January 2011- Code Watch!!!

[wish*i*was*in*the*vi]

About a month or so ago I booked our room for jan 7-15th at Coronado Springs...kind of crappy timing with it being the marathon and MLK weekend in there but the 8th is my son's 12th birthday and we really wanted to be there for his birthday if we were going around that time frame. It's a late Christmas trip for us. I'm definitely hoping for some kind of discount. Wont be too picky, free dining would be nice, but I guess a hefty room discount, and a gift card would be pretty sweet too!!

 

[RodBelding]

Looking to head down January 5th or so for a week, to vacation and run the marathon. Really hooping for some kind of a deal. We did the same thing last year and got the 7 nights for the price of 4 at the Bay Lake Towers, and it was a great deal... Would love to see something like that again...

Struggling with whether to book a room now and apply any codes later, or just wait for the deals to come out to make up my mind...

 

[racingwench]

Hoping to go down 1/22 thru 1/29. I just started a new job after almost a year out of work and our 25th anniversary is next week (8/17).
We have been down that time of year before and loved it. Probably going to stay at FQ but I would love POLY. Here's hoping we all get some good codes!

 

[Spoisal]

Subbing.
We are looking at Jan 28 - Feb 6. Hoping for good AP room-only discount like last year. Right now we are looking at staying value, but if we get a decent AP (or public) discount maybe I can talk DW into a split stay so we can check out either WL or AKL.

Those are our exact dates! From your signature, it looks like you have been the first week in Feb before. I usually go just in January & I am a bit nervous about Feb ........thinking it might be too busy compared to Jan. I would love to hear what your experience was before!

 

[babby]

Have Jan 14- 17 booked, looking for discount. Subbing

 

[judypriv]

we got our flight since it was too tempting not to buy. Got 5 seats for just under $ 400.00 so we'll coming down 1/26 to 2/2. We went the same time last year and stayed at FWV. We usually go earlier in January but these last 2 years we've gone later. We aren't sure where we are going, we might rent someone's vacation club although hubby has been hinting at POFQ or CBR since he's never been to either. Any thoughts?

 

[jjsawich]

we are scheduled to book a room and pay the 200.00 deposit. can you add a promotion or change your package if a promotion does come out?

 

[cherokeemamma]

we got our flight since it was too tempting not to buy. Got 5 seats for just under $ 400.00 so we'll coming down 1/26 to 2/2. We went the same time last year and stayed at FWV. We usually go earlier in January but these last 2 years we've gone later. We aren't sure where we are going, we might rent someone's vacation club although hubby has been hinting at POFQ or CBR since he's never been to either. Any thoughts?

Since you have a history of going in Jan., could you tell me what to expect? (such as crowds, weather, etc...) Really hoping for low, low crowds. I am sure there can be a huge swing with the weather. Has it been typically dry or do you get alot of rain? We usually go in the early fall and it sooo hot. I am really excited at the idea of not sweating. However, I don't like the idea of freezing either...

For what it is worth...we love POFQ. We had a great stay in 2009 there. We loved being able to hop on the boat for DTD.

 

[eyor44]

Our dates are January 6-10 for the 5K & 1/2 marathon. Right now looking to stay at Pop.

Anyone know if any Passholder discounts have ever been offered during this timeframe?

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Is anyone else concerned about blackout days? I'm worried they'll blackout marathon weekend from any discounts.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Is anyone else concerned about blackout days? I'm worried they'll blackout marathon weekend from any discounts.

Yes -- I'm worried about MLK weekend being blocked out but am keeping my fingers crossed for something.

 

[judypriv]

Since you have a history of going in Jan., could you tell me what to expect? (such as crowds, weather, etc...) Really hoping for low, low crowds. I am sure there can be a huge swing with the weather. Has it been typically dry or do you get alot of rain? We usually go in the early fall and it sooo hot. I am really excited at the idea of not sweating. However, I don't like the idea of freezing either...

For what it is worth...we love POFQ. We had a great stay in 2009 there. We loved being able to hop on the boat for DTD.

well, here is the story: We used to go every year since forever like 1986 right after the New Year most time the 2nd or 3rd for a week. Then the Marathon started and we went the first 2 years of the Marathon. It's really not that much more crowded during the Marathon but you have to stop so often for the runners and of course cheer them on but wait and wait to cross or get going. My kids are young so they would be cheering the runners and we'd get stuck a lot so we switched to the end of the month after MLK week.

So....when we have gone in January the weather is hit or miss. One year we went and it was colder in Florida then it was in Jersey. We wore our winter coats and hats every evening and heavy sweats during the day. Other times it has been in high 80's. Last year the week we went it was in the 40's and windy and then poured for 2 days. Kind-a miserable but hey, it's D! You keep going and having fun! That whole trip was bad though since I went with people I didn't want to be with and my son had a stomach bug. We had one nice day in the high 70's with sun but that weather was really an exception. I would say that mostly you have high 70's, low 80's in the day and high 60's in the evening. I find it perfect weather! My dad often goes with us and he's 75 so he really likes the January trips. We don't do the water parks and just dip the pool so it works well for us.

When we have gone it has never been even remotely crowded except MK on Saturday. That was a zoo. BUT, I'm hard to judge since we always go off season. The last time I went on season was August 1994 so I couldn't give a real picture. I would say the longest wait was 45 minutes for Soarin' and 30 minutes for Peter Pan and everything else was 10 or 15 minutes at most. Ecpot is walk on.

I think you'll January. I do!

 

[jmm476]

Thanks for the note about marathon traffic - I was curious about that. Does the marathon only go through MK or does it go through other parks as well? If I can, I'd like to plan a park on marathon day that won't involve us stopping for the runners!

 

[CrystalCastle]

Thanks for the note about marathon traffic - I was curious about that. Does the marathon only go through MK or does it go through other parks as well? If I can, I'd like to plan a park on marathon day that won't involve us stopping for the runners!

The marathon goes through all four parks. Here is the course map http://adisneyworldsports.disney.go.com/media/dwws_v0222/en_US/pdf/09MARATHONMAP.pdf

 

[BrianD]

For Marathon Weekend...on Saturday, begin your day at DHS and/or AK, because the Half does not go through either of those parks. And really, even though the Half does go through MK, all the runners are through there before the park opens, so you shouldn't be affected by runners in the park.

On Sunday, I would start the day at MK, for the same reason listed above, and stay there all day, or if you want to move to another park, move over to AK, because that will be the next park to clear (probably by noon). Epcot is impacted the most on both days because it is the start and end point for both races.

Honestly, your biggest issue on Marathon Weekend will be transportation, due to all the road closures for the races. You will want to allow plenty of extra time to get to the parks, and it is highly recommended that you use Disney transportation to get around, because the buses can go places the cars can't and the traffic will be generally terrible around WDW for the first half of both days.

But in terms of crowds in the parks, they are relatively light, so it is still a good time to go.

 

[judypriv]

Honestly, your biggest issue on Marathon Weekend will be transportation, due to all the road closures for the races. You will want to allow plenty of extra time to get to the parks, and it is highly recommended that you use Disney transportation to get around, because the buses can go places the cars can't and the traffic will be generally terrible around WDW for the first half of both days.

But in terms of crowds in the parks, they are relatively light, so it is still a good time to go.

I agree, Brian. We were on WDW buses and it did seem to take longer but my kids enjoyed seeing people running while we were traveling. My then 2 year old asked "Don't they have cars? Can't they get on our bus?"

We did however, have the most issues at HWS. We had to wait at one point almost 30 minutes to cross HW Blvd.

 

[kathymu501]

I read on anther thread that promottions to be announced Monday 8/16 for 2011 hope so going in March

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

I read on anther thread that promottions to be announced Monday 8/16 for 2011 hope so going in March

That would be pretty early. I think maybe they will announce a room only discount for fall/winter. Wouldn't mind being wrong though.

 

[judypriv]

I spoke to Guest Services concerning our up coming trip and she told me to start looking for promotions/discounts, etc. at the end of the month.

The Mousesavers website says January promotions/discounts, etc. start in late September.

here's hoping for good ones!

 

[cherokeemamma]

Thanks so much judypriv and everyone else for the info and tips.

I am super excited about going in Jan. Our school system has gone from 180 day calendar to a 160 day calendar (due to budget and the economy). We are getting a 3 week + 1 day break at Christmas. Was really wishing it was prior to Christmas but no such luck...we will be out until Jan 11. My dream to go and experience all the Christmas decorations, shows and parades. I am hoping we will get to experience at least the Osborne lights and maybe the castle all decked out.

Here's hoping for great discounts for everyone...