Oh Boy... SO overwhelming! Ill make it short and sweet, and see if I can get some expert advice!

[CarolynFH]

This must be new, but let me ask the obvious: the Uber driver stops the car, the Contemporary folks say, "You can't be dropped off." The car is stopped. What prevents you from getting out and calling, "Thanks!" to the Uber driver? Are they going to chase you down and stuff you back into a car?

The guard at the entrance to the CR/BLT parking lot stops the car and questions the occupants. If they aren't staying at CR and don't have an ADR there, the car is required to turn around just past the guardhouse and leave the grounds. There's no safe place to pull over and let the passengers out.

This has been in effect for quite some time now - the line of cars trying to enter the CR lot around rope drop was so long and backed up onto World Drive so far that it became a safety hazard, especially when you consider the resort buses coming up World Drive and turning left to enter the MK bus station.

 

[ImLovinIt]

The guard at the entrance to the CR/BLT parking lot stops the car and questions the occupants. If they aren't staying at CR and don't have an ADR there, the car is required to turn around just past the guardhouse and leave the grounds. There's no safe place to pull over and let the passengers out.

This has been in effect for quite some time now - the line of cars trying to enter the CR lot around rope drop was so long and backed up onto World Drive so far that it became a safety hazard, especially when you consider the resort buses coming up World Drive and turning left to enter the MK bus station.

Ill probably just make reservations at CR for an early bite and go

 

[TLSnell1981]

We make our parks reservations and plan for one table service meal each afternoon. I choose the three must do attractions and loosely plan our day. Nowadays it's hard to do much more. Forty plus years and hundreds of visits to the World...never been this difficult to plan a trip.

 

[MrsPete]

It's not really new it's just being enforced much more often now. I am not sure what they would do. Betting on them letting you in and if it goes south you need to play stupid and run away from security seems like a bad way to vacation and save 20 min..

I wasn't really suggesting anyone run -- just, if you were to exit the car and walking away, what could they do? Just thinking through "the rule" vs. "what can really happen".

I suspect they've started enforcement because Uber is a thing now, making this method a possibility. Without a drop-off, most people couldn't do this.

We make our parks reservations and plan for one table service meal each afternoon. I choose the three must do attractions and loosely plan our day. Nowadays it's hard to do much more. Forty plus years and hundreds of visits to the World...never been this difficult to plan a trip.

That sounds like a realistic plan. In between those three "must dos", you can fit in lots of other fun, and you won't come away feeling that you didn't accomplish half your list. In my opinion, the one sit-down meal is an absolute must, especially if you're visiting in the heat.

 

[CarolynFH]

I wasn't really suggesting anyone run -- just, if you were to exit the car and walking away, what could they do? Just thinking through "the rule" vs. "what can really happen".

They can penalize the driver of the car, i.e. the rideshare driver, for dropping off passengers in the wrong place. Remember, the car is stopped at the guard house, in the roadway, not at the entrance to the resort building itself.

 

[MrsPete]

They can penalize the driver of the car, i.e. the rideshare driver, for dropping off passengers in the wrong place. Remember, the car is stopped at the guard house, in the roadway, not at the entrance to the resort building itself.

Okay, I believe that.

 

[PinkPixel]

First timers here, so excited coming from Canada!

I can visit DW from May 12-19th. I am not staying on Disney, I will be 5min away. This will affect my ability to buy LL passes. I will be going on the weekdays mostly, might use a weekend day if needed (waterpark?) I am planning on buying 6 day for 2 adults and 2 kids, 5 yr old boy and 8 yr old girl. This should be enough for a park a day, plus a day at a waterpark, plus an extra day for whatever the kids favorite is or something we missed! My questions? Please help!
1) I will buy the G+ if I am advised to do so here, but do I need them for every theme park? It seems I might not need it for a couple parks for my visit time (week days May)
2) Will I also need LL passes for the 1 really popular attraction per park? If so, Ill buy them (early morning?). I want to hit all the main attractions!
3) Thinking of the children, please give me 1 great restaurant per park (per day) that I should reserve. Im looking myself, but suggestions are awesome! Want the kids to have a great dining experience!
4) Should I get the waterpark option for all 6 days I buy, or just buy 5 days for theme parks and get a waterpark pass on its own on a day I choose? Do the water parks fill up fast? Are they good in May?
5) Anything that I should not miss (if I am willing to spend) plz let me know. I have a boy and a girl. Things like bibbity bobbity, light saber making, those swappable pins the employees have etc. let me know what the best experiences are so I can reserve them for the kids!
6) Travel? I am 8 minutes from DW at my resort, not sure if I should rent a car, pay for parking (shuttle is closed due to covid), use Uber or Lyft.... so many options.

Or any thing I may be missing! I am planning it all now, started my account with MyDisney, and am going through the process. I want to be super prepared, (I know, dont try to do everything) because we won't often be able to get out on such a magical trip!

Love the board, and thank you thank you thank you ahead of time for any time anyone takes to respond! Have a great day!

Basic things that my children love and that I remember from being a child (my parents couldn't afford or didn't think were important on top what they had paid for)--Buy the balloons if they want them the first day, buy the water sprayer and bring back each day, but the popcorn bucket in a park, let them stare in windows on Main St. Let them spend time shopping or browsing after a ride and let them pick something small (you mentioned the pins, keychains etc) especially if your daughter likes Frozen (you will need a LL or G+). My daughter bought a small Elsa necklace, one trip and a doll the next, but she felt empowered picking it and wears it to school still. I remember my time in the gift shop obsessing over an Ariel figurine in the late 80s as much as anything else we did. Whatever their favorite character or movie is, let them buy that souvenir (it's a vacation), and meet that character. In the Magic Kingdom the Festival of Fantasy Parade is a magical experience for children and worth the trouble of finding a spot and staying there 30 minutes before.

 

[Miffy]

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this since I didn't read through every post, but a lot of kids (and adults) really enjoy the Disney transportation, especially if they don't use public transportation at home. Yes, I mean even the buses. And the monorail, the boats, and the Skyliner are all fun rides.

 

[ImLovinIt]

Thank you for all the wonderful replies! I am humbled by so many willing to help!
So far, I have parking, flights, outside park condo, 6 days of passes (may 12th-19th can use). Waiting for ticket numbers.... Undercover tourist is slow getting me these. I am going to follow much of the advice and plan some things, and leave others open to chance :
-Do 4 days 4 parks, then remaining 2 go back where kids like most, and hit things I may have missed
-Pack light but efficient for the park (small fanny packs for all)
-Be prepared for rain, have extra socks, some basic first aid and great shoes and comfy loose fitting clothing
-Get to the parking lots at open, and be ready for rope drop (except MK, I think I want them to experience the ride in at least once)
-Visit parks 2 days, rest a day repeat (my condo resort is awesome too, The Fountains)
-Reserve 1 memorable restaraunt a day
-Let the kids gravitate to what they like
-Not try to do it all
and so on.

So far I am still deciding on when and where I will buy the G+ and LL, but as mentioned, I don't have to decide now. Also need to buy magic bands.

 

[Meglen]

Thank you for all the wonderful replies! I am humbled by so many willing to help!
So far, I have parking, flights, outside park condo, 6 days of passes (may 12th-19th can use). Waiting for ticket numbers.... Undercover tourist is slow getting me these. I am going to follow much of the advice and plan some things, and leave others open to chance :
-Do 4 days 4 parks, then remaining 2 go back where kids like most, and hit things I may have missed
-Pack light but efficient for the park (small fanny packs for all)
-Be prepared for rain, have extra socks, some basic first aid and great shoes and comfy loose fitting clothing
-Get to the parking lots at open, and be ready for rope drop (except MK, I think I want them to experience the ride in at least once)
-Visit parks 2 days, rest a day repeat (my condo resort is awesome too, The Fountains)
-Reserve 1 memorable restaraunt a day
-Let the kids gravitate to what they like
-Not try to do it all
and so on.

So far I am still deciding on when and where I will buy the G+ and LL, but as mentioned, I don't have to decide now. Also need to buy magic bands.

When I did undercover I got my tickets pretty much instantly. Maybe contact them? Or check spam mail. I know I said this before but don't leave park days with no parks reservations. Even if you think you will change them atleast lock something in.

 

[Miffy]

When I did undercover I got my tickets pretty much instantly. Maybe contact them? Or check spam mail. I know I said this before but don't leave park days with no parks reservations. Even if you think you will change them atleast lock something in.

OP Make sure you do this. You do not want to leave any days without a park reservation. Yes, you won't know until you get there what parks your kids will want to do again, but by then there may be zero reservations available for those parks. You have to lock something in now. Take a best guess and make the reservations. And have a great trip!

 

[snwarf]

We are going to be there at the same time and I know this is probably an obvious statement - but just wanted to add that since we are within 60 days there is not much left from a dining perspective. Most of the recommendations for restaurants are not going to be available.

 

[vwlfan]

Personally if this is your first time I would not do a water park and spend all of your time at the 4 parks. I don‘t have kids but here are some TS restaurants they might enjoy.
MK - Be Our Guest, Liberty Tree Tavern, and Tony’s.
Epcot - Coral Reef, Chefs de France, Space220, Tutto Italia.
HS - 50’s Prime Time Cafe or Hollywood Brown Derby.
AK - Rainforest Cafe.

Counter Service
HS - PizzaRizzo
AK - Pizzafari

One of the best buffets on property is Boma at AKL. I would try to do dinner there if you can.

agree re the water park, not sure I agree with several of the restaurants recs, but everyone has different opinions

 

[ImLovinIt]

When I did undercover I got my tickets pretty much instantly. Maybe contact them? Or check spam mail. I know I said this before but don't leave park days with no parks reservations. Even if you think you will change them atleast lock something in.

They are requesting verification. I am attempting to get ahold of them over email and phone

OP Make sure you do this. You do not want to leave any days without a park reservation. Yes, you won't know until you get there what parks your kids will want to do again, but by then there may be zero reservations available for those parks. You have to lock something in now. Take a best guess and make the reservations. And have a great trip!

I got the tickets, reserved the park days, and now looking at dining. OOOPS!! ZERO DINING!! I mean, litterally nothing at all LOL!! Well that is a bummer

 

[ImLovinIt]

We are going to be there at the same time and I know this is probably an obvious statement - but just wanted to add that since we are within 60 days there is not much left from a dining perspective. Most of the recommendations for restaurants are not going to be available.

Yup, litteraly nothing at all. Zero.

 

[VandVsmama]

If one or both kids are big Star Wars fans, then you absolutely should do Savi’s Workshop. It’s really fun. Then mount the lightsaber on the wall when you get home. Use two of those broom-hanger command strip things and it turns it into a cool wall lamp. Seriously, it looks great.

Just do water park one day.

Hoop Dee Doo Revue at Ft Wilderness is not corny or lame. Everybody should experience it at least once in their lifetime. It’s a great dinner show to wrap up a Magic Kingdom day.

 

[VandVsmama]

There are ADR finder online services which you can use to scope out a hard to get ADR. In the meantime, keep looking every day.

Does not require ADR but is lovely and relaxing: Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge. Take the boat from MK to get there. Very relaxing and your kids can feed the ducks from the table.

Also a nice reprieve for some park down time and doesn’t require ADR: Primo Piatto at the Riviera. Eat here on a HS or Epcot day. Their food is very good and they have gelato.

At AK, lots of people like Flame Tree BBQ for QS. Another QS meal option on an AK day would be to take bus to AKL and eat QS at the Mara then spend some time sitting outside watching the animals go by. There’s a row of rocking chairs for that in AKL. Plus the lobby of that hotel is amazing.

 

[snwarf]

Yup, litteraly nothing at all. Zero.

Don't give up and keep trying. Use one of the free dining finder sites, too. We just decided this week to go that week and I've been able to get and/or see reservations for BOG, H&V, Sci-Fi, and others. It is sporadic and they go super fast, but they are popping in. Good luck!

 

[Miffy]

They are requesting verification. I am attempting to get ahold of them, emailed, the chat doesn't work, phon

I got the tickets, reserved the park days, and now looking at dining. OOOPS!! ZERO DINING!! I mean, litterally nothing at all LOL!! Well that is a huge loss.

No no no! Keep trying. Things pop up. Yesterday my sister was able to get Oga's for May 9th. So: (a) keep trying, and (b) maybe subscribe to one of the free reservation-finder things. But do not give up!

 

[ImLovinIt]

No no no! Keep trying. Things pop up. Yesterday my sister was able to get Oga's for May 9th. So: (a) keep trying, and (b) maybe subscribe to one of the free reservation-finder things. But do not give up!

I am going to pay a few bucks for several alerts for dining. Its worth it for me. Ill set up alerts for all the character experiences and see what I can get. We will return to DW in a year or 2... I won't miss then. I am incredibly persistent!