February 2014

[scrapbooksellman]

We are coming too!
Feb. 8-15 at Pop. So excited my DD turns 13 on the 7th so we are celebrating her birthday and my son will be 9 in March so we are celebrating our last trip with him as a disney child.

So excited.... now if I can just get a ressie or fast pass for BOG

 

[UK Princess]

As I am working in London tomorrow (about 250 miles from where I live) I have just booked to go and see The Lion King musical tonight! Will really get me excited for the trip

 

[Brer Brett]

I have been trying to determine how much cash/debit/visa/travelers checks/Disney gift cards to bring to WDW. So what do you DISers bring on your trip?


We are going the same week and I chose that week because of several reputable sites recommending that particular week as low crowds, somewhat decent weather, ok price and lower amount of ride closures (than earlier in the year). Per two different sites, crowds are still predicted to be low to low plus which are ideal.

That is great to hear! Despite the fairly low crowds, Be Our Guest restaurant unfortunately still seems like a pipe dream. Really wanted to take my 5 and 3 year old there for dinner!!

 

[lobster212]

we are booked- POR 10 days then a Disney Magice cruise

 

[esmee1sttip]

That is great to hear! Despite the fairly low crowds, Be Our Guest restaurant unfortunately still seems like a pipe dream. Really wanted to take my 5 and 3 year old there for dinner!!

You could always try going there for lunch

 

[mdsouth]

As I am working in London tomorrow (about 250 miles from where I live) I have just booked to go and see The Lion King musical tonight! Will really get me excited for the trip

I would love to see this show. Enjoy the show and fill us in when you can!

A very magical way to while away the hours on a business trip.

 

[mdsouth]

we are booked- POR 10 days then a Disney Magice cruise

Great to have you a part of our group! Welcome.

What are your dates? I will add you to the list on page one.

 

[mdsouth]

We are coming too!
Feb. 8-15 at Pop. So excited my DD turns 13 on the 7th so we are celebrating her birthday and my son will be 9 in March so we are celebrating our last trip with him as a disney child.

So excited.... now if I can just get a ressie or fast pass for BOG

Welcome! I understand your feeling. I, myself, wasn't looking forward to paying adult prices for my ten year old daughter so I was really glad we got the stay/play/dine deal where adults are charged the kids' prices.

Here's some pixie dust to help you get the BOG reservation that you want!

 

[reader562]

We'll be at POR from 2/1 to 2/9!!
I read somewhere that AK was going to be open until 8pm on 2/1 so I went to the calendar and some other park hours have changed from when I made ADRs. Have any of you noticed that and do you think they're pretty final now??
Grrr - I hate to try and switch ADR again!!

 

[mdsouth]

We'll be at POR from 2/1 to 2/9!! I read somewhere that AK was going to be open until 8pm on 2/1 so I went to the calendar and some other park hours have changed from when I made ADRs. Have any of you noticed that and do you think they're pretty final now?? Grrr - I hate to try and switch ADR again!!

I think some hours changed. I wonder why AK is going to be open later? I know from the rumors and news thread that they are planning to add nighttime stuff at AK but I thought those ideas are far off!

I need to switch a few ADRs around too. My problem is there might be some other people joining us for part of the trip but they haven't finalized their plans. So I don't know if I should make an ADR for a larger party or not

 

[reader562]

I think some hours changed. I wonder why AK is going to be open later? I know from the rumors and news thread that they are planning to add nighttime stuff at AK but I thought those ideas are far off!

I need to switch a few ADRs around too. My problem is there might be some other people joining us for part of the trip but they haven't finalized their plans. So I don't know if I should make an ADR for a larger party or not

Along with AK being open later, MK is also. I just hope I can relax and not burn the candle at both ends!! We've got 2 newbies in our group though and I'd hate for them not to experience as much as they can.

 

[mdsouth]

Along with AK being open later, MK is also. I just hope I can relax and not burn the candle at both ends!! We've got 2 newbies in our group though and I'd hate for them not to experience as much as they can.

I have to agree. It is hard to slow down at Disney, especially when it something brand new to you or it has been a long time between trips.

Our last trip was in 2009 and the one before that was in 2005. So, we only go every four years or so. In 2009, we were there for a longer time period, 8 days and so I was able to take it a bit slower than in 2005. It was a more enjoyable trip for me. I loved really getting to explore some of the lesser known things at Disney and we had more time to enjoy the resort.

This trip is going to be a short one four days instead of 8. I am going to try really hard not to go full steam ahead since that leads to grumpiness and not a magical time!

 

[mdsouth]

We'll be at POR from 2/1 to 2/9!!
I read somewhere that AK was going to be open until 8pm on 2/1 so I went to the calendar and some other park hours have changed from when I made ADRs. Have any of you noticed that and do you think they're pretty final now??
Grrr - I hate to try and switch ADR again!!

I got you added to the first page! Woo HOO! Less than four months away!

 

[reader562]

Thanks mdsouth! 105 days according to my countdown calendar.

 

[dreamsdocometrue40]

Does anybody have advice on getting the most out of a first time experience for a 10 yo boy and 72 yo grandma? We have park hoppers and are staying on site at AS Movies from February 13-18 with a dining plan? Feeling a bit overwhelmed and excited at the same time.

 

[mdsouth]

Does anybody have advice on getting the most out of a first time experience for a 10 yo boy and 72 yo grandma? We have park hoppers and are staying on site at AS Movies from February 13-18 with a dining plan? Feeling a bit overwhelmed and excited at the same time.

This is the place to get ideas! Welcome to our thread. You will be there the same time as me!

Here are some of my own suggestions

First of all I would take advantage of the early entry hours for people staying onsite. It truly is amazing how much you can get done before the rest of the crowds arrive. The only problem I have with the early hour is conviincing my husband and kids to get up early on vacation!

Have your son look with you on what rides he thinks he wants to try. Then when we can get the fast pass advance passes for the ones with the biggest draws. The fast pass thread on the theme parks boards will give you ideas how to best pick from the choices available.

Another thing is to be aware of grandma's endurance level. If the weather is warm enough for swimming, take a mid day break back at the resort. Your son can swim while grandma relaxes in the room or pool. In fact your son might really need the down time too ( even though he probably won't admit it)

Will it just be the three of you? If so you will want to stay together, if there is another adult you may want to split up for a bit one afternoon. One person can go with grandma for a slow slow wander around the world showcase. Go to the pavilions to with the sit down movies.

If you all stick together remember to slow down at times and watch the shows or stop in a restaurant
For a snack and break.
In Hollywood studios you can watch beauty and the beast or everyone go to the India stunt show where you can sit and rest while you watch it

Or hop on the monorail and just take a long ride around the parks to see the sights. You could even stop at grand Floridian or the poly to see the lobby and check out the gift store.

 

[luvmikids]

Just booked our trip! So excited February 8-16, CBR! Now on to dining ressies! Where is the one place you always have to eat when you first arrive?

 

[esmee1sttip]

Does anybody have advice on getting the most out of a first time experience for a 10 yo boy and 72 yo grandma? We have park hoppers and are staying on site at AS Movies from February 13-18 with a dining plan? Feeling a bit overwhelmed and excited at the same time.

MdSouth has such great advice! I get excited for our trip just reading what she wrote My only recommendation is checking out touring plans site. They have some suggested plans for all ages and mixed groups.

Just booked our trip! So excited February 8-16, CBR! Now on to dining ressies! Where is the one place you always have to eat when you first arrive?

I am excited to see some of the answers to this one

 

[esmee1sttip]

I have been trying to determine how much cash/debit/visa/travelers checks/Disney gift cards to bring to WDW. So what do you DISers bring on your trip?

We usually just bring $200 - $300 cash and put the rest on our Visa which we pay off when the bill arrives. We use the cash for small tips and out of pocket CS & snacks etc. But this is just for the 2 of us on trips when we are spending 4 days to a week and eating OOP. When I tried paying TS tips in cash it required taking more cash with us than I was comfortable with so I put those tips on the bill now.

Our Magic Band package for our November trip is due to arrive today!!! Super excited

Thank you for the information on how you pay. I don't like carrying too much cash either. Your November trip is coming so fast! Have you received your Magic Bands yet?

 

[Kathy Z]

Does anybody have advice on getting the most out of a first time experience for a 10 yo boy and 72 yo grandma? We have park hoppers and are staying on site at AS Movies from February 13-18 with a dining plan? Feeling a bit overwhelmed and excited at the same time.

This is the place to get ideas! Welcome to our thread. You will be there the same time as me!

Here are some of my own suggestions

First of all I would take advantage of the early entry hours for people staying onsite. It truly is amazing how much you can get done before the rest of the crowds arrive. The only problem I have with the early hour is conviincing my husband and kids to get up early on vacation!

Have your son look with you on what rides he thinks he wants to try. Then when we can get the fast pass advance passes for the ones with the biggest draws. The fast pass thread on the theme parks boards will give you ideas how to best pick from the choices available.

Another thing is to be aware of grandma's endurance level. If the weather is warm enough for swimming, take a mid day break back at the resort. Your son can swim while grandma relaxes in the room or pool. In fact your son might really need the down time too ( even though he probably won't admit it)

Will it just be the three of you? If so you will want to stay together, if there is another adult you may want to split up for a bit one afternoon. One person can go with grandma for a slow slow wander around the world showcase. Go to the pavilions to with the sit down movies.

If you all stick together remember to slow down at times and watch the shows or stop in a restaurant
For a snack and break.
In Hollywood studios you can watch beauty and the beast or everyone go to the India stunt show where you can sit and rest while you watch it

Or hop on the monorail and just take a long ride around the parks to see the sights. You could even stop at grand Floridian or the poly to see the lobby and check out the gift store.

I'm not quite sure if dreamsdocometrue is planning a 3 person trip or if she is the grandma taking her grandson on a 2 person trip. My DH & I are taking just our grandson on our November trip which is why I wonder if a similar vacation of grandma/grandson is being planned. mdsouth still had very good suggestions with the only exception being that grandson may want to ride some rides that grandma doesn't want or can't tackle, leaving him with no one to accompany him. We had a similar situation with granddaughters in 2009. I wouldn't let the 10 year-old ride anything alone until I relented on Rock n' Roller Coaster where I walked through the single rider line with her and joined DH and younger granddaughter who were waiting at the end of the ride. Disney does have "chicken escapes" from all the big rides which I took advantage of here so that she was only out of our sight while she was on the actual ride.

Thank you for the information on how you pay. I don't like carrying too much cash either. Your November trip is coming so fast! Have you received your Magic Bands yet?

Yes, we received our Magic Bands last Wednesday morning and later that day UPS returned with a non Disney package! That was a record for me, 2 separate UPS deliveries in 1 day!