Working the System - A NYE PTR - Link to TR is up! 1/13

[Pinkocto]

WOWZA! Lots of running around on the first day.

Total bummer about being allergic to the MB. But that is so sweet of your friend to make you a cover

Ingenius idea to add your folks to your reservation. Easier all around, no doubt about it.

Hmmm, you'd think the IG booths will be open before park opening since people could potentially buy tickets early. No idea though.

 

[Leshaface]

Hmmn. I do like red though honestly don't own much from it and always mean to get more. I do have a LOT of orange though. LOVE orange! And yellow. Yellow is my very favorite color though I don't own a ton of it either. Pink...only if it's more on the hot pink/magenta side and generally mixed in with other colors. Generally. Although I seem to be buying more hot pink these days for running gear so perhaps I am in a phase?

I must be going color blind! Time to get my eyes checked

 

[that's nice]

Hey Cynthia... just caught up.

Sounds like you have a trip of the year planned.. or is it next year?

I am scared for your arrival day. You have a lot planned into those first few hours. (sorry to sound like a Debbie Downer- who is that lady Debbie anyway?)

Good idea adding people to your room to get the MBs & FP+ privileges.

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[scottny]

That is a busy first day. I would be happy with half of it.

The plans sounds great.

 

[Chilly]

Good point and I have heard that as well. CP is at 8:15, Illuminations isn't until 10:30, how long does CP last?

I think it was 40 mins but Illuminations was on at 9pm when I went so you'll have plenty of time if my memory serves me right.

 

[eandesmom]

WOWZA! Lots of running around on the first day.

Keeps us out of trouble

Total bummer about being allergic to the MB. But that is so sweet of your friend to make you a cover

Isn't that sweet!

Ingenius idea to add your folks to your reservation. Easier all around, no doubt about it.

I hope so. I have a slight fear that somehow it will be weird or off with their Swan booking which is just starting to sorta link up to FP+ but hopefully it will all be ok.

Hmmm, you'd think the IG booths will be open before park opening since people could potentially buy tickets early. No idea though.

Right, I'd think Guest Services at all sites would be open at least 30 min before park opening but that didn't seem to be what was published.

I must be going color blind! Time to get my eyes checked

It's probably just your monitor. In the intro I've got a red dress, a orange/red dress, an orange tank and a multi colored dress that definitely has some pink (and brown, red, orange) in it.

Hey Cynthia... just caught up.

Sounds like you have a trip of the year planned.. or is it next year?

Both! It's a 2 for 1 deal. Which is good as it will break the bank for a bit

I am scared for your arrival day. You have a lot planned into those first few hours. (sorry to sound like a Debbie Downer- who is that lady Debbie anyway?)

Well I'll tell ya

Debbie Downer is a name of a fictional Saturday Night Live character which debuted in 2004, and who was portrayed by Rachel Dratch.
The character's name is a slang phrase which refers to someone who frequently adds bad news and negative feelings to a gathering, thus bringing down the mood of everyone around them. Dratch's character would usually appear at social gatherings and interrupt the conversation to voice negative opinions and pronouncements. She is especially concerned about the rate of feline AIDS, a subject that she would bring up on more than one occasion.



It is a bit ambitious. It may work, it may not and that's ok. Really the only "must" do's are haircuts and dinner ADR, the rest is pretty flexible if need be.

Good idea adding people to your room to get the MBs & FP+ privileges.

Looking forward to reading more!

Thanks! I think it will help, especially with the craziness of the crowds, and the brain fuzziness brought on by post red eye flights.

That is a busy first day. I would be happy with half of it.

The plans sounds great.

Which half? LOL

I think it was 40 mins but Illuminations was on at 9pm when I went so you'll have plenty of time if my memory serves me right.

Cool. I was happy from a not feeling rushed after CP standpoint, but also a little sad that Illuminations was later. It may decrease our chances of staying for it but oh well.

 

[CarolynK]

All checked bags will be headed straight to our resort. How?

Working the System Part 1.
With my nephew Isaac unable to join us it occurred to me that "technically" my villa can hold 9. While my parents are actually staying at the Swan, they are also listed on my BWV reservation.

Clever girl! What a great idea - I think Disney really should allow S/D guests to use MDE - in many other ways, S/D is basically a Disney resort, right?!

So you've set up DME but won't actually use it on arrival? I suppose the best thing would be for us to hike to the Hess and get Milk, adult beverages for day 1 but UGH that does not sound like fun. Maybe I can bribe Jeff to go?

Yes, originally we were DME both ways but the car rental is reasonable, so I need to cancel the MCO-WDW leg.

 

[Pinkocto]

I forgot to say, I definitely wouldn't mess with the dinner reservation. One person is not going to effect the table they need to set up. I would just tell them at check in.

 

[eandesmom]

Clever girl! What a great idea - I think Disney really should allow S/D guests to use MDE - in many other ways, S/D is basically a Disney resort, right?!

It really is in many ways. They are booked through Disney, you can make dining reservations through Disney, they get EMH... what you can't get is the dining plan, MDE or MagicBands. It does appear they will get an in-park FP+ experience but who knows how that will really play out.

I am really glad though they can just get on the bus with us, it makes life a lot easier all around.

Yes, originally we were DME both ways but the car rental is reasonable, so I need to cancel the MCO-WDW leg.

That's good. We've used the car center for the one days before and it works pretty well. I haven't done it just for groceries...I have considered the town car that will stop at the store on the way in though!

I forgot to say, I definitely wouldn't mess with the dinner reservation. One person is not going to effect the table they need to set up. I would just tell them at check in.

I'm not going to. We are technically 2 short (ressie is actually for 13 and we are 11) but it is what it is and I am not risking losing that reservation for sure!

 

[KatMark]

I am exhausted just reading your first day plans. I need a nap now.

I love the throwback pictures of the boys getting their haircuts.

 

[eandesmom]

I am exhausted just reading your first day plans. I need a nap now.

Well, that's part of it.

I can't nap.

Literally.

I've pulled it off on a few times in my life and usually only when very very sick or recovering from surgery.

We aren't nappers.

None of us.

Except my dad. He is a pro. He will nap! I really wish I could but I can't.

I love the throwback pictures of the boys getting their haircuts.

Me too! Although I'm kind of glad they gave up the glitter and gel. That stuff was a MESS!

I won't be surprised though if Evan changes his mind and gets caught up in it, I could see both he and Kolby going for it on an impulse decision.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

well i did it, i finally finished reading it all and am now caught up.

you may continue on with day 2

hope you guys do get to everything you have planned the first day, i hope people are not to tired and can sleep on the way there.

 

[eandesmom]

well i did it, i finally finished reading it all and am now caught up.

you may continue on with day 2

hope you guys do get to everything you have planned the first day, i hope people are not to tired and can sleep on the way there.

I hope so, we will see how it goes. It is unlikely we will have the opportunity to nap before our dinner ADR no matter what so we will kind of have to get stuff done. LOL!

 

[eandesmom]

Our second day will most likely not begin nearly as early as Day 1 did!

For me, and most likely for Jeff and Melissa, our day will begin with this



Minus the yogurt

And with a different view

Our view will be more like this

And well, I will hopefully be drinking out of a new mug...you know, it's my thing! Ideally I will have found a magical new mug on day 1. So far there is nothing specific I have my eye on. It will speak to me and hopefully quickly as the villa mugs are WAY too small!

I hope to have some special times with my new mug, in the morning, enjoying our boardwalk view. Like this



or this



or this



or this



Sigh. I miss that Vero mug! To my knowledge they haven't rolled out cool BWV mugs (some other neat things though that are on my radar) but if there is...it's mine! I wouldn't mind a holiday one of some sort...if it isn't cheesey. They often are though. It will be a day 1 mission.

I am hoping to be in bed by 11 at the latest. If so, guessing the adults will stir between 7-8, kids maybe 8-9. We won't let them sleep longer than 8:30 or 9 though as to not get off for the whole week. Or, we will jsut leave them there if they do! There is EMH at MK, AK and Epcot this day however I don't really see anyone trying to make it to a park for 8am EMH. If they want to, well, go for it! It is possible but I dont think probable. Instead my plan was to take a slightly slower approach to the morning. I will go out for a quick run and pick up milk and a couple of other things so that the clan can have breakfast and take a little bit of time to clear the cobwebs and get moving. That is a quick run to get milk...not a quick run. While I do plan to run while there...I don't expect to have acclimated to the time change on day 2 yet. It's not entirely out of the question but, unlikely.

Once they are up, fed and ready to go and wewe've coordinated with my folks, I need to go visit someone!



Currently we have FP+ from 10-11 here





I figure we should be able to make it into the FP+ line by 11 even if we let kids sleep later than planned. And nothing wakes you up like a little Aerosmith! I do hope it isn'tt 11 but we will live if its getting close to that.

We will then head here for our FP+ window from 11:05-12:05



I hope they are more awake than this!





While I don't think we will need to eat quite yet, given a later breakfast, Jeff may want some of this



From 12:05-1:05 we have our last FP+ of the day, here



I fully expect us to be in this dump shop for a LONG time. Quin and Kolby, especially Kolby (and well, my Dad too) are obsessed with Star Wars.

After this, we will see. We may try to go here



Or at least some of us may

I wouldn't mind hitting the animation academy, nor would the Es. Or we may go back, have lunch in the villa, a drink on the balcony, hit the pool or whatever! And, most importantly, hook up with the rest of our party.
Kerri and Eric land at 11:30. They should make it to the Swan no later than 1:30 at the outside. Not positive how they are getting there yet (cab, mears or towncar) so that will impact the speed of delivery. When they get in and what they want to do may dictate the afternoon. I imagine we will likely eat something with them, somewhere, be it the villa or who knows! Then again, the kids may demand we stay at DHS and they come to us. I am good with whatever! My dad will probably just go on Star Tours over and over and over if he can...and slide in an Indy show as well.

Me, well I will definitely be checking out that single rider line for RRC! A show today is unlikely unless other adults really want. Beyond all that, Ill just soak up the streetmosphere! Then again&there is the Christmas Parade which, if we didn't see the day before (though given the times of haircuts we have an excellent chance of it) we might try to get to MK in time to see the 3:30 parade. While generally I am not a big parade person, I do want to see this! I didn't think it would still be going but am happy to see it is.

What I do know is this. By about 5pm we need to be on a either a bus to the MK from our resort, or if still at DHS, on a bus to the Poly. Unless of course we have already made it to the MK!

We have a 6:20 ADR here&yeah I know the food is a little different now



I think we will still enjoy it all though!





We will have to hide the caramel sauce from Jeff



It might involve one of these



I wonder if I can convince Evan to do this again?





Dinner will take some time. Potentially as long as 3 hours. Frankly, I am not mentioning that to my sister Kerri. I know she is jonesing to head straight to MK, but we all have to eat. I am also not sure how her DH Eric would feel about a meal that lasts that long that is served family style. Although, heaven knows it does at any family gathering so maybe I am worried for no reason. After dinner...I am not exactly sure.

When I booked this, it was the only time I could get for that many people. I had thought that fireworks were at 9:30 and that was a big deal, as they will do the MK NYE fireworks twice, once on the 30th and once on the 31st. We would be cutting it close to see it if Ohana runs true to its late form. However, it appears that the Fantasy In The Sky Fireworks Fireworks really will not be until 11:50. Now I am not sure if that means there is a normal showing of Holiday Wishes as well, or what. Right now it says there is, at 8:30. Maybe we will see a glimpse through our window. We may also catch a glimpse of the EWP...which I have never seen and so that would make me very happy.

As I've never been during the holidays&when are the castle lights turned on? Is that part of the normal Holiday Wishes? As we will most definitely not be in the park when it is happening we certainly will not see Glow with the Show. Does anyone know how long this runs? I wonder if NYE is the last night for it. If so, we will not get to see it.

At any rate...MK is open until 2am. Fireworks are at 11:50. My strong preference is to watch them from the Poly Beach and then if folks really want, head back into the park (yes, like salmon swimming up stream I am sure). But the collective may override and I am ok with that as long as my parents are happy. The collective may elect to split up too, some in park and some on the beach, and Im ok with that. Kerri plans to be at MK until 2am...nothing like throwing her DH in full throttle on day 1 (for them!). I can't wait to see how THAT plays out.

As long as we dont lose children.

Which brings me to another point/question. What is everyones thoughts on "freedom"?

We have:
Quin. 15, high school sophomore, on the spectrum. Quin is very bright, very stubborn, very set in his ways and very insular. He would not be the one keeping track of anyone else. He is I believe fairly good with directions (as in be back in one hour and meet here) and does have a cell phone.

Evan. 14, high school freshman and the social director. He will keep track of people...as long as they are listening and doing what he wants. Which he very much will want to control. He is open and aware of what others will want to do and is likely to concede to that in all cases...except if it is his brother. An excellent babysitter of other kids, a great team player...siblings however are a different story and Quin, well Quin is bigger and stubborn and unlikely to let Evan "boss" him around. Arguably Ev has the most street sense of the bunch.

Eric. 13, 7th grade. Eric lives in....Eric's world. He has gotten lost at WDW before, as well as at home. True, it has been 2-3 years since the last major scare but his general lack of awareness of everything around him...well, that hasn't changed. What has changed is that he would know what to do if separated. Actually that hasn'tt changed either, he handled it well both times on his end (even if I freaked out getting a call from Hawaii as that was the first person he found with a cell phone). Still. He is prone to wandering off, thinking he is following when he really isn't and in general, not listening to much but the soundtrack in his head. Which can become very very fixated on something hed like to do and he is not known for flexibility and being a good team player when this happens. Eric is not old enough to be in the parks alone but can be if with Evan and/or Quin.

Kolby. 12, 7th grade. Kolby is...Stitch. That pretty much sums it up. He and Evan will likely be pretty simpatico with what they want to do. If what they want, is also what Q wants....but not Eric...meltdowns could ensue. Kolby is also not old enough to be in the parks alone but can be with the high schoolers as well.

I would like to think that they are all high school and middle school aged children that we often let do activities without us. Because they are, and we do. It is the group dynamics combined, without adults, in those kinds of crowds, that concern me. They do go off together without us. But typically it's just to the park across the street...where invariably someone comes home wet. And often someone comes home early due to a squabble. Here someone could literally take off, head to the villa, another park etc, if mad.
Eric will also talk to ANYONE (and talk their ears off), no fear of strangers whatsoever. Evan is a bit more cautious...but not a ton if someone "seems" normal on the surface. Quin and Kolby are much better in this area. A bit of mama's boys (especially Kolby) in comparison to the E's but when it comes to stranger danger, I think they may have the edge.

Right now, until proven they can handle it...I am personally inclined to have a fairly short leash. Like an hour long one if they want to split up in park, with a designated meeting spot. I'd also love for them to be able to see our FP times and ADRs as to help keep them on time BUT for obvious reasons don't want them to be able to go in and change things on their own. There doesn't seem to be a "teen" option on these things, either you are an adult or you are not and unless you set it up as an adult account&it doesn't appear you can change or book your own FP+ except maybe once in the park. They all have phones. And all are notoriously bad at having ringers turned off, missing texts, missing calls or not charging those phones!

If anyone has insight into this aspect&all ideas, input and thought are welcome.

Ringing in the New Year, Clan style

 

[jedijill]

Well, I don't have kids but was once a teenager with a brother that was/is 2.5 years younger (only a couple of years ago, I swear!) My parents did let my brother and I go ride some rides while they were in the same park and meet up at a certain time (usually within an hour or two). It seemed to work out well....we got some freedom but we were "contained" in the park environment. I think they all need to "earn" any extra freedoms based on how they handle the small freedoms you allow them.

Just my 2 cents.

Jill in CO

 

[KatMark]

Day 2 plans sound really good (well, except Ohanas...we really just didn't care for it).

How come no FP+ for Tower?

Hmmm...the decision regarding the boys. That is such a tough one and it's been awhile since my boys were at that age...and it was only two of them, not four.

I would attempt to give them a little leeway at a park you are all at together for an hour or so with a designated meet time and see how that goes. If all goes well, then maybe give them two hours the next day.

 

[Poolrat]

My 2 cents-

As you probably would start out with a short leash and you can gradually let it out. Same part- different ride and communication.
I am sure as the trip goes on the leash can be let out- the first few days will be the most crowded and the getting separated can easily happen even if they are being responsible.

What else you do well is enforcing those rules - phones on and communicating when moving on to different ride or at a certain time or whatever. They need their time management skills and ride knowledge - like not to get on Ellen when they have to be at dinner in a half hour. ( Had to stop the boy from that one )

Also judge the comfort level in getting around. My DS can maneuver around the park and transportation like a pro but my DD is not as comfortable.

Okay that was more like a quarter but there you go.

 

[eandesmom]

Well, I don't have kids but was once a teenager with a brother that was/is 2.5 years younger (only a couple of years ago, I swear!) My parents did let my brother and I go ride some rides while they were in the same park and meet up at a certain time (usually within an hour or two). It seemed to work out well....we got some freedom but we were "contained" in the park environment. I think they all need to "earn" any extra freedoms based on how they handle the small freedoms you allow them.

Just my 2 cents.

Jill in CO

Thanks Jill! I like the idea of contained, especially with the crowds

Day 2 plans sound really good (well, except Ohanas...we really just didn't care for it).

How come no FP+ for Tower?

It was a big debate! We've got 4 things everyone wants and could only pick 3. Evan is not the ToT fan that Eric is and we will have a couple of days without the cousins plus at least 1-2 other times back in. We decided that the other 3 were higher priority. Which in a way is a little silly as we can do RRC single rider but...the boys really want to ride things WITH their cousins, not in different cars and with Kolby being the SW fanatic he is...FP+ seemed worth it. It could change, Eric really wants ToT but he and I can wait if need be.

Hmmm...the decision regarding the boys. That is such a tough one and it's been awhile since my boys were at that age...and it was only two of them, not four.

I would attempt to give them a little leeway at a park you are all at together for an hour or so with a designated meet time and see how that goes. If all goes well, then maybe give them two hours the next day.

That is kind of what we are thinking. Day 1 there won't be much time for it to be tested until after dinner but there is more time on Day 2. They want it, I don't want to be stressed all trip about them checking in..plus do want us all together at least some of the time so there will have to be compromise.

My 2 cents-

As you probably would start out with a short leash and you can gradually let it out. Same part- different ride and communication.
I am sure as the trip goes on the leash can be let out- the first few days will be the most crowded and the getting separated can easily happen even if they are being responsible.

What else you do well is enforcing those rules - phones on and communicating when moving on to different ride or at a certain time or whatever. They need their time management skills and ride knowledge - like not to get on Ellen when they have to be at dinner in a half hour. ( Had to stop the boy from that one )

Also judge the comfort level in getting around. My DS can maneuver around the park and transportation like a pro but my DD is not as comfortable.

Okay that was more like a quarter but there you go.

I'll take a quarter!

Really good points on time management (they suck) and ride knowledge. I think they think they know more than they do. At least at 3 out of 4 parks. I think they have a very good grasp of AK as that was recent but the others were 2.5 years ago and at their age, plus all the crowds, no I don't think they have a grasp on both at the same time. They can navigate pretty well (or at least Eric can read a map, he is obsessed with them) and I think do have a good idea where stuff is but there is enough "new" that both of my boys, especially Eric, is likely to have "Squirrel!" moments. (Though typically we call Evan out on that one...it is SO him!).

 

[CarolynK]

...It is the group dynamics combined, without adults, in those kinds of crowds, that concern me. They do go off together without us. But typically it's just to the park across the street...where invariably someone comes home wet. And often someone comes home early due to a squabble. Here someone could literally take off, head to the villa, another park etc, if mad.
Eric will also talk to ANYONE (and talk their ears off), no fear of strangers whatsoever. Evan is a bit more cautious...but not a ton if someone "seems" normal on the surface. Quin and Kolby are much better in this area. A bit of mama's boys (especially Kolby) in comparison to the E's but when it comes to stranger danger, I think they may have the edge.

If anyone has insight into this aspect…all ideas, input and thought are welcome.

From what you say above, it sounds like you haven't convinced yourself that they're ready to be set free? Are the kids asking for the freedom? Have you talked with your sister about it?
We've never traveled with family to WDW (other than my parents), so for us this has never been an issue we had to address. I DO think that WDW is probably a pretty safe place to give kids some space. We used to leave ours in the villa and go to FF (really the same building technically!) when my oldest was 8 or 9, while at home we'd have gotten a babysitter, and I consider myself a big worrier....
I might test them out a bit first, like if you are in World Showcase, send them ahead a couple of countries while the adults stop for a drink. I don't think I'd be comfortable with them loose in a park unless the adults were in the same park, at their ages. You won't enjoy yourself if you're worrying about them.

 

[eandesmom]

From what you say above, it sounds like you haven't convinced yourself that they're ready to be set free? Are the kids asking for the freedom? Have you talked with your sister about it?
We've never traveled with family to WDW (other than my parents), so for us this has never been an issue we had to address. I DO think that WDW is probably a pretty safe place to give kids some space. We used to leave ours in the villa and go to FF (really the same building technically!) when my oldest was 8 or 9, while at home we'd have gotten a babysitter, and I consider myself a big worrier....

I think I'd be less concerned if there were less crowds, or if maybe the other 2 nephews were there as well. If Conor, the one in Italy were there, between he and Evan I'd feel pretty good. We do plan to leave them in the villa while we go to Blue Zoo and I've zero concerns about that. We do it often at home! They are DEFINITELY asking for the freedom. The E's are, not at all sure about Q and Kolb. My sister, and Jeff, are far more relaxed about this stuff than I am and inclined to do a longer leash.

The interesting thing too is that honestly, at DLR, Evan will have this freedom on his band trip. And I'm fine with that. I think it's the Eric factor for me. Which would make him really mad as it was years ago that the incidents happened but his base personality...hasn't changed. The two did fine on the ship for the most part but add two more into the mix and yeah...outside my comfort level. I know I need to let go..a bit..but...

I might test them out a bit first, like if you are in World Showcase, send them ahead a couple of countries while the adults stop for a drink. I don't think I'd be comfortable with them loose in a park unless the adults were in the same park, at their ages. You won't enjoy yourself if you're worrying about them.

That is what I've told them, that it is likely to be exactly that. Same park. At least initially. They do have to earn it, at least from me. They (Evan) has visions of park hopping with his cousins and I'm just not there. We will see, I mean they let him use power tools at school and have an open campus so heaven knows he gets the freedom elsewhere.

If time allows I am thinking the first test could be a Sorcerers thing at MK around their Splash FP and meet back at Space Mountain on the first day. And we go from there.