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

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

The planning, on the other hand, is taking a toll on me! It's really the balance you are looking for to make things more enjoyable even if you miss stuff! It's hard because you can't just stop and rest if you're chasing after an ADR or FP... yet it's also hard not to book those things when you know it's needed!!

I totally agree with the research/planning aspect of a DW vacation. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it very much. But at this point it almost seems like a part time job. It's like some sort of viscous cycle. The more I learn, the more I WANT to learn. Kind of like having a nightmare about a wonderful dream you're going to have tomorrow night. (if that even makes any sense?)

I sometimes fantasize about the good old days of the 1970's and 80's. When at the very most you would go to the library and check out a book about DW just to get some general knowledge of the place, show up in Orlando, grab a paper park map at the turnstiles and have a great time. And if you did the library thing you were considered a hardcore Disney fanatic. Now a days a broadband home internet connection for booking/planning and 4G LTE while in the park could be considered a necessity.

Ok I've said enough. Disney is just over 2 months away for me so I've gotta hurry up and get back to planning/researching my trip now!!!

 

[Lisa F]

By the way, does anyone think DHS hours will be extended? I see that the Star Wars fireworks schedule has been updated until Nov 5, which is the last day it closes at 8pm. Starting Nov 6, DHS closes at 7pm... Wonder if they will update this anytime soon...

My guess is that they will update through the end of the year (maybe? hoping lol). My other guess is that they updated through then because that week is the transition week from halloween to christmas... last MNSSHP is 10/31 and first MVMCP is 12/7. I'm hoping they will kind of look at the whole season together. is that too much to ask? that weekend is also the F&W half marathon weekend and after that even though it goes another week I think F&W starts winding down.

I'm just hoping that our dates will get the benefit of later times surrounding it - if they keep AK open til 10 we'll have at least 8 or 8:30 etc.

 

[Iowamomof4]

@Lisa F I'm not sure what your question is. Are you wanting to decide whether to FP Illuminations or not? Are you trying to decide whether to even DO Epcot that night for emh?

 

[rasadkowski]

I totally agree with the research/planning aspect of a DW vacation. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it very much. But at this point it almost seems like a part time job. It's like some sort of viscous cycle. The more I learn, the more I WANT to learn. Kind of like having a nightmare about a wonderful dream you're going to have tomorrow night. (if that even makes any sense?)

I sometimes fantasize about the good old days of the 1970's and 80's. When at the very most you would go to the library and check out a book about DW just to get some general knowledge of the place, show up in Orlando, grab a paper park map at the turnstiles and have a great time. And if you did the library thing you were considered a hardcore Disney fanatic. Now a days a broadband home internet connection for booking/planning and 4G LTE while in the park could be considered a necessity.

Ok I've said enough. Disney is just over 2 months away for me so I've gotta hurry up and get back to planning/researching my trip now!!!

So funny! I actually just got back from our local library this morning! and actually checked out the 2016 Disney guide . I was getting a neck strain from being on my phone so much!

 

[Lisa F]

@Lisa F I'm not sure what your question is. Are you wanting to decide whether to FP Illuminations or not? Are you trying to decide whether to even DO Epcot that night for emh?

F! at 7. go to Epcot. at that point do I FP+ Soarin' or do I FP+ Illuminations instead and just not plan to do soarin' that night? I can prob find an illuminations viewing spot without the FP+. maybe Illuminations dessert party that night lol. not sure they offer it on EMH nights though and who needs another one of those?

 

[Sdolores]

I agree with you with respect to the later hours. It gets dark AROUND 5:30 in November and December but in order to enjoy the nighttime at least it should stay open to 8:00-9:00, at least

 

[Candycane83]

I have read that in general the waits are long for Soarin' and TT - there is mass exodus after Illuminations to those rides. Toward the end of EMH they might shorten up though. I imagine FEA has a similar problem though articles I have read are pre FEA. I do wonder if Soarin' might be doable due to the double whammy of an extra theater opening and FEA taking up some of the soarin' crowd.

That said if your primary goal is to do tier 2 rides, the lines for that stuff is short. It is more crowded than morning EMH but less crowded than a regular park day. There is a LOT to do in Epcot that is NOT a headliner ride and it's a good time to do that stuff. For world showcase you can walk around but some shops might be closed. The shows that they run won't be running extra shows.

My plan right now is to head over after Fantasmic... so I should be at Epcot by 8. I am wondering whether I might want to do the FP+ location for viewing or FP+ Soarin'. Kiddo LOVES Soarin and I promised him at least two rides on it.

My plan right now is on my LONG epcot day to RD Soarin' and FP+ FEA, SDFP TT
then the next night is EMH and thinking I might want to FP+ soarin' and just find a place to watch Illuminations
then the next morning we have 10am Garden Grill and I might just FP+ Soarin' for 11-12 and then when I get on the ride book my other to MK FP+ for the evening. Availability should be pretty decent because the park is open late and I want to FP for late (after 7pm).

Just not sure what to do for EMH. It is a PRIME time to FP+ the viewing spot and the viewing spot is a prime location to exit into future world after the fireworks for EMH.

thoughts? (not just you but anyone lol)

There is a huge list of stuff open for EPCOT on PM EMH so I think it is a good idea to get an FP for Illuminations. Not sure how fast that goes or if you want to chance getting it as a 4th FP if you're using it for something else. If I remember correctly, you are doing DHS and F! on 12/6, right? Are you planning any FPs for that?

EDIT: I just saw your message above and think Soarin would be better than Illuminations as a choice in FP but you are riding it two other times... Again, would you get it as a 4th FP? Maybe see whats available then...

 

[JamieOak]

lol i am half wondering if i should ask ex for his used magicbands. would just allow me to make two sdfp in overlapping times. it would probably be most useful in the MK. He traveled with his parents last time so he has his and theirs, if I could get my hands on their old tickets or something I might end up using them!

I think it's worth bringing them if you can. I wasn't considering having 2 items for SDFPs until I changed my party date and they voided my tickets. I already have 2 extras on my reservation to get 2 extra MBs sent to me. So far all my extra items for SDFPs are free, so I'm not out anything if we end up not using them. Then I thought about it and we are park hopping a lot and it should come in handy to be able to get 3 SDFPs at the 2nd park instead of 1 at a time.

But I'm also considering buying another set of tickets for a future WDW trip and using those to obtain GLFPs. So I'm kind of crazy and maybe you shouldn't take my advice! At least I have another 30 days to mull that over.

 

[areno79]

F! at 7. go to Epcot. at that point do I FP+ Soarin' or do I FP+ Illuminations instead and just not plan to do soarin' that night? I can prob find an illuminations viewing spot without the FP+. maybe Illuminations dessert party that night lol. not sure they offer it on EMH nights though and who needs another one of those?

Personally, I'd try to FP+ Soarin, because you guys really love that ride. Illuminations is the type of show where there are a lot of great viewing locations, so in my mind it's not as important to get a FP+ for it. But, I' ve also never been to Epcot evening EMH, so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

A little off topic but came across this thread about Sanaa offering breakfast beginning Sept. 21st. Just an FYI for anyone trying fit this into their plans.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/sanaa-breakfast-starts-today.3549180/

 

[Iowamomof4]

I was just looking at my ADR's to see where I'm at and Holy Moley! I have way too many, and it's getting hard to wade through them. Part of the problem is that I keep changing my days around so it's hard to let go of some of them because I'm afraid I'll change my days back again. With a party of 6, ADR's are much harder to come by than a party of 2 or 4. I really want to get things pared down so other people can have my reservations we aren't going to use.

 

[Candycane83]

double post! @Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL has beat me to it! Hahaha!

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

A little off topic but came across this thread about Sanaa offering breakfast beginning Sept. 21st. Just an FYI for anyone trying fit this into their plans.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/sanaa-breakfast-starts-today.3549180/

double post!

Keyboard ninjas!!!

 

[Iowamomof4]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/sanaa-breakfast-starts-today.3549180/

Anyone see this??

Interesting that it's quick service for breakfast. I'm glad they're offering something, as that was one thing I was concerned about when we considered booking a villa for this trip.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

double post! @Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL has beat me to it! Hahaha!

See that!! I couldn't even quote fast enough!!!

 

[Candycane83]

Interesting that it's quick service for breakfast. I'm glad they're offering something, as that was one thing I was concerned about when we considered booking a villa for this trip.

Are you staying at AKL? Sorry I couldn't quite remember where everyone is staying! (I have trouble remembering where I'm staying with my triple split! LOL)

It looks like a good option and nice if you just want to experience the restaurant with fairly safe standard breakfast choices. I'm guessing the animals would be active too so it'll be nice to get window seating if ever.

 

[rasadkowski]

I was just looking at my ADR's to see where I'm at and Holy Moley! I have way too many, and it's getting hard to wade through them. Part of the problem is that I keep changing my days around so it's hard to let go of some of them because I'm afraid I'll change my days back again. With a party of 6, ADR's are much harder to come by than a party of 2 or 4. I really want to get things pared down so other people can have my reservations we aren't going to use.

Ditto I'm in the same boat, and I feel badly too. But I bet lots of us are in similar situations, and we all feel the same way. After fp day ill feel so much better and I hope to be able to help some people out. I'm totally new at this, and I have this fear I won't get any fp for the days we're there. We're not park hopping, so last night I was getting all nervous that I should be prepared to change park days. Trying ( in @Lisa F 's words) to keep my crazy in check

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

Interesting that it's quick service for breakfast. I'm glad they're offering something, as that was one thing I was concerned about when we considered booking a villa for this trip.

I thought so too. As one of the posters in that thread pointed out, if it's a QS then I assume you get to choose your own table. With the tables by the windows being preferred, I wonder if guests will start rearranging chairs/tables in attempt to jockey for best seating possible.

 

[Iowamomof4]

Are you staying at AKL? Sorry I couldn't quite remember where everyone is staying! (I have trouble remembering where I'm staying with my triple split! LOL)

It looks like a good option and nice if you just want to experience the restaurant with fairly safe standard breakfast choices. I'm guessing the animals would be active too so it'll be nice to get window seating if ever.

Nah, we had a major home repair last spring so we had to switch to AoA and then move our trip later (had been planning on September) just to make it work.

 

[Candycane83]

I thought so too. As one of the posters in that thread pointed out, if it's a QS then I assume you get to choose your own table. With the tables by the windows being preferred, I wonder if guests will start rearranging chairs/tables in attempt to jockey for best seating possible.

Guessing it would depend on how early you get there... and since it'll be a QS, I could see people standing and bothering people by the window...