Crazy planners join in! The Unofficial January 2012 Thread!

[laurainsem]

So I know, it is REALLY early to begin planning and bonding. But really, if we have to wait till 2012, why not dream a bit!

Anyone else out there like me daydreaming/nightdreaming about beautiful empty parks in 1 year 8 months (not that i'm counting or anything)?????? Please tell me i'm not alone and need to consider DIS rehab?!

If your a January 2012er, join me in chatting about the wonderful month of January. The cool weather, semi-empty parks, lack of hurricane worries, awesome codes... Aahhhh, January how I love you!

[Yummy]

Wow! And I thought I was a little nuts because I'm not-so-secretly planning for a May 2011 trip! :rotfl: Actually, I was secretly planning for a free-dining September 2010 trip behind my sweetie's back, but then we decided to do some home renovations, so my scheme went down the drain :sad2: So now instead, I'm trying not to be too sad, and putting all my eggs in the May 2011 basket!

Enjoy the next 20 months, and try not to make everyone around you crazy!(as I've been doing since our last trip in December 2009)! :banana:

[laurainsem]

LOL! Yup, i'm in total withdrawal. I want to go back sooooooooooooo bad and know I need to be a good girl and wait a while. If I spend money on a trip any earlier, I won't be able to afford to go see my new baby niece! Thanks for the support. I'm doing my best not to make people nuts, but it may be too late. They already think i've gone mentally insane with my love of all things Disney!

[PrincessMama22]

That's okay. I've just started talking to my husband about planning for November of 2011. That will be our daughters 2nd birthday and she shares her birthday with Mickey Mouse. I can't wait!!!! The dreaming before going is so much fun and makes everything all that much better!!!

[leshunlenese]

I have a trip planned this october but its a short trip and ive already decided to go back jan 2012 as a graduation celebration. i get my college degree dec2011!!hopefully!!

[CrystalCastle]

I'm planning on going for the marathon for as many years as I can. So Jan 2011 and Jan 2012 planning for me!!!!!!!!

[mom2t]

Going the last week in Jan. to SS if we get a pin for 40% for a 2 bedroom.

[letthewookiewin]

We are planning to go to WDW in January 2012. I am thinking that we will arrive on the 6th and hopefully stay for 7 nights. While there my youngest son and I will both have a birthday. We are not telling the boys b/c we have had several trips that had to be canceled. I know where I would like to stay. However, where I would like to stay may not end up being where we stay. :lmao: It will just depend on how our finances go between now and then. :lmao: My DH wants to be on the DlxDDP, b/c he doesn't want to do any CS.

I have told my bil and his family they were welcome to come with us on the trip. If they go, it will be my nephew's first trip. I have a feeling, if they go, my in laws will want to go as well. Then our trip will turn into a Grand Gathering.

The only good thing about having to wait that long is all the planning that can be done. Since I don't know for sure how long we're going to stay, or which DDP we will be on, I will make several ADR plans.

Also, I have to redo my spending money spreadsheet. We have a big piggy bank that I use to save spending money in. It's painted green with pink Mickey heads all over it.

[girlsx2]

Oh, I'm sure I'll start planning a trip for 2012....don't know exactly when.. I took the girls last March during spring break and was going to hold off a year or so, but I couldn't stand it and booked a trip for this Nov for just a few days. But any days at Disney is better than none for me!!

[letthewookiewin]

I agree girlsx2. A couple of days at WDW is better than no days at WDW.


I just wonder if it will be cold enough in January to need scarves. I just learned to knit this year, and I've been knitting several for our trip. That way I don't have to wear the same one every day. I already have one for my youngest, and I'll make one for my oldest if he wants one. So far for me, I have a blue-ish grey one, and I'm working on an avocado green one. I want to get at least a pink one and maybe a stripped one made before we go. Then I want to knit matching hats for each scarf.

[mommy2_3]

im planning our trip for april 2011 & dec.27th 2012-jan. 2nd 2013 lol! the first trip we will be there for my DD1 3rd bday and the 2nd trip we are celebrating our 5th wedding annv.!

[leshunlenese]

I agree girlsx2. A couple of days at WDW is better than no days at WDW.


I just wonder if it will be cold enough in January to need scarves. I just learned to knit this year, and I've been knitting several for our trip. That way I don't have to wear the same one every day. I already have one for my youngest, and I'll make one for my oldest if he wants one. So far for me, I have a blue-ish grey one, and I'm working on an avocado green one. I want to get at least a pink one and maybe a stripped one made before we go. Then I want to knit matching hats for each scarf.

I would bring them i did a disney college program starting one january and while sum days it felt like summer other days it did fell like winter and get cold. and im from georgia so our winters might be a bit similar then again ive only been to texas in the summer

[rjmum]

Add me to the crazy lot!!!!
We started planning our Jan. 2012 trip less than a month after we got back from WDW in June! I put my second "payment" into the Disney Trip fund last week and did the happy dance. LOL My 9 yo DD has already started her disney spending $ savings too.
We LOVED Disney, but it was WAY too hot and WAY too crowded for us in June. So we picked January. Can't swing Jan 2011, so Jan 2012 here we come!!!

[mdsouth]

For me, my next WDW trip is only a figment in my imagination. :cloud9:
We went last year in July. It was super hot and crowded. :scared1: So, I would love to go in one of the cooler months. 2012 would be the earliest I would be able to go back.

Like you all here, I :love: Disney and would love to go at least once a year. :love: My DH doesn't care for it, the expense especially and crowds. We stayed last year for 7 nights with the Buy 4 Get 3 Free. That was too much for him. He really put a damper on the trip at times. So, this time, I am planning on leaving him at home and taking the kids with me.

I am a teacher, so that is why most of our family vacations are in the summer.
I am thinking of going around New Year's and taking a few extra days off if possible. I really want to avoid the summer heat!

The nice thing about having to wait until at least 2012 to go back is that the renovations in Fantasyland will be completed by then and we will be able to experience the updates instead of having to walk around a bunch of construction walls!:3dglasses

[mom2maggie]

Does anyone know when in 2012 the renovations of Fantasyland are supposed to be complete?

[letthewookiewin]

According to another thread "Fantasyland Expansion Phase I (includes Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, and Ariel Realms, and Dumbo’s circus area) Opens 2012", but it doesn't give a specific date. On the AllEars website, it says that construction should conclude on that part by 2011. Phase II of the expansion, that includes Pixie Hallow, isn't supposed to be finished until 2013.

[laurainsem]

Wow, i'm so excited there are several of you planning for 2012!! I really thought this would become a "dead" thread as it seemed I was the only one crazy enough to start planning!

January is such an awesome time to go. We went in October last time and decided January would be our norm, as it was sooo much more laid back. The weather can get a little chilly but for the most part is warm and cozy. For northwesterners, this is just perfect. Plus, there are barely any lines and the park has a nice, calmer atmosphere.

Thanks for joining in everyone! I hope to get to know ya'll better while we plan!!:banana:

[letthewookiewin]

My DH thinks that I am totally crazy for planning already. I emailed him something that I called a TPS (trip pricing sheer) report. If I had called it a WDW trip pricing trip, he wouldn't have deleted it before looking at it. I had already tried to go over prices with him and he would just roll his eyes and say, "which ever option is the cheapest is the one that I want to go with." I priced out 6, 7, and 8 days trips, with resort options of PC, CSR, WL, CR /w MK view, and BLT studio /w MK. Then I did pricing options at each resort, and each length, with options of no DDP up to the DlxDDP. Then after all that work, he couldn't look at it b/c he has an older version of Excel than I do and his computer wouldn't open it. I just made him look at it on my computer, and his opinion was still "I don't care, just whatever is cheapest."

I've heard January is a great time to go. We went last in October and had a blast. That time of the year just won't work for us anymore. My DS's are getting old enough that they can play football, so we can't go during football season. My DH and I were watching the movie 2012 and we were joking about changing our trip from January 2012, to be there for December 21, 2012. Which would be cool normally, but I can't wait that long. As of today, it has been 3 years and 10 months since we were last at WDW. It's going to be hard enough to wait for January 2012. The good news is that it gives us more time to hear about the changes they are making to the Fantasyland Expansion.

[laurainsem]

You sound like me! I'm already putting pricing sheets together, making the family listen to me ramble about places to eat and stay, and all that other good stuff. Trip planning is what keeps me going. Without a WDW trip in the works, i'd go nuts! I don't care how far out it is, it must be planned!

I'm thankful because it looks like we have another Disney trip in the works for this upcoming Spring. It won't be with my family but i'll be taking a youth and possibly some of her family to one of the parks (WDW or DL). She is a young girl from the church I was a pastor at. I just moved and her and I became very close, as she was the only youth in the entire congregation (very small church). It should be a blast as she's never been to either park!

[lmillercrew]

Just talked to SIL on the phone tonight, and she is planning on going back in June 2012 and wants to go with MIL and FIL, and whoever else wants to go. SO, of course I said count us in! I'm going to need that much time to save our money. Now I have a goal!!!! If we go back then, it will have been 5 yrs since we've been there. Where will we stay? How long will we stay?

[laurainsem]

Oooh, i'm so excited for you! Five years, you must have withdrawals! I'm so happy you have a trip to plan. Unless i'm planning one, I go nuts.

I'm thankful because now I have a "surprise" trip to plan for this upcoming February. It is short but is possible due to the free dining and the fact I don't have to pay the whole thing myself. I'll be going with a family from my former parish. I just left my call as their pastor a couple weeks ago. It will be wonderful to see them again!

[letthewookiewin]

So today my DH and I decided to take advantage of his parents having the kids for the weekend and went out on a date. His parents like to take our DS's and his brother's son on a small long weekend vacation ever summer right before school starts. While we were waiting for our food, we were talking about the mountains in CA vs then in CO. When I told him that the closest that I have been to CA is Las Vegas, he suggested that we try and take a small vacation to CA next year with the boys. He wanted to do a day at Universal, a day doing the sites around LA, go up to Mt. Shasta (my DH used to live near there), the redwoods. When I asked him about going to Disneyland, he said that he didn't want to go to DL. If we did, that I would make the entire trip about DL. He kept talking about other things that he wanted to do on the trip, but I don't remember what he said. After he said that we couldn't do DL, I stopped listening.

[laurainsem]

After he said that we couldn't do DL, I stopped listening.

:rotfl:LOL! As would I! :rotfl:

[lmillercrew]

Oooh, i'm so excited for you! Five years, you must have withdrawals! I'm so happy you have a trip to plan. Unless i'm planning one, I go nuts.

I'm thankful because now I have a "surprise" trip to plan for this upcoming February. It is short but is possible due to the free dining and the fact I don't have to pay the whole thing myself. I'll be going with a family from my former parish. I just left my call as their pastor a couple weeks ago. It will be wonderful to see them again!
YAY for a suprise trip! I have always wanted to do a surprise trip! Maybe I'll make my June '12 a suprise trip! :rolleyes1

[letthewookiewin]

I was so excited this weekend, and my DH just laughed at me. I found a piggy bank application for my iPhone. I have a piggy bank that I bought to save spending money in for a WDW trip. I painted it green with pink Mickey heads on it. Then I let my DS's paint blue squigglies on it. On the pink Mickey heads are painted, in blue, the year dates of WDW trips. Now, with this application, I don't have to take the money out of the piggy bank to count it, I can just look at the application. Then each time I put money into the bank, I just add it to the piggy bank app.

[SueRS]

We are going 12/31/2011 through 1/11/2012. Can't wait!

[lmillercrew]

YAY for a suprise trip! I have always wanted to do a surprise trip! Maybe I'll make my June '12 a suprise trip! :rolleyes1
I had to comment on my own post! :laughing: I am planning a surprise trip for youngest DD this Aug. Hotel and airfare already paid for gift card already starting to acrew (sp) spending money on it. All I need now are the park tickets and a water park ticket!!! ADRs scheduled too!! :thumbsup2

[CrystalCastle]

So happy to see activity in this thread! My dates are probably going to be 1/4 - 1 /12. Hopefully doing the Goofy Challenge again next year. I'm excited already for this trip. I've been checking out the Yacht Club/Beach Club threads and hoping I can swing a deluxe this time around. Or at least a split stay of some sort.

[SueRS]

So happy to see activity in this thread! My dates are probably going to be 1/4 - 1 /12. Hopefully doing the Goofy Challenge again next year. I'm excited already for this trip. I've been checking out the Yacht Club/Beach Club threads and hoping I can swing a deluxe this time around. Or at least a split stay of some sort.

Ok ,what is the Goofy Challenge and where is there any info? Not sure if it would work for our family (even if I could physicially do it).

Thanks,

[CrystalCastle]

Ok ,what is the Goofy Challenge and where is there any info? Not sure if it would work for our family (even if I could physicially do it).

Thanks,
Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge is where you do the 1/2 marathon on Saturday and the full marathon on Sunday. Here (http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/wdw-marathon/) is the link to the WDW Marathon website. Hope this helps.

[Ginger Renae]

Bumping this up with a question. DH, DD, and I are planning on 5-6 days at WDW before jumping on the Dream for the January 12th departure. However, I just noticed we will be there the weekend of the marathon. I loathe crowds and am afraid of how many people will be at WDW for the marathon. Can anyone who has been there during the marathon weekend in recent years ease my fears or give me the bad news now so I can look into rescheduling our vacation?

Thanks!

[ash-n-brensmom]

Hi there!! I just bought tickets with Direct Air for January 5-12th..so I guess that means we are DEF going! :cool1:
We are waiting for our timeshare to close so we can book at Wyndham Bonnet Creek for that week. So excited..I thought we would have to wait until Oct 2012 for our next trip, but with the timeshare points and Direct Air's Family Ties sale I couldn't pass that opportunity by!! It will be me, DH, and our 2 DD's 11 and 7 when we go. I can't wait!!
We have never been during January and I must admit to being a little apprehensive regarding the weather...but as long as we aren't digging out of the snow drifts here in Canada, I think we will be just fine! :thumbsup2

[LoriJune]

We are in for January 22-29! DH and I, and his brother and wife will be staying in at 2BR at the BWV's. This will be our first adult-only vacation in 10 years I think. Our last trip was in the "deep freeze" of last December, which was fine with us...no lines! So we're looking forward to our first trip in the month of January. Brother-in-law and wife have not been since they were kids so it will be fun to "open their eyes!"

Since we'll be kid-less, we plan to do the Keys to the Kindgom tour and the Undiscovered Epcot tour and hope to get ADR's at the CG and Les Chefs. Oh, and NO diaper changing!

Now just waiting on JetBlue to open up our dates and 7/26 to make our ADR's. See you all there! :banana:

[ash-n-brensmom]

Sorry, I just realized that I forgot to post my dates. :upsidedow

We will be there from January 5-12...and it's a surprise!! And not just for the kids, but for DH as well!! I don't know how long I can keep it from DH, but I think we will spring it on the kids on Christmas morning!! The good news is DH loves Disney as much as I do!! So he will be pleasantly surprised that he doesn't have to wait until Oct 2012!!

[Terapin]

We're there from Jan 2-8th - and it is a Christmas surprise for the kids. We are staying at BLT in a two bedroom and planning on the DxDP. Waiting for our window for ADRs to open up. We are planning on telling the kids for Christmas as a present. I think we will get them some vacation-type stocking stuffers, etc, and a few small toys (my two youngest wouldn't be able to handle the delayed gratification of no gifts but a trip with the big lead-up anticipation of Christmas playing out for weeks ahead of time).

We are heading their with my BIL and his daughter as well.

We have our room and flights booked already. So looking forward to it!

[Terapin]

4891 hours til we depart! :lmao:

[ash-n-brensmom]

4891 hours til we depart! :lmao:

OMG!!!:scared1::lmao:

[Terapin]

I know, eh?

Bad. So bad.

[weaverlfc]

Another Jan 2012 planner checking in.

Very much in the early stages of planning(only decided a few days ago im going). Planning a 6 week solo trip starting in early Jan.

[Ginger Renae]

Six weeks by yourself?

~~~~~~~~

We are still trying to decide on a resort for our trip. My husband and I did WDW back in December of 2005 (before DD) and did a split stay at POFQ and the Polynesian. Because we are doing a Dream cruise after our WDW stay, we are definitely just doing a moderate resort. DH thinks the pirate themed rooms at CBR are pretty cool, but I am leaning towards a return to POFQ. We are also in the midst of meal planning. I definitely want to to the Hoop De Doo this time. I think DD will really enjoy it.

[weaverlfc]

Six weeks by yourself?

.

Yup, thats the plan. Maybe even a week or 2 longer.

[Terapin]

Six weeks by yourself?

~~~~~~~~

We are still trying to decide on a resort for our trip. My husband and I did WDW back in December of 2005 (before DD) and did a split stay at POFQ and the Polynesian. Because we are doing a Dream cruise after our WDW stay, we are definitely just doing a moderate resort. DH thinks the pirate themed rooms at CBR are pretty cool, but I am leaning towards a return to POFQ. We are also in the midst of meal planning. I definitely want to to the Hoop De Doo this time. I think DD will really enjoy it.

We did the Hoop De Doo once and really enjoyed it. The kids liked the bottomless ribs and the show was fun and well done. Corny, of course, but enjoyable. We were staying at WL so it was fun to ride the boat back to the resort.

[Terapin]

Yup, thats the plan. Maybe even a week or 2 longer.

Cool! That is awesome.

[ash-n-brensmom]

So anyone have tentative plans based on last year's park hours and such? We will be staying off site so the EMH calendar affects us in a completely different way than it has in the past. Just waiting, impatiently ;) ,for WDW hours to be released next month!! :thumbsup2

[viluvsdisney]

We'll be there too...January 22 - 26. Any input on weather and crowds that time of year? :)

[Ginger Renae]

So anyone have tentative plans based on last year's park hours and such? We will be staying off site so the EMH calendar affects us in a completely different way than it has in the past. Just waiting, impatiently ;) ,for WDW hours to be released next month!! :thumbsup2

Ha - not yet! We are still trying to decide on where we are staying. We were looking at POFQ, but now I am looking into renting DVC points and staying at the Boardwalk or Beach Club.

[wyvernhero]

So I know, it is REALLY early to begin planning and bonding. But really, if we have to wait till 2012, why not dream a bit!

Anyone else out there like me daydreaming/nightdreaming about beautiful empty parks in 1 year 8 months (not that i'm counting or anything)?????? Please tell me i'm not alone and need to consider DIS rehab?!

If your a January 2012er, join me in chatting about the wonderful month of January. The cool weather, semi-empty parks, lack of hurricane worries, awesome codes... Aahhhh, January how I love you!


We are in! Even if we have to drive, stay off site, etc, we need it!

Since we went in January this year, our 2 year old has done nothing but talk non-stop about it. Some benefits we had:

- Almost no lines. Anywhere.
- We had no dining reservations (save the Harvest Grill), and we were able to get in anywhere we wanted, with very little if any waiting.
- The hotel was nice and quiet at night! (POR ftw!)

Granted, now that little one is three, and big one is now 11... we may have to stay offsite to defer some of the increased costs. Still going though, no matter what! I haven't worked 80 hours of overtime this last three weeks for nothing!


And the big one...
- Animal Kingdom, we went at rope drop straight to Camp Minnie Mickey. When the characters came out, our 2 year old was the only one there when everyone came out. She got 45 minutes of Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, Donald, and the bunnies before another family came back there.

[LoriJune]

So anyone have tentative plans based on last year's park hours and such? We will be staying off site so the EMH calendar affects us in a completely different way than it has in the past. Just waiting, impatiently ;) ,for WDW hours to be released next month!! :thumbsup2

Oh heck yes! You should see my planning notepad, it makes my brain hurt. We'll be on site, but are not planning many early mornings so we are avoiding EMHs for the most part.

[ash-n-brensmom]

Ha - not yet! We are still trying to decide on where we are staying. We were looking at POFQ, but now I am looking into renting DVC points and staying at the Boardwalk or Beach Club.

Keep in mind that POFQ has been refurbed with QUEEN beds!! Although I wouldn't mind staying DVC! ;)

Oh heck yes! You should see my planning notepad, it makes my brain hurt. We'll be on site, but are not planning many early mornings so we are avoiding EMHs for the most part.

I'm just a little nervous since they just completely changed the October park calendar and rearranged the EMH's and it's so late in the game for those folks. Like I said staying off site means we really should avoid EMH parks so we aren't negatively affected by them without have the benefit of using them. If we have all of our plans made and set and then they completely change the schedule a couple of months out it would be VERY frustrating!! I haven't thought about restaurants yet..we will probably stick with our good old stand-bys..maybe try a new one or two at the most....

Happy Planning!!

[Mickeyfan333]

In for January 2012! 1/14-1/21, have been planning this trip since August 2010 with in-laws! All-Star Sports and will probably do dxl dining so we can do a couple 2 credit meals and have dinner on arrival night and breakfast on departure day. Tentatively made schedule and possible ADR's....was so fun planning. Now just waiting for January hours and 180 day mark for ressies...getting so excited! 209 days to go!!

[Jhondy]

My friends and I will be going Jan 4th-Jan 11th. We will be staying at Boardwalk!!! I'm super excited to be able to walk to EPCOT! :cool1:

I'm a bit nervous about crowds as this is over marathon weekend and I've been getting mixed messages about whether crowds are bad or not. :confused3 Also trying to figure out how I will pack. I know a bit early but I'm hoping it's not too cold. Then again, I live in WI so as long as the weather is not too much in the negatives I think I'll be ok.

[Ginger Renae]

We just made reservations at the Old Key West Resort. We considered the Boardwalk Inn because it's so close to EPCOT, but DH really liked the ambiance of OKW. Being as I am the one "driving" this vacation, I figure letting him pick out the resort was a nice thing to do...LOL

Next up - deciding on dining!

[Jhondy]

I wish I could start booking dining but since I can't afford to buy the dining plan quite yet, I'm just looking at which restaurants I'm going to try and choose. Hopefully it won't be too hard to get ADRs as it gets closer to Jan.

[ash-n-brensmom]

I wish I could start booking dining but since I can't afford to buy the dining plan quite yet, I'm just looking at which restaurants I'm going to try and choose. Hopefully it won't be too hard to get ADRs as it gets closer to Jan.

All you need is your resort reservation to book ADR's for up to 10 days of your stay at the 180 day mark of your countdown. ..and you don't need a reservation to be able to book any ADR you want at the 180 day of each night you are staying...does that make sense? What I am trying to say is ANYONE can make an ADR at the 180 day mark...so you don't need a resort reservation and you DEFINITELY don't need to buy the dining plan in order to make an ADR!

[Jhondy]

All you need is your resort reservation to book ADR's for up to 10 days of your stay at the 180 day mark of your countdown. ..and you don't need a reservation to be able to book any ADR you want at the 180 day of each night you are staying...does that make sense? What I am trying to say is ANYONE can make an ADR at the 180 day mark...so you don't need a resort reservation and you DEFINITELY don't need to buy the dining plan in order to make an ADR!


I know but I'd like to have the dining plan figured out first. Cause we are still deciding if we are going to do the plan or not. If we don't do it then we won't be eating at nearly as many sit down restaurants. The other problem is I'm still trying to figure out who is all coming. The problem of planning a trip with friends is everyone is so up in the air. They all want to come but it all comes down to money. So I can plan where I'd like to eat but no ADRs for me till I have a final count and whether we are doing the plan or not.

[ash-n-brensmom]

I know but I'd like to have the dining plan figured out first. Cause we are still deciding if we are going to do the plan or not. If we don't do it then we won't be eating at nearly as many sit down restaurants. The other problem is I'm still trying to figure out who is all coming. The problem of planning a trip with friends is everyone is so up in the air. They all want to come but it all comes down to money. So I can plan where I'd like to eat but no ADRs for me till I have a final count and whether we are doing the plan or not.

Gotcha:thumbsup2 That is a pickle..it's definitely much easier when it's only the 4 of us to worry about...good luck with all your planning!

[MademoiselleKel]

January 1st-7th, 2012! 191 days away. So pumped!!
Getting together with everyone going on the trip tomorrow to figure out what restaurants to make ADR's for and book our stay at the Boardwalk :)

[CrystalCastle]

ADR time is approaching for me! :cool1: I can't wait!

Just booked another trip for late Sept./early Oct. too!!! So now I have that to distract me from my big trip in January.

[Ginger Renae]

I am anxiously awaiting my 180 day mark for dining reservations! This trip we are planning table service meals at Akershus (DD is into princesses right now), Le Cellier, Biergarten, 'Ohana, and 1900 Park Fare for the Cinderella dinner. I hope the step sisters are there as I hear they steal the show!

[ash-n-brensmom]

I am anxiously awaiting my 180 day mark for dining reservations! This trip we are planning table service meals at Akershus (DD is into princesses right now), Le Cellier, Biergarten, 'Ohana, and 1900 Park Fare for the Cinderella dinner. I hope the step sisters are there as I hear they steal the show!

We really liked the step sisters at 1900 Park Fare...they were better than Cinderella and Prince Charming for our family for sure!
I am making ADR's on July 9th and I will be at work when it comes on-line. I work midnights and hopefully my boss will be very understanding and let me take a few minutes to go in back and take care of everything. I know Jan isn't a hugely busy time of the year but I think with Xmas break running late there will be a lot of ADR's gone at the beginning of our week from the holiday left overs. So far I have mostly lunches on my list so I think that will make it easier for me to get what we want. These are the restaurants I hope to get:
The Plaza, Via Napoli, The Wave (although I think that one will be for dinner), LeCellier, and Sci-Fi.

[dizneechic]

In for January 2012! 1/14-1/21, have been planning this trip since August 2010 with in-laws! All-Star Sports and will probably do dxl dining so we can do a couple 2 credit meals and have dinner on arrival night and breakfast on departure day. Tentatively made schedule and possible ADR's....was so fun planning. Now just waiting for January hours and 180 day mark for ressies...getting so excited! 209 days to go!!

We just booked for the 14th-21st as well. :thumbsup2 Going to try a 3BR presidential at Bonnet Creek and see how we like it. As a family of 5 and trying to gain a little space it seems like it should fit the bill. Last year we had a 10 day trip in Feb in a house off site, 6 days end of Aug, and 5 days in Jan. The last 2 were Poly Club Level which we adored, but need better sleeping arrangements.

My friends and I will be going Jan 4th-Jan 11th. We will be staying at Boardwalk!!! I'm super excited to be able to walk to EPCOT! :cool1:

I'm a bit nervous about crowds as this is over marathon weekend and I've been getting mixed messages about whether crowds are bad or not. :confused3 Also trying to figure out how I will pack. I know a bit early but I'm hoping it's not too cold. Then again, I live in WI so as long as the weather is not too much in the negatives I think I'll be ok.

What I recall from this Jan was the parks weren't THAT bad from the marathoners BUT resort transportation was a nightmare. Mostly speaking from the Poly and the throngs of people on the monorail early in the day, if there is a way to avoid that you should be free and clear of too much chaos.

As for weather, when we were there in Feb 2010 it was freezing! We wore our 4 in 1 jackets down and zipped them apart and wore the heavier insides almost every day. We also did lots of layers, planned to wear short sleeve shirts and brought a long sleeve one for under neath to wear if needed (and we used it 9 of our 10 days that trip!). When we went this Jan the weather was a lot nicer (although we were in between blizzards back home! :lmao: ). Never nice enough for us to need shorts (although many guests wore them) but almost every day we could wear short sleeves and be very comfortable. We had one day of bad rain and it was cold rain vs the tropical FL rain so we were caught off guard and a bit chilled even in rain gear. Anyhow point being that time of year, prepare for everything and work it in layers. This way you can go lighter if its nice but have something that works if its cooler as well. :thumbsup2

The one thing I am disappointed in though for this trip is that Fantasmic will be being refurbed the entire time were there. It looks like its down from Jan 5th-25th. :sad1: We didn't take the kids to it at all last year because they needed to stick to their schedules and the timing wouldn't have worked, and our Jan trip this year got moved a few days (damn blizzards!!) so we lost the chance. That time of year the shows are early (6:30) so it would have been perfect, but alas, it doesn't seem it's meant to be yet again. :sad2:

[Cee]

Yay! Jan. 2012! We have a 1BR at OKW for the week of Jan. 20-27! We've only stayed in studios at OKW so I cannot WAIT to enjoy all that wonderful square footage! :goodvibes

[Terapin]

Well, we got most of our ADRs for 13 people! :cool1: I'm sure in some places we won't all be seated together, but that's ok.

Got:

CRT dinner (3 parties)
Le Cellier lunch (3 parties)
Coral Reef for 13
Chef Mickey's for 13
'Ohana for 13
Teppan Edo for 13
Tutto Italia (2 parties)
Hollywood and Vine for 13
1900 Park Fare for 13
Sci-Fi Diner for 13
Yak & Yeti (3 parties)
Crystal Palace dinner for 13

Awaiting:
Fantasmic Dinner packages to be released
Crystal Palace breakfast to be released
Akershus breakfast to be released
V and A 180 day
BBB reservations to be released

Now back to bed for a little nap - I got up at 6am for this!

[ash-n-brensmom]

180 days from today and we will be in WDW!! I just got home from work (midnights :headache: ) and while I was there I made my ADRS!!! I love my bosses!!

Here is the line up:

Jan 6th: Chef Mickeys at 5:40 PM
Jan 7th: Via Napoli at 5:45 PM
Jan 8th: O'hana at 7:45 AM
The Plaza at 4:50 PM
Jan 9th: Le Cellier at 1:00 PM
Jan 10th: Sci-Fi at 1:10 PM

We are staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek and will be having our other meals there in our condo. DD 11 loves Stitch so breakfast at O'hana is a surprise for her! I'm not too sure about Chef Mickey's we will be meeting them at O'hana so we won't need to eat there....maybe we will do lunch in the park at counter service and dinner back in the room....something to think about!
Good luck to everyone making their ADR's in the coming weeks!!

[dizneechic]

180 days from today and we will be in WDW!! I just got home from work (midnights :headache: ) and while I was there I made my ADRS!!! I love my bosses!!

Here is the line up:

Jan 6th: Chef Mickeys at 5:40 PM
Jan 7th: Via Napoli at 5:45 PM
Jan 8th: O'hana at 7:45 AM
The Plaza at 4:50 PM
Jan 9th: Le Cellier at 1:00 PM
Jan 10th: Sci-Fi at 1:10 PM

We are staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek and will be having our other meals there in our condo. DD 11 loves Stitch so breakfast at O'hana is a surprise for her! I'm not too sure about Chef Mickey's we will be meeting them at O'hana so we won't need to eat there....maybe we will do lunch in the park at counter service and dinner back in the room....something to think about!
Good luck to everyone making their ADR's in the coming weeks!!

Looks great!!!

I'm still waiting for TGM to finish up the least crowded parks charts for the time were there so we can officially lock in on our ADR's. Not thinking we'll do too many this trip, posb CRT early one day so we can do castle pics sans crowds and def an Ohana visit since we adore the Poly. We'll have to do something soon though even if we end up changing them because our window opens in a few days! :cool1:

[Ginger Renae]

I have y ADRs all planned out. It's just a matter of getting them when my dates are released. I'm afraid of not getting what I want or having to do some massive re-planning of our days.

My plan:

1/7 - Counter service dinner at either OKW or DTD because we arrive late in the day.
1/8 - early lunch at LeCellier and later dinner at Akershus
1/9 - Counter service lunch in AK and dinner at Biergarten
1/10 - Counter service lunch at HS and dinner at 'Ohana
1/11 - Counter service lunch at MK and dinner at 1900 Park Fare
1/12 - Counter service breakfast and then we leave for the cruise!

So far I have been playing with days that are newly available and I haven't been able to find ANYTHING for the Akershus dinner. That makes me very nervous we will not get the princess dinner for DD.

[Ginger Renae]

I just made my dining reservations. I'm in California so it's only 3am here. Yawn! I got everything I wanted EXCEPT for Akershus. For some reason, they haven't opened up any reservations for 2012. I am going to be stressed until I get that reservation made...get with it Disney! DD needs her princess dinner!

[princess&her4princes]

Just booked today to surprise my boys! :wizard: We're staying at All Star Music trying out the family suites. The last couple of trips we've stayed at PORS, looking forward to the bigger rooms. We'll be there 1/15-1/21, ADR's in the morning!! YAY!:thumbsup2

[dizneechic]

:cool1: Just finished up our ADRs for our trip. Below are the ADRs and planned park in ()

1/15 - The Crystal Palace - 8:05 (MK)
1/15 - Chef Mickey's - 5:15 (MK)
1/16 - The Garden Grill Restaurant - 6:30 (EP)
1/17 - 'Ohana - 5:20 (HS, EP)
1/18 - Posb LegoLand or Harry Potter Day Trip (alt MK HS EP)
1/19 - Tusker House Restaurant - 8:30 (AK, DTD, Quest)
1/20 - The Crystal Palace - 8:25 (MK, HS)
1/20 - 1900 Park Fare - 5:35 (MK, HS)
1/21 - Akershus Royal Banquet Hall - 10:35 (EP)

We went this same week this year (Jan 2011) so are planning same days in the same parks - similar touring plan. We want to participate in the YES program so that may throw one of our days off, we won't know until that info is released, and we only want to keep one of the CP ressies (early park entry, empty main street pics - not fond of pooh ;) ) so will cancel one as we get closer and officially nail down plans.

Weds were leaving up in the air, so if weather isn't our friend we can flex our time in WDW or if LegoLand wises up and opens on Tues/Weds we'll day trip there. Otherwise we may hit Universal for a day and check out HP. :thumbsup2

We have to check out by 10 on the 21st so were going to do a late breakfast/brunch with the princesses for my dd before heading back home. :lovestruc

[Terapin]

Finally got all our reservations, including a Safari GG dinner. Yay!

Not much to do now but make the dough to pay for our trip! (Paid for dining already - had to because of DVC).

[Ginger Renae]

We reserved and paid for our flights a couple of weeks ago. Now all we have to purchase are our park tickets. I was trying to talk DH into premier passes so we could use them for Disneyland the rest of the year, but at $749 a piece, it's going to be a tough sell.

[mindy5648]

called and changed to the free dining plan today! Going 1/22-29 with my husband and another couple. It will be our first time staying at Coronado Springs!!! All of our ADRs have been made for a week or so now

1/22 - ESPN Club (no ADR)
1/23 - 'Ohaha for the fireworks show
1/24 - 50;s prime time for lunch
1/25 - San Angel Inn
1/26 - Chef Mickeys
- Maya Grill
1/27 - Via Napoli
1/28 - going to wing it :)

The free dining dropped our package price by over $750!!!

[PolkaDotLuggage]

Y'all make me feel so unorganized and unplanned! My MIL is insisting we stay at a timeshare! but i want free dining :sad1: so i'm going to have to somehow convince her it'll be cheaper to stay on property!! I guess I shouldn't be picky; I'm just excited to be going back and taking my hubby and step-daughters for the first time!

[PolkaDotLuggage]

:cool1: Just finished up our ADRs for our trip. Below are the ADRs and planned park in ()

1/15 - The Crystal Palace - 8:05 (MK)
1/15 - Chef Mickey's - 5:15 (MK)
1/16 - The Garden Grill Restaurant - 6:30 (EP)
1/17 - 'Ohana - 5:20 (HS, EP)
1/18 - Posb LegoLand or Harry Potter Day Trip (alt MK HS EP)
1/19 - Tusker House Restaurant - 8:30 (AK, DTD, Quest)
1/20 - The Crystal Palace - 8:25 (MK, HS)
1/20 - 1900 Park Fare - 5:35 (MK, HS)
1/21 - Akershus Royal Banquet Hall - 10:35 (EP)

We went this same week this year (Jan 2011) so are planning same days in the same parks - similar touring plan. We want to participate in the YES program so that may throw one of our days off, we won't know until that info is released, and we only want to keep one of the CP ressies (early park entry, empty main street pics - not fond of pooh ;) ) so will cancel one as we get closer and officially nail down plans.

Weds were leaving up in the air, so if weather isn't our friend we can flex our time in WDW or if LegoLand wises up and opens on Tues/Weds we'll day trip there. Otherwise we may hit Universal for a day and check out HP. :thumbsup2

We have to check out by 10 on the 21st so were going to do a late breakfast/brunch with the princesses for my dd before heading back home. :lovestruc

How were the crowds last year bc of MLK? My hubby is not a fan of lines and is insisting he'll just go fishing instead of fighting off people :rolleyes1

[LoriJune]

Finally finished tweaking! Except for maybe adding one...

1/22 Nothing - maybe dinner at the Dolphin somewhere
1/23 Lunch at Le Chefs
1/24 Lunch at Prime Time, Dinner at Wolfgang
1/25 KTTK Tour, Dinner at the Plaza
1/26 Breakfast at Tusker House, Dinner at 'Ohana
1/27 Epcot UnDISCOVERed Futureworld tour
1/28 Nothing!
1/29 Breakfast at Kouzzina

We'll be with DH's brother and wife, except for the 27th on our Epcot tour day. I hear that we'll probably be given priority seating for Illuminations at the end of our tour - even though the tour ends early in the afternoon. So, any suggestions for dinner for just DH and I? Problem is, he's pretty picky...

[Kazooie01]

Almost forgot about the January threads! We’ll be at Bay Lake Tower January 22-29th (we may add 1/21, still not sure if I want to use the points for a 9th day). We can’t wait, this will be our 6th January in a row, and it’s absolutely a great time to visit!;)

[dizneechic]

Y'all make me feel so unorganized and unplanned! My MIL is insisting we stay at a timeshare! but i want free dining :sad1: so i'm going to have to somehow convince her it'll be cheaper to stay on property!! I guess I shouldn't be picky; I'm just excited to be going back and taking my hubby and step-daughters for the first time!

If your going the 15th-21st there is no free dining *yet*... they left MLK week as the black out time frame. :sad2: For us though its way cheaper to stay off site even with free dining, as a fam of 5 we need the suite at a value or have POR/Deluxe and the room discounts work out better than FD in most cases. We usually do Poly CL :lovestruc but this time will be at Bonnet Creek in a 3BR - having the extra space w/ 3 kids will be SOOO nice!!

How were the crowds last year bc of MLK? My hubby is not a fan of lines and is insisting he'll just go fishing instead of fighting off people :rolleyes1

Crowds for Jan '11 MLK were fine! We've gone at every time of the year and while it's not the slowest I've seen it, it's FAR from the busiest. We follow TGM for recommended parks and our waits with using FP's never are over 10 minutes. We can get through every ride in the MK at least once between rope drop and 3:00. :thumbsup2 The downside to that time of year is weather. Mornings and evenings you need jackets (heck even afternoons most days :laughing: ) but occasionally you'll get a spectacular day or a down right cold spell. :headache: We've had it all. Also when it rains in Jan/Feb it SUCKS because its cold rain and not usually a pop up shower like it is other times of the year, so dress warm under the rain gear or you'll be buying sweatshirts. :rolleyes1 Anywho, my advice w/ the lines for MLK would be to avoid MK that Mon, locals will be out and about so will be busier than norm, the rest of the parks should be decent. I would typically say avoid HS that day too, but since F! will be in rehab a big draw will be eliminated so it shouldn't be too bad. The rest of the week if you go against EMH hours (no worries if your off site!) you'll avoid the heavier crowds - odd strategy but works great!! Another bonus for Jan, earlier fireworks and ELP at MK so if the kids are younger they don't have to stay up that late to enjoy them! ;)

[SueRS]

Ok, so free dining was annouced yesterday and didn't really include our dates (we are there 12/31-1/11 and free dining starts 1/8). So today, went to look again and now found Magic your way starting 1/2 but not free dining??



Thanks for listening.

[Cin]

Hurry up January! I booked for the last week of Jan 2012 and have already finished all my planning for that. But sigh... with ADR's set and nothing to do but change them and revise plans, (again) and still 5 months to go, I had to come up with a new plan. Sooo, now I am looking at booking another trip this time just for the hubs and I to celebrate Christmas at WDW a little early. Nov 2012...so I have 2 packages on hold and debating on dates so I don't know which one to book yet. See you all in January 2012 though!

[goofybabe]

Hey,count us in we'll be there the 8th thru 14th at the Polynesian.:rotfl2:Lets pray for warm days and no rain! :dance3:

[jewels4488]

In for January 2012! 1/14-1/21, have been planning this trip since August 2010 with in-laws! All-Star Sports and will probably do dxl dining so we can do a couple 2 credit meals and have dinner on arrival night and breakfast on departure day. Tentatively made schedule and possible ADR's....was so fun planning. Now just waiting for January hours and 180 day mark for ressies...getting so excited! 209 days to go!!

We are going the exact time. All Star Music. We normally visit in the fall, Halloween week, so this will be different. I'm so nervous about the weather, and the crowds. We are use to the hot weather, but cold, not so much. When I was a child we visited the week of Christmas and froze! Who knows.... I'm sure we will have a blast no matter what the weather. This is our 6th visit with our kids. We love the parks!
Can anyone speak to the crowds during MLK WEEK? I assume the weekend and holiday are very busy, but Tuesday-Friday? I've checked the crowd calendars, 3's and 2's. That sounds great. We are so excited!!!!

[dizneechic]

Can anyone speak to the crowds during MLK WEEK? I assume the weekend and holiday are very busy, but Tuesday-Friday? I've checked the crowd calendars, 3's and 2's. That sounds great. We are so excited!!!!

We did MLK week last year and are going again this year. :thumbsup2 The crowd calendars are spot on with 2's & 3's. I recall Wed and Thurs being slower than Tue & Fri, and yes it was semi busy the actual weekend and Monday but nothing compared to regular busy times (ie school vaca weeks/holidays).

We love this time of year because the parks close earlier (non EMH) which means nighttime shows are earlier as well (Wishes etc). With the weather a little cooler you don't get as wiped out by spending a full day in the park, you can stay for the night shows, and still make it to bed at a reasonable time frame. :lovestruc

[Colleen27]

Well, if crazy is in the thread title I think I've found the right place for me... :wave2:

I'm calling in the morning to change our Aug-turned-Nov trip to January now (darned work always getting in the way of things) so of course the first thing I thought of is popping over to find some other Jan peeps to count down with! I'm the crazy master-planner of our Disney adventures, and along for the ride will be my DH/enabler, DS13, DD10, DD3, my mother, and maybe my brother. DS and DB both have mid-January birthdays, so of course I'm already pondering the options for a birthday surprise or two. :ssst:

We'll be there Jan 21 to 29, won't know exactly where until tomorrow when I call to change our dates because it'll all depend on which moderates are available with free dining. I'm hoping for POR or POFQ, in that order. DH, the kids, and I are also going to be taking advantage of the YES open enrollment and saving our package tix as a handy-dandy excuse for a future trip. ;)

We're upgrading to deluxe dining so I've already made a ridiculous number of ADRs, and I am taking the ease of doing so as a very good sign of low crowds. I even got Ohana, for 7ppl, and had a choice of times!

So I'll join y'all in hoping for a mild winter in Orlando and reprieve between blizzards for those of us trying to escape the frozen north. Only 116 days and counting...

[dizneechic]

Well, if crazy is in the thread title I think I've found the right place for me... :wave2:

I'm calling in the morning to change our Aug-turned-Nov trip to January now (darned work always getting in the way of things) so of course the first thing I thought of is popping over to find some other Jan peeps to count down with! I'm the crazy master-planner of our Disney adventures, and along for the ride will be my DH/enabler, DS13, DD10, DD3, my mother, and maybe my brother. DS and DB both have mid-January birthdays, so of course I'm already pondering the options for a birthday surprise or two. :ssst:

We'll be there Jan 21 to 29, won't know exactly where until tomorrow when I call to change our dates because it'll all depend on which moderates are available with free dining. I'm hoping for POR or POFQ, in that order. DH, the kids, and I are also going to be taking advantage of the YES open enrollment and saving our package tix as a handy-dandy excuse for a future trip. ;)

We're upgrading to deluxe dining so I've already made a ridiculous number of ADRs, and I am taking the ease of doing so as a very good sign of low crowds. I even got Ohana, for 7ppl, and had a choice of times!

So I'll join y'all in hoping for a mild winter in Orlando and reprieve between blizzards for those of us trying to escape the frozen north. Only 116 days and counting...

Welcome!!

We just signed up for the YES Individual Enrollment for Jan 17th. My ds who LOVES everything art will get to do the Animation Magic program... I can't wait to tell him when we finally tell the kids about the trip. :banana: We did the 7 day premium tix via the program and it saved us $888 for our family of 5 - amazing!

Love the idea of saving your package tickets for another trip. :love:

[nokaoi5]

I am so excited to be going down in January of 2012! The plan is to run the 5k and the full marathon... I'm not Goofy yet! Anyone else planning to run?

Jennifer Ginn
Hyperion Travel Company

[lauren_elizabeth]

WE WILL BE THERE IN JANUARY!!!! :banana:

We just booked today. I need to get on the ball with making ADRs!

Jan 29 - Feb 4, 2012 :goodvibes:thumbsup2

[sparks19]

AH HA I have been looking for this thread :)

We just officially booked a studio at OKW yesterday for Jan 22nd-27th :)

HOORAY

[dizneechic]

T minus 100 days!

[cathymailme]

100 days today! :cheer2:

[Mickeyfan333]

Where is everybody? We are at 18 days! Lets hope the warm weather continues!!

[dizneechic]

We're here and arriving the same day as you. :banana: Finally told the kids on xmas so I feel like we can come out of the closet and talk about the trip. Made and hung a countdown chain so they will stop asking "how many more days" (hence why we didn't tell them in MAY when we booked :lmao: ).

Is anyone else planning on sneaking over to Legoland while there? Kinda bummed its closed Tue/Wed as Wed is our "free" day so it would have worked out great but may rearrange plans a bit to go on Thurs. It all depends on what the weather does and if it cooperates with out schedule. :thumbsup2

[smangham]

My sweet husband gave me a trip to WDW for Christmas! :cool1: He is not a big WDW fan (but I plan on converting him this trip)...so it must be love! He has never booked a WDW trip before, so he just went to a travel agent and "went for it". Staying at the CR with a MK view for the first time! I'm so excited! I was a little freaked out that there was no free dining, though. Anybody have an secret info regarding free dining? Going Jan 18-23.

Any other good info regarding those date would be much appreciated, too. I usually plan my trips a year out....I've got 3 weeks as of today!!!:yay:

[Colleen27]

Where is everybody? We are at 18 days! Lets hope the warm weather continues!!

The other Jan thread has been more active, and there's a Facebook group too.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2663156

We're 27 days out so it is way too soon for weather forecasts but that doesn't stop me from stalking Accuweather's long range forecast. :lmao: We're shaping up to have 23 of 31 days warmer than average for Dec here in Michigan, and I'm hoping to take some of that warm weather luck to FL with us!

[jseargent]

I'm going to be there 1/25 - 1/29, solo trip! I am attending a conference, staying at the Contemporary and scoping out things for the family trip in the fall. It's been 4 years since we've been to WDW.

[Mickeyfan333]

The other Jan thread has been more active, and there's a Facebook group too.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2663156

We're 27 days out so it is way too soon for weather forecasts but that doesn't stop me from stalking Accuweather's long range forecast. :lmao: We're shaping up to have 23 of 31 days warmer than average for Dec here in Michigan, and I'm hoping to take some of that warm weather luck to FL with us!

Thanks for the link, I have had trouble finding that thread! I have been checking the 10 day forecast every day even though I am not within 10days yet! Have a great vacation

[goofybabe]

6 days to Poly woohoo :banana:

[GrammyJudy]

Accuweather is driving me nuts! I check everyday for my hometown, Hartford CT where we are flying from and Orlando and it keeps changing! Hoping there will not be snow and ice next FRi and Sat when we drive to CT and then fly to Orlando. Also one day it shows rain in Orlando and then the next day it will say sun for the same day.

[Colleen27]

Accuweather is driving me nuts! I check everyday for my hometown, Hartford CT where we are flying from and Orlando and it keeps changing! Hoping there will not be snow and ice next FRi and Sat when we drive to CT and then fly to Orlando. Also one day it shows rain in Orlando and then the next day it will say sun for the same day.

Long range forecasting is like throwing darts blindfolded, I think. From yesterday to today the temperature forecast for our first two days changed by 15° and went from sun to rain, and now it is looking like freezing rain here the night we fly out. Every morning I check and I tell myself I'm going to ignore it for another week until it is less guesswork, but I just can't seem to stay away. :surfweb:

[DARuss]

I have to agree. I have been checking Accuweather for the last several days and it changes EVERYday. :surfweb: