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

[LovinPooh]

We had to change our Dec. trip to Feb. due to becoming GRANDPARENTS! YAY!
Now we will be there Feb. 25th - Mar. 6. Staying at All Star Music. I can't wait!
We have not been there this time of year, so any pointers would be nice. We usually go in September. How is the weather? The crowds? I was able to get all the dinning adr's that I wanted with no problems. I hope that is a sign! : )

yaay! Finally -- another late Feb'er. Most everyone on this thread is going the first half of Feb. We'll be at ASMU 2/24-3/4! (our first trip so can't answer your questions)

You guys better stay out of my way in the ride lines

2/25-3/5 staying at POFQ

I have been in mid Feb, right before Presidents Day crowds and loved it. It was busy, but not overly busy. The weather was beautiful, little chilly in the morning, but upper 80s in the afternoon. Love this time of year.
I too got all the ADRs I wanted. I too am hoping thats a good sign. Its free dining, so I guess that means its a slower time of year??? Our winter break here in NH is the week before, so we are playing hookie from school/work and enjoying the FL sun while everyone is freezing up here

 

[lamb616]

Our winter break here in NH is the week before, so we are playing hookie from school/work and enjoying the FL sun while everyone is freezing up here

same here in MA - DS' school break is the week before (well, we arrive on the Thursday of his school vacation and stay the whole following week)

 

[druidcat]

Who has been the week before Presidents' Day? What should we expect crowd wise? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Princesspigletsmom]

Gina, I love this covert operation

The Event-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named sounds like something I should SERIOUSLY consider adding to my plans. . . .

I love that! We are keeping this trip as a secret and have not yet thought of a code name.. I might have to steal that!

 

[Ron Nelson]

3 months left to go, time is slowly coming around

Feb 9, is going to take forever

 

[Thnlk]

My wife and I will be at the Caribbean Beach Resort Feb 12 - 17. We are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. We come to WDW after our DCL trip. No kids

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Hi all!

Can you believe the trip isn't so far off now? The holidays will make the time fly by (at least I hope so)

So- as we get closer and closer to our departure date I am wondering if there are any tips any of you have for packing- anything you recommend bringing that people would normally not think of?

My tip: Walmart sells ID holders with breakaway Lanyards (in the wallet section near the mens socks)- made by Puritan- for $0.99- they were AWESOME last trip. We just put our Key to the World cards in there and wore them around our neck the whole trip. They have a top zipper section (where our cards and IDs went) and a back slide in pocket where we kept our photopass cards. The photopass photographers could scan our cards right through the pouch- no need to take them out.

Also- for those with kids- we bought ours safetytats and they were awesome- easy to apply and gave us piece of mind in case the kids got separated from us.

 

[MamaJessie]

My tip: Walmart sells ID holders with breakaway Lanyards (in the wallet section near the mens socks)- made by Puritan- for $0.99- they were AWESOME last trip. We just put our Key to the World cards in there and wore them around our neck the whole trip. They have a top zipper section (where our cards and IDs went) and a back slide in pocket where we kept our photopass cards. The photopass photographers could scan our cards right through the pouch- no need to take them out.

Awesome, I think we're going to do this this time. I don't think I have any interesting tips to share, I took all my ideas off the what to pack threads

 

[MamaJessie]

I noticed in my email yesterday I had a letter from Disney Destinations. It was all about the add ons and how the vacation is sooner than I think. Looking at Donalds pic made me want to luxuriate in the plans that were already made, and check my reservations and dining reservations just for ha-has. Well, all my ADRs were gone. I didn't have any for the same time that would conflict (I find that incredibly rude) but did have like four chef mickey's, but they were all for different days. I have no idea what I did to make that happen. Thankfully I am not going during free dining so I was able to get ADRs CLOSE to my original times (although to a hungry group of kids 6:45 might not seem that close to 5 ) so I am not devastated about that, just traumatized. I think I will be checking my ADRs hourly

 

[Gina]

So- as we get closer and closer to our departure date I am wondering if there are any tips any of you have for packing- anything you recommend bringing that people would normally not think of?

Hi Alli!

That's a great question... I can't really think of anything out of the ordinary that I pack, or things that others wouldn't think of... But I can tell you the things that I've learned are must-packs for us!

1.) Power strip. Even with it just being DS and I, we always seems to have a dozen different things that need to be plugged in and/or charged up. I've never regretted bringing a power strip!

2.) Over-the-door-shoe-holder. Would never go without this item, either!! There is precious little place to put any sort of toiletries in the bathroom, and this just keeps the clutter down. You can frequently find them at Dollar Tree.

3.) Plastic zipper bags in different sizes. Good for everything from saving that big cookie until later to sealing your phone & camera up in for water rides to containing your socks that you managed to get wet when you stepped in that big puddle right before you left to go home. (Can you tell I've learned this from experience? lol)

4.) And not a necessity, but we always like to bring things like glow bracelets, Disney stickers, that sort of thing, to hand out to kids around us when we're waiting for a parade or on the monorail or whatever. Gotta spread the magic.

 

[hmmemom]

Just popping in to say HI! We just booked a trip fro Feb 11-19th last week. We are surprising the kids with it for Christmas. This will be our second trip as a family. We surprised them last December, as in didn't tell them were we were going until 4 hours into the 10 hour car ride!

We are staying at All-Star Music, as its one of the few with room for all 6 of us in one room. I am a little worried about the cheerleaders, but I think I can overlook them.

We have all the ADRs all booked, but my husband is desperate for a Le Cellier dinner ressie. We have a lunch, but he really wants dinner. We are also celebrating my son's 7th birthday while we are there and have Ohana all set-up for that. I am very excited about all of and can't wait to surprise the kids so they can be excited with me and DH.

Heather

 

[Gina]

Just popping in to say HI! We just booked a trip fro Feb 11-19th last week. We are surprising the kids with it for Christmas. This will be our second trip as a family. We surprised them last December, as in didn't tell them were we were going until 4 hours into the 10 hour car ride!

We are staying at All-Star Music, as its one of the few with room for all 6 of us in one room. I am a little worried about the cheerleaders, but I think I can overlook them.

We have all the ADRs all booked, but my husband is desperate for a Le Cellier dinner ressie. We have a lunch, but he really wants dinner. We are also celebrating my son's 7th birthday while we are there and have Ohana all set-up for that. I am very excited about all of and can't wait to surprise the kids so they can be excited with me and DH.

Heather

How exciting!! I've only been able to keep a secret like that from DS one time, when I booked us into Pop for a couple nights after a cruise... And that just about killed me, lol. I must have nearly-spilled it to him about a million times!

I'm sure something will open up for dinner at Le Cellier. Keep checking! What night are you going to 'Ohana?

 

[mrsxsparrow]

I noticed in my email yesterday I had a letter from Disney Destinations. It was all about the add ons and how the vacation is sooner than I think. Looking at Donalds pic made me want to luxuriate in the plans that were already made, and check my reservations and dining reservations just for ha-has. Well, all my ADRs were gone. I didn't have any for the same time that would conflict (I find that incredibly rude) but did have like four chef mickey's, but they were all for different days. I have no idea what I did to make that happen. Thankfully I am not going during free dining so I was able to get ADRs CLOSE to my original times (although to a hungry group of kids 6:45 might not seem that close to 5 ) so I am not devastated about that, just traumatized. I think I will be checking my ADRs hourly

Have you checked them since the system upgrade a while back, or was this your first time? Almost everyone is or was missing their ADRs, but they're all still there. I had about 20 (I'm taking two different trips and like table service meals) and they all went missing. When I called the CM was able to pull them all up and they were all okay. I'm to the point now where I can pull up all but one using the confirmation number. Please call to check that they really are missing and just not a victim of the system upgrade and then cancel any extras.

BTW the thread where everyone is having ADRs go missing can be found here.

 

[hmmemom]

We will be at Ohana on the 13th. Its my son's actualy birthday. I hope he likes it.

 

[bigal'sdaughter]

A DIS newbie here! Just stopping by to say we will be there Jan 29-Feb 4! Can't wait!
Celebrating DH birthday, DD birthday (4!) and DS 1st trip (10 months!).....

 

[mguilford1]

My wife and I will be at the Caribbean Beach Resort Feb 12 - 17. We are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. We come to WDW after our DCL trip. No kids

sorry sent pm

 

[jmskinner]

Hi! I am going with by BFF February 18-21st! She lives in Texas and I'm here in Tampa, FL. We are staying at SSR unless one of her other choices comes up. No ADR's, think we are going to purchase the QSDP (is that the correct term), which I'm ok with for a couple of reasons:
1. My DH and I are going in January for 3 nights of Premium plan, so I think I may still be full in February.
2. Two crazy women acting like teenagers do not have time to eat a big meal, we are going to be running all over the place.

My tip: Walmart sells ID holders with breakaway Lanyards (in the wallet section near the mens socks)- made by Puritan- for $0.99- they were AWESOME last trip. We just put our Key to the World cards in there and wore them around our neck the whole trip. They have a top zipper section (where our cards and IDs went) and a back slide in pocket where we kept our photopass cards. The photopass photographers could scan our cards right through the pouch- no need to take them out.

Are those bigger than the pouches Disney sells? I go through one a trip because I try to put too much in them and they tear or the slider comes home.

I'm drawing a blank on packing ideas, except put some of your stuff in ziplock bags, especially liquids, but if you put clothing and stuff in them, and then squeeze all the air out, it leaves more room in your suitcase.

 

[MamaJessie]

Just popping in to say HI! We just booked a trip fro Feb 11-19th last week. We are surprising the kids with it for Christmas. This will be our second trip as a family. We surprised them last December, as in didn't tell them were we were going until 4 hours into the 10 hour car ride!

Surprises sound like fun. Admittedly I wasn't sold on the idea until I saw the commercials. I get all teary eyed watching these kids get so excited. I may have to surprise the kids one day too.

And thanks for the post on the system upgrade ADR issues. I posted the problem in the ADR section and learned all about it. I can't find my notebook with my confirmation numbers in it, so I don't think a CM would be able to pull them up. Maybe I'll call later just for ha-has.

 

[eeyoreland]

Hi all. I just called WDW about "The Event That Shall Not be Named" and I was told they are booked for the entire week of February 7. I asked if that's really possible or if there could be a glitch in the system. She said sometimes these things (a glitch) happen so she was going to try and pull up ANY reservation for "The Event" that week. She said she couldn't so there probably is a glitch and suggested I call back. Oh well. I thought for a minute there I was going to get lucky and have good news to report. I probably won't even try calling back until next week unless someone else here reports having success.

On another note, planning in advance is nice, but I just had to make a change to our daily itinerary and realize it affects one of my reservations so now I have to change it (hopefully) to another day. And then knowing my luck, my daily itinerary will change again!

I don't know if this is the place to post it, but when we're there in February, we are going one day to Universal (Harry Potter specifically). Right now I'm contemplating going there on Sunday. What do you think? From everything I'm reading, the Disney parks are all quite crowded on a Sunday and I think FD starts that day or the day before so I'm wondering if it makes sense to get away.

We are going to be at Disney for 8 days. The first day a late morning arrival and the last day a late afternoon departure. One day at Universal and one day at the beach. Can you believe, using the resources I used, that 5 of those 8 days Epcot is listed at the best park to visit? We've been numerous times to Disney. Well, roughly once a year or once every other year. We don't need to see everything. But every time we go, I panic about crowds and being able to get in everything we want to get it. We are spoiled. I mean, most people would be happy going on Toy Story Mania ONCE. I'm worried about how we're going to do it three times.

Sorry I got long winded. That's what happens when you're on hold with Disney.

 

[druidcat]

We will be at Ohana on the 13th. Its my son's actualy birthday. I hope he likes it.

We'll be at Ohana on the 13th also, of course it will be for breakfast, lol. He'll love it, my kids do. Saw you were from NC too, you don't happen to be from Wilkes county, do you?