June, July, August PLANNING thread

[VMK_Princess_Chloe]

Hi, we are going june 30 to July 6th. We are planning on staying offsite at this point. We don't want to spend a lot for just the place where we want to sleep. It will be our first trip to WDW and it's our 5 year wedding anniversary. WE are on a tight budget, and wnat to be able to use more money on food and souveniers.. We are driving ourselves.. and will have our own car. If my husband by some chance gets a good bonus.. we may upgrade and stay at a resort. I would love to talk to any of you who have been around July 4th.. just to find out what you thought about it and any tips for that time of year.. especially for those staying offsite.

 

[The Sweetness]

I have only stayed onsite once. The ASMO reminded me of a Days INN, with a food-court, gift shop, and themeing I'll be there again this time around. JIC the baby wont nap in her stroller Onsite is no big deal to me I have been at all different times of year, but my last trip was 7y ago, so I cant help you w the crowds situation, other than to remind you that it's a vacation. You don't HAVE TO se EVERYTHING. Prioritize whats most important. You may find shorter lines for rides, if you dont mind missing the afternoon parades, in the parks that have one

As far as EMH goes, I dont even know if Ill use the privilege It may be too early to be beating down the gate of a park at 8 am. And after a day in the sun, I may not be up for a 3 hour extension of hours

 

[ben's disneymom]

Hi, we are going june 30 to July 6th. We are planning on staying offsite at this point. We don't want to spend a lot for just the place where we want to sleep. It will be our first trip to WDW and it's our 5 year wedding anniversary. WE are on a tight budget, and wnat to be able to use more money on food and souveniers.. We are driving ourselves.. and will have our own car. If my husband by some chance gets a good bonus.. we may upgrade and stay at a resort. I would love to talk to any of you who have been around July 4th.. just to find out what you thought about it and any tips for that time of year.. especially for those staying offsite.

We will be there just after you. We arrive on the 7th. We went on the 4th 2 years ago. My DS's birthday is on the 8th so we decided to go sometime around the 4th. That was the second time I was there on the 4th. The first time was way back in 1976 so that doesn't count, but when we went 2 years ago I was a little surprised that it wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be. We were able to do all the attractions we wanted to without waiting in too many mega lines. You really have to get the fast-pass thing down though. The

 

[mouseaddicts]

I cannot believe we are ALL here ... AGAIN this year!!! I see all the same "faces" on this thread that were waiting with me in 2006! We are such gluttons .......

DH & I have already booked our 4 DVC nights for this year's July trip - check-in the 1st check-out the 5th @ SSR. We are doing a 1 BR again this year (trying to save points!). We're hoping to switch to Contemporary Tower MK view for the last three nights (5th - 8th)..... but that $455 rate is a KILLER!!! Here's hoping for some sort of code ....

I guess I'll be seeing y'all again this year as we all wait together

BTW .... for the poster that asked about crowd levels for July 4th - this is our fifth year (I think) going for that week - the crowds are INSANE , but if you work the system, you'll be okay! We use the mid-day hours to nap/swim and then go back late afternoon/early evening & take advantage of the EMH...... but that's just us!

 

[VMK_Princess_Chloe]

ok one person said it wasn't crowded.. and one said it was! lol

Guess it depends on what you think is crowded.

Well.. we will most likely be offsite unless my husband gets some major unexpected bonus... and he could. But we aren't holding our breath.

What do you mean by work the system? My biggest concern was being told that the parks will close down. Would that be a problem, as long as we were there when the park opened and didn't leave? lol We don't have children.. so the stopping for naps and everything isn't an issue. I'm sure it will be one day! Anyway, we hope so! We haven't had a lot of luck in that department yet.

But do you think it will be a problem with us staying off site that time of year? Would anyone who has been there before be willing to help us with planning it or "working the system"? Neither of us have been there before. I ordered maps a few days ago.. so i should have those in a couple of weeks. We want to plan this trip out the best that we can to see the things we want to see the most. Also, we are driving in, in our own car if that helps. So we won't need to wait for shuttles or anything.

I'm so glad I found this thread!!

 

[tripplanner2]

Hey Mouseaddicts: Welcome back! We still do not have anything planned yet but I am still hopeful. If something wonderful comes along I think I may be able to convince DH to go. We would go late August, that is when the best deals seem to come out.

Enjoy the planning. We are still all here keeping in touch.

 

[mouseaddicts]

Hey TP2!!! Thanks for the welcome back! It really is HILARIOUS to me to see everyone back .... again ....

VMK Princess .... Okay, I can verify for you that YES the MK has CLOSED to offsite guests on July 4th for the past two years. We have been there & we have actually seen them turing away cars at the gate with our very own eyes! Now .. Once you get in, your in until you leave ... so to answer your question, not a problem if you go early & stay all day!

Working the system --- I cannot say these two words enough -- FAST PASS!!! Our little family (5 of us total) has managed to take in over 20 "attractions" ON July 4th for the past two years .... all because we know how to work the system. Go opposite of the crowds, ride during parades/fireworks, make ADRs (NOW) for any table service meals, USE FAST PASS, etc. We all have our strategies on here, so you'll get lots of help, I'm sure!

Personally, our family has a rule regarding waiting for rides ...... If the standby line is 20mins plus, we keep moving! 20 mins or less, we'll get in line. We also use our FPs for later in the day than the "alloted time" too! Yep, it works!

Ask more & you shall receive ...... best wishes!!!

 

[VMK_Princess_Chloe]

when you saw them turning cars away, was it later in the afternoon? So your telling me as long as we're there when the gates open at MK on July 4th, and we don't leave... we would be ok? Cause that's what we'd do if we had to. Would the other days that week, (the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th) be better probably? I'm sure most people go to MK on July 4th because of the fireworks show. Should we be able to leave and come back on the other days? I'm trying to decide if we should bother with the hopper, if we are gonna be stuck at a park all day.

How do the fast passes work? Can you explain them to me?

 

[mouseaddicts]

when you saw them turning cars away, was it later in the afternoon? So your telling me as long as we're there when the gates open at MK on July 4th, and we don't leave... we would be ok? Cause that's what we'd do if we had to. Would the other days that week, (the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th) be better probably? I'm sure most people go to MK on July 4th because of the fireworks show. Should we be able to leave and come back on the other days? I'm trying to decide if we should bother with the hopper, if we are gonna be stuck at a park all day.

How do the fast passes work? Can you explain them to me?

We usually leave the park around lunch-time, between 11:30 & 2:00, so that's when we saw the cars being turned away. Yes, only on July 4th have we actually seen them do this. I am unaware of any other days or parks that were closed due to capacity. On other days, we have left & come back or switched parks with no problem. We always go that week!

I would think as long as you are at MK when the park opens on the 4th, you'll be fine. I don't know of Disney ever "kicking" anyone out once they're in! I can't imagine anything like that!!!

FP - go to the ride (Splash Mtn, Space Mtn, Peter Pan, etc.) that you want & check out the stand by line. The wait time will be posted above the line's entrance, so you'll know how long it is. Right beside the stand by line is an area with FP Machines (sorta like a funky ATM). Above the FP machines is a clock that will give you the "window" for FP return time (ie 12:15 - 1:15). You simply put your park ticket - one per person - into the FP machine & it spits out a "voucher" with the return time printed for that ride! Fast, Simple, Painless.

FP Tip #87 .... You do not - I repeat you DO NOT - have to return in the specified one hour time frame to be allowed admittance to that ride!!! We have tested this NUMEROUS times. As long as you return AFTER the beginning time on the FP, you will be allowed in the FP line for that ride! DH didn't believe me when I told him this, so I've enjoyed several "told ya so"s from this trick!

Another FP trick to remember .... you CAN hold multiple FPs at one time! Disney originally did not allow this, but now they do! When you obtain a FP, the ticket will tell you what time you can get another one - usually 5 mins after the one you're holding goes into effect.

Example: You get a FP for Splash Mtn that says you can ride between 10:15 - 11:15. At 10:20, you may get a FP for Big Thunder Mtn & it may say you can ride between 11:45 - 12:45. Now, at 11:50, you can get a FP for the Haunted Mansion .... and so on..... Important to remember: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE THE FIRST FP BEFORE YOU GET THE OTHER TWO. You can have five (or more, in theory) FPs in your hand and go around late in the day popping right on the rides! We have been known to grab a FP for Space Mtn when the park opens, hop in the standby line (because it's not full yet), ride the ride and come back at night to use the FP we got that AM to get in line while everyone in standby waits 2 hrs! THAT's what I mean by "working the system"! Our kids think we're the best!!!

I apologize for the length of the reply - but I hope it helps!

 

[VMK_Princess_Chloe]

don't be sorry! It's awesome! Your a huge help!

Have you ever had your ticket get stuck in the fp machine? or seen anyone else? That's my biggest worry... because I saw someone mention it before.

Also, will my husband and I get the same time on our fp, when we put them in separately, but of course one after the other?

 

[EEyorelover22]

Mouseaddicts!!!! Welcome back!

I only wish we were going this summer. I'm just joining in the fun since we went in December which was awesome. When are you going?

I'm thinking Happy Thoughts for TP2 so she can go again while her kiddies are young

VMK_Princess_Chloe: Our tickets have never been stuck in the FP machine. The FPs will have the same time and if not, only in the next time block which would be 5-10 minutes later. Even with 4 tickets being put in, that has only happened to us once and it was at a busy ride (can't remember which one now). It's not a big deal.

We were there last 4th of July. We were in MK on the 3rd. It was like Christmas week that day. BUSY! but mostly towards the evening. We still had a great time so you'll be fine. Use fast pass and make plans and get up early. The regulars on here know just how early we get up and I don't think any of them get up that early and they all have a great time. We are just so of nutso. We also didn't have a car until this December and even with no car we had no trouble getting anywhere. On July 4th we hit TL early and had a great time.

Avoid AK on early entry days. NIGHTMARE!!

I just went back and read that you are staying off site. In that case, avoid all parks with extra magic hours since you cannot take advantage of them. We found those parks last June much more crowded than on days when they didn't have them. For example, we even found Epcot in the morning to be more crowded in the morning when there was an evening magic hour.

Another addition: We went to MK on the 3rd to see the same fireworks that they show on the 4th. You should NOT miss these. They are amazing. If you go on the 3rd, the crowds won't be as bad as on the 4th.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Hey Mouseaddicts !!
We`ll be at Saratoga Springs also in July....but at the end of the month !!!
A few more days until making our
adr`s now !!!!!

MKY- How`s the planning going ?

TP2- Any Pixiedust arriving as yet ????

EE22- thank you for all the cheering on...and the support for us summer travelers this year

 

[pamouselover]

I just got my DH to agree to go to Disney in Aug. I just started a new teaching job,so I have to go in the summer. Hoping for free dinning to come back out.

 

[EEyorelover22]

I'm here in spirit. I received the dreadful news last week which sealed my lack of Disney fate DS will attend a linemen's camp in late July which is two weeks before regular football camp and DD will be in a couple summer basketball leagues that run all summer three days a week until the first weekend in August when football starts. DD will also have to help at the high school camp which is in mid June.

So, while wishing you well, I guess I'll being cleaning closets, working on school stuff, and longing to be with the Mouse. Somehow having a clean and organized house doesn't sound like as much fun although I might not be as stressed with "stuff" everywhere in the fall. Somehow, I think there will still be "stuff" everywhere while there are two teenagers living here.

Even with DS taking driver's ed this winter, we still can't find time to visit Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore.

 

[tripplanner2]

EE22: So sorry your kids are so busy this summer. At least you will save a bundle . There is always another break and your kids still love it so there is always hope. Did you read about the people getting e-mail codes for 40% off rates from now through December 2007? Not quite sure how people get on these mailing lists. I keep checking hoping to find one but of course nothing. I am hoping that if I don't call, marketing will think I have no interest in going back and will try to lure me in with a code . Not sure if my plan will actually work. I am sure I will not get a thing from them.

 

[EEyorelover22]

WOW!! 40% off!! that's huge! I don't get those either. Thank goodness MKY alerted me to passholder rates...I alerted her to the Disney Visa deal and then she alerted me

Unfortunately, we will not even be able to go over a break either
Christmas break is bball with DD and spring break is track with both of them. Each summer there will be the same basketball and football activities going on so it's just a grim reality at this point

I knew it was here...just didn't want to face it.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Look at the dates: June is left out again!!! I could never do the no code again at AKL since I know we couldn't do a poolview or standard and Sav would break the bank anyway. And, bunkbed rooms are $25 more per night too!! The writing is on the wall.

Wonder what they are doing with marketing?? Interesting. I'm such a GEEK. Looks like FREE dining again though is a real possiblity. FINGERS CROSSED!!!

Available most nights
Now–February 7, 2007
February 25–March 7, 2007
May 28–June 3, 2007
August 21–October 6, 2007
October 21–November 3, 2007
November 11–November 16, 2007
December 9–December 22, 2007

 

[VMK_Princess_Chloe]

EE22: So sorry your kids are so busy this summer. At least you will save a bundle . There is always another break and your kids still love it so there is always hope. Did you read about the people getting e-mail codes for 40% off rates from now through December 2007? Not quite sure how people get on these mailing lists. I keep checking hoping to find one but of course nothing. I am hoping that if I don't call, marketing will think I have no interest in going back and will try to lure me in with a code . Not sure if my plan will actually work. I am sure I will not get a thing from them.

40% off for July???? What kind of mailing lists are you on? I"m new to this.. I"m only on mousesavers.. what other ones are there?

 

[VMK_Princess_Chloe]

Look at the dates: June is left out again!!! I could never do the no code again at AKL since I know we couldn't do a poolview or standard and Sav would break the bank anyway. And, bunkbed rooms are $25 more per night too!! The writing is on the wall.

Wonder what they are doing with marketing?? Interesting. I'm such a GEEK. Looks like FREE dining again though is a real possiblity. FINGERS CROSSED!!!

Available most nights
Now–February 7, 2007
February 25–March 7, 2007
May 28–June 3, 2007
August 21–October 6, 2007
October 21–November 3, 2007
November 11–November 16, 2007
December 9–December 22, 2007

what are these dates for and where did you find them? How do you get free dining??

 

[EEyorelover22]

This was the email code that TP2 wrote about so I went and looked for the thread. No one knows how these mailing lists are developed, but if you don't have the email sent to you, you cannot use it. Free dining is speculation on my part, but this is following the code tend that summer brought about last year. We went in June, and there were no codes for June except very early or very late in the month and that included ap rates. If you are staying offsite, you might want to consider ordering the dvd off the Disney site and seeing if they might send you something afterwards. It's worth a shot.