FEBRUARY 2008 WDW travelers post HERE!!!

[kjbrown]

I have some questions if someone knows.


Also, where is there a listing of parade and show times for February? ETA: I found parades/night show times on Disney's calendar. Can you find out about other shows before you are actually at the park and get a time's guide (like HSM Pep Rally or say Beauty and the Beast).

Thanks!

Steve Soares has a site (just google his name) that used to have this information. But his source left Disney. He is looking for a new source to give him the info. Hopefully he'll get one before February!

 

[Befferk]

Is there any way to tell which EMH are morning and which are evening? I know if you click the EMH link it takes you to a list, but February isn't on there yet. Any place else I can find out? It makes a different for my ADRs which I can make on Sunday.

Beth

 

[hockeybabe]

I have some questions if someone knows.

Which week will be less crowded - the last week of January or the first week of February?


I think the last week of Jan will be less crowded, as Mardi Gras is on Feb 5th, and the whole state of Louisiana is out of school that week. From what I have read on these boards, the crowd level is significantly higher because of it.

 

[kjbrown]

I have some questions if someone knows.

Which week will be less crowded - the last week of January or the first week of February?


I think the last week of Jan will be less crowded, as Mardi Gras is on Feb 5th, and the whole state of Louisiana is out of school that week. From what I have read on these boards, the crowd level is significantly higher because of it.

Funny, I noticed that the Unofficial Guide doesn't even show it on their calendar. So I called to ask why not, and they said it doesn't have a material impact on crowds.

 

[mamaloya]

I have some questions if someone knows.

Which week will be less crowded - the last week of January or the first week of February?


I think the last week of Jan will be less crowded, as Mardi Gras is on Feb 5th, and the whole state of Louisiana is out of school that week. From what I have read on these boards, the crowd level is significantly higher because of it.

Funny, I noticed that the Unofficial Guide doesn't even show it on their calendar. So I called to ask why not, and they said it doesn't have a material impact on crowds.

Actually, the WHOLE state of LA does not have the week off. Only Southeastern LA and then not all of them have the whole week off. Some only get the Mon, Tue, Wed off. We live in western LA and the schools here don't get any time off. I homeschool and my older son attends in New Orleans, so we are going that week anyway.

We were there Feb '06 and everyone seemed to be from LA. It was not crowded though at all. The night we went to the Hoop Dee Doo, one of the performers commented that it seemed that everyone there was from New Orleans and made a big deal about it. It was also the first Mardi Gras post Katrina and a lot of people needed to get away.

Don't worry about the crowds too much, it is much less than Jersey week. But, I have to warn you, some of us talk just as funny as those NJers.

BTW, I had a site reserved for that week but could not get a AAA rate applied when I called today as they were already gone!!! So, I called AAA and booked a package. It is the same price quoted through WDW and about $150-200 more than my buying my tix seperately. I went ahead and booked though for the convenience. They will keep checking and apply any discount when it becomes available. Also, the tix will be on our KTTW card and I can try the Diamond parking and discounts.

 

[Passions71203]

I hope they are not that busy the first week of Feb (Since that is when we are going)
We are used to June and July Crowds
So I hope it is better and not as hot!

 

[MapleGirl]

What does Disney do for Mardi Gras? Has anyone been there for it before? Does PO-FQ do something extra special? I'm thinking of going from the Feb. 7 - 12. Any predictions on crowd levels the weekend after Mardi Gras? Maybe I should switch to the last weekend in Jan.... Thanks!!

 

[hockeybabe]

Funny, I noticed that the Unofficial Guide doesn't even show it on their calendar. So I called to ask why not, and they said it doesn't have a material impact on crowds.

I hope this is true! I had started a thread on which would be more crowded, MLK or the weekend or Mardi Gras, and I didn't get many responses (2 ), but the one said Mardi Gras by far. I had read in a couple of other threads regarding Mardi Gras that it was busier than MLK, but now I'm not sure.

 

[hockeybabe]

Actually, the WHOLE state of LA does not have the week off. Only Southeastern LA and then not all of them have the whole week off. Some only get the Mon, Tue, Wed off. We live in western LA and the schools here don't get any time off. I homeschool and my older son attends in New Orleans, so we are going that week anyway.

We were there Feb '06 and everyone seemed to be from LA. It was not crowded though at all. The night we went to the Hoop Dee Doo, one of the performers commented that it seemed that everyone there was from New Orleans and made a big deal about it. It was also the first Mardi Gras post Katrina and a lot of people needed to get away.



Thank you for the clarification! I had read a few posts, and it seemed they thought it was the whole state. I am glad to hear that it is not, as I hope to go Jan 31 - Feb 3.

 

[callaghan0416]

Don't worry about the crowds too much, it is much less than Jersey week. But, I have to warn you, some of us talk just as funny as those NJers.

Yaah, I guess we do talk funny but not as much as some of the Southerners!

We actually picked this week because we didn't want to vacation with our ENTIRE state. I love NJ, but c'mon

I am looking forward to coming down the first week in February, the 6th to the 15th at POR . We have never been to Disney in February or November (Jersey Week), we are spoiled by the lack of crowds in late September.

callaghan

BTW, Sandra, gool luck and G*D bless you and your husband.

 

[kjbrown]

I hope this is true! I had started a thread on which would be more crowded, MLK or the weekend or Mardi Gras, and I didn't get many responses (2 ), but the one said Mardi Gras by far. I had read in a couple of other threads regarding Mardi Gras that it was busier than MLK, but now I'm not sure.

I would guess it depends on when Mardi Gras falls. My understanding is that it is pretty early this year. Some years when it's later, it could overlap with Presidents Week, and so the parks would be crowded.

There aren't really any added activities in the parks, so I'm going to hope what the UG says is true!

 

[DISNEYRIFFIC]

Okay... it's the first full week in August now.... where are those CODES!!
I register my daughter for Kindergarten next week Wed, and I hope by then we have codes.

I have my room only and all my ADR's for Jan 25-Feb 2nd, but I always had it in my mind, that we'd have the codes by the middle of August, so I could be done with everything.

Don't the Disney people read our posts... don't they see how desperate we are to get those codes !!

 

[kjbrown]

Okay... it's the first full week in August now.... where are those CODES!!
I register my daughter for Kindergarten next week Wed, and I hope by then we have codes.

I have my room only and all my ADR's for Jan 25-Feb 2nd, but I always had it in my mind, that we'd have the codes by the middle of August, so I could be done with everything.

Don't the Disney people read our posts... don't they see how desperate we are to get those codes !!

I think I saw a chart somewhere of historic codes, and aren't they usually released sometime in October for February?

I just got a pin code and it was only through December. I called for rates and the CM didn't even know they were out through December yet. She had to look up the code.

 

[mamaloya]

My AAA agent told me today that the codes should be out in Oct.

 

[disneyfan2]

can you book now and get the codes applied later? Can the codes be used even if you book AAA rates?

 

[Sabrina90744]

I think I saw a chart somewhere of historic codes, and aren't they usually released sometime in October for February?

I just got a pin code and it was only through December. I called for rates and the CM didn't even know they were out through December yet. She had to look up the code.

Its here http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html

Looks like package discounts came out in November the last two years

 

[Minnie&Nana]

can you book now and get the codes applied later? Can the codes be used even if you book AAA rates?

Yes You can only use one discount at a time, but you could have a AAA rate changed if a code is a lower rate.

This is the advantage to having a wonderful Disney TA (Dreams Unlimited has some and www.allearsnet.com recommends a wonderful group). They will keep on top of rates or codes and automaticlaly apply the new rate, if available for your travel dates and resort.

You'll need to keep on top of a personal pin code, but let your TA know should you receive one.

 

[lori1043]

(in a 'country' accent...)okay, Y'ALL! This is Lori, I am I from Covin'ton, Looziana. (about'eh, 40ish miles above the New 'Awlin's)And, yeah , I reckon we have many dialects down our little spot in the US of A!....

Anyway, you can meet 5 different families from 5 different parts of south La. and we are all gonna' have a little different sound! Some talk with a country drawl, some talk a bit like New "Yawka's" (that is what I get told about mine, at % But not soo strong), and some have that CUTE adorable cajun accent that I LOVE to hear(listen to a cajun chic curse and you'll be in' up! but take'em seriously ). Baton Rouge peeps have a little mix-my New Orleans born SIL now is an official Baton Rouge dialect chic! We tease her.

OKAY-you worryin' "not- from- Mardi Gras-partyin'-parts", Feb vacationers...

I have little personal experience, as I have only been to WDW once during Mardi gras. If you have ever been to WDW at the end of October, or been lucky enough(like we have) to hit it in March during a non Easter, low crowded time(like a week window) or experienced the horrifying thing that is WDW in the middle of summer(ugh ). You will be happy to know that although it is probably a LOT of Louisiana travelers, but we are rather on the small side as far as population goes, esp. since Katrina . Overall, you will LOVE this time of year. Low crowds, at most moderate, like October and that fleeting week in March.
I have read on mousesavers, TGM, the Dis,etc-you should not worry . Crowds are low when MG is not coinciding with another holiday like Presidents day or with the Daytona 500. Even when it coincided with Daytona in 2005, it was moderate(to me) for a day or 2-that was it.

Now, come' on-don't spread the word or it will be busier when we are all enjoying the low crowds and shorter lines!!!!

Did I tell you- I got the AAArate of $65.60 for POP century. I was and am still waiting for AP rates, but THRILLED with this rate!

Lori

 

[speedyf]

Hey Lori and everyone else....

First off, Lori....you are supposed to tell everyone that it will be super crowded so us Looose-e-anna people can have the place to ourselves.

However....you are exactly right on the accents. I'm in the Cajun accent category down here about 70 miles southwest of New Orleans. Heck...I have relatives that live in the central part of our parish (Lafourche Parish) and most people from there have a different accent than we do down here in the southern part of the parish.

Just wanted to add my information for the first page:

February 2nd thru 9th....All Star Sports Resort

We are a group of 16 heading down to the World. I was able to snag the AAA rate as well....$65.60 plus tax.....$74.13 per night after tax.

Don't know if you are planning on getting more than one room, but I was reading that the policy changed on the AP discounts. Don't know if this is a rumor or the truth, but you supposedly can now only book one room per AP....meaning that each room has to have an AP holder to get the discount. In the past, you could book up to 3 rooms on one AP.

I know for a fact that they changed the AAA policy. When I called to apply the AAA discount, the CM told me they changed the policy from 3 rooms per AAA account to two rooms per AAA account. So....I had to have 2 people with AAA out of our 16 to be able to get the discount applied to all 4 rooms...2 rooms for one AAA membership....2 rooms for the other AAA membership.

Everyone else....be prepared to see alot of LSU Purple and Gold and alot of N.O. Saints Black and Gold apparel.....lol

Speed

 

[speedyf]

I had one more question for anyone that may be a January / early February Value Season veteran.

I know Disney offered a discount package last year during this value period that included a free upgrade from base tickets to hopper tickets with the water parks and more as well.

I was wondering if the package required you to pay rack rate on the room to get the discounted tickets....or, if it had a discount on the room included with the package as well.

We are waiting to purchase tickets in case this discount is offered again....however, I don't want to pay rack rate at $82 per night to get the free upgrade on the tickets. I would rather pay AAA rate at $66 per night and save the $16 per night x 7 nights....$112 plus tax and just do without the ticket upgrades.

Did anyone take advantage of that package last year?

Thanks,
Speed