Going next week just cancelled all fp's and adr 's

[mom2rtk]

I cannot imagine being able to get your money's worth on the DxDP without ADRs...

I have to agree. There's no way I'd do anything but the quick service dining plan without ADRs, and lots of them. It's hard enough to maximize your value in the plan even with ADRs.

Dumping the ADRs isn't a bad approach, but only if you dump the plan as well.

 

[jarestel]

I think it's an intriguing idea. Rather than planning a trip centered around dining and rides, it would be interesting to explore some of the areas of the parks that most people just rush by on their way to that next FP. Or maybe do some of the special tours. Let us know how your free-form trip works out when you get back. Have fun!

 

[anniemae]

It will be either very relaxing or very frustrating. I would personally book some fp just so you have them. You don't have to use them, but if it's crowded it would be nice to have them.

 

[Mome Rath]

I just cancelled all of our fastpasses and Adr's for next week because I felt like our trip was loosing the relaxed, go with the flow feel I really want for this one.Does anyone have advice for going without plans? We go very often and just booked a 3 night trip to see the holiday decor and attractions. We do have the Dxddp and a car this trip.Once I booked the fastpasses I started planning meals around them and all of a sudden our days were full.

I travel Dis a lot like this, but I never do the dining plan, so I can't help ya there. I do know to check the app if there is a place you want to eat and see if there are openings, if not, then go up and ask if they take walk ups. If they don't, then head to a counter service, or rinse and repeat for other TS. As for rides, any that you want to do that usually have long wait times, just go rope drop that park and head straight there. While waiting on rope drop or in line, just check FP availablity for anything else you want to do. When going for the ambiance, I don't really expect to be able to walk right on anything, but rather take it slow, people watch, go watch the movies in EPCOT, watch the entertainment (such as Voices of Liberty), etc... it's a blast, if you like touring that way. Have fun!

 

[DisneyOma]

We went for 12 days with two reservations (f&w lunches) and only fast passes for FoP. It was awesome but we did not care if we did any attractions.

I agree with above posters. Dump the dining plan. You may end up being very stressed being tied to three sit down meals a day. Without it you can eat when and what you want.

As long as there is nothing you really want to experience go for it

Twelve days? What do you do at WDW for 12 days without going on attractions? Or did you just wait in the standby queues? Twelve days of Food and Wine? Is it really worth the money? I can think of twelve other places I'd rather be for 12 days than WDW without going on the attractions...

 

[Bullseye]

Dining is a much too important part of the holiday for us. There are specific table service restaurants we want and would be disappointed if we were not able to dine where we wanted when we wanted.

I don't get the whole "relaxed, go with the flow" idea. For me, being relaxed is knowing I have my FP's set and my dining arranged...now I can relax and enjoy myself, not worrying about long lines and looking for ADRs day of or night before or constantly refreshing MDE to find FP's on the day... That would drive me nuts. Everyone travels differently.

This exactly! Having ADR's and FP's takes that element of stress out of the trip. Then the rest of the time I can "go with the flow." We also have specific restaurants we want to eat at so waiting until last minute isn't an option. I guess if you don't care where you eat, this approach works fine. Not sure I get not having FP's. You don't have to use them and you can change them.

I guess if you're a person who doesn't even plan what park you're going to be at...the entire WDW is your playground at every given moment, then I can understand not planning. But if you know what park you're going to be at on a given day, planning meals/rides doesn't really kill spontaneity. The parks aren't that big.

 

[bdgrbckr13]

For us a planned trip is a relaxing trip. Not planned every minute but at least some general direction. If you consider special events (HEA dessert party and CP) an ADR, then we have one every day.

But we like to eat at certain times so try to decide if we will be doing CS or TS at the park we have our FP for the day and make an ADR if needed. We try not to let fastpasses drive our schedule. Even got sidetracked last time at Epcot and missed our FEA window. Didn't realize it until we got back to the resort that night.

 

[eeyoresmom]

OP here. We don't care at all about the attractions. We're going back for a full week in January and have everything we want booked. I would like to do the Jungle Cruise this trip but that is literally it. As far as the ddp goes, we are there for 2 nights and 3 full days and will stretch the credits so that we have 2 TS per day, brunch or lunch and a late dinner. Its all about the food for DH and we have used the Dxddp several times. It is usually the only plan that actually saves us money. Having the car helps because we will easily be able to access the resort restaurants. I feel so much better about this trip since I ditched the plans. I really want to be able to visit WL and have a drink and take our time, pop into the parks as we feel like it. We will see how it goes. I know DH will love it.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

Good for you! It's your trip so do it the way you want to do it. Looks like you are going again in January, so if you miss something on this trip you can do it then! I hate that we have to plan so many details in advance. I miss the days of just waking up and making decisions as we go. We are going to universal in a few weeks and I love that I haven't had to make any decisions in advance. Have a great trip!

 

[eeyoresmom]

Good for you! It's your trip so do it the way you want to do it. Looks like you are going again in January, so if you miss something on this trip you can do it then! I hate that we have to plan so many details in advance. I miss the days of just waking up and making decisions as we go. We are going to universal in a few weeks and I love that I haven't had to make any decisions in advance. Have a great trip!

Yes, the planning gets tedious when you go often. We did a combination DL and WDW trip in September and although WDW has my heart, I so enjoyed not having to plan so much for the DL days. It was very relaxing.

 

[anomamatt]

You’ll be fine, provided you use day/morning of FPs.

With the ADRs, you’ll be fine but I wouldn’t calculate the loss/benefit from DXDDP. You’ll likely be way in the hole. It’s never a good deal without specific ADR use. And without ADRs I just don’t see it being a financially wise choice. The ultimate flexibility is no dining plan.

 

[LauraLea]

Have a great trip. We are only about 45 minutes away from WDW and usually go for 3-4 days every other month. This is how we spend our time at WDW, no fps or ADRs. We have TIW and usually eat at the resort bars, but I can see the DxDP working for you since you have a car. Do not forget about the dining options at Disney Springs that are available on Open Table. Have fun.

Laura

 

[eeyoresmom]

Have a great trip. We are only about 45 minutes away from WDW and usually go for 3-4 days every other month. This is how we spend our time at WDW, no fps or ADRs. We have TIW and usually eat at the resort bars, but I can see the DxDP working for you since you have a car. Do not forget about the dining options at Disney Springs that are available on Open Table. Have fun.

Laura

Thanks for the Open Table tip, I wouldn't have thought of that

 

[disneyworldsk]

I would probably cancel the ddp and since you want relaxed, leave the parks for dinner to disney springs or go to the many resort lounges such as wilderness lodge territory lounge, etc. to explore.

 

[eeyoresmom]

I would probably cancel the ddp and since you want relaxed, leave the parks for dinner to disney springs or go to the many resort lounges such as wilderness lodge territory lounge, etc. to explore.

It's too late to cancel the ddp since our arrival day is in 8 days.

 

[stinkpickle]

It'll be fun, anyway. Personally, I would snag three random FPs for each day, just so I could take individual ones later in the day, if needed. Last week, I snagged a same day FP for FOP for 2 and same day ones for FEA for 4...twice.

 

[J and R's mom]

OP here. We don't care at all about the attractions. We're going back for a full week in January and have everything we want booked. I would like to do the Jungle Cruise this trip but that is literally it. As far as the ddp goes, we are there for 2 nights and 3 full days and will stretch the credits so that we have 2 TS per day, brunch or lunch and a late dinner. Its all about the food for DH and we have used the Dxddp several times. It is usually the only plan that actually saves us money. Having the car helps because we will easily be able to access the resort restaurants. I feel so much better about this trip since I ditched the plans. I really want to be able to visit WL and have a drink and take our time, pop into the parks as we feel like it. We will see how it goes. I know DH will love it.

What a refreshing idea! You are a veteran WDW traveler. You know your objectives for this trip (relaxation and enjoying the moment). And you will be back in January for a week with full plans in place. So I think it's a great idea.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I think it's an intriguing idea. Rather than planning a trip centered around dining and rides, it would be interesting to explore some of the areas of the parks that most people just rush by on their way to that next FP. Or maybe do some of the special tours. Let us know how your free-form trip works out when you get back. Have fun!

It would be intriguing if they didn't have the deluxe dining plan.

It wouldn't be a big deal to not have ADRs without the plan. But the OP is paying big bucks for the plan and will end up eating at where ever has an available table.

Seems like a big waste of money, to me.

 

[ForMyBoys]

Hi! We decided to go to WDW on a busy weekend day last minute after a Disney Cruise. We got a good table service day of and had no issues getting FPs for most rides, but super popular ones were out. We still had a great day. If I were in your shoes I’d book FP for just jingle cruise each day you plan to be in that park to ensure you can ride it, then just use the app to book FPS as you go if necessary. Have fun!!

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

We went in December a few years ago when I was pregnant and DH was recovering from an injury. We weren't riding headliners for the most part but we did get FP for the rides we could go on that might have long lines, like Soarin, Peter Pan, and Toy Story. Even only doing one TS a day and planning to relax by going on less popular attractions and shows, I still felt better having a few guaranteed Fastpasses. But then, we only go once every few years.