11-Month Out Planning for Party of 9

[bwbuddy5]

Our extended family just got back from a beach vacation, and since we plan to go to WDW in June, 2018, we did some planning -- would love to hear your comments. We are one couple of 60ish grandparents, three younger couples ages 27-32, and one 4YO granddaughter. Here's what we decided:

1) With a party of that size, I assumed they would not want to always tour en masse, and instead do some touring on their own. But, since they know I'm the super-planner, they asked me to make all FP+s, and then they would later change them as the mood hit them. So, I'm setting up each of the four families with a separate MDE, linking them together, and then making FPs.

2) In regard to FPs, since I'm not sure how many rope-droppers I have, I'm making the 3 FPs in the 10am-noon window, in case they want to sleep in a bit. If they choose to rope drop, they can knock off additional attractions.

3) We are renting DVC points to stay in two 2 BR villas (two rooms). We have decided to get the Deluxe DP in only one of those rooms, but share the credits across both rooms.

4) Allegiant flies from our area, and is cheaper. But, we've decided to go with Southwest since they don't charge for luggage or seat placement, and since we would then be able to schedule Magical Express travel (Allegiant lands at Sanford, no ME, then we would have to find transportation for 9 people). We definitely consider convenience as valuable instead of just cost.

5) We plan to arrive at AKL Kidani mid-afternoon first day, so we thought we would swim at the Kidani water play area, eat at Sanaa or Mara, and then visit AK in the evening, making a FP for Na'vi River and maybe a Safari, so that we can FP Flight of Passage later in the week.

What do you think? Any other ideas?

 

[laughinplace199]

What a fun trip! I think your plans sound good. The only thing I might change is the timing of your FPs. The crowds will get heavier as the day progresses, so you might think of making FPs for later in the day. We typically get to parks at opening, but schedule all of our FP for afternoons/evenings when the lines are longer.

 

[robndani]

In regards to FP I would ask them. I know they won't know 100% but they can definitely tell you if they are early birds or not. Or bump it all up a half hour 9:30-10:30, 10:30-11:30, 11:30-12:30. Then score more as they want to. Have fun!

 

[bwbuddy5]

What a fun trip! I think your plans sound good. The only thing I might change is the timing of your FPs. The crowds will get heavier as the day progresses, so you might think of making FPs for later in the day. We typically get to parks at opening, but schedule all of our FP for afternoons/evenings when the lines are longer.

That's a great idea. I guess I was thinking the earlier the first 3 FPs, the earlier we can get another one - and we may park hop.

 

[Delirium]

If you park hop, I would encourage the fastpasses in the 2nd park, at least some of the time. With that strategy you can ride headliners in BOTH parks on the same day, at rope drop in the first park, and with fp in the second. If you schedule your FPs in the first park, even if you are able to schedule some later for the 2nd park, they likely will not be for headline attractions. If you don't hop, then I agree that using them earlier in the day can be an advantage, especially at MK.

 

[bwbuddy5]

In regards to FP I would ask them. I know they won't know 100% but they can definitely tell you if they are early birds or not. Or bump it all up a half hour 9:30-10:30, 10:30-11:30, 11:30-12:30. Then score more as they want to. Have fun!

Definitely agree, but I know them better than they know themselves. They might tell me they can do rope drop, but I know the ones that will struggle.

 

[bwbuddy5]

If you park hop, I would encourage the fastpasses in the 2nd park, at least some of the time. With that strategy you can ride headliners in BOTH parks on the same day, at rope drop in the first park, and with fp in the second. If you schedule your FPs in the first park, even if you are able to schedule some later for the 2nd park, they likely will not be for headline attractions. If you don't hop, then I agree that using them earlier in the day can be an advantage, especially at MK.

Totally agree, but I'll bet some in my party will plan to rope drop and park hop, but then change their minds.

 

[Delirium]

Totally agree, but I'll bet some in my party will plan to rope drop and park hop, but then change their minds.

Of those two choices (rope drop or park hop), it's much easier to hop than it is to rope drop. If getting up early is a concern, that's another reason for scheduling fastpasses in the afternoon. If the FP is early and the party is not committed to being there early, it could end up going unused.

Morning fastpasses work best for those without hoppers and those who don't plan on being in the parks late. For someone with hoppers or wanting some flexibility when they arrive at the park each day, afternoon FPs work better.

Last October we hd a couple of days where we decided to skip our morning plans because we were tired from the day before. Having afternoon FPs allowed us to do that.

 

[bwbuddy5]

Of those two choices (rope drop or park hop), it's much easier to hop than it is to rope drop. If getting up early is a concern, that's another reason for scheduling fastpasses in the afternoon. If the FP is early and the party is not committed to being there early, it could end up going unused.

Morning fastpasses work best for those without hoppers and those who don't plan on being in the parks late. For someone with hoppers or wanting some flexibility when they arrive at the park each day, afternoon FPs work better.

Last October we hd a couple of days where we decided to skip our morning plans because we were tired from the day before. Having afternoon FPs allowed us to do that.

And, we will probably have to work in a mid-afternoon break back to the hotel for swimming and a nap for the granddaughter (and the grandparents!), so sounds like we have more planning to do!

 

[WDWFan0813]

It sounds like they picked the right person to plan this trip! I like the 10AM - Noon window you threw out originally, but "sleep in" means different things to different people. If they sleep until 9 AM, they may have a hard time making it for the earlier of the FP's. Planning for such a large group is not easy. Best of luck!

 

[bwbuddy5]

It sounds like they picked the right person to plan this trip! I like the 10AM - Noon window you threw out originally, but "sleep in" means different things to different people. If they sleep until 9 AM, they may have a hard time making it for the earlier of the FP's. Planning for such a large group is not easy. Best of luck!

I may stick with 10am-noon, and if they don't make it, they sleep in the bed they made!

 

[CarolynFH]

I may stick with 10am-noon, and if they don't make it, they sleep in the bed they made!

And of course a 10 AM FP means they have until 11:00 or even 11:15 AM to get there!