All The New Developments

[eliza61]

so maybe I should say the planning is more relaxed at other places.

I do mind pre-planning. what I don't want to do is have to say "at 12:15 we must be at POTC", 6 months in advance. I've adapted to adr's.
1) always having a car so I can go offsite and
2) I have a full kitchen
3) I don't think any of the food at wdw is spectacular so I pretty much simply call disney dining and see what's open and then take that. there isn't any place at the world I would be upset if I missed.

 

[MichiganDVC]

If there are NO FP+ for the day of and standby lines are long, we may be rethinking our vacation destination. I am already annoyed with the $10/charge for cancelling ADRs. Charge me if I am a true no show, dont charge me if I call you at 8am to cancel a 6pm ADR bc my kid is sick.

Totally agree. And this is why I think there will be plenty of "day-of" Fastpasses available. I think Disney wants their customers to leave feeling good and satisfied about their vacation.

Certainly.

Let's see just this past may my family (9) and I spent 2 weeks in London and paris.

You have got to be kidding me. Europe? Yeah, obviously. But most families cannot afford the $1600 per person flight, just for starters. And they can't drive there. I used to live in Belgium, so I completely understand the ease of finding restaurants and fun things to do without planning. Shoot, from where I lived in Belgium, both London and Paris could be day trips!! But that is not a realistic alternative to a week at WDW for most people.... Trust me, I'd know. I've been trying to take a week-long trip to Belgium since 2008! The flights are just too darn expensive!

Now in January we went to vegas. See the above.
1) hotels on strip, magnificient and 1/2 the cost. I should say I stay deluxe so I'm comparing them to deluxes
2) food cheaper and better
3) tons of stuff to do and we don't gamble.

Vegas is one example of being able to go and not have to plan much. A lot of just "walk and see." Of course, they don't really have "attractions" there. Unless you want to see a special show....see Broadway/NYC example from earlier.

4th of July we hit Washington DC.
Food here was pricey.

Haven't been to D.C. in a while, but from what I hear, you'd probably want a plan. Which museums to try to hit on which day, getting advance permission to tour special gov't areas from your Congressperson or Senator, etc...

Next year,
we're investigating our first cruise. can't wait.
we're also planning a white water trip to Yellowstone.

Wait til you start the registration process for your first cruise!! I took my first Disney cruise this past April (Dream) and you even have to schedule when you check in!! Months in advance!!! Luckily I realized that before the only check in times were 2pm or later....

every one of the above you can pretty much do last minute, you can eat well less expensively and not have to have adrs. You can do the attractions without scheduling and without crowds.

Yes, there are a few places in the U.S. especially that you can just go to without a plan. And when I lived in Europe, these were my greatest side trips - I went to Berlin on a whim for a weekend...had no place to stay. We just walked around and stumbled upon old pieces of "the Wall." This was in 1999, they're all gone now.
You can wander around any big city the first or second time you visit, just taking in all the sites and wondering what is around the next corner. But when you've been to WDW more than twice, you start to know what you want to do and roughly when. The next time I go to Chicago, walking up and down MichAve and looking at the buildings isn't going to be in the plan like it was last time I went. I am going to research, plan and schedule side trips, shows, ballgames, and make reservations at the restaurants I know I want to go to.

And you edited your post while I was responding to it!!

 

[luvmy3]

Totally agree. And this is why I think there will be plenty of "day-of" Fastpasses available. I think Disney wants their customers to leave feeling good and satisfied about their vacation.

Maybe, but even on their website under the Q&A it says that one can get FP+ for rides if they are still available. At least that is what said last I saw.

 

[Squidgyness]

Maybe, but even on their website under the Q&A it says that one can get FP+ for rides if they are still available. At least that is what said last I saw.

I'd think that was just a standard CYA marketing clause.

Totally agree. And this is why I think there will be plenty of "day-of" Fastpasses available. I think Disney wants their customers to leave feeling good and satisfied about their vacation.

Yes, there are a few places in the U.S. especially that you can just go to without a plan. And when I lived in Europe, these were my greatest side trips - I went to Berlin on a whim for a weekend...had no place to stay. We just walked around and stumbled upon old pieces of "the Wall." This was in 1999, they're all gone now.
You can wander around any big city the first or second time you visit, just taking in all the sites and wondering what is around the next corner. But when you've been to WDW more than twice, you start to know what you want to do and roughly when. The next time I go to Chicago, walking up and down MichAve and looking at the buildings isn't going to be in the plan like it was last time I went. I am going to research, plan and schedule side trips, shows, ballgames, and make reservations at the restaurants I know I want to go to.

And you edited your post while I was responding to it!!

Is it really that expensive to go to Europe? It's about $1000 for flights from the UK to America, less if its part of a package... Why so much more going the other way?

Anyway, I've come to the conclusion that whatever happens happens, and if I have to wait in a few more, or slightly longer, standby lines than usual, then so be it. I do it at universal... Why not at disney too. And if we can get same day FP's for something decent then that's brilliant. I hope we do, and for the first time I can say that with a little more confidence. We shall see if that is well placed soon enough.

Speaking of the other Orlando parks, I've also realised I'm not going to let this dissuade me from enjoying all the great stuff at disney (even if I wait longer) OR the new stuff at SW or Universal. I can deal with it if something does go wrong, and I'm a little more confident it won't go wrong.

Now I just need to get something booked with my family so I can prevent another turnaround. Good golly can I flip flop.

(Of course all of this could be avoided if I didn't live in a country with insane taxes and currency conversion quirks. Then I could buy tickets in advance and cajole my family into planning and stop all my worries. But wishing won't make it so. Ill just have to suck it up and focus on the positives!)

 

[eliza61]

Totally agree. And this is why I think there will be plenty of "day-of" Fastpasses available. I think Disney wants their customers to leave feeling good and satisfied about their vacation.



Yes, there are a few places in the U.S. especially that you can just go to without a plan. And when I lived in Europe, these were my greatest side trips - I went to Berlin on a whim for a weekend...had no place to stay. We just walked around and stumbled upon old pieces of "the Wall." This was in 1999, they're all gone now.
You can wander around any big city the first or second time you visit, just taking in all the sites and wondering what is around the next corner. But when you've been to WDW more than twice, you start to know what you want to do and roughly when. The next time I go to Chicago, walking up and down MichAve and looking at the buildings isn't going to be in the plan like it was last time I went. I am going to research, plan and schedule side trips, shows, ballgames, and make reservations at the restaurants I know I want to go to.

And you edited your post while I was responding to it!!

Well now wait a minute, you didn't put a price tag on it. You simply asked where we go that we don't have to plan over the top. We did Europe, Vegas and DC this year and each one we left most of the planning to the night before.

Heck Disney is cost prohibitive for many if we're going there.

Sorry we go to Washington dc all the time (we live right outside of Philly) it's a very easy city to do, spur of the moment. The Smithsonians are free, the monuments are free and the only tours you have to pre arrange are the capitol and the white house. spy museum, crime museum, fords theater can all be done walk up.

Philadelphia is a city that can be done without a plan (just knowing the opening and closing times). we do it all the time. on Fridays we simple get the Philly inquirer weekend edition and check out all the great things to do.

I stand by my opinion.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Is it really that expensive to go to Europe? It's about $1000 for flights from the UK to America... Why so much more going the other way?

Just checked.... $1600 on the nose from Detroit to London in August. I couldn't go during the school year (and it's too cold to bother for winter break). If I was going to Europe, I'd stay at least 9 days: A week plus two travel days. Can't do that on a long weekend (like I can WDW.)

For me to go to Belgium for that long, it would take $1600 times two = $3200 just for airfare. At least $100 a night for lodging, more like $150 because I'd like to be close to city centers/transportation. So that's $1200. Plus train tickets if I wanted to visit more than one city, which I will. Inter-Belgian tickets aren't expensive, but its $100-200 to go to Paris from there. Plus food, plus entertainment, plus museums..... Oh, and I'd go on a brewery tour of the best Belgian Breweries. There's only 400 to choose from....

I would plan THAT trip within an inch of its life!!!

 

[eliza61]

I'd think that was just a standard CYA marketing clause.



Is it really that expensive to go to Europe? It's about $1000 for flights from the UK to America, less if its part of a package... Why so much more going the other way?

Anyway, I've come to the conclusion that whatever happens happens, and if I have to wait in a few more, or slightly longer, standby lines than usual, then so be it. I do it at universal... Why not at disney too. And if we can get same day FP's for something decent then that's brilliant. I hope we do, and for the first time I can say that with a little more confidence. We shall see if that is well placed soon enough.

Speaking of the other Orlando parks, I've also realised I'm not going to let this dissuade me from enjoying all the great stuff at disney (even if I wait longer) OR the new stuff at SW or Universal. I can deal with it if something does go wrong, and I'm a little more confident it won't go wrong.

Now I just need to get something booked with my family so I can prevent another turnaround. Good golly can I flip flop.

(Of course all of this could be avoided if I didn't live in a country with insane taxes and currency conversion quirks. Then I could buy tickets in advance and cajole my family into planning and stop all my worries. But wishing won't make it so. Ill just have to suck it up and focus on the positives!)

I don't think it's out of the park expensive. the big ticket item is the plane fare. I signed up for a fare watcher and got a round trip ticket for $750. but what I spend in airfare I usually make up with better hotel deals and cheaper better food.

Like I said, this May my family and I went to London/Paris for 10 days. for myself and my 2 young adult sons it ran me about 1200 per person. If I'm not in my dvc I easily spend 4K at Disney. so no for me it's not outrageous. Now if you go value, eat breakfast in your room, get yes park passes than it is going to be more


I'm lucky that I live on the east coast so I've got 3 major airports. I just fast checked a flight out of jfk to CDG for next May. 895 rt with 1 stop on Turkish air. LOL I didn't know there was a Turkish air. It connects in Istanbul. hmmmm, now there's some place I bet I don't have to microplan.

 

[luvmy3]

I'd think that was just a standard CYA marketing clause.

Of course it is there won't be a infinite number of FP+ available. Maybe all FP+ will be taken 60 days out and there will be none for same day guests. Maybe they will hold a ton for same day. Fact is nobody knows until full roll out so we'll just have to wait and see how it works.
I'm just happy it wont be until I'm back home

 

[MichiganDVC]

Well now wait a minute, you didn't put a price tag on it. You simply asked where we go that we don't have to plan over the top. We did Europe, Vegas and DC this year and each one we left most of the planning to the night before.

My point was that of course you could go to Europe and just wander for days and never have a plan. Its Europe! The cities were built 1,000 years ago at least just for walking around. I went to Rome with no plan and had to choose on my last day to see the Colosseum or the pope speak! It's like saying "I could go to the moon and wouldn't have to plan a thing once I get there!"

Heck Disney is cost prohibitive for many if we're going there.

Nah....if you live east of the Mississippi, you can drive there in a day and stay offsite (gasp...the horror.)

Sorry we go to Washington dc all the time (we live right outside of Philly) it's a very easy city to do, spur of the moment. The Smithsonians are free, the monuments are free and the only tours you have to pre arrange are the capitol and the white house. spy museum, crime museum, fords theater can all be done walk up.

True, I agree. Very accessible.

Philadelphia is a city that can be done without a plan (just knowing the opening and closing times). we do it all the time. on Fridays we simple get the Philly inquirer weekend edition and check out all the great things to do.

Ok, so technically Detroit is also a city where you can go without a plan. There's the Detroit Institute of Arts (before impending bankruptcy clears the place out,) there's the Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village (actually in Dearborn,) there's tons a live music on the weekends at many bars and theaters, there's the casinos and the riverwalk.....

I stand by my opinion.

But my original point also stands.... If you went to London for a week every year, would you continue to just "play it by ear?" or would you start to plan and reserve things ahead of time...once you figured out what needs reserving and what can be decided later?

 

[luvmy3]

I don't think it's out of the park expensive. the big ticket item is the plane fare. I signed up for a fare watcher and got a round trip ticket for $750. but what I spend in airfare I usually make up with better hotel deals and cheaper better food.

Like I said, this May my family and I went to London/Paris for 10 days. for myself and my 2 young adult sons it ran me about 1200 per person. If I'm not in my dvc I easily spend 4K at Disney. so no for me it's not outrageous. Now if you go value, eat breakfast in your room, get yes park passes than it is going to be more

Your total for 3 is what I'm spending on my family for resort and park tickets alone, not including my airfare!

 

[MichiganDVC]

I'm lucky that I live on the east coast so I've got 3 major airports. I just fast checked a flight out of jfk to CDG for next May. 895 rt with 1 stop on Turkish air. LOL I didn't know there was a Turkish air. It connects in Istanbul. hmmmm, now there's some place I bet I don't have to microplan.

Wow...I didn't read this whole paragraph before I started to respond. A stop in Istanbul? I hear the Grand Bazaar is awesome!

But most flights from June-August or near Christmas or Spring break are over $1200. Yes, you might be able to fly for under $1000 at off times, but I don't want to spend winter in London....DREARY!

 

[luvmy3]

Michigan, why are you nitpicking? Its clear there is no answer that is good enough for you, just accept the fact that some people can have wonderful vacations ANYWHERE without uberplanning and micromanaging.

 

[Squidgyness]

Just checked.... $1600 on the nose from Detroit to London in August. I couldn't go during the school year (and it's too cold to bother for winter break). If I was going to Europe, I'd stay at least 9 days: A week plus two travel days. Can't do that on a long weekend (like I can WDW.)

For me to go to Belgium for that long, it would take $1600 times two = $3200 just for airfare. At least $100 a night for lodging, more like $150 because I'd like to be close to city centers/transportation. So that's $1200. Plus train tickets if I wanted to visit more than one city, which I will. Inter-Belgian tickets aren't expensive, but its $100-200 to go to Paris from there. Plus food, plus entertainment, plus museums..... Oh, and I'd go on a brewery tour of the best Belgian Breweries. There's only 400 to choose from....

I would plan THAT trip within an inch of its life!!!

Huh. 23rd August to 3rd September, Manchester UK to Sanford Orlando (still summer holidays for our kids so price gouge city), is £621 according to my quick check. Add on a few charges here and there and call it and even £700 or $1050ish dollars. Could be to do with airport costs or something. Or maybe conversion rates? Strange.

But I do agree that if I could do 4 days at disney for value at a discount, it would be much more appealing than a trip to Europe.

I suppose living here in England it also has the appeal of a foreign country too, but one with enough similarities to get by easily.

That's part of the reason I think I can deal with anything fastpass plus or my magic or whatever throws my way. Ill research it some more when we get a trip booked, because I think ill take some form of tech and activate our tickets when we get them (Epcot first day anyone? ) and book for a few days in advance just in case... Only a few big ones. For now, looks like we will have to wait. Ill be interested if or when they include offsite and other guests into the tests. I hope they do to give us a better idea of how this is all going down. Oh well.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Michigan, why are you nitpicking? Its clear there is no answer that is good enough for you, just accept the fact that some people can have wonderful vacations ANYWHERE without uberplanning and micromanaging.

Strange...I was just about to say that it appears there's only three of us discussing this now and there's no more to add. Sorry if it came across as nit-picking...wasn't my intent.
I'm off! Have a great evening everyone! I'm going to research next summer's trip to Belgium......

 

[juliebug1997]

As PP mentioned, those of us who live in the interior/non east coast, it is pretty expensive just to get to Europe. The only reason why I've gotten to go is because I've taken groups of kids on trips and I got to go for free (or relatively close to free). If I try to book flights for the time we're going to WDW in December/January, the flights for us are $1400+ a person.

If I'm going to pay considerably more for my flight than my hotel, then I'm planning that sucker out. Plus, even in Paris, there are days that some places are closed on certain days; I've seen tons of visitors not know that the Musee d'Orsay is closed in Monday and the Louvre is closed on Tuesday and stand there in front of a closed museum, scratching their heads, because they didn't do a little research and planning.

 

[luvmy3]

Strange...I was just about to say that it appears there's only three of us discussing this now and there's no more to add. Sorry if it came across as nit-picking...wasn't my intent.
I'm off! Have a great evening everyone! I'm going to research next summer's trip to Belgium......

Well 3 may be discussing it but more are reading Just seems like every time the pp answered you, you said "but....." that is all, just an observation by a reader

 

[eliza61]

But my original point also stands.... If you went to London for a week every year, would you continue to just "play it by ear?" or would you start to plan and reserve things ahead of time...once you figured out what needs reserving and what can be decided later?

That's a fair question. One that I don't know because we've just started going to Europe. Now we plan on doing Italy in the near future, and in Paris there simply aren't many things you can "reserved" outside of shows.

I think one of the issues for me is the consequences I think of the new things Disney is instituting. Will they truly make things more enjoyable or simply allow Disney to pack more people in an already filled to the brim system.

Also the problem with Disney is that almost every thing has to be microplanned. now I haven't been a part of the new fp+ system but even with the old fp. It often involved running to gather up a bunch of fp's and then systematically using them trying to plan the entire day. no other vacation venue requires you to do that. one ADR at the wrong time could foul up the sequence, it could then screw up the entire day. Not so with Philadelphia, dc. If we decide to break and do lunch, while going to the Lincoln memorial, we don't have to worry that if we miss our adr we wont get to see it, unlike Disney where depending on when you go that is a very real possibility.

Now this is the way it is, when I go to the world I accept this as a condition of going there but it does make me want to go less. Where once I was an annual visitor, I'm cutting back.

 

[eliza61]

Wow...I didn't read this whole paragraph before I started to respond. A stop in Istanbul? I hear the Grand Bazaar is awesome!

But most flights from June-August or near Christmas or Spring break are over $1200. Yes, you might be able to fly for under $1000 at off times, but I don't want to spend winter in London....DREARY!

GASP Never. One of the great things about my kids growing up is that we don't have to travel prime vacation season.

Look at it this way, have you ever been in NJ in the winter? talk about dreary.

I guess my main point was that I think we here get into a Disney "comfort" zone. we know Disney, we know how it works, we know how to make it work for our families so we wrongly assume no other place could be as easy or magical.

the last few years I've discovered how wrong that assumption is. Remember guys especially here in the states. we've been in this awful recession, vacation places are really going above and beyond to make their destinations attractive, they are competing for your dollars.

We've been researching Yellowstone/grand tetons or a cruise for next year and I'm amazed at all the kid/family friendly stuff there is out there.

 

[nkosiek]

Sooooo, back on topic. My wife has just accepted an invite for MDE and looked at a surprise reservation I was able to get but then commented that the one she knew about wasn't there. When I chuckled and said, "That's just some of the issues with all this," her smiling response was, "Well, someone needs to fix it."

 

[JanaDee]

So can you name a few places off the top of your head that you find just as enjoyable as WDW?

Every place I've ever vacationed. You aren't seriously saying WDW is the only place you can have a fun and enjoyable vacation, are you?