Cant win even with organized planning!

[Mickeymouseisking]

I don't get the "but I spent $5000 to be here and I expect MAGIC" attitude. You're not the only one who's spent a small fortune to get there.

How did you manage to understand that from what I wrote? Wow. All I said was that I understand OP's frustration with the fact that we (all of us...) have to make plans 180 days and 60 days out, while Disney hasn't even put out their calendars.

 

[Nancyg56]

How did you manage to understand that from what I wrote? Wow. All I said was that I understand OP's frustration with the fact that we (all of us...) have to make plans 180 days and 60 days out, while Disney hasn't even put out their calendars.

I understand frustration with regards to the situation you describe. However, I have been reading a lot of posts about hours being extended that have people very upset. DIsney has always said adjusted hours when crowd levels increased, and we continue to warn people that their PPO breakfasts may not be the boost they think they have gained. WE also see a lot lately about attractions that are down, meals that are late, or issues becuase large parties may not be seated together. I really believe that when folks have expectations that are so detailed that success hinges on one meal, one attraction or the "empty" Main Street, there is going to be a very frustrated family.

As to your question, I agree. WHere did that come from?

 

[Liljo22]

I am told I can be let in around 745 which was my goal and thats exciting but now with the early access more Disney folks will be there too! Two steps forward one step back.

The ones attending EMM will be heading straight to Fantasyland to get in as many 7dmt rides as they can and it's only about 200. If they let you in before 8, you should still have some quiet time on Main Street before they let everyone in at 8.

 

[Jeff Laughlin]

Apparently Behind the Steam Trains Tour lets you in at 7:30 and Magic Kingdom is completely, you don't get to go all the way down Main Street though.

 

[Mickeymouseisking]

I understand frustration with regards to the situation you describe. However, I have been reading a lot of posts about hours being extended that have people very upset. DIsney has always said adjusted hours when crowd levels increased, and we continue to warn people that their PPO breakfasts may not be the boost they think they have gained. WE also see a lot lately about attractions that are down, meals that are late, or issues becuase large parties may not be seated together. I really believe that when folks have expectations that are so detailed that success hinges on one meal, one attraction or the "empty" Main Street, there is going to be a very frustrated family.

As to your question, I agree. WHere did that come from?

I agree completely.

 

[KrazeeK120]

The ones attending EMM will be heading straight to Fantasyland to get in as many 7dmt rides as they can and it's only about 200. If they let you in before 8, you should still have some quiet time on Main Street before they let everyone in at 8.

When I went to EMM a few weeks ago, several people (including me) stopped for pictures of the castle. We still easily got a shot with no one else in it, but people do stop.

 

[Tinkerbell8956]

I get it. It's disappointing sometimes when Disney changes things after you have planned for so long. I had an awesome birthday planned for my three year old last fall. BBB, dinner at BOG, a special cake for her at dinner, etc...then hurricane Matthew blew into town and the park was closed on her birthday. Complete change of plans. You know what? That kid still had a magical Birthday. We stayed at the Grand and they turned the lobby into a giant dance party with characters, there were characters to meet standing around the lobby, they opened all the shops and the pools opened back up. It turned out really magical even though it wasn't what I had spent months planning. With Disney, I plan every detail for our convenience...but I've learned over the years to be adaptive and go with the flow of the day. That has always led us to our most magical moments.

 

[BigredNole]

This is exactly what sucks about WDW now. You have to plan EVERYTHING out before you go and then WDW changes their schedules and plans that ruin everything you worked so hard to do because they require it. I want to get rid of the ADR and FP in advance. Everything is Day Of, at a kiosk, at the park you are going to. Everyone gets 1 FP. Once you use it, you are able to get another.

 

[Farro]

This is exactly what sucks about WDW now. You have to plan EVERYTHING out before you go and then WDW changes their schedules and plans that ruin everything you worked so hard to do because they require it. I want to get rid of the ADR and FP in advance. Everything is Day Of, at a kiosk, at the park you are going to. Everyone gets 1 FP. Once you use it, you are able to get another.

That would be awful. You would spend your entire trip waiting in lines for restaurants. Reservations are a good thing.

It's only a few unfortunate souls who are affected when they do these types of changes - the majority of trip planners aren't affected at all. Take away ADRs and even fast passes at this point, no good.

 

[BigredNole]

You would not be waiting in lines. You reserved your dining reservations that day. I have had breakfast reservations for 8AM 180-days out with park opening at 9AM. Bam, park hours change to 8AM. I am not wasting time eating breakfast while lines grow insane. Now, my plans are all destroyed because WDW cannot make a schedule.

The way it is now, it is a military scheduling drill. It is painful and pointless to the point it is no longer vacation.

 

[Farro]

You would not be waiting in lines. You reserved your dining reservations that day. I have had breakfast reservations for 8AM 180-days out with park opening at 9AM. Bam, park hours change to 8AM. I am not wasting time eating breakfast while lines grow insane. Now, my plans are all destroyed because WDW cannot make a schedule.

The way it is now, it is a military scheduling drill. It is painful and pointless to the point it is no longer vacation.

Well, we have to agree to disagree. Everyone trying for the same restaurant at the same time day of would be a mess. For me, THAT would be stressful. I like my dinner reservations taken care of before I arrive. The same way I do at home.

Fast passes, while the old system was fine, I find that I actually like this one better.

Schedule changes, not much we can do about that. If they are opening a park earlier or closing later due to crowds, then I kind of understand it.

I still have a good time planning - this is the only vacation we go on where the planning/anticipation makes it feel like I'm on vacation the months leading up to actually going! I appreciate it. Our other trips are nothing like this.

 

[Beer Me]

The PPO ADR is a hack and never guaranteed to work. The only sure way to have main street to yourself would be to rent out the park.

 

[ErinsMommy]

First world problems. LOL.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Haha! We typically go the first week of September, which may literally be the only week of the whole year this is possible now...if you are really lucky.

With labor day crowds and kids that go back to school right after, first week of September is definitely not an empty quiet time. After Labor Day your chances get better for a lower crowd, but now that they announced MNSSHP dates into the early part of September (actually end of August forward) and Pandora being open too, that may have gone out the window

 

[ckb_nc]

EMM is a great deal of fun

 

[mesaboy2]

With labor day crowds and kids that go back to school right after, first week of September is definitely not an empty quiet time. After Labor Day your chances get better for a lower crowd, but now that they announced MNSSHP dates into the early part of September (actually end of August forward) and Pandora being open too, that may have gone out the window

Year in and year out, the first half of September is about as good as it gets.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Year in and year out, the first half of September is about as good as it gets.

First HALF yes, first week, no. Went for my birthday once year (Labor Day) and it felt like an extension of Jersey Week. All us Jersey folks trying to get in one last bit of sun and vacation before school began.

 

[mesaboy2]

I include the first week in the first half. I also have gone many Labor Days, as well as many other times of year. LD is consistently less crowded in my experience.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

ITA with Mesaboy here. We went Labor Day weekend once and it was by far the least crowded we'd ever seen Disney. I attributed the low crowds to the overhwhelming heat. OMG, how do people live in Florida in the summer with that heat?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I understand frustration with regards to the situation you describe. However... I really believe that when folks have expectations that are so detailed that success hinges on one meal, one attraction or the "empty" Main Street, there is going to be a very frustrated family.

Agreed, except Ill emphasize that all of the items you list have been happening for many years. WDW changes. Expect it will change and you won't be disappointed.

Over-planning is also nothing new, especially among DISers. My posting on the subject is also nothing new.

I'm struggling to comprehend how anyone would go to WDW with the EXPECTATION of having MK to themselves, especially taking that expectation to the level OP did.


Let the magic happen.* Expecting magic is a sure path to disappointment.

*Recently we stopped by WDW for a mere 3 hours, and came across some unexpected - very cool - magic of our own. It can still happen, just probably not the way anyone EXPECTS it to happen. That's what I mean when I say, just let it happen. What we saw was magical BECAUSE we didn't expect it.