Need help lots of questions haven't been since 2010

[kelmac284]

Hi I am really hoping I can get some help from some regulars.

I have been 4 times and I "used" to know all the strategies but we haven't been since 10 and aren't going back till summer of 16.

I have only ever been during off season but my kids are in HS and can't miss school so we are going the first week of June.

I am expecting it to be hot and rainy but how bad are the crowds?

Also we normally would stay onsite but we had a timeshare we booked to go to hawaii and it fell through and since we already spent the money we transferred it to Florida.

How does the tickets and such work if staying offsite? Do you just get a KTTW card? I know you can "buy" a magic band but I don't really see a reason to if I don't have to so wondering how that works and if we can only book fp day of will there even be anything available?

This is our one trip in 6 years and probably won't go back (with the kids anyway) for a long time. My mom and I are planning on buying AP's so we can go back first week of November for food and wine.

We will be using our timeshare again but I am hoping that is a dead time and we won't have as much trouble.

Any and all info that I would need to know that is different from 4 years ago I would LOVE to know or if there is a sticky post with all the new info I would appreciate it. I feel like a newbie again because everything is so different and I know it is not the best time but I want to get the most of what we can.

TIA!!!

 

[smbowtie]

Here are a couple that will help.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3326057

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3171914&highlight=magic+bands

 

[richmo]

If you know how long you're staying and all that, consider buying your tickets now, if possible. You'll miss one and possibly two price increases.

Set yourself up with My Disney Experience and link your tickets (vouchers) once you get them. You are correct that magic bands are not necessary. Once you have your tickets/vouchers bought and linked, you can do FP's 30 days in advance (both AP's and not)

Since you're using a timeshare, I assume you're renting a car. If you weren't planning on it, do it. I like the idea that you're getting at least one AP -- that way parking will be free (I think its $17/day for paying customers). You may also want to consider Tables in Wonderland if you're going to have at least a few Disney table service dinners.

I went June 6-10 in 2014. It was busy, but not horrible. Weather was great...as I recall, it was pushing 90, but not the mid-summer humidity so it felt nice. Showers can happen...in our case, we had one hard thunderstorm one afternoon for about 20 minutes. But once in five days wasn't bad.

 

[kelmac284]

Thanks so much for the info. And yes we are buying AP's and as much as I wish we could buy them now we have a trip to DisneyLAND this summer so all our money is going to that for now LOL. I am hoping to buy the tickets beginning of Next year so hopefully will avoid maybe ONE price increase but not both.

And yes we are renting a car and that is one of the reasons I decided to get the AP's. I figured it will help us with parking in June and possibly Nov if we decide to use the timeshare again as well as the discounts. We did the TIW card a few years ago and I think we will do that again as well. In 10 we had free dinning and LOVED it but since we prob won't get it again we will just do that.

Thanks so much for the info and I am sure I will be back with a few more questions before the time comes. It is funny how you can feel like you know everything and then it all goes topsy turvey and I feel like a newbie again.

I know I prob won't recognize the place as the new fantasyland was still under construction last time and so much has changed. I only wish we could have waited till Avatarland was finished but it will already have been 6 years and we are very anxious to get back and once my girls are in college I don't know if they will have the time to go anymore so this may be the last trip with them till they are adults.

Anyway thanks so much again!