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

[hsmamainva]

2014 packages and pricing is available for booking starting in August of this year.

But someone said something about 444 days before your travel date you can call and book room only, but don't quote me on that! I've never stayed on-site.

Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in.

 

[BearcatsFan]

You can book room-only 499 days in advance by phone (you'll be quoted and charged the highest rate for the room you're booking). I think the rules for DVC resorts are different, however ... I want to say 7 months? DVC members can book at 11 months out, IIRC. So little of what we learned on our DVC tour actually stuck ...

Just remember if you book now under the current pricing structure and the pricing goes up for 2014 this Summer(which chances are, it will), you will have to pay the upcharge.

 

[ctl]

I don't mind paying the upcharge for the 2014 rate, I just want to be sure I'm not left without any room for my DD when it's a special birthday trip.

 

[Valgoof]

to our group! Glad you decided to join in! Can't believe you read the entire thread!

Oh and by the way ..... O-H! Sorry, I couldn't help myself ...

I-O!!!

Lot's of friends on here from Ohio

Sorry though, I'm not a Buckeye's fan --raised a Wolverine fan by a father who grew up in Michigan (although DH has worked hard to change that - both DD and DS go around yelling Go Bucks to me all the time!)

Boo! My dad always rooted for the team up north just to annoy everyone else.

 

[SAT887]

Ok so I think we have our 2014 dates set! Finally

Jan 4-11 AKV (I will book at my 7 month window)
AND
Dec 7-14 OKW (most likely due to a variety of reason, busy DVC time, and might need a GV...)​

So, for our Jan trip we tossed around so many different ideas on where to go, who to bring so on and so forth. We decided to go with a 1bed (standard view most likely) We nixed the idea of bringing family because if we need to change our dates - we don't want to mess with anyones request etc... Our Jan trip is sort of but not really set in stone because we our putting our house on the market next month wait.... VERY We hope that a position opens up and we can go to NC as soon as the house sells, but at this point we are going there on vacation to see family and DH is going to meet with HR, DM's etc and hopefully sell himself...

Dec trip - while I am *including* my sister and her family, I have come to the basic conclusion even if she didn't help with dues, or anything, she probably doesn't have the ability to save for park tickets... And pay me back from her canceled honeymoon! (Oh yes I have made some dumb choices! ) so, our plan is this, reserve a 3bed GV and hopefully my husbands family can join us. If we are in NC, we are going to try and help fly his brother and his family to WDW so it can be a giant reunion. We should have savings from not having to fly but driving instead , and also we will have purchased AP's....

So this is my plan as it stands! I am also nervous about booking our October trip this year as well (we purchased AP's) and we really need to decide soon. Sometimes home ownership and wanting to relocate is a pain!!

 

[Holly324]

Do they go up every aug? Has anyone bought from undercover tourist? Do they send them to your house??

Sent from my Samsung S3 using DISBoards

We bought from undercover tourist in 2011 for our trip that year. We went through mousesavers.com, which gave us a small discount. They were great!

Crazy but we get to bump our trip back to Oct. 2013. Will know by the end of Feb.

Wow, how nice to get to mark that much time off our your countdown! You will have to update...we are going in Oct 2014, and have never been that time of year. Would love to hear more in detail how it is!

Lot's of friends on here from Ohio

Sorry though, I'm not a Buckeye's fan --raised a Wolverine fan by a father who grew up in Michigan (although DH has worked hard to change that - both DD and DS go around yelling Go Bucks to me all the time!)

Just have to chime in here after watching our team play your teams this season...we are major Illini fans! My DH is in veterinary school at the University of Illinois.

Trying to book AKV Savannah view for my DD's 18th birthday. Am having no luck whatsoever with renting points through rental agencies. Also, my DD wanted to stay on Universal for 2 days to see WWoHP (she's a HP nut). I called for months, since August 2013 and they said they weren't booking rooms yet for 2014. Then I had recent surgery and missed a 5 day window (surgery took me out of commission). Now I call and they are full. I am so very disappointed because it's her 18th birthday and her graduation from high school gift and she really wants AKL savannah view and to see WWoHP. her birthday is the first week in January, I know crazy crowds, crazy busy. So, I have been trying to be proactive and not find myself in this situation. I can't afford to pay WDW price for AKL, so I'm still hoping for DVC rental to come through. I am trying to use AoA LM as a back up, but as yet it looks like you can't book 2014 rooms. I'm afraid I will lose out on those as well. Does anyone know when 2014 rooms will open up for booking? Any tips on how to get into a room at Universal onsite or hope on getting rental for DVC room at AKL?

I know this doesn't really help much, but we rented DVC from someone here on the boards for our last trip in May 2011. It went exceptionally well. Still have it in the maybe list for this next trip. I hope you get the resort you want!!!


Seems these days I can't get enough of the dis! I am on here way too much making plans for our trip. Loving the trip reports, especially. Anyone here have a link to their trip report?? I need more reading material!

 

[SAT887]

Trying to book AKV Savannah view for my DD's 18th birthday. Am having no luck whatsoever with renting points through rental agencies. Also, my DD wanted to stay on Universal for 2 days to see WWoHP (she's a HP nut). I called for months, since August 2013 and they said they weren't booking rooms yet for 2014. Then I had recent surgery and missed a 5 day window (surgery took me out of commission). Now I call and they are full. I am so very disappointed because it's her 18th birthday and her graduation from high school gift and she really wants AKL savannah view and to see WWoHP. her birthday is the first week in January, I know crazy crowds, crazy busy. So, I have been trying to be proactive and not find myself in this situation. I can't afford to pay WDW price for AKL, so I'm still hoping for DVC rental to come through. I am trying to use AoA LM as a back up, but as yet it looks like you can't book 2014 rooms. I'm afraid I will lose out on those as well. Does anyone know when 2014 rooms will open up for booking? Any tips on how to get into a room at Universal onsite or hope on getting rental for DVC room at AKL?

Did you try Davids Rental and the Timeshare Store?

 

[BearcatsFan]

Ok so I think we have our 2014 dates set! Finally

Jan 4-11 AKV (I will book at my 7 month window)
AND
Dec 7-14 OKW (most likely due to a variety of reason, busy DVC time, and might need a GV...)​

So, for our Jan trip we tossed around so many different ideas on where to go, who to bring so on and so forth. We decided to go with a 1bed (standard view most likely) We nixed the idea of bringing family because if we need to change our dates - we don't want to mess with anyones request etc... Our Jan trip is sort of but not really set in stone because we our putting our house on the market next month wait.... VERY We hope that a position opens up and we can go to NC as soon as the house sells, but at this point we are going there on vacation to see family and DH is going to meet with HR, DM's etc and hopefully sell himself...

Dec trip - while I am *including* my sister and her family, I have come to the basic conclusion even if she didn't help with dues, or anything, she probably doesn't have the ability to save for park tickets... And pay me back from her canceled honeymoon! (Oh yes I have made some dumb choices! ) so, our plan is this, reserve a 3bed GV and hopefully my husbands family can join us. If we are in NC, we are going to try and help fly his brother and his family to WDW so it can be a giant reunion. We should have savings from not having to fly but driving instead , and also we will have purchased AP's....

So this is my plan as it stands! I am also nervous about booking our October trip this year as well (we purchased AP's) and we really need to decide soon. Sometimes home ownership and wanting to relocate is a pain!!

Your plans sound great, especially the Dec. trip ones. I think you're making a wise decision on that situation.

So what's this about selling your house to relocate to NC? That's the first I've heard of this! My husband and I have been talking about relocating to NC or FL for years - I've pestered sooo many DISers about their state it's mindblowing.

Wishing you the best of luck for a quick home sale and an easy move!

 

[SAT887]

Your plans sound great, especially the Dec. trip ones. I think you're making a wise decision on that situation.

So what's this about selling your house to relocate to NC? That's the first I've heard of this! My husband and I have been talking about relocating to NC or FL for years - I've pestered sooo many DISers about their state it's mindblowing.

Wishing you the best of luck for a quick home sale and an easy move!

Where are you now? I'm originally from Jersey- DH and I love the outdoors and decided to move where we vacationed. Which is NH It was an emotional move (my dad had just passed away) We were not thinking of kids, the fact that our property taxes would double from the recession, heating oil would double, the actual effect of a 6 month long winter... Plus I've had some health issues since I had kids which the climate doesn't help....

So my husband sister ends upon NC... She was originally in Southern Cali and they are a military family... I love my husbands family. So my brain starts moving... Career opportunities are meh up here, it's cold as heck and the schools are atrocious. So looking for a change NC was now on my list... Why I want to go to NC- Raleigh area.

1) Schools - way better school system than where I am now... In long term the state university will also offer better college options for my kiddos....
2) Cost of living.... Way less. I've used my SIL for a source of utility info etc. I currently spend about $3500 just in heating fuel. The rest of the utilities seem comparable to NH.
3) Climate- no six month winter!!
4) Property value/tax percentage - very affordable
5) Room for opportunity on so many levels to better our selves and family
6) I'm betting the closest Target isn't 90 miles away!
7) I can drive to WDW!

So that's everything basically

 

[lovingeire]

So my husband sister ends upon NC... She was originally in Southern Cali and they are a military family... I love my husbands family. So my brain starts moving... Career opportunities are meh up here, it's cold as heck and the schools are atrocious. So looking for a change NC was now on my list... Why I want to go to NC- Raleigh area.

1) Schools - way better school system than where I am now... In long term the state university will also offer better college options for my kiddos....
2) Cost of living.... Way less. I've used my SIL for a source of utility info etc. I currently spend about $3500 just in heating fuel. The rest of the utilities seem comparable to NH.
3) Climate- no six month winter!!
4) Property value/tax percentage - very affordable
5) Room for opportunity on so many levels to better our selves and family
6) I'm betting the closest Target isn't 90 miles away!
7) I can drive to WDW!

So that's everything basically

My husband is military and I'm from So Cal! We live about two hours from Raleigh. I would love to love up there're, but the commute would be a killer! We low being able to drive to Disney! We're getting ready to move to the Gulf Coast of FL which will cut a few hours off of our drive to Disney so I'm excited about that! I wish you the best of luck in settling in NC. It's been a great home for us so I hope you love it!

 

[SAT887]

My husband is military and I'm from So Cal! We live about two hours from Raleigh. I would love to love up there're, but the commute would be a killer! We low being able to drive to Disney! We're getting ready to move to the Gulf Coast of FL which will cut a few hours off of our drive to Disney so I'm excited about that! I wish you the best of luck in settling in NC. It's been a great home for us so I hope you love it!

Are you near Camp Lejuene (spelling??) I hope we get down there sooner than later. Just to be settled! I lived in FL for a bit near Sarasota - it was nice- not sure I gave it a real chance though. However the humidity was dreadful! From what I've gathered summers in NC are similar to NJ which I can easily handle!

 

[hsmamainva]

We hope to retire within the next 5 years. Hubby is planning on St. Augustine --- I'm pushing for Orlando for obvious reasons!

But I could live in St. Augustine -- it's sooo gorgeous! And I'd only be 2 hours from Disney so that's nice, too!

We're planning on 2017 at the earliest --- oldest dd is planning on graduate school after she earns her Bachelor's degree...so she'd complete graduate school in 2017.

Youngest son graduates from high school in 2017 and begins college that same year as well.

We'll only have our youngest still living at home and will no longer need a 5 bedroom house like we have now. But know that it could take a year to get our house in order, sell it, find another house to live in, and move...so 2018 is the target year.

Looking forward to a nice little 3 bedroom in Florida!

 

[BearcatsFan]

Where are you now? I'm originally from Jersey- DH and I love the outdoors and decided to move where we vacationed. Which is NH It was an emotional move (my dad had just passed away) We were not thinking of kids, the fact that our property taxes would double from the recession, heating oil would double, the actual effect of a 6 month long winter... Plus I've had some health issues since I had kids which the climate doesn't help....

So my husband sister ends upon NC... She was originally in Southern Cali and they are a military family... I love my husbands family. So my brain starts moving... Career opportunities are meh up here, it's cold as heck and the schools are atrocious. So looking for a change NC was now on my list... Why I want to go to NC- Raleigh area.

1) Schools - way better school system than where I am now... In long term the state university will also offer better college options for my kiddos....
2) Cost of living.... Way less. I've used my SIL for a source of utility info etc. I currently spend about $3500 just in heating fuel. The rest of the utilities seem comparable to NH.
3) Climate- no six month winter!!
4) Property value/tax percentage - very affordable
5) Room for opportunity on so many levels to better our selves and family
6) I'm betting the closest Target isn't 90 miles away!
7) I can drive to WDW!

So that's everything basically

We are currently in Cincinnati, Ohio.

We've been considering a move to FL for many, many years because my husband has family there (actually in the Orlando area). They've talked with us about moving there every time we visit. What we are very worried about is the Summer weather. My husband works outside and we're wondering if he could tolerate the humidity and heat day after day. WDW is not a factor for us (it would be nice to be close, but I never want it to lose it's "specialness" if that makes sense, so we wouldn't go all the time). Being close to the ocean would honestly be a bigger factor than WDW for my husband and I. But the weather ... that's definitely our biggest concern.

NC has been on our radar for several years, too. We like that it's still 4 seasons, but not the amounts of snow like we get here (where we are considering in NC, anyhow). We've been spending around $1500/year for home heating oil, so that is a big factor for us as well. We don't have kids, so schools don't really matter, but from what I gather, the better the schools the better the community so .... Add that to the lower taxes and reasonable property prices and we've been heavily considering NC for a while now.

Perhaps I could bother you with some of my questions once you get there? Would that be okay?

 

[SAT887]

We are currently in Cincinnati, Ohio.

We've been considering a move to FL for many, many years because my husband has family there (actually in the Orlando area). They've talked with us about moving there every time we visit. What we are very worried about is the Summer weather. My husband works outside and we're wondering if he could tolerate the humidity and heat day after day. WDW is not a factor for us (it would be nice to be close, but I never want it to lose it's "specialness" if that makes sense, so we wouldn't go all the time). Being close to the ocean would honestly be a bigger factor than WDW for my husband and I. But the weather ... that's definitely our biggest concern.

NC has been on our radar for several years, too. We like that it's still 4 seasons, but not the amounts of snow like we get here (where we are considering in NC, anyhow). We've been spending around $1500/year for home heating oil, so that is a big factor for us as well. We don't have kids, so schools don't really matter, but from what I gather, the better the schools the better the community so .... Add that to the lower taxes and reasonable property prices and we've been heavily considering NC for a while now.

Perhaps I could bother you with some of my questions once you get there? Would that be okay?

The driving to WDW would be a perk - because next trip we will spend 1200-1500 in airfare, I would like to take that money and do other things, like fly to California or save it, or just do something great..... I like the idea of 4 seasons (and miss spring so much), and honestly it gets flippin cold up here... Too many sub zero days and nights... I also miss spring a lot...

My best piece of advice (just because this was our biggest mistake) is moving to an area with a good school system - it means a lot when you go to re sell... Even if you don't have or plan on having kids. I don't know anything about Ohio, but NC has so many things going for it right now. Where were you thinking? We love the idea of being 2 hrs from a beach and 3 hours from mountain the Smoky Mtns... I would never have issues with answering questions either! I have asked so many questions of so many people too I am going into this one well informed.

FL, it is hot, and working outside is hard, I lived with my family down there when we moved. My brother was a greenskeeper at a golf course, they did A LOT of work before the sun came up that summer. More than he was ever used to. I noticed this at WDW on previous trips as well... However, having family there is a huge perk - I miss being around family.... Which is another perk of NC for us (plus it would enable us to potentially have extra "house" for MIL to live with us)

I agree with things losing that "specialness" the White Mountains while we love them, we have grown accumstomed to the views and what they offer... I miss that feeling, I would rather live near Raleigh and be able to have many vacation destinations that can offer that to me

 

[lovingeire]

Are you near Camp Lejuene (spelling??) I hope we get down there sooner than later. Just to be settled! I lived in FL for a bit near Sarasota - it was nice- not sure I gave it a real chance though. However the humidity was dreadful! From what I've gathered summers in NC are similar to NJ which I can easily handle!

We are near Camp Lejeune! Is your bother in law a Marine? It's a small world! Compared to CA everything is humid! I don't like the humidity one bit, but I also dislike cold so I can't win! i like big cities and concrete so this area (Camp Lejeune) is too small for me. We're going to Pensacola which is a wee bit bigger so I'm excited about that. I'd like to be in Jacksonville FL or Orlando area eventually.

 

[SAT887]

We are near Camp Lejeune! Is your bother in law a Marine? It's a small world! Compared to CA everything is humid! I don't like the humidity one bit, but I also dislike cold so I can't win! i like big cities and concrete so this area (Camp Lejeune) is too small for me. We're going to Pensacola which is a wee bit bigger so I'm excited about that. I'd like to be in Jacksonville FL or Orlando area eventually.

Yes he is! What a small world is right! San Diego apparently is the only place I the US with "perfect"weather From what I hear. While we would like to be closer to my SIL I want to be closer to a city as well. Plus we can't depend on them being there forever. Also the area wouldn't give my DH potential for easy growth within the company. Good luck in FL and I have to give FL this- they know how to deal with the weather - everything and everywhere has central air

 

[rafikifan2911]

WooHoo!! I just book for Jan 25- feb 2. We are staying at the Art of Animation Little Mermaid! We are celebrating our anniversary!!!

 

[BearcatsFan]

WooHoo!! I just book for Jan 25- feb 2. We are staying at the Art of Animation Little Mermaid! We are celebrating our anniversary!!!

to our group! How many years will you be celebrating?

 

[BearcatsFan]

The driving to WDW would be a perk - because next trip we will spend 1200-1500 in airfare, I would like to take that money and do other things, like fly to California or save it, or just do something great..... I like the idea of 4 seasons (and miss spring so much), and honestly it gets flippin cold up here... Too many sub zero days and nights... I also miss spring a lot...

My best piece of advice (just because this was our biggest mistake) is moving to an area with a good school system - it means a lot when you go to re sell... Even if you don't have or plan on having kids. I don't know anything about Ohio, but NC has so many things going for it right now. Where were you thinking? We love the idea of being 2 hrs from a beach and 3 hours from mountain the Smoky Mtns... I would never have issues with answering questions either! I have asked so many questions of so many people too I am going into this one well informed.

FL, it is hot, and working outside is hard, I lived with my family down there when we moved. My brother was a greenskeeper at a golf course, they did A LOT of work before the sun came up that summer. More than he was ever used to. I noticed this at WDW on previous trips as well... However, having family there is a huge perk - I miss being around family.... Which is another perk of NC for us (plus it would enable us to potentially have extra "house" for MIL to live with us)

I agree with things losing that "specialness" the White Mountains while we love them, we have grown accumstomed to the views and what they offer... I miss that feeling, I would rather live near Raleigh and be able to have many vacation destinations that can offer that to me

We were looking at the Piedmont Region (ie: central NC) in the Triad area. We've looked into so many cities it makes my head spin (Cary was one of them, IIRC). You sound so much like us - we are excited about the prospect of being closer to FL without being there, closer to the ocean and the mountains, both of which we love.

Yes, the humidity and heat is our one big worry. I do not think my husband could adapt to working 8+ hours in that. He's been wanting to change professions, but at his age, it would be difficult.

We're looking to move within the next 5 years. We still have some work to do on our house yet, which of course takes money and time. We're hoping he could get transferred with his current employer, but with the way things are these days, one never knows.

 

[auprincess]

Just thought I'd pop in ~ not Disney related...but Orlando related!

We are planning our summer beach trip to the Gulf Coast ~ it is so expensive to rent a condo. It will probably be at least $1000 for the week, probably closer to $1200. Well, since we are more than likely staying off site for our 2014 WDW trip, I've been pricing a lot of condos in the Orlando area......and I think I've convinced DH to go to Orlando for a week instead! It's only about 3 hours further (I know...only, lol, with kids it won't be so easy!). And we won't do Disney, but I think for the same price we could get a condo for a week and a day at Seaworld (which would mean we more than likely wouldn't go during our 2014 trip ~ so even if it's more, it all comes out in the wash b/c eventually we would be doing SW, so pay now to go or later). And then we will also do a day at Aquatica (we woudl do a water park day at whatever beach we go to). I know it will be hard to be so close to WDW and not go ~ but maybe it will help give me my disney fix until we go back. We would do a couple days at the beach ~ the main drawback is that on the coast we would be beach front, but the ages of our kids ~ we wouldn't be hanging out at the beach all day everyday. We just need to be sure to get a condo with a fun pool! OH, and if we go, I'm on the fence about telling the girls (well, my oldest) how close we are to Disney. A part of me thinks it would be fun to do a character meal at CMs, but I think that would probably make it harder, especially on the kids!