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

[Candycane83]

I think that goes against what josh says at easywdw

I'm surprised because if you look at touring plans, they had the first Tuesday of December as the fourth lowest crowds for MVMCP. They said Tuesdays and November are lowest crowds?

 

[Lisa F]

I'm surprised because if you look at touring plans, they had the first Tuesday of December as the fourth lowest crowds for MVMCP. They said Tuesdays and November are lowest crowds?

the closer to christmas the more crowded I think. Though josh at easywdw disagrees a lot with touring plans and I disagree a lot with them too... but in my experience (which admittedly has been a while) touring plans party advice sounds more true.

 

[Lisa F]

@Lisa F my counter has been going crazy too. It has gone up and down in the last few dates. And what a strange dream, or should I say total nightmare!

I just redid it and it seems to be behaving. I like the ones that say days rather than months and weeks and days lol. Yes it was crazy

@Lisa F That dream is wild! It reminds me of the dreams I used to get before my wedding...I was so consumed by planning that I started to get anxiety dreams about it. That will probably happen to me closer to Disney, too. It usually does before a big trip, so it must be common for us uber-planners!

I think I am mostly stressed about my kid being gone two weeks :-/ he is with his dad who is the "disneyland dad" - whenever he is with dad it's all fun and vacation and when he's with me it's school and homework and therapy and social awkardness dealing with friend issues and real life. I know he is going to come home talking about how much better it is with Dad... because it is. Because it is vacation and he has no demands placed on him except to have fun. Kind of bumming this week.

 

[Mal6586]

I'm surprised because if you look at touring plans, they had the first Tuesday of December as the fourth lowest crowds for MVMCP. They said Tuesdays and November are lowest crowds?

That's what I had read too, which is why we picked that date. (That and the fact that it's the one thing I had to coordinate with my parents/sister/nieces/nephew who are in town for a much shorter, off-property stay.)

 

[Lisa F]

That's what I had read too, which is why we picked that date. (That and the fact that it's the one thing I had to coordinate with my parents/sister/nieces/nephew who are in town for a much shorter, off-property stay.)

when I did MNSSHP I was surprised at how busy Sunday was. Fridays are always the busiest because locals can go just for the night without worrying about work/school. Thursday is close enough to Friday that I think it gets some overflow. I would agree that Tuesday is least busy although if they all sell out it doesn't matter, just some will sell out earlier than others.

Also I would look at the dates when the AP/DVC discount is offered. I would expect those to be disney's projected lowest crowd dates.

 

[areno79]

@Candycane83 Thanks for the tip about the monorail/bus thing from Contemporary. I wasn't aware of that!

@Lisa F Sorry you're stressing about having a tough week with your son. Makes it so much harder to transition when it feels like you have to be the bad guy.
So basically you're saying Uber to Boardwalk, then boat from Boardwalk to International Gateway? It still kind of blows my mind that Uber is that much faster...but admittedly I've only used Uber with friends who've had it. Guess I'll have to set up an Uber account in case we get stuck or tired of waiting. LOL It's been a while since I've done the boat from IG to Boardwalk.

 

[Candycane83]

I just redid it and it seems to be behaving. I like the ones that say days rather than months and weeks and days lol. Yes it was crazy

I think I am mostly stressed about my kid being gone two weeks :-/ he is with his dad who is the "disneyland dad" - whenever he is with dad it's all fun and vacation and when he's with me it's school and homework and therapy and social awkardness dealing with friend issues and real life. I know he is going to come home talking about how much better it is with Dad... because it is. Because it is vacation and he has no demands placed on him except to have fun. Kind of bumming this week.

I'm sorry about the rough week. I feel like it is a heavy burden on you being the 'more responsible' one here. But look at it this way, you could divert and always talk to him about your upcoming trip. He might be more excited about it

 

[Lisa F]

@Candycane83 Thanks for the tip about the monorail/bus thing from Contemporary. I wasn't aware of that!

@Lisa F Sorry you're stressing about having a tough week with your son. Makes it so much harder to transition when it feels like you have to be the bad guy.
So basically you're saying Uber to Boardwalk, then boat from Boardwalk to International Gateway? It still kind of blows my mind that Uber is that much faster...but admittedly I've only used Uber with friends who've had it. Guess I'll have to set up an Uber account in case we get stuck or tired of waiting. LOL It's been a while since I've done the boat from IG to Boardwalk.

no uber to boardwalk then walk to international gateway. it is so close, lol. BWV is my home resort and I have taken many many trips there over the years. I have maybe taken the boat once or twice, only if it was right there waiting (it is the last stop on the run on the way to Epcot). They would drop you at the front side of the resort. You would come through the lobby straight through and exit out the back to a big porch, walk down the stairs (or you can take an elevator down) and then walk out to the boardwalk, make a right and follow it around. Maybe 10 minute walk and I am a "stroller," (both the kid and I walk slow lol). it is up a hill a bit as you cross over the canal but otherwise it's a nice and easy walk.

here it is on google earth. The star at the bottom is where uber will drop you. the arrow on the path is the little uphill section (it is actually approaching that bridge that is uphill). the circle is around the international gateway (admission point for Epcot) and the first star on the bridge is my favorite viewing location when the second star (a little peninsula down below) is taken. the second star is where the illuminations dessert party is held I believe. Hope that helps visualize it.

and actually beach club might even be closer. But boardwalk is a nicer walk (less wandering through the resort and some time on the actual boardwalk). But BW is a "destination" so they will never question where you are going through the gates. that's why it is my go-to when I am going to epcot, lol.

AND you don't have to uber. if you walk to MK you can get a direct bus there. Basically the less often you have to rely on disney transport the better. Every transfer to another transportation introduces another worst case scenario. So I would probably walk from contemporary to MK, take the bus to BW and then walk from there and it should take less than an hour even worst case bus scenario. (I always give 40 minutes worst case scenario for any one leg of transport). If you uber it it is probably 15 min direct from contemporary to BW or BC.

 

[Lisa F]

[USER=12269]@Lisa F Sorry you're stressing about having a tough week with your son. Makes it so much harder to transition when it feels like you have to be the bad guy.
So basically you're saying Uber to Boardwalk, then boat from Boardwalk to International Gateway? It still kind of blows my mind that Uber is that much faster...but admittedly I've only used Uber with friends who've had it. Guess I'll have to set up an Uber account in case we get stuck or tired of waiting. LOL It's been a while since I've done the boat from IG to Boardwalk.[/USER]

[QUOTE="Candycane83, post: 56367701, member: 416990"]I'm sorry about the rough week. I feel like it is a heavy burden on you being the 'more responsible' one here. But look at it this way, you could divert and always talk to him about your upcoming trip. He might be more excited about it :) :hug:[/QUOTE]

aw thanks. I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself. School starts so I'm hoping he is still looking forward to that (he was when he left). It just suckse. He thinks life would be much better with his father because his father doesn't work as hard as I do. And takes him out to eat all the time because he doesn't cook much. it's pretty much always vacation and fun time with him, which is nice for him to have, but how can I possibly compete with that? The one thing I do do better is Disney trips, lol (we both take him). I think part of it is because the spoilage aspect is much more rare for me. I tend to take him for longer too because I can handle it better. but still. just whining. he is gone another week and I am appreciating the time off because I was really burned out on how intense he can be sometimes but at the same time I miss him but he has pretty much forgotten that I exist. I guess that is the story of mothers everywhere though! I am just feeling whiny about it!

 

[areno79]

no uber to boardwalk then walk to international gateway. it is so close, lol. BWV is my home resort and I have taken many many trips there over the years. I have maybe taken the boat once or twice, only if it was right there waiting (it is the last stop on the run on the way to Epcot). They would drop you at the front side of the resort. You would come through the lobby straight through and exit out the back to a big porch, walk down the stairs (or you can take an elevator down) and then walk out to the boardwalk, make a right and follow it around. Maybe 10 minute walk and I am a "stroller," (both the kid and I walk slow lol). it is up a hill a bit as you cross over the canal but otherwise it's a nice and easy walk.

here it is on google earth. The star at the bottom is where uber will drop you. the arrow on the path is the little uphill section (it is actually approaching that bridge that is uphill). the circle is around the international gateway (admission point for Epcot) and the first star on the bridge is my favorite viewing location when the second star (a little peninsula down below) is taken. the second star is where the illuminations dessert party is held I believe. Hope that helps visualize it.

and actually beach club might even be closer. But boardwalk is a nicer walk (less wandering through the resort and some time on the actual boardwalk). But BW is a "destination" so they will never question where you are going through the gates. that's why it is my go-to when I am going to epcot, lol.

AND you don't have to uber. if you walk to MK you can get a direct bus there. Basically the less often you have to rely on disney transport the better. Every transfer to another transportation introduces another worst case scenario. So I would probably walk from contemporary to MK, take the bus to BW and then walk from there and it should take less than an hour even worst case bus scenario. (I always give 40 minutes worst case scenario for any one leg of transport). If you uber it it is probably 15 min direct from contemporary to BW or BC.

Ok, that is awesome! In all my times of going to Disney I've never walked from Epcot to BC or BW! I thought you HAD to take a boat! This is so much easier!! Thanks a bunch, especially for the map!

 

[Candycane83]

aw thanks. I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself. School starts so I'm hoping he is still looking forward to that (he was when he left). It just suckse. He thinks life would be much better with his father because his father doesn't work as hard as I do. And takes him out to eat all the time because he doesn't cook much. it's pretty much always vacation and fun time with him, which is nice for him to have, but how can I possibly compete with that? The one thing I do do better is Disney trips, lol (we both take him). I think part of it is because the spoilage aspect is much more rare for me. I tend to take him for longer too because I can handle it better. but still. just whining. he is gone another week and I am appreciating the time off because I was really burned out on how intense he can be sometimes but at the same time I miss him but he has pretty much forgotten that I exist. I guess that is the story of mothers everywhere though! I am just feeling whiny about it!

Fell free here I think we all need some stress relief and Disney is usually my escape (especially from work where I;m so stressed out )

 

[areno79]

aw thanks. I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself. School starts so I'm hoping he is still looking forward to that (he was when he left). It just suckse. He thinks life would be much better with his father because his father doesn't work as hard as I do. And takes him out to eat all the time because he doesn't cook much. it's pretty much always vacation and fun time with him, which is nice for him to have, but how can I possibly compete with that? The one thing I do do better is Disney trips, lol (we both take him). I think part of it is because the spoilage aspect is much more rare for me. I tend to take him for longer too because I can handle it better. but still. just whining. he is gone another week and I am appreciating the time off because I was really burned out on how intense he can be sometimes but at the same time I miss him but he has pretty much forgotten that I exist. I guess that is the story of mothers everywhere though! I am just feeling whiny about it!

Hugs! Sounds like a difficult situation, so whine away!

 

[Lisa F]

Ok, that is awesome! In all my times of going to Disney I've never walked from Epcot to BC or BW! I thought you HAD to take a boat! This is so much easier!! Thanks a bunch, especially for the map!

You can, in fact, walk all the way from Hollywood Studios to Epcot's international gateway. Here is the path: they say it is a half hour, same as it takes to take the boat. I would give myself 40 minutes. But if you are kind of in the middle of the boardwalk villas (the dvc side is the side that you pass going there) you can walk to the end of the building closer to HS and it is really only about 15 minutes from there (stairs only, no elevator, right under where it says "Disney's Boardwalk Resort"). You can also skirt along the "front" (really the back if the BW is the front) side of the resort and cut off a bit of that walk but it is far more scenic to stay along the water. This is why IMO BWV is the best location on disney property, lol. Contemporary next but you can only walk to one park not two.

 

[Mal6586]

aw thanks. I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself. School starts so I'm hoping he is still looking forward to that (he was when he left). It just suckse. He thinks life would be much better with his father because his father doesn't work as hard as I do. And takes him out to eat all the time because he doesn't cook much. it's pretty much always vacation and fun time with him, which is nice for him to have, but how can I possibly compete with that? The one thing I do do better is Disney trips, lol (we both take him). I think part of it is because the spoilage aspect is much more rare for me. I tend to take him for longer too because I can handle it better. but still. just whining. he is gone another week and I am appreciating the time off because I was really burned out on how intense he can be sometimes but at the same time I miss him but he has pretty much forgotten that I exist. I guess that is the story of mothers everywhere though! I am just feeling whiny about it!

I'm sorry you're having a rough time. If it makes you feel any better at all, I am the daughter of the "fun dad", and while it was really cool when I was a kid, and I used to say things like that too, now that I'm old enough to look back on how things really were, I appreciate so much the parent who kept it real and structured at home base. For me, it was my grandmother. (Mom is bipolar and lived in a mental health group home for a lot of my childhood.) So even though he may say those things now, when he's a little older, he will definitely appreciate the life you provide for him too. It just sucks that it takes a little hindsight to really see it.

 

[Candycane83]

You can, in fact, walk all the way from Hollywood Studios to Epcot's international gateway. Here is the path: they say it is a half hour, same as it takes to take the boat. I would give myself 40 minutes. But if you are kind of in the middle of the boardwalk villas (the dvc side is the side that you pass going there) you can walk to the end of the building closer to HS and it is really only about 15 minutes from there (stairs only, no elevator, right under where it says "Disney's Boardwalk Resort"). This is why IMO BWV is the best location on disney property, lol. Contemporary next but you can only walk to one park not two.

That is true. Loved staying at EPCOT area on our last trip. We had a split stay between BWI and Dolphin. But this trip, CR would be best since we'd be at MK most of the time. all depends on which park you'll be spending more time at. (Mind you I was contemplating doing a EPCOT/ MK split but AKL was cheaper, haha!)

 

[areno79]

We have actually walked from BW to HS before...but if we have the time we prefer the boat to save our aching feet a little bit. Plus it's nice to relax a little bit since we're always so go go go, KWIM? Plus, DH likes boats. LOL

 

[SilSprBea]

Random question. I've never actually used any of the Disney buses. We're going to have a double stroller. Do the buses have space for stroller storage (like airport buses have for luggage), or do you have to try and cram your stroller in the seat with you in front of your legs? I'm not sure how that would work, but I can't be the only person wanting to put a double stroller on a disney bus! LOL!

 

[areno79]

It's our dream to stay at either BW or BC one of these times. Problem is, I always talk myself out of it because we spend so little time in our room that I'd rather spend the money on souvenirs or special events than a room we are hardly in. The time saving would be nice, but I have to admit...even though it's a value I'm kind of excited to stay in the Little Mermaid room at AoA. Ariel was one of my favorite princesses when I was growing up.

 

[Candycane83]

Random question. I've never actually used any of the Disney buses. We're going to have a double stroller. Do the buses have space for stroller storage (like airport buses have for luggage), or do you have to try and cram your stroller in the seat with you in front of your legs? I'm not sure how that would work, but I can't be the only person wanting to put a double stroller on a disney bus! LOL!

LOL, I totally get you. I don't have a double, just single but I'm interested to know the answer to this too. I think you fold it up and bring it along with you on the bus. Disney buses are not all facing forward I think, some face each other? I never quite paid attention before (no child of my own yet) so this will be new for me too!

 

[Mal6586]

Random question. I've never actually used any of the Disney buses. We're going to have a double stroller. Do the buses have space for stroller storage (like airport buses have for luggage), or do you have to try and cram your stroller in the seat with you in front of your legs? I'm not sure how that would work, but I can't be the only person wanting to put a double stroller on a disney bus! LOL!

The Magical Express buses are set up like normal buses with rows of two or three seats with an aisle down the middle and have storage underneath. The ones you use to get from resort to parks look like this:



So if you sit on the front half of the bus, there's plenty of room to have it right there with you.