Came across this article from an average guest

[Mambo Junkie]

Yeah, need to do it when free dining starts. I'm curious if their will be a big difference. I wish we could live in a world without ADR's but I think without them there would still be problems.

Last year I went right after Thanksgiving. It was pretty booked for most of the restaurants; we tried to add my 2 SILs to no avail to our reservations. The only place that could accommodate us was CP. It is possible to get something at Epcot, but MK only has a few TS restaurants so the book up quickly. HS, too, but not to the extent of MK. Character meals go quickly as well, but unless you want CRT or BOG, it's not so bad.

 

[Aurora0427]

Last year I went right after Thanksgiving. It was pretty booked for most of the restaurants; we tried to add my 2 SILs to no avail to our reservations. The only place that could accommodate us was CP. It is possible to get something at Epcot, but MK only has a few TS restaurants so the book up quickly. HS, too, but not to the extent of MK. Character meals go quickly as well, but unless you want CRT or BOG, it's not so bad.

You also have to be flexible with your times if you don't make ADRs. The latest we prefer to eat is 7pm, because we have small children. Those 5-7 times can be difficult, but yes, not impossible to find.

 

[chicagogrl]

I like to plan for Disney trips. I read a lot before I go! I do have a few friends who have never been to Disney and are overwhelmed.

 

[AlohaNow]

Our last trip to WDW was in 2007. MIL was dying of cancer and flew us all down there. Trip planning commenced six weeks before the mid-June departure. Stayed deluxe, no meal reservations at all. When we wanted to go on a ride, we waited in a line. When we were hungry, we got some food. It was the most fantastic trip ever. I guess more than anything it’s what your expectations are for your trip.

Since then, we’ve been to DLR twice and just loved it. With all of the info I read on these boards about all the changes at WDW, it does not make me want to go there. It just does not sound at all like a relaxing vacation to me. DLR is closer to home and so much more manageable. I think we’ll be sticking with that!

 

[piccolopat]

I really enjoy planning vacations but I also don't like to be locked in to things. We book FP+ for the rides we absolutely don't want to miss and try to book them close to meal times and what ADRs we have so we can ride and then eat. We usually just do 1 TS a day and try to eat off peak times whenever we can since the restaurants are less crowded and more relaxing then. If our FP+ ride has a short line, we'll use the app and change it on the fly, sometimes getting something we want and other times just something else we won't have to wait on line for. This leaves us a lot of time for spontaneous decisions, usually based on ride wait times.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I completely agree with the author. I hate the system that destroys the spontaneity of visiting the park.
If (big "if") we go back to WDW it will be when it's very slow and I doubt we'll even go then.
If DLR adopts the same exact system we will slow our trips to the park even more than we have in the past few years.

 

[Jfsag123]

I love the advance planning. What I don't love is that Disney does not always release their schedules to align with the semi-required advance planning. For example, I am hoping to be able to attend Star Wars Weekends next year. Due to that, I am planning on 2 full days at DHS. If there is no SWW, there is no way I will want 2 full days at DHS. I am not stressed out about making my ADRs in advance, but I am stressed out by the possibility that they will not yet have announced when/if SWW will happen prior to my 180 booking date. No SWW would completely change which park I visit on which days, which of course, will impact my ADRs. My kids love character meals, so we tend to book a lot of hard-to-get ADRs, which will be difficult to change shortly after our window has opened. If Disney would commit to actually finalizing and releasing their plans as early as I am expected to make mine, I would be completely on board.

 

[Paula25]

Enjoy with a large grain of salt and the understanding I'm not judging anyone....

As an uber-planner, what I hate most about the new systems at Disney is that the advantage of being an uber-planner has been compromised by the fact that the darn My Disney Experience destroys that advantage. Now, EVERYONE knows they need to plan in advance! They know what to do to get the coveted CRT reservation, how to increase their chances of an Epcot view from their room at the Boardwalk, and where to stand for the best view of Illuminations. This is so disappointing for me.
Here I am, willing, no not just willing, but anxious and excited to get up at 4 am to make my 180 day ADRs only to realize I still can't get into the restaurants I want at the time I want because others were able to book those times at 180+10 days out. Well phooey.

When FP+ showed up, my entire planning methodology had to change. It was challenging, and sometimes frustrating. I'm now on the "other side" of the learning curve to a degree, and while I hate to admit it, I kind of like being able to book all my ADRs for my whole vacation in one fell swoop instead of day by day. I also like being able to book my FP+ in advance. And as the self-designated leader of our be-at-the-front-gate-1-hour-before-the-park-opens-commando-all-day family, I am actually considering arriving after the opening time at the Magic Kingdom on our next trip. Our FP+ for our faves are later in the day, so we might not get up at the crack of dawn.....(WHO SAID THAT? SOMEONE MUST HAVE HACKED ME!)

Many things have changed, but I still love Disney because my family bonds there. It's all wrapped up in memories and tradition and I will do whatever I need to do to make the experience as great as possible for them. I'll work with all the crazy changes because I love every minute I am there with the people I love.

I'm spending my current quota of frustration and anger energy on the IRS. They deserve it.

 

[YawningDodo]

]One person's random bumping into a character is another person's "where the heck are the characters, I haven't seen ONE, why can't I just go someplace and SEE them instead of having it be random?"

(I personally like having the characters in one spot so I can avoid them...except that I enjoyed Jack Sparrow roaming Disneyland's New Orleans Square...it was so fun to watch others interacting with him)

I worked at MK in the Disney College Program years ago, and a while into my program I decided to get my cast member tote bag signed by as many characters as I could. I specifically remember that the only way I managed to get Mary Poppins was by sneaking a look at the character schedule at work the day before my "weekend." Even knowing when and where she was scheduled to be out, I still had to ask around with a couple CMs before I was able to find her. I mean, sometimes it was great on days when they had high numbers of characters out in irregular locations because I'd suddenly have a bonanza of rare signatures, but I never knew how guests were supposed to find specific characters in a lot of cases. I always got the impression people sort of weren't supposed to be able to plan for most character meetings, but just happen into them serendipitously. Even the set meeting places like the big top in Mickey's Toon Town Fair would swap out which Winnie the Pooh characters, princesses, etc. were waiting for you. Never did get the full Pooh set because I could never find out when the ones I still needed would actually be there.

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

Disney has done things that were far worse, but I agree that social media has changed the way that we discuss those things. Imagine if Disney were to go back to the E-Ticket days and limit the number of times that you could ride your favorite attraction unless you were willing to pay more? The world was a different place back then. Social media has changed us.

If Disney went back to E-Ticket, I'd jump for joy. While that isn't likely, Disney could very easily start selling FP+ and I would again jump for joy.

However, does that oasis the author is looking for exist anywhere? Can anyone simply show up for their vacation and have things work out smoothly? I can't help myself; I have to research everything I do.

Absolutely. I just went to New Orleans for a 4 day trip and planned absolutely nothing. I did everything spontaneously and it was great. I even booked a swamp airboat ride the morning of. All the restaurants I wanted were available day of. Last December, I went to Puerto Rico, and again planned absolutely nothing. Everything was spontaneous. So to answer your question, yes the oasis the author is looking for exists in lots of places that are potentially even more fun that Disney World.

The solution for us is to simply not renew our passes this year--or ever.

Good point. I don't go often enough to buy AP's but I have to wonder if the AP sales have taken a huge nosedive since the implementation of FP+? Combine that with the fact that most popular restaurants require far advance planning, and I have to wonder if most folks who had AP just decided they were tired of getting spanked in the butt.

Of course you can do most of those things without reservations. You can ride any ride you want without a fastpass you are just going to wait in line. You know, like the way you had to do it way back before legacy FP was a thing.

Not so fast my friend. Yes lines were definitely a thing before legacy FP but it was easy to avoid them. Rope droppers, late night people, and people who booked during the slow times of the year (like the author did) wouldn't have been waiting very much at all. Now because of FP+, almost all of those advantages have been either completely eliminated or at the very least, severely diminished.

Disneyland is much easier and many of the rides are better. They should have just gone there.

I've been hearing this a lot lately on various threads. If someone says they're tired of DW planning, someone suggests they go to DL. DL isn't convenient for everyone. It's generally more expensive than DW and if you're midwest/east coast, the flights aren't exactly cheap or convenient.

ADRs are not necessary in advance most restaurants are available the day of. FP+ can be got same day from the desks.

While certainly some restaurants and some FP+ will be available day of, they are the least desirable options. Before FP+, all FP were available day of. And before dining plan, you could walk up to Le Celier day of and say Table for 4 and be seated promptly.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

If Disney went back to E-Ticket, I'd jump for joy. While that isn't likely, Disney could very easily start selling FP+ and I would again jump for joy..

I would, too - but that is because I can afford to pay a premium for more of my favorite rides. I also buy extra tickets for extra FP+ on each trip, so we double up there. Anyone can do that today that has the $$$.

 

[Angel Ariel]

It's generally more expensive than DW

Are you talking about things in the park, like food/souvenirs?

We are going to dlr in November. So far cost hasn't been all that much different than wdw. Hotel is significantly less (good neighbor), tickets are cheaper, and airfare was actually not very much more than what it was thr last time we flee to Orlandoando

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

Are you talking about things in the park, like food/souvenirs?

We are going to dlr in November. So far cost hasn't been all that much different than wdw. Hotel is significantly less (good neighbor), tickets are cheaper, and airfare was actually not very much more than what it was thr last time we flee to Orlandoando

Nope. I'm talking about the Disney hotels which appear to be much more expensive than most Disney World on-site hotels. The dining options also will be more expensive given that there is no dining plan option. The flight to Cali, at least for me, will be more expensive than going to Orlando.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Nope. I'm talking about the Disney hotels which appear to be much more expensive than most Disney World on-site hotels. The dining options also will be more expensive given that there is no dining plan option. The flight to Cali, at least for me, will be more expensive than going to Orlando.

Ah, yes, the Disney hotels there are expensive. That's why we are across the street at a good.neighbor hotel (and actually closer to the park gates than 2 of the Disney hotels).

As for food,.I don't know that I agree there. The dining plan at wdw never was much of a savings for us when we did our research on it (unless you are doing free.dining). There are so many more counter service options at DL (that have more unique options) that spending more on food would be a choice. We do OOP at WDW (because as I said the dining plan didn't come out to be a savings for us), and the prices between wdw and dlr OOP are not very different.

The flights thing I get. We are paying more to go to Cali, but the savings on hotel and tx makes up for the difference, in our case anyway. We are coming from the east coast, but we are near a major hub which helps in that dept.

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

Ah, yes, the Disney hotels there are expensive. That's why we are across the street at a good.neighbor hotel (and actually closer to the park gates than 2 of the Disney hotels).

As for food,.I don't know that I agree there. The dining plan at wdw never was much of a savings for us when we did our research on it (unless you are doing free.dining). There are so many more counter service options at DL (that have more unique options) that spending more on food would be a choice. We do OOP at WDW (because as I said the dining plan didn't come out to be a savings for us), and the prices between wdw and dlr OOP are not very different.

The flights thing I get. We are paying more to go to Cali, but the savings on hotel and tx makes up for the difference, in our case anyway. We are coming from the east coast, but we are near a major hub which helps in that dept.

I may agree with you on food. I am choosing to eat DL's top places. But with the hotel thing, you don't get the early entrance with the good neighbor hotels right? See I'd only be going for 2 or 3 nights so the morning entrance is mandatory for me. Gotta maximize my time.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I may agree with you on food. I am choosing to eat DL's top places. But with the hotel thing, you don't get the early entrance with the good neighbor hotels right? See I'd only be going for 2 or 3 nights so the morning entrance is mandatory for me. Gotta maximize my time.

all guests who buy 3 day tickets or longer get 1 early entrance to DL. Only Disney resort guests get dca early entry.

We are buying 2 AFS tickets per person to use back to back (will end up as 6 day tickets), so we will get 2 early entries to DL. We will make sure our DCA days aren't early entry days for DCA, and get there at RD (which should be around 10am, if historical times prove true - perfec. for our Dd who doesn't wake til after 8). At least that was the plan. We are now going to san Diego for 2 days, so I need to do some thinking there as we only have 6 days in CA (8 incl travel days). Our wdw trips are usually only 4 or 5 total including travel days, so this is a.luxury for us)

 

[Turn the Page]

Not so fast my friend. Yes lines were definitely a thing before legacy FP but it was easy to avoid them. Rope droppers, late night people, and people who booked during the slow times of the year (like the author did) wouldn't have been waiting very much at all. Now because of FP+, almost all of those advantages have been either completely eliminated or at the very least, severely diminished.

While certainly some restaurants and some FP+ will be available day of, they are the least desirable options. Before FP+, all FP were available day of. And before dining plan, you could walk up to Le Celier day of and say Table for 4 and be seated promptly.

Not so fast my friend. You can't possibly blame the lines solely on FP+. Word on the street is that WDW has gotten a lot busier in the last few years. The lines on the non headlining attractions have gotten longer and can be partially blamed on FP+ drawing people away from waiting in line at the headliners and funneling them toward the non headliners. However, a large portion of the problem is also that the parks are simply busier than they were in the past.

And things like arriving at rope drop, going late at night, going at slow times of the year, etc. are all still good strategies to reduce your wait in line. Does it mean you will walk on to everything? No, and it never really did. You would still have waits of a few minutes most of the time.

And pre dining plan or no, I find it hard to believe you could walk up to Le Cellier at 7 on a Saturday night during spring break and get a table for 4 immediately with no reservation.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Oh, and on the food, we plan on eating at place alike blue bayou, carthay circle and Napa rose. At least on our previous trips we did not find our OOP costs to be much different there than the OOP costs as similar level restaurants at wdw, that's what I was trying to say. The addition.of more and better CS at DLR makes it easier to save money on the non-signature meals.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Not so fast my friend. You can't possibly blame the lines solely on FP+.

Maybe not solely, but certainly the lion's share. FP+ has bogged down several efficient lines. It's my biggest complaint with the system. I can tolerate the advanced planning, but adding Fastpasses to attractions that never needed them is maddening.

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

Oh, and on the food, we plan on eating at place alike blue bayou, carthay circle and Napa rose. At least on our previous trips we did not find our OOP costs to be much different there than the OOP costs as similar level restaurants at wdw, that's what I was trying to say. The addition.of more and better CS at DLR makes it easier to save money on the non-signature meals.

Yes Napa is on my list too. But an entree and dessert and beverage at Napa will run you about $70 with tax. That's way more expensive than Disney World unless you're talking the super elite deluxe dining which again are included in the dining plan.

Thanks for the info on the 3 day tickets = 1 early entrance at DL. I'll explore that option.