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

[Talby]

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?

Me, me, me---I need another dessert party!!! lol I have some major catching up to do on this awesome thread, but this jumped out at me because I'm about 95% sure we'll do the Illuminations dessert party!! I fell in love after watching videos. (and I did let the Holiday dessert party go since we switched party nights). I want the FP spot for Illuminations, but don't want to use a FP for it, so dessert party I think it is! I like @areno79's rationale for FPing Soarin' though since it is so loved by you and your kiddo!

 

[Wood Nymph]

They said they did e nter the ME info into my res when I gave them my flight info, but I'm not 100% sure. I'm going to double check my MDE to make sure it's there. Thanks for the heads up!

Unfortunately, you can't see the Magical Express reservation in your MDE account. The ME people are independent contractors, which is probably why the reservation doesn't show up in the MDE accounts. You can always call the ME people if you want to double check.

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?

There are plenty of spots to watch Illuminations. I would use the fp for Soarin'.

 

[BDFmom]

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!!!

HAHAHA! This is so true.... I was originally hoping we would all put down our phones while at Disney. Unfortunately, due to ADRS and FP+ we are forced to carry them around and constantly refer to them.

I'm hoping that we can all resist the temptation and put our phones away except when absolutely necessary

 

[rasadkowski]

Me, me, me---I need another dessert party!!! lol I have some major catching up to do on this awesome thread, but this jumped out at me because I'm about 95% sure we'll do the Illuminations dessert party!! I fell in love after watching videos. (and I did let the Holiday dessert party go since we switched party nights). I want the FP spot for Illuminations, but don't want to use a FP for it, so dessert party I think it is! I like @areno79's rationale for FPing Soarin' though since it is so loved by you and your kiddo!

@Talby have they released these yet for december? is this a new event this year?

 

[BDFmom]

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!!!

HAHAHA! This is so true.... I was originally hoping we would all put down our phones while at Disney. Unfortunately, due to ADRS and FP+ we are forced to carry them around and constantly refer to them.

I'm hoping that we can all resist the temptation and put our phones away except when absolutely necessary

 

[JamieOak]

Well I'm not getting anywhere just looking at this myself right now, so I figured I'd share for opinions. All comments welcome! I still seem a long way away from being done. I'll post my chart first and then my thoughts below.





Arrival day: I was planning to stay at Universal longer originally, but we'll have already had 2 full days in Universal. So I think we'll just need enough time to go around and hit our favorites again (definitely the Harry Potter stuff). But I want to leave any early afternoon plans loose so we can play it by ear and stay a little longer at USO if we want.

Day 1: I hope they extend AK hours more. I put Epcot in there with a ? because I think we'll be too exhausted after AK. But you never know. We need to get to bed early this night. I'm not sure of my dining yet either. I need to plan another meal and maybe move the Yak & Yeti later. All depends on the dang ROL schedule!

Day 2: I'm pretty happy with this day. It's a long day for us, so we may want a longer break between parks, or we'll just push through it with the help of caffeine.

Day 3: Um I have no dining at all planned, but otherwise it looks good so far!

Day 4: Ahhh, sleep in day! MVMCP! Not sure what to do beforehand. We could either resort hop or hit up Disney Springs.

Day 5: It seems odd to me that day 5 is our first time at HS! I planned the entire day here to make up for that.

Day 6: AK/HS day to redo our favorites or catch what we've missed. Timing is very loose right now. AK is first due to AM EMH and HS last due to SW fireworks. later evening is open for some late-night entertainment. Maybe Jellyrolls on the BW?

Day 7: MK/EP day to redo our favorites or catch what we've missed. Timing is very loose right now. Since it's a party night at MK I put it first on the agenda, so we'll end our WDW time in Epcot.

So there isn't much to comment on dining-wise, but how is my planned park time looking? Is this a decent breakdown of days per park for 2 adults?

 

[Talby]

@Talby have they released these yet for december? is this a new event this year?

It's not new in 2016, but not sure when it started? So far, dates only go into mid November. It's part of my daily stalking ritual though.

 

[BDFmom]

I'm having some serious technical difficulties!!

 

[rasadkowski]

.

 

[rasadkowski]

Well I'm not getting anywhere just looking at this myself right now, so I figured I'd share for opinions. All comments welcome! I still seem a long way away from being done. I'll post my chart first and then my thoughts below.

View attachment 196094

View attachment 196095

Arrival day: I was planning to stay at Universal longer originally, but we'll have already had 2 full days in Universal. So I think we'll just need enough time to go around and hit our favorites again (definitely the Harry Potter stuff). But I want to leave any early afternoon plans loose so we can play it by ear and stay a little longer at USO if we want.

Day 1: I hope they extend AK hours more. I put Epcot in there with a ? because I think we'll be too exhausted after AK. But you never know. We need to get to bed early this night. I'm not sure of my dining yet either. I need to plan another meal and maybe move the Yak & Yeti later. All depends on the dang ROL schedule!

Day 2: I'm pretty happy with this day. It's a long day for us, so we may want a longer break between parks, or we'll just push through it with the help of caffeine.

Day 3: Um I have no dining at all planned, but otherwise it looks good so far!

Day 4: Ahhh, sleep in day! MVMCP! Not sure what to do beforehand. We could either resort hop or hit up Disney Springs.

Day 5: It seems odd to me that day 5 is our first time at HS! I planned the entire day here to make up for that.

Day 6: AK/HS day to redo our favorites or catch what we've missed. Timing is very loose right now. AK is first due to AM EMH and HS last due to SW fireworks. later evening is open for some late-night entertainment. Maybe Jellyrolls on the BW?

Day 7: MK/EP day to redo our favorites or catch what we've missed. Timing is very loose right now. Since it's a party night at MK I put it first on the agenda, so we'll end our WDW time in Epcot.

So there isn't much to comment on dining-wise, but how is my planned park time looking? Is this a decent breakdown of days per park for 2 adults?

This looks like a great trip to me! I love that you have an extra day to see whatever you may have missed or things you want to see again

 

[Iowamomof4]

Wahoo!!!! I just got my reservation for H&V for December 3!!!

 

[rasadkowski]

I was wondering , is it true that Disney can extend their park hours both morning and evening at any time? It's so hard to plan.

 

[Candycane83]

I was wondering , is it true that Disney can extend their park hours both morning and evening at any time? It's so hard to plan.

Yes, unfortunately...

 

[Iowamomof4]

I was wondering , is it true that Disney can extend their park hours both morning and evening at any time? It's so hard to plan.

Yes. They've even been known to make the decision to extend the park hours DURING that day, like if AK was scheduled to close at 5 but then they extend the hours to 6 while people are actually IN the park.

 

[Candycane83]

Wahoo!!!! I just got my reservation for H&V for December 3!!!

Wooohoo, that's awesome!!! I wonder how's everyone in booking their ADRs...

 

[Candycane83]

Well I'm not getting anywhere just looking at this myself right now, so I figured I'd share for opinions. All comments welcome! I still seem a long way away from being done. I'll post my chart first and then my thoughts below.

View attachment 196094

View attachment 196095

Arrival day: I was planning to stay at Universal longer originally, but we'll have already had 2 full days in Universal. So I think we'll just need enough time to go around and hit our favorites again (definitely the Harry Potter stuff). But I want to leave any early afternoon plans loose so we can play it by ear and stay a little longer at USO if we want.

Day 1: I hope they extend AK hours more. I put Epcot in there with a ? because I think we'll be too exhausted after AK. But you never know. We need to get to bed early this night. I'm not sure of my dining yet either. I need to plan another meal and maybe move the Yak & Yeti later. All depends on the dang ROL schedule!

Day 2: I'm pretty happy with this day. It's a long day for us, so we may want a longer break between parks, or we'll just push through it with the help of caffeine.

Day 3: Um I have no dining at all planned, but otherwise it looks good so far!

Day 4: Ahhh, sleep in day! MVMCP! Not sure what to do beforehand. We could either resort hop or hit up Disney Springs.

Day 5: It seems odd to me that day 5 is our first time at HS! I planned the entire day here to make up for that.

Day 6: AK/HS day to redo our favorites or catch what we've missed. Timing is very loose right now. AK is first due to AM EMH and HS last due to SW fireworks. later evening is open for some late-night entertainment. Maybe Jellyrolls on the BW?

Day 7: MK/EP day to redo our favorites or catch what we've missed. Timing is very loose right now. Since it's a party night at MK I put it first on the agenda, so we'll end our WDW time in Epcot.

So there isn't much to comment on dining-wise, but how is my planned park time looking? Is this a decent breakdown of days per park for 2 adults?

I think this looks balanced especially for 2 adults.

 

[rasadkowski]

Wooohoo, that's awesome!!! I wonder how's everyone in booking their ADRs...

I'm doing well I was nervous just last night about a few early dinner reservations. I know we have early mornings, but I was doubting myself about my dinner times. I was so glad I got a park fare dinner for a bit later this morning I'm just searching for one more! And it's been the " one more" for a few weeks now! so i think this will be it! It's just tweaking some early dinners after that looking for slightly later times. But it's not really necessary . Hope everyone is doing well and happy with their ADRs!!

 

[RobinDragonryder]

I'll be there Nov. 27 through Dec. 4, attending MVMCP on the 27th (no other parks as we drive in that day--we're making it to Lake City the day before so it's only a 2-hour drive to Orlando that morning). I also have a question (not technically for December, but it's part of my trip that ends in Dec. so....) I managed to snag a Be Our Guest reservation for that night at 8 (I know, I know, don't do dining during the Party, but we really wanted to eat at BOG and it was the only one available. I'm amazed we got it at all). Do you think we'll have time to eat and make our way back out to either Main Street or, more likely, the back of the castle in Fantasyland (in front of 7DMT--I have a friend who worked the Mine Train and she said the fireworks look great from back there, and it's less crowded) by 9:30?

 

[Candycane83]

I'll be there Nov. 27 through Dec. 4, attending MVMCP on the 27th (no other parks as we drive in that day--we're making it to Lake City the day before so it's only a 2-hour drive to Orlando that morning). I also have a question (not technically for December, but it's part of my trip that ends in Dec. so....) I managed to snag a Be Our Guest reservation for that night at 8 (I know, I know, don't do dining during the Party, but we really wanted to eat at BOG and it was the only one available. I'm amazed we got it at all). Do you think we'll have time to eat and make our way back out to either Main Street or, more likely, the back of the castle in Fantasyland (in front of 7DMT--I have a friend who worked the Mine Train and she said the fireworks look great from back there, and it's less crowded) by 9:30?

I think the fireworks might change to 10pm... (because this is what happened in the halloween party)... With this, I would say for the party, it seems better to watch from the front if you can as the fireworks are 360... Keep trying to look for an earlier reservation! I know I just found one earlier for my date 12/8 2 days ago!

 

[Iowamomof4]

Thank you @SilSprBea...but yeah my party size of 9 makes things hard.

So happy you got it @Candycane83! Hope that makes party planning a bit easier!

@tacboze I have H&V for 6 on 12/5 at 5:40. Do you want it? I know you need 9, but this would get you a lot closer.