Possible Trip to WDW in January...Advice?

[Switchbeam 9]

Wow, that's tough because there is also the flying involved. If you leave the night prior to your actual vacation day, spend the morning in MK and monorail over to EPCOT, finishing up with IllumiNations.

Second day: morning in DAK (as it usually closes earlier, even with EMH, most of the good stuff is closed at sunset) and then to DHS/MGM.

Coronado, Port Orleans FQ/Riverside, and Caribbean Beach are all great with the 50% discount. I have also seen great rates lately at AK Lodge because of all the construction there.

[glendalais]

Well, after talking to a few people at work who also thought I was crazy for trying to fit it all in two days, I told my scheduler that I'm going to have to have the full week off or nothing and then some (I'm going to put in for a few extra days off either at the tail end or at the beginning of that). God willing, they'll be cooperative since early January is normally dead at DL.

So, if I come, i'll be the 8-13 or the 7-12 of January. Still a bit tight, but not tight enough that I'm going to end up stressed out from my own vacation. It basically comes out to one day per park, and then one day to visit everything I didn't get to.

I guess I sorta planned the whole thing out from the same way you would plan a vacation here to DL, since we only have one park (and then DCA, which merits a half-day visit at most, lol).

Though the issue here becomes the price. Does anyone know if the Value hotels are any good if all I'm going to be doing there is sleeping?

On a related note, do any Disneyland CRs know just how many ADOs we can request in a row? There has to be some upper limit.

[Big Wallaby]

8-13 should be really nice. I've seen people do it in less and enjoy it. But two days wouldn't even really be worth it.

When you're here, you should be able to do a lot without even breaking a sweat in that time you have now. Make sure you come ride my safari, and by default, if you wait for my truck you're all but guaranteed a front row seat where it is more smooth.

[glendalais]

Thought I should give an update on how its going.

I stopped by my production scheduler today. Basically, because we've been busier this holiday season than we were expecting, there is no chance that anyone but the most senior RFT CM could get the second week of January off.

On the other hand, we do have tonnes of time off available in February (for Foods CMs, at least, this should have been mentioned in your morning roll calls). So I basically cancelled my ADO request for January and put in a new one for the second week of February.

It also reduces the cost, since it's probably a little cheaper to go at that time since there are no major holidays or the like.

Anyway, wish me luck again, I guess.

[Kwahati]

Hey, so long as it's off season and you have a decent amount of time, you'll have a great time. I've not actually stayed at POP yet, but I do know I hate the All-Stars. I hear POP is nicer, so I'll be staying there on my upcoming trip. I'm sorta figuring it the same way as you: if all I'm doing there is sleeping and watching that lady on TV tell me about the top 8 things to do at WDW, then what does it really matter where I'm staying?

[Cranbiz]

It also reduces the cost, since it's probably a little cheaper to go at that time since there are no major holidays or the like.

Anyway, wish me luck again, I guess.

I would check on that. That is the Presidents day time frame and also coinsides with the February vacation time of most of the northeast.

[Whazzup]

If you really want to save money, go ahead and stay at Pop Century. It's got fun theming, a dedicated bus service, and even the non-preferred rooms aren't THAT far away from the food court and bus stops. We've stayed there twice and found it to be very clean and lots of fun, and it's much newer and has nicer landscaping (a lake!) than the All Star resorts.

I don't think spring break here in the southeast starts until March and President's Day isn't until Feb 18th, so you should be good to go. Even though this is Florida, be prepared for some chilly weather and bring a jacket. The weather varies greatly in the winter, with occasionally some very chilly mornings and 70+ by afternoon. You can always rent a locker if you need to shed layers.

Epcot can easily take 2 days if you take your time and see and do everything, Animal Kingdom about 3/4 of a day if you stay for the parade (my favorite!), Hollywood Studios in a day, and MK can be done in a day and a night (gotta stay for Spectromagic and the fireworks). Check out the Extra Magic Hours dates and hit those if you can. PM me if you need a link.

If for some reason you have to change your dates back to January, the Disney Marathon events are scheduled for January 10-13, so avoid that week if you can. I've heard that traffic can be a nightmare and the resorts can be crowded.

I know you're excited about your upcoming trip. Don't forget to make ADRs if you want to try some of those restaurants you've heard so much about. Do you have the 800 number for WDW reservations?

[Cranbiz]

Spring break may not start in the southeast until March but February vacation in the northeast starts somewhere in that time frame. Most of those folks head for warmer sunny climates like FL.

The airlines like to jack up the prices in mid Feb. because of this.

[Whazzup]

Most of those folks head for warmer sunny climates like FL.

The airlines like to jack up the prices in mid Feb. because of this.

Can't say that I blame them for escaping the frozen tundra.

And yeah, same thing around here in March concerning airfare increases.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Spring break may not start in the southeast until March but February vacation in the northeast starts somewhere in that time frame. Most of those folks head for warmer sunny climates like FL.

The airlines like to jack up the prices in mid Feb. because of this.

Do the spring breakers go to WDW, I was under the impression that they like a more..free enviroment! (beach, beer, women, and so forth!) I have never been to WDW during that time period, so if we thought about a vacation then, we should probably go after the break! but before the summer rush! Arrrrhhh!!! I guess any time its gonna be crowded!