November 2012 Code Watch!!

[Happy Mom2]

How big is your gathering going to be? I would love to do a big family trip with my DH's family. We did one to Galveston/Houston this last Spring Break and had a great time. The only problem with a WDW one, is that my bil doesn't really like to plan too far in advance. I would love for them to go with us, but I just don't see it happening. My nephew has never been to WDW and I just really really want him to go. He was supposed to have gone for the day while he and my sil were visiting her family in FL, but her brother that promised to take them backed out at the last minute. It just broke my heart that he was that close (I think they were in Tampa Bay) and he didn't get to go.

That's a shame. I hope your nephew gets to go one day.

Well that just won't do. We NEED to know exactly when. Did you tell them they need to do better than "sometime next year", and they have until our 180 day out to figure it out. Obviously, Disney doesn't understand how super serious (me included) some of us Disney fans take in making our WDW ADRs.

I know!! THEY just don't understand!!! I have been all day looking at crowd calendars and researching stuff. I reviewed Touring Plans and I am wondering if they have taken into account the Food and Wine Festival was moved to the end of the festival, which will fall on the 10 or 11th of Nov.

 

[letthewookiewin]

That's a shame. I hope your nephew gets to go one day.



I know!! THEY just don't understand!!! I have been all day looking at crowd calendars and researching stuff. I reviewed Touring Plans and I am wondering if they have taken into account the Food and Wine Festival was moved to the end of the festival, which will fall on the 10 or 11th of Nov.

I would take him with us if his parents would let us, but I don't think they would. My mil & fil offered to purchase 1 day park tickets for my sil and the nephew since her brother backed out, but she refused the offer. She then said that "she didn't want to take him to WDW for the first time without her hubby", so I don't think she would let us take him. We are going to drive and are planning on staying at the FWC, so they can hold the 5 of us (if he came with us).

I am really going to have to subscribe to Touring Plans, I think. Plus I like the ride que times app that I could get. I'll have to talk to the hubby about it, but I'll probably just go ahead and do it.

 

[Happy Mom2]

I would take him with us if his parents would let us, but I don't think they would. My mil & fil offered to purchase 1 day park tickets for my sil and the nephew since her brother backed out, but she refused the offer. She then said that "she didn't want to take him to WDW for the first time without her hubby", so I don't think she would let us take him. We are going to drive and are planning on staying at the FWC, so they can hold the 5 of us (if he came with us).

I am really going to have to subscribe to Touring Plans, I think. Plus I like the ride que times app that I could get. I'll have to talk to the hubby about it, but I'll probably just go ahead and do it.

Awww.... every child should be able to experience Disney World. I went to Disneyland when I was 6, and didn't go to Disney World til I was 39! I want to take my kids as many times as I can afford and for as long as they want to go!

If you decide to subscribe to TP, google for a discount code. It's really cheap, but I found a 20% off code online that made it cheaper!

 

[letthewookiewin]

Awww.... every child should be able to experience Disney World. I went to Disneyland when I was 6, and didn't go to Disney World til I was 39! I want to take my kids as many times as I can afford and for as long as they want to go!

If you decide to subscribe to TP, google for a discount code. It's really cheap, but I found a 20% off code online that made it cheaper!

Thanks, I'll Google the discount.

I agree. I would have taken our boys sooner, but the DH didn't want to have to deal with diapers or potty training while we were there. He wanted them well over the potty training stage. I was barely able to get him to agree to take them when they were 5 & 6. I went to WDW for the first time when I was 5, in 1981. I still haven't been to DL yet. Even though I want to go, I don't b/c it takes away from a WDW trip and those don't happen often enough for me.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

IDK if TP took that into consideration or not BUT the dates further into November get even more crowded esp on the weekends so we are going to keep our days esp because we arrive on Sat and wont do a park that day. Sunday is our MK day and Epcot should be busy for the end of the F&W Festival so I am anticipating MK not being overly crowded. Its also a MVMCP that day so they close at 7 anyway which is fine for us! We can go back to the resort or go to DTD.

 

[letthewookiewin]

IDK if TP took that into consideration or not BUT the dates further into November get even more crowded esp on the weekends so we are going to keep our days esp because we arrive on Sat and wont do a park that day. Sunday is our MK day and Epcot should be busy for the end of the F&W Festival so I am anticipating MK not being overly crowded. Its also a MVMCP that day so they close at 7 anyway which is fine for us! We can go back to the resort or go to DTD.

What I think we are going to do, is the day that we are planning on going to MVMCP, go to DHS. For us it really is a half day park anyway, at most. Once we are done at DHS head back to our room for a nap before heading over to MVMCP, so we can stay the entire time. I have no interest in watching the Stunt show or the Indy shows again. Our youngest was terrified of the GMR, on our last trip. Really, we would just probably do TSM, RnRC, the Muppets show, the Studio Backlot tour (one of my DH's favorite things), and Star Tours & ToT (but I'm worried about getting motion sick). Plus we will more than likely come back another night to see the Osborne lighs. Even then, I might save ToT & Star Tours for the night time trip over. That way if I do feel bad, it's night time and we can just go back to our room and I can go to sleep. Then again, if we have time, I might just do them all that morning since we will be going back to the room to take a nap before MVMCP anyway. Anyone know if you can see the Osborne lights while riding ToT, b/c if you can, I would just wait until then to ride it. I dont' know, so confusing. Thank goodness, we still have 322 days until we arrive so I can make the hard choices. OMG, nevermind. I only have 139 days to figure it out, b/c in 140 days I can make ADR's.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

After much thought, we have decided to change our trip dates....we originally wanted to go November 10th-17th and this is why we changed it:
1. the discount codes coming out now do not include the new royal guest rooms whish is what we wanted
2. Veterans day generally has no discounts
3.Marathon weekend
4.end of F&W Festival
5. end of Jersey week
6. Mom really wants the full effect Christmas decorations which I hear are spotty the beginning of November
our best hope if we kept these dates would bee FD which again i never offered on a holiday weekend....grrrrrrr so we decided to change our dates to November 25th-Dec 2nd
I looked at the past 2 yrs FD dates, and they seem to offer it the week AFTER Thanksgiving...... has anyone ever gone around this time? I looked at the crowd calendar and it seems to be ok. the weekend we leave is when POP Warner is and I REFUSE to stay during that week lol. Please tell me I made the right descision *gulp*

 

[mommyof3princess27]

What I think we are going to do, is the day that we are planning on going to MVMCP, go to DHS. For us it really is a half day park anyway, at most. Once we are done at DHS head back to our room for a nap before heading over to MVMCP, so we can stay the entire time. I have no interest in watching the Stunt show or the Indy shows again. Our youngest was terrified of the GMR, on our last trip. Really, we would just probably do TSM, RnRC, the Muppets show, the Studio Backlot tour (one of my DH's favorite things), and Star Tours & ToT (but I'm worried about getting motion sick). Plus we will more than likely come back another night to see the Osborne lighs. Even then, I might save ToT & Star Tours for the night time trip over. That way if I do feel bad, it's night time and we can just go back to our room and I can go to sleep. Then again, if we have time, I might just do them all that morning since we will be going back to the room to take a nap before MVMCP anyway. Anyone know if you can see the Osborne lights while riding ToT, b/c if you can, I would just wait until then to ride it. I dont' know, so confusing. Thank goodness, we still have 322 days until we arrive so I can make the hard choices. OMG, nevermind. I only have 139 days to figure it out, b/c in 140 days I can make ADR's.

I dont THINK you can see the lights from ToT but I could be wrong. I rode it in the daylight though lol

 

[exwdwcm]

Well looks like we are sticking with November afterall. A DIS/FB friend has a WDW blog/vlog. Her and her family moved from WI to FL this last year to be near WDW. When she started showing the parks more dressed for Christmas, that's what started the idea to move the trip. Then I started thinking about my youngest getting upset if we couldn't take him for his 15th birthday. Since she has been in the parks practically most days, I asked her which days had better crowds (that's all my DH cares about). With that in mind, she suggested November, so that's what we're sticking with. I'll just have to make sure, especially my youngest DS, understands that this trip isn't a birthday gift for the oldest DS.

I read her blog too and have for years! I know, seeing all the pics of Christmas really makes me excited for next year!

I checked out Touring plans, I was all set to change our GG to the 13th- 20th but predicted crowd levels were 9's and10's!!!!! Atleast the 10th-17th has crowds at 1-5. The only busy day is Saturday and we are avoiding parks that day. Anyway, they also predicted that the MVMCP is to be held on Sunday the 11th, Tuesday the 13th and 19th of that week. My hope was for the 18th so I have to switch a few things but thats ok cuz the 19th was a MK day anyway, we will go in the morning, come back and rest then go back in the evening for MVMCP! YAY!

We are the 9th-17th. TP looks okay for that week. I know it will be busy that first weekend with end of F&W, Festival of the Masters and the new move of the marathon to that weekend, but we will find some non park stuff to do to avoid the crowds. That week Mon-Fri looks great though so far!

I think that we have officially nailed down our dates. We are going the 10 -17th. I got a PIN code in the mail, so I'm going to call for availability this afternoon. I'm so excited!!!

woo hoo- those are our dates too!

After much thought, we have decided to change our trip dates....we originally wanted to go November 10th-17th and this is why we changed it:
1. the discount codes coming out now do not include the new royal guest rooms whish is what we wanted
2. Veterans day generally has no discounts
3.Marathon weekend
4.end of F&W Festival
5. end of Jersey week
6. Mom really wants the full effect Christmas decorations which I hear are spotty the beginning of November
our best hope if we kept these dates would bee FD which again i never offered on a holiday weekend....grrrrrrr so we decided to change our dates to November 25th-Dec 2nd
I looked at the past 2 yrs FD dates, and they seem to offer it the week AFTER Thanksgiving...... has anyone ever gone around this time? I looked at the crowd calendar and it seems to be ok. the weekend we leave is when POP Warner is and I REFUSE to stay during that week lol. Please tell me I made the right descision *gulp*

yes, i hear the decor can be spotty that early, although MK is usually all dressed up since the first MVMCP is usually around Nov 6 or 7th. But you never know on the other parks. I think most of the resort trees were up by second week in Nov though, but I don't know when the resort decor goes up, i think a little later? WE've been the first week of December and loved it. Low crowds, great weather and even though POP Warner was there, if you aren't staying at their hotel or overflow, then you are fine. We barely saw them in the parks at all. It is at the resorts you tend to have the most issues. Or we just got lucky in not seeing many in the parks.

 

[Happy Mom2]

What I think we are going to do, is the day that we are planning on going to MVMCP, go to DHS. For us it really is a half day park anyway, at most. Once we are done at DHS head back to our room for a nap before heading over to MVMCP, so we can stay the entire time. I have no interest in watching the Stunt show or the Indy shows again. Our youngest was terrified of the GMR, on our last trip. Really, we would just probably do TSM, RnRC, the Muppets show, the Studio Backlot tour (one of my DH's favorite things), and Star Tours & ToT (but I'm worried about getting motion sick). Plus we will more than likely come back another night to see the Osborne lighs. Even then, I might save ToT & Star Tours for the night time trip over. That way if I do feel bad, it's night time and we can just go back to our room and I can go to sleep. Then again, if we have time, I might just do them all that morning since we will be going back to the room to take a nap before MVMCP anyway. Anyone know if you can see the Osborne lights while riding ToT, b/c if you can, I would just wait until then to ride it. I dont' know, so confusing. Thank goodness, we still have 322 days until we arrive so I can make the hard choices. OMG, nevermind. I only have 139 days to figure it out, b/c in 140 days I can make ADR's.

You are much further along in your planning than I am!

After much thought, we have decided to change our trip dates....we originally wanted to go November 10th-17th and this is why we changed it:
1. the discount codes coming out now do not include the new royal guest rooms whish is what we wanted
2. Veterans day generally has no discounts
3.Marathon weekend
4.end of F&W Festival
5. end of Jersey week
6. Mom really wants the full effect Christmas decorations which I hear are spotty the beginning of November
our best hope if we kept these dates would bee FD which again i never offered on a holiday weekend....grrrrrrr so we decided to change our dates to November 25th-Dec 2nd
I looked at the past 2 yrs FD dates, and they seem to offer it the week AFTER Thanksgiving...... has anyone ever gone around this time? I looked at the crowd calendar and it seems to be ok. the weekend we leave is when POP Warner is and I REFUSE to stay during that week lol. Please tell me I made the right descision *gulp*

I have been going back and forth in my head between the week before Thanksgiving and the week after Thanksgiving for the same reasons you gave. Here's what I've come up with...

You mentioned the FD. I know for sure that FD was offered Veteran's weekend this year. Veteran's Day was the 11th (Friday). My friend arrived on the 13th, and she had free dining. I know because I actually booked it for her. The last day it was offered was the 13th or 14th (don't remember), but I do remember she barely made the cut off. Since she checked in when they were offering it, she got it for her whole trip.

I've been really concerned about the marathon being moved to Veteran's Day weekend. So concerned that I started emailing all of the sites that have crowd calendars... both free and those I subscribe to. So far, they have all said the same thing...the marathon should not affect the week itself. Most of the runners will leave on Sunday or Monday. I'm still waiting to hear back to TP and TGM.

Jersey week people will all be going home that Monday. I researched some NJ school system calendars and found they have school on Veteran's Day so they will be leaving by Saturday or Sunday at the latest.

I say all that to say, I think it will probably be more crowded normal Veteran's weekend, but I think the rest of the week will be nice.

As for the week after Thanksgiving... that's when we went last year. It was magical. If you or your mother have never seen the decorations, I would highly recommend it. I hear people complain that the decorations aren't near a good as they used to be, but I had nothing to compare it to. I loved it all!! The crowds were low, but again, I had nothing to compare it to! We leave the day the Pop Warner crowds were arriving. Oh! and we had FD for that week.

We finally decided on the week before Thanksgiving for one reason... I emailed DD's teacher and asked her opinion. She said as far as school goes, it would be better for her to miss the week before Thanksgiving. Another teacher said they never plan much the week before Thanksgiving because there is always one kid in every class who is out that week for a Disney vacation! Guess it will be my child next year!!!

Whichever week you choose, I am sure you will have a great time!!

 

[dazednconfused]

After much thought, we have decided to change our trip dates....we originally wanted to go November 10th-17th and this is why we changed it:
1. the discount codes coming out now do not include the new royal guest rooms whish is what we wanted
2. Veterans day generally has no discounts
3.Marathon weekend
4.end of F&W Festival
5. end of Jersey week
6. Mom really wants the full effect Christmas decorations which I hear are spotty the beginning of November
our best hope if we kept these dates would bee FD which again i never offered on a holiday weekend....grrrrrrr so we decided to change our dates to November 25th-Dec 2nd
I looked at the past 2 yrs FD dates, and they seem to offer it the week AFTER Thanksgiving...... has anyone ever gone around this time? I looked at the crowd calendar and it seems to be ok. the weekend we leave is when POP Warner is and I REFUSE to stay during that week lol. Please tell me I made the right descision *gulp*

The end of Nov is a great time to visit! We've been there twice after Thanksgiving and in 09, we were on FD! Yes, the Pop Warner crowd will be around early Dec. They were rowdy and very noisy at the resort but we hardly noticed them at the parks. All the Christmas decorations were BEAUTIFUL! Really a sight to behold!

 

[Smileybug]

After much thought, we have decided to change our trip dates....we originally wanted to go November 10th-17th and this is why we changed it:
1. the discount codes coming out now do not include the new royal guest rooms whish is what we wanted
2. Veterans day generally has no discounts
3.Marathon weekend
4.end of F&W Festival
5. end of Jersey week
6. Mom really wants the full effect Christmas decorations which I hear are spotty the beginning of November
our best hope if we kept these dates would bee FD which again i never offered on a holiday weekend....grrrrrrr so we decided to change our dates to November 25th-Dec 2nd
I looked at the past 2 yrs FD dates, and they seem to offer it the week AFTER Thanksgiving...... has anyone ever gone around this time? I looked at the crowd calendar and it seems to be ok. the weekend we leave is when POP Warner is and I REFUSE to stay during that week lol. Please tell me I made the right descision *gulp*

The week after Thanksgiving is the only time we go. The crowd level has been picking up over the last few years. But it is still very doable. REALLY!! I am however expecting this next year to be a little more crowded do to parts of Fantasyland opening. As far as free dining goes.....it usually is offered. We will be there Nov. 24th - Dec. 1st.

 

[Smileybug]

Good morning ya'll.

I sure am feeling some Disney excitement back in here!! I love it!!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

The week after Thanksgiving is the only time we go. The crowd level has been picking up over the last few years. But it is still very doable. REALLY!! I am however expecting this next year to be a little more crowded do to parts of Fantasyland opening. As far as free dining goes.....it usually is offered. We will be there Nov. 24th - Dec. 1st.

I was doing research on the last couple of years(when FD was offered) Veterans day is a hit or miss. I know they offered it in 2011 BUT 2012 its on a Monday meaning I dont think it will be offered the Sat or Sun. More than likely it will be offered Tues or Wed if at all. I told my GG of 17ppl now thanks to my brother, who was not going, to now be bringing the love of his life(who is also named Erin) on our trip, that if we stay, there will be no discount and if we switch, we can try for FD. Everybody understands that nothing is guarenteed but even just a little hope is better than nothing. I know my mom wants the full effect of the decorations. I ran the same speech but everyone and they all said one thing~whatever you choose will be just fine So again, everything is up to me I switched it. I was scared about the Marathon being moved. We had scheduled to arrive on Sat Nov 10th and we were going to go right to a park so the weekend would be busy. Now we are arriving on Sunday the 25th and will stay away from a park that day. I just hope I made the right descision. I just dont want everyone to be upset with me.

Good morning ya'll.

I sure am feeling some Disney excitement back in here!! I love it!!

Good morning to you! I am starting to feel the planning bug now since I have to rearrange everything and its NOT going so well.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Here is our tentative schedule. ANY feedback would be so helpful because I have no idea why this doesnt make sense!

Sunday Nov 25th~arrive, DTD, Chef Mickey for dinner
Monday Nov 26th~Animal Kingdom TH for breakfast, T-Rex for dinner
Tuesday Nov 27th~Epcot, Princess dinner?
Wednesday Nov 28th~Golf Magic Kingdom, MVMCP,CP for dinner OR new BBCastle
Thursday Nov 29th~Water Park Cape May Cafe or Ohana
Friday Nov 30th~Magic Kingdom Crystal Palace or 1900 PF
Saturday Dec 1st~Disney Hollywood Studios, 50's PT Cafe
Sunday Dec 2nd~DTD, Leave

What is another good place to eat in Epcot? I am stuck. We have the water park and more option. Not sure the weather but we need a rest day lol
Where to eat for dinner on the water park day? UGH! I had the perfect schedule but now I dont because of the crowd predictor. My other schedule would have been changed too because of the 8's and 9's I saw on there
I will put the crowd calendar that I have. I will put the parks in this order so maybe you can help me lol
Date .. MK EP DHS AK Overall avg
11/25 2.4 8.9 9.9 7.3 8*
11/26 7.7 4.0 3.5 4.4 6
11/27 1.3 3.4 3.9 4.1 2*
11/28 1.1 4.3 3.8 4.2 2*
11/29 5.6 2.8 3.8 3.8 5
11/30 2.1 7.0 4.9 3.6 5
12/1 . 8.7 4.0 3.8 5.3 6
12/2 . 1.1 1.1 5.7 5.4 2*

*nights MVMCP should be held

 

[mommyof3princess27]

http://www.explorethemagic.com/index.php?option=com_budgetplanner

found this cool planner page! I think I am going to use it

 

[Smileybug]

Here is our tentative schedule. ANY feedback would be so helpful because I have no idea why this doesnt make sense!

Sunday Nov 25th~arrive, DTD, Chef Mickey for dinner
Monday Nov 26th~Animal Kingdom TH for breakfast, T-Rex for dinner
Tuesday Nov 27th~Epcot, Princess dinner?
Wednesday Nov 28th~Golf Magic Kingdom, MVMCP,CP for dinner OR new BBCastle
Thursday Nov 29th~Water Park Cape May Cafe or Ohana
Friday Nov 30th~Magic Kingdom Crystal Palace or 1900 PF
Saturday Dec 1st~Disney Hollywood Studios, 50's PT Cafe
Sunday Dec 2nd~DTD, Leave

What is another good place to eat in Epcot? I am stuck. We have the water park and more option. Not sure the weather but we need a rest day lol
Where to eat for dinner on the water park day? UGH! I had the perfect schedule but now I dont because of the crowd predictor. My other schedule would have been changed too because of the 8's and 9's I saw on there
I will put the crowd calendar that I have. I will put the parks in this order so maybe you can help me lol
Date .. MK EP DHS AK Overall avg
11/25 2.4 8.9 9.9 7.3 8*
11/26 7.7 4.0 3.5 4.4 6
11/27 1.3 3.4 3.9 4.1 2*
11/28 1.1 4.3 3.8 4.2 2*
11/29 5.6 2.8 3.8 3.8 5
11/30 2.1 7.0 4.9 3.6 5
12/1 . 8.7 4.0 3.8 5.3 6
12/2 . 1.1 1.1 5.7 5.4 2*

*nights MVMCP should be held

I really don't think you are going to regret moving your dates. We honestly don't even consider going at any other time of year. (Completely our opinion though.)

Your schedule looks good. You may or may not be able to do the water park. One thing about Fl weather.....one day you are in shorts. the next you are completely bundled up. So have a plan B in place. Eating in Epcot.... we love LeCeiller but I think that is now 2 TS credits. San Angel Inn is good. (At least we thought so.) It really depends on what you are looking for overall. Your kids are really going to enjoy T-Rex. Its just over the top.

 

[Smileybug]

http://www.explorethemagic.com/index.php?option=com_budgetplanner

found this cool planner page! I think I am going to use it

That is cool.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I really don't think you are going to regret moving your dates. We honestly don't even consider going at any other time of year. (Completely our opinion though.)

Your schedule looks good. You may or may not be able to do the water park. One thing about Fl weather.....one day you are in shorts. the next you are completely bundled up. So have a plan B in place. Eating in Epcot.... we love LeCeiller but I think that is now 2 TS credits. San Angel Inn is good. (At least we thought so.) It really depends on what you are looking for overall. Your kids are really going to enjoy T-Rex. Its just over the top.

Plan B? OMG! How the heck would you use 7 park days! What parks would you do 2x? I have Magic Kingdom scheduled 2x but thats it. Maybe Epcot?

 

[Smileybug]

Plan B? OMG! How the heck would you use 7 park days! What parks would you do 2x? I have Magic Kingdom scheduled 2x but thats it. Maybe Epcot?

Well, I have a question........ Is this your last trip to Disney? NO?I didn't think so. You do need a plan for what days seem to be better for each park. And of course your ADR's. But other than that we are slow and layed back. We really take the time to watch the street performers and just take in all the sights sounds and smells of Disney. I realize you are planning for a big group though. Maybe you could give each park a day. Then with remaining days make them more interchangeable.(When you get there you may find that a different day is perfect for the water parks) Maybe make your ADR's on those days evening ones. Maybe even schedule in a free day for everyone. Where they are free to do there own thing and not hang with the whole group. We are actually doing Disney this time with a large group as well. There will be 21 of us. But we are basically each planning our own trip. Same park days. And we will come together for some ADR's and rides. We will also be spread out between 4 resorts. (this just worked the best for financial reasons for everyone.) We will have plenty of togetherness. But plenty of free time as well.