~*~The OFFICIAL 2014 Dates Thread - Come Join Us!~*~

[Valgoof]

199 days!! Booked my return flight yesterday, so flights are done and paid for. Ok they were free with points, but still, one less thing to think about.
I cant believe I havent changed our resort yet. I was reading someone's PTR for an AKL stay, so now I want to stay there. We got some free hotel nights at a casino this week, so if I hit a jackpot, I will switch.

 

[BearcatsFan]

199 days!! Booked my return flight yesterday, so flights are done and paid for. Ok they were free with points, but still, one less thing to think about.
I cant believe I havent changed our resort yet. I was reading someone's PTR for an AKL stay, so now I want to stay there. We got some free hotel nights at a casino this week, so if I hit a jackpot, I will switch.

Have fun at the casino - you gonna share if you win big? C'mon, help a fellow Buckeye out!

 

[SAT887]

199 days!! Booked my return flight yesterday, so flights are done and paid for. Ok they were free with points, but still, one less thing to think about.
I cant believe I havent changed our resort yet. I was reading someone's PTR for an AKL stay, so now I want to stay there. We got some free hotel nights at a casino this week, so if I hit a jackpot, I will switch.

Have fun!!

 

[dgr1973]

Definitely request a DVD!! That's how you get on the email list for the discount PIN codes that are sent just to your family (versus the ones that are open to the general public)

I have ordered a dvd for every trip over the last 5 years and have never received a PIN code or discounts. I guess I will try again since we are possibly going June 7-14!!

 

[hsmamainva]

I have ordered a dvd for every trip over the last 5 years and have never received a PIN code or discounts. I guess I will try again since we are possibly going June 7-14!!

Not everyone does. But it improves your chances that you might! Here's hoping you do!!

 

[MonsterWDWmom]

Not everyone does. But it improves your chances that you might! Here's hoping you do!!

I just ordered so hopefully will get one!

 

[hsmamainva]

I just ordered so hopefully will get one!

I hope so!!

I ordered one a few years ago and didn't receive any codes. Hubby ordered one last year and he gets pin offers. Go figure!

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

We just made the decision yesterday that we are definitely going to Disney next summer.

We usually go in June, so I will assume that will remain the same. On our last trip we stayed at POFQ and loved it. We are hoping to stay here again. It will be a while before we book, but I wanted to get back on the disboards to start reading.

We haven't been there since the Fantasyland Expansion opened and the new FP system was unveiled. I have a lot to learn. I am so excited to get back into the "planning game".

 

[mickeyplanner]

The people who are scheduling now have said that when you first pick you get the choice of morning/afternoon/evening but once you pick one of those you can go into each individual FP and change the scheduled time to any of the times available. So you could pick afternoon and then go in and change each one to a time in the morning or evening that works better for you if you wanted to. So as of now it shouldn't be a big deal to get a time that works with your ADR.

If you're park hopping that's exactly how I would do it.

It is going to take some time to get use to the new system. I just wish you could schedule your FP time like you can for dining.

 

[SAT887]

It is going to take some time to get use to the new system. I just wish you could schedule your FP time like you can for dining.

I just want the system to work. For my jan trip I couldn't utilize my plus 10 for ADRs even though my entire trip was highlighted on the calendar. That's my biggest gripe, the technology and ideas are great but they need to make it work 100%.

 

[princesskaycee]

Going Nov 15-24 SOOOOO EXCITED.

I haven't been in 10 years and I'm going with my family and boyfriend (who has never been!)

I can't wait for a margarita in Mexico now that I'm old enough to get one

Staying in The Art of Animation Resort in a standard Little Mermaid room. The Little Mermaid has always been my favorite Disney film.

 

[Shunasee]

199 days!! Booked my return flight yesterday, so flights are done and paid for. Ok they were free with points, but still, one less thing to think about.
I cant believe I havent changed our resort yet. I was reading someone's PTR for an AKL stay, so now I want to stay there. We got some free hotel nights at a casino this week, so if I hit a jackpot, I will switch.

Good Luck and win big!!

So here is my two cents on AKL. We stayed there in 2007. I have to admit, the day we checked in, and I opened the curtains to a giraffe was *AMAZING*, but it was the only time we saw an animal from our room. I dont know if it was worth the money.

For me, I am not in the room enough. I tend to sleep in, no rope drop, and get to the parks about 11-12ish and then close the parks out. Then by the time we get back to the resort, I am exhausted and go to bed. On the rare occasion that has not happened, I end up in the spa. I would like to get back to the resort early enough one of these times to watch the movie on the lawn at POFQ, maybe this next trip.

New Topic: So I just posted on the Feb 2014 thread and I feel like a traitor to this thread. Silly I know, but its true!


Hope everyone is doing good and the planning is moving right along.

-Kristi

 

[Valgoof]

Good Luck and win big!!

So here is my two cents on AKL. We stayed there in 2007. I have to admit, the day we checked in, and I opened the curtains to a giraffe was *AMAZING*, but it was the only time we saw an animal from our room. I dont know if it was worth the money.

For me, I am not in the room enough. I tend to sleep in, no rope drop, and get to the parks about 11-12ish and then close the parks out. Then by the time we get back to the resort, I am exhausted and go to bed. On the rare occasion that has not happened, I end up in the spa. I would like to get back to the resort early enough one of these times to watch the movie on the lawn at POFQ, maybe this next trip.

New Topic: So I just posted on the Feb 2014 thread and I feel like a traitor to this thread. Silly I know, but its true!


Hope everyone is doing good and the planning is moving right along.

-Kristi

Thanks for your thoughts on AKL. We are rope drop, afternoon break, parks in the evening people. We wouldnt use the pool, hot tub, or any other deluxe amenities. I would like easy access to good restaurants though. I really doubt we upgrade. Pop was fine last year, so a moderate is already an upgrade. It is more of a "wanting what I dont have" syndrome for me. That and having so many months to think about it.

Casino is NOT going well!! I am supposed to be making more Disney money, not losing it. But we are having fun and it is nice to be away on a mini-vacation.

 

[mickeyplanner]

I just want the system to work. For my jan trip I couldn't utilize my plus 10 for ADRs even though my entire trip was highlighted on the calendar. That's my biggest gripe, the technology and ideas are great but they need to make it work 100%.

Maybe my head cold is starting to cause thinking problems...I am not following you on

 

[mickeyplanner]

Thanks for your thoughts on AKL. We are rope drop, afternoon break, parks in the evening people. We wouldnt use the pool, hot tub, or any other deluxe amenities. I would like easy access to good restaurants though. I really doubt we upgrade. Pop was fine last year, so a moderate is already an upgrade. It is more of a "wanting what I dont have" syndrome for me. That and having so many months to think about it.

Casino is NOT going well!! I am supposed to be making more Disney money, not losing it. But we are having fun and it is nice to be away on a mini-vacation.

If you want to have easy access to good restaurants, I would not recommend AKV. There are so many other deluxes with more choices.
We stayed at AKV, Kidani January 2013 for two nights. Our kids loved opening the curtains and seeing the animals. They tend to feed them in the afternoon so if you take afternoon breaks you will definately see a lot of animals out your window.

I missed what Mod are you staying at? We have stayed at POR, POFQ and CBR before.

 

[disneygrl704]

So we are booked for Sept. 2014 and now I'm worried about taking DD out if school for a full week. I looked at the school calendar and they will be out 3 days in Jan. We went in January this year, but I am tempted to change our dates and do January instead. The problem is we will have to really cut back to have it paid in time (unless they come out with a deal). What do you guys think?

 

[BDL]

So we are booked for Sept. 2014 and now I'm worried about taking DD out if school for a full week. I looked at the school calendar and they will be out 3 days in Jan. We went in January this year, but I am tempted to change our dates and do January instead. The problem is we will have to really cut back to have it paid in time (unless they come out with a deal). What do you guys think?

I say go in Sept. I don't know the age or grade of your daughter, but Sept is 1 of the cheapest and lowest occupied times of the year.

As for the school, it's the beginning of the year and there won't be too much in depth material. Get in touch with the teachers, before hand, so you can get the material and maybe "hone school" her at night while you are down there so she will be all caught up by the time she returns.

 

[disneygrl704]

I say go in Sept. I don't know the age or grade of your daughter, but Sept is 1 of the cheapest and lowest occupied times of the year.

As for the school, it's the beginning of the year and there won't be too much in depth material. Get in touch with the teachers, before hand, so you can get the material and maybe "hone school" her at night while you are down there so she will be all caught up by the time she returns.

She will be in 1st grade. I know she probably won't miss much, but I have read some stories on here about parents getting letters saying social services would come out because kids had missed more than 2 or 3 days in a row.

 

[RoyalMom]

Oct 11-25, we will be staying at FW! yayy!

plans have changed from Aug. to Feb. to finally settling on the time of year we KNOW is going to be awesome, with the MNSSHP and gorgeous weather for camping!

We will be celebrating DH's and my 10th wedding anniversary

I am really excited to start planning, getting geared up to make our ADRs and possibly by then FP+ will be in full swing!

yeeeehawww!

 

[cadale]

On the off chance that we get to make 2 trips next year I have been pricing out deluxe villas for the fall. But no matter what villa I try and any dates they keep coming back no availability. Any of the regular deluxe hotels have rooms it is just the villas that are not coming up. Is it possible they just haven't released the rooms yet? It seems highly unlikely that all the villas are sold out already.