January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part V

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Okay, you all know that I have been all over the board, vacation wise. I really like Disney in off-peak time. Dec/Jan. Once summer hits (especially down here) we are so miserable we don't really plan anything. I am looking to do something end of May, first of June when the boys get out of baseball. we toyed with WDW,but we would rather wait till it's cooler. ANYWAY..... I have been checking places out, and getting some airfare prices. I really think we may go to........Philadelphia!!!!! Ticket prices (today anyway) are really great!!! also, we are studying all that in History and it would really make it come alive for the kids. We have also wanted to go to Amish country-so that would be nice. And of course, the Hershey factory! Maybe even Dutch Wonderland. Who wants to give it to me straight!!??? What do ya'll think, whats a got-to-see, and what can be skipped right over.

Whats a great family place to stay? I dont want to go later than mid-June if possible. We are thinking of leaving on the 30th of May doing that whole week. I am really excited. Of course----your opinions are really gonna help decide whats what. also, what' the weather like this time of year?

We were thinking about doing a quick WDW trip this summer (because of the PIN we got, or even doing Free Dining because it's a better deal than the PIN) but ultimately decided that it would not be worth it to cancel or postpone next years trip to go this summer when it will be very hot & crowded.

So we will probably be taking a quick trip to Hershey/Lancaster in July. It's our second favorite place to go! We have been there many times. If you end up going there let me know and I can give you a list of all the things we have done in the area!

 

[Mermaid02]

This year they offered the buy 4 get 3 free deal plus we got a $200 Disney gift card! That is probably one of the best deals they have ever offered! Not sure what was offered for January discounts in previous years, but I'm sure it was something - maybe 20% off or something like that. We all have our fingers crossed for another 4/3 deal for next year!! But it will be a long time until we find out, last year the offer didn't come out until November.

We didn't mind that the parks closed earlier. We aren't ones to stay at the parks from open to close anyway. The week we were there DHS closed at 7:00, MK at 8:00 (I think 9 on the weekend), AK at 5:00, and Epcot was still open until 9:00.

That would be fabulous! I'm going to book thru DU so I know they will find me the best deal! Were the parks crowded at all with such a fabulous deal going on??

 

[debbieandroo]

Goodness - I hate it when I get behind in the thread.

Congrats everyone on going back to WDW!!!!

And congrats to me, too - I'm leaving tomorrow!

Driving down there [only takes 12 hours], staying at AS Movies - all by myself! What an adventure this will be.... [I hope!]

I have never done the solo-vacation thing before - if it works out, I might just have to go back.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Goodness - I hate it when I get behind in the thread.

Congrats everyone on going back to WDW!!!!

And congrats to me, too - I'm leaving tomorrow!

Driving down there [only takes 12 hours], staying at AS Movies - all by myself! What an adventure this will be.... [I hope!]

I have never done the solo-vacation thing before - if it works out, I might just have to go back.

Have a great time!! Report back when you get home please! I can't imagine a vacation where I get to decide EVERY single thing I do! Never going to happen! Good luck!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Were the parks crowded at all with such a fabulous deal going on??

A lot of us went the week of MLK Day and found it to be more crowded than we had expected. We experienced a few really terribly crowded days and a few not so bad. The trouble seems to be that in January Fantasmic and Spectromagic were only showing twice a week. So on the days that they were showing MK and DHS were extremely crowded. We did have the one day at MK where it was only 50 degrees for the high and I think only us crazy northerners braved the cold weather!

I do plan to go a week later next year in hopes of less crowds!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Goodness - I hate it when I get behind in the thread.

Congrats everyone on going back to WDW!!!!

And congrats to me, too - I'm leaving tomorrow!

Driving down there [only takes 12 hours], staying at AS Movies - all by myself! What an adventure this will be.... [I hope!]

I have never done the solo-vacation thing before - if it works out, I might just have to go back.

Have a great trip!!

 

[crzyred]

Has anyone been down there around Aug. 16? There is a slight possibility that I could have the chance to go for a long weekend! I have a friend/co-worker whose uncle works for Disney, and from what I hear, he's rather high up in the "chain of command". So, today I made a comment about going for my birthday and she said she wants to go and she'll talk to her uncle some time this week to see what kind of deals he can get us (and he can get us some AMAZING ones!) for that time period. So now we are trying to decide if we really want to go to Florida in the middle of August or not...

 

[Mermaid02]

Has anyone been down there around Aug. 16? There is a slight possibility that I could have the chance to go for a long weekend! I have a friend/co-worker whose uncle works for Disney, and from what I hear, he's rather high up in the "chain of command". So, today I made a comment about going for my birthday and she said she wants to go and she'll talk to her uncle some time this week to see what kind of deals he can get us (and he can get us some AMAZING ones!) for that time period. So now we are trying to decide if we really want to go to Florida in the middle of August or not...

For an amazing deal- I'd go in August!

 

[Mermaid02]

A lot of us went the week of MLK Day and found it to be more crowded than we had expected. We experienced a few really terribly crowded days and a few not so bad. The trouble seems to be that in January Fantasmic and Spectromagic were only showing twice a week. So on the days that they were showing MK and DHS were extremely crowded. We did have the one day at MK where it was only 50 degrees for the high and I think only us crazy northerners braved the cold weather!

I do plan to go a week later next year in hopes of less crowds!

We'd be going before MLK weekend. My daughter is in college and will be on break until January 19th when classes start up again.

 

[Monny2AE]

And congrats to me, too - I'm leaving tomorrow!

Driving down there [only takes 12 hours], staying at AS Movies - all by myself! What an adventure this will be.... [I hope!]

I have never done the solo-vacation thing before - if it works out, I might just have to go back.

Have a safe drive and enjoy your solo trip. I've never been during the Flower Garden Festival so I can't wait to hear about it and see some beautiful pics!!!

 

[danceintherain]

I made our ADRs for July today.
We're doing Tony's Town Square, Biergarten, and Sci Fi Dine In

I'm excited! Sci Fi is one Logan and I did in January, but I really wanted to take my family there, because it's so fun.
The other two are entirely new to us!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

We do Biergarten every trip! Love the tomato salad. In fact I may have to get the recipe and try to make it for our BBQ today. YUM!!! Never done the other two, but I really want to try Sci Fi! Have a blast on your trip!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I made our ADRs for July today.
We're doing Tony's Town Square, Biergarten, and Sci Fi Dine In

I'm excited! Sci Fi is one Logan and I did in January, but I really wanted to take my family there, because it's so fun.
The other two are entirely new to us!

We love Sci-Fi! We went there last May and are planning on going there on our next trip!

 

[EPCOT is a verb]

Thanks girls!!! Okay, so I am thinking spend some time on the historical stuff!!! I want this to be a relaxed, not kill ourselves trip. Definitely do the Lancaster County area one day! skip dutch wonderland--my boys wouldn't like that!

Okay, EPCOT is a Verb----where should we look at staying, and how much of a price difference is it between the 2 areas? If it's not too much we won't mind the $$$ because it'll be closer to what we want to see...right? Are most things close or would we just get taxis? I know we'll have to rent to go to amish country, but curious about the whole week. Anything ya'll think of, pass it on!!!

As we are so close, I have only stayed overnight in Philly once or twice. If you stay in the city, there are hotels that are fairly close to the historical stuff. You would be able to walk and/or take a taxi, depending where you stay.

Maybe you have already googled, but gophila.com is a great site for information.

 

[EPCOT is a verb]

Has anyone been down there around Aug. 16? There is a slight possibility that I could have the chance to go for a long weekend! I have a friend/co-worker whose uncle works for Disney, and from what I hear, he's rather high up in the "chain of command". So, today I made a comment about going for my birthday and she said she wants to go and she'll talk to her uncle some time this week to see what kind of deals he can get us (and he can get us some AMAZING ones!) for that time period. So now we are trying to decide if we really want to go to Florida in the middle of August or not...

Hey, WE will be there Aug 16! We are taking advantage of the free dining offer and will be there Aug 15-21. We are expecting hot, hot, hot.

We are staying one night at the Swan on Aug 15, and then will be moving to Pop for the rest. Counting the days!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

Happy Monday to all my Snowbirdy friends! It's going to be a hot one here...again. We kinda skipped spring and went straight to summer these past couple of days.

My exciting news!!!!! (It may not sound all that exciting but getting my dh to talk Disney has been like pulling teeth lately. Why talk about it if we can't afford it right now is his motto.) SO we had a big Disney talk this weekend and we are definitely going December 2010 which seems waaay far away but when we go we're going to try to make it a 10 day trip instead of 7. DH didn't like how we felt so rushed and tried to squeeze everything in and still missed so much. I'm still trying to push for something a little sooner but financially it's probably not going to happen. Oh and my idea of a secret savings to save up for the trip is out the window. I can't keep a secret from him to save my life. Check out my sad little ticker...oh boy this is going to be a long countdown!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Good morning everyone! Well, today my DH and I are celebrating 7 years of marriage. It's a beautiful day today too. 83 degrees!!! We went to The Melting Pot for dinner on Saturday night and had a wonderful time. We really won't see each other today, so we needed to pick a day to go out. Maddie has Irish dance class at 5:15 and that's usually when my DH gets home from work. Then, he has grad school at 6 and that's when dance is over. I have my tap class at 7:45pm til about 9pm so it's a long day! Well, I'm off to take Madison to school and then call Disney to try and make some ADR's again! Wish me luck!

 

[crzyred]

Happy Anniversary Meghan!

Happy Monday morning. I can say "happy" because I don't have to work today! I do however have to babysit, but still, it's not work. Also, in 20 days til I leave on my road trip! woo-hoo!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Happy Anniversary Meghan & Tony!!!!! And I am just rejoicing with you watching your ticker move down!!!!!

 

[BellaSoleil]

Congrats Kim! 10 days! Oh, my heavens.... what a good time!!!! I have found that waiting and planning is half the fun.

Happy Anniversary Meghan! You guys make the cutest couple.