*** Homeschool List ***

[DawnM]

Do we have to go see the speaker both days? I have young kids and I am not sure they will be that interested.

Wow! That IS an incredible deal! They will be SO excited. Maybe we will do a few other things while down there.

There are some free things I have always wanted to do.....like go to the headquarters of Wycliffe where they have free tours daily.

Are there more?

We have also never been to Universal Orlando (we have been to Universal Hollywood), so maybe we will do that a couple of days.

Other suggestions?

I am getting SO excited! I am booking tomorrow am!

I have condos for $179/week and I have 3 weeks paid for through SkyAuction, so will use 2 weeks up for this!


Dawn

If you get the park hopper you can go to as many parks as you want each day. You wouldn't have to stay at Epcot. The homeschool days last from 9-1 I think. The speaker series is at 11. The program you pay extra for is from 1-3 both days for all programs. So if you want to just do the homeschool days and speaker you can leave Epcot and go to another park at noon if you want.

Yes, the water park and more option is 4 ADDITIONAL days totalling 9 days worth of park tickets. You do 5 theme park days, then you have four passes to be used at BB or TL or Quest. That option is an incredible deal

 

[disneymom3]

One more note--the tickets are valid from 7 days before the event to 7 days after the event.

I am seriously thinking. We could have a homeschool meet!!

 

[DawnM]

Wonderful! Count us in!

Oh, and does this mean that we can stagger our park days if we stay for 14 days? So we could hit the parks M,W,F one week and T, Th the next?

Dawn

One more note--the tickets are valid from 7 days before the event to 7 days after the event.

I am seriously thinking. We could have a homeschool meet!!

 

[earthfaries]

One more note--the tickets are valid from 7 days before the event to 7 days after the event.

I am seriously thinking. We could have a homeschool meet!!

That's what I was thinking That would be fun!

Wonderful! Count us in!

Oh, and does this mean that we can stagger our park days if we stay for 14 days? So we could hit the parks M,W,F one week and T, Th the next?

Dawn

Yes, you can use the tickets however you want.

SeaWorld has a great deal right now if you use a code I have. It if for 25% off the one day tickets, then the second day is free. That is what we are doing. We are also going to the great magic dinner show at Wonderworks and we want to play laser tag. Wonderworks has the largest laser tag arena in the U.S.

 

[silvergoldberry]

Hi!

We're homeschooling my 10 soon to be 11 yo daughter. I pulled her out of Phila Public School last March and we're very happy with how things are going.

We're booked at Pop 1/26-2/3, although I read about the homeschool days on another thread, I didn't realize it was such a deal. There's no way I can make it work for this year.

But is this an annual thing? Maybe I can plan our trip around this next year?

We also might be interested in getting together a group with other DISers next fall.

Are there any other homeschoolers from this area of PA on here? (Sorry I just don't have the time today to read 138 pages worth....maybe tomorrow. )

Barb in Phila, PA
"Homeschool Supervisor"
(per Pennsylvania homeschool act)

 

[meandtheguys2]

LOL, well, my husband, otherwise known as the voice of reason, reminded me why we wanted to go mid-Jan. thru Feb...I hate winter, and whined my way thru it last year!

So, we aren't changing our dates. What great prices, though! I tlaked to the gal last night, and she stated that if you are attending the 15th, the tickets would be good from the 7th thru the 21st. Just in case any one was wondering!

 

[DawnM]

But you would only have to change by a week or two, right? How can the weather be that different in just 2 weeks? If it saves you hundreds of dollars, I would do it.

Dawn

LOL, well, my husband, otherwise known as the voice of reason, reminded me why we wanted to go mid-Jan. thru Feb...I hate winter, and whined my way thru it last year!

So, we aren't changing our dates. What great prices, though! I tlaked to the gal last night, and she stated that if you are attending the 15th, the tickets would be good from the 7th thru the 21st. Just in case any one was wondering!

 

[meandtheguys2]

It is the whole timing thing. Going the third week in January allows 3 weeks after the holidays to get ready and aniticipate the trip. Leave for 3 weeks, enjoy the sunshine. Come back to OH with only 3 more weeks of bad weather to deal with.

DH is a doll, but he does like certain things, one of them being, those particular weeks at WDW! And he doesn't care if it costs us an extra bit for them.

 

[DawnM]

HA! I am married to an accountant! DH wanted to go in May, but is perfectly willing to rearrange if it means saving hundreds of dollars!

Dawn

It is the whole timing thing. Going the third week in January allows 3 weeks after the holidays to get ready and aniticipate the trip. Leave for 3 weeks, enjoy the sunshine. Come back to OH with only 3 more weeks of bad weather to deal with.

DH is a doll, but he does like certain things, one of them being, those particular weeks at WDW! And he doesn't care if it costs us an extra bit for them.

 

[DawnM]

Should we add the 4 days of water parks and Disney Quest? I know the kids would love to see DisneyQuest and it is the price of one day to add all 4 days, but I am concerned that the weather will be very cold in Jan.

Also, I know when we were there in Jan another time, they only had one water park open, so not sure both would even be available.

Thoughts????,

Dawn

 

[earthfaries]

Should we add the 4 days of water parks and Disney Quest? I know the kids would love to see DisneyQuest and it is the price of one day to add all 4 days, but I am concerned that the weather will be very cold in Jan.

Also, I know when we were there in Jan another time, they only had one water park open, so not sure both would even be available.

Thoughts????,

Dawn

I just realized you are from NC too. We live in Asheville, where do you live?

We were originally going to get the water park option and go to quest a few days. My son has always wanted to go there but we never have time with the parks and water parks. We love BB but TL is great too. BB will be closed in Jan. and opens in Feb. and then TL will close from what I have heard. The water on the slides is heated , it is just being out of the water in the breeze that will get to you. People do go in Jan. it's up to you . We decided not to go to Quest because the two 5 year olds wouldn't be tall enough to do too much and after a lot of research and questions on the DIS boards, I found out younger kids under about the age of 8 really don't have too much to do there and get bored so I figured they really don't want to spend 3 days of their vacation there. We just got the base tickets and applied the $150.00 difference we saved by not getting the water park option and got SeaWorld tickets for $100.00 more. I know they will really enjoy SW for two days better than Quest. SW looks incredible and we are very excited!

Whatever you choose will be great. It just depends on your tolerance to cool or cold weather when it comes to the water parks. My kids freeze out of the water in the summer. My 11 year old turns purple if it is at all breezy, even in the middle of summer in the evenings (he has no extra body fat to insulate him ) so I just knew it wouldn't be a good choice for us. But if you have older kids (Sorry I don't remember ) Quest would be a really fun experience for sure. You never know, I have heard rumors about it not doing well and might be closed.

 

[DawnM]

We are in the Charlotte area.

My older boys will be 10 and 8 and I think they would love to do Quest. Not sure about the water parks. I will have to ask them what they think. They have always wanted to try a water park, I will have to ask what they want to do.....maybe I can find wetsuits for them to keep warm! I see them at yard sales a lot but have never gotten them.

We moved here from CA and the boys have gone to SeaWorld in San Diego several times (for homeschool days) and didn't care all that much for it, but I we will take a vote.

How did you get the deal with SW?

We have never done the Gator thing either....I hear mixed reviews on that, but I think my boys would like it.

We have done Wonderworks and went to the Ripley's at Gatlinburg last summer, so I really don't care to do those.

Thanks,

Dawn

I just realized you are from NC too. We live in Asheville, where do you live?

We were originally going to get the water park option and go to quest a few days. My son has always wanted to go there but we never have time with the parks and water parks. We love BB but TL is great too. BB will be closed in Jan. and opens in Feb. and then TL will close from what I have heard. The water on the slides is heated , it is just being out of the water in the breeze that will get to you. People do go in Jan. it's up to you . We decided not to go to Quest because the two 5 year olds wouldn't be tall enough to do too much and after a lot of research and questions on the DIS boards, I found out younger kids under about the age of 8 really don't have too much to do there and get bored so I figured they really don't want to spend 3 days of their vacation there. We just got the base tickets and applied the $150.00 difference we saved by not getting the water park option and got SeaWorld tickets for $100.00 more. I know they will really enjoy SW for two days better than Quest. SW looks incredible and we are very excited!

Whatever you choose will be great. It just depends on your tolerance to cool or cold weather when it comes to the water parks. My kids freeze out of the water in the summer. My 11 year old turns purple if it is at all breezy, even in the middle of summer in the evenings (he has no extra body fat to insulate him ) so I just knew it wouldn't be a good choice for us. But if you have older kids (Sorry I don't remember ) Quest would be a really fun experience for sure. You never know, I have heard rumors about it not doing well and might be closed.

 

[earthfaries]

We are in the Charlotte area.

My older boys will be 10 and 8 and I think they would love to do Quest. Not sure about the water parks. I will have to ask them what they think. They have always wanted to try a water park, I will have to ask what they want to do.....maybe I can find wetsuits for them to keep warm! I see them at yard sales a lot but have never gotten them.

We moved here from CA and the boys have gone to SeaWorld in San Diego several times (for homeschool days) and didn't care all that much for it, but I we will take a vote.

How did you get the deal with SW?

We have never done the Gator thing either....I hear mixed reviews on that, but I think my boys would like it.

We have done Wonderworks and went to the Ripley's at Gatlinburg last summer, so I really don't care to do those.

Thanks,

Dawn

This is OT but have you guys gone to McAdenvillle to see the christmas lights? We were thinking about going this year but it would be a 4 hour round trip.

I got the discount code for SW here on DIS on the SW thread. It is 20% off tickets, after I got mine they posted a new one for 25%off. SW in Orlando always offers the next day free with single passes.

Have you gone to the Wonderworks in Gatlinburg or Orlando? We go to Gatlinburg quite often as I have season passes to Dollywood this year. We have never been to Wonderworks before though. We actually weren't going to go in Orlando, just do the magic dinner show and skip the actual Wonderworks attraction.

The Disney water parks are amazing. We love them so much they are always the highlight of our Diney trips. Since your kids are older I would definately do the water park and more option. These days the weather is so off it will probably be nice in Jan. If not you will always have Quest.

 

[DawnM]

No, we have not done the Christmas lights. I have been to the Biltmore to see their Christmas lights though! I love going there at Christmas time.

We did Ripley's at Gatlinburg. It was way overpriced, imho, but we were with friends who wanted to go and since we actually have wanted to go, we went.

How much is the Magic show?

Dawn

This is OT but have you guys gone to McAdenvillle to see the christmas lights? We were thinking about going this year but it would be a 4 hour round trip.

I got the discount code for SW here on DIS on the SW thread. It is 20% off tickets, after I got mine they posted a new one for 25%off. SW in Orlando always offers the next day free with single passes.

Have you gone to the Wonderworks in Gatlinburg or Orlando? We go to Gatlinburg quite often as I have season passes to Dollywood this year. We have never been to Wonderworks before though. We actually weren't going to go in Orlando, just do the magic dinner show and skip the actual Wonderworks attraction.

The Disney water parks are amazing. We love them so much they are always the highlight of our Diney trips. Since your kids are older I would definately do the water park and more option. These days the weather is so off it will probably be nice in Jan. If not you will always have Quest.

 

[earthfaries]

No, we have not done the Christmas lights. I have been to the Biltmore to see their Christmas lights though! I love going there at Christmas time.

We did Ripley's at Gatlinburg. It was way overpriced, imho, but we were with friends who wanted to go and since we actually have wanted to go, we went.

How much is the Magic show?

Dawn

If you opt to leave off the WW afterwards it is 21.99 for the show and all you can eat hand tossed pizza~half cheese~half pepperoni , popcorn, salad, beer,wine and soda. The guide boods on Orlando say it is a top rate magic show like those in Las Vegas. They involve the audience, esp. the kids. It is in a small auditorium in the pizza rest. in Wonderworks. It's a great deal for 22.00. Kids are 14.00 I think. I wish they would take off more money for not drinking their alcohol or sodas as none of us like them

 

[lori1043]

Lori, you have a lot to celebrate!!! I wish you the best trip ever!!

Thanks TNKBELL!! We do and we are so looking forward to it. We were sitting doing school yesterday and they asked if we could start packing already!! I asked them could we just get through Christmas first??!!! Otherwise, I might be starting the process. I already have 2 bags in my room of stuff to go with us-1 freebie bag from things on the freebie board(deodorant, toothpaste, some common meds that you never need a whole bottle of,baggies, those rubber bracelets with names and numbers on them for emergency, even some cereal and nutrition bars).
I know you all are doing better than I am but for 9 nights at POP, 1 AP, 2 adult and 1 child 5 day PH pass, plus $1000 put aside for food,etc and kids saving for thier own souvies, our trip is at $2800. There is one family from our homeschool ***. that is going to homeschool days in January that I know of. She put out an email for help, so I hope I helped and told her to come here!

We'll see!!

I cannot wait to find out how it was!

Lori

 

[DawnM]

We are planning to stay off-site at a SkyAuction condo. We prefer the extra room, the kitchen, 2 TVs at the end of a long and tiring day, and with 5 of us, we can't stay at a value resort without getting 2 rooms or paying a LOT for the suites.


Dawn

 

[earthfaries]

Thanks TNKBELL!! We do and we are so looking forward to it. We were sitting doing school yesterday and they asked if we could start packing already!! I asked them could we just get through Christmas first??!!! Otherwise, I might be starting the process. I already have 2 bags in my room of stuff to go with us-1 freebie bag from things on the freebie board(deodorant, toothpaste, some common meds that you never need a whole bottle of,baggies, those rubber bracelets with names and numbers on them for emergency, even some cereal and nutrition bars).
I know you all are doing better than I am but for 9 nights at POP, 1 AP, 2 adult and 1 child 5 day PH pass, plus $1000 put aside for food,etc and kids saving for thier own souvies, our trip is at $2800. There is one family from our homeschool ***. that is going to homeschool days in January that I know of. She put out an email for help, so I hope I helped and told her to come here!

We'll see!!

I cannot wait to find out how it was!

Lori

Wow, you did great. That is a great price for the vacation. Are you driving? If so do you stop anywhere on the way there and back?
I got our trip price before spending money at $2376.00 That is for 5 people for 10 days. We have a night on the way down and a night on the way back up, and 8 days in a townhouse rental. 5 day WDW tickets, 2 days at SeaWorld, double strollers at WDW each day and an ECV for 7 days and gas, a Magic Dinner Show at Wonderworks and Ripley's Believe it or Not in St. Augustine on the way back home. The kids are going to have their own spending money, my dad is giving them $100.00 each for christmas before they leave. We are going to be eating breakfast in our townhouse and dinner there too so food won't be too much. We don't like eating out much so we bring our own food to the parks so we won't spend too much on food. The only thing we will spend a lot of money on is the WDW outlets and Birkenstock outlet

To me, anything under $4,000 is a great deal, to get under 3,000 is super! It is so expensive to go to WDW. Everything adds up so much and there is just so much shopping also

 

[earthfaries]

We are planning to stay off-site at a SkyAuction condo. We prefer the extra room, the kitchen, 2 TVs at the end of a long and tiring day, and with 5 of us, we can't stay at a value resort without getting 2 rooms or paying a LOT for the suites.


Dawn

I agree. Last year was our first year off site and it was our best!!! The kids loved getting up and watching MMclub house in their jammies, eating breakfast that they are used to at the table. Having a house to run around in. I loved 2 bathrooms, not waiting when you are exhausted after the parks to shower, etc. I esp. loved the washer and dryer. Just throw our clothes in when we got home and they were ready again for the next day or day after. It was really nice for the wet water park clothes. The kitchen is the best though, we eat natural and organic and that way we can buy our food at Super Walmart and eat the good food we like for breakfast and dinner
We live in a townhouse now, so it will be just like being at home, except the one in Kissimme won't have a basement!

 

[Ellester]

This is OT but have you guys gone to McAdenvillle to see the christmas lights? We were thinking about going this year but it would be a 4 hour round trip.

We used to live in Charlotte and went to McAdenville almost every year. I love the white lights and the little mill houses, driving with the windows open to hear the music. It does get pretty crazy on the weekends, we tried to hit it on a weeknight. We usually did the lights and then stopped in Gastonia for something to eat on the way home. Of course, it was only 1/2 hour each way for us.... We're going to try to see the lights at Callaway Gardens this year, even though it isn't free like McAdenville is!