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

[pigletgirl]

I'm so clueless about our FP's! I'll probably make it up as I go along and tweak it along the way.

ETA: Our 60 day mark Sept 30th.

 

[Mal6586]

Assignment #2:
Assuming everyone will have at least one day in each park, what are your top 3 FP+ for each park?

The speedway always seems to have crazy waits to me. I think it is just SO popular with the little ones and it just has kind of limited capacity and loads so slowly. I bet that will drop off as the night goes on and little ones are conking out for bed. Haunted Mansion probably will not have as big of a wait at the xmas party as it does at the halloween party either. EVERYONE wants to go on it for Halloween!

MK: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, & Haunted Mansion
Epcot: Frozen Ever After, The Seas w/ Nemo & Friends, & Turtle Talk w/ Crush
DHS: Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, & Star Tours
AK: Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, & Kilimanjaro Safaris (will swap for Rivers of Light though if we can by then though!)

 

[SilSprBea]

Assignment #2:
Assuming everyone will have at least one day in each park, what are your top 3 FP+ for each park?

The speedway always seems to have crazy waits to me. I think it is just SO popular with the little ones and it just has kind of limited capacity and loads so slowly. I bet that will drop off as the night goes on and little ones are conking out for bed. Haunted Mansion probably will not have as big of a wait at the xmas party as it does at the halloween party either. EVERYONE wants to go on it for Halloween!

This is hard for me. I have my musts at each park, but there are others that I'm not sure about. We're going to be in MK 3 days so I'm hoping to get more than just top three!
MK: 7DMT, Peter Pan, Enchanted Tales with Belle?
Epcot: FEA, Nemo? Turtle talk with crush?
HS: Toy Story, Tower of Teror, Star Tours
Animal Kingdom: Safari, Everest, River of Lights (fingers crossed!)

 

[areno79]

Really @areno79 what times? Maybe we'll wave to you! We have BOG at 7:10 on 12/5 and right now Chef Mickey at 7:40, but I'm trying to get it a little earlier (not by much, but maybe around 7-7:15) to make sure we have enough time to get to Poly for fireworks viewing!

We have Chef Mickey's at 7, and BOG at 7:35. We also have our HS day on 12/6. I think a lot of us in this thread will be crossing paths a few times. Great minds and all that!

 

[SilSprBea]

Oh, that makes me so sad! My TA does that stuff for me if I want but doesn't charge anything for it. I certainly understand being overwhelmed at the start though! My first trip, I was so relieved we were going to be traveling with a big group and one of our group members was a TA and was arranging everything for us. Within just a couple months though, I was beginning to feel majorly held back by the group so we added on a few nights at the beginning for just our family. Now we're doing this trip completely on our own (still using the same TA though) so we can decide where we want to be and when and aren't having our trip at all dictated by anyone else! It feels so freeing!

I know, I'm a little sad about it too, and really stressed out now about passing on the control to someone else. My friend used her and recommended her and the concierge service. It's not cheap (probably equivalent to the cost of 2 to attend the Christmas party) but it seemed like such a small amount compared to the rest of the trip cost. She booked my initial reservations but because I didn't do the trip until after 180 days, there was a lot that I've been trying to get myself. I had hoped that I could just let her manage the trip for me and I wouldn't even think about it, but it's not my personality and I've spent so much time researching Disney and reading this board! I've made my own opinions of what I want to do and when at some places (I have concrete plans for HS and Epcot), but more flexible and clueless on the plans for MK and AK. Ugh- I just want this to be so perfect and magical for my kids!

 

[Iowamomof4]

The party is pretty dead tonight to be honest my bucket is full - the characters all had slow short lines and the fireworks and stage show I could get great viewing with ease

Report from tonight's MNSSHP - confirming what we saw with wait times.

 

[areno79]

Report from tonight's MNSSHP - confirming what we saw with wait times.

I feel like the October parties are busier than the early Sept parties. Also, I wonder if because it's the anniversary of 9/11, it's not as busy today.
It'll be interesting to see how reports for the parties next month shake out.

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

Well I did talk a little about FP+ with M today, but he threw me a little. All along he said he wanted to be spontaneous this trip (I've tried to hold back, but it's hard as you all know). My plan was to get the 3 FP+ a day and be done with it/wait in line. Then today, he says that because he's still recovering from two surgeries this year and the sickness that led to them, he can't stand for too long (walking not really a huge problem, but will need breaks), so I think I may have to delve into SDFP. I haven't figured out anything yet, so I'm glad I have a little less than a month to figure it out.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Well I did talk a little about FP+ with M today, but he threw me a little. All along he said he wanted to be spontaneous this trip (I've tried to hold back, but it's hard as you all know). My plan was to get the 3 FP+ a day and be done with it/wait in line. Then today, he says that because he's still recovering from two surgeries this year and the sickness that led to them, he can't stand for too long (walking not really a huge problem, but will need breaks), so I think I may have to delve into SDFP. I haven't figured out anything yet, so I'm glad I have a little less than a month to figure it out.

My husband likes to be spontaneous, or at least says he does, but in reality, he likes to have somewhere to go and something to do every morning. So I plan my parks for the morning based on crowd predictions, make a few fp's for our must do rides, maybe a lunch ADR, and then let the rest of the day be unscheduled. Sometimes we use all the fp's I make and sometimes we don't. But at least there is some sort of schedule to give structure to the day. Then I make just a few dinner reservations.

I tell him that the trip is very flexible and we can do whatever we want, just to make him feel good. But in reality I have everything researched so that I know what the options are when we are looking for something to do. He is very glad that I have found all this stuff on the Dis. It has made our trips more enjoyable than they used to be.

 

[areno79]

Well I did talk a little about FP+ with M today, but he threw me a little. All along he said he wanted to be spontaneous this trip (I've tried to hold back, but it's hard as you all know). My plan was to get the 3 FP+ a day and be done with it/wait in line. Then today, he says that because he's still recovering from two surgeries this year and the sickness that led to them, he can't stand for too long (walking not really a huge problem, but will need breaks), so I think I may have to delve into SDFP. I haven't figured out anything yet, so I'm glad I have a little less than a month to figure it out.

Originally it didn't sound like something I was interested in either, but after talking to DH, he is really worried about his back/neck and waiting in line. Earlier this year, he had an issue where one of his discs was pressing a nerve that ran along the back of his head down to the middle of his back. He's been going to PT for a couple of months now and it seems to be helping, but he does randomly have days where his back still bothers him. He tries to be good about his stretches, but he admitted to me he is a little worried about how he'll do in Disney with all of the walking/standing.
The other issue he reminded me of is my knee. I don't think I mentioned that last year I had surgery on both knees (the right knee in August, and the left in November) because of severe cartilage loss and arthritis from an old basketball injury in high school. They won't do a knee replacement for me for a few years because they say I'm too young, so the surgeries last year were to help my knees last a little longer. Problem is the left knee (the really bad one) is still very painful. My right knee is okay, but the surgery appears not to have worked on the left knee. Even with exercise and months of PT, it's still just as bad as before the surgery. I go to Zumba 3-4 nights a week, and I take a lot of Aleve and am constantly icing my knees. Taking a step down stairs can sometimes almost make me immobile.
DH reminded me that with all of the walking, I will likely have issues with my knee while in Disney. Honestly I was so excited about planning that up until he reminded me of it today, I didn't think much of my potential limitations. He has a very valid point though, so now I am getting worried about how I'll do.
Anyway, we are doing SDFP to help minimize wait times from that standpoint.

 

[TiggerManiac]

MEMORY MAKER SHARING: edit: Never mind. Upon first reading Disney's information about linking friends and family to your Memory Maker account, it makes it seem as if there is no problem with giving those friends and family members digital copies of their photos. Unfortunately, after reading the Terms and Conditions, their limited copyright release only allows you to have copies printed for your own personal use and does not give you the right to distribute digital copies to others. If they find out you've done it or too many people are accessing your account to download the photos, they have the right to immediately delete all photos and even delete your Disney MDE account.

So what I thought was legal actually isn't. So bye-bye offer to share the cost of a Memory Maker. What they really want people to do is link paid account to paid account, so all parties on a trip (not part of the same nuclear family) pay for the privilege. Then you can all have access to the photos with you and your friends together.

 

[JanBlessed]

I FINALLY see something about Pop Warner on the recent threads. So I'll ask here: can someone please tell me what that is, and why I shouldn't go to MK or MVMCP while "it" is going on? What kind of event is it?

 

[Iowamomof4]

I FINALLY see something about Pop Warner on the recent threads. So I'll ask here: can someone please tell me what that is, and why I shouldn't go to MK or MVMCP while "it" is going on? What kind of event is it?

Check out this description: http://**************.net/2010/05/30/pop-warner-week-at-walt-disney-world/

 

[JanBlessed]

Thanks!!! Now I know You really can learn something new everyday ! Now to see if/how I can squeeze a quick WDW visit in between my last and next Disney trips....

 

[Lisa F]

I know, I'm a little sad about it too, and really stressed out now about passing on the control to someone else. My friend used her and recommended her and the concierge service. It's not cheap (probably equivalent to the cost of 2 to attend the Christmas party) but it seemed like such a small amount compared to the rest of the trip cost. She booked my initial reservations but because I didn't do the trip until after 180 days, there was a lot that I've been trying to get myself. I had hoped that I could just let her manage the trip for me and I wouldn't even think about it, but it's not my personality and I've spent so much time researching Disney and reading this board! I've made my own opinions of what I want to do and when at some places (I have concrete plans for HS and Epcot), but more flexible and clueless on the plans for MK and AK. Ugh- I just want this to be so perfect and magical for my kids!

I get it totally. I think you are going to just have to roll that into the cost of the trip and "let it go." I have been trying to remember this lately to keep a bit of perspective on things:

Get your own FP+ and just chalk it up to experience, you know yourself now and you know that you are not content to put your fate in someone else's hands.

 

[Lisa F]

I FINALLY see something about Pop Warner on the recent threads. So I'll ask here: can someone please tell me what that is, and why I shouldn't go to MK or MVMCP while "it" is going on? What kind of event is it?

in addition to that link let me tell you that I used to go to WDW first week of december for years and never even heard of it til this year. Last time I went was in 2009 when that person posted bad reviews from it and I didn't even know it was happening.

The only things IMO to keep in mind are
1) find out which values and moderates they are staying at and stay somewhere else. The WORST reports of bad behavior I have heard were at the hotels. This makes a lot of sense to me as it is when kids are not being kept busy with activity but have less supervision and they start getting into trouble.
2) don't plan anything for at night at HS the wednesday of the week that pop warner is there. They "rent" that park for an after hours party. IF there is any impact (and with the curtailed entertainment this year) it MAY just involve nighttime entertainment... they usually do a showing of the fireworks for them so even though SWaGS has been cut down to only 4 nights a week (friday, saturday, monday, wednesday) I would expect it not to be open to the public on wednesday. That's about it.

otherwise you may see groups of kids/teens around the parks. it doesn't really impact admission numbers overall. If the sound of joy ticks you off you might want to pick another week to go because apparently these groups have been heard (by others not me) cheering and overall having a good time, which some find intensely irritating.

 

[Lisa F]

MEMORY MAKER SHARING: Is anybody interested in grouping together as Friends and Family to share a Memory Maker? This is fully sanctioned by Disney; they even provide instructions on how to do everything. We would all be able to see each other's photos, so if you're shy about others seeing photos you might not like, this would not be for you. We would need to form groups of people going at roughly the same time.

Memory Maker cost: $149

Only the "owner" can actually edit (add frames, cute effects) and download photos. Option 1: The owner takes requests from each member about any edits they might want and makes them. Then downloads all the photos and uploads them to a private location where each group can access their photos to download in separate folders for each group. That's a lot of work for the owner. Option 2: The owner creates a new MDE account to purchase Memory Maker, links themselves and all group members, and gives everyone the password to that account. Everyone can log in, edit, and download their own photos. We have to trust group members won't mess with anybody else's photos.

Each photo remains online only for 45 days after it is taken. Then Disney deletes them.

All photos in the account expire 30 days after the first download. The group should agree on a date for the download (like 14 days after first photo is taken, to maximize use of the 45 days).


I'll be happy to try to coordinate some groups. If anybody would like to join a group, post a reply with the following info:

- dates of your trip
- how many people in your party
- how many other families/groups you'd like to partner with
- whether you're willing to act as a group "owner" (collect money from other members, make the purchase)


My response:

Nov 27 - Dec 5
2 people
3 or 4 other families
Yes, I plan to be a group owner (will share login to new MDE Memory Maker account)

neat idea. kind of like amazon prime.

Kiddo has an AP so we get the photopass for a year with it, so we'll pass. I am not sure I can even link my band to that, his is the one that needs to get scanned and then both myself and his father have access to the photos.

 

[Lisa F]

I'm so clueless about our FP's! I'll probably make it up as I go along and tweak it along the way.

ETA: Our 60 day mark Sept 30th.

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo omg you just traumatized me lol

actually except for 7DMT and FEA FP+ you can very easily do this. unlike with ADRs. good luck

 

[Lisa F]

My husband likes to be spontaneous, or at least says he does, but in reality, he likes to have somewhere to go and something to do every morning. So I plan my parks for the morning based on crowd predictions, make a few fp's for our must do rides, maybe a lunch ADR, and then let the rest of the day be unscheduled. Sometimes we use all the fp's I make and sometimes we don't. But at least there is some sort of schedule to give structure to the day. Then I make just a few dinner reservations.

I tell him that the trip is very flexible and we can do whatever we want, just to make him feel good. But in reality I have everything researched so that I know what the options are when we are looking for something to do. He is very glad that I have found all this stuff on the Dis. It has made our trips more enjoyable than they used to be.

lol this is how i am with my son. there is a structure (probably a lot more than you) but he is not super involved in it. He just trusts me to make it flow but doesn't have any of the pressures of scheduling and on my last trip I did a lot of changing on the fly (but honestly it was my first trip in 4 years so I was very rusty and made a lot of mistakes that I won't make again). He had no idea, he just knew we went on rides and never had to wait very long and it was a great trip. If he knew the schedule he'd be stressing about getting to things next on time and that won't do.

When I used to travel with just my ex, I would basically plan the trip within an inch of it's life and then be willing to abandon or change anything at any time. it worked really well! It gave me something to do leading up to the trip but the ability to not feel tied to that schedule was very freeing. the ex used to tease me that I would spend all of this time planning and then do nothing that I'd planned. which was only partially true! I usually stuck to my dining reservations and that is it

 

[JamieOak]

Yep that was my husband who said this seems like way too much work for a vacation. He is also one to tend to want to be more spontaneous and I want to be more planned. So we naturally fall into our roles where I plan and he complains that I plan. He sees my Excel spreadsheet that has time slots every half hour and he freaked out a little at first. But I explained to him that not every minute will be planned and we will have flexibility.

He will also be the first and loudest to complain about waiting in lines and crowds, of course. Just out of annoyance and boredom, not any physical issues. I feel that he probably won't even know what I have even saved him from by doing this planning. But at least I should have more fun if he's complaining less, so that's my reward for this hard work.