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

[jenjolt]

Snowbirds,

I have two words for you - Grand Gathering. More to come!!!!!

OOOHHH...now I'm curious..don't leave us hanging!!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Snowbirds,

I have two words for you - Grand Gathering. More to come!!!!!

Oh!!!! I'm very curious too!!!

 

[Pinkdiamond816]

I hate when life interfers with my dis time!
I'm missing such a flurry of activity here...it makes me sad.
I might have to start dragging my laptop to class so I can sneak in some snowbird time! Ancient Greek theatre has totally lost it's appeal!!!!

Well it sounds like everyone has a busy Monday evening! I'm off to Weather lab. This would be so much more exciting if I was learning this stuff on an Epcot ride!

 

[sharadoc]

Driving.

Disney World is really an easy system, there are a few main roads and they are VERY clearly marked. The confusion comes when you try to pay attention to what the BUS DRIVERS do! They have all kinds of convoluted ways to get around that we, the common person, can not comprehend

There are a few places within Disney World that you can rent a car from if you decide you need one for a couple of days.

I can NEVER take a bus to Epcot. Basically, you are dropped off on the back side of Journey into Imagination, walk all the way to the main entrance, then back into Epcot. If you watch Illuminations anywhere except by Canada, or Mexico, I think the walk has to be a minimum of 3 miles to the bus. Many times, I've wished I could just hop that fence!

Fortunately for this trip, (but unfortunately for my life), I have a handicapped placard because of my bad arthritis, so we can park reasonably close. We are also going to take advantage of valet parking in a lot of cases. We'll park at an MK resort and use the monorail to MK and Epcot, park at Yacht/Beach club and use International Gateway or the boat to DHS.

We are considering the bus as a back-up if we have to split up the family - if one kid wants to stay and one wants to go. Otherwise, we'll be driving everywhere.

 

[trixiequilts]

Snowbirds,

I have two words for you - Grand Gathering. More to come!!!!!

WHAT??? ​

 

[sharadoc]

Oh!!!! I'm very curious too!!!

I'll have more details in 2 business days or less

I either had a brilliant idea or a disappointment. But it could be awesome

I'm going home now - I'll check in tonight witcha!

 

[jenjolt]

Driving.

Disney World is really an easy system, there are a few main roads and they are VERY clearly marked. The confusion comes when you try to pay attention to what the BUS DRIVERS do! They have all kinds of convoluted ways to get around that we, the common person, can not comprehend

There are a few places within Disney World that you can rent a car from if you decide you need one for a couple of days.

I can NEVER take a bus to Epcot. Basically, you are dropped off on the back side of Journey into Imagination, walk all the way to the main entrance, then back into Epcot. If you watch Illuminations anywhere except by Canada, or Mexico, I think the walk has to be a minimum of 3 miles to the bus. Many times, I've wished I could just hop that fence!

Fortunately for this trip, (but unfortunately for my life), I have a handicapped placard because of my bad arthritis, so we can park reasonably close. We are also going to take advantage of valet parking in a lot of cases. We'll park at an MK resort and use the monorail to MK and Epcot, park at Yacht/Beach club and use International Gateway or the boat to DHS.

We are considering the bus as a back-up if we have to split up the family - if one kid wants to stay and one wants to go. Otherwise, we'll be driving everywhere.

*Raises her hand...I have a question!!! As long as you are staying at a Disney Resort can you park at any of the other resorts?? I like this idea of valet parking for the mornings I have to be somewhere early!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

I'll have more details in 2 business days or less

I either had a brilliant idea or a disappointment. But it could be awesome

I'm going home now - I'll check in tonight witcha!

I'm hoping for OR LESS!!!! I hope that it's a brilliant idea!

 

[jenjolt]

YAY!! I know my fellow snowbirds will appreciate this!! Just for the heck of it I decided to check on the cost of my rental car from enterprise and I was very happy to see that the weekly rate went down by $30.00 plus I'll get another 5% off (Entertainment book) which means I just got a rental car for the week for a total of $185.00 that is a savings of 40.00 from when I first rented it at 225.00!! YAY!!!! That makes me want to break out Disco Dale, no worries I said want not that I'm going to LOL

 

[MAGGIED]

Snowbirds,

I have two words for you - Grand Gathering. More to come!!!!!

I'll have more details in 2 business days or less

I either had a brilliant idea or a disappointment. But it could be awesome

I'm going home now - I'll check in tonight witcha!

Sharadoc.... there are enough of us....I think I know what your up too ..... we did this a couple of years ago with a group who meet on the Dis..... tons of fun sharing some of those magical moments.... I won't spill any more.....

Wendy

 

[MAGGIED]

Trixie..... glad things worked out at the dentist.....

 

[jenjolt]

Sharadoc.... there are enough of us....I think I know what your up too ..... we did this a couple of years ago with a group who meet on the Dis..... tons of fun sharing some of those magical moments.... I won't spill any more.....

Wendy

NOW you have me even more anxious to find out!! Oh Shardoc...please end my misery I beg you

How am I going to survive 2 whole days!!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

YAY!! I know my fellow snowbirds will appreciate this!! Just for the heck of it I decided to check on the cost of my rental car from enterprise and I was very happy to see that the weekly rate went down by $30.00 plus I'll get another 5% off (Entertainment book) which means I just got a rental car for the week for a total of $185.00 that is a savings of 40.00 from when I first rented it at 225.00!! YAY!!!! That makes me want to break out Disco Dale, no worries I said want not that I'm going to LOL

Awesome! We haven't booked our car yet. We will soon though. I keep checking out different car companies, discounts, etc. So far, Dollar has the best for us at just under $300. I will keep shopping around!

 

[Dancegrl624]

NOW you have me even more anxious to find out!! Oh Shardoc...please end my misery I beg you

How am I going to survive 2 whole days!!!

I'm dying to know!!!!! I hope these next 2 days fly by.

 

[mana_liz]

Hello Everyone

Just wanted to comment on the Disney Visa, each adult in my house has one. We have 4, because of the bonus offers they send - use my Mom's most of the time. We have 654 rewards dollars on that card. My dad has one in his name that we charge our vacations on, makes it easier for the 6 months no interest. He got the bonus offer for July, Aug and Sept (98 bonus dollars) now have 125 dollars. My card also got the same bonus offer, my bill hasn't come yet so I don't know my bonus dollars, but I have 99 dollars on yet. I also just got a new bonus offer for Oct, Nov, and Dec. we will be using our rewards dollars to pay for our dining plan (unless free dining comes around again), then we will use it maybe upgrade to a moderate resort.

 

[Dancegrl624]

Sorry for all the posts!!! Just wanted to say that I'll check up with everyone later. I have to go tanning (I know already. It's bad for you, but if you had to wear a strapless dress on Sat and had a horrible tank top tan, you'd go too!) and then it's off to my adult tap class! Be back later!

 

[Remmy]

Happy Monday to Everyone,

I am glad I am all caught up. This thread is moving quite fast. Already about 10 pages from when I left last night.

Thank you Shelly for the link for the camera. My interest is piqued and I must find one! I hope I can find one here in Ontario. I thought I saw one at the store I work but thought it was just a plain over priced camera due to Hannah's face on it. Little did I know. I may have to go back to work just to check it out. I usually have the rule of not going back once I am done but I will have to break it for a special camera. If not I am off to Wal-Mart. I think that sounds like a great starter camera. My DD is 9 and it would be right up her alley. Thank you for the website link. If I can't find it up here, I will send it with the Grandparents who are true snowbirds and see if they can find it. They winter near West Palm Beach so they might find it in their travels.

I too am wishing for a P&P party. I would think they would release the dates anytime now.

I do hope that when the time comes in January and all the snowbirds return that trip reports will be started or you post your fun times here. I am going near the end and would love to hear all the good and the bad and see all the fun through your photos.

We missed Fantasmic last time, and I wish to request, if anyone has any photos from it would you please post them.

I would also like to ask everyone what your favorite Disney fireworks show is, Wishes, Illuminations or Fantasmic?

Thanks Remmy

 

[EPCOT is a verb]

I would also like to ask everyone what your favorite Disney fireworks show is, Wishes, Illuminations or Fantasmic?

I have to say my favorite is Fantasmic. It is a great show and very entertaining. I do enjoy all three, however.

 

[Pluto_fan]

Hello Snowbirds!
It has taken me all day to catch up on the thread since last Friday (well, not the entire day, just my off-and-on DIS time!) I'm glad I made it in time to say to Mindy! Also, to the new Snowbirds! As you can tell, this thread is the place to be!

Pinkdiamond wrote (and I forgot to do a "real" quote):
"I'm off to Weather lab. This would be so much more exciting if I was learning this stuff on an Epcot ride!"

Hey, my DH is a meteorologist! I will happily volunteer him to design a weather ride for Epcot! How cool would that be?

 

[Pluto_fan]

I would also like to ask everyone what your favorite Disney fireworks show is, Wishes, Illuminations or Fantasmic?

We haven't seen Fantasmic yet, but are really looking forward to it in January!
Between Wishes and Illuminations, I'd have to say Wishes. Illuminations has more variety (lasers, the globe, lights on the various pavilions, etc.), but Wishes wins for sheer fireworks beauty.