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

[debbieandroo]

Those of you who have been there before probably know this, but across the bridge from the Hub to Liberty Square is a CS place called Sleepy Hollow. They have small tables and stools to sit and have your snack, or bring food from another area and sit down. It's a great place to see the afternoon parade.

Maybe we could pick a day and see if we could meet up there, say Hi and watch the parade together. That way, we won't be restricting ourselves to Snowbirds who are staying at the same resort. We would plan to get our lunch by 2 and sit there.

Back in my day that would usually be empty in the afternoon. What do you think?

Of course, this wouldn't eliminate our All Star meet at the pool, if we can swing it - just another chance to meet and greet.

Sharadoc, what a nice idea! And how pretty that little oasis sounds - I would have never found it on my own. So, yes, if our 'plan' permits, I would love to be there [I was hoping to catch a parade anyway].

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

Okay I started a photopass thread on the budget board. Was going to do one at the TGM site but I am so new over there I don't think I would have had much interest. At least here peopel can see I have been around for years. If you are interested check it out.

 

[3amigos]

Hi everyone, I just found this thread. We are headed down from NH from Jan 23-Feb 1st staying at SSR. MoMof2DisneyBoys, I just saw your post about your flights. This happened to us and I called Airtran and told them that the change wasn't going to work and they put me on another non stop flight at no charge. She said that if it happened again to call back and they would continue to switch me to what worked at no fees. I hope you find a flight that works.

 

[Monny2AE]

Thanks for welcoming me And yikes I thought it was too early to book flights We are driving but my parents are flying- I guess they should get a move on and book soon!

 

[sharadoc]

That's what I'm afraid of -- being so overwhelmed just entering the parks that I blitz out and don't do anything except wander around for days and days.

The thing is, we've been there at least a dozen times, so a good portion of it is VERY familiar to us. But, things have changed. That's why I'm reading about everything on the DIS and Allears, just to make sure we won't miss anything new and special.

We've ridden everything more times than we can count, having gone in January and February so many times. There were times where we just couldn't ride any more!!

That's why I'm so torn about the planning. We know we can have a great time doing everything, nothing and in-between. We know we'll be back plenty of times as the kids get older, so nothing is critical.

What I need is a way to strike a balance between over and under planning to be sure my kids see and do the essentials and give them a great time for their first time.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Okay, so I was doing my daily flight check with AirTran and wouldn't you know it they have changed our flights already!! Just like I have heard they have been doing. . . We can't even make the new flight time. . . So DH said who knows how many times it will change in the next 5 months, so we went ahead and cancelled altogether!

So, as of now we have NO FLIGHT!!!

Hey Shelly! I got a little nervous reading about your flights so I went and checked ours! Sure enough, they've changed ours too! This will be the 3rd time since I booked the original tickets that they've been changed! I booked these at a great pricce back in April! I have heard over on the transportation board that some Airtran flights have changed as many as 5-6 times before the date of travel! I am not thrilled about the change in time but I will hope for the best! I know that I will not be able to get a better price than what I originally paid so I will stick with it for now! I sure hope that you find something soon!

 

[KatiebugsMom]

Okay, so I was doing my daily flight check with AirTran and wouldn't you know it they have changed our flights already!! Just like I have heard they have been doing. . . We can't even make the new flight time. . . So DH said who knows how many times it will change in the next 5 months, so we went ahead and cancelled altogether!

So, as of now we have NO FLIGHT!!!

Oh my!!! What did Airtran want to change it to? That is what they did to me last year.......and that was before the puny snowflake in Atlanta.


So Shelly what time and what exit do you want to meet up at on I-79.....I smell a road trip......

 

[KatiebugsMom]

The thing is, we've been there at least a dozen times, so a good portion of it is VERY familiar to us. But, things have changed. That's why I'm reading about everything on the DIS and Allears, just to make sure we won't miss anything new and special.

We've ridden everything more times than we can count, having gone in January and February so many times. There were times where we just couldn't ride any more!!

That's why I'm so torn about the planning. We know we can have a great time doing everything, nothing and in-between. We know we'll be back plenty of times as the kids get older, so nothing is critical.

What I need is a way to strike a balance between over and under planning to be sure my kids see and do the essentials and give them a great time for their first time.

I secong the above. Having bought into DVC we know we will be going back AND having gone 5 times in 3 years......my planning is still centered around going in January due to weather and lower crowds, then once park hours are listed schedule around maximizing time with EMH's, and then plan ADR's based on a mix of favorite places, a 2-3 new restaurants and at least one character meal for DD. But now the structure of the daily plans have loosened just a tad.....we actually will now make time for the resort pool and activities.....


Has anyone ever seen the Disney Travel Channel show Ultimate Fan's Guide to WDW.......Dave from MN is the uber planner.......he has binders, color coded and a daily schedule card printed up for each family member.

 

[KatiebugsMom]

Don't know if anyone would be interested.......let me know if anyone would like to read my DH trip report (he is the writer in the family) from our Jan '08 trip. It is on another site so PM me if interested.

 

[AussieAngel]

Hi Snowbirds!!

I think I'm getting a cold! Boooo. I slept the afternoon away today!

In other news, while I was sleeping I had a dream that DH and I ate at Boma. In my dream, we got put on a massive long table filled with 30 strangers, and I didn't even see DH the whole evening. And then, the strangers kept saying, "Why are you taking photos of your food!? You're so weird!"

Aye, aye, aye. Let's hope our real Boma dinner in January will be a bit more pleasant!!

 

[trixiequilts]

I'm thinking about these restaurants:
1. Chef Mickey's
2. Whispering Canyon Cafe OR Trail's End (mostly for the ribs)
3. Tusker House for Breakfast
4. Boma for dinner and animal savannah viewing
5. Polynesian - not sure if we want the character breakfast, or regular meal, but DH absolutely wants to try Tonga Toast!

FYI-You can also get Tonga Toast at Captain Cook's (Counter Service) at the Poly. I think that's what we're going to do.

 

[BellaSoleil]

Hey girls!

I've had such a lazy morning. DH let me sleep in until 10 am and now I'm eating popcorn and M&M's for breakfast. That's my kind of Saturday!

 

[emh1129]

Aww, what a cutie!!

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

I loved the pics. Why did you take them down.

We have the same build a bear outfit and it is hard to imagine a real person putting that on. TOO CUTE!

 

[Laumau]

Who do you dream about?

The entire men's water polo team, and the volleyball team, and.... need I go on?

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

Okay, so I was doing my daily flight check with AirTran and wouldn't you know it they have changed our flights already!! Just like I have heard they have been doing. . . We can't even make the new flight time. . . So DH said who knows how many times it will change in the next 5 months, so we went ahead and cancelled altogether!

So, as of now we have NO FLIGHT!!!

Is AirTran known for this kind of thing? We are planning to make the drive UNLESS we can get a reasonable price on flights. If AirTran moves their flights all around, I might not even bother and just stick with the plan.

 

[Monny2AE]

Is it just Airtran that moves flights or do all do it? My parents are looking to fly Southwest.

 

[trixiequilts]

The entire men's water polo team, and the volleyball team, and.... need I go on?

Going to find pics right now...

 

[Laumau]

Going to find pics right now...

You might want to check out the gold medal winning Argentinian soccer team. Nice.

 

[trixiequilts]

You might want to check out the gold medal winning Argentinian soccer team. Nice.

Going there now, too...