Quick Weekender in December!

[cdeev8690]

My first thread. The pressure is on.

So, I just booked a trip from Thursday 12/1 to Sunday 12/4, my first visit during the holidays!! I'm planning on attending Mickey's Christmas Party on Thursday the 1st and using my remaining non-expiration park hopper days, of which there are two :'( , for Friday and Saturday. We're planning on having to drive back and forth from Philly to save some money on airfare but we may fly down if we can find the right price (boyfriend is partial to United since he has their credit card, thus I am only allowed to fly United when traveling with him) at convenient times (does that exist anymore??)

Here's what I'm thinking. I'm trying to save some money and get my Disney fix without spending a ton of cash like I did on my last trip. I don't need a lavish schedule, just one where I can take everything in, put food in my belly, and enjoy myself. I usually always stay at DW for at least 6 days and this is the first I'll be going for a long weekend. I don't want to feel stressed the entire time. I want to do the things that Annual Passholders get to enjoy, like sitting on the Hub Grass and finding different walls to take trendy pics in front of!

Here's what I'm thinking :

Thursday : AM Check-In - relax/pool/Disney Springs, depending on how we are feeling after the long journey. Get to MK by 4 to enter for the party
Friday : AM DHS & PM Epcot
Saturday : MK for rope drop (something I've never done before) & PM AK
Sunday : I don't have any days left! If we're driving, we'll be checking out pretty early, otherwise we'll hang around until Magical Express ride to airport

This is where you fabulous experts come in. As much as I'd love to score some fantastic dining reservations, I'm trying to get some low-key quick service or table service in each park. I don't have time for resort meals, besides the All Star Movies food court (where I'll be staying). I'm needing your favorite breakfast meals in MK and Epcot and your favorite dinner meals in AK and HS that don't break the bank.

Christmas party : tips for a first timer? I did MNSSHP last year and had a blast! I've heard great things about MVMCP's fireworks and snow on Main Street. I'm really looking forward to it, but I'd love some expert advice on how to get the most of out my time there. My least favorite thing about the special ticketed event was at park closing while waiting for over an hour to get on a bus back to the resort.

Thanks to all that take the time to read and even more to those who respond with advice. I've really enjoyed peeking through these threads and subforms for the last few months.

 

[KikoKea]

In AK, the Flame Tree has great ribs and chicken and large portions. And, the seating area is shady and cool, right by the water. To be honest, we try not to eat in HS because there's little we like there. If we do have to eat, we usually go to ABC Commissary and get something simple, like a salad or burger to get us by until we are at another park, since we never spend a whole day there and often skip it.

For breakfast, we are not big eaters so take instant oatmeal, fruit cups, muffins, juice packs, etc and have a quick breakfast before catching the bus to the park, which saves us a fair amount of money per trip.

 

[myhappyplace]

Just chiming in to say, we are going down for the exact same dates (well, almost...checking out on the 5th and heading to Port Canaveral for a cruise), and we will be attending the same MVMCP.

 

[cdeev8690]

Just chiming in to say, we are going down for the exact same dates (well, almost...checking out on the 5th and heading to Port Canaveral for a cruise), and we will be attending the same MVMCP.

Awesome! Sounds like the perfect pre-cruise trip. Have you ever attended the MVMCP? I've always been a little nervous about December crowds but I thought post-Thanksgiving would be the best option. I'm just dying to see the parks decorated for Christmas

 

[Herdman]

Our first time for MVMCP also, but we are going in November. We are very excited for the trip! Will be watching for tips from the experts.

 

[Dubman]

If you can fly Southwest, their schedule expands to cover the Holidays on May 19th. The last few times they opened it up around 6:00am eastern time.

 

[myhappyplace]

Awesome! Sounds like the perfect pre-cruise trip. Have you ever attended the MVMCP? I've always been a little nervous about December crowds but I thought post-Thanksgiving would be the best option. I'm just dying to see the parks decorated for Christmas

Nope, never. This will be my first time in December at all. I have gone to Halloween parties, but they have gotten crowded, so I don't know that I feel the need to do any more of thise, but felt we needed to try the Christmas party once.

 

[DManRightHere]

There is no shortage of good quick service food if you go to the right places!

Our go tos are

MK - Columbia Harbour House
Epcot - Sunshine Seasons (of course you can't really go wrong with WS)
AK - Yak and Yeti QS
HS - Starring Rolls for lunch (best deli sandwich I've had anywhere on property last trip).

DS - Cookes of Dublin.

I am not big on breakfast, but I also tried Tonga Toast (Captain Cooks) and I am getting it again. Also the bakery in France has breakfast that look mighty tasty.

 

[cdeev8690]

There is no shortage of good quick service food if you go to the right places!

Our go tos are

MK - Columbia Harbour House
Epcot - Sunshine Seasons (of course you can't really go wrong with WS)
AK - Yak and Yeti QS
HS - Starring Rolls for lunch (best deli sandwich I've had anywhere on property last trip).

DS - Cookes of Dublin.

I am not big on breakfast, but I also tried Tonga Toast (Captain Cooks) and I am getting it again. Also the bakery in France has breakfast that look mighty tasty.

mmmmmm yes! delicious suggestions, especially France. I don't know why I didn't think of that. Les petites croissants et cafe sounds like the perfect start to an early morning in Epcot. Thanks so much!

 

[cdeev8690]

*UPDATE* : I've adjusted my schedule mildly. I determined I don't want to do Epcot and AK on the same day, as I anticipate having to do the most walking between the two. I'll do a rope drop at DHS and then an evening in Epcot followed by rope drop at MK and evening at AK.

I was lazy about making ADR's mostly because I anticipate the schedule having to be adjusted once the hours are extended for AK. I also wanted this trip to be less about strict ADR's and more about trying to enjoy ourselves and getting all of the other experiences in. I'm fine with going to quick service restaurants or kiosks or AoA's cafeteria.

In the interim, I made two ADR's. I was a little shocked initially at how booked the restaurants were at that point (I'm 178 days out) but it's Disney so it's really not shocking. I have an ADR for Friday at 4:20 at Tokyo Dining. I thought a light sushi meal might be a good option, which leaves the rest of the evening for snacking around the world. For Saturday, I have a 2:55 reservation at Sanaa since AK didn't have any availabilities at any restaurants. I'd like to of course get an ADR at Tiffin's but I think I'd be find if I eat this late lunch and then go to Nomad later in the evening

Also, I was originally staying at All Star Movies, but recently changed my reservation to AoA so I'm excited for a change of scenery. It would be ideal to be closer to the parks to lower travel time but I just can't justify the cost for a 3-night visit.