POP Century~Unofficially the Grooviest FAQ Thread #8~July 2013

[sargenca]

Thank you! Although, that doesn't give us much time for DHS... but we will really only want to do TSMM, Star Tours, RnRC, and ToT. Maybe we would be better off taking our own luggage and hiring a taxi service to get back to the airport as I was hoping to head to the airport around 12pm. I have not flown on an airplane since pre-9/11 so don't know if that's realistic for a 2:25pm flight.

Going to DHS on departure day is our 'tradition' and we do those same 4 rides that morning!! Last year we had a 2-something flight and left DHS at 11-ish. A couple of weeks ago we had a 4-something flight and left at 1-ish. Difference this year is that we had FP+, so we knew 3 of the 4 rides had FPs already and did not have to be there at rope-drop. Also, we have a car so we are much more flexible.

My general rule of thumb is to leave Disney 3 hours prior to my flight; and be walking into the airport 2 hours prior (after getting gas for the car - be walking away from the rental car return at 2 hours 'ish prior to the flight). These are generous windows, but allow for a quick bite to eat, allows for long security lines, for any last minute hick ups... But I also use RAC - where you check your bags at the resort so you skip the airline counter and baggage check-in at the airport. Big time saver and relief to get rid of the luggage.

I think your plan is do-able if you use RAC, get to DHS early, get a car service back to the airport, and have FPs for TSMM, RNR, TOT starting at 9am (you'll probably be able to ride Star Tours without a FP; or try and grab a FP- for it.)

I choose the 4:35pm flight this year over the 2:30pm flight just to give us a little more time. If you are willing to spring for a car service; check and see instead I f there is a later flight that day. On SWA (not sure what you are flying) you can change flights with NO change fee. You just pay the difference. Good luck!!

 

[sargenca]

Good news! Bands worked no problem in MK. Just pulled FP-, also! Must be a glitch they were on quickly. The door issue should be resolved by the time we get back tonight! Thanks for the pixie dust!

That's great!!

 

[Kat016]

We did not do dining plan. Just walked up for BOG res no problem!! I think it will be ok for you. I hope shyjade is ok on the do today!

I hope so too....have fun!!!

 

[Kat016]

Going to DHS on departure day is our 'tradition' and we do those same 4 rides that morning!! Last year we had a 2-something flight and left DHS at 11-ish. A couple of weeks ago we had a 4-something flight and left at 1-ish. Difference this year is that we had FP+, so we knew 3 of the 4 rides had FPs already and did not have to be there at rope-drop. Also, we have a car so we are much more flexible.

My general rule of thumb is to leave Disney 3 hours prior to my flight; and be walking into the airport 2 hours prior (after getting gas for the car - be walking away from the rental car return at 2 hours 'ish prior to the flight). These are generous windows, but allow for a quick bite to eat, allows for long security lines, for any last minute hick ups... But I also use RAC - where you check your bags at the resort so you skip the airline counter and baggage check-in at the airport. Big time saver and relief to get rid of the luggage.

I think your plan is do-able if you use RAC, get to DHS early, get a car service back to the airport, and have FPs for TSMM, RNR, TOT starting at 9am (you'll probably be able to ride Star Tours without a FP; or try and grab a FP- for it.)

I choose the 4:35pm flight this year over the 2:30pm flight just to give us a little more time. If you are willing to spring for a car service; check and see instead I f there is a later flight that day. On SWA (not sure what you are flying) you can change flights with NO change fee. You just pay the difference. Good luck!!

Can I check my luggage and check in with frontier airlines at POP?

 

[sargenca]

Can I check my luggage and check in with frontier airlines at POP?

I do not believe Frontier Airlines participates in the resort airline check-in. I think this is the current list...
Current Resort Airline Check-In Participating Airlines (Domestic only):
* Airtran Airways
* Alaska Airlines
*American Airlines
*Delta
*Jetblue
*Southwest
*United
*US Airways

This list could change, so be sure to check at the resort. (In case they do start participating)

 

[keekfemom]

Just got back home last night. Pop was great, the gift shop is amazing, we only had breakfast once in the food court but it was pretty good. We had no problems with the magic bands opening our doors (or charging to the room). My parents were with us and I set up their MDE while we were there but could not link our accounts, I was told there was a problem with linking account the to each other. We did not use fast pass+ because I couldn't do it for all of us from my phone easily. We did use it for just the 4 of us on Friday, my parents needed a day off, and it didn't work at all. Kept showing we were someone else. First ride the CM just let us through, second ride the CM made me show him our times on my phone, the third ride the CM knew there were problems and let us through. We were building 5 and had a fridge and new bedding. My daughter wore her birthday pin all week and everyone we saw wished her a happy birthday! Hard Rock in Universal was the only place to do anything for her birthday but it was great! They brought her up and this guy yelled really loud that it was her birthday while she held a sundae with a candle. The entire restaurant yelled happy birthday to her! The girls lived the birthday dinner at CRT and the princess breakfast at Akershus. Oops, they gave her a cupcake for her birthday too!

 

[keekfemom]

Oh and NOW I understand why people leave a day just to be at the resort. Disney is exhausting! Wish we had a day in the middle and our last day to just hang out and relax!

 

[freckles04]

Going to DHS on departure day is our 'tradition' and we do those same 4 rides that morning!! Last year we had a 2-something flight and left DHS at 11-ish. A couple of weeks ago we had a 4-something flight and left at 1-ish. Difference this year is that we had FP+, so we knew 3 of the 4 rides had FPs already and did not have to be there at rope-drop. Also, we have a car so we are much more flexible.

My general rule of thumb is to leave Disney 3 hours prior to my flight; and be walking into the airport 2 hours prior (after getting gas for the car - be walking away from the rental car return at 2 hours 'ish prior to the flight). These are generous windows, but allow for a quick bite to eat, allows for long security lines, for any last minute hick ups... But I also use RAC - where you check your bags at the resort so you skip the airline counter and baggage check-in at the airport. Big time saver and relief to get rid of the luggage.

I think your plan is do-able if you use RAC, get to DHS early, get a car service back to the airport, and have FPs for TSMM, RNR, TOT starting at 9am (you'll probably be able to ride Star Tours without a FP; or try and grab a FP- for it.)

I choose the 4:35pm flight this year over the 2:30pm flight just to give us a little more time. If you are willing to spring for a car service; check and see instead I f there is a later flight that day. On SWA (not sure what you are flying) you can change flights with NO change fee. You just pay the difference. Good luck!!

WOW! Very helpful, thank you so much!

We are flying Southwest, but the only later flight on our departure day leaves at 3:30 is an 8 hour flight due to a long layover and our 2:25 flight is nonstop, so I'm going to stick with that one! Thank you for letting me know I can check the luggage at the resort and skip doing that at the airport, even if I don't use Magical Express. That is very helpful information and sounds like a great time-saver.

If we get a car service directly from DHS to the airport, what do we do with our carry-on's while we are at the park?

 

[4mykids]

I'm apologize if this has been answered already! Does anyone have a picture of the new bedding or a description? I'm intrigued!!

 

[jaceraden]

I'm apologize if this has been answered already! Does anyone have a picture of the new bedding or a description? I'm intrigued!!

There are pics a "few" pages back. I'm mobile so I can't search but I'm sure it's fairly easy to find. Basically it's just sheets and a thin band at the end of the bed instead of a grotty bedspread.

 

[Haley]

There are pics a "few" pages back. I'm mobile so I can't search but I'm sure it's fairly easy to find. Basically it's just sheets and a thin band at the end of the bed instead of a grotty bedspread.

Oh cool- that sounds nice.

 

[shyjade]

Things are going much better today. We can actually get in our room and the parks. We can access our dining plan and charge to the room. It was a terrible first day but we are having fun in the parks today.

 

[AuroraRora]

Things are going much better today. We can actually get in our room and the parks. We can access our dining plan and charge to the room. It was a terrible first day but we are having fun in the parks today.

SO glad to hear things are better for you!!

I'm working today, off tomorrow for last minute packing, cleaning, tour planning etc, then at 3am Tuesday its airpoooort time!

 

[sargenca]

WOW! Very helpful, thank you so much! We are flying Southwest, but the only later flight on our departure day leaves at 3:30 is an 8 hour flight due to a long layover and our 2:25 flight is nonstop, so I'm going to stick with that one! Thank you for letting me know I can check the luggage at the resort and skip doing that at the airport, even if I don't use Magical Express. That is very helpful information and sounds like a great time-saver. If we get a car service directly from DHS to the airport, what do we do with our carry-on's while we are at the park?

http://blog.touringplans.com/2012/0...y-world-parks-the-wonderful-world-of-lockers/

http://www.wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/lockers.htm

I don't have any experience using these lockers, because we store our backpack/carryon's in the rental car trunk. If you use DME, you can store them with the resort's Bell/Luggage Services.

I did find these links above that talk about lockers, including cheap ones outside the park entrance turnstiles. Depending on the size of your carry-ons, perhaps these will work. ??

Good luck!! I hope these will work for you!!

 

[sargenca]

...and Freckes04 - I don't blame you for taking a direct flight over a connecting flight!! I couldn't stand taking a connecting flight I knowing a direct was available.

I also wanted to say, with FP+, the morning you head to DHS try to get FPs for TSMM and RnR for 9am and 10am (the earliest you can get) and you maybe just ride ToT standby first thing, then Star Tours somewhere in there too. You may not be able to fit in 3 FP+ if they are scheduled an hour apart. Just depends on the times available.

And I didn't specifically mention it, but of course you will want to check your bags with RAC before you leave to go to DHS first thing. They will print out your SWA boarding passes for you too.

 

[mrsdrake625]

Speaking of southwest - we like to check in as early as possible to get a good boarding number. How does that work with the resort airline counter? Can I check us in to our return flight on the iPad the day before and they can print the boarding pass at the desk the next mornig? Wondering if anyone had experience with that.

Double digits for us. Bummed to hear about everyone's frustrations with magic bands, hope it all gets sorted out soon.

 

[mickeysmith]

Leaving MK with no problems! Heading to DHS for FP+ reservations and Fantasmic! So far so good. The CMs we chatted with said it was a glitch at Pop when the system went down yesterday.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Speaking of southwest - we like to check in as early as possible to get a good boarding number. How does that work with the resort airline counter? Can I check us in to our return flight on the iPad the day before and they can print the boarding pass at the desk the next mornig? Wondering if anyone had experience with that. Double digits for us. Bummed to hear about everyone's frustrations with magic bands, hope it all gets sorted out soon.

Last year I checked us in online the 24 hrs prior as normal & everything else was done as normal.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[sargenca]

Speaking of southwest - we like to check in as early as possible to get a good boarding number. How does that work with the resort airline counter? Can I check us in to our return flight on the iPad the day before and they can print the boarding pass at the desk the next mornig? Wondering if anyone had experience with that. Double digits for us. Bummed to hear about everyone's frustrations with magic bands, hope it all gets sorted out soon.

Yes - you can check in using your iPad, then when you take your bags to the resort airline counter they will print them out for you. I use early bird check-in so I don't actually do my own check-in at the 24 hour mark...but I have gotten my boarding passes printed out at RAC.

 

[mrsdrake625]

Haha wow thanks for the quick replies. Very helpful.