Your ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE to Disney World at Christmas Time! UPDATE x2 10/21

[Kelliroo3]

Wow, what wonderful news for your mom and your family. Amazing.

Love love love the shopping update! But wait! Hold the phone. Stop the presses....A MR. TOM MORROW SHIRT!? WHAT??? How was I not aware of this!? I was at Disney in December! 7-11, and did not see it! AHH! Wow! I so hope they are there in May! I want one!!!! Thanks for sharing those; they are amazing. I need both of them!!! Do you remember what section of the store they were in??

Love the ice cream; yum yum! I always get the peanut butter one but might have to try to get a different one haha. We'll see. Tren-D is a fun store! Never bought anything there but always enjoy looking around.

Good luck in school! Can't wait for more updates!

[petals]

Originally Posted by Disneyfreak508

Yes I did! Probably because I didn't tell a soul. Don't worry. And aww that's so fun! I hope you had a magical trip!

Ok I was wondering how I missed the fact you were going then when I was reading your other trip report!

Luvin the new update btw. Basin is totally cool. I didn't see the monorail and peoplemover t-shirts though.

[IheartDDuck]

I'm here! (FINALLY!)

I just have to go back and read!

[katt789]

Ah!! The Ariel shirt!! I tried it on, but it was one of those "baggy styled" shirts that just didn't fit quite right & gave me the pregnant look (which a lot of them do, due to me having a bigger chest ) Haha! I did manage to find a kermit one and another ariel one in TrenD for myself though! I had a new love to that store on my past trip!
Excited for more!

[Laffites Landing]

Hey there Jess. I just got finished reading your previous thread and since I am completely outside of your demographic (other than being a hardcore lover of Disney), I kind of felt like I was stalking!

Anyway, here I am to stalk some more your Christmas Trip Report. In many ways, I think my daughter is going to be like you where it comes to Disney when she is your age in about a decade or so. She is already telling me that she wants to work as Belle in the parks (mainly because she looks a great deal like her). I would be such a proud Father if that ever came to pass.

I'm planning on beginning my own pre trip report in March for our June trip to WDW this year. I am going to use some of your format on mine if you don't mind. It is just so easy to read and fun. I even asked my wife today all the questions you seem to put your friends through. Stuff like "Who's your favorite Disney character, movie, song....etc". It was a lot a fun to find out what she said. I'm subscribing and look forward to upcoming "chapters"!

[ChattaAlley]

The decorations are very cute. Love the Santa Genie.

There is just too much great merch at all these stores. It is so hard for me to make decisions on what to get. I think you made some fantastic choices. Love the Monorail and Peoplemover shirts.

Sorry to hear your mother had to go through that but I am very glad she got such great news and that your dad insisted on a second opinion.

Loving the tips.

[disneyhockeymad]

I'm here! Finally! So excited read your Christmas report and so excited that you got to go twice too cool! That scrub looks amazing, it's definitely going on my to do list when I head out there in September! good luck with your new college, I can definintely see you being a drama student!

[emma212010]

OMG I love the Basin!!!! That store is amazing!!! It smells soooo good in there!

Oh and I agree, the decorations in the shops are beautiful!! That's the best part of going shopping in DTD! I love Tren-D too! It's such a cool little store!

OMG Ghiradelli's!!!!!!!!!!!! That is all I have to say! Soooo good!!


Good luck to you in your new college! I hope all goes well for you and that you truly enjoy it!

[Curiouser&curiouser!]

I've read a your previous reports, so I guess you can count me in on this one too! They are always enjoyable!

Originally Posted by Disneyfreak508

I saw this Advent Calendar that I LOVED! We almost bought this because our one at home is very old. However, I don't think we ever got around to purchasing it. It's just perfect though, isn't it!?

I actually have this! It was a suprise present my parents sent up for my family after I helped them plan a Christmas weekend at Disney! We loved it!

[DirtyDiana]

YAYYYYYYY
I'm so excited for this TR! I can't wait to see pics of all the Christmas decorations!

I'm trying to do the CP too! I'm applying for fall If I don't get in I think I will seriously be crushed. It will be the death of me, lol. I recently went through that college-change thing too. I discovered what I was majoring in probably wasn't for me and now I'm changing to something new. It somewhat sucks since I've already taken numerous classes towards my old one, but oh well. I think I will be much happier

And I need that Miss Piggy and those monorail & people mover shirts Jealous!

[disneylovin24]

Good luck at your new college!

I LOVE the Mr.Tomorrow shirt! Definetely one of Disney's best products ever!

That sundae looks delicious! I wanted to go to Ghiradelli on my trip but I never got there I think ever time I was going to go I ended up getting a Mickey Premium Bar for ice cream instead

Can't wait for more!

[Disneyfreak508]

Originally Posted by kansasdisneygal

I did the salt scrub too! AH-MAZ-ING!!! Basin is super cool!! When my best friend and I went to Tren-D she got this gorgeous scarf that's pink and has darker pink outlines of hidden mickeys on it! It's so soft and I want to steal it everytime she wears it

Totally off topic question, but we're going in May and want to try more restaurants at the resorts. What would a couple of your top picks be for resort dinner dining?? THANKS!!!!

I know, right!? Basin is the best.
And ahh I actually got a scarf for my friend from Tren-D! And I secretly want to steal it, too
And hmmm I would definitely reccomend Kona (for breakfast or dinner) and Ohana (for dinner) at the Polynesian! Cape May at the Beach Club for dinner is REALLY good. And Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge for any meal is a lot of fun as well! I hope that helps! Let me know what you decide!

Originally Posted by __disneygirl

Oh man... DEER AND SANTA GENIE!! I love it!

I agree so much about the store decorations/displays... especially at Animal Kingdom, so much of that stuff looks like priceless art and they just use it to hold up t-shirts!

OMG THOSE SHIRTS. WHEN are they going to bring back the old PeopleMover spiel? The new one is nothing compared to the old one!

Basin is one of my favorite places at WDW but I've only been to the Grand Floridian location! I've heard the DTD one is even better.

WOW that is an UNBELIEVABLE story about your mom and the Mayo Clinic! She sure had an angel on her shoulder. I wonder how many misdiagnoses occur every day, it's so terrible. I'm so happy your mom is ok

Oh my gosh yes! Animal Kingdom has SUCH amazing gift shops... I can't believe how authentic everything is! FOR A GIFT SHOP. Disney just is too good.

I went to the Grand Floridian one on this past trip! I like both of them... but the DTD one is bigger. I just love Basin so much!!

Oh my gosh yes, she definitely did. That whole experience was really hard for my family but finding the Mayo Clinic was absolutely a God-sent miracle. You gotta have faith at times like that. Thank goodness it all worked out okay because I love my Mom too much for anything to happen to her! And ugh I think about that all the time.. and that's why my Mom loves to spread that Mayo Clinic story. Because second opinions are ALWAYS a very good idea. But thank you! I am happy too!

Originally Posted by Lifelong_Dreamer

I totally agree, the shop decorations are amazing!

Love all the shirts that you saw at Tren-D and of course the monorail and Peoplemover shirts.

Basin

What a wonderful story about your Mom and the Mayo Clinic.

Aren't they!? I love them.
Haha thanks!
And thank you! It really was a miracle!

Originally Posted by Dream426

We got that advent calendar the last time we went. I did too much damage in their christmas store.

Did you!? I love it!! I wish we would have remembered to get it. I can just imagine myself one day when I have a house of my own to decorate for Christmas. It's going to be dangerous.

Originally Posted by DMGeurts

Great update! I am anxious to spend a day at DTD... I am sure my girls will love Tren-D, and maybe (gasp) they might actually buy something Disney???

We'll have to try the hand soaps and the Ghiradelli sundae - need to add that one to my spreadsheet, it looks delicious!

D~

DTD is awesome! And THEY SHOULD BUY SOMETHING DISNEY!!! Gasp, Disney merchandise is an essential key to life!!
Yes, definitely try both of those out! You won't be disappointed!

Originally Posted by Caretames1

What a great day at DTD! We love to have that first half day there. I suggest to everyone that they have to wander it, there is so much to see!

Kadence got that exact Miss Piggy for Christmas! The Disney store was having a sale, 2 plushes for 28 so we got her Miss Piggy and of course Kermit!

The Mayo clinic is a few hours drive from here, and I personally know 3 families who have been treated there. There is a kind a awe the that place, you know you're going to be taken care of there!

It really was! We enjoyed that too. It was a different sort of pace than we usually take right when we get there, but I enjoyed it very much!
Hahaha did she really!? That is AWESOME! I want a Kermit and Miss Piggy stuffed animal!! I'm sure she takes very good care of them.
Oh wow, is it!? That's so cool. And wow, that is so amazing to hear. I agree. I went there one time with my Mom for a followup appointment and that place is just amazing. It's definitely worth the travel time because you can tell that they really care about their patients!

Originally Posted by cindianne320

Oh, wow, Jess- how scary about your mom's cancer scare.

I live in MN, and one of my friends from high school actually was diagnosed with leukemia while pregnant, and the Mayo clinic saved her and the baby's life. My friend is now an oncologist nurse.

DTD is absolutely beautiful at Christmas. I can't wait to take my children there someday.

I know! I am so happy that it all worked out, but it was a really scary time.
Oh my God. That is an absolutely beautiful story. I will have to share that with my Mom. I'm so glad that they were able to save two lives - what a miracle!
It really is! DTD is so magical when it's all done up for the holidays! I love it. And I can't wait until I can take my children there someday, too! (wayy down the road. )

Originally Posted by Samlovesthemouse

I just wanted to post and say how much I love all your trip reports! I don't post much due to loads of uni work and a full time job but over christmas I sat and read all of your trip reports, it was sooooo much fun!

I wish i could get to WDW as often but living in the UK airfare is a killer and student/business trainee money is poor!

I love the deer face, all your cute disney clothes and how much fun you guys have. I think you look sooo much like jasmine....is that who you auditioned for? I would love to be Belle! In fact id take any job there!

Good luck in college! You'll do great!

Thank you! I'm so glad you were able to read them and enjoyed the stories! Don't worry about not posting - I'm just glad you're here!
Aww yeah I understand. Well, at least you have disboards to tide you over until you can get back!
Thank you LOL we love that deer face too. And thanks! I think I own more Disney clothes than regular clothes! And yay that's so nice! Thank you! I would love to be Jasmine or Belle or ANYTHING. But when I auditioned I just went for a "face character" audition. You don't specify ahead of time.
But thank you so much! I really hope so!

Originally Posted by TinkerbellLuvr7

I'm a little late but here! I have 10 pages to catch up on

Hooray! Thank you for reading yet another report! It's good to have you here!

Originally Posted by Kelliroo3

Wow, what wonderful news for your mom and your family. Amazing.

Love love love the shopping update! But wait! Hold the phone. Stop the presses....A MR. TOM MORROW SHIRT!? WHAT??? How was I not aware of this!? I was at Disney in December! 7-11, and did not see it! AHH! Wow! I so hope they are there in May! I want one!!!! Thanks for sharing those; they are amazing. I need both of them!!! Do you remember what section of the store they were in??

Love the ice cream; yum yum! I always get the peanut butter one but might have to try to get a different one haha. We'll see. Tren-D is a fun store! Never bought anything there but always enjoy looking around.

Good luck in school! Can't wait for more updates!

Thank you! It really was a miracle. Thank goodness!
Thanks! And YES I KNOW, RIGHT!? It's an AWESOME shirt!! I saw it on twitter a few days before I went so I made sure to scope it out. I hope you can get it next time. Since their so awesome, hopefully they'll still be there due to popular demand! I remember that they were in that main room in World of Disney that leads up to the castle replica. With the big TV screen in it. Hopefully that helps! I don't know if they're still there, but I'm sure the CM's could help you!
Thank you so much! I can't wait to write more updates!

[Disneyfreak508]

Originally Posted by petals

Ok I was wondering how I missed the fact you were going then when I was reading your other trip report!

Luvin the new update btw. Basin is totally cool. I didn't see the monorail and peoplemover t-shirts though.

Haha yeah. It was a spontaneous trip!
Thank you! I love Basin as well. I didn't see those shirts around very much... only in World of Disney and the Emporium.

Originally Posted by IheartDDuck

I'm here! (FINALLY!)

I just have to go back and read!

HOORAY! Welcome! I hope you enjoy!

Originally Posted by katt789

Ah!! The Ariel shirt!! I tried it on, but it was one of those "baggy styled" shirts that just didn't fit quite right & gave me the pregnant look (which a lot of them do, due to me having a bigger chest ) Haha! I did manage to find a kermit one and another ariel one in TrenD for myself though! I had a new love to that store on my past trip!
Excited for more!

Aww I'm sorry it didn't fit you right! I totally know what you mean though because they fit me weird too. They're like cut short or something. I don't know.
But oh my gosh those both sound REALLY cute. Tren-D is the best!! I wish it was more affordable because I would own everything in the store.

Originally Posted by Laffites Landing

Hey there Jess. I just got finished reading your previous thread and since I am completely outside of your demographic (other than being a hardcore lover of Disney), I kind of felt like I was stalking!

Anyway, here I am to stalk some more your Christmas Trip Report. In many ways, I think my daughter is going to be like you where it comes to Disney when she is your age in about a decade or so. She is already telling me that she wants to work as Belle in the parks (mainly because she looks a great deal like her). I would be such a proud Father if that ever came to pass.

I'm planning on beginning my own pre trip report in March for our June trip to WDW this year. I am going to use some of your format on mine if you don't mind. It is just so easy to read and fun. I even asked my wife today all the questions you seem to put your friends through. Stuff like "Who's your favorite Disney character, movie, song....etc". It was a lot a fun to find out what she said. I'm subscribing and look forward to upcoming "chapters"!

Hahaha aww don't worry! I'm glad you're enjoying the trip reports!
Your daughter sounds just like me when I was a kid! Seriously though, I used to say the same exact thing. I'm tellin' ya, if you raise her on Disney (between the movies and going to the parks) and then the magic just hits her in the right way, she's probably gonna end up just like me.
Go right ahead! I got my ideas from reading other TR's around the dis! I'm sure your pretrip report will be a lot of fun! I hope you all have a magical trip! And thank you for reading!

Originally Posted by ChattaAlley

The decorations are very cute. Love the Santa Genie.

There is just too much great merch at all these stores. It is so hard for me to make decisions on what to get. I think you made some fantastic choices. Love the Monorail and Peoplemover shirts.

Sorry to hear your mother had to go through that but I am very glad she got such great news and that your dad insisted on a second opinion.

Loving the tips.

I agree!
I know, right!? I seriously need to work at Disney so I can get merch discounts. I would save hundreds of dollars All I buy is disney stuff anyways. And thank you! I was happy with what I picked out!
Aww thank you! I'm SO happy that whole situation ended okay. It was scary!
Thanks I'm glad!

Originally Posted by disneyhockeymad

I'm here! Finally! So excited read your Christmas report and so excited that you got to go twice too cool! That scrub looks amazing, it's definitely going on my to do list when I head out there in September! good luck with your new college, I can definintely see you being a drama student!

Hooray! Welcome, welcome! It was a lot of fun!
You should definitely try the hand scrub! It's a unique little thing to do but it's lots of fun!
Thank you! And aww that's so sweet! I hope everything will work out well!

Originally Posted by emma212010

OMG I love the Basin!!!! That store is amazing!!! It smells soooo good in there!

Oh and I agree, the decorations in the shops are beautiful!! That's the best part of going shopping in DTD! I love Tren-D too! It's such a cool little store!

OMG Ghiradelli's!!!!!!!!!!!! That is all I have to say! Soooo good!!


Good luck to you in your new college! I hope all goes well for you and that you truly enjoy it!

I know, right!? It's so awesome.
DTD is just a wonderful place. I love everything about all of the stores!
YUM I wish I could have an ice cream sundae right now!
And thank you! That's all I hope too! I survived the first day so it can only get better from here!

Originally Posted by Curiouser&curiouser!

I've read a your previous reports, so I guess you can count me in on this one too! They are always enjoyable!




I actually have this! It was a suprise present my parents sent up for my family after I helped them plan a Christmas weekend at Disney! We loved it!

Hooray! Thanks for being here! I'm glad you're enjoying them!
Aww that's so cute! How nice of them. That is an awesome advent calendar! It's the best one I've ever seen!

Originally Posted by DirtyDiana

YAYYYYYYY
I'm so excited for this TR! I can't wait to see pics of all the Christmas decorations!

I'm trying to do the CP too! I'm applying for fall If I don't get in I think I will seriously be crushed. It will be the death of me, lol. I recently went through that college-change thing too. I discovered what I was majoring in probably wasn't for me and now I'm changing to something new. It somewhat sucks since I've already taken numerous classes towards my old one, but oh well. I think I will be much happier

And I need that Miss Piggy and those monorail & people mover shirts Jealous!

I have hundreds of them coming your way, so I'm glad you're excited haha
Aww are you!? That's awesome. I was going to apply for fall, but now spring is looking like the better option because of this whole transfer thing.
And you know what? I'm really proud of you! I always give people a lot of credit for changing their major or transferring because that means you know what you love and you're going for it. So I hope everything works out for you, and in the long run you will be happy you did something that makes you happy!
Aren't they awesome!? You will need to get them!

Originally Posted by disneylovin24

Good luck at your new college!

I LOVE the Mr.Tomorrow shirt! Definetely one of Disney's best products ever!

That sundae looks delicious! I wanted to go to Ghiradelli on my trip but I never got there I think ever time I was going to go I ended up getting a Mickey Premium Bar for ice cream instead

Can't wait for more!

Thank you so much!
I know, right!? Love. It.
Yummm those sundaes are unbelievable. I didn't get a mickey bar on either trip because I ate so much other stuff. (I know, that's practically a sin. I'M SORRY!) But one day you'll definitely have to get a sundae!

[onelilspark]

Originally Posted by Disneyfreak508

6) I am hoping to do the Disney College Program either next year or the year after. I NEED TO DO IT. I can’t even explain how much I wish I could do it now. Unfortunately, I can't for many reasons. But EVENTUALLY it will happen. The DCP has been my only life plan since the age of 12. The major I am choosing in college is demanding, so I don’t know if leaving in the middle of the program is going to be my best idea. But I’m hoping I can just do it anyway. Disney is my biggest priority.

So I need to read more of your report, just joining in now. But I wanted to comment on the thing I quoted from your first post.

Do it. School will wait, you can do summer classes. I started to go through the process for the CP, gathering information and such. But it meant I would have needed to take 2 summer classes to graduate on time and at the time I dismissed the CP as being too difficult to fit into my schedule. It is the *one* thing I regret not doing. My cousin and best friend both did the program and they say it was one of the best experiences of their lives.

Obviously you know what's best for you, but don't dismiss the CP as being too difficult if it's something that you really want to do. Try your best to make it work

(...sigh, I sound so old!)

[onelilspark]

Originally Posted by Disneyfreak508

Christmas Tip #1: If you're renting a car, think about joining National's Emerald Club. This is the EASIEST way to rent a car. By joining, you don’t have to wait in line at the rental car check-in desk. You go to the garage, pick your car, go through the little gate, and leave! Very convenient if the airport is crowded with fellow Christmastime travelers!

To add to this tip...if you go to Mousesavers.com, you can get a free membership to the Emerald Club.