Originally Posted By gaston lives We're going to WDW from Dec.31-Jan.7! I've never been there before in December or January, and was wondering what I can expect in terms of everything from weather to line lengths to special shows. Anybody have any advice or experiences they'd like to share?
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 Hay gaston, that will be our last full night in the park. (New Years Eve) We'll be in MK, maybe we could meet?
Originally Posted By MinnieSummer Sort of great planning. The crowds will be very high until the 1st then everyone starts to leave and by the 2nd you should see little or no lines. The weather will be unpredictable. Some days it could get into the 80's and some nights it could get into the 30's. Pack cloths you can layer and bring a jacket with pockets for the hands or gloves. Two years ago we were there toward the end of January and went swimming in the afternoon and had to buy gloves that night. As for special shows, if you want an awesome New Years Eve go to Epcot -- I think they celebrate New Years at the same time as the actual country all the way around the World Showcase and then have a special Illuminations. The Osborne lights at MGM will still be going on but I don't know of any other special shows during that time. My opening statement of it being sort of great timing is that if you waited to arrive one day later, I think, you could have gotten a cheaper rate. Look into booking two reservations so you can take advantage of the change in hotel rates.
Originally Posted By gaston lives By looking into doing separate reservations, we save over $50/night at our hotel!!! Thanks for the advice!
Originally Posted By MinnieSummer Glad I could be of help! That $50.00 will pay for some of your meals or some great souvenirs or you could save it for your next trip to WDW. If you have anymore questions fire away, I like to help other people plan vacations to the world -- it gets me in the mood to plan my own.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I always go on vacation to WDW in January. Two years ago, it was in the 80s the entire time. Everyone was in shorts and the pools were in full swing. This past Janaury it was very very cold and windy. Fortunately I had packed a winter jacket. But everyone else in my party packed light jackts and froze. WDW is not the best place to be when its cold.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 So ummm gaston I guess you don't want to meet up.... Sniff Sniff that's ok, you could have said that you where doing something else on New Years eve and not just ignore my question. (Fighting back the tears) It's Ok
Originally Posted By gaston lives Of course I want to hook up! I just haven't had time to answer in depth-like! Are you going to be there longer than just on New Years?
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 We are going to be there from Dec. 26- Jan 1st, we'll leave the evening of the 1st. We"re staying at the WL.
Originally Posted By gaston lives rub it in! I'm going from the 31-7, but we're probably staying at ASMovies.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 Funny thing is that I wanted to stay at the POR and my HD wanted to go to WL. You see we are talking his mom, sister and our oldest daughters friend. My HD wanted to make sure that everything was super special because they had never been to WDW. And because we are paying for it they will probuly not ever go again. So he wanted it super nice. I just looked at the $$$$ and gulped and said of lets do it. We've been paying on it sence Jan. of this year. and now we are almost payed infull. So when you decide to meet up with me I'll be a group of 8. Well maybe 7 or 6 my mom in law and my son (3) may be in the resort. Oh and goodie I'm happy to be able to finally meet with someone form the boards. I feel like you are my family.
Originally Posted By gaston lives Hahahaha! I was wondering about the acronyms! My group is huge as well. My wife and 2 kids (3 and 1) are going, my mom and dad are going, my mom and dad-in law are both going...my wife's 3 sisters and 1 brother...one of the sister's fiancee's is going...I think that's it. Let's see...4+2+7=13...so at least 13 people right now with other invited. Ought to be interesting!
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 Wow, are you doing any of the Magical Gatherings stuff? We didn't want to spend more $ so we are not. Did you make any dinner ressies for your whole group? With our 8 in some places we had to have two tables, you would need 3.
Originally Posted By MinnieSummer Gaston, check into the rates at the mod's for the time after the rates change. It may be that the difference will be made up by the $50 and you could just change resorts for the balance of the trip. That's not somethig I normally would suggest as I think it is a pain in the hiney (more so with that many people) but it might work. Also, based on my experience at the AS resorts (way too many bad experiences to detail here), consider POP instead. It is a much better resort.
Originally Posted By gaston lives We tried POP once right after it opened, and no offense to anybody who liked it, but we couldn't stand the place. It was way too crowded (but the cheerleader convention was nice!). I called last night and got reservations at Music for Jan.1-7...now we need a reservation for Dec. 31. I want to stay at movies or sports, though, so I'll have to check for cancellations. We haven't made our ressies for food yet. Actually, there will only be a few times when all 13 of us eat together. Most of the time we'll be split into 3 groups, probably. I know we're eating at Hollywood and Dine and a few other places, but I'm not sure where just yet. I told the DW yesterday that no matter what, this is the year when I try a pastry at La Patisserie. I don't care what she says! Oh, and we're not doing anything with the Magical Gatherings. I'm like you in the regard that I didn't want to spend extra $$$.
Originally Posted By MinnieSummer Gaston, check with the resort to verify that the pool will be open when you are there. I just stayed there and the stench was so bad around the pool area that I complained via e-mail upon my return. I got a call back (they refunded our hotel bill) and was told that the pool is going down for maintenance for that very reason. I don't know that the pool will be an issue in January but if you plan to swim you might want to verify that it will be open.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 I think that if you have a grand gatherings size group that they should give you one of the specials for free or at least a good price. It's just to much $$. Yuck, I hope that your pool is fixed by the time you go.
