Fall 2016 planning (continuation of 2016 Free Dining Watch)

[ldauksch]

I love that this thread has a good amount of activity! I ran errands for a few hours and came back to 3 pages Here's my two cents on a few things not that anyone asked

I could use some input on MVMCP. the tickets are a ton on money for me and last year I saw quite a few posts that people who went thought a lot of the nights were packed and every year more and more tickets were being sold and it was becoming so crowded that it was not worth the expense. I don't mind spending what for me is a considerable amount of money but not if it's so crowded that it's a waste.

It depends what you want to do at the party. I don't think we rode any rides during the party last year so I can't tell you about ride wait times. We just didn't have time between waiting in line to meet Aurora, Phillip, Snow White and Snow Prince (we got in line early but got cut off right before their first break so had to wait an extra 15 minutes for them to come back), watching both parades, and Wishes but we also had a 22 month old so we didn't stay until midnight. That said I think the party is worth it just to be able to meet the princes with their princess, the Christmas parade and Holiday Wishes but we are only a family of 3 and our daughter will be free again this year. We also had an ADR for BOG right before and this year we're going to do QS and get in line even earlier and we're going to meet Rapunzel and Eugene instead

That's the rumor... Honestly I think Disney is seeing how well this after hours thing does before they release the priced for this year's hard tickets events. If they were selling out after hours each time it was offered I would be afraid mnsshp would get hiked way up. With the new discount for after hours for dvc and ap holders, I'm assuming not as many people are shelling out $150 for after hours access.

I was very worried about the after hours thing doing well and causing the prices of MVMCP to go up A LOT but I was happy to see on the rumors board that they were giving tickets away for free the other day. I agree with you as to why they are waiting to open up the holiday party ticket sales because I'm almost positive they were on sale early in April last year.

If you mean the week before Thanksgiving as Nov 12-19, that week is one of the best weeks of the year for lower crowds. The week leading into thanksgiving, Nov 19-26, will be more crowded. I think the week after the holiday after the weekend is over should be a good week too. But I would think of the 2, there's not a clear winner on the better week.

Just don't go to MK on AM EMH that week. We were there last year the week before Thanksgiving and touring plans originally had the crowds for MK that day at a 5 but their "what they saw" crowd level was a 10! Luckily, this year that Monday isn't included in FD so maybe it won't be as bad.

 

[CandiceF]

So far we have BOG, Cape May, Boat House and Le cellier



We are there the 28-5!!!

You can also do the chat online and they can access it and provide it to you.

Thank-you, I didn't know they could check if you have a pin online. Calling from Canada and waiting on hold for an hour would probably use up half the savings from getting a pin!

 

[kellyjeanie]

I'm still stalking the site for one day for a friend - she has free dining at CBR water view from 11/26-12/2 but wants to extend that to 12/3, either water or standard. She'll tack on a room-only if she has to but we're both hoping we can find one more FD day for her.

 

[Pkltm]

Thank-you, I didn't know they could check if you have a pin online. Calling from Canada and waiting on hold for an hour would probably use up half the savings from getting a pin!

I know exactly what you mean, afraid to see my phone bill, my call yesterday to upgrade resorts on my free dining bounce back was long. I wish they had a 1-800 number, especially for us CDNs

 

[ml sumner]

I finally scored Pop for our dates of 9/30-10/6!! They are definitely releasing more inventory because today was the first day I saw Pop come up for our dates since free dining dropped. I was able to book a preferred room but will keep my eye out for the preferred pool view For everyone still looking don't give up. Now to think I lost all that sleep Monday night just to be able to book on Thursday afternoon what I really wanted. Oh well it has been a crazy week for us all

 

[Meeko5]

I'm still stalking the site for one day for a friend - she has free dining at CBR water view from 11/26-12/2 but wants to extend that to 12/3, either water or standard. She'll tack on a room-only if she has to but we're both hoping we can find one more FD day for her.

I hear 4:03 am is THE time to get what you want

 

[BrookieM2001]

I have never heard of this after hours thing, is it something they've been trying for awhile? I just want to get my MNSSHP tix so everything we need to book can be nailed down and we can focus on good flight prices!

Also, do you guys use a touring plan when you go? We haven't been since 2012 so we havent used the FP+ system yet, but everything I read online says it's basically the only way to avoid unbelievably long lines anymore, so a touring plan is essential. We have been every 3 years for as long as I can remember, so we are by no means Disney newbies but the stuff I'm reading online about October crowds being out of control lately has me a bit spooked!

 

[Meeko5]

Also, do you guys use a touring plan when you go? We haven't been since 2012 so we havent used the FP+ system yet, but everything I read online says it's basically the only way to avoid unbelievably long lines anymore, so a touring plan is essential. We have been every 3 years for as long as I can remember, so we are by no means Disney newbies but the stuff I'm reading online about October crowds being out of control lately has me a bit spooked!

We've only
Gone once, last October, but the touring plan was spot on. We followed it most of the time and found waits to be very accurate. I haven't done it without one, but we had such good success I'll be using one this trip for sure!

 

[kellyjeanie]

We've only
Gone once, last October, but the touring plan was spot on. We followed it most of the time and found waits to be very accurate. I haven't done it without one, but we had such good success I'll be using one this trip for sure!

Was that the Touring Plans touring plan? Did you use it for all the parks? Somehow in all my excitement I found myself a TP subscriber, lol. We didn't use one on our trip but I'm tempted for the same reason Brookie is. EasyWDW has some too but I don't know if I'm ready for that level of efficiency, lol.

 

[BrookieM2001]

Was that the Touring Plans touring plan? Did you use it for all the parks? Somehow in all my excitement I found myself a TP subscriber, lol. We didn't use one on our trip but I'm tempted for the same reason Brookie is. EasyWDW has some too but I don't know if I'm ready for that level of efficiency, lol.

Exactly. I feel like I definitely know what I'm doing and I shouldn't really need a down to the hour plan, but what I'm reading online is that all goes out the window and you can't get by without one now that FP+ is in play.

 

[sahm2two]

@SPOERLX3 this is where we're at now!

 

[Meeko5]

@CaraMiaBelle you too

 

[scard192]

@SPOERLX3 this is where we're at now!

come on over! way more fun here then other threads

 

[Meeko5]

Was that the Touring Plans touring plan? Did you use it for all the parks? Somehow in all my excitement I found myself a TP subscriber, lol. We didn't use one on our trip but I'm tempted for the same reason Brookie is. EasyWDW has some too but I don't know if I'm ready for that level of efficiency, lol.

Yes I made a custom one for each day, and followed it for the most part. My husband rolled his eyes so hard at my planning but when we waited 20 min tops for everything he was like ok you're a genius

 

[scard192]

@CaraMiaBelle you too

come on over, lots of fun.

 

[ml sumner]

Yes I made a custom one for each day, and followed it for the most part. My husband rolled his eyes so hard at my planning but when we waited 20 min tops for everything he was like ok you're a genius

I've got to look into the touring plans. We have been ever year for the past 8 years, but our first time in October (always September before ds got into school). Now I'm worried about the crowds. Do you use touring plans website?

 

[SPOERLX3]

Thank you @sahm2two

WOW! I have a lot of catching up to do!

I wanted everyone to know that they opened a lot of FD rooms at POP for September just about an hour ago.

I just grabbed 2 rooms for my dates 9/27-10/3 and there are still some available!

 

[Kellbee]

Free dining at pop for the end of September right now.

 

[Meeko5]

I've got to look into the touring plans. We have been ever year for the past 8 years, but our first time in October (always September before ds got into school). Now I'm worried about the crowds. Do you use touring plans website?

Yes, and the Lines app run by them is awesome. Well worth the price of subscription for access to that as well as custom touring plans. Loved it.

 

[Kellbee]

Free dining at pop for the end of September right now.

Cbr has standard rooms available for the last week of September too!