Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[Paigevon]

Check out his Facebook page - he posted a picture yesterday of the crowd at MK on Wednesday.



That late April A&E availability just happened. Before yesterday A&E was also completely unavailable at the end of April and now there are nighttime slots open. I know Disney generally doesn't "hold back" FPs, and makes them all available all at once, but I'm nervous that they might have added some in anticipation of larger-than-expected crowds. But then that wouldn't make sense since it's just one attraction. Unless a huge group just canceled their trip and had A&E booked every night? I don't get it.

I noticed the suddenly available FP+ for April and checked hours as well, but I've been watching the dibb FP tracker multiple times a day for a couple weeks and the early May FP were gone before late April, even before the suddenly available popped up. Particularly our 5/4 date, our last MK day before heading home. Everything was gone that day not longer after the 60 days opened up! Maybe because it's a PM EMH that ended up sandwiched between a Tuesday EMM and Thursday DAH? Though that was announced later...

 

[Paigevon]

4/30 MK and fly home
I'll keep an eye out for some awesome people wearing the pins and shirts.
I think it's time to get excitied.

YAY! Have a wonderful wonderful trip! So nice to see you excited.
And we'll be at MK for RD on 4/30!
Are you sure you don't want to rearrange fot WCC on 4/29? Just kidding.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Well since we are all sharing agendas, here is mine! It's a quick birthday weekend getaway.

Thurs April 28: Leave work 4pm - go to outlet mall (should arrive 615), check into DTD hotel for the night
Fri Apr 29: Check into beach club, Epcot morning with FP, stormalong bay afternoon, Ohana dinner, back to Epcot or mk
Sat Apr 30: Marceline to MK tour, back to resort for stormalong bay, Narcoosees dinner, MK with FP
Sun May 1: check out of beach club, Epcot morning, lunch at rose and crown, drive home

I'm excited! We may pop over to AK at some point too, just depends. It'd probably be Sunday after Rose and crown.

 

[jlundeen]

OK, enough fine tuning and tinkering - the schedule is set (for now).
I'm pretty happy with the fact that all Dining is new for DW and only Tusker House is a repeat for me.
No Park Hopping this time, so hopefully that means no 10 miles a day pace...

4/22 Fly in late at night, cheap hotel near airport
4/23 HS - Club Villain at 9pm (our Anniversary)
4/24 MK - the Wave
4/25 EPCOT - Tutto Italia
4/26 AK - Tusker House
4/27 MK - Whispering Canyon
4/28 EPCOT - California Grill @9:30
4/29 HS - Shutters at Old Port Royale
4/30 MK and fly home
I'll keep an eye out for some awesome people wearing the pins and shirts.
I think it's time to get excitied...

Looks like a great lineup...We'll be there the same time, but I don't see overlap.

There are 4 ladies in our party, ranging in age from 70 to 17, 2 rooms at POFQ. Here's our lineup:

4/23 - arrive around noon, check-in, head to EPCOT, Rose & Crown for dinnertime Illuminations
4/24 - HS EMH, MK evening FPs, Tony's for dinner (despite what others say about this place, we love it, just not the wait to get in - they need to use pagers rather than have everyone standing/sitting around waiting to be called)
4/25 - AK EMH, Beaches & Cream lunch, HS evening FPs, Star Wars Fireworks Dessert Party
4/26 - MK BOG breakfast before RD, EPCOT evening FPs, Via Napoli dinner
4/27 - HS H&V breakfast before RD, AK afternoon FPs, flexible evening (maybe run to MK, or back to resort for hot tub and wine party rather than ROL)
4/28 - EPCOT EMH, France for dinner, Illuminations, FP
4/29 - MK EMH, The Wave for dinner, MK evening FP
4/30 - check out, HS late morning FPs, Tragically Depressed trip back to airport for 6:30 flight home

Every afternoon is left OPEN so any of us can do whatever we want to, like a nap or pool time at the resort, DS, or additional park time.

 

[KMWoolley]

Looks like a great lineup...We'll be there the same time, but I don't see overlap.

There are 4 ladies in our party, ranging in age from 70 to 17, 2 rooms at POFQ. Here's our lineup:

4/23 - arrive around noon, check-in, head to EPCOT, Rose & Crown for dinnertime Illuminations
4/24 - HS EMH, MK evening FPs, Tony's for dinner (despite what others say about this place, we love it, just not the wait to get in - they need to use pagers rather than have everyone standing/sitting around waiting to be called)
4/25 - AK EMH, Beaches & Cream lunch, HS evening FPs, Star Wars Fireworks Dessert Party
4/26 - MK BOG breakfast before RD, EPCOT evening FPs, Via Napoli dinner
4/27 - HS H&V breakfast before RD, AK afternoon FPs, flexible evening (maybe run to MK, or back to resort for hot tub and wine party rather than ROL)
4/28 - EPCOT EMH, France for dinner, Illuminations, FP
4/29 - MK EMH, The Wave for dinner, MK evening FP
4/30 - check out, HS late morning FPs, Tragically Depressed trip back to airport for 6:30 flight home

Every afternoon is left OPEN so any of us can do whatever we want to, like a nap or pool time at the resort, DS, or additional park time.

Looks like a great trip. Just the one overlap, EPCOT on the 28th. You go clockwise around WS and we'll go counter-clockwise and at least at some point we'll pass each other...hehehe

 

[Clumsy_Chica]

Gooooood morning lovely people!

In two weeks I'll be among all the beautiful flowers at EPCOT!

Also, it's Friday, and we're all going to have a wonderful day!


Okay, morning dose of optimism has been administered, you can all go back to your coffee now

 

[moobar25]

Check out his Facebook page - he posted a picture yesterday of the crowd at MK on Wednesday.



That late April A&E availability just happened. Before yesterday A&E was also completely unavailable at the end of April and now there are nighttime slots open. I know Disney generally doesn't "hold back" FPs, and makes them all available all at once, but I'm nervous that they might have added some in anticipation of larger-than-expected crowds. But then that wouldn't make sense since it's just one attraction. Unless a huge group just canceled their trip and had A&E booked every night? I don't get it.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I just grabbed an A&E FP for the first night were there 4/20 . My DD has seen them every time we've gone but I figured why not. Its the last time that they'll be in MK. Now we can relax on our AK day and not have to go back to MK just to see them. WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(How in the world do I do a dancing banana?)

 

[moobar25]

OK, enough fine tuning and tinkering - the schedule is set (for now).
I'm pretty happy with the fact that all Dining is new for DW and only Tusker House is a repeat for me (but only for Breakfast).
No Park Hopping this time, so hopefully that means no 10 miles a day pace...

4/22 Fly in late at night, cheap hotel near airport
4/23 HS - Club Villain at 9pm (our Anniversary)
4/24 MK - the Wave
4/25 EPCOT - Tutto Italia
4/26 AK - Tusker House (dinner)
4/27 MK - Whispering Canyon
4/28 EPCOT - California Grill @9:30
4/29 HS - Shutters at Old Port Royale
4/30 MK and fly home
I'll keep an eye out for some awesome people wearing the pins and shirts.
I think it's time to get excitied...

I'll see you at Club Villain!!!! It can be our LOUNGE

We overlap some. Here's my almost final plan:
4/19 Fly in late late night and get some sleep at AKL
4/20 MK am - BOG lunch, DS (performance), MK night (A&E FP)
4/21 check in BCV, AK - FT lunch, pool or EPCOT
4/22 pool - DHS
4/23 MK - PPO BOG, DHS -Club Villain 9pm
4/24 BB, Narcoossee's fancy family dinner (my fave)
4/25 Epcot, Cali Grill 7pm
4/26 MEx pick up at 3:00am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[elmoandzoey]

Okay, someone please review my AK strategy. What's the best way to do: Safari FP+ for 9am. Head there at RD, use FP+, then get into standby line and ride again OR head there at RD, go standby and then ride again with FP+ (since window is until 10am). I'm a bit torn.... I am more inclined to do FP+ first and then ride again standby.

 

[moobar25]

Okay, someone please review my AK strategy. What's the best way to do: Safari FP+ for 9am. Head there at RD, use FP+, then get into standby line and ride again OR head there at RD, go standby and then ride again with FP+ (since window is until 10am). I'm a bit torn.... I am more inclined to do FP+ first and then ride again standby.

I think standby first then FP - as long as you go first thing.

 

[jlundeen]

Looks like a great trip. Just the one overlap, EPCOT on the 28th. You go clockwise around WS and we'll go counter-clockwise and at least at some point we'll pass each other...hehehe

LOL - I'll try to remember to wear my button - and maybe we'll spot each other!

 

[KMWoolley]

I'll see you at Club Villain!!!! It can be our LOUNGE

We overlap some. Here's my almost final plan:
4/19 Fly in late late night and get some sleep at AKL
4/20 MK am - BOG lunch, DS (performance), MK night (A&E FP)
4/21 check in BCV, AK - FT lunch, pool or EPCOT
4/22 pool - DHS
4/23 MK - PPO BOG, DHS -Club Villain 9pm
4/24 BB, Narcoossee's fancy family dinner (my fave)
4/25 Epcot, Cali Grill 7pm
4/26 MEx pick up at 3:00am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like you're covering a lot of ground but still have a good amount of down time. Well done! I wonder how people who don't plan enjoy their vacations.
I'm really looking forward to Club Villain and so far the wife hasn't asked too many questions about it...I hope the details stay a surprise

 

[erikajoe]

We're going the last week of the month, but I'm still worrying about crowds now after seeing the EasyWDW post today. We went last year during Easter week and specifically planned to avoid that crowd level this year. I've read on the boards that other schools have a short break around the end of the month - kids have off the 25th and 26th in our MD district - and I'm hoping that doesn't drive crowds up above what I've seen predicted by TP, EasyWDW and others.

New York State has the last week of April as Spring Break due to state testing this week and next. I specifically avoided that week even though my kids are off and the crowd calendars said low crowds. We go the week following.

 

[beesly]

I'll see you at Club Villain!!!! It can be our LOUNGE

We overlap some. Here's my almost final plan:
4/19 Fly in late late night and get some sleep at AKL
4/20 MK am - BOG lunch, DS (performance), MK night (A&E FP)
4/21 check in BCV, AK - FT lunch, pool or EPCOT
4/22 pool - DHS
4/23 MK - PPO BOG, DHS -Club Villain 9pm
4/24 BB, Narcoossee's fancy family dinner (my fave)
4/25 Epcot, Cali Grill 7pm
4/26 MEx pick up at 3:00am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe I'll pass you and @KMWoolley on my way out of the 5:45 Club Villain. Say hi if you see a short brunette with a ROL lounge button on!

Looks like a great lineup...We'll be there the same time, but I don't see overlap.

There are 4 ladies in our party, ranging in age from 70 to 17, 2 rooms at POFQ. Here's our lineup:

4/23 - arrive around noon, check-in, head to EPCOT, Rose & Crown for dinnertime Illuminations
4/24 - HS EMH, MK evening FPs, Tony's for dinner (despite what others say about this place, we love it, just not the wait to get in - they need to use pagers rather than have everyone standing/sitting around waiting to be called)
4/25 - AK EMH, Beaches & Cream lunch, HS evening FPs, Star Wars Fireworks Dessert Party
4/26 - MK BOG breakfast before RD, EPCOT evening FPs, Via Napoli dinner
4/27 - HS H&V breakfast before RD, AK afternoon FPs, flexible evening (maybe run to MK, or back to resort for hot tub and wine party rather than ROL)
4/28 - EPCOT EMH, France for dinner, Illuminations, FP
4/29 - MK EMH, The Wave for dinner, MK evening FP
4/30 - check out, HS late morning FPs, Tragically Depressed trip back to airport for 6:30 flight home

Every afternoon is left OPEN so any of us can do whatever we want to, like a nap or pool time at the resort, DS, or additional park time.

We'll also be in MK the morning of the 26th, but that's the only overlap I see for us.

4/23 - Check-in @ AoA, head to DHS with 5:45 Club Villain
4/24 - MK for PPO CP, AK evening
4/25 - Day trip to Legoland
4/26 - MK with BOG dinner
4/27 - Currently a resort day, thinking about heading to EPCOT
4/28 - MK AM, Check-in and spend the afternoon/evening at the Poly
4/29 - EPCOT with Biergarten dinner
4/30 - DHS AM, afternoon/evening at the Poly (DD's heading to Lilo's while DH and I visit Trader Sam's)
5/1 - EPCOT AM, MK evening
5/2 - 'Ohana breakfast and then DME to MCO to head home

 

[moobar25]

Looks like you're covering a lot of ground but still have a good amount of down time. Well done! I wonder how people who don't plan enjoy their vacations.
I'm really looking forward to Club Villain and so far the wife hasn't asked too many questions about it...I hope the details stay a surprise

We did it once already on 1/23 - It Was AWESOME!!!! It was THE BEST disney party that we have attended - and we've tried all the new ones. So as long as they didn't change much about it - it'll be a blast.

This time around I had to plan for the entire family (Nana, 4 adults, teen nephew, 10 nephew and the Princess DD). It's the first time we're all down there since 2010. Had to make sure that all are happy - or at least the potential to be happy. Everyone is flying in and out different days and times, multiple rooms to juggle - but I loved every minute of the planning. They call me their TA - they don't realize that my payment is babysitting so that DH and I can enjoy some alone time. The nephews already know that they'll be enjoying riding SW and PP over and over and over again with DD. In return they'll get the big attractions, I got them all: 7D, SM, TM, Splash, RR, ToyStory, ST, Yeti, Rapids and Dino.
Only downside, besides ROL, is that FFC is under refurbishment. So the one time we could actually do the Wine Tasting dinner there as a couple - its not available.

I'm finishing up our matching shirts: 7dwarves and Snow White. If anyone will be at MK am of 4/23 we'll be easily spotted.

I cannot wait!!!!!!!!

Edit: We were able to get AKL Club for 4/19-4/21 so we'll get to enjoy some snacks and . Its a surprise - Nana and DH know about it. The rest have never stayed at AKL and definitely not Club. Can't wait to see their faces when we wave to them from the lounge when they walk into the lobby. They get in afternoon of 4/20.

 

[HopperFan]

We need to book Melissa McCarthy to the Rumors of Light Lounge .............

If you don't want to watch it all, skip to minute 5:25 ..........

Perfect Animal Kingdom Show in 4D ......... AWESOME!

 

[elmoandzoey]

I think standby first then FP - as long as you go first thing.

Yes, we'll do go first thing. I just checked and could push the FP+ back to 9:25am... I guess that would give us a better chance to first go standby and then FP+ again. I think I'll move us.

 

[KMWoolley]

Check out his Facebook page - he posted a picture yesterday of the crowd at MK on Wednesday.



That late April A&E availability just happened. Before yesterday A&E was also completely unavailable at the end of April and now there are nighttime slots open. I know Disney generally doesn't "hold back" FPs, and makes them all available all at once, but I'm nervous that they might have added some in anticipation of larger-than-expected crowds. But then that wouldn't make sense since it's just one attraction. Unless a huge group just canceled their trip and had A&E booked every night? I don't get it.

Would it make sense that they just opened an additional room and added more actresses? They can run one or two Space Mountain cars based on crowd levels, and I know when seeing Mickey before, there were several rooms. If they basically added an extra shift, they would be able to add FP capacity

Okay, someone please review my AK strategy. What's the best way to do: Safari FP+ for 9am. Head there at RD, use FP+, then get into standby line and ride again OR head there at RD, go standby and then ride again with FP+ (since window is until 10am). I'm a bit torn.... I am more inclined to do FP+ first and then ride again standby.

I have never waited longer than 10 mins for anything I go to at rope drop. Get in line and set your FP's up for times when it will be a longer wait. Last time at AK, we rode EE 4 times in the first hour at rope drop

 

[KMWoolley]

We did it once already on 1/23 - It Was AWESOME!!!! It was THE BEST disney party that we have attended - and we've tried all the new ones. So as long as they didn't change much about it - it'll be a blast.

This time around I had to plan for the entire family (Nana, 4 adults, teen nephew, 10 nephew and the Princess DD). It's the first time we're all down there since 2010. Had to make sure that all are happy - or at least the potential to be happy. Everyone is flying in and out different days and times, multiple rooms to juggle - but I loved every minute of the planning. They call me their TA - they don't realize that my payment is babysitting so that DH and I can enjoy some alone time. The nephews already know that they'll be enjoying riding SW and PP over and over and over again with DD. In return they'll get the big attractions, I got them all: 7D, SM, TM, Splash, RR, ToyStory, ST, Yeti, Rapids and Dino.
Only downside, besides ROL, is that FFC is under refurbishment. So the one time we could actually do the Wine Tasting dinner there as a couple - its not available.

I'm finishing up our matching shirts: 7dwarves and Snow White. If anyone will be at MK am of 4/23 we'll be easily spotted.

I cannot wait!!!!!!!!

Edit: We were able to get AKL Club for 4/19-4/21 so we'll get to enjoy some snacks and . Its a surprise - Nana and DH know about it. The rest have never stayed at AKL and definitely not Club. Can't wait to see their faces when we wave to them from the lounge when they walk into the lobby. They get in afternoon of 4/20.

I love the shirts idea, just one question. I'm assuming DD gets to be Snow White, so what Dwarf are you? I don't think there's a 'mad planner' dwarf in the movie...

 

[Vernie822]

Okay, someone please review my AK strategy. What's the best way to do: Safari FP+ for 9am. Head there at RD, use FP+, then get into standby line and ride again OR head there at RD, go standby and then ride again with FP+ (since window is until 10am). I'm a bit torn.... I am more inclined to do FP+ first and then ride again standby.

We usually get there & do Everest first thing (sometimes twice!) and then head to Safari and the wait has never been too bad. I think doing it first and then with a FP+ is probably a good idea. Though the last two times I've been, we ended up cancelling our FP's for AK and moving them to another park later in the day because we did not need them!