Order of Operations, Disney style

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Hello!

I am in the middle of planning a multi-family trip to WDW this July, a total of 8 people in 3 rooms. Two of us are veteran WDW planners. The rest of our group are either newbies, or suck at planning. I'm stumped at what order I should do everything in, specifically at our 60-day mark. I hope to snag a Beachcomber Shack at TL for our weekday arrival day, and we have the usual not-to-be-missed ADR requests, and perhaps an Epcot special seating for whatever they are calling the nighttime show these days. My to-do list also includes one day of LLPP for MK on a Saturday, but that's at a week out, not 60 days out, correct? We're all staying onsite.

So, my questions are - what is the hardest ADR to get these days? Should I grab the Shack at TL before anything else? I could get my other veteran planner to help, but her work is much more demanding than mine, and if she's in the middle of saving someone's life she definitely won't be able to say "let's put a pin in this; I need to go make dining reservations!"

The multi-family trip is to celebrate my granddaughter's 13th birthday, so there are a lot of emotions on the line, and neither she nor her mom have ever been to WDW. I am worried about being able to make all the ADRs and other plans that require pre-purchase. I've even considered giving the whole thing over to a TA, to handle all the details, because I am worried I may miss something obvious to a travel professional.

I think the reason I'm obsessing about this, besides the fact that I want my family to have a wonderful vacation, is that really no one else will know how to make decisions at the spur of the moment based on availability, keeping all of our plans in mind while making one ADR. Just typing this out makes me feel better, because you guys are my tribe, lol.

Thanks for your opinions and insight!

 

[Dave006]

My to-do list also includes one day of LLPP for MK on a Saturday, but that's at a week out, not 60 days out, correct?

Correct 7 days before your check-in date at your resort, it is 7 AM EDT. You will want to have list if your top attractions handy for reference.

So, my questions are - what is the hardest ADR to get these days? Should I grab the Shack at TL before anything else?

This can vary greatly depending on your group. I would vote for a reservation for your TL day if you will actually be at TL early enough to enjoy. Traveling in the Summer months, there are often delays at the Airport due to weather.

Will you be at WDW around July 4th or just later in the month? Once the holiday week passes things tend to be more available.

I've even considered giving the whole thing over to a TA, to handle all the details, because I am worried I may miss something obvious to a travel professional.

That is a preseason choice but with the ability for everyone to make and change their own ADR selections. Having a TA may help with the overall plan, and select ADR selections but make sure your selected TA will provide all the services that you might expect and have a background knowledge of WDW.

Dave

 

[thanxfornoticin]

My first reaction to your post is that you don't need to choose between going after ADRs or a cabana at the same time. ADRs should be available to you online at 6AMET. But I believe the TL cabanas are part of the Enchanted Extras booking option, which you should be able to access after midnight of the 60-day mark. So you might be looking to make your first reservations at midnight, and right back online at 6AM for ADRs. OR - perhaps your helper could handle the midnight check!

You don't actually mention any specific ADR 'wants', but as you probably know, the tougher reservations should be later in your stay to improve your chances. But I will say, with a group of 8, you might have some challenges. A few places (like a Boma, for example) shouldn't be a problem for a reservation of 8. A number of other places will be - and you will likely need to make 2 reservations of 4 around the same time. If you get in a situation where you have to make 2 reservations, you'll need 2 different people to make them - you can't have 2 reservations in your name at the same place and the same time. Then when you get to the restaurant to check in, get there a few minutes early and request to be seated together or next to each other. Disney has been very good at accommodating us in this area.

For your EPCOT fireworks special night, I'd make a recommendation of a Luminous fireworks cruise that leaves the Yacht Club marina. It's for up to 10 people, and you'll need to call 407-WDW-PLAY 60 days in advance to reserve. And those go fast, so call as soon as you can (if it's something of interest).

LLPP can be booked 7 days out (if you have a WDW resort stay), and for the length of your reservation. As can LLMP and LLSP.

Have a great trip!

 

[han22735]

But I will say, with a group of 8, you might have some challenges. A few places (like a Boma, for example) shouldn't be a problem for a reservation of 8. A number of other places will be - and you will likely need to make 2 reservations of 4 around the same time. If you get in a situation where you have to make 2 reservations, you'll need 2 different people to make them - you can't have 2

This will be the hardest part...every couple years we are a group of 7 and for most reservations we needed to split it in 4/3 and it stinks you need to involve another person as you can't make both within an hour.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

This will be the hardest part...every couple years we are a group of 7 and for most reservations we needed to split it in 4/3 and it stinks you need to involve another person as you can't make both within an hour.

Agreed, but it probably helps curb, at least a little bit, a person making multiple reservations for each day/each meal, and then waiting until the day before to cancel the one they don't want - keeps things open a bit more for others to get slots. At least that's a theory!

What we've noticed is that in the last 8-10 years, the ability to make reservations for larger tables has gotten significantly harder. There were trips we made that I could book one ADR for 8 or 10 or even more. They seem to focus more now on the tables for 4 or even 6, not the larger groups.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Correct 7 days before your check-in date at your resort, it is 7 AM EDT. You will want to have list if your top attractions handy for reference.


This can vary greatly depending on your group. I would vote for a reservation for your TL day if you will actually be at TL early enough to enjoy. Traveling in the Summer months, there are often delays at the Airport due to weather.

Will you be at WDW around July 4th or just later in the month? Once the holiday week passes things tend to be more available.


That is a preseason choice but with the ability for everyone to make and change their own ADR selections. Having a TA may help with the overall plan, and select ADR selections but make sure your selected TA will provide all the services that you might expect and have a background knowledge of WDW.

Dave

Thank you so much! All of us are driving in the day before our WDW reservation starts, so we will be at TL when it opens on our arrival day. It's something the kids really want to do.

Our vacation is for the latter part of July, so no worries about the 4th, thank goodness!

You've hit on the problem with getting a TA involved - how much will they be willing to do, and how WDW-savvy they are.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Correct 7 days before your check-in date at your resort, it is 7 AM EDT. You will want to have list if your top attractions handy for reference.


This can vary greatly depending on your group. I would vote for a reservation for your TL day if you will actually be at TL early enough to enjoy. Traveling in the Summer months, there are often delays at the Airport due to weather.

Will you be at WDW around July 4th or just later in the month? Once the holiday week passes things tend to be more available.


That is a preseason choice but with the ability for everyone to make and change their own ADR selections. Having a TA may help with the overall plan, and select ADR selections but make sure your selected TA will provide all the services that you might expect and have a background knowledge of WDW.

Dave

My first reaction to your post is that you don't need to choose between going after ADRs or a cabana at the same time. ADRs should be available to you online at 6AMET. But I believe the TL cabanas are part of the Enchanted Extras booking option, which you should be able to access after midnight of the 60-day mark. So you might be looking to make your first reservations at midnight, and right back online at 6AM for ADRs. OR - perhaps your helper could handle the midnight check!

You don't actually mention any specific ADR 'wants', but as you probably know, the tougher reservations should be later in your stay to improve your chances. But I will say, with a group of 8, you might have some challenges. A few places (like a Boma, for example) shouldn't be a problem for a reservation of 8. A number of other places will be - and you will likely need to make 2 reservations of 4 around the same time. If you get in a situation where you have to make 2 reservations, you'll need 2 different people to make them - you can't have 2 reservations in your name at the same place and the same time. Then when you get to the restaurant to check in, get there a few minutes early and request to be seated together or next to each other. Disney has been very good at accommodating us in this area.

For your EPCOT fireworks special night, I'd make a recommendation of a Luminous fireworks cruise that leaves the Yacht Club marina. It's for up to 10 people, and you'll need to call 407-WDW-PLAY 60 days in advance to reserve. And those go fast, so call as soon as you can (if it's something of interest).

LLPP can be booked 7 days out (if you have a WDW resort stay), and for the length of your reservation. As can LLMP and LLSP.

Have a great trip!

Thanks for your reply! Knowing that I can make some reservations as of midnight is a huge help, honestly.

Sounds like I may have to get WDW vet #2 involved with making ADRs. I do know that my granddaughter wants Cindy for her birthday supper - on a Saturday. I'm aware that a lot of people think Cindy is not worth the money, but it's her first trip, her 13th birthday, she requested it, and OOF that dining room is pretty awesome. Other than that, my travel party wants to eat EVERYWHERE and a week is simply not enough time, lol.

I was/am seriously considering a fireworks cruise, and it's good to hear good things about it.

I can't even imagine how I'm going to make LLMP for this group, lol. I'm officially an old lady and the most tech savvy, believe it or not.

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!

 

[kwdw]

I don’t think ADRs are as competitive as they once were. It varies a bit depending on if free dining is offered, but I don’t think the number of folks getting a dining plan is as high as it was. It’s the party size of 8 that is going to cause the problem. Really try to have a second MDE user working to try for different party sizes to get your 8 booked if you are desperate for something. Or, if you have enough options to be flexible with, you might not have to do this in the first place.

You also don’t mention how long your stay is. If you are going to have 2 MK days and can do early entry, I’m not sure you need the LLPP for 8 people. That cost is gonna be high. You might want to price out a VIP tour and compare. But honestly, with two days at MK, you don’t need LLPP unless you have the money to burn. LLMP or LLSP, sure, but that’s a lot less total per person. Obviously the cost varies by day, but it’s been selling out so I only think the cost will go up. I guess if you have one day at MK and you are looking to make it magical, sure, buy the LLPP. Thats just not something in my budget.

You have enough knowledge that I don’t think a TA is going to be more helpful, I think you will more stress if they are doing their job well.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

I don’t think ADRs are as competitive as they once were. It varies a bit depending on if free dining is offered, but I don’t think the number of folks getting a dining plan is as high as it was. It’s the party size of 8 that is going to cause the problem. Really try to have a second MDE user working to try for different party sizes to get your 8 booked if you are desperate for something. Or, if you have enough options to be flexible with, you might not have to do this in the first place.

You also don’t mention how long your stay is. If you are going to have 2 MK days and can do early entry, I’m not sure you need the LLPP for 8 people. That cost is gonna be high. You might want to price out a VIP tour and compare. But honestly, with two days at MK, you don’t need LLPP unless you have the money to burn. LLMP or LLSP, sure, but that’s a lot less total per person. Obviously the cost varies by day, but it’s been selling out so I only think the cost will go up. I guess if you have one day at MK and you are looking to make it magical, sure, buy the LLPP. Thats just not something in my budget.

You have enough knowledge that I don’t think a TA is going to be more helpful, I think you will more stress if they are doing their job well.

Thank you for your reply! I am so glad people have mentioned the challenges of making ADRs for 8 people. That was never on my radar! We will have to discuss strategy for sure.

We are staying a week, and we probably have 2 MK days. I considered a VIP tour and discussed both options with my son, who is a WDW vet but hasn't been in over 10 years. He thinks LLPP is the better choice for us for this trip, and I think I agree with him. It's not something that we *have* to do, but we're "plussing" this particular day and it sounds wonderful to not have to worry about making ride reservations; to just show up and go from right to left or left to right, riding rides. Like the old days!

Thank you for your vote of confidence re the TA. I will let that idea go!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Thanks for your reply! Knowing that I can make some reservations as of midnight is a huge help, honestly.

Sounds like I may have to get WDW vet #2 involved with making ADRs. I do know that my granddaughter wants Cindy for her birthday supper - on a Saturday. I'm aware that a lot of people think Cindy is not worth the money, but it's her first trip, her 13th birthday, she requested it, and OOF that dining room is pretty awesome. Other than that, my travel party wants to eat EVERYWHERE and a week is simply not enough time, lol.

I was/am seriously considering a fireworks cruise, and it's good to hear good things about it.

I can't even imagine how I'm going to make LLMP for this group, lol. I'm officially an old lady and the most tech savvy, believe it or not.

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!

If CRT is important to your granddaughter - and therefore important to you - I would absolutely go after that one first when your window opens. Only you can determine the value, and if you have a 13 yo celebrating a birthday, and would like to dine at the castle - it sounds pretty valuable to me!

 

[Dave006]

I considered a VIP tour and discussed both options with my son, who is a WDW vet but hasn't been in over 10 years.

A couple points on a VIP tour your MK park day. A VIP tour often costs about $900 per hour and great for hitting the highlights of multiple parks all in one day with transportation included but you mentioned your group just wants a mostly unscheduled day at MK with limited pre-planning of your attraction selections in the park.

The LLPP for MK currently maxes out at $449 per person, and allows you to enjoy the MK at your travel groups pace and in any order your group or subsets of you group may want.

Since you have a group of 8, it would be best to have multiple group members have MDE Accounts and use their smartphones as needed. It is relativity easy to link multiple MDE accounts using it's Family & Friends feature. Maybe start with your Son and see if any other group members are able to manage their smartphone and use the MDE app.

And before you ask, even with multiple members of your group being linked in MDE, you will still be able to "manage" everything for the Group for ADR selections, and even any LLMP and/or LLSP selections.

Dave

 

[woodys_girl]

Could you get the login info for another adult party member in case you need to split ADRs into 2 parties? I, for example, will log in on my husband's account on one device and mine on another. If I'm able to do everything on mine, I don't even use my husband's, but sometimes large parties are trickier.
I also think ADRs are less competitive than they have been at times in the past especially if you are flexible with timing. You'll have to weigh the difficulty, time in your trip, and your own preferences to decide what to get first and focus on what is least negotiable for you. But if you don't get something you want or change your mind within the 60 days, you probably aren't out of luck. People change their ADRs all the time.