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

[Wood Nymph]

what is everyone's favorite must do at each park aside from things you can fp Or reserve!

Things you can't fastpass -
MK - hands down it is the PeopleMover - we have to do this ride every time we visit the park
Epcot - we really like to listen to the British Revolution at UK - the band is very good and we love the music they play
DHS - we really like all the new Star Wars stuff, since we have been Star Wars fans since the first movie came out - we plan to see the afternoon stage show and the fireworks
AK - we often skip this park. DH really dislikes it. But we will go there for Tusker House for breakfast if we are with our kids, or Yak & Yeti for dinner for just the two of us, and then we will add the safari to that. We are hoping to see Rivers of Light and have made a Yak & Yeti reservation in hopes that we will be able to see it that night

 

[Candycane83]

Morning, all! I have a question for everyone! I was wondering, what is everyone's favorite must do at each park aside from things you can fp Or reserve!
Including shows/ snacks etc! Any ONE thing that you just have to do!
Sorry if this has been discussed

Mine would likely be:
MK: the tiki room! I think the girls will love that and want to go back!

EPCOT: I'd say it's visiting inside Mexico !! I'd say it was the Mexico ride but I haven't been there since they changed it!!

AK: never been there, but I'm going to guess the bird show, or some sort of snack there the food sounds great here!!

HS: never been

Oh that's tough! for me, it would be:
MK: train/ Main Street vehicle for DS I think... He loves cars/ trains
Epcot: WS snacks and santas probably water fountains for DS lol
AK: wildlife express and petting zoo might be interesting to DS
DHS: Disney Jr? Olaf? Not really so sure with a toddler

Edit: MK castle lighting! Someone reminded me on the other thread about this!!! I think DS would love all the lights

 

[areno79]

MK- We *have* to ride the train at least once around the park. It's a great way to take a break and see the park from a different view

EP- Churros from Mexico. I think it's the tipping point that got DH to agree to a trip!

HS- Besides TSMM, our only must do is eating lunch at Sci-Fi. We just love the ambience and it's nice to take a break in the middle of the day.

AK- Hmm, no real must-do's besides the safari. We do enjoy the Yak & Yeti quick service.

 

[rasadkowski]

Oh that's tough! for me, it would be:
MK: train/ Main Street vehicle for DS I think... He loves cars/ trains
Epcot: WS snacks and santas probably water fountains for DS lol
AK: wildlife express and petting zoo might be interesting to DS
DHS: Disney Jr? Olaf? Not really so sure with a toddler

Edit: MK castle lighting! Someone reminded me on the other thread about this!!! I think DS would love all the lights

Oh yes!!! Is that the Elsa one?

 

[Mal6586]

Morning, all! I have a question for everyone! I was wondering, what is everyone's favorite must do at each park aside from things you can fp Or reserve!
Including shows/ snacks etc! Any ONE thing that you just have to do!
Sorry if this has been discussed

Mine would likely be:
MK: the tiki room! I think the girls will love that and want to go back!

EPCOT: I'd say it's visiting inside Mexico !! I'd say it was the Mexico ride but I haven't been there since they changed it!!

AK: never been there, but I'm going to guess the bird show, or some sort of snack there the food sounds great here!!

HS: never been

At Magic Kingdom, I love to go for multiple spins on the Peoplemover after lunch. It's so relaxing, and lets me kind of reset before gearing back up for the afternoon.

I don't really have anything in particular at Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios. Those are the parks I've been to the least, but so far my favs are rides that need Fast passes.

At Epcot, I just love people watching. I like to sit in the World Showcase with a snack, and generally roomie and I will make up stories about people we see, whether it's "Oh they are definitely on their honeymoon, look how touchy feely they are!" or "That little girl is about 900% done. I bet she's gonna be asleep in that stroller before they make it to Japan." That kind of thing. It's fun imagining what other people's trips are like.

 

[Candycane83]

Oh yes!!! Is that the Elsa one?

Here's the link meeko5 posted: http://wdwprepschool.com/holiday-christmas-season-at-disney-world/

Lots of great info!!

 

[Meeko5]

Hi all! Coming out of lurkdom on this thread to say hello

Myself, DH, DS7, and DS2 will be at ASSp from 11/25-12/3 (hopefully the early pop warner arrivals will be tame!). We took the kids for the first time last October and had such a blast we decided to surprise them with another trip this year. We jumped on the FD promotion and can't wait to try some new restaurants along with favorites from last year.

Here's our itinerary:
11/25: 2:25pm arrival at MCO - settle in, and possibly head to AoA so DS2 can see the Cars stuff since he's obsessed with everything Cars. Pizza delivery (Giordanos, since we can't get it here and it's DH's favorite) and hang at the resort.
11/26: Putt putt at Winter Summerland with package vouchers, then to DS to shop and hit Trex for 4pm dinner. Early to bed this night.
11/27 - 8am EMH at DSH - priorities will be Jedi training, use the FP, have 3:10 H&V dinner and then probably call it an early night.
11/28 - Epcot morning to hit the rides. 2:45 meal at Garden Grill. Hop to HS for SW Fireworks (assuming they dont change the current schedule)
11/29 - MK. 8:20 PPO at BOG. 6:50 dinner at WCC.
11/30 - RD HS to hit DS7's faves again. Afternoon in Epcot, Teppan Edo lunch or dinner (have both, need to decide!), then hop to MK for nighttime and EMH. Hopefully my kids can hang for this LONG day. I *need* to see castle lighting and Wishes.
12/1 - AK day. 6:15 dinner at Boma.
12/2: last MK day. BOG lunch at 12:35, 'Ohana dinner at 6:30. No parties for us.
12/3: home plane leaves 9:45 am.

Other info: We booked this trip on a new MDE so we can use last year's MB for SDFP. pretty excited about this and hoping it works out great. my youngest will turn 3 on New Years Day, so this trip will be a "last time we can get him in free at WDW" slash birthday trip for him. I grew up going to WDW every 1-2 years and staying with my grandparents in Zephyrhills. We did Disney on the cheap and picnicked in our car. I'm loving being able to take my kids and experience WDW and relive my memories and make new ones. DH only went once when he was 4 so the nostalgia factor isn't there for him - works for me, since I do all the planning!

 

[BDFmom]

Hi all! Coming out of lurkdom on this thread to say hello

Myself, DH, DS7, and DS2 will be at ASSp from 11/25-12/3 (hopefully the early pop warner arrivals will be tame!). We took the kids for the first time last October and had such a blast we decided to surprise them with another trip this year. We jumped on the FD promotion and can't wait to try some new restaurants along with favorites from last year.

Here's our itinerary:
11/25: 2:25pm arrival at MCO - settle in, and possibly head to AoA so DS2 can see the Cars stuff since he's obsessed with everything Cars. Pizza delivery (Giordanos, since we can't get it here and it's DH's favorite) and hang at the resort.
11/26: Putt putt at Winter Summerland with package vouchers, then to DS to shop and hit Trex for 4pm dinner. Early to bed this night.
11/27 - 8am EMH at DSH - priorities will be Jedi training, use the FP, have 3:10 H&V dinner and then probably call it an early night.
11/28 - Epcot morning to hit the rides. 2:45 meal at Garden Grill. Hop to HS for SW Fireworks (assuming they dont change the current schedule)
11/29 - MK. 8:20 PPO at BOG. 6:50 dinner at WCC.
11/30 - RD HS to hit DS7's faves again. Afternoon in Epcot, Teppan Edo lunch or dinner (have both, need to decide!), then hop to MK for nighttime and EMH. Hopefully my kids can hang for this LONG day. I *need* to see castle lighting and Wishes.
12/1 - AK day. 6:15 dinner at Boma.
12/2: last MK day. BOG lunch at 12:35, 'Ohana dinner at 6:30. No parties for us.
12/3: home plane leaves 9:45 am.

Other info: We booked this trip on a new MDE so we can use last year's MB for SDFP. pretty excited about this and hoping it works out great. my youngest will turn 3 on New Years Day, so this trip will be a "last time we can get him in free at WDW" slash birthday trip for him. I grew up going to WDW every 1-2 years and staying with my grandparents in Zephyrhills. We did Disney on the cheap and picnicked in our car. I'm loving being able to take my kids and experience WDW and relive my memories and make new ones. DH only went once when he was 4 so the nostalgia factor isn't there for him - works for me, since I do all the planning!

 

[BDFmom]

I was checking out the availability of SDFP this morning....
MK - everything available except PP, 7DMT, Belle
EP- No FAE, earliest Soaring 3pm
HS/AK - everything available including 9:15 Toy story and Safari

I hope the trend continues for our trips!!!

 

[JamieOak]

11/29 - MK. 8:20 PPO at BOG. 6:50 dinner at WCC.
11/30 - RD HS to hit DS7's faves again. Afternoon in Epcot, Teppan Edo lunch or dinner (have both, need to decide!), then hop to MK for nighttime and EMH. Hopefully my kids can hang for this LONG day. I *need* to see castle lighting and Wishes.

Glad you joined! Now you can join the few of us who post on both threads and are utterly confused on which we posted where.

I just realized that we have pretty much the exact same schedule for 11/29 and 11/30. Small exception is we are doing EMM on 11/29 instead of a PPO breakfast. And we plan to hop over to Epcot to finish out the day on 11/29 for EMHs (and a looong day for us!). Then RD HS on 11/30, then hop over to MK for EMHs for another long day, but likely with a long break at the hotel somewhere in there. Then we get to sleep in on 12/1 because that's our MVMCP night and we won't go to the park until 4pm.

 

[JamieOak]

I was checking out the availability of SDFP this morning....
MK - everything available except PP, 7DMT, Belle
EP- No FAE, earliest Soaring 3pm
HS/AK - everything available including 9:15 Toy story and Safari

I hope the trend continues for our trips!!!

Thanks for sharing! I love when people share this, even though I can look too. I often forget. I didn't look last night until 8pm and that wasn't too helpful since most parks closed at 9pm. But any info is helpful at least a little bit!

 

[Meeko5]

I was checking out the availability of SDFP this morning....
MK - everything available except PP, 7DMT, Belle
EP- No FAE, earliest Soaring 3pm
HS/AK - everything available including 9:15 Toy story and Safari

I hope the trend continues for our trips!!!

I saw that too. Very promising, though it's still lower crowds than it will be for most of our trip I think. I told my DH he and the youngest can go through bag check with the stroller, and I'll take the 7yo with no bags through the line then book it to the kiosk with the extra bands.

I'm still trying to decide whether booking a FEA FP then hoping like hell we can get SDFP for TT and Soarin is a better plan then getting FP for Soarin/TT (using baby swap we split them!) and booking it to FEA at RD. That one in particular is making me crazy...

 

[BDFmom]

I saw that too. Very promising, though it's still lower crowds than it will be for most of our trip I think. I told my DH he and the youngest can go through bag check with the stroller, and I'll take the 7yo with no bags through the line then book it to the kiosk with the extra bands.

I'm still trying to decide whether booking a FEA FP then hoping like hell we can get SDFP for TT and Soarin is a better plan then getting FP for Soarin/TT (using baby swap we split them!) and booking it to FEA at RD. That one in particular is making me crazy...

I think once we pass the 30 day mark and off site guests have booked their FP we'll have a better idea of potential SDFP availability.

 

[Meeko5]

I think once we pass the 30 day mark and off site guests have booked their FP we'll have a better idea of potential SDFP availability.

great point!

I'm thinking I'll just get a later FP for FEA on our split HS/Epcot day. We will already have had a day at Epcot to get TT/Soarin in, and was planning on the second half day to do WS so that will fit much better for us. We should be able to do quite a bit in HS that morning, especially if SDFP availability is good.

 

[JamieOak]

I saw that too. Very promising, though it's still lower crowds than it will be for most of our trip I think. I told my DH he and the youngest can go through bag check with the stroller, and I'll take the 7yo with no bags through the line then book it to the kiosk with the extra bands.

I'm still trying to decide whether booking a FEA FP then hoping like hell we can get SDFP for TT and Soarin is a better plan then getting FP for Soarin/TT (using baby swap we split them!) and booking it to FEA at RD. That one in particular is making me crazy...

Hmmm you got me thinking now that I'll have DH go through bag check with the backpack and my purse if I have one and I could go to a kiosk. But I'm almost too afraid I'll lose him that way! I better print him out his own set of park maps and pin them to his shirt.

I purposefully started making TPs in this order...AK, MK, HS, EP...because I think it's from easiest to hardest. The tiers especially make it difficult. But the good news is that we are planning lots of evenings in Epcot until park close, so I think that alleviates some of the worry that we might have to deal with long lines if we don't get the FPs. The FEA line should be manageable in 11:25pm on Tuesday 11/29 I hope!

 

[Candycane83]

Hi all! Coming out of lurkdom on this thread to say hello

Myself, DH, DS7, and DS2 will be at ASSp from 11/25-12/3 (hopefully the early pop warner arrivals will be tame!). We took the kids for the first time last October and had such a blast we decided to surprise them with another trip this year. We jumped on the FD promotion and can't wait to try some new restaurants along with favorites from last year.

Here's our itinerary:
11/25: 2:25pm arrival at MCO - settle in, and possibly head to AoA so DS2 can see the Cars stuff since he's obsessed with everything Cars. Pizza delivery (Giordanos, since we can't get it here and it's DH's favorite) and hang at the resort.
11/26: Putt putt at Winter Summerland with package vouchers, then to DS to shop and hit Trex for 4pm dinner. Early to bed this night.
11/27 - 8am EMH at DSH - priorities will be Jedi training, use the FP, have 3:10 H&V dinner and then probably call it an early night.
11/28 - Epcot morning to hit the rides. 2:45 meal at Garden Grill. Hop to HS for SW Fireworks (assuming they dont change the current schedule)
11/29 - MK. 8:20 PPO at BOG. 6:50 dinner at WCC.
11/30 - RD HS to hit DS7's faves again. Afternoon in Epcot, Teppan Edo lunch or dinner (have both, need to decide!), then hop to MK for nighttime and EMH. Hopefully my kids can hang for this LONG day. I *need* to see castle lighting and Wishes.
12/1 - AK day. 6:15 dinner at Boma.
12/2: last MK day. BOG lunch at 12:35, 'Ohana dinner at 6:30. No parties for us.
12/3: home plane leaves 9:45 am.

Other info: We booked this trip on a new MDE so we can use last year's MB for SDFP. pretty excited about this and hoping it works out great. my youngest will turn 3 on New Years Day, so this trip will be a "last time we can get him in free at WDW" slash birthday trip for him. I grew up going to WDW every 1-2 years and staying with my grandparents in Zephyrhills. We did Disney on the cheap and picnicked in our car. I'm loving being able to take my kids and experience WDW and relive my memories and make new ones. DH only went once when he was 4 so the nostalgia factor isn't there for him - works for me, since I do all the planning!

So happy you popped in!

 

[pigletgirl]

Morning, all! I have a question for everyone! I was wondering, what is everyone's favorite must do at each park aside from things you can fp Or reserve!
Including shows/ snacks etc! Any ONE thing that you just have to do!
Sorry if this has been discussed

Mine would likely be:
MK: the tiki room! I think the girls will love that and want to go back!

EPCOT: I'd say it's visiting inside Mexico !! I'd say it was the Mexico ride but I haven't been there since they changed it!!

AK: never been there, but I'm going to guess the bird show, or some sort of snack there the food sounds great here!!

HS: never been

Food!!

AK: Dolewhip with rum! Then I saw someone add the tajin chili powder on top. Can't wait to try that!
HS: Carrot cake cookie! Possibly the seasonal milkshake at Min and Bills
Epcot: Crepes, pretzel from Germany, Fish and chips from the UK!
MK: Mickey Pretzel, Popcorn, Mickey bar (the classics!)

For the holidays, I'm thrilled to see the narrators for each country regarding their own Christmas/holiday traditions! Also, any of the other performers there too. In AK, we love the street performers, and DD danced and danced last year. They were a lot of fun! Of course in MK, we love the Dapper Dans!

Hi all! Coming out of lurkdom on this thread to say hello

Myself, DH, DS7, and DS2 will be at ASSp from 11/25-12/3 (hopefully the early pop warner arrivals will be tame!). We took the kids for the first time last October and had such a blast we decided to surprise them with another trip this year. We jumped on the FD promotion and can't wait to try some new restaurants along with favorites from last year.

Here's our itinerary:
11/25: 2:25pm arrival at MCO - settle in, and possibly head to AoA so DS2 can see the Cars stuff since he's obsessed with everything Cars. Pizza delivery (Giordanos, since we can't get it here and it's DH's favorite) and hang at the resort.
11/26: Putt putt at Winter Summerland with package vouchers, then to DS to shop and hit Trex for 4pm dinner. Early to bed this night.
11/27 - 8am EMH at DSH - priorities will be Jedi training, use the FP, have 3:10 H&V dinner and then probably call it an early night.
11/28 - Epcot morning to hit the rides. 2:45 meal at Garden Grill. Hop to HS for SW Fireworks (assuming they dont change the current schedule)
11/29 - MK. 8:20 PPO at BOG. 6:50 dinner at WCC.
11/30 - RD HS to hit DS7's faves again. Afternoon in Epcot, Teppan Edo lunch or dinner (have both, need to decide!), then hop to MK for nighttime and EMH. Hopefully my kids can hang for this LONG day. I *need* to see castle lighting and Wishes.
12/1 - AK day. 6:15 dinner at Boma.
12/2: last MK day. BOG lunch at 12:35, 'Ohana dinner at 6:30. No parties for us.
12/3: home plane leaves 9:45 am.

Other info: We booked this trip on a new MDE so we can use last year's MB for SDFP. pretty excited about this and hoping it works out great. my youngest will turn 3 on New Years Day, so this trip will be a "last time we can get him in free at WDW" slash birthday trip for him. I grew up going to WDW every 1-2 years and staying with my grandparents in Zephyrhills. We did Disney on the cheap and picnicked in our car. I'm loving being able to take my kids and experience WDW and relive my memories and make new ones. DH only went once when he was 4 so the nostalgia factor isn't there for him - works for me, since I do all the planning!

So glad to have you here with us! Happy planning!

 

[Talby]

@Meeko5 WELCOME!! Glad you came out of lurkdom! Your plans sound so fun!!

@JamieOak Thanks for sharing that screen shot of your Touring Plans. I cannot figure out how to show all those FP options that are shown on yours?? Do you know what you did exactly to get those to appear on your plan? I'm thinking it must be in the FP reservation section somehow? I've been playing around with it and at first I was really frustrated but I think I'm catching on! I am loving how it gives the walking times to attractions. I also really like that you can add breaks! I definitely want to be able to shop or get a snack or check out "whatever" so I've been tucking some breaks in here and there. "Planned spontaneity" is how I think of it. lol

@Maryemcd That photo is breathtaking. Hope you are enjoying your time there!!

 

[Meeko5]

Thanks for the assurance! I'm hoping that he would be wide eyed and enjoys it when we get there, somehow he is not into any of the videos I show him! I guess since this will be our first (long) family trip, it's getting overhwelming thinking about every aspect of the trip. One day I'm so worried about what he would eat, the next I'm worried how much he would nap, how he would like shows, how he would wait in line... Ahhh im going nuts thinking about all this! Sorry for the rant

my 22 month old was just happy to do whatever we did. he only had a few minor meltdowns and that was right before he conked out for a midday nap in the stroller. My the 6yo was obsessed with watching park ride videos so the little one got excited too and would happily watch anything disney related but didn't "get" it anyway.

Once were there I was pleasantly surprised at how he did. He's never sat in a stroller more than 20 minutes at home, and only ever napped in his bed. Yes at times he insisted on walking or being carried, but that was expected. He loved just running around empty areas jumping in puddles, chasing lizards, etc. His absolute favorite non-attraction was actually watching the rides - SDMT was his favorite thing to watch, then Splash mountain. He would scream in excitement everytime a boat came down the hill. It was awesome We never waited more than 20 minutes in any line with him and he did great just people watching.

Best advice - be prepared with tools to curb any meltdowns. Treats, snacks, stickers, etc. Give him lots of time to run and walk when he can.

 

[JamieOak]

@JamieOak Thanks for sharing that screen shot of your Touring Plans. I cannot figure out how to show all those FP options that are shown on yours?? Do you know what you did exactly to get those to appear on your plan? I'm thinking it must be in the FP reservation section somehow? I've been playing around with it and at first I was really frustrated but I think I'm catching on! I am loving how it gives the walking times to attractions. I also really like that you can add breaks! I definitely want to be able to shop or get a snack or check out "whatever" so I've been tucking some breaks in here and there. "Planned spontaneity" is how I think of it. lol

I also agree that you need to consider how much "free time" it is reporting for the day. In my AK plan posted there was only like 23 minutes I think, and that doesn't seem like enough! But that corresponds with many other comments about optimizing the order of things so I'm not crossing the park as much, which should result in more free time. Plus I think I'll remove some items and save them for another day when I return later in the trip.

Sure I can explain the FPs in TP! It's located at the top of the page, before your plan. In the screenshot below for one of my in process MK TPs, you can click "Add Reservation" and then the drop down menu directly above popped up. I then selected Space Mountain (based on the TP recommendations you see below) and the arrival window start time. Additionally, you can click where I've circled for "Advanced Options" and then tell it how many FPs you will have for that day in the park. I just have the standard 3 FPs because this is a park hop day for me and I'm currently planning to use advance FPs at the later park (Epcot) and SDFPs at MK in the morning.