Arriving Sat. AFTER T'day...where should we get AP's? Should we do parks?

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

We are arriving the Saturday after Thanksgiving this year for 14 nights. We will be in an off-site condo. We'll probably get to Orlando around 2pm, do a little grocery shopping and check in at the condo at 3-4pm.

We've never gotten AP's before. I'd like to get them as soon as we can, that way, the next day we don't have to worry about stopping and getting them, we can just go into the parks. And I know that MK will be packed that Sat., with the crowds decreasing the next day.

My questions...........where should we buy the AP's? Should we not even worry about them on Sat., just get them on Sunday? Should we even bother with a park on Sat. night because of crowds? If we do go, do you think it would be crazy to see the parades/fireworks at MK?

Thanks for any advice you can give me. We're so excited about this trip. My DH and I have gone at Christmas time, but not our DD12, DD9, DS5, so I'm even more excited for them.

 

[beattyfamily]

You can buy them before you leave un-activated or you can wait and get them at the airport Disney shops and they will be activated APs or you can get them at DTD Guest Services or you can wait till Sunday and get them at the entrance to the park at Guest Services.

Saturday night after Thanksgiving will probably be crowded so maybe you should just relax (if you don't want to activate them that day) and eat outside a park? Or you can attempt a park if you end up buying the activated APs. Epcot might be good on a busy day. It fits more people. You could catch the fireworks at 9:00p. MK for Spectro and Wishes WILL be crowded but it always is. You have to be able to handle the crowds and not let it upset you. Good luck deciding!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Thanks Beattyfamily.

If we have the AP vouchers, and we go to a park, how long does it take to get them activated? Do we just go to the ticket window to get them activated?

 

[beattyfamily]

Thanks Beattyfamily.

If we have the AP vouchers, and we go to a park, how long does it take to get them activated? Do we just go to the ticket window to get them activated?

We got ours activated at MK on a Sunday morning. We walked over to the right to Guest Services. It didn't take long at all. My DH and I gave our licenses and he did some stuff and gave us the APs with a little holder (which includes all the perks!) and we were on our way. I'd say it took 5 minutes.

 

[webray]

The easiest place to get ap's is the guest services office in downtown disney..right next to the big toy store.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Thank you again.

What would you all think about us activating our AP's at MK, say, after dinner time Saturday, and just chill out until the parade/fireworks. BUT, after the fireworks, just stay put for a while, or go into one of the shops, and let the crowds pass by?

We will have our van, so we don't need to wait for empty buses or anything.

Oh, wait. I just thought of something. Is MK open after the fireworks because of the holiday time?? Usually we are there when the fireworks are at around 8pm and the shops stay open until 9pm. But being that it is Thanksgiving weekend, would the parks be open after the fireworks? I bet they have another display at 10pm, and then close the parks........am I right?

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I'd get them from the DTD guest services office. There will be no line and you'll be able to walk right into the park when you go. I'm not sure where you condo is but you could buy your passes and do DTD for lunch and go to the parks later if you want.

Oh and...you'll save the $8 parking fee if you buy some place other than the park entrance. That's at least good for a Kir Royale.

 

[beattyfamily]

Thank you again.

What would you all think about us activating our AP's at MK, say, after dinner time Saturday, and just chill out until the parade/fireworks. BUT, after the fireworks, just stay put for a while, or go into one of the shops, and let the crowds pass by?

We will have our van, so we don't need to wait for empty buses or anything.

Oh, wait. I just thought of something. Is MK open after the fireworks because of the holiday time?? Usually we are there when the fireworks are at around 8pm and the shops stay open until 9pm. But being that it is Thanksgiving weekend, would the parks be open after the fireworks? I bet they have another display at 10pm, and then close the parks........am I right?

2004 states that it was open till Midnight and Spectro was 9 and 11 and Wishes was at 10:00p

We've done Spectro/Wishes twice now; this past August and again the end of October. August was a Monday night and October was a Saturday night. We staked out a spot (with a curb to sit on) about one hour before the first parade as close to the hub (for viewing Wishes better) as possible. Then when Spectro was over, we walked up to the hub and staked out a standing spot for Wishes. We then stood to the side and let the massive crowds leave for a few minutes and then all of the sudden, it was much clearer and we started our exit.

It's certainly doable as long as you know it will be crowded.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I'd get them from the DTD guest services office. There will be no line and you'll be able to walk right into the park when you go. I'm not sure where you condo is but you could buy your passes and do DTD for lunch and go to the parks later if you want.

Oh and...you'll save the $8 parking fee if you buy some place other than the park entrance. That's at least good for a Kir Royale.

Our condo is near DTD (lake buena vista area) so that would be a good idea. And I forgot about the parking. Parking is free for AP holders, but I wouldn't be an AP holder yet, would I? good thinking.

Beattyfamily...........thanks. Where did you find out the hours for last year?? I looked on a site, "the online guide to Disney World", and they had different hours than you stated.

 

[beattyfamily]

Our condo is near DTD (lake buena vista area) so that would be a good idea. And I forgot about the parking. Parking is free for AP holders, but I wouldn't be an AP holder yet, would I? good thinking.

Beattyfamily...........thanks. Where did you find out the hours for last year?? I looked on a site, "the online guide to Disney World", and they had different hours than you stated.

Historic Park Hours

If you buy your passes at the airport, they'll be already activated and you'll be all set on parking fees. Just a thought. DTD is a great option too.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Historic Park Hours

If you buy your passes at the airport, they'll be already activated and you'll be all set on parking fees. Just a thought. DTD is a great option too.

Good idea but we are driving. Sorry. I forgot to mention that.

 

[beattyfamily]

Not sure why the two websites have different park hours for November 27. It could be that one has the hours that were released by Disney when they were first released (and no changes were ever made to it again) and then the other website has the actual hours that Disney ended up with based on park attendance. Sometimes the hours change at the last minute.

It's a mystery unless someone who was at MK on the Saturday after Thanksgiving could chime in on what the hours actually were! I kind of remember the Saturday after Thanksgiving being open till Midnight but I could be wrong.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Not sure why the two websites have different park hours for November 27. It could be that one has the hours that were released by Disney when they were first released (and no changes were ever made to it again) and then the other website has the actual hours that Disney ended up with based on park attendance. Sometimes the hours change at the last minute.

It's a mystery unless someone who was at MK on the Saturday after Thanksgiving could chime in on what the hours actually were! I kind of remember the Saturday after Thanksgiving being open till Midnight but I could be wrong.

No, I'm sure you're right, only because it makes logical sense. (I mean it IS a holiday weekend) And I have been on that site in the past, just forgot about it and didn't have it saved as one of my favorites. I remember it's had good information in the past. I would trust it. Thanks!

 

[ktglads]

Okay, i found my hours from last trip in an excel spreadsheet (last updated 11/15/04, so they may have changed to add more hours)
MK was open 9 - 12 AM
MGM was open 9 - 8:30,
Epcot was 9 - 9:30
AK was 9 - 6

 

[beattyfamily]

Okay, i found my hours from last trip in an excel spreadsheet (last updated 11/15/04, so they may have changed to add more hours)
MK was open 9 - 12 AM
MGM was open 9 - 8:30,
Epcot was 9 - 9:30
AK was 9 - 6

Thanks! So the hours at INTERCOT that state that MK was open till Midnight with 2 Spectros is correct I guess...thanks again.

I'll be there that night too and haven't decided what to do yet.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Thanks! So the hours at INTERCOT that state that MK was open till Midnight with 2 Spectros is correct I guess...thanks again.

I'll be there that night too and haven't decided what to do yet.

Well, I wish I could say "I'll see ya there", but I'm sure I wouldn't be able to pick anyone out since there will be thousands of people there.

Thanks guys for the info.

 

[beattyfamily]

Well, I wish I could say "I'll see ya there", but I'm sure I wouldn't be able to pick anyone out since there will be thousands of people there.

Thanks guys for the info.

Yeah, I know what you mean! We may just end up resting that night and get our start early Sunday. We may try for the Spectro on Monday night. Have fun!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Well, I wish I could say "I'll see ya there", but I'm sure I wouldn't be able to pick anyone out since there will be thousands of people there.

Thanks guys for the info.

You mean you won't even be able to pick me out? I'll be the lady who's alone-like you'll be able to tell. Even "alone", I expect to be surrounded by people.