Can we pull off a 1 week advance notice Disney trip?

[Roveer]

My wife and I have been talking about Disney after a 6 year hiatus. With the kids getting older (1 just finished college, 1 just finished HS, 1 in HS and one just starting HS), we determined that this might be the only good opportunity we have to get to WDW. I was reluctant because of the low crowds and thought so much will seem abandoned that it won't feel right. I've given in to my concerns after talking about the mental health of our entire family having been quarantined for the past 6 months here in NJ.

Today (Saturday), I put in a request at David's vacation Rentals for Aug 8-15th (BLT - 2 bedroom). Hopefully I'll hear back quickly (not expecting anything until next week). BUT...

Should I consider pushing the date forward to the 16-22nd? We are all ready to go right now, but I'm concerned about all the new reservation rules.

With all the new rules in place will I have time to do the parks reservation system? Will I be able to get in to a park every day or should I be concerned because of the short time I've left from booking to arriving?

How about dining? We are very flexible, and used the play the dining reservation game very well back in the day.

What other concerns should I have considering the extremely short window from booking to arriving?

-----update-----

After some website digging the calendar for park reservations is all GREEN for august. They give you a look at the calendar when you are ordering tickets to see if there is availability. This means I should be able to purchase tickets, and make reservations right away (or so it would seem). This appears to be good news. Comments?


Thanks, feels good to be back posting again.

Roveer

 

[kclark9830]

Well, my sister and her husband planned a week long trip just 12 hours in advance, so I'd say it's possible! They went 2 weeks ago.

I don't have any advice, but I know it is doable. Have fun!!!

 

[1GoldenSun]

I think you can absolutely do this. There may never be such a time again when you can just "show up" with little to no planning.

If you're interested, there is a DVC rental board here where you can rent points from a DVC-owning DISer. Points are available for as low as $13 right now so you can save a lot of money. You're taking a slight chance doing this, but if you follow the recommendations at the top of the page about how to rent (ask for references, etc.) it's very small. I've rented points there several times. It's nice to save some money while helping out a DISer who needs to unload some expiring points.

 

[starry_solo]

You can do this. There are dedicated reservations for rent on David's site, but the only one matching your timeframe is a studio in another resort.

Did you check his dedicated reservations for rent. If you can extend the trip and make it two weeks and a different resort (BCV), there is currently one reservation there available at $9/point!

If you go look at dedicated rentals on other sites, it looks like there *might* be one still available in your time frame for one longer night in mid-to-late August too....

 

[Clueless_about_Disney]

Heck I’m here now and booked it two days before coming! I’ve enjoyed it, no Fast Pass stress, go for it!

 

[evilqueenmindy]

Lsat year I booked a weekend (arrive Saturda, leave Monday) trip on a Thursday morning. It was great fun. DO IT.

 

[KristaZ]

I moved up our Disney trip by a week 3 days before we left. We were able to get everything we wanted - including Hollywood Studios - which had no availability for resort guests, APs, or regular ticket holders. You'll be fine booking last minute and getting everything, IMO.

 

[BlueRibbon]

When WDW announced hotels and tickets for 2020 on July 9, my wife and I booked rooms for us and our 5 kids with an arrival date in 2 weeks. We were able to get some good dining reservations, and the trip went off without a hitch. You can definitely do it, and have a great time!

 

[MomOTwins]

We will be there on the 8th too! Many of our disney trips have been last minute. Be flexible and have fun!

 

[Roveer]

I rented with David's. Saved over 2k for BLT. They responded within 4 hours with availability. We are moving forward with reservations. I'll buy tickets tomorrow and make park reservations and we are working on dining reservations tonight. Going to surprise the kids at dinner tomorrow. We've done Disney during some odd times in our lives and always seemed to love those trips the best. I think this will work out just fine. Thanks for the input.

Roveer

 

[Roveer]

OK, we just finished our park days and dining selections. Once I buy the tickets tomorrow morning I'll make the actual park reservations and dining reservations. I do have one additional question.

Other than the Star Wars ride where I've heard you have to have a reservation (and then a boarding pass?) are there any other rides that I need to schedule? It's been 6 years since we've been and lots have changed. I'm going to dig in to Star Wars tomorrow and figure out what I have to do. We will have 2 Hollywood studios days so I'll want to get those planned.

Roveer

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

We booked two weeks ago Monday to leave that Friday. We waited until the last possible minute so we felt in the know with current situations and restrictions. We made sure flights were available and park reservations we good. Made dining reservations by the day once we got down there. It was a great trip.

 

[Dave006]

Other than the Star Wars ride where I've heard you have to have a reservation (and then a boarding pass?) are there any other rides that I need to schedule?

No but all the parks require a Disney Park Pass (reservation). You need to be in Hollywood Studios before 10 AM to get a chance at at Boarding Group (Virtual Queue). A second chance may be available at 2 PM depending on how RoTR is running on the day you visit.

That is the only experience (ride) that needs this extra step.

Dave

 

[js]

I am in NY and have a trip for November. You guys in NJ are also suppose to self quarentine two weeks before and after Disney. Not saying you should or shouldn’t just making sure you know this in case your job requires proof.

I would leave tomorrow if someone would go with me. I could plan it all in a day lol.

Enjoy!

 

[Epcot242]

I think you can. Depending on how you approach dining, I'd guess that might be your biggest problem--getting reservations. Otherwise, you don't have to worry about FastPasses or anything like that. We have a trip planned and have the park reservations set and dining and that's it. It's actually a little less stressful than usual. Go for it! Enjoy the time.

 

[Roveer]

It has been Done!!!!

This morning I made the David's Vacation payment to get our BLT 2 Bedroom Villa reservation. I then called Disney and purchased our park tickets (not cheap when you are a family of 6, all considered adults). I then linked the tickets to my "My Disney Experience" account and made the park reservations. Earlier today I made all the dining reservations. Pretty much got everything we wanted, had to be a little flexible on times. Unfortunately Crystal Palace is closed. Even know the kids are older, it's still part of our nostalgia to keep going there for breakfast when visiting MK. Teppan Edo in Epcot is also closed, one of our favorite places to dine when visiting Epcot. After all that "booking", I grabbed our hotel in GA for the trip down. We are drivers. My daughter pointed out that flying was 27 dollars from United, which really can't be beat. We passed for a few reasons, our tradition is to drive.

We will be at WDW for our 25th anniversary which is pretty special. I think I mentioned earlier it's been 6 years since we've been to Disney. Now that all the planning is wrapping up, the emotions are starting to build. Next up, is to do the reveal to the kids. I've already made the supersized Disney calendar. When the kids were young, I always made each of them a calendar so they could hang it in their room and mark off the days till Disney. This year I made just the one. I have a plotter at our office and am able to make a pretty big version. We are headed out to dinner at 6 tonight and after I get everyone in the car I'm going to run back into the house and tape this up to the mantle in the family room. They will see it when we get back from dinner. I also dug up our old magic bands and made 4 boxes that has their MB, Mickey stickers and buttons. We'll give that to them when we get to the restaurant. Over the years I've done some pretty extravagant reveals with everything from people delivering things to our table, to 3000 piece puzzles that make a Mickey and Minnie that have our vacations pictures in the pieces, to YouTube videos. Here's link to the YT video: Disney Reveal
Here's another video of my son on Splash Mountain. I had never put anything on YT before, but I just had to put this on: Splash Mountain with John

Thanks again for all the input. I'll likely be posting from WDW next week to share our experience considering the crazy times. Hopefully it all goes well. One good thing about our family, we are if not anything else, we are flexible. We will just be happy to "be there". Really the only thing I have left to "do" besides getting a family of 6 to Orlando FL in a week is to tackle the Star Wars Adventure thing. That's next on my list.



Regards,

Roveer

 

[Karl66]

Two years ago we did a three day weekend trip on 45 minutes notice. Would seem even easier now to plan last minute since fastpass is not an option.

 

[Frwinkley]

I can't wait to hear how your kids react!! I love that they are older and still appreciate all of the things that are part of your family's history. Memories and experiences are truly the best gifts.

 

[thingaboutarsenal]

It has been Done!!!!

This morning I made the David's Vacation payment to get our BLT 2 Bedroom Villa reservation. I then called Disney and purchased our park tickets (not cheap when you are a family of 6, all considered adults). I then linked the tickets to my "My Disney Experience" account and made the park reservations. Earlier today I made all the dining reservations. Pretty much got everything we wanted, had to be a little flexible on times. Unfortunately Crystal Palace is closed. Even know the kids are older, it's still part of our nostalgia to keep going there for breakfast when visiting MK. Teppan Edo in Epcot is also closed, one of our favorite places to dine when visiting Epcot. After all that "booking", I grabbed our hotel in GA for the trip down. We are drivers. My daughter pointed out that flying was 27 dollars from United, which really can't be beat. We passed for a few reasons, our tradition is to drive.

We will be at WDW for our 25th anniversary which is pretty special. I think I mentioned earlier it's been 6 years since we've been to Disney. Now that all the planning is wrapping up, the emotions are starting to build. Next up, is to do the reveal to the kids. I've already made the supersized Disney calendar. When the kids were young, I always made each of them a calendar so they could hang it in their room and mark off the days till Disney. This year I made just the one. I have a plotter at our office and am able to make a pretty big version. We are headed out to dinner at 6 tonight and after I get everyone in the car I'm going to run back into the house and tape this up to the mantle in the family room. They will see it when we get back from dinner. I also dug up our old magic bands and made 4 boxes that has their MB, Mickey stickers and buttons. We'll give that to them when we get to the restaurant. Over the years I've done some pretty extravagant reveals with everything from people delivering things to our table, to 3000 piece puzzles that make a Mickey and Minnie that have our vacations pictures in the pieces, to YouTube videos. Here's link to the YT video: Disney Reveal
Here's another video of my son on Splash Mountain. I had never put anything on YT before, but I just had to put this on: Splash Mountain with John

Thanks again for all the input. I'll likely be posting from WDW next week to share our experience considering the crazy times. Hopefully it all goes well. One good thing about our family, we are if not anything else, we are flexible. We will just be happy to "be there". Really the only thing I have left to "do" besides getting a family of 6 to Orlando FL in a week is to tackle the Star Wars Adventure thing. That's next on my list.

View attachment 515421

Regards,

Roveer

Not sure if it's still a thing, but if you drive, the FHP was (is still?) Stopping people coming down I-95 and checking where they're from and going to. I'd think about the $27 plane tickets TBH.

That said, I'm on my last night of an 8 day stay at Poly and other than masks and world showcase being a ghost town, this has been a fantastic trip. Granted my drive is 90 minutes, but still.

 

[Roveer]

I can't wait to hear how your kids react!! I love that they are older and still appreciate all of the things that are part of your family's history. Memories and experiences are truly the best gifts.

It was pretty dramatic.

We told the 21 year old on Saturday because we had to make sure she could re-arrange work. She was probably the most excited. I'd describe it as a 6-maybe 7 year old reaction, followed by frantically waving hands, lots of oh my gosh's... She then re-appeared wearing her Minnie ears and has basically looked like she ate a bug for the last 24 hours trying not to spill the beans to her siblings.

The 18 year old, was in total amazement and basically cried for the first 30 minutes, tears of joy and relief. It's been a hard 6 months here in NJ. Three of my kids missed their college, HS, and grade school graduations and we just made the decision last week to wait a year for college for the 18 year old. All tough breaks. 2019 brought us the loss of both my in-laws (2 months apart) so that still hangs out there. It's time to start changing things up in 2020.

The 16 year old just hugged his mom and the 14 year old (who insists she can't remember WDW), started telling stories about previous visits... Just what the Dr. ordered.

All in all a very good outcome. Just got home and now the "Disney box" is out and they are deciding what they will be doing, what they will be eating, and what Disney movies they have to watch before we leave. With my kids, it's all about the memories and routines. Example: After arriving at Disney, MK must be the first park, It's a Small World must be the first ride.

Roveer