A Winter Escape to the Enchanted Forest-Jan'13 TR:**5/21 Parting Thoughts/New PTR!

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Hi Dave! Your photos of the National Cathedral remind me of the architecture of a particular castle! Or maybe I'm just seeing things I want to see. Very beautiful nonetheless!

Speaking of seeing things that we want to see, the Cathedral's interior pillars and ceilings reminded me of Moria from the movie The Fellowship of the Ring.

Darn! Sorry about your Wishes Dessert Party experience. We did the dessert party last year and it was very crowded at the rail as well. At least your kids enjoyed the show. I would have loved to have seen your fireworks photos.... we are counting on those for next time! They should have stroller AND balloon parking during the show to get those balloons out of the way.

Balloon parking - that is absolutely right! Otherwise I may show up next time (if there is ever a next time) with a pin and go around popping all of the balloons in the Terrace!

 

[jecskc]

I want to try the dessert party really bad, but I have heard mixed reviews and I am hesitant to make a ressie. Besides, DD is allergic to nuts and I wonder if it is even worth the risk. So that is why we haven't tried it yet.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I want to try the dessert party really bad, but I have heard mixed reviews and I am hesitant to make a ressie. Besides, DD is allergic to nuts and I wonder if it is even worth the risk. So that is why we haven't tried it yet.

There are so many variables for this experience that I can see why the reviews have been mixed. I'm very curious where the viewing location will be for the FastPass+ once it goes live.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

IMG_7377 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Here's Lumiere from Enchanted Tales with Belle which we did on our departure day. The animatronics for this attraction are just so well done and interacts seamlessly with their human counterparts. In this picture, Lumiere is about to call in Belle into the library after prepping the audience to give her a big surprise welcome.

 

[afwdwfan]

Great pictures from the National Cathedral. Such beautiful architecture.

That's really a shame that your dessert party was a little bit disappointing, but I understand how you felt. It would be hard to keep all those things from adding up to become frustrating.

 

[khertz]

Trying to get all caught up!

The pictures of the Cathedral are just breathtaking! That was one of those things I really wanted to do that ended up being cut due to lack of time on our D.C. trip. I actually really wanted to go to Mass there, but it just didn't work out.

Sorry the dessert party was such a bust for you, but at least the kids enjoyed themselves. I can definitely see why you would be totally annoyed with that balloon and with missing out on a spot by the railing.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Now I have a Disney related dilemma. Based on the work coverage schedule that just came out, I will not be able to attend the conference I usually attend in October (and it was in San Fran which I love visiting ). While searching for an alternative conference to attend, I came across a big conference being held in Orlando during the last weekend and week of October. The only negative issue for this conference is that its content and programming has not been particularly helpful for folks in my area of specialty so I am not sure how much continuing education value it will have for me. Of course, the pros of attending this conference all have to do with Disney World!

Pros

#1: Even though the conference is at the Convention Center, they have assigned Disney Beach Club as one of the official hotels. The rate? $186 per night!! How can anyone pass on this discount? Even if I factor in the cost of registration for the conference it still easily comes under the usual price rate.

#2: The conference is having its private event at DHS on one of the nights from 7:15pm-11:00pm! All the rides and characters will be available. And they will also have a showing of Fantasmic! Even if every single conference attendee shows up, I'm still going to guess that it will be significantly less crowded than the average day at DHS. And you know I could be there at "rope drop" for the event and rush over to TSMM to go on the ride a few times back to back. I mean, how many of the attendees could be Disney savvy?

#3: I could attend one of the MNSSHP in the evening! I've never experienced it before.

#4: My conference travel costs will be reimbursed.

Okay, now that I spelled it out like that this seems more like a no-brainer. I can bare the less interesting educational sessions if it means I can spend some evening time at Disney, right?

 

[afwdwfan]

I see no "cons" (and apparently neither do you).

Sounds like an incredible opportunity. Even if it doesn't offer a huge amount of education potential, I'd say that the rate at Beach Club and an evening at DHS and MNSSHP would more than make up for that! Congratulations and have fun!!!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Great pictures from the National Cathedral. Such beautiful architecture.

That's really a shame that your dessert party was a little bit disappointing, but I understand how you felt. It would be hard to keep all those things from adding up to become frustrating.

Trying to get all caught up!

The pictures of the Cathedral are just breathtaking! That was one of those things I really wanted to do that ended up being cut due to lack of time on our D.C. trip. I actually really wanted to go to Mass there, but it just didn't work out.

Sorry the dessert party was such a bust for you, but at least the kids enjoyed themselves. I can definitely see why you would be totally annoyed with that balloon and with missing out on a spot by the railing.

I've been kind of kicking myself for not visiting the National Cathedral sooner. I will definitely be sending family and friends visiting us that way from now on.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I see no "cons" (and apparently neither do you).

Sounds like an incredible opportunity. Even if it doesn't offer a huge amount of education potential, I'd say that the rate at Beach Club and an evening at DHS and MNSSHP would more than make up for that! Congratulations and have fun!!!!

I always appreciate the positive reinforcement from my friends on DIS!

 

[khertz]

Doesn't sound like much of a dilemma to me...go for it!! What are the dates? Sounds like it will be when we are there!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Doesn't sound like much of a dilemma to me...go for it!! What are the dates? Sounds like it will be when we are there!

I was just looking at your PTR and realized I'm going to be there while you're there!

If my plans stick, I'll be arriving Saturday October 26th morning and departing on afternoon of October 30th. And I was pretty busy last night trying to figure out which parks I want to spend on each evening. 180 day window for Oct 26th was yesterday too - it's like Disney was looking out for me!

My big decision right now is when to attend the MNSSHP. It will either have to be Sunday 27th or Tuesday 29th. Being so close to Halloween, I'm guessing both dates will be equally crowded so now I'm leaning towards Sunday. That way, if it happens to get rained out I might be able to change it to Tuesday before I leave. Decisions, decisions.

 

[khertz]

I was just looking at your PTR and realized I'm going to be there while you're there!

If my plans stick, I'll be arriving Saturday October 26th morning and departing on afternoon of October 30th. And I was pretty busy last night trying to figure out which parks I want to spend on each evening. 180 day window for Oct 26th was yesterday too - it's like Disney was looking out for me!

My big decision right now is when to attend the MNSSHP. It will either have to be Sunday 27th or Tuesday 29th. Being so close to Halloween, I'm guessing both dates will be equally crowded so now I'm leaning towards Sunday. That way, if it happens to get rained out I might be able to change it to Tuesday before I leave. Decisions, decisions.

We are planning on the Sunday night party. Just sayin'

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

We are planning on the Sunday night party. Just sayin'

Well, that is a clincher.

Maybe a DIS-meet is in order with you and your family?

 

[ktwigg63123]

First, I loved the trip report and how you brought in the side trips back home. We just went to our local botanical gardens in STL, and the Cherry Blossoms were beautiful. It makes me want to visit DC, which I have never done.

Second, I have the same dilemma. I have a conference the first week of November, at the Contemporary ($219/night), and was worried if I would get enough out of it. I have convinced myself I will, and DW will be able to join me on the end of the conference for a few days without the kids. Can't pass on that price and we will be able to attend the food and wine festival, which is a very fun time at EPCOT. Hotel costs and some food will be reimbursed as well.

Third, MNSSHP is a lot of fun. We have done it with the kids. I think it is much better than the Christmas one, as it really changes the look and feel of the park. It always feels like Christmas when you visit WDW. You may want to check on the rainout policy, as I don't know how the refunds work.

Fourth, I read all of your posts, but may have missed, so I apologize. What was the weather like there in January? We are going in Jan 2014 as well with DD (9) and DS (6). I like the earlier hours, but didn't know if it would feel like you were getting everything out of the parks from a time perspective.

 

[khertz]

Well, that is a clincher.

Maybe a DIS-meet is in order with you and your family?

It certainly sounds that way!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

First, I loved the trip report and how you brought in the side trips back home. We just went to our local botanical gardens in STL, and the Cherry Blossoms were beautiful. It makes me want to visit DC, which I have never done.

Second, I have the same dilemma. I have a conference the first week of November, at the Contemporary ($219/night), and was worried if I would get enough out of it. I have convinced myself I will, and DW will be able to join me on the end of the conference for a few days without the kids. Can't pass on that price and we will be able to attend the food and wine festival, which is a very fun time at EPCOT. Hotel costs and some food will be reimbursed as well.

Third, MNSSHP is a lot of fun. We have done it with the kids. I think it is much better than the Christmas one, as it really changes the look and feel of the park. It always feels like Christmas when you visit WDW. You may want to check on the rainout policy, as I don't know how the refunds work.

Fourth, I read all of your posts, but may have missed, so I apologize. What was the weather like there in January? We are going in Jan 2014 as well with DD (9) and DS (6). I like the earlier hours, but didn't know if it would feel like you were getting everything out of the parks from a time perspective.

Thanks for joining!

This was our second trip in January - both trips were during the last week of January which I am a huge fan of just from the crowd perspective.

The weather and especially the temperatures can vary quite a bit from year to year. For this past trip in 2013, we had mostly comfortable weather with highs mostly in the upper 70s and lows in the mid 50s. During midday we were pretty much in shorts up and down, but we needed sweatshirts for the early morning and late evening hours. No rain issues. Our 2011 trip we also had a similar temperature but had a couple of days with slightly lower temps with drizzling rain. I think as an average, late January tends to have comfortable temperatures for park touring with slightly cooler temps in the early morning and evening hours. For pool/water activity, I think the temps are more on the cooler side of things but our kids didn't seem to mind the first 30 minutes.

The park hours are definitely shorter compared to busier seasons and EMH opportunities are fewer. So are MSEP nights since they don't do them daily during this time. There are always a few rides on refurbishments during this time of the year - Splash was on refurb for our trip this time. Even the EMH at night have shorter hours. For our family, it doesn't seem to matter. We were able to see and do everything that we wanted - we did show up at the parks for rope drops on every day which as you know makes a huge difference. The relatively lighter crowds also makes it a easier to get more done with shorter park hours.

One more positive for January are the lower prices and better package deals including dining. One negative are the tour groups which usually are in full force in January but for us it hasn't been too bad as we have tried to run errrr I mean walk in the opposite direction whenever we see a group in our vicinity.

Hope that helps with your January planning! And I'm with you, with a conference rate that low for CR, it's hard not to take up on the bargain!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

It certainly sounds that way!!

Awesome! We'll see how our schedules line up as we get closer to our trips!

 

[emmysmommy]

Yeah, I think I'm going to have to be the one to say that I see a problem here..... YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE AT WDW LONG ENOUGH! Ok, other than that all is well! How exciting to have a work related trip - expensed!! Too bad I don't have any clients in Central Florida or heck anywhere in FL.

By the way, Lumiere looks better in your photo than he did when I was there in the back row. I really need glasses!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Yeah, I think I'm going to have to be the one to say that I see a problem here..... YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE AT WDW LONG ENOUGH! Ok, other than that all is well!

I just started looking at the days that I would be there and coming up with a rough outline of my itinerary and keep coming back to the same thought of "Why can't the conference be a day or two longer?"

How exciting to have a work related trip - expensed!! Too bad I don't have any clients in Central Florida or heck anywhere in FL.

This is the first time I can remember any of my conferences being held in Orlando! Or even in Florida! If I don't take advantage of it now, it may be another 10 years before it happens again.

By the way, Lumiere looks better in your photo than he did when I was there in the back row. I really need glasses!