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

[Laumau]

Hey, even I get scared of fireworks sometimes! Especially if they seem really close! I'm a scaredy cat!

Disney fireworks are different, I reckon. Because it's much more based on a story and the characters - especially Fantasmic. Hopefully your DD will be too distracted by Sorcerer Mickey and all the amazing water scenes to notice the fireworks!

I love Fantasmic! It's my favourite. We've left it to do for our final night, but now I'm thinking that might be a bad choice, because what if it's raining and they cancel it!? Wah! Might have to rethink something there...

You would not like our driveway fireworks then! We live in a funky "outside the city limits & cross the county line" sort of place and so my husband the pyro buys mortar shells and crazy things and sets them off from the end of the driveway as do many others in the neighborhood. They're not as big as the professional types but when they're right over your head they seem it!

That's a good point about the Disney shows. We can do some prep work with her so hopefully she'll be ok. We'd like to catch Wishes also on one of the nights it's shown at 8pm. It's so nice having the hours out now!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Do you have any feedback about Ohana, Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's? I've read lots of good things about them but am anxious to hear what the Snowbirds think.

They are all great! Just did all 3 in May! Great service, great characters, great food!

You can read my reviews of them in my dining report if you'd like!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1861206

 

[MissMagnolia]

It doesn't seem like the park hours close too early on any of the days - I'm good with the 8:00 p.m. closing for MK, 5:00 for AK, and 7:00 for DHS. The crowds are so much lower in January that a couple of years ago we actually bought days on our tickets that we didn't even use - we had done everything.

Good luck to everyone who has to rearrange. I think that the only reason I got lucky was because I went by the calendars for Oct., Nov., and Dec. when planning. I assumed that they wouldn't change around too much. Hitting the right parks on the right days for Spectro and Fantasmic was pure pixie dust!

As for Fantasmic being scary...it is all the villians, so my suggestion would be to sit towards the rear of the theater - still excellent viewing (try to get in the center). That way if you have to leave, it is easier. Also, you could get up and walk to the back and stand in the "road" behind the seats. Having said that, be prepared for sleepy children. My DS (6 at the time) and DD (3 at the time) slept through it. They were so exhausted after a day at the parks, that they were out for the count. Fantasmic was good, but honestly if I couldn't see it on a trip I wouldn't be too sad. I really want to go this time because we are traveling with a family of "first-timers" and I want them to experience everything there is. Plus, their five-year-old boys will probably love it.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I can't believe the hours are out!!

I have to try to see Spectro in January. Three trips and I still haven't seen it. Tried to see it in May, went 1 1/2 hours prior to it starting on a Thursday night and there wasn't a spot to be found so we left!

I am really surprised about Fantasmic only being a few times a week. What's up with that??? Luckily it is on the night I had planned to go to DHS anyway. Now I'm thinking that the Fantasmic package might really be needed and might be hard to come by. . .

WELCOME to the newest Snowbirds!!

For those of you worried about Fantasmic being too scary, just grab a seat in the back. Then you can sneak out if you need to. My kids never thought it was scary. Good luck!

 

[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
Simzac ~ Jan 4-10 OKW
Snykymom ~ Jan 4-11 CSR
Missmagnolia ~ Jan 4-12 ???
Tigerlovinggrandma ~ Jan 4-20 POFQ
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
Gillettes ~ Jan 10-19 POFQ
Lovemy2boys ~ Jan 11-21 AKL
Eve700 ~ Jan 12-???
Mindyluvsmickey ~ Jan 12-19 Poly
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
Spokanemom ~ Jan 17-31 POP
Splashmtncrew ~ Jan 18-24 WL
GPA1015 ~ Jan 18-30 POP
Sharadoc ~ Jan 19-30 ASMu
Laurainsem ~ Jan 20-??? ???
Momof2disneyboys ~ Jan 21-27 CBR
Trixiequilts ~ Jan 21-28 AKL
Minniemom09 ~ Jan 21-28 POFQ
Kazooie01 ~ Jan 21-28 ???
Disneygroders ~ Jan 22-25 POFQ
MickeyNicki ~ Jan 22-26 Poly
Cinderellamom123 ~ Jan 22-Feb 1 Cabins
Petuniamilz ~ Jan 23-30 Offsite
Chime ~ Jan 23-30 CBR
Jnykly ~ Jan 24-30 ???
Billysmommy ~ Jan 24-31 BWV
Gourmetgirl ~ Jan 24-31 WL
Remmy ~ Jan 25-Feb 7 POP
Meggybear17 ~ Jan 27-Feb 3 POP
Echo29 ~ Jan ??? CSR
Amreli ~ Jan ??? ASMu
Tinkerbelluk ~ Jan ???
Ppan77 ~ Jan ???
Lukenick1 ~ Jan ???
Trissy ~ Jan ???
Kimis ~ Jan ???
Jaksil ~ Feb ??? WL/AKL

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Again, PLEASE let me know if I've forgotten anyone on the list or if there are any changes/corrections to be made!

Thanks!

 

[Laumau]

I can't believe the hours are out!!

I have to try to see Spectro in January. Three trips and I still haven't seen it. Tried to see it in May, went 1 1/2 hours prior to it starting on a Thursday night and there wasn't a spot to be found so we left!


For those of you worried about Fantasmic being too scary, just grab a seat in the back. Then you can sneak out if you need to. My kids never thought it was scary. Good luck!

I thought we could see Spectro the night we get there- Jan. 1- since we have a 5:45 ADR at Chef Mickey's but maybe it'll be too crowded seeing as it's a holiday. Oh well, if it is, then we can see it another night if we really want to.

Thanks for the advice- we'll try to sit in the back in case we need an escape route!

 

[amreli]

Anyone have any luck booking the Fantasmic package yet? I just called and they claimed they didn't have the hours so they couldn't book it.

Nevermind.. I just called back and got a different CM and they let me book the Fantasmic package in January!

We weren't going to do it, but now that it's only showing twice that week it makes me feel better knowing that we'll at least have a guaranteed seat.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I thought we could see Spectro the night we get there- Jan. 1- since we have a 5:45 ADR at Chef Mickey's but maybe it'll be too crowded seeing as it's a holiday. Oh well, if it is, then we can see it another night if we really want to.

Thanks for the advice- we'll try to sit in the back in case we need an escape route!

That's the nice thing about Disney, there's always an escape route! Or a "chicken exit" I think they call it! DH has had to take DS out thru it a few times, Mission Space, Haunted Mansion, etc!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Nevermind.. I just called back and got a different CM and they let me book the Fantasmic package in January!

We weren't going to do it, but now that it's only showing twice that week it makes me feel better knowing that we'll at least have a guaranteed seat.

YAY, congrats, that is good news! Hopefully I can book mine next week!!

 

[gourmetgirl]

You can add me to the list. We're staying at WL January 24-31

I'm now SO anxious for the rates to come out. I wanna book my package! I feel like I have $$ burning a whole in my pocket. In my mind, it's not real until it's paid for and I wanna get started on it NOW!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Just curious, what time do they book your Fantasmic dinner package for if Fantasmic is at 7:00??? Because you will still need to enter for Fantasmic by 6:30 probably. Dinner at Mama Melrose can take close to 2 hours!

 

[peach3es]

So, what's Spectro?

And what do you all think of the many parades being offered?

And can you see the nighttime fireworks from places other than the MK? Or is it Epcot?

UGH! Can you tell I'm completely Disney-illiterate?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

You can add me to the list. We're staying at WL January 24-31

I'm now SO anxious for the rates to come out. I wanna book my package! I feel like I have $$ burning a whole in my pocket. In my mind, it's not real until it's paid for and I wanna get started on it NOW!

You are added!!

Feel free to jump right in here and chat with us! We are here everyday!

We'd love to hear about your plans!

 

[emh1129]

UGH! Can you tell I'm completely Disney-illiterate?

Don't worry about it! I've been twice (and two more times a child, but I had nothing to do with the planning- so those don't count!) and I STILL have so much to learn!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

So, what's Spectro?

And what do you all think of the many parades being offered?

And can you see the nighttime fireworks from places other than the MK? Or is it Epcot?

UGH! Can you tell I'm completely Disney-illiterate?

SpectroMagic is a nighttime parade at MK. Supposed to be really awesome! Therefore it draws in a huge crowd and you need to go very early to get a spot and then wait and wait and wait some more. . .

Disney's Dream Come True parade is at MK everyday at 3:00. Very nice, you can see just about any character there!

Wishes is MK's fireworks! Very magical. You really need to see it from MK to be able to hear the words and music that go along with it and make it so great!

IllumiNations is at Epcot every night. Another great show!

Fantasmic (at DHS) is very cool. Don't know why they are only showing it 2 times a week.

Haven't seen Block Party Bash at DHS yet. I used to love the Star and Cars Motor Parade they had there. (3:00 daily)

Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade is the only thing offered at AK. It is really good too!

You can see some of IllumiNations from the Epcot area resorts. And you can see some of Wishes from the monorail resorts.

 

[Laumau]

OK- all I have to say is THANK GOD FOR THIS THREAD, AND SITE! I just realized that Fantasmic is NOT being offered on the night I asked IPO to book it for me. I also realized that I had NOT received a confirmation of my ADR's. I just called IPO and sure enough, the reason they had not sent me a conf. is because Fantasmic is not being offered on Jan. 4. (We wanted MM that night) She scared me because she was thinking maybe it was going down in January for refurbishment but I asked her to check it out for Jan 5 and sure enough, she was able to book it for me and move our LTT ADR to Jan. 4. The bad news is we'll be at MK on Sunday- thinking more crowded- but the good news is we'll be at LTT for the last night of character dining!

If I hadn't been reading this thread (and the rumor thread about Fantasmic) I never would have figured all of this out! Here's to the Snowbirds!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

That was a close one Laumau!

So what time did you get your ADR for MM Fantasmic?

 

[gourmetgirl]

You are added!!

Feel free to jump right in here and chat with us! We are here everyday!

We'd love to hear about your plans!

Awwwww. I feel so accepted

 

[amreli]

Just curious, what time do they book your Fantasmic dinner package for if Fantasmic is at 7:00??? Because you will still need to enter for Fantasmic by 6:30 probably. Dinner at Mama Melrose can take close to 2 hours!

We're doing it on Monday, 1/5 and Fantasmic is at 6:30pm on the calendar. This is the only part that stinks because I would rather do dinner afterwards, but we had to do it between 3:30-4pm and we got 3:45. I think we could have gotten it a little after 4pm, but we would have been split between 2 tables (7 of us). So, it's more like a late lunch, early dinner. It'll be ok though.