2009 Discussion-We'll make time fly by!

[JJ&JSMOM]

I'll join in the wait! We are planning a March 2009 visit with our 3 kids (then 9, 6 and almost 5). The last time I went to Disney was in 1999, and it was just dh and I, so I have a lot to learn and figure out!

Right now we're trying to figure out where to stay with our family of 5 (haven't decided if we want to go with the All Star Suite, 2 connected value rooms, or possibly a deluxe resort IF we got a really good deal/code) and also trying to figure out when and how is the best way to book it. I get overwhelmed with all the information on this site!

Tracey

We're in the same boat - we're a family of 5 wondering where to stay. Its hard for us w/3 or more kids. But there are options. In October we stayed at the Poly and loved loved it! But I can't justify staying there again w/o a good code so for now we're looking at the suites at ASMu as well - but I could change my mind . Theres a lot of information on this site - its wonderful. Word of warning: Keep in mind whats doable for your family - I went nuts for our October trip and spent way over my budget and I"m still paying for it. I was not smart but I learned my lesson - we had a great trip though . If its the only disney trip we take (which I hope it isn't), it definitely would be considered a trip of a lifetime-well to my standards anyway.

 

[traceyr13]

We're in the same boat - we're a family of 5 wondering where to stay. Its hard for us w/3 or more kids. But there are options. In October we stayed at the Poly and loved loved it! But I can't justify staying there again w/o a good code so for now we're looking at the suites at ASMu as well - but I could change my mind . Theres a lot of information on this site - its wonderful. Word of warning: Keep in mind whats doable for your family - I went nuts for our October trip and spent way over my budget and I"m still paying for it. I was not smart but I learned my lesson - we had a great trip though . If its the only disney trip we take (which I hope it isn't), it definitely would be considered a trip of a lifetime-well to my standards anyway.

Is there a time when codes usually become available (or is totally random?) and how far in advance did you book your reservations?

It will be very hard to stay on a budget since this is the kids' first trip, but I definitely need to work on it!

Tracey

 

[candizfan]

Part of my salary compensation is a vacation fund so I'm fortunate in that my vacations are paid for. Because we own DVC and don't have to pay hotel costs, that means we eat very good when we go to WDW!!!!

Okay, that would make me stay a the job! I have never heard of such a thing. Do they match your contributions?

 

[sandym718]

I've never heard of that either!! What a nice perk!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Is there a time when codes usually become available (or is totally random?) and how far in advance did you book your reservations?

It will be very hard to stay on a budget since this is the kids' first trip, but I definitely need to work on it!

Tracey

Well its a long story but we originally booked our vacation for May 07 in May 06 (a one bedroom at VWL) but DD4 was sick 2 days before we left w/high fever, sore throat, etc. So we ended up cancelling the day prior to leaving so we rescheduled on 5/11/07 for our stay 9/28-10/7/07. I"m glad we did because DD2 was sick 3 days after which would have been day 2 of our vacay . We couldn't get VWL so we went w/the Poly. I was successful in getting all our ADRs as well which was a big relief as it was DD4's 5th bday during that time. I was able to secure a CRT lunch w/BBB appointment prior to. Also ordered her a bday cake to be delivered to our table - she'll never forget her 5th bday w/the princesses.

It was our kids first trip as well and I wanted everything perfect - and it all worked out that way. It was worth every penny but I did go overboard but if you can afford it more power to ya. I guess it wasn't too much just more then we could really afford - it was fun planning! But thinking back on it now - they would have been just as happy w/out all the little extras.

A code did come out a month or two prior to our May 07 visit and I called my TA and it wouldn't work on VWL. When we were rescheduling we could have scheduled during September for free dining but I wanted to go when DD4's bday was. Shortly after coming back I did receive a postcard in the mail but we couldn't use as we just got back and wouldn't be going for another couple years. So I guess it depends.

Joanne

 

[traceyr13]

Thanks for your reply, and wow! on having to cancel and reschedule your trip. That would be a HUGE fear of mine - yikes! I'm so glad it worked out for you, though.

I stayed in the Polynesian the 2 times I went as a kid (when I was 10 and 12) and it was amazing - I STILL vividly remember the slide with the waterfall, but I just don't foresee that being in our budget unless I got a GREAT deal somehow.

I will have to do a meal with the Princesses - my daughter (now 3 1/2, will be almost 5 at the time of the trip) will flip out. She is totally obsessed with them.

Tracey

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thanks for your reply, and wow! on having to cancel and reschedule your trip. That would be a HUGE fear of mine - yikes! I'm so glad it worked out for you, though.

I stayed in the Polynesian the 2 times I went as a kid (when I was 10 and 12) and it was amazing - I STILL vividly remember the slide with the waterfall, but I just don't foresee that being in our budget unless I got a GREAT deal somehow.

I will have to do a meal with the Princesses - my daughter (now 3 1/2, will be almost 5 at the time of the trip) will flip out. She is totally obsessed with them.

Tracey

It was a fear for for us too - as I'm sure you know - once one gets sick the germ seems to go through the whole house. Thank goodness for travel insurance - I wouldn't plan a trip w/o it. The princess meal was wonderful - I was worried about the menu at lunch but it was the best meal we had up until we had dinner at Kona Cafe. I'm sure your DD would love a princess meal. My DD5 loved going to the BBB for her makeover and then going to lunch w/the princesses. DD2 seemed a little upset w/me that she couldn't have a makeover (minimum age is 3) but I packed her Cinderella dress and dressed her up for lunch and she loved it too. I'd also like to try the Akershus Storybook at Epcot too. So much fun.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I'd love to join you all! We're planning on an October or November 2009 trip. That's such a long time away!

Hi - it seems like a long way away but it'll go fast. At least thats what I keep tellling myself. We're planning for May 09 but if that falls through we'd probably go in October or November. We just went in October 07 and had a fun time. Very hot and humid which I thought was a little strange. The last time we went in October (1998) it was cooler then our previous trip in May (1995). MNSSHP is so much fun too.

I see you posted in the resort forum about resorts that sleep 5. Seems like a common dilemma on the boards. We're 5 as well- we're thinking the ASMu Suites or a deluxe if we get a good code. Have fun planning. Forgot to mention- we've stayed at POR (pre kids!) and that is an option as well but at 314 sq ft I'm afraid it would be a tight squeeze but it would be the cheapest option that I can find w/o a discount. We really liked POR - its a beautiful resort but its very big. As 2 adults we didn't mind the walking but w/kids that might be a different story. The landscaping was beautiful - throughout the resort grounds theres white bridges and its just really nice. Lizards, ducks & rabbits abound. Very nice.

 

[Pakey]

It sounds like a lot of us want to do the same things on the 09 trip. For us, we'll be taking 2 children for the first time ever (first time for them and our first time with small children). So although I've been to the world a gazillion times now, it will be all new now that we're taking kids.

In all the times we have went, we have never done a character meal. Our only meal at the castle was before they turned it into a character meal so I've got a lot to learn and plan in that area. And because one child is a girl and one is a boy, I don't know if they will like the same sort of things or if I need to plan girly things and then boy things.

So much to plan and so little time

 

[dislurker4toolong]

We will join this thread but were not sure when were next going and to which park all we know is Disney in 09 we are going with dd's dance team and if we go to WDW we will go in January and they will go for 5 day but we will stay for 2 weeks most likely if they go to Disneyland we will go for 4 day but we will stay for 10 days this will give us time to enjoy the park as when there team is performing we will be on the run. Were hoping they will chose WDW but were fine with either choice since it is disney of course! If they go to Disneyland the team will most likely stay at the Caraseoul Inn or the Tropicana and we will stay there for the time were there with them but we will most likely switch or to Grand Californian when the comp. is done. If they go with WDW we will stay in a value for the 5 days of comp. then switch over to AKL where were hoping to buy DVC into soon since we loved our visit here this summer nothings in stone yet but were happy that were going to disney in 2009!!! We also went in June 2007 this year if you didnt catch on there so this will be the second family WDW trip or the third family DL trip if they do choose Disneyland we may go to WDW anyway in 09 if we do buy into DVC so we may have 2 trips at the most in 09!!

 

[mapmakerj]

Put us down for the 2009 waiting game. We were going to do a week in a deluxe in June to celebrate our 40th bd's, but I talked DH into two weeks in a value to get to spend more time down there. My DMom bought us US/ IOA tickets for our bd's, so we will get to spend some time there too! ASMu resort here we come!

 

[gwcollins71]

Add us to the 2009 list. We are planning on going for about a week in late July/early August and then adding a 3 or 4 day cruise to it.

I"m glad I have the boards. Hubby is getting sick of hearing about it. I can't wait. My 2yo daughter tells Daddy we need to go there again everytime a commercial comes on. Can't you tell Mommy has trained her well.

Looking forward to 2009.

Gretchen

 

[gwcollins71]

Add us to the 2009 list. We are planning on going for about a week in late July/early August and then adding a 3 or 4 day cruise to it.

I"m glad I have the boards. Hubby is getting sick of hearing about it. I can't wait. My 2yo daughter tells Daddy we need to go there again everytime a commercial comes on. Can't you tell Mommy has trained her well.

Looking forward to 2009.

Gretchen

 

[Mickey1974]

I'm in for January 2009! We're going to New York this coming April and couldn't do two big trips in the same year...so I have to wait poo poo. But on a much happier note...I can come here and talk about Disney with all of you guys!!

 

[sandym718]

Welcome to all of the "newbies" on the thread!! Glad to have you here!! We all have a great year of planning ahead!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Just wanted to let you folks know that I emailed DU Friday to ask about booking. As of Friday bookings as far as 5/19/09 could be booked room only. So thats 2 days so probably thru 5/21 now but not sure. Once the packages come out the room only can be switched to a pkg. Not sure if anyones ready to do that but just thought I'd pass on the info.

We just haven't made up our minds yet and I don't want to book a resort until we know for sure. I love the idea of having it booked - its amazing how having a disney trip booked improves my mood and outlook on life.

Joanne

 

[sandym718]

Thanks, Joanne! Almost positive now we'll be going May 1st-8th at the Poly so sounds like I could book room-only anytime if I want! I doubt I will, I'll probably just wait until the package rates come out in August, but good to know. We'll just be getting the standard garden-view room, so I doubt there will be any need to book before then.

 

[misricsmith]

if you book room only they will cancel your ressie and change it if you book a package later
fyi
so i have been told
but us on the 2009 list

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thanks, Joanne! Almost positive now we'll be going May 1st-8th at the Poly so sounds like I could book room-only anytime if I want! I doubt I will, I'll probably just wait until the package rates come out in August, but good to know. We'll just be getting the standard garden-view room, so I doubt there will be any need to book before then.

Sure. I don't think you'd have any issues seems like there are always rooms at the Poly available. We'll probably wait as well although I'm not sure if we really need a pkg. If we were going to do ddp then I'd get the pkg but the pkgs always comes w/extras that we just don't use. Its fun knowing I could book anytime - its that close!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

if you book room only they will cancel your ressie and change it if you book a package later
fyi
so i have been told
but us on the 2009 list

Thats how I understand it as well. They reimburse the one nights stay deposit and then charge $200 for the pkg. We did this last trip - no problems at all.