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

[Lisa F]

I know - DH and I would love to see this parade, but I showed DD a highlights video of the parade which she deemed as "boring" and also, she can only stay up to about 9:30pm at the latest without turning into a total sh!tshow. For us the risk was too great for the Christmas party to spend all that money and then potentially have to leave the park early. I'm still worried about how we're going to watch regular wishes on 12/7 - I have my Narcoosees late dinner reserved but I'm wondering if even that might be too late for the kiddo given the fact that we'll be in MK all day, albeit with a later start. Is anyone going to Wishes/parade that night too and want to meet up? I wanted to do the Gone Mad Party at GF but it sounds like it's crazy crowded (and I'm trying to avoid crazy. Would it be better from Narcoosees? Do they have a balcony or something)?

That's the other thing that bothers me about my flow just a bit. On these boards there is a HUGE emphasis on RD (and we are planning to RD and PPO on some days). But I just don't think our family can do a RD AND a late night. Granted our only real late night will be 12/7 and I've got the option to sleep in the next day (and the next day won't be a late night). Just worried lines will be horrendous at MK if we don't RD. But I think between FP+ and SDFP I should be okay?

My kiddo is generally flexible about later nights but I would never push DINNER off to 9pm with him. He has to eat regularly. You could always feed her at 5 and just get her a cupcake or something but something to think about.

No RD and a late night do not go together. I never did a single RD except to sign up for jedi training in 2014 and missed out on nothing.

 

[Lisa F]

Has this been confirmed for Holiday Wishes Dessert Party? I have an ADR for it and was hoping that when reviews start showing up here on the Dis that maybe the 2nd (outside) viewing location would be open for Dessert Party guests. The real value (for us) is the reserved parade viewing so 99% sure we'll keep the ADR. Just hoping the rumors about Holiday Wishes viewing area turn out to be untrue.

unconfirmed.

I mean the other option that we could all do is keep th eparty for the parade viewing and then have some desserts and walk outside to the hub to watch fireworks before it starts. seems like a bit of a waste though. but just pretend in my head that the value is in the parade and desserts after and not sit there for fireworks. They don't chain you in or anything.

 

[Lisa F]

Gotcha. Definitely worth hanging on to that ADR until 100% sure you don't want it because it is currently showing NO availability (for my date anyway) so chances are once it's canceled, you wont be able to get it back if you change your mind.

yeah we are both waiting lol. might even wait for actual xmas party reviews rather than relying on hallowishes reviews.

 

[JamieOak]

I just looked to see and seems my MVMCP date is sold out for the Holiday dessert party. That makes my decision easier since I already decided no. Now I can't be tempted to change my mind.

 

[areno79]

Hello everyone! Haven't posted on here in about a week. Spent a few days at Hershey Park the week before Labor Day and it was awesome. DD8 and DS1 had a blast. FYI for anyone who cares: this is an AWESOME week to go to Hershey. Very low crowds and most every ride was walk-on with no wait because all local schools started back the week before.

It seems I have a lot of catching up to do on this thread. Hope everyone is working on their "final draft" of ADRs before FP dates arrive.

Welcome back!! We all just did intros if you feel inclined!

 

[areno79]

I just looked to see and seems my MVMCP date is sold out for the Holiday dessert party. That makes my decision easier since I already decided no. Now I can't be tempted to change my mind.

Ditto. And since we're doing SW dessert party, no way DH will want to do 2 dessert parties.

 

[areno79]

first parade even though it is "more crowded." To me it seems like the flow is better... do some rides, park for parade, do fireworks, do more rides. I am not really into the characters though.

I am really only interested in some of the Princes and Princesses; I'm hoping to get some of those out of the way first, or maybe at the end of the night. Hopefully they'll announce the characters soon, or at least they won't change it much from last year.

 

[Candycane83]

For anyone looking into ROL: this looks promising even if it's just a rumour

http://www.disboards.com/threads/more-encouraging-news-re-rivers-of-light.3543072/

 

[rasadkowski]

Ok everyone, I've got a question.
..( Big surprise ) :
I know there is a fast pass board, and I can find this info there I'm sure, so I apologize! But, if you'd care to participate in the post I do have an opinion question in the end! And as always, I'd value your feedback! Thank you and have a magical day!

So, not too long ago we decided to do park hoppers. One day we are now planning to do MK in the am and hs is the pm. I was wondering about fp. I know you have to choose to book fp in only one park first and use all 3 before booking in second park.

1) can I choose to book first 3 in MK OR hs on booking day?
2) say I choose to book 3 fp at MK on booking day, can I use the Sdfp bands to book 3 fp at HS right away, as soon as I get into MK in the am and find a kiosk?
3) I know there are a lot of great planners here, and I was wondering.... Say I do NOT choose to use sdfp...If we're at MK and use our three passes by, say, 2pm... Do you think there will be any good availability for some of the popular attractions at hs when we book our 4th? would that be a concern to any of you? Hs in the pm will be our only time in that park.

Btw.. I know I'm being paranoid I'm just trying to know what to expect if I can... Because I do know there will be a lot of surprises. I'm going to have to be flexible. I need to practice this!!
Sorry these questions are so darn confusing.

 

[JamieOak]

1) can I choose to book first 3 in MK OR hs on booking day?
2) say I choose to book 3 fp at MK on booking day, can I use the Sdfp bands to book 3 fp at HS right away, as soon as I get into MK in the am and find a kiosk?
3) I know there are a lot of great planners here, and I was wondering.... Say I do NOT choose to use sdfp...If we're at MK and use our three passes by, say, 2pm... Do you think there will be any good availability for some of the popular attractions at hs when we book our 4th? would that be a concern to any of you? Hs in the pm will be our only time in that park.

I thinkfor #1 it's either/or, but you can't mix.
For #2 I know I've read in the SDFP thread that you can only book SDFPs for the park in which you are in (where the kiosk is located). So no booking HS from a kiosk in MK.
#3 I'm totally unsure, but I know Lisa has been scoping that out lately and can give input.

 

[JamieOak]

first parade even though it is "more crowded." To me it seems like the flow is better... do some rides, park for parade, do fireworks, do more rides. I am not really into the characters though.

I was thinking the same. Based on last year's schedule, there's a lot of entertainment happening from 8pm through Wishes at 9:30. With the first parade kind of in the middle. It seems to make the most sense to just block out that time for entertainment and grabbing food. If I'm willing to go early to reserve a good spot, then I think it's worth it even though the 1st parade is more crowded.

 

[Mintycake]

My kiddo is generally flexible about later nights but I would never push DINNER off to 9pm with him. He has to eat regularly. You could always feed her at 5 and just get her a cupcake or something but something to think about.

No RD and a late night do not go together. I never did a single RD except to sign up for jedi training in 2014 and missed out on nothing.

I agree. Yes the plan is to eat something at normal supper and then just appetizers and dessert at Narcoosees for fireworks. DD I know would love the Nemo cupcake.

Thanks for the reassurance. Honestly, we're doing 3 days at MK and while they are not full dawn to dusk days, I think we'll be able to cover the majority of what we need to do.

Question! For those of you doing character meals, are you repeating meeting the characters in the park? E.g. we're going to cover a lot of Princesses in Akershus so do I really want to stand in line at PFH for Cinderella and Aurora (assuming we meet them at Akershus?) That's why I'm not planning Princess meets on MK day one....if we miss out on that I'll have them FP+ in hand for our second day. Plan to FP mine train, Space Mountain, and Belle (or possibly Ariel's grotto as that's the only place to see Ariel in "mermaid" form). We will head to Pan and PFH for Rapunzel/Tiana right after BOG ppo so that should cover us? Then Merida later that morning.

I'm just itching to put my FP and touring plan together, can you tell? LOL

 

[BDFmom]

@BDFmom I totally agree with this. Logistically, it would make sense more since Disney transportation takes a while too. Maybe you could find out where outside of MK to watch besides poly beach and go around the monorail resorts or go full circle and go back to poly beach to watch. I think you would be done with dinner long before wishes starts.

maybe a lot of traveling but I would do this
11/27, head to epcot for Illuminations. say dinner ends even at 7:30 (and that is very on the late side), that is a LOT of time to kill waiting for Wishes. I'd rather be walking around epcot for 2 hours.

11/28 I'd see wishes that night even though it is more travel because you're likely to be done later with the travel time. If you want to see it from the poly take some time and go to trader sams or the outside bar, get a couple of drinks and chill out.

Thanks for the replies....
I'm inclined to do Illuminations on 11/27 and Wishes on 11/28...
My kids are not really interested in touring the resorts. We can walk to the TTC from 'Ohana and monorail to Epcot. The night trip might be really fun and an experience in itself.

By the time I even considered the Wishes Holiday party it was already sold out

 

[Iowamomof4]

On which leg of the monorail trip does it go around Spaceship:Earth? The trip from the TTC to Epcot or the trip from Epcot to the TTC?

 

[TiggerManiac]

I saw somebody's photo of their little girl with glow sticks stuck all throughout the base of her ponytail, like a big star. I think I'm going to pick up a couple packs at the dollar store and do that to my hair at evening fireworks/shows, then hand out any extras I have.

Yes, I'm just a big kid myself at Disney.

 

[rasadkowski]

I thinkfor #1 it's either/or, but you can't mix.
For #2 I know I've read in the SDFP thread that you can only book SDFPs for the park in which you are in (where the kiosk is located). So no booking HS from a kiosk in MK.
#3 I'm totally unsure, but I know Lisa has been scoping that out lately and can give input.

Thank you! Oh right! She's been tracking fp availability with her dvc membership I think!

 

[Lisa F]

Ok everyone, I've got a question.
..( Big surprise ) :
I know there is a fast pass board, and I can find this info there I'm sure, so I apologize! But, if you'd care to participate in the post I do have an opinion question in the end! And as always, I'd value your feedback! Thank you and have a magical day!

So, not too long ago we decided to do park hoppers. One day we are now planning to do MK in the am and hs is the pm. I was wondering about fp. I know you have to choose to book fp in only one park first and use all 3 before booking in second park.

1) can I choose to book first 3 in MK OR hs on booking day?
2) say I choose to book 3 fp at MK on booking day, can I use the Sdfp bands to book 3 fp at HS right away, as soon as I get into MK in the am and find a kiosk?
3) I know there are a lot of great planners here, and I was wondering.... Say I do NOT choose to use sdfp...If we're at MK and use our three passes by, say, 2pm... Do you think there will be any good availability for some of the popular attractions at hs when we book our 4th? would that be a concern to any of you? Hs in the pm will be our only time in that park.

Btw.. I know I'm being paranoid I'm just trying to know what to expect if I can... Because I do know there will be a lot of surprises. I'm going to have to be flexible. I need to practice this!!
Sorry these questions are so darn confusing.

1) you have to pick ONE park when booking in advance. But day of when you complete your last pre-booked FP+ you can book the remainder in another park. If you book only ONE (say 7DMT) as soon as you scan INTO the FP+ line you can book 2 more FP at any other park. If you have 3FP+ as soon as you scan into the FP line on your 3rd FP you can book a 4th at any other park. But booking in advance they are all in one park.

2) you can ONLY book SDFP for the park you are in at a kiosk in that park. So what you could do is book one FP+ (like 7DMT) in advance and then when you get to MK you can book 3 SDFP there when you arrive from a kiosk (availability is pretty good especially first thing in the AM). Then as soon as you scan through to enter 7DMT you can book 2 more FP from your phone in another park (like HS)

3) availability has been excellent at the MK. Right now at 1:17 if I check for what is available you can get
Buzz 1:30 2:50 3:55
Dumbo 2:30 3:35 5:10
Haunted Mansion 1:35 3:00 4:00
Jungle Cruise 2:50 3:55 5:00
Mad Tea Party 1:40 2:55 4:30
Philharmagic 2:45 3:55 5:00
Monster's Inc 1:30 2:05 3:05
Pirates 2:15 3:20 4:25
Space Mtn 2:10 3:10 4:55
Barnstormer 2:05 3:10 4:40
Magic Carpets 1:50 2:50 4:30
Pooh 2:25 4:15 5:15
Speedway 3:00 4:10 5:15
little mermaid 2:45 3:45 4:45

Sold out: 7DMT, Peter Pan, Splash Mountain, all character m&g, parade

Please note this is for 2 people. Also please note this is a party night with closing at 7pm. When closing times were later I was able to find both PP, Splash Mtn and a ton of character meet and greets still available even in early evening... there are just 4 more hours of FP+ to distribute when it is open later. The ONLY thing I have seen sold out first thing in the morning is 7DMT. Even PP and the mountains have had availability in the first couple of hours of park opening though sometimes later in the day than you might like.

So if I were doing SDFP and walked in right now I would FP+ Haunted mansion 1:35 (OR magic carpets for 1:50), Jungle cruise 2:50 Pirates 4:25

OR buzz 1:30 Space 3:10 Speedway 4:10

lots of great availability IMO. don't be afraid to ask if anything is not clear. I'm not like they are on the FP board

 

[rasadkowski]

I agree. Yes the plan is to eat something at normal supper and then just appetizers and dessert at Narcoosees for fireworks. DD I know would love the Nemo cupcake.

Thanks for the reassurance. Honestly, we're doing 3 days at MK and while they are not full dawn to dusk days, I think we'll be able to cover the majority of what we need to do.

Question! For those of you doing character meals, are you repeating meeting the characters in the park? E.g. we're going to cover a lot of Princesses in Akershus so do I really want to stand in line at PFH for Cinderella and Aurora (assuming we meet them at Akershus?) That's why I'm not planning Princess meets on MK day one....if we miss out on that I'll have them FP+ in hand for our second day. Plan to FP mine train, Space Mountain, and Belle (or possibly Ariel's grotto as that's the only place to see Ariel in "mermaid" form). We will head to Pan and PFH for Rapunzel/Tiana right after BOG ppo so that should cover us? Then Merida later that morning.

I'm just itching to put my FP and touring plan together, can you tell? LOL

I think I am only going to fp or just wait for rapunzel and Tiana. Hopefully we'll meet aurora at akershus. But there's no way to guarantee that, right?

 

[rasadkowski]

1) you have to pick ONE park when booking in advance. But day of when you complete your last pre-booked FP+ you can book the remainder in another park. If you book only ONE (say 7DMT) as soon as you scan INTO the FP+ line you can book 2 more FP at any other park. If you have 3FP+ as soon as you scan into the FP line on your 3rd FP you can book a 4th at any other park. But booking in advance they are all in one park.

2) you can ONLY book SDFP for the park you are in at a kiosk in that park. So what you could do is book one FP+ (like 7DMT) in advance and then when you get to MK you can book 3 SDFP there when you arrive from a kiosk (availability is pretty good especially first thing in the AM). Then as soon as you scan through to enter 7DMT you can book 2 more FP from your phone in another park (like HS)

3) availability has been excellent at the MK. Right now at 1:17 if I check for what is available you can get
Buzz 1:30 2:50 3:55
Dumbo 2:30 3:35 5:10
Haunted Mansion 1:35 3:00 4:00
Jungle Cruise 2:50 3:55 5:00
Mad Tea Party 1:40 2:55 4:30
Philharmagic 2:45 3:55 5:00
Monster's Inc 1:30 2:05 3:05
Pirates 2:15 3:20 4:25
Space Mtn 2:10 3:10 4:55
Barnstormer 2:05 3:10 4:40
Magic Carpets 1:50 2:50 4:30
Pooh 2:25 4:15 5:15
Speedway 3:00 4:10 5:15
little mermaid 2:45 3:45 4:45

Sold out: 7DMT, Peter Pan, Splash Mountain, all character m&g, parade

Please note this is for 2 people. Also please note this is a party night with closing at 7pm. When closing times were later I was able to find both PP, Splash Mtn and a ton of character meet and greets still available even in early evening... there are just 4 more hours of FP+ to distribute when it is open later. The ONLY thing I have seen sold out first thing in the morning is 7DMT. Even PP and the mountains have had availability in the first couple of hours of park opening though sometimes later in the day than you might like.

So if I were doing SDFP and walked in right now I would FP+ Haunted mansion 1:35, Jungle cruise 2:50 Pirates 4:25

OR buzz 1:30 Space 3:10 Speedway 4:10

lots of great availability IMO

I totally get all of this! Thank you so much. Hmmm, lots to think about

 

[Wood Nymph]

Ok everyone, I've got a question.
..( Big surprise ) :
I know there is a fast pass board, and I can find this info there I'm sure, so I apologize! But, if you'd care to participate in the post I do have an opinion question in the end! And as always, I'd value your feedback! Thank you and have a magical day!

So, not too long ago we decided to do park hoppers. One day we are now planning to do MK in the am and hs is the pm. I was wondering about fp. I know you have to choose to book fp in only one park first and use all 3 before booking in second park.

1) can I choose to book first 3 in MK OR hs on booking day?
2) say I choose to book 3 fp at MK on booking day, can I use the Sdfp bands to book 3 fp at HS right away, as soon as I get into MK in the am and find a kiosk?
3) I know there are a lot of great planners here, and I was wondering.... Say I do NOT choose to use sdfp...If we're at MK and use our three passes by, say, 2pm... Do you think there will be any good availability for some of the popular attractions at hs when we book our 4th? would that be a concern to any of you? Hs in the pm will be our only time in that park.

Btw.. I know I'm being paranoid I'm just trying to know what to expect if I can... Because I do know there will be a lot of surprises. I'm going to have to be flexible. I need to practice this!!
Sorry these questions are so darn confusing.

I would book your fps at HS because the tier 1 rides very likely won't be available for SDFP. I would go to MK at rope drop if possible, go to a kiosk to get the SDFP, then head off to Adventureland to ride those rides first. Everyone rushes to Fantasyland to line up for 7DMT, so the Adventureland and Frontierland areas aren't very crowded for the first hour or so of the morning. You should be able to walk on Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Splash and possibly BTMRR.

Then when you go to HS you should be able to get Fantasmic with SDFP. We found availability for RnR in the evening as a 4th fastpass on our regular tickets (not the SDFP bands). We were shocked but happy that it was available.