Any advice for 10/30 - 11/6?

[MelissathePooh]

We have a studio at VGC: 2 adults 2 kids (6 & 2)
6 day hopper tickets

I know NAEYC is having their annual conference part of that week (20K people), but aside from that am pretty clueless. Haven't been since 2001.

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Hester]

VGC is Villa Grand Californian? (sorry - I should know that but want to double check)!

 

[Ariel224]

We were in the parks last year from 11/2-11/6. The weather was great and crowds were almost nonexistent, as that week falls in between the Halloween and Christmas DL seasons. As the Halloween decor starts coming down, everyday a little more Christmas shows up. You'll have a great time!

 

[MelissathePooh]

We were in the parks last year from 11/2-11/6. The weather was great and crowds were almost nonexistent, as that week falls in between the Halloween and Christmas DL seasons. As the Halloween decor starts coming down, everyday a little more Christmas shows up. You'll have a great time!

Thanks! I'm hoping that will be the case. The last time we were there was the same time frame and same conference, but it was just after 9/11 and many people canceled. The conference is huge, but I'm hoping most people will be conferencing.

I'm a little sad about rehabs - Roger Rabbit is supposed to be down (DS is devastated) and IASW is going down for its holiday makeover and I think we'll miss those 2 entirely. I know the benefits to off season and etc...still disappointing though as this is a once in a decade kind of trip for us.

 

[MelissathePooh]

VGC is Villa Grand Californian? (sorry - I should know that but want to double check)!

Yep - we were lucky to get the studio! There are so few villas to start with and we own in FL so had the 7 mos window restriction.

We know WDW like the back of our hand, but DLR is another story!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I'm hoping to attend the NAEYC conference this year and was thrilled to find out it's being held at Anaheim (because three, maybe four, trips in one year is apparently not enough for me ). The conferences take up a big chunk of the day. Here's the link to the conference schedule: http://www.naeyc.org/files/conference/file/2010/10_Prelim.pdf

While there are some smaller workshops/set up going on earlier, the main conference registration doesn't start until November 2nd and the opening ceremony with the keynote speaker isn't until the evening of November 3rd. I suspect most people will be arriving sometime on Wednesday and attend the keynote from 4:30 - 6:00. On Thursday 11/4, Friday 11/5, and Saturday 11/6, the first workshops of the day start at 8:30 and don't end until 5:00 (5:30 on Saturday). Even the lunch break in between sessions is only an hour and only the most dedicated person wave2: ) will be running over to the parks for a quick ride or to pick up a fastpass. Then on Wednesday and Thursday night, the park will likely close at 8:00, so I can't see a bunch of conference people springing for a park ticket for what would amount to maybe two hours of park time (unless you have an AP ).

There's nothing in the conference material so far about the availability of twilight tickets, though I suppose they might be offered. On Thursday night, there's a special event for conference attendees (for an additional fee) at DCA from 7:30 - 10:30. There might be more of an influx on Saturday night or Sunday, but I bet a bunch of people will probably fly home on Saturday night since more people will be paying there own way to the conference this year than in years past (when the agency/school district/facility might have had funds for conferences).

 

[MelissathePooh]

I'm hoping to attend the NAEYC conference this year and was thrilled to find out it's being held at Anaheim (because three, maybe four, trips in one year is apparently not enough for me ). The conferences take up a big chunk of the day. Here's the link to the conference schedule: http://www.naeyc.org/files/conference/file/2010/10_Prelim.pdf

While there are some smaller workshops/set up going on earlier, the main conference registration doesn't start until November 2nd and the opening ceremony with the keynote speaker isn't until the evening of November 3rd. I suspect most people will be arriving sometime on Wednesday and attend the keynote from 4:30 - 6:00. On Thursday 11/4, Friday 11/5, and Saturday 11/6, the first workshops of the day start at 8:30 and don't end until 5:00 (5:30 on Saturday). Even the lunch break in between sessions is only an hour and only the most dedicated person wave2: ) will be running over to the parks for a quick ride or to pick up a fastpass. Then on Wednesday and Thursday night, the park will likely close at 8:00, so I can't see a bunch of conference people springing for a park ticket for what would amount to maybe two hours of park time (unless you have an AP ).

There's nothing in the conference material so far about the availability of twilight tickets, though I suppose they might be offered. On Thursday night, there's a special event for conference attendees (for an additional fee) at DCA from 7:30 - 10:30. There might be more of an influx on Saturday night or Sunday, but I bet a bunch of people will probably fly home on Saturday night since more people will be paying there own way to the conference this year than in years past (when the agency/school district/facility might have had funds for conferences).

I know its bad, but DH doesn't do much real conferencing anymore. He paid his dues with that in grad school! He just presents now. This year is kind of special as NAEYC asked him to write an artice for their member publication. He is a feature session presenter this year. So he really only has that 1 day/session. We're skipping the DCA event. Fortunately DH is still reimbursed all of his travel and will get a per diem. We were hoping for a conference rate at the Disney resorts (which they did in 2001), but nothing this time around. We're actually saving UTC a ton by using our own points for the room.

It wasn't very crowded in 2001, but again not many people were flying at that point. Given the size of the conference there are only so many places that can hold it - we try to go to the interesting/family type ones. D.C. was great last year. Its always fun to see where NAEYC will end up!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I know its bad, but DH doesn't do much real conferencing anymore. He paid his dues with that in grad school! He just presents now. This year is kind of special as NAEYC asked him to write an artice for their member publication. He is a feature session presenter this year. So he really only has that 1 day/session. We're skipping the DCA event. Fortunately DH is still reimbursed all of his travel and will get a per diem. We were hoping for a conference rate at the Disney resorts (which they did in 2001), but nothing this time around. We're actually saving UTC a ton by using our own points for the room.

It wasn't very crowded in 2001, but again not many people were flying at that point. Given the size of the conference there are only so many places that can hold it - we try to go to the interesting/family type ones. D.C. was great last year. Its always fun to see where NAEYC will end up!

Presenters always get special dispensation! I know that for myself, I'm earning hours for work, so I'll definitely be attending all the available workshops. That's so cool that you and your family can come out with your DH.