January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part V

[Monny2AE]

Kim, have you figured up how much your meals would be with and without the ddp? With your kids being under 10, it may be cheaper for you to do it. It's only $11 (I think) per kid, per day. They get one table,one counter and one snack with that. Most of the meals at counter are that much, tables are for sure, so it would give you the other meal and snack for free. And that snack can be a bottle of water, or ice cream or whatever. Just wanted to tell you that when I had 2 on there, it was great.I was kinda iffy on doing it this year, since Kipper just turned 10. I wasn't sure if he would eat enough to justify the jump in price. but, the value for the rest of us outweighs it. And, next time we go, he'll probably be happy to get off that kid menu He has done it forever!!!

I haven't done the math yet but I will definitely be doing so. This trip HAS to be a budget friendly trip so I don't think we're going to do too many sit downs or character meals this time. We'll probably do just CS meals the whole time which is fine with 2 kids under the age of 5 . We can either go cheap this Jan or wait until Jan 2011 and spend a little more. I'd rather go cheap and sooner than have to wait a whole year more.

 

[Monny2AE]

Just had to post that I'm listening to DISradio and they are playing Illuminations right now. Illuminations is my absolute favorite. This time I'm buying the CD while we are in Disney so I can listen to it whenever I want!

 

[drakes]

Just had to post that I'm listening to DISradio and they are playing Illuminations right now. Illuminations is my absolute favorite. This time I'm buying the CD while we are in Disney so I can listen to it whenever I want!

ME too- listening as well ! I made sure to buy every park cd I could find this past Jan. I love them!
I strongly recommend them all!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

ME too- listening as well ! I made sure to buy every park cd I could find this past Jan. I love them!
I strongly recommend them all!

I can't get DIS radio at work, so I'm listening to the DIS unplugged podcasts. I too have to buy the cds this trip! I had some in my hands twice last time and put them back! What was I thinking??

 

[Monny2AE]

I had them in my hands and went back and forth in my head and I should have just bought them. Now I'm regretting it. That's okay because in about 8 months they will be mine all mine!

 

[Monny2AE]

Woo Hoo I just got confirmation that I'm in on a free fridge swap for our stay at ASMo. That was the one thing we were definitely going to miss by staying at a value rather than a mod. We were going to take a cooler and use ice from the ice machines but a fridge is SO much better!

DH looked at me last night and told me I've got the Disney planning bug again. I haven't even finished scrapbooking the last trip and I'm already heading full force into planning this next one. He thinks I'm nuts!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

finished scrapbooking? Ha! I'm so far behind, I have two trips to do plus my girls' books!! I tend to do the trip books first - way more fun!!

I only have about 6 1/2 months til I can get my CDs!! I'm not thinking twice this time!

 

[drakes]

I thought twice and put the CD back in 2007, I made them all mine this trip!
Scrapbooking - I now have 2 trips and my DDs to get finished, well the 2009 isn't even started- actually I have the book- does that count? Funny thing is I have templates all planned out, photos printed, all i need to do is crop and paste- oh to find the time

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Sad news - the voice of Mickey Mouse has passed away. Wayne Allwine has voiced Mickey Mouse since 1977. He died of complications from diabetes at age 62.

His wife, Russi Taylor, is the voice of Minnie Mouse. How perfect!
Join me in a moment of silence...

 

[BellaSoleil]

We sold the house today. We actually sold it for more than asking price, so we are very excited and thankful. Did I mention we just put it on the market last Thursday? God is good!

We signed the execution contract (???) this afternoon and we should be closing at the end of June. We have no clue what we will do and we don't LOVE anything on the market right now, so I guess we will be at my parents a little longer.

I'll keep you all posted. At least I have something big to keep me busy instead of obsessing about ADR's all summer.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Sad news - the voice of Mickey Mouse has passed away. Wayne Allwine has voiced Mickey Mouse since 1977. He died of complications from diabetes at age 62.

His wife, Russi Taylor, is the voice of Minnie Mouse. How perfect!
Join me in a moment of silence...

Oh how sad! That is too young!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

We sold the house today. We actually sold it for more than asking price, so we are very excited and thankful. Did I mention we just put it on the market last Thursday? God is good!

We signed the execution contract (???) this afternoon and we should be closing at the end of June. We have no clue what we will do and we don't LOVE anything on the market right now, so I guess we will be at my parents a little longer.

I'll keep you all posted. At least I have something big to keep me busy instead of obsessing about ADR's all summer.

YAY! As long as your parents are happy to have you, take your time and find the perfect home for your family! Congratulations!

 

[letthewookiewin]

Sad news - the voice of Mickey Mouse has passed away. Wayne Allwine has voiced Mickey Mouse since 1977. He died of complications from diabetes at age 62.

His wife, Russi Taylor, is the voice of Minnie Mouse. How perfect!
Join me in a moment of silence...

That is sad. However it's so cute that they were married in real life. Even my DH though it was cute. He actually said the word "cute". lol

We sold the house today. We actually sold it for more than asking price, so we are very excited and thankful. Did I mention we just put it on the market last Thursday? God is good!

We signed the execution contract (???) this afternoon and we should be closing at the end of June. We have no clue what we will do and we don't LOVE anything on the market right now, so I guess we will be at my parents a little longer.

I'll keep you all posted. At least I have something big to keep me busy instead of obsessing about ADR's all summer.

Grats on selling your house!! My sister just bought a house and signs the final paperwork on Thursday. Lucky me, I get to help move this weekend. However if it keeps her in the area, I'll gladly help. She went to undergrad in Arkansas, was in New Zealand for almost a year, then law school in New Orleans, and then lived in NOLA for several years after graduating. Now she's going to be less than 5 miles from us. My DS's are so excited!!


OK, so January experts....what do I need to know about going to WDW in early January. We are looking at January 8th - 16th(hopefully). Are the Brazilian tour group really that bad? Should I bring ear plugs for my DS10 in case they start chanting in ques? What about packing? Are shorts totally out and I need to pack pants and coats? How are crowds?

 

[danceintherain]

Sad news - the voice of Mickey Mouse has passed away. Wayne Allwine has voiced Mickey Mouse since 1977. He died of complications from diabetes at age 62.

His wife, Russi Taylor, is the voice of Minnie Mouse. How perfect!
Join me in a moment of silence...

Aww!

We sold the house today. We actually sold it for more than asking price, so we are very excited and thankful. Did I mention we just put it on the market last Thursday? God is good!

We signed the execution contract (???) this afternoon and we should be closing at the end of June. We have no clue what we will do and we don't LOVE anything on the market right now, so I guess we will be at my parents a little longer.

I'll keep you all posted. At least I have something big to keep me busy instead of obsessing about ADR's all summer.

Good luck finding a house!

OK, so January experts....what do I need to know about going to WDW in early January. We are looking at January 8th - 16th(hopefully). Are the Brazilian tour group really that bad? Should I bring ear plugs for my DS10 in case they start chanting in ques? What about packing? Are shorts totally out and I need to pack pants and coats? How are crowds?

I think we really only had problems with the Brazilian tour groups when we were at MGM, and really only big problems the night we went to see Fantasmic. They wanted to have like 5 people save 50 seats for other people. Other than that, and them standing in massive groups in the middle of the paths, we really didn't notice them.
Shorts will probably be fine some days, unless you're like me and just don't do cold. My DH wore shorts just about every day though, and was perfectly fine, while I had to have a sweater most days. Definitely if you're out after dark where a little more, because it can get chilly, especially on boats or walking around the World Showcase.
The crowds were lovely the whole time we were there. Obviously we hit some lines for some of the major attractions, but nothing terrible. We usually hit a park in the morning, and then went back after an afternoon nap.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

We sold the house today. We actually sold it for more than asking price, so we are very excited and thankful. Did I mention we just put it on the market last Thursday? God is good!

We signed the execution contract (???) this afternoon and we should be closing at the end of June. We have no clue what we will do and we don't LOVE anything on the market right now, so I guess we will be at my parents a little longer.

I'll keep you all posted. At least I have something big to keep me busy instead of obsessing about ADR's all summer.

There should be a congrats smilie! That's so awesome Soleil! I hope you find just what you are looking for! You could be having a really fun summer!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

OK, so January experts....what do I need to know about going to WDW in early January. We are looking at January 8th - 16th(hopefully). Are the Brazilian tour group really that bad? Should I bring ear plugs for my DS10 in case they start chanting in ques? What about packing? Are shorts totally out and I need to pack pants and coats? How are crowds?

I think no matter when in January you go, the best bet is to pack layers. You could have 40s or 80s. You will want a jacket or sweatshirt especially in the evenings. We went later at the end of Jan and had a couple 80 degree days and a couple 60s and windy. Had one day of rain too. You just never know!! Of course we came from MN, so it seemed warm to us even when it was 60! I (and some other snowbirds) constantly checked weather forecasts on The Weather Channel and Accuweather for a week before leaving to help plan packing. I just brought one pair of jeans and wore them a couple times with different tops. Cropped pants/capris are good too. Oh, and get a poncho from the dollar store and carry it with you! We didn't have too much trouble from the tour groups, but I'd plan on having thick skin so things like that won't bug you much. KWIM? Good luck!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Soleil~
Great news!Yes, God is good!!!! Hopefully you will find something you both love before too long.

 

[letthewookiewin]

I think no matter when in January you go, the best bet is to pack layers. You could have 40s or 80s. You will want a jacket or sweatshirt especially in the evenings. We went later at the end of Jan and had a couple 80 degree days and a couple 60s and windy. Had one day of rain too. You just never know!! Of course we came from MN, so it seemed warm to us even when it was 60! I (and some other snowbirds) constantly checked weather forecasts on The Weather Channel and Accuweather for a week before leaving to help plan packing. I just brought one pair of jeans and wore them a couple times with different tops. Cropped pants/capris are good too. Oh, and get a poncho from the dollar store and carry it with you! We didn't have too much trouble from the tour groups, but I'd plan on having thick skin so things like that won't bug you much. KWIM? Good luck!

The only reason I'm really worried about the chanting in the ques is b/c of my DS10. I can remember being that age, and it can be a little annoying but easily ingored. Well expect for my DS10. He has mild autism spectrum disorder and I can see it being an issue if we're in a closed in que and there are 50+ Brazilian teenagers chanting at the top of their lungs. He would more than likely put in fingers in his ears and have a meltdown. I may go ahead and get a GAC just in case we need to use it for that reason. I wasn't planning on getting one for our trip, but I might just to have just in case.

Since we will need to bring a mix of clothes I may have to go buy some new luggage. Darn it!! I know the horror, right?? If I can't convince my DH to let me get some Mickey Luggage, I found some really cute luggage at Sam Moon that is red with white dots that reminds me of Minnie Mouse.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

OK, so January experts....what do I need to know about going to WDW in early January. We are looking at January 8th - 16th(hopefully). Are the Brazilian tour group really that bad? Should I bring ear plugs for my DS10 in case they start chanting in ques? What about packing? Are shorts totally out and I need to pack pants and coats? How are crowds?

Yes, pack a little of everything like the others said! Our first 2 days were only a high of about 50-55. Very cold mornings at park opening - in the 30's. Then it was about 65 the next day, then 75, then the rest of the time was in the lower 80's. So we went from sweatshirts, coats, hats, and gloves, to shorts (and being able to swim!) within a matter of a few days.

We only really encountered the tour groups at DHS. And there were a ton of them! We didn't notice any rude behavior or chanting, they just added to the already massive crowds that were there that day.

 

[letthewookiewin]

Ok, so it looks like we'll have to make sure to get to DHS way before EMH rope drop to make sure to make sure we are close to the front. I've been kicking around the idea of getting a treadmill to help loose weight for the trip. It looks like I really need one to get conditioned to be the family TSMM fastpass runner. Honestly, if it weren't for TSMM (and RnRc) we would just skip DHS this trip.

Also, we were thinking about going to Universal for a day to check out the new Harry Potter section. HP is the only thing that can get me to loose time with the mouse and get me over to Universal. I tend to get motion sick on big roller coasters and my DH spends the day begging me and making me feel guilty about not going on them b/c of being afriad to get sick. I'm just thinking that January would be a bad time to check it out since it is suppose to open late this year. I think it will be way to crowded over there in January. Oh well, maybe I can plan a trip for 2011 to go to Universal and Disney. Depending on how many days we go for, I may change my mind and go ahead and go for one day.