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

[mom2clr]

It looks like our trip may be moved up...by a week! I found a daycare near our new home which I LOVE but they are closed the 3rd week in August which means it would make sense to take vacation at that time.

The only cons I see is that I lose a day (Sat-Sun as opposed to Sat-Mon) and the touring numbers as per EasyWDW are slightly higher the beginning of the week.

The pros outweigh them for sure...we get to be at Disney a week early, oldest DD has a chance to unwind from vacation before heading back to school and I also get to get organized before the start of the school year. It's a win-win.

So with all that said, please change my dates to 8/16-24. POP is still resort of choice, but I am adding more hours at work come Sept so I may be able to save a little more to upgrade to our resort of choice...POFQ.

Have a great day everyone!!

 

[hsmamainva]

The waiting is the hardest part, no?

When we stayed at POP, we had a king bed, but it was in a HA room. I wished I'd have said no when they said, "Yes, we have a king room available, but only a HA one - will that be okay?"

The food court there is great. I thought the food at SSR was good, but the selection was so small compared to POP - I was so disappointed! And don't even get me started on what I thought of the food court at POFQ.

Oh man! That's the second post I've read about the POFQ food court in the last two days!

What's wrong with it?

Tell me the truth. I can take it.

 

[Valgoof]

The waiting is the hardest part, no?

When we stayed at POP, we had a king bed, but it was in a HA room. I wished I'd have said no when they said, "Yes, we have a king room available, but only a HA one - will that be okay?"

The food court there is great. I thought the food at SSR was good, but the selection was so small compared to POP - I was so disappointed! And don't even get me started on what I thought of the food court at POFQ.

What didnt you like about the HA room? I really dont know the difference. Does water get everywhere since it is a roll in shower?

 

[Sundancer UK]

Did you get a chance to go through the thread today at all?

I have no idea about paying for the baby's flight - I have no kids, so I'm no help whatsoever in that department.

SWW dates are typically released sometime in December. As far as specifically when in December, that's anyone's guess.

Love the "Lost" reference, by the way! That was one of my favorite shows of all time - I miss it a lot.

Some! But it's Just. So. LONG!

So I guess if I want to guarantee SWW, I need to book later, right?
I can wait until December I guess Christmas present for meeee! I'm hoping not to tell the kids until Christmas, I'll have to think of a cool 'reveal' to do!
I don't think prices/offers are going to change much before then. I do think we'll be aiming for may 13-27th though.

I am SO EXCITED. I keep reading reviews and recommendations. Now that I know a bit more of how it works from our last trip, there's SO much I want to fit in this time! I'm such a silly when reading though - I get too excited and actually have to stop and come back to it later...

 

[Sundancer UK]

Oh yes and I'd also like to know about the POFQ food court, as that's where we're likely to be staying!

 

[Shunasee]

Oh yes and I'd also like to know about the POFQ food court, as that's where we're likely to be staying!

I happen to be a bit uneducated when it comes to resort food courts. We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge the first time we went to WDW but the food did not stand out to me at all. Otherwise it has been all POFQ

However, having stayed at POFQ for the bulk of my trips, and the two in 2014, I can easily say, the FC at POFQ is lacking.

I only eat there on an "emergency" basis. It is small and there is not a ton of choices. The one thing it has (and is a snack on the DDP) is beignets. Which for me is a bonus. They also have mixed reviews as well.

I think the small food court is a small price to pay for an amazing resort. It is small, easy to walk the whole resort in about 10-15 minutes. Only the one bus stop, which if you end up sharing with POR, POFQ is dropped off/picked up first. Wonderful pool area and as we have always been adult trips, the little bar is nice for a cocktail after the parks.

OO, I went on a bit there, sorry.

I am just waiting to be able to book the trip. We have been putting $$ aside each paycheck, since we decided to go, and can almost pay full when we book. I will wait to see what, if any, promotions come out before we pay it all off.

Have a good day everyone!!

-Kristi

 

[Shunasee]

Sorry for the back to back posts..but it has been a few hours.


So, even though we have our plane tickets and had not sat down and really looked at what we would be doing almost each day of our trip. My past trips have not been more than 7 days (including travel). This trip is 11 days, including travel. However our flight gets us in at 4:10pm upon arrival, so that should be early enough to scope out MK for a few hours. Which happens to be my favorite way to start the trip. A ride on BTMRR and dinner at Peco's Bills.

I am not overly fond of AK or HS, so I figured that 1 day in each park should be enough, barring DBF falling in love with one of them. I am also trying to get a day at a water park (not been to either one), weather permitting, and a day to hit up some of the resorts to look around. However looking at my extreamly preliminary schedule, I feel like I am missing something and I am not sure what! Even if we do 3 days each at Epcot and MK, is that to much? Please note, I am not a rope drop person. I typically get to the parks around 11am and will spend the rest of the day there. My trips have always been adults only, as my son is older and never wants to go when invited. There has only been on meltdown, which I am ashamed to admit was me. It was just way to hot at AK in July the first time I went. I swear that park has no place to cool down. (I am sure this is one of the reasons I dont care for that park).

Okay, enough babbling.. If you had 11 days (10 of them basically full days), what would you do?

 

[BearcatsFan]

If you have already been added to the monthly lists and would like me to change your information, please post what date/month you are listed under. That will make it easier for me to find you and make the changes.

Thanks!

 

[BearcatsFan]

Oh man! That's the second post I've read about the POFQ food court in the last two days!

What's wrong with it?

Tell me the truth. I can take it.

Oh yes and I'd also like to know about the POFQ food court, as that's where we're likely to be staying!

Okay you two ... my thoughts on the POFQ food court.

1. It is very, very small (emphasis on VERY). Even for the "petite-sized" FQ, the restaurant was almost like an afterthought. "Hmmmm ... we have to have somewhere for them to eat ..."

2. I found the employees to be less than friendly. Not just once, every time. If it had been just once, I could have chalked it up to a bad mood, but it was almost everyone we had contact with.

3. The food portions were small. I know what you're thinking ... "But, but, this is DISNEY! All their portions are HUGE!" Not so. I got a tuna sub that was mostly bread, and my husband's Philly steak sandwich was also mostly bread with hardly any filling.

4. Not many choices to be found here. You have your standard fare burgers and chicken nuggets with a few specialties thrown in (salad, creole burger, one dinner-only special of the day).

Just remember, you asked! However, this is only my opinion, which is subjective. You may find someone who just looooooves the FQ FC, but I am not that person!

 

[BearcatsFan]

What didnt you like about the HA room? I really dont know the difference. Does water get everywhere since it is a roll in shower?

I didn't like the HA room because of the shower, and because the room was smaller (or maybe only felt smaller) because the bathroom was huge to allow for a wheelchair. POP rooms are pretty small as is, as you know, and it just felt super cramped.

The shower situation sucked. There, I said it. Water would get everywhere when you showered, just everywhere. Way more than the little bath mat/rug could possibly soak up. I missed having a tub, too, although the little bench seat thingy was handy for shaving my legs.

That being said, I loved POP overall as you also know. I would just take a standard 2-bed room next time if it were a choice between that and a HA king. JMHO.

 

[BearcatsFan]

It looks like our trip may be moved up...by a week! I found a daycare near our new home which I LOVE but they are closed the 3rd week in August which means it would make sense to take vacation at that time.

The only cons I see is that I lose a day (Sat-Sun as opposed to Sat-Mon) and the touring numbers as per EasyWDW are slightly higher the beginning of the week.

The pros outweigh them for sure...we get to be at Disney a week early, oldest DD has a chance to unwind from vacation before heading back to school and I also get to get organized before the start of the school year. It's a win-win.

So with all that said, please change my dates to 8/16-24. POP is still resort of choice, but I am adding more hours at work come Sept so I may be able to save a little more to upgrade to our resort of choice...POFQ.

Have a great day everyone!!

I got your dates changed. Here's some pixiedust that you get to upgrade to FQ.

Some! But it's Just. So. LONG!

So I guess if I want to guarantee SWW, I need to book later, right?
I can wait until December I guess Christmas present for meeee! I'm hoping not to tell the kids until Christmas, I'll have to think of a cool 'reveal' to do!
I don't think prices/offers are going to change much before then. I do think we'll be aiming for may 13-27th though.

I am SO EXCITED. I keep reading reviews and recommendations. Now that I know a bit more of how it works from our last trip, there's SO much I want to fit in this time! I'm such a silly when reading though - I get too excited and actually have to stop and come back to it later...

I know ... this thread is HUGE!

To answer your question, yes, if you absolutely want to guarantee SWW, book after the dates are released. You could always book the week you want and change it later if need be, though.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Sorry for the back to back posts..but it has been a few hours.


So, even though we have our plane tickets and had not sat down and really looked at what we would be doing almost each day of our trip. My past trips have not been more than 7 days (including travel). This trip is 11 days, including travel. However our flight gets us in at 4:10pm upon arrival, so that should be early enough to scope out MK for a few hours. Which happens to be my favorite way to start the trip. A ride on BTMRR and dinner at Peco's Bills.

I am not overly fond of AK or HS, so I figured that 1 day in each park should be enough, barring DBF falling in love with one of them. I am also trying to get a day at a water park (not been to either one), weather permitting, and a day to hit up some of the resorts to look around. However looking at my extreamly preliminary schedule, I feel like I am missing something and I am not sure what! Even if we do 3 days each at Epcot and MK, is that to much? Please note, I am not a rope drop person. I typically get to the parks around 11am and will spend the rest of the day there. My trips have always been adults only, as my son is older and never wants to go when invited. There has only been on meltdown, which I am ashamed to admit was me. It was just way to hot at AK in July the first time I went. I swear that park has no place to cool down. (I am sure this is one of the reasons I dont care for that park).

Okay, enough babbling.. If you had 11 days (10 of them basically full days), what would you do?

Before I give you my "WWID", let me ask you this ... will you have a rental car?

If I had 11 full days and I had a rental car (and this may not be popular opinion, but here goes), I would leave WDW property and see some of the other things Orlando and the surrounding area have to offer. There is so much more to do besides WDW - Post #2 has a great list of many of the things there are to do in the Orlando area. I've been to Orlando many, many times ... never once have I done an exclusive WDW-only trip. My trips have always included activities outside of the bubble.

If I had 11 full days and I did not have a rental car ... I would do a minimum of 2 days each at MK and EP, 1 day at HS, 0 days at AK. I'd do a water park 1 day, possibly both of them. I'd spend at least 1 day checking out other resorts. I would also build in a couple of resort-only days just to relax and read a book by the pool, have a drink, etc.

 

[auprincess]

We have it narrowed down to 3 resorts - finally! Aaannnndddd - here they are! Art of Animation (I was very surprised when DH put this one on the table, had never considered it, would do a suite);Contemporary Resort (we would do whatever the cheapest room is - garden wing?, also DHs pick); and then I suggested Wilderness Lodge. I think we are leaning towards WL bc we are a family of 5, since we moved our dates up to March ours youngest will still be 2 so we can do a regular room. We have stayed their before and loved it, and this cod be our last chance (I really can't imagine paying for a Vila there or a suite - way out of our price range). A little worried bc last time DH thought the rooms were kind of small, and this time we will have an extra person, but we won't have a double stroller or a pack and play, so that should help some, and it's not like we will be in the room all that much.

I would love input on AoA and CR, even WL with 5! It will be me, DH, and ourn3 DDs (who will be 8, 5, &2).

 

[auprincess]

Sorry for the back to back posts..but it has been a few hours.

So, even though we have our plane tickets and had not sat down and really looked at what we would be doing almost each day of our trip. My past trips have not been more than 7 days (including travel). This trip is 11 days, including travel. However our flight gets us in at 4:10pm upon arrival, so that should be early enough to scope out MK for a few hours. Which happens to be my favorite way to start the trip. A ride on BTMRR and dinner at Peco's Bills.

I am not overly fond of AK or HS, so I figured that 1 day in each park should be enough, barring DBF falling in love with one of them. I am also trying to get a day at a water park (not been to either one), weather permitting, and a day to hit up some of the resorts to look around. However looking at my extreamly preliminary schedule, I feel like I am missing something and I am not sure what! Even if we do 3 days each at Epcot and MK, is that to much? Please note, I am not a rope drop person. I typically get to the parks around 11am and will spend the rest of the day there. My trips have always been adults only, as my son is older and never wants to go when invited. There has only been on meltdown, which I am ashamed to admit was me. It was just way to hot at AK in July the first time I went. I swear that park has no place to cool down. (I am sure this is one of the reasons I dont care for that park).

Okay, enough babbling.. If you had 11 days (10 of them basically full days), what would you do?

Tough one - I would definitely do a water park, and maybe one day off property. I would also try to relax in my planning ( for my husbands sake, lol)

 

[momofboyz3]

Hiya all!!!!! If you could only go in the summertime (very late June, July, or beginning of August) when would you go? We spent Memorial Day @MK and we were fine. We have a high tolerance for heat (lived in Florida & now Boston). We are a RD family so I know we can accomplish alot it the mornings. So when would you go? 8 days... POR. Thanks!!

 

[think-like-tink]

We are summer time people too. We go in July, after the 4th.

 

[SAT887]

Hi! The Dis has been overwhelming to me lately...

So Bearcats, I changed my dates for January a week later. Jan 11-14 at VWL and the 14th-18th at BLT (still TPV!) Airfare was almost $100 cheaper per person!! How could I not!!

And details from my vacation to NC, it was wonderful. We were near the Camp Lejeune on the coast visiting family. I do plan on doing a mini TR when I figure out how to do it... I want to maintain their privacy so to speak..... However, the car ride down, we left at 3 am and got to their house at 6pm. It was long, but we really only hit traffic around Quantico, we flew right through DC!! We basically ate and relaxed and then had a nightmare getting my 4 year old to sleep.... However, it was a learning experience and we know better for travel....

The first full day, we mostly relaxed, went to the park and let the kids run out the pent up energy. We also went to this amazing fro yo place called BrrBerry... And yes we watched Disney movies

The following day, they treated my almost 4 year old to her first pony ride. She absolutely adored it!! It was a ton of fun, and got us out exploring... We also had local authentic BBQ.... OH MY GOSH.... I loved it!

We had a beach day, and it was hot, gorgeous and so much fun. My kids really enjoyed digging around in the sand, building sandcastles, collecting shells... The beach itself was beautiful too, it wasn't too far from their house either.

Our last day we went to Wilmington and visited the Aquarium at Fort Fisher - it was like $8 to get in, and it was AWESOME, and a great great value. We also ate at some place near the beach in Wilmington, it was pretty good... We got crab dip and I didn't want to share (but I did!!)

Then, we drove home, through some really bad thunderstorms... It took 18 hours. My kids were amazing little troopers (we rolled in close to 2am!!)

So I know you are interested in info because you have thoughts of moving there. We never made it into Raleigh, we were just took focused on hanging out with family and having fun. We spent a lot of time BBQing and watching the kids play in the kiddie pool. We stayed very close to the Marine Base so I know it is a little different than the rest of the state. I don't think I could live near the Marine Base, there is a lot of nothing (but still WAY more than I have in NH) but sometimes the training at night was unsettling (made the house shake!!)

We LOVED the Wilmington area, absolutely gorgeous, and the heat, wasn't bad. I would take the heat over the cold long winters of New England. The days I wore shorts and a tank, it was tolerable. It really didn't seem all that different from the NJ summer heat, it actually seemed less sweltering (maybe because NJ has so much pavement?) The area reminded me of a cross between the Jersey shore, and Florida (Sarasota area) I could see falling in love with Raleigh easily, being only a few hours from the beach, the mountains and having a city at my fingertips.... While I am glad my DH was promoted, I do want to move to NC now!!

Also, the people were wicked nice, like everywhere... I actually had someone help me in Walmart! Seriously, I don't think this has happened anywhere.... My one complaint with NC, coffee.... Not enough of it!




To those discussing summer I give you credit to handle the heat! Although I am going in September too.... So maybe I am just as crazy? However, I would look at crowd calendars for the summer and maybe consider as far into August as possible when people are ending vacations because the school year is starting....

 

[momjeeps]

I've only read the first few posts of this thread. I had some catching up to do!

But please add our family. Current plan is 10/4-10/11 for ILs 50th Anniversary. Probably ASMu family suite and additional room for ILs.

This will be our family's 2nd WDW trip and ILs 1st. We are all DLR veterans and their dream has always been to make it to WDW.

 

[Sundancer UK]

IT'S OFFICIAL!

As of yesterday we are all booked up - may 12-26th 2014!!
Coranado Springs!

Soooooo excited now!

 

[auprincess]

Hiya all!!!!! If you could only go in the summertime (very late June, July, or beginning of August) when would you go? We spent Memorial Day @MK and we were fine. We have a high tolerance for heat (lived in Florida & now Boston). We are a RD family so I know we can accomplish alot it the mornings. So when would you go? 8 days... POR. Thanks!!

It's going to be hot, really hot, during all those times. I think August will be the hottest (at least it is down here in Alabama). Since there is no way around the heat I think I would look at the crowd calendar and go based on lowest crowds!