Is it too late???

[dezimber]

Is it too late to book ADR's and Pirate League? We are going early May and I have not booked anything other then my Magic Your Way package. I also still need airfare. I want to use Southwest beause they don't charge for luggage but they are booking up to the day before we are returning. I feel like I should have everything mostly done but I feel more like I don't have anything done.

Here is my plan so far:

Saturday- park day
Sunday- park day
Monday- park day
Tuesday-park or non-park day
Wednesday-park or non-park day
Thursday-park day
Friday-park day

On the non park day I want do the resort photo session and Chef Mickeys.
On our Magic Kingdom days I want to do Crystal Palace breakfast before the park opens and Pirate League.

We are on the quick serve meal plan but want to do some sit down meals just not everyday. We are also only getting 6 base tickets; 2 days for Magic Kingdom and Epcot then 1 day at Studios and Animal Kingdom. There will be 6of us: Mom(who will need a wheelchair most of the time), Me, Sister, Nephews ages 21, 16, and almost 6. We need a touring plan. How would plan your itinerary?

~Dezimber

[Robo]

Originally Posted by dezimber

Is it too late to book ADR's and Pirate League?

No.

[dezimber]

Originally Posted by Robo

No.

That's a relief to hear. I am waiting for Tour Guide Mike to post the park reconmendations to figure out our park days and touring plans.

[dezimber]

How would you schedual? Anyone?

[ajpa]

Remember to factor in the early check-in fee at Southwest (which you will probably want to do if you want to sit together).

Mid-week is usually less crowded than weekends/mondays at the parks. TGM will have specific recs for the dates you are going. But I would think you would want to spend Tuesday (and possibly Wed) in the park to take advantage of low crowds.
If they've posted EMH days on the official site, you can decide based on that and whether you are using or avoiding EMH.
(Imo, I do not plan to get hoppers and I avoid EMH.)

Keep your arrival & departure days flexible so you won't be rushed to/from airport. Plus there can be flight changes/delays etc so you don't want to schedule anything that you would hate to miss on those days.

[maj42169]

I don't think you need to worry about the early check-in fee on SW. We have never had a problem. You can just go to any guest services at the 24hr mark and check in. (just my opinion).

Also, for only a few dollars more you can get the 7 day tickets just in case you decide to go to the park in the evening for fireworks etc. It isn't that much more.

[dezimber]

Originally Posted by ajpa

Remember to factor in the early check-in fee at Southwest (which you will probably want to do if you want to sit together).

Mid-week is usually less crowded than weekends/mondays at the parks. TGM will have specific recs for the dates you are going. But I would think you would want to spend Tuesday (and possibly Wed) in the park to take advantage of low crowds.
If they've posted EMH days on the official site, you can decide based on that and whether you are using or avoiding EMH.
(Imo, I do not plan to get hoppers and I avoid EMH.)

Keep your arrival & departure days flexible so you won't be rushed to/from airport. Plus there can be flight changes/delays etc so you don't want to schedule anything that you would hate to miss on those days.

Thank you for your input. I am planning to do the online check-in so hopefully that will work for us.

I noticed that about the crowds too. I want to had one day to relax and have some down time and those 2 days fall in the middle of our visit. If it is doable we can take our day off on Thursday.

I am not planning anything for arrival and departure days. If we get there early enough on arrival day I want to go to Downtown Disney or resort hopping.

[Gaily215]

I don't think you need to worry about the early check-in fee on SW. We have never had a problem. You can just go to any guest services at the 24hr mark and check in. (just my opinion).
Are you saying I can check in 24hours before my departing SW flight at the theme park guest services? that would be great!!! I'm not sure how to do the quote thing forgive me

Gaily only 23 days

[fla4fun]

Originally Posted by dezimber

Is it too late to book ADR's and Pirate League?

We are on the quick serve meal plan but want to do some sit down meals just not everyday.
~Dezimber

I do not eat TS very often at Disney either - in fact, I only have one ADR right now for my trip in two weeks! The CS at Disney is no longer all hot dogs and hamburgers. There are a lot more choices and CS offers a lot more flexibility as far as touring the parks.

I would get your plans as far as transportation and stuff taken care of first. Once your dates are firm, then if you want to plan some ADR's go ahead. The only challenges you may have is if you wanted to book some of the character meals or the most popular restaurants. But I've been browsing available ADR's for just two weeks away, and even with free dining there are still lots of choices. With a family your size, it probably wouldn't be a good idea to go as a walk-up, so if you decide you want a TS meal, try to make an ADR even if it's same day.

[kymom99]

I am going in June so it is too early for me, but I was playing around with the online ADR system. The window is just open for the 2nd week of May. I put in May 12th and was able tro see availability for Le Cellier and CRT! So, no you're not too late! Have a great time!

[kwitcherkicken99]

I would wait another month before really digging into your park plan. Wait until you get your airfare and ADRs in line before you pick your park. Unless you are hopping, the ADRs are going to set the park anyway.

[OB1]

A few thoughts

Once there, you may decide to visit a park on what you had planned as an off day. You can add another day to your tickets for $3. Good to know if you want to just ride a couple of attractions for a portion of the day.

Great idea to just do some sitdown restaurants. Chef Mickey's will be your first one to reserve as this will be more difficult than Crystal Palace.

I also like the idea of using TourGuideMike to help you plan. Another $22 onto the total cost of your trip is pnuts. His planning information and best parks is well worth the price.

Right now, the pirate league is on sale. Appears it has not been as busy as forecast. While you need to get a reservation, I don't think this is a critical piece.

You have plenty of time for a great trip. We like to plan AK on a beautiful day. While we have a basic plan, we are ready to alter with a 2nd choice due to weather issues. You may end up planning your off day around any possible weather.

[mybgirl]

Originally Posted by Gaily215

I don't think you need to worry about the early check-in fee on SW. We have never had a problem. You can just go to any guest services at the 24hr mark and check in. (just my opinion).


Are you saying I can check in 24hours before my departing SW flight at the theme park guest services? that would be great!!! I'm not sure how to do the quote thing forgive me

Gaily only 23 days

found this AAA never toil me , new to them also , http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1834437



take care


Mary

[bjscheel]

We didn't book our 11/4-9 trip until 9/30, so I was only making ADR's a month ahead. We also did QSDP, so I only made two reservations anyway. Really, though, we would have been fine going on only QS the whole time...it was at Coral Reef that we had a hard time picking something to eat! We brought cereal for the room (time-saver), so by having 2 ADRs we had too many QS credits left.

My general plan last trip was avoid all EMH, avoid Fantasmic days, avoid Epcot on the last weekend of F&W, and avoid MK on the weekend. Well, I couldn't accomplish all that, so we did MK on a Saturday. I think 2 days at Epcot and 2 at MK sounds great...that's exactly what I would do with 6 days. Usually we like to start and finish with MK if we can.

Usually I plan trips for months...but this time I really kind of liked throwing it together in 5 weeks!