Returning after 11 years - advice appreciated!

[Emzie]

Hi all,

I do apologise - I'm sure you see hundreds of posts similar to this but I am in dire need of some Disney expertise! This summer I am returning to WDW for the first time since August 2008 (at which point I was 13 years old). Obviously masses has changed since then, and have tried my hardest to get clued up on all the changes such as FP+, MDE and Magic Bands. I was initially so disappointed to find out that it was no longer going to be a spontaneous holiday, as we really enjoyed waking up each day and deciding which park to tackle! But no use crying over spilt milk, am I right?

I would love to hear any recommendations and tips regarding anything at all - I've been put in charge of planning and my memory from back when I was 13 isn't fantastic! It will also be my partner's first time, so understandably I want him to thoroughly enjoy it! Here's a little background to our trip:

​

• 
  
  
  • We're going for 3 weeks from the 8th to the 29th of August - my parents need a lot of downtime so we're hoping a longer stay will allow us more R&R between parks
  • Staying off property with a rental car
  • We are a group of 4 adults, with 1 more joining us for the first week

So now I know I need to plan our holiday meticulously, I have a few questions/concerns that I'd really appreciate some feedback on:

1. I have made 3 dining reservations on the MDE app, however I was wondering whether Disney accept requests for particular zones in the restaurant? For example, I have booked Be Our Guest for dinner (would like to avoid West Wing if possible as I know my mum will be funny about the lighting whilst eating), and I've also booked Spice Road Table to coincide with Illuminations - we'd really like to be sitting outside to get the best view!
2. How early would you recommend saving a spot for night time shows? I want to fit them all in, perhaps with dinner in the park beforehand if doable. I have booked Yak and Yeti for 7pm with Rivers of Light at 9pm - is this cutting it fine?
3. Do I need to make all dining reservations? We know we'd like to try Garden Grill for lunch at some point - are walk-ins available or is it best I go ahead and book all table service ahead of time? Trying to preserve some element of spontaneity in our trip! Does the same apply for Disney Springs and will I need to make all dining reservations there too?
4. Are after hours events worth it, and what happens if you've booked a table for a restaurant just before closing time but don't have an after hours ticket?
5. Is it easy to park hop? I'm concerned about parking prices and don't want to have to drive from park to park and rack up hefty bills on parking! I remember getting the monorail from MK to Epcot but what about AK and Hollywood Studios?

Thanks in advance for any feedback or suggestions with regards to these questions or just in general. We really want to make the most of our trip and appreciate all the help we can get.

 

[FCDub]

Hi all,

I do apologise - I'm sure you see hundreds of posts similar to this but I am in dire need of some Disney expertise! This summer I am returning to WDW for the first time since August 2008 (at which point I was 13 years old). Obviously masses has changed since then, and have tried my hardest to get clued up on all the changes such as FP+, MDE and Magic Bands. I was initially so disappointed to find out that it was no longer going to be a spontaneous holiday, as we really enjoyed waking up each day and deciding which park to tackle! But no use crying over spilt milk, am I right?

I would love to hear any recommendations and tips regarding anything at all - I've been put in charge of planning and my memory from back when I was 13 isn't fantastic! It will also be my partner's first time, so understandably I want him to thoroughly enjoy it! Here's a little background to our trip:

​

• 
  
  
  • We're going for 3 weeks from the 8th to the 29th of August - my parents need a lot of downtime so we're hoping a longer stay will allow us more R&R between parks
  • Staying off property with a rental car
  • We are a group of 4 adults, with 1 more joining us for the first week

So now I know I need to plan our holiday meticulously, I have a few questions/concerns that I'd really appreciate some feedback on:

1. I have made 3 dining reservations on the MDE app, however I was wondering whether Disney accept requests for particular zones in the restaurant? For example, I have booked Be Our Guest for dinner (would like to avoid West Wing if possible as I know my mum will be funny about the lighting whilst eating), and I've also booked Spice Road Table to coincide with Illuminations - we'd really like to be sitting outside to get the best view!
2. How early would you recommend saving a spot for night time shows? I want to fit them all in, perhaps with dinner in the park beforehand if doable. I have booked Yak and Yeti for 7pm with Rivers of Light at 9pm - is this cutting it fine?
3. Do I need to make all dining reservations? We know we'd like to try Garden Grill for lunch at some point - are walk-ins available or is it best I go ahead and book all table service ahead of time? Trying to preserve some element of spontaneity in our trip! Does the same apply for Disney Springs and will I need to make all dining reservations there too?
4. Are after hours events worth it, and what happens if you've booked a table for a restaurant just before closing time but don't have an after hours ticket?
5. Is it easy to park hop? I'm concerned about parking prices and don't want to have to drive from park to park and rack up hefty bills on parking! I remember getting the monorail from MK to Epcot but what about AK and Hollywood Studios?

Thanks in advance for any feedback or suggestions with regards to these questions or just in general. We really want to make the most of our trip and appreciate all the help we can get.

Sounds like you're going to have a great trip! I can help with a few questions:

1. It never hurts to ask at the restaurant for a specific area. Let them know you're willing to wait longer. You might be able to get what you're after.
3. You should book as much as you know you want to do. As long as you cancel by midnight the day before, you won't be charged the cancellation penalty ($10 per person)
4. If you don't have DAH tickets, you'll be expected to leave as soon as your meal is over.
5. Park hopping is very easy. There are park-to-park buses as all the parks. BUT, you can also drive. The good news is you'll only pay the parking fee once per day, even if you park hop. Save your receipt, and you'll be allowed to park at the next park for free.

 

[Turksmom]

1. You can' really request in advance, but when you check in for your reservation, if you ask and are willing to wait a little longer, most restaurants will do their best to accommodate.
2. Not sure about the first part, but Yak and Yeti is relatively close to ROL, so if you are seated close to your reservation time (try to check in for all reservations 10-15 min. early) and ddon't have really slow eaters in your group, that should be plenty of time.
3. If you have "must do" reservations, definitely make them ASAP. You can always modify them later (subject to availability). There are some very good counter service and lounge options, so you can choose some days or at least meals where you want to be spontaneous and leave those open.
4. As long as your reservation is before the park closes to regular guests, you can enjoy your meal (you won't be rushed) and then you'll be escorted out. Whether AH events are "worth it" is very personal- research what is included and decide whether it's important enough to spend the extra $. I'll happily pay for the Christmas and Halloween parties, but not the after hours at MK because I feel that it doesn't offer much that we can't do on our regular park days.
5. You only pay one parking fee per day and it's good for all of the parks.we use the Disney buses, boats, monorails when we hop.

I visited WDW/ Epcot for the first time in 1982.I got married and then started the family, bought the house, worked at establishing careers, etc. and didn't get back until 2016. I scheduled the FPs that my kids wanted most, a few dining reservations and thought it would be a one time trip. I walked into MK and I was home! My family fell in love and since then we've been AP with multiple trips per year. Even if you do't do it all, or don't do it all right, you'll make lovely memories!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Are after hours events worth it, and what happens if you've booked a table for a restaurant just before closing time but don't have an after hours ticket?


Is it easy to park hop? I'm concerned about parking prices and don't want to have to drive from park to park and rack up hefty bills on parking! I remember getting the monorail from MK to Epcot but what about AK and Hollywood Studios?
Thanks in advance for any feedback or suggestions with regards to these questions or just in general. We really want to make the most of our trip and appreciate all the help we can get.

I have not been to one myself, but was considering doing an DAH (Disney After Hours) event on our trip in June. Unfortunately, it happens on a Thursday night and we are checking out Thursday morning. I've read that they are very well worth it, especially for those hard to get headliners. The free snacks and soda seems to be a plus also. Now for myself, I have to look at it is it worth that $125 and up ticket cost considering I'm a FL resident. My tickets, at the most cost me $62 a day. Doing an after hours event is twice that. So would I use a norm park ticket for morning or afternoon entry....no. If I were to do it, I'd take the morning and afternoon for resort and relaxation time. As awesome at it sounds, I would have to say no to the DAH but yes to the EMM (Early Morning Magic). Now that one is only for one particular area in each park that does it, but it also includes breakfast. That one runs $79 a ticket. For that one, you have to have a ticket that validates park entry for the EMM you're going to at MK or HS. So for me, that would be $42+$79 for one day worth of park activity. That's $121 for being in the MK from 7:45-9:00 without the "crowd". And then from 9:00 till whenever I feel like it to hit all the other stuff we didn't do in the Fantasyland EMM. Someone would say, just do the DAH...it's only a few dollars more. Yeah....it's a few dollars more for only 3 hours of activity. To where I paid $121 for MUCH MORE than 3 hours of time in MK. I would get probably about 11 hours from the EMM event and my norm ticket for entry into MK for that day.

As for park hopping...what's your definition of easy? Is it easy in my terms....sure. Does my family do it? No. Too time consuming and I don't particularly want to move my car that much in a day. Yes I know I can park at the main park and just use Disney transportation to park hop then come back to my car at the end of the day. But if something happens and I need to leave immediately, I like knowing my car is right there. I don't drive on all park days as I have a son who really enjoys the Disney transportation. But if it comes right down to it, my central reason for not park hopping is the time it takes away from being in the parks. Cost of tickets I don't even blink at. I'm a FL resident. Going from AK to HS you'd have to use the buses if I remember correctly. I don't know if an AK bus goes to HS or vice versa, but I couldn't see why not. I'm sure another DISer will come in and help on that one.

Just decide what works best for your family! HAVE FUN!

 

[only hope]

2. Happily Ever After- if you want the best spot, an hour early. If you’re ok viewing from halfway back main street (my favorite place), 20mn early on regular crowd days. If you watch from outside the hub/main street area, then just stop where you are when it starts.

Fantasmic- you can usually easily get fp for it in the evening. After you’re done using fp for the day, just refresh til you get fp for Fantasmic. I think the fp window is from 25-40mn out from the show or something like that. Without fp, I would still show up at least 30mn early, if not 45.

The Star Wars projection show- for a view in the courtyard, at least 30mn early most nights. For a view along the street, you can usually walk up as it starts. If you do this, I suggest standing just behind a walkway so that no one can stand still in front of you.

These times are typical for average crowds and need to be adjusted if crowds are higher or lower than normal. Your dates shouldn’t be too crowded, but it is the worst part of the year as far as weather goes.

Since your trip is so long, I would say there is still room to be spontaneous. After the first week and you’ve done everything you want once, just re-do your favorites. Go ahead and pre-book fp for every day, but don’t be afraid to change your plans. The night before has a lot of fp randomly show up as people change their plans. You probably won’t get the high demand ones like Mine Train, but the most should be easy enough. Locals frequently have to make fp+ reservations the day before when we decide at the last minute to make a day trip, and we still manage to ride most things we want with fp. Refresh is your friend. Almost nothing is worth waiting more than 20mn for as you can just get a fp.

 

[bettymae1121]

I'm really against park hopping now, it takes so much time out of your day and I just don't think it's necessary in most cases. I'm a bigger fan of rope drop, tour the park until lunch, go back to the resort for a rest/swim, then return to the same park after dinner for more touring and evening shows. Alternately just not going to the parks until mid afternoon and staying until late/park close (if the park in question is open to at least 10 PM), planning your FPs for earlier in your visit when crowd levels are still higher. Not park hopping saves you money on tickets, saves time running around all over WDW, and the mid-day break (or going late in the afternoon 'til close) means you miss the worst of the heat and crowds.

 

[DisArmyWife215]

2. This really depends on the show. HEA at MK I'd do at least 1.5 hours if you don't want a close spot. The fence line fills earlier since it's a prime spot. Others I think you can get away with 1 hr if you don't mind sitting on the sides and/or towards the back. We skipped Rivers of Light and did Pandora at night. With being there 3 weeks if you have multiple days at AK, I'd recommend Pandora at night. It's a completely different vibe than during the day.
3. I recommend making your dining reservations you're interested in and you can always cancel as you narrow down your plans. I'd check Disney Springs restaurants on Open Table, this way you can cancel day off if needed with no charge.
4. Depends on your personalities but I think they are over priced.
5. Park hopping is a breeze but it does take time. This won't be as bad if you are driving but it will take longer using Disney transportation. I would recommend hopping after an afternoon break if you plan those in and only hop 1 park per day. That being said, Our final day we did 3 parks. Rope dropped MK until 10:30, hit up Epcot for a few rides and lunch, and then closed out our night/trip in Animal Kingdom. It was a great day and we only really spent 30 minutes going from park to park so to us it was worth the hour wasted to get away from the crowds and have a mini break during our ride over.

Have a great trip!!!