2nd trip - advice needed

[Disney Mommy D]

Hi all! I have been lurking around the board for awhile. I am planning our second trip to WDW for April or May 2014. Our first trip was April 2012. I have a few questions that I was hoping for some feedback/help...
1.) Which dates do you think would be best (least crowded) ... April 27-May 1 or May 4-8?
2.) I am totally new to this FP+ concept. Is there a FAQ type thread somewhere that explains everything I would need to know about it?
3.) We will be staying at the Contemporary this trip. Is it worth the extra money for a theme park view? We had a theme park view at the Poly, and I absolutely loved it. That view was amazing. I've seen where the view is not as great because of the parking lot. What is the view like if we don't get a theme park view? I don't want to have a view of dumpsters or something like that.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Disney Mommy D]

Anyone???

 

[queenofthehive]

The week in may would be less crowded. I think the last week of April would be more crowded due being on the tail end of spring break.
Check out the Theme Parks board for more than you ever wanted to know about fast pass plus.
As for the CR, I have not stayed there so I am not much help. Post that question on the Resorts board as you might have better luck.

 

[Disney Mommy D]

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Hootch]

with the PP about the May dates. It should not be too crowded at that time.

FP+ is still technically being tested. There has been a slight change for much of Nov and Dec for example. In Epcot there are two separate menus. One has both Soarin' and Test Track and the other has some minor attractions. People can only choose one option from the group that has the prime attractions. This type of set up was used for the initial testing but Disney subsequently moved to choosing any three FP+ attractions at a park.

I'm not sure we have seen what FP+ will be in the future though the controls has shifted to the park management team. The Theme Park Strategies board is filled with discussions on FP+. You can read some of those. It can be a contentious issue and you may have to weed though a lot of posts. I would monitor it for awhile to see how things change. The current earliest time to book FP+ is 60 days out. A lot can happen by then.

 

[Disney Mommy D]

with the PP about the May dates. It should not be too crowded at that time.

FP+ is still technically being tested. There has been a slight change for much of Nov and Dec for example. In Epcot there are two separate menus. One has both Soarin' and Test Track and the other has some minor attractions. People can only choose one option from the group that has the prime attractions. This type of set up was used for the initial testing but Disney subsequently moved to choosing any three FP+ attractions at a park.

I'm not sure we have seen what FP+ will be in the future though the controls has shifted to the park management team. The Theme Park Strategies board is filled with discussions on FP+. You can read some of those. It can be a contentious issue and you may have to weed though a lot of posts. I would monitor it for awhile to see how things change. The current earliest time to book FP+ is 60 days out. A lot can happen by then.

Thank you so much for the info!