Disney Divas Xmas 2013 - pretrip

[chechas]

Cast: Me (momma), DD (18)
Where: Wilderness Lodge
When: Dec 17-23, 2013

My daughter and I have been going to Disney for Xmas since she was 8/9 year old as it is just the two of us. Last year I ended up with a spiral fracture of my fibula before the holidays so we did not go, and let me tell you, we are both feigning to go this year!!! Feels like we missed out for the last 5 years instead of just 1 lol. DD will have just finished her 1st semester at college by the time of this trip but she is just as excited as if she were still 4 and going to Disney for the first time. It is a great tradition for us. Usually we don’t come back until the day after Xmas but I will be putting my house on the market after the new year so I can move closer to work (currently have over 1 hr commute each way) since I no longer have to worry about being in a great school area for her. So we decided we wanted to spend our potentially last Xmas in the house actually at home so we shifted the trip up and will be coming back on the 23rd to give me time to go buy Xmas dinner ingredients and get settled before Christmas Eve. We will still be bringing our small tree and decorations though for the room. Hey while we may not be there for actual Christmas Day, we will still be there during Christmas Time.

With the change in dates a couple of our traditions are shifting also. We have always done O’Hana’s Character breakfast on Xmas Eve morning and the Luau on either Xmas Eve or Xmas Day. I still have ressies for both events but obviously not on our usual days. We also have ressie for Tea at the Grand Floridian (another tradition no matter what time of year), Cali Grill (can you say Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli? YUM!) and Artist Point (can taste that cobbler now). Looking to make a couple other ones but not sure yet. And we will definitely be tasting the new holiday treats around the world at EPCOT!! Can't wait!

We stayed at Wilderness Lodge the last time we went for Xmas 2 years ago and loved it!! Before that we thought nothing would ever beat the Poly for Christmas (have also stayed at Coronado at Xmas) but boy were we wrong. We are originally from New England and though The Wilderness Lodge is Pacific Northwest themed, it still reminds us of New England at Christmas in a lot of ways.

Usually we will spend a day at Universal Studio and check out Grinchmas and Whooville but I don’t think that will happen this time. May head over to Gaylord Palms one day though and finally see Ice. And we will likely take an evening to go to “downtown” Celebration, FL (which is about 5 miles from Disney). For those that don’t know at Xmas time the downtown has a Winter Wonderland Spectacular called Now Snowing with strolling Charles Dickens Carolers, community performers, photos with Santa, horse drawn carriage rides, an ice rink, the Celebration Express train, and nightly snowfall at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 PM.

I will be doing daily trip reports..can’t wait for the MAGIC to begin!

[emerzmom]

It sounds like you and your daughter have a great trip planned. I hope it is really magical for you both!
Looking forward to your trip reports.

Julie

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Sounds wonderful

[faline]

What a wonderful tradition!

[Niecyboo]

My DD is caroling at Wilderness Lodge with her choir on 12/17, so she may be serenading you as you check in! Sounds like a wonderful trip.

[Tiggerlovr9000]

What an amazing tradition. Have a wonderful time..

[CanadianWDWFan]

Sounds like you guys are in for a WONDERFUL time!! We too will be down there for exactly the same dates as you.

As for seeing ice, I can arrange to bring some down for you. We have our fair share of it up here!