Jan 15 / AK

[luvsTink]

Hi all...I know the 15th is on the MLK holiday, but I find it interesting that AK is open until 7 pm. I expected MK to be open later (it is, until 11) but MGM isn't open any later. Any opinons on why AK would be open later?

Anne

 

[n2mm]

Yes I saw that this week while I was on the employee website checking the calendar for any changes. There is only one reason that WDW extends the hours of the parks--EXPECTING LARGE CROWDS and resorts are at or near capacity. Sorry to tell you this, but you need to know. By making more parks available, it helps (yeah) spread out the crowds. I arrive on the 15th and will be at MGM to eat dinner at the 50s PT. I'm expecting there will be no more FPs when we get there, and the lines will probably be long, but am hopefully the crowds will thin a little by Tuesday. The weather forecast looks HORRIBLE for that week and am hoping it changes. Low to mid 60s and some rain during the day and 40s at night. Sounds like a repeat of my December trip. I never knew 40s could be so cold, but will be packing my gloves and hat this time and more fleece. Also pack that raingear, because rain in January is cold and raw! Lets pack it and hope we don't need it!! Most likely you'll find me in the hot tub at WL warming up.

 

[luvsTink]

Yeah, I figured that was the answer...but I was kind of curious as to why they wouldn't keep MGM open a bit later as well. My mom is only going to be there one day and I really wanted to show her the AK, do you think it will be much worse than MGM or Epcot? The resorts are very very full. It took three days of trying to get a room (I could have had the honeymoon suite at WL, but I passed) There is alot going on, I am just hoping that many of the groups there will not flood the parks (Yeah....right.)

We will be at the parks again the end of that week (20 -- 23) I am hoping for smaller crowds. THe weather forcast is kind of bumming me out too, but just a few days ago they were predicting 80's...so things can change. (a girl can hope!)

Anne

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Crap. This can't be good.

That AK hour change is new, because it had been showing 5 PM. AND that's EE for AK, isn't it? So they are open from 8A-7P for onsite guests? Hmm.

I am bummed by the stupid forecst, too. I have been checking www.weather.com and www.accuweather.com every day. Of course the closer we get the worse it looks. Yesterday it was just showing a chance of rain for Saturday, but now they say it will rain Friday AND Saturday. Well, Saturday is a 60% chance. You know WHY the weather is crashing, don't you? It is because I returned the thermal underwear I bought thinking there was no way I would need them. Back to the mall I go! Maybe they will be cheaper today.

I knew the resorts were full but nobody else seemed terribly alarmed by that, so I was TRYING not to freak out. But there isn't anything we can do now - too late to cancel the trip. I absolutely HATE that it will be rainy, crowded, and cold. That sucks. At least everybody else will be wet, freezing, and squashed, too!

 

[n2mm]

"It is because I returned the thermal underwear I bought thinking there was no way I would need them. Back to the mall I go! Maybe they will be cheaper today"

OK, so it's your fault....get back to the store and buy those thermals.

I did read a thread that there was a HUGE convention-- homebuilders--earlier in the week (13th), maybe the 15th is their last day and it's just a big overlap with the holiday weekend.

I had planned on this week because I work for the USG and Monday the 17th is a holiday and Thursday the 20th is inauguration day another holiday for Wash. DC employees. So with 2 days off, plus my regular day off is Friday, I only had to use 2 vacation days to be off 9 days--where better to spend it, but in WDW!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

The convention STARTS Thursday and runs through Sunday - Sunday is a half day for them. The show is at the Convention Center and runs until about 5 PM each day, so expect larger crowds in the evenings. Thursday night at MK is a special "Builders Show" thing, so beware. I know a family who will be there for the convention and I decided to poke around on the website for the convention. They are expecting 110,000 people. Many of the hotels listed for the builders are Disney properties, so obviously SOME of the resort crowds are the builders.

Now, after thinking about the MGM question a little more I have come up with one possible explanation. The College Cheerleading Championships are being held at MGM on Saturday (in the Indiana Jones area, from what I understand) so it MIGHT be that they are having a special thing for them after hours.

WWoS has at least four separate things going on over the weekend (cheerleading, soccer, basketball, baseball) so some of those folks SHOULD be busy during the day with tournaments or whatever. Again, watch out for increased crowds in the evenings.

Heh heh heh. I am just yammering on like I know what I am talking about. I am POSITIVE about the groups being there, but I really have no insight on crowd conditions. That is just what I speculate.

I will go buy more thermals as soon as the mall opens.

 

[dj2]

I arrive on the 15th and will be at MGM to eat dinner at the 50s PT.

OMG! We get in the same day and have PS for 50's PTC, too! I wanted to see it before it closes for awhile. I'm going to PM you.

dj

 

[n2mm]

OMG! We get in the same day and have PS for 50's PTC, too! I wanted to see it before it closes for awhile. I'm going to PM you.

dj

I PM'd you back. Don't worry, it's not closing. I guess the refurbishing was canceled. I think the OP/Luvstink posted it. So I called last week and added 2 more PS to my week at the 50s PT. (That makes 3 visits for one week, yes my favorite place, I'll admit it!) I secretly kept my 15th PS for dinner, because I was afraid that CRO MIGHT be wrong and it WOULD close and I'd miss eating there. So now have another dinner and a lunch later in the week.
We'll be at the WL from Jan. 15-22.

 

[TDC Nala]

I had planned on this week because I work for the USG and Monday the 17th is a holiday and Thursday the 20th is inauguration day another holiday for Wash. DC employees. So with 2 days off, plus my regular day off is Friday, I only had to use 2 vacation days to be off 9 days--where better to spend it, but in WDW!

Wonder how many other feds are doing the same thing next week.

Even rainy and cold, it'll beat the crowds in Washington, at least WDW won't have security up the wazoo.

 

[n2mm]

Wonder how many other feds are doing the same thing next week.

Even rainy and cold, it'll beat the crowds in Washington, at least WDW won't have security up the wazoo.

I agree. With the bleachers coming up all around my building, I guess the people should be rolling into DC by next weekend. Security should start increasing. I figured flying out of Wash. on Sat. the 15th, I'll be going against the tide. Not sure how many people figured out the extra long week off, but I made my ressie back in the summer.

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm out on the 14th.. that's when my RDO is.. coming back on the 25th, after they've taken the bleachers down.

I am at the WL, too, in the Villas, and I know at least one other fed who'll be there also.

 

[n2mm]

Well it is a small world afterall.

BTW, I figured they would just leave the bleachers up for Cherry Blossom festival. By the time they get them down, it will be time to put them up again.