Our December Pre-Trip Report.. (1st Two Days)

[star77kc]

So, my bf and I are going to the world December 12th-17th. We've only both been to the Magic Kingdom, so the other 3 parks will be a completely new experience for both of us!! 37 DAYS TO GO!!! :0) We are so excited. Here is my plan for optimal fun days and nights at the parks: (Tell me what you think...like I said, we are newbies, so it might need a little tweaking..)

December 12th

**Arive @ Pop Century around 1 p.m. to try to check in early, and walk around the resort. We heard that we can get our cariactures done there so that is a big possibility. :0)

4:30 p.m. Catch Shuttle to Downtown Disney
4:50-6:15 p.m. Shopping!! World of Disney, etc..
6:30 p.m. ADR @ Rainforest Cafe
8:30 p.m. In our seats for "LA NOUBA" Cirque Du Soliel!!! (We are super thrilled about this show!!)
11 p.m. Catch Shuttle back to Pop Century for some much needed sleep for the upcoming day!!


December 13th MAGIC KINGDOM

8:00 a.m. Catch Shuttle to MK
8:48 a.m. Watch the MK Welcome Show out front
9 a.m. MK opens!!!

9 a.m.-11:15 a.m FANTASYLAND (Dumbo, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Mad Tea Party, Its a Small World, Mickey's Philharmagic)

11:30 a.m.-1:50 p.m. FRONTIERLAND (Grab Splash Mtn. Fastpasses, have lunch @ PECOS BILLS CAFE, Country Bear Jamboree (I hear its much better!!), Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain )

2:10 p.m.-4:30 p.m. ADVENTURELAND (Grab Jungle Cruise Fastpasses, Pirates of the Carribean, The Tiki Room, **Share a DOLE WHIP (a first for both of us :0)), Jungle Cruise, Swiss Family Treehouse)

4:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m. TOMORROWLAND (Grab Space Mountain Fastpasses, Stitch's Great Escape (considering skipping this one due to horrible reviews..), Transit Authority, Have dinner @ COSMIC RAYS CAFE, Space Mountain, Astro Orbiter, Buzz Lightyear

8:00-8:30 p.m. LIBERTY SQUARE (The Haunted Mansion...thought the queue would be fun at night!)

9 p.m.- 9:15 p.m. WISHES (Not sure where to watch yet...)

**Re-Ride Big Thunder/Splash Mtn?

10:10 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. Watch SPECTROMAGIC in Frontierland

11 p.m. Catch Shuttle back to Pop Century!!

 

[cameronmouse]

seems like you got a good plan going so far, just remember its gonna be hard to keep with times but at least you have mapped out what you guys want to do.

 

[star77kc]

Will this plan go well considering we will be there during a "slower" time? Am I planning too full of a day?

 

[Todd L]

Wow you are planning down to the minute. Dont get caught up staring at your watch and miss all the fun stuff. My goal this year is to take it easy and go with the flow a little more than I have in the past.Have a blast.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Good start. As the others have said, I would caution as to making too rigid a schedule. With your five days, you will have time to revisit if something is missed.

Rather than doing lands as you have scheduled, consider listing the rides you really want to do, then the second tier rides. Get your FP's early and do the E tickets early, then you can fit in the "lesser" rides in the afternoon. One caution with that....Splash can be a little uncomfortable and chilly if done first thing on a December morning.

Do the same for the other parks, RnRC, ToT, FP TSM at Studios.
FP Everest on your way to Safari at AK
FP Soarin' walk on to Test Track at Epcot. MS will probably be near walk on in the afternoon.

Remember that after midday, FP return times will be increasingly later in the afternoon.

Also give good time to enjoy the holiday events. There is a special schedule printed for storytellers, candlelight processional and other events at Epcot. Studios has Osborne lights that you would want to give good time to.

Other than Rainforest, you didn't list sit down restaurants. What others do you plan on? Consider Sci-Fi Drive in for a lunch at Studios, also 50's Prime Time for a dinner. There are a number of fine restaurants at the various hotels, and Epcot/Boardwalk has a lot. Have you considered Hoop de do Review?
As for Rainforest at DTD....possibly consider T-Rex. Same company and probably similar menu...but it's new.

You may also want to include visits to some of the hotels to see their decorations.

Feel free to ask any additional questions.

 

[pacochran]

Wow you are planning down to the minute. Dont get caught up staring at your watch and miss all the fun stuff. My goal this year is to take it easy and go with the flow a little more than I have in the past.Have a blast.

I say the same thing every year, that we need to slow down and enjoy most of the atmosphere, but always get in the park and we're off to get the ride and fastpasses.

Maybe this year will be different.:lol:

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

11:30 a.m.-1:50 p.m. FRONTIERLAND (Grab Splash Mtn. Fastpasses, have lunch @ PECOS BILLS CAFE, Country Bear Jamboree (I hear its much better!!), Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain )

A good plan but your timings are waaaaay too rigid - what happens if there's a queue for lunch, or Fast Passes are return at 3:30

You're on vacation - cut yourself some slack and enjoy your time there. You've got time to return to attractions that you've missed

 

[star77kc]

Your right, the timing is a little too rigid, I just wanted to make somewhat of a plan to see if we could fit everything into one full day there. We are open to switch it up a bit. Im sure we might end up skipping some attractions like Stitch and Country Bear.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

With MK - categorise the attractions into Must See. Would Like To Do, and, Only If There's Time. Make your "touring plan" when you find out how busy the park is and tailor your visit according to your list

 

[DisneyJoe]

Arrive @ Pop Century around 1 p.m. to try to check in early

You can check in as long as the front desk is open - your room just may not be ready. If they don't have a room ready for you at 1pm, they will still give you your theme park tickets etc - and you can stow your bags with Bell Services - unless you will be waiting for Magical Express to bring your luggage.

If Magical Express will be handling your luggage, be sure to pack what you may need in the interim in your carry on bag.

Its possible that your room may not be ready until after 3 or even 4pm - and your luggage can take as long as 2-6 hours to get to the hotel from the airport - unless you claim it yourself from baggage claim.....

 

[jeffk410]

hmm

Space mountains fast passes might be out at that time do to crowds. =[

 

[star77kc]

Crowds? Really? I thought early December was a great time to go with LOWER crowds? Maybe the stand by wont be that long? Especially around the first showing of Spectromagic? Ive really researched this trip, and think we will be fine, but I appreciate the concerns.

 

[MSUGoGreen22]

My family and I will be at the World the same week. From what I have read and heard the crowds are not bad at all during that time, but that can change fast. I would also have to agree with the other posts, no need for too rigid of a schedule. I would suggest planning on what parks you want to hit up which days along with dinners and shows, then leave all the rides and activities in the park up for whatever you feel like or can do. Plus you don't want to be driving the significant other crazy with the strict itinerary :lol:. Enjoy your trip!