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

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

It's been blowin' up over there!!

Hey--I know you're the primary planner for your family's vacation (pause for collective "awwww"! lol), and you've probably already thought of this, either ruling it in or out, BUT...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/263837236/minnie-mouse-mommy-mickey-mouse-daddy?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=daddy mickey&ref=sr_gallery_17

Like @areno79 I get lost on Etsy and now I'm shopping for other people I guess! lol Talk about one thing leading to another. Just wondering if your wife might flip (in a good way!) if you got matching family shirts? This is just one example of a bazillion. Saw the "Daddy" ones and thought of you since you're the only guy I know on the boards here! Not sure if this is just a "girl thing"? I know my DS14 wanted a VERY strong say in what we chose for the Christmas party since "matchy/cutesy" isn't necessarily his preferred style!

Congrats on the EMM @Mintycake! I believe you are in some pretty stellar company on 12/4! (not us! haha. We are 12/6. But others here have that date, as I'm sure you know.) Awesome that you and your DH are on the same page. I'm so excited about EMM!

@TiggerManiac Looks like you are in heaven!!

Thanks @Talby they look great! I have to look into those more. Probably will do something like that. Our arrival day is DW and I anniversary, then we'll also be celebrating DW B-day while we are there a few days later so maybe I can find something to celebrate those 2 occasions. The good people over at VISA would like to thank you for making that $ugge$tion to me.

 

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

So the Muppets opened today in Liberty Sq. here's the video if anyone is interested:

I have to say, I really like it. Been a big muppets fan since I was kid. Their brand of humor just appeals to me.

 

[SilSprBea]

I know I am asking too many questions today but I'm wondering if any of you have ever done the FP+ and rider switch trick to get a few more reservations?

http://www.mousesavers.com/disney-dining-plan-tips-and-tricks/

My DS is only 38 inches so he can't ride many things. According to this link (and a similar one on touring plans) I could conceivably get:

FP for me + DD for splash
FP for DH +DS for BTRR

When we show up for splash we ask for rider switch pass and DD and I ride. Then my DH and DD (2nd ride) can ride on switch pass.

When we show up for BTRR we also ask for rider switch. DH rides with DD using DS fastpass. Then DD rides again with me on the rider switch.

This doesn't work for us a lot but would work well for these two rides at MK.

Would it be foolish to do this?

@Iowamomof4, @rasadkowski, @Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL @Talby @BDFmom are any of you doing this or have done it in the past when your kids were younger? Trying to figure out if it is worth trying to do this.

 

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

@Iowamomof4, @rasadkowski, @Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL @Talby @BDFmom are any of you doing this or have done it in the past when your kids were younger? Trying to figure out if it is worth trying to do this.

Absolutely! I'm doing this and SDFP.
I have seen criticism from some on other threads about this and SDFP but that is a conversation I'm not interested in joining. Just a heads up to you @SilSprBea that if you broach this subject on other threads to be on the lookout for criticism.

Haters gonna hate but I ain't tryin' to hear all that!!! (Did I just say that out loud?)

 

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

@Iowamomof4, @rasadkowski, @Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL @Talby @BDFmom are any of you doing this or have done it in the past when your kids were younger? Trying to figure out if it is worth trying to do this.

To answer your question more specifically, I plan to:

(We are family of 4. Me,DW,DD8,DS2)

Make FP for:

Ride #1:
Me, DD8-get rider swap pass

Ride #2
DW, DD8-get rider swap pass

Ride #3
Me, DW-(give DD8 my MB to enter this ride with DW)-get rider swap pass

Then cash in those 3 rider swap passes that we just acquired giving us 6 total FP.
(Or at least 6 total for DD)

P.S.
While one of us is riding with DD8, the other parent will be riding SDFPs with DS2. We plan to use SDFP for things that DS can ride. (Dumbo, Triceratops, etc.). These usually have same-day availability so they would work perfectly for SDFP.

The moral of the story here: Traveling/vacationing with a small child isn't always a bad thing. If you don't have one, you should consider getting one! (Sarcasm)

 

[SilSprBea]

To answer your question more specifically, I plan to:

(We are family of 4. Me,DW,DD8,DS2)

Make FP for:

Ride #1:
Me, DD8-get rider swap pass

Ride #2
DW, DD8-get rider swap pass

Ride #3
Me, DW-(give DD8 my MB to enter this ride with DW)-get rider swap pass

Then cash in those 3 rider swap passes that we just acquired giving us 6 total FP.
(Or at least 6 total for DD)

P.S.
While one of us is riding with DD8, the other parent will be riding SDFPs with DS2. We plan to use SDFP for things that DS can ride. (Dumbo, Triceratops, etc.). These usually have same-day availability so they would work perfectly for SDFP.

The moral of the story here: Traveling/vacationing with a small child isn't always a bad thing. If you don't have one, you should consider getting one! (Sarcasm)

Im confused a bit. You're not each at 3 per person in your example. The way I was going to do it allowed me to do some extras (4 vs 3) i was only going to do it for rides where my son wasn't tall enough so we could ride as a family on the other stuff.

 

[TiggerManiac]

Gr

Great pic.!!!

The glass of wine in the lower right corner ties it all in together very nicely!!!

Yes, the wine makes it all even more fun!

 

[rasadkowski]

@Iowamomof4, @rasadkowski, @Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL @Talby @BDFmom are any of you doing this or have done it in the past when your kids were younger? Trying to figure out if it is worth trying to do this.

I have not done this, but this is my first trip to wdw in like 20 years. But! I am not planning to do it. I have no idea why, but every time I try to read up on child/rider swap I just get confused. There will be 6 of us, and I just don't want to think about how to swap people. I know that probably sounds really dumb, especially because I am absolutely one to squeeze everything I can from this trip! (I am proud to say I will also be doing SDFP)
But that will be the only extra I think I'll be able to handle, just for me personally.

To answer your question more specifically, I plan to:

(We are family of 4. Me,DW,DD8,DS2)

Make FP for:

Ride #1:
Me, DD8-get rider swap pass

Ride #2
DW, DD8-get rider swap pass

Ride #3
Me, DW-(give DD8 my MB to enter this ride with DW)-get rider swap pass

Then cash in those 3 rider swap passes that we just acquired giving us 6 total FP.
(Or at least 6 total for DD)

P.S.
While one of us is riding with DD8, the other parent will be riding SDFPs with DS2. We plan to use SDFP for things that DS can ride. (Dumbo, Triceratops, etc.). These usually have same-day availability so they would work perfectly for SDFP.

The moral of the story here: Traveling/vacationing with a small child isn't always a bad thing. If you don't have one, you should consider getting one! (Sarcasm)

lol
these plans sound awesome! I have no idea what they mean, but I know you'll have a great time!

 

[SilSprBea]

I have not done this, but this is my first trip to wdw in like 20 years. But! I am not planning to do it. I have no idea why, but every time I try to read up on child/rider swap I just get confused. There will be 6 of us, and I just don't want to think about how to swap people. I know that probably sounds really dumb, especially because I am absolutely one to squeeze everything I can from this trip! (I am proud to say I will also be doing SDFP)
But that will be the only extra I think I'll be able to handle, just for me personally.



lol
these plans sound awesome! I have no idea what they mean, but I know you'll have a great time!

@rasadkowski yes with 6 this would be too consuming to me. I kind of get it with 4 but am still confused. I do want us to ride stuff together so I'm thinking it will only work for us where my son isn't tall enough! Also I could to do it for dinosaur and Everest in AK. He can't ride that.

 

[rasadkowski]

@SilSprBea I've seen quite a few Chef Mickey's pop up, but only for dinner. I'm thinking there will be more openings this week like others have said !

 

[SilSprBea]

@SilSprBea I've seen quite a few Chef Mickey's pop up, but only for dinner. I'm thinking there will be more openings this week like others have said !

I hope so. There has been a 9:20 on 12/4 available but it is later than what we already have. I know I'm so picky but I'm really hoping to move ours up by like 30 minutes or so. I've seen a lot of tuskers, garden grills, Akershus, and bogs too. Seems like people are really letting some

 

[rasadkowski]

@rasadkowski yes with 6 this would be too consuming to me. I kind of get it with 4 but am still confused. I do want us to ride stuff together so I'm thinking it will only work for us where my son isn't tall enough! Also I could to do it for dinosaur and Everest in AK. He can't ride that.

I know this won't likely get the most positive reaction.. but we are just going to avoid the rides that my 4 year old is too tall for. ..(i know, horrible...) I technically do still have 2 days to decide this, but even though space mountain was a favorite of mine, I'll be able to survive without it...Because I would rather use the fp on something that we can all do. My 6 year old can go on it, but I would just feel too bad for my 4 year old. And I'm sure she would notice, or the older one will talk about it. As for everest, I don't even think my older daughter would like going backwards. (i wouldn't either). Those are really the only 2 that I can think of....I don't mind passing on the height restriction epcot rides either...
I'm planning to go back in 5 years, hopefully. So, I figured we can all do those rides together then...assuming they're still there
I know I can make different fp for different people. I'd just rather keep it simple right now. I may change my mind before the trip, but, just based on getting matching times I just don't feel like dealing with the headache.
I guess you can sum this up by saying "i'm pretty lazy"

 

[Candycane83]

@rasadkowski yes with 6 this would be too consuming to me. I kind of get it with 4 but am still confused. I do want us to ride stuff together so I'm thinking it will only work for us where my son isn't tall enough! Also I could to do it for dinosaur and Everest in AK. He can't ride that.

I couldn't answer because I have one child so if we want to do rider swap we would do one FP each. Plan to do the same thing as @Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL and utilize SDFP especially at MK

 

[rasadkowski]

I hope so. There has been a 9:20 on 12/4 available but it is later than what we already have. I know I'm so picky but I'm really hoping to move ours up by like 30 minutes or so. I've seen a lot of tuskers, garden grills, Akershus, and bogs too. Seems like people are really letting some

it's not picky i'm trying to take into account the likelihood of being delayed in our seating..( ie. ohana reservations) and the more I think about our exact plan of events of the day...I'd just like 30 min or so more of travel time to and from reservations. So, I totally get it

 

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

Im confused a bit. You're not each at 3 per person in your example. The way I was going to do it allowed me to do some extras (4 vs 3) i was only going to do it for rides where my son wasn't tall enough so we could ride as a family on the other stuff.

Yes. I see your point. I should have added that we will continue this pattern until all 3 of our FP+ are gone. I also should have clarified we will only do this for rides where my DS is not tall enough. The rides that we can enjoy together (all 4 of us) we will book FP+ for 3 of us. (DS is only 2yo so no FP for him because he technically doesn't have tickets)

 

[SilSprBea]

Yes. I see your point. I should have added that we will continue this pattern until all 3 of our FP+ are gone. I also should have clarified we will only do this for rides where my DS is not tall enough. The rides that we can enjoy together (all 4 of us) we will book FP+ for 3 of us. (DS is only 2yo so no FP for him because he technically doesn't have tickets)

Aw, thank you! That makes sense. I was a little skeptical that it would work but it sounds like it shouldn't be too complicated for us as 4. My son will be 3 (his bday is this week) so he will have his own fast pass but is only 38 inches and not tall enough for a lot. At least we can do 7DMT together.

I will do this for sure for us then at MK (prob just for splash and Btrr and I will try to SDFP Space mountain) and HS since I was going to Star Tours and tower of terror. We will all do toystory there all together.

 

[Talby]

We had to do it all last year with a 1yr old on alost all rides. It works. It gets you extra fast passes, it's a pain too.

Be sure you ALWAYS get your rider swap at the start of the line. A few times my husband "forgot" and tried to get them as he left the ride... it didn't work.

Hi @LinaNate! Could you elaborate on why this was a pain? Just trying to help @SilSprBea make an informed decision!

@Iowamomof4, @rasadkowski, @Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL @Talby @BDFmom are any of you doing this or have done it in the past when your kids were younger? Trying to figure out if it is worth trying to do this.

@SilSprBea We did not do this when my kids were 4y/18m, so unfortunately I can't speak from personal experience. Lol....I just deleted my original response (I see your post as I'm typing this) because it looks like you have decided. Sorry for being late to the party!! (thinking LinaNate's input might iron out some snags though?) And yes...Happy Birthday to your DS! 3 is such fun!!

Thanks @Talby they look great! I have to look into those more. Probably will do something like that. Our arrival day is DW and I anniversary, then we'll also be celebrating DW B-day while we are there a few days later so maybe I can find something to celebrate those 2 occasions. The good people over at VISA would like to thank you for making that $ugge$tion to me.

More than happy to do my part to contribute to booming consumer spending! Such a fantastic way to spend your anniversary! Congrats to you and Mrs. Party.Of.4-NY>>>>FL!

 

[Candycane83]

I know this won't likely get the most positive reaction.. but we are just going to avoid the rides that my 4 year old is too tall for. ..(i know, horrible...) I technically do still have 2 days to decide this, but even though space mountain was a favorite of mine, I'll be able to survive without it...Because I would rather use the fp on something that we can all do. My 6 year old can go on it, but I would just feel too bad for my 4 year old. And I'm sure she would notice, or the older one will talk about it. As for everest, I don't even think my older daughter would like going backwards. (i wouldn't either). Those are really the only 2 that I can think of....I don't mind passing on the height restriction epcot rides either...
I'm planning to go back in 5 years, hopefully. So, I figured we can all do those rides together then...assuming they're still there
I know I can make different fp for different people. I'd just rather keep it simple right now. I may change my mind before the trip, but, just based on getting matching times I just don't feel like dealing with the headache.
I guess you can sum this up by saying "i'm pretty lazy"

Lol! I think if you're here, you're not lazy

Aw, thank you! That makes sense. I was a little skeptical that it would work but it sounds like it shouldn't be too complicated for us as 4. My son will be 3 (his bday is this week) so he will have his own fast pass but is only 38 inches and not tall enough for a lot. At least we can do 7DMT together.

I will do this for sure for us then at MK (prob just for splash and Btrr and I will try to SDFP Space mountain) and HS since I was going to Star Tours and tower of terror. We will all do toystory there all together.

Just wanted to say to your son

 

[Iowamomof4]

Yay, I'll see you there!!! I have the same plan...get in line just before park opening for PFH DH isn't thrilled with that, but he's not the one making the plans I really only care about seeing Rapunzel though! I think @Iowamomof4 is going to EMM that day too??

Actually, we're doing 11/29 for sure (no tickets yet though) and then I thought we might go again either on 12/4 or, more likely, 12/6.

 

[Iowamomof4]

I've never used child swap. Hope those of you who are interested can get some helpful hints so you can use it effectively!