January "Special" events? (vent)

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am starting to get rather annoyed with all the special events that I will have to navigate around! "Millionaire" will be closed unless I have a ticket (which I don't), Indiana Jones will be closed for cheer competitions, MK is hosting a special night for the Builders show, and none of these things are being publicized very well, IMO. All of this in addition to the attractions that are closed for rehab or are "seasonal".

On the one hand it will reduce our touring time, on the other hand, what else is happening that we will have to dodge around? There should be one huge, centralized site where ALL of the closures of things to the general public are listed. I don't care WHY something is closed (rehab, event, etc.), but I need to know that I won't be able to view certain attractions or access certain things. If something is closed for a private event then I can't go in, just like I can't go in if it is closed for rehab! Why aren't these things listed?

OK. End of vent!

 

[zulaya]

I can understand your frustration, but for all those reasons is why January is value season. Fewer people come in January so they can rehab more things at that time and can rent out parks without significantly impacting attendance. That kind of comes with travelling at this time of year.

However you are right, they should have one place for all closures and rehabs. I think somewhere on wdwinfo.com they maintain a list like that. And I know if you look at disneyworld.com and look at the Calendar, a lot of that information is available. Closing the park early will show in the hours, although not necessarily what it's for.

 

[lovethattink]

When in January is all this? We're going the end of January. Your right, Disney doesn't specify their special events too well. A few years ago, there was a weekend filled with excitement at the Boardwalk. It was sponsored by Scholastic Books. There were trick skaters and bikes, kids could win books, play carnival type games, etc. and the best part was, it was all free! We just happened upon it!

 

[kathmzh]

I hear you. I've been watching the Lotusphere conference (which is there the last full week of Jan.) information to see when their Wed. nite party would be, but it's off site. We've had to do some skipping around with our park days to get around rehabs, but for the most part, we're ok.

 

[sunkissed212]

I totally agree. I understand that rides need to be refubished and events occur and there isn't a whole lot that the general public can do about it but I think that a lot of people would be less upset about it all if we were notified somehow of how these things might affect our trips to WDW.

For example, BF and I were at WDW this past September...during Night Of Joy. I had heard about the event but I really didn't know that we weren't going to be able to get into the MK after 6:00pm on 3 of the 4 nights were were staying. I was pretty upset since MK was my favorite park and I really wanted to watch the fireworks...we ended up having to wait until our last night to see them! They were wonderful and it was a great ending to our trip but I just wish I would have known more about how NOJ was going to affect my plans before I went.

Maybe I didn't research enough but I think it would have been nice for this kind of information to be made publicly available like on the Disney.com website specifically stating what each event entails as far as the general public knows!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

The regular Disney site does a fine job of listing the things that are closed for rehab. None of those are things that I will DIE if I miss them. I have known all along that Small World, Astro Orbiter, and Dumbo at MK, The Land and everything "seasonal" at Epcot and one of the water parks will be closed. No problem. DS is almost 9 - he won't care if we miss most of those.

The Builders Show is Jan. 13-16 at the Convention Center, but they have MK night on Jan. 13 and a lunch thing at Epcot on Jan. 14.

The cheerleaders will be at MGM on Jan. 15 and that will apparently shut down Indiana Jones.

The Millionaire thing will be Jan. 12-16 and you must have a ticket. I don't think I want a ticket because I don't know how long we would be there for a taping. I wanted to just go in and play once and be done.

None of these will really detract from our trip, but they might have if I wouldn't have known about it! The info for the special group things seems to be by and large on THEIR websites, not the Disney site!

I do understand that January is off peak and that Disney wants to put the space to good use. I can deal with that IF I know what I need to plan around!

 

[chyam]

Ok maybe I am in the minority but I really don't think that the Disney site does a good job on anything espcially making online reservations. The disboards are much more informative! As far as special events the WDW site does tell you of the major ones F&W, F&G, Night of Joy, MSSHP and MVMCP and it also tells you of rehabs but I think they know when there are "other" major events that are happening at their parks that could also be posted. After all they must have to plan special things for things like the Pop Warner, the cheer competitions etc. They also know well in advance the grad nights dates and as you said the Builders party. They also need to tell people about the first week in June being "gay days" and of course the famous Jersey weeks that would at least give people some idea of what the crowds may or maynot be like, it would also allow more people to decide that hey I am from Jersey it maybe nice to go with my neighbors!.....anyway you get my drift. I have long complained about their site for reservations and how you can't really use codes most of the time on it to make reservations, you would think that it would be a cost saver to make online reservations easier and to free up their phone lines a little. I also would think it would be a great tool for dining reservations also. I am no computer genius but computers now days should be capable of doing all of this and more.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Why did I go LOOKING for trouble? I should have known I would find it!

Intercot has a special events page. I looked at it, then I cross-referenced the listed events with the site for each event. They are all accurate.

Joining the melee the week we will be there are:

The MSBL Holiday Baseball Classic at WWoS Jan. 14-17. They have the option to purchase park tickets packaged in with their baseball fees. Don't know how many of them are coming, but they appear to be adults.

The Got Milk? 3v3 Soccer and 3 on 3 Basketball Jan. 15-16 ALSO at WWoS where 1,000 teams will be competing.

I don't know anything about the layout of WWoS, but it seems there will be baseball, soccer, basketball, and cheerleading all going on at the same time. NO WONDER all of the resorts are full!

Back to my original point that there ought to be some comprehensive central listing of everything going on. I am starting to wonder if the crowds will taper off from the holidays at all!

 

[hercamore]

You'll be fine with the park attendance. Yes, a few attractions will be closed, some groups will be there, but you'll hardly notice them!

Weather forecast looks to be great, not to worry.

DD and her GF leaving next sat for a week. We've been there before in Jan. Great time to go.

herc.

 

[phillybeth]

Why did I go LOOKING for trouble? I should have known I would find it!

Intercot has a special events page. I looked at it, then I cross-referenced the listed events with the site for each event. They are all accurate.

Joining the melee the week we will be there are:

The MSBL Holiday Baseball Classic at WWoS Jan. 14-17. They have the option to purchase park tickets packaged in with their baseball fees. Don't know how many of them are coming, but they appear to be adults.

The Got Milk? 3v3 Soccer and 3 on 3 Basketball Jan. 15-16 ALSO at WWoS where 1,000 teams will be competing.

I don't know anything about the layout of WWoS, but it seems there will be baseball, soccer, basketball, and cheerleading all going on at the same time. NO WONDER all of the resorts are full!

Back to my original point that there ought to be some comprehensive central listing of everything going on. I am starting to wonder if the crowds will taper off from the holidays at all!

Most of those people will be at the sporting events, there will probably be very little impact on the theme parks.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

hercamore -

I hope you are right about the crowds!

On a more positive note, I am very pleased with the current extended forecast. We might not need those long johns, scarves, and handwarmer packets we got for Christmas after all! Which means I can return them and spend the money at WDW! LOL

DS got a fortune cookie today that said "Hope for the best, plan for the worst". That is pretty much my mantra. Worry about every single bad thing that might happen, then be pleasantly surprised by anything that goes right!

 

[Ilovestitch]

They also need to tell people about the first week in June being "gay days" and of course the famous Jersey weeks

I don't think Disney sponsors these events. There are so many gatherings, events, conventions and so many variables- dates can change, groups might change which day they will be at which park, etc. It would be a lot of information that could constantly change.

 

[MiJo]

with a less than perfect attitude. Disney is a big place and there is an incredible amount to do. It's doubtful some over 40 y/o baseball players and a bunch of cheerleaders will make that big of an impact. As for things being closed, plan on doing them next trip! You are definitely looking at some great weather (at least by Pennsylvania standards) and you'll be at WDW! Enjoy it while you can! We can't wait for our first January trip in 3 weeks.
Have a great time!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

MiJo-

I think you are right - I am probably worrying for nothing. But I worry about lots of things. It's my nature.

I also think part of my apprehension comes from not knowing very much about WDW in terms of size and arrangement. It is hard for me to imagine a place big enough to absorb ALL those people. I know it is larger than some cities, but that is a difficult concept without seeing it firsthand. Maybe all these groups really won't make a difference, or maybe there are this many or more special events going on most of the time. Without a calendar there isn't a good way to tell.

I am trying to lighten up. I want to have a great time, even if things are more crowded than I thought they would be. And like I mentioned in an earlier post, the attractions that are closed for rehab are things we might not have chosen even if they were open.

I hope you have a great time on your trip! I'll cross my fingers that the nice weather holds out for you!

 

[Carrieberry]

We have been during many sporting events at WWoS (in the off season) and the parks always seemed nice and uncrowded. Of course, what you need to keep in mind is that this is your first trip. That means you have never been when it is the middle of summer, over Christmas Week, or Spring Break when it is extremely crowded so you won't have anything to compare it to. It might seem crowded to you some days, but just magine what it is like during those other times! We always find MK is fairly crowded by our standards no matter what time of year it is or what day it is, it is just crowded. At the same time, whenever we have gone in the beginning of December, Epcot MGM and AK were always nice and manageable with hardly any waits for rides at all. Of course we would never be able to tolerate it as some do during the busy times of year. I think the most important thing to realize is that regardless of crowds, the chances of seeing EVERYTHING is a near impossibillity, and it will take more than one trip to do it all. Take your time, stroll through the parks and if you get to something with a long line, grab a FP if you can and go look at something else. Ride whatever has no lines as you pass it, even if it is something you did not plan on seeing. We have found many of our favorite things this way. When we go in a few weeks we are also hoping for low crowds, and it will be our first trip with our 6 year old autistic son. We usually do the parks at a quick pace, knowing exactly what e want to see and taking all the shortcuts to our faves, but this time we plan on really taking our time, walking through the parks and checking out all of the nooks and crannies. Many of the sporting events will be during the day, so you might see it a little more crowded in the evenings and of course at the hotels, but the property is absolutely huge and since it is the off season these people will hardly make a dent in what you feel and even with them all there it still won't be crowded by WDW standards!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Carrieberry -

I hope you have a great time with your DS! My DS turns 9 on Jan. 30. He is excited about our trip, but I don't think he really understands that WDW is nothing like Six Flags. It will be interesting to see his reaction.

I have been to MK before, but that was 20 (has it really been THAT long?) years ago. We lived in Florida so my trips were just to MK, and just for one day. I don't think we ever stayed past sunset, so this will be totally new for me. I don't really remember the crowds, but my tolerance for crowds has probably changed!

I suppose my focus should be on enjoying the experience, whatever the experience turns out to be. If it is crowded we will just have to deal with it, and console ourselves with the fact that sometimes it is much worse!