January 2010. . . Anyone else going???

Hello There - we have booked our first trip to Disney as a family. I have booked 7 nights at Poly and 2 overlapping at AKL (in case the buy4/get3 comes back). We have a 1 bedroom suite/club level at the Poly because it was cheaper than 2 adjoining rooms, but I just called and NO AAA discount.:scared1: So now we play the waiting game for a code/discount.

So, which package is most economical for Disney Newbies? Has anyone done the Deluxe dining and felt as though it was money well spent, or is the regular dining more in line with what you eat?

I hesitate very much with the dining because it's vacation and i dont really want a reservation for dinner every night, that seems like too much thought, oh well, maybe i need to rethink that since this is Disney and I guess this will be a very planned out vacation. Just not what I am used to.

Any thoughts on the dining plans would be very much appreciated! Thanks and sorry my tags don't look nice like everyone else's. I said i was new. :confused3


WELCOME and have fun planning. I have not used the deluxe plan because it is WAY too much food for us. We have used the DDP many times and we love it. You are right though...you do have to plan more to arrange your ADRs (reservations) ahead of time. We may possibly go with the QSDP this January as my DD doesn't think they will like having so many sit down meals, as they do take way more time each day and their young boys may not be patient enough. The QSDP will allow you to eat at the counter service restaurants and that will take no reservations. We would then add on 2-3 character meals or TS (table service) meals. Normally the TS meals will take an average of 1-1/2 to 2 hours each. It is a nice break in the day, but young kids can get a bit anxious when it takes too long. Either way you will have a great time and you won't go hungry!popcorn::
 
Anyone out there used the Unofficial Guides trip planning section for their trips? Were they any good?
I am getting excited reading everyone else's posts.:cool1:
Thanks again.
 
I was browsing one of the other threads and there was discussion about an announcement being made tomorrow...I wonder if it's true, and if it is, I wonder what it will be. Maybe the 2010 theme? I can't imagine they would announce any deals for January yet.:confused3

The rumor came from a comment on the podcast this past week, about a new 4/3 deal "with complications". Given all the deals already out there for late 2009, if it relates to a new 4/3 offer I have to guess it will be for early 2010.
 
You didn't mention who all was in your family, kids etc. But here's what I know about the dining plan. We (Me, DH, and 2 kids) used it last January. We made adrs for a sit down meal almost every day. But a couple were for breakfast, so we didn't have to interrupt our park time. We found it to be a pretty decent value. It's hard to say if we actually saved money, because I wouldn't be ordering a Filet Mignon if I didn't have it. Plus we did not eat at too many TS restaurants nor get dessert without the DDP.
But, we really liked having it paid for in advance, (but for tips) and having the freedom to order whatever we wanted.
I can't tell you about the resorts - I've never stayed at either. Although I have a night at AKL planned on my next trip in Dec. Just a normal room, no suite.
 

You didn't mention who all was in your family, kids etc.


ah, sorry, we have 2 adults and 3 children, BUT our oldest is 10 and he counts as an adult, so he would be $73 per day NOT $22. :mad:This really is a huge issue for me, since he eats about $22 per day, but certainly not $73. I would have no problem paying more for him, but not the full adult price. It burns me.

I am just so on the fence, because for the 5 of us to eat a regular set of meals at resturants when we are away is approximately the price for the deluxe meal plan. My DH is totally against it and i think it could be a good idea, but just have nothing to back me up. I have to run to the the ears site and check the menus, but it is all so time consuming. He can be convinced, but if what i read is true about it taking 1 & 1/2 hours to 2 hours for each meal he will flip, since he HATES amusement parks and he considers this his only trip to Disney for the rest of his life!! Just think, i really like Disney too. Bummer for me. oh well, sorry to go on and on.

thanks!!:goodvibes
 
Hi everyone! This thread is great!!

So I'm going Jan.8-15 staying at Poly and doing the Goofy Challenge! I like many of you are very anxious to book my ADR's. I am such a planner and the 90 day thing is KILLING ME!!!
 
Hi everyone! It looks like the ADR window is going back to 180 days on October 27th. A CM has confirmed in another thread that they were notified you’ll be able to book your Dining Plans 180 days out once again. It won’t help all of us, but for those going the last week of January, you’ll be able to book a few days earlier.;)
 
Hi everyone! This thread is great!!

So I'm going Jan.8-15 staying at Poly and doing the Goofy Challenge! I like many of you are very anxious to book my ADR's. I am such a planner and the 90 day thing is KILLING ME!!!

WOW The Goofy Challenge! Are you crazy? Just Joking :lmao: but seriously that is impressive! I am doing the marathon and I can't imagine doing the 1/2 too! I was thinking of staying at the Poly just because of the monorail after the race but decided to stay at SSR instead - mostly because it's a calm and quite place to try and get some sleep the night before!
 
We'll be going January 10th - 16th and staying at Boardwalk Villas. We're 2 ladies in our early 30's
 
Anyone out there used the Unofficial Guides trip planning section for their trips? Were they any good?
I am getting excited reading everyone else's posts.:cool1:
Thanks again.

I like Unofficial...you can get on the website and check out the crowd calendar...you have to either pay a subscription, or if you have the book, answer certain questions out of your book. It's a looooot to read in the book though. But, if it's your first time you might enjoy it. I also like Birnbaum's or the Passporter guide. I recently joined the TourGuideMike...and I am really liking it so far!!! They are all good choices.

as far as ddp, we have done it twice and will do it again in Dec. We have 2 on the 10 & up this year, but we got free dining, so it was a decision made for us:goodvibes We do breakfast in the room, lunch at a CS and a TS at night...unless the only time we can get is a lunch. It's enough food for us... plus you get a snack on there, so we can get an ice cream or piece of fruit, of whatever.
 
Hello There - we have booked our first trip to Disney as a family. I have booked 7 nights at Poly and 2 overlapping at AKL (in case the buy4/get3 comes back). We have a 1 bedroom suite/club level at the Poly because it was cheaper than 2 adjoining rooms, but I just called and NO AAA discount.:scared1: So now we play the waiting game for a code/discount.

So, which package is most economical for Disney Newbies? Has anyone done the Deluxe dining and felt as though it was money well spent, or is the regular dining more in line with what you eat?

I hesitate very much with the dining because it's vacation and i dont really want a reservation for dinner every night, that seems like too much thought, oh well, maybe i need to rethink that since this is Disney and I guess this will be a very planned out vacation. Just not what I am used to.

Any thoughts on the dining plans would be very much appreciated! Thanks and sorry my tags don't look nice like everyone else's. I said i was new. :confused3

We loved the deluxe plan and will be using it again, but it is a LOT of planning and is a bit much for a first trip IMO. It takes a certain level of familiarity with WDW locations and transportation to make the necessary reservations to get good use out of the deluxe plan without spending excessive amounts of time getting from place to place or otherwise cutting too much into park time.

I think the basic dining plan is the best choice for newbies. You can use table service credits for character dinners and other uniquely Disney dining experiences without doing ridiculous amounts of planning, and use your counter service credits for quick breakfasts/lunches when you're more interested in hitting the parks. Plus since you're staying club level, with the basic plan you won't be too stuffed from dining plan credits to enjoy the lounge offerings every once in a while.
 
I just booked my flight! It feels more official now :cool1:

Round trip on Delta for $240 minus my credit with them for a total of $145! :thumbsup2

That's more money to spend on WDW merchandise! Now I just have to book my package!
 
I like Unofficial...you can get on the website and check out the crowd calendar...you have to either pay a subscription, or if you have the book, answer certain questions out of your book. It's a looooot to read in the book though. But, if it's your first time you might enjoy it. I also like Birnbaum's or the Passporter guide. I recently joined the TourGuideMike...and I am really liking it so far!!! They are all good choices.

I must have erased too much of the quote - oops!

So you can check out our dates for me with TGM!! YAY!!:yay:
 
We will be at the ASMu Jan 1 to Jan 6 with the dining plan. Haven't settled on what days we will eat where, but these are the restaurants we are shooting for in no particular order...

Le Cellier (Dinner)
Chef Mickey's (Breakfast)
Teppan Edo (Dinner)
Cape May (Dinner)
Coral Reef (Dinner)
 
OK, we are officially booked for CBR Jan. 30-Feb. 6! :banana: I am SO EXCITED!!! Thanks Momof2DisneyBoys for all the great info about, and reviews of, CBR. :goodvibes
 
OK, we are officially booked for CBR Jan. 30-Feb. 6! :banana: I am SO EXCITED!!! Thanks Momof2DisneyBoys for all the great info about, and reviews of, CBR. :goodvibes

Congrats on it being official! :cool1:

And you're welcome, always glad to help out with CBR info! Have a great time! :cloud9:
 
So, say they continue the "Celebration" theme in '10, I need an opinion.

If we stay at CR (chances right now are really 50/50), can I put it in my ressie that we are celebrating Christmas and DDs birthday? DDs birthday is 12/21, but this will be her main present. And it will be a Christmas present to ourselves too. Is that wrong since we're looking at going a month after these two events?

I'm not trying to get DD in free. I get that. But people have mentioned some nice "touches" and I thought it wouldn't hurt to mention it. DH already told me not to bother since nothing will happen. (Humbug to him)
I would definitely mention that you're celebrating DD's birthday- it was my hubby's bday while we were there last year and they gave him a cupcake at one of our meals and he had lots of people wishing him a happy bday. I didn't think they would do anything especially since he's a grown man but they did! I'm sure they oooh and ahhh over the kiddies much more than the adults so it can't hurt to mention it!
Hello There - we have booked our first trip to Disney as a family. I have booked 7 nights at Poly and 2 overlapping at AKL (in case the buy4/get3 comes back). We have a 1 bedroom suite/club level at the Poly because it was cheaper than 2 adjoining rooms, but I just called and NO AAA discount.:scared1: So now we play the waiting game for a code/discount.

So, which package is most economical for Disney Newbies? Has anyone done the Deluxe dining and felt as though it was money well spent, or is the regular dining more in line with what you eat?

I hesitate very much with the dining because it's vacation and i dont really want a reservation for dinner every night, that seems like too much thought, oh well, maybe i need to rethink that since this is Disney and I guess this will be a very planned out vacation. Just not what I am used to.

Any thoughts on the dining plans would be very much appreciated! Thanks and sorry my tags don't look nice like everyone else's. I said i was new. :confused3
I REALLY liked the QSDDP last time. It fits our family. With two little ones we don't do many sit down meals and it was perfect. Plus I don't like having ressies to get to every day. It's hard to stop in the middle of having fun because you have to get to a dinner somewhere. I think it all depends on what you think will be best for your family.
Hi everyone! This thread is great!!

So I'm going Jan.8-15 staying at Poly and doing the Goofy Challenge! I like many of you are very anxious to book my ADR's. I am such a planner and the 90 day thing is KILLING ME!!!
Wow Welcome and Good luck on the Goofy Challenge! I'm with you on the 90 days-:mad: it stinks and I only have 1 or 2 ADR's to make so I can imagine how those of you with several to make must be feeling.:headache:

We'll be going January 10th - 16th and staying at Boardwalk Villas. We're 2 ladies in our early 30's
Welcome ladies!!! :yay:
I just booked my flight! It feels more official now :cool1:

Round trip on Delta for $240 minus my credit with them for a total of $145! :thumbsup2

That's more money to spend on WDW merchandise! Now I just have to book my package!
I'm amazed at the current rates for flights- it's making me think more seriously about flying instead of driving for 2 days. Ugh!!! Decisions, decisions! :confused:
OK, we are officially booked for CBR Jan. 30-Feb. 6! :banana: I am SO EXCITED!!! Thanks Momof2DisneyBoys for all the great info about, and reviews of, CBR. :goodvibes
You'll be checking in while we are checking out- I'll be sure to leave my room nice and tidy for you ;) Just don't expect any soap or shampoo to be left- those are souvies for my kids! :lmao:
 
Hi ya'll! I'm hoping/planning to visit The World around January 24ish for a week or so. Right now I'm hoping to stay at the All-Star Sports Resort. This will be my first trip to the World in almost 3 years (since my cp ended)- my first SOLO trip ever, and the first time ever staying on site! Awesome!
 
We are headed down 1/15/10-1/24/10 w/ both sets of grandparents.
DS is playing in the Kick It 3 v 3 soccer tournament Martin Luther King Weekend at WWS. Staying for the tournament at POP then moving over to WL. Disney please put out a good promo so we can go to WL for the first time.pirate:

Anyone else playing in the soccer tournament?:cheer2:
 












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