*The OFFICIAL February 2012 Thread!*

[pilotwife_02]

Now that the cooler weather is here I am getting more excited since it means we're just a few months away from our trip!! And, we have already hit our goal on money we wanted to save for the trip so now everything else is icing on the cake!!

I can't wait to tell the boys about the trip!

 

[ckrentz]

We'll be there Feb 15-21; this our first time ever and it's a MAW trip for our youngest son. We are super excited!!

 

[Veteran Wife]

We'll be there February 11 through February 17th staying at POFQ! So excited!

 

[LJSquishy]

I'll be staying at CSR from Feb 11-18! My first Disney trip since I was 3, and Hubby's first trip in over 15 years!

 

[jkjec]

Booked Feb 12 - 16 (but hoping to add the 11th)

POL - Riverside -

We've never been in February. Took advantage of free dining... still searching for flights! We passed on a great deal and now flights are going up every day I look! We're from MN so too far to drive for a week.

After the 16th we want to go to the ocean - like the idea of the gulf side but still considering Coco/Vero area... Any advice?

We are a family of five - wondering if Port Orleans Riverside is changing all of the alligator area to the princess theme rooms and if so will they still have trundles. We have our res so I am assuming they will still have room for all of us!

Does anyone know if there will be any new attractions - even small ones - in Feb?

 

[wdwislife]

List has been updated.
We're getting so close!

 

[KristiKat]

List has been updated.
We're getting so close!

I can't wait! I'm so ready to be there. It's all I talk about and I'm driving my hubby crazy.

 

[DReynolds86]

My family and I are arriving on February 16th and staying through February 20th. It's an early 30th birthday for me and it'll be my sisters' (8, 14, 13) first trip to WDW! Put it on the board.

 

[leanne11]

got all my adr's//i think..looking at the poly after the fireworks...kona cafe is my fav,,,,even if we cant afford to stay there...we'll rest our feetsies there...Pilots wife...what r glow stix and where do we get them?? i also did the maps..and got a great countdown calender....bought a nemo light flasher on ebay'''and a mickey mouse hat...cant wait..

 

[sammyjo1871]

Okay, calling out for experienced Disney vacationers help! Looking for advice/thoughts on my planning. Our 1st Disney trip, staying at POFQ for 6 nites, just me and my son who will just have turned 5 a month before arriving. I've booked our ADRs & Pirates League. Now I keep 2nd guessing myself on places to eat and even which parks/which days. Any and all input is greatly appreciated!! And I'll apologize for all the crazy questions ahead of time.

Arrive Sunday, 10am at MCO. Figure we'll be to resort/checking in by noon. So I booked a 1pm lunch at Hollywood & Vine. Sound reasonable on timing?? We're going to DHS that day no matter what to catch Fantasmic!

Monday: Magic Kingdom, only day in our trip to catch Main Street Electrical Parade. I didn't do any ADRs this day. Thought our 1st full day at MK would be overwhelming enough.

Tuesday: Hollywood Studios in the morning/early afternoon. Heading to DTD for 6pm dinner at T-Rex. I'd like to have at least a short break at the hotel and then ride the boat over to DTD. What time should we leave DHS by? And what time should we be catching the boat to head over to DTD?

Wednesday: MK, booked 8:05am breakfast at Crystal Palace. So excited to be in MK early and maybe get some pics of castle with little to no crowd! Are there Photo Pass photographers out that early, so we can get in some together as well? How early will they let us in MK?

Thursday: Epcot, 11:30 ADR for lunch at Coral Reef. Since we're only planning 1 day at Epcot, I'm wondering if we should just do QS instead this day, and not spend that extra time for a sit down meal. Thoughts?

Friday: Magic Kingdom. Pirates League ressie at 10am. My son is super pumped for this! ADR at Chef Mickey's for 5pm. Want to watch the 3pm parade and then back for Wishes after dinner. Too long of a day??

Saturday: Animal Kingdom. My parents are picking us up from WDW to spend a few days with them, so they are joining us at this park for the day. No ADRs because I'm not sure what time they'll get there that morning.

Again, thanks for any advice! I love being able to be all crazy on my Disney planning and reading up on everyone else's experiences!

 

[cruiserjen]

We, my DH and 2 DSs will be on the Dream cruise Feb. 12-15, 2012. We will then head to WDW for 3 days. So excited for both. We've never been on a cruise and never been to WDW only Disneyland. What a great vacation!!!

When should I start the countdown with the kids? I was thinking January. Thoughts?

 

[TwoIfBySea]

When should I start the countdown with the kids? I was thinking January. Thoughts?

Depends on the age of the kids. If you've got pre-teens, NOW is not too soon . If it's 5-year-olds, January might be better. My 3-year-old (when she was 3) had a great head for time but still couldn't really think about things more than about a week out.

 

[Star Wars mom]

SammyJo1871,
You look like you have done a lot of research and have some great things planned. The only piece of advice I would offer is to schedule some down time for you and your son. I once heard a Disney cast member say that all that people need for their first trip to WDW is a pair of roller skates and a Red Bull (referencing how we all try to cram as much as we can into every day). But after many trips to WDW, my family now always plans some down time. If you don't want to plan an entire slack day to relax, maybe go back to the resort for an afternoon nap or swim a few of the days. You would be surprised how fast the most magical place on Earth will exhaust small children and make them cranky and out of sorts. I say this as a mother who has experienced it.

Your plans look fantastic and maybe someone with more experience with the boat to DTD can answer those questions for you. Have a great trip!!

 

[leanne11]

whats the pirate league???

 

[jennbenn]

FINALLY booked for Jan 29th through Feb 2nd. Yay!

Now I can really start planning, beginning with dining reservations...

 

[Gulfcoastdisfan]

Coming out of lurkersville because we are heading to WDW on Feb. 10th. So excited! We are celebrating my twin girls 4th birthday! Cannot wait.

 

[sammyjo1871]

SammyJo1871,
You look like you have done a lot of research and have some great things planned. The only piece of advice I would offer is to schedule some down time for you and your son. I once heard a Disney cast member say that all that people need for their first trip to WDW is a pair of roller skates and a Red Bull (referencing how we all try to cram as much as we can into every day). But after many trips to WDW, my family now always plans some down time. If you don't want to plan an entire slack day to relax, maybe go back to the resort for an afternoon nap or swim a few of the days. You would be surprised how fast the most magical place on Earth will exhaust small children and make them cranky and out of sorts. I say this as a mother who has experienced it.

Your plans look fantastic and maybe someone with more experience with the boat to DTD can answer those questions for you. Have a great trip!!

I have done a lot of research! It's now my favorite evening past-time after my son is asleep. It just gets me more excited for our trip! I do have mid-day breaks planned on 4 of the days; planning on heading back to the hotel for nap/rest, maybe a swim if it's warm enough. Thank you for the advice though. Because you're so right: tired kids=cranky kids=cranky mommy

 

[sammyjo1871]

whats the pirate league???

Leanne,

This is our 1st trip coming up, so I'll fill you in on what I've read about the experience.

Pirates League is located in MK, beside Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Your kid(s), or even adults, can be transformed into a pirate! You receive an official pirate name, you choose a make-up look (my son likes the one with the scar on the face & scruffy look), a bandana, sword, etc. The price also includes a portrait afterwards. You can read the specifics on the WDW website, search by Pirates League. It also has a quick video preview to give you a better idea. The price is $29.95, I believe. Reservations are not required but recommended.

 

[pilotwife_02]

We, my DH and 2 DSs will be on the Dream cruise Feb. 12-15, 2012. We will then head to WDW for 3 days. So excited for both. We've never been on a cruise and never been to WDW only Disneyland. What a great vacation!!!

When should I start the countdown with the kids? I was thinking January. Thoughts?

We aren't telling our kids (4 and 5) until Christmas so that's when the countdown with them will begin!

 

[Star Wars mom]

We are also sending our boys on a Pirate Adventure cruise while we're there. There are a few different ones that depart from different resorts. We did the one from Yacht club last time. It sails into Epcot. There was a whole story line with pirates and the Disney cast members leading the adventure led the kids to clues which helped them find their treasure (goody bags and snacks). In February we are sending them on the Adventure that launches from the Grand Floridian. It will be a different storyline for them. Kids must be at least 4-years-old and potty trained to take the cruise, and it costs around $35 per child. It lasts two hours and parents are not allowed on the boat. The CMs leading the adventure are all certified life guards -- which gave my husband some peace of mind.

Thought I'd share the info in case anyone else might be interested in having their kids do this. I think its a pretty good deal for the amount of fun they have. You can book these by calling (407)WDW-PLAY. I think there is some info online, but not a lot of details. Kind of a best kept secret of WDW sort of thing