**The Official January 2012 WDW Thread**

[ash-n-brensmom]

We're leaving on Sunday. I tried to start packing today. We've decided to go in just carry-ons. THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE. I just needed to vent. But yeah, I have way too many clothes :/

Good luck with that....there is NO way we could get away with only carry ons! Even when it was only DH and myself we had two huge rolling duffels!! I would just pay the $40 or what ever it is and be more comfortable with packing....

Yay! We're finally down to single digits. 9 more days to go . DS goes back to school today, so I can finish up my packing and cleaning in peace and quiet. And since DS wears uniforms to school, I can pretty much pack up all of his stuff now, without worrying about him needing to wear it before we leave.

After debating with myself much of the afternoon, I did end up doing online check-in. After I did the check-in, I called to ensure my requests were still noted on the reservation and they were. As Marshay pointed out, the worst they can do is not assign me a room based on those requests, and I can still politely ask if there's anything else available that meets my requests.

Yay for single digits!!

We have done both Online checkin and not...you can always ask for a different room, we did with both and have gotten pretty much what we originally put as our requests. Good luck....

Hey all, live from the Grand Floridian! The room is AMAZING, I love it! Today we went to IOA, and the weather would have been fine except for the wind/shade which made it freezing We had a great day at DHS yesterday, riding TSM twice and doing everything that we wanted to do.

The Harry Potter ride was AMAZING, unlike anything I've ever seen. but it was quite the long wait, about 150 minutes when we went in there at 1:00 or so. It was worth it though! And we had a blast!

Tonight we had dinner from Gasparilla Grill, and watched the fireworks in our room. Tomorrow we head to Epcot.

WOW!!! That is a LONG time to wait, but I'm glad you had fun! Hope the weather clears up and you can bask in some sun! Have fun at epcot!!

Hi all!
We're here! It's quite cold. We had reservations at California Grill at 7:20 and decided to check out decorations at Grand Floridian and Cinderella'sHoliday Wish/lighting ceremony beforehand. Struck out at both. All decs down at GF, and no castle show. Quite disappointing since 5 different sources all listed the castle show as "on". We asked and found out the last show was actually last Sat, and tonight was the last night for castle lights. So at least we got to see those. Burnt a day's ticket for just that. Oh well. We were dressed nice for dinner, so we took advantage of lots of photo pass pics. Dinner at Cali Grill made up for the misses. We had the best table in the house, and during Wishes as well. Now we're back at OKW and headed to bed. Crowds were crazy at MK tonight. Couldn't move anywhere easily at all, and both DH and I noticed tons of non-English speaking tourists. Hope tomorrow's crowd est at HS is correct at just a "5"!

Bummer about those decorations..I know a lot of people are hoping to catch them this week. Sounds like you had a wonderful dinner! You need to post some of those Photopass pics when you get them...usually everyone is so casual..
Have fun at DHS and good luck with those crowds!!

 

[okw19]

Hey all, live from the Grand Floridian! The room is AMAZING, I love it! Today we went to IOA, and the weather would have been fine except for the wind/shade which made it freezing We had a great day at DHS yesterday, riding TSM twice and doing everything that we wanted to do.

The Harry Potter ride was AMAZING, unlike anything I've ever seen. but it was quite the long wait, about 150 minutes when we went in there at 1:00 or so. It was worth it though! And we had a blast!

Tonight we had dinner from Gasparilla Grill, and watched the fireworks in our room. Tomorrow we head to Epcot.

I hope this is just a cold snap. Please keep us updated about the weather!!
Wow, 150 minutes?! Glad you had fun. That's some dedication!
Have fun!!

Hi all!
We're here! It's quite cold. We had reservations at California Grill at 7:20 and decided to check out decorations at Grand Floridian and Cinderella'sHoliday Wish/lighting ceremony beforehand. Struck out at both. All decs down at GF, and no castle show. Quite disappointing since 5 different sources all listed the castle show as "on". We asked and found out the last show was actually last Sat, and tonight was the last night for castle lights. So at least we got to see those. Burnt a day's ticket for just that. Oh well. We were dressed nice for dinner, so we took advantage of lots of photo pass pics. Dinner at Cali Grill made up for the misses. We had the best table in the house, and during Wishes as well. Now we're back at OKW and headed to bed. Crowds were crazy at MK tonight. Couldn't move anywhere easily at all, and both DH and I noticed tons of non-English speaking tourists. Hope tomorrow's crowd est at HS is correct at just a "5"!

I'm sorry that you couldn't see decorations or the show. That stinks. Sounds like Cali Grill definitely made up for it though! Thanks for the update!

 

[Alahis]

3 weeks and 1 day....It's crazy...I'm speechless.
It's almost there and I've so muche to do....My January finals first, then the luggage....And I grin like a child when I'm studying because....It's almost there !
I'm so happy and stressed in the same time !
(and I'm sorry for not going much in the boards, I study all the time !)

Thanks for keeping us updated ^^

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

2 more days and I get more and more excited by the minute.

This is supposed to only be a cold snap, temps are supposed to be headed back up today/tomorrow and back to the 70's by the time we get there.

 

[tommygirl79]

Hey all, live from the Grand Floridian! The room is AMAZING, I love it! Today we went to IOA, and the weather would have been fine except for the wind/shade which made it freezing We had a great day at DHS yesterday, riding TSM twice and doing everything that we wanted to do.

The Harry Potter ride was AMAZING, unlike anything I've ever seen. but it was quite the long wait, about 150 minutes when we went in there at 1:00 or so. It was worth it though! And we had a blast!

Tonight we had dinner from Gasparilla Grill, and watched the fireworks in our room. Tomorrow we head to Epcot.

Woohooo!!!!! So excited to know that some of our own are there and having a great time!!! Glad you love your room! How is the weather and crowds today? Have a great time at EPCOT!!!

Hi all!
We're here! It's quite cold. We had reservations at California Grill at 7:20 and decided to check out decorations at Grand Floridian and Cinderella'sHoliday Wish/lighting ceremony beforehand. Struck out at both. All decs down at GF, and no castle show. Quite disappointing since 5 different sources all listed the castle show as "on". We asked and found out the last show was actually last Sat, and tonight was the last night for castle lights. So at least we got to see those. Burnt a day's ticket for just that. Oh well. We were dressed nice for dinner, so we took advantage of lots of photo pass pics. Dinner at Cali Grill made up for the misses. We had the best table in the house, and during Wishes as well. Now we're back at OKW and headed to bed. Crowds were crazy at MK tonight. Couldn't move anywhere easily at all, and both DH and I noticed tons of non-English speaking tourists. Hope tomorrow's crowd est at HS is correct at just a "5"!

Sorry it was a bust for the couple of things you had planned. Awesome to get some good Photopass pics though, like you said! Your supper sounds amazing...let us know on the crowd situation!


Anyone else who is still counting down - are you guys getting that little butterfly excitement feeling in your tummy every once in awhile when thinking of your trip????

 

[dmbcanada]

Only 25 more days until our first family Disney Trip! It is cold here in SW Ontario, so it can't come fast enough!

We got our Mickey Mail before Christmas with our Magical Express tickets and luggage tags, will we get another package or is that it until check in?

Does anyone know if the Diamond Horseshoe is open in Jan/Feb?

 

[okw19]

Anyone else who is still counting down - are you guys getting that little butterfly excitement feeling in your tummy every once in awhile when thinking of your trip????

YES!!!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Only 25 more days until our first family Disney Trip! It is cold here in SW Ontario, so it can't come fast enough!

We got our Mickey Mail before Christmas with our Magical Express tickets and luggage tags, will we get another package or is that it until check in?

Does anyone know if the Diamond Horseshoe is open in Jan/Feb?

If you booked a package, you will get one with the blue luggage tags with Mickey on them as well as all your check in documents, Planet Hollywood certificates, marina certificates, arcade voucher, mini golf voucher...etc.

 

[dmbcanada]

If you booked a package, you will get one with the blue luggage tags with Mickey on them as well as all your check in documents, Planet Hollywood certificates, marina certificates, arcade voucher, mini golf voucher...etc.

Thanks PrincessSuzanne, I thought we were supposed to get luggage tags and all we got was the yellow stickers for ME.

 

[carebee21]

Thanks to those doing the live updates. It's fun to hear what's going on right now.

We have 8 more days left I know it's not that long, but it feels like time is slowing down. I'm at the point now where there's little left to do (I have house cleaning and need to finish packing, but I can't do either until it's a little closer...). Everything else is done. And I think it's even slower because we were so busy with the holidays and then cleaning up after Christmas. So now I'm just trying to get back into my normal routine, but finding it so hard because I want the next 8 days to fly by so we can be on vacation!

 

[jandkmom]

Love the live updates! Keep 'em coming.

Just wondering if anyone knows when the Brazilian tour groups are at WDW. The past 2 years we've been at Disney in January and it is quiet except for those tour groups. They are huge groups and seem to take over whatever park they attend. Does anyone have an idea?

 

[brea]

We're leaving on the 28th for a stay at the poly and I have to admit I'm starting to get excited about it.

 

[PyxiiDustt]

Love the live updates! Keep 'em coming.

Just wondering if anyone knows when the Brazilian tour groups are at WDW. The past 2 years we've been at Disney in January and it is quiet except for those tour groups. They are huge groups and seem to take over whatever park they attend. Does anyone have an idea?

They're usually there the whole month of January because their schools don't start up again until February. They're not so bad usually, we just try to avoid them when we see them. If they're heading where we're heading, we decide to go somewhere else instead

 

[Diegosmom]

We leave in 17 days...I am so excited...I need some advise on my schedule.

Original Plan
Sat Jan 21 Get up 5am drive down to FL (from NC), getting in around checkin time (3)...3 options for that afternoon depending on how we feel. Option 1 MK for the electric parade. Option 2 DTD for a little window shopping and dinner at WGP. Option 3 stay at resport all star sports) and grab dinner there, check out the resort, unpack relax, maybe swim and hit the hay early.

Sun Jan 22 DHS
Mon Epcot (Lunch at French Place cant remember name lol)
Tue AK (dinner at Rainforest Cafe)
Wed MK
Thu Fri and Sat would be another day at DH, Epcot and MK and we were just going to play it by ear. But Friday for my Birthday we do have ADR for Ohana.

BUT
Now I see that Electric Parade will not be on at all when we are there so scratch that for our first day option. So I thought about making option 1 Epcot for some dinner around the world (we are on quick service).

And the other thing is just realized that Kali River Rapids is actully closing the 23rd. I thought it would be closed our entire trip. So we could hit AK on Sat after we check in and make sure to hit Kali. The park is open till 7pm so we should have enough time for that and maybe a few things and still get us back to the resort at a decent time.

Or we could switch sunday and tuesday and make sunday AK day...I would have to switch our ADR for rainforest cafe. And the park is open later that day....

I thought I was all set now I just dont know.

 

[danimaroo]

EDIT: I need to learn to read ALL of a post before I respond.

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

I am totally FREAKING OUT!!

One more sleep!!! AAAHHH!!!!

Trying to keep the secret today has been sooooo hard...with the girls home and under foot they have almost caught us doing something trip related so many times!!

I don't think I am going to be able to sleep tonight without drugs!!

 

[Marshay]

Hi all!
We're here! It's quite cold. We had reservations at California Grill at 7:20 and decided to check out decorations at Grand Floridian and Cinderella'sHoliday Wish/lighting ceremony beforehand. Struck out at both. All decs down at GF, and no castle show. Quite disappointing since 5 different sources all listed the castle show as "on". We asked and found out the last show was actually last Sat, and tonight was the last night for castle lights. So at least we got to see those. Burnt a day's ticket for just that. Oh well. We were dressed nice for dinner, so we took advantage of lots of photo pass pics. Dinner at Cali Grill made up for the misses. We had the best table in the house, and during Wishes as well. Now we're back at OKW and headed to bed. Crowds were crazy at MK tonight. Couldn't move anywhere easily at all, and both DH and I noticed tons of non-English speaking tourists. Hope tomorrow's crowd est at HS is correct at just a "5"!

Oh, bummer about the lights. Are Osbourne lights still up? I thought I read they are until Saturday.

Anyone else who is still counting down - are you guys getting that little butterfly excitement feeling in your tummy every once in awhile when thinking of your trip????

Yeah, they just started today when I realized it's only 2 more weeks to get ready/pack!! This is crunch time now...

Love the live updates! Keep 'em coming.

Just wondering if anyone knows when the Brazilian tour groups are at WDW. The past 2 years we've been at Disney in January and it is quiet except for those tour groups. They are huge groups and seem to take over whatever park they attend. Does anyone have an idea?

I wish there was a website we could go to and see which park they are in each day...then I'd plan around that! But as PP said, if we see them going toward a ride we want to do, then we'll just have to skip it.

And the other thing is just realized that Kali River Rapids is actully closing the 23rd. I thought it would be closed our entire trip. So we could hit AK on Sat after we check in and make sure to hit Kali. The park is open till 7pm so we should have enough time for that and maybe a few things and still get us back to the resort at a decent time.

My DD6 really wants to do Kali since she just got brave enough to do it in May ... and my youngest wants to go too. I'm undecided...I really don't want to get wet with 70 degrees...so have to pack smart with ponchos and spare clothes.

Anyway, we are going to AK when it's open until 7pm, too, since we also want to ride Expedition Everest in the dark -- it's really fun that way. We can also (hopefully) see the Nemo or LK show which we normally skip one when we just go in the morning.

So, those are my reasons for choosing AK that day!

 

[Marshay]

I am totally FREAKING OUT!!

One more sleep!!! AAAHHH!!!!

Trying to keep the secret today has been sooooo hard...with the girls home and under foot they have almost caught us doing something trip related so many times!!

I don't think I am going to be able to sleep tonight without drugs!!

How exciting!!!

 

[jandkmom]

We're leaving on the 28th for a stay at the poly and I have to admit I'm starting to get excited about it.

We'll be at the Poly at the same time! We arrive on 1/27

 

[Momfoaj]

I had to switch our dates today, DH's job related stuff. We only had to push it back a week so not bad, we are there Jan. 29 - Feb 4th now. It gives more time to obessively plan

We are staying at the POP and when I called to switch reservations the only rooms they had left available were the preferred pool view rooms. We had requested a lake view room. Is it going to be noisy if we end up with a pool view room?