**The Official January 2012 WDW Thread**

[Princess/es19]

You shouldn't have a problem getting your ADRs- but I would still book them at 180 days so you get the times and everything you want!

Le Cellier: LOVE IT! Our favorite place. When we went in February I got a dinner ressie for my bday and DH suprised me with a cake there- so fun! Dinner is now 2 TS credits, and even pricier so if we go back this time it will be for lunch, which is still 1 TS

Teppan: Want to try it, our picky kids won't enjoy the food though

Yak: Want to try this time

Tusker Breakfast- We really liked it. The food was good, characters were fun. It was nice being inside AK before the park opened.

Haven't tried the others.

If you land at 4:15pm I would estimate being in your room 2 hours later (will more than likely be less but plan for two). As for your luggage- if you want, you can just let magical express pick it up from the airport and bring it to your room later (normally takes a few hours) so when you get off the plane all you have to do is walk to the ME bus and go, your luggage will magically show up in your room later that night. Or you can go to baggage claim yourself and get it so you can have it immediately. Absolutely can you use your dining plan at resort restaurants! Its good as soon as you check in- you don't have to go to the parks at all to use the plan- its actually tied to how many nights you are in the hotel, not how many days you have park tickets for. Check out Ohana at the Poly for dinner- Its one of the hardest ADR's to get, but so good! You can spend the day in MK then take the monorail over to the Poly for dinner.

Thanks for all the advice and info! I didn't know Le Cellier was two TS, So lunch it is
Teppan Edo sounds a lot like Benihaunas, so i am excited to try it. I am a VERY picky eater, so this is the most unique restaurant we are trying. DH will eat anything, so we will probably use our CS's in EPCOT so he can try a bit of everything, while I have the cowardly nibble at the end of whatever he ordered

And thanks for the advice about Ohana, I will definitely see if we can schedule that in. And since Yak and Yeti has CS, we will probably eat at Tusker House.

I was a little confused about when dining kicked in and ended, so thanks for that info. The last day wont matter to us because our flight back home leaves at 6 am! I'm dreading that day, because
1. we are leaving the world
2. DH and I are more than likely scheduled for work that night, thats why our plane leaves so early, we had to be home before 3, not to mention that flight was cheaper. I'm really hoping thats not the case, but I don't think DH's Job will be happier, he wants 8 days off but they may say 7 days. And if he works, I will feel so guilty that I will tell my boss to schedule me that night too. Its only fair, he works sooo hard for us and this trip, while he is excited for, is much more to please me than him wanting to go to the world.
3. 7 am flight means leave hotel at 5 am the latest, which is 2 am for us! looking into small pillows for the flight.
Ugh! I don't want to focus on that day though.

that first night we will be ready to enter the parks around 7, so i'm trying to figure out what would be best for that first night. Go to a park, or relax and eat dinner after a long flight? It depends on park hours, which I know the parks won't be open late because it isn't peak season. By the 180 ADR mark they should have the schedule for park hours. We may just get a counter service meal and watch MSEP and or Wishes at MK. I'm really excited about the Electrical Parade, that was my favorite when I was a little girl. Oh goodness, thinking about it now makes me cry!

I feel like I just wrote a book I'm just SO excited. I've wanted to see Mickey's Florida vacationing spot since the commercials came out for AK in '95!

 

[Princess/es19]

ooooh I just did some research on the Ohana and I am going to schedule that so that we can eat and then watch the Electrical Water Pageant and MK fireworks from the Poly's beach.

I think the second day of the trip we will enter the parks finally starting with Epcot.... I am very excited about the ability to order a drink from one of the pavillions lol! It sounds stupid when i say/type that, but its one of those iconic coming of age activities. I'm going to have to ask them to use like only 1/3 the amount of alcohol they usually put in those drinks though... don't want to be sick at the world.

We changed what moderate we are visiting, POFQ sounds more romantic and quieter than all the others, and we can go over to Riverside if we choose too. Of course we have nothing to compare it to, but the deciding factor was that it is currently being renovated with queen sized beds. Now we don't have to pay extra to have a bigger bed than a double

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

ooooh I just did some research on the Ohana and I am going to schedule that so that we can eat and then watch the Electrical Water Pageant and MK fireworks from the Poly's beach.

I think the second day of the trip we will enter the parks finally starting with Epcot.... I am very excited about the ability to order a drink from one of the pavillions lol! It sounds stupid when i say/type that, but its one of those iconic coming of age activities. I'm going to have to ask them to use like only 1/3 the amount of alcohol they usually put in those drinks though... don't want to be sick at the world.

We changed what moderate we are visiting, POFQ sounds more romantic and quieter than all the others, and we can go over to Riverside if we choose too. Of course we have nothing to compare it to, but the deciding factor was that it is currently being renovated with queen sized beds. Now we don't have to pay extra to have a bigger bed than a double

Ugh! What a bummer having to go straight back to work. Oh well, At least you will still be on a Disney high (and I am predicting you will already be planning your next trip back)

I am glad you are going to try Ohana! Sometimes its gets mixed reviews but DH and I have had great experiences both times we have tried it. They do tend to run behind, so make sure you make your ADR early enough to account for a 30-45 minute wait before eating.

Drinks at Epcot are fun! You have to try the Grand Marnier slushie from France for sure!

I think POFQ is a great choice. You can take the boat over to Downtown Disney which is nice

 

[mousescrapper]

haven't been on the thread in a bit...so seeing what is up...

Hi all, Just wanted to check in.

For those of you with kids, when do you plan on telling them about your next Disney vacation????

our's already know....we have surprised them for 2 of the 5 (including Jan) trips we have taken as a family. the first trip w/ the kids...they didn't know till we were at the airport...it was easy then at ages 6, 6, and 2 1/2...and then the 3rd trip, was a last minute bounce back and we had a scavenger hunt in our home, which led them to a suitcase and when they opened it, ballons popped out and a plush Mickey was inside holding our reservation slip. They are very much going to be in on the plans for jan as it is a short trip (5 days)...someday be fun to surprise them again

However, I've been looking at the 2 BR villas in BLT and they look fabulous!! 3 bathrooms which is awesome.

Sandy that sounds awesome! If you do decide to go, and want a 2 bedroom villa I highly recommend renting points from a DVC member!

Thank you, I think we will look into doing that!! Do you know - can you still purchase the DDP when doing this? I'm guessing the owner would need to purchase it for us. Oh, and another silly question - would we have the pool-hopping rights or is that for owners only? Probably going to be too cold, but if we do this, I'd love to be able to go over to the Volcano pool if we get a nice day.

You can get the DDP but you need to have the DVC member get it for you, and you have to pay for it the day you reserve it! I am pretty sure you can still pool hop, your KTTW card will more than likely say DVC on it, so you should be fine. I too am hoping for a nice day to swim!!!

Sandy...we are DVC owners at BLT and stayed in the 2 BR villa in Nov...it was wonderful tons of room and the 3 bathrooms is a huge blessing...you can sleep up to 9 w/ one under 3 in a 2 BR...we had 8 (4 A and 4 C)

the answer to purchasing DDP is correct to the best of my knowledge but the pool hopping I'm not sure on...you can use BLT pool need key access to get in and the CR pool right next door but I belive pool hopping privledges are just to the DVC pools and not for all pools...

I was there in Jan this yr w/ friends...we didn't bring suits...but on arrival day it would have been warm enough but not the rest of our days...hit and miss on the weather really. We are from Chicago area so although it got chilly and I needed hat and gloves and extra layers 1 night and early morning it wasn't horrible and def not as cold back home. I plan to pack it all, lots of layers and a good mix of full weahter clothing

Also in planning news for my Jan '12 trip...I have been running the budget numbers and food numbers for my upcoming Oct trip and decided to get a better approx figure for jan too while i was at it

DH & I have decided that we are going to do 5 day base tickets for our trip vs hoppers saves us about $250 dollars plus I am going to renew my current AP pass before it expires this Nov and use it in Jan (to continue advatnage of additonal discounts) and then for another friend only quickie next yr Oct too

I will purchase the passes via Undercover Tourist before the usual Aug price increase so hopefully that will be enough time to save the $$$


we have also gone over the food crunching numbers and are thinking of trying a DDP segment on our stay (DVC perk) and get QSDDP for 1 night (our first night) we'll get 2 CS meals, 12 snacks (we are family of 6) and each of will get a new mug ...the other 4 nights will be OOP and at this time no TS meals...but maybe we'll do one character buffet...the kids would like that...so if budget allows. But I have till sometime in August before that ADR day...so plenty of time

 

[Princess/es19]

Ugh! What a bummer having to go straight back to work. Oh well, At least you will still be on a Disney high (and I am predicting you will already be planning your next trip back)

I am glad you are going to try Ohana! Sometimes its gets mixed reviews but DH and I have had great experiences both times we have tried it. They do tend to run behind, so make sure you make your ADR early enough to account for a 30-45 minute wait before eating.

Drinks at Epcot are fun! You have to try the Grand Marnier slushie from France for sure!

I think POFQ is a great choice. You can take the boat over to Downtown Disney which is nice

I feel like a lot of TS restaurants got mixed reviews. My whole out look is, we try it, and make our own idea about what we liked and what we didn't. Same with the moderates. It was hard making my resort choice. I wish I could go deluxe, but about a third to half of our trip budget goes into our flights from coast to coast. Thats why DH says we wont be back for a long while... Probably see DLR in two years than be back at WDW a few years after that.

Also, thanks for the advice about the French boissons (drinks)! France is going to be my favorite pavillion because J'ai etudie francais pendant quatre ans(I studied French for four years).

 

[MoonFaerie]

We're going in Jan for our anniversary. Without the kids.

Our dates are Jan 2-10. We're still planning, but the tentative plan is:
fly in late Mon, and just start at on of the hotels near the airport
head to WDW early Tues morning, check in to Poly for 1 night of the Platinum plan, and then move over to BWV for the remaining 6 nights.

I'm soooo excited! We're going to go to the spa, see cirque, do a fireworks cruise, fit a tour or two in, and east at Victoria & Albert's!

 

[Ericandus]

Count us in!! We will be taking our 2nd family trip Jan 3rd and staying at ASMu in a family suite! Hopefully we will get some type of discount so we can stay a full 10 days again. It was wonderful in 2010! I just hope it isn't that cold again! BRRRRR!!!

 

[brazilgirl]

We will be there from the 14th to the 19th , at the Boardwalk Inn , Club Level! Very excited!

Kim

 

[mousescrapper]

We're going in Jan for our anniversary. Without the kids.

Our dates are Jan 2-10. We're still planning, but the tentative plan is:
fly in late Mon, and just start at on of the hotels near the airport
head to WDW early Tues morning, check in to Poly for 1 night of the Platinum plan, and then move over to BWV for the remaining 6 nights.

I'm soooo excited! We're going to go to the spa, see cirque, do a fireworks cruise, fit a tour or two in, and east at Victoria & Albert's!

sounds awesome...planning my own anniversary trip w/ no kids too right now for this Oct!

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Hi all! I am so sorry I have been MIA lately. My DH's gram passed away and my little one was sick- its been a heck of a last two weeks. I promise to come back soon and update the roll call page ASAP!!!

 

[Princess/es19]

Hi all! I am so sorry I have been MIA lately. My DH's gram passed away and my little one was sick- its been a heck of a last two weeks.

That sounds awful. I hope your family is doing better now.

Things here have been heartbreaking as well.
DH and I got into a car accident. (no one was badly hurt, thankfully) A truck hit the passenger side rear panel of his classic '66 mustang. DH bought that after he came home from ARMY BT, and has put a lot of work into it. DH says that they would have to weld a whole new back panel and bumper to the car, which when added with man hours is more than he bought the mustang for! So it looks like the insurance company is going to pay him for the car and take it, which means that instead of just needing to buy me a car, we have to get two cars! So we may have to postpone the trip, again! All our bills are sort of bottle-necking right now, because we are going to put the money in our savings for down payments on two vehicles, but will end up saving over time. These next few months are going to be tight

I was really bummed because I thought it would be so cool to celebrate my birthday at the world. DH came up with a wonderful compromise, wait until September of 2012, and we can stay at the Polynesian! I think DH feels bad about the car accident because my back and neck have been a little stiff since that happened, as his car only has lap belts and I got more of the impact than he did.

DH said we will continue putting as much as we can in savings and see what the deals are when they announce them at the end of summer. If we can't do January, than September it is, but DH wants to do September anyway, because he liked Mickey's Halloween party at Disneyland last year and wants to see that at the Magic Kingdom. Food and wine festival sounds great too.

 

[Meriweather]

Room is booked.....and now, air is booked!!

Next wait for dining

 

[sandym718]

Just stopping in to say goodbye to the thread - looks like we're almost certain for March again next year! It will be more crowded than January I know, but also warmer, so I'm good with it.

 

[Steph2527]

So January is looking like more of a possibility for us!!! Itll take a little more convincing to DP...let's hope a great room discount becomes available! We are thinking about going right after new years...leaving between January 2nd and 4th...and staying for 6 or 7 nights. Not sure on resort choices yet,that depends on the discounts offered at the time..if any, but possibly AKL,or POR. fingers crossed for me!! This is the first time in 6 years we have not had a trip booked,and it's killing me!! (ok,a little over dramatic...but you all understand!!)

 

[BitofSugar]

I'm going to be there 1/6 - /19 YAY!!! It'll be my first time back in a little over 4 years, so I hope there are some new attractions.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Hi all! Just poppin in to say that I am thinking about all of you! Cant wait to start disney planning again.

We can make ADRs in what, 2-3 months? WOW that went by fast didnt it?

 

[CAStevens218]

I'm heading down for a quick trip from January 6-9 to run the half marathon!! Sooo excited!!!

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Hi all! I'll update the roll call list this week

How is everyone? A little over 8 mths till our January vacation Cant wait

 

[21hearts]

Can I be added? We are going January 15th-21st or 22nd (not sure yet) and we're still looking into hotels. My husband wants a moderate hotel this time so we're still looking at them and trying to figure out the price.

It just dawned on me that we will have a 4 year old, 2 (will be 3 in February) year old and a 1 year old... Three toddlers!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Anyone afraid of cold temps in January? Our December trips has made us paranoid to go in the winter again. Temps dipped intp the 20s and 30s and we were in full winter gear most of the time. I would like to go early March and I am afraid of a cold snap. Has has the January weather luck been in the past?