BIG family trip planned -- arrive next Saturday, June 5th thru June 12th. My wife and I, our 4 adult kiddos and 3 of them bring their significant others. 2 other friends are joining us for the last two days. This has been THE hardest trip to plan--and maybe that's what Disney wants. I know for years I was one of the complainers that said I didn't like having to booking dining 6 months in advance, or FastPasses 2 months in advance -- which basically means you are planning where you will be (park) at least 2 months in advance. But with that being the norm for so many years....I feel like we're going on this trip and winging it. But Disney didn't make it easy. Planning a trip with 9 and then 11 people this time around has been super frustrating. Long hold times calling for dining reservations that didn't exist, park availability issues, etc. have really made it a challenge to plan but....
PS -- any thoughts / suggestions for how to maximize our days especially with the big group, during a pandemic -- please let me know.
andy
- we're less than a week away and have every day accounted for (park reservations or open days planned) -- actually ended up with Hollywood Studios 2 days in a row and really want to switch and go to EPCOT or AK a 2nd day -- but no availability -- wish we could trade someone
- only two sit down reservations for all 9 of us -- could get 4 or 5 for a few others but nothing else -- so, actually think we will end up spending less money on food -- and that's a very good thing
- hours were really short for our week just a few weeks ago -- now a little closer to normal -- and I actually don't think I hate the 11am EPCOT opening.....2 days in a row in our plans when we don't have to get up early (Blizzard Beach day) -- that's pretty nice (we are rope drop people)
- seems like Disney's plan is to drive everyone to Disney Springs in the evenings with so many other restaurants being closed or not available -- I'd rather have more options BUT every other trip we always leave saying we wish we would have had another evening at Disney Springs -- looks like we might have 2 nights we're looking for Quick Service at the Springs--with one night already reserved at Raglan Road. That might give me 2 times to eat at Polite Pig -- or break my tradition and eat somewhere else -- again, not bad
- Masks coming off.....but not fully wide open -- our entire party is vaccinated but....I'm cool with the slow process of eliminating the mask -- very hopeful direction there too
- Dining Part II -- really, really, really wanted to be able to do Sci-Fi, Whispering Canyon (breakfast) and Boma with our big group. Boma has been THE family big meal since it opened. The one night everyone gets dressed up and we eat then relax at the resort. This is the big disappointment at this point--just read that Beach Club just reopened....wish it was AKL too. 3 of the folks going with us are newbies......we really wanted that one quintessential WDW restaurant with theming -- and though Sci-Fi was the best one for that. Sadly....no luck so far and not holding out hope that walk-up will work for us and our sized group. Oh well -- maybe a little Pixie dust will come our way.
- No fastpasses.....well I'm taking this as a challenge......can I navigate this 9 to 11 (MK last day a friend and her 5 year will join us) person group thru each park and still get as many rides/attractions as I did WITH fast passes? This feels so old school that I'm actually excited about the possibility (but would definitely take suggestions)
- We had park reservations for Hollywood Studios our last day (6/12) AND Sci-Fi lunch AND Oga's Caneen reservations for that day BUT....our friend and her 5 year old daughter will join us that day. Proud of my crew -- all 9 of us agreed.....for a 5 year old's FIRST visit to WDW -- we had to take them to the MK. And like magic -- a few weeks back -- on a late Friday night.....MK availability popped up....I cancelled -- with a few tears in my eye our HS, Sci-Fi and Oga's reservations, booked us at MK but am super excited to be tour guide to a 5 year again......it's been 18 years since we've had a 5 year old in our family -- what a perfect way to end a week at WDW
- I booked us (2) rental cars MONTHS ago......they called to confirm yesterday that we still need them and promised they would be available for us (I'm still thinking Seinfeld episode since we've been let down before) -- and I paid less than 1/2 of what the current going rate is -- that's great too
- BOMA -- already mentioned -- this is the ONE thing the family is more disappointed in
- No fireworks or nighttime shows....
- No shows (not because we want to watch them.....but because they draw the crowds away)
- No TRAMS......dang, I'm getting old....but that walk at the end of the day from the park to the car with no Tram is not something I'm looking forward too (staying at BLT so the walk to MK and back is pretty cool)
PS -- any thoughts / suggestions for how to maximize our days especially with the big group, during a pandemic -- please let me know.
andy