January 2011- Code Watch!!!

[emmabelle]

We purchased plane tickets for the flight down on SW for Jan 5th, waiting for the schedule to extend to pick our return. I didn't know that the dates I was looking at were during the Marathon weekend, now I'm concerned about AP codes.

 

[yooperfan]

We are definitely going to WDW in January. I had originally planned to travel over MLK weekend because our DS9 would be out for MLK day. Well, our school district has decided not to observe the holiday so now I can change it up some. We went over the MLK holiday in 2008 for 4 nights and skipped EPCOT. Our DS6 at the time made it through our mad dashing to hit 3 of the parks from opening to closing. This trip will be with our DS5 and DS9 and the youngest will not handle the fast walking as well as our older son. I have decided that we can just go for the week since we would have to miss school for 3 days why not 5. My husbands schedule still works best for the MLK weekend, but I would like to avoid it if possible. We could leave late on the 21st and then return on the 28. I just have a hard time knowing what to book. We are just fine staying in the Value resorts, we are never there. I just don't know what to do without the specials. I really need some discount to stay for that long. If the special only applies to the mods then what good is it to book the Value room now? I want to get my dining reservations in also. I don't think last time I read all about it and just booked the package deal and never looked for specials. What do you guys think?

If it were me, I would get something booked and then adjust later. The reason I say this is you are within the 180 day dining ressie already and if you are planning on eating table service they will be getting harder to get the closer it gets. You will not lose your dining ressies if you change your resort info.

 

[Caretames1]

We are planning our trip for Jan 21st-30th. I am sooo wanting to see 4/3 w/ a gift card ( deal we got 2 yrs ago) or 40% off. I do have a room only ressie booked at POR,and I have made all my ADR's that were of the most importance. I got a great deal on airfare ( $911.00, for us 4).
I am waiting...hoping....wishing...

Carey

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We are definitely going to WDW in January. I had originally planned to travel over MLK weekend because our DS9 would be out for MLK day. Well, our school district has decided not to observe the holiday so now I can change it up some. We went over the MLK holiday in 2008 for 4 nights and skipped EPCOT. Our DS6 at the time made it through our mad dashing to hit 3 of the parks from opening to closing. This trip will be with our DS5 and DS9 and the youngest will not handle the fast walking as well as our older son. I have decided that we can just go for the week since we would have to miss school for 3 days why not 5. My husbands schedule still works best for the MLK weekend, but I would like to avoid it if possible. We could leave late on the 21st and then return on the 28. I just have a hard time knowing what to book. We are just fine staying in the Value resorts, we are never there. I just don't know what to do without the specials. I really need some discount to stay for that long. If the special only applies to the mods then what good is it to book the Value room now? I want to get my dining reservations in also. I don't think last time I read all about it and just booked the package deal and never looked for specials. What do you guys think?

I'd go ahead and book the room. If there is a deal announced, which I'd be surprised if there was not SOMETHING, you can adjust later. Any deal would most likely include something for all resort levels.

 

[aksunshine]

Hi everyone! We are considering a January trip, not sure yet. For those of you who got the 4/3 or 5/2 deal last year, how did the rates compare to free dining? I am trying to figure it all out! LOL!

 

[t_wedemeyer]

We had the 4/3 deal last Jan. I hope they do that again. I missed out on the gift card though. How did you get both?

 

[Caretames1]

The 4/3 deal included a $200 gift card in 2009, but not in 2010. It was a sweet deal!

 

[sonjaandsue]

Booked for the Poly from 1/8-1/15 - our first visit! Nervous about all the waiting and watching and wondering about discounts. Does anyone know if you keep your ADRs if you change your room res to take advantage of a discount? Thanks!

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

Booked for the Poly from 1/8-1/15 - our first visit! Nervous about all the waiting and watching and wondering about discounts. Does anyone know if you keep your ADRs if you change your room res to take advantage of a discount? Thanks!

ADRs are independent of your room reservation - so unless you cancel them, they are yours to keep!

Congrats on your first trip! You are going to have the best time!

 

[mattsmom2000]

Loved the 4/3 deal and gift card on '09. We have gone every January for the past 3 years and LOVE that time to go. Although earlier this year when we went it was the coldest it has been in Florida in 13 years! The day we arrived, it was 37 degrees at night...brrrrrrr. Hoping for a little warmer weather next year....

 

[MommyBryn]

Oh man what I would GIVE for that 4/3 + $200 GC deal again. We got it last time, too. It seemed like it was too good to happen again though (in my mind). I can only hope...but I'd rather not hope, it'll just make me feel crappy when a shockingly crummy deal comes out instead. LOL

 

[LuvLDM]

We have been over the MLK weekend four times now. I currently do not have a trip planned, but am sniffing around for an offer. That MLK time frame always works well with our kids' school schedule, so am hoping for something in 2011. I don't really need the 4/3 offer because I don't have that much time. Free dining would be awesome, but not expecting that.

How bad are the crowds for MLK day & the days following?
I am thinking about arriving that Mon. night (MLK day) and staying until Sun.
Am I correct in assuming the parks would be more crowded the weekend before MLK?

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

Loved the 4/3 deal and gift card on '09. We have gone every January for the past 3 years and LOVE that time to go. Although earlier this year when we went it was the coldest it has been in Florida in 13 years! The day we arrived, it was 37 degrees at night...brrrrrrr. Hoping for a little warmer weather next year....

Did you get any warm weather? Have you ever been able to swim during one of your Jan trips?

I really want that GC offer with 4/3! What time of year did it come out? September/October?

I am dying to get a reservation, but want to wait until the offers come out.

 

[MommyBryn]

Did you get any warm weather? Have you ever been able to swim during one of your Jan trips?

I really want that GC offer with 4/3! What time of year did it come out? September/October?

I am dying to get a reservation, but want to wait until the offers come out.

Not the OP but just saw this in my email....we have gone in Jan (and/or VERY early Feb) for our past 6 vacations. The last one we never swam, it was one of the chilliest trips we've taken. But we usually make it a point to do a water park one day, and some trips it's chilly, others it's not. But we're coming from the Northwest in the middle of winter, so it all feels warm to us.

The 4/3 + $200 GC came out in November (?) of 2008 for travel between 1/1/2009 until like April or something? It was released later than discounts for that travel time usually are, since it was so "big".

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

After seeing the new ticket prices, I'm hoping for a very nice discount.

 

[MommyBryn]

After seeing the new ticket prices, I'm hoping for a very nice discount.

Ugh, me too. I thought I'd over-budgeted well and taken any increases into account, but those ticket prices are really going to add up.

 

[Louise O]

Have room only reservations at POP for Jan 11th-17th (leaving on MLK) and already have all our ADRs. Really hoping for any kind of discount available, especially with the ticket prices jumping up like they did. We drive to FL so I'm hoping we can make anything they offer work for us, since we can be a little flexible on our dates. Also praying for nice weather too!!

 

[Huck Sawyer]

We are going the week of Jan 23rd. went in 09 on the 4/3 deal, it would be sweet to get a great discount again.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

How bad are the crowds for MLK day & the days following?
I am thinking about arriving that Mon. night (MLK day) and staying until Sun.
Am I correct in assuming the parks would be more crowded the weekend before MLK?

You would be arriving at the perfect time. Crowds are much more noticeable on the Saturday and Sunday before the actual MLK holiday. Not horrid, mind you, but certainly more noticeable. By Monday night and Tuesday things are pretty quiet.
It seems that we always are either leaving on that Tuesday or Wednesday, and I am always thinking how great it would be if we were just beginning the vacation instead of winding it up.

 

[jasonhutch]

You would be arriving at the perfect time. Crowds are much more noticeable on the Saturday and Sunday before the actual MLK holiday. Not horrid, mind you, but certainly more noticeable. By Monday night and Tuesday things are pretty quiet.
It seems that we always are either leaving on that Tuesday or Wednesday, and I am always thinking how great it would be if we were just beginning the vacation instead of winding it up.

Agreed! We have gone the past two years the week after MLK day and the crowds have been very light. As long as you avoid the parks with the Magical Extra Hours, you're good to go.