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

[backinoz]

I need some help from my fellow Snowbirds!!

We booked our ADRs a couple of weeks ago, before we knew park hours. And now, our 8.05am Crystal Palace breakfast ADR clashes with Early Magic Hours at MK! Eeeek!

I'm a bit sad, because ...

1) We won't be able to get good photos of just us with an empty MK in the background.

2) MK will be busy that day, because of EMH!

3) We'll miss EMH because we'll be eating at Crystal Palace instead!

We could change our days around, but that means changing 5 ADR times, and I don't really want to do that!

Do you think it matters that much? Should I stop worrying? Or should I think about changing some ADRs? Eeeeek! Any advice would be great!!

Personally, I'd bite the bullet and see if you can change your ADR's around. Just make sure you get the new ones you're wanting first, then cancel those you originally booked. Why?? It sounds like you'll miss two great opportunities by leaving the ADRs as is - the great family photo in front of the castle without crowds in the background - and the opportunity to do EMH rides in MK (it means you're a couple of steps ahead of the 'crowd', and fit more rides in before it gets busy, and then you can hop to another park if the crowds get too much).

Looking at those "magical" hours too and finding that if we want to do the spectro magic parade at mk then we will miss fantasmic at HS we have 3 girls 5 and 7 which would you do?

IMHO Fantasmic is much more worthwhile seeing than the Spectro Parade. Yep, spectro is a very pretty parade with all those lights, but Fantasmic is a fantastic show with characters, lights, and fireworks. Our girls saw both back when they were (nearly) 3 & 5 - they preferred the day time parade over Spectro, and Fantasmic over any parade. Just make sure your girls are prepared for loud sound effects, and that they know that it's just a show as the Dragon's(?) a bit scary. We worded them up beforehand so they knew that Mickey would save the day (and be all right because he needed to be there for the show the next night). HTH

 

[peach3es]

I don't know who they were but August of '06 we surrounded last minute at our nice little table at Cantina de San Angel right before Illuminations. We were literally being sat upon and bump into by these girls that didn't speak English. I let them have it, but they still didn't seem to care about my DH and my personal space. We unfortunately struggle with large groups at Disney and had no idea these kids are there in Jan.
We're actually thinking of planning for different time, who knows,there are no perfect times to go. I miss the days when the CM would let you ride again without getting off.

Really good chance that their concept of personal space is way different than the average American's concept of personal space. Cultural differences about the personal bubble are huge! I find myself backing away from people here, trying to get back into my "stranger space" comfort zone, but it is absolutely nothing for people to completely invade that space. Personal space for them is much smaller, and they can even be bumping into you and it still doesn't invade their space.

Not saying these girls weren't just being rude, but if they didn't speak English and weren't from Western Europe, then it likely means they don't see personal space the same as we do.

That being said...I'm just more worried about the awful crowds due to the Disney Marathon that I've been reading about!

 

[MissMagnolia]

We have been to WDW in January twice during the marathon and both times we have had absolultely NO trouble with crowds - all the rides were walk on status. We only got FP once and it was for Winnie the Pooh in the late afternoon. Don't let the marathon worry you.

 

[susieq76]

When is the marathon?

The brazilians are not that bad- they are just a large group of very excited teens. The loved my children the last few years- kept asking if they were triplets and for the most part (other than the chanting) were pretty polite. On the monorail they gave up their seats so I could sit while holding a sleeping 3 year old.

Really- don't worry so much about them. If you can, switch to a moderate, just so the food court is not that crowded in the am.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

Were you able to get anything special arranged for your sons birthday through IPO?? I am working with them right now to plan a suprise birthday trip for my husband.
Jen

I haven't started arranging anything w/IPO yet, just tossing some ideas around w/DH. I think we'll see if we can get an autographed pic of Jack Sparrow in the room and probably order a small cake w/ PotC on it to be served at dinner at Tony's. We'll probably let DS dictate our MK day and get him the bday button for him to wear each day. Believe it or not, DS has always wanted to do CRT I asked him if he wanted to do it this time and he really wanted to say yes, then I told him about the dinner at 1900 Park Fare and he chose that instead, he thinks meeting the ugly stepsisters would be fun and he figures CRT would be full of little girls dressed as princesses and he doesn't want to be w/ that for his 13th bday! He didn't mean anything by that, but becoming a teenager means you have to be cool , it's his 13th bday, very important to kids and DS really is the sweetest boy in the world, such a gentleman he is

 

[trixiequilts]

SplashMtn-Those plans sound perfect, LOVE the Jack Sparrow idea! Your DS sounds great...I hope there's some like him around when my DDs start dating!

 

[amreli]

That being said...I'm just more worried about the awful crowds due to the Disney Marathon that I've been reading about!

I've only been once during the marathon a few years back, but we had absolutely no problem with crowds.


Our ADR's:

amreli/miabellarose
1/4 - Chef Mickey's, 8:10am
1/4 - 50's Prime Time, 5:40pm
1/5 - Brown Derby, 3:45pm (Fantasmic Pkg)
1/6 - San Angel, 11:50am
1/6 - Le Cellier, 6:50pm
1/7 - Kona Cafe, 8:05am
1/7 - Boma, 8:05pm
1/8 - Crystal Palace, 5:25pm
1/9 - 1900 Park Fare, 9:25am
1/9 - Whispering Canyon, 5:05pm
1/10 - 1900 Park Fare, 7:25pm

 

[coffeehousemom]

Honestly don't fret too much over the crowds. Food courts at the values might be super busy but the one we ran into were typical teenagers giggling girls. The only issues we had at the parks were if we came up on a big group while walking. They tend to take up a lot of space in walkways. But to us it wasn't a big deal we live in a tourist town year round we know how to cut & duck around people. ASMo was quiet at night. But what i did notice is that because of so many of them staying there they had their own bus taking them to the parks so it didnt effect our wait time. nice.


Crowds will still be tons more calmer, & smaller than in the summer & not as hot. Enjoy.


PS just master the "mom look" you all know what i mean works on all kids no matter what language!!

 

[Kazooie01]

Take it for what it’s worth fellow Snowbirds but when we were making an additional ADR this morning, the CM asked if we had our room booked yet and when we said “no” because we were waiting for the 2009 rates (and to book a package), he said “Oh, they (the new rates for 2009) will be out August 1st.” Now he could be way off, we have no idea, but he offered the information up so quickly that maybe, just maybe, Friday will be our lucky day! Has anyone else heard this?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Goood afternoon Snowbirds!

Momof2 - you're amazing! I'm doing all I can to keep my own trip together and you're actually managing to coordinate all of ours.

Aw, thanks!

That being said, I am practicing my Portuguese --

What I can say to an excitable Brazilian teen --
Amo a casa de Mickey! [I love Mickey's house!]
Você ama a casa de Mickey? [Do you love Mickey's house?]
Por favor não esteja assustador! [Please don't be scary!]

Take it for what it’s worth fellow Snowbirds but when we were making an additional ADR this morning, the CM asked if we had our room booked yet and when we said “no” because we were waiting for the 2009 rates (and to book a package), he said “Oh, they (the new rates for 2009) will be out August 1st.” Now he could be way off, we have no idea, but he offered the information up so quickly that maybe, just maybe, Friday will be our lucky day! Has anyone else heard this?

Hmm. . . That's interesting! I was told by my CM 2 weeks ago not to expect the rates and packages until October! Why do they all have different information???

Last year they did come out the first week of August!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

How early do you start to pack for your Disney trip???

I usually start to pack at least 2 months in advance!

I can't help it, I get so excited that I bring my suitcases up from the basement and set them in my bedroom and start to pack a little bit at a time!

Not sure how I am going to pull that off this time with it being a secret from the kids! I guess my Christmas tree is going to have to come down the day after Christmas and the suitcases will come out!!

 

[trixiequilts]

Answer of the Day:

Haven't been to WDW yet, of course, but I already have a bin full of Disney Dollar Store stuff for DDs to do on the plane and for little surprise gifts while we're there. I already have my park bag (I think-be on the lookout for a future question of the day ). I can't imagine being able to do any "real" packing until we're through the Christmas chaos!

 

[trixiequilts]

Take it for what it’s worth fellow Snowbirds but when we were making an additional ADR this morning, the CM asked if we had our room booked yet and when we said “no” because we were waiting for the 2009 rates (and to book a package), he said “Oh, they (the new rates for 2009) will be out August 1st.” Now he could be way off, we have no idea, but he offered the information up so quickly that maybe, just maybe, Friday will be our lucky day! Has anyone else heard this?

Supposedly a ticket price increase is going to be announced on Friday, so it would make sense to me if they released everything all at once. Unfortunately, though, Disney doesn't ask my opinion about what makes sense. We're planning to get our tix from UT and I'd really like to do it before the prices increase, but we need to see how much our boat repair is going to be first. Rumor has it that the tix options will change as well, so we'll just have to wait and see. As usual. I think we need a waiting smiley!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I think we need a waiting smiley!

Will this work??? -->

 

[mari360]

Hi all...... We will be there Jan 3rd - Jan 10th.... staying offsite (Orangelake Resort) it will be about 25 of my closest family members.

Hi Shelly........ Glad to be on the snowbirds thread....

 

[trixiequilts]

Hi Mari! Welcome! 25 people is a lot of family togetherness!

 

[sharadoc]

I have a large plastic bin in the basement to toss in miscellaneous items for the trip that we won't need between now and then. My problem is that I have a lot of stuff that will be secret, at last until Christmas morning presents!

I'm still mostly concentrating on planning. I have two binders - a trip binder and a WDW binder, with lots of pages printed out mostly from these boards and the DIS site. Each section is for each theme park, hotels, other on-site locations, and general WDW info (parking, companion restroom list, GAC info, stuff that I would never remember and will need to know).

Keeping my fingers crossed for August 1 prices!

 

[Kazooie01]

Will this work??? -->

We have a winner! Now... for the love of all things Disney, please give us the rates! Friday would be great, but with our luck October is more like it.

 

[sharadoc]

Honestly don't fret too much over the crowds. Food courts at the values might be super busy but the one we ran into were typical teenagers giggling girls.

PS just master the "mom look" you all know what i mean works on all kids no matter what language!!

Thanks - I think I'm over-worried because of my kids. My son has Autism, and I know the concept of being over-run by crowds will totally freak him out. He's fine in large groups, but I'm afraid this would be overwhelming. We don't plan on using the food court in the morning, so we should be cool with that.

I would move to another resort just to be sure, but I can't find one with everything we need without doubling our nightly cost. My son needs a living area - he can't relax in just a hotel room. The Family Suites seem to be so perfect. If we would move to a DVC 1 BR, we would miss out on the fun atmosphere, nightly activities and reasonable price. We were originally in a cabin at FW but thought it would be too calm and spread out for the kids.

I'm rambling - I know. I just want the trip to be fun and a great memory for them and I can't stand the idea that someone else will ruin it for them. Believe me, I WILL be vocal with the management if it becomes an issue

I LOVE the idea of practicing the MOM look - believe me, I'm good at it!!!

Thanks for the support.

 

[peach3es]

Just checkin' in with my snowbird peeps!

I heard from someone who heard from Mousesavers that they prices for tickets are being released August 3rd, which is Sunday, right?

I'm dying to know if that will include package and DDP prices too!

I love the hourglass smiley! Too cute!

I don't wait well.