January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part I !!!

drakes · Jul 9, 2008

We used EMH for the pm in Epcot one evening. They handed out the wristbands after Illuminations. It was cold that late so we did leave. It was busy, but then again Illuminations just ended !

That's my only experience :goodvibes

kaos928 · Jul 9, 2008

Momof2Disneyboys said:
Just read on another thread that someone called WDW yesterday and was told that the 2009 rates & packages wouldn't be out until the END of August.

Last year they came out the first week of August.

That's what I was told by a CM via online chat a few weeks ago.

So I finally finished planning our schedule today! Here's what it looks like:
Tue- Arrive 3pm, Check-in @ POP, pick up tickets, Trail's End Buffeteria for dinner and maybe catch fireworks from the beach.
Wed- Magic Kingdom Day!! Dinner at Big River Grille & Brewing Works at the BoardWalk... anyone been?
Thurs- DHS in the AM, lunch at Sci-Fi, EPCOT Future World in the afternoon
Fri- Animal Kingdom in the morning, lunch at Tusker House. Back to Magic Kingdom for the evening
Sat- Move to POR, Park to be determined, dinner at Boatwrights
Sun- late start EPCOT World Showcase (Drink Around the World!!), dinner at LeCellier

I haven't been to Big River, Tusker House?, Boatwright OR LeCellier!! My family usually ate CS besides Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's since we don't have kids we won't be doing character dining.

Since this is my first trip as a grown up :scared1:

I'm hoping I can count on some of the Snowbird veterans for some help :goodvibes

I guess since we'll be there before the 15th we can make our ADRs 180 days out. So how does that work? I mean is it 180 days prior to arrival or from the date of the ADR? And what are the cancellation policies like? (Since there are no park hours or EMHs to help with my scheduling!)

Thanks everyone!

ppan77 · Jul 9, 2008

Any idea on how crowded WDW is over MLK weekend? That might be when we go...anyone been in the past?

Laumau · Jul 9, 2008

Momof2Disneyboys said:
That's a good question SplashMtn, maybe you'll luck out and get your ADR's soon!

I know, my DH leaves ALL of the planning up to me. That's really the way I prefer it though! I might be just a bit controlling or OCD!

Yep, this thread is growing quick! I didn't expect this many responses for January! But I'm glad I did, we will have so much fun helping each other pass the time for the next 6 months!

I don't know if I want my DH to help plan or not- I keep going back and forth. Sometimes it's just easier if one person makes the decisions, especially since we really don't know what to expect at all!

Are your little cuties wearing lanyards in your avatar? Do they enjoy trading pins? I ordered lanyards from Disney shopping- one for me, and two for my older girls. They were half price- under five dollars each and came with two pins. I think the pin trading might be fun! I think/hope the lanyards are a convenient way to carry the tickets.

Remmy · Jul 10, 2008

We received very bad news yesterday. Our Grand Gathering has gone down to just our family. Too many of them just can't go due to financial reasons or others only want to go if it is the larger family going. They now want to go another time. Since they were sketchy on when they wanted to go, I then stated we are still going in January. As well, our daughter would be turning the magical age of 10 by the time they may wish to visit. I am now suggesting September (free dining hopefully) and a hopefully my family could use a possible bounce back offer since we went in January.

I emailed them all and put a positive spin on them not going and we will be the guinea pigs. This will be our first trip without trailers and not at Fort Wilderness, so all will be new for us.

My positive spin is that it I am a compulsive planner and they are more whimsical . Now I can plan the details out of our trip (just tweak the plan I already have done) and not feel like I may offend anyone. We need to do a few changes as some places we were eating there due to all of them wanting to eat there, but all is well after the initial shock.

I too am interested to know about the EMH and the after hours. I remember when we went in Feb 2006 that Magic Kingdom was open until 11pm but I believe that was right around President's Day.

SplashMtnCrew · Jul 10, 2008

ppan77 said:
Any idea on how crowded WDW is over MLK weekend? That might be when we go...anyone been in the past?

We arrived the day before MLK this year, and went to MK on MLK day and it really wasn't crowded and the P&PP was that night as well. By the end of the week as the weekend approached we noticed more people but nothing we would consider crowded. There were a lot of people visiting WDW from Brazil that week as well. We've done WDW in August before and we would choose January w/ cooler days and way less crowds hands down.

That is when we are going this time as well Jan 18-24. We were going to go the last week of Jan 2009 but with the superbowl and cheerleading we opted not to.

SplashMtnCrew · Jul 10, 2008

Well, I just called Disney and asked about a PIN code and nothing :sad1:

I've never called about a PIN before and wanted to at least try before I call the TA at AAA today and book the room. I'll still be happy with the AAA discount though :thumbsup2

I just hate having to book a room at peak season prices for one night, pay that deposit and then wait till next year's value season prices come out and change it all to a pkg., apply the AAA discount and then have the actual price and then subtract the overpriced deposit I paid, etc, etc. etc. :headache:

trixiequilts · Jul 10, 2008

SplashMtnCrew said:
Well, I just called Disney and asked about a PIN code and nothing
I've never called about a PIN before and wanted to at least try before I call the TA at AAA today and book the room. I'll still be happy with the AAA discount though I just hate having to book a room at peak season prices for one night, pay that deposit and then wait till next year's value season prices come out and change it all to a pkg., apply the AAA discount and then have the actual price and then subtract the overpriced deposit I paid, etc, etc. etc.

Sometimes I think Disney just likes making us jump through hoops so that we feel more committed to our plans! :laughing:

Momof2Disneyboys · Jul 10, 2008

Good morning Snowbirds! :goodvibes

AussieAngel · Jul 10, 2008

Good morning!!! :yay:

Actually, it's 11.44pm here in Australia, but I guess that's close enough to the morning!

Still no hours... :sad2:

But on the bright side... we're all going to Disney World in January!!! :banana:

Momof2Disneyboys · Jul 10, 2008

Laumau said:
Are your little cuties wearing lanyards in your avatar? Do they enjoy trading pins? I ordered lanyards from Disney shopping- one for me, and two for my older girls. They were half price- under five dollars each and came with two pins. I think the pin trading might be fun! I think/hope the lanyards are a convenient way to carry the tickets.

Yep! They decided they wanted to do the pin thing on this last trip. So I got the lanyards and a few pins each before we left. They had so much fun trading with the cast members! :goodvibes

Momof2Disneyboys · Jul 10, 2008

AussieAngel said:
Good morning!!!

Actually, it's 11.44pm here in Australia, but I guess that's close enough to the morning!

Still no hours...

But on the bright side... we're all going to Disney World in January!!!

Good morning Aussie! Or should I say goodnight??? :lmao:

Yep, only 6 months to go until we are all in the Happiest Place on Earth!!

Momof2Disneyboys · Jul 10, 2008

snykymom said:
About the water parks -
Last time, we went in August and it was HOT. We did the Water Parks & More option, and even then didn't really have time for it. Unless you're going to go at least twice, it's cheaper just to pay the daily rate at the water park.

Yeah, we only get the Park Hoppers and Water Park tickets if they come free with the pacakge now. We paid for all that stuff on the fist trip and never used it.

Momof2Disneyboys · Jul 10, 2008

miabellarose said:
Are the EMH worth it in January? Or is it too crowded still? I've read that the evening EMH are still too busy, but wasn't sure if that still applied to January crowds. Also, in January, I understand the morning EMH is an hour earlier, but is the evening EMH still three hours later or just an hour after closing?

That's a good question. On our first trip we took advantage of a lot of EMH's and it was so crowded that we've never done it again. We avoid whichever park has them now. But I'm not sure how that plays out in January. I think whatever park has them will still be the busiest park that day, I just don't know how busy. :confused3

EVE700 · Jul 10, 2008

I love going in January. I have a January trip planned for 2009. And I'm a big fan of EMH, especially mornings. The thing about the mornings is that you have to get there early enough to be in front at rope drop. Do all the attractions you want, then as soon as the park officially opens, head to another park!

lukenick1 · Jul 10, 2008

Considering a trip in early January, so just subscribing!

Momof2Disneyboys · Jul 10, 2008

EVE700 said:
I love going in January. I have a January trip planned for 2009. And I'm a big fan of EMH, especially mornings. The thing about the mornings is that you have to get there early enough to be in front at rope drop. Do all the attractions you want, then as soon as the park officially opens, head to another park!

Welcome EVE! :goodvibes

That's a great idea to go to the EMH park and then leave and go to another park! Unfortunately I know my family doesn't have that kind of energy when we are on vacation!! :rotfl:

What are your January dates?

Laumau · Jul 10, 2008

EVE700 said:
I love going in January. I have a January trip planned for 2009. And I'm a big fan of EMH, especially mornings. The thing about the mornings is that you have to get there early enough to be in front at rope drop. Do all the attractions you want, then as soon as the park officially opens, head to another park!