We are going back to Walt Disney World!
Disney just released some fabulous discounts for 2011, so we are going to, again, be the responsible parents that we've always been (of particular note are the nearly annual visits we get, after about nine days of school absences, from the local truant officer during which Andrew laughs maniacally when the officer tells us that it was parents like us that put our public schools in jeopardy!!) and yank the kidlets out of school and go back in January. This will likely be our last trip at this super time of year as Jack will be in middle school the following year, and thus truly, unable to miss a week.
We love the January season. Low crowds, no lines, low humidity, temps in the mid-70s to mid-80s. And huge discounts.
I snagged a beautiful room at the Polynesian Resort for January 21st through the 30th for 40% off the rack rate! This type of discount is usually reserved for annual passholders who are also last minute travelers. The fact that this a general public discount and that it was released in August is almost unbelievable! Disney is fun, nostalgic, exciting, clean-cut, shiny and happy. But one thing it is
not, is cheap. You can
rarely count on discounts when going to Disney. All I can figure is that the economic downturn must still be affecting Disney travel. And I'm happy to take advantage of it.
The schools have scheduled a couple half days during this January week and we can usually count on a couple snow delays or cancellations to not make Jack's make-up load too, too bad. So we're off!
And we just love the Poly. It's one of the two original resorts that opened with the park in 1971. It's been luxuriously refurbished many times, but retains its timeless magic.
I love to arrive back on its grounds at night and stroll to our room through the lush, tropical vegetation. Tiki torches light the paths and charming island music plays.
I love stepping out of the lobby straight onto a monorail. I love the volcano pool with its zero-entry, waterfall and surprisingly long and exciting waterside contained within the volcano. I love how smoke rises from the volcano day and night and am always amazed by the glow of the lava that oozes down its sides. I love sitting in the pool at night and watching the Magic Kingdom's fireworks show from across Bay Lake.
The four parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Studios and the Animal Kingdom) are amazingly magical and vast. We have been going to WDW annually since 2001 (missed one year due to pregnancy) and we
still have not seen and done nearly everything.
One really cool thing about WDW is that it is truly a vacation for anyone and everyone. We've been with all three children, with just Jack and with just the girls. We've traveled with other families, with grandparents and with other adult couples. And each trip has been really neat in its own way. Whether your focus is toddler Disney, kid Disney or adult Disney, the vacation will be a quality experience. No matter how many times you go, you'll never do it all.
And now I get to start planning again! Which is really my favorite part. I've been lurking on some cool fan websites (
Disboards,
Intercot,
Mouseplanet, and
Mousesavers), planning our flights (on
Kayak), meals, park schedule, nighttime entertainment, and Cirque du Soleil night.
And this year, I think I'll be sending the truant officer a postcard with Mickey on it, and a promise that after this year, she can go harass other families.