January 2010. . . Anyone else going???

[BellaSoleil]

I am thinking about how hard it is for everyone to get ADR's right now, even at 90 days. Do you think it because of free dining?

My Must-Haves-
O'Hana (G)
Yak & Yeti (Me)
Akershus Dinner (for the baby)

We have a special guest coming, too. Not sure where she will want to eat. I need to talk to her about it.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I am thinking about how hard it is for everyone to get ADR's right now, even at 90 days. Do you think it because of free dining?

I think it has to do with free dining. But I also think that it has to do with the fact that at 90 days out nearly everyone who is going knows they are going. Where before not everyone had their plans made at 180 days, so it was a little easier to get ADR's.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Soleil - I can't remember if I requested the mansions, but I think I did at our initial reservation time. I was pretty sure that was my preference anyway.

ADRs -
We are going to be a huge group of 10 and 12 for part of the time, so I'm not sure how this will work out!
We're planning to do:
Tony's (the day we arrive and go to MVMCP)
SciFi
LeCellier
Ohana - breakfast
Sadly, we won't be there long enough to enjoy the MANY more places I want to try, and I've already done two of these (LeCellier and Ohana). Those are for the others in the group. We're planning to get there a day before them, so we can hit one more place we want, but it will be at a resort because we won't have tickets yet.

I'm guessing a lot of the ADR hype is for free dining. I read a thread earlier about what people were getting during free dining and LeCellier was listed as people only getting lunch time and later in their stay (like day 7 or 8!). I hope that doesn't happen to us, because we have a large group and we're only there 4 days! We're getting together with my SIL in August and going to plan stuff. I'll be sure to get a list of backups!
Do you guys think Teppan Edo would be a good alternate if I can't get LeCellier? We're going in Dec. to see the Candlelight Processional. I wanted to try Tutto Italia, but if we're having Italian at Tony's that might be a bit much!

 

[Monny2AE]

I noticed the tents at CBR but no groups or cheerleaders or anything. But then like you said, it is so spread out that it's always quiet.

We are looking at POR too. . .

Wonder how many times we'll all change our resorts over the next few months?

Well it was your story that inspired me! I had never thought of a surprise, because I talk about WDW nonstop.

Glad I could inspire someone!

It is very hard, especially when you talk about it all the time! But it is worth it in the end!

Drakes we can be surprise buddies this time around! I'm surprising mine Christmas morning! I'm so excited but it's definitely going to be a challenge! I should invest now in some duct tape for my big mouth.

OMG-the drive home last Jan completely was AWFUL!!! Did you have problems with the fog and ice??? I was giong 25mph on the interstate for several hours and got off on several different exits looking for a gas station with poser and couldn't hardly see to get back to the interstate. Yes, NIGHTMARE!!

Yet, we're doing it again...

We didn't have too much trouble weather wise just behavior wise! Like you said "Yet, we're doing it again!!!!"

Hi! We are from Dundalk (Baltimore Hon!). Nice to hear from someone who is in my state. Wow, you drive from Cecil County. How long does that take? It takes us about 13 hours from Baltimore. I don't think we could make the drive straight through if it took any longer. I usually sleep a good bit of the way, but as I said my husband stays up and loves to drive. I think he goes on pure adrenalin and excitement. (ha ha) Well I will subscribe to this thread and hopefully we can talk some more.

Too funny I'm originally from your way. I grew up near Kane Street/Bayview hospital. I moved up here to the boonies after I met my hubby 12 years ago. SO different to grow up in a row house and now I'm surrounded by trees and nature. I'm just over the Susquehanna River and only about an hour from you so the drive isn't too much more.

Anyone else thinking about ADR's already???

We are each picking one that we have already been to and want to go back to and then we would like to try some new ones! Here are our picks so far~

Me ~ LeCellier
DH ~ Big River Grille
DS10 ~ Crystal Palace breakfast
DS7 ~ Sci-Fi Dine In

Now to find 3-4 new ones. . . .

I'm still looking into places for DH's birthday. Right now it's between Big River Grille (he would like the beer) and Sci Fi (kids would love the atmosphere). Other than that I don't think we are doing too many ADR's and are going with the QSDDP again this time. We're not big on sit downs. I may try and squeeze a Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace in there too. We've always done those two every time we go so it will be weird to skip them.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Oh, I forgot, we're supposed to do a CP breakfast too! Jeez! I better start a spreadsheet/list soon! I can't keep this all in my head!!

 

[Monny2AE]

Start a spread sheet... you mean you don't have 50 already!!! Technically I'm just revamping the ones from our last trip though.


Anyone ever use the AutoTrain? I'm considering it. DH's biggest complaint with going to Disney is the long drive. It's a little more $$$ than a 2 day drive (gas, overnight stop at a hotel both ways, food stops, etc.) but not much more...a few extra $ might be worth it for our sanity.

AAA gets a discount so I'm thinking of joining AAA too- not sure if it's worth it for AT and Disney discounts.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Start a spread sheet... you mean you don't have 50 already!!! Technically I'm just revamping the ones from our last trip though.

I'll probably do that too!

No experience with Auto train. We're contemplating driving vs. flying or who should do which again!! For some reason, DH seems to want to drive, even though I want me and the girls to fly home on Sunday (after cruise) to get home for school on Monday. We found round trip air for $180 and I want to book it for all of us!! I've never seen it that cheap and it's at good times. We just have to add some cost to transfer from the resort to the ship and ship to airport. But it's got to be less than $500 (which is probably the cost of driving down). Plus we save all that time! We don't need a car at WDW. Besides my SIL is driving so there will be a vehicle there - just in case!
We're going to have some more conversations tonight. Before the airfare goes up.

 

[BellaSoleil]

I'll probably do that too!

No experience with Auto train. We're contemplating driving vs. flying or who should do which again!! For some reason, DH seems to want to drive, even though I want me and the girls to fly home on Sunday (after cruise) to get home for school on Monday. We found round trip air for $180 and I want to book it for all of us!! I've never seen it that cheap and it's at good times. We just have to add some cost to transfer from the resort to the ship and ship to airport. But it's got to be less than $500 (which is probably the cost of driving down). Plus we save all that time! We don't need a car at WDW. Besides my SIL is driving so there will be a vehicle there - just in case!
We're going to have some more conversations tonight. Before the airfare goes up.

I just looked at airfaire, too. Found the exact same rates going out of New Orleans. It would be $500 for the three of us. I'm trying to factor the cost of driving + the fact that I will need serious medication if I fly with my child. Flying scares me!

 

[jeanylaser]

I can't wait stay in CBR in January 2010!

 

[robinbutterfly]

Our ADRs
Chef Mickeys
California Grill
Boma or Whispering Canyon Cafe (I want to try Boma, DH wants WCC)
Princess Storybook dinner
Crystal Palace
and I want to try 1 place that is new.
We tried all of these last time(except for Boma) we went so I hate not to try anything new!

 

[drakes]

Drakes we can be surprise buddies this time around! I'm surprising mine Christmas morning! I'm so excited but it's definitely going to be a challenge! I should invest now in some duct tape for my big mouth.

YAY for surprises! I had never thought about it until I read Shelley and Meaghan's surprise TRs. I think my DD would love the idea...I do talk about WDW all the time, or something Disney. My staff at work know to expect Disney clip art in my emails That's what a disney fan/nerd I am.

 

[Carmell226]

Just booked January 16-23 at The Beach Club Villas, 1 Bedroom. We used my grandmother's RCI points and so we only had to pay $200 in the fees! I am so freaking excited, we have never been able to afford a Deluxe and I have always dreamed of staying at the Beach Club!!!! Can't wait for January!

 

[Krissy04]

Hi Guys!

I'm glad I'm not the only one already thinking about ADRs I'll have to tell my husband that 'round here it's normal to think about what you are going to eat in 6 months!


Here is my list so far:

Ohana (dinner)
Le Cellier
Grand Floridian Cafe
Play and Dine at Hollywood and Vine (DD loves this one)
Crystal Palace (breakfast)
Biergarten yummy!
Chef Mickey (dinner)

I was also thinking the girls would love dinner Akershus, but I'm not sure about the menu What do you guys think?

Oh yeah! and our friends that are coming along have offered to treat us to an 'adults only' Hoop de doo I love this show!

Krissy

 

[MagicMomentsMom]

Our "hopeful" ADR's-mostly for Character meals my little will be turning 5 during the trip--and this is for her birthday so it's all kiddo stuff

CRT lunch--for DD's 5th Birthday
Storybook Princess Breakfast in Epcot
Chef Mickey Breakfast
Crystal palace--dinner
Tusker House--Breakfast
Hollywood Vine-playhouse disney Breakfast or lunch
Whispering Canyon (for the grand's that are coming with us)
Lilo and Stitch--Ohana Breakfast
My Disney Girl Tea Party
The Wave (for me and DH)
California Grill (for me and DH)

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

OK! I'll play too!

Here's our list!

'Ohana (supper)
Biergarten (supper)
Crystal Palace (breakfast)
Chef Mickey's (breakfast)
Le Cellier (lunch)
Sci Fi Dine In (lunch)
The Plaza (supper)

The first 3 of these we have done and really want to do again, Chef Mickey's we did supper at before and now want to try breakfast, the last 3 are new to us but we all agree they look interesting and we want to give them a try!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Ours were going to be:
Crystal Palace breakfast
OHana (again)
WCC (again)
Sci Fi
Biergarten (again)
Coral Reef
Big River Grille
*Now that our friends are going with us (they have two girls and a boy, I have two boys), we're going to try to get Cindy's for breakfast for the girls (guess CP will have to go), not sure what the boys will do!

OMGoodness, have any of you seen the reviews for the MK Wishes dessert thingy?? WOW!!! Those desserts look amazing (Oh yeah, so does the view ). Andy was just looking over my shoulder and said, "we're doing that right?" Guess so!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

The wishes dessert party is listed as only running through August 28. I guess I'm not doing that one! Too bad, those desserts look phenomenal!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Just booked January 16-23 at The Beach Club Villas, 1 Bedroom. We used my grandmother's RCI points and so we only had to pay $200 in the fees! I am so freaking excited, we have never been able to afford a Deluxe and I have always dreamed of staying at the Beach Club!!!! Can't wait for January!

What a great deal!! That's one of my many resorts that I want to stay at some day too!! I hope you have a magical trip!!!

 

[robinbutterfly]

The wishes dessert party is listed as only running through August 28. I guess I'm not doing that one! Too bad, those desserts look phenomenal!!

I wonder if it will do well. I mean the desserts look wonderful, but when you are on the dining plan, you get so much dessert (and food in general) I couldn't possibly imagine going to a dessert buffet!

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Hi January DISers!

So I am going on my first January trip!!! Actually only my second trip to Disney between the October-February winter months... the other was DL in December 2005!

We're going Jan 17-22 at Animal Kingdom Villas Kidani.

The only ADR we plan on making so far is for Kouzzina but we still have until... October?... to decide, if we add anything on it'll probably be either Biergarten or Garden Grill.

Only 205 days to go!!!!