Home » Forums » Trip Planning » General Trip Planning and Transportation » It's Official....just planned the craziest trip

It's Official....just planned the craziest trip

Login to post comments
13 posts / 0 new
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 16:09
shelleyg74
Offline
Joined: 09/21/2008
Posts: 143
It's Official....just planned the craziest trip

Due to me working retail, I have never been able to see the Christmas decorations at WDW and I LOVE Christmas! We had planned an quick weekend trip earlier this month to finally get to see them. Well, we had a death in our family and we had to attend the memorial service the weekend we had our trip planned.
Fast forward to a week or so later.....
I called my mom and told her jokingly that I wanted to spend my Birthday at WDW (Dec 24th). She said let me talk to your dad and see what she could do. A few minutes later the trip was on. Now came the hard part of convincing my husband to agree to this.
Well, he finally relented and we are GOING! clapping We are going to be there from the 24th to the 27th. My dad and Jim are going to be doing the Richard Petty drive along on the 26th as well.

A few things which are worrying me about this trip:
We are staying offsite eek very worried about not being able to get into the parks due to capacity
The crowds ( what am I thinking? confused )
The drive (we are leaving Dallas at 1pm on the 23rd, driving to MS and then immediately leaving for Orlando so I can be at MK for park opening on my birthday- 17 or so hours straight in a car)
Being unable to get virtually any ADR's- I've managed to get San Angel Inn for my birthday but nothing for Christmas day

The things I am most looking forward to:
Spending my birthday at the most wonderful place in the world surrounded by all the people that I love muchlove
Seeing the Castle lights yay
Seeing the Osborne lights awesome
Seeing the Gingerbread house at GF yay
Seeing the rest of the parks and resorts decorated for the holidays mickey

My brain tells me this is about one of the most craziest things I've ever done. The crowds are going to be stupid, but all of us are Disney veterans and if we don't get to ride anything, well that's ok. I am hoping to get onto Space Mountain to see the changes but other than that, it's more about seeing the sights.

Anyone been at Christmas? Suggestions? Ideas to make it even more special?

__________________

Let's remember it all started with a mouse

Tags:
Mon, 11/30/2009 - 06:49
bali's picture
bali
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 3444

WOW! That sounds amazing!! No matter what, you'll have a wonderful time, I just know it. Christmas at WDW with your fam sounds wonderful!

Keep us updated on any more plans Smile

__________________


May 2008 CSR mickey

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 19:36
Brad's picture
Brad
Offline
Joined: 08/05/2008
Posts: 4357

I think the key with the crowds is to not go expecting to ride a bunch of stuff. You're going to experience the Christmas spirit there, not to ride Splash Mountain so I think they might still be daunting, but just try to remember that not getting to ride stuff doesn't make the trip not worthwhile.

I'm assuming MVMCP is a no-go, but did you take a shot?

The ADR thing is kind of a drag, did you try Liberty Tree Tavern? I think that's an under-rated restaurant and we've had some luck there at the last minute (although Christmas Eve/Day might be a bit overly optimistic). Worst case you eat counter service, or go get PF Changs. wink

I'll be really interested to see how the crowds actually are. We've been discussing lately whether the holiday crowds are made out to be worse than they are.

So you're leaving Dallas at 1pm on the 23rd and arriving at open on the 24th? Am I reading that correctly? A bold plan! Are you going to rotate sleeping/driving?

Tue, 12/01/2009 - 16:13
Annie's picture
Annie
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 1610

Shelley! That's so exciting!

My favorite holiday things are the holiday fireworks (Illuminations is "holiday version" every night, and you can see the Holiday Wishes at the Magic Kingdom during MIckey's Very Merry Christmas Party, if you can get tickets).

You can also head over to see the Osborne Family spectacle of lights in DHS. It's free, and amazing!

The Candlelight Processional at Epcot is also free, and there are three showings per night. If you don't have the dinner package (which I imagine is sold out at this point), head over and get in line about an hour before the show starts (you can all take turns standing in line while the others wander around WS and shop) to get a seat.

Then, of course, there's all the resort decor everywhere. Head over to the different deluxe resorts to check out the gingerbread decorations! Smile

I'll keep thinking!

Wed, 12/02/2009 - 04:23
shelleyg74
Offline
Joined: 09/21/2008
Posts: 143

Brad wrote:
I think the key with the crowds is to not go expecting to ride a bunch of stuff. You're going to experience the Christmas spirit there, not to ride Splash Mountain so I think they might still be daunting, but just try to remember that not getting to ride stuff doesn't make the trip not worthwhile.

I'm assuming MVMCP is a no-go, but did you take a shot?

The ADR thing is kind of a drag, did you try Liberty Tree Tavern? I think that's an under-rated restaurant and we've had some luck there at the last minute (although Christmas Eve/Day might be a bit overly optimistic). Worst case you eat counter service, or go get PF Changs. wink

I'll be really interested to see how the crowds actually are. We've been discussing lately whether the holiday crowds are made out to be worse than they are.

So you're leaving Dallas at 1pm on the 23rd and arriving at open on the 24th? Am I reading that correctly? A bold plan! Are you going to rotate sleeping/driving?

I think the MVMCP ends on the 19th or 20th

Yes- you read that right straight from Dallas to WDW for park opening. Basically my husband and I are going to switch off driving to MS (~9 hours) then once we get there, pick up my mom and dad and dad will drive the rest of the way

I agree about the rides-if we get on them-great, if not it's more about seeing the decorations and special events

__________________

Let's remember it all started with a mouse

Wed, 12/02/2009 - 14:59
SpaceAce's picture
SpaceAce
Offline
Joined: 07/06/2008
Posts: 2532

Sounds great to me, Shelley! Can't wait to hear all about the adventure! Luckily, you're not driving from the North where you could possibly encounter weather to slow you down Laughing out loud

Keep fiddling with the online ADR system -- you never know when you'll find an opening somewhere.

__________________

[url=http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/'http://www.mickeypath.com/']

[/url]

2010 Beach Club Resort
2005 Port Orleans Riverside
2006 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2007 Wilderness Lodge
2008 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2009 CBR/Polynesian

Thu, 12/03/2009 - 16:54
Brad's picture
Brad
Offline
Joined: 08/05/2008
Posts: 4357

How long is MS to WDW?

Can you sleep well enough in a car to be ready to go the next day, or is that the planned Zombie Day?

Mon, 12/07/2009 - 02:57
shelleyg74
Offline
Joined: 09/21/2008
Posts: 143

Yeah, I think I will be ok as far as sleep goes, the adrenaline will be in overdrive for me. However, I'm not sure about everyone else. They will probably be zombies.

It's 9 hours from Dallas to Biloxi then around 8 hours to Orlando from Biloxi

__________________

Let's remember it all started with a mouse

Mon, 12/07/2009 - 14:22
SpaceAce's picture
SpaceAce
Offline
Joined: 07/06/2008
Posts: 2532

shelleyg74 wrote:
Yeah, I think I will be ok as far as sleep goes, the adrenaline will be in overdrive for me. However, I'm not sure about everyone else. They will probably be zombies.

It's 9 hours from Dallas to Biloxi then around 8 hours to Orlando from Biloxi

You can sleep while Dad drives -- then you'll be all refreshed while they'll be zombies! wink

Any new news on plans?

__________________

[url=http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/'http://www.mickeypath.com/']

[/url]

2010 Beach Club Resort
2005 Port Orleans Riverside
2006 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2007 Wilderness Lodge
2008 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2009 CBR/Polynesian

Tue, 12/08/2009 - 19:36
shelleyg74
Offline
Joined: 09/21/2008
Posts: 143

no, new changes other than my brother and his wife are not going to be able to join us. I'm so busy at work right now, that it's hard for me to think I will be at Disney in 16 days. I guess that's good because it will be here before I know it.

__________________

Let's remember it all started with a mouse

Tue, 12/08/2009 - 20:37
Brad's picture
Brad
Offline
Joined: 08/05/2008
Posts: 4357

shelleyg74 wrote:
no, new changes other than my brother and his wife are not going to be able to join us. I'm so busy at work right now, that it's hard for me to think I will be at Disney in 16 days. I guess that's good because it will be here before I know it.

How are the shopping crowds this year Shelley? Is the recession over? silly

Fri, 12/11/2009 - 02:38
shelleyg74
Offline
Joined: 09/21/2008
Posts: 143

Crowds are good. Pretty much flat to last year as far as business.

My email voucher came in today for my get in free on your birthday! I am getting excited now!!!(still busy at work though)

__________________

Let's remember it all started with a mouse

Fri, 12/11/2009 - 13:55
bali's picture
bali
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 3444

shelleyg74 wrote:
Crowds are good. Pretty much flat to last year as far as business.

My email voucher came in today for my get in free on your birthday! I am getting excited now!!!(still busy at work though)

Busy at work is good. It's horrible to have the days draaaaaaaaaaag by while you're waiting for your Disney trip. What a nice bit of R&R you'll have heading to Disney after a long holiday season at work mickey

__________________


May 2008 CSR mickey

 
‹ Previous topic: Air Tran and Wi-Fi Next topic: Using a travel agent for your disney trip ›