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

[bridgie04]

my first day and I see mention of a Grand Gathering??!!!!! Whaaatttt?

How cool!

Thanks all for the welcome.

Christy

 

[Monny2AE]

Have a fun afternoon!




It's $1 for every $100 you spend. We charge all of our groceries and gas (which is a lot since DH commutes to work)etc., you know, things we would have to buy anyway, and then we pay it off every month and earn reward dollars in the process!

One quick question- do you earn the reward dollars when you charge or are they issued when you pay the balance. We may put the vacation on the card for the points and to take advantage of the 6 months zero interest but may not have it all paid off til tax refund time, depends on how my hubby's business goes this winter. So would I have the reward points if it isn't paid off fully?

You'll be there the same time as me and my family! Yea!

Oooh! Me too!! Me too!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Awww... I'm glad everything went well!! I also agree with another snowbird (can't remember who at the moment I'm sorry ) but keep on those pain meds...nothing worse than a sore mouth!!!



YAY Congratulations!!! Isn't it so exciting..only 3 more months and some fun months too...Halloween/Harvest Festivals, Thanksgiving, (for me) Shopping the Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas!! Before you know you'll be there LOL!!



KIM!! hug: I will I will, I've been browsing the Barnes and Nobles site during my lunch!! I get so excited about these things..and wouldn't you know I already have a membership to their website LOL!!!



I can't say I would mind getting sidetracked at Wally World...I just love that place. I'm like a raccoon who gets distracted by shining objects. Great deal on the camera!! I know your DS will love it and take some great pics with it!!

OY..it is that time to start thinking about Christmas pressies...LOL!!! I'm such a procrastinator!!

Just had to add that the Passporter is pretty awesome!!!

Here, here! I second that! I LOVE the PASSPORTER! I, too plan to take my passporter along with me into the parks! It has the best maps I have ever seen and their rating system for restaurants is not to be outdone! 3 cheers for Dave & Jennifer! Hip Hip Hooray!

Okay, so I had to 3rd that!! The rating system is pretty accurate. Also, I love ya'lls picture. That is really good-what a beautiful couple!!!

We sure are a talkative bunch! I'm going to need this thread right up until the moment I get on my plane!

You and me both!!

hey guys could you add me?

Jan 24-27 Boardwalk 1 bed villa

Jan 27-30 Contemporary

Me, DH, my mom, and the Princess who is turning 5 right before the trip.

ADRs dinner at crystal palace 1/27
lunch at liberty tree 1/28
breakfast with princesses (norway) 1/29

For now, no dining package booked for BWV portion of the trip. Hoping for a code!

regards
Christy

We'll be there for a bit at the same time!! Welcome aboard!!

Snowbirds,

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

Girl, do NOT think we can wait for 2 whole days!!!!! PLEASE We are begging you!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Just wanted to add that I was at Hallmark yesterday and guess what they are carrying now?.......

Are you curious?.....


Baggellini! I hope I spelled that right-it's a weird word! I am always so curious about stuff like that-but I hate to order anything over the internet and have a hassle of returning it if it doesn't work out.So, for all you B fans, head to your Hallmark stores!!

 

[sharadoc]

*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!!

( Points at the class )- yes Jen, you have a question?

The answer is yes and no. The monorail resorts and the Epcot resorts all have time limits on their parking and especially at Boardwalk, very limited parking spaces. You generally have to have an ADR to be able to park there. If you wanted to go to POP or Port Orleans or Fort Wilderness, then you probably wouldn't be "chased away" after 3 hours.

However, if you are willing to pay to valet park ($12), then you can stay there all day. Valet parking is also free if you have a handicapped plate or placard, which is why we're going to use it.

Parking is free at all of the theme parks if you're a resort guest.

Does that help?

 

[distherapy]

One quick question- do you earn the reward dollars when you charge or are they issued when you pay the balance. We may put the vacation on the card for the points and to take advantage of the 6 months zero interest but may not have it all paid off til tax refund time, depends on how my hubby's business goes this winter. So would I have the reward points if it isn't paid off fully?

I'm 99.99% sure you get the reward dollars when you charge something. If you returned something, they'd probably debit the account in someway, but I remember having earned reward dollars on my first statement (before I had paid any bills).

 

[pamouselover]

I tried to do this yesterday, but my attic was too darn hot.
I am in the same boat. My kids dont know we have booked a trip to wdw.
I hope they dont found out either. DS is always clueless, but DD is so in tune.
Are you planning on wearing winter jacket to the airport? I am like what will I do with it when we get to Fla.?

Well it's that time of year here in lovely western PA when we pack up the summer clothes in tubs and store them in the basement for the winter and bring up the sweaters. So, that's my project for today - my closet!

Only this time I get to leave out some of the summer clothes for my January trip to Florida!!! Too bad I don't really know what to plan on bringing. I was going to put a suitcase in my closet and throw some summer stuff in there for now, but then realized that the kids might get suspicious of the suitcase in my closet. . . Yes, they play in the closet sometimes. I have a walk-in and they can go in there and close the door and their Star Wars Lightsabers look very cool in there in the dark (I'm told)!

 

[Mickey's Other GF]

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

Thanks Remmy

My favorite would have to be Fantasmic. It's terrifically sad that they cut it down to two days a week, and we'll only be there for one of the showings, so here's hoping it won't get rained out. We planned our whole schedual around that one showing of Fantasmic.

Wishes and Illuminations are awesome too. Standing on Mainstreet watching Wishes is truly magical, and the music and theme to Illuminations is amazing.

 

[sharadoc]

Girl, do NOT think we can wait for 2 whole days!!!!! PLEASE We are begging you!!

You're right and I deserve a slap on the hand! If it was me and I read that, I'd be annoyed at me I was excited and wanted to get more details, but here's where I'm at:

Back on the original thread, I promised to put some sort of meet and greet together, I was thinking during a parade or something. I said I would get into details when it got closer. So today, I figured that I should take the next step and try to get some info. Then it hit me - why can't we be a Grand Gathering and get a special event? Well, as far as I know, we CAN.

It has to be during the window of when my family is there, so I figured somewhere in the January 22 through January 29 range. The spreadsheet shows there are a LOT of us there.

I've contacted the Disney Group Travel Services folks via e-mail and am waiting to hear answers. I told them the name of the gathering is the Snowbirds, BTW

Here are the things I'm waiting to hear:
1. Minimum number to book an event (I believe it's 8)
2. Can dining plan credits be used on meal events?
3. Do you share with other groups?
4. Are there "tiers", like if we have XX people or more, we can do something specialized, but if we under XX people, then we have to take one of the prepackaged events. They do say this about "special events":

Anyway, I would love to do one of these, I would vote for the first one as my preference, but I think any of them would work.

International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception
Meet your friends and family at the Odyssey in Epcot® for a celebration of international friendship. Your well-traveled and fun-loving hostess, Auntie Roz, welcomes you to amazing tastes from around the world. Help yourself to delectable international cuisine served family-style, where everyone from Grandma to Junior is sure to find a favorite dish.

As you feast, Auntie Roz and some of your favorite Disney Characters sing, dance and tell stories — sometimes they even need your help! And Auntie Roz loves birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions, so if you've got something to celebrate just give her the word and she'll give you plenty of recognition, including a special song.

After your international eating adventure, end your evening on a sweet note with a scrumptious dessert buffet and a private, reserved viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Theme park admission is required.


OR

Magical Fireworks Voyage
Set sail with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee from Disney's Contemporary Resort. When you arrive at the Resort, check the Daily Event Board inside to see where to meet your "mateys" and start your adventure. Chow down on some pirate grub of snacks and beverages before you board the boat. Then, with a pirate as your host, sail on an unforgettable evening voyage around the Seven Seas Lagoon. Test your Disney trivia, sing songs and enjoy a magical performance of the Electrical Water Pageant. — all from the perfect vantage point for the fireworks spectacular set high above Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom® Park.

As you sail back to your Resort Port, your pirate host entertains you with the story of Peter Pan, ending just in time for you to discover Pan himself waiting on shore to greet your family, sign autographs and pose for photos. Even better, if you've got a birthday, reunion, anniversary or other special occasion in your group, Pan and the pirates help you celebrate!


There's a ton more "suggestions" on the Group Travel page, but I think they are more geared to businesses or really big groups, so I won't go into them. There's another one that also looked fun, but as you read, you'll see there's a BIG problem for when we're there:

Good Morning Character Breakfast
Start the morning with Tony, the proprietor from "Lady and the Tramp," at his Tony's Town Square Restaurant for a fun-filled breakfast with plenty of Character. Mingle with Mickey while you enjoy the delicious dishes of an all-you-can-eat breakfast. Then sing and dance with your Disney pals or talk to them tableside. Tony will be happy to recognize birthdays and special occasions along with a special serenade of "Bella Notte" for anniversaries. After breakfast, take Tony up on his invitation to visit Mickey's PhilharMagic, one of the most popular attractions in Magic Kingdom® Park, for reserved seating at the very next show. Theme park admission is required.


ALSO

Custom Events
During your visit to Walt Disney World® Resort you may want to enjoy a special meal in one of our unique private dining park locations or beautiful resort catering venues. Available for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or perhaps a dessert reception - groups of 20 or more can celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or any special event.

So, whaddya think Sorry it took me so long to get this on here. I guess a lot of you will be in bed soon. I'm sure we'll talk tomorrow, too.

 

[jenjolt]

( Points at the class )- yes Jen, you have a question?

The answer is yes and no. The monorail resorts and the Epcot resorts all have time limits on their parking and especially at Boardwalk, very limited parking spaces. You generally have to have an ADR to be able to park there. If you wanted to go to POP or Port Orleans or Fort Wilderness, then you probably wouldn't be "chased away" after 3 hours.

However, if you are willing to pay to valet park ($12), then you can stay there all day. Valet parking is also free if you have a handicapped plate or placard, which is why we're going to use it.

Parking is free at all of the theme parks if you're a resort guest.

Does that help?

Yes Ms. Sharadoc..that was extremely helpful and I will definitely take that into consideration. I'm debating on even taking a taxi a couple of the mornings we will see. If I find a GPS on sale the day after Thanksgiving then I can conquer the WORLD!!

You're right and I deserve a slap on the hand! If it was me and I read that, I'd be annoyed at me I was excited and wanted to get more details, but here's where I'm at:

Back on the original thread, I promised to put some sort of meet and greet together, I was thinking during a parade or something. I said I would get into details when it got closer. So today, I figured that I should take the next step and try to get some info. Then it hit me - why can't we be a Grand Gathering and get a special event? Well, as far as I know, we CAN.

It has to be during the window of when my family is there, so I figured somewhere in the January 22 through January 29 range. The spreadsheet shows there are a LOT of us there.

I've contacted the Disney Group Travel Services folks via e-mail and am waiting to hear answers. I told them the name of the gathering is the Snowbirds, BTW

Here are the things I'm waiting to hear:
1. Minimum number to book an event (I believe it's 8)
2. Can dining plan credits be used on meal events?
3. Do you share with other groups?
4. Are there "tiers", like if we have XX people or more, we can do something specialized, but if we under XX people, then we have to take one of the prepackaged events. They do say this about "special events":

Anyway, I would love to do one of these, I would vote for the first one as my preference, but I think any of them would work.

International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception
Meet your friends and family at the Odyssey in Epcot® for a celebration of international friendship. Your well-traveled and fun-loving hostess, Auntie Roz, welcomes you to amazing tastes from around the world. Help yourself to delectable international cuisine served family-style, where everyone from Grandma to Junior is sure to find a favorite dish.

As you feast, Auntie Roz and some of your favorite Disney Characters sing, dance and tell stories — sometimes they even need your help! And Auntie Roz loves birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions, so if you've got something to celebrate just give her the word and she'll give you plenty of recognition, including a special song.

After your international eating adventure, end your evening on a sweet note with a scrumptious dessert buffet and a private, reserved viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Theme park admission is required.


OR

Magical Fireworks Voyage
Set sail with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee from Disney's Contemporary Resort. When you arrive at the Resort, check the Daily Event Board inside to see where to meet your "mateys" and start your adventure. Chow down on some pirate grub of snacks and beverages before you board the boat. Then, with a pirate as your host, sail on an unforgettable evening voyage around the Seven Seas Lagoon. Test your Disney trivia, sing songs and enjoy a magical performance of the Electrical Water Pageant. — all from the perfect vantage point for the fireworks spectacular set high above Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom® Park.

As you sail back to your Resort Port, your pirate host entertains you with the story of Peter Pan, ending just in time for you to discover Pan himself waiting on shore to greet your family, sign autographs and pose for photos. Even better, if you've got a birthday, reunion, anniversary or other special occasion in your group, Pan and the pirates help you celebrate!


There's a ton more "suggestions" on the Group Travel page, but I think they are more geared to businesses or really big groups, so I won't go into them. There's another one that also looked fun, but as you read, you'll see there's a BIG problem for when we're there:

Good Morning Character Breakfast
Start the morning with Tony, the proprietor from "Lady and the Tramp," at his Tony's Town Square Restaurant for a fun-filled breakfast with plenty of Character. Mingle with Mickey while you enjoy the delicious dishes of an all-you-can-eat breakfast. Then sing and dance with your Disney pals or talk to them tableside. Tony will be happy to recognize birthdays and special occasions along with a special serenade of "Bella Notte" for anniversaries. After breakfast, take Tony up on his invitation to visit Mickey's PhilharMagic, one of the most popular attractions in Magic Kingdom® Park, for reserved seating at the very next show. Theme park admission is required.


ALSO

Custom Events
During your visit to Walt Disney World® Resort you may want to enjoy a special meal in one of our unique private dining park locations or beautiful resort catering venues. Available for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or perhaps a dessert reception - groups of 20 or more can celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or any special event.

So, whaddya think Sorry it took me so long to get this on here. I guess a lot of you will be in bed soon. I'm sure we'll talk tomorrow, too.

OMG what beautiful options!!! That would be such a great idea!!

 

[pamouselover]

I forgot to add that we are staying at POFQ

I am offically a real snow bird!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are booked December 31st-Jan. 7th

 

[MAGGIED]

You're right and I deserve a slap on the hand! If it was me and I read that, I'd be annoyed at me I was excited and wanted to get more details, but here's where I'm at:

Back on the original thread, I promised to put some sort of meet and greet together, I was thinking during a parade or something. I said I would get into details when it got closer. So today, I figured that I should take the next step and try to get some info. Then it hit me - why can't we be a Grand Gathering and get a special event? Well, as far as I know, we CAN.

It has to be during the window of when my family is there, so I figured somewhere in the January 22 through January 29 range. The spreadsheet shows there are a LOT of us there.

I've contacted the Disney Group Travel Services folks via e-mail and am waiting to hear answers. I told them the name of the gathering is the Snowbirds, BTW

Here are the things I'm waiting to hear:
1. Minimum number to book an event (I believe it's 8)
2. Can dining plan credits be used on meal events?
3. Do you share with other groups?
4. Are there "tiers", like if we have XX people or more, we can do something specialized, but if we under XX people, then we have to take one of the prepackaged events. They do say this about "special events":

Anyway, I would love to do one of these, I would vote for the first one as my preference, but I think any of them would work.

International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception
Meet your friends and family at the Odyssey in Epcot® for a celebration of international friendship. Your well-traveled and fun-loving hostess, Auntie Roz, welcomes you to amazing tastes from around the world. Help yourself to delectable international cuisine served family-style, where everyone from Grandma to Junior is sure to find a favorite dish.

As you feast, Auntie Roz and some of your favorite Disney Characters sing, dance and tell stories — sometimes they even need your help! And Auntie Roz loves birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions, so if you've got something to celebrate just give her the word and she'll give you plenty of recognition, including a special song.

After your international eating adventure, end your evening on a sweet note with a scrumptious dessert buffet and a private, reserved viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Theme park admission is required.


OR

Magical Fireworks Voyage
Set sail with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee from Disney's Contemporary Resort. When you arrive at the Resort, check the Daily Event Board inside to see where to meet your "mateys" and start your adventure. Chow down on some pirate grub of snacks and beverages before you board the boat. Then, with a pirate as your host, sail on an unforgettable evening voyage around the Seven Seas Lagoon. Test your Disney trivia, sing songs and enjoy a magical performance of the Electrical Water Pageant. — all from the perfect vantage point for the fireworks spectacular set high above Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom® Park.

As you sail back to your Resort Port, your pirate host entertains you with the story of Peter Pan, ending just in time for you to discover Pan himself waiting on shore to greet your family, sign autographs and pose for photos. Even better, if you've got a birthday, reunion, anniversary or other special occasion in your group, Pan and the pirates help you celebrate!


There's a ton more "suggestions" on the Group Travel page, but I think they are more geared to businesses or really big groups, so I won't go into them. There's another one that also looked fun, but as you read, you'll see there's a BIG problem for when we're there:

Good Morning Character Breakfast
Start the morning with Tony, the proprietor from "Lady and the Tramp," at his Tony's Town Square Restaurant for a fun-filled breakfast with plenty of Character. Mingle with Mickey while you enjoy the delicious dishes of an all-you-can-eat breakfast. Then sing and dance with your Disney pals or talk to them tableside. Tony will be happy to recognize birthdays and special occasions along with a special serenade of "Bella Notte" for anniversaries. After breakfast, take Tony up on his invitation to visit Mickey's PhilharMagic, one of the most popular attractions in Magic Kingdom® Park, for reserved seating at the very next show. Theme park admission is required.


ALSO

Custom Events
During your visit to Walt Disney World® Resort you may want to enjoy a special meal in one of our unique private dining park locations or beautiful resort catering venues. Available for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or perhaps a dessert reception - groups of 20 or more can celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or any special event.

So, whaddya think Sorry it took me so long to get this on here. I guess a lot of you will be in bed soon. I'm sure we'll talk tomorrow, too.

COUNT US IN...... YEAH!!!!!! We arrive on Sunday, January 25th.... if it works out we would love to be part of your grand gathering... we are 2 adults and 2 teenagers (15,15)....

 

[sharadoc]

COUNT US IN...... YEAH!!!!!! We arrive on Sunday, January 25th.... if it works out we would love to be part of your grand gathering... we are 2 adults and 2 teenagers (15,15)....

Cool! Do you have a preference for activity? I'm sure we'll be discussing this over the next week or so (but we don't want to monopolize the board )

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

You're right and I deserve a slap on the hand! If it was me and I read that, I'd be annoyed at me I was excited and wanted to get more details, but here's where I'm at:

Back on the original thread, I promised to put some sort of meet and greet together, I was thinking during a parade or something. I said I would get into details when it got closer. So today, I figured that I should take the next step and try to get some info. Then it hit me - why can't we be a Grand Gathering and get a special event? Well, as far as I know, we CAN.

It has to be during the window of when my family is there, so I figured somewhere in the January 22 through January 29 range. The spreadsheet shows there are a LOT of us there.

I've contacted the Disney Group Travel Services folks via e-mail and am waiting to hear answers. I told them the name of the gathering is the Snowbirds, BTW

Here are the things I'm waiting to hear:
1. Minimum number to book an event (I believe it's 8)
2. Can dining plan credits be used on meal events?
3. Do you share with other groups?
4. Are there "tiers", like if we have XX people or more, we can do something specialized, but if we under XX people, then we have to take one of the prepackaged events. They do say this about "special events":

Anyway, I would love to do one of these, I would vote for the first one as my preference, but I think any of them would work.

International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception
Meet your friends and family at the Odyssey in Epcot® for a celebration of international friendship. Your well-traveled and fun-loving hostess, Auntie Roz, welcomes you to amazing tastes from around the world. Help yourself to delectable international cuisine served family-style, where everyone from Grandma to Junior is sure to find a favorite dish.

As you feast, Auntie Roz and some of your favorite Disney Characters sing, dance and tell stories — sometimes they even need your help! And Auntie Roz loves birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions, so if you've got something to celebrate just give her the word and she'll give you plenty of recognition, including a special song.

After your international eating adventure, end your evening on a sweet note with a scrumptious dessert buffet and a private, reserved viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Theme park admission is required.


OR

Magical Fireworks Voyage
Set sail with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee from Disney's Contemporary Resort. When you arrive at the Resort, check the Daily Event Board inside to see where to meet your "mateys" and start your adventure. Chow down on some pirate grub of snacks and beverages before you board the boat. Then, with a pirate as your host, sail on an unforgettable evening voyage around the Seven Seas Lagoon. Test your Disney trivia, sing songs and enjoy a magical performance of the Electrical Water Pageant. — all from the perfect vantage point for the fireworks spectacular set high above Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom® Park.

As you sail back to your Resort Port, your pirate host entertains you with the story of Peter Pan, ending just in time for you to discover Pan himself waiting on shore to greet your family, sign autographs and pose for photos. Even better, if you've got a birthday, reunion, anniversary or other special occasion in your group, Pan and the pirates help you celebrate!


There's a ton more "suggestions" on the Group Travel page, but I think they are more geared to businesses or really big groups, so I won't go into them. There's another one that also looked fun, but as you read, you'll see there's a BIG problem for when we're there:

Good Morning Character Breakfast
Start the morning with Tony, the proprietor from "Lady and the Tramp," at his Tony's Town Square Restaurant for a fun-filled breakfast with plenty of Character. Mingle with Mickey while you enjoy the delicious dishes of an all-you-can-eat breakfast. Then sing and dance with your Disney pals or talk to them tableside. Tony will be happy to recognize birthdays and special occasions along with a special serenade of "Bella Notte" for anniversaries. After breakfast, take Tony up on his invitation to visit Mickey's PhilharMagic, one of the most popular attractions in Magic Kingdom® Park, for reserved seating at the very next show. Theme park admission is required.


ALSO

Custom Events
During your visit to Walt Disney World® Resort you may want to enjoy a special meal in one of our unique private dining park locations or beautiful resort catering venues. Available for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or perhaps a dessert reception - groups of 20 or more can celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or any special event.

So, whaddya think Sorry it took me so long to get this on here. I guess a lot of you will be in bed soon. I'm sure we'll talk tomorrow, too.

Yes Ms. Sharadoc..that was extremely helpful and I will definitely take that into consideration. I'm debating on even taking a taxi a couple of the mornings we will see. If I find a GPS on sale the day after Thanksgiving then I can conquer the WORLD!!



OMG what beautiful options!!! That would be such a great idea!!

Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Mr. Kotter...I mean Sharadoc! That sounds phenominal! I will totally be there! Let's do it!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Okay!

So here I am!

Finally!

My evening was unexpectedly railroaded by yet another trip to the ER! This time not for me! While at school today my DD5 had a little fall and bumped her chin on the play equipment outside at lunch time. The teacher didn't think it was too bad, put a band aid on it and called it good. When I picked her up at the end of the day she told me about it and I looked at it and it didn't look that bad so I let it go. Well, at swimming, half way through her lesson, the lifeguard pulls her out of the water because her cut is open and bleeding quite freely! He calls me into the first aid room and tells me I should take her to the ER and have a docter look at it! Okey Dokey! So we wait 10 mins for DD7 to finish her lesson and then go home, grab DD5's health card, DH (whom I had called on the cell on the way home) had a bag all ready with toys and snacks and we were off! Too make a very long story really short, we waited and waited, finally saw a Doctor, she got 3 stitches and we arrived back at home before 9pm! We left the house @ 530! I AM EXHAUSTED! I needed to vent and I knew I could get some love from my snowbird peeps! Well, I am now off to bed! As peaches would say - Catch ya on the flipside!

 

[Mickey's Other GF]

It has to be during the window of when my family is there, so I figured somewhere in the January 22 through January 29 range. The spreadsheet shows there are a LOT of us there.

So, does somebody else want to organize something for us people going earlier in the month?

 

[Dancegrl624]

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

We have yet to see Fantasmic or Wishes. I haven't seen IllumiNations in 11yrs and my DH and DD have never seen it. I would actually have to pick Spectromagic as my favorite. I just LOVE IT!

You're right and I deserve a slap on the hand! If it was me and I read that, I'd be annoyed at me I was excited and wanted to get more details, but here's where I'm at:

Back on the original thread, I promised to put some sort of meet and greet together, I was thinking during a parade or something. I said I would get into details when it got closer. So today, I figured that I should take the next step and try to get some info. Then it hit me - why can't we be a Grand Gathering and get a special event? Well, as far as I know, we CAN.

It has to be during the window of when my family is there, so I figured somewhere in the January 22 through January 29 range. The spreadsheet shows there are a LOT of us there.

I've contacted the Disney Group Travel Services folks via e-mail and am waiting to hear answers. I told them the name of the gathering is the Snowbirds, BTW

Here are the things I'm waiting to hear:
1. Minimum number to book an event (I believe it's 8)
2. Can dining plan credits be used on meal events?
3. Do you share with other groups?
4. Are there "tiers", like if we have XX people or more, we can do something specialized, but if we under XX people, then we have to take one of the prepackaged events. They do say this about "special events":

Anyway, I would love to do one of these, I would vote for the first one as my preference, but I think any of them would work.

International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception
Meet your friends and family at the Odyssey in Epcot® for a celebration of international friendship. Your well-traveled and fun-loving hostess, Auntie Roz, welcomes you to amazing tastes from around the world. Help yourself to delectable international cuisine served family-style, where everyone from Grandma to Junior is sure to find a favorite dish.

As you feast, Auntie Roz and some of your favorite Disney Characters sing, dance and tell stories — sometimes they even need your help! And Auntie Roz loves birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions, so if you've got something to celebrate just give her the word and she'll give you plenty of recognition, including a special song.

After your international eating adventure, end your evening on a sweet note with a scrumptious dessert buffet and a private, reserved viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Theme park admission is required.


OR

Magical Fireworks Voyage
Set sail with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee from Disney's Contemporary Resort. When you arrive at the Resort, check the Daily Event Board inside to see where to meet your "mateys" and start your adventure. Chow down on some pirate grub of snacks and beverages before you board the boat. Then, with a pirate as your host, sail on an unforgettable evening voyage around the Seven Seas Lagoon. Test your Disney trivia, sing songs and enjoy a magical performance of the Electrical Water Pageant. — all from the perfect vantage point for the fireworks spectacular set high above Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom® Park.

As you sail back to your Resort Port, your pirate host entertains you with the story of Peter Pan, ending just in time for you to discover Pan himself waiting on shore to greet your family, sign autographs and pose for photos. Even better, if you've got a birthday, reunion, anniversary or other special occasion in your group, Pan and the pirates help you celebrate!


There's a ton more "suggestions" on the Group Travel page, but I think they are more geared to businesses or really big groups, so I won't go into them. There's another one that also looked fun, but as you read, you'll see there's a BIG problem for when we're there:

Good Morning Character Breakfast
Start the morning with Tony, the proprietor from "Lady and the Tramp," at his Tony's Town Square Restaurant for a fun-filled breakfast with plenty of Character. Mingle with Mickey while you enjoy the delicious dishes of an all-you-can-eat breakfast. Then sing and dance with your Disney pals or talk to them tableside. Tony will be happy to recognize birthdays and special occasions along with a special serenade of "Bella Notte" for anniversaries. After breakfast, take Tony up on his invitation to visit Mickey's PhilharMagic, one of the most popular attractions in Magic Kingdom® Park, for reserved seating at the very next show. Theme park admission is required.


ALSO

Custom Events
During your visit to Walt Disney World® Resort you may want to enjoy a special meal in one of our unique private dining park locations or beautiful resort catering venues. Available for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or perhaps a dessert reception - groups of 20 or more can celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or any special event.

So, whaddya think Sorry it took me so long to get this on here. I guess a lot of you will be in bed soon. I'm sure we'll talk tomorrow, too.

Um, that sounds AMAZING!! I'm down for any of them. We arrive on Jan 24th! We would only be able to do the IllumiNations one on the 25th. That's our day at Epcot. We're unfortunately not get park hoppers this trip. What else could they do in place of PhilharMagic on the 3rd option? It's going to be closed while we're there!

 

[Remmy]

Sharadoc--Oh what excitement!!! You are a genius!!! I do hope it can become a reality. Our family would love to do a Grand Gathering as a DIS meet. We too can do it on the 25th as this is going to be our Epcot early evening park. We will give up Le Cellier reservations to do it. Our pick would be the first one with Illuminations. We always wanted to eat at the Odyssey.

International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception
Meet your friends and family at the Odyssey in Epcot® for a celebration of international friendship. Your well-traveled and fun-loving hostess, Auntie Roz, welcomes you to amazing tastes from around the world. Help yourself to delectable international cuisine served family-style, where everyone from Grandma to Junior is sure to find a favorite dish.

As you feast, Auntie Roz and some of your favorite Disney Characters sing, dance and tell stories — sometimes they even need your help! And Auntie Roz loves birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions, so if you've got something to celebrate just give her the word and she'll give you plenty of recognition, including a special song.

After your international eating adventure, end your evening on a sweet note with a scrumptious dessert buffet and a private, reserved viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Theme park admission is required.


Or if you think any other one is more suitable for everyone or a unique one yet to be discovered, we are down with that.

Our only problem is our family needs to do this OOP if possible. Could you pay for it OOP if you wish? I think it is 2 credits if you can't correct? I don't know if DH would be that excited loosing 2 credits.

Thank you Sharadoc for your creativity.

 

[Dancegrl624]

Do you have to be staying on property to do a Grand Gathering?? If that's the case, we don't fit the bill. I really hope that it's not the case, because I would love to do something fun with my fellow Snowbirds!

 

[crzyred]

Good evening...wait dang...Morning...ahhh

Hope everyone had a good day/night. I'm up late from watching baseball all night. The Red Sox won!

I have that same camera everyone is talking about. (at least I'm pretty sure it is. I didn't look at all the stuff but yeah it is.) I got my camera a few months ago at Walgreens for $20.99 (so it could be a newer version that you got maybe ). I get a ton of Disney stuff there. Mainly I got the camera for the picture program that comes with it, so I gave the camera to a little boy I know.

Favorite Fireworks: Wishes and Fantasmic tie!!
Illuminations...umm...well...I fall asleep during it.

Ok well goodnight ladies.