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A Coast to Coast Christmas - Phase One WDW
About This Page: This is a discussion on A Coast to Coast Christmas - Phase One WDW within the Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports, part of the PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel; A Coast to Coast Christmas
Phase One, Walt Disney World
December 1 – 6, 2011, Wilderness Lodge
Visiting Disney at ...
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A Coast to Coast Christmas Phase One, Walt Disney World December 1 – 6, 2011, Wilderness Lodge
Visiting Disney at Christmas time is one of my very favorite things. In fact, I consider it a “must do.” Ever since my very first visit during the holiday season, back in 2005, it’s been a tradition for me to go to WDW. But this year, I decided I wanted to see what Disneyland was like at Christmas. One problem: I didn’t want to give up my trip to WDW. So what’s the solution? Come on, like you don’t know. This is me we’re talking about!
So now I had to choose dates for two Disney vacations. Luckily, that part was fairly easy. One day my BFF, Eileen (Caldercup) sent me a message that a CLQ trip was being planned, my presence was required and the dates were not negotiable. Or something like that. Well then, that takes care of that! I didn’t have to think any longer about when to go to WDW. In fact, I didn’t do a thing in the planning of the trip. My job was just to show up.
That left me with plenty of time to plan for my very first trip to Disneyland during the Christmas season. I wanted to visit before Christmas and be home to celebrate with my family, and I wanted some time at home leading up to Christmas, so I decided to choose December 17 – 21. I also invited my BFF Karen (zacksmom_1993) to join me, being that she lives in California and will be celebrating her 40th birthday on December 20, it was a no brainer.
I’m going to stop here (momentarily). Obviously, with one WDW trip and one DL trip, I need to post each in the appropriate spot. If you’re going to read along with both of them, and I hope you will, you don’t want to read my ramblings more than once (unless you’re crazy), so what I’ve posted so far is the same in both. The next post will be specific to the trip it’s in. Got it? I feel like that was a lot more complicated than I meant it to be. Don’t go away!
Last edited by PrincessSharon; 12-14-2011 at 02:15 PM..
Most of the planning was done by others, so I only had to book my airfare. I went with my customary first flight in, last flight out. After bouncing around a few ideas, it was decided that we would stay at the Wilderness Lodge. I was happy with that, because it’s especially beautiful at Christmas. Also, we’d be staying Club Level, which is a very good thing. Dawn (DawnDenise) served us well as our travel agent.
Before I go further, I suppose I should introduce the cast of characters. First, there’s the CLQ, which stands for the Crazy Lady Quartet. Why? Well, because we’re crazy for Disney, we are ladies most of the time – I make no promises once you get one or two drinks into Eileen and there are four of us. Clever, huh?
Here’s a photo of us the last time we were all together before this trip that I totally stole from Jill
We’ve been around the boards for a while now, but just in case, from left to right we are Karen (zacksmom_1993), Jillybean (Jill), Eileen (Caldercup), and me
There will be other PassPorter friends who will be hanging with us, too. The dynamic duo well, the other dynamic duo of Bob &Larry, staying at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. Also in our motley crew is JoanW, who will be making appearances whenever she ditches the rest of her traveling party (or when we kidnap her ). I’ll say that anyone not writing their own TR (slackers ) can feel free to add in their two cents here.
We also met a few PassPorters in the parks by chance (and sometimes not by chance), some of them more than once! Shoutouts to lindawdw, ilovedisneyO_O brandy_mel, Wendyismyname and Two4Disney.
Karen made most of the plans, except for one notable exception, which I’ll get to in the first installment. We had some great meals in addition to our good times (and I’m sure that’s no surprise to anyone). I was particularly excited about a new venue to me, Citricos (and the chef’s table to boot ). You’ll hear all about the fun we had in just a bit!
__________________
Fun with friends! Read about it in my Trip Report. Final thoughts added 4/9. NOW COMPLETE!
Or read about my fall trip in my completed Trip Report!
I had a 7:00 flight, so I knew it was to be an early morning. I have a really snazzy alarm clock that I adore. I can dock my iPod in it (and wake up to my iPod), it sets itself so I never have to worry about Daylight Savings, it shines the time on the ceiling, and I never have to remember to turn it on on Sunday nights, because it has weekday/weekend/every day modes. It has a second alarm setting which I set to go off at 4:30 a.m. (ouch). You know this is going somewhere right? Well, I woke up on my own at 4:15, so I figured I’d go ahead and start getting ready. At about 4:50, I realized that my clock hadn’t gone off. I checked it and discovered that I was the dummy and not the clock. I’d set it to wake me up at 4:30 a.m. on the weekend. It’s a good thing I woke up on my own! I shut off the alarm (both of them, because I wouldn’t be needing them for a while).
I got ready and my Dad happily drove me to the airport while it was dark and cold (39° in fact). My DF rocks! The airport was moderately busy at the early hour, but it seemed like I’d arrived at the tail end of a rush, because there was a pretty big crowd (relatively speaking) at the security checkpoint, and they had both sides of that open, which meant there had been a lot of people there before I arrived.
I got a bagel for breakfast, which was disgusting. It’s pretty hard to find a bad bagel in my neck of the woods, but the airport snack bar did the impossible. The fact that it was covered in cornmeal should’ve tipped me off! I only finished about half of it, tossed the rest and headed to my gate.
Even though I’d done Early Bird Check-In, I still had a B boarding pass (B5). I suppose EBCI is popular from my airport. It didn’t really bother me, because I figure it’s worth the $10 just not to have to remember to check in right at exactly 24 hours ahead. And being a solo traveler, I have no problem finding a decent seat with a B boarding pass.
My DM called to wish me bon voyage just as we were being called to board, so I had a very short conversation with her and then found a great seat. It was a full flight (SWA seems to always have full flights) and I had a father and his tween daughter sit with me while the rest of their family took the seats behind us. They were fine, but the father was a bit of an armrest hog. He stuck his arms straight out on the dang thing. That’s just not polite, buddy.
We took off exactly on time and I spent the flight finishing the book that I was reading on my Kindle (Dracula – and it was scary ). Mr. Armrest hog’s kid in the row behind us was a tray-table drummer, but luckily, he lost interest in it after a few songs. That’s some family, huh?
I was thrilled when we landed 35 minutes early! We lost a few minutes waiting for our gate to open up, but still, I was way ahead of schedule. I’d planned to wait around in the airport for Eileen, whose flight was scheduled to land about half an hour after mine. I figured the strong tailwinds I’d experienced down the east coast were helping out Eileen’s plane too, and assumed she’d probably land a little early as well. So I waited for her down by DME check in.
I’d finished Dracula on the plane, so I borrowed The Hunger Games (how I love Amazon.com) and started that while I waited. Before long, I spotted Eileen.
We had plenty of time to chat, because once we joined the line to board our DME bus, it didn’t move at all for the longest time. At least 20 minutes went by without a single bus arriving or departing. They announced that the delays were because of a shift change. What genius decided a shift change at 11 a.m. was a good idea?
Karen had requested a photo of the two of us in the airport to tide her over, and Eileen had to give it a little help getting it through.
Finally a bus arrived, and we were happy to learn that it was for the Magic Kingdom resorts. However, we were so far back in the line that we didn’t think we’d make it onto that bus. We were the last two people on, which meant we didn’t have seats together, but we were near enough together that we could still chat on the way. It made my heart sing a little to watch and listen to Eileen giving her seat mate advice on what to do. It’s been too long, my friend.
The driver slowed down when we were approaching the beautiful purple gates and I was able to snag a halfway decent photo.
We stopped first at the Poly and the GF and then we got off at the WL. We had quite the welcoming committee in the lobby – Jill and Karen as well as Bob and Larry. We went up to stow our carry on items and grab something to eat from the lounge.
Karen had some really fabulous hats that she’d made for us. All the girls got snazzy Christmas tree hats (which you will see in photos later). Bob and Larry got these adorable snowmen hats.
They didn’t wear them very long. Probably because they were meant for kids and were a trifle small. But props to Karen for her crafting talent. I was greatly amused by Karen’s tale of checking in. She and Jill were brought up to the lounge by a CM. Bob and Larry had checked in already and were with them, so they went up too. Karen cracked me up by suggesting that the CM was mentally wondering about the sleeping arrangements in the room. Oh the combinations.
One day my BFF, Eileen (Caldercup) sent me a message that a CLQ trip was being planned, my presence was required and the dates were not negotiable. Or something like that. Well then, that takes care of that! I didn’t have to think any longer about when to go to WDW. In fact, I didn’t do a thing in the planning of the trip. My job was just to show up.
I never said I wasn't Miss Bossypants! (And... if you'd get on Facebook, you'd have known about the ganglet's plans long before I had to COMMAND you to join us.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
First, there’s the CLQ, which stands for the Crazy Lady Quartet. Why? Well, because we’re crazy for Disney, we are ladies most of the time – I make no promises once you get one or two drinks into Eileen and there are four of us. Clever, huh?
Hey! I resemble that remark!!
I also resemble this cello:
...as you could tell by this horrific picture of me:
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Seriously, Shashi -- if I EVER take an unflattering picture of you (which seems unlikely, since all photos of you come out great), I'm gonna post it post haste!
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Karen had requested a photo of the two of us in the airport to tide her over, and Eileen had to give it a little help getting it through.
The reception is better this way... I SWEAR!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
We were the last two people on, which meant we didn’t have seats together, but we were near enough together that we could still chat on the way. It made my heart sing a little to watch and listen to Eileen giving her seat mate advice on what to do. It’s been too long, my friend.
I could hear you chuckling at me, you know...
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
I was greatly amused by Karen’s tale of checking in. She and Jill were brought up to the lounge by a CM. Bob and Larry had checked in already and were with them, so they went up too. Karen cracked me up by suggesting that the CM was mentally wondering about the sleeping arrangements in the room. Oh the combinations.
Wait! Who gets to tell THAT story?! Me?!! Please?! Ohpleaseohpleaseohplease!!! (As long as Jilly sends me her pics...)
I can't wait for more... it's the only thing that will help close up this great big gaping hole in my chest now that we're all spread across the country again. *sniff*
Our hats were really cute, but wait 'till you see the Ladies'! I'm just sayin'.
Bob and I had set out from North Alabama the previous afternoon and overnighted in Ocala after a pretty long drive. Thus we were very close when we started out today. We arrived at the WL in good time, checked in, and found that our 1BR villa was ready on the DVC side before 10:00 o'clock. Woohoo!
We got our bags delivered as well as our Owners Locker, and I immediately deployed the Keurig Mini (it uses the coffee K-cups that look like overgrown coffee creamers). This is my solution to yucky coffee from sloooooow coffeemakers.
I had just brewed my second cup when Bob & I got word that Jill had arrived (the giveaway was the picture of the WL Christmas tree she posted to Facebook), so I dumped the coffee Jill is worth it and we hustled over to the lobby, where we were joined by Karen.
We did enjoy escorting Jill and Karen upstairs, and I believe we availed ourselves of a couple of things from the club lounge. We only did this one other time, so I don't feel guilty.
We kept track of Sharon and Eileen's progress on DME and were thrilled when they arrived.
It was catching up with Joan that would prove to be the challenge.
__________________
Ratu Larry
Put on your Koala face and follow me to Fiji, New Zealand,
Australia, and Hawai'i in Tales from the South Pacific. Complete 9/15!
What a great start! It's a good thing your flight was a short one-- an armrest hog and a tray-table drummer can make even a short flight very long. I love the snowmen hats! So nice that both the CLQ and the DD get to spend some holiday time together.
About This Page: This is a discussion on A Coast to Coast Christmas - Phase One WDW within the Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports, part of the PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel; A Coast to Coast Christmas
Phase One, Walt Disney World
December 1 – 6, 2011, Wilderness Lodge
Visiting Disney at ...
Come on, like you don’t know. This is me we’re talking about! 
Luckily, that part was fairly easy. One day my BFF, Eileen (Caldercup) sent me a message that a CLQ trip was being planned, my presence was required and the dates were not negotiable. Or something like that. 
I wanted to visit before Christmas and be home to celebrate with my family, and I wanted some time at home leading up to Christmas, so I decided to choose December 17 – 21. I also invited my BFF Karen (zacksmom_1993) to join me, being that she lives in California and will be celebrating her 40th birthday on December 20, 
it was a no brainer.
you don’t want to read my ramblings more than once (unless you’re crazy), so what I’ve posted so far is the same in both. The next post will be specific to the trip it’s in. Got it? I feel like that was a lot more complicated than I meant it to be. Don’t go away!
Dawn (DawnDenise) served us well as our travel agent.
) can feel free to add in their two cents here.
I have a really snazzy alarm clock that I adore. I can dock my iPod in it (and wake up to my iPod), it sets itself so I never have to worry about Daylight Savings, it shines the time on the ceiling, and I never have to remember to turn it on on Sunday nights, because it has weekday/weekend/every day modes. It has a second alarm setting which I set to go off at 4:30 a.m. (ouch). 
I checked it and discovered that I was the dummy and not the clock. 
I’d set it to wake me up at 4:30 a.m. on the weekend. 
I only finished about half of it, tossed the rest and headed to my gate. 
We lost a few minutes waiting for our gate to open up, but still, I was way ahead of schedule. 
I’d planned to wait around in the airport for Eileen, whose flight was scheduled to land about half an hour after mine. I figured the strong tailwinds I’d experienced down the east coast were helping out Eileen’s plane too, and assumed she’d probably land a little early as well. So I waited for her down by DME check in.
I was greatly amused by Karen’s tale of checking in. She and Jill were brought up to the lounge by a CM. Bob and Larry had checked in already and were with them, so they went up too. Karen cracked me up by suggesting that the CM was mentally wondering about the 
sleeping arrangements in the room. 
<--- Dutch at Chef Mickey's 2010!
Bob and Larry's hats! 
Aimee
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