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

[Lisa F]

I wonder if the evening Wednesday pop warner event is at AK this year instead of HS?

hmmm interesting guess. there is like, NO info at all on the pop warner site. but that wednesday is the day. Weird to have a private party there after hours unless they are FAIRLY certain there will be a nighttime show (at HS they had their own private fireworks)

I wonder if I get a cheap enough rental car for the night, if it makes more sense for us to rent a car at the MCO, do a grocery stop, grab dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express in DS, and then go to AoA. Our bags can ride on ME (I think) so we won't have to wait for those.

The other option is to get a Garden Grocer order (which may be a stretch for us to reach the minimum), take ME, and be at their mercy, and eat dinner in the AoA food court around 10pm.

Hmm, decisions, decisions. The only con is that it may be a pain to return the rental car...not even sure where I could do that.

if you rent alamo you can return it on disney property. I am just checking my rental right now and they have a midsize SUV for $35 more (basically will not accept the old coupon code I have on there) for the week vs. a midsize car. I drive a midsize SUV at home so might enjoy that more but I won't be in the car a ton. last trip my parents treated for the car because my dad felt strongly about me driving something bigger than a compact with all of those crazy florida drivers, lol.

 

[Wood Nymph]

how long is it if you rent a car? do you remember? ex just went in february and already can't remember but at least he can remember his name, which I can't some days. I think if everything goes right it's about an hour to an hour and a half. I have the alamo whatever it is called thing.

We haven't rented a car in a long time. But I know that it is about a 40 minute drive from the airport to a WDW resort, if you don't get lost.

I don't understand why everyone is trying to get a FP+ for ROL. Isn't it open for everyone to view it from around AK? Or is it like Fantasmic where it's in an amphitheatre?

There are two stadiums, one on each side of the body of water. One side is supposed to be for the fp people and the other for stand by.

I am hoping that ROL would be easier to see without a fp+ on a night when there isn't a MVMCP than there would be on a party night. My logic is that everyone would be at MK on a night without a party and no one would be at AK. We have an ADR at Yak & Yeti on Monday, Dec 5th, a night that doesn't have a Christmas party in hopes that AK won't be crowded that night.

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

I don't think it's the Florida drivers you have to worry about. It's some of the tourists who freak out and cut over 3 lanes of traffic so as not to miss an entrance. We even saw one real winner literally make a u-turn where there isn't the option. Then we saw another driving down the wrong side of the road. I understand it can be a little tricky driving in a new place, but there are signs everywhere. We didn't even use our GPS once on property.

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

@Maryemcd Hmmm, I'm not sure we'll make to F! at that time. Thank you though.

 

[Candycane83]

We haven't rented a car in a long time. But I know that it is about a 40 minute drive from the airport to a WDW resort, if you don't get lost.

There are two stadiums, one on each side of the body of water. One side is supposed to be for the fp people and the other for stand by.

I am hoping that ROL would be easier to see without a fp+ on a night when there isn't a MVMCP than there would be on a party night. My logic is that everyone would be at MK on a night without a party and no one would be at AK. We have an ADR at Yak & Yeti on Monday, Dec 5th, a night that doesn't have a Christmas party in hopes that AK won't be crowded that night.

You're so right about this... hmm... i have my AK night for the 4th, party night... Need to think about this...

EDIT: With SWaGS happening 4x a week, MVMCP 4x a week, this is a real pain to plan!!!

 

[rasadkowski]

Are you guys thinking RoL fp will be hard/ nearly impossible to get on our booking window? Assuming it's up on MDE very soon

 

[Iowamomof4]

We're going to be at Disney from a Saturday night through a full week and to the following Wednesday. That's 10 full days, not including our travel days. I was just looking at the possibility of using one day to go to the beach and Clearwater Marine Aquarium to meet Hope and Winter (dd7/8 LOVES Dolphin Tale). I know dh really wanted to do this but I didn't think we would be able to afford it. Now, I'm thinking there's a chance. As I look at our days, I'm thinking the middle Saturday (December 3) seems like it might be the best day to do this. I doubt the aquarium itself would be super packed on any given day during this time of year, though I'm sure Saturday is busier than most other days. However, I was thinking traffic would be better on a Saturday than mid-week. Hmm... it's a tough call. It's been forever since we've rented a car (we would need a van, obviously). I think my two younger kids especially would love to go and everyone has wanted to see the ocean at some point. Is there a secret to getting a good rate on a rental? I've looked at the transportation board, but I also wanted to ask here. I know there are two car rental places at Disney. Is one better than the other?

 

[rasadkowski]

We're going to be at Disney from a Saturday night through a full week and to the following Wednesday. That's 10 full days, not including our travel days. I was just looking at the possibility of using one day to go to the beach and Clearwater Marine Aquarium to meet Hope and Winter (dd7/8 LOVES Dolphin Tale). I know dh really wanted to do this but I didn't think we would be able to afford it. Now, I'm thinking there's a chance. As I look at our days, I'm thinking the middle Saturday (December 3) seems like it might be the best day to do this. I doubt the aquarium itself would be super packed on any given day during this time of year, though I'm sure Saturday is busier than most other days. However, I was thinking traffic would be better on a Saturday than mid-week. Hmm... it's a tough call. It's been forever since we've rented a car (we would need a van, obviously). I think my two younger kids especially would love to go and everyone has wanted to see the ocean at some point. Is there a secret to getting a good rate on a rental? I've looked at the transportation board, but I also wanted to ask here. I know there are two car rental places at Disney. Is one better than the other?

I don't have an answer! But I grew up on island estates where that marine center is located!

 

[JamieOak]

I am hoping that ROL would be easier to see without a fp+ on a night when there isn't a MVMCP than there would be on a party night. My logic is that everyone would be at MK on a night without a party and no one would be at AK. We have an ADR at Yak & Yeti on Monday, Dec 5th, a night that doesn't have a Christmas party in hopes that AK won't be crowded that night.

I hope you are right. I'm scheduled for a full day at AK on Monday 11/28, which is our first park day. It kind of worked out that we picked AK because MK is supposedly a 9/10 crowd that day (no party!) and with the early Wild Africa Trek, the early morning fit best there in our plan. AK does have AM EMH that day, but it's still only saying a 3/10 crowd level.

 

[Lisa F]

There are two stadiums, one on each side of the body of water. One side is supposed to be for the fp people and the other for stand by.

I am hoping that ROL would be easier to see without a fp+ on a night when there isn't a MVMCP than there would be on a party night. My logic is that everyone would be at MK on a night without a party and no one would be at AK. We have an ADR at Yak & Yeti on Monday, Dec 5th, a night that doesn't have a Christmas party in hopes that AK won't be crowded that night.

The bigger issue is capacity. There are only 5000 seats total, which is smaller than F! which has 6900 seats sitting and additional capacity for 3000 people standing... so if it were a super popular brand new hot show they can hold twice the people of RoL (no one uses standing room anymore because the show is older and less popular). I think this will make either a FP+ or a package a VERY smart move.

Are you guys thinking RoL fp will be hard/ nearly impossible to get on our booking window? Assuming it's up on MDE very soon

I don't think RoL will be available for FP+ at the 60 day window. MAYBE 30 day but maybe not. It is going to hit the system and for people who are not more than 60 days out when it does it will be a mad scramble to pick up the FP+. HOWEVER I do think only the "super planners" will be looking for it... people who have one plan and then an alternate for when RoL hits. I don't think it will sell out in seconds or anything but you want to be ready to grab one as soon as you find out about it IMO. And IMO it is looking more and more like this thing will AT BEST soft open mid october and open for good end of october. If it does that and IF they put FP+ into the system, it gives the onsite people a very slight advantage for first week of december because the 30 day window will not have opened up yet (by a few days). If it takes longer than that who knows.

This is all speculation but I think because of our timing we are going to have to just play it by ear.

 

[Candycane83]

I agree with @Lisa F , I do not think ROL FP or packages will be available at our 60 day mark. I'm hoping it would be available before our 30 day mark so we at least get an advantage in booking FP vs offsite.

EDIT: They most likely will not announce anything or make anything available until they are set to show it, I doubt they would want to make the same mistake as April.

 

[Lisa F]

We're going to be at Disney from a Saturday night through a full week and to the following Wednesday. That's 10 full days, not including our travel days. I was just looking at the possibility of using one day to go to the beach and Clearwater Marine Aquarium to meet Hope and Winter (dd7/8 LOVES Dolphin Tale). I know dh really wanted to do this but I didn't think we would be able to afford it. Now, I'm thinking there's a chance. As I look at our days, I'm thinking the middle Saturday (December 3) seems like it might be the best day to do this. I doubt the aquarium itself would be super packed on any given day during this time of year, though I'm sure Saturday is busier than most other days. However, I was thinking traffic would be better on a Saturday than mid-week. Hmm... it's a tough call. It's been forever since we've rented a car (we would need a van, obviously). I think my two younger kids especially would love to go and everyone has wanted to see the ocean at some point. Is there a secret to getting a good rate on a rental? I've looked at the transportation board, but I also wanted to ask here. I know there are two car rental places at Disney. Is one better than the other?

how far away is it? a van rental is going to be super pricey. taking a "cab" might actually be less than a van rental. It seems like those large passenger vehicles are always a fortune.

Alamo and National I think are the two on disney property (i know for sure Alamo, not 100% sure about national and i think alamo and national are same parent company). You can rent at the car care center and at the swan/dolphin (where are you staying again?). that's about it. there are really no good deals or coupons on 1 day rentals to be honest.

 

[Iowamomof4]

how far away is it? a van rental is going to be super pricey. taking a "cab" might actually be less than a van rental. It seems like those large passenger vehicles are always a fortune.

Alamo and National I think are the two on disney property (i know for sure Alamo, not 100% sure about national and i think alamo and national are same parent company). You can rent at the car care center and at the swan/dolphin (where are you staying again?). that's about it. there are really no good deals or coupons on 1 day rentals to be honest.

Oh ugh... why do I do this? I think we'll just stick with our Disney plans and then try to make a trip back in a couple years when we can drive down again. Then we'll have our own vehicle and it'll be much easier to move around.

 

[Lisa F]

Oh ugh... why do I do this? I think we'll just stick with our Disney plans and then try to make a trip back in a couple years when we can drive down again. Then we'll have our own vehicle and it'll be much easier to move around.

you should at least check the rates (or maybe you already have). sometimes there is a deal. like I said i just checked this morning and midsize SUV which was $450 per week is now $151 per week which is about what I was paying for a regular car. Check and then ugh

 

[Lisa F]

ELLEN'S ENERGY ADVENTURE UPDATED RUMORS

it looks like if you want to catch this classic one last time on our trip, you will be able to. The previously rumored "before the end of this year" closing is no longer the case - now they are saying cast is informed it could close in January.

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/09/rumor...rgy-closing-date-guardians-galaxy-ride-epcot/

I know this ride gets a lot of hate. But honestly, I love it. It's corny, it's cute, it's funny. There are dinosaurs. Maybe it's not the most coherent thing (what do dinosaurs have to do with the storyline? "Nothing! they're just cool!") but you could always count on it for a good 45 minutes of rest and entertainment time. I love Ellen. I love "Stupid Judy". I love Bill Nye. did I mention DINOSAURS? As disappointed as I am about MSEP closing when it is, I am glad to hear I will be able to do this one more time before it goes away forever. I remember going on this ride with my grandma the one time my parents took us and how amazing it was to me that we could just wheel her right on... and then she got out of her wheelchair to sit next to her kids (it was not Ellen at the time but still had the dinos!) ex hates this attraction and would go on snarkily if I wanted to but I always made him anyway and told him to shut up It is just one of the last vestiges of "old epcot." I think spaceship earth and the living with the land boat right might be it (also both favorites of mine).

 

[rasadkowski]

ELLEN'S ENERGY ADVENTURE UPDATED RUMORS

it looks like if you want to catch this classic one last time on our trip, you will be able to. The previously rumored "before the end of this year" closing is no longer the case - now they are saying cast is informed it could close in January.

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/09/rumor...rgy-closing-date-guardians-galaxy-ride-epcot/

I know this ride gets a lot of hate. But honestly, I love it. It's corny, it's cute, it's funny. There are dinosaurs. Maybe it's not the most coherent thing (what do dinosaurs have to do with the storyline? "Nothing! they're just cool!") but you could always count on it for a good 45 minutes of rest and entertainment time. I love Ellen. I love "Stupid Judy". I love Bill Nye. did I mention DINOSAURS? As disappointed as I am about MSEP closing when it is, I am glad to hear I will be able to do this one more time before it goes away forever. I remember going on this ride with my grandma the one time my parents took us and how amazing it was to me that we could just wheel her right on... and then she got out of her wheelchair to sit next to her kids (it was not Ellen at the time but still had the dinos!) ex hates this attraction and would go on snarkily if I wanted to but I always made him anyway and told him to shut up It is just one of the last vestiges of "old epcot." I think spaceship earth and the living with the land boat right might be it (also both favorites of mine).

I love nostalgic EPcot there are so many changes coming!! I really wish the guardians of the galaxy was there this year! It's one of my favorite movies. But, with any luck it'll be open for when we visit again in 5 years.

@Iowamomof4 , I think it was you who suggested emailing Disney if we were interested in receiving paper park maps? I emailed them last week, and they arrived today! I wAs really surprised! Thank you so much for letting us know about that. And thank you @Wood Nymph for having offered to pick them up for anyone interested

 

[Lisa F]

I love nostalgic EPcot there are so many changes coming!! I really wish the guardians of the galaxy was there this year! It's one of my favorite movies. But, with any luck it'll be open for when we visit again in 5 years.

@Iowamomof4 , I think it was you who suggested emailing Disney if we were interested in receiving paper park maps? I emailed them last week, and they arrived today! I wAs really surprised! Thank you so much for letting us know about that. And thank you @Wood Nymph for having offered to pick them up for anyone interested

Epcot is definitely not as coherent as it once was and is going through changes. I don't like mission space and miss the old horizons. Test track is meh to me too. Soarin' is AWESOME and an improvement over whatever b-level attraction it replaced (I think it was a movie or something). Old Figment better than new figment and they did a crappy job updating that IMO. I do love the nemo overlay on the living seas and turtle talk is really cute and fun. it's just kind of a mixed bag. I haven't seen guardians of the galaxy but I am not hopeful of the overlay they are doing at Disneyland on the tower of terror. I love the twilight zone one and not knowing when i'll go back I'm going to HAVE to do that one once more before they potentially ruin it forever in the next few years.

 

[chasingthtdream08]

@pigletgirl SO sorry to hear about your grandmother. I went through the same thing with my grandmother. She battled Alzheimer's for about 10 years. It started off very slow but then at the end it progressed so quickly. It's heartbreaking. She was my best friend, she passed away about 2.5 years ago and it was very hard for our family but we were happy that she wasn't suffering from that awful disease anymore. I was just lucky that she remembered me until almost her last day.

 

[Lisa F]

for canadian DISers who haven't bought their tickets yet, Disney is running a special right now, 25% off. gack

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/special-offers/multi-day-tickets/

 

[Mintycake]

for canadian DISers who haven't bought their tickets yet, Disney is running a special right now, 25% off. gack

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/special-offers/multi-day-tickets/

A shame I already bought my tickets! Tempting to buy for the next trip but we don't know if that will happen.