*~~Official December 2016 Thread~~*

[Huggups]

Sorry double post. Couldn't delete?

 

[Mintycake]

Hey everyone. Ok this POP Warner thing freaked us out so we switched our hotel to The Beach Club. The Beach Club being closer to Epcot (for the Frozen ride and A&E Meet and Greet) sold us as well. I would have rather changed our dates but our hotel reservation was done with plane tickets that were non refundable so it was actually cheaper to upgrade the hotel than pay the change fee/price difference on the plane tickets. So we're still December!

 

[budcollector]

i'm planning on going back down for Christmas, Dec. 22-27 @ PoP

 

[momof2gr8kids]

We are headed to POP Dec 29-1, then moving to AKV Jan. 1. Will be surprising the kids at Christmas! Super excited to be going back after almost 4 years, but also nervous about the crowds and new FP+ system. At least I've got lots of time to plan!

 

[CynBeth]

I am so excited that purple magic bands are now available as a selection! I am looking forward to hearing about ROL dining package info which is rumored to come out tomorrow even though we can't book ADRs until June as it will give us an idea of whether we will need to change our tentative dining plans on our tentative schedule.

 

[Bethislucy]

I am looking forward to hearing about ROL dining package info which is rumored to come out tomorrow even though we can't book ADRs until June

What is that?

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

What is that?

Rivers of Light is a new nighttime spectacular coming in April at Animal Kingdom.

 

[BDL]

What is that?

Rivers of Light is a new nighttime spectacular coming in April at Animal Kingdom.

Me too. The rough test footage looks great. I imagine that they will set up the dining pkg the way they do for Fantasmic!. Have a limited section available for those that were able to secure it. Just wonder which restaurants and how many credits it will require.

Also hearing that there may be FP+ areas available as well, and the random SRO areas along the river and on the bridges.

 

[adennis0421]

We're booked for 12/2-12/9 at AoA. SO EXCITED! This is the first trip for my DD (8) and DD (4). My DH hasn't been since he was a kid and my in-laws are coming as well. I go every year in January for work and they have been begging to join me. However, I forgot about Pop Warner and planned our trip that same week. Thought about moving it either a week up or a week later since we're flexible. Any suggestions? I've never been during Pop Warner week.

 

[xlsm]

Coming back later tonight to get the first page all caught up!!

 

[TAK]

Hi there! Just found this thread and glad I did -- fun to have more people to plan/get excited with. It's never too early!!!

Please add me to the list.

WHEN: 12/3 to 12/10

WHERE: All Star Movies

WHAT WE'RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Christmas! Holidays Around the World in Epcot, the Candlelight Processional, the merch, MVMCP. The Food! We're big foodies at Disney. Can't wait to try new restaurants and go back to old favorites. New rides! Frozen Ever After, the new Rivers of Light, the new Soarin.

We know it's Pop Warner week, but we're not worried. We spend almost no time at our resort -- we're always racing to the parks -- and we have a rental car so the buses aren't an issue either. The parks might be crowded in the evening, but it's okay.

 

[xlsm]

to all of our new friends!!

The first page has been updated again

I'm so excited to sit back and see how RoL dining packages and FP+ work out...it's actually nice to go later in the year when the biggest kinks are worked out for all the new stuff - Frozen included!

Love seeing that "8 months" on some of these tickers...closer and closer!!

 

[BDL]

Well... I did it. I finally did. I dragged my Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Super Bowl, excuse making-laden booty back to the gym this morning. Less than 8 mos and counting til MCO will see my shadow again. I gotta get cardio going, as well as my legs and and back strong again for all the walking and standing. Get the upper body strong enough for all of the merch and food & beverage lifting on any given day (not worried about the weight gain from food since the avg person walks 7.5 miles per day at WDW). Also, gotta shed at least 30 lbs to counter the 30 lbs of contents that will be in my LL Bean back pack (not an over-sized camping 1), for me and BDLsgal (mostly the wife's stuff ). But most importantly, to have my mass be mostly, solid and fit. Because, when BDLsgal and I forego an hour or so of our park time to stake out parade or stage show position, I would like to be stand my ground without my knee or back causing me to flinch and then be viewed as a "weak gazelle" and have our spot usurped. This happened 1 yr during the MVMCP parade. I had to kneel because of my knee and back (still in the same spot I was in), And When I stood again, there was group of 3 trying to jostle and finagle us from our spot. I was willing to endure it. But BDLsgal saw how uncomfy it made me, so she had us move into a less ideal spot for her photo taking and I felt so bad for her and that she did that for me. So I don't want her have to be in a position where she'd have to choose something that she is psyched for vs. my discomfort.

On the plus side, when we moved over, we got to talk to a large and really nice family. But I felt bad for them at 1 moment. 1 of the ladies bought her husband funnel cake a couple of min before the parade. As she was giving it to him, she last her grip and the poor guy was wearing powdered sugar for the parade. We gave him all the spare napkins that we had, but still felt bad for him.

But back to the fun stuff. Gonna keep going to the gym. Get the cardio, strength and endurance up. And this way, by the time I wear through these sneakers, and have to buy new ones, it will be the perfect amount of time to break them in for walking the ever-beautiful grounds of Port Orleans Riverside.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......

 

[pigletgirl]

Yes, 8.5 months from tomorrow we'll be heading off for 10 days of crazy fun!

Getting closer for ADR's... I've been making a list of where we'd like to eat. DH and I have decided on this so far (at least for us.. still need to consult with the fam.. this is all subject to change.)

Nov 29th - Pop Food Court
Nov 30th - (SeaWorld Day) - DS - Raglan Road/T-Rex/Boathouse?
Dec 1st - Boma Breakfast/Cape May Café Dinner/Via Napoli
Dec 2nd - Liberty Tree Tavern lunch/Sanaa Dinner (night time safari at AKL)
Dec 3rd - Tusker House Breakfast/Tiffins Dinner (AK night time entertainment)
Dec 4th- Grand Floridian Café breakfast/The Plaza Dinner (MVMCP)
Dec 5th - 50's Prime Time Lunch
Dec 6th - CP package (restaurant TBD)
Dec 7th - (my bday) - Key's To the Kingdom Tour (8am)/BOG Dinner/Wishes/MSEP
Dec 8th - Yak and Yeti/Le Cellier
Dec 9th - Home...

 

[gtpoohbear]

I just booked our December trip to Ft. Wilderness yesterday! (12/17-21)

We were originally doing a Disney cruise (next week actually) but got cold feet about it at some point, and decided we would do spring break at WDW instead. Then... we had an opportunity come up to go to DL last month, so we did that instead. Thinking maybe we could make it to WDW this summer. But then... the rest of the family really wanted to go to Universal this summer. So it was looking like we weren't going to get to WDW at all this year. And we didn't go at all last year, so this was seeming unacceptable, lol!

But I managed to talk DH into a camping trip in December! It will be exactly two years since our last trip. Really hoping we can see CP at Epcot, and the new SW fireworks at DHS. I would love to see the new ROL at AK, but that may have to wait until next time, since I want to have plenty of time to enjoy FW while we are there too.

 

[BDL]

With each passing day, our upcoming trip becomes more tangible. And example of this, is that yesterday, BDLsgal and I, had 1 of the most important conversations that 2 adults can have when planning a trip to Disney. "Where do we want to eat this trip?"

This all started with my wife IM'ing me links of different menus from allears.net . We have a our must do's. But she was sending me things that I never thought she'd be into. Namely, Spice Road and the 2 Mexican restaurants at EPCOT. To be honest, I'd never given Spice Road much thought either, but I am a huge Mexican food fan (but my mole' sauce has to be more spicy than cocoa-y). And we will also be keeping our eyes out for Be Our Guest ressies. We saw those as well as some great ways to burn through our snack credits (we do the DxDP because of how many show/dining combo's we do).

Our updated "Must Do's" are:
Raglan Road - dinner
Hoop Dee Doo Revue - and then walk around Ft Wilderness and take in the decorations
Spice Road - possible Candlelight Processional combo
Hacienda de San Angel - ^ ditto ^
Be Our Guest - dinner
Kona Cafe - breakfast (Tonga Toast is a must)

We also have a list of also runs, that will depend on park day, rest day, MVMCP day, etc... It's a pretty long list, but featured would prob be dining with Minnie at Hollywood & Vine.

If you've ever been to Raglan Road for dinner (we've done lunch before), Spice Road, Hacienda or BOG, I'd love to hear your opinions. And you may want to start having these convo's with your families too. That 6 mos mark for booking is right around the corner.

 

[pigletgirl]

If you've ever been to Raglan Road for dinner (we've done lunch before), Spice Road, Hacienda or BOG, I'd love to hear your opinions. And you may want to start having these convo's with your families too. That 6 mos mark for booking is right around the corner.

Spice Road Table -- We LOVED it! The Brie fondue was amazing. It's a very small menu but we had amazing view over the lagoon. One of the best, really. They're very accommodating if you choose to sit on the patio.

La Hacienda - It's been almost 2 years since we've been. We had a good experience. The Creamy Elote soup is rich, creamy and amazing. My husband and I like to split the Del Mar platter. Oh and margaritas.... must have one!

BOG - The atmosphere is amazing! We both loved the steak last time. Their wine selection isn't bad either.

RR - One our of must do's each trip. Our favorite app is the kiss before shrimp (garlic chili butter, shrimp and baguette), and my husband loves the Serious Steak (comes with the amazing onion rings), and I really enjoy the burger. The tomato chutney is spot on. For dessert you cannot miss the bread and butter pudding. The other amazing alternative (if they run out) is the raspberry trifle.

Their drink list is obviously extensive and amazing. I love the Raspy Old Fashioned and my husband usually goes for the beer.

Yep, we've been discussing our dining plans because we'll be booking for 12 people. I want this to be a one and done deal.

So, scrap what you've read about because this is what we have now...

11/29 (arrival day) - Everything Pop
11/30 - (SeaWorld Day) - B: Everything Pop L:TBD D: Raglan Road/The Boat house/ Planet Hollywood?
12/1 - (resort change day) - B: Boma L: snacks D: Cape May Café/Yachtsman Steakhouse
12/2 - B: In room L: BOG D: CP Package
12/3: B: Tusker House L: snacks D: Tiffins RoL Package
12/4: B: Grand Floridian Café/The Wave/Captain's Grille D: The Plaza prior to MVMCP
12/5: (Universal day) B: Cinnabon (city walk), D: DS The Boat House?/Raglan Road?
12/6: B: In Room L: Sunshine Seasons D: CP package
12/7 (my birthday!) B: Kona Café L: Liberty Tree Tavern D: Narcoosees
12/8: L: Via Napoli D: Le Cellier
12/9: Home.

 

[BDL]

Thanks for the input Pigletgirl. It will go a long way for our planning. 1 more question though... When you were at RR, did you go at night during the music and step-dancing? That is what BDLsgal is really looking fwd to.

And by looking at your plan, I have to guess that you will be on the DxDP like us or have a TIW card. We LOVE Tusker House for breakfast. And I commend your plan for monorail resorts on your MVMCP day. Nothing like seeing the decorations and the life sized gingerbread structures AND going at a slower pace on a MVMCP day.

 

[pigletgirl]

Thanks for the input Pigletgirl. It will go a long way for our planning. 1 more question though... When you were at RR, did you go at night during the music and step-dancing? That is what BDLsgal is really looking fwd to.

And by looking at your plan, I have to guess that you will be on the DxDP like us or have a TIW card. We LOVE Tusker House for breakfast. And I commend your plan for monorail resorts on your MVMCP day. Nothing like seeing the decorations and the life sized gingerbread structures AND going at a slower pace on a MVMCP day.

Yes, and I believe the musicians and dancers at RR are a nightly thing. We always get an ADR for 630 or so and it was non stop entertainment for our entire meal.

We will be on the DxDDP this time around. It was my husbands decision so we're doing it!

 

[1437disney]

Hi everyone. Out trips are getting closer!! I am starting to pick out ADR too. I had a couple questions.

1. Has anyone done mickeys backyard BBQ? Would older kids like it?
2.Is MVMCP worth it if you might have to leave by 9p.m.?
3.Are the water parks in the same refurbishment schedule every year? For instance when we go TL would be open?
4.This might be a better question on the disability forum, but if we need extra pillows at the hotel would we be able to (sensory seeking issues)?

Thanks! Happy planning