*** OFFICIAL January 2013 Thread ***

[mom of lil princess]

Just bought my airfare... Jan 7-16, hoping now for a deal during that time..... I was so excited for airfare deal I couldn't wait for park deal..... Crossing fingers, legs, and toes that everything falls into place with Disney deals

 

[Marshay]

Just bought my airfare... Jan 7-16, hoping now for a deal during that time..... I was so excited for airfare deal I couldn't wait for park deal..... Crossing fingers, legs, and toes that everything falls into place with Disney deals

Welcome!! Let us know when you book your resort.

It's January and I'm sure you'll find some kind of deal. Make sure to book "potential" trips and save them on your Disney.com account. I have 2 already saved starting on Dec 31st and going for a week or so.

This *may* be one way to secure a coveted PIN. It worked for me in July and hoping for another PIN or bounceback deal to make January more affordable.

 

[smga1]

We just booked our trip. January 18 -23 at BLT. This is our first trip since 1999 and the first trip for our kids. We are so excited. My mother in law is coming too. The last time she went was in 1978!

So excited to start planning. Can anyone share with me their sample plan so I know how to make one?

Stacy

 

[readytogotodisney]

We just booked our trip. January 18 -23 at BLT. This is our first trip since 1999 and the first trip for our kids. We are so excited. My mother in law is coming too. The last time she went was in 1978!

So excited to start planning. Can anyone share with me their sample plan so I know how to make one?

Stacy

You will love BLT!! We'll be staying there over the same dates!
I will usually start out by picking which park which day, and then make ADR's according to that.
But the only tricky part is that EMH haven't been released yet (an odd thing too), so picking my park days has been a challenge!

I have a spreadsheet that I use to help me plan. This one is from last year, but it might help you and and you're welcome to save it and use it for yourself.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Anp7Mh0HO8GTdER1UnRJaF82OGU1cWwtMW8yTmR1OGc#gid=0

 

[peaceluv&mickeymouse]

Booked all my adr's this morning for 1/3 through1/13. So happy to get everything we wanted. Now waiting for packages , BOG , and hopefully FD ! If LM rooms are excluded then we will switch resorts.

 

[Marshay]

We just booked our trip. January 18 -23 at BLT. This is our first trip since 1999 and the first trip for our kids. We are so excited. My mother in law is coming too. The last time she went was in 1978!

So excited to start planning. Can anyone share with me their sample plan so I know how to make one?

Stacy

Welcome! Wow -- soooooo much has changed since you all have been to WDW. I'm very excited for you, too!

We will be at BLT for 2 of your nights, too (Jan 20 and 21). We loved BLT and are thrilled to be going back.

 

[mom of lil princess]

Welcome!! Let us know when you book your resort.

It's January and I'm sure you'll find some kind of deal. Make sure to book "potential" trips and save them on your Disney.com account. I have 2 already saved starting on Dec 31st and going for a week or so.

This *may* be one way to secure a coveted PIN. It worked for me in July and hoping for another PIN or bounceback deal to make January more affordable.

Thank you so much for the hint we are hoping for port Orleans but I will post as soon as I know for sure.

 

[Mommy2cody]

Hello everyone!!! Can I join your thread?! We are FINALLY making our first trip to WDW!! I am so excited!!!

It is me, DH and our 11 year old son!! Our dates are 1/5 - 1/13 and we are staying at POP.

I am trying to figure out what ADR's to make and I am feeling a little overwhelmed!! I need one more TS (would like this one to be at any resort) maybe for dinner or breakfast??? Any favorites out there??

 

[readytogotodisney]

Hello everyone!!! Can I join your thread?! We are FINALLY making our first trip to WDW!! I am so excited!!!

It is me, DH and our 11 year old son!! Our dates are 1/5 - 1/13 and we are staying at POP.

I am trying to figure out what ADR's to make and I am feeling a little overwhelmed!! I need one more TS (would like this one to be at any resort) maybe for dinner or breakfast??? Any favorites out there??

What ADR's do you have already? If you're looking for a character breakfast, have you thought about Ohana's, Chef Mickey or Cape May?

 

[LSUfan4444]

Hello everyone!!! Can I join your thread?! We are FINALLY making our first trip to
I am trying to figure out what ADR's to make and I am feeling a little overwhelmed!! I need one more TS (would like this one to be at any resort) maybe for dinner or breakfast??? Any favorites out there??

Ohana at Polynesian is a fun family meal. If you plan your reservations right, you can also walk out to the beach and watch wishes after dinner.

 

[Mommy2cody]

What ADR's do you have already? If you're looking for a character breakfast, have you thought about Ohana's, Chef Mickey or Cape May?

Well since it is our first trip, I was planning on doing one park a day for the 4 days. So those days I have covered. The next 3 days I figured we would park hop. I was thinking we could do a TS breakfast or dinner at one of the resorts. So far I have Whispering Canyon Cafe and Chef Mickey's for dinner. I was thinking about doing breakfast somewhere but my son doesn't want to do a lot of character meals (He thinks he is too old for them ) Im not sure about Chef Mickey's for dinner. My husband is a very adventures eater but my son can sometimes be picky! I was thinking about Boma maybe?? What about Kona Cafe for Breakfast?

Thanks for any help!

 

[maman_et_fille]

Well since it is our first trip, I was planning on doing one park a day for the 4 days. So those days I have covered. The next 3 days I figured we would park hop. I was thinking we could do a TS breakfast or dinner at one of the resorts. So far I have Whispering Canyon Cafe and Chef Mickey's for dinner. I was thinking about doing breakfast somewhere but my son doesn't want to do a lot of character meals (He thinks he is too old for them ) Im not sure about Chef Mickey's for dinner. My husband is a very adventures eater but my son can sometimes be picky! I was thinking about Boma maybe?? What about Kona Cafe for Breakfast?

Thanks for any help!

It sounds like you're doing the dining plan? Not sure you want to use a TS credit on breakfast at Kona, but it gets very good reviews! We liked our dinner there, too. Can you get breakfast at Chef Mickey's? We prefer the food at Tusker House to Boma; AKL is beautiful to visit, but it seems like everyone likes to book dinner at Boma after a day at AK . . . the bus situation is a nightmare at dinnertime. (Obviously not a problem if you'll have a car.) There is plenty for picky eaters at both. If you're looking for something a little more off-the-beaten-path, we loved Sanaa and The Wave. Or maybe you want to save an ADR for Be Our Guest at the MK? (I'm no help at all, I know!)

 

[mickeyplanner]

Booked all my adr's this morning for 1/3 through1/13. So happy to get everything we wanted. Now waiting for packages , BOG , and hopefully FD ! If LM rooms are excluded then we will switch resorts.

I am glad to hear someone got all the ADRs they wanted. I could not get into Sanaa on January 10 or 11 for a party of 4. I am hoping to keep calling and eventually getting in.

 

[Marshay]

Hello everyone!!! Can I join your thread?! We are FINALLY making our first trip to WDW!! I am so excited!!!

It is me, DH and our 11 year old son!! Our dates are 1/5 - 1/13 and we are staying at POP.

I am trying to figure out what ADR's to make and I am feeling a little overwhelmed!! I need one more TS (would like this one to be at any resort) maybe for dinner or breakfast??? Any favorites out there??

Welcome! I'll add you to the list.

Ohana at Polynesian is a fun family meal. If you plan your reservations right, you can also walk out to the beach and watch wishes after dinner.

I was going to mention O'hana, too! They have great food and it's so fun as well as easy to get to see the fireworks and water parade afterwards.

 

[ButterflyJen]

So if we were thinking of having dinner at 'Ohana, what time should we be aiming for if we'd like to try to see the fireworks afterward on the beach? (My 7 year old has heard great things about 'Ohana from friends)

 

[crazy4tig]

Hi, can I be added to the thread also. We are booked at POR Jan 17-28!! I can make my ADR's July 21st but am having such a hard time planning without park schedules being out yet!! I like to plan around EMH and parades etc. how does everyone else do it without having the schedules??? Any hints ? Thanks

 

[mickeyplanner]

Hi, can I be added to the thread also. We are booked at POR Jan 17-28!! I can make my ADR's July 21st but am having such a hard time planning without park schedules being out yet!! I like to plan around EMH and parades etc. how does everyone else do it without having the schedules??? Any hints ? Thanks

I made my ARDs yesterday without EMH but I will probably make some changes once they EMHs are posted. I tried making all the must haves for breakfast or lunch and then just made reservations for dinner that I will change once EMHs were posted. We are AP holders so I think that helped ease my mind on park options because of being able to park hop. Good luck, I am hoping tomorrow EMHs are posted with the 2013 room rates then you will have time to plan before your ADR window opens.

 

[Marshay]

So if we were thinking of having dinner at 'Ohana, what time should we be aiming for if we'd like to try to see the fireworks afterward on the beach? (My 7 year old has heard great things about 'Ohana from friends)

I would plan for dinner around 6:30pm for a 9pm Wishes. The reason I say so early is because O'hana is ALWAYS backed up and even though your ressie is for 6:30pm, you may not get in until 7pm.

However, it is January, so it should be less crowded.

But there are lots of things to do anyway, if you do find yourself with time to spare. We let our girls play in the sand while we sit on the hammocks...walk around the resort and take great photos -- the plants and waterfalls make wonderful background photos...ride the monorail in a loop around the resorts...explore CR or GF, too...go to the shops, etc.

 

[Marshay]

Hi, can I be added to the thread also. We are booked at POR Jan 17-28!! I can make my ADR's July 21st but am having such a hard time planning without park schedules being out yet!! I like to plan around EMH and parades etc. how does everyone else do it without having the schedules??? Any hints ? Thanks

Welcome!! You are now added to the front page!

I made my initial potential ADRs based on a combination of EMHs from last January and what parades/shows we want to see.

We have AP, so we like to go to one park in the AM and another at night.

Even if I had EMH at this time, I'd still probably change my ADRs a bunch between now and January!!

 

[SingingMom]

Hi there everyone! Can we be added to this thread too? . We are heading down on January 8th, staying at the Dolphin. We just returned from ABD Cities of Knights and
Lights tour in May and loved it! Haven't been to WDW in two years and started missing it after talking about it with our fellow travelers. We always go in June, so this will be the first time in January for us. I will read back through the thread, but in the ,eat time, any packing advice for this time of year would be greatly appreciated! LOL