Hear all about Kim's family's December Disney World trip which included a stay at Copper Creek, attending the Star Wars Dessert Party, use of Minnie Vans, plus more.

You'll hear what didn't work and what ultimately did end up working for their family.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

Become a WDW Prep To Go Patron

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

Leave me a message

Want to be considered for a first-timer trip report? Please leave me a SpeakPipe message with your name, trip dates, resort, and who is in your group.

You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo.

Links to things mentioned

• Minnie Vans
• Copper Creek Villas
• Star Wars Dessert Party

Quick tip of the day

Listener Melissa emailed this tip:
"We are traveling to Disney in March and staying at Bay Lake Tower. We are going with another family, but are arriving on two separate days (we check in Saturday, they check in Sunday). This trip each family decided to splurge and get the Deluxe Dining Plan. We made reservations for 14 character meals, plus Be Our Guest breakfast, Tony’s and T Rex. Our friends are arriving a day after us but we are meeting them for dinner at 1900 Park Fare the first day we check in. Since they won’t have their meal plan activated until the following day when they check in, we are going to use the credits from our plan to pay for their meal. Then once their plan is activated they can pay for one of our meals later in the trip. This saves them paying out of pocket and maximizes the credit use."

Subscribe to get new episodes

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

• Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe in Google Play
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher

Here's my trip report from our December 18-24 Disney World trip which was the first time our whole family had been to WDW together in over 4 years.

Hear about our stay at Copper Creek, my family's reaction to Pandora at Animal Kingdom, Jingle Bell Jingle BAM dessert party, special dining reservations, and more.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

Become a WDW Prep To Go Patron

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

Leave me a message

Want to be considered for a first-timer trip report? Please leave me a SpeakPipe message with your name, trip dates, resort, and who is in your group.

You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo.

Links to things mentioned in this episode

• Copper Creek Villas
• Jingle Bell Jingle BAM
• California Grill

Subscribe to get new episodes

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

• Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe in Google Play
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher

Planning to go to Disney World in 2018? Let's chat about the best times to visit.

I also have a quick tip to help you snag some hard-to-get FastPass+ reservations for your trip.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

Become a WDW Prep To Go Patron

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

Leave me a message

Want to be considered for a first-timer trip report? Please leave me a SpeakPipe message with your name, trip dates, resort, and who is in your group.

You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo.

News and houskeeping

• Flights of Wonder at Animal Kingdom is ending December 31, 2017
• A new Russell and Dug show is coming to Animal Kingdom in spring 2018
• It's not official, but it looks like Stitch's Great Escape is going away after January 6, 2018
• Millennial pink MagicBands are coming within a few weeks

Best times to visit in 2018

• Watch on YouTube
• For the 2017-2018 Disney World crowd calendar, go to https://wdwprepschool.com/disney-world-crowd-calendar-for-the-2017-2018-school-year/
• For the 2018-2019 Disney World crowd calendar, check out https://wdwprepschool.com/2018-2019-disney-world-crowd-calendar/

Quick tip of the day

There have reports of FastPass+ drops at various times of the day, especially for Flight of Passage. Recent reports suggest 1:07, 3:07, and 5:07, but be sure to check out the Backside of Magic podcast to keep up with the latest.

Subscribe to get new episodes

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

• Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe in Google Play
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher

Today we'll discuss Disney Springs because it has evolved a lot over the last few years and has so many things to do.

I'll also have a quick tip to make it easier to handle your mail while you travel.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

Become a WDW Prep To Go Patron

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

Leave me a message

Want to be considered for a trip report? Please leave me a SpeakPipe message with your name, trip dates, resort, and who is in your group.

You can also leave a message or email shannon@wdwprepschool.com with your non-Disney questions.

Do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo.

Watch on YouTube

Today's main topic can be viewed on YouTube at 

/a>

Housekeeping/news links

• Disney World will have 12 days of announcements starting December 5
• New WDW Prep Amazon Shop is available
• Recent posts: Starbucks at Disney World, Disney World maps, and pros/cons of Disney World resorts

Main topic

Get all of the details about Disney Springs in our huge guide that covers it all.

Quick tip of the day

Listener Hope emailed this tip:
"I’ve been preparing for our trip in a few days and checking things off my list. I realized I needed to hold our mail since we have an eight day trip this time. I was a little panicked thinking I had run out of time to get to the post office. Luckily I thought to go to the USPS website. The online mail hold process is very easy. You just select your dates and if you want to pick up or have your held mail delivered. Afterward USPS sends a confirmation email to the email you entered in the form on the website. Very easy and convenient. Much more than going to the post office."

Subscribe to get new episodes

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

• Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe in Google Play
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher