February 2014

[lylymoon]

Hi Everyone,
I have a question and I need your help …..
I will be in Disney for the 2014 World School cheerleading championship in February, the whole team will be staying the week after the competition. I’m wondering if I buy the park hopper + water and more options ticket for myself (daughter is already booked with her cheer squad) will I be able to enter ESPN Wide world of sports free of charge to attend the competition or will I have to buy a separate ticket? Because if that is the case I won’t bother buying the +and more options and will only add park hopper.

Thanks

 

[momof3littles]

Welcome to our thread! How exciting your first family trip! Your kids are at great ages for their first time!

My biggest tip for you is to take advantage of the early hour entry into the parks for resort guests. That one hour will really make a difference in Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland! I was amazed at how much we were able to do in that one hour before the rest of the public started making their way into Fantasyland. And with your kids' ages, Fantasyland will be a huge draw!

So, what ADRs do you have planned?

Thanks for the warm welcome! Right now I have too many ADRs I think I am not sure how long it is going to take us to get around, and whether we'll definitely be returning to our room mid-day. We are staying at POR, and I'm a little wary of how long buses are going to take, so we are leaning toward renting a car as of now. We also were originally planning to pay OOP for meals, but if we can get s/p/d tomorrow, then I can't pass it up. So our ADRs were originally booked with no dining plan in mind.

On arrival day (not getting in until 1:30 to MCO, then travel time to resort, checkin, etc.) I was originally going to just do DTD with the kids. However, the other two days we are planning on doing MK, there is no MSEP. There is one on our arrival night, however. So now my plan is to get park tickets for arrival day as well, basically to see the MSEP. No ADR yet as I'm still thinking through timing. Maybe just QS that evening, or grab something to eat at while waiting for MSEP to start.

2nd day: Crystal Palace at 8:20. I could not get earlier due to not booking our trip until 2-3 weeks ago. I go back and forth on keeping this one as I know it will delay us getting into the parks. I can't decide how big of a deal that is during February.

TT Wishes Dessert party at 7pm. Will probably do a late lunch and skip a full dinner Right now I have a CA Grill reservation at 5:20, but I doubt that's enough time to eat and see MSEP. I had to cancel our other Ca Grill reservation, so this was my consolation. Unfortunately, I think it is still going to get axed

3rd day: Kona at 8 am (not sure if this will take too long?). I may cancel and just do Captain Cooks?

Liberty Tree at 1:30

Ohana 5:10 (seeing mixed reviews on Ohana lately has me wondering about this one and whether it is worthwhile)

(too many ADRs this day!)

4th day: Le Celier 1:30, but not sure I want to two credits for this

Garden Grill 4:30, but 90% sure I will cancel this now

5th day: Brown Derby 1:40 (may cancel this)
Boatwright's 6:30 and head to bed earlier than average maybe. May trade Boatwrights for just eating at the food court that night.

6th day: 10:30 Tusker House
4:30 Boma

7th day: Chefs de France 1:30
Rose and Crown 7pm (was thinking of watching Illuminations but not sure timing will work out so may cancel this).

It was hard to book on shorter than 180 days notice, not knowing when or if my youngest will nap or how often we'll head back to the room. Then add in the fact we were planning on OOP, but now if we end up on DDP with SPD, our needs and credits are different, so reservations will need tweaked.

Phew. It is tough!

 

[mommajo143]

Hi Everyone, I have a question and I need your help ….. I will be in Disney for the 2014 World School cheerleading championship in February, the whole team will be staying the week after the competition. I’m wondering if I buy the park hopper + water and more options ticket for myself (daughter is already booked with her cheer squad) will I be able to enter ESPN Wide world of sports free of charge to attend the competition or will I have to buy a separate ticket? Because if that is the case I won’t bother buying the +and more options and will only add park hopper. Thanks

just curious - what dates are your competition?

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards ... 09/2010 CBR Pirate Room ; 11/2012 POR Royal Room ; Early 2014 CS in planning process'

 

[mommajo143]

Woo Hoo! February 2014 here we come! I didn't see a thread for February 2014 already so I decided to start one. I was surprised not to see one already. ... WishingMom - during Princess Half Marathon Jennad4 - Presidents' Week GovieMom - last week of Feb - POR or CR

Please add us - 2/21-3/4 @ POFQ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards ... 09/2010 CBR Pirate Room ; 11/2012 POR Royal Room ; Early 2014 POFQ in planning process'

 

[PoohBear23]

You can add us to the list! My family of four (will be 11m and 4.5 y) will be heading to Bay Lake Towers with my mom and her boyfriend in Feb. (1-8). I can't wait!!

 

[mommajo143]

Anyone have tips on traveling around the world during the princess 1/2 weekend? Should we avoid MK / Epcot on those days, or expect ride closures or anything. Any ideas / tips / info much appreciated !

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards ... 09/2010 CBR Pirate Room ; 11/2012 POR Royal Room ; Early 2014 CS in planning process'

 

[mommajo143]

I will be there February 21-24th for the Princess Half Marathon. It will be my 2nd time running it! We're doing a girls weekend! Yay!

Any tips on those of us at WDW not running that weekend! Areas to avoid or expect delays / closures? Good luck on your run ... Did my first 5k this spring & loved it. Sadly I injured my knee playing softball this summer. & had to stop running for awhile.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards ... 09/2010 CBR Pirate Room ; 11/2012 POR Royal Room ; Early 2014 CS in planning process'

 

[lylymoon]

just curious - what dates are your competition?

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards ... 09/2010 CBR Pirate Room ; 11/2012 POR Royal Room ; Early 2014 CS in planning process'

Competition is on the 8 and 9th of february...

 

[acflodi]

I think we're going to be upgrading from AoA to POR!! I got a pin code yesterday for free dining plan. Of course it's not available to use if im staying at AoA and it's actually cheaper to stay at a moderate hotel with this deal anyway!! I'm so excited and so is my mom. She heard AoA has had a problem with bed bugs and it's been freaking her out every since we booked. Win for all in my eyes!

 

[taterheads]

I think we're going to be upgrading from AoA to POR!! I got a pin code yesterday for free dining plan. Of course it's not available to use if im staying at AoA and it's actually cheaper to stay at a moderate hotel with this deal anyway!! I'm so excited and so is my mom. She heard AoA has had a problem with bed bugs and it's been freaking her out every since we booked. Win for all in my eyes!

I wouldn't pay much attention to the bed bug stories. Disney has high standards and in the case there was even suspect of it, it would be handled quickly. I am glad that you are happy with your switch though.

 

[acflodi]

I wouldn't pay much attention to the bed bug stories. Disney has high standards and in the case there was even suspect of it, it would be handled quickly. I am glad that you are happy with your switch though.

Yeah, I wasn't worried at all. I think my mom just wanted an upgraded room. When my sister and I were kids we always stayed at the value resorts (which there obviously isn't anything wrong with) and I think she just wants to stay at a moderate, at least, now that she's older. But we're all really excited about our decision to switch, mostly because of the food situation. We weren't too keen on the food court at AoA. Now to go research more on POR!

 

[mdsouth]

I think we're going to be upgrading from AoA to POR!! I got a pin code yesterday for free dining plan. Of course it's not available to use if im staying at AoA and it's actually cheaper to stay at a moderate hotel with this deal anyway!! I'm so excited and so is my mom. She heard AoA has had a problem with bed bugs and it's been freaking her out every since we booked. Win for all in my eyes!

Congratulations on getting the Free dining pin code! I think it is great you get to upgrade to a moderate. It sounds like it will be a nice trip for your family and a special treat for your mom.

I will go make the update on our first page.

 

[mdsouth]

Hi Everyone,
I have a question and I need your help …..
I will be in Disney for the 2014 World School cheerleading championship in February, the whole team will be staying the week after the competition. I’m wondering if I buy the park hopper + water and more options ticket for myself (daughter is already booked with her cheer squad) will I be able to enter ESPN Wide world of sports free of charge to attend the competition or will I have to buy a separate ticket? Because if that is the case I won’t bother buying the +and more options and will only add park hopper.

Thanks

I am sorry I don't have an answer to your question. Hopefully someone here can help you. I think I would give Disney a call and ask for guest relations to try to get an official answer.

T thought I would reply to to give your question a bump so it doesn't get lost in the thread.

 

[mdsouth]

Welcome to Our February Thread!

Please add us - 2/21-3/4 @ POFQ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards ... 09/2010 CBR Pirate Room ; 11/2012 POR Royal Room ; Early 2014 POFQ in planning process'

I added you to the list! It looks like this might be your first time staying at PORFQ. I am planning my first trip to PORFQ too! I have read lots of great reviews and thought it would be fun to try a new resort.

You can add us to the list! My family of four (will be 11m and 4.5 y) will be heading to Bay Lake Towers with my mom and her boyfriend in Feb. (1-8). I can't wait!!

Bay Lake Towers would be a fun place to stay. I would love to be so close to MK and the monorail. Enjoy your stay!

 

[mdsouth]

Thanks for the warm welcome! Right now I have too many ADRs I think I am not sure how long it is going to take us to get around, and whether we'll definitely be returning to our room mid-day. We are staying at POR, and I'm a little wary of how long buses are going to take, so we are leaning toward renting a car as of now. We also were originally planning to pay OOP for meals, but if we can get s/p/d tomorrow, then I can't pass it up. So our ADRs were originally booked with no dining plan in mind.

On arrival day (not getting in until 1:30 to MCO, then travel time to resort, checkin, etc.) I was originally going to just do DTD with the kids. However, the other two days we are planning on doing MK, there is no MSEP. There is one on our arrival night, however. So now my plan is to get park tickets for arrival day as well, basically to see the MSEP. No ADR yet as I'm still thinking through timing. Maybe just QS that evening, or grab something to eat at while waiting for MSEP to start.

2nd day: Crystal Palace at 8:20. I could not get earlier due to not booking our trip until 2-3 weeks ago. I go back and forth on keeping this one as I know it will delay us getting into the parks. I can't decide how big of a deal that is during February.

TT Wishes Dessert party at 7pm. Will probably do a late lunch and skip a full dinner Right now I have a CA Grill reservation at 5:20, but I doubt that's enough time to eat and see MSEP. I had to cancel our other Ca Grill reservation, so this was my consolation. Unfortunately, I think it is still going to get axed

3rd day: Kona at 8 am (not sure if this will take too long?). I may cancel and just do Captain Cooks?

Liberty Tree at 1:30

Ohana 5:10 (seeing mixed reviews on Ohana lately has me wondering about this one and whether it is worthwhile)

(too many ADRs this day!)

4th day: Le Celier 1:30, but not sure I want to two credits for this

Garden Grill 4:30, but 90% sure I will cancel this now

5th day: Brown Derby 1:40 (may cancel this)
Boatwright's 6:30 and head to bed earlier than average maybe. May trade Boatwrights for just eating at the food court that night.

6th day: 10:30 Tusker House
4:30 Boma

7th day: Chefs de France 1:30
Rose and Crown 7pm (was thinking of watching Illuminations but not sure timing will work out so may cancel this).

It was hard to book on shorter than 180 days notice, not knowing when or if my youngest will nap or how often we'll head back to the room. Then add in the fact we were planning on OOP, but now if we end up on DDP with SPD, our needs and credits are different, so reservations will need tweaked.

Phew. It is tough!

Yes, planning a WDW vacation is a lot of work! But it is definitely worth it to plan ADRs ahead of schedule to avoid longer waits in line or being turned away from a restaurant while you are there.

I found that there were some days when it was too much to do two TS meals a day. I think your idea for day 5 to skip the Brown Derby lunch and just do Boatwrights or even a food court meal for dinner is a good idea. You may really need to just take it slower at that point in the trip after having pretty hectic days leading up to it.

I think I may speak for many when I say that often we tend to overplan Disney trips and many try to cram lots in their days and then by the fourth day or so everyone in the group just hits a wall and are tired and need to take it slower.

Don't be afraid to cancel some things or change things up even when you are there. Remember, if you don't get to do everything you want to do on this trip, that is okay. It just means that you have a big reason to start a future trip! Tee Hee.

 

[snowman]

Just confirmed - Jan 26, 2014 - Feb 8, 2014 - AKL-Club level.

woohoo, not that I'm excited or anything, but its 108 days

 

[lylymoon]

I am sorry I don't have an answer to your question. Hopefully someone here can help you. I think I would give Disney a call and ask for guest relations to try to get an official answer.

T thought I would reply to to give your question a bump so it doesn't get lost in the thread.

Thanks will give them a call...will let you know

 

[momof3littles]

Yes, planning a WDW vacation is a lot of work! But it is definitely worth it to plan ADRs ahead of schedule to avoid longer waits in line or being turned away from a restaurant while you are there.

I found that there were some days when it was too much to do two TS meals a day. I think your idea for day 5 to skip the Brown Derby lunch and just do Boatwrights or even a food court meal for dinner is a good idea. You may really need to just take it slower at that point in the trip after having pretty hectic days leading up to it.

I think I may speak for many when I say that often we tend to overplan Disney trips and many try to cram lots in their days and then by the fourth day or so everyone in the group just hits a wall and are tired and need to take it slower.

Don't be afraid to cancel some things or change things up even when you are there. Remember, if you don't get to do everything you want to do on this trip, that is okay. It just means that you have a big reason to start a future trip! Tee Hee.

Yes, there are so many unknowns. My youngest hasn't napped in a year. But of course, Disney will be exhausting. However, with two siblings, I'm not sure how much he'll nap in the room, and he'll revolt if the older kids go out with one parent and one of us stays with him He may or may not nap in a stroller. It may take forever to get back to POR to rest and then back to the parks. I still have a poor understanding of how long it takes to get from point A to point B. I know the buses can be slow or a challenge at times especially from POR, so I think we're renting a car. But I still don't even know how long to leave to get from one place to the next, LOL. Very confusing for a newbie I'm already trying to figure out things like if we drive, how much time do we need to get to Crystal Palace for an earlier breakfast? A full hour? More? I have no idea what it is like to drive from park to park. My last WDW vacation was when I was 4 or 5, and I have a few memories, but no concept of the distance between parks and so forth.
I would rather have the ADRs for now and then deal with cancelling them later. AT least, that's my theory at the moment! Dh and I (and the kids, really) are kind of foodies, but I am not sure if we'll find TS too time consuming overall.
I am fine with adjusting as needed and giving ourselves more downtime. It certainly is hard to predict what our "style" will be at Disney. Worn out is not a good touring style, however!

 

[mdsouth]

Yes, there are so many unknowns. ...I would rather have the ADRs for now and then deal with cancelling them later. AT least, that's my theory at the moment! Dh and I (and the kids, really) are kind of foodies, but I am not sure if we'll find TS too time consuming overall.
I am fine with adjusting as needed and giving ourselves more downtime. It certainly is hard to predict what our "style" will be at Disney. Worn out is not a good touring style, however!

I think you have the right attitude by planning ahead but be ready to adjust plans once you are there and see how things go with your family. I agree, it is good to have ADRs and then adjust once you are there.

I have not driven while at Disney, we just use the busses, so I can't help you there. That too is something you will have to work through on this trip and then if/when you plan future trips you will have a better idea what works best for your family.

I, too, am sort of a foodie, so getting to try all the different restaurants is fun for me. That is one reason why I like to get the dining package so that I don't have to be constantly thinking about what would be a better deal or how much each dinner is costing me at the time. We might pay more going with the dining plan instead of paying out of pocket, but I know that when I am on the dining plan, I can go ahead and pick the entree that I would really like to try out instead of being super conscious of the price of the entree.

I don't worry about getting the best value out of the plan. I just enjoy being able to choice my meal freely based on what I think I would enjoy the most, not what costs the most or the least.

Are you getting the dining plan or paying out of pocket?

 

[mdsouth]

Just confirmed - Jan 26, 2014 - Feb 8, 2014 - AKL-Club level.

woohoo, not that I'm excited or anything, but its 108 days

Woo Hoo! Is right! Welcome to our countdown party! I will add you to the list!