******Official 2017 Free Dining Plan Watch, Wait, and Dream

[pghmom]

Anyone feel up for critiquing my ADRs? We're on site for 7 nights - 2 adults, 2 kids.

 

[tink1957]

Anyone feel up for critiquing my ADRs? We're on site for 7 nights - 2 adults, 2 kids.

Go for it

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

What?!?! What is this you speak of and where can I find more information on it? I don't think I've heard of this but it sounds awesome!

Here you go:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/express-transportation-options/

The 7day ticket offers the best value IMO. Big time-saver if planning on doing a a lot of hopping.

 

[ThistleMae]

My driving plan so far is: To move the car to where we will end up. We usually hop to at least two parks, but we may take the boat to HS, then back to MK and then to Epcot. So we will strategically plan once we have our FP+ and know where we will end up. I don't mind taking the monorail, plus we have Ohana to eat at, which is also on the line, so it will be convenient. I've always used the transportation system as we always stay onsite, except for this summer. First time doing it by car...hopefully we will enjoy the ride!

 

[JackieO]

There is an Express transportation system now and it goes from inside a park to inside another park. It is AWESOME!!!! If you hop, this saves SO MUCH TIME!!!!

Have you used it? I am really thinking about it but it almost seems too good to be true.

 

[pghmom]

Saturday - arrive (driving/flying TBD); 7:45pm 1900 PF
Sunday - MK; 8:40am Crystal Palace, 12:40pm BOG
Monday - HS; 8:10am 1900 PF, 4:45pm H&V Fantasmic; 6:30pm Beaches & Cream (only going for ice cream, will try to adjust time)
Tuesday - 8:05am 'Ohana, MNSSHP
Wednesday - EP; 9:45am Akershus
Thursday - MK; 8:30am BOG, 6:10pm BOG
Friday - AK; 8:05am Tusker House
Saturday - 8:05am Kona Cafe, check out

ETA: Note, our daughters will be newly 3 and 4.5 at the time of our trip. Beauty & the Beast is a HUGE hit with them right now, hence all of the BOG stuff.

 

[ThistleMae]

Here you go:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/express-transportation-options/

The 7day ticket offers the best value IMO. Big time-saver if planning on doing a a lot of hopping.

This sounds like it would be worth it.

 

[JackieO]

Saturday - arrive (driving/flying TBD); 7:45pm 1900 PF
Sunday - MK; 8:40am Crystal Palace, 12:40pm BOG
Monday - HS; 8:10am 1900 PF, 4:45pm H&V Fantasmic; 6:30pm Beaches & Cream (only going for ice cream, will try to adjust time)
Tuesday - 8:05am 'Ohana, MNSSHP
Wednesday - EP; 9:45am Akershus
Thursday - MK; 8:30am BOG, 6:10pm BOG
Friday - AK; 8:05am Tusker House
Saturday - 8:05am Kona Cafe, check out

ETA: Note, our daughters will be newly 3 and 4.5 at the time of our trip. Beauty & the Beast is a HUGE hit with them right now, hence all of the BOG stuff.

That's a lot of BOG but I totally get it. Do what the kids love and will remember. We just love BOG and always try to do it at least twice a trip. The only thing that jumps out at me is your Sunday. A big breakfast at 8:40 and then lunch four hours later would be tough for my family. When we do big sit down breakfasts we have to do a really late lunch/early dinner and snacks. But I don't have littles anymore so take that for what it's worth. It looks like a ton of fun.

 

[KimBean]

All the times we've been to disney, we've never used park hopper before. Just always did 1 park per day. I assume it will be required for FD again this year, and we're trying to figure out how to take advantage of it. Like maybe extra magic morning hours wherever, than switch to another park? MK during the day on MVMCP days, than hop to EPCOT at night? Is that how you all do it?

I'm with you I need to figure this out too. I'm waiting on knowing my real set in dates. Then I'm going to create touring plans both ways and make a decision before ADR day so I definitely need ideas on strategies.

 

[pghmom]

That's a lot of BOG but I totally get it. Do what the kids love and will remember. We just love BOG and always try to do it at least twice a trip. The only thing that jumps out at me is your Sunday. A big breakfast at 8:40 and then lunch four hours later would be tough for my family. When we do big sit down breakfasts we have to do a really late lunch/early dinner and snacks. But I don't have littles anymore so take that for what it's worth. It looks like a ton of fun.

You're totally right about Sunday. I'm checking daily for an 8a CP, but no luck so far. If I can get an earlier breakfast, I think that will help. I don't want to push the lunch too late in case they end up stroller napping.

 

[Kudmani]

Saturday - arrive (driving/flying TBD); 7:45pm 1900 PF
Sunday - MK; 8:40am Crystal Palace, 12:40pm BOG
Monday - HS; 8:10am 1900 PF, 4:45pm H&V Fantasmic; 6:30pm Beaches & Cream (only going for ice cream, will try to adjust time)
Tuesday - 8:05am 'Ohana, MNSSHP
Wednesday - EP; 9:45am Akershus
Thursday - MK; 8:30am BOG, 6:10pm BOG
Friday - AK; 8:05am Tusker House
Saturday - 8:05am Kona Cafe, check out

ETA: Note, our daughters will be newly 3 and 4.5 at the time of our trip. Beauty & the Beast is a HUGE hit with them right now, hence all of the BOG stuff.

I think it might be stressful to make it from H&V to Beaches & Cream (also to make it back for your Fantasmic! seating). Maybe try to find a Beaches & Cream late afternoon/evening reservation for your Epcot day on Wednesday?

 

[Ahuck06]

ok

Saturday - arrive (driving/flying TBD); 7:45pm 1900 PF
Sunday - MK; 8:40am Crystal Palace, 12:40pm BOG
Monday - HS; 8:10am 1900 PF, 4:45pm H&V Fantasmic; 6:30pm Beaches & Cream (only going for ice cream, will try to adjust time)
Tuesday - 8:05am 'Ohana, MNSSHP
Wednesday - EP; 9:45am Akershus
Thursday - MK; 8:30am BOG, 6:10pm BOG
Friday - AK; 8:05am Tusker House
Saturday - 8:05am Kona Cafe, check out

ETA: Note, our daughters will be newly 3 and 4.5 at the time of our trip. Beauty & the Beast is a HUGE hit with them right now, hence all of the BOG stuff.

Not sure where youre staying but on your monday if u want to save a bit of travel with little ones, I heard Hollywood and Vine in HS is great for toddlers. Disney Jr characters like Sophia and doc McStuffins for breakfast then Minnie and friends for lunch and Dinner.

 

[pghmom]

I think it might be stressful to make it from H&V to Beaches & Cream (also to make it back for your Fantasmic! seating). Maybe try to find a Beaches & Cream late afternoon/evening reservation for your Epcot day on Wednesday?

Oh, that's a great idea! Thank you!

 

[Ahuck06]

ok


Not sure where youre staying but on your monday if u want to save a bit of travel with little ones, I heard Hollywood and Vine in HS is great for toddlers. Disney Jr characters like Sophia and doc McStuffins for breakfast then Minnie and friends for lunch and Dinner.

Nevermind, I see you already have Hollywood & Vine in there!! LOL

 

[pghmom]

Switched our Beaches & Cream to Wednesday (Epcot day) at 4:30. That will free up Monday at HS and give us some variety on Wednesday. Yay!

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

Have you used it? I am really thinking about it but it almost seems too good to be true.

I'm not the poster you quoted but will respond anyway. It is a great option to have. The pick-up locations are in the link I posted. Notice you don't have to go to the main entrance of the park to hop on the bus.

Big time saver if, for example you're in the back of AK the pick-up spot is near KS. This saves you the 15-20 minute walk to main entrance of AK to board a regular bus.

The location in MK is good if your in or near Tomorrowland. Not so good if your back in Frontierland but still better than walking to MK exit to get on regular busses.

I feel like there should be 2 of these locations in EPCOT. If you're back by the American pavilion in World Showcase you've got a decent walk to get to the pick-up location near Spaceship Earth.

HS is small (at the moment) so this is where the advantage is not as great as the other parks. Especially if coming from EPCOT due to the boats that run back and forth between these two parks.

The biggest advantage IMO is not having to wait on security lines to enter the park your hopping to. The Express Transportation busses drop you off inside the park.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

I think it might be stressful to make it from H&V to Beaches & Cream (also to make it back for your Fantasmic! seating). Maybe try to find a Beaches & Cream late afternoon/evening reservation for your Epcot day on Wednesday?

I agree with this. Not enough time to eat @ H&V then make it to B&C for dessert

ETA: Nevermind. Just saw you changed plans.

 

[sharonabe]

The biggest advantage IMO is not having to wait on security lines to enter the park your hopping to. The Express Transportation busses drop you off inside the park.

The other big advantage is there is a SCHEDULE. You'll know what time each bus is leaving, so you know when to be at the pickup location. Please note that they leave exactly when they say they will leave. If it's 10:10, the leave at 10:10, not 10:11. No more going out to the bus stop and seeing the bus you wanted pull away and having to wait 20 min for the next one.

 

[pghmom]

I agree with this. Not enough time to eat @ H&V then make it to B&C for dessert

ETA: Nevermind. Just saw you changed plans.

No worries - y'all were right! I didn't even think of moving days. Wasn't seeing the forest for the trees, or something like that..

 

[Elsaalltheway]

I'm not the poster you quoted but will respond anyway. It is a great option to have. The pick-up locations are in the link I posted. Notice you don't have to go to the main entrance of the park to hop on the bus.

Big time saver if, for example you're in the back of AK the pick-up spot is near KS. This saves you the 15-20 minute walk to main entrance of AK to board a regular bus.

The location in MK is good if your in or near Tomorrowland. Not so good if your back in Frontierland but still better than walking to MK exit to get on regular busses.

I feel like there should be 2 of these locations in EPCOT. If you're back by the American pavilion in World Showcase you've got a decent walk to get to the pick-up location near Spaceship Earth.

HS is small (at the moment) so this is where the advantage not as great as the other parks. Especially if coming from EPCOT due to the boats that run back and forth between these two parks.

The biggest advantage IMO is not having to wait on security lines to enter the park your hopping to. The Express Transportation busses drop you off inside the park.

I'm really thinking about doing it. Will probably buy tickets second day in since we are going for nine and its only good for seven days.