Greetings friends. The time is drawing near. Spring is in full bloom finally. Summer is right around the corner. What does that mean? The Orlando theme parks begin their advertising and ticket sales for Halloween and Christmas offerings!!!! Can't we get through Spring first? LOL.
Well, anyway, I'm finally heading down to Orlando during the Christmas holiday season. I have never been. The closest I came was in 2001, January 2, 2001 to be precise. I got to see some of the decorations. But by time I arrived, the Christmas celebrations were over, and some of the decorations were already removed.
This year, however, I will be there while the holiday is being celebrated. I'll be splitting my stay between my home DVC resorts of Saratoga Springs and Bay Lake Tower. I arrive in Orlando on December 11, 2015 and depart December 17, 2015. So no I don't have many days in town. But, I believe the itinerary I put together already gives me the best use of my time.
First, though, I would like to share how this trip came to be. On August 13, 2014, my mom passed away. Eight months ago today (as of the day I post this). Honestly, I took it hard. I was close to my mother. I am also a rather emotional person. I can't hide it very well. While at the funeral home, a friend of mine suggested I take my father down to Disney. She thought it would be good for him. I was skeptical at first. I didn't think that was the right time to be thinking about a family vacation, a family vacation we haven't taken since 2001. I went to Orlando with my brother in 2013, but not with the whole family, like we used to. So, anyway, a few days after the funeral, I brought the idea up to my brother and father, suggesting we head to Orlando during the Christmas season. They both agreed.
Well, here we are, April 13, 2015. My resort reservations have been made. I have already purchased the tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. And I wrote out an itinerary/schedule of what we could do during the week we are away. My brother and father reviewed the schedule and agreed it was acceptable. We now have to figure out if we are going to drive or take the train. I don't, won't, and can't fly. Long story.
Here is the itinerary I have come up with so far:
December 10, 2015: Leave New Jersey, either drive or fly
December 11, 2015: Arrive in Florida, check into Saratoga Springs Resort. Not sure what we want to do that night just yet. Usually, when I head down with my friend, we would get sandwiches from Earl of Sandwich, come back to the room, sit on the balcony, eat and take in the surroundings. In October 2013, my brother and I went to Epcot. That was because I had received a free 5th day on my 4 day park ticket, but this year, I don't think I need that 5th day free.
December 12, 2015: Splitting the day between Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios. To me, both of these parks are half day parks. We have already decided we weren't going to spend the whole day at DAK anyway. So I figured, arrive there at 9:00, and with what we want to do, we'll be finished by 12:00, the latest 1:00. Then over to DHS. I'll book the fastpasses for DHS, hit what we want to hit, and then see Fantasmic at night. Plans are for a late lunch or early dinner at 50's Prime Time Cafe.
December 13, 2015: Heading over to Universal Studios. Going to buy park hopper tickets so we can ride Hogwarts Express. I'm really excited to see Diagon Alley. I have been to Hogsmeade several times now, but never to Diagon alley, which only opened last year. The plan is to hit Transformers, maybe Minion Mayhem (wait time will determine what we do), Men In Black, and spend the rest of the day exploring Diagon alley. We probably won't hit up the Simpson's ride this time around. Or catch the stage shows. I'd love to see the Macy's parade though. Dinner is being planned for Margaritaville in CityWalk. I wanted to eat lunch at Leaky Cauldron. But my brother likes Mel's.
December 14, 2015: Islands of Adventure. I can spend a whole day here, exploring Marvel Super Hero Island, Jurassic Park, and Hogsmeade. We'll probably grab a bite to eat at Three Broomsticks. Maybe Mythos. But I am partial to Three Broomsticks. After Hogsmeade, I want to ride Hogwarts Express back to Universal so I can catch the attraction from both sides. Yes, it is a different experience. Also, I want to catch Grinchmas. Since the parks close rather early in December at Universal, plan is to book T-Rex in Downtown Disney/Disney Springs for dinner.
December 15, 2015: We'll be checking out of Saratoga Springs and checking into Bay Lake Tower. We'll be heading over to Magic Kingdom this day. I figured this would be the best time to do MK. Especially since we will be attending MVMCP that evening. I'll be trying to book lunch at Be Our Guest. I ate there in 2013 and thought the place was fantastic. If we get hungry later, there are plenty of quick serve places to grab something. Not worried at all.
December 16, 2015: This will be out last full day in town. Plans are for Epcot. I'll be booking breakfast at Kona Cafe (I need my Tonga Toast fix!!!). Then we can hop the monorail to Epcot. Spend the day there, catching Illuminations at night. Dinner will be at Biergarten (my favorite restaurant in Epcot). I think ending our time with Illuminations is the best way to end the vacation.
December 17, 2015: Leave Florida, again either drive or train.
December 18, 2015: Arrive home in the armpit of America, NEW JERSEY.
We just need to buy the theme park tickets. For Universal and Disney. Unless, I decide to buy an annual pass again, since I may wind up heading back in 2016. Those plans aren't even close to being in the works.
My important dates now:
June 18, 2015 I can start booking my dining (and I will).
October 16, 2015 I can begin making my FP+ selections.
October 16, 2015 I can also being my online check in process, which I will also be doing.
December 4, 2015 is the last day I cam customize my Magic Bands. They will be customized long before that though.
Thoughts????
Well, anyway, I'm finally heading down to Orlando during the Christmas holiday season. I have never been. The closest I came was in 2001, January 2, 2001 to be precise. I got to see some of the decorations. But by time I arrived, the Christmas celebrations were over, and some of the decorations were already removed.
This year, however, I will be there while the holiday is being celebrated. I'll be splitting my stay between my home DVC resorts of Saratoga Springs and Bay Lake Tower. I arrive in Orlando on December 11, 2015 and depart December 17, 2015. So no I don't have many days in town. But, I believe the itinerary I put together already gives me the best use of my time.
First, though, I would like to share how this trip came to be. On August 13, 2014, my mom passed away. Eight months ago today (as of the day I post this). Honestly, I took it hard. I was close to my mother. I am also a rather emotional person. I can't hide it very well. While at the funeral home, a friend of mine suggested I take my father down to Disney. She thought it would be good for him. I was skeptical at first. I didn't think that was the right time to be thinking about a family vacation, a family vacation we haven't taken since 2001. I went to Orlando with my brother in 2013, but not with the whole family, like we used to. So, anyway, a few days after the funeral, I brought the idea up to my brother and father, suggesting we head to Orlando during the Christmas season. They both agreed.
Well, here we are, April 13, 2015. My resort reservations have been made. I have already purchased the tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. And I wrote out an itinerary/schedule of what we could do during the week we are away. My brother and father reviewed the schedule and agreed it was acceptable. We now have to figure out if we are going to drive or take the train. I don't, won't, and can't fly. Long story.
Here is the itinerary I have come up with so far:
December 10, 2015: Leave New Jersey, either drive or fly
December 11, 2015: Arrive in Florida, check into Saratoga Springs Resort. Not sure what we want to do that night just yet. Usually, when I head down with my friend, we would get sandwiches from Earl of Sandwich, come back to the room, sit on the balcony, eat and take in the surroundings. In October 2013, my brother and I went to Epcot. That was because I had received a free 5th day on my 4 day park ticket, but this year, I don't think I need that 5th day free.
December 12, 2015: Splitting the day between Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios. To me, both of these parks are half day parks. We have already decided we weren't going to spend the whole day at DAK anyway. So I figured, arrive there at 9:00, and with what we want to do, we'll be finished by 12:00, the latest 1:00. Then over to DHS. I'll book the fastpasses for DHS, hit what we want to hit, and then see Fantasmic at night. Plans are for a late lunch or early dinner at 50's Prime Time Cafe.
December 13, 2015: Heading over to Universal Studios. Going to buy park hopper tickets so we can ride Hogwarts Express. I'm really excited to see Diagon Alley. I have been to Hogsmeade several times now, but never to Diagon alley, which only opened last year. The plan is to hit Transformers, maybe Minion Mayhem (wait time will determine what we do), Men In Black, and spend the rest of the day exploring Diagon alley. We probably won't hit up the Simpson's ride this time around. Or catch the stage shows. I'd love to see the Macy's parade though. Dinner is being planned for Margaritaville in CityWalk. I wanted to eat lunch at Leaky Cauldron. But my brother likes Mel's.
December 14, 2015: Islands of Adventure. I can spend a whole day here, exploring Marvel Super Hero Island, Jurassic Park, and Hogsmeade. We'll probably grab a bite to eat at Three Broomsticks. Maybe Mythos. But I am partial to Three Broomsticks. After Hogsmeade, I want to ride Hogwarts Express back to Universal so I can catch the attraction from both sides. Yes, it is a different experience. Also, I want to catch Grinchmas. Since the parks close rather early in December at Universal, plan is to book T-Rex in Downtown Disney/Disney Springs for dinner.
December 15, 2015: We'll be checking out of Saratoga Springs and checking into Bay Lake Tower. We'll be heading over to Magic Kingdom this day. I figured this would be the best time to do MK. Especially since we will be attending MVMCP that evening. I'll be trying to book lunch at Be Our Guest. I ate there in 2013 and thought the place was fantastic. If we get hungry later, there are plenty of quick serve places to grab something. Not worried at all.
December 16, 2015: This will be out last full day in town. Plans are for Epcot. I'll be booking breakfast at Kona Cafe (I need my Tonga Toast fix!!!). Then we can hop the monorail to Epcot. Spend the day there, catching Illuminations at night. Dinner will be at Biergarten (my favorite restaurant in Epcot). I think ending our time with Illuminations is the best way to end the vacation.
December 17, 2015: Leave Florida, again either drive or train.
December 18, 2015: Arrive home in the armpit of America, NEW JERSEY.
We just need to buy the theme park tickets. For Universal and Disney. Unless, I decide to buy an annual pass again, since I may wind up heading back in 2016. Those plans aren't even close to being in the works.
My important dates now:
June 18, 2015 I can start booking my dining (and I will).
October 16, 2015 I can begin making my FP+ selections.
October 16, 2015 I can also being my online check in process, which I will also be doing.
December 4, 2015 is the last day I cam customize my Magic Bands. They will be customized long before that though.
Thoughts????
