1st timer. Underprepared. Help!

[LittleTee]

Hi all! Well, I am starting to freak out. Heading to WDW next month for the first time! Hooorrayyyy....oh wait, I am not prepared and now it's crunch time. Actually, it was probably crunch time 150 or so days ago.

Quick info is my DH, DS (6) and myself are coming from Australia. We have been to DLR resort many times including the last 3 consecutive years. In no way do we consider ourselves 'veterans' but do feel at home there and could hop on a plane tomorrow without any worry about planning. Planning is not our thing, we like to wing it. This does not seem to be the best policy for WDW and hence why I am getting worried. So we are staying for 10 days, have park hopper plus extras tickets, staying at Pop. DH and I basically just love seeing our boy having a good time. DH and I love all rides but don't have many must-dos, it's really just about having a fun family time. DS is not a big thrill ride kid. Big Thunder was his fav at DL but at the same time refused to even look at Splash Mountain. He is petite and probably wouldn't make any 112cm height requirements. He loves characters apart from Princesses and we cannot walk past one with stopping for a photo/hug/autograph. We have the DDP (upgraded from Free QS) but aren't big foodies and DH would hate being tied down to certain restaurants at certain times for 10 days. We did DDP as it seemed to make financial sense.

We hope to do a few other non-Disney experiences which are yet to be decided....SeaWorld, Kennedy Space, Water parks? Plus some shopping. Lots of shopping.

I've read as much as I can. I still don't get the best FP+ strategy. I am confused with all the nighttime parades, I want at least one I think. I just booked what I could as I felt I had to. I grabbed the fast passes that I think DS would like based on what was available. No idea if these are the best use of FP+?! I am just not a planner, I hope you can be a bit kind when looking at my mess of a 'plan'

Here goes:

Fri Sept 18th - arrive late in evening after 20+ hours travel

Sat 19th - (will be a slow start, DS will be shattered)
- MK day
- 1030am - meet Mickey FP
- 1130am - Barnstormer FP
- 2:35am - 7DMT FP
Dining 5:30pm Trails End
Probably back to hotel for bed!

Sun 20th - MK
- 9:45am Crystal Palace ADR
- 11am Buzz FP
- 12:30pm SDMT FP
- 1:35pm BTMR FP

Mon 21st - HS
- 10:45 Indiana Jones FP
- 12:50 extreme Stunt show FP
- 2:40 - TSMM FP
Trying to SCi Fi ADR

Tues 22nd - EPCOT
- 9:35am Test Track FP
- 10:50 Spaceship Earth FP
- 12:25 Nemo FP

Wed 23rd - AK
- 10:10 Disney Pals FP
- 11:10 - K.Safaris FP
- 12:30 Lion King FP
Dining 4:55p Tusker House ADR

Thursday 24th - No plans

Friday 25th No plans but T-Rex ADR 3pm (trying to get a dinner res to free up whole day)

Saturday 26th No plans but Fultons ADR 510pm (my bday dinner, hope it's worth it!)

Sun 27th MK
- 1035am POTC FP
- 1210pm 7DMT FP
- 1:20pm A&E FP (DS has no interest in this but grabbed it to get some autographs for my friend's girl who is obsessed. Now feel kinda bad as so many people seem to miss out on this FP)

Mom 28th - check out but have full day before flight to TX and no plans


Well, how have I done? What have I missed? Is it a complete mess?!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[PantherPete]

You are a little light on the ADR's. You might have to eat dinner at some of the resort restaurants that don't get booked up. But otherwise, your plan looks good for the way you and your family like to tour. If you've been to DLR, you've probably been on Soarin'? If not, you may want to plan to hit that at the Rope Drop on your Epcot day. Unless your DS doesn't like heights, I would think he'd enjoy Soarin'.

 

[LittleTee]

You are a little light on the ADR's. You might have to eat dinner at some of the resort restaurants that don't get booked up. But otherwise, your plan looks good for the way you and your family like to tour. If you've been to DLR, you've probably been on Soarin'? If not, you may want to plan to hit that at the Rope Drop on your Epcot day. Unless your DS doesn't like heights, I would think he'd enjoy Soarin'.

Yes, I do know what you mean re the ADR's. Will be working on this during the next few days. We don't think we'll break during the day (we are used to heat and humidity) so some evenings we'll leave early and have CS at Pop/AOA or in-room pizza.
DH and DS love Soarin' but also loved the Racers at DCA. Was a tough choice!

Thank you for your reply. Glad to hear I'm kind of on the right track.

 

[thr33boys]

I don't think you've done too bad. It will all work, MK has so much to offer that I would recommend a little more variety with your fp options - but if this is what you prefer, that's ok.

Fp's for shows are generally not required but if the other options are of no interest, then there's nothing wrong with your choices.

If you are using Disney's transportation, make sure you allow enough time to get to where you need to be. I just worry on your first MK day, you might not want up early to make that first fp.

I only see you have 6 ADR's booked but you'll have 10 ts credits. Try booking a 2 credit dinner show like Mickey's Backyard BBQ or Hoop Dee Doo to use up the credits.

I don't see any hopping in your plans and am wondering why you purchased the hoppers?

 

[Karin1984]

To be honest, I don't get why you upgraded to the DDP when you don't want to be tied to ADRs. If you want to wing it, wouldn't QS be a better choice? You are in the middle of the free dining period and restaurant availability is getting more difficult (to eat at decent times) .

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

No advice on the itinerary (sorry), I'm in a similar situation... I don't like planning & most of this new Disney stuff (fast passss, ADRs, RDs, MDEs, EMHs, LMNOPs, BLAH BLAH BLAH...) confuses me too! I'm seriously thinking of using a travel agent to plan my upcoming trip in December. I just want to see DS (1) have the time of his life, not figure out how to get the best FPs, dining reservations, etc.

Ok, now for the actual reason I'm replying...

Are you concerned about jet lag? I flew from the east coast (WDW time zone) to NZ. I was fine after traveling there; however, I felt tortured when I made it back home to the States. I was in NZ for 15 days. It took two weeks to get back to normal when I returned home. NZ is 19 hours ahead of us, plus across the international date line. Would you perhaps benefit from having a rest day the day following your arrival at WDW?

Maybe the jet lag isn't an issue for you. However, it was what came to mind when I read your post. So, I thought I would mention it.

I'm sure you and your family will have a wonderful time!

 

[cbrown1007]

I'd suggest more ADR. Since you have the DDP. But it says you don't want to be tied to reservations. I think the DDP is not worth it, if you're not doing a lot of table service meals.

Also, if you call TRex, they'll have availability. Online it doesn't show all their availability. If you call, you surely can get a dinner reservation.

 

[Oneanne]

My only suggestion would be to consider Turtle Talk with Crush, instead of Nemo. TTwC is a hoot and I always seem to be able to get on Nemo without a FP+. As a PP has mentioned, Hoop de Doo is a ton of fun and worth checking out.

 

[MrInfinity]

Hi,
My suggestions...

Dining Points... since you don't want to be tied to a lot of reservations, do a few nicer ones. Get one of the 3 dinner shows. They're lots of fun, otherwise expensive, and would use up 2 of your TS points.

HS... You don't need the FP's for the shows. Massive capacity at those. If there are any rides you want to do, get those instead.

Nemo... You don't need a FP for this. Shortest line in the park. Get anything else you might like instead.

T-Rex... Just call the restaurant directly (407-828-8739). They'll get you in for that dinner slot.

Epcot... You have no food planned here, but that's kind of the specialty of this park. Pick anything around the World Showcase and get an ADR there and you can't go wrong. Biergarten is a neat show, good use of a TS credit, and usually has availability pretty late.

Note there is no "best FP+ strategy"! It's not like it's going to significantly alter the trip either way -- these are just little tweaks that I would do.

Hope that helps!

 

[amandals2007]

i dont get why you paid to upgrade to the regular DDP if you arent going to use all the TS meals. and also since you dont want to be tied to ADRs why didnt you stick with QSDDP? i think you wasted money IMO on upgrading. you might not agree but you asked for opinions from dis vets and there it is.

 

[LittleTee]

To be honest, I don't get why you upgraded to the DDP when you don't want to be tied to ADRs. If you want to wing it, wouldn't QS be a better choice? You are in the middle of the free dining period and restaurant availability is getting more difficult (to eat at decent times) .

The TS ADRs I have made so far have almost covered the cost to upgrade, so not sure what would have been a better option.

I don't think you've done too bad. It will all work, MK has so much to offer that I would recommend a little more variety with your fp options - but if this is what you prefer, that's ok.

Yes, I do understand. I just remember last year when DS finally decided to try BTMR and then wanted to ride it again and again and again for the next 3 days. I was anticipating this happening on 7DMT. Ahhh who knows!!

I don't see any hopping in your plans and am wondering why you purchased the hoppers?[/QUOTE]

My DH booked the hoppers before any of this minimal planning took place, simply because that's what we do at DLR. Maybe I'll look at working out how to utilise them better.

Are you concerned about jet lag? I flew from the east coast (WDW time zone) to NZ. I was fine after traveling there; however, I felt tortured when I made it back home to the States. I was in NZ for 15 days. It took two weeks to get back to normal when I returned home. NZ is 19 hours ahead of us, plus across the international date line. Would you perhaps benefit from having a rest day the day following your arrival at WDW?

Hmm, I hadn't thought of this. We've been fine heading from East Coast OZ to West Coast USA on each occasion but possibly the longer trip to Florida with a layover may hurt us. I guess if we miss our FP's it's not the end of the world.

Also, if you call TRex, they'll have availability. Online it doesn't show all their availability. If you call, you surely can get a dinner reservation.

Thank you!

My only suggestion would be to consider Turtle Talk with Crush, instead of Nemo. TTwC is a hoot and I always seem to be able to get on Nemo without a FP+. As a PP has mentioned, Hoop de Doo is a ton of fun and worth checking out.

Great suggestion. I'll look into swapping that over.

 

[LittleTee]

i dont get why you paid to upgrade to the regular DDP if you arent going to use all the TS meals. and also since you dont want to be tied to ADRs why didnt you stick with QSDDP? i think you wasted money IMO on upgrading. you might not agree but you asked for opinions from dis vets and there it is.

Thanks for your opinion. I never said I'm not going to use them all. Plus, we have almost broken even on our upgrade price with the few ADR's I have made thus far so it seems like a good choice.

 

[My3Princez]

Small thing, but I would try to get an early FP for the Safari. The animals really are more active than at midday. I've been multiple times at different times of day, and the morning Safari rides are always the best by far.
It does seem like with your current plans, the hoppers and water park upgrade aren't worth it. Maybe on one of the days you have no plans?

 

[amandals2007]

Thanks for your opinion. I never said I'm not going to use them all. Plus, we have almost broken even on our upgrade price with the few ADR's I have made thus far so it seems like a good choice.

oh so are you still trying to make more reservations?

 

[LittleTee]

Small thing, but I would try to get an early FP for the Safari. The animals really are more active than at midday. I've been multiple times at different times of day, and the morning Safari rides are always the best by far.
It does seem like with your current plans, the hoppers and water park upgrade aren't worth it. Maybe on one of the days you have no plans?

Thank you! I was wondering if the Safari would be better first thing. I'll change that over.

I understand what people are saying re the hopper tickets. I guess having travelled so far we just like the option of flexibility.

 

[pooch]

I would also suggest Hoop-dee-doo revue. Its a really fun show and the food is terrific (fried chicken - YUM). Not to mention all you can drink sangria!! In Epcot, we love Biergarten. It is set up like a Munich beer hall with communal tables seating 8 so you will sit with other people. Perhaps we have just had good luck but have always gotten nice tablemates, sometimes great tablemates. There's an Oompah band that plays and you are encouraged to get up and participate. Also love the buffet there, again YUM!!

 

[loves to dive]

I think your plans look fine. As far as the hoppers, since you have most late afternoons and evenings open, maybe you can hop over to a different park just to take it in and see if you can catch a show or an ADR there. I always get hoppers (now I have an AP but before that I got hoppers) just because I liked the ability to go to a different park if the one I was at was too crowded or we got bored (yes it happens). We don't like to be tied down to ADRs either and have always had success booking them the day of, we just go to GS at the park we are in first thing and ask what's available, if you like to try new things that might work fine for you. Since you have hoppers you won't be tied down to just one park anyway or there might be something at a resort you would be interested in. Kennedy Space Center is not that far away and well worth a day trip and Sea World is there in Orlando so also worth a day trip.

 

[LittleTee]

oh so are you still trying to make more reservations?

Yes, trying to get a sci-fi res. Will pick up some other reservations for our 'off' days once we work them out and use some TS credits for in room food if need be. The popularity of the restaurant is not important, I don't mind if it's not a sought after place. Will also investigate the great advice re dinner shows. As I said, we've almost paid for the upgrade thus far so not too concerned about 'wasting' money.

 

[Fizban]

Quite an agenda you have there. Well done! I would tweak it just a little for a bit more breathing room between fastpasses. For example I would push out my first fastpass on Sunday the 20th to give you a little more time between your ADR and Buzz. You dont want to be running between locations to get to your next event. On Tuesday the 22nd I would change the order of your fastpasses to Spaceship earth 1st because you walk right past it when you first go in, then hit test track and i agree with PP who said turtle talk with Crush.

Everything else looks right on.

Good luck and let me be the first to welcome you to sunny (most of the time) Florida!

 

[ErinInCT]

I'd plan another day at EPCOT. It ended up being my girls' favorite park. They loved decorating the mask at all the kidcot stations and getting their passport stamped (we also got the handle of the mask stamped and it looks really cool - I think this next time we'll skip the mask (my girls are now tweens/teens) and just get the handle stamped! Your son might enjoy the Agent P (from Phinneas and Ferb) scavenger hunt. They loved finding the penny pressers at each country too! My kids like dancing to the mariachis and watching the Chinese acrobats. My youngest loved Figment and wanted to go like 7 times (excrutiating for the adult so DH and I took turns). We spent a lot of time at Innventions (more than I thought we would). You can't beat the food at the WS! And Illuminations is fantastic! We have always gone in med - late Sept and it has been very uncrowded so you'll be able to ride rides multiple times. I'm sure you won't need a FP for Nemo! Have fun! We leave in 12 days!