OFFICIAL April 2012 DISers! 2 months and counting!

[DaveinFallsChurch]

15 days and counting!! In 5 days, I get to check in on-line! Mickey's finger on my ticker is almost touching the top of Cinderella Castle!!

Still trying to figure out what to do for our MK day plans. Meeting Rapunzel is a must for DD5 so we were planning on seeing her first thing at rope drop. But not knowing how they're going to set up the new meet and greet, I can't make any definite plans. Probably will head to guest services on Main Street a couple of nights before during the solo late night MK visit I have planned and see if they can give me the schedule.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I just bit the bullet and booked our return flights even though I probably should have waited 'til tuesday when prices are lowered. But I was afraid we wouldn't be able to get a good flight, or prices may even go up since at that point we'd only be 2 weeks out.

We paid $460 for our flights down. $1600 for our flights back.

OMG Are you serious???? What airline?

 

[FancyNancy]

My daughter and I will be arriving 4/28/12 and leaving 5/4/12

Resort Day: 4-28
Animal Kingdom: 4-29
Magic Kingdom: 4-30
Epcot Center: 5-1
Hollywood Studios: 5-2
Downtown Disney / Resort Day: 5-3

This will be my fourth trip and my daughters first trip

 

[ddluvsdisney]

My daughter and I will be arriving 4/28/12 and leaving 5/4/12

Resort Day: 4-28
Animal Kingdom: 4-29
Magic Kingdom: 4-30
Epcot Center: 5-1
Hollywood Studios: 5-2
Downtown Disney / Resort Day: 5-3

This will be my fourth trip and my daughters first trip

for first trip!!! How exciting.

 

[lamb616]

OMG Are you serious???? What airline?

Sorry, that was for 4 tickets, I didn't mention that. But still...... we paid $114/pp. on the way down on Delta, and then $399/pp. for the way back on Air Tran. I know I could have gotten a flight for $300, maybe a little less with a layover, and that left Orlando at 6 or 7 a.m. and didn't get home 'til 6 or 7 at night, but I didn't want to have to deal with all that, so I sucked it up and paid more for a good flight. Now we don't have to leave Orlando 'til 1:30 and we'll arrive home at 4:30.

 

[disneychic2]

This will be the first time I've been since 1975 and my wife's first time since 1979.

Wonder if we'd qualify for the "First Visit" pins since all that was there back then was the Magic Kingdom?

Absolutely get the first visit pins! How fun to be experiencing so much for the first time. Take your time and enjoy everything. Have a magical trip!

Sounds pretty legit to me Someone did say they've been there during this event in the past and didn't notice much of a difference so I will hold out for that. I see they are doing awards in the world showcase the day I'm there which I don't like and it doesn't even say a time but at least i have another repeat visit to this area the following week too.

This is the part i don't like (in red)...

Sunday, April 29, 2012
• Cheer Worlds Final Competition and Awards at ESPN Wide World of
Sports® Complex
• Dance Worlds Final Competition and Awards at Epcot’s World
Showplace Pavilion
• Private Block Party at a Disneyworld Theme Park TBA

So which park is it???? and are we to anticipate a park closure or early closure that we havn't anticipated???

I read down in the FAQ section of the registration form that it would be at Hollywood Studios. Hope it doesn't hamper your plans.

15 days and counting!! In 5 days, I get to check in on-line! Mickey's finger on my ticker is almost touching the top of Cinderella Castle!!

Still trying to figure out what to do for our MK day plans. Meeting Rapunzel is a must for DD5 so we were planning on seeing her first thing at rope drop. But not knowing how they're going to set up the new meet and greet, I can't make any definite plans. Probably will head to guest services on Main Street a couple of nights before during the solo late night MK visit I have planned and see if they can give me the schedule.

I know what you mean. My almost 5 year old DGD will want to meet Raunzel for sure. She is her favorite character these days. Now that Flynn is back, it will be crazy trying to get to see her without spending a ton of time in line. I still have 25 days before we go, so maybe by then we'll have more info. Good luck to you!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I know what you mean. My almost 5 year old DGD will want to meet Raunzel for sure. She is her favorite character these days. Now that Flynn is back, it will be crazy trying to get to see her without spending a ton of time in line. I still have 25 days before we go, so maybe by then we'll have more info. Good luck to you!

I'll definitely keep you in the loop by posting on the April thread what I find out about schedule, lines, and waittimes since our MK day is the 17th only two days after they move the meet and greet.

 

[auprincess]

I don't know if I'll have access to get online, but we'll be in MK on the 15th and plan to go to the meet and greet. It won't be the first thing we go to, though. Maybe it will be so new people won't realize they're in the new place...wishful thinking! I know it's a no no to wait in line for rides without your entire party, but seems like it isn't quite a big deal to wait for characters (any thoughts on this? I know when we met Rapunzel and Flynn last year ago my family was the only family in line, everyone else just had part of their party waiting). Probably just myself or DH will wait with baby and the big girls can explore Swiss Family Robinson tree house while we wait.

 

[angierae]

Ran all my pre-trip errands today. Just have to pick up DD's sunglasses this afternoon (we got them at a "glasses in about an hour" place yesterday, but they were waiting on a part for their machine, so they should be done by this afternoon), and I saw some shorts I thought she might like this morning but I know better than to buy clothes for a 17 year old without her seeing them first, so we'll duck back over there after school.

Need to clean the house, finish laundry and packing (I think I've over packed on clothes, so I need to go back through my suitcase) and I think that's it for today. Tomorrow morning we're going for haircuts and pedicures so we're all sandals-ready and then at 2pm DFriend is coming over and at 4:30 we leave for the airport!

Taking my kindle fire so I will definitely report in while we're gone and let people know how it's going!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I don't know if I'll have access to get online, but we'll be in MK on the 15th and plan to go to the meet and greet. It won't be the first thing we go to, though. Maybe it will be so new people won't realize they're in the new place...wishful thinking! I know it's a no no to wait in line for rides without your entire party, but seems like it isn't quite a big deal to wait for characters (any thoughts on this? I know when we met Rapunzel and Flynn last year ago my family was the only family in line, everyone else just had part of their party waiting). Probably just myself or DH will wait with baby and the big girls can explore Swiss Family Robinson tree house while we wait.

I think you're right that most people at rope drop who will be sprinting towards Rapunzel will head to Fairytale gardens the first couple of days because they were not updated.

It is true that for Rapunzel, that the CMs encouraged/allowed one person to hold the line, but I'm not so sure if that'll still be the case. If I'm not mistaken, the Veranda meet and greet for Ariel had roped off queues weaving back and forth just like many of the rides and I'm wondering if this configuration will make it difficult to have people holding spots. We'll have to see how this works out. We're still heading towards Rapunzel at rope drop and with many people heading the wrong direction, I'm pretty sure that we can manage to be one of the first five people in line.

 

[bigsis1970]

We're leaving around 3a.m. Saturday morning to go to WDW!

I may have just planted the seed in my wife's mind that we could go ahead and leave tomorrow night after we've loaded the car. The kids were going to sleep that night anyway, and we'd have more time at Disney. Wouldn't have a room until 3p.m. on Saturday and we'd be exhausted, but we'd be exhausted anyway upon arrival with our planned departure time, right?

Was that a bad thing to do?

Whoo go for it!!!!!! and who knows your room might be ready early!!

Ran all my pre-trip errands today. Just have to pick up DD's sunglasses this afternoon (we got them at a "glasses in about an hour" place yesterday, but they were waiting on a part for their machine, so they should be done by this afternoon), and I saw some shorts I thought she might like this morning but I know better than to buy clothes for a 17 year old without her seeing them first, so we'll duck back over there after school.

Need to clean the house, finish laundry and packing (I think I've over packed on clothes, so I need to go back through my suitcase) and I think that's it for today. Tomorrow morning we're going for haircuts and pedicures so we're all sandals-ready and then at 2pm DFriend is coming over and at 4:30 we leave for the airport!

Taking my kindle fire so I will definitely report in while we're gone and let people know how it's going!

Have a great TRIP!!!

Ok so the peeps going at the end of the month. I am warning you that 4/29 to May 2nd there will be a large group of us at the Yacht and Beach Club for a conference (350ish people) we have an Epcot Illuminations desssert party planned for 4/29 .. our packets says this
Welcome Party and IllumiNations Show

6pm - 8:15pm Join the epic feud of Disney heroes vs. villains on your first night at Aspire. Once Upon a Time in the Courtyard of Good and Evil will come to life in the the Grand Harbor Ballroom with food fit for a king and entertainment lively enough for the most impish mischief-makers. You will be well-equipped to battle the brave and the beastly. Don't forget to bring your camera—you never know who you might need to capture!

8:30- 9:30pm Celebrate your victory by parading with the whole group to Epcot for dessert on French Island. Ooh and Ahh with a first-class view of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, a 14-minute, live pyrotechnic show that brings together the past, present and future of our planet and its colorful nations. Featuring breathtaking fireworks, brilliant bursts of fire, laserlight effects, dramatic fountain barges, a stirring musical score and the world's first spherical video display system—the 350,000-pound Earth Globe—IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is an inspirational nighttime spectacular bursting with surprises.

On 4/30 we are invading Hollywood Studios for the evening - our packet says this:
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!

6:45 - 10 pm Gear up for a Hollywood adventure of your own at Hollywood Studios' own Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! Your second Aspire night will push you to the edge of your seat as you venture into a live archeological expedition. Audience members become part of the show in this thrilling event, allowing each spectator to feel as dashing and daring as Indiana himself, if only for an evening.

After the show, enjoy a exclusive bash with dinner, dancing, a DJ and more right there on the set.

and our last night we are going Universal to Harry Potter - our packet says this:
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

7pm - 11:00 pm Wrap up your Aspire journey by taking a stroll into Hogsmeade, mingling with wizards and witches in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios! For one night only, Harry Potter's world will belong to our employees!

Dine at Three Broomsticks. Savor a Butter Beer or Pumpkin Juice at Hog's Head Pub. Don't forget your spending money for shopping in Hogsmeade village. Zonkos Joke Shop, Ollivander's Wand Shop, Dervish & Banges and Honeydukes will be opened exclusively for you! Satisfy your thirst for adventure by taking a ride on the Dragon Challenge or Flight of the Hippogriff. Then explore the halls and tunnels of Hogwarts at the main attraction—Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey!

just an FYI - there will be lots of adults heading to JellyRolls and Atlantic Dance Hall those night too since we are staying right at the Y&B club..

 

[Kathymford]

I was giving myself a headache last night trying to figure out a new park per day plan and DBF was having none of it. Lol. Based on the changing EMH and cheerleaders I was trying to move my Epcot day from Thurs to Mon, but we have Dessert Party tickets on Monday, so we would ave to leave Epcot early andtgen what about Illuminations? Oh, and we would have to come back a second day just for our Le Cellier ADRs...

Yup. DBF wants no part of any of that. And after writing it all down. Neither do I. And now that I look closer at the cheer schedule, I think my Epcot day is fine, but now I'm wondering about my HS day. It's now on EMH.

*sigh* I think he's right. I'm over thinking.....

 

[Kathymford]

Ok so the peeps going at the end of the month. I am warning you that 4/29 to May 2nd there will be a large group of us at the Yacht and Beach Club for a conference (350ish people) we have an Epcot Illuminations desssert party planned for 4/29

That's better than any conference itinerary I've ever experienced!! Have fun! It sounds fantastic!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Sorry, that was for 4 tickets, I didn't mention that. But still...... we paid $114/pp. on the way down on Delta, and then $399/pp. for the way back on Air Tran. I know I could have gotten a flight for $300, maybe a little less with a layover, and that left Orlando at 6 or 7 a.m. and didn't get home 'til 6 or 7 at night, but I didn't want to have to deal with all that, so I sucked it up and paid more for a good flight. Now we don't have to leave Orlando 'til 1:30 and we'll arrive home at 4:30.

I realized it was for all of you after I posted. That's still a lot of money. Especially the $399. But I guess it could be worse. I've seen almost $500 the way home at one point
I bought my tickets almost 6 mos. ago. We're paying about $270 pp that's with a small layover (about an hr.). Those are the best prices I've ever gotten for spring break
Glad you were able to get your flight home.

 

[bigsis1970]

Ooops partial post

 

[bigsis1970]

I know Kathy - I feel very lucky to have been choosen to attend this year. We do have the "conference stuff" during the day on Mon, Tues and Wed in the Am then we get the afternoon's to ourselves then we go off together for these big dinner party events. we get a 2 day hopper and busses to go park to park without using Disney transport! all flights, hotel, meals, parks and fun paid for and if you get in a group with a head honcho that goes out later in the night they pay for all that too!!

 

[RobertLC]

We're moving up our departure time by at least 3 hours. We'll definitely be leaving no later than midnight tonight!

Ready to get out of here.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I know Kathy - I feel very lucky to have been choosen to attend this year. We do have the "conference stuff" during the day on Mon, Tues and Wed in the Am then we get the afternoon's to ourselves then we go off together for these big dinner party events. we get a 2 day hopper and busses to go park to park without using Disney transport! all flights, hotel, meals, parks and fun paid for and if you get in a group with a head honcho that goes out later in the night they pay for all that too!!

Sounds like a blast! Have fun. You are so lucky to be going 3x in a month!!!

 

[bigsis1970]

We're moving up our departure time by at least 3 hours. We'll definitely be leaving no later than midnight tonight!

Ready to get out of here.

YIPPEE for you -- have a great trip!!!!

Sounds like a blast! Have fun. You are so lucky to be going 3x in a month!!!

Thanks I know - I used to go every year when the kids were younger and things were not so expensive (2001-2006)(2005-2006 I went twice) but when they got bigger and had to pay adult prices and the economy bottomed out we had to quit going (well I snuck in one last solo trip in 2007) so I feel very blessed to have even one trip -- let alone three (altho trips 2 and 3 are together 4-29 to 5-7 but very seperate trips work 4/29 - 5/2am and personal 5/2 pm - 5/7)

 

[Zuzu03]

We're moving up our departure time by at least 3 hours. We'll definitely be leaving no later than midnight tonight!

Ready to get out of here.

Yay! That is so exciting! Drive safely!