new here and looking for info

[dolphinlove]

Hi. I am trying to plan our first ever family vaca and I'm thinking about going during 2/15/2011 to 2/24/2011.

I'm researched pkgs and flights and have estimated totals. Now, I'm looking for anyone who has gone in this time frame as to how are the crowds, weather, etc etc.

ANY info would be fantastic and helpful. This will be our first visit to disney. I have been but it was about a million yrs ago and it is completely different. And it will be my kids first airplane trip also and I CAN'T WAIT to be able to surprise them with it. Also, hoping I don't have any prob with doing the reservations we'd like. Esp since I prob won't book until late.

I was planning on booking 2 adjoining rooms and after talking to a live disney person online..she told me the way to get the best estimate of cost was to do 2 different searches using one adult, one child and then adding them. So, did that. I was curious to see that my 12 yr old costs more than my 6 yr old which I thought was odd! Anyone do adjoining rooms and can verify that this is the correct way? She also said that disney doesn't have an 800 number for reservations and I thought that was incorrect?? Help would be wonderful.

Now, only waiting to see what happens with our IVF cycle to see if we get pregnant or not and then if there are any restrictions on flying.

Thanks in advance for the help! I appreciate it very much!!!!!!

Tara in CT

 

[natashag76]

Welcome!
There are a few different things you can do re: booking your trip. As far your 12 y/o costing more than a 6 y/o, that's because at 10 yrs they are charged as an adult.
You could also look into renting DVC points and then just buying everything else separately. That what we do and we usually end up spending several hundred dollars less than what we are quoted online or when I call.
Good Luck!!

P.S. We went last year in January and it was freezing. However, that was a definite freak incident. As a kid I frequently went in winter and it could be anywhere from 60 to 90 in the middle of the day.

 

[Metro West]

 

[dunbarfamily]

Welcome!
There are a few different things you can do re: booking your trip. As far your 12 y/o costing more than a 6 y/o, that's because at 10 yrs they are charged as an adult.
You could also look into renting DVC points and then just buying everything else separately. That what we do and we usually end up spending several hundred dollars less than what we are quoted online or when I call.
Good Luck!!

P.S. We went last year in January and it was freezing. However, that was a definite freak incident. As a kid I frequently went in winter and it could be anywhere from 60 to 90 in the middle of the day.

Good advice, I just wanted to add that we were there in January and February (different years) and both times were chilly and in the 50s, and quite cold at night, high 30s and windy. Bring warm clothes. The weather doesn't bother us, because in the UP of Michigan, that time of year we can see -20, so the 40s are like summer to us!!

Welcome aboard!!!

 

[natashag76]

Bring warm clothes. The weather doesn't bother us, because in the UP of Michigan, that time of year we can see -20, so the 40s are like summer to us!!

Just to clarify, when I said "freezing" I meant it literally. The high was 28 F, and that was BEFORE the windchill. As a family from Chicago, we felt pretty dumb having to buy hats, scarves, gloves, etc. when we had tons at home! But again, cool is normal, 20s in the middle of the day is not. Plan on wearing layers. That way you'll have some t-shirts if it's warm, and if it's colder you'll have it as an extra layer. Since you're in CT cold weather shouldn't completely freak you out. DH and I played "guess where they're from?" when we were there. You could always tell the southerners from the yankees by how incapacitated they were by the cold
Let us know how it goes!

 

[pkondz]

First of all
Depending on your circumstances, have you considered a family suite at All Stars Music (ASMu)? See here for details: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/asm.htm#rooms
Good luck!

p.s. No, there is not an 800 number for reservations.

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Welcome to the DIS!!!!!!!

 

[iggler]

I too live in Michigan, I also considered going in febuary, but i decided if i was going to spend that much money on a vacation, I at least want it warm enough for the kids to enjoy the pools. I do not enjoy the cold, so I prefer to go when it is warm. therefore we decided on late may.

 

[dunbarfamily]

Just to clarify, when I said "freezing" I meant it literally. The high was 28 F, and that was BEFORE the windchill. As a family from Chicago, we felt pretty dumb having to buy hats, scarves, gloves, etc. when we had tons at home! But again, cool is normal, 20s in the middle of the day is not. Plan on wearing layers. That way you'll have some t-shirts if it's warm, and if it's colder you'll have it as an extra layer. Since you're in CT cold weather shouldn't completely freak you out. DH and I played "guess where they're from?" when we were there. You could always tell the southerners from the yankees by how incapacitated they were by the cold
Let us know how it goes!

Somewhere in the deep dark depths of this computer, I have a picture of myself and three of the children in our swimsuits at ASM, feeling quite comfy, standing next to four CM dressed in gloves, hats and winter jackets!! When we first saw each other, we all burst out laughing! It was quite funny to see the huge difference in temperature perception!

 

[3"Mouse"keteers]

Children 10 and up are considered adults as far as pricing is concerned with Disney. That is why your 12 year old costs more than your 6 year old. You may want to check into a family suite at All Stars Music. If there are only four of you though, you can fit into one room, but it may be a bit tight for your liking. Some of the deluxe resorts, particularly the Contemporary, have a day bed, along with two queen beds.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Hi. I am trying to plan our first ever family vaca and I'm thinking about going during 2/15/2011 to 2/24/2011.

I'm researched pkgs and flights and have estimated totals. Now, I'm looking for anyone who has gone in this time frame as to how are the crowds, weather, etc etc.

ANY info would be fantastic and helpful. This will be our first visit to disney. I have been but it was about a million yrs ago and it is completely different. And it will be my kids first airplane trip also and I CAN'T WAIT to be able to surprise them with it. Also, hoping I don't have any prob with doing the reservations we'd like. Esp since I prob won't book until late.

I was planning on booking 2 adjoining rooms and after talking to a live disney person online..she told me the way to get the best estimate of cost was to do 2 different searches using one adult, one child and then adding them. So, did that. I was curious to see that my 12 yr old costs more than my 6 yr old which I thought was odd! Anyone do adjoining rooms and can verify that this is the correct way? She also said that disney doesn't have an 800 number for reservations and I thought that was incorrect?? Help would be wonderful.

Now, only waiting to see what happens with our IVF cycle to see if we get pregnant or not and then if there are any restrictions on flying.

Thanks in advance for the help! I appreciate it very much!!!!!!

Tara in CT

For the dates of 2/15 - 2/24 the crowds should start off pretty low, but by the Saturday of your vacation the President's Day crowds will start flooding in and the parks and resorts will become PACKED. The week of the Presiden'ts Day break is one of the busiest weeks of the year at WDW. Since you are checking in by 2/15 you are eligible for the free dining discount - that will also add to the crowd numbers.

If those are that dates you want, you need to book now if there's a specific resort that you want. Also, with free dining going on during that time frame the restaurants will be very busy and will most likely not be taking walk-up reservations. If you have not made Advance Dining Reservations, I would get on the phone immediately and do that.

We are a family of 6 so we always get to connecting rooms. Note that I said connecting. Connecting rooms means two rooms with a door in between. Adjoing rooms means two rooms beside or near each other, not connecting. Disney hasn't had an 800 number for years, but I always call and price out the two room package with Disney. We usually get two connecting rooms at All-Star Movies or Pop Century. Disney ages the kids out at 10 for ticket and dining prices, so your 12 year old is being quoted the same price as an adult.

 

[stmboat2010]

Check out what the price at Fort Wilderness is too. We stay there when my parents come along (4 adults, 2 kids) You might end up paying the same as you would for two rooms anywhere else.

I also play with the dates a lot. The prices drop drastically from one week to another at times. Good Luck!!