January 1 check in question

[ktbugsmom]

Any one have any thoughts about checking in at BWV January 1? I fully expect for it to take a while that day to be able to get a room - given the previous nights festivities.

We arrive at MCO at about 10:30am. I figure we should be at the resort by 12:30pm.

If we can't get into our room (which I think will take until at least 4pm), any suggestions for the day?

I have a 4 year old DD and a 10 year old DD and a 38 year old hubby. Don't think I want to burn a park pass (only have 5 day hoppers). Should I just plan a nice early evening meal (we love the clam bake at BC or maybe I can plan a character meal to get us in Disney mode) and enjoy some time around the resort?

To be honest, I am used to being a theme park commando (and I love it), but I promised my husband that I would try to relax and slow down this trip.

 

[PamOKW]

You might want to explore some of the other resorts and see the Christmas decorations before they come down. You could head over to the monorail resorts and maybe plan on a character dinner at the Contemporary or GF to end the afternoon. You could even take the boat over to WL and have dinner at WC.

You could also spend the time looking around the Boardwalk/Y&B area and/or the Downtown Disney area.

Weather is so unpredictable at this time of year that you may want to plan on it being chilly to cold in terms of where to spend your time. If it's beautiful, staying outdoors will be more appealing.

You might get lucky with check-in. Despite the festivities the night before, many folks may have to get going to head home.

 

[Connears]

I know you don't want to waste a park day, but January 1 is a very quiet park day from our eexperiences over the last 2 New Years Day. We had late breakfast both years(1900 PF and Boma) and then hit MGM/Epcot it was very easy touring. Not sure how MK was, but alot of people do what you are thinking and avoid it or are still sleeping off the partying the night before. We did leave in the afternoon and hit ESPN club to watch some Bowl Games and then had a nice dinner and mini-golf to round out the day. You could do the monorail resort hop and see the decorations or as the previous poster said, DTD is a nice choice, although the crowds may be large. The decorations at the WL and AKL are also great as are the ones at BC- a short walk from the BWV(the decorations at your hotel are wonderful also). don't be afraid to try the parks, you could see quite a bit and you would not be "wasting " a park pass day.
Connears

 

[Pa@okw95]

Jan 1st is a Saturday in 2005 so I would not expect to get your room too early. I believe it will be one of the busiest times of the year down there all be it the last busy day for over a month. I would stay away from the parks that day,PAMOKW, has given you some nice suggestions. I would find out for sure how long the Osborne Lights are going to be up, I thought I read somewhere until Jan 5, so you will want to plan a trip to see them to MGM before they are taken down. I am going to be down there Jan 2 so I hope to see them also. Being a theme park commando will leave you as you make more and more trips to WDW. I would stay away from and meal reservations especailly character meals for Jan 1, they will be crowded. You should have the place to yourself after Jan 1 , so enjoy.

 

[ktbugsmom]

Thanks for all the speedy replies!

I started to consider doing an easy Epcot day (the whole family - even the 4 year old) loves it there. But, Pa@okw95 reminded me it is a Saturday. I will save the parks for Sunday or Monday.

I will think about a "monorail resort" tour or a lazy afternoon at the Boardwalk. And being that we are from Wisconsin, a little cold weather will not keep us away from the pool! My 4 year old is already talking about the clown slide.

We were at BWV/BCV in December of 2002. It was cold and rainy, but we swam every day. The hot tubs were great.

Even though I have been to Disney 4 times in the last 2 years, I just love going to the parks. BUT, the resorts are so gorgeous, I promised my husband I would slow down and enjoy them too!

Thanks for all of the advice. I will plan on a relaxing check in without any expectations. Maybe we will even check out the community hall this time!

 

[PamOKW]

I don't know if you've been down at that time of year before. I know I was a bit startled my first trip to be scraping frost off the windshield Christmas morning. If it's in the 40's it's not that pleasant sitting poolside. On the other hand, my next Christmas trip had temps in the 80's. As I said, it's hard to plan on the weather. Bring along some layers, some gloves and hat because some nights they may be worth their weight in gold.

 

[ktbugsmom]

Yes - sitting poolside won't be fun if it is 40-50 degrees - but sitting in the hot tub is nice. And my kids still swim in the pools when it is cold.

We are used to layering here in Northern Wisconsin. Put it this way, last week, it was 80 degrees and humid for about 3 days. Then, on Wednesday it dropped to 50 degrees and started to rain. It got hot on Saturday afternoon, but started to rain like crazy on Sunday. Today is 60 degrees and rainy. Argh!

Orlando has GOT to be better than Wisconsin weather... Especially in January.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hi! We're checking into BWV January 2! From previous experiences-once checking in (non-DVC) 1/2; once 1/1, neither day was at all busy. Very few people coming in, lots leaving. And they tend to have express check-out.
Remember, you're close to Beaches and Cream, and also close to miniature golf-they say mid-day is relatively slow. And remember, Osborne Lights are still on at MGM until January 2, if you're thinking of a park later in the evening. During the day, though, I'd think about mini golf.

 

[ktbugsmom]

As for the crowd levels, I was hoping it was going to be lower. However, since January 1 falls on a Saturday in 2005, I figured it would still be busy until Monday.

But, the crowds normally do not bother us much. We like to get up early, get to the parks for opening, then stay until lunch. We head back to the room and relax/swim, then head back to the parks (normally Epcot) in the evenings. That plan always works well for us.

My husband would love to sleep in... but I love to get up and go. He deals with me in the mornings, because he knows I will let him buy as many yards of beer as he wants in the evening at Epcot!

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Yes - sitting poolside won't be fun if it is 40-50 degrees - but sitting in the hot tub is nice. And my kids still swim in the pools when it is cold.

Being from Massachusetts, a 40-50 degree day in January feels like spring, so you being from Wisconsin, it should feel pretty warm to you also. Now, if you have been in Disney for a few days and the temps were above 70, THEN it was 50..it would feel cold. But going from WI to 50 degrees in January should be a nice winter break!

I would enjoy the resorts that day!

 

[RumpleMom]

We are looking forward to our first January trip. I don't care if it is 40-50 degrees. I know for sure I will not be shoveling snow. It will feel like spring!