Last minute trips, anyone?

[Legendofthehawk]

Anyone else ever find themselves suddenly planning/considering a last minute trip to Disney?


Do you have any advice for how to handle it, and how for it not to cost an arm or a mouse ear?

Normally, I am pretty big on planning ahead of time. However, I found out that my non-Disney enthusiast husband is not only going to be in NY for three days this weekend, but this also falls on the 1st anniversary of their bio dad's death.This isn't as difficult for my daughter since she doesn't remember him hardly at all (we divorced when she was 4 and he disappeared from their life shortly after :/) My son though has stronger memories and every single family vacation we ever took as always at Disney. That's all thats in our photos. He was also a huge huge starwars fan.

My husband and I were originally planning to hit the beach with the kids this weekend (we live in NC), and while it's still a possibility, I think if I can work out Disney that I want to do that.

We live about 8 hours away, so it's a total doable driving distance.

We don't have to stay at Disney property, but I'd really prefer too if we can. I've already PMed some people about renting points, and I know Davids DVC can help to work out it. I am all over the mouse ears site. Just curious what some other people have tried, or if I am just totally nuts to think about trying to plan out a trip a little less than a week in advance.

 

[WDmommyof4]

Our trips are always relatively last minute. Usually with just 3 weeks at most from our trip date. As a Florida resident, we generally have weekday only annual passes and then we can get a discount on room only almost any time of the year. Fastpasses really aren't too much of a problem. They usually are not sold out for rides during the time of year we choose to go, and I can usually get same day 7DMT fastpasses throughout the day while in the park on the app by splitting up our party size and moving things around. We each counter service only now, or occasionally check for same day TS meal availability in the parks that we choose to visit that day. It really isn't difficult to plan an amazing last minute trip to Disney. If you were flying, it could definitely end up being more costly, but driving down, it isn't too bad.

 

[Hootch]

Just go in with a mindset that you will get done what you can and enjoy the experience (even with the underlying issue). It looks like Pop possibly has rooms available. Caribbean and French Quarter also look as if they have some rooms available at $50-$60 more per night. Mousesavers.com and Allears.net have recommended offsite rooms with some discount for booking through them.

There are a handful of rides that are not available next day for planning purposes. With two or three days time you can get most everything except some princess meet and greets and Seven Dwarfs. That leaves you plenty of choices for FPs.

Go and enjoy it with your children. Let them have some choices in the FP selections and where to eat.

(It appears that Disney may have implemented rules that limits pinging the FP database. Dibb.co.uk no longer has the FP availability. "Unfortunately due to changes in the FP+ system we are no longer able to provide updates to FastPass+ Availability." This does not surprise me.)

 

[Legendofthehawk]

Thank you both for your response. I really appreciate it!

The hotels were all booked like crazy, which was kind of surprising? Figured that maybe people are trying to get away from snow still? .
I was able to finally 'get' CB through Cheaptickets with a discount code, which made it less than 200 a night. Grand total I think for 4 nights was going to be around 748.00. By the time the tickets are factored in, which was another 1600, and gas, we're looking at about 2,450 . For a last minute trip, where they may or may not get FP?

(I haven't been since 2011, so.. the FP+ system is new for me!)

I reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllyyyyyyyyyy want to go. So.. I decided to book for Oct. That's typically around the time when we used to go, gives me some more time to get money saved and accommodations made. We'll stick with the beach and even though we won't get to see the fireworks from MK yet, it'll be awesome.

Thank you again for all your help!

 

[Hootch]

This possibly the best primer for for the FP+ system when you finally go.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-fastpass-frequently-asked-questions-superthread.3491680/

 

[Hootch]

Disney has just announced discounts for the time you are planng to go. Port Orleans French Quarter is even included. Thst's where we usually stay and often it is not included in discounts.

 

[tlmadden73]

I'd just go with the mindset of enjoying yourselves in what you CAN do and not worry about what you CAN'T do. Sure, maybe you won't be able to get a reservation at that certain restaurant, maybe that Fast Pass isn't available until later in the day. But I am sure there are a lot of last minute cancellations as well, so you may be surprised.

But think about the relaxed freedom you'll have without having every minute planned out!

I took a last minute trip in 2014 (offsite at a house) .. it was a great trip .. but purposely short, so no real need to plan much as we went in knowing we couldn't get it all done (it was my son's first trip at 2 years old). We just enjoyed BEING there.

So enjoy .. and have a great time!

 

[TxWriterMama]

Our Jan 28-Feb2 trip was like this. We were all stressed out from medical drama and career drama and decided to just run away from Texas for a few days. We grabbed a 2 bdrm villa at Kidani, cashed in some United miles, paid for a rental SUV with some CC points and disappeared for 4 days. It was great.

We had no problems securing FP+ for big, popular rides or with ADRs. We were flexible, did 0 rope drops, enjoyed the late nights and had a blast.

We liked the short, last minute trip so much we've put aside some money for the next time we're hit with WeNeedToRunAway-Itis.