*** January 2019 Thread ***

[JessHuis]

Just booked us (me, my husband, and our 6 year old daughter) at Pop Century from January 25-29!! Its going to be the Christmas present this year and I can't wait!!!!!!

 

[jameyh]

Touring plans lowered crowd levels today for my January week!! It went from 5&6s down to 3&4 even see a couple of 2s!!

 

[disney-inspired]

Touring plans lowered crowd levels today for my January week!! It went from 5&6s down to 3&4 even see a couple of 2s!!

We are going the same week! YAY!

 

[AngieInOH]

Touring plans lowered crowd levels today for my January week!! It went from 5&6s down to 3&4 even see a couple of 2s!!

Thanks for the heads up! Mine went down too!! Hope it holds to be true!!

 

[Truxi]

I'm so stoked! We got just about everything we wanted and all at the times we wanted!

Our first day in, we'll got to Disney Springs, and then we have dinner at California Grill at 5:50. It's not quite perfect timing for fireworks, but I guess we'll just hang out in the lounge.

Then we've got:
Be Our Guest (lunch, although tbh I'm kinda eyeing that prix fixe now)
50's Prime Time
Biergarten
Tusker House
Sci-Fi Dine-In
Crystal Palace.

The only issue we ran into is sadly Crystal Palace was unavailable for our final day, and it seemed like such a nice way to finish off the trip--an early breakfast in the park and then Magic Kingdom. Our travel agent has an alert for that day in case something opens up, but even if it doesn't, we'll still have a nice breakfast mid-week. (Also, our Tusker House was a little earlier than we'd hoped for, since we wanted to do the Safari and Festival of the Lion King before breakfast, but eh, it's all good.)

We were thinking of doing Dining With An Imagineer, but I saw the price had gone up from $60 (reasonable) to $90 (ehhhhh pushing it), and if we did it, we would've had to go back to HWS three times which...eh, nah. Besides, with the Arts Festival at Epcot, I think we'll put that "saved" $90 to better use trying All The Things. (Or maybe just actually splurge at California Grill instead of sticking to the admittedly yummy-looking flatbread.)

(Now, if there was a way to guarantee we'd get to chat with a librarian, since he's a librarian and I'm a library specialist, that miiiiiight be worth $90...)

I'm so excited! Now to plan out our fast-pass times!

And our Disneybound outfits! I mean, we have them planned, now it's just time to accumulate all the items for them.

 

[Truxi]

We are going the same week! YAY!

Oh same! Fingers crossed! My buddy has never been, and I want him to be able to do All The Things. (Or, well...most of the things.)

 

[Laura Decker]

I am so excited We go to Disney for the first time Jan 28-Feb 1 staying at animal kingdom kidani. We are going to surprise the girls (5 and 7) at Christmas. They are going to be so excited.

I got reservations to CRT and BOG. However, every time I try to book the Garden Grill it says no times available on the 30th (I have been trying for 3 days now). It is available on the 29th. Any ideas why? I know it isn't one that sells out super fast. Do they just not load all available dates/times at the same time? Today would be 180 days out from the 30th. I will keep checking but just perplexed.

 

[Truxi]

I am so excited We go to Disney for the first time Jan 28-Feb 1 staying at animal kingdom kidani. We are going to surprise the girls (5 and 7) at Christmas. They are going to be so excited.

I got reservations to CRT and BOG. However, every time I try to book the Garden Grill it says no times available on the 30th (I have been trying for 3 days now). It is available on the 29th. Any ideas why? I know it isn't one that sells out super fast. Do they just not load all available dates/times at the same time? Today would be 180 days out from the 30th. I will keep checking but just perplexed.

I wonder if that's to do with the same thing as there being no Crystal Palace breakfasts available on February 1st--our travel agent said he spoke to a cast member and was told that there's some kind of business conference and they've reserved several spaces in anticipation of that. You might try calling the California Grill and asking them specifically if that's the case.

I would book on the 29 if you want it (just in case), and then keep an eye out for some spaces to be freed up on the day you really want. That's what I had to do with our Crystal Palace reservation. Our agent said there was a good chance they'd release some of those reservations later.

Good luck!

 

[Laura Decker]

Interesting, thanks! The 29th is the day we do CRT. Really if we don't get the garden grill it isn't a huge deal. I booked tusker house as a back up to garden grill but may cancel that either way as there are other places I would rather eat in akl.

 

[Katy G.]

Interesting, thanks! The 29th is the day we do CRT. Really if we don't get the garden grill it isn't a huge deal. I booked tusker house as a back up to garden grill but may cancel that either way as there are other places I would rather eat in akl.

I’ve been trying to get Garden Grill for breakfast on 1/30 as well. Not a thing...and I was on at 6am ‍

 

[brewhome]

Joining in for our pre-cruise stay from 1/24-1/28 at the Poly! Traveling with my husband and 2yo (she will be a newly 3 yo on this trip). Excited to read what others are planning!

Has anyone been able to book the California Grill brunch for January? I tried at my 180 days (180+4) and there was nothing. Wasn't sure if it was totally booked or not yet released.

We will be at my happy place Jan 11 - 15 at Old Key West for marathon weekend. I'm not running, my DD is, 1/2 and full marathon. My 83 year old mother and step dad will be joining us but they are staying at Boardwalk Inn, their favorite.

Booked a new January trip for the wife and I. Jan 23rd - Jan 29th. We'll also be staying up at Universal Studios a few days to do that.

Staying at the BWV. I was able to get all my dinner reservations as well - California Grill/Be Our Guest. Trip is tentative but I suspect will be a go!

Just booked us (me, my husband, and our 6 year old daughter) at Pop Century from January 25-29!! Its going to be the Christmas present this year and I can't wait!!!!!!

I am so excited We go to Disney for the first time Jan 28-Feb 1 staying at animal kingdom kidani. We are going to surprise the girls (5 and 7) at Christmas. They are going to be so excited.

I got reservations to CRT and BOG. However, every time I try to book the Garden Grill it says no times available on the 30th (I have been trying for 3 days now). It is available on the 29th. Any ideas why? I know it isn't one that sells out super fast. Do they just not load all available dates/times at the same time? Today would be 180 days out from the 30th. I will keep checking but just perplexed.

Welcome, @shairpdrh, @jjeanms, @WIll C, @JessHuis, and @Laura Decker! I’ve added you all to the roll call. Apologies for the delay; I was camping in the Adirondacks for the week and I am just catching up. Happy planning to all!

 

[brewhome]

Touring plans lowered crowd levels today for my January week!! It went from 5&6s down to 3&4 even see a couple of 2s!!

I came home from vacation to this great news! I’m so excited! Hope it is true!

 

[lookame]

I'm so stoked! We got just about everything we wanted and all at the times we wanted!

Our first day in, we'll got to Disney Springs, and then we have dinner at California Grill at 5:50. It's not quite perfect timing for fireworks, but I guess we'll just hang out in the lounge.

Then we've got:
Be Our Guest (lunch, although tbh I'm kinda eyeing that prix fixe now)
50's Prime Time
Biergarten
Tusker House
Sci-Fi Dine-In
Crystal Palace.

The only issue we ran into is sadly Crystal Palace was unavailable for our final day, and it seemed like such a nice way to finish off the trip--an early breakfast in the park and then Magic Kingdom. Our travel agent has an alert for that day in case something opens up, but even if it doesn't, we'll still have a nice breakfast mid-week. (Also, our Tusker House was a little earlier than we'd hoped for, since we wanted to do the Safari and Festival of the Lion King before breakfast, but eh, it's all good.)

We were thinking of doing Dining With An Imagineer, but I saw the price had gone up from $60 (reasonable) to $90 (ehhhhh pushing it), and if we did it, we would've had to go back to HWS three times which...eh, nah. Besides, with the Arts Festival at Epcot, I think we'll put that "saved" $90 to better use trying All The Things. (Or maybe just actually splurge at California Grill instead of sticking to the admittedly yummy-looking flatbread.)

(Now, if there was a way to guarantee we'd get to chat with a librarian, since he's a librarian and I'm a library specialist, that miiiiiight be worth $90...)

I'm so excited! Now to plan out our fast-pass times!

And our Disneybound outfits! I mean, we have them planned, now it's just time to accumulate all the items for them.

We’ve been planning a Disney trip for 3 years now. We’ve had dates picked and promised the kids 3 times then for whatever reason we’ve had to cancel (my sister had emergency surgery, I couldn’t leave during classes ect) well in those years I’ve bought shirts on clearance from Disney store and a few outfits on clearance for my daughter. I’ve actually already begun packing and even bought special suitcases for everyone for the occasion. Lol I feel like a freak having all out outfits and everything basically finished but this is finally happening and it’s a big deal for us lol!

 

[lookame]

How is everyone doing with the fp+ selections? This is my first time going with fp+ (I’ve only gone when there’s been paper fp) so I’m confused about the system. When I should plan to book the fp I want (as in the times I should aim for) or if I should just book the ones I want whenever they’re available. I’m also confused by the tiers.

 

[drdrowsy]

How is everyone doing with the fp+ selections? This is my first time going with fp+ (I’ve only gone when there’s been paper fp) so I’m confused about the system. When I should plan to book the fp I want (as in the times I should aim for) or if I should just book the ones I want whenever they’re available. I’m also confused by the tiers.

Best touring strategy is generally getting to park at (actually before) rope drop, and riding some of the most popular rides then (likely without FP+). I like booking my FP+ in the mid to late morning so that i've used all three by lunch time or so. Then I start booking additional FP+ one by one as the day progresses (availability subject to how crowded the park is and the size of your touring group, but you can generally get 4th, 5th, 6th, etc if you aren't too picky and keep checking).

 

[brewhome]

Best touring strategy is generally getting to park at (actually before) rope drop, and riding some of the most popular rides then (likely without FP+). I like booking my FP+ in the mid to late morning so that i've used all three by lunch time or so. Then I start booking additional FP+ one by one as the day progresses (availability subject to how crowded the park is and the size of your touring group, but you can generally get 4th, 5th, 6th, etc if you aren't too picky and keep checking).

I also recommend getting the difficult ones first and then going back and filling in the rest... for example, if you’re going to AK on day four of your trip, book your FOP first, then book your SDD at HS on a different day, etc... the go back and pick your other two for each day.

 

[brewhome]

I’m so excited... I have to travel for work in September, and it happens to be to Tampa. I have to fly in on a Sunday to be there for an early meeting on Monday, so I booked a morning flight and a rental car, and I will get to spend the whole day in Disney Springs! Eek! I’ve never gone solo and I can’t wait to wander through the shops at my own pace, eat lots of snacks, and enjoy some music!

So now I have a mini countdown along with the one to our January trip... 41 days!

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

I’m so excited... I have to travel for work in September, and it happens to be to Tampa. I have to fly in on a Sunday to be there for an early meeting on Monday, so I booked a morning flight and a rental car, and I will get to spend the whole day in Disney Springs! Eek! I’ve never gone solo and I can’t wait to wander through the shops at my own pace, eat lots of snacks, and enjoy some music!

So now I have a mini countdown along with the one to our January trip... 41 days!

That's awesome! If you want to check out some things off Disney property, there is this amazing cookie place Gideon's Bakehouse. I'm pre-ordering before our trip because they sell out daily. We're also trying out this marshmallow place Wondermade in Sanford. And we are making it to Toothsome at Univ. City Walk for those shakes. At DS, make sure to get to Amorette's--their mini sig cake was incredible as was the salted caramel eclair. At Vivoli il Gelato, they have some unreal sundaes and shakes too. Of course, I can never leave without going to Goofy's to get freshly dipped rice krispy treats.

 

[brewhome]

That's awesome! If you want to check out some things off Disney property, there is this amazing cookie place Gideon's Bakehouse. I'm pre-ordering before our trip because they sell out daily. We're also trying out this marshmallow place Wondermade in Sanford. And we are making it to Toothsome at Univ. City Walk for those shakes. At DS, make sure to get to Amorette's--their mini sig cake was incredible as was the salted caramel eclair. At Vivoli il Gelato, they have some unreal sundaes and shakes too. Of course, I can never leave without going to Goofy's to get freshly dipped rice krispy treats.

All great ideas, thank you! I’m definitely getting some treats at Goofy’s to bring home. My boys love their sour candies and the custom pretzels and Rice Krispie Treats. I’ll have some time on Monday night after my training class to explore, so I need to decide if I drive back to Orlando again and maybe do Universal City Walk for a couple of hours, or stay in Tampa and go to the beach. I’ll probably just decide on the fly that day.

 

[brewhome]

That's awesome! If you want to check out some things off Disney property, there is this amazing cookie place Gideon's Bakehouse. I'm pre-ordering before our trip because they sell out daily. We're also trying out this marshmallow place Wondermade in Sanford. And we are making it to Toothsome at Univ. City Walk for those shakes. At DS, make sure to get to Amorette's--their mini sig cake was incredible as was the salted caramel eclair. At Vivoli il Gelato, they have some unreal sundaes and shakes too. Of course, I can never leave without going to Goofy's to get freshly dipped rice krispy treats.

I also realized tonight that there is a MNSSHP the night I am there... so I am definitely tempted to spend some time in Disney Springs and then go to that, since I never have been! Decisions, decisions...