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

[Disney Mommy 3]

What is the price/benefit difference between the regular and the Deluxe plan? For a family of 5 (one kid is considered adult, so 3 A's and 2 k's) is it a hefty difference? We are on the reg DDP now and it came to about $140 per day. Which is good, because one TS at the world showcase, or CRT is gonna be around that. How many of you actually do the other one?

 

[sarbah77]

My DH turned 35 yesterday. His parents called last night to wish him a happy birthday and said to him that they are considering coming down to Orlando and -GASP- setting foot on property to watch him run. Plus, they'll actually consider staying on property. I don't think his feet touched the ground for the rest of the night after that!!

I'm not a big Halloween person, either. I stopped dressing up a decade ago and stopped being home a few years ago. It was fun in the last place we lived because the kids were so cute and really good with the "Trick or Treat" and/or "Thank you!". In our current neighborhood, I'm lucky if I get a grunt from the doorbell ringers. I think my current department goes all out, though, so we'll have to see. Maybe I'll just wear all green and call myself the Grinch that day.

I really need to call and make that last lunch reservation. Of course, if the in laws do come, that throws our plans into total disarray. Maybe we won't go to Universal Studios this year, after all!! Do you think I should make a back-up plan, in case we don't, if the inlaws are around? They're thinking they'd leave on either Monday or Tuesday after the marathon and they might want us to spend time with them on that Monday. I currently have us planned to go to the Magic Kingdom that day. Thursday would be US, so I could just add a second set of ressies for Thursday that mirror Monday's... and then cancel one set when the IL's make up their mind? (And maybe skip US and go to MK twice if they don't come? )

 

[BellaSoleil]

My DH turned 35 yesterday. His parents called last night to wish him a happy birthday and said to him that they are considering coming down to Orlando and -GASP- setting foot on property to watch him run. Plus, they'll actually consider staying on property. I don't think his feet touched the ground for the rest of the night after that!!

I'm not a big Halloween person, either. I stopped dressing up a decade ago and stopped being home a few years ago. It was fun in the last place we lived because the kids were so cute and really good with the "Trick or Treat" and/or "Thank you!". In our current neighborhood, I'm lucky if I get a grunt from the doorbell ringers. I think my current department goes all out, though, so we'll have to see. Maybe I'll just wear all green and call myself the Grinch that day.

I really need to call and make that last lunch reservation. Of course, if the in laws do come, that throws our plans into total disarray. Maybe we won't go to Universal Studios this year, after all!! Do you think I should make a back-up plan, in case we don't, if the inlaws are around? They're thinking they'd leave on either Monday or Tuesday after the marathon and they might want us to spend time with them on that Monday. I currently have us planned to go to the Magic Kingdom that day. Thursday would be US, so I could just add a second set of ressies for Thursday that mirror Monday's... and then cancel one set when the IL's make up their mind? (And maybe skip US and go to MK twice if they don't come? )

Maybe skip US this year since it is a special circumstance. It sounds like DH is thrilled his parents are coming and that this doesn't happen often. I know if my dad ever decided to come to DW with us, I would want to make the most of my time with him.

Happy Birthday to you DH!!!! Did you do anything special?

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hello ladies!!~ (and any Disney dudes!!) Just wanted to let you know I called this a.m. to make a room request. The lady was super nice and very informitive. She loves the Poly and knew a lot about it!! We are asking for the Tokelau & a balcony/patio room. She said if you do garden view this longhouse is great for view because there are no parking lots or anything here.

Also, tried to do a few ADRs yesterday-can't til Aug 31 unless it was a few specific places.One of which was CRT--Got it for the Monday we are there around 2, 2:30. We have never been there for lunch before--it's suppose to be a lot better for character interaction than dinner. Which I can believe-the last two times the Fairy G was there-didn't do pictures, and the mice-they hung around so it was okay. But, at least dd can see somebody different this time. I think it's a good time of day as well---lets us get some rides in!!!

Now I can relax with this planning for a bit!

 

[sarbah77]

Maybe skip US this year since it is a special circumstance. It sounds like DH is thrilled his parents are coming and that this doesn't happen often. I know if my dad ever decided to come to DW with us, I would want to make the most of my time with him.

Happy Birthday to you DH!!!! Did you do anything special?

I think you're right - we just need to wait and see if they actually turn up. They don't like people, they don't like crowds, they don't like flying on mass market carriers... so there's still a lot that could make them back out.

We didn't do much special for his birthday but we spent the evening just hanging out together. He picked his birthday place, we stopped for ice cream, we looked in some of his favorite stores, and watched some of his DVR'd TV shows (and I didn't even complain!! )

 

[BellaSoleil]

What is the price/benefit difference between the regular and the Deluxe plan? For a family of 5 (one kid is considered adult, so 3 A's and 2 k's) is it a hefty difference? We are on the reg DDP now and it came to about $140 per day. Which is good, because one TS at the world showcase, or CRT is gonna be around that. How many of you actually do the other one?

I think the Deluxe is $70-90 a day. You get three table services/counter services (it can be either), 2 snacks a day and a mug per person.

The benefit for us, is that it's just DH and myself and we like to eat.
We wouldn't take DD (toddler) to a Signature Dining, so we are making the most of it on our last trip alone. Our next trip with her (she will be 2), we will most likey just get the CS Dining Plan.

 

[peach3es]

Just curious, how many of you are doing Disney this time with extended family? And how many of you have done it in the past? My mom is paying for our trip, otherwise it wouldn't be happening. She's excited to share this time with her grandkids and we're excited to have her. My sister hopes to join us for at least part of the trip. We were hoping my BIL and his family could join us too...but no such luck.

Just curious if your plans involve extended family and if you've ever done it before.

Hope all is well is Disland! I just finished a big e-mail update to family and friends who support us from back home and I'm feeling beat! Not too much else on the schedule for today...dinner and getting the kids to bed. I hope to scrapbook some too!

Did I miss a question of the day? I enjoy those!
~~Carrie

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Good morning Snowbirds!

WOW you ladies have been quite chatty since I signed off last night!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I am so excited to finally be able to make my last ADR Sunday!!

I sure hope that info is correct!! I'm afraid I will call and be given a different answer about when we can make ADR's for Jan 26th and after. . . .

 

[Monny2AE]

Just curious, how many of you are doing Disney this time with extended family? And how many of you have done it in the past? My mom is paying for our trip, otherwise it wouldn't be happening. She's excited to share this time with her grandkids and we're excited to have her. My sister hopes to join us for at least part of the trip. We were hoping my BIL and his family could join us too...but no such luck.

Just curious if your plans involve extended family and if you've ever done it before.

Hope all is well is Disland! I just finished a big e-mail update to family and friends who support us from back home and I'm feeling beat! Not too much else on the schedule for today...dinner and getting the kids to bed. I hope to scrapbook some too!

Did I miss a question of the day? I enjoy those!
~~Carrie

We had a Grand Gatherings in 2004 with my family, my sister's family and my parents. This time we are going with my sister's family and my parents again. My dh's two brother's and sister and their families are coming down for part of the week and we are still trying to talk his parents into coming too. We have his dad talked into it but not his mom- which would be fine if she stays home IMO ! We loved it last time. We did some stuff together and still separated to do our own thing so it worked out well.

Oh and I envy you having time to scrapbook. I'm so behind it pathetic!

I am so excited to finally be able to make my last ADR Sunday!!

I sure hope that info is correct!! I'm afraid I will call and be given a different answer about when we can make ADR's for Jan 26th and after. . . .

I must have missed something... So we can make our ADR's as of Aug 31??? Woo Hoo! All I have so far is Chef Mickey's for breakfast. That would be wonderful!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I must have missed something... So we can make our ADR's as of Aug 31??? Woo Hoo! All I have so far is Chef Mickey's for breakfast. That would be wonderful!

Yeah, someone posted it a few pages back! I hope the CM gave them the correct info!!

 

[petuniamilz]

So we don't have to wait until October now?
Sweet!!

I wish they'd announce the days for the darn Pirate and Princess party. Don't they know people like to plan things. lol

 

[Monny2AE]

Crossing my fingers it's true. I would love to check off ADR's from my lengthy to do list.

 

[trixiequilts]

I wish they'd announce the days for the darn Pirate and Princess party. Don't they know people like to plan things. lol

Does anyone know how far ahead they have announced P&PP date in the past? Basically I'm wondering if because they haven't announced dates yet, the parties may not happen? I hadn't really considered going until just very recently, and now I'm really hoping they do have them in January!

And ADRs opening again on Aug. 31 would be very exciting! Now I need to re-visit my ADRs and make some final decisions! Some of the ones I made previously were the best I could do then, but now I may make changes. I got my 2009 UG yesterday, so I'm anxious to read the updated reviews they have, too.

I've felt kind of burned out with the planning lately, but the possibility of making the rest of my ADRs is perking me up again!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I know, I have 1 more ADR to make - for Jan 26th! And it's for LeCellier and that one fills up fast. So I will be calling Sunday!! When I called last week to change an ADR they told me to call back in October for Jan 26th. . . . So, we'll see . . .

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hello Trixie!

 

[petuniamilz]

I have one more to make too, for Fantasmic.

 

[Gillettes]

Peaches-


We did our last trip with my MIL and BIL and they are going this time, too! We are very close to them. They are both single and my BIL and DH are twins! They live 2 miles from us and we see them quite a bit. We spent nine days down there last time and we were together all the time. Things went pretty smoothly. There were a couple of times my MIL and I got a little snippy with each other, mostly it's over me wanting my kids to behave and her letting them do what they want. There was definitely some advantages to having them there. My DD2 couldn't ride the big rides so my MIL would stay with her while we rode. And we had connecting rooms at POFQ which was great. My BIL and I hit the EMH at DHS one night and my DH and I went to MK one night and DTD one night. The girls would fall asleep in our room and then the adults would hang out in their room. Plus that gave us two bathrooms in case the girls "HAD" to go. They paid for our trip last time. It was my MIL's gift to herself for her 60th bday, watching the girls for the first time in WDW. This time we are paying our own way. These are memories that are priceless. My MIL has some health issues and so these vacations are very important to us. I want my girls to have these memories with her. And my BIL is the most loving, generous uncle two girls could get! So hopefully things go as well for you guys!

 

[trixiequilts]

Hello Trixie!

Hi Shelly! Can you believe we're under 21 weeks now? Time is going to go so fast!

 

[Gillettes]

I am so excited, I got my maps ordered!!!