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

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Maybe tomorrow I will post some pics! Is there anything anyone wants to see???

 

[amreli]

amreli...

I noticed that you are in Charleston, SC....guess what? Me too

Really?!? How neat! Where do you live? I'm actually in Summerville.

 

[2disneygirls]

I have my first ADR made!!! Well, actually, my second.....

DH is running the marathon, so I made a ressie at Tony's in the MK so he could have pasta before the run, but then we decided to do EP that day instead, so now we're eating at Tutto Italia. YEAH!! My first ADR!

 

[maplemouse]

Hello January friends!
Well, I really want to book my ressies for Jan. 1-5. I thought if I called and asked for a price, they would give me a quote based on this year's prices plus 3 to 5%, with the understanding that it is not final and would be updated when the 2009 rates are announced.
I thought booking at Jan. 1-5 would be considered value season. I am now learning that not only do the rates change for 2009, but possibly the seasons too. So Jan. 1 might not be considered in the value season afterall.
Does anyone have any advice how to plan for the room rate?

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

Hello January friends!
Well, I really want to book my ressies for Jan. 1-5. I thought if I called and asked for a price, they would give me a quote based on this year's prices plus 3 to 5%, with the understanding that it is not final and would be updated when the 2009 rates are announced.
I thought booking at Jan. 1-5 would be considered value season. I am now learning that not only do the rates change for 2009, but possibly the seasons too. So Jan. 1 might not be considered in the value season afterall.
Does anyone have any advice how to plan for the room rate?

The seasons don't really change, the dates of the seasons do. Jan thru mid Feb is usually value season and then Nov thru early Dec as well. The dates change slightly, Jan. 1- Feb 14 or maybe Jan 1 - Feb 15....that sort of thing. We are planning our trip believing Jan to be value season. That being said Disney can change anything at anytime they choose. You need to book a room only ressie, that rate will be a one night deposit on the room's price during Disney's peak season, then the package will be adjusted when rates come out.

I would try looking at a room rate online on disney's website, just put in dates that fall into the upcoming value season, I believe it's after Thanksgiving through the second week of Dec right now and see what the rate is for the room, that should give you a ballpark figure, that's at least the way I always do it and I get a close price, give or take $10 a night b/c of price increases.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

Really?!? How neat! Where do you live? I'm actually in Summerville.

I'm acutally in Ladson

Hey neighbor

It's a small,small world now everyone who reads that will be singing that song for the rest of the day!

 

[maplemouse]

The seasons don't really change, the dates of the seasons do. Jan thru mid Feb is usually value season and then Nov thru early Dec as well. The dates change slightly, Jan. 1- Feb 14 or maybe Jan 1 - Feb 15....that sort of thing. We are planning our trip believing Jan to be value season. That being said Disney can change anything at anytime they choose. You need to book a room only ressie, that rate will be a one night deposit on the room's price during Disney's peak season, then the package will be adjusted when rates come out.

I would try looking at a room rate online on disney's website, just put in dates that fall into the upcoming value season, I believe it's after Thanksgiving through the second week of Dec right now and see what the rate is for the room, that should give you a ballpark figure, that's at least the way I always do it and I get a close price, give or take $10 a night b/c of price increases.

Thanks for the advice. I have usually stayed at a moderate, but wanted to try CR. When I called, the CM said that Jan. 1 might not be the beginning of the value season, and that could make a difference of 200 dollars a night on the room I want!
Do you know what the rule is for the rate you are charged if your stay covers two different seasons, such as checking in on Dec. 30 and staying until Jan. 5? Are you charged the holiday rate for the entire stay or just for the December days? I've heard it both ways when I've called.

 

[amreli]

I'm acutally in Ladson

Hey neighbor

It's a small,small world now everyone who reads that will be singing that song for the rest of the day!

You're just down the road!

I'm humming right along!

 

[kaos928]

Thanks for the advice. I have usually stayed at a moderate, but wanted to try CR. When I called, the CM said that Jan. 1 might not be the beginning of the value season, and that could make a difference of 200 dollars a night on the room I want!
Do you know what the rule is for the rate you are charged if your stay covers two different seasons, such as checking in on Dec. 30 and staying until Jan. 5? Are you charged the holiday rate for the entire stay or just for the December days? I've heard it both ways when I've called.

I believe your entire stay is charged under the season you check in during. In my Disney on a Dime book it suggested that you could make separate reservations, starting a new one on the first day of the value season. And that way maybe you could stay at a cheaper hotel during the peak days and move to CR on the first day of the value season. I've also read that Disney will move all your luggage over for you so all you have to do is get yourselves there!

 

[adais]

this is me and this is me after my mom tells me she was cleaning my room ( right i'm suppose to believe that one ) and found the info about staying at the AKL club level surprise ruined . she then proceeds to tell me she would prefer a monorail hotel and since we have already stayed at the CR she would like to try something new ( forgot to tell everyone that she had already change hotels like 10 times and i had to change our plane tickets because of this ) so for now it's the Poly garden view since she said to not spend the money on the club level instead we could use that money for outlet shopping i love her but i think my sanity will be gone by the time January comes around.

Also if someone could point me to where i can order a cake like the little castle on top one for when we go to dinner at 1900 Park Fare , i want a cake even though my birthday is in November and we are going in January after all this i want my cake!!!!!!

 

[backinoz]

Hiya - looks like we're Snowbirds too. Staying 1 night on 22 Dec on arrival to the USA for DD10's birthday, then heading to NC for Christmas with family, and arriving back on 30 Dec, staying until 14 Jan (with a night or two at Universal in the middle). Our ADR's are all booked (thanks to Merrie @ Dreams Unlimited - all as requested). Had to do them based on projected hours from Touring Plans website, so I hope nothing changes much. Not sure if we're gonna do DDP, may end up getting an AP for me (as opposed to 9 day hopper) to get AP room discounts, and then get DDE card for meals etc.

So, here's what we have planned:

Tues 23 Dec - 10:10am Ohana (breakfast)
Tues 23 Dec - 4:30pm 1900 Park Far GF (dinner) to celebrate DD10's birthday - no need for lunch that day

Wed 31 Dec - 10:25am Akershus Princess Storybook Breakfast
Wed 31 Dec - 5:45pm Nine Dragons
Wed 31 Dec - 8:10pm Coral Reef (last available that evening - will try for later, last possible time is 8:50pm. This is meant to only be for dessert, so I may end up canceling this one)

Thurs 1 Jan - 11:10am 1900 Park Fare Breakfast - GF

Fri 2 Jan - 6:00pm Whispering Canyon Cafe - WL

Sat 3 Jan - 11:35am The Hollywood Brown Derby - DHS

Sun 4 Jan - 5:30pm Jiko - AKL (after a day in AK)

Tues 6 Jan - 8:05am Crystal Palace - MK
Tues 6 Jan - 7:00pm San Angel Inn - Epcot

Wed 7 Jan - 6:05pm Boma - AKL

Thurs 8 Jan - 5:45pm Cinderella's Royal Table - MK (Our 10th Anniversary Dinner)

Mon 12 Jan - 11:30am Sci-Fi Dine-In - DHS

Tues 13 Jan - 12:25pm Cinderella's Royal Table Lunch - MK (the only other ADR I'm not sure about, but better to have it and cancel than try to get it any later)

And to answer maplemouse's question...

Thanks for the advice. I have usually stayed at a moderate, but wanted to try CR. When I called, the CM said that Jan. 1 might not be the beginning of the value season, and that could make a difference of 200 dollars a night on the room I want!
Do you know what the rule is for the rate you are charged if your stay covers two different seasons, such as checking in on Dec. 30 and staying until Jan. 5? Are you charged the holiday rate for the entire stay or just for the December days? I've heard it both ways when I've called.

Your daily rate at Disney can vary day by day, depending on the season and the day of the week - the days of one rate for your whole stay are long gone.

 

[Laumau]

How was the weekend Snowbirds?

We didn't do a whole lot. Did some yard work Friday. Saturday it was about 90 degrees, so we let DS6 skip T-ball and we went to a local beach instead! Yesterday was Church, then just hanging out at home and we went for ice cream last night.

Both of my kids play soccer (in the spring and fall) and love it! I love watching them, it is very exciting!! DS6 wanted to try T-ball this year, and I knew he wasn't going to like it and tried to talk him out of it, but he insisted. And I don't want to tell him he can't try something new, so I let him sign up. Well guess what??? He doesn't care for it! It's "boring"! I tried to tell him that it was going to be a lot of standing around and waiting, not like soccer where they run and run and run some more! So now I tell him that he can't quit because he's on a team, but I have been letting him skip about half of the games.

My DS played tee ball this past spring and he's signed up again this fall. He liked it- they had a good team and great coaches so it was a positive experience, but yeah, it's more of a stand-around game than soccer.

I think I'm looking forward to the Magic Kingdom the most simply because it's what I think of when I think of Disney. I can wait to see it all!

 

[Laumau]

Post count alert: Woo hoo! I'm a Mousketeer- I'm no long "Earning my Ears!

 

[maplemouse]

I believe your entire stay is charged under the season you check in during. In my Disney on a Dime book it suggested that you could make separate reservations, starting a new one on the first day of the value season. And that way maybe you could stay at a cheaper hotel during the peak days and move to CR on the first day of the value season. I've also read that Disney will move all your luggage over for you so all you have to do is get yourselves there!

Thanks for your suggestions and info. It gives me options to consider!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

WOW you little Snowbirds were quite chatty last night!!

Adais - Congrats on booking the Poly! That's where I want to stay someday! I'm not sure where you order the cake from. Maybe call the dining line and ask. . .

Welcome Backinoz! Looks like quite the trip you have planned!

Congrats on becoming a Mouseketeer Laumau!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

January Snowbirds!

Backinoz ~ Dec 23-Jan 14 ???
Towers5 ~ Dec 28-Jan 9 ???
Ccfmioa ~ Dec 30-Jan 8 ASMo
Maplemouse ~ Jan 1-5 ???
Tink1978 ~ Jan 1-7 POFQ
Laumau ~ Jan 1-7 WL
4girls2sets ~ Jan 2-9 SOG
Miabellarose ~ Jan 3-11 ASMu
Amreli ~ Jan 3-11 ASMu
Peanut1 ~ Jan 4-10 AKL
Snykymom ~ Jan 4-11 CSR
Missmagnolia ~ Jan 4-12 ???
Ehm1129 ~ Jan 5-16 ASMo
Kaos928 ~ Jan 6-12 POP/POR
Peach3es ~ Jan 8-16 POP
Aussieangel ~ Jan 8-20 WL
Rockonthemoon ~ Jan 8-18 ???
2Disneygirls ~ Jan 9-17 ???
Ginaluvsdisney ~ Jan 10-18 POFQ
Lovemy2boys ~ Jan 11-21 AKL
Eve700 ~ Jan 12-???
Adais ~ Jan 13-21 AKL
Kiteri ~ Jan 16-24 FW
Mommy2emmamaddie ~ Jan 16-25 ???
Drakes ~ Jan 16-26 ASMo
Sixisenough ~ Jan 17-24 AKL
Hrsmom ~ Jan 17-24 BWV
Disneyspaz ~ Jan 17-24 SSR
Jenkh ~ Jan 17-31 BWV/AKV
Splashmtncrew ~ Jan 18-24 WL
GPA1015 ~ Jan 18-30 POP
Sharadoc ~ Jan 19-30 ASMu
Laurainsem ~ Jan 20-??? ???
Momof2disneyboys ~ Jan 21-27 ASMo
Trixiequilts ~ Jan 21-28 AKL
Kazooie01 ~ Jan 21-28 ???
Disneygroders ~ Jan 22-25 POFQ
MickeyNicki ~ Jan 22-26 Poly
Petuniamilz ~ Jan 23-30 Offsite
Jnykly ~ Jan 24-30 ???
Billysmommy ~ Jan 24-31 BWV
Remmy ~ Jan 25-Feb 7 POP
Meggybear17 ~ Jan 27-Feb 3 POP
Cinderellamom123 ~ Jan ???
Tinkerbelluk ~ Jan ???
Ppan77 ~ Jan ???
Lukenick1 ~ Jan ???
Echo29 ~ Jan ??? CSR
Amreli ~ Jan ??? ASMu
Jaksil ~ Feb ??? WL/AKL

 

[MissMagnolia]

Our plans are 1/4-1/12. I've made all the ADRs - just no resort decisions yet. We can't agree!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Welcome to the Snowbirds Missmagnolia!

Good luck with your resort decision! Let us know what you decide.

 

[Laumau]

I went to the Disney Store at our local outlet mall yesterday and picked up some t-shirts for the family to wear in January for our trip.

I got a Minnie Mouse one for me.
DD12 got Winnie the Pooh.
DD10 didn't want one.
DS6 got a Tigger baseball design.
DD3 picked Little Mermaid- Bubbly Beauty.
So cute!

We also got toys for the younger 3- they were all on sale!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

YAY for great Disney shopping deals Laumau!!