January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part V

[Monny2AE]

Morning Snowbirds...or afternoon rather I guess. I'm still catching up on all the stuff I avoided while planning for Disney. Doing laundry and cleaning and working stinks.

I got my pics on photopass but haven't ordered the cd yet. My sister needs to check and see if there's any she wants to edit before we order it. I got my regular pics uploaded to my computer but that's as far as I've gotten. I need to weed through the ones I don't need.

Well, back to regular life. phooey!

 

[snykymom]

Morning Ladies!!!
Well, I too am feeling sluggish. I am thinking it's a let-down-of-stress type thing after alllllll that planning, and secrecy and finishing school....... I am getting things done here, but it seems to take ALL day and I am just tired. I def. think I need to plan a family trip!!! My eldest has wanted to see NYC (as I mentioned before) forever, so I am thinking that we could do that and Niagra Falls and just have a blast!!!!We will be outta school by the end of April, so how busy is all that up there mid-May? My middle one's bday is the 10th--so it could work out for us to go that next week.His bday falls on Mothers Day Sunday-my mom will come down for that and his party, so it'll have to be afterwards. I would really like to do something like this before most schools get out. That's one advantage of our schooling I always try to take advantage of. Also, what is the best airport? I know JFK is always so busy---is that the best, or would a different one be better for newbies?!

First, remember that Niagara Falls are at least a 4-5 hour drive from NYC.

Second, which airport depends on where you're going in NYC. If you want to get to midtown (Times Square-Broadway area), fly into Newark Airport. If you're trying to get downtown or more to the Grand Central area, fly into La Guardia. Uptown is JFK. Personally, I try to avoid JFK just because it's so busy and there's so much traffic in and out. And I think flights to Newark tend to be cheaper.

Sounds like a good trip, though!

 

[sharadoc]

Last week 85 and the mouse! This week 30 and snow. Ughh. And no new trip in sight. How many have their next trip lined up?

We are starting to plan a Thanksgiving 2009 trip. Kids are off all that week, so we're thinking of going the week before, like Thursday and leave to come home on Thanksgiving day. Our issue now is on or off site. We drove to Disney, so we used our van the whole time. We avoided EMH parks and did really well with much smaller crowds than people have been reporting, so we didn't quite see an advantage to staying onsite. We're looking at Bonnet Creek or Windsor Hills to stay close by. Or Fort Wilderness cabin.

We didn't take the chance and get APs - we should have!

 

[sharadoc]

In all truth & honesty the prices at Disney really aren't that bad. For "tourist prices" that is. Where ever you go that is considered a tourist spot prices are always that high. We have restaurants here in Galena that go for more a meal for lunch than some TS go for dinner at the world. Just always keep in mind when budgeting that if its a "hot spot" triple what you would pay at home.

Totally agree. I felt that CS $$ was just fine, and even TS prices at WDW are okay, except when they add the extra $$$ for the character meals. I don't feel they are justified in the prices they charge for those, but then again, where else do you get that character experience? So, I guess it's okay.

We have compared prices of a WDW vacation and 2 weeks at the Jersey SHore, and WDW comes out ahead. At least at WDW you have a plethora of CS choices, whereas at the shore you have McDonald's and pizza/cheesesteak/hoagie shops.

 

[Kazooie01]

In all truth & honesty the prices at Disney really aren't that bad. For "tourist prices" that is. Where ever you go that is considered a tourist spot prices are always that high. We have restaurants here in Galena that go for more a meal for lunch than some TS go for dinner at the world. Just always keep in mind when budgeting that if its a "hot spot" triple what you would pay at home.

We totally agree, from the food to clothing. And was it just me or was there a bunch more items on "clearance" at the theme park shops this January? We must have bought 10 things that when we picked up were marked on sale (sometimes big savings too, 40-60%).

 

[DisneyLifer87]

I started a wedding planning journal super early so if any ladies are bored you can watch me blindly try to figure out a wedding. I'm uber clueless!

I've been getting my Disney fix through scrapbooking. I'm a first-timer so it's an adventure. I have to admit, I don't think I would ever do this again if it wasn't for Disney... WAY too expensive considering I love stickers.

 

[Dancegrl624]

Morning Ladies!!!
Well, I too am feeling sluggish. I am thinking it's a let-down-of-stress type thing after alllllll that planning, and secrecy and finishing school....... I am getting things done here, but it seems to take ALL day and I am just tired. I def. think I need to plan a family trip!!! My eldest has wanted to see NYC (as I mentioned before) forever, so I am thinking that we could do that and Niagra Falls and just have a blast!!!!We will be outta school by the end of April, so how busy is all that up there mid-May? My middle one's bday is the 10th--so it could work out for us to go that next week.His bday falls on Mothers Day Sunday-my mom will come down for that and his party, so it'll have to be afterwards. I would really like to do something like this before most schools get out. That's one advantage of our schooling I always try to take advantage of. Also, what is the best airport? I know JFK is always so busy---is that the best, or would a different one be better for newbies?!

Mid-May isn't bad at the Falls. All of the schools are still in session but I'm not sure how the weekends are. I would imagine they're not too bad. May is usually pretty nice weather wise too. I have no idea about NYC airports. We flew into JFK this trip, but it was just for a connecting flight. The Buffalo airport only has about 20 gates, so it's not overwhelming. Where would you go first? NYC or the Falls?

 

[Dancegrl624]

I got a pin code in my email today!!!! I can't believe it. I didn't know that they actually existed. I never thought in my wildest dreams I would ever get one. I think I may be able to convince my DH that we need to go again!!! AH!!!!!

P.S. Shawna- Buffalo is about a 6 hour drive from NYC

 

[debbieandroo]

We are starting to plan a Thanksgiving 2009 trip. Kids are off all that week, so we're thinking of going the week before, like Thursday and leave to come home on Thanksgiving day. Our issue now is on or off site. We drove to Disney, so we used our van the whole time. We avoided EMH parks and did really well with much smaller crowds than people have been reporting, so we didn't quite see an advantage to staying onsite. We're looking at Bonnet Creek or Windsor Hills to stay close by. Or Fort Wilderness cabin.

We didn't take the chance and get APs - we should have!

Welcome back! I wondered if you all enjoyed your trip.

About your APs - I've already told everyone this [sorry for the repetition] but, if you call the Disney ticket office [407.566.4985] before your tickets expire [14 days after you first used them], they can give you a number which you can take with you to Guest Relations [along with your photo ID and park tickets] and upgrade them to an AP.

I've been crunching numbers, too - I think I'll experiment with driving down to WDW - 13 hours won't be so bad if I have a couple of good books-on-CD to listen to. I'd like to stay on-site - even though I felt like I waited an eternity for many of the buses, I do enjoy the freedom of someone else driving. I'm going to call to see what the availability is for a standard room at a value would be. If I do all that, my next trip might not be that expensive....cool!

 

[debbieandroo]

I got a pin code in my email today!!!! I can't believe it. I didn't know that they actually existed. I never thought in my wildest dreams I would ever get one. I think I may be able to convince my DH that we need to go again!!! AH!!!!!

P.S. Shawna- Buffalo is about a 6 hour drive from NYC

I did, too!!!!

Can't use it though...it's a package for four...for August and September - too hot for me...oh well...

 

[Dancegrl624]

I did, too!!!!

Can't use it though...it's a package for four...for August and September - too hot for me...oh well...

It's hot that time of year, but I'd love to go again this year. We have a family of 3, so I assume it would be less.

 

[debbieandroo]

It's hot that time of year, but I'd love to go again this year. We have a family of 3, so I assume it would be less.

For y'all, it would definitely be worth checking out...and might not be so hot in the latter part of September??? Go for it!

 

[BrerRabbit_fan]

I got the postcard that offers a $500 gift card. It's for March, too soon to use.

 

[coffeehousemom]

Welcome back! I wondered if you all enjoyed your trip.

About your APs - I've already told everyone this [sorry for the repetition] but, if you call the Disney ticket office [407.566.4985] before your tickets expire [14 days after you first used them], they can give you a number which you can take with you to Guest Relations [along with your photo ID and park tickets] and upgrade them to an AP.

I've been crunching numbers, too - I think I'll experiment with driving down to WDW - 13 hours won't be so bad if I have a couple of good books-on-CD to listen to. I'd like to stay on-site - even though I felt like I waited an eternity for many of the buses, I do enjoy the freedom of someone else driving. I'm going to call to see what the availability is for a standard room at a value would be. If I do all that, my next trip might not be that expensive....cool!

We drove too. It takes us 21 or so hours we go straight thru. You are in Tenn. right? I would suggest maybe doing it as a short drive after work maybe 4 or 5 hours spend the night at an inexpensive hotel & do the rest the next day. It seems like GA goes on forever!! Totally recommend the books on CD get a good suspense book keep ya alert.

 

[debbieandroo]

We drove too. It takes us 21 or so hours we go straight thru. You are in Tenn. right? I would suggest maybe doing it as a short drive after work maybe 4 or 5 hours spend the night at an inexpensive hotel & do the rest the next day. It seems like GA goes on forever!! Totally recommend the books on CD get a good suspense book keep ya alert.

Okay, I did it...I booked a standard room at POP for April....I can't believe it! I'm, by nature, not that impulsive but I've surprised myself a little bit!!!!

Woo hoo!!! Solo trip for me!!!! [the CM I spoke to said she was jealous of my solo trip - that, every time she mentions going to WDW, folks just show up at her door, bags all packed.]

The clincher will be the AP discount - as it stands, the room all by myself is a little pricey....

I can't believe I'm doing this!!!! I promise - this is sooooo unlike me....

 

[pamouselover]

We drive 4 hours to get to Hershey - every year!!

4 hours WOW, it is a day trip for us. Just about 50 mins.
We use to love going at christmas time when the kids were little too.
I think Pa. has so many great amusment parks. We might do camping again this summer at Knoble's.

In all truth & honesty the prices at Disney really aren't that bad. For "tourist prices" that is. Where ever you go that is considered a tourist spot prices are always that high. We have restaurants here in Galena that go for more a meal for lunch than some TS go for dinner at the world. Just always keep in mind when budgeting that if its a "hot spot" triple what you would pay at home.

I agree, they are not even as high as the baseball games, or the race tracks we have been too. Sesame Place here in PA. is unreal in prices.

I got a pin code in my email today!!!! I can't believe it. I didn't know that they actually existed. I never thought in my wildest dreams I would ever get one. I think I may be able to convince my DH that we need to go again!!! AH!!!!!

P.S. Shawna- Buffalo is about a 6 hour drive from NYC

WOW you just got home and got a code. I have still never got one.

 

[Pluto_fan]

Good morning Snowbirds!

WOW, I have NEVER been the first poster of the day to this thread! (watch, someone else will post before I finish typing this!) I guess many Snowbirds are moving on to other threads. I have to admit I've been lurking on the Disneyland Paris section of the DIS!

Debbie, congratulations on booking your next trip! I would love to do a solo trip someday, but I don't see it ever happening.

 

[debbieandroo]

Good morning Snowbirds!

WOW, I have NEVER been the first poster of the day to this thread! (watch, someone else will post before I finish typing this!) I guess many Snowbirds are moving on to other threads. I have to admit I've been lurking on the Disneyland Paris section of the DIS!

Debbie, congratulations on booking your next trip! I would love to do a solo trip someday, but I don't see it ever happening.

Thanks! I'm getting pretty excited. Your crew probably would object to a solo trip for you - my crew might, too but, since dogs can't go to WDW, I just have to go by myself, right?

It is sad to see that our sweet thread is moving so slowly. I happened upon an April 2009 planning thread but there wasn't near the activity we had.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Yep, things sure are slowing down in here. Everyone is busy with their TR's and DR's and so on I guess.

Anyone going next January? We are torn between the end of next Jan/beginning of Feb or going back to May. . .

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

4 hours WOW, it is a day trip for us. Just about 50 mins.
We use to love going at christmas time when the kids were little too.
I think Pa. has so many great amusment parks. We might do camping again this summer at Knoble's.

We are thinking about a quick trip to Hershey this summer! We've been there at Christmas time and it is so wonderful and beautiful, but very crowded too!

Yep, we do have a lot of great amusement parks around here. Especially over here being so close to Ohio too, they have some awesome parks!