The *Official* February 2011 Thread - Happy Dance Time...The Park Hours Are Out!

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Gina- I too am a colored coded chart planner LOL- OH NO tell me they arent staying at POP- PLEASSSSSSSSSE That would be BAD-

Beth- HI! ugh I hear ya- I am worried about crowds too now- though since they offered dining through sept maybe people will be going during their normal time.... maybe our 5-12th trip would be less people since no free dining- WHY is that week blocked out? makes no sense. I have no clue what to do lol- part of me still hopes for a deal to be released for the 5th-12th so that i can switch back If you do the 13th-18th you will get the free dining. We are staying at Pop and paid to upgrade from the free quick service to the regular dining plan (didnt cost that much considering we will now get a table meal every day)

 

[BethR9]

I was JUST coming to post again and ask why Feb 4-10 is blacked out. Any one have any ideas of this? Could a potential discount still come out? But free dining just seems the way to go and it doesn't appear it will be that.

We haven't booked our air yet but want to this week since prices are only bound to go up, up up.

I really do think Feb 4-10 will be pretty quiet unless another great discount comes out which makes me keep leaning towards keeping that week...

Also, if you upgrade to the regular dining plan, do you have to get restaurant reservations everyday that you are there then?

Also, if a park opens at 9 am and we don't get there until 10am, is that crazy to even consider? Do the parks get super packed that extra hour we aren't there? Again, this is the time before President's Week (value season).

Thoughts anyone?

Beth

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Mandy- thanks for all your work on the thread! send me a PM and I will add ya on facebook too

Beth- no clue why those dates are blacked out- there has got to be a reason- maybe its going to be busier that week then we think? maybe because of the superbowl? who knows

If you stay at a value resort you will get the quick service plan for free. We then paid less than $150 to upgrade to the regular dining plan- which worked really well for our family last trip. If you stay at a moderate or deluxe you will automatically get the regular dining plan for free

Yes, I would try to book at least one table service per day. Some people dont like it because then you are tied to the plan- but it gave us some nice down time which the kids needed and allowed us to eat with the characters

According to the touring plan that Dee posted the Feb 12-18 is supposed to be less crowded than the 5-12th (who knows what will happen with free dining now). I dont think its crazy to arrive at 10am- all just depends on your touring style. Try to be at MK early if you want to ride Dumbo and not wait forever. Same thing with DHS so that you can get toy story fastpasses before they run out.

 

[BethR9]

I wouldn't think it would be too crazy either coming one hour later but from what I read on here, everyone does rope drop and you MUST do it. I just don't understand how an hour makes that much of a difference, at least during a slower time. I understand spring break, etc. I also understand that about TSM no matter what time of year.

I wonder when touring plans will update their numbers.

Dee, can you see anything about that? Have the numbers been adjusted yet?

Thanks!

Beth

 

[BethR9]

Just thought of another question.

If we're booked for the regular dining plan, can we use our "credits" for quick service restaurants? Meaning, do we have to do table service or can we do a quick service meal instead of TS?

Beth

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

UGH- starting to freak a bit about changing weeks..... what to do, what to do....wish we could find out WHY free dining isnt offered 5-12th.... sigh

 

[BethR9]

I agree, Allison. I am also!

I think I might be convinced to change to Feb 12-17 though. Our airfare went up on one of the legs so that's why I'm thinking of going the following week to do the free dining (with lower airfare also).

Do you know about using QS if you have the reg. dining plan?

Beth

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

ok- hmmmm I was nervous that flights would be more since its closer to Presidents Day (we were thinking about leaving on Saturday the 19th) Our flights are still way high ($336), so I am hoping they drop before I book those (got them in May for $176)-

With the dining plan- I thought you could trade in one ts for 2 qs meals- but dont quote me on that- try over on the dining plan board- they will know for sure.

EDIT- Checked on the dining plan board- most of the time you are allowed to use one table service credit for one counter service credit- however at certain places the CM has said no- so I would ask before ordering!!!

 

[lilandvisma]

Beth, always thought you could use your TS credit for CS...But you would be wasting a TS credit!! Which doesn't make sense to me

I need to go check southwest to see if their fares are up yet! When I call in July the lady told me mid august and we are right smack dab in the middle now so she bes not have lied LOL

I checked Delta about a month ago and it showed $144 I believe, roundtrip from DTW Beth...Are you flying out of Flint?

 

[lilandvisma]

Anyone else want to keep in touch via Facebook?
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001232828326

 

[BethR9]

I just don't like the thought of planning out for everyday we are there where to eat and doing that 6 months before. That sounds crazy to me!

But if we're going to do a couple of character meals, then we could upgrade and save a bit of money that way and then use the TS credits leftover for QS. I know it sounds crazy that way but like I said, we don't plan our meals for a whole week when on vacation. We go with the flow for that.

Southwest flights are out now. It would save us some money but then we'd have to go down the night before or the night we get back (hotel) plus the extra gas from up here and it's not a direct flight. But our bags would be free. Yep, we'll fly out of Flint on Air Tran most likely. Non-stop flights and awesome times!

Beth

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

WHAT! $144 Seriously? I need to drive to Detroit then (2.5 hours a way tops)

Beth- DH thinks we shouls stick with 12th-19th..... Valentine's Day in Epcot sounds awesome

 

[lilandvisma]

UGH- starting to freak a bit about changing weeks..... what to do, what to do....wish we could find out WHY free dining isnt offered 5-12th.... sigh

Did you realize you are a DIS Vetran now? Congrats ! LOL

 

[BethR9]

Valentine's Day at Disney just sounds awesome!

Allison, how old is are your kid(s)? Are you going with anyone else?

Beth

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

I am a dis vetran! WHOA, I'm on here a lot lol

We made ressies for Valentines Day at Le Cellier 6pm WAHOO!

I am going with Hubby who is 34, and our two kids- son will be 5 and daughter will be 2- what about you?

 

[Marlynmik]

Mandy I contacted you via FB


I'm debating whether to book flights or not. . . . $189 one way PP doesn't look too bad at all. The "sale" that runs through to Dec is $139 so that's about as low as it can go, and that's not even guaranteed. This is our ideal departure city with a great time schedule (10am departure both ways) From Buffalo, it's a bit cheaper (by about $600) but there would be more travelling . . . Oh and we ARE saving $800 because of the 40% discount so I'm really tempted too book the $189. . .

 

[BethR9]

It will be myself, husband, and our 3 year old. I'm also pretty sure my parents and my sis and her husband will be going. No other kids though.

Beth

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Huh- anyone ever heard of, or participated in a Grand Gathering

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Grandgathering.htm

wonder if a few of us get together we could book one- seem awesome!!! One on one character interaction? My kids would freak lol

MarlynMik- If you book flights now at least its one thing out of the way right?

Beth- Oh we totally have to get the kids together then My mom may be coming- still deciding....

 

[Marlynmik]

Allison, that's a really great idea! We'll have to look into that. . .

 

[Gina]

Yes, you need to stick with that week, Allison!!