Soft booked my PTO and Shades of Green reservation for Nov 23-26 NOV and can't wait. Will most of the decorations be up the week of Thanksgiving? and do you think there will be a party during those nights? I think there will be but I haven't linked the reservation yet just in case. Can't wait to see Disney at Christmas- never knew I needed it before the videos and now I can't wait :D

For my next trip after this years I'm thinking of doing Universal as well- Nothing too crazy yet. BUT I am thinking of booking Shades of Green at Disney AND a room at the cheapest 'premier' hotel at Universal to get the express pass. what I am wondering is-do you have to physically check-in at the hotel to activate your express? Can I just 'check in' at like 6am and then go to the parks and return to my Disney hotel? The premier room price would be less than the express pass for me and my daughter for 2 days so it would be cheaper than just buying the express pass. Anyone tried anything this crazy/dumb before?