**The Official January 2012 WDW Thread**

[ash-n-brensmom]

We finalized our dates last night and I have 63 days until I become a Cast Member!!!

As for best interaction, Crystal Palace, hands down!

Congrats...that's so exciting!! I agree with the interaction at Crystal Palace! We've always had good luck there as well.

Best Character Interaction:

It's a tie between Ohana character breakfast and Camp Minnie-Mickey at AK. There was NO ONE else there when we did the latter, and Chip and Dale had a great routine where they were trying to get food out of the snack bar vendor. Then they spent a bunch of time with my kids. They loved it!

You have me excited about this one! We have always had amazing interaction with Stitch individually, so we were really looking forward to this meal..especially since Stitch is DD 11's fave!!

 

[carebee21]

question of the day (well night)

Where have you found the best character interaction????

We really only do character interactions at meals; we don't waste much park time doing them so I can't comment on those. We've had great interactions with Stitch at Ohana Breakfast, Minnie at Chef Mickey's, Piglet and Tigger at Crystal Palace and all of the characters at Park Fare Breakfast.

We consistently have "poor" characters at Donald's Safari Breakfast. I put poor because it's not awful, but it's more of a hurry up and take your picture before the characters move on. But it's been crowded and full both times we've been there, and it looks pretty big inside, so I think that's why.

 

[okw19]

question of the day (well night)

Where have you found the best character interaction????

We have always lucked out at O'Hana and Chef Mickey's.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Has anybody tried booking the Tomorrowland Dessert Party? Any success? What have they told you when you call?

I have been calling several times a week for over a month now and still nothing. I have been told that the night I want is booked and then they look and it hasn't actually been added. The last CM that I talked to said they were usually opened at 90 days out, well, this was at 64 days out. I am getting very frustrated.

 

[lledman]

What's your strangest helpful Disney hint

Mine is to save jokes into your cell phone drafts before you leave so when you visit the Laugh Floor you are prepared - this is especially helpful if you have 3 kids.

 

[readytogotodisney]

Has anybody tried booking the Tomorrowland Dessert Party? Any success? What have they told you when you call?

I have been calling several times a week for over a month now and still nothing. I have been told that the night I want is booked and then they look and it hasn't actually been added. The last CM that I talked to said they were usually opened at 90 days out, well, this was at 64 days out. I am getting very frustrated.

I've called every day this month (but I haven't had time today), with still nothing open. It is so frustrating! I have been told anything from that it will be open 6 weeks out, to any day now, to not sure if it will be continued for January. One CM even told me whether or not they open it depends on how many requests they get over the phone. I have no idea what to believe, but I will keep calling until I get my ADR.

ETA: Just called and still nothing is loaded into the calender past NYE. She said to keep calling, bc they don't know when it will be loaded. She was surprised that it wasn't in there already.

 

[jandkmom]

Congrats...that's so exciting!! I agree with the interaction at Crystal Palace! We've always had good luck there as well.



You have me excited about this one! We have always had amazing interaction with Stitch individually, so we were really looking forward to this meal..especially since Stitch is DD 11's fave!!

Both times we did Ohana breakfast, the characters spent a good amount of time at our table and did the fun conga line with the kids. It feels much more relaxed and unhurried than Chef Mickeys.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I've called every day this month (but I haven't had time today), with still nothing open. It is so frustrating! I have been told anything from that it will be open 6 weeks out, to any day now, to not sure if it will be continued for January. One CM even told me whether or not they open it depends on how many requests they get over the phone. I have no idea what to believe, but I will keep calling until I get my ADR.

ETA: Just called and still nothing is loaded into the calender past NYE. She said to keep calling, bc they don't know when it will be loaded. She was surprised that it wasn't in there already.

Well, I guess I won't bother them tonight, IDK, maybe if we do call everyday we might get somewhere.

I read something yesterday on facebook that they were doing away with the Grand Gathering because they have the Dessert Party and other events to take place of the special events that were exclusive to GG's, so why wouldn't they have the dates in the system Well, it did take them forever to get all the dining loaded at 180 days.

 

[Alahis]

perrymarshall : We have a date, but I know it does not suits you, it's the 28th.

But we can choose another day "en plus", we can do...two mini-meeting ! (there's always some time to meet new friends )

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

What's your strangest helpful Disney hint

Mine is to save jokes into your cell phone drafts before you leave so when you visit the Laugh Floor you are prepared - this is especially helpful if you have 3 kids.

That's a good one! I always wonder if they have a group that doesn't text any in what they would do?
I can't think of any strange hints...gonna have to think on that one...although DH just reminded me of a book that I just read that was written by someone who has found interesting places to "shag" in the World as well as how to make it down to the Utilidors and wander around for HOURS without getting caught...I would never suggest these as hints, but they are definitely strange. I must add that the book was amusing! In case anyone is interested...The Dark Side of Disney by Kinsey, Leonard. He loves Disney, really!

 

[keypooh90]

Hmm...I guess the strangest thing we do/advice is free cups of ice and we bring our own can drinks into the parks.

 

[ladyfoundhertramp]

So excited 76 Days until my sister and me leave for our first Disney World vacation Can't wait till January, normally I'm really excited for Christmas but this year, I just want Christmas to come and go so January will be here!!!!

HAHA! I am right there with you. We leave in 65 days and I cannot wait!!!

 

[ladyfoundhertramp]

Question of the day:

How are you planning to travel to Disney??

We are flying direct from Baltimore via SW Airlines!!

 

[lledman]

The Dark Side of Disney by Kinsey, Leonard. He loves Disney, really!

will have to check that out - maybe for our next non-husband free trip to Disney

 

[lledman]

Hmm...I guess the strangest thing we do/advice is free cups of ice and we bring our own can drinks into the parks.

That's a good one - I know you can get free water from places with a sink but my oldest DS isn't a huge water fan. It's always a pain to try to keep can sodas cold - he'll be pleased with this tip.

 

[steeners81]

Question of the day:

How are you planning to travel to Disney??

I am a little behind on reading this thread. I will be flying but my BF will be driving since he only lives three hours away. I am now thinking an early morning flight on New Years Day might be a little rough but it will get me into Disney that much sooner.

 

[steeners81]

question of the day (well night)

Where have you found the best character interaction????

Breakfast at the Beach club...everythime we have been there it hasn't been that crowded and we got to spend more time with the characters.

Also with some of the characters in the world showcase that are off the beaten path. I have seen them numerous times with no lines so they are able to spend more time with you.

 

[steeners81]

Ok and I have no strange advice but I enjoy reading what other people have/will give.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

What's your strangest helpful Disney hint

I guess my strangest tip is that we bought one of those $5.00 lunch coolers from Walmart with the plastic box liner and we put some drinks in it and add some ice from the ice machines, I also toss in a wash cloth from the room, that keeps your drinks cold and as the ice melts, it wets the rag so I have a cold wet cloth to wipe my face off with, and we pour off the excess water a couple of times during the day. I only do this on summer trips though. It will probably be too cool to do that in January.

 

[lledman]

Are you planning to decorate your room/window/door? If so how?

I'm looking for window clings for the window but everythign out now is just Christmas - what happened to generic winter scenes??? I was also thinking about hanging a sing and pen on my door - maybe the green tag that we use for our January group - figured that would make a nice scrapbook piece.