FEBRUARY 2008 WDW travelers post HERE!!!

[CampbellScot]

Just subscribing!! I am bound and DETERMINED to get to Disneyworld sometime in February 2008!

 

[5 blind mice]

We are also staying at POP - just booked our room this week. We aren't staying a full week - just a few days - here's what our stay looks like:

1/30 fly down, check-in, hit the pool and Ohana for dinner
1/31 MK
2/1 Epcot (Norway princess breakfast) for half the day
- possibly back to MK mid afternoon
2/2 pool time in the morning - then check out

I have one more sit-down meal to book - I'm not sure yet what to choose. I've thought about a dinner at Epcot or MK - or possibly a character breakfast the day we checkout. Any suggestions? Supercaligfragilistic Breakfast or Chef Mickey's for breakfast? Or LTT for dinner the day we are at MK?

My girls will be 6 and 4 when we go - we won't be going back to the room for naps either day - but some "downtime" would be good mid afternoon to give their batteries time to recharge. Suggestions?

Lee-Ellen
Ms*Mountaineer

We heard from friends that the LTT character dinner is good. They also recommended the Garden Grill character dinner at Epcot.

Happy planning! From what I've heard, you'll enjoy it no matter what you choose. It's pretty overwhelming, though, isn't it? It seems like I've changed my mind about one thing or another on a daily basis!

 

[avic77]

Just subscribing!! I am bound and DETERMINED to get to Disneyworld sometime in February 2008!

I was just reading your trip report amazingly good read! you had me laughing and crying and on the edge of my seat. Hope your ear is better now.

 

[Sabrina90744]

okay that makes 4 of us a POP in the same week! We are there 2/1-2/10. I asked for the back of the 60's. Hope that is a good spot.
My schedule is closest to Sabrina's schedule. Same days at MK, MGM, and EPCOT. I probably will decorate for Mardi gras also on our window. We are having an "off day" on Mardi Gras so we'll be sleepin' in and exploring the world beyond the parks.

I don't remember mentioning it Sabrina, but we were in DL in the spring and WOW, LA was gorgeous!! I am heading to Napa Valley in October for business(blechhh!) to get CEU's and not very happy that I have to pay my own way-$$ gonna' be tight since it will be squeezing my WDW budget b/c of THIS. But I need CEU's before 12/31, or I lose my registry. I refuse to take those tests again! BUT OH MY- while we are there, we're gonna' have as much fun as we can on as little $$ possible. Every dime I spend there is biting into my WDW fund . We want to head to a winery. Thankfully, I am not much of a drinker, but I will have a glass while there!

If it wasn't so darn expensive, I might haul tail over there (to California) and stay!!

Lori

4 of us already, we are bound to run in to one another! I love California, even the traffic doesnt bother me as much anymore. CEU's for nursing?

 

[Goofy22]

HI! Can anyone tell me when Mardi Gras starts and ends?

 

[DisneyMom14]

Mardi Gras day is only Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008 this coming year. It's typically celebrated for about 2 weeks before then in south Louisiana. Is that what you were asking?

 

[Goofy22]

Mardi Gras day is only Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008 this coming year. It's typically celebrated for about 2 weeks before then in south Louisiana. Is that what you were asking?

Yep! thanks! How is in fla in february have you ever been there then? This is our first february trip! we'll be there from the 12th thru the 18th! I hear this week is busy but cant compare to easter falling during spring break!

 

[DisneyMom14]

I actually haven't been to Florida in Feb. before, but from what I've read, it can be lows in the 50's and highs in the 70's. I'm packing layers. I'm sure the mornings and evenings will be cool with mid-day being warm. I don't think Florida gets much rain in Feb compared to other times of the year.

 

[mamaloya]

Goofy22, what people mean when they say the are going FOR Mardi Gras is that they are going to get AWAY from Mardi Gras. A lot of the dissers on this thread are from New Orleans and since the kids have the week off and we are Mardi Gra'd out, we escape the craziness and head to WDW. There is no Mardi Gras at WDW. Pleasure Island may do somthing and I think someone said there may be a parade or something at Port Orleans on the 5th. Sorry if we caused you confusion.

Disneyriffic, thank you for your kind words about my dh.

Lori, my I have just checked back in here for the first time in a long time. I saw the award I received!! I would not say bravest, craziest maybe, but not bravest. Truly they are great kids though, so it will be a breeze. The only prob I may have is backing our camper in by myself. I do have our schedule laid out and ADRs made, as long as they don't change the EMH or hours on me.

 

[triplefigs]

What week does NO (or is it all of LA) have off for Mardi Gras? Week of Feb 4-8 or Feb 11-15?

 

[lori1043]

Lori, my I have just checked back in here for the first time in a long time. I saw the award I received!! I would not say bravest, craziest maybe, but not bravest. Truly they are great kids though, so it will be a breeze. The only prob I may have is backing our camper in by myself. I do have our schedule laid out and ADRs made, as long as they don't change the EMH or hours on me.

No way, friend, you are BRAVE . I am wishing I could help you out with that camping thing! It's one thing to bring that many kids in a hotel room/s, but to pack it up and camp it. You are going way beyond!!! I know the hotel thing would be a fortune though!! AND Fort Wilderness is my favorite! IF we had a camper, that is where I would be staying too!
I don't have a place to keep a camper though!
Anyway, I am sooooo impressed by your upcoming adventure and keep your family/hubby in our prayers!

Lori

 

[Goofy22]

Goofy22, what people mean when they say the are going FOR Mardi Gras is that they are going to get AWAY from Mardi Gras. A lot of the dissers on this thread are from New Orleans and since the kids have the week off and we are Mardi Gra'd out, we escape the craziness and head to WDW. There is no Mardi Gras at WDW. Pleasure Island may do somthing and I think someone said there may be a parade or something at Port Orleans on the 5th. Sorry if we caused you confusion.

Disneyriffic, thank you for your kind words about my dh.

Lori, my I have just checked back in here for the first time in a long time. I saw the award I received!! I would not say bravest, craziest maybe, but not bravest. Truly they are great kids though, so it will be a breeze. The only prob I may have is backing our camper in by myself. I do have our schedule laid out and ADRs made, as long as they don't change the EMH or hours on me.

OK Thanks! I thought maybe they did something like they do for other things but thats fine! Thanks for filling me in!

 

[Goofy22]

HI! I was wondering since I am now debating switching my trip once again to the following week or so! If you are booked during a wonderful week of disney are the chances better that you get a good code? or free dining? what's the deal with the wonderful weeks of disney? I know it's suppose to be less crowded but are there other perks? Any input would be great!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

What week does NO (or is it all of LA) have off for Mardi Gras? Week of Feb 4-8 or Feb 11-15?

It's the week of February 4-8.

 

[triplefigs]

It's the week of February 4-8.

Is it all of LA? I guess I better pull out all my Bama stuff to wear for all the LSU fans...

 

[speedyf]

Is it all of LA? I guess I better pull out all my Bama stuff to wear for all the LSU fans...

That could get ugly....

I'm pretty sure it is all of Louisiana. I know that the Biloxi, Mississippi area and Mobile, AL area celebrate as well....but, I'm not sure about the rest of the state of MS and AL and I don't know how much time they get off from school.

We get a week off from school....this year it's Feb 4th - 8th with Mardi Gras falling on Feb 5th.

I don't think it will affect the crowds at Disney that much. Of course, it probably will be a little more crowded than a normal 1st week in February....but, not President's Week or Easter Week crowded.

Speed

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Is it all of LA? I guess I better pull out all my Bama stuff to wear for all the LSU fans...

It's not all of Louisiana (at least I don't think it is). Mostly the southern part. My kids get the whole week off, some only get Monday thru Wednesday off. Further north in the state may only get Mardi Gras Day off (which would be Fat Tuesday). You will definitely see lots of Saints and LSU fans out and about. Who Dat!

 

[mamaloya]

I am wishing I could help you out with that camping thing! It's one thing to bring that many kids in a hotel room/s, but to pack it up and camp it. You are going way beyond!!! I know the hotel thing would be a fortune though!! AND Fort Wilderness is my favorite! IF we had a camper, that is where I would be staying too!

Well, through all the years of traveling with kids, both with and without a camper, I have to say that it is actually easier WITH the camper. I used to have to pack a seperate bag for each of the nights we were going to stop along the way so we would not have to bring all the luggage in. Plus make sure I brought in all of our toiletry items like toothbrushes, baby shampoo, conditioner, etc. Not to mention figuring out who was sleeping where and with who. Now, it is all ready to go. Our clothes are hanging in the closet, beds are made, toothbrushes in cabinet, shampoo in tub and their favorite foods in the fridge. No rushing out to the van to get something I forgot (and if I do, the van is hitched up still 5 ft away). We just pull in (praise the Lord that most campgrounds have pull thru now), plug in the water and electric, the kids climb from the van and into the camper. They have their own bed with their own pillow and know where they are sleeping. I don't have to carry anything, except maybe the occassional sleeping child. It is so much easier. I would much rather pull the camper than stay in a hotel even if the prices were the same.

Now, back on topic. There is a store here with LSU shirts for like $7 ea. I will have to grab some. My ds16's stepmom is getting us all matching Saints shirts for the trip from someone she knows who makes them. Plus our tiki shirts and studio collection shirts. Oh, we will also be wearing Army shirts one day. I wanted to wear our Incredible shirts one day, but we are one short with the additions I am bringing. We are also choosing one "free" day which is where we wear any disney shirt we want. I have bought us all short sleeves, but will pack long sleeves to slip on underneath if it gets colder. We will also have our jackets as well as our winter coats, just in case. I am praying for a warmer than usual Feb. It was perfect when we were there Mardi Gras '06, but that was the end of Feb into Mar. We have been in early Dec and Mid Jan as well.

Oh, we will also be celebrating 2 bdays while we are there. My niece's bday is the day before we leave and my nephew's bday is Valentine's Day. So I figure we will celebrate her bday at our first character meal which will be Ohana's on the 2nd for breakfast. I will celebrate his bday at either the SciFi on the 7th just before we go to Fantasmic or at Chef Mickey's for breakfast on the 8th. Not sure which one yet.

Here is what our schedule looks like thus far. (I was hesitant about posting it, but I figure anyone crazy enough to attempt anything with us will get what he deserves. )

30th - pass through NO to pick up niece and then stop at a CG overnight
31st - stay the night in Lake City
1st - arrive early at FW and hang out. Pick up ds16 and nephew at airport
2nd - Boat to Poly, breakfast at Ohana, then monorail to Epcot
3rd - MK, EMH I have ADRs at LTT but may cancel
4th - Breakfast at Whispering Canyon, DTD, lunch at Earl, then movie and light parade at FW
5th - MGM, 50s Prime Time, may cancel
6th - AK, EMH, dinner at Rainforest Cafe
7th - surrey bikes at the Boardwalk, boat to MGM, SciFi, then Fantasmic and EMH
8th - Boat to CR for Chef Mickey, then monorail to Epcot, EMH
9th - our last park day so had to be MK
10th - pack up, lunch at Earl's and then head home

If the EMHs I have planned have changed, please let me know. Most of my ADRs are not park specific, so I can easily change parks if EMH changes.

Oh, I have also worked out my buddy system. I will be with dd4, ds16-ds7, niece with dd6, nephew with dd11. I have found to be prepared ahead of time on rides otherwise you hold up the line. If we have to split 4x4 it will be me with the 3 youngest and the 4 oldest together.

Also, at the end of the day, I will take the littles back to camp and the older ones will stay for EMH. If I need help getting back, they can always come with and then return to EMH.

 

[lori1043]

ooooohhhh, mamaloya, we WILL be there at the same time!!! Geez, I need to check my own work on post #1!!
We will be in matchig shirts too- Incredibles, 1day, patriotic another. Our made "Celebrate Life "ones on another 2 days! I am hoping for warmer than usual weather too!
I never thought about the camper thing being pre-packed and EASIER-sounds good to me. I really do wish we would be able to camp there, too.We are aiming to go to the "show" one night if not too cold. We met some friends that were staying at FW last time we went. We had dinner together and went to the movie, but it was COLD that night and we never made it through the whole thing. I remember that from when I was 16 and it is totally different now!!! Much more crowded and other activity happening. When we stayed at FW when we were younger, the movie was Cinderella and we got popcorn. And ony kids were there. It gave parents a break , I guess! Well, I loved FW and wanted my kids to experience it a bit too.

ANYWAY, to you NON LSU fan February travelers, be prepared to be in the minority!!!!!

Lori

 

[Sinderelli]

okay that makes 4 of us a POP in the same week! We are there 2/1-2/10. I asked for the back of the 60's. Hope that is a good spot.
My schedule is closest to Sabrina's schedule. Same days at MK, MGM, and EPCOT. I probably will decorate for Mardi gras also on our window. We are having an "off day" on Mardi Gras so we'll be sleepin' in and exploring the world beyond the parks.

I don't remember mentioning it Sabrina, but we were in DL in the spring and WOW, LA was gorgeous!! I am heading to Napa Valley in October for business(blechhh!) to get CEU's and not very happy that I have to pay my own way-$$ gonna' be tight since it will be squeezing my WDW budget b/c of THIS. But I need CEU's before 12/31, or I lose my registry. I refuse to take those tests again! BUT OH MY- while we are there, we're gonna' have as much fun as we can on as little $$ possible. Every dime I spend there is biting into my WDW fund . We want to head to a winery. Thankfully, I am not much of a drinker, but I will have a glass while there!

If it wasn't so darn expensive, I might haul tail over there (to California) and stay!!

Lori

Lori- we'll be at POP, too! Feb. 2-10. BIL & SIL are coming with us, also. I booked a preferred room- asked for 60's building. I already know of 2 of my students who will be there!