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

[BDL]

The way that I save for our trips, is every bit of change at the end of the day goes into a 5 gal water jug. Also, whenever I have an extra buck or 2, I'll get a scratch ticket or something. I stack my winners. Then when it's high enough, I bring them to the store, cash them out and immediately buy Disney gift cards. And as I discovered over in the December 2012 thread, sometimes grocery stores have discounted gift card promos. So, now I keep a keen out for those as well.

 

[emilyindisney]

Hi Emily, and to the 2014 group! We're glad you found us, too!

Early good luck wishes to you for both events. I'll get you added to the list as resort TBD. Once you figure out for sure where you're staying, just post and I'll update. Meanwhile, join in the conversation!

Thank you! As of right now, we're wait listed but hopefully something comes through!

So as of right now we have definately decided to stay at AoA. Although not sure which area yet. Since we are celebrating my DS's birthday while we are there I'm leaning toward the Cars section since that's what he has chosen. My youngest DD, however, is obsessed with Nemo and wants to stay there. I'm hoping to talk her into staying at the Cars and visiting Nemo and his friends at the pool. We have set dates of December 1-10. Of course until we can actually book it, it won't be set in stone yet. I already have a countdown on my phone and the kids and I made change jars yesterday to start saving their change for the trip! Already have my trip planner started too!

I just stayed there in January and it was awesome! I'm a huge LM fan (that's the section we stayed in) but the Cars section was by far my favorite. Everything was the perfect size to feel completely real and submersive. Your DS will love it!

 

[Babycarl3rd]

Thank you! As of right now, we're wait listed but hopefully something comes through!

I just stayed there in January and it was awesome! I'm a huge LM fan (that's the section we stayed in) but the Cars section was by far my favorite. Everything was the perfect size to feel completely real and submersive. Your DS will love it!

Thanks for the tip! It's nice to hear from someone with first hand experience! I have looked through tons of pics online and I really like the look of The whole resort so I guess no matter where we stay it will be amazing! But I am leaning more toward cars and your post helped nudge me more in that direction!

 

[Babycarl3rd]

The way that I save for our trips, is every bit of change at the end of the day goes into a 5 gal water jug. Also, whenever I have an extra buck or 2, I'll get a scratch ticket or something. I stack my winners. Then when it's high enough, I bring them to the store, cash them out and immediately buy Disney gift cards. And as I discovered over in the December 2012 thread, sometimes grocery stores have discounted gift card promos. So, now I keep a keen out for those as well.

Discounted card promos? For Disney gift cards? I will have to look into that.

 

[Funfire240]

Thanks for the tip! It's nice to hear from someone with first hand experience! I have looked through tons of pics online and I really like the look of The whole resort so I guess no matter where we stay it will be amazing! But I am leaning more toward cars and your post helped nudge me more in that direction!

I'll agree that the Cars section is really neat. We stayed in LM too back in September but I loved walking around the Cars - my kids had so much fun posing with all the cars and if we would stay in a suite that's where I"d stay. It is very cute and I think the best designed and most interactive.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Discounted card promos? For Disney gift cards? I will have to look into that.

I'm thinking Target also has discounted gift cards, but I could be wrong about that.

 

[emilyindisney]

I'm thinking Target also has discounted gift cards, but I could be wrong about that.

I believe Target does 5% off of all gift card purchases paid for with your Red Card.

 

[auprincess]

I believe Target does 5% off of all gift card purchases paid for with your Red Card.

I believe this is correct...they sell $50 gift cards near the register; a RedCard gets you 5% off purchases, so I would guess it would give you 5% off the gift card.

Also, I didn't notice this year (but I didn't look since we don't have a Disney trip planned), but in past years, Sams Club gets Disney gift cards near the Christmas holidays. I can't remember if they were discounted or not; but 2 years ago a $100 Disney gift card came with a bonus $10 gift card (that could only be used at Disney store and Disney online NOT at WDW, but still nice!) and the year after that the $50 Disney gift cards came with a Vinylmation trading pin.

 

[BDL]

Discounted card promos? For Disney gift cards? I will have to look into that.

Last year, Stop n Shop, the local supermarket chain, had a deal when you spent $x, you got $y off selected gift cards. Disney cards were 1 of them. At least that's how I think it went.

 

[emilyindisney]

Does anyone know if the Disney store does reloadable giftcards? I know they do set your own amount cards but I didn't know if I brought the same card back if I could have more put on as I save.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Does anyone know if the Disney store does reloadable giftcards? I know they do set your own amount cards but I didn't know if I brought the same card back if I could have more put on as I save.

Yes, they are reloadable.

 

[emilyindisney]

Yes, they are reloadable.

Sweet, thanks! Now I won't have to carry a stack of plastic, haha!

 

[BearcatsFan]

Sweet, thanks! Now I won't have to carry a stack of plastic, haha!

You're welcome!

 

[JacknDawn4ever]

Ok everyone, I have been thinking about our dates for 2014. Easter is on April 20th and I wonder if it means the first week of March will have low crowds since Spring Break is later. I also have thought about going the first week in May, but don't want to have to deal with too much heat or humidity. Our family went the first week in March 2012 and had great weather, but it started getting crowded near the end. My DH says he enjoyed going last March and I just want us to enjoy it next year as well. What is everyone's opinion on which week would be better?

 

[joanzie72]

how far out to you make your reservations?

 

[BearcatsFan]

Ok everyone, I have been thinking about our dates for 2014. Easter is on April 20th and I wonder if it means the first week of March will have low crowds since Spring Break is later. I also have thought about going the first week in May, but don't want to have to deal with too much heat or humidity. Our family went the first week in March 2012 and had great weather, but it started getting crowded near the end. My DH says he enjoyed going last March and I just want us to enjoy it next year as well. What is everyone's opinion on which week would be better?

Hard for me to say as I've never been in the Spring. Have you checked the crowd calendars? Hopefully someone else who has been that time of year can weigh in with some advice.

 

[BearcatsFan]

how far out to you make your reservations?

Are you talking about resort reservations, dining reservations, tour reservations?

 

[joanzie72]

Are you talking about resort reservations, dining reservations, tour reservations?

Hotel for right now. I know I can't make dining or tour reservations till 180 days out.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Hotel for right now. I know I can't make dining or tour reservations till 180 days out.

You can make room-only reservations as much as 499 days in advance by phone. Pricing for 2014 hasn't been released yet - should be out sometime early summer. Once those prices are released, you can book a package - online or by phone.

I've made reservations as far out as a year (I think?) and as little as a couple of months. I've never had a problem getting what we wanted, but that being said we usually go during the slower season (Sept/Oct).

 

[auprincess]

Ok everyone, I have been thinking about our dates for 2014. Easter is on April 20th and I wonder if it means the first week of March will have low crowds since Spring Break is later. I also have thought about going the first week in May, but don't want to have to deal with too much heat or humidity. Our family went the first week in March 2012 and had great weather, but it started getting crowded near the end. My DH says he enjoyed going last March and I just want us to enjoy it next year as well. What is everyone's opinion on which week would be better?

I would think they might be similar ~ although I am no expert! Try checking out easywdw crowd calendars for comparison. Actually I just looked ~ granted this is for 2013 so things might be different next year due to Easter. But the first week of May a crowd level of 4s and 5s (with 7 on Saturday) and the first week of March is 5s during the week (with a 6 on Fri and 8 on Saturday). If it were me, they are so close I'm not sure if I would let crowds be the determining factor. I think I would probably choose March for the cooler temps (well, cooler compared to May; and you don't have to wait as long)!