FEBRUARY 2008 WDW travelers post HERE!!!

[wendypooh]

Hey ~ I will keep an out for you!! Those dresses were darling, I almost bought one for me!!! I did get DH & DS the swim trunks to match!

thanks Wendypooh! I saw those when I got my AP, but DD( was not sure about them. DD7 will still wear what I giver her, but I want them to match somewhat for that. She now thinks they were cute and I will check online every week or so for sales! Let me know if you head back and they are on sale. I do not live near a DS!

Lori

 

[wendypooh]

I am guessing, based on the past 3 years, that the discount codes for Jan./Feb. will come out in Dec. however, I start really watching Mousesavers starting in Sept. to keep up to date on what is out there. Don't worry though, as soon as a code is put out, it's on the boards here instantly!!!

Does anyone know how soon the discounts come out? Are they right at the last minute or sooner than that? TIA.

 

[wendypooh]

Hey girl!!!!! How are you!!! Yep, we are planning another trip!!! Whoo Hoo!! When are you going ?? over mardi gras?? Good to see ya!

Just checkin in here! DH and I will be going in Jan/Feb for only 3 nights and we're not taking the kids. I'm not sure where we'll be staying for this trip, possibly looking into PORS. We'll be staying at WL this Sept w/ Free dining and would love to stay at AKL but I hate to stay there w/out the kids. I do know we'll be doing DDP but still hoping for a wonderful code!

 

[wendypooh]

So, I'm joining in...also from Louisiana and hoping to book a Mardi Gras trip. What's the best place to stay with 3 little kids (will be 7, 6 and 4). I know you can't stay in the value resorts with 5 people...

Hey!!! You actually can stay at an allstar, you could stay in one of the family suites. Anywhere onsite is good - all the resorts are kid friendly!! With little ones though I think they'd like the allstars the best due to the themeing.

Also, I admittedly did not read every post in the thread, so I have a question that may be answered somewhere else. Do you have to have an AP or belong to AAA to get a discount code?

No - you do not have to HAVE those to get a discount code. There are general public discount codes that are put out. (i.e. the free dining plan that is out right now).

It also depends on what type of code comes out. There are codes for room only, packages, etc.... It will depend on what you book. Also, there is no guarantee a code will come out!! However, I know the past 2 maybe 3 years in Jan./ Feb. the code that we used was for a MYW package, (room, tickets, dining) it was the park hopper upgrade, with free water parks and more, etc..... with that there was also a slight room rate reduction. I do not know if any room only codes were out, since that is not how we booked. There may have been though. Again, there is no guarantee a discount will come out, just keep watching the boards or mousesavers, if a code comes out that will work for you, all you do is call and have it applied to your reservation -- it's very easy!!!

 

[trueblue]

Thanks, Wendypooh...I'll definitely be watching the boards closely for any discounts I can use. I've never been to Disney during Mardi Gras, but it sounds like the parks/resorts will be full of who dats! Should be fun!

 

[wendypooh]

Don't worry ~ we'll keep an eye out for any discounts that come along!!! We always go to Disney in Jan./Feb. and it's great!!! Just look for us ~ we'll be the one's in the LSU garb............. LOL

Thanks, Wendypooh...I'll definitely be watching the boards closely for any discounts I can use. I've never been to Disney during Mardi Gras, but it sounds like the parks/resorts will be full of who dats! Should be fun!

 

[theparsons]

Hey!!! You actually can stay at an allstar, you could stay in one of the family suites. Anywhere onsite is good - all the resorts are kid friendly!! With little ones though I think they'd like the allstars the best due to the themeing.




No - you do not have to HAVE those to get a discount code. There are general public discount codes that are put out. (i.e. the free dining plan that is out right now).

It also depends on what type of code comes out. There are codes for room only, packages, etc.... It will depend on what you book. Also, there is no guarantee a code will come out!! However, I know the past 2 maybe 3 years in Jan./ Feb. the code that we used was for a MYW package, (room, tickets, dining) it was the park hopper upgrade, with free water parks and more, etc..... with that there was also a slight room rate reduction. I do not know if any room only codes were out, since that is not how we booked. There may have been though. Again, there is no guarantee a discount will come out, just keep watching the boards or mousesavers, if a code comes out that will work for you, all you do is call and have it applied to your reservation -- it's very easy!!!

I have a question for you....if they offer the hopper upgrade with free water parks, etc....has anyone ever used that ticket to upgrade to an annual pass. Would I get the value of the upgrade/water or just the value of the base ticket that you pay for? We're going to upgrade whatever we have to buy to get the DDP (assuming it's not changed drastically) to an Annual, but if they chip in the extra perks for it and I can use that value in the upgrade, it might be worth waiting for that rather than using a AAA discount. WOuld have to crunch the numbers obviously, but knowing what value I'd be able to use with the tickets would make numbers easier!

 

[wendypooh]

I have a question for you....if they offer the hopper upgrade with free water parks, etc....has anyone ever used that ticket to upgrade to an annual pass. Would I get the value of the upgrade/water or just the value of the base ticket that you pay for?

I have not used it in that way, but I would highly doubt that they will let you use the added value of it towards an AP or anything else. I would bet you get ONLY the value of the original ticket you buy and not the upgrade.

We're going to upgrade whatever we have to buy to get the DDP (assuming it's not changed drastically) to an Annual,

In order to get the Dining Plan you MUST book a package!! The dining plan really has nothing to do with which tickets you buy ~ it is more linked to the number of nights you are at a resort. I do think though that you must purchase at least one day tickets in order to get it - which is a package. I think people with AP's book a package with one day base tickets in order to get the dining plan, then they save those tickets and use the value of them towards thier AP renewal.

The Dining plan is well worth it if your family likes to have a nice sit down meal. (Which we do!!) We've gotten the dining plan the last 3 trips at least, (DH says 4 times) and we really like it, we'll be getting it again in Feb.!!!

We're going to upgrade whatever we have to buy to get the DDP (assuming it's not changed drastically)to an Annual,but if they chip in the extra perks for it and I can use that value in the upgrade, it might be worth waiting for that rather than using a AAA discount. WOuld have to crunch the numbers obviously, but knowing what value I'd be able to use with the tickets would make numbers easier!

In order to upgrade to an AP, lets say you buy regular base tickets - regardless of wether you get an "upgrade for free" or not, you would use the value left on those tickets to upgrade to an AP. Obviously if you haven't used the tickets you'd get the entire value, but if you went to a park one day and used them, then you'd get the remaining value.

Hope this helps!

 

[pigletof4]

We are going to have an AP by that time so I am looking for thsoe discounts. last night I went to mousesavers and they had the history of every type discount and when they came out to when they expired.
We are also thinking of staying in a local villa off property since we have such a large group going and want to have one night that we all have a cool1: (celebration) and are together. Part of me wants to stay on the grounds though. Torn, and ANXIOUS to book. We are having a "Disney" get together(with family and friends) in 2 weekends to discuss and book our trip-over crawfish, possibly!
Anyway- any ideas??-Lori

If you book a villa off property with a pool, I would recommend splurging for the pool heat. We went end of Feb./Mar. and stayed offsite at a house with friends. We would have splurged for pool heat, but they wouldn't let's just say the water was so cold even though it was in the upper 80's the whole week.

 

[IncredibleMom]

Another Louisiana mom planning a trip during Mardi Gras week!!!

Oh I'm getting excited now!
Reading this thread makes it seem so much closer -
With ADRs 180 days out, and considering we make our plans around where we're eating...I've gotta start planning!

Being in North La., our children don't get a vacation from school (we're taking them out - but they're in Montessori, so it's not like they'll get behind)

I, however, am a student at LSU-Shreveport, and we DO get a break (Mon.-Tues.)
When I saw that MG break coincides with my 30th birthday (Feb. 4)... well, I know you guys can complete that thought!

Did I mention that DH's BD is Jan. 31, DD will be 9 Feb. 2, and DS turns 7 Feb. 14???

Cool, huh?

Since we can't stay for 2+ weeks, DS will have a designated day to celebrate his BD during our trip!

We did this for our Birthday Week in 2002 when my kids turned 3 and 1!

Wishing for an AP rate at the Polynesian!!

-Tamara

 

[lori1043]

wow!! if all our birthdays were in the same 2 weeks, I'd be doing the same- celebrating altogether at WDW!!!

I will be 38 when we go next!! Feb 2 is my birthday. I may HAVE to celebrate my 40th there!

Lori

 

[wendypooh]

Hey Lori!! Looks like we'll all be celebrating that week!!! My b-day is the
2nd as well!!!!

Oh, just an FYI - went to the disney store a couple of days ago....... they were having a HUGE sale - tons of stuff marked down - I got a lot of stuff!!! The little dresses were marked down too - with 25% off after the markdown!!!!! I don't know how long the sale is going on, but it may be worth taking a trip over there!! (This was at the Mall of La.).

 

[wendypooh]

Incrediblemom

Looks like a few of us will be celebrating b-days while we are there!!! What fun!

GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!

 

[emalone]

We are thinking about going Feb 2 for 5 nights or Feb 14 for 6 nights. We are looking for a good deal. Hoping for a code to come out. I just wonder how the crowds are at this time. Never been in Feb before.

 

[disneyfan2]

We are thinking about going Feb 2 for 5 nights or Feb 14 for 6 nights. We are looking for a good deal. Hoping for a code to come out. I just wonder how the crowds are at this time. Never been in Feb before.

Emalone, i would consider the feb 2 over the 14th. We went this year around Valentines, and it got quite busy... Plus the thurday before presidents week really starts to pick up, and i think that next year, valentine day is on the thursday... Just my 2 cents..

Also, It will be cheaper the begin of Feb should be value season, after the 14th turned into peak season pricing this year...

 

[emalone]

Feb 2nd 2008 would be less crowded, but we would have to make a short trip and keep the kids out of school for 3 days. Leaving on a Friday afternoon and coming back on Wednesday night. We have an 9 hour drive. I guess 5 nights is good enough, because we just went March 29th for 7 nights. We stayed at the GF for 5 nights and 2 nights at the CR. We had a great time and spent tooooooo much money. There was a total of 16 of us, but we did not stay together the entire time. Feb 2nd will be my daughters 13th birthday and we ask her if she would like a party or go to Disney on her birthday and she said DISNEY. Our tickets are already payed for, when we were there in March, I bought a 10 day hopper, water parks with no expiration date. So if we go Feb, we want stay an entire 7 or 8 nights, but thats ok. We have been to Disney about 7 times and 2 Disney cruises. Now we just need to see how important it is to make our daughters 13th birthday a special one. We would have to stay at the cheapest resort on property. We have twins that will be 11, me, husband and 13 year old daughter. We have done everything and my son has a heart problem and has seizures, so his doctor wrote us a letter to get the guest services pass that helps us not to stand in the lines that are 1 or 2 hours long. If we did'nt have this, he would never be able to handle a trip to Disney. Now trying to decide to go on her birthday Feb 2nd,and leave the day before so get down there, or wait and go around Feb 13, (we are out of school the week of Feb 18) any comments please. (help) WE REALLY CAN'T AFFORD IT, BUT JUST DON'T KNOW

 

[lori1043]

Expense-wise and crowd-wise--go in early Feb.for your DD's birthday. I think after the 14th, the prices go up. Unless of course you go before the prices go up! I have never stayed at a more $$ hotel than POR (which I was NOT impressed with) so I cannot comment on that. We have always done the All Star resorts and although I am booked at the Movies next year, I am probably changing it to the POP. I also know that since Daytona is the 17th and Presidents day is the 18th- it will be more crowded at that time. Plus the prices are higher.

Good luck deciding!!-Lori

 

[emalone]

I'm sure during presidents week it will be more crowded and prices will be higher. I did talk to a cm and they said as long as you check in under value season and the next day is peek season, you are supposed to get the value season rate. I hope that is true. The only thing I worry about is keeping them out of school. I guess the way I look at it, is they are my children and as long as they make up the work, then that's ok. I just don't want it to be too cold. A few years ago, we got a postcard for value resort for $$$59, boy I would love to get one of those again. What do you think about keeping kids out of school? ( we have a policy --3 days with parent excuse --I think, but my kids have never missed alot of days- maybe 1-3 all school year and we go to school 180 days.) Thanks Ellen

 

[lori1043]

It is true about getting the value price if you book b/f the season ends, even if your trip goes into high season. As far as the taking out of school thing goes-I may not be the right person to ask b/c I homeschool! I DO believe that they are your kids and that a vacation/time with family is JUST as important as education. Some parents do NOT see it that way, but I do. Family time, valuable, wonderful family time, is MORE important than education.This is lacking in our wonderful country. The ONLY reason I would NOT take my kids out of school (when they were in the public school system) is if thier grades were falling or they were failing. This has been dicussed and even debated on other threads. There are wonderful pros and cons. It is a wonderful plus to homeschooling that we can vacation when we want and not get behind. I can incorporate school days into our vacations-like Chicago was a great place for field trips!

Lori

 

[emalone]

You made me feel much better, sooo we will be going Feb 1st 2008 for 4 or 5 nights. Just made reserv. at the POR. The CM said the rate may go up and that discounts may come out later. Thanks