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

[Candycane83]

Wow! Thank you so much for asking. @Candycane83 you are amazing! Here I am having enough trouble remembering my own dates and trying to make sense of all the madness that is planning a DW trip. And I see you on here daily remembering other people's important dates, helping all of us search for ADRs, and you always have nothing but kind words to say. So glad you decided to join this thread!

Back the topic at hand. I did really good with FP+ this morning. Logged on at 7am and got everything I was looking for at almost perfect times. All of the hard-to-gets fell into place perfectly. Scored FEA on our 2nd day which I wasn't expecting. It took a little more time than I had hoped. But I'm partly to blame for that because we're using rider swap on many of the rides so I made some FP+ for only 2 people. So it was tricky trying to fit in (in some cases) 5 FP+ per day around our ADRs and the other things were hoping to do in the parks (parades, nighttime shows, etc.) I still might want to tweak the times I have a little bit. All in all I'm really happy with how it worked out. When I get a chance I will post our itinerary. I really like hearing others opinions on touring plans.

Congrats!! That's so awesome! 5 fps a day! I just did an extra fp for one day at 7dmt and that was it for rider swap for me. Lol! Can't wait to see your itinerary! It'll be a work of art for sure

 

[Candycane83]

My day didn't go as planned. work was crazy and I didn't get done what I wanted due to being pulled into so many other things. Then I had to go to MedExpress because my left thumb swelled up twice it's size and very painful. We had picked up a load of 100 bales of hay this past Sunday and stacked it in our barn and I got some hay splinters because I didn't wear gloves, even though I made a point to go search for them before we left the house. Well I didn't get it all out and now it's infected. Walmart pharmacy was the only close one and they took forever. We did get to pick up the Kohls order of tshirts from last night, and bought a few more.... DH was so excited to find a Back to the Future shirt. It's unfortunate that ride is gone from Universal. It's one of the few I remember riding as a kid. That's DH's favorite movie(s).

DH says I'm a walking disaster lately. But I'm hopeful that I'm just getting it all out of my system before our big trip! And I've hit my deductible for the year so might as well get my use out of the insurance.

Oh no! I hope you feel better! Wow,100 bales of hay! Can't even imagine!

We just watched back to the future last weekend! So nostalgic, lol!

 

[JamieOak]

Nevermind it's gone...that was fast!

 

[Candycane83]

so...just out of curiosity, has anyone ever done a late night with a PPO the next morning? It's not absolutely necessary for our plans, but I'm trying to make some itty bitty changes
by late night..I mean the MVMCP. The plan would be leaving after the fireworks. Does anyone know if they are always held at 9:30? and is it usually jam-packed getting out?

so great of you to remember @Candycane83! Everyone had to put up with our excitement last week, we need to give a shout of good luck to this week's friends!! is his date tomorrow?

wow...I just noticed @Mintycake s little banner at the bottom...1 month, 3 weeks!! that is SOO SOON!!!!! yippeeee

The fireworks is later this year I think. It was 9:30 last year but looks like it will be 10 or 10:15 this year judging from MnSSHP. It'll be slightly later than you expect but with kids, I feel that sometimes even half an hour makes a difference for them. I don't think an early morning after mvmcp would work well...

 

[etzmn123]

Wow! Our insurance system is so weird. I was happy to find they worked out a payment plan over 18 months, no fees. So it's going to be very manageable. Phew!

I hope your knee is better now!

Thanks, it's mostly better but still working on strengthening it since I couldn't walk on it for nearly 3 months (I dislocated it pretty badly and destroyed the tendons so had to wait for them to regrow). I've been gradually doing more and more on it physically and it still gets tight and a little sore, so I still need to work up to Disney walking level!

 

[Lisa F]

Thank you! This is very helpful. 10-1015 fireworks makes a big difference. I think it'll be best we keep our original party date

we are all nothing if not honest! no yes men here, lol!

I agree with @Candycane83 that sometimes that half hour is a difference between "fine" and "meltdown."

 

[SilSprBea]

Wow! Thank you so much for asking. @Candycane83 you are amazing! Here I am having enough trouble remembering my own dates and trying to make sense of all the madness that is planning a DW trip. And I see you on here daily remembering other people's important dates, helping all of us search for ADRs, and you always have nothing but kind words to say. So glad you decided to join this thread!

Back the topic at hand. I did really good with FP+ this morning. Logged on at 7am and got everything I was looking for at almost perfect times. All of the hard-to-gets fell into place perfectly. Scored FEA on our 2nd day which I wasn't expecting. It took a little more time than I had hoped. But I'm partly to blame for that because we're using rider swap on many of the rides so I made some FP+ for only 2 people. So it was tricky trying to fit in (in some cases) 5 FP+ per day around our ADRs and the other things were hoping to do in the parks (parades, nighttime shows, etc.) I still might want to tweak the times I have a little bit. All in all I'm really happy with how it worked out. When I get a chance I will post our itinerary. I really like hearing others opinions on touring plans.

Out of curiosity, @Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL how did you do your FP for Hollywood Studios, if you all will be going there? I currently have three there-- Toy Story Mania, Star Tours, and Tower of Terror. I want to split my Tower of Terror and Star Tours into 2 for each of us and utilize rider swap since my DS can't ride either, but am wondering what to add as a third one that is not tier 1. Maybe the Little Mermaid? Not sure what would be best here or if adding a fast pass for a show makes any difference. We'll try and do some SDFP here but not sure it makes sense with the shows. We already have a Fantasmic dining package so we're covered for Fantasmic.

 

[Lisa F]

Out of curiosity, @Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL how did you do your FP for Hollywood Studios, if you all will be going there? I currently have three there-- Toy Story Mania, Star Tours, and Tower of Terror. I want to split my Tower of Terror and Star Tours into 2 for each of us and utilize rider swap since my DS can't ride either, but am wondering what to add as a third one that is not tier 1. Maybe the Little Mermaid? Not sure what would be best here or if adding a fast pass for a show makes any difference. We'll try and do some SDFP here but not sure it makes sense with the shows. We already have a Fantasmic dining package so we're covered for Fantasmic.

if you do rider swap you can both get in under one FP+?

 

[SilSprBea]

if you do rider swap you can both get in under one FP+?

Yes. You apparently go up with your entire party and say you want to use rider swap. They scan two FP+ (if you are 4 people splitting up in 2's) and then give you a rider swap pass for the other person to come back later. The person with the rider swap pass can bring multiple people with them. So, if I ride with my DD, then my DD can ride with my DH again and it was only FP+ for 2 people. I did this in my plans for MK with Splash and BTRR, but haven't done it in my plans for any of the other parks yet since in many cases it didn't make sense for us.

 

[areno79]

My day didn't go as planned. work was crazy and I didn't get done what I wanted due to being pulled into so many other things. Then I had to go to MedExpress because my left thumb swelled up twice it's size and very painful. We had picked up a load of 100 bales of hay this past Sunday and stacked it in our barn and I got some hay splinters because I didn't wear gloves, even though I made a point to go search for them before we left the house. Well I didn't get it all out and now it's infected. Walmart pharmacy was the only close one and they took forever. We did get to pick up the Kohls order of tshirts from last night, and bought a few more.... DH was so excited to find a Back to the Future shirt. It's unfortunate that ride is gone from Universal. It's one of the few I remember riding as a kid. That's DH's favorite movie(s).

DH says I'm a walking disaster lately. But I'm hopeful that I'm just getting it all out of my system before our big trip! And I've hit my deductible for the year so might as well get my use out of the insurance.

Oh no, you've had your share of health issues lately, huh? I hope this is it for you!!

Thanks, it's mostly better but still working on strengthening it since I couldn't walk on it for nearly 3 months (I dislocated it pretty badly and destroyed the tendons so had to wait for them to regrow). I've been gradually doing more and more on it physically and it still gets tight and a little sore, so I still need to work up to Disney walking level!

I have knee issues as well. Had surgery on both knees and my left knee is still not right. Basically waiting until I'm old enough to have a knee replacement. I am worried about all the walking in Disney. Knee problems suck!!

 

[areno79]

Thanks for the words of encouragement, guys. Today was only an 11 hour day so not as bad as the 13 hour day yesterday. I will be glad when this training is over and I can get home.
Last night I was so tired I as trying to order shirts on the disneystore website I fell asleep holding my phone and didn't get to place the order.

 

[Mintycake]

Thanks for the words of encouragement, guys. Today was only an 11 hour day so not as bad as the 13 hour day yesterday. I will be glad when this training is over and I can get home.
Last night I was so tired I as trying to order shirts on the disneystore website I fell asleep holding my phone and didn't get to place the order.

I keep telling myself that with all this hard work we are doing it will make wdw that much sweeter!

(Yes I'm posting from work).

 

[Maryemcd]

My husband doesn't care about Disney (he actually hates Disney) and thankfully has no real opinion on what we do or ride or eat, which is great! I can do what I want, as long as I don't buy him anything too cutesy to wear. I'm just hoping the kids Disney happiness washes off on him and he isn't too grumpy while we are there (maybe I should buy him a Grumpy t-shirt, LOL!)

Funny! But seriously, if he drinks alcohol getting him one or two will help! My DH and I went to Epcot for 1 day in January for our 15th anniversary. He had enjoyed it and the food on our honeymoon. He liked Sum of All Thrills, Mission Space, and Test Track but then was starting to get antsy. Was grumpy when we started World Showcase at 11:00 but after 2 beers in Morocco he was much happier.

I'm suddenly picturing a group of us at the SW dessert party and all the DISsers on one side chatting away excitedly about their trip so far and SDFPs they scored, and all the significant others grumbling and comparing notes about who has the craziest planner spouse.

FUNNY!

I'm looking over my plans and attempting to make them somewhat finalized. How does this sound? Just as an fyi we are styaing 4 nights at SOG then 3 nights at AK. We have a rental car and plan to do 1 day at Universal. Also this is our 1st trip 1) in more than 20 years since we were kids for both DH and I, and 2) traveling with a 17 month old.


Day 3- Tuesday
Check out the decorations at other resort, hang out by the pool maybe.
4pm head to MK for Party.
620 Be Our Guest dinner ( I know this will take away from some party stuff I'm hoping to move it earlier)

@CaleCakes - Seems like others have mentioned that you have a lot of meals scheduled. Is your Day 3 on Dec 6th? We're going to MVMCP that night (if that's the night you have scheduled too). I also have a BOG dinner, but even later than yours @7:55. I may end up cancelling it, but for now I have a Reservation Finder set up on Touring Plans. Have never been to BOG and would really like to see the Beast, but not sure if it's worth taking the time. Especially since the 6th is supposed to be a very low-crowd MVMCP.

I have 3 days at the MK and here are my FP+

...

edited to add I just made some changes to times while I was sitting here thinking about it. I had Splash Mountain a half hour earlier because I was trying to use my FP+ as quickly as I could in the day but now that I have the later 7DMT FP+ there is no reason to crowd my late morning/early afternoon. I am leaving room for a worst case scenario of not out of CP until 11:30 then we need to go see Muppets right away with no room for HM in between (we can shop for a bit and take our time walking there) or maybe if we have some time do hall of presidents before muppets then HM after... or maybe I should just plan for HM after and hall of presidents before if we have time... so just revised SDFP goal again lol.

@Lisa F - Uh-oh, editing your FP while typing your Dis posting?!?

I just made payments on two of my medical bills from my knee injury 4 months ago. How is it that 2 hours in the ER costs over $4000?! That doesn't even include xrays and the doctors fee. Luckily insurance paid $3600 but that's just insane. And the ambulance that was like $1500 (before insurance paid half).

Congrats on the PIN code!!

Hope everything is okay now!

Wow! Thank you so much for asking. @Candycane83 you are amazing! Here I am having enough trouble remembering my own dates and trying to make sense of all the madness that is planning a DW trip. And I see you on here daily remembering other people's important dates, helping all of us search for ADRs, and you always have nothing but kind words to say. So glad you decided to join this thread!

Back the topic at hand. I did really good with FP+ this morning. Logged on at 7am and got everything I was looking for at almost perfect times. All of the hard-to-gets fell into place perfectly. Scored FEA on our 2nd day which I wasn't expecting. It took a little more time than I had hoped. But I'm partly to blame for that because we're using rider swap on many of the rides so I made some FP+ for only 2 people. So it was tricky trying to fit in (in some cases) 5 FP+ per day around our ADRs and the other things were hoping to do in the parks (parades, nighttime shows, etc.) I still might want to tweak the times I have a little bit. All in all I'm really happy with how it worked out. When I get a chance I will post our itinerary. I really like hearing others opinions on touring plans.

@Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL - Congrats on the FP+ plans!

My day didn't go as planned. work was crazy and I didn't get done what I wanted due to being pulled into so many other things. Then I had to go to MedExpress because my left thumb swelled up twice it's size and very painful. We had picked up a load of 100 bales of hay this past Sunday and stacked it in our barn and I got some hay splinters because I didn't wear gloves, even though I made a point to go search for them before we left the house. Well I didn't get it all out and now it's infected. Walmart pharmacy was the only close one and they took forever. We did get to pick up the Kohls order of tshirts from last night, and bought a few more.... DH was so excited to find a Back to the Future shirt. It's unfortunate that ride is gone from Universal. It's one of the few I remember riding as a kid. That's DH's favorite movie(s).

DH says I'm a walking disaster lately. But I'm hopeful that I'm just getting it all out of my system before our big trip! And I've hit my deductible for the year so might as well get my use out of the insurance.

@JamieOak - take care of yourself! We're in the final stretch


Good morning to everyone else!! Getting close to the 30 day mark!

 

[rasadkowski]

Thanks for the words of encouragement, guys. Today was only an 11 hour day so not as bad as the 13 hour day yesterday. I will be glad when this training is over and I can get home.
Last night I was so tired I as trying to order shirts on the disneystore website I fell asleep holding my phone and didn't get to place the order.

that's a die hard Disney fan right there, folks!

 

[tacboze]

I also have a BOG dinner, but even later than yours @7:55. I may end up cancelling it, but for now I have a Reservation Finder set up on Touring Plans. Have never been to BOG and would really like to see the Beast, but not sure if it's worth taking the time. Especially since the 6th is supposed to be a very low-crowd MVMCP.

Just to help you in decision-making...
I also REALLY wanted to see the Beast, but was told by the CM that he isn't at BOG during parade time. Not sure what time he leaves BOG, but if your reservation is at 7:55, and parade starts at 8:15, I'm assuming he won't be there when you're done with dinner and would be going to his room to see him.

Someone correct me if they've heard otherwise, but I had the same problem as you and when I found out he wouldn't be there during our reservation time (8:35), it's value seemed much less to me.

BOG is still worth eating dinner at IMO on a regular night...wondering, though, if it's worth it on a party night if you can't see the Beast.

 

[rasadkowski]

we are all nothing if not honest! no yes men here, lol!

I agree with @Candycane83 that sometimes that half hour is a difference between "fine" and "meltdown."

That's why I love this group!

 

[Mal6586]

This may have already been discussed, and I just don't remember.

Pop Warner's party is at Animal Kingdom on the night of the 7th. They are staying at All Stars, Caribbean Beach, and Coronado.

http://www.popwarner.com/Assets/01-assets/championships/16forms/PW_Manual.Championships+16.pdf

I'd say that is pretty good confirmation Rivers of Light will be up and running by our dates. Why have a nighttime party if you don't have a nighttime show?

 

[SilSprBea]

Sharing my plans for my first two days, which are MK days. I plugged my FP into Touring Plans and have come up with this. What do you all think?

Sunday 12/4-- arrive MK around lunch

• Quick Service at Cosmic Rays
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• FP+ Space Mountain (Me, DD)
• FP+ Buzz (DH, DS while Me, DD on Space Mountain)
• Space Mountain Rider Swap (DH, DD)
• Astro Orbiter (Me, DS while DH, DD on Space Mountain)
• Buzz (SDFP for all of us so DD can ride, or standby if line not too long)
• FP+ Tomorrowland Speedway (all of us)
• FP+Ariel's Grotto (all of us) at 3:30
• Haunted Mansion (SDFP?)
• Jingle Cruise (SDFP?)
• Pirates (SDFP?)
• Aladdin Magic Carpets
• Dumbo
• Little Mermaid (SDFP?)
• 6:15: A Frozen Holiday Wish
• Dinner at Chef Mickey's, hopefully at 7pm (currently holding 7:40 reservation and don't want to kill an hour with the littles)

We are basically starting in Tomorrowland and trying to get it all done! Throwing in a little Fantasyland and Adverntureland. I've plugged this all into Touring Plans with some SDFP and it works nicely, but obviously will adjust as needed. Our Ariel's grotto FP window is at 3:30, so will do as many of the other rides as we can in that list up until the 6:15 Frozen Holiday Wish before dinner.

Monday 12/5-- All Day MK with break

• Enter MK at 7:45 for 8am PPO Be Our Guest
• 7DMT (only if can do so without line before RD crowd)
  
• Peter Pan (@ RD because want to experience the queue)
  
• Rapunzel M&G
• Barnstormer
• Dumbo
• FP+Talking Mickey
• Country Bear Jamboree
• Tom Sawyer Island
• FP+ Splash Mountain (me, DD)
• Splash Mountain Rider Swap (DH, DD)
• FP+ Big Thunder Mountain (DH, DD)
  
• Big Thunder Mountain Rider Swap (Me, DD)
• Quick service lunch either at Pecos Bill or Oak Post
• Long break at Port Orleans Riverside (4-5 hour break, back around 5:30-6)
• Mickey's Philarmagic
• FP+ 7DMT (6:15 in the twilight/dark)
• Prince Charming Carousel
• 7:10 dinner at Be Our Guest
• It's a Small World
• Winnie the Pooh
• Wishes!

We are basically starting in Fantasyland then Adventureland, break and back to Fantasyland for the evening. I've plugged this all into Touring Plans without SDFP and it works nicely, but obviously will adjust as needed if I can add some SDFP, especially for Rapunzel M&G or It's a Small World/Winnie in the evening. Not sure anything else really needs SDFP. We're going to end the day with Wishes and NOT have an early start the next day!

 

[Candycane83]

Sharing my plans for my first two days, which are MK days. I plugged my FP into Touring Plans and have come up with this. What do you all think?

Sunday 12/4-- arrive MK around lunch

• Quick Service at Cosmic Rays
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• FP+ Space Mountain (Me, DD)
• FP+ Buzz (DH, DD while Me, DD on Space Mountain)
• Space Mountain Rider Swap (DH, DD)
• Astro Orbiter (Me, DS while DH, DD on Space Mountain)
• Buzz (SDFP for all of us so DD can ride, or standby if line not too long)
• FP+ Tomorrowland Speedway (all of us)
• FP+Ariel's Grotto (all of us) at 3:30
• Haunted Mansion (SDFP?)
• Jingle Cruise (SDFP?)
• Pirates (SDFP?)
• Aladdin Magic Carpets
• Dumbo
• Little Mermaid (SDFP?)
• 6:15: A Frozen Holiday Wish
• Dinner at Chef Mickey's, hopefully at 7pm (currently holding 7:40 reservation and don't want to kill an hour with the littles)

We are basically starting in Tomorrowland and trying to get it all done! Throwing in a little Fantasyland and Adverntureland. I've plugged this all into Touring Plans with some SDFP and it works nicely, but obviously will adjust as needed. Our Ariel's grotto FP window is at 3:30, so will do as many of the other rides as we can in that list up until the 6:15 Frozen Holiday Wish before dinner.

Monday 12/5-- All Day MK with break

• Enter MK at 7:45 for 8am PPO Be Our Guest
• 7DMT (only if can do so without line before RD crowd)
  
• Peter Pan (@ RD because want to experience the queue)
  
• Rapunzel M&G
• Barnstormer
• Dumbo
• FP+Talking Mickey
• Country Bear Jamboree
• Tom Sawyer Island
• FP+ Splash Mountain (me, DD)
• Splash Mountain Rider Swap (DH, DD)
• FP+ Big Thunder Mountain (DH, DD)
  
• Big Thunder Mountain Rider Swap (Me, DD
• Quick service lunch either at Pecos Bill or Oak Post
• Long break at Port Orleans Riverside (4-5 hour break, back around 5:30-6)
• Mickey's Philarmagic
• FP+ 7DMT (6:15 in the twilight/dark)
• Prince Charming Carousel
• 7:10 dinner at Be Our Guest
• It's a Small World
• Winnie the Pooh
• Wishes!

We are basically starting in Fantasyland then Adventureland, break and back to Fantasyland for the evening. I've plugged this all into Touring Plans without SDFP and it works nicely, but obviously will adjust as needed if I can add some SDFP, especially for Rapunzel M&G or It's a Small World/Winnie in the evening. Not sure anything else really needs SDFP. We're going to end the day with Wishes and NOT have an early start the next day!

Looks like a great plan! Great you get to experience everything and have a break built in too! On your first day, I'm not sure if you want to include FoF in there somewhere

 

[JamieOak]

Update: GONE! There's a CRT on 11/30 @ 8:35pm available for a party of 4 right now. I just picked up an earlier time so I couldn't hold on to this one.