. Ask away with the questions, it was out first trip, so i am not sure how much help i will be. This time i want to relax and enjoy the little things more.

The one thing that I can't wait to do again is to sit on the beach with my drink and watch the ELP.....

Bev

 

[kcandbella]

Abby is so cute in her big volunteer shirt! I love it!!!

It looks like you guys had a great day.

You know of course that we did GAD-add us to the Linus list. It just worked out easier for us that way.

I scrolled through and couldn't find it--what are your exact dates again? Or are you still maybe pushing it up? I haven't figured out my dates yet...still working on it!

 

[dismagiclover]

I don't think I mentioned what we did for our GAD. We did the blankets. It wasn't Project Linus, but a similar organization. We are going to use our tickets towards upgrades to APs, but those fastpasses are tempting.

 

[Believeinfairytales]

You know, I think you are right. We will just have to wait until we get there to gage if the crowd levels were correct on touringplans.com. I heard that the first week of May was crazy crowded and it was suppose to be fairly low. Makes me nervous!! I would pick a children's cancer charity if I had the choice to donate the money to.

You're right - you never know what the crowds are gonna do. The last time that I went in November, I thought crowd levels would be lower, but I was WRONG! I sure wish I could have had those wonderful FP's to get me through each park. A children's cancer organization would be a WONDERFUL charity to donate to. St. Jude's comes to mind. It makes me feel so very blessed to have a healthy child and I know that at any moment that could all come crashing down around me, as it has for so many families. My hearts and prayers go out to them each day.

 

[aharbin88]

Hi Katie!

I just subbed to your PTR! It looks like we might overlap by a day. We leave on the 12th. Can't wait to read all about your planning!

 

[BippityBoo]

Joining in!! I saw your link on Heather's thread (Hlrababy)
can't wait to hear more, so glad I joined early!!

HELLO!! Thank you so much for joining in I just love your siggy...your pictures are so cute and colorful! Happy to have you follow along!

Hi Katie,

I just found your planning thread and am so excited to follow along. We made our reservations on Sat for WL on Nov. 28-Dec. 3. I was beginning to think we were kinda strange for not staying at least a week (couldn't get DH to stay any longer) so seeing your dates made me feel better and thought it must be an omen that I had to follow along.

I've just discovered disboards about 2 weeks ago and am quickly learning that making resort reservations is just the beginning of the planning. I have so far to go. I don't know anything about the restaurants, when to go to which parks, etc. so I am really looking forward to following along with your planning so I know what I should be doing when.

Seems every waking moment I'm thinking Disney and trying to learn from the best here on the boards. Maybe this year should be our trial run and we should try and plan another one for 2011 to really do it right. I've heard something about a bouncback offer (don't really know exactly what it is) but if it is good maybe I can talk DH into taking advantage of it.

Looking forward to planning along with you!

Wendy

HELLO!!! And welcome to DIS It is SO helpful when planning your WDW vacation. I can not tell you how much I learned from the boards! I found DIS about 3 months before our first trip in 08. It helped, but like you said, you really have to go once to experience it then you will get the swing of things. However, you will be much more prepared than most 1st visitors with the DIS!!

You can make your ADRs at the restaurants 180 days in advance. I have a ticker below in my signiture for mine and my dates are Dec 11-16. So, you are probably VERY close to making yours!!! I highly advise that you do so. Even if you end up changing them later, at least you will have something. I would love to help with restaurants! I think I have a good feel as to what is most popular.

If you want, I could also give you the name and email of my travel agent!! She is so wonderful and FULL of information!! She is soooo great for first time travelers...and she is FREE! We used her last year and are using her again for December. She is really helping me becuase planning during the holidays are even harder than a regular WDW vacation!

I hope to post an ADR update this week...hope it will help get you lots of good info! Probably tomorrow. Again, let me know if I can help in any way!

PS: It is not neccessary to go for a full week. You DO miss out on some things/parks when you go for less, but you can always go back again to do what you missed!

Ohhh Flying Fish sounds awesome!! We are just missing you by one day!! That is ok, we can still plan together Thanks for joining in!! I will need to ask you lots of WL Christmas advice since you have been there before! Do you have a TR for it?


Right now I am not, but I sure do like to read others...FF is the one place that our daughter has requested...besides the princesses....and Pooh...ok so maybe not the only place. but she did love it. We are thinking Artist Point this year also. Ask away with the questions, it was out first trip, so i am not sure how much help i will be. This time i want to relax and enjoy the little things more.

The one thing that I can't wait to do again is to sit on the beach with my drink and watch the ELP.....

Bev

Ohhh I would LOVE to eat at Artist Point!! I am going to make an ADR for my in-laws. I hear it is awesome! I know what you mean...this trip will be really relaxing for us rather than go-go-go traveling!

Can you see the ELP from the WL beach?! That would be wonderful!!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

WOW! Katie...so sorry!
I remembered you saying you were starting around the 17th and with Dayne's graduation I have been so bad on my dissing...sorry...
going to go back and catch up will be back soon...
needed to sub along!
Connie

 

[BippityBoo]

Abby is so cute in her big volunteer shirt! I love it!!!

It looks like you guys had a great day.

You know of course that we did GAD-add us to the Linus list. It just worked out easier for us that way.

I scrolled through and couldn't find it--what are your exact dates again? Or are you still maybe pushing it up? I haven't figured out my dates yet...still working on it!

HAHA we laughed so hard at her walking around in her big shirt! I remembered that you did the Linus project! Your blankets came out so cute!

Oh well, I did not post it yet I don't think! hehe. We are going for Dec 11-16th. What is your window as of right now?? I would love to meet you and Bella if we are there at the same time!

I don't think I mentioned what we did for our GAD. We did the blankets. It wasn't Project Linus, but a similar organization. We are going to use our tickets towards upgrades to APs, but those fastpasses are tempting.

The blankets seem to be a great way to get the whole family involved! ohh I am interested in how you can upgrade them towards APs?? I agree--the fastpasses are VERY hard to pass up!!

You're right - you never know what the crowds are gonna do. The last time that I went in November, I thought crowd levels would be lower, but I was WRONG! I sure wish I could have had those wonderful FP's to get me through each park. A children's cancer organization would be a WONDERFUL charity to donate to. St. Jude's comes to mind. It makes me feel so very blessed to have a healthy child and I know that at any moment that could all come crashing down around me, as it has for so many families. My hearts and prayers go out to them each day.

Wow! Nice to know--it is so random! St. Jude would def. be my pick! I have some friends who experienced cancer with children, just horrible! We are so blessed

Hi Katie!

I just subbed to your PTR! It looks like we might overlap by a day. We leave on the 12th. Can't wait to read all about your planning!

REALLY?! Had no idea you were going in December!! We are there from 11-16. Where are you staying?! Thanks for joining in

 

[dismagiclover]

The blankets seem to be a great way to get the whole family involved! ohh I am interested in how you can upgrade them towards APs?? I agree--the fastpasses are VERY hard to pass up!!

From what I understand you can apply a credit toward the cost of your upgrade equal to the amount of the monetary value of a 1 day pass (I think it's around $80. I believe you first have to get the GAD pass and then after you use it to enter the park you go to guest relations where they can do the upgrade. My understanding is this works with any type of ticket you'd like to upgrade to, not just the APs. So basically I'll get an $80 discount on our APs. I haven't done this personally just read about it. So hopefully when I come back the end of June I can report that it worked no problem.

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I love the idea of posting a question at the end of each update!! It's going to be so much fun to answer - and see everyone else's answers!

Sadly, no we did not do the GAD program, but I so wish we had. I guess I never really did a lot of research into it, and didn't really pay attention to it until it was too late. But that is so awesome that you got to participate! I agree that the program was such a great idea on Disney's part! So, if I had of done the program, I would have chosen the FP for sure! Strictly from a money perspective, I would think if you were going for a long enough trip, one extra "free" park day wouldn't really be that much value. But that FP sounds amazing!

 

[gellybean]

Hey Katie!!

We must be on the same Disney withdrawl schedule or something. We were there the same week in January that y'all were and now we're going back at Christmastime as well, and we're staying in WL!

I *think* it looks like we may have some overlapping days too, if my math from looking at our tickers is accurate. What is y'all's arrival day??


I am kicking myself about GAD! How did I not know about the Dream Fast Pass as not one of the options!?

And I call myself a DISer!

So excited to read all about your plans!!