***1st Week of December Thread ADR Plans, Park Hours, and dealing with Pop Warner***

[Mal6586]

Sorry everyone! I know I ask a ton of questions... But I was wondering about park hoppers. We don't have them right now, but I'm thinking of adding it . Can I ask for your opinions? We have 4 and 6 year old girls, and I was concerned that park hopping would be too much for them. Any experience wth this? Anyone regret not doing it?

I haven't ever done Disney with any kids, so I don't know how applicable my opinion is, but I find that whether or not we park hop is entirely dependent on how many days we have at Disney. When we went in 2014 for the Tower of Terror Ten-Miler, we were sort of scrunched into trying to do everything in about 4 days, including MNSSHP and the race expo, so we absolutely had to park hop in order to get at least a taste of everything. This trip though, we've got the full week, so we're not springing for park hoppers since we have plenty of full days to spend at each park, and there's not really any attractions or shows that I think we would be missing if we didn't park hop.

 

[BDFmom]

I think this is my third question today.... I'm sure there will be more. Which CRT meal did people make reservations for if dining there? Anyone recommend breakfast versus dinner? Sorry! I know there are threads on this, but I really value everyonEs opinion here! Thanks

We are going for Dinner on 12/1... at 7:15 I know it will cut into out party time but it was the only time I could get. I've searched for an earlier time that day with no luck.
It will be our first time at CRT... all my other Disney trips I was never able to book it. Both my kids are excited, especially DD. I ordered the chocolate slipper for DD and the crown for DS.


This will be our first trip with hoppers... but my kids are older and think can handle a longer day. Me... I'm not so sure about. They may have to drop me off at the resort.

 

[Talby]

Sorry everyone! I know I ask a ton of questions... But I was wondering about park hoppers. We don't have them right now, but I'm thinking of adding it . Can I ask for your opinions? We have 4 and 6 year old girls, and I was concerned that park hopping would be too much for them. Any experience wth this? Anyone regret not doing it?

We are partial to park hopping as well. The biggest thing for us if if parks close early and we still want to be playing somewhere we can just go to a park that is open later. On our last day, we plan to hit up favorites in a couple different parks. I just like the flexibility having them affords us. Nothing earth-shattering, but just a couple tidbits to add to your thought process.

 

[rasadkowski]

Thanks everyone! We are at the poly, so I am really considering it. This is horrible... But I honestly want to do it because I know I'll find a souvenir I want that's only at one park and I'll totally regret not being able to go back and get it!!! ... Plus I have some adrs that would work out better

 

[Talby]

Dated Christmas ornament, the big round glass ornament

Trading pin to remember something special about the trip

Refrigerator magnet: trying to collect one for each park and each hotel we've stayed at

Sometimes we get t-shirts or artwork or something else that strikes our fancy.

I love your name @TiggerManiac. Each time I see it, I think of Tigger spelling his name how he does (T-I-double GG-ER) lol!

 

[BDFmom]

CP on 12/8 for 5 at 6:20.... available NOW

 

[Candycane83]

There's also CRT reservations for 10:40pm on most party nights....? (I checked from Dec 4 to Dec 11) I think they opened it all at the same time...

 

[Talby]

I think this is my third question today.... I'm sure there will be more. Which CRT meal did people make reservations for if dining there? Anyone recommend breakfast versus dinner? Sorry! I know there are threads on this, but I really value everyonEs opinion here! Thanks

My humble little take on this is that there are certain places where it's mostly about the experience and CRT is one of them in my view. I went with what we could get and that happened to be dinner. I've wanted to go up into the castle since I was in the 6th grade, so I kind of just don't care what time that happens! lol But I totally understand wanting the better meal if there is one, definitely. Wish I could give you advice in that respect!

 

[Talby]

Ok, so I did get a call for the Tony's MSEP reservation I have not cancelled yet... So they did say it is for special viewing for the FoF instead. But it was weird... So I said: this is the 3pm parade, right? She answered that I should check the schedule a little closer to the date because they did not have 'the exact time schedule' yet. I'm speculating now (pure guess on my part, of course) that they may move FoF and make it into an evening parade??!? Does that sound feasible?

Hmmmm...that's interesting, isn't it? I think it IS feasible. I'm not a Disney expert, and so how likely is maybe up for debate, but it sure does seem feasible at least. Can't help but wonder now if this is the direction Disney will take? I know I sound like a broken record, but I just wish we could have all the dates/times/hours/schedules already. For everything...all the things! First world problem, I know.

 

[Winniebell10]

What ADRs is everyone still looking for?

I was lucky and got everything we wanted. But I do keep checking for a ppo BOG on 12/4 for 4 people. Would love to start our first MK morning extra early.

 

[Winniebell10]

Pretty much every morning I start my day with a coffee and checking availability/dates/times/schedules for a variety of things and in a variety of places! It's a mixed bag how often I stalk different things throughout the entire day, totally depends on what is going on with work/kids/etc., but then I end the day much like it started. Minus the coffee. I may suffer from withdrawal when the planning is done!

Ha! Looks like we have the same schedule. I will definitely suffer planning withdrawal after December. We'll have to figure out how to keep this band together after december. Maybe we could become the first week of December withdrawal thread and enable each other in planning bounce backs, cruises, and Disney shopping.

 

[Lisa F]

These thoughts are so helpful, thank you all! We go to the beach a lot (we were at the beach in NC for a week in July and we'll be at the beach on the Oregon coast in September for another five days) so it's for sure not a rare opportunity. The Cocoa Beach addition was actually my idea since we're driving down and had the vacation time and I had some Hilton rewards points to use, and I knew my husband wanted to see the KSC. We'd still "see" the beach since we have two nights at a Cocoa beach ocean front hotel with an ocean view, they just might not get to swim in the beach/play in the sand if we head to Orlando a little earlier on Sunday. And who knows, depending on how much time we spend at KSC on Saturday, they may get to play on the beach Saturday afternoon too. I don't foresee that my kids (3 and 5) will object to an extra day in the MK, but my DH might

your kids are little and are probably not going to be super engaged at KSC. I took my kiddo because he was SO into space but a lot was over his head (super smart and was 6) and his favorite thing was the play structure outside. second favorite was gift shop. the bus tour (the main reason for going) is long and IMO a lot for little kids with no exit. My ex took my kiddo about a year before I took him and it was way too long and way over his head and kiddo could not be convinced to go with me when we went. The atlantis is an amazing exhibit and he was mostly engaged for a lot of that. I'm not saying "don't go" but I don't think kids that age will tolerate a super long day there. Just my experience. You may be able to get in some afternoon beach time with them while DH does the bus tour or something.

 

[Lisa F]

Sorry everyone! I know I ask a ton of questions... But I was wondering about park hoppers. We don't have them right now, but I'm thinking of adding it . Can I ask for your opinions? We have 4 and 6 year old girls, and I was concerned that park hopping would be too much for them. Any experience wth this? Anyone regret not doing it?

I don't think park hopping will be "too much" for them. Parkhoppers add flexibility but they also add cost. When I took my 6 year old in 2014 we did NOT do parkhoppers - the price of the upgrade was equal to the cost of our MNSSHP tickets. It was fine, I was able to plan one day per park and two in the MK with party night on AK day because it's kind of a half day park (or at least was at that time without anything at night).

That said this time I am doing PH. Kiddo has an AP that I split with his dad from his feb trip and that includes parkhopping. I added it to mine because we LOVE nighttime shows and it gives us a lot more flexibility with short MK days some days and short days at AK and HS to do other stuff at night, like illuminations. we're not hopping all over the place - mostly staying at a park until before dinnertime and then having a dinner out of the park and going to a different park. or maybe illuminations after F! because F! is so early. stuff like that. our vacation was GREAT without it. I think if you don't anticipate a lot of late nights and fireworks every night it is a LOT easier to work with non parkhoppers.

 

[Candycane83]

Hmmmm...that's interesting, isn't it? I think it IS feasible. I'm not a Disney expert, and so how likely is maybe up for debate, but it sure does seem feasible at least. Can't help but wonder now if this is the direction Disney will take? I know I sound like a broken record, but I just wish we could have all the dates/times/hours/schedules already. For everything...all the things! First world problem, I know.

I'm with you on the hours! I just really want them to announce the schedules! They don't need to open booking for dessert parties or whatever but it seems like a lot of things are hanging- AK, DHS, MK parade...

 

[Wood Nymph]

Thanks everyone! We are at the poly, so I am really considering it. This is horrible... But I honestly want to do it because I know I'll find a souvenir I want that's only at one park and I'll totally regret not being able to go back and get it!!! ... Plus I have some adrs that would work out better

Think of all the times you can just hop into MK, ride the PeopleMover, see the castle show, and walk out - oh wait - that is DH and I. And we like to go to AK late in the afternoon for dinner at Yak & Yeti. No one is on the bus going back to AK at that time of the day, and we get almost a private bus. And best of all the animals are very active at that time. I think some of them must get fed at that time. Although we haven't been to AK since they started doing the night time safari, so I don't know if that has affected the animals.

Ha! Looks like we have the same schedule. I will definitely suffer planning withdrawal after December. We'll have to figure out how to keep this band together after december. Maybe we could become the first week of December withdrawal thread and enable each other in planning bounce backs, cruises, and Disney shopping.

We don't have a future trip planned - yet. I think it will depend on what the room only bounce back or the travel agency deals look like for 2017. But we are renewing our annual passes in December, so we definitely will be back.

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

@rasadkowski

We are a big fan of hoppers and never go without them. They give us the opportunity to leave a crowded park, go have a meal anywhere we want and take advantage of EMH. This is especially important when AK closes so early and then you have a whole night free.

As for CRT, we prefer breakfast there. We've had both B & D and thought the food at B was much better. This is my first trip not eating there and I'm going to miss it so much, but my H wanted to try new places.

 

[Candycane83]

There's a great review on MK EMM on the main forum... for those who have not seen it yet: http://www.disboards.com/threads/emm-mk-today-8-21.3538415/

 

[Talby]

Ha! Looks like we have the same schedule. I will definitely suffer planning withdrawal after December. We'll have to figure out how to keep this band together after december. Maybe we could become the first week of December withdrawal thread and enable each other in planning bounce backs, cruises, and Disney shopping.

Haha--too funny! I got such a kick of out this. Fabulous idea @Winniebell10!

 

[SilSprBea]

your kids are little and are probably not going to be super engaged at KSC. I took my kiddo because he was SO into space but a lot was over his head (super smart and was 6) and his favorite thing was the play structure outside. second favorite was gift shop. the bus tour (the main reason for going) is long and IMO a lot for little kids with no exit. My ex took my kiddo about a year before I took him and it was way too long and way over his head and kiddo could not be convinced to go with me when we went. The atlantis is an amazing exhibit and he was mostly engaged for a lot of that. I'm not saying "don't go" but I don't think kids that age will tolerate a super long day there. Just my experience. You may be able to get in some afternoon beach time with them while DH does the bus tour or something.

I think you are right that they won't be super engaged all day. I'm thinking 1/2 day tops. We're really going to appease my husband since he's not a big Disney person. The kids are interested in hands on science museums and outer space and stars (we really like to go to the Maryland Science Center for the hands on play and the planetarium show), but I'm thinking 1/2 day tops at KSC! I think you are right that we'd be able to build some beach time in Saturday late afternoon

So if I can convince my DH of my new scheme we'd have three visits to the MK during our trip-- (1) Sunday for a few hours in the afternoon; (2) Monday morning for RD for a few hours, and then Monday evening for BOG dinner and fireworks; (3) Friday for RD into the afternoon. If I'm spending so much for Disney, what's an extra $60 to get an extra day of park tickets. LOL!

I know Monday will be really crowded, but I already had that planned for fireworks in the park and figure it won't so bad to do morning for a few hours, long break at the hotel and then back for dinner and a few hours in the evening. We can strategically use some FP to cut wait times I figure. My travel agent thought Monday would be manageable but I booked when touring plans had it rated as a 6/10 date and not a 9/10 date. I still have a hard time believing it will be so crowded on a weekday in early December!

 

[Talby]

There's a great review on MK EMM on the main forum... for those who have not seen it yet: http://www.disboards.com/threads/emm-mk-today-8-21.3538415/

Thanks so much for this! Makes me all the more excited about the prospect of EMM!!