The Cast
- Me / Mom / Master Disney Planner
- DH who goes along with the plan
- DD 18 home for Christmas break (She goes to college in the town next to us, but we haven’t seen much of her during the semester)
- DS 16 (who is home all the time but we never see because he is locked away in his room)
It’s been 5 years since we’ve been to WDW. (4 years ago we ventured to Disneyland on our return from Aulani; last year we tried UOR for the first time). Wanted to get another family trip to WDW since DD headed to college. Looked at spring break 2019 but decided we didn’t want to deal with the crowds. Hesitant to visit in the summer heat. Decided on holiday trip to see SWGE and I have always wanted to visit during the holidays.
When:
December 26, 2019 – January 1, 2020
Where:
DVC Home resort: AKL ; Kilimanjaro Club level 1 bedroom (reserved on day booking opened)
Used UY 2018 points and most of UY 2019. Decided to select Club Level in case we could take advantage of the extra CLFP purchase. First time going during the holidays and worried about navigating big crowds. Our last trip was 5 years ago (Jan 2014 with CL 3).
Had some UY 2017 we had banked so sold those through Davids to help pay towards park tickets and airfare. Of course, other expenses found that money first.
Staying DVC, I wouldn’t normally consider Club Level.
First trip to Disney as a family (2008) , we stayed at Poly Club. It was great to have a place to go when the kids woke up extra early before DH. We packed some cereal to go for snacks and took advantage of food /beverage as we went back to resort throughout the day. Since then, whenever we travel non-Disney, club level is a strong consideration for the extra space and usually pricing works out especially if breakfast is not included in the hotel cost. Since we joined DVC in 2008, we haven’t seen a need for concierge level at Disney since DVC gives us more space and we can do food in our room.
Downside of AKL club DVC is you can’t select if Savannah view or not. We really wanted a Savannah view, but took the chance. There are so many other options to watch the animals around the resort.
AKL DVC SV option is limited – especially if you don’t want a walk in shower. Which we’ve seen bad reviews of HA shower issues.
We used TP room request option and ended up with Room 6202 - Savannah view with walk in shower. We didn’t have too much issue with the water all over the floor – as long as we kept the shower head off center so it was facing towards the back wall more.
Flights:
Direct RDU - MCO
Southwest fares were much higher than we’ve had before. I wasn’t sure what to expect for Christmas travel – we normally don’t fly during the holidays.
Found Delta direct flight that was better timing for family. Normally don’t mind making the family take first flight in the morning, but decided to let them sleep in a bit. Had points through Chase Sapphire Reserve. Economy was gone. Delta Select (?) was about same price as SW. For the 4 of us, there was $500 difference in available business class and first class. Quickly figuring in the cost of 3 bags and the difference became closer to $400. Figured that was worth a splurge for the family since points would cover most of the cost. … Then Delta moved the flight earlier, but still later than the SW option.
However, regret buying SW tickets so early because they came down about $100-150 each over the next couple of months. Downside of planning early and not seeing any price changes before jumping in.
Touring Plan
Day 1 EP
Eat around Festival of the Holidays booths
FPP for Spaceship Earth, Test Track and Living with the Land.
Day 2 HS - using Club Level FP
Early arrival for RotR boarding group and standby for MFSR
Star Tours 8
RnR 9
ToT 10 (CL)
Oga’s ADR 11
Muppets 12:15 Tap and Run
Sci-Fi ADR 2:20
SDD 3:30 (CL)
TSMM 4:30 (CL)
Day 3 MK using Club Level FP
Buzz 9
Space 10
7DMT 11
BTMRR 12
Pirates 1
Skipper Canteen ADR 1:20
Jungle Cruise 2:30
Day 4
Alien Saucers 9:55
Frozen Sing-along 12
Star Tours 11
Jiko ADR 7:30
Day 5
BTMRR 10
Pirates 11
Space 12
Day 6 NYE using Club Level FP
AK in morning
FoP 9:30
Everest 10:30
Safari 11:30
EP for evening
FEA 4:30 (CL)
Biergarten ADR 5:45 to ring in Germany’s New Year
TT 7:30 (CL)
Soarin’ 8:30 (CL)
Day 7
FoP 9:30
Will follow up later with how planning went for us and impressions of visiting during the holidays.