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

[Ajohn1990]

How was the process? I posted a message on the Rent/Trade board. I'm still waiting for a response. It seems like the rental points go fast.

 

[skjj2009]

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

We are driving to Disney. Our kids have never been on a trip for longer than 2.5 hours so this is going to be quite a challenge It is about 18.5 hours from chicago but that means it will probably be 22-23 after all the stops. We'll have to figure out where our goal the first day is and make it. I hope we can drive 12 hours the first day so we can make the second day that much shorter.
Good luck with your decision. For us it was just much more cost effective...plus with two toddlers I'd much rather have everything in my car vs taking everything on the plane. When the kids get super ansy we'll stop and for bathroom breaks (although we'll have the small potty in the car for emergencies) and also to eat although again we'll have food with us in the car. I'm sure once I get there I'll wish I just paid the money to fly but at least we'll have the car there and won't feel like we have to use the bus services for going to the parks and such. Either way it'll be great and I can't wait

 

[sarbah77]

Well, I've made all but one of our dining reservations, as of last night! The CM I spoke with was certainly enjoying our phone call and laughing with me. That was kind of nice!

So, to recap, here's what's what:
1/10: My DH didn't want any sit-downs! (hehe)
1/11: Lunch - LeCellier/Dinner - Raglan Road
1/12: Breakfast - Kona Cafe/Dinner - Crystal Palace
1/13: Dinner - Boma
1/14: Lunch - SciFi
1/15: Dinner - Boatwright
1/16: Lunch - Marrakesh (spelling errors all mine) (and tentative, too)/Dinner - Chefs De France

(For those of you counting, you'll note that we have 1 more ADR than DDP TS credits - but DH isn't coming to lunch on the day of the marathon soooo we'll just pay out of pocket for one meal somewhere. Probably breakfast)

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

Good Morning Everyone
Sounds like everyone is having a great weekend, mixed in with some Disney planning, what could be better than that?
We've decided NOT to join DVC right now afterall. After the emotional high wore off, we decided that we would much rather put that $$ into DS's college fund. DS is in eighth grade this year and any extra $ put away for him is far more beneficial than DVC would be. DH and I still plan to do our yearly Jan trips, and of course DH and I will be going a lot by ourselves in a few years too. We still intend to buy DVC but we just might wait a couple of years.
I'm so excited this morning We've only got 154 days to go until our club level trip at the WL for 7 lovely days! And tomorrow my ticker will say exaclty 4 months!!!!!!!!

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

Ajohn1990 ~ where in AZ are you? That is where we are orginally from. I grew up in Chandler, AZ We live in SC now!

 

[brobrosmom]

Good Morning All,

I am new to the boards and will be visiting January 24th - 31st. We are trying the Family Suites at ASMu.

I started reading the first few pages but y'all have been busy and there is a lot of chatting! I just found out last night that the Super Bowl will be in Tampa Feb 1st and now I am nervous about the crowds. I thought that I had picked the perfect week! No holidays or marathons and before the Mardi Gras and Spring Break crowds. I read a post on another message board that said the NFL has already gotten a block of rooms at one of the resorts for it's employees and their families. Has anyone else heard of this or the level of crowds they are expecting?

Sorry if this has already been asked but there were a lot of posts to read!

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

Well, I've made all but one of our dining reservations, as of last night! The CM I spoke with was certainly enjoying our phone call and laughing with me. That was kind of nice!

So, to recap, here's what's what:
1/10: My DH didn't want any sit-downs! (hehe)
1/11: Lunch - LeCellier/Dinner - Raglan Road
1/12: Breakfast - Kona Cafe/Dinner - Crystal Palace
1/13: Dinner - Boma
1/14: Lunch - SciFi
1/15: Dinner - Boatwright
1/16: Lunch - Marrakesh (spelling errors all mine) (and tentative, too)/Dinner - Chefs De France

(For those of you counting, you'll note that we have 1 more ADR than DDP TS credits - but DH isn't coming to lunch on the day of the marathon soooo we'll just pay out of pocket for one meal somewhere. Probably breakfast)

Looks great and it sounds yummy too
We're paying for HDDR out of pocket, so we have one more TS than DDP credits too

 

[aleciajab]

How was the process? I posted a message on the Rent/Trade board. I'm still waiting for a response. It seems like the rental points go fast.

I did the same thing. It took a couple days to get any responses, but when I did I got 3 of them on the same day! If you haven't done so already-read everything you can about what to watch out for in these kinds of transactions! That was very helpful for me. The person I ended up renting from has been GREAT We've communicated a lot with each other and that has helped a lot. Let me know if I can answer any other questions!

 

[aleciajab]

Good Morning All,

I am new to the boards and will be visiting January 24th - 31st. We are trying the Family Suites at ASMu.

I started reading the first few pages but y'all have been busy and there is a lot of chatting! I just found out last night that the Super Bowl will be in Tampa Feb 1st and now I am nervous about the crowds. I thought that I had picked the perfect week! No holidays or marathons and before the Mardi Gras and Spring Break crowds. I read a post on another message board that said the NFL has already gotten a block of rooms at one of the resorts for it's employees and their families. Has anyone else heard of this or the level of crowds they are expecting?

Sorry if this has already been asked but there were a lot of posts to read!

Oh my goodness! That is the same week we will be there! I was looking forward to "not so big" crowds. Hopefully things will still work out for the best!

 

[PEANUT1]

Thanks to all the "drivers" who chimed in. My hubby really doesn't want to drive. Our trip is Sunday the 4th-Saturday the 10th. (We'd have to leave on the 3rd and would return on the 11th.) We still have time to decide. He really thinks the train will be fun and adventurous. He is very fun and wants to have "experiences" for our children. When he was young his mom took him and his sisters backpacking through Europe. Need I say more. I have done a lot of research on the autotrain and mostly the results are positive. We are not doing a sleeper room. It would add $600 to our trip The total we have right now is $800 bc our second daughter is free to ride.

We are hoping to do a last minute sleep room at check in bc apparently you can get them for like 50$ at check in (if they are available). We'll see. I guess I shouldnt stress bc no matter what...I'll be in Disney

 

[KatiebugsMom]

Good Morning Everyone
Sounds like everyone is having a great weekend, mixed in with some Disney planning, what could be better than that?
We've decided NOT to join DVC right now afterall. After the emotional high wore off, we decided that we would much rather put that $$ into DS's college fund. DS is in eighth grade this year and any extra $ put away for him is far more beneficial than DVC would be. DH and I still plan to do our yearly Jan trips, and of course DH and I will be going a lot by ourselves in a few years too. We still intend to buy DVC but we just might wait a couple of years.

Definitely I am glad you are thinking things out. Buying DVC is a very emotional decision because belive me it is not a financial investment decision. Most mouse owning people will tell you that.....it is a emotional investment in the family's time together and experiences.....not a make money investment.

The only caution on waiting is the cost per point only skyrockets as time goes on.....1999 honeymoon could have bought at $60 something a point. 2006 luckily broke down to buy at $90 a point with SSR. Rumors now going on that the BLT (or shhhhh Disney's biggest DVC secret being built right beside the Contemporary hotel) project sales may start at $140 per point......

 

[KatiebugsMom]

.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

KatiebugsMom

I think your plans look super for a 10 day trip!
Thanks for the heads up on BLT, we had that in our minds to buy, but not at $140 per point That would be the price for BLT not all DVC's according to the rumor I hope
We woulnd't even have looked at DVC if we thought we couldn't afford it.
I've heard of people buying it when they can't afford it, that is so sad. You definetely need to have disposal income for DVC, like you said, it's emotional not an investment in property!

 

[disneyag08]

Katiebugsmom,
Your plan sounds wonderful! Beach Club is my favorite resort of all I was hoping to stay there in Jan. when we went with all of my dad's side of the family but it just got too expensive so we're staying at the Poly. I'm excited because I've never stayed there before so it will be fun to have something new.
I didn't know about the "four park challenge" in a day. That's intense! You'll have to let us know how that works out for you. I would try that this trip but we have 8 people and two of them are little boys 3 and we're only there for six days. I think ya'll will have a blast!

 

[debbieandroo]

Katiebugsmom,

Boy, am I glad you posted your itinerary! We're going approximately the same time you are [23-28] so I was interested in reading what a veteran would do in terms of scheduling. I realized, in reading, that I had mixed up some of the hours [I had EMHs for AK on the 25th, not the 26th, for instance].

I'm also interested in scheduling because most of our group will not be there the whole time -- a couple will only be there from the 23rd til the 26th and one will be there only for the weekend. And, since our group consists of those who either have never been to WDW or went as young teens, we do want to hit highlights of all four parks within the Fri-Sun or Mon timeframe. Meaning that our schedule for a few days will be pretty tight [which brings me back to the question - should we get the DDP? would that take up too much time eating instead of park-hopping?]

Again, more decisions!

When I find out more about who will be with my group and when they will be there, I will definitely post my itinerary so that you wonderful snowbirds [ ] can help me use my time most wisely.

All that to say, katiebugsmom, your schedule looks great! I don't know if a newbie like me is up to Mike Scopa's challenge but I'll be reading his blog to find out more ---

 

[sharadoc]

Good Morning All,

I am new to the boards and will be visiting January 24th - 31st. We are trying the Family Suites at ASMu.

Welcome brobrosmom,

We'll be at the Suites 1/20-30, so we should see you there! As a matter of fact, there's 4 or 5 other Snowbirds who will be at the All Stars around that time. When it gets closer, we're hoping to set up a meet by the pool, around the evening activities/movie.

Hope to meet and see you there. Remember to get a Lime Green Mickey Head (LGMH). That's the symbol of the Dis board and helps us all recognize each other when we're there!

 

[debbieandroo]

Welcome brobrosmom, I'm another All-Star Mu Family Suite-er, from Jan 23-29 - we might be right next door!

Shelly, I hope this eases your Airtran nightmares but here is a thread devoted to good Airtran experiences --

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1920591

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

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

Good Morning All,

I am new to the boards and will be visiting January 24th - 31st. We are trying the Family Suites at ASMu.

I started reading the first few pages but y'all have been busy and there is a lot of chatting! I just found out last night that the Super Bowl will be in Tampa Feb 1st and now I am nervous about the crowds. I thought that I had picked the perfect week! No holidays or marathons and before the Mardi Gras and Spring Break crowds. I read a post on another message board that said the NFL has already gotten a block of rooms at one of the resorts for it's employees and their families. Has anyone else heard of this or the level of crowds they are expecting?

Sorry if this has already been asked but there were a lot of posts to read!

WELCOME to the new Snowbirds!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly, I hope this eases your Airtran nightmares but here is a thread devoted to good Airtran experiences --

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1920591

Thanks! I needed that!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

With things counting down each day.....plans are coming together. I thought I would share my schedule and see what you think...or help someone else. This will be my 3rd January trip in a row. Also please note DH and I are park commandos (or at least thought we were until we had a VIP tour guide). We open and close amusement parks and with that in mind heavily use EMH's during our trips.....so here it goes.

Jan 20th

Depending on whether we fly or drive this will be our arrival day to Orlando.
Check into Beach Club Villas resort by noonish - early afternoon.
Settle into room
Go to Epcot and have dinner at Nine Dragons - stay until close.

Jan 21st

Pick a park to go to in the AM maybe DHS or MK and maybe a jaunt over to Downtown Disney/Former PI......cry for the Adventurers Club and make a stop at Disney Quest for a moment of rememberance for Randy Pausch(of The Last Lecture).

Then onto Animal Kingdom for early dinner at Tusker House and Mango Chocolate Bread then Evening EMH at AK......Nothing like Expedition Everest at night.


Jan 22nd

Morning EMH at MK.......Yippeee!!!! Love it that early in the morning....

Then back to Beach Club resort for lunch and an afternoon at Storm along Bay. Next clean up from the pool. Dress for dinner and have a 10th anniversary celebration at Yachtsman Steakhouse. After dinner head down to the resort's beach for campfire/movie under the stars activities.

Jan 23rd
Day at Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure....close parks and head back to resort. Walk over to Epcot for Evening EMH and close park at midnight.

Jan 24th

Early EMH at DHS. OK everyone get out of my wayyyyyyy.....park commando coming thru....Usual routine head to TOT, while DH gets FP for Rn'R coaster w. DD. Baby swap/DH rides TOT. This past year this is where we met Samantha Brown. Ride Rn'R. Then bagel/salmon plate at Starring Rolls for breakfast, continue in DHS. Lunch at Brown Derby. Close DHS park then maybe go over to DTD for evening.

Jan 25th

Hmmmmm Epcot day in AM. DH and I especially love this park. And then later evening EMH for DHS. I love walking around the studios at night.....it is just so cool!!!

Jan 26th

Or the hey Mike Scopa from All ears, DH and I are ready for your 4 parks in one day challenge day. Early EMH at AK. Next, Epcot, DHS, back to AKL for dinner at Boma then to MK for evening EMH......please see Mike Scopa's blog for the challenge details......this is going to be funnnn!!!! LOL!

Jan 27th

Early EMH at Epcot.....maybe come back to the resort for more pool time or some time at AK/DTD, then dinner at O'hana.....will be trying for a later seating to catch Wishes from the restaurant.

Jan 28th

Family special day at Epcot.....special surprise for DH at the Seas pavillion. Then dinner for DD and the Princesses at Norway.....Sadly begin packing to leave

Jan 29th

Early EMH at MK for one more ride or two, then time to go home.....



What do you think?

Your plans look great!!

 

[ebmouse]

Hi everyone. I found this thread last week and I actually sat on my chair all day and read thru 104 pages! I felt guilty spending my last day of vacation on the boards for all of say, 2 mins. and then realized how much enjoyment it brought me so I forgave myself. We will be in the world from the 11th-19th. First time for us in January, also. I'm coming out of lurkdom because I re-checked Typhoon Lagoon and it will end it's rehab on the 5th. Blizzard Beach goes to into rehab on the 6th. We have missed TL for a few visits now cuz we usually go in Oct., Nov. or Dec. Now that DD is starting college we are trying Jan. We love TL and are looking forward to getting back to it! Sorry if you BB lovers are disappointed, though. Really, the last thing we Snowbirds should want to see is snow, right?