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

Ok you guys, just had a long talk with DH. He agreed to do the CP dining package on 12/5. It took about an hour to nail down which restaurant we wanted...plus finding a lunch time that worked for us to do the 5pm show. We were torn between Garden Grill, Coral Reef, or Chefs de France. Ultimately ended up with an 11:50 lunch at GG. We've never been to Coral Reef, but I just have a hard time spending $70 pp for a menu that looks iffy when really we only want to go for ambiance. DH was also interested in Biergarten, but I just don't know if I'd like the food there. Anyway, I think the 11:50 lunch will flow best because that gives us plenty of time to eat snacks in Epcot before our BOG dinner at 7:35. :)

But here's the biggest news...DH just agreed to do EMM on our MK day so I just booked it!!! :yay::yay::yay:
We were discussing the flow and how FP+ works and all that. When I told him that we might be too tired to do our BOG PPO on our last day, he agreed. I mentioned EMM again, and he was all "Oh yeah, I told you I wanted to do that!" However, I distinctly remember talking to him about it, and he said it wasn't worth the money for 3 rides. :sad2: Anyway, once I explained that 7DMT is the most popular ride in Disney right now, and that people are going on that and the other two rides multiple times, he was all for it! His exact words: "Think of how much time we'll save getting those rides out of the way!!" Plus breakfast being included means we can plan on a later QS lunch, which I think will make the most sense. I'm pretty excited he agreed to do both CP package and EMM; I think he's feeling guilty for getting really drunk last night at our friend's birthday party. :rotfl2:

Yippee!! Which day is your MK day? I haven't booked any of our extra stuff yet so I'm just hoping there is still availability when I'm finally able to in the last month before we go.
 
Ok you guys, just had a long talk with DH. He agreed to do the CP dining package on 12/5. It took about an hour to nail down which restaurant we wanted...plus finding a lunch time that worked for us to do the 5pm show. We were torn between Garden Grill, Coral Reef, or Chefs de France. Ultimately ended up with an 11:50 lunch at GG. We've never been to Coral Reef, but I just have a hard time spending $70 pp for a menu that looks iffy when really we only want to go for ambiance. DH was also interested in Biergarten, but I just don't know if I'd like the food there. Anyway, I think the 11:50 lunch will flow best because that gives us plenty of time to eat snacks in Epcot before our BOG dinner at 7:35. :)

But here's the biggest news...DH just agreed to do EMM on our MK day so I just booked it!!! :yay::yay::yay:
We were discussing the flow and how FP+ works and all that. When I told him that we might be too tired to do our BOG PPO on our last day, he agreed. I mentioned EMM again, and he was all "Oh yeah, I told you I wanted to do that!" However, I distinctly remember talking to him about it, and he said it wasn't worth the money for 3 rides. :sad2: Anyway, once I explained that 7DMT is the most popular ride in Disney right now, and that people are going on that and the other two rides multiple times, he was all for it! His exact words: "Think of how much time we'll save getting those rides out of the way!!" Plus breakfast being included means we can plan on a later QS lunch, which I think will make the most sense. I'm pretty excited he agreed to do both CP package and EMM; I think he's feeling guilty for getting really drunk last night at our friend's birthday party. :rotfl2:

That's great!!! EMM and CP all in one shot :thumbsup2 totally worth him getting drunk :rotfl2:
 
Ok you guys, just had a long talk with DH. He agreed to do the CP dining package on 12/5. It took about an hour to nail down which restaurant we wanted...plus finding a lunch time that worked for us to do the 5pm show. We were torn between Garden Grill, Coral Reef, or Chefs de France. Ultimately ended up with an 11:50 lunch at GG. We've never been to Coral Reef, but I just have a hard time spending $70 pp for a menu that looks iffy when really we only want to go for ambiance. DH was also interested in Biergarten, but I just don't know if I'd like the food there. Anyway, I think the 11:50 lunch will flow best because that gives us plenty of time to eat snacks in Epcot before our BOG dinner at 7:35. :)

But here's the biggest news...DH just agreed to do EMM on our MK day so I just booked it!!! :yay::yay::yay:
We were discussing the flow and how FP+ works and all that. When I told him that we might be too tired to do our BOG PPO on our last day, he agreed. I mentioned EMM again, and he was all "Oh yeah, I told you I wanted to do that!" However, I distinctly remember talking to him about it, and he said it wasn't worth the money for 3 rides. :sad2: Anyway, once I explained that 7DMT is the most popular ride in Disney right now, and that people are going on that and the other two rides multiple times, he was all for it! His exact words: "Think of how much time we'll save getting those rides out of the way!!" Plus breakfast being included means we can plan on a later QS lunch, which I think will make the most sense. I'm pretty excited he agreed to do both CP package and EMM; I think he's feeling guilty for getting really drunk last night at our friend's birthday party. :rotfl2:

Yay for EMM! I haven't booked mine yet, but I hope to do that today after I firm up my plans. My DH wasn't really on board with EMM when I first explained it, but I explained why I think it's a good idea and that it's gotten good reviews and then I saw his eyes glaze over. All he heard was "extra money."

I had a very similar talk with my DH last night, only instead of him saying he said he wanted to do EMM...it was the SW fireworks! I even mentioned in this thread last week that I showed him a video of SW fireworks because I wanted to know if I should plan on doing the SW dessert party. He said no! Then last night when I made him sit down and go over a couple key points (mainly wanted to make sure he was OK with early mornings at the start turning into late nights) and he randomly said "When are we seeing that nighttime parade at MK?" Ummm...what nighttime parade? Oh you mean MSEP. Yeah that's going away permanently. He was SO disappointed! I remember we watched a youtube video a long time ago of the parade and both agreed we'd rather spend our time park touring. So then I explained all of the nighttime things at each park and now he wants to see both SW fireworks and F!, which I was planning for neither. He basically said "We might as well experience it all." And he says I change my mind too much.

So looks like I'm in on the SW dessert party! Add me to the "please notify me" list, though I've been checking out this thread multiple times a day lately.
 
Yippee!! Which day is your MK day? I haven't booked any of our extra stuff yet so I'm just hoping there is still availability when I'm finally able to in the last month before we go.

It's on Sunday, 12/4 :) I didn't want to wait to book it because I'm worried it'll be gone, especially after people start booking their FP+ times and there is limited availability for these rides. I figure people are more likely to book EMM if they realize they can't get FP's when they want them. :) Plus for us it makes sense since that was already our MK day. When is your MK day again?

That's great!!! EMM and CP all in one shot :thumbsup2 totally worth him getting drunk :rotfl2:

I know, right?!?!?! Oh boy I had to earn the CP and EMM though. :sad2: He doesn't drink that much, but last night he made up for it. LOL
 

Yay for EMM! I haven't booked mine yet, but I hope to do that today after I firm up my plans. My DH wasn't really on board with EMM when I first explained it, but I explained why I think it's a good idea and that it's gotten good reviews and then I saw his eyes glaze over. All he heard was "extra money."

I had a very similar talk with my DH last night, only instead of him saying he said he wanted to do EMM...it was the SW fireworks! I even mentioned in this thread last week that I showed him a video of SW fireworks because I wanted to know if I should plan on doing the SW dessert party. He said no! Then last night when I made him sit down and go over a couple key points (mainly wanted to make sure he was OK with early mornings at the start turning into late nights) and he randomly said "When are we seeing that nighttime parade at MK?" Ummm...what nighttime parade? Oh you mean MSEP. Yeah that's going away permanently. He was SO disappointed! I remember we watched a youtube video a long time ago of the parade and both agreed we'd rather spend our time park touring. So then I explained all of the nighttime things at each park and now he wants to see both SW fireworks and F!, which I was planning for neither. He basically said "We might as well experience it all." And he says I change my mind too much.

So looks like I'm in on the SW dessert party! Add me to the "please notify me" list, though I've been checking out this thread multiple times a day lately.
Yay for both of our DH's!!! :yay:
I honestly think they just could not wrap their heads around these things like we do because they're not the ones in charge of planning, KWIM?? I think I've realized that when I talk about Disney, DH only retains half of what I say :confused3
 
It's on Sunday, 12/4 :) I didn't want to wait to book it because I'm worried it'll be gone, especially after people start booking their FP+ times and there is limited availability for these rides. I figure people are more likely to book EMM if they realize they can't get FP's when they want them. :) Plus for us it makes sense since that was already our MK day. When is your MK day again?



I know, right?!?!?! Oh boy I had to earn the CP and EMM though. :sad2: He doesn't drink that much, but last night he made up for it. LOL

12/4 is one of our MK days! We're probably doing EMM the first time on 11/29, but there's a chance we'll love it so much we'll book it again for 12/4 or 12/6. ;)
 
Yay for both of our DH's!!! :yay:
I honestly think they just could not wrap their heads around these things like we do because they're not the ones in charge of planning, KWIM?? I think I've realized that when I talk about Disney, DH only retains half of what I say :confused3

I totally agree! After about 30 minutes, he looked at me and said "I can only do so much Disney talking at once and I think I've hit my limit for now." Well, at least he warned me instead of just smiling and nodding!
 
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I totally agree! After about 30 minutes, he looked at me and said "I can only do so much Disney talking at once and I think I've hit my limit for now." Well, at least he warned me instead of just smiling and nodding!

Good for him for recognizing and articulating that! Dh and I walk almost every night and there are pretty much 2 subjects we cover in that 30 minutes: Disney and/or the kids.
 
12/4 is one of our MK days! We're probably doing EMM the first time on 11/29, but there's a chance we'll love it so much we'll book it again for 12/4 or 12/6. ;)

Cool! If you do go on 12/4 we'll see you on the bus from AoA:)

I totally agree! After about 30 minutes, he looked at me and said "I can only do so much Disney talking at once and I think I've hit my limit for now." Well, at least he warned me instead of just smiling and nodding!

Yes!! My DH is the same way!! I can get almost 10 mins before he's just done. Hahaha
 
it's a horrible feeling :( im sorry about that :( it happened a few times to me as well, and then finally just had a successful trade. So strange.
the only thing I can suggest ( which I have not yet tried) is something I read on the boards:
Instead of just canceling the reservation to be traded, first, try to book a new restaurant for that same time period. Usually, when you do that, the system prompts you that you have to either keep the old one or cancel it to book the new one, right? Apparently, I have read that when you cancel the old reservation this way it does go back out immediately for someone to get......(again, so I've heard). But, I guess it's worth a shot!
....then again, last night I was prompted to cancel a conflicting time reservation and for some weird reason in the end it didn't actually cancel it. So now I still have both. Very odd

You should keep checking! So about a week ago I booked the Fantasmic lunch package at H&V for 1:30. My original non-Fantasmic lunch was at 1:05. Not a huge difference, but better for us. So, after booking the 1:30, I dropped the 1:05 to try and re-book it as Fantasmic knowing that at least I had the 1:30 already locked up. I immediately tried to grab it and it wasn't there. I thought for certain that someone had grabbed it with lightening speed, but kept checking for at least an hour. At 3am my phone beeps and it's a touring plans alert for a lunch at 1:05. It was my original lunch and it took almost 12 hours for it to pop back into the system. I grabbed it since the text woke me up, but I think there are times when it just takes a while....
 
Ok, after talking to DH yesterday, I've decided to switch my AK and Epcot days. DH specifically asked to go to AK on our first day, because every other trip we go to AK as our last park and we're always so tired he feels we don't see as much. Plus with out ADR's, the only way we'll be able to do Candelight Processional at Epcot is if we go on 12/5 (we have a 7:35pm BOG for 12/5.)

So, here's my tentative park and FP+ plan:
-My booking day is October 3.

12/2- Flight arrives at 8pm, arrive at AoA around 9:30, eat QS at the food court and go to bed early.

12/3- Arrive at AK at 7:30 for RD. Head to safari at RD, because I'm assuming I won't get an early Safari FP.
I'm going to try for a FP+ for Safari (unlikely), Kali River Rapids, and It's Tough to be a Bug. DH won't ride Expedition Everest so I'll do single rider line. Other than that we're going to eat an early QS at Y&Y or Flame Tree depending on how FP's shake out, catch the Festival of Lion King, and whatever else we decide to see. Dinoland isn't a big draw for us.
As of right now, I have a 3:45 ADR for H&V at HS, then hopefully the SW dessert party with some super cool people I know! *If* by some miracle I end up getting a 12/6 H&V ADR, I'll cancel the 3:45 ADR and we'll probably just do another QS at AK or HS, depending on how we feel the day is flowing.

12/4- MK day! Arrive for RD. Trying for 7DMT FP+ mid morning (doesn't really matter when to me the exact time), plus going to FP+ BTMRR for afternoon, and Peter Pan in the AM. On RD, go to SDFP kiosk and get SDFP for Anna and Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, and Splash Mountain.
Plan is to do Fantasyland and New Fantasyland first; head over to Tomorrowland, then head back and do Haunted Mansion. Lunch at CHH QS, then over to Adventureland for POTC, Jungle Cruise, then Frontierland for our BTMRR FP+, and our Splash SDFP. After that I'll see what's available for FP+ for the rest of the day and play it by ear. We'll be zonked by then so we'll probably leave Frontierland and take the train around the park.
We have a 7pm Chef Mickey's ADR, which works great as it's a party night. Going to try to head to Epcot after dinner for Illuminations.

12/5- Epcot Day. Trying for FEA FP+ sometime mid-day. At RD, head to SDFP kiosk for TT, and Joy/Sadness M&G. Then head over to Soarin, Living with the Land, Finding Nemo, Figment, and depending on the time, Visa M&G. Then scoot over to do the SDFP M&G, then TT for our SDFP. Hopefully we'll be ready for our FEA FP+ at that point. I'll likely book a CP package for lunch or late breakfast, so we'll eat, then mosey around World Showcase, and catch the 5pm CP show. After that we'll ride Spaceship Earth on our way out, the take the monorail over to MK for our 7:35pm BOG dinner. If we have time, ride a ride or two, then watch Wishes.

12/6- HS day. *If* I don't get a F! Package at H&V, I'll FP+ Fantasmic. I'll also FP+ Star Tours, and Muppet Vision. At RD, we'll head to TSMM, then SDFP TSMM for later in the day, as well as Indiana Jones. DH will likely not ride RnRC, so I'll single rider line for that and if I'm feeling adventurous, do ToT by myself. Then we'll do the Great Movie ride, and then we have an 11:45 Sci-Fi lunch. After that, we'll do Star Tours FP+, then Muppet Vision FP+. If the timing works out, we'll do Indy, then go back to TSMM for our SDFP. Really hoping for H&V F! to open up, other wise we'll grab QS in the park, then go to Fantasmic. Early night back to the hotel after that.

12/7- US/IOA and MK EMH!
For FP+, I'll try for late night 7DMT, Peter Pan, and BTMRR. Grab a quick breakfast in the AoA food court, then Uber over to US/IOA for opening! Not really sure what the plan of attack is but all of the HP things. I want a Butterbeer!
Park closes at 7, so we'll Uber back to AoA most likely before that, clean up a little, then head to Cali Grill for our 9:30 ADR and Wishes :) After that go to MK for late EMH, ride some FP+ rides, and poke around Main Street.

12/8- Sleep IN! It's our MVMCP day, so we're going to relax at the hotel in the AM, then hit DS for some shopping and lunch at WGP Express.
Back to the resort for some rest and to change into our Christmas stuff. Hopefully will have an Ohana ADR at 3:30, then head to MK for MVMCP!!
I have no idea what to FP+ yet for this day!

12/9- Sleep in, 10:30 breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. No idea what we're doing this day; probably go resort hopping to check out decorations after breakfast, then back to Epcot. 6:15 HDDR, then MAYBE ROL if it ever opens. Pack :(

12/10- Bring luggage to bag check. :( I am going to make either a late brunch or lunch ADR, just haven't decided where yet. Tragical Express picks us up at 5pm for our 8pm flight, so we have a good chunk of time to go to whichever park we want; most likely will hit MK for one last time, and then if we have time, DS.

I'm still a little out of place with my plans....but I need to do some more research on using FP+ and SDFP and strategies.
These sound like such wonderful plans!! Everyone is so great about selecting their fp and knowing when and which days they'd like to get them!! I have some major planning to do still!! I'm so happy to finally have my plans straight for adrs and park days! Yey!! But I need to research some more about all of the fantastic things at Ak!!
 
Yes that is why knowing a lot of people are overwhelmed at the FP+ process I asked that question the way I did. I think you will have plenty of time/opportunity to move things around even day of EXCEPT for those two... and then some other popular ones you might not have as much flexibility after 30 days but those are the two biggest ones. They are not even available at 30 days, I have been watching! If you don't stay on site you have to RD these or wait a long time.

I happen to be doing MK last 3 days of my trip so I think I can get 7DMT. I am highly leaning now toward trying to get a 5:30-6:30 return before the christmas party. it just seems like the thing to do on christmas party day so 12/8.

FEA I need much earlier in my trip which is why I am aiming for much later in the day. I feel those will fill up later than Mornings. I want monday 12/6 for that. Hoping I can get it when the time comes :P


And I am jealous of your ability to see and study FP availability! This is because your ticket is not part of a package correct? I am making a note in my planning files about it because I see the ability to check on FP bookings as a bonus for over planners.

I agree with you about 7DMT prior to the party, that should be doable and lots of fun leading into a festive evening. Our whole train sang and clapped along to the music a few summers ago. I really love it when other people get into the experience as much as I do. I don't feel quite so silly then.

Your late in the day strategy is my plan for FEA. Hoping it works out. If it does not for us we might just stand by. Does anyone know how far into the line I am able to continue consuming an adult beverage? Can I enter the line with a beverage?
 
Planning hasn't gone very well since Friday night for me. I am having major issues trying to select which parks for which days. Deja vu! :badpc:

Now that I've moved my MVMCP date and extended our departure I am pretty much back to square one. I have 2 out of 7 days figured out and the rest I just can't seem to settle on. Those 2 days are only set because of the MVMCP date and the only EMM we can do.
 
And I am jealous of your ability to see and study FP availability! This is because your ticket is not part of a package correct? I am making a note in my planning files about it because I see the ability to check on FP bookings as a bonus for over planners.

I agree with you about 7DMT prior to the party, that should be doable and lots of fun leading into a festive evening. Our whole train sang and clapped along to the music a few summers ago. I really love it when other people get into the experience as much as I do. I don't feel quite so silly then.

Your late in the day strategy is my plan for FEA. Hoping it works out. If it does not for us we might just stand by. Does anyone know how far into the line I am able to continue consuming an adult beverage? Can I enter the line with a beverage?
Lisa has an AP, I believe, which is why she can see FP availability :)

BTW, about your earlier post regarding your DS...have you considered doing something like a Garden Grocer delivery or going to a store to pick up things you know he'll eat? Might be a good idea to have some easy things that don't need to be cooked on hand, just in case. :)
 
Lisa has an AP, I believe, which is why she can see FP availability :)

BTW, about your earlier post regarding your DS...have you considered doing something like a Garden Grocer delivery or going to a store to pick up things you know he'll eat? Might be a good idea to have some easy things that don't need to be cooked on hand, just in case. :)

You just need to have tickets linked that are not part of a booked package. I linked my tickets this weekend after Lisa said that was how she was checking availability and I've been playing around in it. I'm also checking the FPs available against the WDW Lines app from touring plans on my phone. If I check now for a party of 2, at almost 5:30pm which is quite late in the day, there's some good FPs available in Epcot, AK, and HS that would save you from a ~15-25 min line. But most of the FPs available right now have only a 7-8 min line. MK is having a party tonight, so FPs really can't be booked now since it's so close. An example is Kali River Rapids in AK that currently shows at least a 6:00, 7:00, and 8:25 availability. According to the app, the line is currently posted as 30 minutes and the app has a note "Wait. Lines dropping until 7:15pm to 16 min."

I think it's very useful to be able to go in and practice looking for FP reservations. But also the ability to scope out what seems to be available for SDFP is nice. Before I knew about all that, I would check my Line app a few times a day to see what the wait times looked like.
 
You just need to have tickets linked that are not part of a booked package. I linked my tickets this weekend after Lisa said that was how she was checking availability and I've been playing around in it. I'm also checking the FPs available against the WDW Lines app from touring plans on my phone. If I check now for a party of 2, at almost 5:30pm which is quite late in the day, there's some good FPs available in Epcot, AK, and HS that would save you from a ~15-25 min line. But most of the FPs available right now have only a 7-8 min line. MK is having a party tonight, so FPs really can't be booked now since it's so close. An example is Kali River Rapids in AK that currently shows at least a 6:00, 7:00, and 8:25 availability. According to the app, the line is currently posted as 30 minutes and the app has a note "Wait. Lines dropping until 7:15pm to 16 min."

I think it's very useful to be able to go in and practice looking for FP reservations. But also the ability to scope out what seems to be available for SDFP is nice. Before I knew about all that, I would check my Line app a few times a day to see what the wait times looked like.
I did the same thing and linked my tickets after @Lisa F mentioned hers was linked too. I need to check more often though.... I need to check the lines app more often too! Lol!
 
Looking at tomorrow's (rated as lower crowds than our timeframe) FP availability again for a party of 2...
MK has FPs available for everything except BTMRR, Fof parade, it's a small world. It's worth noting that while there is an availability for 7DMT, it is for 8:50pm (first available time).
EP has FPs available for everything except FEA.
HS has FPs available for everything.
AK has FPs available for everything except DINOSAUR. Kilimanjaro safaris are available starting at 1pm.

Looking at 10/11, or 30 days from today, for a party of 2. So everyone staying onsite should have booked by now and offsite guest could book starting at 7am EST this morning.
MK has FPs available for everything except BTMRR, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Peter Pan's Flight, and 7DMT.
EP has FPs availablefor everything except FEA. Soarin, Mission space, & TT are available starting in the afternoon time slots.
HS has FPs availablefor everything. But TSMM the earliest is at 2:15pm.
AK has FPs available for everything except DINOSAUR. Kilimanjaro safaris are available starting at 1pm.

I didn't look to see what the crowd calendar was rating 10/11.
 
The only wrench in my Fastpass planning for 12/6 is that I have 8 other family members who will be there, but they're staying offsite, so I can't help them make Fastpass reservations until 30 days out.
No, that isn't true. You will be able to book fastpasses for your offsite friends when your 60 day window opens as long as they are on the same fastpass as you. We have been using our son-in-law's ticket and my sister's ticket for fastpasses for two trips now, and they are home and have no plans to go to Disney.

There is an explanation of how this works on the FP facts thread. I'll try to find the link.
 
I did the same thing and linked my tickets after @Lisa F mentioned hers was linked too. I need to check more often though.... I need to check the lines app more often too! Lol!

It's like a part-time job really! My husband thinks this is too much work for a vacation. I agree to a point. But now I just can't imagine showing up at WDW unprepared. I hope after FPs are made I will be able to slow down and enjoy the planning more because the stressful parts are done for the most part.
 














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