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

[BellaSoleil]

I know, I'm a little early, but with DD's new-found love for Mickey Mouse (and I couldn't be any more proud) DH and I are seriously considering a second (short) trip in September.

Ccould someone explain how bounceback works?

Thanks!

Thanks, Shelly! I wouldn't mind staying at WL again! However, it would be nice to stay at CTR and have the monorail with a 2 1/2 year old.

I'm so glad your boys liked the Star Wars movie. How fun! I worked Star Wars weekends at HS many moons ago and it was a blast. I got to meet the real Chewbacca (I was his greeter CM). I put my hand up to his and it was about 5 times the size of mine! I'm so glad they have added more Star Wars activites to HS.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

Hello Snowy friends

How is everyone doing? Shelly, you are doing a great job

Everytime I think our trip is done, someone wants to change something
DH called our DVC guide last night and he was super excited when he got off the phone, so excited in fact he demanded a family meeting , and now it seems that we may purchase BEFORE we go in Jan which means we'd have to change things! But if DH wants to do DVC I'm not going to stand in his way

And today our TA called to tell me that she just recieved an itinerary planning form from the itinerary office at WL ,what she's saying is very strange to me, she shouldn't be getting that, I've had that filled out and done for over a month. She thought it was greatest thing sliced bread and said she'd never seen this before What?! She's a TA what does she mean she's never seen an itinerary planning form before! I told her I already took care of that, b/c I had to book our adr's way before prices were released for packages! Of course, that stole her thunder
I immediately call the WL itinerary office and low and behold the 'room only' ressie w/ all our adr's and room request for the club room had been cancelled when it was made into a package, but nobody put the info from the room only ressie w/our package It looked like we had no adr's at all! The person at WL ipo moved all our adr and requests to the package ressie # so now all is well. I'm so glad I found that out now and not Jan 18 standing in WL Sorry this is long, have a great weekend Snowbirds.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

First off, I love anyone who uses the word "brekkie." I'm from the South and I never hear it used here.

Secondly, I love anyone who suprises children with a Disney trip. I can't wait for the day when I can suprise my own.

Have a wonderful time!

Why, thank you! I didn't know that "brekkie" was a southern term, we use it a lot in our family! I am so excited to surprise my girls, I can't wait! It is getting to be so difficult! I feel sorta like I am sneaking around, trying to do planning! My older daughter is a very good reader so I have to be extra careful when she is around! Hope you have a great trip too!

 

[momofbcs]

More New Snowbirds!

SOOO excited. We are going Jan 1st - Jan 7th staying it POP.

Now,on to ADRs!

Are the park hours out yet? Off to look.

 

[aleciajab]

We are taking our first family trip Jan. 25-31! I can't wait!

Can anyone tell me what the wait in lines is like in January? Thanks!!

 

[skjj2009]

Hey everyone...I had some catching up to do since I last posted I don't know how Shelley keeps up
I got excited today because I opened an email from Disney and had a PIN code HOWEVER its for the fall getaway and I need it for January

Good news...I've talked dh into the DDP so we'll have it all paid for and no worries. I've now got to work on ADRs. I've got two already Chef Mickeys and CRT. I have a question...I paid for CRT up front how does that work if you are on the dining plan? Do they refund my credit card when I pay for the DDP? One last thing...I'm checking into WL on 1/11 and it will be fairly late that night...when does my DDP begin? This is our first trip as a family and it's been YEARS since dh and I went to Disney so I have alot of questions regarding the dining plan. TIA for the help!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Thanks, Shelly! I wouldn't mind staying at WL again! However, it would be nice to stay at CTR and have the monorail with a 2 1/2 year old.

I'm so glad your boys liked the Star Wars movie. How fun! I worked Star Wars weekends at HS many moons ago and it was a blast. I got to meet the real Chewbacca (I was his greeter CM). I put my hand up to his and it was about 5 times the size of mine! I'm so glad they have added more Star Wars activites to HS.

Oh my boys would love to go to the Star Wars weekends! But I know they would hate the lines. I wish they would offer a Star Wars character meal or something!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

DH called our DVC guide last night and he was super excited when he got off the phone, so excited in fact he demanded a family meeting , and now it seems that we may purchase BEFORE we go in Jan which means we'd have to change things! But if DH wants to do DVC I'm not going to stand in his way

YAY congrats on possibly purchasing the DVC earlier!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

More New Snowbirds!

SOOO excited. We are going Jan 1st - Jan 7th staying it POP.

Now,on to ADRs!

Are the park hours out yet? Off to look.

We are taking our first family trip Jan. 25-31! I can't wait!

Can anyone tell me what the wait in lines is like in January? Thanks!!

Momofbcs and Aleciajab!! Wow 2 more Snowbirds!! So glad to have you aboard! I will get you on the list right away!!

Congrats on your first family trip Aleciajab!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hey everyone...I had some catching up to do since I last posted I don't know how Shelley keeps up
I got excited today because I opened an email from Disney and had a PIN code HOWEVER its for the fall getaway and I need it for January

Good news...I've talked dh into the DDP so we'll have it all paid for and no worries. I've now got to work on ADRs. I've got two already Chef Mickeys and CRT. I have a question...I paid for CRT up front how does that work if you are on the dining plan? Do they refund my credit card when I pay for the DDP? One last thing...I'm checking into WL on 1/11 and it will be fairly late that night...when does my DDP begin? This is our first trip as a family and it's been YEARS since dh and I went to Disney so I have alot of questions regarding the dining plan. TIA for the help!

I'm not sure about CRT since I've never been there. . . I would assume they would refund your credit card though!

Your DDP begins right when you check in. They will give you your room card and all your DDP credits will be on it!

 

[AussieAngel]

Oooh, ooooh!

The water park hours are out for January. I don't know if that's old news or not, but I've only just noticed them!

Typhoon Lagoon is closed for refurbishment, and Blizzard Beach is open.

I'm kind of pleased, because we went to Blizzard Beach last trip, and loved it! So yay, we get to go back!! DH is already saying he's going to make me do Summit Plummit. Hehee, no.

But... on the other hand, I really wanted to go to Typhoon Lagoon, because we've never been there!

Ahhh, well. We'll have to go back to Disney World another time now!!

 

[coffeehousemom]

Good Morning Snowbirds!!


I am so excited I just had to share the news! We had some friends over last night (DH turns 40 today) & the asked when we are going to Disney cause they want to go down there too when we are!! They want to go down for a long weekend at the same time we go, it will be nice they will be there 2 days before us so they can get some family time first. Our boys are same ages & could be clones of each other they even finish each others sentences! But the best part is DH said "sweet we will have to add on a day earlier so we can have more time". I HAVE WITNESSES TO THIS THERE IS NO WAY HE CAN WEASEL OUT NOW!!! It will be great we are now going to plan a grown up night so the four of us can have fun & DMiL will watch the 3 kiddos. Whew now that I've run on forever I need to get back to work. Have a wonderful weekend

 

[PEANUT1]

So my new thing is whether of not we should drive to disney. We have the autotrain booked but I am thinking driving may be fine. My hubby is pretty against it because he thinks we would be too tired when we get there. The thing is that I will not sleep on the train anyway so I'll be tired regardless.

The farthest we have driven is Vermont with the kids. It is about 6 1/2 hours. They always do very well when we go. Disney would be almost 3 times that length. I don't know what to do.

btw...my mother in law said if we wanted an extra driver she would come with us to make the trip easier with 3 drivers and then fly home...I thought that was amazingly generous. We of course asked her to join us in disney but she can't take off of school bc she is a teacher.

 

[sharadoc]

So my new thing is whether of not we should drive to disney. We have the autotrain booked but I am thinking driving may be fine. My hubby is pretty against it because he thinks we would be too tired when we get there. The thing is that I will not sleep on the train anyway so I'll be tired regardless.

Hi Peanut1,

We are from the same area and went through the same thing. We decided that without a family bedroom, the auto train wasn't worth the trouble and was considerably more expensive than driving. We've done the drive twice and had no problem with it.

We're leaving around 5 am, so we expect the kids to sleep for a few more hours. I figure they'll be awake and ready for a stretch around Virginia, so we'll stop for breakfast. Then back in the van, snacks, DVD players. We're going to stop every 3 hours or so to switch driving, stretch and potty. Picnic lunch at a rest stop. We plan to drive until around 5-6 pm, around the Sc/GA border. Suite hotel, free breakfast, almost $100 a night, but we think it will be worth the comfort.

Next morning, leave around 8-9, get to WDW around 3, drive up to the resort and check in. Rested and ready to go. We could never do it straight thru. Total cost for us will be around $500 round trip with hotel.

From what I hear, it takes HOURS to unload the cars in Florida which can be frustrating. With driving we are in total control of our trip.

You have enough time before you leave to really think about activities, games, other ideas to keep them interested and occupied. We plan to bring lots of Disney movies and I got a Disney Trivial Pursuit off eBay, so we'll play with the questions. All Disney all the time.

With the cost of bringing the car over $400, we considered renting a car in Florida and taking the train from Philly, rather than the auto train. I think the drive will be better than the train for our kids, even if we have to stop more often.

Oh, and your MIL is the most awesome MIL I've ever heard of! You are really lucky.

Sorry to be so long-winded , but if you want to chat, feel free to PM me.

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

So my new thing is whether of not we should drive to disney.

We are also driving to Disney. We do a straight through drive, leaving Pennsylvania about 9pm. It will put us at the Poly at about 11 am. Hopefully we'll be able to get an early check in. We'd like to take a nap prior to our ADRs at 5. By doing the drive over night, we avoid all of the beltway traffic and DS is able to sleep most of the way.

DH went to school in Daytona, so he would make the drive several times a year for 4 years. I also drive, as long as it's the early shift

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

OMG! I just had a bit of a scare! I called Disney Dining to inform them that we were now on the dining plan so my CC could be credited for the breakfast at CRT. The CM went to confirm the reservation and apparently, the original CM had it booked on the wrong day! Fortunately there was a table for 4 available at 8:10am on the correct day! Phew! She confirmed all my other ADR's and there were no other mistakes! Thank Goodness!

 

[sharadoc]

Hi everyone,

We were looking at details of Typhoon Lagoon, now that we know it's open in January and a thought occurred to me. We need to buy some Aqua Shoes! My son doesn't go to the pool, and my daughter wears her Target water clogs to the pool/camp everyday. But we'll need the ones that stay on your feet in the water, and where are we going to find them in January!?!?!?

Something to think about. If you'll need them, better shop now. I found some that look like sneakers on Land's End for around $19 - they look really nice. But I'm hoping to catch some clearance sales now.

 

[spokanemom]

Yes, water shoes will save your feet! But, looking at the WDW calendar, Blizzard Beach will be open for us Snowbirds. Typhoon Lagoon is still in refurb for all of Jan. I just don't want you to get your heart set on TL!

 

[Ajohn1990]

Hi Snowbirds,
I'm new to the board. I'm planning a trip for January as well. This will be our first visit to WDW. We live in AZ so we're really excited. We've been Disneyland many times and we've heard how great WDW is. I'm trying to rent points from a DVC member because I would love to stay at AKV or VWL. My other choice would be Port Orleans Riverside.
Has anyone rented points from the DIS boards before?

Anita

 

[aleciajab]

I actually just rented DVC club points for my first time. I feel like I got a great deal and the whole experience has been really amazing! It has actually gotten me more excited about my trip!