***Official Planning Thread -DECEMBER 2024 - Welcome all!***

[Disturbia]

I did. No deliveries on the 25th.

How about Amazon prime? We do prime delivery (can only schedule 2 days before).

 

[Disturbia]

Outdoor movie schedule (I searched Poly, but has other resorts as well)

https://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/wdw-outdoor-movie-schedule#polynesian

 

[docindigo76]

Been back for a week and has been nuts on the home front. Anyhoo, a quickie trip report--we were in FL 11/30 through 12/8 with our Disney days beginning 12/2:

• I did NOT have urgent care on my bingo card for arrival day in FL. My feet started seizing on the plane and prior to undertaking our race and days at Disney I had to know if at least an x-ray was clean. It was, but kinesiology tape became my most handy fashion accessory. Partner had a plantar fasciitis flare-up, so both of us had to be mindful of our steps.
• Managed to complete our half-marathon on 12/1 in stellar time for us. It’s a walker-friendly event and my feet held up well, but have follow-up care this coming week and I am resting in recovery footwear. While not our first half this year, it is a fantastic course—flat, so much fun, friendly, and the residents of Cocoa Village and Rockledge are so welcoming and provide treats on the course for the participants.
• AKL was beautiful, but the EPCOT area is ultimately better for us. Going back to our beloved Riviera next yesr, right now booked on cash but we are crunching numbers for DVC. The Space Coast half is looking to become tradition for us for at least the next several years and we will pair it with some time at Disney.
• We learned we are not park-hopping people, party people, or evening people beyond a scheduled in-park dinner. We value the peaceful mornings, and relax in our room at night to get ready for the next early day. MK on a party day is still glorious before the evening festivities.
• We learned that LLPP is the price of our sanity. With my dodgy feet, it was a relief to move from ride to ride in HS and MK in order and not criss-cross or backtrack and just take it easy. We got in everything we wanted and then some.
• For character meals, Topolino’s is still king. Both our meals there were fantastic. We were disappointed in Ohana, Tusker, and Crystal Palace sadly, for various reasons. I missed having more time with Stitch. Donald at Tusker didn't look like he wanted to be there (he looked frazzled and harassed honestly, had some difficult visits before us), and it took forever for Pooh to come around at CP.
• For those who have said customer service is lacking, we felt that at a times, hard—especially in MK. I won’t go into details, other than to say for one instance, a benevolent manager at a shop in MK made something very right that was a very bad look for an employee we were seeking help from.
• In spite of challenges, like a midnight AKL fire alarm, customer service woes, our injuries, and rushed meals…there were plenty of magic moments that we are laughing about with family and friends and will forever. I always like to end on that note to remind myself the good memories prevail.

 

[cattycat2]

I got back yesterday from my trip 12/9-12/14. We had a fabulous time and made some great memories!! Loved, loved the Beach Club Resort and how close it was to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. I have nothing to compare crowds from Christmas Holidays since I've never been in December before---but it was crowded! Especially Epcot!

LLMP was a blessing --we passed so many people waiting in long lines----AK got crowded as the day went on--plus it was our arrival day---LLMP worked out great!! Didn't wait on any rides with LLMP--but did a lot of backtracking.

Epcot was crowded both days--Spaceship Earth and Journey of the Imagination were both down at the same time one of the nights----Guest Services gave me a freebie on Remy using LLMP!!

I changed our DHS day because of bad weather---Fridays at DHS was very crowded! Glad I had LLPP for that day!! Slinky Dog was a blast and our favorite!!

MVMCP was so much fun and we had a blast!! The weather was great on Tuesday and we got pics with Jack & Sally! We ate lunch at Tony's and thought the bread and chicken parmesan were delicious! We rode a lot of the rides and got a perfect spot for the 10:00 fireworks and 11:00 parade--on the corner of Casey's !! Loved the snow!! Everything about that night was great and we made a lot of great memories!!

We ate at BOMA, Tony's, Steakhouse 71, Sci Fi, Teppan Edo, and Topolino's--all were exceptional and had great food!

Overall, we had a blast and enjoyed our vacation at Disney!! We thought the decorations were fabulous at each park and got us into the Christmas spirit!

 

[Beast40]

I got back yesterday from my trip 12/9-12/14. We had a fabulous time and made some great memories!! Loved, loved the Beach Club Resort and how close it was to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. I have nothing to compare crowds from Christmas Holidays since I've never been in December before---but it was crowded! Especially Epcot!

LLMP was a blessing --we passed so many people waiting in long lines----AK got crowded as the day went on--plus it was our arrival day---LLMP worked out great!! Didn't wait on any rides with LLMP--but did a lot of backtracking.

Epcot was crowded both days--Spaceship Earth and Journey of the Imagination were both down at the same time one of the nights----Guest Services gave me a freebie on Remy using LLMP!!

I changed our DHS day because of bad weather---Fridays at DHS was very crowded! Glad I had LLPP for that day!! Slinky Dog was a blast and our favorite!!

MVMCP was so much fun and we had a blast!! The weather was great on Tuesday and we got pics with Jack & Sally! We ate lunch at Tony's and thought the bread and chicken parmesan were delicious! We rode a lot of the rides and got a perfect spot for the 10:00 fireworks and 11:00 parade--on the corner of Casey's !! Loved the snow!! Everything about that night was great and we made a lot of great memories!!

We ate at BOMA, Tony's, Steakhouse 71, Sci Fi, Teppan Edo, and Topolino's--all were exceptional and had great food!

Overall, we had a blast and enjoyed our vacation at Disney!! We thought the decorations were fabulous at each park and got us into the Christmas spirit!

Thank you to you and docindigo76 for sharing your recent Dec. trip experiences. Glad to hear you had such a great trip at the Beach Club and enjoyed MVMCP and holiday decor!

We arrive for our trip there next weekend and are VERY excited! We purchased a couple of days of LLMP which hopefully will help us to get on some rides even though we know it is one of the busiest times of the year. I am sure LLPP was nice and very low stress but that’s too pricey for us. I will post our experiences and successes etc. with LLMP after we return. Our trip is from 12/22-12/28 at the Beach Club with a LLMP at MK on 12/24 and HS on 12/26. We also have park hoppers so we might move around on those days depending on crowds and LL availability.

 

[Disturbia]

Been back for a week and has been nuts on the home front. Anyhoo, a quickie trip report--we were in FL 11/30 through 12/8 with our Disney days beginning 12/2:

• I did NOT have urgent care on my bingo card for arrival day in FL. My feet started seizing on the plane and prior to undertaking our race and days at Disney I had to know if at least an x-ray was clean. It was, but kinesiology tape became my most handy fashion accessory. Partner had a plantar fasciitis flare-up, so both of us had to be mindful of our steps.
• Managed to complete our half-marathon on 12/1 in stellar time for us. It’s a walker-friendly event and my feet held up well, but have follow-up care this coming week and I am resting in recovery footwear. While not our first half this year, it is a fantastic course—flat, so much fun, friendly, and the residents of Cocoa Village and Rockledge are so welcoming and provide treats on the course for the participants.
• AKL was beautiful, but the EPCOT area is ultimately better for us. Going back to our beloved Riviera next yesr, right now booked on cash but we are crunching numbers for DVC. The Space Coast half is looking to become tradition for us for at least the next several years and we will pair it with some time at Disney.
• We learned we are not park-hopping people, party people, or evening people beyond a scheduled in-park dinner. We value the peaceful mornings, and relax in our room at night to get ready for the next early day. MK on a party day is still glorious before the evening festivities.
• We learned that LLPP is the price of our sanity. With my dodgy feet, it was a relief to move from ride to ride in HS and MK in order and not criss-cross or backtrack and just take it easy. We got in everything we wanted and then some.
• For character meals, Topolino’s is still king. Both our meals there were fantastic. We were disappointed in Ohana, Tusker, and Crystal Palace sadly, for various reasons. I missed having more time with Stitch. Donald at Tusker didn't look like he wanted to be there (he looked frazzled and harassed honestly, had some difficult visits before us), and it took forever for Pooh to come around at CP.
• For those who have said customer service is lacking, we felt that at a times, hard—especially in MK. I won’t go into details, other than to say for one instance, a benevolent manager at a shop in MK made something very right that was a very bad look for an employee we were seeking help from.
• In spite of challenges, like a midnight AKL fire alarm, customer service woes, our injuries, and rushed meals…there were plenty of magic moments that we are laughing about with family and friends and will forever. I always like to end on that note to remind myself the good memories prevail.

I had muscle cramps for over a decade. An ultra marathon running neighbor introduced me to liquid IV electrolytes and the muscle cramps disappeared. The sugar free version doesn’t work. It’s available on Costco. We don’t go to WDW without it esp if it’s hot.

 

[Disturbia]

2nd half of our trip is now 79-80 degrees!!! It’s forecasted to rain on 12/30. Hopefully a drizzle (we’ve worn ponchos at the plaza garden dessert party viewing area before)

 

[Disturbia]

deleted

 

[japanese maple]

So who's doing the October or November thread?

I span both months so I can't!

 

[elaine amj]

Rain rain go away! My outfit is not planned with rain in mind for Dec 30 OR Dec 31.

 

[elaine amj]

There’s a good chance DS22 can join us from Dec 31-Jan 4. Watching flight prices carefully but can’t book yet as there is a chance he has to work Jan 2. Possibly won’t know until a week out. If he has to work Jan 2, might not be worth flying down for a couple of nights.

 

[Disturbia]

Rain rain go away! My outfit is not planned with rain in mind for Dec 30 OR Dec 31.

Just take ponchos. We will have ours on hand as well. Probably a stroller cover as well (people steal ponchos off of strollers). We usually keep ours in a bag. Do not keep valuables in the stroller (theft happens routinely).

It rained when we did the dessert party (early Nov) but just for a little bit and it was over quick. Still got to enjoy fireworks etc.

Friends of ours went mid Dec and the hub cleared out fast and I told them to quickly get out of the shops and go to the end of the hub. They decided to go up to the castle and loved it.

 

[Disturbia]

I have been contacting all the chefs regarding allergies. Maria & Enzo’s (breakfast with Santa, which is eggs, pancakes and fruit basically) refused to provide basic vegan eggs or dairy/egg free pancakes. They’re so easy to make. It was $45 for kids and $69 for adults (totaling $375 with tax/tip). They agreed to refund us. Already purchased special gear for the kids but we will meet Santa at Epcot instead. Can’t move any of my LLMPs now because they wouldn’t respond and when they did then wouldn’t answer my questions regarding what menu products they can accommodate for the past few emails back and forth.

I’m a bit disappointed as all the Disney chefs (including Space220-also Patina group) have been so great and going above and beyond. This was already paid for and I planned my entire day around it. Ugh

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Has anyone spotted the gingerbread popcorn buckets at any of of the resorts lately? We're getting there after the last MVMCP and I would prefer it with the gingerbread/peppermint bark anyway. Thanks!

 

[Disturbia]

Has anyone spotted the gingerbread popcorn buckets at any of of the resorts lately? We're getting there after the last MVMCP and I would prefer it with the gingerbread/peppermint bark anyway. Thanks!

Not sure how accurate but w always get a popcorn bucket in the parks and will probably get this instead

https://www.fantasylandnews.com/202...rn-bucket-is-available-now-at-select-resorts/

 

[Disturbia]

Apparently per Facebook they sold out Wed. hopefully will be restocked soon.

 

[Thoreauaway]

Eeek, our Lightning Lane purchase window opens tomorrow and I still haven't finalized our plans.

Anyone have recent experience with LLMP at Animal Kingdom and Epcot during peak busy seasons? We're buying MK and DHS for sure, but advice on AK/EP tends to be more mixed.

For AK: I was contemplating buying LLMP after a great recent Ear Scouts video, but we're skipping Flight of Passage & plan to single rider Expedition Everest, so that's two less big ticket rides we need to worry about. Not sure whether it'll still be worth it just to cut the wait for Na'vi River Journey and Kilimanjaro Safaris though (and might allow us to do KS twice, as we usually rope drop it + then can ride it again later in the day with LL).

For Epcot: this is the only park we have 1.5 days in, plus with the small number of rides (and reports that apparently all the Tier 1 selections are sold out early in the day) I'm not sure how much value we'd get out of MP. With LLMP, we'd probably plan to rope drop Frozen and then use the LL on Remy, then try to see if we can get Soarin' (maybe a bit ambitious since we're going during the busiest week of the year).

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Eeek, our Lightning Lane purchase window opens tomorrow and I still haven't finalized our plans.

Anyone have recent experience with LLMP at Animal Kingdom and Epcot during peak busy seasons? We're buying MK and DHS for sure, but advice on AK/EP tends to be more mixed.

For AK: I was contemplating buying LLMP after a great recent Ear Scouts video, but we're skipping Flight of Passage & plan to single rider Expedition Everest, so that's two less big ticket rides we need to worry about. Not sure whether it'll still be worth it just to cut the wait for Na'vi River Journey and Kilimanjaro Safaris though (and might allow us to do KS twice, as we usually rope drop it + then can ride it again later in the day with LL).

For Epcot: this is the only park we have 1.5 days in, plus with the small number of rides (and reports that apparently all the Tier 1 selections are sold out early in the day) I'm not sure how much value we'd get out of MP. With LLMP, we'd probably plan to rope drop Frozen and then use the LL on Remy, then try to see if we can get Soarin' (maybe a bit ambitious since we're going during the busiest week of the year).

Do you have access to EE for AK? If so then you can get a lot done because EE is at 7:30 and most folks just won't get up that early. I would hit Navi first and then Safari. Expedition Everest still won't have a long wait even after regular rope drop, and Dinosaur's wait is usually short until 10:30 or so. With the tiering, I would get LLPP for Epcot instead if it's in budget. It sucks that Test Track is out but still better than the long waits for all the other rides.

 

[Disturbia]

We have DAS and still purchased LLs at Epcot because we know waits will be 120 min+. We also have extended evening on one of our Epcot days (and changed one resort day/1900 park fare/sleigh ride day impromptu to Epcot morning-early afternoon). With the festival of the holidays, Candlelight and one of the new limited Santa meet & greets available, Epcot will be crowded.

We did buy FOP but skipped LLMP on AK day (also extended evening 12/25)

 

[Thoreauaway]

Do you have access to EE for AK? If so then you can get a lot done because EE is at 7:30 and most folks just won't get up that early. I would hit Navi first and then Safari. Expedition Everest still won't have a long wait even after regular rope drop, and Dinosaur's wait is usually short until 10:30 or so. With the tiering, I would get LLPP for Epcot instead if it's in budget. It sucks that Test Track is out but still better than the long waits for all the other rides.

Yes, I'll be staying on site so will have Early Entry. Tbh the biggest appeal of buying LLMP might be to sleep in, haha! Animal Kingdom opens so early....

Looks like the consensus is that LLMP for Epcot is definitely worthwhile even if I only really get to use it for my original three selections and miss out on getting a second tier 1 ride.