November and December are too brief, and go by too rapidly. Name me loopy, however I don’t consider there have been 61 days within the two months mixed final yr. Somebody must look into that–one thing’s undoubtedly up. Just a few days should’ve been moved to the unhealthy months, which felt suspiciously longer.
I’m joking, however solely partially. November and December had been over within the blink of the attention. It feels prefer it was simply November 1, and we had been getting excited for the beginning of the vacation season. Being Disney followers, Christmas comes early for us. The primary Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Occasion was on November 8, with Jollywood Nights the next day. And I’ll let you know what, I used to beprepared for each as soon as they began. It was full-on Christmas mode.
Even after December 25, we proceed to benefit from the spirit of the season. We had been at Disneyland and Disney California Journey yesterday, and the spotlight was (nonetheless) the seasonal leisure and attraction overlays, which felt wholly applicable–not like they’d worn out their welcome. It’s a bit totally different right this moment, and feels barely like a ‘vacation hangover,’ however our Christmas tree will keep up till January 6 (I’d in all probability go away it up longer if the neighbors couldn’t see it). We’ll proceed listening to instrumental music, and watching much less overtly Christmas content material. There are a few new Die Exhausting-esque motion pictures and exhibits on Netflix. You get the concept.
I don’t really feel the identical means about Halloween. The primary Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion started on August 9, which was simply too early. To make certain, I’m glad Disney begins MNSSHP and now Oogie Boogie Bash when it does. The demand is clearly there and company with August journeys love having the events as choices. However between the climate and it being almost 3 months earlier than Halloween, it simply doesn’t really feel like fall or spook season.
On account of celebrating Halloween in early August, I’m additionally over that vacation by late September. Simply in time for everybody in the actual world to begin placing up their decorations and begin celebrating in earnest! I don’t wish to be labeled a Halloween Hater. It’s my second-favorite vacation, and I get pleasure from it extra every year. However early August to late September is so long as the Christmas season. And I feel it’s fairly inarguable that there’s extra to get pleasure from for Christmas–music, books, motion pictures, decorations, lore, and so forth. Halloween is gaining floor, however Christmas is solely the meatier and extra significant vacation.
The place am I going with this? I suppose pitching my new political platform, which is including a month to the calendar between Halloween and Christmas for prolonged celebrations and merriment. I’m certain there shall be no scarcity of marketing campaign contributions from the greeting card, vacation honey ham, and retailers lobbies. If Washington lastly is ready to finish Daylight Saving Time, perhaps I’m severe about this initiative.
Actually, although, the Christmas season was too brief. There have been so many issues we wished to do, however didn’t get round to doing. Issues to see, expertise, watch, style. All of that should wait till subsequent Christmas, or reasonably, this Christmas, since it’s now 2025. I suppose that’s a part of the magic of Christmas? It’s a satisfying vacation, however you’re left wanting extra of it, not prepared for it to be over.
On the identical time the vacation season flew by, it additionally appears to have lasted some time. We did quite a bit. Our daughter, Megatron, began November crawling as her mode of transportation, and now she is working. I maintain my breath somewhat each time she darts throughout the room, worrying that that is going to be the time she takes a disastrous fall. Society must normalize toddlers sporting hockey helmets and goalie pads out in public.
Seeing her stroll and run has been extremely particular. The sense of awe and surprise on her face as she “discovers” one thing new fills our hearts excess of the stress of worrying she’ll take a spill (and there’s lots of stress, which implies there’s a ton of pleasure!). It’s additionally necessitated stepping up our vacuuming and cleansing, as something on the ground is now honest sport.
However I’m rambling. In my protection, it was a late evening for Sarah and I, who continued to have fun New Yr’s Eve like regular adults. Nicely, largely. We didn’t have a drop to drink, however we did make the error of staying up till 1 a.m. Megatron caught to her regular schedule, and doesn’t acknowledge that New Yr’s Day is supposed to be a lazy one for sleeping in and lounging round.
Suffice to say, it was an awesome vacation season–and full yr–for our household, largely as we proceed to expertise issues by way of her eyes and see her develop. However time is shifting too quick. She’s not somewhat child anymore. She wished to run round with the “massive children” as we frolicked in Grizzly Peak yesterday. It’s been a incredible journey…I simply want we might gradual it down a bit.
January is right here now and meaning lots of you’re beginning to plan 2025 journeys. We’ve already up to date lots of our greatest sources, and that course of will proceed within the subsequent couple of weeks. Earlier than I contact the rest crowd-related, I actually need Walt Disney World to launch its ticket reductions. I’m totally anticipating one for Florida residents throughout the week, and suppose there’s an outdoor likelihood there’s a return of the multi-park magic tickets for most of the people sooner than final yr. (That’s actually what I’d do, if I had been Disney.)
Tomorrow (January 2, 2025) is the large low cost drop day for Walt Disney World. We already know Free Eating is coming for Summer season 2025, as a result of they’ve introduced as a lot. We’ve been in a position to verify further particulars, and that promo sounds just like final yr, however for most of the people and with earlier journey dates firstly of the summer time season. These modifications make sense–Could and June are slower than July–and don’t actually counsel desperation on Disney’s half.
Based mostly on previous precedent, it’s possible there may also be a spread of room-only affords. In all probability one for most of the people, one for Annual Passholders, and one other for Florida residents. My hope is that at the very least a type of is a “Keep Longer & Save Extra” deal, and that there’s additionally a superior Disney+ or Disney Visa provide that provides financial savings on par with the AP or FL financial savings. I’m additionally hopeful and optimistic that weekends gained’t be excluded. I’d like to one thing higher, with a stunning out-of-left-field promo that we’ve by no means seen earlier than. I wouldn’t wager on that simply but, although.
I don’t anticipate outright desperation (as a result of I don’t suppose there’s precise foundation for it), however I’ve been barely stunned that Disney doesn’t have a larger sense of urgency. Getting folks locked into resort reservations and packages earlier than the advertising blitz for the grand opening of Epic Universe strikes me as savvy. That’ll be doubly true if phrase of mouth in regards to the new park is optimistic as soon as previews begin. However maybe a extra restrained slate of particular affords now from Walt Disney World will necessitate larger and higher ones down the street.
In any case, I wish to reiterate the significance of doing the maths on whichever reductions drop tomorrow. One factor that’s been a pleasing shock is that the hype round Free Eating has dropped dramatically as in comparison with ~2019. There are in all probability numerous causes for this, however I view it as a good factor. “Free” is a strong advertising time period, even when it’s not at all times an correct one.
To make certain, Free Eating might be the most effective deal for some events. However it’s not for a lot of or most others. It’s vital to not get caught up within the pleasure of getting (allegedly) free meals, and think about whether or not your appetites and eating preferences are match, or if it’ll be a waste. Extra importantly, think about what you’re forgoing by buying full-priced Park Hopper tickets and a rack fee room.
With this wave of 2025 offers, it isn’t essentially simply the recognized various room-only reductions that shall be launched tomorrow. Once more, there’s the likelihood (extra like chance, relying upon your journey dates) of the multi-day magic ticket returning in 2025 for spring by way of late summer time, maybe earlier and/or later.
For individuals who are contemplating additionally visiting Common Orlando, we nonetheless don’t know the complete suite of multi-day ticket choices for Epic Universe. Or the diploma to which Common would possibly really feel the necessity to low cost in the course of the summer time. (Even with the brand new theme park opening, Common has a ton of resort stock.)
Walt Disney World reductions might be modified or modified, in order that they’re theoretically risk-free, however availability is one thing to bear in mind. Should you go for Free Eating as a substitute of a room-only low cost and the rooms allotted to the latter promote out throughout your dates, you’ll be able to’t later modify to that. Disney additionally has a behavior of ending particular affords early within the final couple of years.
The underside line is that Free Eating is considered one of Walt Disney World’s most restrictive particular affords. Should you’re on the fence about reserving it or one other promo, ready for ticket offers or Epic Universe releases, or the financial savings are just like room-only charges, our tentative suggestion could be taking the different provide.
To every their very own, however I feel the pliability of room-only reductions places planners in a greater place. However all of that is preliminary meals for thought–I’ll have additional evaluation as soon as tomorrow’s full slate of particular affords is definitely launched, together with ideas on the ticket offers subsequent week or at any time when they arrive out.
As the vacation season winds down, we additionally wish to as soon as once more thank all of you for studying. We’re so extremely appreciative of your help. Whether or not you lurk silently, touch upon each single put up, or someplace in between. Studying this website means the world to us–in all probability excess of most of you’ll ever know.
One of the crucial humbling and gratifying features of this weblog has at all times been the belief you place in us. You intend multi-thousand greenback holidays based mostly on our steerage, spending your hard-earned time and money on the recommendation we provide. There are few issues I get pleasure from greater than a remark sharing how a visit went based mostly on our suggestions. In fact, it’s most satisfying if it went effectively! However even the damaging suggestions makes me attempt to do higher.
It’s this greater than the rest that provides rise to lots of the important commentary, as we view this website in the beginning as a shopper useful resource. Despite the fact that we’re diehard Disney followers, who really feel positively in regards to the overwhelming majority of our experiences, that may typically means negativity. However that criticism and critique comes from a spot of affection, holding the corporate and the parks to their very own excessive requirements, legacy, and wanting them to be the most effective model of themselves.
When writing critiques and assessing worth, we at all times have households entrance of thoughts, particularly those that have to save lots of and sacrifice simply to make the journeys occur within the first place. Thanks a lot for placing your belief in us.
Other than the useful (hopefully!) planning sources, we’ve been grateful for the enjoyment and happiness you’ve shared for and with us during the last year-plus. We’ve actually appreciated that you just truly care to learn and touch upon private tales and never simply massive Disney information or consequential modifications. The feedback part of this website has at all times been incredible, like a close-knit neighborhood. However within the final year-plus, you all have been higher than ever.
I additionally recognize the endurance you’ve proven. The final yr has been actually busy and tiring, and I’ve slacked a bit in responding to feedback, proofreading, and keeply posts tightly edited. Not that this weblog has ever been a bastion of typo-free or concise writing, however I do know issues have gotten extra lax. Hopefully it’s been made up for within the quantity of protection. I nonetheless attempt to reply to feedback as typically as attainable, however typically a brand new put up is best than a dozen replies.
One of many issues I beforehand talked about was my plan for shorter articles in 2025. A few of you prompt you do not need that, which is nice. To be clear, I don’t plan on posts being just a few paragraphs lengthy. I couldn’t be that concise even when I attempted (see the rambling introduction above about, I suppose, Halloween vs. Christmas). Nor do I intend upon eliminating the lengthy reads.
What I do suppose is that some posts have a bit an excessive amount of fats or retreaded background, and there are occasions when hyperlinks to previous subjects could be higher. There are different cases when a bit of stories or rumor goes unreported right here as a result of I don’t suppose I may give it the right depth of therapy–however maybe a shorter article would suffice and be higher than nothing in any respect.
We recognize the worth of the time you’re taking to learn these articles; it’s not taken with no consideration and we don’t wish to waste it. So thanks for tolerating the tangents, granting some grace, and particularly humoring my popular culture references and unhealthy dad jokes.
Talking of tangents, I hope you’ll indulge me a fast one in case you’ve made it this far into the put up, as January additionally brings with it playoff soccer. I’m not so certain about whether or not the Detroit Lions can win all of it this yr. They gained once more on Monday Evening Soccer, however solely thanks to a couple unforced errors by the 49ers. The previous few weeks haven’t been nice. Beating the Vikings goes to be robust, however it’s completely important. They want that bye to allow them to get rested, wholesome, and (hopefully) a couple of key gamers again.
To say the Lions have been decimated by accidents is an understatement. It’s a troublesome street to the Tremendous Bowl, regardless, particularly with Minnesota and Philadelphia wanting extremely formidable. Right here’s hoping it occurs, although, and that the Lions get a rematch with the Payments. That’s the Tremendous Bowl matchup that America wants and deserves. (Though Bengals-Lions would in all probability be the primary Tremendous Bowl with a mixed 100 factors!) However I digress.
Finally, this primary full yr with Megatron was the most effective yr of our lives, as was this vacation season. Seeing extra of her persona, preferences, in addition to her surprising likes…and even dislikes! A part of that has been the thrill of the Disney visits, and persevering with to expertise the whole lot anew. A part of it has been forming the enjoyable new traditions and revisiting acquainted favorites.
A part of it has been the easy and day-to-day life with a now very cellular toddler, and making an attempt to savor each fleeting second–even the mundane ones–as this vacation season has flown by. A part of it’s having the ability to share a few of these moments with you all. This web site has a incredible neighborhood, and oftentimes you assist us as a lot or greater than we assist you to.
So thanks once more, Pleased New Yr from the Brickers, and right here’s wanting ahead to a incredible 2025. A yr full of a brand-new Common theme park in Central Florida; building, modifications & rising pains…and a brand new evening parade at Walt Disney World; right here’s hoping there are additionally some enjoyable surprises and optimistic information that makes 2025 one other nice yr. We hope you likewise have had a cheerful vacation season with household and associates, and made magical recollections that may final a lifetime!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you concentrate on including a month between October and November, the Detroit Lions’ playoff prospects, or any of the opposite random tangents tackled right here? Any amusing anecdotes to share from this vacation season, Disney or in any other case? Parental knowledge or suggestions to share? Anything you’re considering studying about with regard to Megatron, infants within the parks, and so forth? Agree or disagree with our takes on Free Eating or the rest right here? Listening to your suggestions is at all times appreciated, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
