Is it possible to plan a successful last minute trip anymore?

[Robo]

Please note that if you call for ADR's while you are already there, the phone line alerts the operator as such and they can get you any last minute cancelations or open appointments.

Many times when we were there we called same day to cancel or change our ADR, and was always able to get a different one.

Wouldn't that create a penalty payment for the original ADR?

 

[Jennasis]

I may have misread the op but planning a trip for this spring is by no means last minute.


We decided to squeeze one more trip out of our annual passes, which, expire on 12/5, by heading down 12/1-12/4 even though we just got back from a trip September 16. We have no DVC points left so we found cheap off site lodgings and are winging it. Since we are off site we can't make FP reservations until 30 days out...but that's ok. Wee know how to tour old school. We aren't making any ADR's and will enjoy the nicer counter serve spots. Plus we get Christmas decor and Neil Patrick Harris narrating the CP!

Very much looking forward to out last minute trip.

 

[kniquy]

The last time i planned a last minute trip was 2.5 months out for a NYE 6 night trip. This was a feat in it self because it was our first trip to WDW, so i had a big learning curve to figure out the systems. I say i was pretty successful.

If you are planning last minute then you need to be flexible with dining reservations and hopefully you are planning at least 2 months out for FP selection. We managed to secure a dining reservation on NYE by stalking the dining reservations daily. It can be done but set your expectations low with dining selection. As long as you don't have your heart set on a certain restaurant for a certain time then you should be ok. It sounds like you will at least have your reservations for the resort more than 2 months out so that will make FP selection easy. Utilize EMH to ride those ride you might not be able to get a FP

 

[siskaren]

I may have misread the op but planning a trip for this spring is by no means last minute.

They're not going to know for awhile if they can afford it.

 

[Karl66]

We planned a trip 6 days out and thought it a huge success. No ADRS were needed and we got our FPs when we got there and bought our APs. So yes, it is possible to plan a last minute trip as long a you don't expect to FP all the headliners or eat at the most popular restaurants. Time of year also plays a big part in last minute success. The slower the time the better.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We had a trip booked in 2011 but didn't know if we would actually go until 4 weeks before. It was the BEST TRIP EVER. Yes it was pre FP+ but we didn't even use many paper FP anyway. I made a few ADR's at the 4 week mark since we had free dining. I got DD into BBB in short notice. It was a lower crowd time of year.

We in without a bunch of expectations. Hit RD, midday pool breaks and another park in the evening. We rode everything and multiple times. I barely even had which park to do on which day. We know we started and ended with MK but in between was up in the air. It worked out PERFECTLY!

I know now it's different. I'm planning another trip with just myself and DD. I'm actually thinking of winging about 75% of the trip. Deciding which park in the morning or night before, make FP+ at that time, hit popular rides that we don't have FP+ for at RD, make an ADR the night before, etc. It doesn't scare me to do this.

I think the most important part of a last minute trip is to know the parks. I kept reading on the Dis prior to those 4 weeks so I had an idea of what was closed, which parks are important at RD, which rides build up lines at certain times of days, good Wishes viewing spot, etc. Having that knowledge was more important that FP or ADR's.

 

[dprincessmom]

We just got back from a super last minute trip (Hubby said let's go this weekend on Tuesday, booked tickets and we left Friday morning). The one thing that I stressed to my daughter the whole time was she needed to prioritize her "must dos" as we only had one night in MK (we went for a party). We had done everything that we wanted to do and then some by 11 that night. We hit Blizzard Beach on Saturday.

So yes you can do it, you just have to realize that once you make the decision to go, you have to make the best of it. Have fun!

 

[whiporee]

Last July I went in three days notice -- Orlando VRBO was not what we had hoped for -- and got most of what we wanted. We were only there for two days, but got desert parties at both DHS and MK, Crystal Palace and Ohana. Only thing we didn't get was 7DMT, and we didn't try Epcot at all.

It can be done with a little patience and faith.

 

[mrzrich]

Also OP, you can still make ADRs at 180 days (one day at a time), even if you don't have a room reserved. If you decide you can't swing the trip, just cancel the ADRs.

 

[TeresaWen]

Yes! We were in WDW for a week right after July 4. Planned it 2 1/2 weeks out! We had a blast! I was surprised at the FP's and ADRs I was able to get.

Everything? No. But more than enough to make for an amazing vacation. Including a PPO breakfast.

Just back from 12 days at food & wine. Been planning this for 7 months. We had more availability in July.

Both were great trips but I will never hesitate to schedule a spontaneous trip!

 

[madge]

We are thinking of treating ourselves to a last minute WDW trip this Spring. It will all depend on several factors, but we don't want to book it until we are certain we can afford it.

The last time we planned a last minute trip (a month before the trip) was in 2010. We didn't get our first choice of hotel & ADR's, but we got our second choice. Rides were FP tickets back then.

Is it possible to plan a successful last minute WDW trip nowadays? We aren't picky on ADR's & hotel (as long as they are onsite), but I"m worried that all of the attractions would be booked up due to FP+

We have two toddler girls, so we would want to be able to take them to the basic popular toddler attractions.

Thoughts?

our trip was Oct 4-7 (we arrived late on Oct 3) ... booked room on September 21, bought tickets on October 3. It was a super quick trip -- 2 days -- but we got to ride everything we wanted at MK (Tuesday) & Epcot (Wednesday). We did skip the mine train at the MK, as we've ridden before and we didn't want to do the stampede this trip. Crowds were light through the day leading up to MNSSHP & that helped. At Epcot, we rode FEA at rope drop, followed by Test Track & Mission Space. We had fastpasses for Soarin' in the afternoon. we did not want/need ADR for any meals, as this was a quick budget trip. we stayed at Pop, which was our first choice.

it can definitely be done!

 

[madge]

Yes! We were in WDW for a week right after July 4. Planned it 2 1/2 weeks out! We had a blast! I was surprised at the FP's and ADRs I was able to get.

Everything? No. But more than enough to make for an amazing vacation. Including a PPO breakfast.

Just back from 12 days at food & wine. Been planning this for 7 months. We had more availability in July.

Both were great trips but I will never hesitate to schedule a spontaneous trip!

aside from the heat feeling like the face of the sun, we have much better luck with July ... and that includes July 4.

 

[Madivan]

We are local and sometimes go with no notice at all and are able to get fast passes for all "toddler approved" rides except FEA. We don't do adult rides as we have 2 under 2 and have no problem getting any fastpasses in MK and only FEA is a no go in Epcot. The only thing in MK that is tough with that short of notice is PP and I'm talking under a week notice. With a couple weeks I can get PP and once in a whiletter can without notice. You will be able to get all the meet and greets you want as well.

With ADRs, I was in Epcot the other day and we decided the kids needed a long AC break so I checked what was available and there was a ton available within a half hour of current time at some really good places. I am often able to grab a character breakfast with 1-2 weeks' notice.

In short, yes, a last minute trip is absolutely doable.

 

[gap2368]

We are thinking of treating ourselves to a last minute WDW trip this Spring. It will all depend on several factors, but we don't want to book it until we are certain we can afford it.

The last time we planned a last minute trip (a month before the trip) was in 2010. We didn't get our first choice of hotel & ADR's, but we got our second choice. Rides were FP tickets back then.

Is it possible to plan a successful last minute WDW trip nowadays? We aren't picky on ADR's & hotel (as long as they are onsite), but I"m worried that all of the attractions would be booked up due to FP+

We have two toddler girls, so we would want to be able to take them to the basic popular toddler attractions.

Thoughts?

this is a yes and no question

is this a once in a life time trip where you will never go again I would then say no wait to go.

do you go once or twice a year and will be back next year or 6 months then yes go

I go all the time I can count a few times I just got up ( I live about 4 hours a way) so there is a little drive and have gone but I do go quite often so if I go last minute and can not do something it really is not that big of deal to me as I can just do it next time.

but I can tell you any trip to disney is great.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I went to WDW a couple weeks ago and planned the trip a week out. My Dad and I used DVC, and that made it tough because we booked our resort three separate times to get the 5 days we wanted, but we eventually got it. We stayed at Old Key West, and that wouldn't be our first choice for a resort, but it was the only thing available for DVC members. I was ok with not having ADR's since it was so close, but my Dad and I still planned a couple. We got Hollywood Brown Derby, Flying Fish, Rose & Crown, and Olivia's. It was during Food and Wine so a lot of time that was our lunch. I was able to get all of the fastpasses we wanted. The only attractions that were gone were Frozen Ever After and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It was stressful planning, but once we got there, it felt like we planned 6 months in advance. We had a great time, and we were also ok with things not going to plan. So, it is possible to plan a last minute trip, but just be ok with not getting exactly what you might want.

 

[aristocatz]

If you don't mind not having FP+ for 7DMT (which may not matter with toddler girls who are likely too short to ride it anyway) and FEA (which you can do at RD or during EMH) and if you can be flexible about your ADRs (be willing to have a character breakfast at a place like Cape May Cafe rather than Chef Mickey's) I think you can do just fine going at the last minute. I have been watching even same day fast passes for the last few months and availability is very good even same day on many things that would appeal to toddlers. Peter Pan is another that can be sketchy right at the last minute but even at a week out you should be able to get it. Since your kids are so young they will have no expectations and not be heartbroken if they can't do x, y or z. You may not be able to book a princess breakfast but honestly if it is that important to you, you can start looking for availability now without even having a resort reservation.

You can have a great trip if you are flexible.

Thank you Yes, we are pretty flexible. There are a few value resorts I would prefer to not stay at (AS Sports, ASMu), but we are flexible otherwise, as long as we can afford it. We would love to do some character meals, but the only super popular one we would strive for is Crystal Palace, but we would be happy with any time of day. No interest in 7DMT. Only really interested in the dark rides & Philharmagic. We would love to do FEA, as my girls are both still Frozen fanatics, but we would be ok if it didn't happen.

 

[aristocatz]

Also OP, you can still make ADRs at 180 days (one day at a time), even if you don't have a room reserved. If you decide you can't swing the trip, just cancel the ADRs.

Thank you-that is a great tip!

 

[aristocatz]

this is a yes and no question

is this a once in a life time trip where you will never go again I would then say no wait to go.

do you go once or twice a year and will be back next year or 6 months then yes go

I go all the time I can count a few times I just got up ( I live about 4 hours a way) so there is a little drive and have gone but I do go quite often so if I go last minute and can not do something it really is not that big of deal to me as I can just do it next time.

but I can tell you any trip to disney is great.

Not a once in a lifetime trip, but our girls are only this little once, so we are wanting to enjoy those memories in WDW. I agree that any trip to WDW is great! I have only experienced 2 trips with FP+ so far, so I still feel like I am getting used to the new system. & my concern is that FP+ would make it so a last minute trip might just result in us spending the whole trip standing in line. With a 4 year old & a 1 year old, that might not make for an enjoyable trip for any of us. Judging from the responses though, it does seem like last minute trips are still doable, so that is encouraging.

 

[TeresaWen]

aside from the heat feeling like the face of the sun, we have much better luck with July ... and that includes July 4.

Believe it or not the last two weeks of September were way hotter than July. Loved July. Parks open late and no MK parties every other day!

 

[gap2368]

Not a once in a lifetime trip, but our girls are only this little once, so we are wanting to enjoy those memories in WDW. I agree that any trip to WDW is great! I have only experienced 2 trips with FP+ so far, so I still feel like I am getting used to the new system. & my concern is that FP+ would make it so a last minute trip might just result in us spending the whole trip standing in line. With a 4 year old & a 1 year old, that might not make for an enjoyable trip for any of us. Judging from the responses though, it does seem like last minute trips are still doable, so that is encouraging.

if you can book a trip at lest 30 day in advance you could get most of the FP you wanted when you wanted them, the most popular rides at each park would be hard, as fair as dinning I find TS to take way too much time and if you are not picky and just want to do one with the charters then you should have no ( or very little problem ) finding one

now if you can book 61 days before your trip then FP should be no problem.

I know they give refunds on hotel rooms I am not sure ( since I have an AP) if you can book dinning with out a pro ticket. If you can and you really want dinning you may want to book a room and see if you can add dinning. If you can cancel if need be,