Just Got Back Trip Recap and Helpful Tips

[Duck143]

Yeah, I think October has been historically low and I think all the crowd predictors were off, I don't think you could've helped it this trip! Still stinks though.

Thanks for the support! I felt bad for my family since I had told them it was a good time to go! Next time I'm going to pick a good one!!

 

[moesy4]

That is the hard part about being the planner, when things don't go well, even things beyond your control, it is hard not to feel guilty! My husband was reluctant to go because he doesn't like crowds or heat and I told him we could avoid both, and for the most part we did, but our 2nd park day was MK and we were tired from the day before it was sunny and decently crowded where we were at....you could tell he didn't want to be there. I felt bad for a bit, but then shrugged it off...I can't control how he chooses to feel! I did use that day to change the rest of our days to split days or evenings and the trip was awesome after that, but you can only do so much . I'm sure the kids had a blast!

 

[Duck143]

That is the hard part about being the planner, when things don't go well, even things beyond your control, it is hard not to feel guilty! My husband was reluctant to go because he doesn't like crowds or heat and I told him we could avoid both, and for the most part we did, but our 2nd park day was MK and we were tired from the day before it was sunny and decently crowded where we were at....you could tell he didn't want to be there. I felt bad for a bit, but then shrugged it off...I can't control how he chooses to feel! I did use that day to change the rest of our days to split days or evenings and the trip was awesome after that, but you can only do so much . I'm sure the kids had a blast!

We had a blast!! We had 7 days in the park, so even with the crowds, we did everything we wanted to do (other than Frozen Ever After lol!) My kids loved Disney and my oldest wants to go back in December haha!!

 

[HeiDisney]

Just curious. I have walked from the TTC to the Poly before. Could that help you get to the PPO ADRs? If you walk over and catch the Resort Monorail from there. If it isn't running, then I guess you can't. However, if the Ferry is backed up and running slow, it might be quicker to hike over to the Poly. Just a thought, but I'm not sure it would work.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Just curious. I have walked from the TTC to the Poly before. Could that help you get to the PPO ADRs? If you walk over and catch the Resort Monorail from there. If it isn't running, then I guess you can't. However, if the Ferry is backed up and running slow, it might be quicker to hike over to the Poly. Just a thought, but I'm not sure it would work.

The Resort Monorail line does pick-up and drop off at the TTC. It's where Monorail Resort Guests and all guests can connect to the Epcot line.

 

[WEDWDW]

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.

OTPN does a good job of posting the Times Guides.
http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/p/weekly-walt-disney-world-times-guides.html

An option that would give you "control" over exactly how early you get to MK would be to take a Taxi from TTC to The Contemporary Resort and walk from there to MK.

Not an ideal situation,but it would alleviate any "stress".

 

[AngiTN]

Just curious. I have walked from the TTC to the Poly before. Could that help you get to the PPO ADRs? If you walk over and catch the Resort Monorail from there. If it isn't running, then I guess you can't. However, if the Ferry is backed up and running slow, it might be quicker to hike over to the Poly. Just a thought, but I'm not sure it would work.

Not sure why you'd do that though, unless you are heading to Epcot. The Resort line picks up at Poly too, so not much gained by walking to TTC to get on it. Or vice versa, no point in walking to the Poly if you are at TTC since the same monorail picks up at both
Or maybe I'm not understanding your goal

 

[TreeFalls]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I figured if it is an EMM morning they would have to have a way to transport non resort guests to the MK gates. We will be at the park all day until MVMCP so leaving with a lot of people and a close parking spot will be nice. After getting on the ferry at 7:15 did you have plenty of time to make it thru security, bag check, etc before 7:45?

We had plenty of time. There weren't really any lines that early, we were in line by 7:30, probably earlier.

 

[DizBelle]

Has Epcot ever closed to capacity? As I understand it, the parking lot closed to capacity on Oct 22 but not the park itself.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Great review!

I am sure it has already been said, but i would point out that it is only SOMETIMES possible to see F! and SWaGS in the same night, depending on timing, and even then very difficult to get a good enough spot to actually see the projections, which are a MAJOR focus of the show. I would hate for someone to plan on doing this and be disappointed.

 

[wallskm]

We were there during fall break (October 7-15) and it was definitely a busy week! I think that as Fall breaks become more common, October will become a busy time at WDW! I knew it would be busy that week when I went to book resorts and there wasn't much availability for our party size (5). And when the room discount came out there was hardly any availability that week either. So I had a feeling we were going to see some crowds. Our experience with JTA was that we got there at 8:35/8:40 (9am open) and went right over to get in line. We were in line until nearly 10 waiting to sign up! When it was our turn to sign up the first show with availability was at 4 something. And they definitely were shutting down the line before we got to the front, maybe around 9:30/9:45? Next time we'll get the H&V ADR! My kids loved JTA and it was totally worth it the wait for them.

 

[AngiTN]

Has Epcot ever closed to capacity? As I understand it, the parking lot closed to capacity on Oct 22 but not the park itself.

You are correct. It was the parking lot only and that was only because they had part of it blocked off for the marathon prep

 

[HeiDisney]

Not sure why you'd do that though, unless you are heading to Epcot. The Resort line picks up at Poly too, so not much gained by walking to TTC to get on it. Or vice versa, no point in walking to the Poly if you are at TTC since the same monorail picks up at both
Or maybe I'm not understanding your goal

I was just curious. If the monorail was backed up and the ferry was backed up at the TTC and you were trying to get to a reservation maybe you could hike it over there faster and catch the monorail from there. Probably not a great idea but I was trying to think out of the box. Sorry.

 

[DizBelle]

You are correct. It was the parking lot only and that was only because they had part of it blocked off for the marathon prep

Ah - that makes sense. That parking lot is HUUUUUUUUGGGGEEEEE!! I was surprised that it would have filled to capacity. That some of it was blocked off makes much more sense.

Thanks!

 

[Barbara76]

Italy Isola West.

(Area approximately across from the Italy wine shop.)

Very nice viewing area-they sometimes have "Private Parties" there.

Each Chase Cardholder can bring up to 5 Guests.

Do you just have to have your card? Card and ID? I wonder if it is the card linked to the MBA if they see it.

 

[WEDWDW]

Do you just have to have your card? Card and ID? I wonder if it is the card linked to the MBA if they see it.

Just produce any Chase Card.

 

[mindeola]

Sounds like a pretty wonderful trip!

 

[AngiTN]

Do you just have to have your card? Card and ID? I wonder if it is the card linked to the MBA if they see it.

You must have your card (no ID). What is linked to your MB doesn't matter (MDE even alerts you to this when you link a Disney Visa to your account)

 

[Duck143]

Has Epcot ever closed to capacity? As I understand it, the parking lot closed to capacity on Oct 22 but not the park itself.

I'm not sure about the park itself. We couldn't get into the parking lot because it was full, but I have heard other people say the park was closed.

 

[Duck143]

Sounds like a pretty wonderful trip!

It really was!! My family and I had a wonderful trip that we will be talking about for years (until our next trip!!) Thanks for reading my review. I really wanted to try to help anyone who might find something interesting in what I learned while visiting. I love researching for my Disney vacations!