January 2010. . . Anyone else going???

[maman_et_fille]

I believe we have a few Canadians who frequent this thread? Not sure about other countries. In any case, I was browsing the Transportation board and stumbled upon some discussion of increased security for flights going into the United States. Limit of one personal item as a carry on:
http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/Home.aspx?ID=1
and nothing on lap/remain seated for last hour: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5g3pmteFupX27kDmwvsm-mkhzSopA

I'm still searching to see if these restrictions apply to domestic travel as well . . . TSA's website doesn't have anything splashed anywhere prominent . . . I just have visions of how poorly our upcoming flight with DD3 could go, and am hoping for the best!

Don't know how long these restrictions will last, but I guess just check with your airline closer to your travel time??? Does anyone have better info? I'm so bad at web searching.

 

[disneyfan97]

I heard about the possible flight restrictions today. We will have DS2 (almost 3) with us on two sets of flights. We are flying Southwest, so we have to connect. Exactly how do you explain to a potty training 3 yr old that we can't get up to go potty right now -- you have to an HOUR!??!!!! I'm looking forward to seeing the flight attendants face when I say "you can explain to your next passenger why their seat is wet".

I am so upset about this!! We are right at the end of potty training, and he is just now (in the last 3 weeks) really 'getting' it! I do NOT want to un-do all his work by putting him in Pull Ups and telling him it's OK to just go in them.

 

[maman_et_fille]

Story from the NYT:http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/us/27security.html

Apparently there are no "official" guidelines for domestic flights: "The government was vague about the steps it was taking, saying that it wanted the security experience to be “unpredictable” and that passengers would not find the same measures at every airport " . . . WHAT?? Am I the only Type A non-terrorist who wants to know what to expect so that I can prepare my 3 yr old??

disneyfan97 I feel your pain. I really hope it will all work out just fine for you. I am crossing my fingers on this one and hoping it all goes away before our trip, or is "unpredictably" not applied to our flights. I cannot imagine a flight attendant not allowing a young child to go to the bathroom, though. I mean, it just doesn't make sense (LOL).

I'm just trying not to think about it until I really have to worry.

 

[maman_et_fille]

We are flying Southwest,

Article from Chicago Sun Times, a spokesperson from Southwest specifically states it doesn't apply to them b/c they only fly domestically . . . here's hoping that's true!!
http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/1959563,new-airline-seating-rules-122609.article

 

[disneyfan97]

disneyfan97 I feel your pain. I really hope it will all work out just fine for you. I am crossing my fingers on this one and hoping it all goes away before our trip, or is "unpredictably" not applied to our flights. I cannot imagine a flight attendant not allowing a young child to go to the bathroom, though. I mean, it just doesn't make sense (LOL).

I hope you don't have too much to deal with on your flight! I'm also a little concerned about the "nothing in your lap for the last hour" part of what I heard. Really?? What is my 3 yr old supposed to do to keep busy and quiet the last hour of the flight if he can't have the DVD player, coloring books, snacks or anything else out of our carry on bag?? Even if these restrictions turn out to be true - I don't see them lasting very long. Can you imagine the number of screaming, crying children on every flight with nothing to keep them busy!!

Article from Chicago Sun Times, a spokesperson from Southwest specifically states it doesn't apply to them b/c they only fly domestically . . . here's hoping that's true!!
http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/1959563,new-airline-seating-rules-122609.article

I sure hope that is right!! My SIL works for Southwest as a flight attendant, so at least I'll be able to find out what's really going on before we leave next week.

 

[robinbutterfly]

Article from Chicago Sun Times, a spokesperson from Southwest specifically states it doesn't apply to them b/c they only fly domestically . . . here's hoping that's true!!
http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/1959563,new-airline-seating-rules-122609.article

I think they should take as many precautions as needed. I am not opposed to any of them.

 

[lizzyb]

Oh I hear that! I keep thinking, it's not too soon to take down the Christmas Tree is it? After all, it's been up for a WHOLE WEEK already! Trying to get all the gifts sorted out, organized and put away so I can start cleaning up bedrooms and THEN pull out the summer clothes bins and start doing laundry and packing!

I'm right there with ya. I'm not looking forward to all that work though.

 

[sherry8253]

Only 4 more work days until our Disney trip. I am so excited.

 

[wideeyes]

I am going in 16 days, staying at AKV.

 

[C&OsMommy]

I'm right there with ya. I'm not looking forward to all that work though.

Me too !!!!!

 

[mvansear]

I just called Disney and got the $500 merch giftcard for $395. I asked the CM and he said he thought that you had to have a pin to get it. I had seen on the boards that if you had a room package with dining that you did qualify. I told the CM that I had a "friend" who had gotten it so he said hang on I will look. WAHOOOO I got it!!!!!!!!

 

[sillyyankee]

Getting just a tad bit nervous now. We leave Jan 9...still have not planned out my days...if any of you would be so kind (pretty please?) to answer my question today:

Which service do you like better for park touring plans? (i have signed up with both UG and Mike, so far I can read and use UG, but have not spent enough time on TGMikes site.) Is one better than the other?

i just dont want to spend too much time messing with both of them, to find out they are copies of each other or worse, one is significantly better/worse than the other. I also purchased the passporters book (beautiful books), but did not see any touring plans available. I have read most of both passporter and UG, but have totally stalled out at touring plans. I have just been in a huge funk with the holidays, and cannot seem to find any energy yet.

Thanks to any of you who might be able to shed some light. Happy Sunday!

 

[lizzyb]

Getting just a tad bit nervous now. We leave Jan 9...still have not planned out my days...if any of you would be so kind (pretty please?) to answer my question today:

Which service do you like better for park touring plans? (i have signed up with both UG and Mike, so far I can read and use UG, but have not spent enough time on TGMikes site.) Is one better than the other?

i just dont want to spend too much time messing with both of them, to find out they are copies of each other or worse, one is significantly better/worse than the other. I also purchased the passporters book (beautiful books), but did not see any touring plans available. I have read most of both passporter and UG, but have totally stalled out at touring plans. I have just been in a huge funk with the holidays, and cannot seem to find any energy yet.

Thanks to any of you who might be able to shed some light. Happy Sunday!

Sorry I can't help you as I have never used those services. I just plan my days on my own. Its January so I don't really think the parks will be all that crowded. Best of luck to you

 

[DrmWvr1299]

Whoooo-hooooooo 20 days to go

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Getting just a tad bit nervous now. We leave Jan 9...still have not planned out my days...if any of you would be so kind (pretty please?) to answer my question today:

Which service do you like better for park touring plans? (i have signed up with both UG and Mike, so far I can read and use UG, but have not spent enough time on TGMikes site.) Is one better than the other?

i just dont want to spend too much time messing with both of them, to find out they are copies of each other or worse, one is significantly better/worse than the other. I also purchased the passporters book (beautiful books), but did not see any touring plans available. I have read most of both passporter and UG, but have totally stalled out at touring plans. I have just been in a huge funk with the holidays, and cannot seem to find any energy yet.

Thanks to any of you who might be able to shed some light. Happy Sunday!

I have used UG and have been pretty happy. For the most part though I just want a little info on crowds and touring plans. I haven't used TGM just because I don't want to pay that much for just one trip. We often go more than once a year and want the info for more than one trip. So I have never tried TGM. January isn't a high time, but we have noticed that each year it gets busier at the low times! Good for Disney, not as good for those of us that like light crowds!

 

[thefyshes]

Feeling silly after looking at my ticker. Can't believe we are getting this close.

Has anyone rented a car from Disney to the Port for a cruise instead of using their over priced transfer? If so, can you give us advice?

Thanks

 

[sillyyankee]

I have used UG and have been pretty happy. For the most part though I just want a little info on crowds and touring plans. I haven't used TGM just because I don't want to pay that much for just one trip. We often go more than once a year and want the info for more than one trip. So I have never tried TGM. January isn't a high time, but we have noticed that each year it gets busier at the low times! Good for Disney, not as good for those of us that like light crowds!

Thanks Karla (and Lizzy too from above) so far, TGM has waaay too much info for me (i have read about 400+ pages of my UG, so i have been versed on things). I have just found UG website easier to use, but I am bummed that I spent the $$ on TGM only to find it just a little convoluted of a website, for me, who has about zero time to check it out.

Thanks again! OMG only 13 days to go to our first "real" trip to the world. Yikes!

 

[mvansear]

I agree UG is the one I use as a guide. Having been in Jan before rides are mostly walk on and I use it more to plan my days, ADR's and EMH's. I then type out cards that look something like this
Hollywood Studio Touring Guide
Thursday
• MK magic hours 8-9am
• Rides open Big Thunder, Dumbo, Haunted Mansion, It’s a small world, Winne the Poo, Philharmagic, Peter Pan
• Hollywood Studios 9-8pm tsf Bus
• Toy Story Mania
• Rockin Roller Coaster
• Tower of Terror
• The Great Movie Ride
• Good counter service Starring Rolls Café, Pizza Planet, Backlot Express, Toluca Legs Turkey Co.
• Little Mermaid
• Backlot Tour
• Lights, Motor, Action
• Muppets 3D
• 3:00 Block Party Bash
• Star Tours
• Indiana Jones
• Sounds Dangerous
• One Mans Dream
• American Idol
• Magic of Disney Animation
• Playhouse Disney
• Beauty and the Beast
• 5:30pm 50’s Prime Time Cafe
• Fantasmic 6:30pm

I type up 4 to a page on card stock paper. These are also color coded but the colors didn't copy and paste. But like the eating places are in green shows in red Hours in blue. I then cut them out laminate them and put them on a keyring

 

[mvansear]

Here is another card so you get the idea

Wednesday

• Flight # 458 confirmation # arrive Orlando 12:35pm
• Disney conf#
• Go To Epcot Monorail TTC then Epcot
• 4:35pm Le Cellier conf#
• Animal Kingdom Magic Hours 5-8pm
• Rides open Dinosaur, Expedition Everest, Festival of the Lion King, It’s Tough to be a bug, Kali River Rapids, Primeval Whirl, Triceratops Spin

Wed Epcot Le Cellier 4:35 AK 5-8
Th MK 8/HS 50’s Prime 5:30 HS F6:30
Fri CM 8:15 AK Coral Reef 5:45 Epcot8-11 Il 8p
Sat HS 8/MK In Room Wishes 8p Elect.Parade 9
Sun Golf/MK or Ep 1900 Park GF 6:00 MK 8-11
Mon AK 8 Boma AK Lodge 4:30 HS 7-10
Tues Epcot 8 Ohana Poly 5:00 MK 9-8
Wed AK 9 Tsf to Universal


This bottom part is in a table that also did not copy and paste well but first colum is the day 2nd is the morning park 3rd is dinner reservations 4th is nighttime park

 

[maman_et_fille]

Here is another card so you get the idea

Wednesday

• Flight # 458 confirmation # arrive Orlando 12:35pm
• Disney conf#
• Go To Epcot Monorail TTC then Epcot
• 4:35pm Le Cellier conf#
• Animal Kingdom Magic Hours 5-8pm
• Rides open Dinosaur, Expedition Everest, Festival of the Lion King, It’s Tough to be a bug, Kali River Rapids, Primeval Whirl, Triceratops Spin

Wed Epcot Le Cellier 4:35 AK 5-8
Th MK 8/HS 50’s Prime 5:30 HS F6:30
Fri CM 8:15 AK Coral Reef 5:45 Epcot8-11 Il 8p
Sat HS 8/MK In Room Wishes 8p Elect.Parade 9
Sun Golf/MK or Ep 1900 Park GF 6:00 MK 8-11
Mon AK 8 Boma AK Lodge 4:30 HS 7-10
Tues Epcot 8 Ohana Poly 5:00 MK 9-8
Wed AK 9 Tsf to Universal


This bottom part is in a table that also did not copy and paste well but first colum is the day 2nd is the morning park 3rd is dinner reservations 4th is nighttime park

Wow, that is awesome!!!
We have just started to compile the same sort of thing using www.tripit.com. Depending on what kind of phone you have they have a mobile version and iPhone and Android apps(here's hoping our batteries will last all day!). We have added all relevant info - park hours, reservation numbers, when the shows are happening, etc. We also list the attractions we want to see in the order we're hoping to do them - sometimes following an UG touring plan, sometimes just based on what we know DD3 will enjoy or our family preferences (i.e. when we do AK EMH in the morning we do Pangani Trail first b/c we're the only ones there and we can really enjoy the animals).