My ADRS and FPs - Any Advice?

[Long Beach Mike]

Hi Everyone,

I'm going to Disney December 15-23rd, staying at the GF on the DDP with my wife and 2 daughters, ages 10 and 8. On paper I think my scheduling looks good, but I haven't been to Disney in 4 years, so I may not be gauging things like travel time and distance between restaurants/attractions well.

I was hoping some of the veterans of the site could look over my schedule and give any advice on changes you would recommend.

One thing I need to stress is my family, in particular DW, are not early risers, so RD is not an going to be an option. If we tried it I'm sure we would be burned out and cranky by lunch. On the back end of days we always find we have no problem being out until 10-11pm.

I attached my Excel spreadsheet of our ADRs and FPs in PDF format, I figure it may be easier to visualize. If it would be easier to visualize by me typing everything directly into the system just let me know.

Thank you in advance, so many on the site have been so helpful!!!

 

[Alesia]

My first thought is that you have chosen the busiest park for most of the days of your trip. Expect enormous crowds. I would look into rearranging things if you can.

More detailed thoughts:
Day 1 - I'd put your chances of making your lunch ADR at about 70%. Be prepared to end up missing it and paying the no-show fee.

The timing between lunch and the Frozen sing along is going to be very tight.
Don't be disappointed if you don't get to see the fireworks from 'Ohana. Most tables don't have a view. and you likely won't be seated until after they're already over anyway.
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Day 2 - You may not be out of CRT in time to see wishes.

Day 3 - You won't be out of Le Cellier in time to see Illuminations.

Day 4 - There's a lot of moving around in a short amount of time, but it's otherwise fine.

Day 5 - Too much downtime for me, but that varies from person to person.

Day 6 - Okay.

Day 7 - There's a lot of transportation time. I would drop the Luau.

Day 8 - You need to be back at the resort by 5:30. You DME pick up will be around 6:30, plus or minus 15 minutes. You need to allow plenty of time to get your luggage from bell services, make a last minute bathroom break and be at the platform 15 minutes before your scheduled pick up time.

 

[Long Beach Mike]

Hi Alesia,

Thanks for taking the time to look my schedule over and all your input. You actually responded to one of my other posts and gave me some great advice on switching up my FPs, advice I took!

On park crowds, which sites are you looking at to gauge which parks are busiest? From other posts, I'm a bit concerned about trying to shift my schedule around based on crowds, as it seems they are hit or miss. Given the time of year I'm going, I'm thinking its going to be crowded everywhere, especially at the tail end of the trip.

Day 1: Lunch isn't an ADR.
I'm thinking it won't be an issue to just walk in, and if it is we will just grab something.
Also, I just put the fireworks in to remind myself I may be able to watch them while waiting for my table

Day 2: I'm actually not planning on getting out of CRT for Wishes, but getting whatever effect I can from the dining room. On a separate post of mine a lot of people advised I won't be able to see the fireworks for CRT. That's fine with me, I'll be at MK in the evening on 2 other nights, including MVMCP, to view them outside.

Day 3: Yeah, I pretty much figured I won't get out of Le Cellier in time for Illuminations. 8:40 was the earliest ADR I could get 183 days out! I just have it on the spreadsheet in case my mother-in-law (who is travelling with us the 1st 4 days) wants to sneak out of the restaurant with our DDs to catch the show for a bit.

Day 4: Yeah, I didn't realize Sanna was not in walking distance to the AK until months after making my ADR. Hence, the cab ride to Sanna to cut down on a double bus ride. I would think of switching Sanna for an ADR at AK if I could snag one, but DW and DDs are so excited for viewing the animals while eating.

Day 7: Yeah, you may be right. I guess I'll see how our stamina is doing by then and change plans as needed.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to look my schedule over.

I'm sure I will be making quite a few adjustments on the fly once I get there. Its just hard to gauge the realities of travel time and burn out in front of my laptop instead of actually being there.

 

[Alesia]

On park crowds, which sites are you looking at to gauge which parks are busiest? From other posts, I'm a bit concerned about trying to shift my schedule around based on crowds, as it seems they are hit or miss. Given the time of year I'm going, I'm thinking its going to be crowded everywhere, especially at the tail end of the trip.

I always use the crowd calendars at easywdw.com. Yes, it's going to be busy everywhere, but the crowds are absolutely predictable and following the crowd calendar will help you at least get the smallest crowds possible. It's definitely not hit or miss.

A very good friend of mine refuses to use a crowd calendar and she almost always ends up waiting in 1 hour+ lines (even for a lot of non-headliner rides.) She's fine with it. We never, ever wait for more than 30 minutes, even when it's very busy.

 

[Long Beach Mike]

I checked out the easywdw crowd calendar and you are so right, I'm walking into a wall of people at every turn. I guess I made my plans how the masses make theirs, hence my following the herd schedule.

I just don't know what I can do at this point, except for totally ditching all my ADRS, all of which I'm sure I couldn't replicate, and to a lesser extent my FPs.

I think for now I'll have to keep things how they are, and just deal with the craziness, and lower our expectations in terms of how many rides we will get on.

BTW, how far in advance does easywdw put out their crowd calendar? Hopefully greater than 180 days out.

 

[Alesia]

I checked out the easywdw crowd calendar and you are so right, I'm walking into a wall of people at every turn. I guess I made my plans how the masses make theirs, hence my following the herd schedule.

I just don't know what I can do at this point, except for totally ditching all my ADRS, all of which I'm sure I couldn't replicate, and to a lesser extent my FPs.

I think for now I'll have to keep things how they are, and just deal with the craziness, and lower our expectations in terms of how many rides we will get on.

BTW, how far in advance does easywdw put out their crowd calendar? Hopefully greater than 180 days out.

At this point you probably can't do much about switching your days around if keeping your ADRs are important. We only ever do 1 TS meal every 3 days, so it wouldn't be a huge issue for us, but yeah, you're kind of stuck. Keeping your expectations reasonable is your best bet. A good attitude is essential to a good trip.

I find that having a detailed touring plan really helps, too. I would help, but I'm not good with late starts - we're rope drop to closing kind of people. Spending $20ish dollars for ridemax might be helpful.

Easywdw generally puts out the crowd calendar about 195 days in advance - very shortly after Disney releases the park hours.

 

[Long Beach Mike]

Thanks for all your advice, you are an asset to the Board!

I'm not overly concerned, just happy to going.

With my girls at a great age for Disney we plan on going every year for the next several years. Everything I've learned this time around will help me make our next trip even better.

I have the GF to fall back on if it gets to hectic at the parks, which certainly isn't the worst place to be marooned.

Thanks again!