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

[Candycane83]

I tried to make it perfect for DH in 2012 (his very first trip too), it ended up that he enjoyed it but didn't love it. We went for F&W, between Halloween and Christmas so we went to both parties. There were some things he really enjoyed and asked to do again (BOG). But other than that, he knows we're going for DS2 and me. He compromises. This is why I think the next compromise will come further down the road. I completely agree with @Lisa F there's so many more things we would like to include but there's always next time... (no matter how far away it is).

The planning, on the other hand, is taking a toll on me! It's really the balance you are looking for to make things more enjoyable even if you miss stuff! It's hard because you can't just stop and rest if you're chasing after an ADR or FP... yet it's also hard not to book those things when you know it's needed!!

 

[pigletgirl]

Okay. I'm just not sure what there is to argue about lol. I guess that is a good thing.

is anyone else having trouble with the disboards this morning? running very slow and buggy for me.

It can be. But it's great to see that it can stay civil.

Please trust me when I say this: It's never enough. We have 10 days and I'm STILL struggling to get everything figured out and make sure we're spending enough time in each park and not running ourselves ragged getting to ADR's and... and... and...

Are you staying on site? I know someone around here decided to stay offsite but I don't think that was you. Anyway, maybe you should check your 2017 calendar and be prepared to book a bounceback while you're there. It only takes a $200 deposit and you can still cancel and get your deposit back if you decide not to go, but having something booked can really take the sting out of leaving.

I second booking a BB! It does totally help!

 

[JamieOak]

I have read that in general the waits are long for Soarin' and TT - there is mass exodus after Illuminations to those rides. Toward the end of EMH they might shorten up though. I imagine FEA has a similar problem though articles I have read are pre FEA. I do wonder if Soarin' might be doable due to the double whammy of an extra theater opening and FEA taking up some of the soarin' crowd.

That said if your primary goal is to do tier 2 rides, the lines for that stuff is short. It is more crowded than morning EMH but less crowded than a regular park day. There is a LOT to do in Epcot that is NOT a headliner ride and it's a good time to do that stuff. For world showcase you can walk around but some shops might be closed. The shows that they run won't be running extra shows.

My plan right now is to head over after Fantasmic... so I should be at Epcot by 8. I am wondering whether I might want to do the FP+ location for viewing or FP+ Soarin'. Kiddo LOVES Soarin and I promised him at least two rides on it.

My plan right now is on my LONG epcot day to RD Soarin' and FP+ FEA, SDFP TT
then the next night is EMH and thinking I might want to FP+ soarin' and just find a place to watch Illuminations
then the next morning we have 10am Garden Grill and I might just FP+ Soarin' for 11-12 and then when I get on the ride book my other to MK FP+ for the evening. Availability should be pretty decent because the park is open late and I want to FP for late (after 7pm).

Just not sure what to do for EMH. It is a PRIME time to FP+ the viewing spot and the viewing spot is a prime location to exit into future world after the fireworks for EMH.

thoughts? (not just you but anyone lol)

As always, you've brought up some good points I wasn't considering. Like what in WS might be closed for EMHs and even what rides are open for EMHs. Since it's our first time in EP for the trip, I'd definitely be OK doing the non-headliner rides that night. We return to EP at RD the next morning, so that's when we'll have a more structured touring plan for hitting the headliners and FPs.

Another thought for us is that we will actually have 2 sets of items that will work for SDFPs (since they voided our first MVMCP physical tickets I now have those). This could come in handy on days we park hop. At the 2nd park, we could get 3 SDFPs each, instead of one at a time. Depending on what time we enter the 2nd park and get to a kiosk, this could be helpful or not so helpful based on what is available. So it's not something I can really rely on for planning.

 

[JamieOak]

I just read that Stitch's Great Escape will only be open seasonly starting October 2nd, and not open daily. I didn't find any specifics on what days it would be open at this point.

 

[pigletgirl]

I tried to make it perfect for DH in 2012 (his very first trip too), it ended up that he enjoyed it but didn't love it. We went for F&W, between Halloween and Christmas so we went to both parties. There were some things he really enjoyed and asked to do again (BOG). But other than that, he knows we're going for DS2 and me. He compromises. This is why I think the next compromise will come further down the road. I completely agree with @Lisa F there's so many more things we would like to include but there's always next time... (no matter how far away it is).

The planning, on the other hand, is taking a toll on me! It's really the balance you are looking for to make things more enjoyable even if you miss stuff! It's hard because you can't just stop and rest if you're chasing after an ADR or FP... yet it's also hard not to book those things when you know it's needed!!

This is our 3rd trip in 3 years and I've now learned that you really can't do everything you'd like in one trip. I've even been calling this trip "the chaotic trip" because I know things we're planning to do, won't happen. There's always another trip!

Speaking of another trip, does anyone have plans for a trip in the future (other than Nov-Dec 2016?)

 

[rasadkowski]

I tried to make it perfect for DH in 2012 (his very first trip too), it ended up that he enjoyed it but didn't love it. We went for F&W, between Halloween and Christmas so we went to both parties. There were some things he really enjoyed and asked to do again (BOG). But other than that, he knows we're going for DS2 and me. He compromises. This is why I think the next compromise will come further down the road. I completely agree with @Lisa F there's so many more things we would like to include but there's always next time... (no matter how far away it is).

The planning, on the other hand, is taking a toll on me! It's really the balance you are looking for to make things more enjoyable even if you miss stuff! It's hard because you can't just stop and rest if you're chasing after an ADR or FP... yet it's also hard not to book those things when you know it's needed!!

That is exactly it for me @Candycane83 . For touring plans , you just have no idea when something pops up. I'm attached to my phone, and I hate it but, it is my choice I know.

 

[areno79]

How's everyone doing with their FP planning? I feel like I'm behind...

I put my Epcot day into TP last night and it's a hot mess. Even with getting a FP+ for FEA, getting there 30 mins before rope drop and booking it right over to Soarin, it still has me down as an almost 30 min wait at RD. It also tried to tell me I'll have a 45 min wait at Elsa/Anna MG. I think Epcot is one of the parks I'm going to have to wing it a bit.

 

[JamieOak]

I just read this on another thread for Stitch's Great Escape:

"Last day is October 1st. Then closed until November 19th, opened until November 26th then closed again until December 17th"

Link to thread for those that want to follow:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/stitchs-great-escape-is-going-seasonal.3549141/

 

[TiggerManiac]

Thanks for the well wishes, it's highly appreciated!

Anyway, we got our ME information today in the mail with our tags (that we won't be using, but they're still fun to receive!

I know this can be a hot button, but I feel like I could ask in this thread-- does anyone have any worry about Zika?

We're doubly-protected against any baby possibilities: DH was snipped years ago; I'm post-menopause (happens in the mid-40s in my family). So for us personally, no, I'm not worried about contracting Zika. If the CDC changes their stance on how troublesome it can be for anyone in general or people of our ages to contract it, then I might reconsider.

If we were still capable of making babies, I'd be investing in some highly-effective birth control methods and utilize them before, during, and for a LONG time after our trip. If I wanted to try to make a baby any time in the near future, I'd cancel the trip. Babies are one of the few things more important than a Disney trip, after all.

 

[Candycane83]

I put my Epcot day into TP last night and it's a hot mess. Even with getting a FP+ for FEA, getting there 30 mins before rope drop and booking it right over to Soarin, it still has me down as an almost 30 min wait at RD. It also tried to tell me I'll have a 45 min wait at Elsa/Anna MG. I think Epcot is one of the parks I'm going to have to wing it a bit.

I think that is the problem with FEA. I tried putting it after my PPO and it still had that 30-45min wait so I took it out and placed other things instead. My other problem is that it does not account for meet and greet so I have the route I want to take but don't really know how long wait times will be. We will probably wing it too and skip stuff that has too much of a wait. Might resort to using SDFP there too... Hoping for Soarin, rider swap so we will see... Oh yeah and according to reports I've seen (not recently though) it's better to see Ana and Elsa later in the afternoon, instead of the morning.

 

[TiggerManiac]

I just read that Stitch's Great Escape will only be open seasonly starting October 2nd, and not open daily. I didn't find any specifics on what days it would be open at this point.

No problem for me! DH and I had already decided we'd be skipping it in favor of the many things we like much better.

For those of you who enjoy it, I'm sorry you'll miss it.

 

[areno79]

I am flying home saturday too. kiddo definitely needs a recovery day and I do too. I did add a day at the beginning, I think it is less disruptive to leave a day early (flying out on friday rather than saturday and later in the day so we will spend the day traveling rather than being up at the "butt crack" of dawn to fly out on saturday and still spend saturday at the parks... now we have a full (and hopefully rested) day on Saturday).

This. Originally we were planning a Saturday-Saturday. Then I realized I wanted a USO day, so looked at Sat-Sun. But it's just too stressful worrying about weather in New England and potentially getting stuck and missing work. So we changed it to Friday-Saturday. Yes we get in a little late on Friday, but not so late that we can't be up for RD the next morning

I just read this on another thread for Stitch's Great Escape:

"Last day is October 1st. Then closed until November 19th, opened until November 26th then closed again until December 17th"

Link to thread for those that want to follow:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/stitchs-great-escape-is-going-seasonal.3549141/

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I'm a little bummed by this. I (obviously) love Stitch. And as lame as that ride is, we still go on it because it has Stitch. I wonder why they're changing to a seasonal opening though? Will it have something else in the interim? Off to check out the thread to see if there's any more info...

 

[Candycane83]

I just read this on another thread for Stitch's Great Escape:

"Last day is October 1st. Then closed until November 19th, opened until November 26th then closed again until December 17th"

Link to thread for those that want to follow:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/stitchs-great-escape-is-going-seasonal.3549141/

Not going to ride is as DS is not tall enough but hopefully no one would be too devastated by this... Although I will say, Disney is sure taking away a lot of things this end of the year...

 

[areno79]

Did the travel agent make your ME reservation or did you? If you don't get your tags by the time you are 30 days out, then I would call ME and check it out. You can register online for the Magical Express if no one did it yet.

I have barely thought about it except to realize that I will have to book my fp+s at AK that day if I want to see Rivers of Light.

We are lucky enough to be able to ride the new Frozen ride before our fp window opens for the December trip. So I will know if I need to worry about riding it again. The same goes for Soarin'. But I usually match fp+s to ADR's, so that helps.

They said they did enter the ME info into my res when I gave them my flight info, but I'm not 100% sure. I'm going to double check my MDE to make sure it's there. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[areno79]

I think that is the problem with FEA. I tried putting it after my PPO and it still had that 30-45min wait so I took it out and placed other things instead. My other problem is that it does not account for meet and greet so I have the route I want to take but don't really know how long wait times will be. We will probably wing it too and skip stuff that has too much of a wait. Might resort to using SDFP there too... Hoping for Soarin, rider swap so we will see... Oh yeah and according to reports I've seen (not recently though) it's better to see Ana and Elsa later in the afternoon, instead of the morning.

I had read the same thing about Anna and Elsa; I'm planning on an afternoon FP+ for FEA (after our noon lunch at Garden Grill), so I thought the M&G would be fine at that time. No way DH is going to want to wait 45 minutes for the M&G.

We are definitely planning on using SDFP at Epcot (mostly for TT), I'm just now sure if it's better to hit the kiosk first, or go to Soarin first and then go to the SDFP kiosk. @Lisa F what do you think?

 

[Meeko5]

I put my Epcot day into TP last night and it's a hot mess. Even with getting a FP+ for FEA, getting there 30 mins before rope drop and booking it right over to Soarin, it still has me down as an almost 30 min wait at RD. It also tried to tell me I'll have a 45 min wait at Elsa/Anna MG. I think Epcot is one of the parks I'm going to have to wing it a bit.

Same! What the heck!! I gave up on Epcot last week but now need to sit down and go back over it all because FP day is looming. ugh.

 

[Lisa F]

As always, you've brought up some good points I wasn't considering. Like what in WS might be closed for EMHs and even what rides are open for EMHs. Since it's our first time in EP for the trip, I'd definitely be OK doing the non-headliner rides that night. We return to EP at RD the next morning, so that's when we'll have a more structured touring plan for hitting the headliners and FPs.

Another thought for us is that we will actually have 2 sets of items that will work for SDFPs (since they voided our first MVMCP physical tickets I now have those). This could come in handy on days we park hop. At the 2nd park, we could get 3 SDFPs each, instead of one at a time. Depending on what time we enter the 2nd park and get to a kiosk, this could be helpful or not so helpful based on what is available. So it's not something I can really rely on for planning.

lol i am half wondering if i should ask ex for his used magicbands. would just allow me to make two sdfp in overlapping times. it would probably be most useful in the MK. He traveled with his parents last time so he has his and theirs, if I could get my hands on their old tickets or something I might end up using them!

 

[Candycane83]

By the way, does anyone think DHS hours will be extended? I see that the Star Wars fireworks schedule has been updated until Nov 5, which is the last day it closes at 8pm. Starting Nov 6, DHS closes at 7pm... Wonder if they will update this anytime soon...

 

[Lisa F]

I tried to make it perfect for DH in 2012 (his very first trip too), it ended up that he enjoyed it but didn't love it. We went for F&W, between Halloween and Christmas so we went to both parties. There were some things he really enjoyed and asked to do again (BOG). But other than that, he knows we're going for DS2 and me. He compromises. This is why I think the next compromise will come further down the road. I completely agree with @Lisa F there's so many more things we would like to include but there's always next time... (no matter how far away it is).

The planning, on the other hand, is taking a toll on me! It's really the balance you are looking for to make things more enjoyable even if you miss stuff! It's hard because you can't just stop and rest if you're chasing after an ADR or FP... yet it's also hard not to book those things when you know it's needed!!

you might all be tired of me acting like I know it all, lol, but I know exactly how that feels. When I took kiddo in 2014 it felt like a 1 shot deal to me. I didn't think I'd ever be able to take him again, it was once in a lifetime, everything had to be perfect and it was SO MUCH STRESS. At the end of the trip it was so great I promised to take him 2 years later. It occurred to me "why not? If I did this once I can do it again!" so here we are now. there is always a way to make it back if you want to... maybe not yearly and maybe not even in 2 years and maybe you go solo without a grumpy husband who doesn't want to go or bring your mom with you or whatever... but IMO the only true limitations are what you think they are. Sure I could hit financial bumps and have to put stuff off. But it's not a "never" it's a "not right now." TRULY having that perspective really takes a lot of pressure off.

 

[Lisa F]

now someone help me with my epcot evening EMH question!