*** OFFICIAL January 2013 Thread ***

[tinawv]

Going January 9-16 for my husband's and I 36th Anniversary. First time going by ourselves. Can't wait.

 

[spacepoints]

Heading down for marathon weekend. Jan 10-17. Me DW DS6 DS18 mo

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Just crossed the 3-months-to-go mark yesterday!!

In celebration, I've started a Pre-Trip Report for our trip in late January.

 

[ButterflyJen]

2 random questions:

What sorts of gas stations are in the area? I'd like to ask for gas cards for Christmas, but they won't do much good if there's no gas station that accepts them near WDW

Also - my mom is thinking of getting the girls Pirates League makeovers for Christmas presents. Timing wise I'm thinking of booking it for right after our CRT breakfast on DD's birthday. Our CRT ressie is 8:10. If I book PL for 9:30 is that too early? Should I go 9:45? 10? I don't want to lose too much of the day on the makeover but I don't want to rush our CRT experience either.

Thanks oh helpful ones

 

[Lisally3]

So, our 5 night trip for our family of 4 in January has turned into a 5 night trip for our family of 10!! We told our parents and they are now coming along with my DH's brother and our nephew! We booked the inlaws a Lion King Suite at AoA where we're staying in the LM room. My parents are staying at Caribbean Beach. I was able to change most of our dining reservations from 4 to 10 people for the same times except a few...Here's an updated list:

Saturday, dinner - Whispering Canyon Cafe
Sunday, bkfst - Rainforest Cafe, AK
Sunday, dinner - Hoop Dee Doo
Monday, lunch - Mama Melrose Fantasmic package
Monday, dinner - Sci-Fi Diner
Tuesday, bksft - Chef Mickey's
Tuesday, dinner - O'Hana's


We were here in Feb, just the four of us, and we did every princess thing available I think along with Crystal Palace and 50's Prime Time. The only place we're doing again is Rainforest Cafe. My DD got strep throat last time we were here and she and DH missed Chef Mickey's and Hoop Dee Doo, so we thought we have to do those. Everythng else will be new experiences and we're so excited!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Also - my mom is thinking of getting the girls Pirates League makeovers for Christmas presents. Timing wise I'm thinking of booking it for right after our CRT breakfast on DD's birthday. Our CRT ressie is 8:10. If I book PL for 9:30 is that too early? Should I go 9:45? 10? I don't want to lose too much of the day on the makeover but I don't want to rush our CRT experience either.

Thanks oh helpful ones

You should be fine with a 9:30am ressie but if you want to be safe 9:45am would be more than enough. CRT usually takes about an hour or less. We had a 8:10am ADR on our last trip and we were done by 8:45am - we were seated actually at 8:05am. We were one of the very first families to check in and get seated so we were able to get through the princesses very fast.

 

[OhStuffandFluff]

I was wondering what others would suggest . . . We will be visiting MK on Thursday Jan 31st. There are EMH that am. We plan to eat at 1900s Park Fare for breakfast with the characters and also for my DS and DD to have pirate makeovers at Pirates League. Would it be better to have breakfast first or do the makeover first? We currently have ADRs for 1900s PF at 10:15 and then PL at 11:50. I am wondering if we will miss out on some things if we do the makeovers at that time. What do you all think? Thanks!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I was wondering what others would suggest . . . We will be visiting MK on Thursday Jan 31st. There are EMH that am. We plan to eat at 1900s Park Fare for breakfast with the characters and also for my DS and DD to have pirate makeovers at Pirates League. Would it be better to have breakfast first or do the makeover first? We currently have ADRs for 1900s PF at 10:15 and then PL at 11:50. I am wondering if we will miss out on some things if we do the makeovers at that time. What do you all think? Thanks!!

I don't know if you were planning on being at MK for EMH AM and touring the park before breakfast. If you were, then I think the best approach is to tour MK as much as you can between 8-10am or even 8-11am which will have the relatively lowest crowd level for the entire day and will only steadily increase afterwards especially on a EMH day. So it might work out better if you plan both your 1900 PF breakfast and PL after those prime touring hours.

Maybe you could consider getting an ADR for 1900 PF between 11:00-11:30am and a ressie for PL in the afternoon? Don't forget to build in travel time to the Grand Floridian from MK for your 1900 PF ADR. Hope that helps!

 

[OhStuffandFluff]

I don't know if you were planning on being at MK for EMH AM and touring the park before breakfast. If you were, then I think the best approach is to tour MK as much as you can between 8-10am or even 8-11am which will have the relatively lowest crowd level for the entire day and will only steadily increase afterwards especially on a EMH day. So it might work out better if you plan both your 1900 PF breakfast and PL after those prime touring hours.

Maybe you could consider getting an ADR for 1900 PF between 11:00-11:30am and a ressie for PL in the afternoon? Don't forget to build in travel time to the Grand Floridian from MK for your 1900 PF ADR. Hope that helps!

Thanks!! This makes sense and does help!! Much appreciated!

 

[LaLinda]

DH, DD, DGD (18) & I will be there Jan 3-10 staying in our RV at Fort
Wilderness. We have been to WDW several times over 40 years & have only NOT stayed at FW twice.

DD is making our ADRs for the dining plan. Love that dining plan, so much fun to decide where to eat!

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Linda

 

[Keegansmommy]

We're going Jan 1 - Jan 8 at POFQ! We're surprising our boys (ages 3 and 5) on Christmas morning!

 

[ButterflyJen]

You should be fine with a 9:30am ressie but if you want to be safe 9:45am would be more than enough. CRT usually takes about an hour or less. We had a 8:10am ADR on our last trip and we were done by 8:45am - we were seated actually at 8:05am. We were one of the very first families to check in and get seated so we were able to get through the princesses very fast.

Thank you! That's what I was hoping

 

[Babka]

Please add my name to your page 1 list...

January 23-30 staying at CSR

 

[RedPanda]

We'll be going Jan. 27-Feb. 1. We're going with extended family and staying at SOG. We just finalized dates about a week ago, and my FIL just booked the rooms -- so I'm just starting my planning.

I have a grand total of one meal booked: breakfast at Akershus for all 16 of us! That number's why I haven't booked more meals -- I keep thinking, "Well, we could do CP for the Winnie the Pooh characters...but MIL and FIL wouldn't want to miss that...and BIL & SIL + their kids are going for the first time, I don't want to leave them out... and they might be bringing her mother... and we don't want to leave out..." I think we're going to be doing mostly CS meals, I'm thinking! My only concern is that my DD3 has a peanut allergy, discovered since our last trip, so I'm trying to read up everything I can as far as what she can/can't have to eat in the parks. Whew! All that said, I'm so excited and grateful to be going with the family group -- it's going to be great.

 

[Chocolab23]

We're going January 26- February 2 for my birthday! And we're staying at POR

 

[Jonesloonybin]

2 random questions:

What sorts of gas stations are in the area? I'd like to ask for gas cards for Christmas, but they won't do much good if there's no gas station that accepts them near WDW

Also - my mom is thinking of getting the girls Pirates League makeovers for Christmas presents. Timing wise I'm thinking of booking it for right after our CRT breakfast on DD's birthday. Our CRT ressie is 8:10. If I book PL for 9:30 is that too early? Should I go 9:45? 10? I don't want to lose too much of the day on the makeover but I don't want to rush our CRT experience either.

Thanks oh helpful ones

The gas stations that are on disney property are Hess stations.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Hope all our January DIS friends who live along the path of Sandy stay safe over the next 48 hours. Periodically browsing on DIS has provided me with some much needed distraction from tracking the storm.

 

[Danjocass]

I hope everyone is safe as well. I am in NY and so far they are predicting worse than Irene last year. We are well prepared and will just pray for the best.

 

[SingingMom]

Hope all our January DIS friends who live along the path of Sandy stay safe over the next 48 hours. Periodically browsing on DIS has provided me with some much needed distraction from tracking the storm.

Me too! Schools are closed for the next two days at least. Patio furniture secured, cars filled with gas, generator ready to keep sump pump and fridge working. Candles, flashlights and batteries. At least it won't be snow in New Jersey this time! Be safe, everyone!!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Marshay]

Going January 9-16 for my husband's and I 36th Anniversary. First time going by ourselves. Can't wait.

How great!! I still want to go with just DH sometime ...just need to find someone willing to watch the kids!

Heading down for marathon weekend. Jan 10-17. Me DW DS6 DS18 mo

Welcome!! sounds great!

Just crossed the 3-months-to-go mark yesterday!!

In celebration, I've started a Pre-Trip Report for our trip in late January.

Cool! I'll try to stop over there.

2 random questions:

Also - my mom is thinking of getting the girls Pirates League makeovers for Christmas presents. Timing wise I'm thinking of booking it for right after our CRT breakfast on DD's birthday. Our CRT ressie is 8:10. If I book PL for 9:30 is that too early? Should I go 9:45? 10? I don't want to lose too much of the day on the makeover but I don't want to rush our CRT experience either.

Thanks oh helpful ones

I'd probably book 9:45am to be safe. But we like to linger over our CM and not rush them. I know some places like to rush you out of there but that's not what I enjoy ... esp at CRT. So we always stay about 1 hr and 15 minutes, then bathroom, etc. Also, you'll want to check in at PL prior to your appointment...we just don't like to feel rushed at Disney (when we can help it!)

I was wondering what others would suggest . . . We will be visiting MK on Thursday Jan 31st. There are EMH that am. We plan to eat at 1900s Park Fare for breakfast with the characters and also for my DS and DD to have pirate makeovers at Pirates League. Would it be better to have breakfast first or do the makeover first? We currently have ADRs for 1900s PF at 10:15 and then PL at 11:50. I am wondering if we will miss out on some things if we do the makeovers at that time. What do you all think? Thanks!!

Another option -- do your kids to like show off and get attention? If so, then you'd want to do the PL earlier in the day so more people can see it and make comments. Don't forget the pirate parade that afternoon prior to the Jack Sparrow show. My daughter marched in that as a Mermaid and had a lot of fun!

When we did the PL, we slept in until 8:30am, then went to MK and straight to our 10:15am appt and then toured MK for the rest of the day (with a stop at GF Garden View Tea for a light Lunch, where she got a lot more attention dressed as a mermaid!). Our Mermaid transformation, from start to finish took over an hour (includes checking in, waiting, photos while waiting, transformation, more photos, more waiting before going into the secret room with the option for the photo package, which we did not get, and waiting to check out. Yes, there was a LOT of waiting!)

My DD got so much attention as a Mermaid in the park -- she loved it!! The makeup only lasted about 1/2 a day, but by then it was getting dark so it turned out fine.

DH, DD, DGD (18) & I will be there Jan 3-10 staying in our RV at Fort
Wilderness. We have been to WDW several times over 40 years & have only NOT stayed at FW twice.

DD is making our ADRs for the dining plan. Love that dining plan, so much fun to decide where to eat!

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Linda

Welcome!! Sounds like you guys love FW!

We're going Jan 1 - Jan 8 at POFQ! We're surprising our boys (ages 3 and 5) on Christmas morning!

How great! A wonderful Christmas present.

Please add my name to your page 1 list...

January 23-30 staying at CSR

Welcome and will do!

We'll be going Jan. 27-Feb. 1. We're going with extended family and staying at SOG. We just finalized dates about a week ago, and my FIL just booked the rooms -- so I'm just starting my planning.

I have a grand total of one meal booked: breakfast at Akershus for all 16 of us! That number's why I haven't booked more meals -- I keep thinking, "Well, we could do CP for the Winnie the Pooh characters...but MIL and FIL wouldn't want to miss that...and BIL & SIL + their kids are going for the first time, I don't want to leave them out... and they might be bringing her mother... and we don't want to leave out..." I think we're going to be doing mostly CS meals, I'm thinking! My only concern is that my DD3 has a peanut allergy, discovered since our last trip, so I'm trying to read up everything I can as far as what she can/can't have to eat in the parks. Whew! All that said, I'm so excited and grateful to be going with the family group -- it's going to be great.

Wow -- planning for 16 -- good luck with that!!

We're going January 26- February 2 for my birthday! And we're staying at POR

A great birthday gift!!

Hope all our January DIS friends who live along the path of Sandy stay safe over the next 48 hours. Periodically browsing on DIS has provided me with some much needed distraction from tracking the storm.

Yep, me too! Schools are closed tomorrow and we did all our preparations. Now just waiting to see what we'll really get.

I hope everyone is safe as well. I am in NY and so far they are predicting worse than Irene last year. We are well prepared and will just pray for the best.

Keep safe!

Me too! Schools are closed for the next two days at least. Patio furniture secured, cars filled with gas, generator ready to keep sump pump and fridge working. Candles, flashlights and batteries. At least it won't be snow in New Jersey this time! Be safe, everyone!!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Keep safe!!