18 more days and really Scared!!

[ehstrojette]

We have 18 days left till we come to visit the mouse. March 8-16th,2014

background info:
1) we are staying offsite at Emerald Island due to family size

2) Coming with Mom and Dad along with me and my 2 kids(hubby couldn't get off)Meeting sister,husband and 2 kids so we are a family of 9 ,kids are 12,11,10 and 9

3) doing 5 days at Disney no park hoppers (sisters family and my DD are doing IOA and US for 2 day pass) me and my son and maybe parents will go to Disney while they are at the other park and may add the 6th day if needed

4)our schedule is as follows

Sat- arrive in afternoon, check into house and get groceries
Sun-sister arrives then HS in the late afternoon(4-5pm till close)
Mon-Epcot
Tues- US(sisters family and DD) / AK for me and my son
Weds- MK
Thurs-HS (nieces birthday pic) DTD for dinner
Friday- IOA(sisters family and DD)/ MK or gatorland for me and son
Sat- Shopping,cleanup and packing day
Sun- leave for home

I am scared about the Fastpass+ system since we aren't staying on property. When we go to the park for ropedrop is one person gonna have to stand in a long line while others go ahead to the first ride and miss out riding that ride.. for example. Epcot, we go there but if I get in line to make our choices I will have to miss out on Soaring or Test track. How long are the lines and where is the best one to go to for shorter waits in each park.

I helped plan the last family trip in 2008 and we followed a plan I printed off but cant even follow one now with this new fastpass thing. Thank god we wont be doing any character meets cause the kids are too old they say.

Also my sister doesn't think you have to be there everyday at rope drop but I will be. I convinced her she had to be there for epcot and MK

Ease my mind people!!!!!

 

[abner1776]

I think RD maybe your only choice. For epcot, I would bypass the kiosks at the entrance and go to the central kiosk just past spaceship earth as there seemed to be plenty of machines there. Since you are no getting PH passes, you really can't choose FP+ for MK while at Epcot so you are just gonna have to bit the bullet and have one or two people wait in line while you get the FP+.
Since Soarin and TT are in the same tier, you will have to choose one for the FP+ which I would choose as Soarin because the single line rider at TT is usually pretty short and in some cases my wife and I have actually been in the same car even using the single rider line.
Staying off property is problematic at this time until Disney works out the kinks in the new FP+ system.
My DD and friend were staying off property this coming March, but I convinced her to pay the extra cost and stay at POFQ just to avoid the issue with the busses and FP+.

 

[Leader of the Pack]

We have 18 days left till we come to visit the mouse. March 8-16th,2014

background info:
1) we are staying offsite at Emerald Island due to family size

2) Coming with Mom and Dad along with me and my 2 kids(hubby couldn't get off)Meeting sister,husband and 2 kids so we are a family of 9 ,kids are 12,11,10 and 9

3) doing 5 days at Disney no park hoppers (sisters family and my DD are doing IOA and US for 2 day pass) me and my son and maybe parents will go to Disney while they are at the other park and may add the 6th day if needed

4)our schedule is as follows

Sat- arrive in afternoon, check into house and get groceries
Sun-sister arrives then HS in the late afternoon(4-5pm till close)
Mon-Epcot
Tues- US(sisters family and DD) / AK for me and my son
Weds- MK
Thurs-HS (nieces birthday pic) DTD for dinner
Friday- IOA(sisters family and DD)/ MK or gatorland for me and son
Sat- Shopping,cleanup and packing day
Sun- leave for home

I am scared about the Fastpass+ system since we aren't staying on property. When we go to the park for ropedrop is one person gonna have to stand in a long line while others go ahead to the first ride and miss out riding that ride.. for example. Epcot, we go there but if I get in line to make our choices I will have to miss out on Soaring or Test track. How long are the lines and where is the best one to go to for shorter waits in each park.

I helped plan the last family trip in 2008 and we followed a plan I printed off but cant even follow one now with this new fastpass thing. Thank god we wont be doing any character meets cause the kids are too old they say.

Also my sister doesn't think you have to be there everyday at rope drop but I will be. I convinced her she had to be there for epcot and MK

Ease my mind people!!!!!

Please don't be scared! It's your vacation too - ask for help at every location, hotel, parks, etc. Also do the research for locations of FP+ kiosks away from the front entrances. Hope it's a great trip for you and family.
It's so easy to give good advice - let's see how I do when November rolls around ...
Best of luck for a fine family vacation.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Just don't use FP. FP is there for "added convenience" (if you can call it that nowadays). If you have a good touring plan, you don't have to veer worry about Fastpasses.

Good luck!

 

[ehstrojette]

Just don't use FP. FP is there for "added convenience" (if you can call it that nowadays). If you have a good touring plan, you don't have to veer worry about Fastpasses.

Good luck!

so you think we should try to just go with the flow and not worry about it too much. I just know they will all be like just go to the ride closest to where we are.

should we go left or right when we go in there?

 

[mullysisters]

It's not ALL about the rides, there's so much more to see and do.
So many factors can't be planned for, you'll ride as many rides as you can and do other fun things too! Make your ADRs!
If the thought of going to Disney World makes you that upset you may need to choose a different type of vacation for your family. Millions of people only wish they could go to Disney and wait in a long line to ride Peter Pan.

 

[AlanPeterson]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful post...

 

[MermaidMommy]

I wouldn't recommend skipping FP. The week you are going will be extremely crowded - level 9 crowds are predicted all week. easyWDW has a good rundown of touring plans using the new system - look under "Cheat Sheets." The website will also tell you which kiosks are least crowded in each park. You can always go for rope drop, ride some of the headliners, and then get in line for a kiosk so you don't miss out on early-morning touring. And don't forget about single-rider at Test Track, Expedition Everest, and Rock n Rollercoaster. If your kids are old enough, it can save you a lot of time.

Honestly, rope drop is going to be your best bet to get to ride what you want. However, the parks are open late that week - I think MK has a 1am closing almost every day. If your family is more or the night owl variety, they crowds will thin later in the night, particularly after Wishes.

 

[kay1864]

Your plan looks quite reasonable. I have a few suggestions:

1. On your MK days, leave at noon and come back after dinner. Avoids the biggest crowds, and saves on lunch and dinner if you eat outside the parks. Definitely a good idea to spread MK over two days as you have done.

2. Get the Waterpark Fun n More option--admits you to one attraction per day (Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, DisneyQuest, or ESPN). Pays for itself in two visits, and it's a good way to spend your MK afternoons (or your AK/HS evenings) while the crowds are high. This option is in addition to your one park per day, and it's a flat fee on top of your tickets.

3. If you do Fantasmic at HS, buy the Fantasmic dinner package. Best seating and less waiting in line. But they sell out early, so make your reservations now on the Disney site.

4. For your Saturday, for about another $10 per person, you can upgrade your tickets to add an extra day, which will get you one additional park visit (and one additional Fun and More visit if you bought that option).

But you must go into at least one park first, and upgrade your tickets no later than your last day.

Hint: If you go to DisneyQuest, a waterpark, or Downtown Disney, the lines for Guest Services are much shorter (for the upgrade) than at the parks.

5. Use Undercover Tourist for your tickets. Subscribe to the Mousesavers newsletter (free) for their best prices. Saves about $24 per ticket on a 5-day pass.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Your plan looks quite reasonable. I have a few suggestions: 1. On your MK days, leave at noon and come back after dinner. Avoids the biggest crowds, and saves on lunch and dinner if you eat outside the parks. Definitely a good idea to spread MK over two days as you have done. 2. Get the Waterpark Fun n More option--admits you to one attraction per day (Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, DisneyQuest, or ESPN). Pays for itself in two visits, and it's a good way to spend your MK afternoons (or your AK/HS evenings) while the crowds are high. This option is in addition to your one park per day, and it's a flat fee on top of your tickets. 3. If you do Fantasmic at HS, buy the Fantasmic dinner package. Best seating and less waiting in line. But they sell out early, so make your reservations now on the Disney site. 4. For your Saturday, for about another $10 per person, you can upgrade your tickets to add an extra day, which will get you one additional park visit (and one additional Fun and More visit if you bought that option). But you must go into at least one park first, and upgrade your tickets no later than your last day. Hint: If you go to DisneyQuest, a waterpark, or Downtown Disney, the lines for Guest Services are much shorter (for the upgrade) than at the parks. 5. Use Undercover Tourist for your tickets. Subscribe to the Mousesavers newsletter (free) for their best prices. Saves about $24 per ticket on a 5-day pass.

You're likely arriving too late on your HS day to take advantage off the Fantasmic dinner package, even if you could get a reservation at this point. The second Fantasmic is always much less crowded that the first one, just as the second MSEP at MK is less crowded than the first, so take advantage of those if you can.

Also, do you have to wait for your sister to arrive on your HS day before you go to the parks? Between that day, the DTD evening, and the last day for cleanup, it seems like you're missing a lot of park time. You'll be able to get much more done in the parks and be more relaxed doing it if you tighten up your schedule and add an extra day. It's really won't be that much money to add one.

 

[ehstrojette]

You're likely arriving too late on your HS day to take advantage off the Fantasmic dinner package, even if you could get a reservation at this point. The second Fantasmic is always much less crowded that the first one, just as the second MSEP at MK is less crowded than the first, so take advantage of those if you can.

Also, do you have to wait for your sister to arrive on your HS day before you go to the parks? Between that day, the DTD evening, and the last day for cleanup, it seems like you're missing a lot of park time. You'll be able to get much more done in the parks and be more relaxed doing it if you tighten up your schedule and add an extra day. It's really won't be that much money to add one.

Never thought about it but I could go to HS on sunday at rope drop with the kids and my parents then come back after they get in. They arrive at 1:30 at Stanford airport so it would take them time to get there also.

I think we might add the 6th day for sure. The tip about doing it at DTD is great, never thought of that.

I should reword and say I am not scared about Disney but I am OCD about somethings and this is just stressful time. I am a girl scout leader and our vacation falls right in the middle of our cookie booth times. I have 35 girls and I will have done 13 booths before we leave in one week. I am leaving the other leaders to do the other 3 weekend days and my hubby will be home to help replentish them from our cookie cupboard at home. I just want this vacation to be fun for the kids...oh the best news I forgot to mention to you all


***We are surprising the kids with this trip..well mine at least***

my DD thinks she is going to Gatlinburg for our local clogging convention/classes and staying there for a few days in a cabin then she thinks she is going to a youth group overnight in Chattanooga for a conference. I have her so fooled..lol

 

[photo_chick]

OP the first time I went the crowds were predicted to be level 10. We had no clue how to really utilize the FP system and what rides to hit first. Even though I'd researched, I wasn't prepared. And yes, we missed things. But we still had an amazing time and it just gave us more to plan for in the future.

Relax. Breathe. And have fun!

 

[ehstrojette]

OP the first time I went the crowds were predicted to be level 10. We had no clue how to really utilize the FP system and what rides to hit first. Even though I'd researched, I wasn't prepared. And yes, we missed things. But we still had an amazing time and it just gave us more to plan for in the future.

Relax. Breathe. And have fun!

It is the first week of spring break, I hope it isn't as bad as they say though

 

[rlh75]

I am in panic mode to and we are not there until 3/30 - 4/5.

I only got 4 day passes because we are doing US as well. I figure if we decide we want to have another day or do waterparks we can upgrade there.

We haven't been to WDW since 2008 and I had done a little research and knew what to get fast passes for. But now...OH BOY!!

I think I am going to just go with the flow. Try to get there at rope drop and ride what we can....then just enjoy the park. Maybe try for FP+ for something later in the day.

It is suppose to be a vacation and just getting all crazy about when we need to ride what doesn't seem like much fun! So Hopefully we get to do a lot of what the kids want and then just relax and enjoy!

Have a good trip!!! Relax and enjoy! Life is short and precious!

 

[SuperRob]

I am scared about the Fastpass+ system since we aren't staying on property. When we go to the park for ropedrop is one person gonna have to stand in a long line while others go ahead to the first ride and miss out riding that ride.. for example. Epcot, we go there but if I get in line to make our choices I will have to miss out on Soaring or Test track. How long are the lines and where is the best one to go to for shorter waits in each park.

I helped plan the last family trip in 2008 and we followed a plan I printed off but cant even follow one now with this new fastpass thing. Thank god we wont be doing any character meets cause the kids are too old they say.

Also my sister doesn't think you have to be there everyday at rope drop but I will be. I convinced her she had to be there for epcot and MK

Ease my mind people!!!!!

You'll be fine.

Best advice I can give you is skip the first MM+ kiosks you see. The lines will be packed. There are plenty of additional people to help you get your Fastpasses further into the park. You can give one person the bands/cards and have them get everything set up while the rest go get food or enjoy a ride.

And find a site like TouringPlans or EasyWDW that can give you a plan to go with. Irrespective of FastPass+, knowing how crowds flow and how to avoid them is far more important than than how many times you get to "skip" a line anyway.

Have a great trip!