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

[kinderpa]

We are also from PA/Pittsburgh. Go Steelers! My husband and son are going to the game and my daughter and I are shopping for trip clothes. We will be there on the 12th-20. Just can't wait.

 

[robeck]

We will be there from Feb. 5 to 12. Will also be at MK on the 5th, we have 7pm ADR at CP.
I'd like to be dropped off at Space Mountain please.
We wear our winter coats to the airport so we have them if we need them. I also pack a snow shovel in the car for our return. That has come in handy when flying out of the northeast in winter.
We always swim. The water is ususally very warm but it is hard to get out of the pool when it is cold out. Last year we were in the pool, with the other northerners, and there was mist coming off the water because of the temperature difference.
This is our big planning weekend. I have been on these boards every day for weeks and now it's time to share all of your info with the family. Thank you to all who have posted such good information.
Let the games begin!

 

[BethR9]

Do you guys think the Touring Plans is a good website? Is it worth the money? It's not too late to subscribe to that is it? We'll be there Feb. 12.

 

[scrappinmom]

Amber - THat's AWESOME news !!

Gina - How did I miss the Hippy Dippy being closed??? Thanks for the heads up. The girls love the computer pool so they'll be happy .....

Touring plans = YES it's pretty cheap & the info especially on park days is valuable. However, I will add that I'm a Ridemax gal...I've been using Mark's Ridemax program since it came out...for both WDW & DL and I love it.

Not much happening this weekend here...I need to clean the dang house - that working full time gig really interferes with laundry I ordered our t-shirts, but haven't received them yet. I have the transfers, so once the t's get here I can start making those.

 

[robeck]

Is there a good website or other resource that I can use to see what all there is to do in Animal Kingdom? My wife asked about it and I really don't know much about this park. We've been there before but last year it was a rainy miserable day so we didn't stay long. We don't know what all there is to do and how much time it'll take to properly see this park

 

[scrappinmom]

Is there a good website or other resource that I can use to see what all there is to do in Animal Kingdom? My wife asked about it and I really don't know much about this park. We've been there before but last year it was a rainy miserable day so we didn't stay long. We don't know what all there is to do and how much time it'll take to properly see this park

I love love love AK! It's a must do for us - Depends on the ages & interest of your kids - the best advice I can give about AK is GO SLOW & enjoy the surroundings..there is so much to see that's not a "ride" per sae - Jungle Trek, Planet watch, things that the first few times we went I skipped over...but they're so cool. I'd take a look at the WDW site & look at AK to get a general feel for the park.

 

['OhanaMama]

I almost forgot, but the mention of swimming reminded me: If you're staying at Pop, the main pool is going to be closed 2/14 - 3/11. Just in case anyone specifically requested to be by that pool (although I can't imagine anyone swimming in February, lol!) But there are always crazy people swimming when we're there anyway.

Anyways, just wanted to give y'all a heads up. The other two smaller pools will still be open.

What!?!!! Where did you read this? Hope the kids aren't too bummed. At least they do have two others, but I hope our room is not too far away.

 

[j-jhall]

Today we are working up our food budget. SO many good places to eat on our agenda!!!!

 

[ridisneyfan9]

 

[Gina]

What!?!!! Where did you read this? Hope the kids aren't too bummed. At least they do have two others, but I hope our room is not too far away.

I go here for refurb news. You can put in your dates and resort, and be notified if anything changes. Love it!

 

[DLB]

We will be there from Feb. 5 to 12. Will also be at MK on the 5th, we have 7pm ADR at CP

How funny - we have an ADR at CP @ 7pm as well!!!! See you there!
Which resort are you staying at?

 

[scrappinmom]

Anyone here doing the Wishes Dessert Party on the 16th??? - this is the one thing we're doing that we haven't before...so I can't wait

 

[prittfamily98]

I will be in a wheel chair as well. Do you have any tips for navigating the parks?

My DD12 was in a wheelchair for 2 trips to WDW last year. We went to the host/hostess at the beginning of the ride and they directed us to the location we had to go for handicap. Since She could walk a little they would slow the ride down for her. We went to the front via the back entrance 90% of the time. usually there was not more than a 10 minute wait.

IF you are driving to the park(which we did b/c it was easier for her and free b/c we are dvc) Tell the 1st and 2nd attendants you are in a wheelchair. We got a parking spot right up front and we did not have a handicap placard. She walked with her crutches the short distance then transferred to a wheelchair. Some of the parks will keep your crutches for you,some won't.

Also I bought wheelchair passes for the time we were there. It was cheaper to buy 5 days than one day at a time. Each day I took the pass, it was stamped and we got a wheelchair.

Almost everyone was helpful and friendly. There were several park guests that were rude to us but that is bound to happen.
Good Luck!!

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

thanks guys! im actually getting excited about the trip again...not to mention planning a christmas trip! wahoo!!! i was up all nite thinking of everything i have to pack! eek!

called dvc today to rework our ressies and it was pretty easy. she banked my left over pts and put the unused ones now in a holding acct. so come june we will have 313 that we could use for xmas...pitched to a friend taking them and staying at a 2 bedroom at akl(value of course) but it's under 300 pts, sleeps 9 and theres 9 of us. i still think my hubby is insane to suggest a christmas trip, but if he complains once, ill remind him it was his idea. plus he's automatically on leave as the bases close down for 3 weeks, so he doesn't even have to worry about getting the capt. to approve it.

 

[DLB]

My DD12 was in a wheelchair for 2 trips to WDW last year. We went to the host/hostess at the beginning of the ride and they directed us to the location we had to go for
handicap. Since She could walk a little they would slow the ride down for her. We went to the front via the back entrance 90% of the time. usually there was not more than a 10 minute wait.

IF you are driving to the park(which we did b/c it was easier for her and free b/c we are dvc) Tell the 1st and 2nd attendants you are in a wheelchair. We got a parking spot right up front and we did not have a handicap placard. She walked with her crutches the short distance then transferred to a wheelchair. Some of the parks will keep your crutches for you,some won't.

Also I bought wheelchair passes for the time we were there. It was cheaper to buy 5 days than one day at a time. Each day I took the pass, it was stamped and we got a wheelchair.

Almost everyone was helpful and friendly. There were several park guests that were rude to us but that is bound to happen.
Good Luck!!

Thank you for sharing your experience. Since we have 2 young children and DH will be tending to them a lot of the time we decided to go with an ECV. That way I can be more independent. I am very nervous for the trip, but I am sure everything will be ok. We will be relying on Disney transportation so I will have to figure that out. I can walk a little (more of a hobble than a walk) so I should be ok to transfer to the rides. I hope :/

 

[robeck]

How funny - we have an ADR at CP @ 7pm as well!!!! See you there!
Which resort are you staying at?

OK, I'll see you there.
We are staying at the Poly.
Got my mail today.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Chris- we love AK too!

Amber- thats great news

We are all sick Well, DH isn't- but he never gets sick (and when he does its super sick). Though I feel like garbage I can't help but smile- because at least its now and not right before/during our trip

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Chris- we love AK too!

Amber- thats great news

We are all sick Well, DH isn't- but he never gets sick (and when he does its super sick). Though I feel like garbage I can't help but smile- because at least its now and not right before/during our trip

For those going 2-11 or around there- HEADS UP- the crowd calendar went DOWN!!!

 

[scrappinmom]

Chris- we love AK too!

Amber- thats great news

We are all sick Well, DH isn't- but he never gets sick (and when he does its super sick). Though I feel like garbage I can't help but smile- because at least its now and not right before/during our trip

For those going 2-11 or around there- HEADS UP- the crowd calendar went DOWN!!!

Allison - Sorry you're sick

but YEAH.....going over to Touring plans now to see if my days wet down........nope....but the first 3 days are really low.....then it spikes because of pres day...... blah.....

 

[hsmamainva]

We ordered our tickets today!! 7 day passes! Woo hoo!