I am back from our vacation. We had a great time and really enjoyed ourselves. We woke up one morning and the GF was fully decorated for Christmas, awesome!
This was our 1st time driving
, DH is talking about the times we could leave coming and going the next trip
, and I'm thinking, umm, no I'll book at a time when airfare is cheap (in my head). Ha!
We arrived around 12:50am EST 11/16 coming from CST. In bed by 2am. Late breakfast, 10:15am with plans to nap before going to party. Maintenance in the room next door so no real nap. We headed out around 1:50pm, so later than we had planned, so we went ahead and did DVC check-in ~2:20pm. APs so had planned on arriving a little earlier and picking up wristbands inside park. We have never done a party on arrival day, and definitely not after being up all night. Always done 2 parties as well. I never really made a plan since I knew we wouldn't be able to do everything in 1 party, and everything was on my priority list. Ha!
BoG 4pm ADR, I went with time that would work the best overall, none really, 2:45 ADR would have worked better, but only night BoG worked with our week. Overall just too tired to stay the entire night like we wanted too and had planned on doing. If you can do two parties, as I've always stated, IMO, do 2!!!! Glad I didn't book Tony's, would have ben a waste. I checked before going to bed early Friday morning, and still available for 3, OP posted it sold out for 11/16, so it must have been later or as the party was going on. We did our 3 FP+ and TS before dinner. After diner....
7D: 5:45-7:05pm (DH & DD rode Barnstormer 2x and Dumbo 1x then joined me in line), Disney Jr. Jingle Jam was starting when we left.
Treats
Nick & Judy: 7:15-7:45pm
Treats
Frozen Holiday Wish @ 8:15pm, we actually watched this from the end of Main St. (We've seen it in front of castle a few times) - Corner in front Main Street Confectionary.
Parade - DH held spot while we did the Bypass (Cookies & Magic Shots). We did notice that the CMs had roped off the flagpole area, PP left, then rope was removed and OP moved in. After parade, headed to meet Sandy & Sally, 55 minute wait so decided to come back.
Moana: 9:16-9:40pm
Road PoC
Treats
Road Carpets, saw fireworks (seen from HUB several times so was not high on list)
Aladdin & Abu: 10:10-10:35pm (Right before we were to meet announced leaving in 5, 2 families in front took forever & wouldn't really leave after Aladdin walked to next family, so they took a few more photos with that family, so lady in front of us also missed them). Ended up meeting with Jasmine & Genie.
Never met Abu before.
Sandy & Sally: 10:44pm (50 minute wait)
Mickey: 10:47pm (20 minute wait) - me & DD decided to meet Mickey and DH was going to stay in line for Sandy.
Slight wait so DD10 sat down, and was nodding head, asked if okay, she now had red eyes, says she's sleepy but would wait since she knew how much I wanted to meet Sandy. She'd been tired since parade but wasn't ready to go. We had 7 more days to go. I made an executive decision to leave, DH & DD asked several times if I was sure, but I could see how tired they were (me too). So we left. Overall a great night, just tired. Definitely a difference going on night that is not sold out vs going on a sold out night. Character lines not as long (1.5hr), more 30-45minutes. Treat lines not as long either, however, they move pretty fast on sold out nights. Low ride wait times except for the usual that are always longer. HUB packed, but was more manageable than on sold out night (arriving late/later), we walked up to edge of HUB from Tomorrowland bridge and watched end of Mickey's Merriest Show (good view) before heading down Main St. Was going to stay for Castle lighting since good spot & view, but wanted to do bypass before it closed, then decided to get spot for parade. Already 2-3 rows in certain places, a few families had full size blankets down, holding spots, IMO, too much. There was empty spot on curb at end of street so DH decided to stay and hold instead of going back up to HUB after bypass for castle lighting.
I did notice that the area directly in front of the tree facing the castle was already 3-4 deep for Tony's reserved area when we headed to meet Sandy at 10:45pm. The entire circle is reserved for the party, except for Magic Shots area, so PP booking Tony's will have a spot, but if aiming for the area directly in front of castle, then you will be holding spot for awhile, especially if on a sold out night, IMO, that particular space is limited. And yes PP stand up on the curb, wether you agree or disagree, it occurs and nothing to do about it, so be mindful if booking Tony's. FWIW, PP on Main St. on front stand too, so we try for curb, next to trashcan, or behind trashcan since we know everyone doesn't stay seated once parade begins.
@Cluelyss - DH not a real fan of BoG once he saw menu (didn't tell him before we left, knew how that would go). DD loved it, especially the desserts. It was good, I would go again. I felt the filet was better that the previous steak, DH thought so too. He didn't like the desserts at all. CM brought him his strawberry cupcake. LOL! DH said he would go again. I felt with the new menu we were in there longer, we were seated within minutes of checking-in.
Pluto buckets and Alien Bucket (HS) always had stock when passing carts throughout trip. Christmas Holiday Resort Mug, GF had them everyday, but not as many as on our 1st day.
Sorry for the long post.
