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

[auprincess]

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....

Glad you had a good trip! Sounds like fun. Your kids are trooped! 8 hours is about our max with the kids - good thing Disney isn't any further for us

 

[SAT887]

Glad you had a good trip! Sounds like fun. Your kids are trooped! 8 hours is about our max with the kids - good thing Disney isn't any further for us

I was actually amazed by how good they were.... I swear I didn't need the 35 movies I brought for the DVD player!! Although, we watched Lilo & Stitch one too many times....

 

[auprincess]

Sorry for the multiple replies - I don't know how to quote more than one on the tablet!

Okay - I think we finally have our resort and dates - CR (garden wing) and the last week of March. I am super nervous about the crowds, but I think I would rather do that with a good touring plan then the heat of summer. We did spring break in 2012 and were okay (although it was after Easter for us then). Any spring break tips?!

 

[auprincess]

I was actually amazed by how good they were.... I swear I didn't need the 35 movies I brought for the DVD player!! Although, we watched Lilo & Stitch one too many times....

Lol! When we drove to Orlando I got the first box set of chip and dale rescue rangers - it was over 600 minutes so it got us almost the whole trip! I think I'll get the second set for next year!

 

[SAT887]

Sorry for the multiple replies - I don't know how to quote more than one on the tablet!

Okay - I think we finally have our resort and dates - CR (garden wing) and the last week of March. I am super nervous about the crowds, but I think I would rather do that with a good touring plan then the heat of summer. We did spring break in 2012 and were okay (although it was after Easter for us then). Any spring break tips?!

if you click on the bar with the avatar in it, you should get a little box under the avatar you can check....

Lol! When we drove to Orlando I got the first box set of chip and dale rescue rangers - it was over 600 minutes so it got us almost the whole trip! I think I'll get the second set for next year!

I bought 5-6 new movies... But they wanted to watch Lilo & Stitch over... and over.... and over....

 

[scrappinggirl]

Hello my name is Michelle, I am new to this blog.
I am planning to go to Disney with my DS12 and mom the end of next year. We want to go when it is decorated for Christmas but hope to miss the crowds.
Looking for suggestions on when to go.
I am planning on taking my DS12 out of school probably go for a week.
Thanks,
Michelle

 

[Minnie0602]

Hubby and I are going to WDW Pop Century Feb 12~17 I'm a veteran and if will be H first trip

 

[auprincess]

Hello my name is Michelle, I am new to this blog.
I am planning to go to Disney with my DS12 and mom the end of next year. We want to go when it is decorated for Christmas but hope to miss the crowds.
Looking for suggestions on when to go.
I am planning on taking my DS12 out of school probably go for a week.
Thanks,
Michelle

If you are okay with taking him out of school I would look at sometime during the first 2 weeks of December. Maybe look at easywdw to check crowd calendars and find out when pop Warner is as well. You could also look at November, before thanksgiving. I think decorations are up by then.

 

[LucyBC80]

Everyone ready to book their packages? Next year's packages will be released on July 10th according to another website.

BTW, is Free Dinning offered in November?

 

[Minnie0602]

Everyone ready to book their packages? Next year's packages will be released on July 10th according to another website.

BTW, is Free Dinning offered in November?

I'm ready! Lol we have our air tickets booked and the time off work DH just wants to wait till packages cons.out to book the rest

 

[momjeeps]

Everyone ready to book their packages? Next year's packages will be released on July 10th according to another website.

BTW, is Free Dinning offered in November?

Last year Free Dining was offered in November. We had a FD package portion of our trip that started the day after Thanksgiving. They had a few dates blocked before and on TG but it was also offered before.

 

[hsmamainva]

I'm ready to book!

May change our resort choice but want to see the prices first.

 

[SAT887]

I'm ready to book! Heard in another thread that 2014 packages will be out July 10th.

Well that was a fail.... It was posted on chip & co, and quite a few other sites....

 

[hsmamainva]

Yes. Realized the expected date had already been posted.

 

[BDL]

Hello my name is Michelle, I am new to this blog.
I am planning to go to Disney with my DS12 and mom the end of next year. We want to go when it is decorated for Christmas but hope to miss the crowds.
Looking for suggestions on when to go.
I am planning on taking my DS12 out of school probably go for a week.
Thanks,
Michelle

In my opinion, early Dec is really the best time of year. The crowd level is a little lower. The weather (except when we went in 2012) is a little cooler and drier. The special events (Osbourne Lights, Candlelight Processional, MVMCP, etc...) are incredible. And the decorations... You could spend the whole time just walking around and taking in the decorations.

HERE is the link to a Dec 2014 thread that I have subscribed to.

The only caveat is that this is also the time of the Pop Warner football/cheerleading/dance team championships. But this will primarily only impact value resorts and occassionally the buses. Not so much in the parks.

 

[SAT887]

Yes. Realized the expected date had already been posted.

I wasn't meaning any ill towards your post- I tried posting a link quite a few times and I couldn't make it work.... Sorry I just realized how it could have come off!! Sorry sorry sorry!

 

[SAT887]

Yes. Realized the expected date had already been posted.

Did I mention I was sorry?

 

[hsmamainva]

LOL! Its okay. No worries!

 

[JacknDawn4ever]

My family and I are trying to decide if we want to stay at POR again next March....or......do we want to try AOA in a Cars family Suite. We love POR, but think we may like having 2 bathrooms and 3 beds for everyone to spread out. PLEASE give me some advice.

 

[lylymoon]

Hi,
will be their with my daughters Cheerleading squads from Feb.7th to Feb 14th, can't wait.