Is Planning For The Holidays Like Planning A Disney Vacation?

We are slowly heading into that time of year when the “to do” lists get long and the days get short. Part of it is planning for the upcoming holidays.  A question on the message boards about whether or not holiday shopping had begun along with my own observations got me wondering if planning for the holidays is like planning for a Disney trip.

As a planner, I can appreciate how much preparation is involved with a Disney trip.  It seems as if the same preparation can be helpful in navigating the holidays. . .

Food:   For us, dining is central to planning a trip to the most magical place on earth.  We decide which park on which day based on dining.  Menu planning is most definitely on the list when planning for the holidays as well.

Shopping:  Purchasing necessities prior to a Disney trip is a must do.  But shopping, I am afraid, may take on a larger role when planning for the holidays.  And, just as I spread out any necessary Disney shopping as not to demolish the household budget, I too spread out holiday shopping over several months taking advantage of great deals.

Logistics:  For a Disney trip, this means transportation and people and their belongings will get from one location to another.  We rely solely on Disney’s fleet of buses, boats, trains, and monorails.  Efficient park touring requires logistical planning for use of Fastpass, show times, etc.  During the holidays, logistics may mean who is traveling, when, and how are the schedules coordinated.

Expectations:  If you have seen the shows on the travel channel about Walt Disney World, you have heard them say that people’s expectations are never so great as when they go to Disney.  And, Disney delivers with theming, service, show, and an immersive experience.  Yet, keeping expectations realistic about time, how much energy your family has, etc. is important when on a Disney vacation.  We have yet to see and do it all, even after numerous trips.  Same goes for the holidays.  The quest for the Norman Rockwell painting or a Martha Stewart table, may lead to disappointment.  Set realistic expectations for both the holidays and a Disney vacation.

Enjoy the moment. . . the magic:  We have seen it; the person on their laptop in the middle of the Magic Kingdom so engrossed in something else that they are unable to enjoy the experience that is Disney.  Enjoying the moments and making memories is what Disney is all about.  Same is true for the holidays.  If stuck with a “to do” list longer than Santa’s nice list or behind a mountain of dishes, it can be difficult to enjoy the moments the holidays bring. 

Family Time:  This, is by far the most important aspect of a Disney vacation, well, any family vacation for that matter.  And, isn’t family time the priority of all the holiday planning?

There are other similarities such as budgets, photography, even traditions that overlap both Disney vacation planning and holiday planning.  And, one way we bring Disney and the holidays together is by collecting a Christmas tree ornament from each trip.

A difference is that I don’t have to plan for pet sitting or snow removal during the holidays. . . unless we are traveling!  And, I don’t have to cook or do dishes while at Disney!

So, planning for the holidays can be tackled just like planning a trip to Disney.  I plan a Disney trip with a list.  Holidays are the same; simple.  One holiday tree simply decorated gives us the same feeling as a house full of holly.  A basic menu served buffet style gives everyone plenty to eat and allows me to enjoy our friends and family.  There is no stressing over a holiday list just as there is no stressing over a Disney list as I am only biting off as much as I can chew and even a bit less.  My family appreciates a less stressed me and I appreciate the holiday season much more.

Tickets To Ride. . .To The North Pole!

On Saturday, we headed to Mount Pleasant and the ground of the Old Thresher's Reunion for our annual trip to the North Pole via the North Pole Express!  Our tickets were purchased mid-October via mail in registration for the first train of the day.

When I picked up the tickets at the ticket booth, the outside of the envelop said "Poinsettia" and I figured we were again riding on one of the coaches.  It wasn't until I looked inside the envelope and saw that our tickets were for the Poinsettia Caboose!  We were excited!

A list of offerings at the North Pole along with a map were provided in our envelop as well.

The husband asked if all the trains were sold out and was told "yes."  The trains were running the Saturday we were there and for the next two week-ends. . . the first two week-ends in December. 

We had a few minutes before the the train pulled into the station.  Guests were either too excited or too cold to sit and wait for the train.

You can see the train coming round the path behind the boy.  It was the number 6 Shay!  Nothing can stop the Shay!

Here is a video of the train coming:

Soon we were climbing into the Poinsettia Caboose.  Here is the video:

The husband and the boy decided to sit in the top of the caboose for the trip to the North Pole.

Here is video inside the caboose:

During the ride to the North Pole, a portion of the audio of book The Polar Express, is played throughout the train.  The story ends and the music swells as the train pulls into the North Pole and guests are greeted by a winter wonderland!

Our first stop is Santa's Caboose at the North Pole!

We saw the Snow Princess while waiting in a short line to see Santa.

Santa has a pocket watch with a train!  The boy told Santa what was on his wish list. . . video games for his Nintendo 3DS XL.  Santa took note!

Here is video inside Santa's Caboose:

The husband and the boy were thrilled after seeing Santa and stopped for this photo on the way out of the caboose.  Can you see the bell in the boy's hand?  Each guest seeing Santa receives a bell.  The bell rings for all who truly believe!

Hot chocolate and cookies were next on the list and are included as a part of the ticket.  I believe this photo was taken during seconds!

We visited the Red Caboose Gift Shop next, but not before I snapped a photo of the sign on the door.

Oh, so many things to look at and all train themed.  We can home with an ornament for the Christmas tree to commemorate the event and a small battery operated train set.

One of our traditions at the North Pole is take a photo of the boy with the conductors.  Here are as many conductors as we could gather at the North Pole for this photo.  Each coach or caboose has a conductor for the trip to and from the North Pole.  We appreciate these folks volunteering!

Electric trains were set up for children to take turns running and the boy spent quite a bit of time in this spot while we were at the North Pole.  He got a certificate to bring home, too.

A commemorative photo is taken of every group while at the North Pole and is included as a part of your ticket.  Just remember to pick-up the photo before loading the train back to Mount Pleasant.

Soon it was time to board the train.  In total, we spent about an hour and a half at the North Pole.  Just enough time.  The boy grabbed more cookies and another cup of hot chocolate to take with him on the train for the return ride.

Here we are back at Mount Pleasant after deboarding the train.

We went to get a closer look at the engine. . . the number 6 Shay.

I couldn't resist taking a photo of the manufacturer's stamp on the train.  It was made by Burnham and WILLIAMS Company!

A lovely family from Muscatine, that was with us in the Poinsettia Caboose, offered to take the picture above for us.  How kind!  It was their first time at the North Pole Express.

The boy made it inside the the engine thanks to a familiar face.  The gentlemen in the picture below has been a conductor for a number of years we have been going to the North Pole Express and is now a "fireman" on the train.  It was great to see him!

We have bells from Santa at the North Pole Express dating back to 2006. . . that hang on our Christmas tree.  Each year, the bell is a bit different in size or color, or colored ribbon attached to the bell.

Riding the North Pole Express to the North Pole has become a family holiday tradition.  This year, the boy pointed out that the North Pole was a shed decorated to look like the North Pole, but he had no hesitation visiting with Santa.  The lure of trains may be part of what keeps him coming back and he enjoyed interacting with the other children.  I'm wondering how long this family tradition can continue but am hopeful for at least one more year.

If you would like to a ticket to ride to the North Pole via the North Pole Express, click here for more details.    Mail-in registrations typically begin mid-October and phone sales begin Nov. 1.  Tickets are usually sold out with a day or two of phone sales opening, so plan accordingly.  This is not an event that you can stop by and get a ticket so planning ahead is a must.

Hiking Holiday Nights and Lights

Holiday Nights and Lights is a lighted display in a local park sponsored by our community’s chamber of commerce and is typically a “drive through” display.  But once a year on the evening before the display is open for car traffic, people can hike the lights with proceeds going towards developing our local trail system.

Hiking the lights has become a holiday tradition for our family and was part of our holiday kick-off week-end featuring Festival of Trees the next day—click here to read more, and Santa Paws the following day—click here to read more.  It was a trilogy of holiday delights all in one week-end and each one a fundraiser for a local organization.  Win, win!

Each year, the light displays get moved around a bit to new locations.  One of our favorite displays is the Frog Tree.  Check out of the video below to hear the frogs’ song:

The lighted tunnel is another favorite.  Check out the video below:

In my opinion, the only thing the lighted tunnel needs is some music to go along with those dancing lights.  Ah, but that would make it like the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

We’ve hiked the lights in a variety of weather conditions, some even requiring boots and snowpants, but this year, the temperatures were unseasonably warm and the crowd for the hike responded accordingly;  higher the temperature the higher the crowd. 

What are your holiday traditions?

Santa Paws 2012

Our winter holiday kick-off week-end also included Santa Paws, a fundraiser for our local humane society.

Each year our local Earl May provides a beautiful backdrop for photos along with a volunteer photographer, Santa, and donation of photo processing with all proceeds going to the local animal shelter. 

The volunteers running the event dote on each animal and provide a treat after the photo is taken—even the humans get a candy cane from Santa.  Many of the volunteers remember our dog, Phoebe, from previous Santa Paws events and her stay at the humane society, as we adopted her from the shelter.

Santa was in the holiday spirit and gave his hat to the boy to wear for the photo and had our 45 pound (not a lap dog) on his lap.  This was the second Santa sighting for the week-end and the same wish list was announced by the boy—games for his Nintendo 3DS XL.  Santa took note and is way ahead!

The photos are available for pick-up on Wednesday following the Sunday afternoon event at a local photo shop.

We also took some time to browse the beautiful displays at the garden center and see other animals.  It was a great afternoon and a great event.

Festival of the Trees 2012

Our local Habitat for Humanity hosted Festival of Trees, an annual fundraiser at an independent living facility in our community.  It is one of our favorite seasonal events and part of our week-end to kickoff the holiday season.

Many creative people decorate themed trees to be sold with proceeds going to Habitat of Humanity.  There is also a Village Store featuring crafts and homemade goodies to purchase and take home. 

We enjoy looking at the many themed trees.  This year’s favorite was Angry Birds.  There were two Angry Birds themed trees with hand painted ornaments and both were sold by the time we arrived Saturday morning.  I have a feeling the boy would have used his allowance and birthday money to buy one if they hadn’t been sold.

In addition to the beautifully decorated Christmas trees, children’s activities are planned featuring our local celebrity clown Dizzy offering face painting, holiday cookie decorating, crafts, story time with a bag of goodies to take home, and of course, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Grandma Carol is a resident of the independent living facility that provides a home for the event, so she was happy to join us for the fun.

We also bumped into some friends and took a moment to say hello and snap this photo.

Festival of Trees emulates the spirit of the season with beauty, light, and giving to those in need.  We were happy to take part in the event.