Just Got Back Trip Recap and Helpful Tips

[BurleyGirl]

By the time we finished breakfast and left the restaurant (9:20am), we saw kids crying in the street because they had cut off the line for Jedi signups because the shows were all full. If this is a MUST-DO for you, book a PPO for H&V.

I'm so glad it worked out perfectly for your Jedi signups! But, the scene you described after your breakfast is one of the saddest things I read this morning...I feel so badly for those disappointed kiddos! Wow, 20 minutes into park opening, and they're already gone? That's disheartening, but also good to know. I have always advised friends with SW enthusiast kids to get to the park really early and be the first ones in line in order to get a spot, and it's always worked out for them, but I don't think I realized just how quickly they fill up! Thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

[dreiwhit]

My experience with the monorails was the same as yours when we went back in March. They weren't running and everyone was directed toward the ferries. We had to wait quite a while to board since the ferries filled up quickly. Directing everyone to the ferries did make bag check rough, since the ferrys were disembarking a huge number of people at once. It was 90 minutes from the time we left the car in the parking lot until we got through the tapstiles.

My wife and I frequently contrasted geting in to MK with Epcot the day before. We parked close, walked to security and were in the park no more than 15 minute after we locked the car doors!

Were any of the buses running from the TTC to MK? I've been told they do, but the CMs directed everyone to the ferries when I was there.

The difficulty of getting into to MK really kills your magic for the day.....

 

[AngiTN]

Thank you for your review!

I am especially curious about the Chase Illuminations viewing area. Will you please elaborate? Where is it located? When did it open prior to illuminations? Did you have to show the Chase card to get in? How crowded was it?

I had not heard of this particular perk.

Thanks!

It's in Italy

I'm so glad it worked out perfectly for your Jedi signups! But, the scene you described after your breakfast is one of the saddest things I read this morning...I feel so badly for those disappointed kiddos! Wow, 20 minutes into park opening, and they're already gone? That's disheartening, but also good to know. I have always advised friends with SW enthusiast kids to get to the park really early and be the first ones in line in order to get a spot, and it's always worked out for them, but I don't think I realized just how quickly they fill up! Thanks for sharing your experiences.

It's very rare for it to be full by 20 min after opening, anymore. Used to but after the revamp last year it is very unusual. They increased the number of shows and doubled the number of kids in the show. Most days there are spots for a couple hours. It's possible OP misunderstood what she witnessed. It could be the shows that fit that kids schedule were full, and others were still available. No idea, just a guess

 

[elaine amj]

Thanks for your recap - really enjoyed reading it.

I'm curious how you managed the logistics of a large group, especially with staying offsite. Any tips around managing little ones, your brother, and your parents? My next trip is with my family (2 teens), and my brother, my sister in law, and my 3.5 yr old niece. I'm nervous about naps, downtime, how to manage time together and time apart, etc etc.

 

[Eastern]

"Throughout our stay I definitely realized that almost everything takes much longer than you ever imagine it to. You have to factor in a lot of time to get into the parks, especially MK." This comment bears repeating, and is one reason that I think dining plans can be more stressful than they are worth.

For the Chase lounge, do you need a Chase Disney Visa? Or any Chase Visa?

Getting to the parks for an early (before park opening) breakfast reservation for those staying onsite: I thought that there were special 'Resort' buses that started at 6:30am every morning, just for this purpose. We took one from POFQ to get to our early CP breakfast and it worked out great.

Nice review, enjoyed reading it.

 

[thelittlemermaid2]

What a great idea for signing up for Jedi training! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Babs1975]

The Resort Monorail "normally" starts at 7:00 AM(or earlier) every day,BUT with the automation project ongoing it is starting at 8:30 AM some days.

(Courtesy of OTPN)

Hmmmmm...okay, so the day we have EMM scheduled at MK, there may not be monorail transportation from the parking lot. We drive in, so we have to get in somehow! Disney obviously knows they have people coming early on particular days, so they would have to plan for that, right? Either the monorail or ferry will be running by 7:15, right? Just want to make sure we are not stranded in the parking lot of MK at 7 am! Staying offsite, how would I be able to get a times guide like this beforehand? Just to plan which transportation I am to be looking for.

 

[Donald - my hero]

One more thing for me to worry about...
So ... I have a ADR for 8:20am Cinderella's Table in a day of morning EMH and I'm off-site.
I know well the "way" in to the MK from monorail but if is not working and I need to take the ferry ... I have no idea where it is and how I get it.

I don't want to hijack the OP's thread but i also HATE seeing your request hanging in the air like this!

When you walk to the monorail ramps if you look over to your left you will see the dock for the ferry. If the monorail isn't working CM's will be directing you to the ferry dock, don't fret !! this gives you an idea of what it will look like

 

[AngiTN]

Hmmmmm...okay, so the day we have EMM scheduled at MK, there may not be monorail transportation from the parking lot. We drive in, so we have to get in somehow! Disney obviously knows they have people coming early on particular days, so they would have to plan for that, right? Either the monorail or ferry will be running by 7:15, right? Just want to make sure we are not stranded in the parking lot of MK at 7 am! Staying offsite, how would I be able to get a times guide like this beforehand? Just to plan which transportation I am to be looking for.

Don't fret. They will have CM there to direct guests if a given mode of transportation is down. They know many folks coming in have no idea where to go. Plus it's all well marked

 

[Missyrose]

For the Chase lounge, do you need a Chase Disney Visa? Or any Chase Visa?

Any Chase Visa will get you in the lounge , but only a Disney Visa will get you preferred seating at the Eat to the Beat concerts .

Hmmmmm...okay, so the day we have EMM scheduled at MK, there may not be monorail transportation from the parking lot. We drive in, so we have to get in somehow! Disney obviously knows they have people coming early on particular days, so they would have to plan for that, right? Either the monorail or ferry will be running by 7:15, right? Just want to make sure we are not stranded in the parking lot of MK at 7 am! Staying offsite, how would I be able to get a times guide like this beforehand? Just to plan which transportation I am to be looking for.

There will be Disney transportation to get you from TTC to MK ahead of the event . The ferry will be running and they've been running buses from TTC to MK when the monorail is down . Ask a CM if there's a bus, it's much faster than the ferry .

 

[Duck143]

One more thing for me to worry about...
So ... I have a ADR for 8:20am Cinderella's Table in a day of morning EMH and I'm off-site.
I know well the "way" in to the MK from monorail but if is not working and I need to take the ferry ... I have no idea where it is and how I get it.

IT'S easy to find the ferry at the parking lot, Ticket Center. It just is wayyyy slow compared to the monorail.

 

[Duck143]

Where did you watch the Galactic Spectacular from?

Right on the main street. They have a path to exit, so we made some room inside the taped area.

 

[Duck143]

I'm so glad it worked out perfectly for your Jedi signups! But, the scene you described after your breakfast is one of the saddest things I read this morning...I feel so badly for those disappointed kiddos! Wow, 20 minutes into park opening, and they're already gone? That's disheartening, but also good to know. I have always advised friends with SW enthusiast kids to get to the park really early and be the first ones in line in order to get a spot, and it's always worked out for them, but I don't think I realized just how quickly they fill up! Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Agreed. It was so sad seeing those children. I am glad my plan worked out so well, so my child wasn't one of the disappointed children. I think the week we were there was insanely busy. Even CM were surprised how quickly the Jedi shows filled. I'll definitely be planning a trip for a different time of year next time.

 

[Duck143]

I don't want to hijack the OP's thread but i also HATE seeing your request hanging in the air like this!

When you walk to the monorail ramps if you look over to your left you will see the dock for the ferry. If the monorail isn't working CM's will be directing you to the ferry dock, don't fret !! this gives you an idea of what it will look like

Thanks! That photo should help!

 

[Duck143]

It's in Italy


It's very rare for it to be full by 20 min after opening, anymore. Used to but after the revamp last year it is very unusual. They increased the number of shows and doubled the number of kids in the show. Most days there are spots for a couple hours. It's possible OP misunderstood what she witnessed. It could be the shows that fit that kids schedule were full, and others were still available. No idea, just a guess

No misunderstanding. The CM closed the line by 9:20. The week we were there was insanely busy, so maybe it's not always like this, but it was the day we were there.

 

[Duck143]

My experience with the monorails was the same as yours when we went back in March. They weren't running and everyone was directed toward the ferries. We had to wait quite a while to board since the ferries filled up quickly. Directing everyone to the ferries did make bag check rough, since the ferrys were disembarking a huge number of people at once. It was 90 minutes from the time we left the car in the parking lot until we got through the tapstiles.

My wife and I frequently contrasted geting in to MK with Epcot the day before. We parked close, walked to security and were in the park no more than 15 minute after we locked the car doors!

Were any of the buses running from the TTC to MK? I've been told they do, but the CMs directed everyone to the ferries when I was there.

The difficulty of getting into to MK really kills your magic for the day.....

I agree. HS was the easiest to get into, then Epcot, AK, and most difficult was MK. Epcot was a breeze to get (other than that one Sat. I mentioned above lol)

 

[Duck143]

"Throughout our stay I definitely realized that almost everything takes much longer than you ever imagine it to. You have to factor in a lot of time to get into the parks, especially MK." This comment bears repeating, and is one reason that I think dining plans can be more stressful than they are worth.

For the Chase lounge, do you need a Chase Disney Visa? Or any Chase Visa?

Getting to the parks for an early (before park opening) breakfast reservation for those staying onsite: I thought that there were special 'Resort' buses that started at 6:30am every morning, just for this purpose. We took one from POFQ to get to our early CP breakfast and it worked out great.

Nice review, enjoyed reading it.

I believe it's any Chase card. Thanks for the compliment on the review!

 

[Duck143]

My husband wants me to tell you all that there's a grace period on FP+. CM's said 5 minutes early and 15 minutes late.
We ran like lunatics down main st. to get to 7 dwarf mine train our very first moment stepping into MK. If I had known we had an extra 15 minutes to get to the ride, we could have enjoyed my boys first moments in MK. Since we're offsite, getting FP+ for 7 people for that ride was a minor miracle, do run we did!

 

[AngiTN]

My husband wants me to tell you all that there's a grace period on FP+. CM's said 5 minutes early and 15 minutes late.
We ran like lunatics down main st. to get to 7 dwarf mine train our very first moment stepping into MK. If I had known we had an extra 15 minutes to get to the ride, we could have enjoyed my boys first moments in MK. Since we're offsite, getting FP+ for 7 people for that ride was a minor miracle, do run we did!

Yes, sorry you didn't know. It is officially 5 min before, 15 min after. Not "at the discretion of a CM, or anything like that. The readers will turn green within that window. It's one of those things that folks around here often take for granted that everyone posting/reading here knows. I know we use the grace period times a lot. Works like a champ

 

[AngiTN]

No misunderstanding. The CM closed the line by 9:20. The week we were there was insanely busy, so maybe it's not always like this, but it was the day we were there.

Gotcha. Yes, it is very unusual. We go in the summer and they don't even fill that early. Heck, they didn't fill that early during SWW. At least not on a regular basis. Maybe they had to pull some shows that day?