Going this time next year---offsite okay!?!?!?

[PattiPB]

I can't believe after experiencing FOTL that I am even considering this, but.....

Planning on going to WDW and UO exactly this time next year (11/30-12/10/04). Can I get away with offsite, or will I NEED FOTL privileges???? Please, anyone who has gone since Thanksgiving this year, HELP!!!! We are traveling with a total of 9 people (3 rooms), and it would be so much more economical to be offsite, but convenient to be onsite! Have booked Pop Century for $77 a night (hoping to get a postcard for $49 by next winter), and would hope to get RP for $109 or so. Offsite, as we all know, I could be around $70 for a suite near UO.

Is FOTL that necessary during this time or year for repeat guests!?!?!? I dread the idea of walking from those darned parking garages, but think it may be worth it!

Please help! I'm below 365 days now, and the OC planner in me is getting antsy! LOL!!!

Patti

 

[rocketman23]

The first week of December usually isn't too bad. I was out there this past week and it wasn't too crowded. You should survive without FOTL and spend the extra money on some nice dinners and gifts.

 

[Robinrs]

I had a friend just leave today and he told me this past week was very light! I've always wanted to go Thanksgiving week and the first week of December but never could because of my son's school, which is probably the main reason no one is there!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

I went on December 2, and the crowds were rather minimal, but it helped that it was a Tuesday. I'll be going Saturday and Sunday to see how the weekend is at this time of year.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

It shouldn't be too bad, but I cannot go without staying on site. You may want to reconsider.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Spideyhulk-you should've gone two days ago. USF had under 5000 people in the park. It was DEAD.

Patti-Since the time you're going is after the Thanksgiving rush, you will experience little-no wait. You should be find using the free express, which some days you wont even need.

 

[rangebob]

On this past sunday there was only a 5 min wait posted for Hulk but it was a walk on except for front row. Spidey was posted at 15 min. DD had about a 5 min wait for the coaster after you walked through the castle. I saw Shrek with a 20 min wait posted.

 

[ktglads]

We were there from 12/3 to 12/5. On 12/3, we went to IoA and used FOTL on Dueling Dragons so that we did not have to walk up the big hill. Yeah, we are that lazy. We did not skip any part of the line for that. On 12/4, we went to US and used the FOTL on Twister (did not skip any line), Jimmy Neutron (about 10 minute skip), Shrek (25 minute skip), Jaws (10 minutes), and Earthquake (basically got closer to the doors). On 12/5, we used it to Spiderman (15 minute skip). Other than that, all the lines were less than 10 minutes long. The Hulk was a walk-on except for front car. Dueling Dragons took about 10 minutes to ride. I would say for the days that we were there, FOTL helped, but was not necessary. You could have gotten Express passes and been fine as well. We would get to the park about 11 and have ridden everything at least once and some things many times before the parks closed at 6.

 

[PattiPB]

Thanks everybody for your input!

I LOVED RP in August, and FOTL was definitely key, but I'm thinking I should be a bit more budget minded with so long a vacation!! LOL!!!

We plan on doing UO at the end of the vacation, which means Mon-Fri so hitting locals on the weekend won't be an issue.

Robin: DH and all my kids are in year-round school, and on Track 5 (their schedule), they are OFF from Thanksgiving through New Year's!

Flyfly: Let me know about the weekend JIC, please.

Dark: I'm curious, what is average attendance at this time of year?

Thanks, all!

Patti

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Patti -- sure thing

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Originally posted by PattiPB
Dark: I'm curious, what is average attendance at this time of year?

Generally less than 10,000 people per park per day (my best guess). Next week it will start getting busier, though.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

WOW!!!!!! That is dead! I didn't think it would be that slow.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Speaking of slow, today was really slow...terrible weather, so that helped a lot. Blech.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Yeah, the weather was bad today. Did the GB shows get rained out? The parade went on, as far as I know...

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Yeah. All four GB Shows were cancelled. We were SO close to having the 3:45 show because it had stopped raining for a long period of time, but about 15 minutes before the show would start, it started spitting around...and that was the end of it. It never poured, but just enough to keep the stage from drying up the rest of the way. I got to see Beetlejuicen Graveyard Revue at least!!!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Sorry to hear your day wasn't so hot....

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

talking to and getting a hug from Selina's favorite guy made sticking around worthwhile It wasn't too bad because I did get to meet up with some people...plus maxed out on MIB 3 times today!!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Glad to hear it!

 

[Selina]

Hi Flyfly...sorry to hear no shows!!! BUT....so glad you talked and had a hug from GIO2....that's really nice. He does seem to be a wonderfully warm, caring person.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Selina -- yeah...he's probably the Ghostbuster I feel most comfortable talking to as of right now.