Christmas at Disney Plan Round 1... About This Page:

[turtle280]

DING DING DING! LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Help me find any flaws/point out any missed things that have slipped my mind

Travelers are myself (27), dh (turning 30 at Disney), DD1 (7), DD2 (almost 5),
DD3 (2); DSis (33), DBIL(50),DNeice(4) and meeting with another family of 4 on occasion. This is our 3rd Disney vacation, first extended for DSis and family (spent one day in MK a few years ago) and the 1st for the other family. We have PH and DDP for all. We'll be taking turns with the kids in the eves so Mom and Dad can go to Pleasure Island, ride rides alone, or just go swimming by themselves!

Tues Dec. 4
*Arrive at MCO, pick up rental van, go to PO-R
*5:00 Ohana
*MVMCP

Wed. Dec 5
*9:45 Playhouse Disney breakfast
*MGM
*4:00 Mama Melrose Fantasmic Dinner Pkg
*Fantasmic

Thurs. Dec 6
*Ctr breakfast at resort
*MK EMH -- Fantasyland only
*Epcot
*Counter Dinner

Fri Dec 7th
*Cinderella's Royal Table last available seating
*MK
*6:30 Crystal Palace
*Epcot EMH

Sat Dec. 8th
*Sleep In
*Ohana Breakfast last available seating
*Resort Decorations/DTD
*1:00 Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
*Hoop De Doo 7:00 show

Sun Dec. 9th
*Ctr Breakfast at resort
*AK
*6:00 Tusker House
*MK EMH

Mon Dec 10th
*AK EMH
*Counter Breakfast
*World Showcase Holidays and Shopping
*6:30 Whispering Canyon
*MGM EMH

Tues Dec 11th
*Ctr Breakfast
*Favorites/Missed attractions
*6:30 Liberty Tree Tavern

Weds Dec 12th
*Pack cars and check out
*10:30 Chef Mickey's
*Favorites (likely MK)
*Ctr lunch
*3:30 leave for airport

[wdwlovers]

Looks great Katie. With all those kids, do you have some naptime built in to the schedule? A couple of the late evenings, it might be nice to come back to the resort and relax a bit and then head back out.

Sounds like you will have a blast with everyone!

[buttercup1]

Your plans look great! I agree with building in time for naps too because that way EVERYBODY has a good time!

[debe]

While you are down there, you may want to check out a few of the MouseFest meets that will be happening from 12/6 - 12/10 and or attend the MegaMouse Meet on 12/8.
To see last years land events click on MouseFest.

[Joanne929]

Looks like a lot of fun things planned! I love that you're all willing to take a turn (or 2?!) in the evening with each other's kids.
Looks like you don't plan on being up at the crack of dawn until midnight, but be sure to have some down time during the day (even if it means not going on that ride, but just sitting and getting a drink/snack).
Have fun!

[turtle280]

I guess I forgot to mention that...we always take a rest when someone needs it...with the slower pace of this week at Disney, we'll be able to take breaks whenever we need them We don't build them in, just decide when we need one. Some days, none at all, others we need to skip a dinner to get some rest I'll definitely look into some of the mouse fest stuff!

[Colexis Mom]

Great plans Katie

[dzlovesdisney]

Wow -- What a great schedule! We'll be at MVMCP on the 4th too! Your post is making me even more impatient to go NOW!

[dzlovesdisney]

oooh -- I have another question -- Where did you find the EMHs for December? Are the hours out yet?

[Minniemouse27]

We will also be at MVMCP on the 4th.

At the suggestion of someone here I looked at the three preceding months to try and figure out when the EMHs will be in December. Yeah, not working all that well. They are all different from each other. AK and EPCOT seem to be fairly consistent, but MK and MGM keep switching back and forth.

I guess I just have to wait until next Friday for the official word!

[bsblady01]

we will be at the world at the same time. we will at the vmcp on dec 7th. I just hope that the weather is good for all of us.

[turtle280]

Originally Posted by dzlovesdisney

oooh -- I have another question -- Where did you find the EMHs for December? Are the hours out yet?

I used the recommendations at TouringPlans.com....they've seem to got a good reputation for being pretty close to right. I'm anxious for them to come out...CM told me probably the first week of June.

[turtle280]

Originally Posted by bsblady01

we will be at the world at the same time. we will at the vmcp on dec 7th. I just hope that the weather is good for all of us.

I'm a little nervous about the weather too. When we went at this time in 2003 it was FRIGID cold at night...we had enough warm weather stuff packed since we drove from our home in SC and were traveling on to Illinois after we left Disney, but I'm worried about packing so much winter clothing/blankets for flying!

[Disney_Scarlett]

Your plans look great. I think it's a very cool idea to "switch off" with parents in order to give everyone a little alone time in WDW. That's part of the beauty of traveling with extended family! The only thing I would point out is on Monday, Dec 10 - you're going to the Animal Kingdom, to EPCOT, to Wilderness Lodge, to MGM - that's a lot of hopping around. It's doable, but just keep in mind that the transitions will take up some time. I don't know if those plans include the kids or not - just wanted to point that out.

Our trips will overlap a bit - maybe we'll see you there!

[ljjri]

I must be seeing something different than everyone else. On your first day you have dinner at 5pm at Ohana's. Is there enough time from when you land, go to baggage, get rental car (is rental at airport or off) drive to hotel, check in all before dinner? Also same thing for when you leave. You mention leaving for the airport at 3:30 is there enough time to drop off rental (again on or off property at airport) and check for flight.

Also don't forget that there is travel time between each park. I agree with Scarlett be careful on the 10th with all the traveling .

Here is a bit of advice for traveling with many family members. When I planned our Grand Gathering everyone wanted to do everything together. No matter whatr I said it all fell on stubborn peoples ears. Well after 2 days of everyone doing everything together everyone finally realized I was right. We all went to the park together but split up and kept in contact with each other via phone and switched up with who was with who. We always made sure we got together for the parade or any rides we all wanted to do together. From the third day on we all had a blast. Oh I forgot to mention we were all in the same hotel, same floor, all right next to each other.