February 2011 - who's going? - IT'S FEBRUARY! WAHOO!

[BELLEDOZER]

DH has decided to let the kids know the day of the trip. Now if only he could stop mentioning the dates around the kids there won't be a problem. I've got a really good cover story for the reason we are pulling the kids out of school, and they actually believe me (FOOLS!!). Am letting the school know today the dates we are pulling them out of school. MY DH has a union meeting the day of the trip, so we won't actually leave until later in the afternoon of Jan 29th, and will be in DL on Feb 1st. We drive the I-5 and for the most part have had very few problems driving down. With GPS, and the state maps, Trip Tix, and hotel books I'm picking up tomorrow from BCAA, it's a relatively easy drive down. Have fun letting them know about your trip on Christmas day!

 

[srauchbauer]

Trying to convince DH that we need to go sometime when the park is not all decorated for Halloween. Since we already have had two major snowstorms I am tired of winter and winter has not officially even started. I am thinking the 14 -18 how are the crowds and what is the weathaer usually like. When we were there in October it was cold and rainy.

Hopefuuly DH has a change of heart and we will be making another trip.

 

[MukilteoSailor]

One more family from the Puget Sound. We are a little further up the road in Mukilteo. Thanks to the week off from school for my son and great sale from Alaska Airlines we will be down from the 23rd to March 1st. I am hoping the crowds will subside after President's Day weekend but either way looking forward to the visit. The military has 3 day park hopper passes on sale as well for $99 so it will be a 3 day visit in that time. I have us at the BWPI. HoJo website had no availability during that time for our party when I checked earlier this week.

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

One more family from the Puget Sound. We are a little further up the road in Mukilteo. Thanks to the week off from school for my son and great sale from Alaska Airlines we will be down from the 23rd to March 1st. I am hoping the crowds will subside after President's Day weekend but either way looking forward to the visit. The military has 3 day park hopper passes on sale as well for $99 so it will be a 3 day visit in that time. I have us at the BWPI. HoJo website had no availability during that time for our party when I checked earlier this week.

Hey neighbor! I'm the one in Shoreline- but my aunt lives in Mukilteo - I just had dinner at the waterfront Arnies there a cpl weeks ago

We have that week off too- but we aren't leaving till early morning the 24th (Thur) - we played around with going earlier since they have the time off but we've done the parks a ton and the kids will both have school work to complete before we go (we are going on a Disney Cruise the 27th to the 6th) and will miss a week of school.

 

[AlexJanessa]

So I was hoping that by visiting these boards and getting all the insider tips I would be more prepared for my first trip back to DLR since 1999 but I'm starting to panic! Back in "my day" (lol, I'm only 30) we just went. If it was busy, you just waited in lines and we didn't mind back then because there wasn't any other option. Now there are FP's and WOC and all sorts of other scheduled events and so many more rides that you seem to have to be at at certain times or you're screwed... it's beginning to stress me out.

I mean, I haven't even been there since they added DCA... I don't even know how to cross between the two let alone bounce from one to other at certain times to get FP's...

Maybe "preparing" isn't such a good thing...

Can I assume that by going in a quieter month like February, I won't have to worry so much about all this? I really want to take the girls to WOC but it doesn't look easy to do...

Okay, I admit, I'm overwhelmed by the information and tips .

*going to my happy place*...

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I wouldn't stress out so much. If you are informed it takes alot of the stress out of the trip, so you can just go and have fun. There is alot more shows to see and do than last time that you went. I would pick and choose what you like and stick with that. You don't have to feel pressured to do it all on your trip. I knew what I was getting into on my solo trip to DL in Oct thanks to the boards. It took alot of stress out of the trip, and even though I was going during a peak season, I managed to get everything done that I wanted to do. You are going during what is considered an off season, so you won't encounter the heavy crowds that I did on my solo trip in Oct. Even with the heavy crowds I encountered I managed, and took advantage of the Fast Pass system when needed. I would rather go down informed, than not, and have the info I need to make the family trip a special. So don't worry so much, and view the trip as an adventure to be enjoyed.

PS the parks are really close together, less than a min walk between the parks. Things are alot closer than what you think they are, so don't worry be happy. Do not fear the unknown, embrace it.

 

[aristocat65]

So I was hoping that by visiting these boards and getting all the insider tips I would be more prepared for my first trip back to DLR since 1999 but I'm starting to panic! Back in "my day" (lol, I'm only 30) we just went. If it was busy, you just waited in lines and we didn't mind back then because there wasn't any other option. Now there are FP's and WOC and all sorts of other scheduled events and so many more rides that you seem to have to be at at certain times or you're screwed... it's beginning to stress me out.

I mean, I haven't even been there since they added DCA... I don't even know how to cross between the two let alone bounce from one to other at certain times to get FP's...

Maybe "preparing" isn't such a good thing...

Can I assume that by going in a quieter month like February, I won't have to worry so much about all this? I really want to take the girls to WOC but it doesn't look easy to do...

Okay, I admit, I'm overwhelmed by the information and tips .

*going to my happy place*...

Don't let these boards scare you. That's not the intention, I assure you

Planning for DLR trips seems to have been taken to a new level lately. I think that is because there are a LOT of WDW vets now visiting DLR and they are used to the intense planning required there (dining, etc). DLR has also done it's part by having more shows and events than ever before.

You're going at a really quiet time so I wouldn't worry. The one thing you might want to do is the WOC dining or picnic pack. That way you won't have to stress about getting fast passes for the show. Other than that you might want to grab fast passes for rides in the am to collect and use later in the day when things get a little busier.

Finally, some of my best memories of Disney trips were entirely unplanned, like when we were going to leave the park and saw two seats in front of the Plaza Inn just as the fireworks were starting. We stopped, sat down and enjoyed the show. It's important to remember to relax, slow down and you'll see a lot more

 

[macman752]

We will be at VGC from 2/19 until 2/26.

 

[mydisneyobsession]

Hi! We'll be there!

We'll be at Disneyland from the 17th to the 23rd of February! We're tagging along with my DH for a convention, and the trip will be a complete surprise for the kids.

I grew up in California, but haven't been to DL in about 12 years... We've been to WDW three times in the past four years, so I'm excited to see how it feels to be back in my first Disney park!

We're staying at the Annabella. I'm going to go back and read the thread now - I was so excited to find a group for the time we're going that I posted first!

 

[AlexJanessa]

Hi! We'll be there!

We'll be at Disneyland from the 17th to the 23rd of February! We're tagging along with my DH for a convention, and the trip will be a complete surprise for the kids.

I grew up in California, but haven't been to DL in about 12 years... We've been to WDW three times in the past four years, so I'm excited to see how it feels to be back in my first Disney park!

We're staying at the Annabella. I'm going to go back and read the thread now - I was so excited to find a group for the time we're going that I posted first!

Welcome! We are there the exact same time as you and like you, we' haven't been for many years (our honeymoon of '99 to be exact). We're so excited to see everything. There is so many new things from the sounds of it.

 

[AlexJanessa]

Don't let these boards scare you. That's not the intention, I assure you

Planning for DLR trips seems to have been taken to a new level lately. I think that is because there are a LOT of WDW vets now visiting DLR and they are used to the intense planning required there (dining, etc). DLR has also done it's part by having more shows and events than ever before.

You're going at a really quiet time so I wouldn't worry. The one thing you might want to do is the WOC dining or picnic pack. That way you won't have to stress about getting fast passes for the show. Other than that you might want to grab fast passes for rides in the am to collect and use later in the day when things get a little busier.

Finally, some of my best memories of Disney trips were entirely unplanned, like when we were going to leave the park and saw two seats in front of the Plaza Inn just as the fireworks were starting. We stopped, sat down and enjoyed the show. It's important to remember to relax, slow down and you'll see a lot more

Thanks (another fellow BCer!)! I'm leaning towards pre-ordering the picnic paks which would reserve us a spot nice and easy for WOC. One less thing to worry about. DH doesn't want to spend the money but I don't want to spend the stress... lol

Funny thing is, I'm not usually much of a planner. When we went on our honeymoon, we had NO plans. Ah... the difference between the freedom of being a young couple and the worries of being a "responsible" parent

 

[mydisneyobsession]

Thanks (another fellow BCer!)! I'm leaning towards pre-ordering the picnic paks which would reserve us a spot nice and easy for WOC. One less thing to worry about. DH doesn't want to spend the money but I don't want to spend the stress... lol

Funny thing is, I'm not usually much of a planner. When we went on our honeymoon, we had NO plans. Ah... the difference between the freedom of being a young couple and the worries of being a "responsible" parent

I'm with you on the WOC picnic... We're definitely doing that. I wish I could justify the expense of the Fantasmic Dessert package so that we wouldn't have to worry about finding a good spot for that one, too - but that one is way to pricey for me!

Being a WDW vet, I'm a super-over-planner! I can't imagine doing a Disney trip without multiple spreadsheets...

 

[MNmomor4]

Hello everyone!

We will be doing the mexican riviera cruise them staying at the Hojo's feb 20-23. I guess I'm spoiled with the great rates at WDW hotels. It's a sticker shock at DL.

 

[andytaro]

I and my family will be in DLR between 2/22 and 2/26 and will be staying at GCH.

 

[AlexJanessa]

Well we did it! We pulled off the Christmas surprise . We wrapped a large box, empty other than a piece of paper with clue #1. Kids followed clues all over the house, each clue had another item with it (toy airplane, passport, calendar page with date circled, etc). When they reached the end, they were both thrilled and in shock! My littlest asked if we were going today, then tomorrow, then yelled that she had to pack! My oldest's first question was "can you afford this?!" (we've been steering them off course by saying we wouldn't be able to afford it for a few more years).

Of course we filmed it and I'm just uploading to youtube now. I'll post a link as soon as its done. Our email is chrisandcarla@shaw.ca which you may need to view.

So much fun!

 

[pinner33]

that's great i don't think i could take the preasure lol.I'm a bigger disney junky than my daughter.I've got a count down on every thing i can lol.We haven't even gone on this trip and i've already planning the next one for the first part of dec 2011

 

[pixidustmom]

We are hoping for 2/15 (my Birthday) to the 18th. I will be my good friend from Canada and I. We have been going around this time for the past couple years.

 

[impeyan]

I will be there from 1/31/11 - 2/7/11

 

[AlexJanessa]

Here's the youtube link if anyone wants to watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtEV3hOuqcM

 

[briangl]

We are staying at the Candy Cane from 2/20 - 2/26. We can't wait.