Year of the Mouse continues....Dec Trip WE'RE BACK!!

[KathyRN137]

Welcome Back! Glad your December trip is still on!

Now, get to work on the September report!


Kathy

 

[Suzerella]

Welcome Back! Glad your December trip is still on!

Now, get to work on the September report!


Kathy

I have completely ignored this pre-trippie, getting September up...it's about 3/4 of the way done, for your enjoyment--thanks for the encouragement!!! I didn't realize how long winded I am! Now, onto write a quick update for this report...

 

[Hedy]

Love your plans! Look like we're just missing each other.

 

[Suzerella]

Ok, so we've had some minor (although VERY good changes as far as the trip goes) come up.

I was supposed to be at a company training until Friday afternoon, Dec. 14th (the day our trip starts) and the plan was for me to fly into Orlando from St. Louis. Well, then a client event in DC popped up, so I was going to have to fly into Orlando from DC, and the flights were all getting in after 11pm -- boo!

Well, everything has fallen into place, and now I will be flying back home on Thursday AND I get the day off on Friday, because my office is closed for the training that I can't be at, because of the DC event. Which means I have Friday totally free and we can add some serious time to our vacation.

Also, I've found out that my best friend, who lives in Orlando, has scheduled her upcoming baby's birth-day to be Dec. 12th -- so now I'll get to be one of the first to meet the little one, and still be right on our way to Disney.

Then, there comes Universal -- I know, I know, but I said it. A few months ago, a colleague won an Orlando package with tickets for Disney and Universal and she didn't use two of the Universal tickets, so they've been sitting on my desk waiting for a good opportunity. The last time I went to Universal Studios, I was 13 and LOVED it. Islands of Adventure was just being built, so I've never been there, not like it's my kind of place anyway. DH had a conference in Orlando this summer and one evening they went to Islands of Adventure and he loved it, so he's been dying to go back. Well, we decided since we were going to spend Tuesday morning at Disney anyway, we might as well spend the whole day in Orlando and go to Universal instead. I was worried that we could only pick one park, and DH and I differ on that choice, but when I inspected the back of the tickets, turns out they're 2 parks, 1 day passes. Everything is falling into place!!

So, here is the new itinerary. I LOVE that a 3 day weekend has turned into a full fledged vacation!!!

Friday, Dec. 14th

• Arrive Orlando around 3, visit with friend
• Park? Mini-golf? Who knows...yeah for free time!!
• 8:00 PM ADRs at Planet Hollywood (yeah for leftover $15 voucher from September!!)
• Hang in Downtown Disney
• We'll stay offsite that night

Saturday, Dec. 15th

• Check into AKL early AM. Tell DH we are going to Boma for breakfast so I can get him to the hotel.
• 9:30 AM Boma Reservation
• Spend day looking at decorations at various resorts.
• 8:20 PM ADRs at O'Hana's (a favorite from the Sept trip)
• MK is open until 1 AM

Sunday, Dec. 16th

• Morning/Afternoon Animal Kingdom
• May try to fit in Taste of Africa Tour at AKL
• 7:00 PM 50's Primetime Reservations (this is the only place DH asked for a reservation)
• EMH at MGM (this is our FAVORITE park for EMH...they play techno Disney music in front of the big hat, and we love having our own dance party)

Monday, Dec. 17th

• I think we'll spend the afternoon and early evening at Epcot, enjoying Holidays around the world, and definitely seeing the tree lighting
• No dinner ressies -- probably counter service because I think you can get the best quality and quantity for your money in the World Showcase
• Over to MK for EMH

Tuesday, Dec. 18th

• Check out of AKL
• Universal Studios
  and Islands of Adventure until 7 PM, then head home

 

[Suzerella]

Ok, I now know the danger of planning a trip WAY FAR in advance -- normally we book the trip within a month or two, pack up and head out. Not so much with this December trip...with all of this time to think about it, I keep coming up with new ideas.

So, I had looked at MVMCP a few times before, but knew we wouldn't make it to one because they were on Fridays and we never get to Orlando early enough on a Friday to make it worth our while.

While walking the dogs yesterday, I had the sudden realization that we would be in Orlando EARLY on Friday Dec 14th and that we could probably make the party! So, I rushed into the computer and checked...good enws, the party is on for that night. Bad news, it's one of the few dates that there is no AP discount or pre-purchase discount -- so it would be $106 for the two of us, with taxes. Ouch! And, I'm concerned that the lack of discounts means that will be one of the VERY busy party nights.

I mistakenly mentioned it to DH, who of course thought we should do it. So, now I have to weigh:

Cost of MVMCP = $106, for 5 hours in a park that we currently get into "free" vs. dinner in Downtown Disney (where I have a $15 voucher) and we can see DD dressed up for the holidays, which may be our only time.

The "smart" side of my brain says stick with DD, but the "emotional" side says, OF COURSE go for MVMCP. I'm going to ask for support on sticking with the DD plan -- mostly because I'm supposed to be saving money on this trip, not spending it and I need to remind myself I really want to see DD all done up. See, I'm trying to talk myself into the original plan....

 

[LISAMWDW]

In that case, I can't tell you what I would recommend doing.
Sorry!

 

[Suzerella]

In that case, I can't tell you what I would recommend doing.
Sorry!

That's what I figured

 

[coconutsunshine]

The "smart" side of my brain says stick with DD, but the "emotional" side says, OF COURSE go for MVMCP. I'm going to ask for support on sticking with the DD plan -- mostly because I'm supposed to be saving money on this trip, not spending it and I need to remind myself I really want to see DD all done up. See, I'm trying to talk myself into the original plan....

Although I'll also keep to myself what I would do, I'll help the smart side of your brain -- there will always be a party next year and that will give you an excuse to go on another mini-christmas holiday next year!

You mentioned that you are going to use a voucher at Planet Hollywood from your last trip, can you do that?? I have a voucher that we didn't use in June and I would love to use it on this trip if I could!

 

[Nicole786]

Hey, love your TR! I booked MVMCP for Dec 13th, but I dont think you'll have a problem with December 14th. I just couldn't resist after seein the MSSSHP pics, if they could do so much awesomeness with halloween, i cant wait to see christmas!

 

[Suzerella]

Hey, love your TR! I booked MVMCP for Dec 13th, but I dont think you'll have a problem with December 14th. I just couldn't resist after seein the MSSSHP pics, if they could do so much awesomeness with halloween, i cant wait to see christmas!

I think we've definitely decided against doing it -- I'm pretty excited to see Downtown Disney all dressed up and we'd have to give that up (and it's free!). Plus, this gives us something to look forward to next year!

 

[Suzerella]

Ok, now that I've FINALLY finished my September report, I can REALLY get excited about this upcoming trip!!!

I spent yesterday going over all of my reservations, tweaking some touring plans, etc. I'm really anxious to see the holiday program info from Epcot, but I haven't seen any posts about it yet, so if anyone sees anything, I'd really appreciate a link.

I'm starting to wonder how I'm going to pull this trip off. I am out of town Tuesday - Thursday night - I get home about 9:30pm, and we are supposed to leave town the next morning at 8am (although DH will probably be in the car ready to go at 7, which is fine, because I'll sleep the whole way down). I'm thinking I'm going to have to be pre-packed, and then write out a list of "extras" I need to throw in from my work suitcase so I don't forget anything. Also, we've only gone when it's been warm/hot/felt like the face of the sun...so I'm only used to packing 3 or 4 tank tops, 2 pairs of shorts, 1 decent outfit for dinners and some nightclothes. I think, especially since this has turned into a full 5 day trip (yippee!! ) that this time we might be taking the ginormous suitcase...

Ok, I can't believe my counter is down to less than 3 weeks.

 

[Suzerella]

I've been checking every day to see if I could get us in at a value on an AP discount for the Friday night...only to every day see that the only available room on property Friday night, AP or not, is a 2 bedroom villa a Saratoga Springs.

Well, perseverence pays off, because today I checked and not only did they open up rooms at value properties -- they opened more AP discounted rooms. So, $67 later, I don't have to stay at the HoJo on Friday, I get to stay at All Star Sports. Which also means I can get our luggage transferred to AKL, and not have to worry about it ruining the surprise when we arrive there Sat morning for "breakfast"!!!

Yippee!!

 

[KathyRN137]

Wow! Everything's really falling into place!



Kathy

 

[Suzerella]

We're headed to Disney today (as soon as I can get ready!!!). We've had a surprising turn of events in regard to this trip...I'll post about it in my trip report next week!!!

 

[LISAMWDW]

Have a magical trip!

 

[lamagique]

Hey, have a great trip! Maybe I will bump into you down there because we will overlap on a couple of days. That would be trippy! Anyway, I read your Trip Report from Sept and I really enjoyed it! And I just love how you and your husband came to love Disney. And he's only 28 AND a professor? Wow!!!

Anyway, I hope you have a magical time!!!

 

[Suzerella]

We're back, and had a MAGICAL time! The Animal Kingdom Lodge surprise was a BIG hit and overall, it was a great trip. I'm going to try to get started on my trip report before the holiday hits...we'll see how that goes.

Have a magical day everyone!

 

[LISAMWDW]

Welcome home!

 

[Suzerella]

Our trip report is finally up...link is in signature.

Hope to have some folks join me as I write the (long overdue, but I promise to try to be entertaining) trip report.

Happy New Year's!