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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Tony the Tigger

Well-Known Member
You know how Florida weather is. This time of year, it's very unpredictable. It can be very warm one week and very cold the next. Best to pack a mix of both, or light layers so that you can take something off that won't be too bulky to carry around.
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
You know how Florida weather is. This time of year, it's very unpredictable. It can be very warm one week and very cold the next. Best to pack a mix of both, or light layers so that you can take something off that won't be too bulky to carry around.
Thanks. After spending Thanksgiving with Florida family tonight, I decided to remove some of the sweaters and sweatshirts and add about 10 tee shirts.
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Have the bestest time ever pal @21stamps ! Can't wait to see and hear alllll about it!
Thank you!!! I am not at all ready!! After all of these months...still don't have a touring plan..do have spreadsheet templates, that are STILL blank... I'm curious to see how close my trip compares to what I have actually planned... Everyone here knows that I've already changed it about 8million times....lol
 

SarahBella82

Well-Known Member
Can you hide your elf in a shoe or something, with a note from him saying he hitched a ride or always wanted to go to Florida or something? Not having an elf, I don't know if this would work.

At any rate, have so much fun!
 

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