***1st Week of December Thread ADR Plans, Park Hours, and dealing with Pop Warner***

[Candycane83]

Anybody else getting concerned about the fact there there are really no rooms available anywhere for the first week of december? I mean i can find a few suites at CS and some things at AKL, but no values, maybe one at POFQ and the high end CS, and hit and miss on one or two deluxe

I think the values would be occupied by pop warner right? I'm a little concerned about the deluxe...

 

[rasadkowski]

Kinda change of subject, but I am a bit concerned about the crowds. I am prepared for big crowds. Sorry to be a whiner I am just wondering if I really picked a terrible time to go. This will be our first trip, so I was wondering if it is always this difficult to plan. I really was and still am very surprised about the ADRs. I am lucky to have some great meals planned, but I am still surprised how difficult it is to really find something that works into our plan (which is so up in the air). We are not park hopping, so I am just picking days that I would hope EMM or RoL will be available. It's hard not knowing I also have a love/hate relationship with TouringPlans. I think it's an awesome tool to get reservations, but I am so disappointed when I just miss one! That sorry about the paws message hits me hard! haha

 

[Candycane83]

Kinda change of subject, but I am a bit concerned about the crowds. I am prepared for big crowds. Sorry to be a whiner I am just wondering if I really picked a terrible time to go. This will be our first trip, so I was wondering if it is always this difficult to plan. I really was and still am very surprised about the ADRs. I am lucky to have some great meals planned, but I am still surprised how difficult it is to really find something that works into our plan (which is so up in the air). We are not park hopping, so I am just picking days that I would hope EMM or RoL will be available. It's hard not knowing I also have a love/hate relationship with TouringPlans. I think it's an awesome tool to get reservations, but I am so disappointed when I just miss one! That sorry about the paws message hits me hard! haha

It's not only you, I'm concerned about the crowds too even though I see multiple sites saying it shouldn't be really heavy crowds. I guess it's the pessimist in me. Haha! I totally get where you're coming from in regards to touring plans as well especially when it found me BOG reservations I missed twice! And within a span on 5 mins! I noticed that it's not looking as often as before though.

 

[Iowamomof4]

Regarding crowds, I'll be very anxious to see what the fall is like. I'm wondering if the depressed crowds will continue or if people were just postponing their normal summer trips to fall for better weather and "lower" crowds (which will of course NOT be low if everyone does that!). Anyway, if Labor Day weekend is lower than last year and September/October are both lower than last year, I'll be feeling more optimistic about our chances for lower crowds as well. If crowds are up or similar to last year, I won't be as optimistic.

 

[Talby]

@Candycane83 @Mintycake and anyone else considering the star wars fireworks dessert party. What are you thinking of some of the mixed reviews lately? I know they are working out the kinks. I'm wondering if people have too high expectations. Someone said they feel like something else besides dessert should be offered - like a perk - but I was thinking, isn't that what the fireworks viewing is? Also I think how many people you are buying for affects your sense of value. For me and the kiddo it is a bit over $100 but if it were like nearly $300 for my family of 4 because the kids are disney adults I might feel differently about the value of it. Also I will have a few drinks... I know many do not and still pay the $69 (particularly minors). also the reports are so mixed on the viewing, some say there is not a bad spot because you can step back a bit and others say you are blocked if you're not tall and in front.

what are your thoughts?

I'm considering the Star Wars fireworks dessert party to the point I have 2 windows created in our schedule as potential options for the possibility. (As an aside, I am hoping to fill the other window with ROL, but we shall see). I likely won't be drinking at this particular event, so my mindset is I'm paying for the fireworks viewing and the desserts. We would plan accordingly in terms of eating that day (not get desserts with meals or sweet snacks that day) in order to more fully appreciate the indulgence of a dessert party. The fireworks viewing in a premium spot (hopefully!!) is where the value is for me. The mixed reviews have me wanting to pay close attention to what people have to say about it in the upcoming weeks to see if they really do work out those kinks. At this very moment, I'm a bit on the fence about it; we're 3 Disney adults. I'm leaning more towards going than not, about 80/20 in favor of going. HOWEVER, if there's one thing I've learned through this planning process, it's that I change my mind. A lot! lol I think for me, it's going to come down to the reviews over the next several weeks or so.

 

[Talby]

Anybody else getting concerned about the fact there there are really no rooms available anywhere for the first week of december? I mean i can find a few suites at CS and some things at AKL, but no values, maybe one at POFQ and the high end CS, and hit and miss on one or two deluxe

I was toying with the idea of switching to a Deluxe and a bit shocked by the lack of availability!

 

[Talby]

Kinda change of subject, but I am a bit concerned about the crowds. I am prepared for big crowds. Sorry to be a whiner I am just wondering if I really picked a terrible time to go. This will be our first trip, so I was wondering if it is always this difficult to plan. I really was and still am very surprised about the ADRs. I am lucky to have some great meals planned, but I am still surprised how difficult it is to really find something that works into our plan (which is so up in the air). We are not park hopping, so I am just picking days that I would hope EMM or RoL will be available. It's hard not knowing I also have a love/hate relationship with TouringPlans. I think it's an awesome tool to get reservations, but I am so disappointed when I just miss one! That sorry about the paws message hits me hard! haha

I wanted to offer some ADR encouragement. BOG dinner is really high on our list, as I know it is for many. We had a 9:20 p.m. but I was really hoping for something earlier. I have tried---every single day, so many times--for several weeks now. Just yesterday I got a 4:55 and I started jumping up and down I was so excited. I mean....that's A LOT of times to see "no tables available" and to suddenly see "Available times 4:55 p.m." had me elated and in a bit of disbelief! I had become slightly discouraged and had touringplans looking as well. I've never planned my own trip before either, so I have nothing to compare it to, but it has been challenging to get most of our ADRs (we were late to the party to start with, so there is that). Stay persistent. So hard to know what this means in terms of crowd levels--mixed reviews on that front as well!

 

[Talby]

It's not only you, I'm concerned about the crowds too even though I see multiple sites saying it shouldn't be really heavy crowds. I guess it's the pessimist in me. Haha! I totally get where you're coming from in regards to touring plans as well especially when it found me BOG reservations I missed twice! And within a span on 5 mins! I noticed that it's not looking as often as before though.

@Candycane83 What sort of BOG are you looking for?

Kinda change of subject, but I am a bit concerned about the crowds. I am prepared for big crowds. Sorry to be a whiner I am just wondering if I really picked a terrible time to go. This will be our first trip, so I was wondering if it is always this difficult to plan. I really was and still am very surprised about the ADRs. I am lucky to have some great meals planned, but I am still surprised how difficult it is to really find something that works into our plan (which is so up in the air). We are not park hopping, so I am just picking days that I would hope EMM or RoL will be available. It's hard not knowing I also have a love/hate relationship with TouringPlans. I think it's an awesome tool to get reservations, but I am so disappointed when I just miss one! That sorry about the paws message hits me hard! haha

@rasadkowski What do you have TouringPlans helping you find?

Kindly ignore if that's too nosy!

 

[rasadkowski]

Thank you so much for the encouragement! I can imagine how excited/shocked you were to get that! My family does not get AT ALL how anxiety provoking this is for me! It is exciting, but stressful for me I know we still have quite awhile, so I'm trying to be optimistic. My daughter LOVES Pooh. So, Crystal Palace is a must! I am looking for a breakfast preferably on Sunday 12/4. It's our first park day, so I thought that'd be fun. I wouldn't be so hung up on it if I hadn't missed a few. So, I know they're out there! At least there's still time

 

[Lisa F]

Thank you so much for the encouragement! I can imagine how excited/shocked you were to get that! My family does not get AT ALL how anxiety provoking this is for me! It is exciting, but stressful for me I know we still have quite awhile, so I'm trying to be optimistic. My daughter LOVES Pooh. So, Crystal Palace is a must! I am looking for a breakfast preferably on Sunday 12/4. It's our first park day, so I thought that'd be fun. I wouldn't be so hung up on it if I hadn't missed a few. So, I know they're out there! At least there's still time

12/4 is still within the "free dining" window for people who checked in as late as 11/28. See if you can rearrange to look later in the week, I think there will be fewer people vying.

Also if it's pooh in particular, 1900 park fare has pooh and tigger for breakfast only (along with mary poppins, alice and the mad hatter)

 

[rasadkowski]

ohh ok! Thanks! Hmm, I wonder if there are likely to be any cancellations with that group. I can't tell, but from the looks of it, Crystal Palace seems to have a high seating capacity? Maybe not. But, if I stalk MDE for a few months maybe I'll get lucky.

 

[Talby]

Thank you so much for the encouragement! I can imagine how excited/shocked you were to get that! My family does not get AT ALL how anxiety provoking this is for me! It is exciting, but stressful for me I know we still have quite awhile, so I'm trying to be optimistic. My daughter LOVES Pooh. So, Crystal Palace is a must! I am looking for a breakfast preferably on Sunday 12/4. It's our first park day, so I thought that'd be fun. I wouldn't be so hung up on it if I hadn't missed a few. So, I know they're out there! At least there's still time

Disney planning is not for wimps! I have seen this suggestion tossed around here and there on the boards, but now that I have experienced it for myself I can speak to it--changing the number in your party can sometimes help. We are a party of 3 but I have selected everything from 3 to 8 when ADR stalking! lol It's how I got the ideal-for-us BOG. There was not availability for 3 but there was for 6. I made the reservation and then immediately changed the number of guests to 3 after securing it. I also got an awesome CRT from a wonderful DISer on the December cancellation thread. Maybe one of those can help too along with @Lisa F 's suggestion to look a bit later in your trip. That would be a special first day though since your daughter loves Pooh so much. It seems the majority of people tend to get what they are hoping for, so definitely keep at it.

 

[rasadkowski]

Disney planning is not for wimps! I have seen this suggestion tossed around here and there on the boards, but now that I have experienced it for myself I can speak to it--changing the number in your party can sometimes help. We are a party of 3 but I have selected everything from 3 to 8 when ADR stalking! lol It's how I got the ideal-for-us BOG. There was not availability for 3 but there was for 6. I made the reservation and then immediately changed the number of guests to 3 after securing it. I also got an awesome CRT from a wonderful DISer on the December cancellation thread. Maybe one of those can help too along with @Lisa F 's suggestion to look a bit later in your trip. That would be a special first day though since your daughter loves Pooh so much. It seems the majority of people tend to get what they are hoping for, so definitely keep at it.

that's a great tip! thank you! I'm thinking about Friday, too. Our last day would be fun, too. But, first day would be better

 

[Lisa F]

ohh ok! Thanks! Hmm, I wonder if there are likely to be any cancellations with that group. I can't tell, but from the looks of it, Crystal Palace seems to have a high seating capacity? Maybe not. But, if I stalk MDE for a few months maybe I'll get lucky.

you should be able to get one or the other but might need to be flexible on day.

 

[rasadkowski]

Thanks Lisa F! I am thinking possibly our last day, too. I feel like we should get the park hoppers just so we can be more flexible with our ADRs. Or...I should just stop obsessing over it

 

[Lisa F]

Thanks Lisa F! I am thinking possibly our last day, too. I feel like we should get the park hoppers just so we can be more flexible with our ADRs. Or...I should just stop obsessing over it

a friend just got 1900PF for her september trip for dinner before a halloween party which i'd expect is probably a pretty popular time (they don't go early). I think a lot opens the closer you get.

 

[Candycane83]

@Talby I was looking for an earlier time on Dec 8. I have a 6:20 reservation but since we're doing the Xmas party I was hoping for a slightly earlier time. Not a big deal if I don't find it but of course it doesn't stop me from stalking MDE! Lol

@rasadkowski for how many are you looking for? I'm sure you'll be able to find something, just a matter of time and persistence!

 

[PolyRob]

This announcement has me reconsidering my itinerary again. My drop AK nighttime activities since it seems like it may not end up happening, move HS night, and add a non-party MK night!

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...eads-to-disneyland-resort-for-a-limited-time/

 

[Lisa F]

This announcement has me reconsidering my itinerary again. My drop AK nighttime activities since it seems like it may not end up happening, move HS night, and add a non-party MK night!

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...eads-to-disneyland-resort-for-a-limited-time/

are you assuming WDW will get paint the night? the rumors are that DL won't give it up but maybe it's been traded.

 

[Candycane83]

This announcement has me reconsidering my itinerary again. My drop AK nighttime activities since it seems like it may not end up happening, move HS night, and add a non-party MK night!

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...eads-to-disneyland-resort-for-a-limited-time/

So I guess the rumor that it is stopping is true! But I wonder if there will be any night time parade running in December...

Edit to add: wondering again what they would do with all those people with reservations at Tony's for the parade...