Let's plan Together! Jan 2009

[GrammyJudy]

I haven't booked anything, yet. But, I'm hoping we make it back next January. We usually stay at Pop and get the free ticket upgrades and use the dining plan, but I'm watching these boards to see if I can get an even better deal for next year.

What are free ticket upgrades

 

[Kazooie01]

What are free ticket upgrades

Base tickets are upgraded to include Park Hopper and Water Parks. We were able to use the Water Parks a few days too! (We went 1/30-2/6/08)

 

[Sabrina90744]

Base tickets are upgraded to include Park Hopper and Water Parks. We were able to use the Water Parks a few days too! (We went 1/30-2/6/08)

It also had a small discount on the room rate, at least thats what I was given for our 08 trip

 

[jensen]

What are the free ticket upgrades? We are going Jan 22-29 at POp

Usually in late November/early December, they offer a package deal where you can get hopper and water parks added to your ticket for free. It's not as great a deal as free dining, but it's a great discount if you would have typically purchased those options. If you don't typically purchase those options, then it's just a nice bonus.

 

[MNRMommy]

We are tentativley thinking maybe possibly we can go in January. We weren't really planning a trip to Disney for a little while but DH is missing the place. So I will be here watching and hoping and planning for our possible trip. I mean after all "When your heart is in your dreams, no request is too extreme."

 

[jockey]

We will be arriving on the 20 Jan staying at the GF then off site to a villa! Have never been at this time of yesr so really looking forward to it. Hope P7P party will be on

 

[HappyCamperToo]

Just wanted to let the January people know that we have days open in our newly forming Pop Century fridge swap. Details are on the budget board, or click the link in my signature.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

I read over on the attractions and Strategy board that the P&PP party will definitely be back next year from Jan-June!

 

[Happyathome]

Usually in late November/early December, they offer a package deal where you can get hopper and water parks added to your ticket for free. It's not as great a deal as free dining, but it's a great discount if you would have typically purchased those options. If you don't typically purchase those options, then it's just a nice bonus.

Do you have to wait until then to book to take advantage of the upgrade, or can the upgrade be applied to an already existing ticket purchase?

Also, if I buy hopper tickets from UT, can I get the money back if there's a free upgrade offered, or do I need to purchase tickets directly from Disney?

TIA

 

[Pluto_fan]

My very first post on the DIS!

I've made a reservation at Shades of Green for January 17-28. Unfortunately we won't be staying that long; I'll be adjusting the dates for about a six-day visit as we firm up our plan. As many people have mentioned, we're trying to work around MLK and Superbowl crowds. The kids are off school Monday and Tuesday for MLK Day and Inauguration Day (we're in the DC area), and also the following Monday and Tuesday for teacher workdays...so they have an 11-day stretch with three days of school right in the middle. Silly, huh?

We are "veteran, infrequent" visitors--last visited WDW in 2004, though we did hit Disneyland in 2006. But this will be DD's first Disney trip ever--she will have just turned 1!

I'd love to hear any more information anyone has on the ticket upgrades offered in the past. Anyone know what dates those were available? Could they be combined with other ticket discounts (Undercover Tourist, SoG/MWR, etc.)? I'm sure my boys would love the water parks, but we probably wouldn't spend the extra money when another day at the 4 parks is only a few dollars. Thanks for any info you can share.

I'm excited to be here and look forward to planning with all of you!

--Kathy

 

[lilunsure]

I’m glad I found this thread. We are planning a trip to Disney (1/16-1/25), probably staying at Pop and most likely doing the DDP. I am a little concerned about the crowds for MLK but we will work with it as my DD has two days off school that week and I’d like her to miss as little as possible. I super excited about the trip and have already started sketching out my plans.

 

[djwis]

We plan on going over the MLK weekend. We are hoping to book the swan or dolphin, but the Dreams unlimited site says rooms are not available the January18-20th; the swan/dolphin site refers me to other hotels. Anyone know if there is something special going on the 18-20th which would cause the swan/dolphin to be fully booked?

 

[drakes]

I’m glad I found this thread. We are planning a trip to Disney (1/16-1/25), probably staying at Pop and most likely doing the DDP. I am a little concerned about the crowds for MLK but we will work with it as my DD has two days off school that week and I’d like her to miss as little as possible. I super excited about the trip and have already started sketching out my plans.

lilunsure - we have the same time booked for ASMo
We're sketching out our plans too, Welcome to the thread and the Dis!

 

[lilunsure]

lilunsure - we have the same time booked for ASMo
We're sketching out our plans too, Welcome to the thread and the Dis!

Thanks for the welcome! We stayed at the ASMo in 2002. It was the first time we took our daughter to WDW and the first time we stayed on site. We had a fantastic time! We've debated on going back to an AS resorts.

 

[aprincesswannabe]

We've decided to travel Feb. 6 - 13, staying on-site at the Poly with sister and her family. Should be far enough removed from Super Bowl weekend to avoid those crowds. We're hoping to catch a and party that week! Keeping our fingers crossed for that....

 

[Virgogal1979]

Myself, my mom, and my 2 daughters who will be 10 and 6 on this trip in Feb 2009. We are going Feb 14-21. We already booked our airlines 2 weeks ago. My mom put me in charge of booking this trip. It is rather fun and interesting in doing this. We have always stayed at the Port Orleans French Quarter in the past. My mom is pretty adiment about staying there again, as she is comfortable with this place. My questions are:

1. Is it easier to call the hotel direct to make a reservation, or the WDW toll free #? I was told it was easier to call the hotel direct.

2. How can I find out if the hotel we want to stay at accepts AAA? Is there a website, or should I just ask?

I plan to book the hotel reservations tomorrow, the latest Tuesday. I am always looking for deals, as everyone else. I am new to this forum and am rather overwhelmed at what all there is. Can someone tell me about codes, dining packages, etc??

 

[Andrea]

count me i we went january 9-11 this year and it was great no crowds we walked on the lines. So we are going again this october, but my sister and I are going again in january of 2009 I cant wait!!!!!

 

[GoofyFairie]

Myself, my mom, and my 2 daughters who will be 10 and 6 on this trip in Feb 2009. We are going Feb 14-21. We already booked our airlines 2 weeks ago. My mom put me in charge of booking this trip. It is rather fun and interesting in doing this. We have always stayed at the Port Orleans French Quarter in the past. My mom is pretty adiment about staying there again, as she is comfortable with this place. My questions are:

1. Is it easier to call the hotel direct to make a reservation, or the WDW toll free #? I was told it was easier to call the hotel direct.

2. How can I find out if the hotel we want to stay at accepts AAA? Is there a website, or should I just ask?

I plan to book the hotel reservations tomorrow, the latest Tuesday. I am always looking for deals, as everyone else. I am new to this forum and am rather overwhelmed at what all there is. Can someone tell me about codes, dining packages, etc??

I am not an expert, but I don't think you can call the resort directly to make reservations. I think you have to call 407 W DISNEY and they should be able to tell you if there are any AAA rooms available for your resort choice. Also, if you want a AAA package I believe that you have to go through AAA travel agent to book. Can anyone with more experience correct my mistakes?

 

[MrsKreamer]

Right now our dates are Feb 21st through the 28th. I don't really want to go in Peak season, but since that week is Mardi Gras it gives us more time to go. IDK, maybe I can talk DH into going after march???

 

[8EONUE8]

My DW and I are gong 2/7 - 2/14 for our 20th anniversary. She has always wanted to do a safari, so we are doing AKL. She doesnt know, but we are doing concierge level so we can do the Sunrise Safari. I am also planning to do the Sunset Safari and a day trip to Discovery Cove so she can swim with the dolphins.

We went this timeframe in 2007, with the three kids, and the weather was great and the crowds were small. We didnt wait longer the 30-45 minutes for any attraction. We had the dining plan and were able to make reservations for the restaurants we wanted the night before or the morning of. This included Coral Reef, Narcoosies (twice), and Le Celier.