Is it possible to plan a worthwhile WDW trip in 8 weeks?

[mrsgthatsme]

Hello! My family of four (two teens), my parents (in their 70's) and my brother are considering a last minute WDW trip for October. We cancelled two family trips during COVID and so when we noticed on the school calendar that the kids have a 4 day weekend in October (NOT Columbus Day weekend, so hopefully no holiday crowds) we started talking about the idea of planning a trip to WDW. We have been to WDW in the past, but I am usually a major planner and start planning 9-12 months ahead of time. I also have not travelled there since Fastpasses were eliminated and the Genie/LL system started, so I am not aware of what implications that change might have on the planning process. We are not huge foodies, and usually order groceries to our hotel room and just eat one meal a day in the parks. We don't have a bunch of specific musts in terms of restaurants we are really needing to book, so hopefully that would help a little?

Just curious as to your thoughts on whether it is at all reasonable to think that we could plan a trip in 8 weeks that would be worth taking and enjoyable and any tips you might have for last minute trip planners! Thank you!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Completely doable as long as park reservations are available. I think a 3 week planning window was our shortest and we had a great time!

You can do it! Have fun!!

I would recommend looking at this thread as it’s been a while since you visited.

I will say they are a number of people like you who are ready to travel so parks have been busier than normal in 2022. Gauging your expectations is key.

I would also recommend starting to look quickly for accommodations, especially if you like to stay on Disney property. Many rooms fill early.

Another change is Disney’s Magical Express is no longer an option so if you fly to Orlando, another form of transportation will need to be planned to get to and from the airport. The transportation board has a lot of great discussions about options there.

 

[set88]

You can totally plan a trip in 8 weeks.

The biggest changes to Disney's reservation systems make it easier to do with less advance notice - with the dining reservation windows being shortened from 180 days to 60 days in advance, and no more ability to book rides weeks in advance.

Plan to do some studying up on Genie+. If you take the time to understand it, you can really get a lot out of it.

 

[loves to dive]

Yep, easily doable. Just make sure you get your park reservations booked and your tickets bought and room reserved. After that everything else is gravy.

 

[RoseGold]

You might care about some of the stuff that needed to be booked at 60 days, like Oga's bar in star wars or making a $200 lightsaber and such. There are services you can pay to get alerts about that stuff, like Stakeout.

If you don't care about that stuff, you are in the same boat with everyone at 7AM. G+ is an equalizer in that way.

Hotels might be a problem this late, they can go bananas last minute. I would check the confirmed DVC rentals from the rental services, as this is the sweet spot in timing for DVC.

 

[shaunseip]

I planned an entire trip in 7 days! We visited for the first time in 20 years last November, so we didn't know what to expect. I booked rooms through a DVC member and I got all of our dinner reservation options. We stayed at AKL, GF, and Riviera. 3 different places in 4 days. It was awesome bc DVC moves you baggage.
Whoever is best at phones should learn the lightning lane, DAS or whatever line booking options you have. Learning how to book rides strategically was prob that hardest part.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Yes!! You totally can. I’m actually feeling itchy to pop down for a Labour Day visit (Sep 3rd weekend - we are off work Friday and Monday) and there’s lots of options still for dining, park reservations, etc. We may have to stay off site but that’s okay

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

I've done it with a weeks notice. So yeah, eight weeks seems very doable to me!