Just Back 3/17-3/20

[momto2js]

We just got back. We stayed at Shade of Green. This was trip was a special trip for just me and my youngest (almost 8). Here were the hightlights-

#1 Fastpasses- we got our fastpasses at 60 days because at that time there was no availability at Shade. But a room at shades opened up and I decided I'd rather stay there than at all-star. At 30 days out, I would not have had the options I managed to get. Generally, we did the EMH park and then hopped to another park in the afternoon.

#2. Parking- if you stay at one of the "off-site" hotels that offer EMH. The parking toll booths are not open 45 minutes before EMH, so you don't have to pay for parking at that park. This worked to our advantage several mornings. Had I really thought this through, I would have used the parking budget for the express bus.

#3. The Express Bus- On our last day we did the highlight tour. We went to all 4 parks and did the major attractions. We started at AK for EMH at 8 am and finished at 7 pm. The only headliner attractions we missed were TOT and TSM. The express bus was worth every penny. Knowing the schedule and avoiding security, and not having to walk though the entry way of the park was great and a HUGE time saver.

#4. The headliner around the world challenge- We manage to ride almost all of the headliners in one day!!! We missed TOT and TSM. We used single rider when possible, I had a couple of "extra" fastpasses from ride malfunctions earlier in the trip and we had planned FP's for 3 MK headliners. I think 11 hours may be a record!!

#5. The lost magic band. If you loose the magicband, it is a problem. In the past I would have NEVER handed my son the park ticket and told him to keep track of it, but that is exactly what you do when you use the magic bands. Well on the last day between thunder and splash, somewhere it fell off. So we went and bought another one (they sort of have you here, you really do have to go and buy a new one rather you want to or not) and had the pleasure of trying to use the app to connect it. The cast members best advice was to go to GR for help. (do you know how far GR is from frontier land on the last day of the trip??) Fortunately, the GR person working the express bus was able to help us and also made me an extra card for my son so we would have a plan B if it happened again.

#6. Crowds- It was more crowded than any other trip we had taken. But by using EMH and hopping we got a ton done. The only exception was EMH at HS. We got one ride on TSM and one ride on RR after a 45 minute wait. After a ride on Star Tours, we had had enough. It was our 3rd day in a row and we were tired, so we returned to the hotel for a couple of hours of rest. I think I only waited for the bathroom 3 times the entire week, so it wasn't that bad.

I think that is most of what I learned. I'm happy to answer any questions.

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

Sounds like a fun trip!! We always wear our magic bands, but keep the actual passes in our backpack!

 

[caliope]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Glad it was a great trip for you!

 

[DisneyOma]

We just got back. We stayed at Shade of Green. This was trip was a special trip for just me and my youngest (almost 8). Here were the hightlights-

#1 Fastpasses- we got our fastpasses at 60 days because at that time there was no availability at Shade. But a room at shades opened up and I decided I'd rather stay there than at all-star. At 30 days out, I would not have had the options I managed to get. Generally, we did the EMH park and then hopped to another park in the afternoon.

#2. Parking- if you stay at one of the "off-site" hotels that offer EMH. The parking toll booths are not open 45 minutes before EMH, so you don't have to pay for parking at that park. This worked to our advantage several mornings. Had I really thought this through, I would have used the parking budget for the express bus.

#3. The Express Bus- On our last day we did the highlight tour. We went to all 4 parks and did the major attractions. We started at AK for EMH at 8 am and finished at 7 pm. The only headliner attractions we missed were TOT and TSM. The express bus was worth every penny. Knowing the schedule and avoiding security, and not having to walk though the entry way of the park was great and a HUGE time saver.

#4. The headliner around the world challenge- We manage to ride almost all of the headliners in one day!!! We missed TOT and TSM. We used single rider when possible, I had a couple of "extra" fastpasses from ride malfunctions earlier in the trip and we had planned FP's for 3 MK headliners. I think 11 hours may be a record!!

#5. The lost magic band. If you loose the magicband, it is a problem. In the past I would have NEVER handed my son the park ticket and told him to keep track of it, but that is exactly what you do when you use the magic bands. Well on the last day between thunder and splash, somewhere it fell off. So we went and bought another one (they sort of have you here, you really do have to go and buy a new one rather you want to or not) and had the pleasure of trying to use the app to connect it. The cast members best advice was to go to GR for help. (do you know how far GR is from frontier land on the last day of the trip??) Fortunately, the GR person working the express bus was able to help us and also made me an extra card for my son so we would have a plan B if it happened again.

#6. Crowds- It was more crowded than any other trip we had taken. But by using EMH and hopping we got a ton done. The only exception was EMH at HS. We got one ride on TSM and one ride on RR after a 45 minute wait. After a ride on Star Tours, we had had enough. It was our 3rd day in a row and we were tired, so we returned to the hotel for a couple of hours of rest. I think I only waited for the bathroom 3 times the entire week, so it wasn't that bad.

I think that is most of what I learned. I'm happy to answer any questions.

#1 - they let you keep your FP+ even when you cancelled your reservation at an onsite resort? That's a loophole that needs to be closed.

#2 - how did you get through the tollbooths if they were not open? And not paying for parking - another loophole to close.

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

#1 - they let you keep your FP+ even when you cancelled your reservation at an onsite resort? That's a loophole that needs to be closed.

#2 - how did you get through the tollbooths if they were not open? And not paying for parking - another loophole to close.

The tollbooths are never closed.. from my experience anyway. If you get there early enough you just drive right through. We've done it before, not on purpose, but because we had a PPO ADR. We are AP holders anyway so we wouldn't have paid, but still, its a way for others to avoid paying. If they don't do something to close it off, they obviously aren't too worried about it anyways.

 

[AngiTN]

#1 - they let you keep your FP+ even when you cancelled your reservation at an onsite resort? That's a loophole that needs to be closed.

#2 - how did you get through the tollbooths if they were not open? And not paying for parking - another loophole to close.

1. It's the way it works. Your FP window opens at 60 days if you are on site but making FP are tied to tickets. If you cancel the on site reservation but still have tickets the FP won't go away. Because they aren't tied to the resort. Can't imagine why that's a big deal. Just how many do book onsite and then later cancel to stay off site? In the grand total of FP offered probably a negligible percentage
2. Probably going to change when they rework the parking/ramp areas at MK. No idea if it will change who pays for parking when but should change how you access the resorts in the MK area in relation to the toll booth

 

[heybravo626]

The highlight tour sounds like fun! We are thinking of doing a similar tour this summer where we hit all of the water attractions and boats inside and right outside of the 4 parks. (just to add some fun to a 4 park day)

Are you able to share the list of attractions in order that you were able to do on your highlight tour?

 

[rcraw45425]

We were there the same days and agree with you about the crowds. We did the express bus for the entire time (paid for the week but only used Saturday and Sunday, were at MK from Friday afternoon until we left) and it was a huge timesaver. Actually kept us in the parks instead of our usual back "home" to rest in the afternoons as we hated having to go through the regular entrance We did the Rivers of Light Dining package, lunch at Tusker House. Had a glitch with our express bus back to AK after our EPCOT dinner and they actually drove us to AK in a Disney car and dropped us at the express entrance.By the time we arrived there was no dining package seating left so they took us to fast pass seating. I think it's actually better. More in the center. Lots of pixie dust, free tee shirts for voting on an AFV video at the studios. Free fast passes for the transportation glitch. In all, a very busy crowded trip but with Express transportation, doable!

 

[starjazz]

1. It's the way it works. Your FP window opens at 60 days if you are on site but making FP are tied to tickets. If you cancel the on site reservation but still have tickets the FP won't go away. Because they aren't tied to the resort. Can't imagine why that's a big deal. Just how many do book onsite and then later cancel to stay off site? In the grand total of FP offered probably a negligible percentage

Wow. If its possible, I'm sure it'll catch on. I mean, getting the extra 30 days, especially if you're going at a busy time of year, is pretty big. And all you have to do is book a room, then cancel? Huh.

 

[AngiTN]

Wow. If its possible, I'm sure it'll catch on. I mean, getting the extra 30 days, especially if you're going at a busy time of year, is pretty big. And all you have to do is book a room, then cancel? Huh.

I think it will catch on just as much as those who jump through loop holes to get same day FP. Which is not many. Not in the grand total of available FP on a given day

 

[starjazz]

I think it will catch on just as much as those who jump through loop holes to get same day FP. Which is not many. Not in the grand total of available FP on a given day

Oooh, there's loopholes???

We used what might be considered a loophole, which was just reducing our party size into groups of 1 or 2 to get the same time window. Does that count? ;-)

 

[AngiTN]

Oooh, there's loopholes???

We used what might be considered a loophole, which was just reducing our party size into groups of 1 or 2 to get the same time window. Does that count? ;-)

No, that's not a loophole. That's smart.
The same day FP is a complex deal. There is a thread on it here somewhere but it's way too complicated for me

 

[brockash]

We just got back. We stayed at Shade of Green. This was trip was a special trip for just me and my youngest (almost 8). Here were the hightlights-

#1 Fastpasses- we got our fastpasses at 60 days because at that time there was no availability at Shade. But a room at shades opened up and I decided I'd rather stay there than at all-star. At 30 days out, I would not have had the options I managed to get. Generally, we did the EMH park and then hopped to another park in the afternoon.

#2. Parking- if you stay at one of the "off-site" hotels that offer EMH. The parking toll booths are not open 45 minutes before EMH, so you don't have to pay for parking at that park. This worked to our advantage several mornings. Had I really thought this through, I would have used the parking budget for the express bus.

#3. The Express Bus- On our last day we did the highlight tour. We went to all 4 parks and did the major attractions. We started at AK for EMH at 8 am and finished at 7 pm. The only headliner attractions we missed were TOT and TSM. The express bus was worth every penny. Knowing the schedule and avoiding security, and not having to walk though the entry way of the park was great and a HUGE time saver.

#4. The headliner around the world challenge- We manage to ride almost all of the headliners in one day!!! We missed TOT and TSM. We used single rider when possible, I had a couple of "extra" fastpasses from ride malfunctions earlier in the trip and we had planned FP's for 3 MK headliners. I think 11 hours may be a record!!

#5. The lost magic band. If you loose the magicband, it is a problem. In the past I would have NEVER handed my son the park ticket and told him to keep track of it, but that is exactly what you do when you use the magic bands. Well on the last day between thunder and splash, somewhere it fell off. So we went and bought another one (they sort of have you here, you really do have to go and buy a new one rather you want to or not) and had the pleasure of trying to use the app to connect it. The cast members best advice was to go to GR for help. (do you know how far GR is from frontier land on the last day of the trip??) Fortunately, the GR person working the express bus was able to help us and also made me an extra card for my son so we would have a plan B if it happened again.

#6. Crowds- It was more crowded than any other trip we had taken. But by using EMH and hopping we got a ton done. The only exception was EMH at HS. We got one ride on TSM and one ride on RR after a 45 minute wait. After a ride on Star Tours, we had had enough. It was our 3rd day in a row and we were tired, so we returned to the hotel for a couple of hours of rest. I think I only waited for the bathroom 3 times the entire week, so it wasn't that bad.

I think that is most of what I learned. I'm happy to answer any questions.

Thank you for sharing. Not sure why some ppl. feel a need to post nothing informational and just criticize someone sharing their experience, but most of us really appreciate the info. and experience.

 

[Imagineer5]

1. It's the way it works. Your FP window opens at 60 days if you are on site but making FP are tied to tickets. If you cancel the on site reservation but still have tickets the FP won't go away. Because they aren't tied to the resort. Can't imagine why that's a big deal. Just how many do book onsite and then later cancel to stay off site? In the grand total of FP offered probably a negligible percentage
2. Probably going to change when they rework the parking/ramp areas at MK. No idea if it will change who pays for parking when but should change how you access the resorts in the MK area in relation to the toll booth

I think MK is the exception to the free parking rule. The other three parks though do not staff the toll booths that early. I have an AP so no biggie for me, but it sure is nice to just go through (a few years ago they used to keep cones up and lines would form).

As for the FP/room booking. I don't know many (any?) who know about this loophole. Same with SDFP That being said, it would be nice if Shades offered 60-day FP considering they receive EMH privileges and are considered on-side in many aspects.

 

[Imagineer5]

Did you check out Rivers of Light? Any great restaurants? SO glad you had a great time!! I've taken a number of mommy/dd trips with my oldest (who's only 5) but look forward to many more with each of my others individually as well! <3

 

[momto2js]

On our 4 park challenge we started at AK with dinosaur, Everest, and Kali. At 10 am we went to MK and did splash, thunder, 7dmt, and space. At 2pm we went to EP and did soarn, test track and mission space. At 430 we headed to HS where we did RRC. We were on the 6pm bus back to AK where we did one last ride on Everest.

 

[momto2js]

As far as the parking, I think Disney is glad to reward any guest that wants to come to the park almost 2 hours before They can get in the park free parking. Most people that go for EMH wouldn't pay for parking anyway. So paying the attendant for one or 2 cars doesn't really make sense. We were there anyway, so it was just nice.

 

[momto2js]

We did the rivers of light breakfast package. My 8 year old liked it. It was good. I would not wait 2 hours in line to see it.

However, AK AT night was really neat. And Everest in the dark is amazing!!