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

[sarbah77]

I'm new - just made my reservations. May I join in your convo?!

So I was just looking over the 2009 DDP list of restaurants and it only lists 2 places on the DDP in DTD. What's up with that??? This year nearly all of them participated. I wonder if that is accurate. . . . .

I was looking because now we have one more TS to pick out (if we decide on getting the DDP) since we added that extra night onto the beginning of our trip. Any suggestions??? I am debating if we should go back to CP or CM since they are always great, or try something new. . .

Someone said that's because a lot of the non-Disney owned restaurants are still negotiating 2009 contracts and the list will be updated but probably not fully final until November! Of course, it's August so November isn't THAT far away! - okay, this makes me the 9000th person to reply.

We're flying in LATE on January 9 and leaving EARLY on January 17, because airfare was REALLY cheap then. Just figured out today that Jan 16, we get charged a tad extra for MLK Jr. weekend. Shows you what I know - I don't get it off!

My DH is intending to run the marathon on the 11th.
My parents are coming to join me, cheering him on.
My mom and I are going to celebrate our birthdays, too (late - her's is 12/28 and mine is 1/4). (We're trying to talk DH's folks into going, then we'd celebrate MIL's b-day as well, since her's is 12/31 - not fun to be the guys in our family!!)

I'm pretty excited!! I am, however, on the fence about the DDP. We're only going to spend ~4 days in the park but we'll have 8 days worth of meal plans. Trying to see if I can make it work before I commit! If I do make it work, we'll have a great time exploring resort restaurants and maybe a signature dining experience or two.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

There are several restaurants not owned by Disney. This happened when the new rates came out for 2008. They wait to include additional restaurants once they finalize negotiations with those restaurants. I think I saw on another thread that the list was finalized in November 2007 for 2008.

Well that makes sense. Just makes it a little hard to plan and make ADR's when we don't know which restaurants are participating!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

From what I've been led to believe, restaurants not owned by Disney itself have to sign contracts to accept the Dining Plans. They usually do before the end of the year, but I suppose there are no guarantees!

Shelley, I've added 1/3/09 at POP to our trip; couldn't get CSR for that date unless I switched to Water View, and I wasn't willing to pay the extra bucks! Could you update me? Thanks!

Got you updated!

 

[susieq76]

Well, I got my two left over ADRs!

1/20- 5pm- Hoop Dee Doo Review
1/21- 10am- Cinderella's Castle

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I'm new - just made my reservations. May I join in your convo?!



We're flying in LATE on January 9 and leaving EARLY on January 17, because airfare was REALLY cheap then. Just figured out today that Jan 16, we get charged a tad extra for MLK Jr. weekend. Shows you what I know - I don't get it off!

You sure can join in! WELCOME!! Where will you be staying?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hmmmm . . . I'm a creature of habit. I like to stick to what I know and love. HOWEVER, we are trying several places we've not been.

Why not try something new? Maybe you'll find a place you like as much at Crystal Palace or Chef Mickey's!

I know, I am a creature of habit too, especially if I really like something! But I do like to try new things too!

4 of our 6 ADR's are places we haven't been to before. Now I need to come up with one more place. . . That's when I was looking at the restaurants participating in 2009 and discovered that several of them are missing! I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens. . .

 

[sarbah77]

You sure can join in! WELCOME!! Where will you be staying?

Thanks!!

We're staying at POR. I stayed there last year with my best friend and we loved it (though when she and I go back, it's a pirates life for us! YARR!) so I decided to stay there again. DH is a little "okay, honey, sure," when it comes to trip planning, which is both helpful and infuriating, depending on what I want to do.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Thanks!!

DH is a little "okay, honey, sure," when it comes to trip planning, which is both helpful and infuriating, depending on what I want to do.

I know exactly what you mean!

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

OMG! I'm going to strangle my husband! Not really . . . but you know what I mean.

He just called to tell me that he can't take vacation over the dates that I JUST booked for our trip. There are 7 pilots in his department and one already has vacation planned and another, his boss, is going away for a training! UGH! My poor TA is going to have a fit if I have to change my dates AGAIN.

So frustrating! He's going to talk with his boss to see if there are any other training slots available. I think I'm just going to drive down without him!

 

[sharadoc]

Well, I cancelled our room-only and called up our AAA agent and booked a package through her.
Still a little over the price, but..
It's 11 days at a preferred value, 2 adults, 2 children, 10 day base tix, regular dining plan:
$3086.00
Ouch. I know that doesn't sound like a lot to some of you, but I'm in nursing school right now, so.. not a lot of extra money around here!
I might drop a few nights, if I can talk DH into that. That would bring the total down a bit.
I better get busy e-baying!

Yep - looks good considering $1,500 a week for four! It is scary, but it will be worth every penny, as long as you can afford it and it doesn't impact your day to day life! Have a great time.

 

[emh1129]

Are any of you planning to sign your little ones up for a pirate cruise? I'm thinking my 6yr old and 4 yr old would enjoy that.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

OMG I just got my mail! And it's a good thing that I got it. DS9 usually gets it. It got Disney mail!! It says - Special Trip Planning information we've put together just for your family! Then right inside the cover it says - We're so happy you're coming back in January! That was a close one. I'm going to have to watch the mail the closer it gets to the trip!

 

[emh1129]

Yep - looks good considering $1,500 a week for four! It is scary, but it will be worth every penny, as long as you can afford it and it doesn't impact your day to day life! Have a great time.

I'm sure it will be worth it. It just looks like a lot when you look at the whole thing!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Are any of you planning to sign your little ones up for a pirate cruise? I'm thinking my 6yr old and 4 yr old would enjoy that.

Yep! I signed mine up for one at CBR!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

OMG! I'm going to strangle my husband! Not really . . . but you know what I mean.

He just called to tell me that he can't take vacation over the dates that I JUST booked for our trip. There are 7 pilots in his department and one already has vacation planned and another, his boss, is going away for a training! UGH! My poor TA is going to have a fit if I have to change my dates AGAIN.

So frustrating! He's going to talk with his boss to see if there are any other training slots available. I think I'm just going to drive down without him!

OH NO!! This happened to us in May. Like 2 months before the trip. Luckily DH was able to rearrange his training to be in June.

Good luck!

 

[sharadoc]

I switched where we're staying- All Star Music Family Suite 1/17-1/25- decided I needed the 2nd bathroom!

Hooray, so that is 2tinks2pirates, debbieandroo and us, so four suites during that same time. That absolutely looks like enough for a quick meeting at the pool if we can. Plus Drakes is over at ASMo.

 

[coffeehousemom]

I must have missed that one. What pirate cruise, where & how much? My little guy would love that!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hooray, so that is 2tinks2pirates, debbieandroo and us, so four suites during that same time. That absolutely looks like enough for a quick meeting at the pool if we can. Plus Drakes is over at ASMo.

You guys better do a Snowbird Meet for sure!

I'm so jealous!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I must have missed that one. What pirate cruise, where & how much? My little guy would love that!!

This is the info on the one at CBR -

"Island of the Caribbean Pirate Adventure - For children ages 4-10 (must be potty trained) -- young adventurers, wearing pirate bandannas, will board a boat to sail the Ports of the Caribbean, just like Captain Jack! They will be told the story of Old Port Royale and of the pirates that used to sail the waters. They will find props and signs leading to treasure. Once they recover the treasure, they will sail to Fort Cay and trade for some grub (lunch). When they return to Old Port Royale, they will unlock the treasure chest and bounty will be shared by all. As of 1/14/07, operates Sundays, as well as Tuesdays from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. $28.17 per child pus tax. Lunch: Peanut Butter and Jelly Uncrustables, Gummy Bears, Gold Fish Treats, and Apple Juice Box. Call 407-WDW-DINE for information on the resort marina at 407-934-2850."

When I called a few weeks ago I was told that it is available on Sun, Tues, and Fri. I was also told ages 4-12. And the price is $31.95 now.

I think there might also be one available at the GF. Not sure.

 

[sharadoc]

You guys better do a Snowbird Meet for sure!

I'm so jealous!!

You're going to be there that week too. I bet your 2 boys would have a nice time at the activities and movie one night at the pool! Maybe you could stop over and meet us.

I think a few of us will have kids with us - there's a built-in gang to play with for them and I think it's evenly split between boys and girls.