A 16th Birthday/New Years Celebration(with 75,000 friends)updated 1/27

[MHTeacher]

The last time we went was in 2005. We arrived on 1/2/05 and stood until 1/7/05. We stood off site in a 3 br condo for a ridiculously cheap price. The crowd levels then were much lower than the days leading up to New Year's.

This time we are going from 2/13-2/20 and I am a little worried about crowd levels. It will be President's day and Mardi Gras week that week. I know here in Louisiana we get days off for Mardi Gras and we will be taking the kids out of school for a few days after that (but that's another thread ), and from what I have learned in the Northeast lots of schools have a winter/spring break during President's week. So we shall see.

It was VERY crowded, but I found it to be manageable if one knows what you're doing. One year (2003) we were there during the 4th of July. I don't remember it being less crowded than it was this week. AND I, personally, can handle huge crowds better in 65 degree temps than in 100 degree temps.

I'm sure you'll have an amazing time. Out of curiosity, do you know what the UG crowd predictions are for that week?

First of all--ROLL TIDE!!! (I noticed your avatar) Wasn't the game Thursday night exciting?! We are HUGE BAMA fans--my hubby grew up in Jasper and went to school at U of A!! We actually spent 12 days over Christmas visiting my in-laws in Jasper.

Anywho, I'm excited to read about your trip!!! WOW--the crowds are HUGE!!! Your pictures are unbelievable!! But it sounds like you had a wonderful trip! We are planning on going in December this year but are looking at the beginning of the month. I can't wait to read more!!

Thanks ladybugmom! We live on the other side of the state as your in-laws (Florence). We are big 'Bama fans as well...have had season tickets for about 10 years. I wanted to go to this game SO badly, but DH said we couldn't return from Disney and turn around 3 days later and head across the country again!(What a party-pooper!)

Yes, the crowds were huge, but not as scary as I had mentally prepared myself for. This was my kids' 7th trip in the past 8 years, so we've seen it, ridden it, watched it all before. I just kind of took the attitude that we would soak up the atmosphere and celebrate DD's birthday. We wound up having one of the best times we've ever had at Disney.

Hey there, I am here!

Great start on your TR! How great that you got to stay at Yacht Club - your room was so cute!! I just love those beds, how sweet!

What a special memory that your daughter was able to spend her 16th birthday at WDW...so fun!! I was perusing the cruise line site and noticed that on my birthday in 2011, there is a cruise that leaves on the Dream....so now, of course, I am trying to figure out if I want to take that cruise!

Have a great day!

Thanks for reading. I've been enjoying your trip report as well, not to mention loved hearing about all your snow at home! (Here in Alabama, I've missed two days of school last week, because of our 1" of snow! ( Don't laugh too hard!)

I think you should definitely look into that cruise for your birthday in 2011!

 

[leamom2princesses]

Hi there! Followed you over from my PTR. You've gotten off to a great start. I can't believe those wait times.

You and your family are a nice looking bunch. What a special birthday for your daughter. Love the sweet sixteen cake (especially the little fondant ball Mickey). That gives me ideas!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Ahhh! What a very fun night!!! (Minus the meltdown )

Weren't those fireworks awesome?!?! On NYE we monorailed it to MK to catch a bus back to Kidani and the DJ was pumped out his music, it sounded like such a blast! When my little guy is older I think we'll do another NYE trip and do MK late night. How fun!

 

[MHTeacher]

Hi there! Followed you over from my PTR. You've gotten off to a great start. I can't believe those wait times.

You and your family are a nice looking bunch. What a special birthday for your daughter. Love the sweet sixteen cake (especially the little fondant ball Mickey). That gives me ideas!

Thanks for checking out my first ever trip report! Those wait times were crazy, but that was ok, because we were not really there to ride...The trip was all about turning 16!

I was happy with the cake too...and it tasted pretty yummy as well.

Ahhh! What a very fun night!!! (Minus the meltdown )

Weren't those fireworks awesome?!?! On NYE we monorailed it to MK to catch a bus back to Kidani and the DJ was pumped out his music, it sounded like such a blast! When my little guy is older I think we'll do another NYE trip and do MK late night. How fun!

Yes the DJ was pumping out the tunes, and it was a lot of fun for us all. The fireworks were amazing. As I mentioned, when I watched the DVD at home, I cried! I am such a dork!

You will definitely want to do another NYE trip when your little one is older. I have as much fun now on trips as I used to when my little ones were younger. It's just a different kind of fun (minus the meltdowns, of course...which know no age limit! )

 

[DW2010]

Looking forward to reading your report. I actually live in Tallahassee .

 

[MHTeacher]

Looking forward to reading your report. I actually live in Tallahassee .

Hi there DW2010. to my first ever trip report. I can't believe I waited through 9 trips to write one of these.

I always love stopping to spend the night in Tallahassee. It makes me feel like I'm almost to DisneyWorld (even though I have almost 4 more hours). How lucky for you to be so close!

So are you a big FSU fan, living right in the heart of Seminole country?

 

[cdotla]

Great report, but wow, oh wow! I think you single-handedly caused me to rethink any idea of a trip btwn Christmas and New Years!

Being born and raised to travel to WDW the 1st of May each year I am too spoiled with low crowds to tolerate the crush level crowds.

One year back in the mid-1980's my mom decided that it would be fun to be in WDW for July 4th. The crowds we experienced were very similar to your pictures. We saw them actually tearing down walls and exiting people through backstage areas (or at least regularly untravelled areas). It was insane!

Looking forward to more!

 

[ladybugmom]

Thanks ladybugmom! We live on the other side of the state as your in-laws (Florence). We are big 'Bama fans as well...have had season tickets for about 10 years. I wanted to go to this game SO badly, but DH said we couldn't return from Disney and turn around 3 days later and head across the country again!(What a party-pooper!)

Yes, the crowds were huge, but not as scary as I had mentally prepared myself for. This was my kids' 7th trip in the past 8 years, so we've seen it, ridden it, watched it all before. I just kind of took the attitude that we would soak up the atmosphere and celebrate DD's birthday. We wound up having one of the best times we've ever had at Disney.

We used to be season ticket holders--back during the Dubose era. But it got so difficult to travel 3.5-4 hours everytime there was a home game. Plus it got depressing when they weren't doing too well. Now it's sooo hard to find tickets. We went to the AL/UTC game this year only b/c one of DH's employees gave us their tickets (he has season tickets). DH's cousin used to work as a trainer on the team and he was able to get us tickets but we don't have that connection now. This same cousin is a DVC owner and booked a room out in Disneyland months ago for the week of the National Championship game (he had high hopes for BAMA). AND he was able to get tickets to the game--so he and his wife flew out there for the week (they don't have kids). I wish we could have gone, too!

 

[MHTeacher]

Great report, but wow, oh wow! I think you single-handedly caused me to rethink any idea of a trip btwn Christmas and New Years!

Being born and raised to travel to WDW the 1st of May each year I am too spoiled with low crowds to tolerate the crush level crowds.

One year back in the mid-1980's my mom decided that it would be fun to be in WDW for July 4th. The crowds we experienced were very similar to your pictures. We saw them actually tearing down walls and exiting people through backstage areas (or at least regularly untravelled areas). It was insane!

Looking forward to more!

Well thanks. I'm sorry though, I didn't mean to make anyone rethink a trip to Disney...EVER.

As you might see from my sig, we've been to Disney at various times through the years, but I have always tried to avoid the most crowded times (with that one exception of going during July 4th! What WAS I thinking?? ) However, my baby girl was turing 16 and she wanted to go to Disney for her special day. So.......

You know, now that I've been during that time, I have to say it wasn't as bad as I had imagined. As I've said, it's not the time for a first-timer, or the person who's saved up for the trip of a lifetime and may not be back for years. But for us...we've been there, seen it, ridden it, so this trip was not about commando park touring. We just went with the attitude of soaking up the fun, festive, holiday spirit, doing a little people watching, and of course, celebrating a big birthday.

 

[MHTeacher]

We used to be season ticket holders--back during the Dubose era. But it got so difficult to travel 3.5-4 hours everytime there was a home game.

Tell me about it... We live almost a full 3 hours from Tuscaloosa. We tailgate with friends and my DH is of the mindset that we have to leave while it's still dark to get there. Even if it's a night game, he wants to leave the house by 6 a.m. By the time the game starts, I'm usually worn out!

Oh...and don't even let me tell you about the time they convinced us to camp out on campus the night before the AL-AU game last year. I now know how Noah must have felt during the great flood!

 

[DW2010]

Hi there DW2010. to my first ever trip report. I can't believe I waited through 9 trips to write one of these.

I always love stopping to spend the night in Tallahassee. It makes me feel like I'm almost to DisneyWorld (even though I have almost 4 more hours). How lucky for you to be so close!

So are you a big FSU fan, living right in the heart of Seminole country?

I'm a HUGE FSU fan . I love them but sometimes wonder why...lol! We're driving to DW September 27th and staying 3 nights to celebrating my DD's 4th birthday. She actually turns 4 on October 2nd, but rates were cheaper the week before...ha, ha.

 

[MHTeacher]

I'm a HUGE FSU fan . I love them but sometimes wonder why...lol! We're driving to DW September 27th and staying 3 nights to celebrating my DD's 4th birthday. She actually turns 4 on October 2nd, but rates were cheaper the week before...ha, ha.

LOL , I completely understand about those rate seasons at WDW. You will have a lot of fun celebrating your little one's birthday at Disney. And I would guess that's a good time crowd-wise to visit.

As far as being a fan, I always say, if you're going to be a fan, then be a fan...in good times and bad times. A side note, the city I live in has a small Division 2 college that has a Bowden son (Terry) as the head coach. I keep waiting to see Papa Bowden visiting! He's like a real celebrity!

 

[ladybugmom]

Tell me about it... We live almost a full 3 hours from Tuscaloosa. We tailgate with friends and my DH is of the mindset that we have to leave while it's still dark to get there. Even if it's a night game, he wants to leave the house by 6 a.m. By the time the game starts, I'm usually worn out!

Oh...and don't even let me tell you about the time they convinced us to camp out on campus the night before the AL-AU game last year. I now know how Noah must have felt during the great flood!

Oh wow!! That DOES sound like a tiring day but I bet it's a lot of fun!! about the great flood remark!! That's hilarious!!

 

[MHTeacher]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am working on the next portion of my TR now.

I was off to such a good start, whipping out this thing, and then the real world came back. I had to return to work Monday after a 4 day snow days/weekend break and then my youngest daughter had basketball games that afternoon after school. She's a .--- I'll tell you, basketball parents can leave after their child's game, but not the cheer mom. DD had three games to cheer for, starting at 4 p.m. We didn't leave the gym until 8 o'clock.

 

[MHTeacher]

Thursday, December 31, 2009


Well, after falling into the bed close to 3 o’clock a.m., I knew there was no way I would be able to get my crew out of the bed and to the Studios by 8 a.m. So, I cut everyone a little slack….I let them sleep until 8 and then hurried them out the door by 8:40 a.m. The sun was shining and the weather forecast was for a high temperature near 80 degrees. No carrying coats around today! We walked out to the boat launch just as one docked, and were able to board soon after that.

Can I just stop and say how much we enjoyed being able to hop the water taxi to the Studios, or to walk to Epcot? As a Poly lover, I had really stressed over not being on the monorail. But, as always, I put myself through all that worry for no reason! We loved the convenience of Yacht Club’s location. But enough about that…

Our boat captain was a real joker, and really entertained us on the ride to the Studios. As he was telling us about park hours and so on, he commented on how we had chosen the busiest day in the entire year to visit Disney. I guess I had always thought Christmas day was the busiest day, but not so, according to him.

We arrived to the Studios close to 9 a.m., and got into the park relatively quickly. Upon entering, we put into action the “OFFICIAL STUDIOS PLAN OF ACTION”. Kevin collected everyone’s passes and took off for Toy Story Mania to get fast passes for our group. (Our return time turned out to be 4:30 p.m.)

The kids and I headed toward Rock-n-Roller Coaster. Stand-by time posted was for 70 minutes, but we got in line anyway. Kevin came back with our TSM passes about 15 minutes later. We were at a corner in the line, so it was easy for him to join up with us. About 15 minutes later, we were inside, ready to ride—That was no 70 minutes! Rachel and I landed the first row!

After we came off the ride, we checked out the wait time for Tower of Terror. Stand by was 75 minutes and we still weren’t able to get another fast pass, so we decided to head to the Great Movie Ride.

Now, I must pause and tell you a funny side note about this ride. My girls have always loved this ride. When they were younger, after we would return home from a visit to Disney, they would “play” Great Movie Ride! One girl would be your tour guide through the movies, and the other would “ride” along in the tram. They had the script down pat. I often wondered if anyone else’s kids did this!

 

[MHTeacher]

Thursday, December 31, 2009

After finishing up at the Great Movie Ride, it was close to 10:30, so we decided to back track down Sunset Blvd, and grab a fast pass for ToT. After walking down there, standing in line, I finally made it to the FP machine. I plugged the first ticket in and a very strange noise and strange looking FP came out of the machine. Well wouldn’t you know, we had looked at the times wrong on our TSM FPs. We weren’t eligible for another FP yet….15 more minutes until we would be legal.

So we decided to grab a bite of lunch from Rosies. When we finished, we got the FPs (legally) and debated where to head to. Elizabeth wanted to look in the shops, so I volunteered to stay with her. Kevin took Reid and Rachel to watch the Indiana Jones show. We met up with them when it was over and decided to run over to American Idol and watch the 2 o’clock show.

When the show was over, it was finally time for Kevin’s favorite ride at Disney.

Now, Elizabeth and Reid do not like this ride, so they were going to pass. They sat down to wait for us and we used 3 of our 5 FPs for the ride.

Now….how are we going to decide who of the three of us gets to use those last two FPs????

 

[ladybugmom]

TSM is something we didn't ride last May but it's on our list this May!! The girls weren't really into Toy Story until we saw the double feature this summer!! Now Claire is obsessed with Buzz, Woody, & Jessie! And TOT is a ride we all steer clear of--my DH is scared of heights!!

 

[MHTeacher]

TSM is something we didn't ride last May but it's on our list this May!! The girls weren't really into Toy Story until we saw the double feature this summer!! Now Claire is obsessed with Buzz, Woody, & Jessie! And TOT is a ride we all steer clear of--my DH is scared of heights!!

You will really like TSM---it's soooo much better than Buzz over in MK. Your girls will get a kick out of it.

We got the TSM game for Wii for Christmas and it's a lot like the ride at the Studios. I think the one game I played may have helped. I actually went over 100,000 on my score this year!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Now, I must pause and tell you a funny side note about this ride. My girls have always loved this ride. When they were younger, after we would return home from a visit to Disney, they would “play” Great Movie Ride! One girl would be your tour guide through the movies, and the other would “ride” along in the tram. They had the script down pat. I often wondered if anyone else’s kids did this!

This is so cute!!!!!

 

[MHTeacher]

This is so cute!!!!!

I know.....They'd be so embarrassed if they knew I told this on them !