A Stringbean, a Wingnut, and a plan! (A January '12 PTR) TRIP REPORT STARTED!! 1/16!!

[Joyciemc]

Hi! I really enjoyed your TR, and can't wait to hear about this one!

I was also more than a normal amount excited to see a 2012 PTR, since we won't be going back till then (though much later than January- lucky!)

 

[MEK]

January sounds like a perfect cure to the post holiday blues! I took one solo trip in January a few years ago and I experienced the lowest crowds and the most perfect weather. It was really lovely.

Can't wait to hear about more of the plans.

 

[floridascgirl]

January is one of our favorite months to visit Mickey...you'll love it!

 

[Jennifer48]

January sounds like a great time to go.

I think you should send away for another DVD and put Wingnut's name on it. Maybe you'll get a pin code for January!

 

[Native NYer]

January is such a great time to visit WDW. I hope you get a great discount for your trip.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Hang on while I copy and paste that itinerary into Excel, that looks good to me!!!

That's right, you had a spreadsheet last trip, didn't you? I shouldn't mock because I'm actually a big fan of spreadsheets! I make up these elaborate itineraries, show them to DH and he usually rolls his eyes. That's ok, his lack of enthusiasm won't deter me in the least!

I'm sure no one will be shocked to hear me admit that I think about Disney a bit more than I probably should. I am pretty much always at the ready for someone to suggest a Disney trip, my fingers poised to dial Disney Reservations, menus pulled up on my screen, and typing in dates to see just how far we are from 180 days.

Nah, I do it too. Honestly, most of the websites I visit are Disney related... Actually, I just booked our January trip today!

Don't worry, Wingnut knows what he's gotten himself into.

Oh good, he's not unaware then! I'm sure he knows if he loves you, then by default, he loves Disney. It's just the way it is.

Not long after we returned from our trip in December, the topic of returning arose (I may or may not have sewn that seed...), but it was pushed aside while apartment hunting took first priority.

Oh honey, I was already plotting another trip on the drive home from our January one! Nothing abnormal about that!

It wasn't long after we moved in that I began to get the Disney ants in my pants again, and we began to really formulate a plan. I decided to send away for the Disney free planning DVD, not because we actually needed it, but I am the biggest sap for those things ever.

Perfectly reasonable. I do all of the same things...send away for the DVD, make customized maps and formulate itineraries on their website in the hopes of a code!

(Also, I'll admit it, I was hoping for a discount code...)

Me too!

When sending away for the DVD, I had to fill in an anticipated month of travel. At this point, we were still deliberating between November '11 and January '12. I decided to put in November, because, well, I'm impatient.

Yup, did this too.

Soon after, Wingnut and I decided that January '12 would be a better time to go. I then got the DVD in the mail, promptly flipped through the papers and stuff enclosed through the packet, no code. That's fine. I still got my sappy tear-jerk movie.

January is such a fab time to go! You'll love it. The crowds are nearly non existent, particulary toward the end of the month. Just be sure to avoid MLK day.

ONE DAY LATER a letter from Disney Destinations came in the mail. With a discount code.

FOR NOVEMBER.

Of course!

As we are right now, January still looks like it will be our target month of Disney travel. We have not yet booked our trip, but I'm hoping to do so very soon. We're hoping for a nice discount code for our travel dates, but are not set on being able to use one (which is good, 'cause I totally blew it on the first one ).

Yay! I really think you'll enjoy January. If you book now, you can only do a room only reservation. The packages come out in early August. I don't understand the Disney reservation system, it seems so ridiculous sometimes.

As far as a pin code, after the packages are released, start poking around on their site again. Save a couple of offers for your dates then delete them a couple of days later. Order the DVD again too. I've done this for two vacations and gotten great codes this way!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

January sounds like a great time to go to WDW! I hope you get another pin code!

I went in January a couple of years ago, and I remember really enjoying that time of year there!! I hope so too!!! We're most hoping for free dining, actually. But it's a pretty quiet time of year in Disney, so we'll see...

Hi! I really enjoyed your TR, and can't wait to hear about this one!

I was also more than a normal amount excited to see a 2012 PTR, since we won't be going back till then (though much later than January- lucky!)

Thank you!! Welcome!!

Hahaha when are you going to be going? I know, now I get all excited when I see PTR dates with like November or later .

January sounds like a perfect cure to the post holiday blues! I took one solo trip in January a few years ago and I experienced the lowest crowds and the most perfect weather. It was really lovely.

Can't wait to hear about more of the plans.

That's what I think too! When we've gone in December, it's wonderful, but it does add a bit to the holiday stress. Also, this past December, I realized that one of the things I missed most was the area music (Disney plays instrumental holiday music around the parks instead). Just a little touch, but I still missed that extra Disney ambiance!

I'm glad to hear you had a good time in January too!!

January is one of our favorite months to visit Mickey...you'll love it!

Yay!!! All of the praise for January is making me think this is a good choice in time to visit!!! I'll miss some of the holiday decorations, but then we'll have something to look forward to during the holidays!

January sounds like a great time to go.

I think you should send away for another DVD and put Wingnut's name on it. Maybe you'll get a pin code for January!

That's what I'm thinking (hoping!)!!

I already thought of that, but they have a "1 per household" rule!! Hey, he already gets all of my good Disney offers anyways! I'm not sure why, but Disney ALWAYS mails the Disney Visa offers to him, Free Dining codes, etc. I'm like "HEY!!! " .

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

January is such a great time to visit WDW. I hope you get a great discount for your trip.

Yay!!! January is sounding good to me!!

I hope so too!!! (Although, it will probably be mailed to Wingnut...)

That's right, you had a spreadsheet last trip, didn't you? I shouldn't mock because I'm actually a big fan of spreadsheets! I make up these elaborate itineraries, show them to DH and he usually rolls his eyes. That's ok, his lack of enthusiasm won't deter me in the least!

Nah, I do it too. Honestly, most of the websites I visit are Disney related... Actually, I just booked our January trip today!

Oh good, he's not unaware then! I'm sure he knows if he loves you, then by default, he loves Disney. It's just the way it is.

Oh honey, I was already plotting another trip on the drive home from our January one! Nothing abnormal about that!

Perfectly reasonable. I do all of the same things...send away for the DVD, make customized maps and formulate itineraries on their website in the hopes of a code!

Me too!

Yup, did this too.

January is such a fab time to go! You'll love it. The crowds are nearly non existent, particulary toward the end of the month. Just be sure to avoid MLK day.

Of course!

Yay! I really think you'll enjoy January. If you book now, you can only do a room only reservation. The packages come out in early August. I don't understand the Disney reservation system, it seems so ridiculous sometimes.

As far as a pin code, after the packages are released, start poking around on their site again. Save a couple of offers for your dates then delete them a couple of days later. Order the DVD again too. I've done this for two vacations and gotten great codes this way!

Hahaha Wingnut mocks all of my spreadsheets too, don't worry!!! Hey, it's good (and fun!) to have a plan!!

YAY for booking your January trip!!!!! Is there an advantage to booking the room only now? I knew that the packages were released in August, but I wasn't sure if it was best to start booking now or wait until everything is there then.

It's SO annoying to have to wait that long though!! Seriously, the people in December have it so lucky, they can start pricing and booking so early!

Thanks for the awesome advice! The code we're hoping for would probably be along the lines of free dining, but I'm not sure if Disney would even do that in a lower-crowd month like January.

 

[MeMom]

I'm sure no one will be shocked to hear me admit that I think about Disney a bit more than I probably should. I am pretty much always at the ready for someone to suggest a Disney trip, my fingers poised to dial Disney Reservations, menus pulled up on my screen, and typing in dates to see just how far we are from 180 days.

I know a few other people like this.
Quite a few, actually.

As we are right now, January still looks like it will be our target month of Disney travel. We have not yet booked our trip, but I'm hoping to do so very soon. We're hoping for a nice discount code for our travel dates, but are not set on being able to use one (which is good, 'cause I totally blew it on the first one ).

If you can find some fun mini-trips to do this summer and make it through until October - it seems like October, November, and December take care of themselves by being filled with activities - then January will be right there.

I think, with some small Disney fixes along the way, such as
Disney Store trips,
Disney movies (Pirates and Cars 2),
go to a zoo and pretend it is Animal Kingdom,
maybe find a Rainforest Cafe to eat at,
go to a waterpark and pretend it is Typhoon Lagoon,
hit a candy store and pretend it is Goofy's Candy Company,
have your own Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, etc.,
waiting until January is do-able.

Free dining would be nice.

 

[Jennifer48]

LOOOOOOOOOOK!!

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/06/meet-disney-channel-stars-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DisneyParks+%28Disney+Parks+Blog%29

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I know a few other people like this.
Quite a few, actually.

If you can find some fun mini-trips to do this summer and make it through until October - it seems like October, November, and December take care of themselves by being filled with activities - then January will be right there.

I think, with some small Disney fixes along the way, such as
Disney Store trips,
Disney movies (Pirates and Cars 2),
go to a zoo and pretend it is Animal Kingdom,
maybe find a Rainforest Cafe to eat at,
go to a waterpark and pretend it is Typhoon Lagoon,
hit a candy store and pretend it is Goofy's Candy Company,
have your own Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, etc.,
waiting until January is do-able.

Free dining would be nice.

This is very true!! Probably my slowest month to get through is going to be August, it always feels like I have plans throughout the other ones!

Free dining would be very nice, but I'm definitely not counting on it!

LOOOOOOOOOOK!!

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/06/meet-disney-channel-stars-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DisneyParks+%28Disney+Parks+Blog%29

AHHHHHHHHH I CANNOT WAIT!!!! P&F better still be there in January! (They would pretty much be the only characters I would seek out and visit ).

It said that there's no end date, I'm taking that as a good sign! Thanks for sharing!!!!

 

[sherylcin]

Subbing. Read your first trip report and loved it. Following along with other peoples' trip plans helps me get through waiting time to start planning my next trip!

 

[petals]

Joining in.. I thought my trip report was started early not anymore Love it that all us Disney nuts have a place to go to rant and rave about Disney when everyone else doesn't get the excitment

go to a zoo and pretend it is Animal Kingdom,
go to a waterpark and pretend it is Typhoon Lagoon,
hit a candy store and pretend it is Goofy's Candy Company,

Love it!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Subbing. Read your first trip report and loved it. Following along with other peoples' trip plans helps me get through waiting time to start planning my next trip!

Welcome!! Thank you!!

same here!!

Joining in.. I thought my trip report was started early not anymore Love it that all us Disney nuts have a place to go to rant and rave about Disney when everyone else doesn't get the excitment

Love it!

Hahahaha thank goodness for forums like this!

isn't MeMom brilliant?

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Resort deliberations have begun amongst Stringbean and Wingnut (and anyone else that'd like to chime in ). During our last trip, we stayed at the Yacht Club, but we had originally been slated to stay at Port Orleans Riverside (backstory here, if you haven't read the TR).

Truth be told, yes, I am a fan of the deluxe resorts. The locations (particularly the Epcot resort area group), the theming, the service, I love it.

However, Port Orleans did have a (one little) spark of interest for both of us. We were intrigued by the theme and the beignets.

Hey, just being honest here.

So for this upcoming trip, a moderate resort seems as though it will be the best bet for us. (Deluxe resorts, as much as they are adored, do add up quickly...) Our most-discussed contender is Port Orleans French Quarter. I think that it seems like a nice size, the theming seems both fun and adult-ish, and the beignets are super-close!

(We've never even had these things, Wingnut is just always intrigued by the pictures with the mountain of powdered sugar. And I have a hard time turning away a freshly baked (or fried) good).

What do you guys think? Is POFQ a good bet, or is there a resort that might be a better one to consider? We are open to suggestions!

 

[rndmr2]

Glad to see you are planning another trip! I really enjoyed your dining review and TR from Dec.

POFQ is a great resort, we have stayed there before, I thought it was more than once but looking at my Sig maybe not, (unless I missed one in there... ), POR is nice too, I love the Mansion section, not the Bayou.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Glad to see you are planning another trip! I really enjoyed your dining review and TR from Dec.

POFQ is a great resort, we have stayed there before, I thought it was more than once but looking at my Sig maybe not, (unless I missed one in there... ), POR is nice too, I love the Mansion section, not the Bayou.

Thank you!!!!


When we were planning on staying at POR, I had really only wanted to stay in the Mansions too. But when looking at the two resorts, I'm drawn to the size of POFQ. I know that POR has more of the activities, but the only one that comes to mind that we might want to do is see Yeehaw Bob (and really, it's not that far away then!)

 

[Nermel9]

I know what you mean about really liking the deluxes, once you stay in one, it's hard to downgrade! I stayed in POR last November, and that was after staying in the WL and BC on trips before that. I kept saying I wished I was at the WL the whole time!

However, I did really like POR! You seem to love Epcot as much as I do (we go there almost every day on our trips!) and the PO resorts are literally right down the street from Epcot, which is nice. I think you guys will like POFQ. If I stay in a mod again, it will either be POFQ or CBR, I just love how tropical CBR looks!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I know what you mean about really liking the deluxes, once you stay in one, it's hard to downgrade! I stayed in POR last November, and that was after staying in the WL and BC on trips before that. I kept saying I wished I was at the WL the whole time!

However, I did really like POR! You seem to love Epcot as much as I do (we go there almost every day on our trips!) and the PO resorts are literally right down the street from Epcot, which is nice. I think you guys will like POFQ. If I stay in a mod again, it will either be POFQ or CBR, I just love how tropical CBR looks!

That's a bit what I'm afraid of! I've always wanted to stay at WL, it looks gorgeous!!

I'm glad to hear that you did like POR though! I never realized how close they are to Epcot - that's must make for a pretty short bus ride! I've stayed in CBR before, and to be honest, I'm not a huge fan. I'd be willing to give it another shot in the future, but it really didn't blow me away.

I think that the location aspect of the mods is the hugest deterring factor for me, I don't like that you have to take a bus to EVERY park. Which is why POR and POFQ get slight points for having the boats to Downtown Disney. Not that we would probably use them that much, but the option is there!

 

[tankgirl427]

Hi there,

Thought I'd tag along. I'm going in January as well. I booked room only at POFQ. Depending on what types of discounts that come out will determine if I stay there or not! Can't wait to see what you end up with!