Omigosh!

[Locomigo]

So I was looking at some of the TGM suggested iteneraries, and wouldnt you know it, my original plan calls for us being in the 4th choice park, UGH!

Okay, so lets see here; what are the options?
Well, not a great deal, but lets try anyway.
My ADRs were centered around the park choices, so most would need to be changed.
I suppose that is first. If we can not secure other dates and change them around, I would think that we are stuck with what we have.

I did look at what it would take to change it up and get better crowd choices according to his methods.

Are TGM's methods sound and recommended by yall? Or should I roll the bones and try on my own inexperienced ideas?

This is what would have to change for ADRs:
Crystal Palace/MK - from Sat 10/13 to Sun 10/14
Donald's Breakfast/AK - from Mon 10/15 to Sat 10/13
50s Prime Time/H&V/MGM - from Sun 10/14 to Mon 10/15
Garden Grill/Epcot - from Fri 10/19 to Thu 10/18 (This is to be Bday dinner celebration)

Do you think that is possible with 32 days left to do?

I suppose I can try and see what happens.

THOUGHTS? and MANY thanks!

 

[lovetoscrap]

Do you have Park Hoppers? I would probably just Hop to my ADR if I really felt it was a problem but give me some more info.

What day is the problem? All of them or just one specific day?

What is your current day of the week (M, T, W etc) and park plan? I could figure it out from the info you have given here but I am fixing dinner and dont' have time. I will check back in a bit.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Also, just looking quickly at your dates this is a fairly slow time of year relatively speaking so I am thinking your crowd levels will not be bad no matter where you are.

 

[lovetoscrap]

So I was looking at some of the TGM suggested iteneraries, and wouldnt you know it, my original plan calls for us being in the 4th choice park, UGH!

Okay, so lets see here; what are the options?
Well, not a great deal, but lets try anyway.
My ADRs were centered around the park choices, so most would need to be changed.
I suppose that is first. If we can not secure other dates and change them around, I would think that we are stuck with what we have.

I did look at what it would take to change it up and get better crowd choices according to his methods.

Are TGM's methods sound and recommended by yall? Or should I roll the bones and try on my own inexperienced ideas?

This is what would have to change for ADRs:
Crystal Palace/MK - from Sat 10/13 to Sun 10/14
Donald's Breakfast/AK - from Mon 10/15 to Sat 10/13
50s Prime Time/H&V/MGM - from Sun 10/14 to Mon 10/15
Garden Grill/Epcot - from Fri 10/19 to Thu 10/18 (This is to be Bday dinner celebration)

Do you think that is possible with 32 days left to do?

I suppose I can try and see what happens.

THOUGHTS? and MANY thanks!

Okay, I have never used TGM, but have heard good things about him. But I am also a compulsive planner that has never had a problem with crowds when I have gone because I have planned carefully.

It looks like your plan right now is:
Fri: Epcot
Sat: MK
Sun: MGM
Mon: AK

Is this right? You have other dates in here so I am assuming you are going to be at the parks other days also? It would help if you gave a full plan and also are you staying on Disney Property and planning to use EMH or not?

The biggest no-no I see is that I NEVER go to MK on Saturday. All the others will probably be okay but Saturday is just the WORST day of the week, no matter what time of year to be at MK. What meal are you doing CP? If you have Park Hoppers I would just keep the ressie and plan to just go to a different park before or after the meal as I said before, especially if it is for breakfast.

The biggest reason that TGM is listing those as 4th is that you have arranged to be at the EMH park each day. That means higher crowds. Again, if you have hoppers or are staying on site makes a difference here. IF you are on site, and are NOT planning to pay for the hopping option then you may want to stick with what you have because you will actually have extra hours to enjoy each park.

 

[Locomigo]

Okay, well I thought I had thrown enough info into the first post, Ill try to improve.

Basing off of TGM's info, the current schedule has parks in yellow or red.
MK - Sat 10/13 (910A ADR @ CP)
MGM - Sun 10/14 (1155A ADR @ 50s, 5P ADR @ H/V w/F!)
AK - Mon 10/15 (920A ADR @ DB)
Epcot - Fri 10/19 (evening, morning will be @ BB) (610P ADR @ GG)


To change things up, and be into the green and #1/2 selection for the day these changes need to occur:
Crystal Palace/MK - from Sat 10/13 to Sun 10/14
Donald's Breakfast/AK - from Mon 10/15 to Sat 10/13
50s Prime Time/H&V/MGM - from Sun 10/14 to Mon 10/15
Garden Grill/Epcot - from Fri 10/19 to Thu 10/18 (This is to be Bday dinner celebration)

I understand about what you say RE: crowd levels, but TGM is so vehemently opposed to EMH, that is a big reason for shifting gears to planB. If the consensus is that it is not needed, so be it.

BTW, our essential itenerary (as it stands today) is:
Fri 10/12 - Arrive MCO 159P
DME to POP
After check in head to Epcot (this is a TGM red day, but seems to be decent enough for dinner)
6P ADR @ Nine Dragons
EMH
xfer to POP

Sat 10/13 - MK
xfer to MK
910A ADR @ CP
evening - DTD
xfer to POP

Sun 10/14 - MGM
xfer to MGM
1155A ADR @ 50s Diner
5P ADR @ H&V w/Fantasmic package
EMH
xfer to POP

Mon 10/15 - AK/MK
xfer to AK
EMH - AK
920A ADR @ DB
xfr to MK (DW & DS, I will go pick up rental car @ DTD and catch up with them in MK)
EMH - MK
xfer to POP

Tue 10/16 - IoA
8P Pirates Dinner Show

Wed 10/17 - USF
Drop off Fam @ DTD, return rental
635P ADR @ Capn Jacks
Disney Quest, shopping, etc
xfer to POP

Thu 10/18 - TL/MGM
xfer to MK/Poly
920A ADR @ Ohana
xfer to TL
TL
xfer to MGM
Fantasia Gardens/MGM
xfer to POP

Fri 10/19 - BB/Epcot
xfer to BB
BB
xfer to Epcot
610P ADR @ GG (bday celebration)
EMH
xfer to POP

Sat 10/20 - free for all
depart POP @ 130/2 for 5P flight

We are on a 7 day hopper w/water park fun & more pass, inc dining.

THANKS!

 

[disneyfan2]

The biggest no-no I see is that I NEVER go to MK on Saturday.

From what i read, i always thought you shouldn't do MK on Sunday?

 

[lovetoscrap]

From what i read, i always thought you shouldn't do MK on Sunday?

Personally I avoid it both weekend days if at all possible. Sunday is ususally EMH so that is one reason, but also many people either begin or end their trip on the weekend and want to begin and end the trip at MK. Also you find the locals there on the weekend. The have APs and just come in for a few hours when convenient and ride a few rides with the kids/family. It doesn't seem like a big deal, but it is. Same concept with the water parks during the school year, I would never go to them on the weekends.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Edited to Add-- I just saw that you have a 13/14 year old so with what I have said below change to--He will LOVE Disney Quest! But unless you are really, really, really, really active all the time at home you still may find this schedule a bit tiring. Just be willing to rest if you need it and have fun. The short answer to your original question is DON'T change any of your ADR's, just do the hop thing I suggested between MK and AK. HAVE FUN!

Okay, well I thought I had thrown enough info into the first post, Ill try to improve.


I understand about what you say RE: crowd levels, but TGM is so vehemently opposed to EMH, that is a big reason for shifting gears to planB. If the consensus is that it is not needed, so be it.

BTW, our essential itenerary (as it stands today) is:
Fri 10/12 - Arrive MCO 159P
DME to POP
After check in head to Epcot (this is a TGM red day, but seems to be decent enough for dinner)
6P ADR @ Nine Dragons
EMH
xfer to POP
You will be fine--I am sure it is red because of EMH--enjoy!

Sat 10/13 - MK
xfer to MK
910A ADR @ CP
evening - DTD
xfer to POP
I would consider eating breakfast at CP then hopping over to AK for the day. Reverse this on Monday.

Sun 10/14 - MGM
xfer to MGM
1155A ADR @ 50s Diner
5P ADR @ H&V w/Fantasmic package
EMH
xfer to POP

Mon 10/15 - AK/MK
xfer to AK
EMH - AK
920A ADR @ DB
xfr to MK (DW & DS, I will go pick up rental car @ DTD and catch up with them in MK)
EMH - MK
xfer to POP
consider going to AM EMH at AK and doing anything you didn't get to do on Sat, have breakfast, then hop to MK and stay and play all day!

Tue 10/16 - IoA
8P Pirates Dinner Show

Wed 10/17 - USF
Drop off Fam @ DTD, return rental
635P ADR @ Capn Jacks
Disney Quest, shopping, etc
xfer to POP
read up on Disney Quest--depending on the ages of those in your group it may not be worth the time or "plus" off your ticket

Thu 10/18 - TL/MGM
xfer to MK/Poly
920A ADR @ Ohana
xfer to TL
TL
xfer to MGM
Fantasia Gardens/MGM
xfer to POP

Fri 10/19 - BB/Epcot
xfer to BB
BB
xfer to Epcot
610P ADR @ GG (bday celebration)
EMH
xfer to POP
This should be just fine. Epcot is a huge park

Sat 10/20 - free for all
depart POP @ 130/2 for 5P flight

We are on a 7 day hopper w/water park fun & more pass, inc dining.

THANKS!

I have made suggestions/comments above in red.

YIKES! You have a lot in there to do! Do have children traveling with you? If you do then I am guessing that after about day 3 then you are going to hit a wall. I say this from experience because we tried to do and see it all our first time and the ADULTS were exhausted, much less the kids that were falling asleep in their Cinderella breakfast. I only say this as a warning. You know your family, but please don't be disappointed if you can't fit all this in. Just one day at the water park is A LOT . It is still going to be very hot when you are there and it really drains your energy. I honestly can't imagine doing the 2 water parks 2 days in a row. You may want to just pick one and then plan to just spend all day at Epcot on Friday.

That said, you have hoppers. So the good thing is that you can switch parks at any time. I am a Commando planner. I have everything planned ahead of time much like it looks like you do, but you HAVE to be able to be flexible also. If something isn't working be willing to turn to a new page in the guidebook and move on. I assume that you are doing Fantasia Gardens because they are giving you free passes with your package? We got those once also, but never went. I am sure that it would be totally cool to do, but you just CAN'T do everything. So if you are all hot and tired after your day at the water park chances are you will really not want to go there. Don't stress about it. So you don't use a free part of the package. In the grand scheme of things it won't matter.

Again, I am not familiar with TGM or his philosophies so I can't say much about that. I got my touring plans from the Unofficial Guide and from the DIS and they worked for me. The biggest thing is to get to the parks early. You can get tons of things done in the first few hours. I love morning EMH for this. Evening EMH--not so much--the crowd levels stay pretty high. I think you get way more bang for your buck out of getting up early and doing things and then getting to bed a bit earlier.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[Locomigo]

Yep, we have BTDT before (8 years ago) and did a LOT (4 parks, 2 mini golf, DTD, IoA, USF, KSC, BB, and lived to survive and tell the tales).

TL is a must do since we didnt get to see it last time. I also enjoyed BB a lot.

Disney Quest - we went last time, and we also lived in Chicago for a time and went several times there.

They have added a few attrations since last time and we are definitely leaning towards those as must see.

There are quite a few attractions we can take or leave and thus a lower priority.

We are definitely full tilt boogie most of the time and there are instances built in to get some rest.

The four wheeling we do is a good trainer for this type of excursion as it is go all day and hot.

Im going to have our TA check into the ADR exchange, if it can not be done, then no worries, we will survive. Ijust bugs me to waste time be bopping back and forth when we could be in the park enjoying ourselves rather than hopping around. But if we run into huge crowds, then we have that ability.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Then it sounds like you all will be fine! Have a great trip. Don't forget to get your son a birthday button the first day for him to wear all week. He will get lots of special birthday greetings all week from Cast Members, and sometimes you even get little extra special surprises!

 

[stepdisney]

So I was looking at some of the TGM suggested iteneraries, and wouldnt you know it, my original plan calls for us being in the 4th choice park, UGH!

Okay, so lets see here; what are the options?
Well, not a great deal, but lets try anyway.
My ADRs were centered around the park choices, so most would need to be changed.
I suppose that is first. If we can not secure other dates and change them around, I would think that we are stuck with what we have.

I did look at what it would take to change it up and get better crowd choices according to his methods.

Are TGM's methods sound and recommended by yall? Or should I roll the bones and try on my own inexperienced ideas?

This is what would have to change for ADRs:
Crystal Palace/MK - from Sat 10/13 to Sun 10/14
Donald's Breakfast/AK - from Mon 10/15 to Sat 10/13
50s Prime Time/H&V/MGM - from Sun 10/14 to Mon 10/15
Garden Grill/Epcot - from Fri 10/19 to Thu 10/18 (This is to be Bday dinner celebration)

Do you think that is possible with 32 days left to do?

I suppose I can try and see what happens.

THOUGHTS? and MANY thanks!

Remember that you are going during a slow time. We just got back last week and I had my days planned to the minute with the unofficial guide. However, we had no lines.....ANYWHERE. When the parks are slow and the rides are walk on, there is no need to plan so tight. (or at all). I switched all my plans and had no problems. ALSO....several places took walk-ins . I had a bunch of ADR's all planned and changed about 5 of them. We didn't schedule breakfast at WCC but just walked right in. Also, we walked in for dinner at WCC and Boma's. You want to keep your ADR's but if you need to change, change to resort dining near the park you change to, for example, try spoodles at boardwalk if you are going to epcot or MGM. Have the concierge call the resturant directly to see. We happen to be staying at WL so I just walked up and asked. Also, we went to MK on Saturday the 8th and walked on EVERYTHING. There was no line anywhere. Remember if it says 20 minutes or less in the standby, get in line. The line is never 20 minutes. All of the lines that said 20 minutes were more like 6 minutes and thats only because you have to walk a looong way to board.

 

[Locomigo]

Awesome, thank you for the info!

I do know that Oct is going to be busier, I mean there are >800 DISers going that month alone, and really, what percentage of WDW visitors are DIS members? I would estimate <15%, but I've been wrong before.

Combine that with the fact that the previous week to our attending is booked across the board w/Columbus Day weekend, F&WF, MNSSHP, and whatever else is on people's radar to go is what is making me nervous and planning as though I am a field general about to go to war.
In the off chance that it is crowds of a diminished nature like now, then I will be pleasantly surprised and tour the parks at my leisure and abandon my plan.

That is contingency #2. I guess being an anal rententive Engineer/Project Manager makes me have a basic plan of attack and 1-2 contingencies, because nothing ever goes as expected.

THANKS again!

 

[sconnell]

I think you've got some great advise. The only thing I can add in is on the day you have TL planned. It seems really tight. You have ADR's at 9:20. IF you actually get in right at 9:20, then an hour for breakfast. 10:20 + travel to TL. Assuming you didn't wear your suit to O'Hana, you'll need to change (if you did, then nevermind). So, I'll be 11:00 at the earliest when you start doing stuff, then you'll go to MGM? That doesn't give much time in the two. Unless you only want a couple hours at one or the other.

 

[stepdisney]

Awesome, thank you for the info!


That is contingency #2. I guess being an anal rententive Engineer/Project Manager makes me have a basic plan of attack and 1-2 contingencies, because nothing ever goes as expected.

This would be my my husband 100%. He is also an Engineer/Project manager I checked out the unofficial Guide web site which rates dates based on expected attendance. They include everything from holidays to special park events in there number ratings. Most of the days were rated 3 or 4 while we were there. They were pretty on point with the ratings which projected 20 minutes wait times. Even knowing this, we had the 1 - 2 plan of attack also. Sending you some pixie dust hoping your trip is filled with 3 rating days

 

[Locomigo]

I think you've got some great advise. The only thing I can add in is on the day you have TL planned. It seems really tight. You have ADR's at 9:20. IF you actually get in right at 9:20, then an hour for breakfast. 10:20 + travel to TL. Assuming you didn't wear your suit to O'Hana, you'll need to change (if you did, then nevermind). So, I'll be 11:00 at the earliest when you start doing stuff, then you'll go to MGM? That doesn't give much time in the two. Unless you only want a couple hours at one or the other.

That was a consideration, and I figure we will wear suits to Ohana, with tshirts for the boys, and DW will probably have shorts/tshirt over her suit.

As to duration @ TL, I imagine we will stay 4-5 hours, then head to MGM. This is just a repeat/missed attraction day, so no worries there. If it seems that it it too jammed for time, then we can hit DTD, or WS since we will be doing FG earlier in the week.

Basically, I am deferring to what my son wants for the majority of the trip.
I wanted earlier ADRs for Ohana, but that is the best I could do. Suppose I could always have the TA see about an earlier seating. Ohana is a must, as DS LOVES Stitch (does the voice pretty well too).

THANKS all!

 

[Locomigo]

So, I did look and it does appear for this time it is a 3 outta 5 crowd level.

Nevertheless, I did make some adjustments, and now, with the exception of arrival day, is ALL GREEN!

Fri 10/12 - Arrive MCO 159P
DME to POP
Check in
xfer to EP (we are going for dinner, and anything else is a bonus)
First thing is to stop @ GS and get Bday button for DS
6P ADR @ Nine Dragons (DS is taking Chinese language this year)
EMH
xfer to POP

Sat 10/13 - AK
xfer to AK
850A ADR @ Donalds Breakfastosaurus (DW fan of the Don, I am huge fan of the Goof)
enjoy our day @ AK
4P Jammin parade
6P Closing
xfer to MK (for parade/fireworks)
8P or 10P Spectro parade
9P Wishes fireworks
xfer to POP

Sun 10/14 - MK
xfer to MK
LOEMH - Fantasyland only, but can knock that out in an hour
Enjoy our day @ MK
1135A ADR @ Crystal Palace (DW LOVES Eeyore, I dig Tigger)
3P Dreams parade
7P Closing
xfer to DTD (GREAT night since MNSSHP, and MGM EMH)
DTD (DQ, shopping, etc) - may hit HOB this night (if not PACKED)
xfer to POP

Mon 10/15 - MGM
xfer to MGM
enjoy our day @ MGM
11A ADR @ 50s PTC (Did Sci Fi last time, and this looked fun)
3P Stars n Cars parade
420P Hollywood & Vine w/F! pkg (Minimize wait for F!)
Leave DW/DS to go pick up rental car @ DTD (they could check out B&B or something else while I am gone)
Drive back to MGM
730P Fantasmic show
Drive to POP

Tue 10/16 - IoA
Drive to Islands of Adventure
9A-6P Enjoying Day @ IoA (We are BIG thrillseekers)
Drive to PDS
8P Pirates Dinner Show (Looked like fun)
Drive to POP

Wed 10/17 - USF
Drive to Universal
9A-5P Enjoy day @ USF/IoA
Drive to DTD
Drop off Fam, return rental
635P ADR @ Capn Jacks (seems interesting)
Disney Quest, shopping, etc
xfer to POP

Thu 10/18 - TL/EP
xfer to TL
enjoy our day @ TL
2P depart
xfer to POP
change clothes for dinner
xfer to EP
540P ADR @ Garden Grill (Bday celebration)
9P Illuminations fireworks
anything we missed or want to see again
xfer to POP

Fri 10/19 - BB/MGM
xfer to Poly
830 ADR @ Ohana (DS loves Stitch)
xfer to BB
BB
2P departure
xfer to MGM
Fantasia Gardens
MGM
anything missed or want to see again
xfer to POP

Sat 10/20 - free for all
EP or AK for repeats/misses
shopping (parks or DTD)
depart POP @ 130/2 for 5P flight

We are on a 7 day hopper w/water park fun & more pass, inc dining.

That should do it...