How would you go about planning this?

[mousefan215]

I would like your opinions! Here's the deal... we booked a trip back in January for this October 2017. DH secured his vacation time, so no changing dates. It is to be myself, dh, dd1,dd2 and my Mom. In February, my brother and his wife announced they are having a baby in October (due date a week before our trip). My Mom is now undecided about wether or not she will be able to go ( we will still go without her). Praying for a healthy delivery of baby, but in the event that things do not go as planned, she will not leave on vacation with us. So there is a slight possibility that it will just be the 4 of us instead of 5. How do I go about planning for this scenario?? Can I add her last minute ( week before arrival) Do I make ADR's for 5 and then show up with 4 if she can't come? I know I can't book FP+ for her unless she has a ticket, not sure what I would do about that. We are staying BLT 1 bedroom, so there is room for her. Thanks for any and all advice on what you would do, or if you have experienced this dilemma before!

 

[brockash]

Def. make ADR's as if she were coming. There's no issue booking for 5 and only showing up with 4, but there is sometimes issues with showing up with more ppl. than you have booked, so that's an easy one. It's also nice, that the room is a done deal and doesn't make a difference weather she goes or not. Unfortunately the ticket/fastpass issue is different. Getting a ticket last minute isn't a problem, but you're right you won't be able to get fastpasses for her until she has a ticket which means there's a good chance you won't be able to get her some of the harder to get fastpasses, especially to work with your family's times etc. How old are your kids? Any chance of using baby swap? That's def. an option if your kids are too short for a few of the height restricted rides, but otherwise, it's probably going to just be luck and I'd go in knowing there's a good chance she won't get to ride things like Frozen with you guys etc. - When you're getting ready to purchase your tickets, I'd ask her about it and how she'd like to handle it. I don't know much about non-expiration tix and never used them, but I think I read that Disney got rid of those, so I don't think that'll be an option, but hopefully someone can clarify for you.

 

[mousefan215]

Thank you for your reply! Yes, we will have a 1yo and a 2yo(turning 3 during trip)... so are you saying we can utilize rider swap for rides, even if there's no height restriction ( like FEA)? Not sure how rider swap really works, but plan on using it!

And no, she will not be buying a ticket if she doesn't go, it would probably be several years before she would go again plus, I don't see her spending that money right now if she's not going for a while... I guess we could buy an extra ticket, but I'm like you, I don't know how the "no expire" tickets work now, or if it's even a thing anymore.

 

[unrequited23]

Tickets have an expiration date now, usually 1.5-2 yrs out.

Making FP for one person should be a lot easier than a group. I bet you will be able to swing overlapping times...well, maybe not for FEA. You could always give your mom your magic band to FP a ride she is dying to go on with the kids. It's only 3 rides a day you might not be together--everyone will have the same opportunity for a 4th FP.

Make ADRs for 5. Make your family's FP. If your mom can come have, her buy her ticket on the drive down/way to the airport instead of the TTC to get a jump on FPs. Try to stay flexible...I hear a bad day at Disney is better than a good day anywhere else

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I don't think FPs will be an issue. It will be fairly easy to book a fast pass at a similar time for just one person. The windows only need to overlap by five minutes, so there is actually a big window to match. For harder to get passes you can always utilize rider swap which you will need with such small children if you want to ride any of the mountains anyways.

 

[mousefan215]

Thank you guys!! You've made me feel so much better! I initially was in panic mode thinking I needed to have everything perfectly synced and planned out with her included, but looks like it will be no big deal to add her last minute, especially if we make ADR's for 5! Thanks again!!