***Official November 2016 Thread***

[kaybee1476]

In Texas we can vote early and we definitely will be. Once my husband realized it was election day he was sad.

My husband is worried there will be riots and we won't be able to get home!

 

[hulagirl87]

In Texas we can vote early and we definitely will be. Once my husband realized it was election day he was sad.

Mine too! And he's already said that when we get back to the room he will be watching the tv all night to see who wins. I have been googling and it doesn't look like New York has early voting. I wish we did. I'm nervous about the absentee ballot thing.

On the up side, 5 weeks from today we will be getting ready to head to the airport to leave for Disney!!! yay!!!

 

[Shane20]

You make me worried about the election if I can't go back to Canada

 

[wmjeffer]

You make me worried about the election if I can't go back to Canada

I think, no matter the outcome of the election, there will be a lot of upset people, but I just can't see it affecting travel at all!

 

[lancgirl]

Agree it helped us find our BOG dinner

Congrats on both Ohana and Beaches & Cream we have both of those too

I have also had great luck with TP Res finder! Lifesaver- better 'Ohana time, Tusker House and the HDDR 6:15Pm res once it FINALLY opened! LOL

 

[lancgirl]

Had some sad news today, my parents are not able to join us for our trip due to health problems. I am worried for my stepmom, she loves WDW, and for her to tell me that she cannot go worries me. We were booked for AoA with free dining, but my friend/Disney TA talked me into upgrading to a deluxe (our original hotel was for BC). She called me back and said that they only have a room at AKL Savanna view bunkbed room. I took it but still sad my parents will not be able to join us.

I'm sorry to hear that. We are also currently booked to travel with my parents. My grandmother is not doing well and my Mom and Dad may need to back out. Definitely disappointing. Glad you could get in at AKL. Question- did you modify your dining yet? I'm nervous about the prospect of changing everything from 6 to 4 people. I think it should be OK, but changing anything I've busted my tush to get makes me nervous!

 

[lancgirl]

Noticed there is FEA availability on 11/17 in the evening now. When I first made FP+ there was nothing for that day!

 

[gorkt]

I am voting absentee.

 

[FLkid]

Sooo I just got back from Disney last week (after not being since February) anddd the gf informed me that she would realllly like to experience F&W again before it's over (it was her first F&W and she loved it)

So we've just booked one night the first week of nov ugh so excited!

 

[Astryd]

Just in case anyone is going to be at MK on Thanksgiving day, there are Fastpasses available beginning at 8am, I was checking availability and an 8am SDMT showed up.

 

[wdwnut61]

Happy October 1st
We are going to Disney next month ​

 

[CandiceF]

43 DAYS!!!! October is going to fly by!

 

[TJDisneymama]

43 DAYS!!!! October is going to fly by!

Ha, I was just thinking its probably going to DRAG!!


Although this is I believe my first trip ever that im going in the first half of the month......yep.......every other trip has been the second half of the month,and that is always TORTURE. So im super excited about that, lol. Once we hit nov. 1st, it will be practically time!! (7th)

 

[Momto3:2016]

First, I am afraid that I am starting to over plan and worry about every little detail. However, I hate it when we go anywhere and everyone(DH)is asking what to do next and it seems to always be left up to me to decide anyway. So, I am going to make a touring plan, I will be flexible with it, but for my sanity I need to be able to say, hey let's do this next or let's stop here and get a snack.

So first the travelers: Me, DH, ODS 8yo, DD 5yo, and YDS 17 months. We have not been since 2013 and at that time we only did 1 day of Epcot and 1 day of Magic Kingdom. The kids normal schedule is to wake up between 5:30-6:30, breakfast shortly after. The eat lunch normally at 11, and we have dinner @5:30. They are normally asleep @ 6:30 for the baby and 9:00 for the big kids. We are driving and will spend the 1st part of our vacation at the Kennedy Space Center and beach.

So here's my itinerary with ADRs. We're staying offsite, so I'll start making FP starting the 7th!

3rd- we'll leave our house around 7:30pm, it's an estimated 13 hour drive. DH works nights so will probably drive most of the time

4th- Kennedy Space Center with rocket launch @ 5:40pm

5th- Beach? Need ideas in which if anyone is familiar with this area. We're spending the night in Titusville. I'm thinking Melbourne Beach. We will stop and get groceries on the waybto Orlando then check into our townhouse in Windsor Hills.

6th- Magic Kingdom 9a-9p
BOG @ 11:15
The plan is to do this as Fantasyland/Tomorrowland

7th- Epcot 9a-9p- possibly go to HS 1st
Garden Grill @5:50pm

8th- MK 9a-3p I would like to be out before party guests come in- do Adventureland and Frontierland- Disney Springs in the evening
Cape May Breakfast @ 7:40am

9th Epcot 9a-9p

10th- HS - may make this a late arrival and not rope drop OR go to MK from 9-1 then on to HS
Sci-Fi @ 5:20pm

11th- Animal Kingdom 9a-7p

12th- Magic Kingdom 9a-1p We will need to sleep some before driving back @ night
Crystal Palace @ 8:20am

So major questions:
1. Is this enough time for each park?
2. Any ADRs you would change? I also have a 1900 PF @ 11:30 on both 11/10 and 11/11, but I don't know that I want to leave a park for a meal. I also do not want more than 3 character meals as we will be paying OOP.
3. DH would love LTT for lunch, which day looks the best to add this?

Any suggestions are welcome. We have hoppers only because it was cheaper to get those than base tickets, but I keep feeling that since I have them I should be using them more.

 

[wmjeffer]

First, I am afraid that I am starting to over plan and worry about every little detail. However, I hate it when we go anywhere and everyone(DH)is asking what to do next and it seems to always be left up to me to decide anyway. So, I am going to make a touring plan, I will be flexible with it, but for my sanity I need to be able to say, hey let's do this next or let's stop here and get a snack.

So first the travelers: Me, DH, ODS 8yo, DD 5yo, and YDS 17 months. We have not been since 2013 and at that time we only did 1 day of Epcot and 1 day of Magic Kingdom. The kids normal schedule is to wake up between 5:30-6:30, breakfast shortly after. The eat lunch normally at 11, and we have dinner @5:30. They are normally asleep @ 6:30 for the baby and 9:00 for the big kids. We are driving and will spend the 1st part of our vacation at the Kennedy Space Center and beach.

So here's my itinerary with ADRs. We're staying offsite, so I'll start making FP starting the 7th!

3rd- we'll leave our house around 7:30pm, it's an estimated 13 hour drive. DH works nights so will probably drive most of the time

4th- Kennedy Space Center with rocket launch @ 5:40pm

5th- Beach? Need ideas in which if anyone is familiar with this area. We're spending the night in Titusville. I'm thinking Melbourne Beach. We will stop and get groceries on the waybto Orlando then check into our townhouse in Windsor Hills.

6th- Magic Kingdom 9a-9p
BOG @ 11:15
The plan is to do this as Fantasyland/Tomorrowland

7th- Epcot 9a-9p- possibly go to HS 1st
Garden Grill @5:50pm

8th- MK 9a-3p I would like to be out before party guests come in- do Adventureland and Frontierland- Disney Springs in the evening
Cape May Breakfast @ 7:40am

9th Epcot 9a-9p

10th- HS - may make this a late arrival and not rope drop OR go to MK from 9-1 then on to HS
Sci-Fi @ 5:20pm

11th- Animal Kingdom 9a-7p

12th- Magic Kingdom 9a-1p We will need to sleep some before driving back @ night
Crystal Palace @ 8:20am

So major questions:
1. Is this enough time for each park?
2. Any ADRs you would change? I also have a 1900 PF @ 11:30 on both 11/10 and 11/11, but I don't know that I want to leave a park for a meal. I also do not want more than 3 character meals as we will be paying OOP.
3. DH would love LTT for lunch, which day looks the best to add this?

Any suggestions are welcome. We have hoppers only because it was cheaper to get those than base tickets, but I keep feeling that since I have them I should be using them more.

Hi there! I'm no expert, but I have a couple trips under my belt (one with a toddler), so I'll give you my opinion

My first thought is that you have some very long days! Are you planning on afternoon breaks? If you're doing rope drop AND closing, I think afternoon breaks may be a must with your little ones! We're not doing afternoon breaks this year (with my almost 3 year old), but that's because we are touring from rope drop to 2-3pm, then back to our condo for nap, swimming, playground, whatever she needs (she is no longer napping every day).

1. I think you're making the most of your time (maybe even a tad ambitious with your ages!)
2. With the Cape May Breakfast you may not get to MK before rope drop, if that's important to you. 1900 PF is easier to get when you're at a monorail park, but you can always leave the park if the ADR is a priority.
3.For some, having breakfast and lunch ADR's is a bit too much - so much food! Both of the days that you have an opening to lunch and are touring MK you have buffets for breakfast - are you sure you'll be hungry enough for LTT a couple hours later?

 

[Momto3:2016]

Hi there! I'm no expert, but I have a couple trips under my belt (one with a toddler), so I'll give you my opinion

My first thought is that you have some very long days! Are you planning on afternoon breaks? If you're doing rope drop AND closing, I think afternoon breaks may be a must with your little ones! We're not doing afternoon breaks this year (with my almost 3 year old), but that's because we are touring from rope drop to 2-3pm, then back to our condo for nap, swimming, playground, whatever she needs (she is no longer napping every day).

1. I think you're making the most of your time (maybe even a tad ambitious with your ages!)
2. With the Cape May Breakfast you may not get to MK before rope drop, if that's important to you. 1900 PF is easier to get when you're at a monorail park, but you can always leave the park if the ADR is a priority.
3.For some, having breakfast and lunch ADR's is a bit too much - so much food! Both of the days that you have an opening to lunch and are touring MK you have buffets for breakfast - are you sure you'll be hungry enough for LTT a couple hours later?

Thanks for your input.
1. I'm worried the rope drop to close might be a bit too much to. We will be renting a double stroller and I'm bringing my carrier and know the baby will nap in that. I'm thinking that 1st day it may be easiest to leave and come back because it is such a long day, but the kids might be too excited to want to leave. I really want to see Wishes, but if they seem overly tired we will leave before then. Same with the Epcot days, I'd like to awe Illuminations at least once, but we'll leaves if needed. The other days the parks closed at 7, so I *think* they'll be OK then.
2. As long as we hit rope drop once for the welcome show, I'm fine not hitting the rope drop on this day.
3. Yeah, I think doing both in a day might be do much. If we do MK the morning of the 10th and eat lunch LTT @11ish would be OK to do Sci-Fi that night? I'm thinking the kids would like Sci-fi, but I'd be OK to skip it.
Ideally, I want to have a plan but also stay flexible to the kids' needs. It's just hard when we haven't been since 2013 to come up with a plan. Then at 5 and 2 we went from almost rope drop I think we were there from 9:30-we walked out as Wishes and Illuminations were starting.

 

[Momto3:2016]

First, I am afraid that I am starting to over plan and worry about every little detail. However, I hate it when we go anywhere and everyone(DH)is asking what to do next and it seems to always be left up to me to decide anyway. So, I am going to make a touring plan, I will be flexible with it, but for my sanity I need to be able to say, hey let's do this next or let's stop here and get a snack.

So first the travelers: Me, DH, ODS 8yo, DD 5yo, and YDS 17 months. We have not been since 2013 and at that time we only did 1 day of Epcot and 1 day of Magic Kingdom. The kids normal schedule is to wake up between 5:30-6:30, breakfast shortly after. The eat lunch normally at 11, and we have dinner @5:30. They are normally asleep @ 6:30 for the baby and 9:00 for the big kids. We are driving and will spend the 1st part of our vacation at the Kennedy Space Center and beach.

So here's my itinerary with ADRs. We're staying offsite, so I'll start making FP starting the 7th!

3rd- we'll leave our house around 7:30pm, it's an estimated 13 hour drive. DH works nights so will probably drive most of the time

4th- Kennedy Space Center with rocket launch @ 5:40pm

5th- Beach? Need ideas in which if anyone is familiar with this area. We're spending the night in Titusville. I'm thinking Melbourne Beach. We will stop and get groceries on the waybto Orlando then check into our townhouse in Windsor Hills.

6th- Magic Kingdom 9a-9p
BOG @ 11:15
The plan is to do this as Fantasyland/Tomorrowland

7th- Epcot 9a-9p- possibly go to HS 1st
Garden Grill @5:50pm

8th- MK 9a-3p I would like to be out before party guests come in- do Adventureland and Frontierland- Disney Springs in the evening
Cape May Breakfast @ 7:40am

9th Epcot 9a-9p

10th- HS - may make this a late arrival and not rope drop OR go to MK from 9-1 then on to HS
Sci-Fi @ 5:20pm

11th- Animal Kingdom 9a-7p

12th- Magic Kingdom 9a-1p We will need to sleep some before driving back @ night
Crystal Palace @ 8:20am

So major questions:
1. Is this enough time for each park?
2. Any ADRs you would change? I also have a 1900 PF @ 11:30 on both 11/10 and 11/11, but I don't know that I want to leave a park for a meal. I also do not want more than 3 character meals as we will be paying OOP.
3. DH would love LTT for lunch, which day looks the best to add this?

Any suggestions are welcome. We have hoppers only because it was cheaper to get those than base tickets, but I keep feeling that since I have them I should be using them more.

So follow-up to my question above: If you have small kids and 7 day hoppers how would you spend your days? My kids are early risers. Can someone break down their basic itinerary? I don't want to over schedule, but we might not be back for awhile. Ideally we would like to return before the youngest turns 3, but you never know. So, I'd like to make the mostbofbour time in the parks but I don't want to go home feeling like we need another vacation.

 

[wmjeffer]

Thanks for your input.
1. I'm worried the rope drop to close might be a bit too much to. We will be renting a double stroller and I'm bringing my carrier and know the baby will nap in that. I'm thinking that 1st day it may be easiest to leave and come back because it is such a long day, but the kids might be too excited to want to leave. I really want to see Wishes, but if they seem overly tired we will leave before then. Same with the Epcot days, I'd like to awe Illuminations at least once, but we'll leaves if needed. The other days the parks closed at 7, so I *think* they'll be OK then.
2. As long as we hit rope drop once for the welcome show, I'm fine not hitting the rope drop on this day.
3. Yeah, I think doing both in a day might be do much. If we do MK the morning of the 10th and eat lunch LTT @11ish would be OK to do Sci-Fi that night? I'm thinking the kids would like Sci-fi, but I'd be OK to skip it.
Ideally, I want to have a plan but also stay flexible to the kids' needs. It's just hard when we haven't been since 2013 to come up with a plan. Then at 5 and 2 we went from almost rope drop I think we were there from 9:30-we walked out as Wishes and Illuminations were starting.

1. I think you have the right idea - just play it by ear and be flexible! Every kid is different, and you'll have a much better idea of what touring style is best for your family once you get there!
2. Ok, no problem then!
3. I think ADR's for lunch and dinner are doable, especially when they're not buffets!

So follow-up to my question above: If you have small kids and 7 day hoppers how would you spend your days? My kids are early risers. Can someone break down their basic itinerary? I don't want to over schedule, but we might not be back for awhile. Ideally we would like to return before the youngest turns 3, but you never know. So, I'd like to make the most of our time in the parks but I don't want to go home feeling like we need another vacation.

My daughter used to be an early riser when we went to Disney last year, and we rope dropped extra magic hours and had PPO reservations to maximize the before nap. It looks like you're already doing that, other than EMH from being off-site.

This year, I'll have my daughter again (turning 3 on the trip), plus my mom and a family friend. We also have 7 day park-hoppers, but we're not actually planning on park hopping with my daughter - since we have three adults, pairs of us will be going out in the evening while someone is at the condo with her. We're leaving this flexible though, depending on how tired we are, we may not be hopping as much as we hope!

Right now, our plan is:

November 9: Arrive at MCO at 1:30pm. Check-in at condo, grocery shopping, and settling in.

November 10: Magic Kingdom. Rope drop. BOG lunch.

November 11: Animal Kingdom. Rope drop. Tusker House lunch.

November 12: Day off (high crowd day). I currently have a late breakfast reservation at O'Hana, but not sure if we'll keep it. My mom and I will probably go out this evening, but I'm not sure where yet! I'd love to go to Epcot, but it might be madness - the last Saturday of F&W!

November 13: Magic Kingdom. Rope drop. Plaza lunch. Currently have a dinner reservation at Cape May's, but undecided!

November 14: Epcot. Rope drop. Rides in Future World, then eating around the world as soon as WS opens (Kidcot for my daughter!). Hoping for an afternoon FEA fastpass on this day! Going to Contemporary in evening to see Wishes from afar.

November 15: Magic Kingdom. Rope drop. Liberty Tree Tavern lunch.

November 16: Departure day! DHS. Leave for MCO by 1pm (4:30pm flight).

 

[Momto3:2016]

1. I think you have the right idea - just play it by ear and be flexible! Every kid is different, and you'll have a much better idea of what touring style is best for your family once you get there!
2. Ok, no problem then!
3. I think ADR's for lunch and dinner are doable, especially when they're not buffets!



My daughter used to be an early riser when we went to Disney last year, and we rope dropped extra magic hours and had PPO reservations to maximize the before nap. It looks like you're already doing that, other than EMH from being off-site.

This year, I'll have my daughter again (turning 3 on the trip), plus my mom and a family friend. We also have 7 day park-hoppers, but we're not actually planning on park hopping with my daughter - since we have three adults, pairs of us will be going out in the evening while someone is at the condo with her. We're leaving this flexible though, depending on how tired we are, we may not be hopping as much as we hope!

Right now, our plan is:

November 9: Arrive at MCO at 1:30pm. Check-in at condo, grocery shopping, and settling in.

November 10: Magic Kingdom. Rope drop. BOG lunch.

November 11: Animal Kingdom. Rope drop. Tusker House lunch.

November 12: Day off (high crowd day). I currently have a late breakfast reservation at O'Hana, but not sure if we'll keep it. My mom and I will probably go out this evening, but I'm not sure where yet! I'd love to go to Epcot, but it might be madness - the last Saturday of F&W!

November 13: Magic Kingdom. Rope drop. Plaza lunch. Currently have a dinner reservation at Cape May's, but undecided!

November 14: Epcot. Rope drop. Rides in Future World, then eating around the world as soon as WS opens (Kidcot for my daughter!). Hoping for an afternoon FEA fastpass on this day! Going to Contemporary in evening to see Wishes from afar.

November 15: Magic Kingdom. Rope drop. Liberty Tree Tavern lunch.

November 16: Departure day! DHS. Leave for MCO by 1pm (4:30pm flight).

Thanks! I hope you have a great trip! I think I'll look at what my plans would be with no hopping and then if the kids are up to it we'll go to a different park at night. On the days you rope drop do you just plan to be in the park until your old is tired or so you set a time to leave? I think this is my biggest hang-up. I really want to be flexible, but I don't want anyone asking what's next, so I feel like I need to have every step planned.

 

[wmjeffer]

Thanks! I hope you have a great trip! I think I'll look at what my plans would be with no hopping and then if the kids are up to it we'll go to a different park at night. On the days you rope drop do you just plan to be in the park until your old is tired or so you set a time to leave? I think this is my biggest hang-up. I really want to be flexible, but I don't want anyone asking what's next, so I feel like I need to have every step planned.

I totally understand this feeling! I'm a huge planner and I tried to plan out everything last time, and it definitely back-fired on me. Honestly, we just tried to do too much. I planned all of our days so much that we didn't have enough down time for shopping, snacks, letting my daughter run around somewhere. Not enough "mosey" time, as my mom would say This time, I'm planning our days until lunch and then each day is pretty open for whatever is striking our fancy (4th fastpasses, shopping, relaxing somewhere, anytime attractions, etc.). The plan is to say as long as we want, or until one of us gets tired or if my daughter starts getting overstimulated.

If you want something in-between having concrete plans or winging it, have you seen Josh's touring guides? (MK guide as example: http://www.easywdw.com/easy/magic-k...s-rope-drop-wait-times-and-fastpass-priority/). His maps and plans are really excellent!

FYI - we're staying at Windsor Hills too! It's our first time there and we're excited for the playground and pool! (hopefully it'll be warm enough - it definitely was last year!).