Followed the plans on here and no Elsa FP

[mousehockey37]

You just have to keep checking back on the site for anyone that cancels. It happens.

Please don't throw around the "I paid top dollar" card. It just makes things that much worse and gives a snobby vibe. There are plenty of others who stay far longer than 2 days that are spending far more to stay.

Also, for the suggestions of going at RD. Good Luck!!!! You will NOT be able to get past the CM's at the front with the rope that lead you down Main St and through the Hub. Run all you want, you won't get by them.

Anna and Elsa are a hot ticket item. No denying it. The waits for 6 hours are gone, they don't exist. I'm not sure how they do it now, but the waits are reasonable.

In the end, if you want what you want, you're going to have to wait like everyone else to get it. There are thousands upon thousands of people in the parks everyday and Disney owes you nothing. It was your choice to pay for your resort experience. If you thought that it gives you an advantage over others, well, let this be a lesson learned... it doesn't. Everyone pays admission of some type to get into the parks, which that gets you in the front gate... what happens beyond that is on each guest.

Here's to hoping you can be patient enough and understanding enough to realize that meeting Elsa isn't something that throwing money at is going to solve. Disappointment is a part of life and should you not get to meet her, if that ruins Disney for you, I guess there's just more room for the rest of us going forward.

Stay vigilant, dedicated and looking for the FP. Should you not get it, my best advice would be to seek her out during the halloween party. Other rarer characters will be out so that may detract from them some. Maybe.

 

[mkh531]

i just cancelled an A&E FP bc it is after our flight departs on October 7. Go get it!

 

[Angel Ariel]

Disney doesn't owe anyone anything, no. But Disney is the one who created this system and started marketing how people can book the things they know they really want to do before they even get to the parks. It's understandable that people will be disappointed when that doesn't happen. I'm not saying I would cancel a trip over it, but I do understand the disappointment after all the build up.

 

[bcrook]

Here is another example of why this is a legitimate thread, and why "just don't go...cancel" doesn't make sense:

I'm taking three families back to F&W October 15. We planned this more than a year ago because I had to plan how to use my DVC points and then book 11 months out (to make sure and get the standard view rooms at Kidani).

This will be our third trip together and my traveling companions are most looking forward to seeing new fantasyland and finally ride that mine train coaster that they watched slowly unfold. It is exactly what Disney hoped for: something new to create anticipation for returning guests. The only other requests by my group was Rose Garden reserved spot for Wishes and TSMM. We were there last together in October of 2013.

They have already purchased airline tickets, taken off work, and bought theme park tickets in anticipation of booking some Fastpasses. Based on our plans and MNSSHP nights we might have to go to MK on our night we are staying off site at a Hilton garden inn. So we will have to book at the 30 day mark. Based on what I am reading, I am not going to be able to deliver on any of these requests. I am going to be very disappointed and so will my group. We can't cancel, but had they known in advance...we most likely would have bought tickets to see Harry Potter and punted the FW. But we didn't know when the wheels were put into gear.

I find posts like the OP very enlightening for planning future trips. I am losing confidence in investing this kind of money far in advance because of the lack of ability to have a clear idea of what type of experience I will have when the rubber hits the road. If I didn't read this site, or nobody posted like the OP - I would never know about the current real state of getting into attractions at WDW. The planning level is obscene. My group sort of knows what I'm doing, they are grateful.

Based on my trip in July (which didn't have big crowds) the mine train is prohibitively long to wait in line (along with PP, hm, splash, JC).

And as others have joked, at least I can be prepared to be disappointed earlier so I can let everyone down easily. Whew, now I don't need to start my own thread. Sorry OP, I just had to get this out.

 

[magicmomms]

First off...thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. I needed help figuring out how to make the most of my situation and a lot of good help has come of it. I didn't realize the wait was an hour now. Last I heard it was 6 no matter what. I certainly can wait one hour. That's not a problem. I also didn't know people cancel so often and things open up daily.

I wasn't looking for sympathy or even a place to complain. I was just really frustrated with my circumstances and looking for a way to make them better. When we planned this trip we rented AKL DVC (paid and can't get money back), bought Halloween tickets (paid and can't cancel). We had saved up for our first vacation ever and were pumped- had a whole week planned and were so looking forward to it. Meanwhile, my husband suffered financial loss at work (unfortunately like many today), we also had to come up with a lump sum of money to help family, and my grandmother who raised me- is sick and there are bills I must pay. On top of all that, Our house was broken into and it was destroyed and everything was stolen. They even took our shower head and toilet seats...no really. We are currently fixing it all and putting it on the market to sell. This costs extreme money too. I realize these are no ones problems but our own, but we don't have much money at this point, even though we did when we reserved our trip.

At the time we planned our trip all was gravy. Now things aren't and we really shouldn't even be going to DIsney at this point, because we still have to pay for food, park tickets, and gas to drive down there..maybe hotel on the way down. But I said to him, look we already paid for the hotel and its nice and fun, can't we please just go down there and swim in the pool? With all we have going on it would be better than whats going on here. I heard Elsa might not be at the Halloween party- So we paid for one park day because we just wanted to get to see our little girl be happy, with so much sadness hurt around here. So we bought the tickets and its a stretch for us, then I wasn't able to get the ticket with Elsa and I felt crushed again. It maybe stupid to some of you on here. I read your writings and I see how much people vacation and love Disney. I looked for help and I got some and to those I am very thankful.

 

[rwdavis2]

Since the only reason you appear to be going to WDW is to meet Elsa then why not just cancel the whole trip, stay home and hire a local actress to play the part of Elsa and have her visit a party that you throw? Then you would have unlimited time with Elsa.

Great idea.

 

[itchin2go]

First off...thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. I needed help figuring out how to make the most of my situation and a lot of good help has come of it. I didn't realize the wait was an hour now. Last I heard it was 6 no matter what. I certainly can wait one hour. That's not a problem. I also didn't know people cancel so often and things open up daily.

I wasn't looking for sympathy or even a place to complain. I was just really frustrated with my circumstances and looking for a way to make them better. When we planned this trip we rented AKL DVC (paid and can't get money back), bought Halloween tickets (paid and can't cancel). We had saved up for our first vacation ever and were pumped- had a whole week planned and were so looking forward to it. Meanwhile, my husband suffered financial loss at work (unfortunately like many today), we also had to come up with a lump sum of money to help family, and my grandmother who raised me- is sick and there are bills I must pay. On top of all that, Our house was broken into and it was destroyed and everything was stolen. They even took our shower head and toilet seats...no really. We are currently fixing it all and putting it on the market to sell. This costs extreme money too. I realize these are no ones problems but our own, but we don't have much money at this point, even though we did when we reserved our trip.

At the time we planned our trip all was gravy. Now things aren't and we really shouldn't even be going to DIsney at this point, because we still have to pay for food, park tickets, and gas to drive down there..maybe hotel on the way down. But I said to him, look we already paid for the hotel and its nice and fun, can't we please just go down there and swim in the pool? With all we have going on it would be better than whats going on here. I heard Elsa might not be at the Halloween party- So we paid for one park day because we just wanted to get to see our little girl be happy, with so much sadness hurt around here. So we bought the tickets and its a stretch for us, then I wasn't able to get the ticket with Elsa and I felt crushed again. It maybe stupid to some of you on here. I read your writings and I see how much people vacation and love Disney. I looked for help and I got some and to those I am very thankful.

So sorry for your circumstances, but honestly, you shouldn't have to explain yourself.

As others have said, this is a Disney trip planning forum. If you can't vent/ask for guidance here, where can you? You came to the right place. It's just that some of the wrong people showed up.

Also, as others have said, it's frustrating that Disney tries to induce you to stay onsite with the promise of a jump on booking FPs; they use advance FPs as a selling point, and they surely use Anna & Elsa as a selling point. And then you do your part, and you log in at the first moment possible, but all the FPs for A&E have been distributed before you even had a chance to book. It's frustrating. I would be frustrated.

As I said before, AKL is amazing - you are going to love it. Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[mousehockey37]

So sorry for your circumstances, but honestly, you shouldn't have to explain yourself.

As others have said, this is a Disney trip planning forum. If you can't vent/ask for guidance here, where can you? You came to the right place. It's just that some of the wrong people showed up.

Also, as others have said, it's frustrating that Disney tries to induce you to stay onsite with the promise of a jump on booking FPs; they use advance FPs as a selling point, and they surely use Anna & Elsa as a selling point. And then you do your part, and you log in at the first moment possible, but all the FPs for A&E have been distributed before you even had a chance to book. It's frustrating. I would be frustrated.

As I said before, AKL is amazing - you are going to love it. Good luck and have a great trip.

All I have to say is... every next day is someone elses 1st day to book FPs. It's not like this is done once or twice a week. So just like the craziness that is ADR's, so is FP's. Ultimately, you HAVE to be flexible. There's honestly no way around it.

 

[andyman8]

I'm kinda disappointed in some of the unkind, sarcastic, or insensitive posts. The OP has every right to feel disappointed as this was a large priority for her. Disney charges a lot of money, so sometimes, not getting that must-do FP+ is a big deal. For me, it's not, because I'm very fortunate to be able to visit the parks frequently with an AP and have the money to do that. Others don't, but this situation, in my opinion, is salvageable, and instead of suggesting the OP cancel her trip and hire someone to play Elsa in her hometown, why don't we offer advice on how to still make the OP's trip enjoyable?

My biggest recommendation would be to keep checking back. Cancel and re-select your FP+s at least once a day. Something's bound to open up, you just gotta be checking any time you have a moment. What I might also try is looking for a FP+ for one person for A&E then copying over to your child. One adult might have to wait outside.

If that doesn't work, your next best bet would be rope drop at MK. Plan on getting there about 40 minutes before scheduled park open (make sure it's a not a morning EMH day), which mean you'll probably want to plan on being at the AKL bus stop 75-90 mins before scheduled park open. Once there try to get as close to one of the two train station tunnels as possible (you won't get a good view of the opening show but it's nothing much; you're there for A&E anyways), and you shouldn't have too long of a wait.

Now, if you're not planning on hitting MK RD, don't worry about a six hour line. That never happens for A&E. For example, right now (according to easywdw.com/waits), it's 80 minutes. I get that that's still a long time, and you don't want to eat up that much time of your day in the park, so what I'd then suggest is going to this link, selecting your date in the hours section on the right, and seeing what time A&E are scheduled to be appearing until that day. Check this link again about a week or so out from your trip just to confirm, as they do change the hours sometimes. Then, just get in line as close to their listed closing time as possible (they'll let you in right up until it, so if closing is listed at 11pm, you can get in line right up until 10:59pm; keep in mind, this is not a reliable strategy on MNSSHP/MVMCP days. In those cases, get in line 25-30 minutes before the listed closing time). That way, you won't be wasting any of the park operating day waiting in line. Mind you, it'll probably still be a sizable wait, but it's worth it.

 

[itchin2go]

All I have to say is... every next day is someone elses 1st day to book FPs. It's not like this is done once or twice a week. So just like the craziness that is ADR's, so is FP's. Ultimately, you HAVE to be flexible. There's honestly no way around it.

I agree 100%. I just think it shouldn't be this way. I understand that's how it is, and that's why lots of people here gave OP practical advice, but I think it sucks that Disney has set up this system, and people can't get certain FPs at 60 days out. Realistically, couldn't they fix this? Why couldn't Anna and Elsa meet and greet in DHS too, and take some of the pressure off of the one in MK? It's not like a ride that truly has limited capacity.

 

[Rivermonster]

Just wanting to chime in and wish you luck OP. There's been many great suggestions by PPs, just keep trying. All hope is not lost. It sounds like you have a lot of stress right now, so don't let not your inability to score an A&E FP further exacerbate it. Everything is going to work out fine! Don't give up!

Best wishes and lots of pixie dust to you

 

[Miskey]

Is there a DIS rule where you HAVE to comment on every thread? If there's not, and you can't add anything constructive, how about channeling your inner Thumper, and just skip the thread??

OP, keep trying, and remember it will be easier to find 2 FPs instead of 3. Good luck

 

[mom2rtk]

OP, keep at it. I hope you find your FPs and have the most magical trip ever.

Did I read correctly that you are doing the Halloween party? I think the lines tend to be shorter during that time. I would keep an eye on the DIS and get advice on what time you can line up for them during the party and go then.

 

[mousehockey37]

I'm kinda disappointed in some of the unkind, sarcastic, or insensitive posts. The OP has every right to feel disappointed as this was a large priority for her. Disney charges a lot of money, so sometimes, not getting that must-do FP+ is a big deal. For me, it's not, because I'm very fortunate to be able to visit the parks frequently with an AP and have the money to do that. Others don't, but this situation, in my opinion, is salvageable, and instead of suggesting the OP cancel her trip and hire someone to play Elsa in her hometown, why don't we offer advice on how to still make the OP's trip enjoyable?

Disney does charge a lot of money. The fact is, the M&G's are a big thing. The hotter the character, the harder it's going to be to get the FP. The situation is somewhat salvageable. If the OP doesn't get Elsa, it's pretty much the only reason they're going. So no Elsa = game over. There are ways to get to them w/out the FP, but it's rough.

 

[robinb]

Best advice is to just keep checking. This website, http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=835236, is a great resource for checking headlining FP+ availability. To change a FP+ to another attraction, select the "Update FP+" option in the FP+ section. Select the date then underneath the attraction you want to change, click "Change Experience". A list of available attractions/times will appear and you'll be able to select whose FP+ you want to change.

This is great advise! Just keep on checking The Dibb for availability. I was able to get a 7DMT FP+ less than 30 days before our last trip because of the Dibb .

ETA: I think part of the problem with FP+ at the MK in October is that it closes so early for the halloween parties.

 

[itchin2go]

OP - I wanted to add that one of my favorite things about staying at AKL are all the free activities they have. Make a point to look into this. It's been years since we stayed there, but my daughter did sugar cookie decorating in Boma and we also did the culinary tour of Africa, where they take you to Boma and let you try several soups, and then to Jiko where you have an appetizer. I think it was bread and dips when we were there. One day, they did a rubber duck race, and my daughter got to decorate her duck before the race. We still have the duck. Also, they did medallion rubbings in the lobby. There are these gorgeous gold medallions on the floor of the lobby with intricate designs etched or carved into them. They give the kids paper and crayons, and they rub over the medallions and end up with a neat keepsake. I feel like AKL has the most fun free stuff of any Disney resort.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Also, for the suggestions of going at RD. Good Luck!!!! You will NOT be able to get past the CM's at the front with the rope that lead you down Main St and through the Hub. Run all you want, you won't get by them.

When I posted that the OP should try to go to the meet and greet at rope drop, I meant she should follow the rope drop procedure that the cast members lead you toward the attraction and you walk quickly behind the rope. Why? Why? would anyone try to get by the CMs??? Why would you think that is what we meant when we suggested to try it so the OP could see Anna and Elsa with a shorter line??

 

[Angel Ariel]

OP - I wanted to add that one of my favorite things about staying at AKL are all the free activities they have. Make a point to look into this. It's been years since we stayed there, but my daughter did sugar cookie decorating in Boma and we also did the culinary tour of Africa, where they take you to Boma and let you try several soups, and then to Jiko where you have an appetizer. I think it was bread and dips when we were there. One day, they did a rubber duck race, and my daughter got to decorate her duck before the race. We still have the duck. Also, they did medallion rubbings in the lobby. There are these gorgeous gold medallions on the floor of the lobby with intricate designs etched or carved into them. They give the kids paper and crayons, and they rub over the medallions and end up with a neat keepsake. I feel like AKL has the most fun free stuff of any Disney resort.

This is awesome to know, thanks! My brother and SIL have talked about doing AKL if they go to WDW again. I'm sure they'd love to know about these kinds of things. My nephews would love them

 

[mousehockey37]

When I posted that the OP should try to go to the meet and greet at rope drop, I meant she should follow the rope drop procedure that the cast members lead you toward the attraction and you walk quickly behind the rope. Why? Why? would anyone try to get by the CMs??? Why would you think that is what we meant when we suggested to try it so the OP could see Anna and Elsa with a shorter line??

Because they've paid ALL THAT MONEY!!!!! That's why they'd try and go around, remember, ignorance is bliss... This won't be the first or last poster that tries to get to A&E or the Mine Train at RD. It's crazy the amount of posts where people think they can RUN at RD. The explanation of the RD procedures has to brought back out.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Because they've paid ALL THAT MONEY!!!!! That's why they'd try and go around, remember, ignorance is bliss... This won't be the first or last poster that tries to get to A&E or the Mine Train at RD. It's crazy the amount of posts where people think they can RUN at RD. The explanation of the RD procedures has to brought back out.

Who here suggested running at RD? Or going around the CMs? All people did was suggest being there for RD (and getting there early enough to be at the front of the RD crowd). What is wrong with that?