2009 Discussion-We'll make time fly by!

[Mrs Grumpy]

I've got time to kill, so here's my initial plan. Of course, this will all be out the window when emh's are released. But, just for kicks...

Day 1.
Arrive at MCO around noon. ME to Pop and arrive around 2:00.
Settle in to room.
Quick swim.
Head to Chef Mickey's around 6:00.
Drag DS back to Pop. Maybe a quick swim before turning in early (10:00)
Day 2.
MK for rope drop.
Hit our faves.
Casey's for lunch around 1:00.
Back to Pop.
Swim. Relax by the pool. Dinner at Pop.
Day 3.
Epcot for rope drop.
Get to Soarin' --grab a fastpass
Get over to Test track.
Go back over to Nemo.
Explore Innoventions East, West.
Soarin' fast pass time?
Earliest lunch available at Coral Reef.
Head to World Showcase.
Take our time and explore (we NEVER do that).
Around 3:00 take the boat over to YC/BC for a sundae at Beaches & Cream.
Take boat over to MGM. Bus back to Pop.
Swim. Relax.
Day 4.
AK.
Get Kali fast pass. Ride EE. Safari. Nemo.
Early lunch at Flame Tree.
Do Kali.
Back to Pop around 1:00.
Swim. Relax.
Head to MK around 6.
Tony's.
Enjoy as much of the park as we can.
9:00--Ice Cream. Spectro. Wishes.
Back to Pop.
Day 5.
Sleep in.
MGM around 1:00.
50's PrimeTime around 6:00.
Fantasmic.
Back to Pop.
Day 6.
Typhoon Lagoon around 10:00.
Lunch around noon.
Back to Pop around 4:00.
Dinner at Whispering Canyons around 6:00.
Boat over to MK.
Explore. Shop. Wander leisurely.
Stay for Spectro and Wishes.
Back to Pop.
Day 7.
Sleep in.
Downtown Disney around 11:00.
Quick lunch somewhere.
Quest.
Shop.
Back to Pop around 6:00
Swim. Bed early.
Day 8.
DS likes to do an "Around the World" day.
8:00--EMH--MK--do Splash Mountain, BTMR, Philharmagic, Buzz, SM.
11:00--Monorail to Epcot--check times board. Do whatever has the shortest wait. Grab lunch on the run.
1:30--isn't there a bus that goes from Epcot to AK? Take that.
Do whatever we can.
4:00--bus back to Pop. Eat at Pop. Rest!!!
7:30--MGM--ToT, MuppetVision, StarTours
Late Fantasmic show (10:00)
Back to Pop and collapse!
Day 9.
Sleep in.
Swim.
MK--4:00
5:00--Early dinner at CRT
Spectro. Wishes.
Back to Pop.
Day 10.
Ohana--breakfast with Stitch 8:30.
DS choice day. He leads. I follow! Always an adventure!!!
Day 11.
MK--Crystal Place Character Breakfast.
Ride faves one more time.
Monorail over to Epcot.
Ride Soarin' one more time.
Boat over to Boardwalk. Lunch and one more Sundae at B&C!
Boat over to MGM. Stroll around one more time.
4:00 back to Pop. Swim.
MK for one more Spectro and Wishes!
Day 12.
Check out around noon.
4:00--Start planning next trip.

Wow! You have been doing some planning. I better get busy and get more details to mine!!!

 

[candizfan]

Great plans everyone.

In March 2009 we will be 2 nights off site at the Nickolodean Hotel. Then 7 nights on the Disney Wonder.

 

[Micka Mouse]

Arkansas Mom: That sounds great. Made me realize that I have NO idea which rides I should definetly get a fastpass for. After I get all of my rides "finalized", I'll look into it.

I am hoping that dd2 will be tall enough for Soarin'. DD5 is very tall for her age, but her sis looks average. OH, how I want to do Soarin' as a family!!!!!!!!

 

[POOHLUV69]

Just reading along tonight and trying to stay warm. It seems everywhere I go something reminds me of Disney. 2 families we know will be going in Feb and April. How I long to be south with the mouse.



Micka Mouse: Hope everything works out for you w/DD and Soarin'. My DS was 9 when he rode Soarin' and totally freaked out . For anyone who knows him his nickname is Mr. Extreme b/c he loves coasters and anything fast. He absolutely loved Expedition Everest and Space Mt. and all the others. I never would have thought he'd have a problem with Soarin'. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[sandym718]

Wow, that 12 day plan sounds GREAT!!!!!

Micka - I'll be hoping for you! My DD who was almost 3 was not near tall enough to ride, but both my kids are quite short for their ages. Actually, I DS (who was almost 5) barely made it - he was just barely 42" in shoes, the cut-off for Soarin' and a bunch of others is 40".

 

[sandym718]

Ah, just saw PoohLuv and I posted at about the same time. Just for consideration purposes, my almost-5 year old LOVED Soarin' - it was his favorite after Splash. We had Dream Fast Passes so he rode it a total of 4 times on our trip. He's a thrill-ride lover also, poor thing has his height restricting him from a lot of things he would love to do. My DD tends to like all rides, too, I'm not sure how she would've been on Soarin'. A little nervous maybe, but I think she would've liked it. They're all so different and sometimes you just never know what they will/won't like!!

 

[Micka Mouse]

Soarin' is on my 'parents night out' list as of right now. I just measured the kids. DD5 is 47", DD2 is 37". I'll have to wait and see how things go with them. DD2 is more of the adventureous one, but you never know. I'd hate to have them ride something and ruin their day, just because I wanted to do it.

Does anyone know about the Mike/Monster's Inc show? Where is it located? Have you gone to it? We are huge Monster's Inc fans (dd2 was mike for halloween). Thanks!

 

[Eoywin]

Does anyone know about the Mike/Monster's Inc show? Where is it located? Have you gone to it? We are huge Monster's Inc fans (dd2 was mike for halloween). Thanks!

It's in Tommorowland - kinda across from Buzz Lightyear - we did it in October, and it was so good!

It was funny, and I got to be picked to be part of the show (I was not so funny )

 

[POOHLUV69]

I agree. The Monster's Inc. show was cute, no so funny for adults, but the kids sure did like it. Honestly, I don't think there was a show we didn't enjoy. The Lion King show at Animal Kingdom was by far our favorite.

 

[fluke703]

Just found out about this website from a friend who returned from a WDW vacation a few weeks ago. We are planning our FIRST WDW vacation in March, 2009. I'm a Canadian teacher so have to go high season. I have the same questions as you, about how early you can book full packages with room and dining package. I'm concerned because I feel this will be a busy time of year. My girls will be 7 and 9. I have so many questions and could use any/all advice. I was there twice as a kid and my husband has never been. I can't wait to get them there.

 

[POOHLUV69]

2009 packages will be out sometime in August of 2008. You can book a room only reservation 500 days out and then add the package when they come out. I believe this is correct, if not someone feel free to correct me.

 

[Micka Mouse]

Just found out about this website from a friend who returned from a WDW vacation a few weeks ago. We are planning our FIRST WDW vacation in March, 2009. I'm a Canadian teacher so have to go high season. I have the same questions as you, about how early you can book full packages with room and dining package. I'm concerned because I feel this will be a busy time of year. My girls will be 7 and 9. I have so many questions and could use any/all advice. I was there twice as a kid and my husband has never been. I can't wait to get them there.

That's wonderful! I'm not a seasoned WDW person, so I can't really help . However, I can tell you that the wealth of info I have gotten here has been amazing! I also have one of Fodor's books, "WDW with Kids". I am eagerly awaiting the 2009 edition (I have 2007).

How long do you plan on staying? Do you know where you want to stay (off/on-site? if on, value, moderate or deluxe resort)?

 

[bennythepug]

How long do you plan on staying? Do you know where you want to stay (off/on-site? if on, value, moderate or deluxe resort)?
__________________
Going in July and will stay 10 days or more. We are going to have a split stay of a Windsor Hills townhome and connecting rooms at Pop Century.

I get excited just writing it down

 

[arkansas mom]

Arkansas Mom: That sounds great. Made me realize that I have NO idea which rides I should definetly get a fastpass for. After I get all of my rides "finalized", I'll look into it.

I am hoping that dd2 will be tall enough for Soarin'. DD5 is very tall for her age, but her sis looks average. OH, how I want to do Soarin' as a family!!!!!!!!

Well, you have 17 months to feed her loads of whatever vegetable makes you grow tall! Shovel it in!!!

 

[sandym718]

Soarin' is on my 'parents night out' list as of right now. I just measured the kids. DD5 is 47", DD2 is 37". I'll have to wait and see how things go with them. DD2 is more of the adventureous one, but you never know. I'd hate to have them ride something and ruin their day, just because I wanted to do it.

Does anyone know about the Mike/Monster's Inc show? Where is it located? Have you gone to it? We are huge Monster's Inc fans (dd2 was mike for halloween). Thanks!

I think you have an excellent shot of your DD being tall enough. 3 inches in 17 months seems very likely for that age. Plus, did you measure without shoes or with? Even regular shoes gives about a 1/2 inch. I guess if you at all think they'll like it - have 'em try it. Maybe get a Fast Pass and try to do it as the last ride before heading back to the resort, that way if it's not a hit, well, over and done with. I'd bet they'll love it though!!

BTW, your kids sound so tall to me, LOL!!! My DS is also 5, will be 6 in May - he's 44". DD is 3, will be 4 in March - she is 38 1/2". And they actually both just had a growth spurt that got them there, LOL. I've got a couple of little ones!

 

[arkansas mom]

Just found out about this website from a friend who returned from a WDW vacation a few weeks ago. We are planning our FIRST WDW vacation in March, 2009. I'm a Canadian teacher so have to go high season. I have the same questions as you, about how early you can book full packages with room and dining package. I'm concerned because I feel this will be a busy time of year. My girls will be 7 and 9. I have so many questions and could use any/all advice. I was there twice as a kid and my husband has never been. I can't wait to get them there.

7 and 9 will be GREAT ages for a first WDW trip!

My best advice is to devour this website! I learned so much here before our first trip that DH gave me major kudos--and he doesn't even like WDW!

Reading the resorts board will help you decide whether to stay on-site or off. I always suggest staying onsite. That's part of the whole experience I think. Immersing yourself in WDW--the resort, the restaurants, the pools, even the busses, makes you feel like you're in a whole other world. I always feel like Disney takes such good care of us from the moment we land in Orlando. That's why I always feel comfortable going with just me and DS--leaving DH at home.

Also study the threads about packages and tickets. It will all start to unfold for you when you see what's out there. You might want to check out mousesavers.com. She has lots of package and ticket info and comparisons. Resort info too.

Reading trip reports is not only fun, but you can also learn a lot there. You'll mostly learn from other people's mistakes! But you'll also get a feel for what works as far as plans and schedules. And you'll learn al ot about various attractions from people's first-hand accounts.

I always go in May/June. Yes, it's crowded, but if you're armed with the right plan it's great!

Do you have specific questions? I bet someone here can help!

 

[arkansas mom]

2009 packages will be out sometime in August of 2008. You can book a room only reservation 500 days out and then add the package when they come out. I believe this is correct, if not someone feel free to correct me.

Here's my question.
If you book early, won't that prevent the Disney-powers-that-be from sending you a code? They already know you're coming so why would they send you a discount code?

 

[Micka Mouse]

I think you have an excellent shot of your DD being tall enough. 3 inches in 17 months seems very likely for that age. Plus, did you measure without shoes or with? Even regular shoes gives about a 1/2 inch. I guess if you at all think they'll like it - have 'em try it. Maybe get a Fast Pass and try to do it as the last ride before heading back to the resort, that way if it's not a hit, well, over and done with. I'd bet they'll love it though!!

BTW, your kids sound so tall to me, LOL!!! My DS is also 5, will be 6 in May - he's 44". DD is 3, will be 4 in March - she is 38 1/2". And they actually both just had a growth spurt that got them there, LOL. I've got a couple of little ones!

When in May? Mine will be 6 on May 1. She has always been taller than average. I remember one afternoon, we were in the theatre seeing a play, and I had to change her diaper. She was 27 mos old. You should have seen the looks I got when I put her on the changing table. Of course, I had no idea why they were looking at me funny. It wasn't until we were walking out that I heard one of them say, "no kid of mine will be wearing diapers at that age". I was so embarrased. She was 99% trained, but I put her in the diaper cause I didn't want her to have an accident while we were out. The kicker was---she stayed dry the whole time we were out !

Ah well! Live & Learn!

 

[sandym718]

Josh will be 6 on May 14th - they're so close!!

We get the opposite sort of reactions, especially with DS - in addition to his short stature, he's very "petitie" (odd to say that for a boy, but small-boned I mean). He only weighs 37 lbs, tiny hands, tiny feet, just small. He looks more about 4 - people are stunned to hear him read, they couldn't believe he was potty-trained, etc. etc.

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

How long do you plan on staying? Do you know where you want to stay (off/on-site? if on, value, moderate or deluxe resort)?[/QUOTE]

We are planning to stay 7 or 8 days in June, 09. We hope to stay in a deluxe - either CR, YC, or a 1 bedroom villa somewhere. We have stayed at both CBR and YC in the past, and I learned that I am a deluxe girl, trapped in a moderate life.