Heavy questions for you experts... re: 05/05/05

[Wishing on a star]

Sorry in advance for such a long question!!!

We had just nailed down our plans for our trip to MK for April 30 - May 7, and THEN they announce the big plans for the big celebration to kick of on May 5th!!!

Now, we are not AP'ers or DVC'ers, or any other kind of 'ers... And this is going to be our first, and our one, big trip planned to take DS to the Magic Kingdom for at least several years to come.

I am trying to get a feel for how things may go that week while we are there.

The big celebration kick-off is on Thursday May 5th...

1. Do you experts think that the new Cinderellabration will like-wise make it's big debut ON the 5th, and not one day earlier? Same for the re-opening of Small World. etc....

2. Will the park close really early on the 4th (Wednesday) or even the 3rd (Tuesday) Will certain attractions or areas be closed in preparation for the big event?

3. I have heard to avoid Sunday's as they are Early Entry, and to avoid Mondays because the are, well..., Mondays. Would you avoid these days?

I am now thinking we may really need to go to the MK twice. I am sure it will be SUPER crowded on May 5th... So, should my plans be to visit earlier in the week when I am thinking there will be no crowds at all.... Then we can do all the high demand long lines attractions to get them out of the way.... Then RETURN to the park on May 5th, solely to be able to enjoy all of the festivities and excitement. Since we have already enjoyed most of the MK, we could relax more, and not fret about the lines and crowds... Stake out a place well beforehand for WISHES (assuming it is still WISHES) and make this our big final'e for our trip.

So, the big question is.... Would you guys recommend this strategy? And, what day would you recommend we make our first visit to MK?


How about Sunday - our first day at Orlando - kick it off with MK, then return on Thursday the 5th? (this would be early-entry day)

How about Wednesday and then Thursday May 5th... Two days back to back. (we would leave early on our first visit, and save Cinderellabration/WISHES for the last day)

TIA!!!

 

[Deweysgirl]

Wow Wishing! I had no idea any of these plans were even set in stone yet? Where did you get all of this info from? I am very curious too because we were planning on a week in May and now I wonder if it's going to be packed.

I actually thought this might be a good time to go while most kids are still in school.

I would like to jump on your thread..hope that's ok. Anyone with any thoughts on strategy and crowd sizes??

 

[LeftCoaster]

I think you're getting a bit confused with Disneyland's celebration. While there will also be a celebration at WDW, the only park closure will be Disneyland.
I highly doubt that you'll experience Cinderellabration before May 5th. They'll probably do dress rehearsals at night and keep it from the crowds. As for Small World, I've read that it's supposed to reopen in late March 2005. I think some people were just specualting that it would remain closed so that it could be something to "Add" for May 5th.
Wishes will still be at the Magic Kingdom. Disneyland is the one getting a new fireworks show.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hey, Deweysgirl... hop onboard.... the more the merrier!

We too had wanted to go to MK in early May to escape the Spring Break or Summer crowds. I am thinking that by the 2nd or 3rd week in May the big Celebration Kick-off will have died down a lot. But, I know that the first week in May could be a real circus.

Thanks Leftcoaster! I am getting the impression that WDW will be almost as much of a big deal as DL.... I heard on a previous thread that someone has seen areas and attractions closed for preparation and also for big 'Press Events' during this kind of thing. (I think this was from a past, or present, CM?) We all know that Disney wants the biggest PR bang for their buck and invite in literally thousands of press agents from all over! I am thinking that things like Mickey's Philharmagic may be closed for 'press events' etc... I went to one theme-park a couple years ago on the big opening day, and two or three times we would hike across the park for one of the touted attractions to find signs that said something to affect of: "Sorry, CLOSED - VIP only. Will re-open at 3:30"

Also, May is considered OFF or SHOULDER season to begin with.... So the park hours are definately more limited... With certain sections not opening upon the park opening... limited offerings of things like Spectromagic and Wishes.... So, any additional cuts could really put a real damper on going right before May 5th.

I am wondering if this kind of thing might happen on the day BEFORE the big celebration? And, I am sure it might happen ON May 5th.

Maybe going Sunday - then Thursday would be the thing to do.

 

[B'rer Karen]

First of all, I wouldn't worry about Mickey's Philharmagic being closed for a press event. They had the press event for that attraction last October. It will be a year and a half old by May 2005. I don't see them doing another press event. That being said, if they do a press event at WDW, typically they close the park during the press event. This would be reflected in the park hours, so you will know a couple of months in advance. If the new attractions are in operation, they will be in operation during the hours the park is open. The press event would be after hours.

 

[Terry S]

They are planning a real big press event in all Disney Parks for the 50th Celebration of DL, not just in DL, this event includes the parks in other countries too!

They will probably close a few of the parks early on certain days. The press will have a schedule to follow something like May 5th Magic Kingdom at 7:00 PM, May 6th Epcot at 6:00 PM. (this is not the actual schedule, just a sample) Last event I was at they closed MK at 6:00 one day and Epcot FW at 3:00 on the following day. Each Park at WDW has something planned for the 50th event. The park closures you can get around by avoiding that park on that day, they will put the early closure times on the WDW site when they announce the times.

I have had the unfortunate luck of scheduling a few of our vacations during these events. I always book our vacations about a year ahead of time and then they go and do some big celebration during our vacation. On one hand it is nice because some theme has changed or some attraction is opened, but on the other hand it is a bit more crowded due to the press and/or their familes being in the parks.

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by Wishing on a star
3. I have heard to avoid Sunday's as they are Early Entry, and to avoid Mondays because the are, well..., Mondays. Would you avoid these days?

We did MK Early Entry on a Sunday in July, then hopped to another park (MGM) that afternoon. It worked very well if you're staying on site. We also went back to MK on Monday right at opening, took an afternoon break, and went back in the evening for Spectro. It was crowded, but we used fastpass and it all worked out. By the way, Thursday is also EE at MK.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks you all for the info.

Just the kind of specifics I was looking for. Looks like I will be able to see the detailed plans well beforehand on the web-site.

Now I just have to be patient, patient, patient!

 

[Nik's Mom]

Wishing on a Star! We will also be there 4/30 - 5/7! We were very worried when we first found out about the big 50th event, but we have since learned to relax. Here's what we are going to do.
Sat 4/30 Epcot (only because we arrive very early and will need to kill time before our room at Swan and Dolphin is ready)
Sun 5/1 MK
Mon 5/2 MK
Tue 5/3 MGM
Wed 5/4 MK
Thu 5/5 AK
Fri 5/6 Blizzard Beach
Sat 5/7 Epcot

If a certain park is too crowded, or closes early, we'll be sure to have a back up plan.
The only thing that's driving me crazy is not knowing park hours. We still have some time to wait for that!
Wishing, keep your eyes open for my family. I'll have a green camera back pack with a lime green mickey head tag!
Don't worry, we'll all have a great time!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hey Nik's Mom,

I'll be sure to look for you!

I am really excited about our trip. I'm not really stressing, it's just that we are not staying onsite, or buying parkhoppers. We will be doing a lot away from Disney, like Discovery Cove and Sea World. So, that means I really do have to make these plans and reservations well in advance.

Hey, planning is half the fun!

 

[TupperMom7]

Hey I hope the post about It's A Small World opening back up in March 2005 is right. We are going in April and I would love for my kids to see this attraction. Who am I kidding, I want to see it again. It's been 7 years since I was there and I really love Small World.....the song is already playing in my head!

 

[Nik's Mom]

Hey Wishing,
Maybe you should hit the parks during the early part of your stay, and save the Universal stuff for the end of the week. I bet they won't be as crowded, since a lot of people will be at WDW. What does everyone else think?

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am considering going to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday - to kick off the trip. We would probably leave early... then going back on Thursday May 5th for the big Finale'. The thing is, I am thinking they may not be offering Wishes, etc.. during the days preceding the 5th, as they will be preparing for the big celebration. Also, I am interested in seeing Cinderellabration. And I imagine that this will debut ON May 5th. I really do not think that Disney would be planning a huge kick-off deal on the 5th, just to close the Magic Kingdom early. It seems like this would be the day the the Magic Kingdom has extended hours and ALL of the big productions going. I am thinking that they may have some prime viewing areas reserved for press for certain showings?

Looks like we'll have to be patient and wait until the official park hours and schedules for May are released!!!

We are not doing Universal... But I do have to make reservations for Discovery Cove well in advance.

Ahhhh.... the best laid plans of Mouse and men !!!!!

 

[cindyfan]

Terry S..

They are planning a real big press event in all Disney Parks

Just curious how you came about this information?
I do realize they plan on "celebrations" in ALL Disney parks...but I would think that the Press Event would come out of DL.
We were at WDW last year for the Mission:Space Press Event and the day of the Press Event at Epcot....Epcot was EMPTY all morning because everyone knew it was closing at 3pm. But then the other parks suffered with huge crowds all day and even worse at night.

I was hoping to get some solid information as to the events planned, etc....
Anyone else with info yet?

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hey Cindyfan, your post brings me back to my own big question! You see, I am not familiar with how they usually do these big Press Events. I was thinking that it is organized kind of like a 'preview' where the park would close early a day or two before the big grand opening or kick off. That way the coverage would actually hit the media on the big Kick-off day, while the Park would be operating full swing on the big Kick-off day.

Do you happen to remember if Epcot was closed early ON the actual announced Premier Date of Mission Space... or was this a day or two before the date the attraction was officially opened to the public?

Thanks!

 

[shirleyb]

This is the week we are looking at next year too! We haven't made any ressies, though, so that could still change. I hadn't heard of anything going on, thanks for the heads up.

And what is Cinderellabration?

 

[RC Fan]

Hello!

I am also looking at early May. So this event is on the 5th? Is that the only day?

 

[B'rer Karen]

Originally posted by Wishing on a star
Hey Cindyfan, your post brings me back to my own big question! You see, I am not familiar with how they usually do these big Press Events. I was thinking that it is organized kind of like a 'preview' where the park would close early a day or two before the big grand opening or kick off. That way the coverage would actually hit the media on the big Kick-off day, while the Park would be operating full swing on the big Kick-off day.

Do you happen to remember if Epcot was closed early ON the actual announced Premier Date of Mission Space... or was this a day or two before the date the attraction was officially opened to the public?

Thanks!

Mission: Space went into operation in August. The offical press release wasn't until October. I believe Wishes kicked off at the press event. Mickey's Philharmagic was close to that day.

 

[cindyfan]

the press event for MK / Wishes and Philharmagic...was in the evening the first day of the press event (Oct 8th). We did not go to MK that day, but I think they closed the park by 5pm and the event started at 7. It was only open to VIPs and Press and that was when they premiered Wishes. Then the next night (which was the night of the M:S event) was the first night it was shown to the public.

The press event for M:S was held at like 6pm on Oct 9th and open only to VIPs and press. So they closed the park to the public by 3pm. and since everyone knew it was closing early no one went there. But what they really didn't announce was that WS was open early, at 9, instead of 11. So we did Epcot that morning and it was practically empty.

We went to MK that night to see the first public showing of Wishes.....and since Epcot was closed.....I've never seen MK so crowded!!!!! NUTS!!!

I just really don't want to run into that kind of situation...if one park is closed early it makes the other parks unbelievably crowed.

But the best thing about the premier of Wishes....we stayed at Poly for the week (arrived Oct 4th) and every night before the premier, at about midnight they had trial runs of Wishes....so we saw it from the Poly beach 4 times before it was actually premiered.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I just can't imagine them closing MK early ON May 5th where the public is encouraged to come to the big Kick-Off celebration. My bet says that they close the MK early on the 3rd or 4th for the big Press Event. Doesn't Disney usually release park calanders and schedules 3 - 4 months in advance? I hope that they release all the information on this well in advance!

ShirleyB - Cinderellabration is a major show, staged on, and around, the Castle Forecourt Stage. This is the Coronation of Cinderella! This is currently at Disney Tokyo. But, at Tokyo it is their big ending night-time spectacular. Major lighting, etc.... I imagine that the Royal Coronation of Cinderella ends with massive celebratory fireworks. We are under the impression that when this debuts at WDW for the big 50th celebration, that it will indeed be a major show. But that it will be a daytime version.