Champagne, Carols and Christmas Trees - A Sparks Disney/Signia Christmas Dec 2024

[Sparksy72]

Hello 😊 I’m Michelle, holiday lover, Disney fan and hotel Booker. My DH is Adam, holiday lover, bourbon enthusiast and flight booker.

We have a 17 year old son Cooper and a 5 year old cockapoo Milo. They will both be staying at home with my parents for this trip, Cooper is pleased about this but I’m sure Milo would love a Disney trip. 😆

This is our 10 year Disney Anniversary and we have been fortunate enough to have visited 10 times with 4 Christmas trips, which is my favourite time of year! 🎄 We had not planned to visit this Christmas but as I have a birthday with a ‘0’ in it coming up in January we decided to make this trip a Christmas Birthday Celebration. 🎉🥂🍾

We are doing a mix of old favourites and some new to us spots as well on this trip. We do love to visit other places other than the parks and there is so much to see and do in the Orlando area, especially at Christmas.

We are flying Aer Lingus (new to us) using a leftover voucher from a few years ago. The voucher covered economy flights and an extra bag each as well as seat selection. So honestly it was basically free. 😉 #girlmath. It will be interesting to see what they are like as we are regular Virgin flight users. Flight is from MAN to MCO direct which is great and it is a mid morning flight too so we should be in Orlando for early afternoon.

We will be staying at the Radisson Blu Manchester the night before but have not bothered with the Executive Lounge this time as it’s only Adam and myself.

We will however be taking advantage of their extensive buffet breakfast in the morning with complimentary mimosas!

Adam organised access to the 1903 Lounge, it usually nice and calm in here before the flight (probably jinxed myself now !).

Car hire is from Andy at DFCH, he is so professional, swift to reply competitively priced. I’m sure it will be enormous, if any of our previous trips are to go by. 😆

Our first 5 night will be at the Signia Hilton Bonnett Creek which I am very excited about! We have stayed at The Waldorf Hotel several times which is adjoining via an indoor walkway. This was a fantastic price and also a new Hotel for us to try, without being too far from Peacock Alley Bar for Adam. 😉

The next 5 nights will be at an old favourite Pop Century Resort. This was the first Disney Hotel we stayed at 10 years ago and with the addition of the skyliner it is a perfect spot for us.

We have 14 day tickets and we will probably have 7 Disney days. The Signia is a Disney Partner Hotel and has great transportation to the parks, so we will take advantage of that whilst we are there. We used the buses from the Waldorf this summer (they are shared between the two Hotels) and they were very fancy!

I am so looking forward to The Festival of the Holidays, we have had some fantastic cocktails- the frozen hot chocolate martini and lots of tasty treats. So I will be keeping my eyes peeled for this years menu.

I also can’t wait to visit the Deluxe Hotels to see the Christmas Tress and Christmas Decor. It is so magical and impressive!

Something we haven’t done before is the Candlelight Processional. I believe the dining reservations are released next week, so I will be keeping my eye out! The nights with Neil Patrick Harris are the ones I’m hoping to book.

Food and Fizz - we love to try new (to us) restaurants on and off-site and Orlando seems to be undergoing a food boom at the moment. I have a rough plan of spots that we want to visit but I’m trying to be a bit more relaxed and go with the flow! Let’s see how that goes. 😉 There will definitely be a visit to Denny’s as it is a Family first day tradition, so you will see pancakes and bacon for sure.

We also love picking up fun snacks from Trader Joe’s, Publix, Target and Walmart. If you have anything you love and think we should buy, please let me know. I love buying spices and rubs for chicken and meats as well as sweet treats.

Another definite stop will be Cheesecake Factory for the Key Lime Cheesecake! We had it for the first time this summer and it was life changing.

We will be absolutely spoiled for choice food wise and we are so looking forward to this unexpected trip. Thanks so much for following along and Happy Saturday! 😊💕 xxxxx

[angelbabe]

Fabulous Michelle, can't wait for your trip report 🎅🎄😃 xx

[Lizzim]

Oh Michelle you will love NPH if you see him at the Processional

We saw him back a few years ago and he was amazing!

Your trip sounds like it will be fantastic too 😁

[ClaireNJ]

Originally Posted by Sparksy72

Hello 😊 I’m Michelle, holiday lover, Disney fan and hotel Booker. My DH is Adam, holiday lover, bourbon enthusiast and flight booker.

We have a 17 year old son Cooper and a 5 year old cockapoo Milo. They will both be staying at home with my parents for this trip, Cooper is pleased about this but I’m sure Milo would love a Disney trip. 😆

This is our 10 year Disney Anniversary and we have been fortunate enough to have visited 10 times with 4 Christmas trips, which is my favourite time of year! 🎄 We had not planned to visit this Christmas but as I have a birthday with a ‘0’ in it coming up in January we decided to make this trip a Christmas Birthday Celebration. 🎉🥂🍾

We are doing a mix of old favourites and some new to us spots as well on this trip. We do love to visit other places other than the parks and there is so much to see and do in the Orlando area, especially at Christmas.

We are flying Aer Lingus (new to us) using a leftover voucher from a few years ago. The voucher covered economy flights and an extra bag each as well as seat selection. So honestly it was basically free. 😉 #girlmath. It will be interesting to see what they are like as we are regular Virgin flight users. Flight is from MAN to MCO direct which is great and it is a mid morning flight too so we should be in Orlando for early afternoon.

We will be staying at the Radisson Blu Manchester the night before but have not bothered with the Executive Lounge this time as it’s only Adam and myself.

We will however be taking advantage of their extensive buffet breakfast in the morning with complimentary mimosas!

Adam organised access to the 1903 Lounge, it usually nice and calm in here before the flight (probably jinxed myself now !).

Car hire is from Andy at DFCH, he is so professional, swift to reply competitively priced. I’m sure it will be enormous, if any of our previous trips are to go by. 😆

Our first 5 night will be at the Signia Hilton Bonnett Creek which I am very excited about! We have stayed at The Waldorf Hotel several times which is adjoining via an indoor walkway. This was a fantastic price and also a new Hotel for us to try, without being too far from Peacock Alley Bar for Adam. 😉

The next 5 nights will be at an old favourite Pop Century Resort. This was the first Disney Hotel we stayed at 10 years ago and with the addition of the skyliner it is a perfect spot for us.

We have 14 day tickets and we will probably have 7 Disney days. The Signia is a Disney Partner Hotel and has great transportation to the parks, so we will take advantage of that whilst we are there. We used the buses from the Waldorf this summer (they are shared between the two Hotels) and they were very fancy!

I am so looking forward to The Festival of the Holidays, we have had some fantastic cocktails- the frozen hot chocolate martini and lots of tasty treats. So I will be keeping my eyes peeled for this years menu.

I also can’t wait to visit the Deluxe Hotels to see the Christmas Tress and Christmas Decor. It is so magical and impressive!

Something we haven’t done before is the Candlelight Processional. I believe the dining reservations are released next week, so I will be keeping my eye out! The nights with Neil Patrick Harris are the ones I’m hoping to book.

Food and Fizz - we love to try new (to us) restaurants on and off-site and Orlando seems to be undergoing a food boom at the moment. I have a rough plan of spots that we want to visit but I’m trying to be a bit more relaxed and go with the flow! Let’s see how that goes. 😉 There will definitely be a visit to Denny’s as it is a Family first day tradition, so you will see pancakes and bacon for sure.

We also love picking up fun snacks from Trader Joe’s, Publix, Target and Walmart. If you have anything you love and think we should buy, please let me know. I love buying spices and rubs for chicken and meats as well as sweet treats.

Another definite stop will be Cheesecake Factory for the Key Lime Cheesecake! We had it for the first time this summer and it was life changing.

We will be absolutely spoiled for choice food wise and we are so looking forward to this unexpected trip. Thanks so much for following along and Happy Saturday! 😊💕 xxxxx

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Well you had me hooked at Denny’s & Cheesecake Factory of course
Looks like another fabulous trip & I can’t wait to see all the food & everything all Christmassy 🎅🏻🤶🎄
X

[Buggles94]

Yay Michelle - have been waiting for this! Fingers crossed for us both being able to see the amazing Neil Patrick Harris - loved him in "How I Met Your Mother" Definitely following along xx

[Magicsky]

Yay! Looking forward to reading this. Absolutely fabulous trip that you have planned.
Really enjoy your reports. Thank you for sharing. X

[Pep]

Will be following along Michelle. Christmas is just our favourite time and you will love the candlelight processional it's so magical ✨️

[Disney Planning]

A birthday trip, “o”’you must be 21!
Looking forward to this 😍

[orlandoamber]

How fabulous! 😍 I am jealous of you going to the Disney parks at Christmas - you’re right, they’re totally magical. 🤩

I look forward to testing out the Signia for you shortly. 😁 Xxx

[berniegroves]

Sounds like an exciting trip. You arrive ten days after us.