Ok, starting to freak a little here

[kimmikayb]

I used to be an expert at WDW! But that was many moons ago and so much has changed. We especially chose this time of the year to go (we'll be there Feb. 1 to Feb. 7) because we're taking our two youngest (DD4 and DS2) and my husband tends to have little patience with crowds of people. Now I'm hearing that the value resorts are full, ressies are hard to come by (although we have lunch at CRT and HDD(R). We thought we'd play it by ear with everything else because of the age of our kids (and the temperment of not only the 2YO but husband!) and try to get into other places when we got there. Now I'm not so sure....I was able to do that in Oct. '99 but have things changed that much? Is the first week of February a busy time now? What should I try to get now? Aggg, I think I'm stressing myself out way too much. Do I get a Fastpass right away in the morning for long waiting lines? Will my kids miss Peterpan because of the 30+ waits (my kids won't tolerate those waits)? Was lunch ok at CRT? Will we be able to get into Fantasmic?

Don't laugh at me too hard, I'm usually a fairly calm and collected person but work will be hectic until the day we leave. And I'm also in a community play production that is about to open and ends the day before we leave. I feel like I'm not spending enough time planning this trip! I don't know where to start. Any good vibes/advice/hugs/tips appreciated!

 

[keriannhoward]

I don't think it'll be too crowded at all. I just got a FL res rate for Pop last Friday with no problems at all and made ADRs for Chef Mickeys on Friday night the 3rd and they had wide open availability almost all evening. Last year we went the 1st week of February and it was not busy at all, we stay away from WDW around President's Day but early in the month it's great.

 

[MissBubbles]

Don't feel bad. I think we all get this way at one point or the other trying to plan our trip to make it the best we can. Personally, I do get a FastPass right away for my top ride choice for each park - keep in mind that although you cannot get on the ride earlier than the stated time, you can get in the FastPass line any time after the time stated on the pass (ie if your FP is for 11:40 - 12:40 pm - you cannot get in line at 11:30 am but you can get in line at 4 pm).

Peter Pan is another story. I only found he was in Adventureland at MK and I didn't see him at any of the other parks, but the Fab5 (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto & Donald) are in every park as is Pooh, Tigger & Eeyore.

Take a deep breath and remember to have fun!!

 

[mtdevine615]

Just because they say the resorts a full doesn't really mean they're completly full. During slow times they will take sections of resorts off line. I know when we were at Pop last year I was talking to the Mgr. and he was saying that all of the buildings were open but some of the wings were closed. I know they also do this at POR and CBR.

 

[Tinkerbelll]

(ie if your FP is for 11:40 - 12:40 pm - you cannot get in line at 11:30 am but you can get in line at 4 pm).

I have never heard of this. I was just there in Oct. and you had to enter the ride between the times listed on your fastpass. Has there been a change in the policy?

 

[kimmikayb]

Thanks everyone, I really enjoy the people here. What about this....we booked over the internet on December 30th and I haven't received anything yet to confirm besides for the confirmation number they gave us over the internet?

 

[mousiemom]

Honey, don't worry about a thing. You will be fine. We were in WDW last yr the first week of February and the lines were great and the weather! Now, we went when it was Mardi Gras last yr for us and the Louisiana people and it was a little more crowded but you will not have to worry about that cause Mardi Gras falls later this year(Feb.28)
We are leaving this Friday and staying thru the 22nd and I hope the crowds are okay but we will have a magical time anyways!! Have Fun!
Pam

 

[philaround]

I have never heard of this. I was just there in Oct. and you had to enter the ride between the times listed on your fastpass. Has there been a change in the policy?

There has been no change in posted policy BUT some CMs will let you on with expired fast passes if the line is not very long.

 

[SeattleMark]

Take a deep breath...then subscribe to Tour Guide Mike (www.tourguidemike.com) He'll let you know how to tour the parks without having to worry about crowds, no matter what time of year!

 

[Lawshark]

I have never heard of this. I was just there in Oct. and you had to enter the ride between the times listed on your fastpass. Has there been a change in the policy?

There have certainly been a TON of stories on the DIS relating how late FPs were NOT accepted by a CM. Pretty much everytime someone posts information on using a FP late, you'll have 3 or 4 people on DIS chime in with a story about how it didn't work.

 

[Schmeck]

Don't count on the expired FP being accepted, and you'll be OK. If you do happen to miss the quoted timeframe, explain it to the CM, but be prepared to be turned away.

If riding Peter Pan is the most important thing to do at MK, then get a FP for it right away. Get to the park first thing each morning.

Just curious, but why can't your kids do lines? If they have disabilities, check the DisAbilities forum here for some great hints to help.