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

[Lisa F]

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

I just have linked tickets to my account that are not tied to a package so I can check FP availability on any given day because I could use my ticket any day I wanted to (when linked to a package it is linked to your hotel stay dates).

 

[Mintycake]

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?

No guarantees for any characters generally but Face characters for sure. It's easy enough to get another CM into a Stitch costume at Ohana, quite another to have someone play Aurora since it's different training (they need to know the backstory and perfect the autograph). That's why I am thinking of doing the FP for characters at MK after Akershus. I know it will be tough to wait for DD but as compensation we'll do Ariel, Rapunzel and Tiana on day one of MK. I am seriously hoping for the Akershus lineup to be Belle, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, and Jasmine or Mulan. I'll feel a litle gyped if it's Mary poppins because my daugher has no idea who that is and no interest in the movie. I am really holding out for Mulan even though it's rare because I hear her line is redonk in Epcot.

 

[rasadkowski]

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. We were shocked but happy that it was available.

Thank you! Great advice

 

[Lisa F]

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.

The tier 1 rides have been very available, especially early in the morning.

What I would do is FP+ 7DMT as early as possible in the day (during first or second hour of park opening) and then when you scan through I would book a tier 1 and 2 at HS and SDFP everything else at MK.

right now (1:33pm) at HS I can get the following SDFP

RNR 1:45 3:00 4:00
GMR 1:45 3:15 4:40
TSMM 1:55 3:40 4:40
F!
the popular tier 2's have good availability too

basically everything. Earlier in the morning there are even more times available. it's crazy how many SDFP are available!

THEN when you go to HS you have a tier 1, a tier 2, (prebooked from the app while you are MK) and I would get a SDFP for a second Tier 1 when you get there. I think this works especially well since you WANT later in the day FP+ at HS - there will be anything you want available from the app at 10 in the morning, trust me


At Epcot FEA is sold out but Soarin has 2:35 3:35 4:35
TT has 3:00 4:00 5:00
TONS

 

[rasadkowski]

No guarantees for any characters generally but Face characters for sure. It's easy enough to get another CM into a Stitch costume at Ohana, quite another to have someone play Aurora since it's different training (they need to know the backstory and perfect the autograph). That's why I am thinking of doing the FP for characters at MK after Akershus. I know it will be tough to wait for DD but as compensation we'll do Ariel, Rapunzel and Tiana on day one of MK. I am seriously hoping for the Akershus lineup to be Belle, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, and Jasmine or Mulan. I'll feel a litle gyped if it's Mary poppins because my daugher has no idea who that is and no interest in the movie. I am really holding out for Mulan even though it's rare because I hear her line is redonk in Epcot.

Ahhh makes sense!!

 

[JamieOak]

I just have linked tickets to my account that are not tied to a package so I can check FP availability on any given day because I could use my ticket any day I wanted to (when linked to a package it is linked to your hotel stay dates).

I really need to start playing around with that myself. I have the same situation, however I haven't actually linked my tickets yet. Once linked I couldn't return them for a refund to Undercover Toursit, so I was holding off just in case something catastrophic happened and I needed to return them. But at this point I can't forsee cancelling the trip, it would be a postponement if something crazy happened! I can't imagine doing all this research and getting excited and then not going at all. And I already had emergency surgery just 2 weeks ago, so hopefully it's all downhill from here!

 

[rasadkowski]

The tier 1 rides have been very available, especially early in the morning.

What I would do is FP+ 7DMT as early as possible and then when you scan through I would book a tier 1 and 2 at HS and SDFP everything else at MK.

right now (1:33pm) at HS I can get the following SDFP

RNR 1:45 3:00 4:00
GMR 1:45 3:15 4:40
TSMM 1:55 3:40 4:40
F!

basically everything. Earlier in the morning there are even more times available. it's crazy how many SDFP are available!

At Epcot FEA is sold out but Soarin has 2:35 3:35 4:35
TT has 3:00 4:00 5:00
TONS

This is a good plan of attack! I have got to get my eggs all in one basket! I am really unprepared for fp day. Eek!

 

[Lisa F]

This is a good plan of attack! I have got to get my eggs all in one basket! I am really unprepared for fp day. Eek!

i edited to add a bit more info which may or may not be actually helpful

you are going to have to chill (and trust) that you just need to book 7DMT for as early in the day as you can and don't book two more even though you can. This will not work well if you can't get 7DMT EARLY because then you have to wait to book FPs as HS. HOWEVER if you can't get 7DMT pretty early in the day I would probably still book all of my FP+ in the MK and then book my tier 1 at HS when my third expired. I bet even at that time you will get what you want at HS. I can't believe how much there is available day of.

Truly only FEA and 7DMT are a problem.

 

[Wood Nymph]

basically everything. Earlier in the morning there are even more times available. it's crazy how many SDFP are available!

If you are looking at today's availability then you are looking at one of the least crowded times of the year. It might not look that way in December.

I never risk not getting my very favorite fastpasses. I would be afraid that the tier 1's at HS would not be available if I took the risk and waited until the same day to get them. But then that is me.

 

[rasadkowski]

Want a know real kicker?! I am not sure yet which day will even be hs day!!! I'm really hoping to get the holiday dine dinner adr before fp day... If not.. I'll just pick a random day and hope for the best

 

[Iowamomof4]

Part of me feels like I just want to make fastpasses like I did last time (the way we had to before the recent changes): 3 per park/per day. But when I think about doing that, I feel like I'll be missing out on the shiny, new option of making just one or two fastpasses in park #1 and then making the other fastpasses in park #2 once we start using our fastpasses in park #1.

 

[Lisa F]

If you are looking at today's availability then you are looking at one of the least crowded times of the year. It might not look that way in December.

I never risk not getting my very favorite fastpasses. I would be afraid that the tier 1's at HS would not be available if I took the risk and waited until the same day to get them. But then that is me.

I've been watching for about a month so some of the time I was watching was during the busier season. There was never lack of late day tier 1FP availability for HS. Things that tended to sell out later in the day on busier days were soarin' and peter pan (though there was usually one lone close to closing PP FP available). There are actually MORE FP's done distributing today in the MK than I have seen at any other time, even checking at around 9pm for an 11pm close. I have always seen PP and Splash and the character M&Gs (though not all of them but right now NONE of them have anything) with availability.

 

[Lisa F]

Part of me feels like I just want to make fastpasses like I did last time (the way we had to before the recent changes): 3 per park/per day. But when I think about doing that, I feel like I'll be missing out on the shiny, new option of making just one or two fastpasses in park #1 and then making the other fastpasses in park #2 once we start using our fastpasses in park #1.

if you post what your plans are generally I am willing to weigh on on what I think and why, and I'm sure others are too . Not that I am an expert but I don't think there is a 1 size fits all approach so I can't say without specifics whether it is better to book 3 in one park of 1 in one park and then the other two in another. it really depends on the parks/times/rides.

 

[Candycane83]

@Mintycake im generally going to repeat only Mickey and friends depending on DS... My only priority regarding character right now is talking Mickey, Joy and Sadness, Baymax and Olaf! If there's time, I'd probably want to go for Dug and Russell (DH's fav Disney movie must be UP).

 

[Iowamomof4]

if you post what your plans are generally I am willing to weigh on on what I think and why, and I'm sure others are too . Not that I am an expert but I don't think there is a 1 size fits all approach so I can't say without specifics whether it is better to book 3 in one park of 1 in one park and then the other two in another. it really depends on the parks/times/rides.

I think we're only planning to park hop on one or two days. Actually, Epcot is the place I'm most tempted to pick just a tier 1 fp (FEA any day I can get it) and then leave the other slots open for additional fastpasses at other parks. I just feel like there aren't any other rides in Epcot that really need a fastpass other than the tier 1's. We don't do the character spot (though I hope to catch Joy & Sadness at rope drop, but that's not who the "character spot" fastpass is for anyway, as I'm sure you know) and we only need one ride on Spaceship:Earth. Other than those, I think about everything else can be done at various times throughout the day with very short waits. Mission:Space is probably another than could possibly need a fp, but again, one time on that ride for the 2-3 people in my party who will ride it is enough.

 

[Candycane83]

For fastpasses, I should do the same thing as @Lisa F and start monitoring but I honestly keep forgetting I'm a little confused on how to tour with a two year old!! Right now I keep looking at the map to see where to go and avoid crisscrossing the parks but it's hard to figure that timing of rides and FPs! Of course need to add in ADRs and rest time too

 

[Lisa F]

I think we're only planning to park hop on one or two days. Actually, Epcot is the place I'm most tempted to pick just a tier 1 fp (FEA any day I can get it) and then leave the other slots open for additional fastpasses at other parks. I just feel like there aren't any other rides in Epcot that really need a fastpass other than the tier 1's. We don't do the character spot (though I hope to catch Joy & Sadness at rope drop, but that's not who the "character spot" fastpass is for anyway, as I'm sure you know) and we only need one ride on Spaceship:Earth. Other than those, I think about everything else can be done at various times throughout the day with very short waits. Mission:Space is probably another than could possibly need a fp, but again, one time on that ride for the 2-3 people in my party who will ride it is enough.

you could do that if you go to epcot first. SDFPs are the MOST helpful first thing in the morning so you could totally book FEA and a few SDFP while you are there (spaceship earth will always have SDFP).

 

[Lisa F]

For fastpasses, I should do the same thing as @Lisa F and start monitoring but I honestly keep forgetting I'm a little confused on how to tour with a two year old!! Right now I keep looking at the map to see where to go and avoid crisscrossing the parks but it's hard to figure that timing of rides and FPs! Of course need to add in ADRs and rest time too

I just check every so often when someone asks. I am always finding at least 3 that I would get if I went to a particular park RIGHT NOW even within 3 hours of park close. That is as of late July.

BTW I went in 2014 from 9/19-9/26 and it was MUCH more crowded than I expected even in the lower season, but I still did everything I want with FP and standby (changing a lot of FP on the fly). I think first two weeks of December are pretty comparable crowd wise to the period when F&W and MNSSHP are both running concurrently. So in another couple of weeks I can start checking availability and let people know what it looks like.

 

[Wood Nymph]

There was never lack of late day tier 1FP availability for HS.

There was when we were there in June - just sayin'

 

[Lisa F]

There was when we were there in June - just sayin'

really? weren't they saying the parks were dead in June? or was it July? I have never checked a single day that did not have tier 1 FP+ at HS. but I did not check in june. I think fall with F&W and MNSSHP is probably going to be the most comparable anyway.

Of course when I think Tier 1 I am thinking TSMM, which has seen a huge bump in availability and drop in wait time since the third track opened. I have no interest in RnR so I haven't been following that one. GMR is the red headed stepchild, I don't think anyone books that in advance. F! has always had late day availability. So I guess it also depends which Tier 1 you want. But first thing in the morning I haven't seen a single Tier 1 at epcot or HS besides FEA that did not have plenty of availability especially early in the morning if you want something for later in the day.