Originally Posted By WDWdreamin DH and I were talking about how I will probably be working Dec. 24th and 26th this year (we do close the 25th) and how even if he is not living here yet, I will need him with me for the holiday. ... Then, DH says he thinks we should plan a WDW trip for Jan 5-12, 2011. Then he told me he loves me, and I replied, "Obviously!" This will probably require more explaining to some, but for the time being: I have never been to WDW; DH couldn't care less about WDW; and DH and I live and work on different continents at the moment because of pending legal paperwork because he's not American. This is very tentative, but I wanted to share my budding excitement with some people I think will empathize.
Originally Posted By smedley YAY! I am crossing as many parts of me as possible that this works out for you Dreamin!
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin Thanks smed. Apparently it's a slow day for responses. I'm so excited, but afraid it won't happen.
Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD I'm so excited for you. I hope it all works out for you dreamin. Keep us posted and will keep our fingers crossed for you.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 I hope everything works out in your favor. There is nothing wrong in making plans.
Originally Posted By gardenrooms How exciting! I hope it all works out for you, but you will love WDW whenever your first trip turns out to be! Arrrgh - I remember those days of working on the 24th and the 26th. I love the planning I was going to say almost as much as actually going, but that isn't true, the going is amazing - but I do love the planning for a DL or WDW trip probably just about as much as anything else I can think of! Good luck!
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin Well, I've always just done DL day trips from my parent's house. The most I planned was choosing a day when I thought crowds would be smaller, and I have made ride schedules my last few trips. So, am I correct in that park hours and all come out 6mo before the first of the month concerned? 2009 and 2010 were not consistent for extra hours and F!. Then you decide (quickly) which days to do which parks and make your dining reservations 180 days before the first day of your trip? I guess that means the hotel (Port Orleans Riverside) and passes need to be purchased before then. We like to eat at nice sit-down restaurants so I think the dining plan's a go. I have decided against park hoppers. I think we will do one park a day (Epcot two days) and if we have extra time we will go explore resorts. Also, per Dave, we will probably hit the Kennedy Space Center on a middle-of-trip day off - I'll have to figure out how to rent a car from the TTC for that day. That'll mean missing HP, but I know we can't see everything in one week. Obviously I will book the flights as soon as I know we can go. Can anyone think of any common WDW or travel deals for January?
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Sign up for the mousesavers newsletter, lots of savings there and go to touringplans.com. The 1 year membership is cheap and the crowd calendar is the 1 planning tool I won't make WDW plans without. Congratulations!!!
Originally Posted By gardenrooms True, planning a WDW trip involves a lot more than planning one to DL, though we're not so lucky to be just a short ride away from DL. Unless things have changed since last summer, you don't have to have your room or tickets before you start making your ressies. I was still trying to get everyone firmed up 3 months out, but as soon as we planned our schedule, I started making the ressies. One thing I found was that if I didn't get what I wanted the first time, all I needed to do was try again. I think I got only 3 of the 9 I wanted initially (I was only 90 days out, you'll probably have no problem 180 days out), but after another 1 or 2 calls (I like to do it over the phone - I dunno, gets me into the mood) I got all but 1. The advantage the Park Hoppers have for fanatics like me is that you can do "early entry" then leave for another park when that park gets crowded, but that is probably not worth the extra cost to most people and may not even be an issue in early January (we always have to go during school vacaions). Early January should be a really fun time to go - all the decorations still up, but the huge crowds gone.
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin Thanks guys. I have been to allears and mousesavers and touringplans, and I get the mousesavers newsletter. I have the 2008 Unofficial Guide. I was thinking of buying the newest one when I know more. Do you know if you get that whole one year access from the purchase? Otherwise, I agree that I should do the membership. As for mousesavers, we want to stay on property, and are not from Florida or UK, don't have AA, no military connection, and are not buying APs. I have the Disney visa. No kids to use the new discounts on. I'd like to use the undercover tourist website, but they don't have tickets with the dining plan, so I don't know how to do that.
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin Do you really think holiday decorations will be up on Jan 11th? It'd be cool, but we're going then because I think I can get off and DH needs low crowds. I hope none of my must-do attractions are closed for refurb, but I'll just have to wait and see.
Originally Posted By smedley Dreamin, if you want to buy the dining plan you have to get the tickets with the package (I believe) we certainly are going to have to, but that's because our dates are qualifying for the free dining plan. Definitely need to book your must visit restaurants 180 days out, have a look at the menus on allears see what appeals, then feel free to ask for recommendations, there is the possibility that you will indeed still have some decorations up then I would think. Check your dates it may be you will be there for the marathon? Not sure how that affects attendance etc though.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb You no longer get a free year at touringplans with the book, but you do get half off with the most recent edition. I also have 2008 and it is definitely out of date, especially as Pleasure Island is concerned (it's funny to read Jim Hill's predictions, I don't think he got a single one right). I didn't bother getting the 2010 edition because this will be my 6th trip since '03, but it might be a good idea for you. The 2011 edition should be out in August or September if you want to wait for it. Your local library may have 2010.
Originally Posted By mousermerf The fee for the touringplans website is to really cover costs and allow them to actually employ people. For the most part, the book company would love it if WDW didn't change and the book stayed static - but it changes and so it takes a small army. An army which has grown since the website took on more writers/bloggers/photographers.
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin Yeah, I have dining plans figured out. They might change as I read peoples' experiences. I know I need to be far out for Contemporary Grill at Firework time (pray for good weather). I also want to do Akershus Princess Lunch.
