**The Official January 2012 WDW Thread**

[ArmyWife7]

I understand your worrying with going with toddlers and crowds. We went last MLK weekend with my 13 month old and this trip he'll be 25 months.

I like to go with the free crowd predictor, and for MLK weekend it shows this.
Friday - Recommended parks: MK and HS. Avoid: Epcot and AK
Saturday - Recommended parks: Epcot, and AK, Avoid: MK and HS
Sunday - Recommended parks: Epcot, AK, and HS, Avoid: MK
Monday - Recommended parks:Epcot Avoid: MK, AK, and HS
Tuesday - Recommended parks: HS, AK, and MK Avoid: Epcot

so given that, this is our plan for the weekend

Friday - we arrive too late to go to any parks.
Saturday - MK in the morning, and DTD in the evening
Sunday - HS in the morning and Epcot in the evening
Monday - Epcot in the morning and MK in the evening
Tuesday - AK in the morning and MK in the evening

We also always take a mid day break and head back to the hotel for a little bit. Usually around 1 or so and head back into the parks around 4.

Thanks for the info! It looks like I did good every day with the exception of Monday. I have us going to HS. I will definitely take mid-afternoon breaks. Both of my girls (2 and 4) still take 2-3 hour naps. I don't even want to try and imagine a night without naps. EEK!

 

[Megablocks]

I subbed, posted (I think ) and kind of forgot about posting here till we got our dates down. We're going January 4-11 and staying at Pop! Due to jobs and school, we've had to go during peak crowd times, like mid-April and Presidents' week a few times, so we're really, really excited to be there at a bit of a lower crowd time!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Random question...
anyone with January experience remember when they posted the big refurb schedules? I keep hearing rumors that BTMRR will be down for an extended refurb. I can only hope that they wait until the second week of January so my DD 7 can get a chance to ride it a couple of times on our first MK day. It's her fave and we are so proud of her since she is the most timid thing when it comes to rides! We make sure she gets at least two rides per MK day when we are there now!
Thanks to anyone who can help with this...if necessary we may have to do 2 MK days back to back to make sure she gets her "fix"!

I been looking into because I heard the same rumor but nothing official yet . I move our trip up to the 2nd just to try to fit everything in, it is my sister first trip I would hate it if ti was closed. The only thing I seen posted in them is the Fantasmic being closed.
http://allears.net/tp/rehabs.htm#jan
http://www.wdwmagic.com/news.htm

I haven't been in January before, but I thought it was Splash Mtn that was usually closed then. I would hate for BTMRR to be closed, I love it, but don't ride Splash Mtn. Stinks that Fantasmic is closed, we haven't seen it since Dec 2006 and I wanted to be sure to see it in January, oh well.

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

I haven't been in January before, but I thought it was Splash Mtn that was usually closed then. I would hate for BTMRR to be closed, I love it, but don't ride Splash Mtn. Stinks that Fantasmic is closed, we haven't seen it since Dec 2006 and I wanted to be sure to see it in January, oh well.

I know, I was expecting Splash Mountain, but I think the story might be that since it was down for an extended refurb (lap bars), that they might be looking at a refurb for BTMRR this year. Could purely be speculation, or like lots of rumors it could be grounded in fact. Hope not...as I said we are so excited that DD has found a "big girl" ride that she likes! I'm bummed about Fantasmic, I'm just so glad we finally got to see it in March! It would have sucked if we had decided to wait for the next trip and have it be down!

 

[steeners81]

We are booked Jan. 1st to Jan 8 th. We will be spending the first night st ASM then movie to the BC. I am shocked with all my planning I missed that about Fantasmic. Glad we are going before it goes down that is one of my favorite things at WDW.

 

[Charitycase20]

Monday is ADR day and I'm freaking out!!

I'm still trying to figure out when and where I want to be on any given day for our dates of 1/21-1/27. Only planning on one day per park so anyone have any suggestions on non-park things to do during our downtime?

 

[okw19]

Monday is ADR day and I'm freaking out!!

I'm still trying to figure out when and where I want to be on any given day for our dates of 1/21-1/27. Only planning on one day per park so anyone have any suggestions on non-park things to do during our downtime?

Monday is our ADR day too!

We will be there the same week. We are leaving the 28th though. During non-park time I always like to check out the shopping in Orlando. There are 2 sets of outlets and a couple of nice malls to shop around at. We always spend some time resort hopping and checking stuff out as well as time at DTD. There are also things like renting boats and riding horses to do on WDW property. It's very relaxing to rent a boat and cruise around WDW in a whole new way.

 

[steeners81]

Monday is ADR day and I'm freaking out!!

I'm still trying to figure out when and where I want to be on any given day for our dates of 1/21-1/27. Only planning on one day per park so anyone have any suggestions on non-park things to do during our downtime?

Lol i was like that when making our ADR for the 1st thru the 8th. I got out my trusty excel sheet and tried to figure out with the EMH's and the parades which is the best time to do what restaurant. I apparently didn't do to great of a job because we have already changed them twice in the past two weeks.

I love playing mini golf on site if we have any down time. We like to go to Fantasia gardens around the time Fantasmic is showing and you can hear it while you golf. I second the suggestion for DTD too I can spend alot of time ( and money) there.

 

[okw19]

Ooh another vote for mini golf!! I forgot about that.

 

[readytogotodisney]

Lol i was like that when making our ADR for the 1st thru the 8th. I got out my trusty excel sheet and tried to figure out with the EMH's and the parades which is the best time to do what restaurant.

I did the same thing!

 

[readytogotodisney]

Monday is ADR day and I'm freaking out!!

I'm still trying to figure out when and where I want to be on any given day for our dates of 1/21-1/27. Only planning on one day per park so anyone have any suggestions on non-park things to do during our downtime?

I love to go resort hopping! I think it's interesting to see all the different themes and pick where we want to stay next. (Just say out of the pools right?)

I also really love going to DTD too, never miss an opportunity and we always build it into our plan.

You could also mini golf like others have said, rent boats at a few of the resorts, para-sail, catch a movie under the stars, rent bikes, go fishing, do a specialty cruise or maybe a carriage ride.

 

[okw19]

You could also mini golf like others have said, rent boats at a few of the resorts, para-sail, catch a movie under the stars, rent bikes, go fishing, do a specialty cruise or maybe a carriage ride.

I've always wanted to do that! Does anyone know where to find a schedule for the movies? I can't even remember which resorts do it and where.

 

[readytogotodisney]

I've always wanted to do that! Does anyone know where to find a schedule for the movies? I can't even remember which resorts do it and where.

Here is a list of the hotels that offer the movies under the stars, but it doesn't have it updated on what movies are playing. The hotels often change their schedules weekly so it might be hard to find out what are playing when you're visiting until then.

If you're staying in one of the hotels that offer it, there will be a movie schedule in your welcome packet.

 

[okw19]

Here is a list of the hotels that offer the movies under the stars, but it doesn't have it updated on what movies are playing. The hotels often change their schedules weekly so it might be hard to find out what are playing when you're visiting until then.

If you're staying in one of the hotels that offer it, there will be a movie schedule in your welcome packet.

Thanks! We're staying at OKW and will definitely be going to a movie!

 

[Charitycase20]

I've always wanted to do that! Does anyone know where to find a schedule for the movies? I can't even remember which resorts do it and where.

I know the FW does it, we are planning on a movie and the campfire sing along for Saturday nite after we get settled.

 

[Charitycase20]

Still thinking this whole ADR thing over and since we are only trying to do breakfast at Asherkus one morning and breakfast at Ohana one morning, thinking I should just get what I can get and build the rest of my week around it. Thoughts?

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi guys!

I'm so happy to have finally found this board! We booked last week at ASMu Family suites! It will be our 1st time there, we've stayed at ASMo, Pop before and loved them, so sure we will love this, too and i'm excited about having the extra room!! Our dates are 1/15-21! Can't wait to count down with you all!!

 

[Meriweather]

Booked the last ADR this morning, a tour and ME..........I'm ready!!

 

[Ckmommy72]

Hello all, just adding myself to the January crew, and subbing. I have the best MIL in the world, as she just booked and paid for our trip to POR Jan 21-28. It will be all of our first times...sort of...DS and I spent a day at MK a few years ago, on our way to Dodgertown for spring training, but I don't think that counts!

I'm so excited I can't stand myself...don't know how I'm going to wait! The trip is a surprise for the kids from Santa (MIL's idea)...so I'm looking for any ideas for Disney Christmas gifts for the kids for the trip...other than the obvious autograph books and pins...lol

Also, any thoughts on a nice way to thank MIL? She's not into Disney really, but I'd like to get/do something nice maybe while we are there.

Cari
DH - Michael
DS - Christian (9)
DD - Katherine (6)

 

[readytogotodisney]

Hello all, just adding myself to the January crew, and subbing. I have the best MIL in the world, as she just booked and paid for our trip to POR Jan 21-28. It will be all of our first times...sort of...DS and I spent a day at MK a few years ago, on our way to Dodgertown for spring training, but I don't think that counts!

I'm so excited I can't stand myself...don't know how I'm going to wait! The trip is a surprise for the kids from Santa (MIL's idea)...so I'm looking for any ideas for Disney Christmas gifts for the kids for the trip...other than the obvious autograph books and pins...lol

Also, any thoughts on a nice way to thank MIL? She's not into Disney really, but I'd like to get/do something nice maybe while we are there.

Cari
DH - Michael
DS - Christian (9)
DD - Katherine (6)

You and I are in the same boat Cari! My Dad is giving the trip to the kids and surprising them on Christmas. Bc my Dad is being so generous with this trip I'm trying to figure out something to do for my Dad too!

We're giving the kids each their own suitcase filled with Disney "stuff". It's going to have a helium filled Mickey balloon, with a countdown chain attached. There will be t-shirt (either I'll make them or buy them from Etsy), I'm making an autograph book for my niece, there will be customized maps from wdw.com for each of them, and their printing itinerary.

For Dad, I haven't gotten very far. Maybe something that will be in the room when we arrive from the Disney Florist. I thought about maybe doing a family portrait session, but I think I'm going to hold off on that for another trip when all of us can go.

I also thought maybe a personalized cake, or buying the photopass for him. I just don't know yet.