My planning checklist

[bsiev1977]

I've reached a rut in my planning. Still two months till my ADR day, and waiting for December park hours before I can really finalize the what and when for those. I thought I'd just lay out what I still need to do to be ready for December. Comments and suggestions are appreciated. So, here are the things I need to do:

1.Airline tickets- going to do Southwest. They aren't selling for December yet, so that's the only holdup on that front. They have direct flights out of BWI, some that arrive at 10:30 or 11:00am.

2.Rental Car- I'll do this probably the same time I get my flight booked.

3.Universal hotel- my Disney Rez is from 12/7 till 12/14. My plan is to fly down on 12/5 and stay at Uni on the 5th and the 6th. I want to stay at the Loews Royal Pacific. Seems to be the most convenient for getting to IoA for early access. I'll buy my Uni ticket at the same time most likely.

4.Blue Man Group- Going to see this the night of the 6th. Will be the capper to the Uni portion of my vacation

5.ADRs

6.Book a couple tours- As part of my Premium package, I get access to most of the available tours for no additional cost. I'm looking at doing the Backstage Safari, and Undiscovered Future World.

7.La Nouba- I get a ticket as part of my package. I just have to choose which night see the show. I'm planning this for my AK day, so park hours are needed for me to decide.

8.MVMCP- Definitely want to do this. Can't decide on the exact when until they announce daes and times and the tickets actually go on sale.

Thanks for reading. I think it was good to write things out like that. I feel a little better.

 

[Pooh'sBuddy]

Are you going to order Photo Pass (+)? Are you going to make or get shirts made? Do you do Disney Rewards and need to order a card?

P.S. I like lists, too.

 

[bsiev1977]

Are you going to order Photo Pass (+)? Are you going to make or get shirts made? Do you do Disney Rewards and need to order a card?

P.S. I like lists, too.

Not planning on doing shirts, and don't have Disney Rewards. I'm considering doing Photo Pass.

 

[aRiv]

Where are you planning to make your ADRs? My family's in the same position waiting for flight info. So far we've seen 420+ round trip for each of us My mom is waiting for Spirit Airlines to post their prices for that time.

 

[bsiev1977]

Where are you planning to make your ADRs? My family's in the same position waiting for flight info. So far we've seen 420+ round trip for each of us My mom is waiting for Spirit Airlines to post their prices for that time.

I've got quite a few ADRs to make. My DDP, I get 3 meals a day, either counter or table service, plus 2 snacks.
I want BOG, Chef Mickey, Tutto Italia, Garden Grill, among others.

 

[aRiv]

I've got quite a few ADRs to make. My DDP, I get 3 meals a day, either counter or table service, plus 2 snacks.
I want BOG, Chef Mickey, Tutto Italia, Garden Grill, among others.

Good luck with the ADRs! I'm going to try BoG too for New Years Eve. Update when you get your flight info

 

[bsiev1977]

Good luck with the ADRs! I'm going to try BoG too for New Years Eve. Update when you get your flight info

Thanks. I'm not really worried about getting in where I want. I'm on a solo trip this time, so I can be more flexible about what times I eat. Plus, getting a single seat shouldn't be that bad, even at the more popular places.

 

[luv]

Plan to get to bed very early the first day, especially if your getting up early the next day!

I always scheduled my rental car immediately after booking the flight, too. It always asks for a time.

I like RPH a lot, but all the Uni hotels are a short boat ride away. And it's a very pretty ride, too. PBH is nearly as convenient, so if you want to go there, do it. It's a little nicer. But I like the rooms at RPH more than PBH. (Didn't care for HRH, lol.)

Blue Man Group, IMO, is the best show in Orlando! Enjoy!

Of the tours I've done, Wild by Design was by far my favorite. I didn't expect it to be, but it totally was. FWIW.

MVMCP. I'd plan it for early in the Disney part of the trip. That way, if it rains all night, you can always go again another day.

Did you decide where you're staying for the WDW part of the trip?

 

[luv]

Thanks. I'm not really worried about getting in where I want. I'm on a solo trip this time, so I can be more flexible about what times I eat. Plus, getting a single seat shouldn't be that bad, even at the more popular places.

Wrong! They will often tell you there are no tables available for one, but if you call back, there are tables for two. Same deal for two people - none available, call back and ask for a table for four, you get it. Rule #1 of Disney ADRs: Disney Lies. Sad, but true. They don't want to put two people at a 4-top or one person at a 2-top when they know they can get more bodies in those seats and make more money. You may (or may not) wish to lie, as well. if you choose to lie, just show up and tell them someone backed out or got sick or whatever.

If you are calling at that 180 or 190 day mark, they might not do it. But if they turn you down, hang up, call back and ask for a table for two.

 

[bsiev1977]

Wrong! They will often tell you there are no tables available for one, but if you call back, there are tables for two. Same deal for two people - none available, call back and ask for a table for four, you get it. Rule #1 of Disney ADRs: Disney Lies. Sad, but true. They don't want to put two people at a 4-top or one person at a 2-top when they know they can get more bodies in those seats and make more money. You may (or may not) wish to lie, as well. if you choose to lie, just show up and tell them someone backed out or got sick or whatever.

If you are calling at that 180 or 190 day mark, they might not do it. But if they turn you down, hang up, call back and ask for a table for two.

I will do that.

 

[bsiev1977]

Plan to get to bed very early the first day, especially if your getting up early the next day!

I always scheduled my rental car immediately after booking the flight, too. It always asks for a time.

I like RPH a lot, but all the Uni hotels are a short boat ride away. And it's a very pretty ride, too. PBH is nearly as convenient, so if you want to go there, do it. It's a little nicer. But I like the rooms at RPH more than PBH. (Didn't care for HRH, lol.)

Blue Man Group, IMO, is the best show in Orlando! Enjoy!

Of the tours I've done, Wild by Design was by far my favorite. I didn't expect it to be, but it totally was. FWIW.

MVMCP. I'd plan it for early in the Disney part of the trip. That way, if it rains all night, you can always go again another day.

Did you decide where you're staying for the WDW part of the trip?

Staying at AoA.

 

[DisneyDelirious]

Order the free customizeable maps for souveniers and pick up some rolls of pennies and quarters for the coin pressing machine. Fall/ winter clothes are on sale with the seasons changing. Get some clothes for your December trip now, while they are cheaper. Make sure your luggage is in good shape. It takes about 3 weeks for me to get a new set of wheels for the Samsonite, hard side luggage, we've used for 20 years. If you have a pet, get your kennel service set up. Lots of folks travel around the holidays and just like finding a hotel can be difficult, getting your pet a place to stay can be challenging. We get things signed each trip (quilt blocks, a backpack, shirt, etc..) If you do that, start figuring out what it is you want to get signed. Just some random ideas that sometimes slip under the radar.

 

[bsiev1977]

Order the free customizeable maps for souveniers and pick up some rolls of pennies and quarters for the coin pressing machine. Fall/ winter clothes are on sale with the seasons changing. Get some clothes for your December trip now, while they are cheaper. Make sure your luggage is in good shape. It takes about 3 weeks for me to get a new set of wheels for the Samsonite, hard side luggage, we've used for 20 years. If you have a pet, get your kennel service set up. Lots of folks travel around the holidays and just like finding a hotel can be difficult, getting your pet a place to stay can be challenging. We get things signed each trip (quilt blocks, a backpack, shirt, etc..) If you do that, start figuring out what it is you want to get signed. Just some random ideas that sometimes slip under the radar.

i've already gotten the custom maps. didn't think to list getting a kennel set up for my dog, but will do that more down the road, when i have my exact travel times planned. my luggage is in pretty good shape still, so that isnt a problem. doing the coin pressing thing sounds like a nice way to do some little souveniers.

 

[bsiev1977]

Wrong! They will often tell you there are no tables available for one, but if you call back, there are tables for two. Same deal for two people - none available, call back and ask for a table for four, you get it. Rule #1 of Disney ADRs: Disney Lies. Sad, but true. They don't want to put two people at a 4-top or one person at a 2-top when they know they can get more bodies in those seats and make more money. You may (or may not) wish to lie, as well. if you choose to lie, just show up and tell them someone backed out or got sick or whatever.

If you are calling at that 180 or 190 day mark, they might not do it. But if they turn you down, hang up, call back and ask for a table for two.

thought more about this. if getting a table for one is such a hassle, i'll just make all my rezzes for two.
then, i'll either go back in the system a month or so later and amend the rezzes, or just show up to each one and say my guest couldn't make it.

I wouldn't feel dishonest in the least doing this. If Disney makes getting a single seat such a trial, i'll do it the sneaky way if that's what necessary.

 

[Poofiesdream]

I will be POFQ Dec 8-14th. We live in Fl and were driving. Still looking at where I want to eat. Looking at tours to take and waiting for the calendar to come out. Touring plans crowd predictor showing 2 and 3's all week. Watch out though Pop Warner is that week. AOA may get over flow from POP. They are usually at the all star values and Pop Century. A few at POR.

 

[disneyfan1995]

The Lowes Royal Pacific or Hard Rock Hotel are probably the best two for easier access to the park and city walk. Portifino Bay is just too far away. With the other two you can have a quick 5 minute boat ride or walk to Universal in about 5 minutes and IOA in about 10 minutes.

With ADRs I highly recommend being on the phone early on your 180 mark day if you want to eat at BOG. It seems to be booked almost every night. I had an okay experience there, but still enjoyed it. Tell them "you're celebrating something" so you can get the grey stuff. I was very bummed that I didn't get to try it.

Tour wise, I highly recommend Keys to the Kingdom. I waited years to do it (because I was under the age limit of 16) but was recently able to do it and loved it. It contains a lot of history about Walt and Roy and the vision for the parks. It also included rides on Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion and lunch. We went backstage by Splash Mountain and saw the parade floats, went into the utilidors via the entrance on Main Street by the Crystal Palace, and then came back up on the opposite side of Main Street (Tomorrowland side).