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

[Mintycake]

@Lisa F sorry I did mean October but there's hope for us now!!

@Mintycake at least your booking is all done already! I'm still waiting for westjet prices to come down!

AIR transat had a sale a while back did you check with them?

 

[Candycane83]

Ok well we basically talked to dd and let her make the call (after showing her a video of highlights of the party). We gave her the choice. She said she would rather have an extra kids club night. I think we will be tired enough and a relaxing low key evening will work for us all. Dh and I will have date night in epcot! Maybe have some qs at morocco as we both like middle eastern but dd does not.

I also impulsively booked a reservation on our first epcot day for Tokyo dining so we can watch illuminations from there.

That's great! This is what you planned originally right?

 

[Candycane83]

AIR transat had a sale a while back did you check with them?

I tried checking but the time didn't work.

 

[Mintycake]

That's great! This is what you planned originally right?

Yes. Now back to debating dinner. And we will keep the pirate cruise.

Speaking of, does pirates and pals cruse run every night? Considering.

 

[Candycane83]

Yes. Now back to debating dinner. And we will keep the pirate cruise.

Speaking of, does pirates and pals cruse run every night? Considering.

Looks like it's everyday.

 

[Lisa F]

Not even pretending to be an expert on any of this...I'm just following along on the SW thread with a continued hope that Saturdays will remain a SW Party night in December. But let's just say they are a no go for 12/3--completely HYPOTHETICALLY of course. Will everyone be in HS anyway for other things (ADRs or whatever)? I wonder if we could coordinate a mini dessert party at Starring Rolls or something in the event our 12/3 SW party doesn't pan out?

Like this idea!!

we could potentially talk about it even if there is fireworks. staking out a good spot while someone takes up a collection and goes and gets the BB8 cupcakes from starring rolls lol. I would drink the booze if it was there but could certainly live without it. what do people think?

 

[SilSprBea]

Yes. Now back to debating dinner. And we will keep the pirate cruise.

Speaking of, does pirates and pals cruse run every night? Considering.

Of all the "extras" the thing that temps me the most is the pirates and pals cruise. It looks so cool, but I think my kids might still be a bit young for this. It's the one thing I keep thinking *maybe* i'll squeeze it in if my husband agrees since we are not doing a desert party or a party night. But we booked so many character meals (above our table service allotment on the Dining Plan) so there is a part of me that sees that as the "extra." I don't know, they'll be 3 and 5 and I'm thinking the value they get out of the character meals will probably be higher that the pirates cruise.

I was thinking the pirates and pals cruise might work on our first night there or our last night there, but it is quite pricey and we can view the fireworks on our first night from the contemporary (we're having dinner at Chef Mickey's). Or maybe just save it as a must do activity on our NEXT trip to Disney

 

[Talby]

Yes. Now back to debating dinner. And we will keep the pirate cruise.

Speaking of, does pirates and pals cruse run every night? Considering.

We're doing Pirates and Pals 12/5.

And @SilSprBea I wondered if my kids might be to old for this, but Peter Pan is a very favorite for both of them. And we're all just big kids at Disney anyway. Plus I think it'd be cool to see the fireworks that way!

 

[Talby]

we could potentially talk about it even if there is fireworks. staking out a good spot while someone takes up a collection and goes and gets the BB8 cupcakes from starring rolls lol. I would drink the booze if it was there but could certainly live without it. what do people think?

I think power in numbers is a great thing!! If there are fireworks, we can work together to help get the shorties spots in front and, as you said, a group can hold down the fort to stalk a good spot while others go for the cupcakes. I hate to talk about no fireworks, but if that's the case then we can still have a fun little meet-and-greet party with BB8 cupcakes if there is enough interest and the timing works for everyone??

 

[Lisa F]

Of all the "extras" the thing that temps me the most is the pirates and pals cruise. It looks so cool, but I think my kids might still be a bit young for this. It's the one thing I keep thinking *maybe* i'll squeeze it in if my husband agrees since we are no doing a desert party or a party night. But we booked so many character meals (above our table service allotment on the Dining Plan) so there is a part of me that sees that as the "extra. I don't know, they'll be 3 and 5 and I'm thinking the value they get out of the character meals will probably be higher that the pirates cruise.

I was thinking the pirates and pals cruise might work on our first night there or our last night there, but it is quite pricey and we can view the fireworks on our first night from the contemporary (we're having dinner at Chef Mickey's). Or maybe just save it as a must do activity on our NEXT trip to Disney

how many TS did you book? have you considered the DxDDP vs. regular? I did the same thing - I booked a few OOP TS meals and when I added up the cost of those meals + DDP it was the same price as DxDDP. The only difference was I was able to jettison all of my QS for additional TS for the same price. If you don't want to do that, have you figured out which are the best use of DDP?

 

[Talby]

Of all the "extras" the thing that temps me the most is the pirates and pals cruise. It looks so cool, but I think my kids might still be a bit young for this. It's the one thing I keep thinking *maybe* i'll squeeze it in if my husband agrees since we are no doing a desert party or a party night. But we booked so many character meals (above our table service allotment on the Dining Plan) so there is a part of me that sees that as the "extra. I don't know, they'll be 3 and 5 and I'm thinking the value they get out of the character meals will probably be higher that the pirates cruise.

I was thinking the pirates and pals cruise might work on our first night there or our last night there, but it is quite pricey and we can view the fireworks on our first night from the contemporary (we're having dinner at Chef Mickey's). Or maybe just save it as a must do activity on our NEXT trip to Disney

These Disney dilemmas...the struggle is REAL!!

 

[Lisa F]

I think power in numbers is a great thing!! If there are fireworks, we can work together to help get the shorties spots in front and, as you said, a group can hold down the fort to stalk a good spot while others go for the cupcakes. I hate to talk about no fireworks, but if that's the case then we can still have a fun little meet-and-greet party with BB8 cupcakes if there is enough interest and the timing works for everyone??

I'm kind of on the fence about the party but it seems like with the timing of it that you can get just as good a seat staking out a spot. but part of me wants to do the 'special' party. my kid is really just in it for bb-8 cupcake and fireworks. I think the cupcakes are at backlot express though, lol.

 

[Tinker06]

I need some advice. We have been to Disney a few times, but I am still second guessing myself. We will be going to magic kingdom 12/15. We plan to hop over to hollywood studios at about noon. Would you use FP's for MK or HS?

 

[Talby]

I'm kind of on the fence about the party but it seems like with the timing of it that you can get just as good a seat staking out a spot. but part of me wants to do the 'special' party. my kid is really just in it for bb-8 cupcake and fireworks. I think the cupcakes are at backlot express though, lol.

I've been reading about this...the thread with all the pictures (is that yulilin's)? It looks like there are spots RIGHT NEXT to where the taped off section is for party guests? It's got me all flip-floppy (clearly not a first for me!) Okay, backlot express for the cupcakes. Check!

And are you saying that you can trade QS credits for TS credits? REALLY?! Because that might be a game changer for us!

Have you ever considered becoming a Disney vacation planner?

 

[Lisa F]

I need some advice. We have been to Disney a few times, but I am still second guessing myself. We will be going to magic kingdom 12/15. We plan to hop over to hollywood studios at about noon. Would you use FP's for MK or HS?

need more info:
1) are you going to the MK on another day? if not, do you want to ride 7DMT? if you are, would you be ok doing 7DMT another day?
2) is that a party or extra magic hour morning day?
3) are you into the SDFP idea at all?

I have multiple strategies but need more info.

 

[Lisa F]

I've been reading about this...the thread with all the pictures (is that yulilin's)? It looks like there are spots RIGHT NEXT to where the taped off section is for party guests? It's got me all flip-floppy (clearly not a first for me!) Okay, backlot express for the cupcakes. Check!

And are you saying that you can trade QS credits for TS credits? REALLY?! Because that might be a game changer for us!

Have you ever considered becoming a Disney vacation planner?

No when you have DxDDP they are just credits (either for TS or QS) so better used for TS for the most part. The cost of DDP for me was like $346 for 4 nights + I had another $200+ of OOP things for my DDP period. The cost of DxDDP for me was $577 for 4 nights. I think utlimately the DxDDP cost maybe $50 more but for that $50 I got 4 more TS meals than I had been planning (swapped out for QS meals), one an extra signature. I added a whole slew of character breakfasts basically lol.

 

[Tinker06]

need more info:
1) are you going to the MK on another day? if not, do you want to ride 7DMT? if you are, would you be ok doing 7DMT another day?
2) is that a party or extra magic hour morning day?
3) are you into the SDFP idea at all?

I have multiple strategies but need more info.

We will have already done a full day at MK and plan on doing the xmas party 12/13. We will have already rode 7dmt (but it is my favorite). I am seriously contemplating SDFP, but I find it hard to "plan" them because I have no idea what would be available.

 

[SilSprBea]

how many TS did you book? have you considered the DxDDP vs. regular? I did the same thing - I booked a few OOP TS meals and when I added up the cost of those meals + DDP it was the same price as DxDDP. The only difference was I was able to jettison all of my QS for additional TS for the same price. If you don't want to do that, have you figured out which are the best use of DDP?

So we are staying for 6 nights and would have 6 TS credits on our DP. We are doing (1) Chef Mickey Dinner (2) BOG dinner (3) Fantasmic H&V lunch (4) Akershus Dinner (5) Tusker House (either lunch or dinner) (6) Crystal Palace lunch and (7) Breakfast on our last day at Cape May (but looking for 'Ohana as a substitute). Here we're 1 over our allotment and I was thinking that I'd pay OOP for the adult breakfasts at Cape Mary (or 'Ohana if we find it) and use the TS credits for the kids breakfast. I would use the TS credits for me and DH at BOG (since it would be more expensive than our breakfast) and pay OOP for the kids dinner at BOG.

We also have an 'Ohana breakfast booked on the same day as our BOG dinner but I'm on the fence on that one. We would be doing RD that morning and our 'Ohana reservation is at 11:40, which is essentially lunch. I have some qualms about making the kids leave the MK at 11am to go over to Poly for breakfast/lunch. I want them to have a nap because of RD in the AM and evening fireworks. I think that travel to 'Ohana from MK, the meal at 'Ohana, travel back to POR from 'Ohana for a nap, and then back to MK for BOG dinner and fireworks is too much. Even though it's a lot of effort, I'm so on the fence on this one because I think it is a cute breakfast, but leaning towards dropping this 'Ohana. Besides the last day it is the only possible day we could make it work.

I would drop this 'Ohana completely if we could find an 'Ohana on our last day and convince my friend that 'Ohana would be more fun than Cape May (not sure that's true though) for the young kids.

I had done the math and I don't think we have enough of the expensive OOP meals to warrant it because at BOG we can buy two kids meal OOP for less than $30. And two adult breakfasts would cost $70. The diff between the dining plan and the deluxe dining plan is more than $100. Even if we did decide on one more breakfast it would be less than $250 total we are spending out of pocket.

Need advice here, would you all drop the 11:40 'Ohana? I think I'm the one that wants the kids to do have the experience and they'll probably be happy with what they have already!

 

[Talby]

No when you have DxDDP they are just credits (either for TS or QS) so better used for TS for the most part. The cost of DDP for me was like $346 for 4 nights + I had another $200+ of OOP things for my DDP period. The cost of DxDDP for me was $577 for 4 nights. I think utlimately the DxDDP cost maybe $50 more but for that $50 I got 4 more TS meals than I had been planning (swapped out for QS meals), one an extra signature. I added a whole slew of character breakfasts basically lol.

Ah-ha, okay. I believe I actually followed that! With that much extra for $50, you clearly made the right call! (which of course you already know! ) I'm close to having ADRs done (I keep saying that!). But I really want to just eat how we want to eat, not altering to fit on a plan (which does seem to mostly be 2 TS per day plus snacks). Once all our selections are finalized, I'll crunch the numbers once more and make the final decision. Looking forward to checking that one off this list since I've mulled it over for what feels like forever!

 

[SilSprBea]

We're doing Pirates and Pals 12/5.

And @SilSprBea I wondered if my kids might be to old for this, but Peter Pan is a very favorite for both of them. And we're all just big kids at Disney anyway. Plus I think it'd be cool to see the fireworks that way!

@Talby do you think my kids are too young for this? We could squeeze it in our Sunday night after Chef Mickey (if I can scoot the reservation up), or I could just save this for our NEXT visit and watch the fireworks from the beach at the contemporary. Decisions, decisions!