Just back...spontaneity alive and well!

[mocame]

What kind of ice cream did you try at Ample Creamery? We are staying at BC this summer and plan on visiting the new ice cream shop (although we are partial to No Way Jose at Beaches and Cream )

You mentioned 4th FP were slim. We have a triple resort stay coming up with our tickets attached to the third resort stay (part of FD package so can't change), so while we can access tickets, we can't make FP+ until the morning of. Do you think there will be decent selection left for us at the morning of? We aren't counting on headliners, but it would be nice to get FP for things like Buzz, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Jungle Cruise... Do you think we'll have a chance for FP like these ones? We are going end of August.

Thanks for your post - got me my Disney fix

When we were there a week or so ago, we got 4th or more FPs for Buzz. Pirates only had about a 20 minute wait tops every time we checked so I don't think that should be a problem. We didn't use FPs for Pirates because the standby line was short enough in the evenings. The Haunted Mansion lines weren't too long either. Jungle Cruise had more like 30 to 40 minute lines. We got 4th or more FPs for BTMRR a couple of times too. Just keep checking and keep refreshing and a lot of times more FP time options popped up.

 

[jrt1176]

May is great! I took my niece May 12th-19th four years for her first trip.

Crowds were fine and we never waited longer than 15-20 minutes for anything the entire trip. That was the old FP system still, but I was never a gung ho type who ran around, etc.

Weather was great! Some rain, but temperature was perfect. Only one day when it was really hot...really, really hot! It made walking around world showcase tough, but we did some of the country films and took our time. I did break down and buy a mister...it was that hot!

We went again this January for a birthday trip. It was a bit cold the first few days and then shorts the rest of the time. Both months were great to visit!

 

[minnie mum]

Lord Thunderin...... that sounds like a trip in and of itself.

Lord T'underin' b'y. Are ye from the Rock?

Haven't heard that expression in ages.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks for the review, Jennasis. Sounds like a great trip!!

 

[Jennasis]

Do you have a picture(s) of Joy and Sadness?

 

[NeuroCindy]

Oh I love them!!!

 

[BrianL]

6. Star wars stage show and fireworks were amazing! Our meet with Kylo Ren was epic! I also made the mistake of sticking my tongue out at the stormtroopers on patrol and they totally harassed me for it. A great interaction! Jawas didnt disappoin either. I traded blank CD that i had written "Death Star Plans" on and they went WILD over it. Traded me for a droid part. As i left i shouted "Utini!" At them and they went nuts!

I LOVE this. I haven't been since Launch Bay and the other Star Wars stuff started, but I am very excited to see it. I love the Jawas idea!

 

[Mom2Stitch]

Thanks Jennasis for a great review. We went in May a couple years ago and it was really nice.

I love, love, love Launch Bay. I know DHS is lacking right now, but when we were there this past Feb, Launch Bay more than made up for it. Kylo wasn't there yet, so we met with Vader and he was so scary! And Chewie was so huggable. Missed the fireworks, Storm Troopers and Kylo, but heading back this September and planning to spend more time there.

Joy and Sadness pics are so cute...on the list for sure now.

 

[disneyseniors]

Oh and we got the ooey gooey butter cake sundae with chocolate milk and cookies and malty salty pretzel ice cream, caramel, whipped cream, chocolate chips and cherry on top

Stop It!!! You are killing me I love, love ice cream and desserts. Thanks for the terrific report

 

[BLLB]

When and where in the world did you see those characters just wandering about?? Did you stumble onto an Epcot character training session?

Sounds like you had a great trip, May might be the new 'it' time to go for lower crowds.

The first week of April of this year, my DS and I were walking back to DHS from BWV, to purchase a gift. Outside the turnstiles, next to where you buy tickets on the far right were: Mary Poppins, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Maleficent and Minny Mouse. Just hanging out. I was able to get a picture with each of them and go into the park in about 10 minutes. Never saw that before.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

The first week of April of this year, my DS and I were walking back to DHS from BWV, to purchase a gift. Outside the turnstiles, next to where you buy tickets on the far right were: Mary Poppins, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Maleficent and Minny Mouse. Just hanging out. I was able to get a picture with each of them and go into the park in about 10 minutes. Never saw that before.

That was the character palooza pop up event. It usually happens once a day or more depending on fantasmic showings. The time it occurs also frequently changes. In case you were curious further, a Disney blogger called Kenny the pirate has times and information about that on his character site.

 

[DisneyFive]

When I think of spontaneity at WDW, I think of the ability to change my park schedule, mid stay, and still be able to get the best FP's (like we used to be able to do with paper FP's)

Did you try switching up which park you planned to be at? If so, what was the impact to your FP+'s?

Dan

 

[Jennasis]

When I think of spontaneity at WDW, I think of the ability to change my park schedule, mid stay, and still be able to get the best FP's (like we used to be able to do with paper FP's)

Did you try switching up which park you planned to be at? If so, what was the impact to your FP+'s?

Dan

We did switch planned parks, but never bothered trying for FP as the pickings were pathetic. We were savvy enough to maneuver around old school style and never wait more than 10-15 minutes. It was delightful not feeling like a slave to a schedule.

 

[julieb5]

Thank you for all of the info! What is this app that you used for FP?
Thanks in advance

 

[AngiTN]

Interesting that what sounds like a slowish week (walk ons) would have such terrible 4th FP availability. I think we need to be prepared that we'll just have 3 to work with and not expect to ever get a useful 4th

We were there just a week before that, 5/5 to 10 and got lots of 4th and more FP at all the parks. Including RnR at HS, several of them. Could have gotten TSMM but DH and I aren't fans.
F! was also there.
MK had just about anything we wanted
Also, we were just looking for 2, so that may make a difference.
We were there in April when it was busier and there was less to pick from but still got 4 at a couple of parks.
Sometimes it's a matter of refreshing. I don't think the app is good at showing what is truly available until you prod it a time or two. If you take the first result you may miss out but if you click 1 other time slot you'll get lots show up. It's strange.

 

[Angeliki19]

LOVE the brisket hash!!!! I had it last year and STILL talk about it. Love those pictures of Joy and Sadness and your tip about the Jawas! I may have to get DS to draw up some fake Death Star plans....

Glad you had a good trip!!!

 

[mocame]

Thank you for all of the info! What is this app that you used for FP?
Thanks in advance

The My Disney Experience App. It should have your FPs listed on it. When you use your magicband for your 3rd FP, start looking for FP #4. They will give you 3 options for each ride but don't forget to swipe right to get earlier times or left for later times than it shows right away.

 

[mocame]

Oh, and keep refreshing. Within seconds, FP option times can come and go.

 

[capegirl]

We did switch planned parks, but never bothered trying for FP as the pickings were pathetic. We were savvy enough to maneuver around old school style and never wait more than 10-15 minutes. It was delightful not feeling like a slave to a schedule.

Happy to hear this; I am not a fan of park days that are set in stone. After being a total slave to our schedule last April, and braving monsoons to keep FPs and ADRs intact, I am sorely tempted to tour 'old school' in July. Not sure if we would be too successful if we tried this when the parks are super busy, but I would love the freedom of waking up in the morning and switching things up.

 

[Jennasis]

We were there just a week before that, 5/5 to 10 and got lots of 4th and more FP at all the parks. Including RnR at HS, several of them. Could have gotten TSMM but DH and I aren't fans.
F! was also there.
MK had just about anything we wanted
Also, we were just looking for 2, so that may make a difference.
We were there in April when it was busier and there was less to pick from but still got 4 at a couple of parks.
Sometimes it's a matter of refreshing. I don't think the app is good at showing what is truly available until you prod it a time or two. If you take the first result you may miss out but if you click 1 other time slot you'll get lots show up. It's strange.

We weren't in MK other than a few hours our first night (and we had our 3 planned FP lined up). We spent the other 3 days hopping between DHS and Epcot and there were no worthwhile 4th FP...at least none that the two of us thought of as worthwhile. Others may find value in FP for Figment and Nemo or Muppets, but not us. So we focused on other things like the food at Epcot or the concerts or performances in the countries and the garden exhibits, and the Star Wars stuff at DHS. And when that stuff had played out we went back to our resort to swim or relax (or as much as one can relax with that hideous clown staring into your soul LOL)