PART THREE! *December 2012 Roll Call* Holidays, FLE & MVMCP!! A very, merry thread!

[cara76]

I think that depends on how much you're paying for that extra ticket. If its a long trip, the cost can be pretty low.

For me it wouldn't matter, 2 hours of MK would be disappointing.

 

[mom2travel]

Here is the link: Giant Ice Castle in Times Square

Cool sculpture!! And it sounds like some fun stuff is in the works for 2013

 

[Maddie's Nana]

Ggggrrrrr, my fat cat sat her behind on my laptop keyboard & now the text on the pages are so small! & of course I can't figure out how to fix it!

On my computer if I hit ctrl+ text is larger, ctrl- text is smaller

 

[WedgieSock]

Ggggrrrrr, my fat cat sat her behind on my laptop keyboard & now the text on the pages are so small! & of course I can't figure out how to fix it!

My cat does that - we call her Fatso Malatso. It might be your view. Go to View> Zoom > Zoom in, you may have to zoom in several times to get it back to your size

 

[mom2travel]

This is the same debate we had. I was going to join a photopass share and when I discussed it with DH he said it was worth it to him to spend the money on the PP+ because it's a special trip. It's our anniversary, our first trip alone since having kids, etc. he said he wants pics of both of us and pics we wouldn't normally allow ourselves to buy. He almost looks as it as being as important as our wedding pics. Which was awesome to me because I didnt new convincing to get PP!!

Awwww, so sweet!

 

[cara76]

I just got my confirmation this morning for the credit from Friday when I switched back to POP, so it can take a few days.

But congrats on being all paid!!!!
I still need to decide about Photopass. DH is not a big picture poser. I told him I want a pic of us in front of each icon and he agreed to that. But he would rather just ask someone to take a picture of us and not do photopass. I of course want the borders to play with, so for $99 I think I would do that. But then I think about for $70 more I can have the ride photos. I know we will do Dinosaur a couple times and Buzz multiple times. Not sure if he will ride Splash or not. I will probably ride EE alone. Neither of us will ride Space. I can't remember the other rides. I wish there was a picture on TSMM.

Just give the PP photographers your camera, most are happy to take a picture for you.

I am still debating PP+ just for the ride / dining pictures

 

[cara76]

Did anyone see the huge ice sculpture of Cinderella's castle in Times Square this morning. Goes along with Disney's limited time magic promotion for 2013. I'd post a link to the Disney parks blog but I'm on my phone so I can't.

Yes I have bloggy pals at the event, so jealous. A few of my bloggy pals are going to a media opening of the new Fantasyland this weekend and one is going in the cruise out of Galveston. I seriously need to figure out how to hook up with the Disney reps for media trips.

 

[cara76]

I've been lurking on this thread for a while. Lots of good information! I'd like some input on my plan for our Dec. trip. It's the first trip for DD and Ds (DS will turn 4 a few days before our trip and DD will turn 5 while we're there). DH and I have not been since we were kids in the 1980s. We're staying at AOA in a LK suite. Our trip will be short, but we plan on coming back in a few years for a longer trip when the children are older. DD is princess-crazy, and DS loves Star Wars the way only a preschooler can love something. DS also LOVES Christmas lights and decorations.

Dec. 8 - Arrive around lunchtime. ADR at CM for 6:00. May go to DTD to see decorations and Santa or ride the monorail to see decorations at the resorts.

Dec. 9 - AK. We want to see the characters in their Christmas attire (esp. Santa Goofy) so I hope that they're doing that again this year. Otherwise, priorities are the Safari, LK show, and the Jingle Jungle parade. We plan to hop to DHS for EMH to see the Osborne Lights, ride Star Tours, see JTA, hit the Disney Jr. dance party, and hopefully see the Muppet and Little Mermaid show. I'd like to see the B&B show, but I'm not sure we'll make it there in time.

Dec. 10 - MK. 8:05 CRT ADR. 5PM CP ADR. MSEP and Wishes.

Dec. 11 - Leave to go home.

I don't want to try to do too much, but I also want to maximize our time. The children understand that we will make another trip in the future and that some things will have to wait until that trip. Any suggestions on "Must Dos" for this trip? We may not be able to come at Christmas time again. I know about MVMCP, but have decided against it. Also, I'm worrying a little about MK crowds on Dec. 10. I'm considering doing MK on Dec. 9 and then hopping to MK on Dec. 9 for the parade and fireworks. My main issue with that is the CRT ADR, but I'm also not sure about all the hopping with preschoolers. We will have our own car, but I know that is not necessarily more efficient for getting to MK. Anyway, I'd love some input!

The 9th is a party night, I am having a debate with myself over that party.

 

[Tltorrez]

love it what a great idea; do you mind if i borrow such a wonderful idea. i have so many autograph pages and they never seem to fit in my scrap pages.

Feel free. Thats why I share. i get so much inspiration from other people's work.

That's why I totally separated the autographs/characters from my regular Disney album. I want the regular album for more story-oriented pages. Plus the 6x6 size is easier for DS to handle rather than my 12x12 albums. I might need another one though. I already have two and they're pretty full.

I do want to add a few date labels to the pics though. I love seeing DS grow. On our first trip he was just 8 and this trip he'll be 10.

 

[DisneyGuess]

Yay! Thank you, I tried all 3 suggestions & the CTRL+ worked. Thank goodness, it was making me strain my eyes to read. .

 

[DisneyGuess]

My cat does that - we call her Fatso Malatso. It might be your view. Go to View> Zoom > Zoom in, you may have to zoom in several times to get it back to your size

I call mine fat girl, lol, so original. She's a tripod who does nothing but eat & sleep & want attention. So she comes & sits right in between me & the laptop. Her behind spreads & happens to mess things up quite a bit!

 

[DisneyGuess]

For me it wouldn't matter, 2 hours of MK would be disappointing.

I think I'm going to leave it up to the boys & DH. If they want MK, Epcot or DTD, I'm good with whatever cause I'll be at Disney! Though I think I'm going to push for MK or Epcot, DTD would be great because I'd love to eat at EoS but, DTD would probably end up costing more than adding an extra day to our park tickets!

 

[Valgoof]

We're paid in full!

Abby and I three-way called our TA last night, and each gave our CC info. It suddenly seems so real!

I think we've got everything paid, but remind me if I'm missing something: Disney package (hotel, meals, park passes), PP+, Seas Aqua Tour, Cirque du Soleil, MVMCP, airfare.

I'm budgeting for the following: tips (Mousekeeping and meals), and any shopping we do while we're there.

Yay for being paid in full!!!!!

I got a ton of extra hours at work this week due to the circus being in town at the Q (I'll be seeing the circus ten times in 6 days - thankfully I'm on fall break from school this week). So, now that the trip is paid off and I have some extra, unexpected cash, I thought I'd splurge with one thing. I'm really liking the 2012 park sweatshirt, but I don't know if I'll want to wear something that says 2012 after the year is over...

Wow, that's a lot of circus.
That is the reason I held off. I know I wouldn't wear it at home past 2012, but I might wear it on a future WDW trip to say yes I was here in 2012. I dont think I am getting one. I need to save some money for buying something there.

 

[Valgoof]

That is so sweet!!!!!!! Sounds like you snagged a great guy

Thankfully, sissy just texted me that she has had a couple people call her about pet sitting in November and she's going to use that money to pay for the PP+ since she knows I'm about tapped out in regards to our trip (I covered sissy's air and her 1/2 of the hotel for her Christmas present).

VERY happy about this because I was beginning to think I was bleeding money

That is good news!!

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

Yeah, you are going to WDW and staying at WL in December!

This is also a valid point. I just need to focus on getting to December. Hoping today's work day is better!

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

Good morning another beautiful day here in Minnesota.

I am thinking of signing up for a tour in January; spent last night reading about the different tours and know I am more confused then before . It's just Jeff and myself going in January what tour would you recommend?

My DH and I are doing the Key's to the Kingdom Tour. I heard it is great!

 

[M&MGirl1]

The 9th is a party night, I am having a debate with myself over that party.

It sounds like your schedule for the 9th is already jam packed. You'd almost have to go back to the hotel for a long break/nap in the afternoon if you do the party. Cramming in everything you already have scheduled AND the party would make for very tired, grumpy kids, and your party experience would probably be less than "Merry" as a result. So, I guess the thing you need to ask yourself is whether the party is worth missing whatever you'd have to cut from your schedule to ensure everyone had enough energy to enjoy the party.

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

I have a question for you guys. I have my Christmas
Stay at the WL but couldn't get it for my last night.
What do you guys think of POP Century? Would I be dissapointed
After staying at the Wilderness Lodge?
Thanks!!

It will be a big change, but I also love POP. We are staying at WL this December as well and I have stayed at POP twice. It is a fun resort and have a great food court. I think for your last night, it will be fine.

 

[jwgm2012]

We're paid in full!

I got a ton of extra hours at work this week due to the circus being in town at the Q (I'll be seeing the circus ten times in 6 days - thankfully I'm on fall break from school this week). So, now that the trip is paid off and I have some extra, unexpected cash, I thought I'd splurge with one thing. I'm really liking the 2012 park sweatshirt, but I don't know if I'll want to wear something that says 2012 after the year is over...

put the extra cash away for the Disney Fairytale Wedding...

you know that's what all us romantics are rooting for when it comes to you and Abby...

better yet, just buy the ring, propose during your trip, and put us all out of our misery!

perfect!

 

[Rags123]

I think it sounds like a good plan for your limited time. MK would probably be less crowded on 12/9, but I wouldnt give up that CRT ADR!! Eating in the castle and the empty pictures on Main Street will be worth dealing with extra people, I think.
Will your kids be able to stay out late at DHS and then get up early for that ADR??
It sounds like you have a lot more must-dos at DHS than at AK. And the AK parade is in the afternoon, like 3:45. Maybe start at DHS and then hop to AK and then go back to DHS to see the Osborne Lights and the dance party. Toy Story is a fun ride, but you need to get there early to avoid a long line and/or get a fastpass for later.

DS does not like to get up in the morning (and he has zero interest in princesses) so it's only DD and I going to the early ADR. DH and DS will come for RD and meet us. My kids can easily take two days of go-go-go, but for any longer than that we would need a more relaxed daily schedule. I'm hoping that they'll sleep all the way home in the car (it's about an 8 hour drive).

I thought about starting off at DHS, then hopping to AK and then hopping back, but I wasn't sure if it would be worth the travel time. Since DH and I have not been as grown-ups, it's hard to judge how long things will take. I have the Unofficial Guide, and I have looked at his chart on commute times. I would love to sign DS up to do one of the later JTA shows, and I know that signing up has to be done at RD. He uses anything he can get his hands on as a light saber.

Thanks to everyone who read and responded to my long post! DH refuses to discuss Disney plans. "Just tell me where to go."

ETA: I made a typo in my first post. I know Dec. is party night. I meant Dec. 10. No party for us this trip.