2009 Discussion-We'll make time fly by!

[Stitchfans]

Our trip for March 2009 is already booked at ASMO. I have our hopper passes, and our flight booked. So now all I have to do is wait for 180 days period to make our ADRs. Of course I have to get through the dreaded winter months again. sometimes it feels like they haven't left yet. If I didn't have winter to go through the wait would be so much easier.

 

[lmillercrew]

Our trip for March 2009 is already booked at ASMO. I have our hopper passes, and our flight booked. So now all I have to do is wait for 180 days period to make our ADRs. Of course I have to get through the dreaded winter months again. sometimes it feels like they haven't left yet. If I didn't have winter to go through the wait would be so much easier.

Yeah, but once you get through the winter months, then you know you're getting close! That's how I'm going to look at it. Winter just seemed to last SO long here in Ohio. It's a long time until next June for us, I just hope with the kids busy schedule, it'll make time fly.

 

[lmillercrew]

I wouldn't use a travel agent, only because I love the planning part of the trip almost as much as love going on the trip itself. I think it just depends on if everyone in the party knows where they want to stay and eat. Other than that, I think once all of them are at the parks I would just let them know whem dinner is and say, "see ya there". Are you all staying at the same hotel? And is everyone in agreement as far as that goes? If someone cancels, no biggie, as long as they do it in the right time frame. And, I would make sure that if you are the one making the hotel ressies that you have everyones $$ before doing so, that way you won't get stuck. That's mho on everything.

 

[2poohbears]

tikkipoo - I wonder if you could do a magical gathering? I've never done that - but it might be something worth looking into. There is info on the official WDW website, or you could call disney for more info.

 

[tikkipoo]

I wouldn't use a travel agent, only because I love the planning part of the trip almost as much as love going on the trip itself. I think it just depends on if everyone in the party knows where they want to stay and eat. Other than that, I think once all of them are at the parks I would just let them know whem dinner is and say, "see ya there". Are you all staying at the same hotel? And is everyone in agreement as far as that goes? If someone cancels, no biggie, as long as they do it in the right time frame. And, I would make sure that if you are the one making the hotel ressies that you have everyones $$ before doing so, that way you won't get stuck. That's mho on everything.

I don't know what everyone else is doing yet, because "it is still 16 months away"... you know those non-DIS types never understand anything. I also love the planning part as well. That was my debate over having a TA.

tikkipoo - I wonder if you could do a magical gathering? I've never done that - but it might be something worth looking into. There is info on the official WDW website, or you could call disney for more info.

Thought about this. I will have to investigate the boards on the subject. I haven't really read many post before, since I didn't really figure it was going to work out.

Another thing I will have to do is get on the boards to figure out how to make some matching family Disney shirts. DH just rolls his eyes at me when I tell him about that.

 

[lmillercrew]

OOPS, I guess 16 months is a long way away, in a far off galaxy. You're right about most people not being like most Dis'ers. I have planned what hotel I want to stay at and our trip is 13 months away. Good luck with the planning.

 

[jamstew]

Put me down for May 2009. I just got back on May 14 of this year and will be returning in September, but I'll be taking my daughter and her 3-year-old, my son, his wife, and their 4 & 5-year-olds next year. My September trip is all done, and I'm just now starting to work on 2009. I know we'll be staying at VWL for a week, but that's about as far as it goes at this point. I've done some preliminary dining selections so the little ones can interact with the characters, but I doubt we'll be doing more than 4-5 TS meals. The dining plan is probably out, but I still need to run some numbers and study them a little bit. I'm leaning toward the DDE card for the TS discounts.

 

[Stitchfans]

Yeah, but once you get through the winter months, then you know you're getting close! That's how I'm going to look at it. Winter just seemed to last SO long here in Ohio. It's a long time until next June for us, I just hope with the kids busy schedule, it'll make time fly.

like I said- sometimes it feels like it hasn't left us here in Illinois and we are suppose to be starting summer. seriously we are just now experiencing our spring weather with a splash of summer here and there. Weather changes daily here. One day 80's next day 40's.

 

[Sherrkel]

I don't know what everyone else is doing yet, because "it is still 16 months away"... you know those non-DIS types never understand anything. I also love the planning part as well. That was my debate over having a TA.



Tikkipoo - We celebrated our last Grand Gathering in 2007, and have reservations to return in Feb. 2009. We started planning our 2009 trip as soon as we returned from our Feb 2007 trip! The last trip we had 21 people. This trip we're up to 28 !!!

I'm like you - I like to do a lot of the planning. We do utilize AAA for our agent - although mostly we tell the agent what we want, and she books it. She also does the ME reservations. We handle our own ADRs, which is another challenge in of itself. Our whole family loves Disney; but there are three or four of us who usually set up planning meetings, and keep the discussion going when we get together. The others just kind of agree and go along with it. We're lucky to be an easy going family who enjoy spending time together.

 

[2poohbears]

Tikkipoo - If you go with a TA, make sure you ask what the restrictions on cancellations would be. I remember talking with a AAA agent for one of our trips, and we would have had a cancellation charge for them AND for Disney if we cancelled at the last minute. (I ended up just booking the vacation myself). Just something to keep in mind...

 

[tikkipoo]

I am definitely thinking of getting trip insurance for this trip.

Does anyone know if it would cover the airline tickets if they went bankrupt?

 

[Boncho]

My son and I are planning on going to WDW the first part of May. Is anyone else staying at Pop with kids around 12 yo during this time?

 

[AngelBabyJana]

Since we've had so many additions and changes lately (and we're sure to have lots more as '09 gets closer ) I'm afraid that I might miss a post with new dates or changes. So, to be sure I get your info, send me a PM with your info after you post. I'll be waiting!...

Hi Everyone! I'm really glad that I found this thread ..... being able to talk to others planning their 09 vacations will make the time go by faster.

We are planning our very first trip to Disney for May 2-10 of 2009. We already have 3 "room only" reservations booked at Pop Century ...... now just waiting (along with everyone else here) until the package rates come out for next year, then we will call & "upgrade" to the package. We are seriously considering deluxe dining since we are planning several signature meals as well.

We are going as part of a Grand Gathering with extended family. When they found out we were going, they just kind of invited themselves along. I just hope that doesn't turn out to be a big mistake. None of them are big Disney fans, and so far all they have done is gripe about how "expensive" this vacation is going to be. Our Seaworld vacation (in San Antonio) with them was a "nightmare" so I'm really hoping that this vacation goes better.

So I am thrilled that I can talk to fellow DISers in the meantime since I know that all of you are just as excited as I am to be "planning" a trip to Disney.

I've started a Disney box in my closet for little things that I pick up for our trip. So far I've bought the kids a few new Disney clothes, some Disney Dollars (to give the kids as a surprise), and then a few other odds & ends. Can't forget the Mickey luggage either! (that should be here on Thursday!) So happy to hear that I am not the only one starting to buy things - my sister just rolls her eyes when I talk about Disney non-stop, lol.

Look forward to talking to all of you!

 

[tikkipoo]

Angel Baby, Welcome!

Don't let them rain on your parade. I am also going with a group, and I intend on leaving their you know whats at the resort if they don't fall into line.

 

[GeminiAngel]

We are going as part of a Grand Gathering with extended family. When they found out we were going, they just kind of invited themselves along. I just hope that doesn't turn out to be a big mistake. None of them are big Disney fans, and so far all they have done is gripe about how "expensive" this vacation is going to be. Our Seaworld vacation (in San Antonio) with them was a "nightmare" so I'm really hoping that this vacation goes better.

Don't worry, you will find plenty of great drinks to help you cope with this.

The disney box is a great idea! so great, I'm going to walmart for a storage bin for my closet tonight. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

I have my Disney box started and it is full!!! Need a bigger box. My dh has really gotten into making his own t-shirts for this trip. I have our POP century luggage tags in there, leftover ponchos from last trip, my high dollar socks (only buy these for Disney since there is a lot of walking), backpacks, etc. I just slowly buy stuff all year that way I won't have to spend the money all at once and it helps keep me excited for the trip.

 

[Micka Mouse]

my high dollar socks (only buy these for Disney since there is a lot of walking)

 

[Sherrkel]

Hi Everyone! I'm really glad that I found this thread ..... being able to talk to others planning their 09 vacations will make the time go by faster.

We are going as part of a Grand Gathering with extended family. When they found out we were going, they just kind of invited themselves along. I just hope that doesn't turn out to be a big mistake. None of them are big Disney fans, and so far all they have done is gripe about how "expensive" this vacation is going to be. Our Seaworld vacation (in San Antonio) with them was a "nightmare" so I'm really hoping that this vacation goes better.

So I am thrilled that I can talk to fellow DISers in the meantime since I know that all of you are just as excited as I am to be "planning" a trip to Disney.

Hi Jana :
My family and I traveled to DW in 2007 as a Grand Gathering (21 of us); it worked out pretty good. We had to compromise on some things. I really wanted to have a touring plan; but nobody else did. I'm not a commando or anything, but wanted to know when we arrived at a park "are we all going left, or going right??" Not too much to ask!
We did end up figuring it out, and having an incredible time! We are planning our return gathering for February 2009.

 

[pixidust princess]

Welcome AngelBaby! We are also going as part of a group in October 2009. I am kinda nervous because I too am a planner. I am going to plan as usual and leave it up to our other family members if they choose to follow my plan or not. This trip will most likely be my last for awhile (acording to dh) so I want to make it count!!!!!
I am also thinking of the good things about going with extended family. My MIL and FIL will get to see the look on my kids face when they see the castle and when they get off the rides. This will be priceless.
We have rented a 5 bedroom vacation home at Windsor Hills and are all staying together.
I second the idea of having some of those fabulous drinks to get through

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

Well they are $20.00 for three pairs of socks. That is just crazy but they do help the feet. Normally I get the cheap ones from Wal-mart for normal everyday wear.