NYE Updates
So I know I need to continue working on my Asia Trip Report, but that one takes more time since I have to go thru photos and video from both camera and phone, then resize, then upload, etc... I figured I'd go ahead and update this PTR with our current plans. (Also excuse it for being text heavy; writing it down here helps remove it from floating around my brain!)
If you haven't been paying attention, about 1.5 weeks ago Disney opened a lovely new ride, Rise of the Resistance. So my friends and I have been keeping track of all the procedures so we can make the most of it!
(Oh and Dina is my friend who also lives in LA-she is staying in my studio villa for 4 nights; Willis is our friend who is driving down to Florida for Christmas with family and then staying at Pop Century; they've both appeared in Zach's various trip reports)
Day 1 - Saturday, Dec 28
-Our plan leaves around 7:30 am (ick!), but since Dina lives only 15 minutes from the airport, I'm just going to crash at her place the night before (better than getting someone to drive me super early the next day). Dina and I have the window and aisle seats in a row; someone is currently in the center, and it looks like a full flight, but we prob would both be watching movies anyways.
-Willis is picking us up from the airport and Dina wants to make a Target run (hopefully we can do the target car pick-up, which will save time)
-Go to Boardwalk and get room
-Quick stop at Epcot to get our Festival of the Holidays magnets. I had hoped to maybe try a dish or two, but that probably won't happen.
-Over to DHS for our SDD Fastpass
-Dinner at Topollino Terrace and watch fireworks from Epcot and DHS.
Day 2 - Sunday, Dec 29
-Wake up god-awful early to get to DHS. They just updated hours for the next 10 days, and we expect they will update this day too. So rather than a 9am park open with 8am-9am EMH, we are expecting a 7am park open with evening EMH (if at all). This actually works out better in our schedule than the stressful operations during EMH last weekend! We will want to get an early Virtual Queue return time, so fingers crossed! I'm thinking we will need to try and arrive at the park at 5am... and with time differences, that means my body will think it's 2am.. oh joy! At least we can walk to DHS from the Boardwalk.
-Depending on timing, maybe try to take a brief nap?
-Fastpasses at AK starting at 11 am (FoP, Safari, Everest)
-Dinner, 5pm, Toledo Tapas
-Magic Kingdom, for 10pm Christmas fireworks and After Fireworks Dessert Party
Day 3 - Monday, Dec 30
-Wake up relatively early again. We are thinking of playing the system and trying to enter DHS and get a late number boarding pass, with the hope that it actually won't be called and we will end up with a fastpass for Tuesday and a 1-day park-hopper ticket we can use in the future. That will require tricky timing, so who knows if it will work!
-Head to Magic Kingdom
-Brunch at Crystal Palace (10:30)
-Fastpasses start at 1 (Jingle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, 7DMT)
-Watch Christmas entertainment - parade, stage shows, etc.
-Dinner, California Grill 5pm; watch earlier fireworks from the roof deck
-Fireworks dessert party at 10:30 for midnight fireworks
-Maybe go on another ride or two, as EMH continues until 2am, so we can avoid the worst of the bus craziness?
Day 4 - Tuesday, Dec 31
-Another early wake-up to try and get a virtual queue spot. I think we've settled that afternoon would be best, but we are willing to work with whatever is necessary!
-Lunch is at Tutto Italia. Planning on making it a big meal
-Fastpasses at Epcot - Test Track, Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land
-We cancelled dinner at Takumi Tei, to make sure we are open for the virtual queue boarding slot. I'll do it by myself either this trip or next one.
-Epcot midnight fireworks
Day 5 - Wednesday, Jan 1
(Willis leaves early this morning)
-Yet another early wake-up for Rise of the Resistance. Probably will go back and try to take a brief nap
-Breakfast at Topolino Terrace
-Fastpasses start around noon (SDD, Star Tours, Indiana Jones-more a placeholder than anything)
-12:30 reservation at Oga's
(Dina leaves late afternoon)
Now my solo plans - still very rough, as I don't know how I will react with the crowds and weather. I plan to try and get a boarding pass almost every morning, but will adjust if necessary.
Continuing January 1
-Dinner at Sebastian's
-Watch Jingle Bell Jingle Bam (I considered the dessert party but decided to not do that after all)
Day 6 - Thursday, Jan 2
-No morning/early afternoon plans, but maybe Disney Springs for the Christmas Tree Trail. Or maybe just sleep... a lot!
-FPs at Magic Kingdom starting around 2:30 (7DMT, Splash, BTMR)
-No dinner plans yet - I will see what is available and what I feel like.
Day 7 - Friday, Jan 3
-Animal Kingdom day, FPS at FoP, Safari, Everest
-Dinner at Tiffins
-Nighttime at AK
Day 8 - Saturday, Jan 4
-FPs at Epcot (FEA, Spaceship Earth, Living with the land-timed to see it at night)
-I booked Takumi Tei this evening, but may switch back to Il Mulino
Day 9 - Sunday, Jan 5
-Magic Kingdom Day
-Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare
-FPs (7DMT, Peter Pan, Pirates)
-Dinner Citricos (since it's rumored to be renovated sometime this year)
Day 10 - Monday, Jan 6
-Breakfast Ale & Compass
-FPs at SDD, Star Tours.
So, yeah, still very rough, which is crazy for a trip that is coming up in only 2.5 weeks! My, how my touring strategy has changed in the past 2 years!