2 Castles, 2 Send out 2011 & Ring in 2012...12 Days of Christmas

[momabaarjo]

100 Things I am Looking Forward to...​

100. Checking into the Royal Pacific Resort
99. Italian Margarita and a Cheeseburger in Paradise at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville
98. Breakfast at Chef Mickey's
97. Experiencing the Osborne Lights
96. Seeing Lightning McQueen and Mater
95. Grinch and Friends Breakfast
94. Tree of Life
93. Mickey's Philharmonic
92. Christmas Trees
91. Tower of Terror
90. Dinner at T-Rex
89. Pressed Penny hunting for the boys
88. Seeing Tink Fly
87. Breakfast at the Crystal Palace
86. Toy Story Mania and its Line/Queue
85. Innoventions
84. Main Street Stroll
83. Dole Whip
82. Pirates of the Caribbean Ride
81. Jedi Training
80. Mickey Bar
79. Miyuki in Japan
78. Tom Sawyer's Island
77. Riding the Monorail
76. Tonga Toast at Kona Cafe
75. Mission Space: Orange Side
74. Strawberry Soup
73. Kidcot Stations in Epcot
72. Shopping for Mickey Ears
71. Dinner at Ohanas
70. Living with the Land
69. A Mug of Butter Beer
68. Animation Studios Drawing Class
67. Karamelle-Kuche
66. Christmas Store Ornament Shopping
65. F!
64. Honeydukes
63. Tough Being a Bug
62. Swiss Family Treehouse
61. Biergarten
60. Soarin
59. Lego Store in DTD
58. Starring Rolls Cupcakes
57. Haunted Mansion
56. Via Napoli
55. Goofy's Candy Co. in DTD
54. Gingerbread House at GF (& other resort Christmas Displays)
53. Kim Possible Missions in Epcot
52. Macy's Holiday Parade at USO
51. Boulangerie Patisserie in France
50. 50's Primetime Cafe
49. POP Century Resort
48. Exploring the Windows in Hogsmeade
47. Ridemakerz
46. Date with dh at Yachtsman
45. Illuminations
44. Dinner at 1900 Park Fare with the Step Sisters
43. Grinchmas at IOA
42. Snorkeling at Discovery Cove
41. Breadpudding
40. Expedition Everest
39. Parades
38. Ghirardelli sundae
37. Night time in the parks
36. Test Track
35. Mickey Pretzels
34. The Sword in the Stone
33. Fish & Chips
32. Feeding the Larakeets
31. Yak & Yeti
30. Discovery Island Trails
29. Sci Fi Diner
28. Spiderman
27. Rice Krispe Treat
26. Walt & Mickey Statue…Roy & Minnie Statue
25. Festival of the Lion King
24. Main Street Bakery Treats
23. Pirate Tutorial
22. Discovery Club Stops in AK
21. The Simpsons Ride
20. Breakfast at Boma
19. Boardwalk Villas
18. Finding my Picture Frame
17. Dinner at NASCAR
16. Tequila Flight
15. Searching for Hidden Mickey’s
14. Rip Rocket Roller Coaster
13. Lunch at Cinderella’s Royal Table
12. Candlelight Processional
11. Snacking Around the World
10. Drinking Around the World
9. Breakfast at Three Broomsticks
8. Club Cool
7. Forbidden Journey
6. Wishes Dessert Party
5. Flight to MCO
4. Christmas Story Tellers in Epcot
3. Dolphin Swim

3. Dolphin Swim

This day is for Ab…she has been dying to get up close and personal with a dolphin. Everything I have read about Discovery Cove makes it sound so incredible…I have to owe it to my travel agent (used her for booking purposes on the universal side) to hunt down this great discount for Discovery Cove. I hope Ab enjoys this day planned especially for her!

 

[momabaarjo]

100 Things I am Looking Forward to...​

100. Checking into the Royal Pacific Resort
99. Italian Margarita and a Cheeseburger in Paradise at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville
98. Breakfast at Chef Mickey's
97. Experiencing the Osborne Lights
96. Seeing Lightning McQueen and Mater
95. Grinch and Friends Breakfast
94. Tree of Life
93. Mickey's Philharmonic
92. Christmas Trees
91. Tower of Terror
90. Dinner at T-Rex
89. Pressed Penny hunting for the boys
88. Seeing Tink Fly
87. Breakfast at the Crystal Palace
86. Toy Story Mania and its Line/Queue
85. Innoventions
84. Main Street Stroll
83. Dole Whip
82. Pirates of the Caribbean Ride
81. Jedi Training
80. Mickey Bar
79. Miyuki in Japan
78. Tom Sawyer's Island
77. Riding the Monorail
76. Tonga Toast at Kona Cafe
75. Mission Space: Orange Side
74. Strawberry Soup
73. Kidcot Stations in Epcot
72. Shopping for Mickey Ears
71. Dinner at Ohanas
70. Living with the Land
69. A Mug of Butter Beer
68. Animation Studios Drawing Class
67. Karamelle-Kuche
66. Christmas Store Ornament Shopping
65. F!
64. Honeydukes
63. Tough Being a Bug
62. Swiss Family Treehouse
61. Biergarten
60. Soarin
59. Lego Store in DTD
58. Starring Rolls Cupcakes
57. Haunted Mansion
56. Via Napoli
55. Goofy's Candy Co. in DTD
54. Gingerbread House at GF (& other resort Christmas Displays)
53. Kim Possible Missions in Epcot
52. Macy's Holiday Parade at USO
51. Boulangerie Patisserie in France
50. 50's Primetime Cafe
49. POP Century Resort
48. Exploring the Windows in Hogsmeade
47. Ridemakerz
46. Date with dh at Yachtsman
45. Illuminations
44. Dinner at 1900 Park Fare with the Step Sisters
43. Grinchmas at IOA
42. Snorkeling at Discovery Cove
41. Breadpudding
40. Expedition Everest
39. Parades
38. Ghirardelli sundae
37. Night time in the parks
36. Test Track
35. Mickey Pretzels
34. The Sword in the Stone
33. Fish & Chips
32. Feeding the Larakeets
31. Yak & Yeti
30. Discovery Island Trails
29. Sci Fi Diner
28. Spiderman
27. Rice Krispe Treat
26. Walt & Mickey Statue…Roy & Minnie Statue
25. Festival of the Lion King
24. Main Street Bakery Treats
23. Pirate Tutorial
22. Discovery Club Stops in AK
21. The Simpsons Ride
20. Breakfast at Boma
19. Boardwalk Villas
18. Finding my Picture Frame
17. Dinner at NASCAR
16. Tequila Flight
15. Searching for Hidden Mickey’s
14. Rip Rocket Roller Coaster
13. Lunch at Cinderella’s Royal Table
12. Candlelight Processional
11. Snacking Around the World
10. Drinking Around the World
9. Breakfast at Three Broomsticks
8. Club Cool
7. Forbidden Journey
6. Wishes Dessert Party
5. Flight to MCO
4. Christmas Story Tellers in Epcot
3. Dolphin Swim
2. Hogwarts Castle

2. Hogwart’s Castle

I know how Disney fans get teared up over Cinderella’s Castle (cause I do) but Harry fans get teared up over Hogwart’s Castle, too. I think that Hogwart’s has a little something over Cinderella…having to look up at it…forced perspective as Walt Disney used but given a 21st century touch by having the castle above you. And the inside theming is amazing, just what you picture in the books! I know Ab and Boo and going to stand in awe at the front gates!

 

[momabaarjo]

They only talk for ten minutes so if you're fast walkers and time it right you will actually have time to get the photos as well.

Great to know...I think I have it arranged in the schedule that we have about 15 minutes of walking time inbetween...so that 5 minutes will be an added bonus

Great job saving that change!

Did you find out how long the gingerbread diplays will be up?

No, everyone I talked to do did not know for sure, they did say the shipping area would close on Dec. 31st. I am hoping to squeeze it in before our ADR at Chef Mickey's...just may mean taking a taxi to GF and not wait on Disney buses.

Finally home and caught up a bit! The story tellers were great btw.

I'm guessing around 425$

YAY, your home and you liked the storytellers!

Those are some pretty lucky spenders!!!! Are you giving them a budget? We gave Damien one and other than the lego store (we said no more than $30 and we walked out with $50) he was pretty good with his budget!

Yes, the kids are getting a budget...Ab will do great cause she is a tight wad, Boo on the other hand will blow threw it...and Goo well . They will have their money up front and when it is gone it is gone! We will pay for all the snacks, but souviners are up to them (other than the Mickey ears and Christmas ornaments).

I just saw on Amiee's TR where you said y'all are doing Via Napoli. Didn't remember you saying y'all were doing that one...

Suggestions...

The Ricotta ball appetizer was to die for! But it was only 3 medium meatball sized balls.

The family salad that was an extra $6 per person... was the absolute BEST part of our meal...

The pizza.... we really we not fans. Not even my mom and she LOVES thin crust pizza

Zepolli was AMAZING!

I have heard the Zepolli was amazing...this is a place Ab picked out...she is a pizza fan...hope she likes the pizza better...I was looking at that salad on the menu and thought that would be a great way to go cause we are all HUGE salad eaters in our house!

 

[momabaarjo]

My 2 days To Do List:
1. Clean Bathroom
2. Clean Living Room
3. Beds changed
4. Touring Plans Made
*** Can you believe I have not done this? Been waiting for Disney to finally set a time schedule and stick with it! UGH...I hade schedule changes!
5. Do Wash

 

[Monknmom]

YAY 2 days until you see this....

And 7 days until you get to see this....

Good luck with the touring plans and sticking to them--- I have to say that was the hardest part of the trip because most of the times were wrong (we went on TT 4 times one morning before we started to have a wait line and Mission Space we never waited)!

 

[momabaarjo]

Thanks for the pictures Heather...I am using the touring plans more as a way to make sure we get all done in the parks on that day! I know there will be lots of adjustments. We have 2 days in all the parks except for AK...I need to post my daily park plans...Aimee has been on me to do that so she can follow along.

There are some parts of the Ridemax that I don't understand the thinking,but that is okay I will adjust what I think is better! At least we are going in with a plan of action...instead of wondering around trying to figure out what to do. I know I have to be well planned with the crowds!

Did Damien get to do Jedi Training?

 

[reelmom]

I am getting so excited for you! I don't want to rush your trip but I cannot wait for this trip report to start, especially the Discovery Cove and WWoHP sections.

 

[momabaarjo]

Boys and Men are such pigs in the bathrooms...disgusting...well mine are at least! I usually make them clean the bathroom, but I wanted it really cleaned when we returned! ICK ICK ICK!!!! I guess I am going to have to do even more stand over you while you do it kind of instruction!!!! UGH....

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

With all the holiday lovelies about to start (we have 8 Christmas' to go to between tonight and Sunday night plus both of us have work in between....) I want to wish you a very safe trip and a very merry Christmas! IF you think about it send pics and mention if the reveal went as planned!

 

[momabaarjo]

I am getting so excited for you! I don't want to rush your trip but I cannot wait for this trip report to start, especially the Discovery Cove and WWoHP sections.

I can't wait either for the trip...I am getting a little sad as it approaches because this year plus planning is about to end...all the excitement and dreaming...

 

[momabaarjo]

I am going to go ahead and post the last of my advent countdown reveal, since I have not been doing a very good job of keeping it updated! The kids still are not making the connection between the gifts and this trip being in a few days instead of next summer, Boo said the other day that I really am trying to get them prepared for our trip in July with the movie nights and all the gifts…duh son, but the trip is in a few days!!! Sheesh, my children are so smart, but so blonde when it comes to life.
Again, I am sorry about not posting pictures, sometimes using photobucket to upload, then edit is such a time staking task…just use your imagination!

8 Days Til Christmas​

Advent Calendar Symbol: Candy Cane
Clue: Where would you find Chip from Beauty and the Beast?
Location: Cupboard with the mugs
Gift: How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book
Task: Read the book and have a great Grinch movie night
Connection: Grinchmas, Breakfast with the Grinch, Seuss Landing

7 Days Til Christmas​

Advent Calendar Symbol: 4th Advent Candle
Clue: Just Like Here Comes the Sun, Here Comes Christmas
Location: Boo’s Guitar Case (this is one of his favorite songs to play)
Gift: Glow in the Dark Stars for Bedroom Ceilings and Orbit Gum
Task: Hang your stars
Connection: Mission Space, Tomorrowland, MIB

6 Days Til Christmas​

Advent Calendar Symbol:Shepherds
Clue: You had better not disobey or you might find yourself sleeping in the ________.
Location: Jake’s doghouse…could not put it in Cami’s or it would have been shredded like the other clues Kirby (the elf) has left outside.
Gift: candy from different countries…I love world market
Task: Name the countries on the map and then match the flags to the country…the boys loved doing this (Ab was studying for finals)
Connection: Epcot World Showcase

5 Days Til Christmas​

Advent Calendar Symbol: nativity animals
Clue: Boxers, Briefs, Undies, Drawers, Thermal, Binki, Bloomers, and More
Location: Dad’s Underwear Drawer
Gift: Leis & Macadamia Nut Cookies
Task: Make the Cookies
Connection: RPR, Ohana

4 Days Til Christmas​

Advent Calendar Symbol: Christmas Story as told by St. John (which my children who attend private school reminded me that he did not have one...but we read the 1st chapter anyway)
Clue: Don’t Get Burned by this clue
Location: Oven

Gift: Cotton Candy, Salt Water Taffy, Boardwalk Can Game
Task: Play the Game
Connection: Boardwalk

3 Days Til Christmas​

Advent Calendar Symbol: Angels
Clue: 3-2-1 Blast Off
Location: Rocket Play House
Gift: Sparklers (firework kind) and Wintergreen Mints
Task: Go outside and light up the night, then come back inside and have a firework party in your mouth
Connection: Wishes

2 Days Til Christmas​

Advent Calendar Symbol: Poinsettias
Clue: A Race Car Driver, a Hunter, a Rock Star or Idol you can be…
Location: Wii Game Box
Gift: Harry Potter Movie Box Set, Harry Potter Socks, and Hedwig the Owl Stuffed Animal
Task: Figure out how many birds there are in the 12 days of Christmas
Connection: Harry Potter, Flights of Wonder, and how long we will be gone

1 Day Til Christmas​

Advent Calendar Symbol: Baby Jesus
Clue: I go Vroom Vroom around the room working better than a broom
Location: Vacuum
Gift: Christmas Pajamas (Boo-Hogwart’s, Ab-Tink, Jo-Lightning)
Task: Help mom clean the house, then lay clothes out for Christmas Day
Connection: Harry Potter, Tinkerbell, and Lightning McQueen

 

[reelmom]

I am amazed at your clues. I may have to use these clues to make a scavenger hunt. On our next trip, we are taking my mom, niece and nephew for their first Universal trip. I am planning on surprising my 2 boys with leaving a few days early before the rest of the family comes. I may use some of your clues to surprise them.

 

[Monknmom]

Thanks for the pictures Heather...I am using the touring plans more as a way to make sure we get all done in the parks on that day! I know there will be lots of adjustments. We have 2 days in all the parks except for AK...I need to post my daily park plans...Aimee has been on me to do that so she can follow along.

There are some parts of the Ridemax that I don't understand the thinking,but that is okay I will adjust what I think is better! At least we are going in with a plan of action...instead of wondering around trying to figure out what to do. I know I have to be well planned with the crowds!

Did Damien get to do Jedi Training?

No, we never got around to it.... you have to have all of the people (kids) that are doing it there to sign up and then come back for the training and although that sounds pretty easy to do it wasn't because while we were walking to the sign up we saw characters, then more characters, then a ride, then a show and so on and so forth!

Boys and Men are such pigs in the bathrooms...disgusting...well mine are at least! I usually make them clean the bathroom, but I wanted it really cleaned when we returned! ICK ICK ICK!!!! I guess I am going to have to do even more stand over you while you do it kind of instruction!!!! UGH....

Oh my K and Damien too! To them wiping the seat off with a paper tissue is enough to call it clean

5 Days Til Christmas​

Advent Calendar Symbol: nativity animals
Clue: Boxers, Briefs, Undies, Drawers, Thermal, Binki, Bloomers, and More
Location: Dad’s Underwear Drawer
Gift: Leis & Macadamia Nut Cookies
Task: Make the Cookies
Connection: RPR, Ohana

Don't you love that we always think to put things in dad's drawers and never our own

These are coming out SO NICE! I am actually jotting down notes to start this next year in our house (I bought the elf, but I feel like it's too late to start it right now)! That underwear idea is going in

 

[swwake]

You really just have 1 more day!!! Wow!

How much money was in that jar?

I can't wait to see what the #1 thing you're looking forward to is.

 

[momabaarjo]

$437.15

 

[momabaarjo]

MAJOR FREAK OUT HAPPENING!!!!

My MIL called while I was out getting a few last things...and of course I forgot my cell phone and she spoke to Ab. She and FIL want to come down tonight and give the kids their Christmas presents. Ab wants to know why tonight it is not even Christmas eve!!! I called them back and held them off til tomorrow night...but how do I explain doing all of Nanny and Grandad's gifts on Christmas eve when we always do them Christmas afternoon?!

I am on the verge of tears...

 

[reelmom]

Oh no! Hopefully it will work out. Maybe you can tell the kids that the Grandparents have other plans and wanted to give them their gifts early? As long as the gifts don't give the trip away, i think it will be easy to fool them. The kids will just be excited to get their presents sooner than later.

 

[lovethattink]

I can't wait either for the trip...I am getting a little sad as it approaches because this year plus planning is about to end...all the excitement and dreaming...

The only remedy for this is booking a bounceback!

If there is nothing in your resort room, the current room only offer is (quoted from Aubree in another thread) :

35% off Deluxe Villas and Deluxe Resorts.
30% off Moderate Resorts.

For most nights 1/1-1/5/12, 1/8-1/12/12, 1/16-2/8/12, 2/12-2/18/12, 3/4-3/10/12, 3/18-3-31/12, 4/29-5/26/12, 6/3-6/9/12, 8/5-10/6/12, 10/21-11/2/12, 11/11-11/17/12, 11/25-12/1/12, 12/9-12/15/12.

Call Ext 8844 from your room or 407-541-5514 before you check out. Ask for booking code I5Z.

They do verify you are actually staying at a WDW resort. Not all dates are available at all resorts, so you have to be flexible. Again I had to switch resorts for my May trip, had to move my August/Sept trip back a week, and CSR was not available for my Oct/Nov trip.

Unfortunately, I didn't write this down, didn't have internet service on our last stay so didn't get the email with this offer during my stay, and I didn't think to ask at the front desk before we checked out. So I missed this.

$437.15

WOW!!

MAJOR FREAK OUT HAPPENING!!!!

My MIL called while I was out getting a few last things...and of course I forgot my cell phone and she spoke to Ab. She and FIL want to come down tonight and give the kids their Christmas presents. Ab wants to know why tonight it is not even Christmas eve!!! I called them back and held them off til tomorrow night...but how do I explain doing all of Nanny and Grandad's gifts on Christmas eve when we always do them Christmas afternoon?!

I am on the verge of tears...

I hope it all works out. Hopefully the surprise won't be blown, but if it has to be, I hope you can do your reveal early to reveal it instead of finding out from someone else.

 

[ZFamily5]

Keep us posted on how everything turns out. Maybe you could come up with an excuse that the grandparents have other plans on Christmas afternoon? Or they feel like they're starting to come down with a cold and want to make sure that they have Christmas with you right away in case they get sick?

 

[FosterA]

yikes about the freak out! but...don't the kids think they are leaving on Christmas Day for skiing which is why you have to do things early?? Maybe I'm just confused? Couldn't you just say you have to do presents early so you can get a jump on the ski trip and get out of the house on time?

you betcha...I wanna see that final itinerary of yours so spit it out!! well, when you catch a minute between shopping, cleaning, wrapping, making crafts that is!