NC. January

[Mama of Triplets]

Here we go............

[dr28326]

I am here!

[west&east]

I'm from outside of Charlotte- going to Disney 1/22-1/26!

[jurgens824]

Hey ya'll! I'm from Knightdale (just outside of Raleigh). We are going Jan 4-10 and currently planning to stay in one of the suites in ASMusic.

[Mama of Triplets]

I am in Willow Springs, fingers crossed for Jan. 25th - 31st. Port Orleans/Riverside

[luvgus]

count me in --I'm Pam from Statesville. We will be there 16-24th. CBR

[Jaci]

Jaci....near McGee's Xroads
Jan 19 - 24 Poly

[Mama of Triplets]

Hey ya'll! I'm from Knightdale (just outside of Raleigh). We are going Jan 4-10 and currently planning to stay in one of the suites in ASMusic.

Did you ever stay there before? I was thinking about them, but not sure..
We have only been at Port Orleans and last year we got a deal with Saratoga Springs. We have 5 in the family so we do not have many choices and i can not afford deluxe I would LOVE it but can not swing it!

[dr28326]

I am from Spring Lake/Ft Bragg area. Looking at 1/17-24 at ASMu...and WAITING for a discount! :confused3

[justtobeme2]

I'm here, sorry I missed it will try to delete the other thread I started!!!

[jurgens824]

I've never stayed in the suites before. Stayed at ASMovies in 2000 and we were very pleased with it. Nothing too fancy, sorta along the lines of a Hampton Inn-type room. I've seen some pictures/floor plans of the suites and they look great. I'll try to find them again and post a link for you.

We are traveling with my DD and her friend. Both 15 y/o girls! We are getting the suite so we can have some privacy! LOL They can stay up to the wee hours and we can get our rest.

[jurgens824]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/asm-suite-review.html

http://www.mousesavers.com/allstarmusicsuites.html

Here are some pictures and a floor plan.

[justtobeme2]

I am from Spring Lake/Ft Bragg area. Looking at 1/17-24 at ASMu...and WAITING for a discount! :confused3
Hey, we are really close. I am leaving on my trip the day you return. We are flying out of Raleigh are you flying? I am a bit worried about the weather, you know how it can be in Jan/feb.
Yollie

[dr28326]

May I ask how much the suites are for 4? I called and they told me the suites are sold out for our dates but to keep checking. I am not sure if we could afford it but the extra room would be nice with 3 adults and a child.

[justtobeme2]

I've never stayed in the suites before. Stayed at ASMovies in 2000 and we were very pleased with it. Nothing too fancy, sorta along the lines of a Hampton Inn-type room. I've seen some pictures/floor plans of the suites and they look great. I'll try to find them again and post a link for you.

We are traveling with my DD and her friend. Both 15 y/o girls! We are getting the suite so we can have some privacy! LOL They can stay up to the wee hours and we can get our rest.
Are you sure you didn't want to get them rooms down the hall? :rotfl:

[dr28326]

Justtobe....no flying too expensive. Taking Amtrak!! Leaving the 16th and traveling overnight.

[justtobeme2]

Jaci....near McGee's Xroads
Jan 19 - 24 Poly
Jaci you are lucky to be staying at the Poly! I just can't justify the cost as we will hardly spend any time in the room. We aren't relaxers during vacations. Once in awhile a quick a nap but then you can't look at the room when you are asleep anyway..lol

[jurgens824]

I think the rate on the suites is like $185/night during January. I'm tossing around the idea of switching to two adjoining rooms if a code comes out that has room for $49/night (like the AP code offered). I can't decide if I want to give up the mini-kitchen feature.

[justtobeme2]

This is really bad. I have a brain scan this afternoon and I need to shower and all I want to do is sit here and wait for codes..:confused:

On a side note do you ever think the CMS at CRO tell you what you want to hear just to make you happy and get you off the phone...like they'll enthusiastically say "call back next week!"? I'm starting to get that feeling. It keeps you happy but gets us off their backs (and phone lines)..

[justtobeme2]

Justtobe....no flying too expensive. Taking Amtrak!! Leaving the 16th and traveling overnight.
Hmm didn't think of that..may I ask how much that cost? From where are you leaving? Our flights only cost us 175.00 each..which I didn't think was bad....oh and how long will take you? I've never travelled by train.

[sms]

Hey everybody:wave2: I'm made it over here to our new thread. I'm Sonya from Lumberton. We are staying at CBR Jan 21-27. We have never stayed here. Anyone stayed here before? How was it?

[dr28326]

Leave Southern Pines at about 10:30pm and supposedly...ha-ha..get into Orlando train station about 10:30 the next morning...although trains are usually late! It is costing us $350 for 3 adults and 1 child roundtrip! To me it is worth it not to have to drive 10+ hrs...I will sleep on the train and have breakfast and be ready to go when we get there. I believe there is a train out of Fayetteville also but I think it leaves at around 1am or something like that.

[Jaci]

Justtobe....no flying too expensive. Taking Amtrak!! Leaving the 16th and traveling overnight.

We are amtrakin' it too. leaving raleigh on 18th, leaving orlando 24th. did you get a "room" or whatever they are called? we didn't.

J

[Mama of Triplets]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/asm-suite-review.html

http://www.mousesavers.com/allstarmusicsuites.html

Here are some pictures and a floor plan.

Thank you!! I have seen these before, but I am nervous about staying somewhere that I have not at. and then thinking ummm I should have stuck with Port Orleans..
I wish I could just get ANY room, the kids will only JUST be turning 4 and the 3 of them can all sleep next to each other long ways on a bed and still have plenty of room! AGHGH!

[Mama of Triplets]

We are amtrakin' it too. leaving raleigh on 18th, leaving orlando 24th. did you get a "room" or whatever they are called? we didn't.

J

I always wanted to try the train. is it the the kind you can take your car too? LOL!!

[justtobeme2]

Leave Southern Pines at about 10:30pm and supposedly...ha-ha..get into Orlando train station about 10:30 the next morning...although trains are usually late! It is costing us $350 for 3 adults and 1 child roundtrip! To me it is worth it not to have to drive 10+ hrs...I will sleep on the train and have breakfast and be ready to go when we get there. I believe there is a train out of Fayetteville also but I think it leaves at around 1am or something like that.

That's not bad at all. I might try that some time but the bad thing is I won't sleep. I have a tendancy for insomnia along with back problems so I'll try it on a shorter trip.

yes there is a train station here. Have you don't the trip on amtrak before? I really don't mind driving but when you compare the cost of gas and food it's close so I'm like "what the heck". Do you rent a car when you get there?
(forcing myself off the computer and into the shower)

[Jaci]

Jaci you are lucky to be staying at the Poly! I just can't justify the cost as we will hardly spend any time in the room. We aren't relaxers during vacations. Once in awhile a quick a nap but then you can't look at the room when you are asleep anyway..lol

we wanted to be on the monorail to save "bus" time. Plus, with the hours being shorter, we'll spend a little more time in the room.

[dr28326]

no room...just a seat. We have taken the auto train years ago to WDW but that cost alot more. This time staying on property so figured won't need the car.

[Jaci]

I always wanted to try the train. is it the the kind you can take your car too? LOL!!

we aren't doing the auto train....that leaves from somewhere in n va. we're going from raleigh to orlando, 2 adults 2 children AAA rates $253 total roundtrip.

J

[dr28326]

The auto train leaves out of VA. Just regular Amtrak out of NC.

[justtobeme2]

no room...just a seat. We have taken the auto train years ago to WDW but that cost alot more. This time staying on property so figured won't need the car.
How are you getting from train station to WDW?

[justtobeme2]

we aren't doing the auto train....that leaves from somewhere in n va. we're going from raleigh to orlando, 2 adults 2 children AAA rates $253 total roundtrip.

J

Wow that's a great rate

[Jaci]

How are you getting from train station to WDW?

probably a taxi, but i checked the car services too.

[Jaci]

Wow that's a great rate

I think the kids are half price.

[dr28326]

We are using Mears Transportation from the train station to the hotel....$89RT

[justtobeme2]

probably a taxi, but i checked the car services too.I just called my niece about this. They were/are considering coming down to join us for a few days. She is going to check further. I did a cursory check and yep it will be about 50.00 one way..I wish I had thought of that. I'd take some meds to knock me out and be on my happy way...next time.

[Jaci]

1/17-24 at ASMu

will you be on the train back with us? leaving orlando on 24th but returning to nc on 25th? will it be the same train if we are going to raleigh?

J

[justtobeme2]

We are using Mears Transportation from the train station to the hotel....$89RT
LOl that's almost the price of the train ticket from here (Raleigh) RT.

212.00 for 2 adults (from Fay)
89.00 Mears
___________
301.00


$350.00 for airfare for 2 adults...but still there might be a cheaper way to get to hotel from train station.

[dr28326]

Jaci- yes we are also leaving the 24th returning the 25th to Southern Pines. I believe the train is #92 on the return trip.

[robinbutterfly]

ok so who is going the week of Jan 11th?
I really want to stay at Contemporary but they are sold out! :-(

[Jaci]

Jaci- yes we are also leaving the 24th returning the 25th to Southern Pines. I believe the train is #92 on the return trip.

I think that will be ours too! :cool1: Wonder if it would be cheaper to share a van back to the station? We'll have four...me, DH, DD9 and DD6.

Have you decided where you are staying?

Hey, OP, can you add everyone's name, resort and dates to your OP?

Jaci

[postesf]

HI! I'm Stacie from Selma, NC... We are going Jan 6-11 for Marathon weekend. DH and I are doing the Half Marathon on Saturday.

I was just able to apply the AP code to ressies. 3 nights at CSR and 2 nights at Poly! Yay. I saved $340!!!

We are flying. Now I'm just waiting on some DINGS from South West Airlines. The reg price is coming up around $200-220 per person, but I know they will eventually have a Ding and I can save some $$$. Cross your fingers for me!

[dr28326]

Jaci- We are staying at the ASMu.

[dr28326]

If I could find airfare for 4 of us at about 150pp r/t I would cancel my train res and FLY! Hard to beat $98 a person r/t for Amtrak though...but it is a L...O...N...G... ride :scared:

[robinbutterfly]

I was just thinking.... if the weather is bad here in NC and planes are cancelled and we can't get to WDW, will they refund the money?
I am starting to worry about going in January.

[postesf]

If I could find airfare for 4 of us at about 150pp r/t I would cancel my train res and FLY! Hard to beat $98 a person r/t for Amtrak though...but it is a L...O...N...G... ride :scared:

Could be possible w/ the SW. Keep an eye out. Dowload the DING software if you haven't. Also, there is a DING watch out for Orlando flights as well (on the transportation board I think.). Sometimes they have them as low as $49 each way up to $89 or $99 each way. Good luck!

[dr28326]

I will sign up for that...Thanks! How soon ahead do these rates usually come out though? I can't wait till the last minute to cancel the train or I won't get a refund.

[roryc]

For those of you who have flexible schedules, Allegiant Air (www.allegiantair.com) flies from Greensboro and Wilmington only on Fridays and Mondays nonstop into SFB (Sanford...about 30 miles north of MCO)...but they can be silly cheap and the planes are huge...100+ passengers. I have flown Allegiant 5 times...three times when it flew directly out of Fayetteville, once when it flew directly out of Kinston and once directly out of Greensboro.

So, if you're going for any of the following combinations- Friday to Monday, or Monday to Monday, Friday to Friday or Monday to Friday, Allegiant might work for you.

Right now, in January, one way airfare out of GSO is $69 each way. Wilmington is $59 each way.

BUT, the prices can be seriously low...right now, you could fly in November out of Wilmington for $29/each way.

I've never paid more than $59/each way...and I've seen prices as low as $19/each way. I've found prices tend to be lower when searching online on the weekends (I mean you're looking at prices and wanting to buy on a Sat/Sun...you'll pay less for the same dates than if you book on Monday). That's not a fact, but that is what I have found.

My family of 4 flew in February and total airfare was just under $300.

Allegiant charges for extra bags and such, but it can seriously be a HUGE savings if the days of service work for your schedule.

We just rent a car from Alamo and tend to pay $25-$30/day...we generally go for 3-4 day trips so car rental isn't a crazy cost. It's cheaper than a shuttle and we have the car to take to Sea World or the Grocery store or whatever.

I'm wanting to plan a trip Jan 23-26...but my DH is saying "NO" right now; I'll break him though!

[dr28326]

I checked this out already and really good prices but...hubby and son has to work Friday and Monday so we can only travel sat or sun.....DARN!

[postesf]

I will sign up for that...Thanks! How soon ahead do these rates usually come out though? I can't wait till the last minute to cancel the train or I won't get a refund.

Seems right now the Dings are coming out for travel dates through Dec 20. I'm expecting (hoping) that within the next few weeks they will start having them out for dates.

The good thing w/ SW is that if you book at reg price, then can get a ding, you can cancel, and then apply your cancellation code to your new ressie. You need to have two windows open for this so can work on this simultaniously. Then, whatever credit you have left, you can use for for 12 months from your original booking date.

We've done this before since we had future trips planned. If you don't travel much, I wouldn't take the chance though... Just wait for the Ding and see what happens.

Good luck!

[Jaci]

Could be possible w/ the SW. Keep an eye out. Dowload the DING software if you haven't. Also, there is a DING watch out for Orlando flights as well (on the transportation board I think.). Sometimes they have them as low as $49 each way up to $89 or $99 each way. Good luck!

In 2004, two days after a week long vacation to the Bahamas, I got $35 one way on Southwest. I grabbed those suckers and went from there. :rotfl2: First time I planned a vacation based on airfare.

J

[postesf]

In 2004, two days after a week long vacation to the Bahamas, I got $35 one way on Southwest. I grabbed those suckers and went from there. :rotfl2: First time I planned a vacation based on airfare.

J

WOW! Can't beat that. How much you wanna bet we won't ever see $35 one way again! :goodvibes

[Jaci]

WOW! Can't beat that. How much you wanna bet we won't ever see $35 one way again! :goodvibes

I'd have planned a lot more trips....I was happy to find the train so in expensive. With four of us needing seats, it is definately cheaper to drive. DH doesn't like to drive it all in one day (or overnight), so that adds a motel and meals. I like that the train will cost about the same as gas, but no motel.

Can't wait!

[Mama of Triplets]

If I could find airfare for 4 of us at about 150pp r/t I would cancel my train res and FLY! Hard to beat $98 a person r/t for Amtrak though...but it is a L...O...N...G... ride :scared:


How long of a train ride is it?
I am in Willow Springs about 20 mins from Raleigh, and it takes us 9 hours with stopping to drive. I was just wondering the difference in time.

[dr28326]

It says 12 hrs by train but trains do tend to have delays also. But I am too old for those 10 hr drives anymore. I will take the 12 hrs in a train overnight so everyone can sleep and be refreshed for morning after breakfast on the train.

[Jaci]

tell me about breakfast on the train....

[dr28326]

There is a snack car and a dining car...you can go in and have breakfast. I do not think it is included...don't remember.

[Jaci]

There is a snack car and a dining car...you can go in and have breakfast. I do not think it is included...don't remember.

I'll have to look into that. I just figured I'd bring pop tarts, drinks, etc... But a change and short walk might be good come morning. Does it get crowded in the dining car?

J

[justtobeme2]

If I could find airfare for 4 of us at about 150pp r/t I would cancel my train res and FLY! Hard to beat $98 a person r/t for Amtrak though...but it is a L...O...N...G... ride :scared:
We got our ressies awhile back on some special then the fares went up and maybe they'll come down again! I keep looking at them even though we can't cancel...lol..I'm not sure why...glutton for punishment I guess. Btw we are flying out of RDU because my SO lives there so that did save us I'm sure.

[justtobeme2]

Robin, I worry a little bit about the weather and flying also but I figured what are the chances? Keeping my fingers crossed. The way I see it is if the weather is that bad I couldn't drive it anyway.

Wow those are some low fares on allegiant..I'm going to keep an eye on them.

Boy there sure is alot of us NC Disney fans!

[justtobeme2]

We got our ressies awhile back on some special then the fares went up and maybe they'll come down again! I keep looking at them even though we can't cancel...lol..I'm not sure why...glutton for punishment I guess. Btw we are flying out of RDU because my SO lives there so that did save us I'm sure.

I told my niece about amtrak today and she is considering coming down to join us because of that information. They usually drive but this would be much better. AS PP said it's not much saving on gas but saving on driving which can be sooo tiring. We tend to be a family that drives straight through without stopping. When I was young my dad used to drive the whole way without stopping. We'd actually set off as it was getting dark and he'd drive all night with the rest of sleeping.

[kairainme]

LOL! I never really say Willow Springs because noone knows it! LOL.
I have only been here for a little over 3 years. (from NJ)
When was the last time you were here? Geez since I have beem here soo much has changed!!! You should see Main St.!


My family owns the coffee shop on main street. I go back every few months, my entire family still lives there.

When I went to work this morning you guys were still talking about making an NC thread, I get home and its 5 pages! I am so slow compared!!:rotfl: :rotfl:

[Mama of Triplets]

Owwww , what coffee place? Me LOVE some coffee!! LOL. They just opened a stabucks (don't really like)

[Jaci]

It sure is a cold morning here in NC... :goodvibes

[Jaci]

Hey...look at my new avatar...those are my girls on the first day of school this year. I was testing with my last post and it worked!!! :cool1:

[kairainme]

If you go down to cooleys on main, right across the street is Shoppes on Main, thats their building, they are in there. Its yummy. Starbucks has a bitter taste compared. Stop in there sometime, my aunt runs it shes super sweet.

[justtobeme2]

Well NC seems to be cold today! I wouldn't mind a bit if they'd release SOMETHING!!! How was everyone's trick or treat?

[SGB13]

Count me in with you NC Jan trips. We are from New Bern and are flying down from there. Got good rates back at the beginning of July. Now I need a good rate on my room! :goodvibes

[sms]

Hope everyones Halloween was good. we went trunk or treating last night at church. Got tons of candy. I'm sure my 5 year old will be bouncing off the walls.:hyper: We are on our way to the beach for my mom's b-day. :beach: :bday: Hope everyone has a great weekend. Hopefully we will have a BIG SURPRISE Monday morning!!!!pixiedust:

[dr28326]

Signing on to this board too......Monday AM....still waiting for the CODE!!!

[justtobeme2]

Tues morning and STILL waiting. I really am a little bit frustrated only because Cananda folks got discounts and UK people too. I feel slighted...lol...I can only hope they are saving the best for last.

[robinbutterfly]

Anybody going January 11th from Wake County?? Might see you at RDU!

[Disneyfan71]

My wife and I are going Jan. 16-24th..staying (hopefully) at Pop Century but with this promo going on the rooms are filling fast...We've got a few weeks till she gets paid so we can pay the deposit to hold our room.

We're in Raleigh, flying out of RDU on the morning of the 16th..if I can get tickets--probably Southwest since it's a direct flight!!!!

[robinbutterfly]

My wife and I are going Jan. 16-24th..staying (hopefully) at Pop Century but with this promo going on the rooms are filling fast...We've got a few weeks till she gets paid so we can pay the deposit to hold our room.

We're in Raleigh, flying out of RDU on the morning of the 16th..if I can get tickets--probably Southwest since it's a direct flight!!!!

We will be coming home on the 16th through RDU airport. We did Southwest. Nothing beats a direct flight.

[JAA'smom]

HI all :wave2: We live in NC to in the Mountains. My husband and I are going Jan 23-28 staying at the POFQ. Our birthdays are the 24 and 26 so we are celebrating. We are planning on driving right now, but checking for a cheap flight.

[Sunik35]

Hi,
Wake Forest NC...

We are going Jan 4-10. It will be our kids first time (4) and (2). I went last May for the first time for my 35th birthday and had a great time.
(grew up in Colorado and my sister lived in CA so we always did Disneyland)
Can't wait to take the kids. We stayed at CBR in May and have decided to do POP for the kids this trip...

:cheer2:

[postesf]

Southwest have some January prices drop today--at least for my dates. You may want to check them out.

I only booked our flight from RDU to MCO as it was $69. The flight home was still more than I wanted to pay...

SuniK35--You will like POP. We've stayed there twice. We are staying at CSR in January, but then I'm going back in March w/ my SIL for the Princess Half Marathon Weekend and staying at CBR...

Depending on when you leve on the 10th, you may want to give yourself a little extra time if it's in the morning. That's when the Half Marathon is...

[vs1023]

We're going to Disney Jan 20-27th and are flying Southwest as well. I wonder do they do price adjustments if it came down? I'm pretty sure we paid more than $69 each.

[swald91]

We're going January 26-Feb 1 to WL. Our 1st stay there really hoping we will like it there. (We're huge Poly fans-thought we'd save a bit & wanted to try WL with our party of 4-usually 5) Convince me we made the right choice....

[swald91]

OK I just noticed it said NC...was this supposed to be for just NC people? Sorry!

[vs1023]

I was just thinking.... if the weather is bad here in NC and planes are cancelled and we can't get to WDW, will they refund the money?
I am starting to worry about going in January.

I don't think weather will be an issue. Not much snow down here. I remember last winter we barely got flurries.

[ScoobySMC]

Rocky Mount NC here popcorn:: Were planning on going March 28th - April 4th

[robinbutterfly]

Anybody staying at Wilderness Lodge???

[vs1023]

Anybody staying at Wilderness Lodge???

We are! Looking forward to it. I've never stayed on site. Last time we were at Disney was June 2000 and prior to that was 1995 maybe? I can't remember. Both were off site.

[WDW Freak]

We're here in Mebane (btw Greensboro and Durham). We'll be at OKW Jan 23-30. We fly out of RDU on Southwest. This will be our third January visit in a row and (knock on wood) we've never had any weather problems. It has been quite cold in the World on occassion, but that's it.

Only 7 more weeks! Yeah!

[Jaci]

My dates changed when they came out with the 4 get 3 deal. We are now Jan 17-24. Still Poly and still taking the train down.

J