4PM HDDR: Awkwardly empty or fine?

[thebs19]

Hey all,

Currently I have a 6:15 HDDR reservation booked when we go during the last week of April. I'm thinking about swapping that out to a 4 PM show on our arrival day to then hop over to MK afterwards (which we were going to do anyway, but before had planned on just doing QS at the park). When I booked my 6:15 for that week (Friday night) about 2 months ago, Category 1 was already sold out so we booked 3. When I look at the dates now - only about 30 days out - the 4PM show I'm considering still has all 3 categories available.

Understood that 6:15 is always going to be the more crowded show, but question to anyone who's done a 4PM (this would be a Sat night) show during a non-peak time (our week is considered "normal season"), is it empty? I think I would find that a bit awkward given the audience interaction components.

Thanks!

 

[HM2012Butler]

Its definitely not awkwardly empty. They'll sometimes upgrade category 2 and 3 to category 1 to avoid that

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I'd never do HDDR on arrival day. If the plane's late or you have car trouble you will not get your deposit back. Add to that travel fatigue. I'd pick a resort ADR and then head to the park.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

We have seen the HDDR quite a few times,all show times. Almost always the 1 and 2 shows were full and the later show either full or at least 75%. ITS A very popular show.


AKK

 

[Jgeauxmo]

They move category 2 and 3 to fill up the first floor. We did the 8 pm and the first floor was about 75% full. The show was still great!

 

[Mainemama]

I have only done the 4 o'clock show, and it has always been full! We love the timing, because as you mention, you have time to do something after. Last time, we went to MK, like you are thinking, and had our FP booked. It worked great. It is a popular time with families, too, as you know your kids won't be cranky, overtired, and hungry. Just don't eat much for lunch, so you are hungry!

 

[thebs19]

Thanks for the feedback!

On the arrival day concern: we're supposed to be landing at 9:30 AM, so unless our plane gets legit cancelled - which would be a serious issue whether we had HDDR booked or not - I think we have plenty of time. We rent a car so worse comes to worse we could technically go right to FW. Although, again, if we have 6+ hour delays, whether we have HDDR booked or not, there are going to be issues.

And yeah, we weren't planning on doing a big lunch - maybe a snack by the pool after we arrive. I had a Plaza dinner booked upon entry to MK, but this seems like more fun.

Plus,the day I have HDDR booked I have a 'Ohana reservation as the HDDR idea came well after our 180 day mark - so we were weighing back and forth which we'd prefer. Unfortunately once we started thinking about this, it was too late to switch the 'Ohana reservation, so this is the better solution I think (we only have these 2 MK nights planned). n So I don't really have much flexibility on the date to move it away from our arrival day. Its either keep the 6:15 and cancel the 'Ohana, cancel the 6:15 and forget HDDR, or do it this way (4 PM arrival day HDDR; keep the 'Ohana ressie on the other day).

 

[SmallWorld71]

I booked category 3 for the last show once that didn't sell out. We were moved to the main floor (they didn't use upstairs at all). It was not in the least awkward; we had a ball! Enjoy!