Pre-Trip Change of Plans..Several Times

Hi!! So I'm sure you all have seen me posting a million questions.. (Thanks for all of the answers!).

My son is out of town this week, so I'm taking the opportunity to create this thread and put all of my madness in one place :)

He does not know about any of it yet (I booked back in March), and I'm also going to try and create an awesome scavenger hunt for the cruise reveal when he returns next weekend.

This is my sweet, crazy, adventurous Kiddo.

For several months now he's been asking to "go back to Disney World", and "Mommy, can we go on a Disney Cruise? I want to go on the big yellow slide!"

He loves all things Christmas.
He also obviously loves Disney.
So what better than to combine the two?
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Now for the Stress Zone-

Here's a little background,
In September 2015 we did a 16 night WDW/SoFla combo. I know some of you love extended time in WDW..but for me-10 days was too much (admittedly I mad a ton of mistakes with my planning)!!
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This year I decided to "do Disney with less stress"-- a Disney Cruise!!
Sounds easy, right?


After choosing the ship (Fantasy), itinerary (Western Caribbean), and travel week (11/26-12/3) I thought I was all set.

That's not how I roll though. I'm an over doer. At pretty much everything. So..I decide,
"Well, we've never been to Disney during Christmastime, and we're going to be flying into MCO anyway.. So I'll just book a quick 3 nights at WDW!"

After going back and forth between Poly and the Contemporary for weeks.. I finally decided to do the Contemporary this trip.

But Wait!! It wasn't that easy! The 3 nights that I had just priced the day before, were no longer available! Wait, what?!?! I don't understand! So I call, and I sit on hold, and then I'm told that there is a "Length of Stay Requirement on a Theme Park View Room that week." I'm utterly confused because it was available when I checked last night!
I call a travel agent. She contacts Disney for me..same response. So, I booked a Lake View for 3 nights. The more I thought about it, the more it drove me crazy. So what do I do? I call my TA and tell her to add a night so I can get my darn Theme Park View.
Now we're at 4 nights post cruise.

Bravo Disney. You got me.

Fast Forward a few months and I think "Well, we have to stay somewhere before the cruise, might as well stay at WDW." Then I stress over that.

Here's what I ended up with-

11/24-11/26 AKL Club Level (no parks)
11/26-12/3 DCL Fantasy
12/3-12/7 Contemporary TPV (parks and MVMCP)

The Contemporary will be a complete
SURPRISE for kiddo!
On the last morning of our cruise he will receive a package from Santa, in it will contain our magic bands, and a "ticket" to the MVMCP. Once we arrive at the contemporary Santa will have also left us a few surprises in our room. (I'm ordering the Christmas In Room Experience from Disney Floral and Gifts ahead of time).

Ok so, this is the start of my madness.. Any tips on a scavenger hunt cruise reveal, things to do that time of year, etc are much appreciated!
 
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HauntedMansionFLA

Well-Known Member
We decided not to the MVMCP. I've switched what parks we will go to alittle bit. Full days at EPCOT on Tuesday / MK on Wednesday. Nights at AK on Sunday / DHS on Thursday since they announced the new show. Still watching for ROL.
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
We decided not to the MVMCP. I've switched what parks we will go to alittle bit. Full days at EPCOT on Tuesday / MK on Wednesday. Nights at AK on Sunday / DHS on Thursday since they announced the new show. Still watching for ROL.
We are not doing any parks Friday or Saturday, but I did end up adding another evening at MK on Wednesday, we are doing MK daytime Sunday, HS Monday, MVMCP Tuesday, and then heading back to MK Wednesday evening for EMH.
 

HauntedMansionFLA

Well-Known Member
We are not doing any parks Friday or Saturday, but I did end up adding another evening at MK on Wednesday, we are doing MK daytime Sunday, HS Monday, MVMCP Tuesday, and then heading back to MK Wednesday evening for EMH.
Saturday arriving - resort explore, can't wait to see the GF christmas decor, wishes on the beach, We will be at the MK Sunday morning/afternoon then to AK, Monday at AK till late afternoon then to MK for the evening, Tuesday EPCOT all day/ evening, Wednesday MK all day/evening, Thursday MK-morning /afternoon then DHS for rides then the new Christmas show. Then home on Friday. Didn't have to plan Characters meals, thank goodness.
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Saturday arriving - resort explore, can't wait to see the GF christmas decor, wishes on the beach, We will be at the MK Sunday morning/afternoon then to AK, Monday at AK till late afternoon then to MK for the evening, Tuesday EPCOT all day/ evening, Wednesday MK all day/evening, Thursday MK-morning /afternoon then DHS for rides then the new Christmas show. Then home on Friday. Didn't have to plan Characters meals, thank goodness.
I feel bad that all 3 of our MK days are at the beginning of the trip, but I'd just rather stay away on Friday and Saturdays. I pretty much planned all of our days by what the crowd calendar said. Thursday is Epcot, Friday AK, Saturday resort/mini golf, Sunday check out and Disney Springs for a bit. Flight leaves at 7pm.

I am excited to see the GF Christmas decor as well! And Wilderness Lodge! I will be lounging at Poly with a drink and a book while my son is on the Pirate Adventure Cruise Tuesday.lol I had considered going to the spa, but I'd rather just walk over to Poly
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Took a break from Disney obsessing yesterday..

Kiddo's soccer team is still undefeated!!! He scored 2 goals yesterday!!! It's really been a great season and he has come so far..he actually WANTS to practice at home daily. He even goes in the backyard and sets up cones himself. His hard work is showing, and I couldn't be more proud of him.

The downside to soccer is that it has cut into our Sunday outings drastically. Mid day games don't allow for much else, so yesterday I brought a change of clothes for him, and we headed to an amusement park in all of his sweaty red faced glory.

These are my favorite photos from yesterday-
His new face for the ride cameras is "dead zombie look".(while going 60mph down a hill lol)
Hopefully he is over that before WDW next month.

The photo of us in front of a haunted house was probably payback because he tells me that I yell at him too much during his games. Ha ha. I do, but I can't help it.

Oh and yes, I have grays coming in, too many to pluck :(. I blame Disney. My hair appointment isn't until Wednesday and I didn't expect to be taking selfies over the weekend. I even put this photo on FB, humiliating grays showing in full force. I'm old. Can't hide from it.
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21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
@Courtney6682 How can I prevent dead zombie face from appearing In our photo pass pics? I'm thinking I may have to bribe...lol
I'm ok with silly faces, but the dead ones should be restricted to October.
Unfortunately for me, once my kid gets on a kick about something it stays around for quite some time.
 

Courtney6682

Well-Known Member
LOL...too funny! Love his zombie face.....

My daughter used to play soccer but she was the goalie. She was really good, had a few undefeated seasons in middle school. Funny story...it was the playoffs and of course the game came down to penalty shots...so I'm SOBBING on the sidelines lol...I was sooo nervoius for her...she was fine and they won...couldn't understand why I was so upset lol
 

Courtney6682

Well-Known Member
@Courtney6682 How can I prevent dead zombie face from appearing In our photo pass pics? I'm thinking I may have to bribe...lol
I'm ok with silly faces, but the dead ones should be restricted to October.
Unfortunately for me, once my kid gets on a kick about something it stays around for quite some time.

Seems like we were writing to each other at the same time...awww...lol....bribes are good...or you could tell him not to do it too much because the picture people mite think he's really injured ...lol...might work;)
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
LOL...too funny! Love his zombie face.....

My daughter used to play soccer but she was the goalie. She was really good, had a few undefeated seasons in middle school. Funny story...it was the playoffs and of course the game came down to penalty shots...so I'm SOBBING on the sidelines lol...I was sooo nervoius for her...she was fine and they won...couldn't understand why I was so upset lol
Ha ha that's awesome! This is our first year playing for school. We did football last year but he picked soccer this time. I was shocked bc we are both huge football fans, but I think 10 hours of football per week was just too much for him at age 5. Soccer is only 3 days per week, 1 hour practices and 1 hour games..and easy equipment to put on!

Our kids will appreciate our emotions at their sports games when they have their own children.
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Hahaha...thanks! We tried looking online for silly things to do in ride photos...blindfolds, paper bags over our heads and dabbing was the best we could come up with...I'll have to find the one with the bags for you lol
Just a PSA, Disney does not approve of showing your Disney side if it includes taking your shirt off during a ride...This was the only one of many attempts to break through the PhotoPass censors
 
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