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

[Lisa F]

I know with EMM you can do a lot in a small amount of time but I wonder now how much you can do during AM EMH... I know the numbers are very different (30-40 vs a few hundred??)... Anyone has experience with how busy it is or how much you can do during AM EMH?

At MK or HS?

IMO at HS there isn't a whole lot to do in the first place. You should be able to do all of the tier 1 rides before they let everyone else in. You may have a 5-10 minute wait instead of being able to walk right on but for certain things you will walk right on also. I am planning to do it and would like to do TSMM 2x then get my SDFP (the kiosk is right near there). Then Great Movie Ride, then ToT. I'm thinking I should be able to get those 4 things done during EMH. Maybe we'd do TSMM as many times as we can in the first half hour.

Just FYI at 8:19 before regular park opening the following morning SDFP are available @HS
RnR 9:55 10:55 11:55
great movie ride 9:30 10:320 11:25
toy story midway mania 9:25 9:50 10:35
plus everything else. There is not a single tier 1 without great availability.
ToTo 9s 9am, 10:25am, 11:45am
@MK
Peter Pan 2:55 4:20 4:45
space mountain 9:15 9:40 11:25
splash mountain 9:00 10:35 12:00
pooh 9:10 10:15 11:30

and everything else BUT 7DMT is also available. IMO SDFP are very worthwhile.

For MK extra magic hours, i think you can pretty much bang out all of fantasyland in that hour doing everything once. Not sure what the 7DMT situation is there though, there might be a bit of wait that is more typical at RD (5-10 if you don't run for it), but for everything else you can pretty much get it all done. Or you can move between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland and get all of the high wait rides done before moving onto the low wait rides - 7DMT, Pan, Pooh, Space Mountain, Speedway and then fill in with the low wait rides when RD happens and people are rushing for 7dmt, pan, pooh, sm.

I think the major difference is that EMM has only 3 rides open so I think it is better if you want to ride the same rides over and over and over. If you want to ride 7DMT or TSMM 5 or 6 times in a row it is better to do EMM with so few people. If you want to bang out a whole bunch of things in an hour then EMH is better for you because there is a lot more open. You may have to wait a bit (5-10 minutes, I think it is kind of like a less busy RD so I'd target the most popular first) for the really popular rides but if you are only doing them once or twice then it should be fine and the crowds will be spread over many more things open. I love peter pan and pooh but I would not want to ride them more than once or twice in rapid succession I don't think, so EMH is probably better for me (but doing the evening ones... which are more crowded typically than mornings are). 7DMT is a once and done for me so I will FP+ that. So as awesome as it sounds... I think I'd prefer variety over looping the same ride (just me though).

 

[Candycane83]

At MK or HS?

IMO at HS there isn't a whole lot to do in the first place. You should be able to do all of the tier 1 rides before they let everyone else in. You may have a 5-10 minute wait instead of being able to walk right on but for certain things you will walk right on also. I am planning to do it and would like to do TSMM 2x then get my SDFP (the kiosk is right near there). Then Great Movie Ride, then ToT. I'm thinking I should be able to get those 4 things done during EMH. Maybe we'd do TSMM as many times as we can in the first half hour.

Just FYI at 8:19 before regular park opening the following morning SDFP are available @HS
RnR 9:55 10:55 11:55
great movie ride 9:30 10:320 11:25
toy story midway mania 9:25 9:50 10:35
plus everything else. There is not a single tier 1 without great availability.
ToTo 9s 9am, 10:25am, 11:45am
@MK
Peter Pan 2:55 4:20 4:45
space mountain 9:15 9:40 11:25
splash mountain 9:00 10:35 12:00
pooh 9:10 10:15 11:30

and everything else BUT 7DMT is also available. IMO SDFP are very worthwhile.

For MK extra magic hours, i think you can pretty much bang out all of fantasyland in that hour doing everything once. Not sure what the 7DMT situation is there though, there might be a bit of wait that is more typical at RD (5-10 if you don't run for it), but for everything else you can pretty much get it all done. Or you can move between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland and get all of the high wait rides done before moving onto the low wait rides - 7DMT, Pan, Pooh, Space Mountain, Speedway and then fill in with the low wait rides when RD happens and people are rushing for 7dmt, pan, pooh, sm.

I think the major difference is that EMM has only 3 rides open so I think it is better if you want to ride the same rides over and over and over. If you want to ride 7DMT or TSMM 5 or 6 times in a row it is better to do EMM with so few people. If you want to bang out a whole bunch of things in an hour then EMH is better for you because there is a lot more open. You may have to wait a bit (5-10 minutes, I think it is kind of like a less busy RD so I'd target the most popular first) for the really popular rides but if you are only doing them once or twice then it should be fine and the crowds will be spread over many more things open. I love peter pan and pooh but I would not want to ride them more than once or twice in rapid succession I don't think, so EMH is probably better for me (but doing the evening ones... which are more crowded typically than mornings are). 7DMT is a once and done for me so I will FP+ that. So as awesome as it sounds... I think I'd prefer variety over looping the same ride (just me though).

That's a good take. I'm asking about DHS AM EMH since I can't make it to the MK one.... Lol my current plan is to meet buzz and woody first then TSMM a couple of times if possible too. Hoping to meet OlaF and great movie ride before heading to the 9:40 Disney junior show. That's feasible right? How long is the great movie ride?

 

[areno79]

I believe the great movie ride is a longer one...maybe 15 minutes without a queue?

 

[areno79]

I went to AAA yesterday to add my flights to trip insurance and pay some of the trip off, and was talking to my TA. She mentioned she was going in January and how she was having a hard time getting ADR's. When I told her about all the prime ADR's I got, she was jealous and asked how I managed that since I booked my trip after the 180 days. I told her I used my secret weapon, the Disboards

 

[Candycane83]

I believe the great movie ride is a longer one...maybe 15 minutes without a queue?

Thanks! Maybe I would skip this or just put it after Disney Junior show.

 

[Candycane83]

So I just linked my tickets and trying to play with FP+... It seems a little more cumbersome to book compared to ADRs? Or is it just me? But as @Lisa F said, there is plenty of availability... Just FEA, 7DMT, BTMR is not available from what I can see. I eve see Fanatsmic and Illuminations available for today.

 

[Lisa F]

That's a good take. I'm asking about DHS AM EMH since I can't make it to the MK one.... Lol my current plan is to meet buzz and woody first then TSMM a couple of times if possible too. Hoping to meet OlaF and great movie ride before heading to the 9:40 Disney junior show. That's feasible right? How long is the great movie ride?

Buzz and Woody are open during that time? i might have to add that in. The line was SUPER tough for kiddo last time. it was about 20 minutes (the cm "handler" there was really nice and gave me the inside tip on how to plan it around scheduled breaks to minimize his wait and she let me know when the next break was even though I think they are not supposed to) but it was STILL pretty rough for him. We had another family with a special needs (much more intense than his) little girl just behind us, that he played with but those lines are VERY boring and VERY slow moving and it was torturous for him.... and for the little girl as well, but her mom was saying how important it was to her so she did her best to get her though it. I think they really helped each other a lot and between the two of us we kind of staked out a largish waiting area that they could both move around in. I'm glad no one said anything about how much space in the queue we were occupying but this little girl had obvious special needs so maybe that helped (my kiddo looks completely average except when he hits his limit). Standing still in one place for minutes on end is very hard for him... queues that are in constant forward motion are a lot easier because I think the motion is more soothing from a sensory point of view than attempting to stand still in one crowded place which is what the character M&G lines are like since everyone spends a few minutes with the characters. this is why we are doing so many character meals... but no Buzz & Woody at meals. He did some characters with dad but I believe only when the line was less than 10 minutes. I think maybe 10 minutes is the limit that I can listen to him complaining about it before it starts to agitate me, and he can make it about 5-10 minutes without complaining, which is why I put my ride queue limit at about 20 minutes. He can't help it, it REALLY feels interminable to him but I'm sure to outside observers he just sounds like a whiny spoiled brat.

 

[pigletgirl]

So I just linked my tickets and trying to play with FP+... It seems a little more cumbersome to book compared to ADRs? Or is it just me? But as @Lisa F said, there is plenty of availability... Just FEA, 7DMT, BTMR is not available from what I can see. I eve see Fanatsmic and Illuminations available for today.

Just a little FYI about FP+, that I've learned. Book the FP's in order of importance. So, if FEA is a priority, book your Epcot days, first. Does that make sense?

Book the most popular attractions first, and then go from there, kind of like doing ADR's.

 

[Lisa F]

So I just linked my tickets and trying to play with FP+... It seems a little more cumbersome to book compared to ADRs? Or is it just me? But as @Lisa F said, there is plenty of availability... Just FEA, 7DMT, BTMR is not available from what I can see. I eve see Fanatsmic and Illuminations available for today.

I like to check multiple times in the day. like if I arrive at MK at 7pm what is left? there is still plenty of availability for the rest of the night. things like peter pan and space, might be sold out by then but there are always at least 3 good FPs (on rides with standbys upwards of a half hour) available within 3 hours of park close at MK.

 

[pigletgirl]

On a positive note, we got our trip t-shirts!! We're planning on wearing them for MVMCP. The days are ticking down.

Now, I went ahead and wrote out our trip itinerary again, based on the changes so far. It's a pretty packed schedule! So much for an "easy going" trip. Anyway, when I have more time today, I'll post it. Have a great Tuesday, everyone!

 

[Lisa F]

Just a little FYI about FP+, that I've learned. Book the FP's in order of importance. So, if FEA is a priority, book your Epcot days, first. Does that make sense?

Book the most popular attractions first, and then go from there, kind of like doing ADR's.

yes definitely! FEA first. 7DMT second. Anything else after!

I actually rearranged my epcot day a bit so that I'd be doing the FEA FP+ later in the day. I feel like even at 60+ days out that it is much more likely and less stressful to try to time a FP sometime later in the day. I am planning the evening of walking around WS after dinner at Germany and planning FEA FP for 7:30ish that night. I feel like anything around that time will be later to go than morning into early afternoon. We'll see if that strategy works. Trying to time things to minimize walking between attractions lol. Epcot is a big park with a lot of walking. 7DMT is a bit easier because I will probably be in fantasyland multiple times during my 3 MK visits.

 

[Lisa F]

On a positive note, we got our trip t-shirts!! We're planning on wearing them for MVMCP. The days are ticking down.

Now, I went ahead and wrote out our trip itinerary again, based on the changes so far. It's a pretty packed schedule! So much for an "easy going" trip. Anyway, when I have more time today, I'll post it. Have a great Tuesday, everyone!

can you post a pic of the artwork on your tshirts? I love that idea, maybe I will make some for us. This way if we run into you we can say "hey"

 

[Mintycake]

can you post a pic of the artwork on your tshirts? I love that idea, maybe I will make some for us. This way if we run into you we can say "hey"

Um, LOVE this! But realistically, I won't wear the t-shirt all week. What about buttons or a badge? Way back when I did an Australia trip (planned with people all over the world) we made a badge that we all wore so we could recognize each other in Sydney.

 

[danjoan14]

Hi!!!

While we're anxiously awaiting the 180 day mark..and park hours to be released..

Let's strategize our ADRs, Park days, MVMCP, and other fun trip info!!

Is it to late to join? DS and I are going for a quick weekend trip from 12/9 to 12/11. Already have our tickets for MVMCP on the 9th, and already have our dinning reservations for the weekend. Getting ready to work on our Fastpass+ plan. Staying at the Swan for the weekend.

 

[Candycane83]

Buzz and Woody are open during that time? i might have to add that in. The line was SUPER tough for kiddo last time. it was about 20 minutes (the cm "handler" there was really nice and gave me the inside tip on how to plan it around scheduled breaks to minimize his wait and she let me know when the next break was even though I think they are not supposed to) but it was STILL pretty rough for him. We had another family with a special needs (much more intense than his) little girl just behind us, that he played with but those lines are VERY boring and VERY slow moving and it was torturous for him.... and for the little girl as well, but her mom was saying how important it was to her so she did her best to get her though it. I think they really helped each other a lot and between the two of us we kind of staked out a largish waiting area that they could both move around in. I'm glad no one said anything about how much space in the queue we were occupying but this little girl had obvious special needs so maybe that helped (my kiddo looks completely average except when he hits his limit). Standing still in one place for minutes on end is very hard for him... queues that are in constant forward motion are a lot easier because I think the motion is more soothing from a sensory point of view than attempting to stand still in one crowded place which is what the character M&G lines are like since everyone spends a few minutes with the characters. this is why we are doing so many character meals... but no Buzz & Woody at meals. He did some characters with dad but I believe only when the line was less than 10 minutes. I think maybe 10 minutes is the limit that I can listen to him complaining about it before it starts to agitate me, and he can make it about 5-10 minutes without complaining, which is why I put my ride queue limit at about 20 minutes. He can't help it, it REALLY feels interminable to him but I'm sure to outside observers he just sounds like a whiny spoiled brat.

Yes, it is hard for any outsiders to understand. My sister is 29, at a mindset of 8 years old. To the outside world, they would not know anything is wrong with her until they start hearing her talk.

Buzz and Woddy meet at AM EMH. I'm doing this even before we go for TSMM. For all the hard to do character meets, I would do them first thing. So my plan is to meet Buzz and Woody then TSMM then Olaf (who meets starting 9am) then maybe Mickey and Minnie (can FP) then DIsney Junior Show.

I feel the same thing needs to be done with Joy and Sadness/ Baymax at EPCOT. RD and head straight for them. Other than that, I know I want to do the talking Mickey (can FP) at MK. Other than that, is there any other character meets you want to do?

 

[Candycane83]

Is it to late to join? DS and I are going for a quick weekend trip from 12/9 to 12/11. Already have our tickets for MVMCP on the 9th, and already have our dinning reservations for the weekend. Getting ready to work on our Fastpass+ plan. Staying at the Swan for the weekend.

 

[danjoan14]

Thank you so much!

 

[pigletgirl]

can you post a pic of the artwork on your tshirts? I love that idea, maybe I will make some for us. This way if we run into you we can say "hey"

Sure!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/250683609/matching-family-disney-christmas-shirts
They came out so beautiful! Much better than what I had anticipated. I can only get DH to wear a matching t-shirt for one evening so I'll take it! I love having matching things.

Um, LOVE this! But realistically, I won't wear the t-shirt all week. What about buttons or a badge? Way back when I did an Australia trip (planned with people all over the world) we made a badge that we all wore so we could recognize each other in Sydney.

Like I said, this is for one evening. A part of me would love to have t-shirts that match all week but that's so unrealistic. My entire family is stubborn.

 

[Mintycake]

OK so after trying to wrap my head around SDFP, I asked my friend (who went to DW last year with her family) if she had MBs. Nope, because they stayed offsite. But she still had the plastic cards. Those work for SDFP, right? She said I could borrow them but "they're linked to my name". And that's perfect, right?

I think I'll sit tight for now with the H&V breakfast. It seems the EMM for HS doesn't affect Jedi training that much (I hope) and I'll still be able to be at sign up 15 minutes after EMM people get in. This just makes me super nervous because Jedi Training was the ONLY reason we booked H&V (I am also cautious about the terrible reviews). My daughter isn't THAT into Disney Jr anymore - but she likes Doc McStuffins. I'm still possibly considering the switch. But, she's also not crazy about Toy Story - I'm sure she'll want to ride the ride, and meeting Buzz and Woody is cool if there's no line but otherwise she won't want to go. Meeting Minnie and Mickey without a line is a draw, but Olaf seems to have pretty short lines all day so not sure if there's a value to it.

Is EMM for MK Confirmed yet for December? Again, this negates the value of my PPO BoG on Dec 4 (Sunday) if it is. We want to do that mainly so we can see the castle and get a head start on the crowds. I know EMM is a few hundred for MK.

94 days to go for me! Wahoo!

 

[Talby]

@danjoan14 No way is it too late!! Welcome to the thread! Our party date is also the 9th!!

@pigletgirl Those are really cute!!
@Mintycake I've been stalking MK EMM a lot this morning and don't see anything yet; nothing past September. YAY for 94 days!!