Not really excited about Disney this time around

[NaturalLove]

We're going to WDW the week of Thanksgiving. Our plans were finalized in July. At that time, I immediately went online to try to make a few dining restaurants and nothing was available. I checked back frequently to see if anything miraculously opened up. Nothing. Still in the same position, nothing good available. We're staying offsite, it's a better fit for our group.

The whole fastpass+ system is a bit confusing for me. So now we have to reserve well in advance to get on the popular rides??? What's up with that?!

Our first trip was during the same time in 2010. We had a great time. We were able to get into the restaurants we wanted to dine at, we'd get up and out early enough to get the fast passes we wanted. Now there seems to be absolutely no room for even the slightest amount of spontaneity. Everything has to be planned out in exact, specific, perfect detail.

Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, but I think it sucks that no good dining options were available 4.5 months in advance. Part of the fun is in the eating. So now we're going to have to eat mainly at quick service restaurants most days? That sucks.

We also bought one-day tix to Legoland. Hope that's fun.

If I hadn't paid for the lodging accommodations, I'd probably cancel/postpone our trip.

 

[sonnybruce]

i also do not like the new system, it is not very friendly to families that stay off site for fast passes as Disney hotel guests have a 30 day head start on us and you better start making your dining resv. at the 180 day mark or you will be eating dinner at either 4 pm or 9 pm

 

[Willabea]

We're going to WDW the week of Thanksgiving. Our plans were finalized in July. At that time, I immediately went online to try to make a few dining restaurants and nothing was available. I checked back frequently to see if anything miraculously opened up. Nothing. Still in the same position, nothing good available. We're staying offsite, it's a better fit for our group.

The whole fastpass+ system is a bit confusing for me. So now we have to reserve well in advance to get on the popular rides??? What's up with that?!

Our first trip was during the same time in 2010. We had a great time. We were able to get into the restaurants we wanted to dine at, we'd get up and out early enough to get the fast passes we wanted. Now there seems to be absolutely no room for even the slightest amount of spontaneity. Everything has to be planned out in exact, specific, perfect detail.

Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, but I think it sucks that no good dining options were available 4.5 months in advance. Part of the fun is in the eating. So now we're going to have to eat mainly at quick service restaurants most days? That sucks.

We also bought one-day tix to Legoland. Hope that's fun.

If I hadn't paid for the lodging accommodations, I'd probably cancel/postpone our trip.

I haven't been in 15 years, so it's quite different planning this time around and I've been completely overwhelmed at times. I even called at one point to change my dining plan because I thought I wasn't going to get any ADRs. But don't give up hope! If you check the website regularly things will pop up - even some of your faves. Also check the November ADR cancellations thread to coordinate with folks who are canceling reservations. Lots of people who over-reserved 180 days ago are now canceling tons of reservations...

 

[NaturalLove]

i also do not like the new system, it is not very friendly to families that stay off site for fast passes as Disney hotel guests have a 30 day head start on us and you better start making your dining resv. at the 180 day mark or you will be eating dinner at either 4 pm or 9 pm

Yes, I noticed those staying on site get 60-days to reserve their FP and we only get 30. I guess they have to offer perks to attract their onsite guests.

I guess the sliver lining in the cloud is that i won't be dining at a ton of overpriced restaurants this time around.

 

[NaturalLove]

I haven't been in 15 years, so it's quite different planning this time around and I've been completely overwhelmed at times. I even called at one point to change my dining plan because I thought I wasn't going to get any ADRs. But don't give up hope! If you check the website regularly things will pop up - even some of your faves. Also check the November ADR cancellations thread to coordinate with folks who are canceling reservations. Lots of people who over-reserved 180 days ago are now canceling tons of reservations...

Great advice. I'll check the November ADR cancellation threads. I just need one or two reservations and I'm good.

 

[mrsmomo]

I have also noticed that people will cancel as the date gets closer.... I guess they are finalizing or canceling trips as well