Second star to the right and straight on til morning *TR Started*

[ashw100]

We are finally back from our weekend trip to D.C. The airline travel was actually a lot better than I expected. I am not as worried about our flight to Orlando in May. I have finished up my touring plans and figured out the FPs that I am going to try and get. Now, that I am finally settling on what I want for our trip, I find out that my BIL and SIL are taking their three kids to WDW at the end of May. Not only that but they want me to plan it for them . I am talking telling them exactly what to do, making dining reservations for them, and FPs. I love planning trips and helped a family friend in her trip in Feb but, it is very time consuming and I feel like there is a lot of pressure for me to make sure they have a good time


They have finally started to release info about F&G and SWW. I am so looking forward to March 4th when I can finally get a good idea of what foods will be available for F&G. SWW is becoming a little stressful. I just want to know who will be there so I can decide what I will do that day. I am contemplating doing the Feel the Force package if it is available. I think it will be so much stress off me if I know we have a guaranteed spot for the parade. I wake up every morning hoping for it to be released. You know you have a problem when the first thing you think of every morning is about Disney . Oh well, back to our trip. I left off with our travel plans.






Sunday, May 10 (Mother's Day)


This, I think is the day I am most looking forward to. We have a pre-RD reservation at Crystal Palace. I did not particularly enjoy the dinner spread here but I am hopefully that the breakfast will be better. And honestly, I think it will be worth it just to get into the park early. The crowd level is predicted to be a 4 which is surprisingly low considering it is a holiday. I want to do most of Fantsayland and Tomorrowland. I am thinking about doing BOG lunch this day but it will really all depend on what is available on the 25th. I have a feeling there is going to be a lot of frustration so I will just take what I can get.


We have our dinner at 1900 Park Fare and then after dinner I will head back to MK with just Connor. I am going to save some of our fastpasses for this time so we can ride as much as we can in this short amount of time. I am trying to minimize riderswap as it is very time consuming and the little ones will be getting restless. I want to try and ride all the rollercoasters here with Connor. That way on our other MK day only Joe will have to ride them. I have a dessert party reservation and I am so excited to share this with Connor. He so rarely gets one-on-one time with me so I am so grateful for this time. My plan is to leave the park by 10:30 to avoid the end of night rush and to get to bed at a reasonable hour.


FP+ Priorities


Buzz 10


Space for Joe 11 (RS for me and Connor to use later)


Splash for me and Connor at 7


SDMT 8






Monday, May 11


Since, I know I will be out late with Connor I did not want an early morning this day. We have 9:00 ADR at Kona Café. I ate here in October and love it so much I knew I had to fit in in somewhere. It means we won’t make rope drop at AK but that’s okay. I hope to be at AK by 10:30. I really hate that I had to cut so much out of this day but if things have to get cut then it is going to have to be at AK. I do not think AK is a half day park despite what my plans are. We want to get to EE, KS, Dino, FotLK and then will call it a day.


FP+ Priorities


EE 10 (Ashley & Connor) utilizing RS


KS 11 All


Dino 12 (Joe) utilizing RS


Mikey and Minnie 1 All (not sure if we will use)




Right now I am planning on going back to MK so we can see the nighttime things as a family. This is really the only night we will have to do so. I am hoping that with our later than normal start and a nice break between AK and MK the boys will make it. I currently have a BOG dinner ADR. I am having a hard time letting this one go but, I am out of dining credits and am already going to have to pay two others OOP. There are just too many places I want to eat.


That’s all for now, I will leave you all with the artwork for this year’s SWW, how cool is it?

​

 

[Gracefulskinny]

The crowd level is predicted to be a 4 which is surprisingly low considering it is a holiday

I thought the same thing. I've decided to plan this day as if its a high crowd and be surprised if it turns out to really be a low crowd.

I am trying to minimize riderswap as it is very time consuming

I can see how that might be the case. I don't feel so bad for skipping it at TOT now on our HS day.

I have a dessert party reservation and I am so excited to share this with Connor.

I almost did the dessert party this night as well. We're going to shoot for a wishes FP instead.

I hope to be at AK by 10:30. I really hate that I had to cut so much out of this day but if things have to get cut then it is going to have to be at AK.

Apparently great minds think a like. THis makes for two days in a row that we have similar plans! How funny!

 

[ursalita]

How exciting to spend Mother's Day at Disney! We also have a pre-RD breakfast at CP. I feel the same way, I wasn't a huge fan of CP lunch and dinner. I hope that just being in the park so early will be enough. I've also read some good things about the breakfast lasagna and other items from the buffet. It will be lovely.

We will be there for F&G but not SWW. I can imagine that it's stressful to have to wait for the schedule to book the events for Star Wars. I hope it's worth it, it looks so fun!

 

[hokieinpa]

We really enjoyed our Crystal Palace breakfast! The characters were great, of course! The puffed French toast is amazing. We got a plate full of just that to finish off the meal!

I think it's great that you and Connor will get to spend so much time together on Mother's Day! What a great gift for both of you!

Excited to hear more about SWW and F&G plans!

 

[afwdwfan]

I am talking telling them exactly what to do, making dining reservations for them, and FPs. I love planning trips and helped a family friend in her trip in Feb but, it is very time consuming and I feel like there is a lot of pressure for me to make sure they have a good time

I'd say it isn't a whole lot of pressure. Just recommend ADR's you like or think they'll like. If you aren't there with them, you can't be responsible for them having fun or not having fun at that moment in time.

I am having a hard time letting this one go but, I am out of dining credits and am already going to have to pay two others OOP. There are just too many places I want to eat.

Yep, been there, done that. I know exactly what you mean. So many options, so little time.

That’s all for now, I will leave you all with the artwork for this year’s SWW, how cool is it?

That's awesome. Wish I could be there for it!

 

[ashw100]

I thought the same thing. I've decided to plan this day as if its a high crowd and be surprised if it turns out to really be a low crowd.

I like your thinking, I think this is how I will approach the day as well.

I can see how that might be the case. I don't feel so bad for skipping it at TOT now on our HS day.

Yes, at least it feels time consuming. I had to wait for others in our group to ride last time becuase I was pregnant and 5 minutes feels like 20 when you just have to sit there and wait. Now double that for rider swap and that is what the littles feel like. Its unavoidable if you both really want to ride but I wouldn't feel bad about skipping.

I almost did the dessert party this night as well. We're going to shoot for a wishes FP instead.

I'll cross my fingers that you get a FP+ for this that would be an awesome way to end the day.

Apparently great minds think a like. THis makes for two days in a row that we have similar plans! How funny!

I feel like we are on the same wavelength for this trip, great minds indeed.

How exciting to spend Mother's Day at Disney! We also have a pre-RD breakfast at CP. I feel the same way, I wasn't a huge fan of CP lunch and dinner. I hope that just being in the park so early will be enough. I've also read some good things about the breakfast lasagna and other items from the buffet. It will be lovely.

We will be there for F&G but not SWW. I can imagine that it's stressful to have to wait for the schedule to book the events for Star Wars. I hope it's worth it, it looks so fun!

The stress is definietely getting to me in regards to the feel the force package, I just want it released so I don't have to think about it. I do think it will be worth it though if not for me but for the boys who will just love all the star wars things.

We really enjoyed our Crystal Palace breakfast! The characters were great, of course! The puffed French toast is amazing. We got a plate full of just that to finish off the meal!

I think it's great that you and Connor will get to spend so much time together on Mother's Day! What a great gift for both of you!

Excited to hear more about SWW and F&G plans!

That's great, I have heard good things about the breakfast and honestly I booked this because I really wanted to try the puffed french toast. Hope it lives up to the hype.

I'd say it isn't a whole lot of pressure. Just recommend ADR's you like or think they'll like. If you aren't there with them, you can't be responsible for them having fun or not having fun at that moment in time.

I know I should totally do this but its hard. They're my family I want them to have a great time. I'll just do the best I can and they can do whatever they want with what I give them.

Yep, been there, done that. I know exactly what you mean. So many options, so little time.

Right? The problems us Disney fans must endure.

That's awesome. Wish I could be there for it!

I'll take lots of pictures and write up a TR so you can feel like you were

 

[ashw100]

This winter weather is killing me right now. We had three canceled school days in row and temps in the -20’s. I am throwing myself into planning more full force now. I have a lot of diy projects, 2 weeks to FP+ day, and planning my BIL & SIL’s trip. I just can’t wait until April. We have a lot planned that will make that month just fly by. Until then, I will continue on with our daily plans.


Tuesday, May 12 Epcot & HS


Epcot has EMH this morning and I want to actually utilize this on-site perk this time. We are going to RD TT and hope that it opens on time. I was thinking we would get a RS but I am not sure if this is available during EMH as the FP line won’t be open. We’ll also try and hit Living with the Land. We are opting out of Soarin’ this time around. Even with FP the wait and ride are really long for the little ones and doubling that for RS is just going to be out of the question. We’ll hit as many of the rides as possible and then head to the WS as soon as it opens. I hate that this opens later than FW especially when this is where we want to spend most of our time. There is so much to do with the different gardens, play areas, and food booths I feel so rushed trying to get it all in before a break. My ultimate plan would be to have boys sleep in the stroller and not take a break this day. It will all depend on how they are doing. Worst case we want to at least stay until 1.


For the evening we will hop to DHS. This park is giving me a lot of trouble scheduling wise. We have three ADRs here over the course of three days and it is so hard to figure out when we will see the shows. I am hoping this night we can see the Disney Junior show and then ride TOT & RNR utilizing FP and RS. TOT is my favorite ride and RNR is DH’s so this is one instance where the little ones will hopefully behave so we can both ride. We have our Jedi Mickey dinner at 6 with the Fantasmic! package. After dinner will hopefully be TSMM and then getting seats for Fantasmic!. Last year we had to skip F! so I am really hoping we can do it this year.


FP+ Priorities
Disney Junior Live
TOT for me and Connor, RS for Joe and Connor
RnR for Joe, RS for me
TSMM everyone


Wednesday, May 13 DHS & Epcot


This is another EMH day this time for DHS. Our only real goal for this is to sign Connor up for JTA. This is a must do for him an anything else we can get done would be more rides on TOT or RnR if there is time. We will have to race to the Buzz and Woody M&G right at 9. This was one of our favorite meets last year and James is really into Toy Story now so I think this will be perfect for him. I don’t want too may plans for this day because I have no idea when we will be able to do JTA. We’ll just try and do whatever and hope we get the time we want which I am hoping for 11:50. We have a 12:15 ADR for Hollywood and Vine. I was very disappointed with this experience last time but the boys absolutely loved it so I booked it again. After lunch we will take our mid-day break.




We are going back to Epcot this night to try and squeeze in more time at the Flower and Garden Festival. I have no plans for this night expect to see Illuminations. It will be really nice to just wander and eat some yummy food.


FP+ Priorities
TSMM
Frozen Sing-a-long
Star Tours


Tomorrow I have to wake up insanely early to hopefully book an ADR for lunch at Be Our Guest. I am afraid that so many people are going to be trying to get on and book and the system won’t be able to handle it and frustration will occur. I am just going to hope for the best and that they also don’t decide this will be a perfect day to release the feel the force package as well.

 

[afwdwfan]

My ultimate plan would be to have boys sleep in the stroller and not take a break this day.

It is always great when it works out that way!

For the evening we will hop to DHS. This park is giving me a lot of trouble scheduling wise. We have three ADRs here over the course of three days and it is so hard to figure out when we will see the shows.

No kidding. For a park that some people call a half day park, it really takes a good day and a half if you just want to be able to do all the rides and see about half of the shows.

TOT is my favorite ride and RNR is DH’s so this is one instance where the little ones will hopefully behave so we can both ride.

This isn't debatable. Even if they're kicking and screaming they can wait.

FP+ Priorities
Disney Junior Live
TOT for me and Connor, RS for Joe and Connor
RnR for Joe, RS for me
TSMM everyone

Ok... I see some potential problems.

Some, not all, CM's made us all scan our Magic Bands when we got Rider Swap... meaning if they would happen to check you at ToT, you and Connor could ride, but no RS for Joe. Now, there's a good chance they might not check and only the ones riding will have to scan their bands, but just realize they potentially could make you all scan your bands to verify that everyone has FP+ before they give you an RS pass.

Also, RnR and TSMM are Tier 1 or whatever they call it. You can't schedule FP+ for both of them on the same day.

Tomorrow I have to wake up insanely early to hopefully book an ADR for lunch at Be Our Guest. I am afraid that so many people are going to be trying to get on and book and the system won’t be able to handle it and frustration will occur. I am just going to hope for the best and that they also don’t decide this will be a perfect day to release the feel the force package as well.

Good luck!!!!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

This winter weather is killing me right now.

Okay I know this southern girl has little room to complain next to -20 weather but I am right there with you.

For the evening we will hop to DHS. This park is giving me a lot of trouble scheduling wise.

This park has given me trouble as well. Its quite a pain isn't it?

We are going back to Epcot this night to try and squeeze in more time at the Flower and Garden Festival. I have no plans for this night expect to see Illuminations.

Okay seriously this is too funny. Yet another park day with matching plans! Seriously go have a look at the updates on my PTR for these dates... you'll have a laugh at how on the same page we are!

Tomorrow I have to wake up insanely early to hopefully book an ADR for lunch at Be Our Guest. I am afraid that so many people are going to be trying to get on and book and the system won’t be able to handle it and frustration will occur. I am just going to hope for the best and that they also don’t decide this will be a perfect day to release the feel the force package as well.

Hope you had luck!!!

 

[ashw100]

It is always great when it works out that way!

Never had it happen but I am crossing my fingers for this day.

No kidding. For a park that some people call a half day park, it really takes a good day and a half if you just want to be able to do all the rides and see about half of the shows.

So glad someone agrees, I wish we could spend a whole day here but with mid day breaks there is no time to get back. Can't wait until this park has later hours.

This isn't debatable. Even if they're kicking and screaming they can wait.

If only it were that easy right?

Ok... I see some potential problems.

Some, not all, CM's made us all scan our Magic Bands when we got Rider Swap... meaning if they would happen to check you at ToT, you and Connor could ride, but no RS for Joe. Now, there's a good chance they might not check and only the ones riding will have to scan their bands, but just realize they potentially could make you all scan your bands to verify that everyone has FP+ before they give you an RS pass.

Also, RnR and TSMM are Tier 1 or whatever they call it. You can't schedule FP+ for both of them on the same day.


Good luck!!!!

Gah! Back to the drawing boards, how did I miss the 2 tier ones? Oh well, I guess we will try and fit it in on the EMH morning then. Hopefully JTA sign up doesn't take too long. Okay, the rider swap thing is not going to make me happy. I have read the rules about rider swap a million times and no where does it say all parties must have FP for you to get a rider swap. If it were all rule I would totally understand and follow it. I am a rule follower and non confrontational so I wouldn't even fight it but, I will so upset and let down. We did this for every ride last February with no problem .

Okay I know this southern girl has little room to complain next to -20 weather but I am right there with you.

This park has given me trouble as well. Its quite a pain isn't it?

So frustrating!. Just not enough time to schedule all the shows and rides are not good if you are under 40".

Okay seriously this is too funny. Yet another park day with matching plans! Seriously go have a look at the updates on my PTR for these dates... you'll have a laugh at how on the same page we are!

Okay, I didn't even realize you updated headed there now.

Hope you had luck!!!

Thanks, I was successful.

 

[afwdwfan]

I don't know the official rule on this. I think it is kind of a gray area and depends on the CM. I erred on the side of caution for our plans. Most CMs didn't worry about it and just gave us the RS. A few asked if we all had FP but didn't make us scan our bands. We only had to physically scan them all for one of our rides on 7DMT and once on BTMRR, I believe. I don't think we had to do it anywhere else.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Thanks, I was successful.

That's good to hear!

 

[ashw100]

I don't know the official rule on this. I think it is kind of a gray area and depends on the CM. I erred on the side of caution for our plans. Most CMs didn't worry about it and just gave us the RS. A few asked if we all had FP but didn't make us scan our bands. We only had to physically scan them all for one of our rides on 7DMT and once on BTMRR, I believe. I don't think we had to do it anywhere else.

Okay, so this is just a guess but I am thinking that the CM are going to be more stingy on the headliner rides than others. I plan on using this method for Space Mountain, TOT, Barnstormer, and Toworrowland Speedway. If they don't let us on Space or TOT its okay because I have a backup plan. It would mess me up if this happens of Barnstormer or the speedway. Any thoughts?

That's good to hear!

Thanks! Happy to hear you got one too

 

[ashw100]

Whew, what a day. I woke up at 5:30 to get my BOG ADR. I was shocked when I got on at 5:45 with no problems and was able to make my reservation. I heard it opened up over night but man was I glad I got on before 6. I read reports all day of people not being able to find anything. As I predicted, the system couldn't handle the influx of people . I was also able to get one for my BIL's family as well. I wasn't sure it would stick because it didn't show on MDE but I had my email screen shot.

​

It did eventually show up though so everything should be good. This is seriously a huge relief and one less thing to stress about.

Also, yesterday I got a email saying that Pirates will be down starting May 11. I was finally starting to feel comfortable with my plans and now I have to redo them. I am going to start with Frontierland and Adventureland on May 10 now. Also, do Tomorrowland and save Fantasyland for our other MK day. The touring plans also work much better with this since our second MK day has EMH.

I am also, about to start some of my DIY project and I can't wait to share them.

 

[hokieinpa]

I agree that HS is a difficult park to plan. So many shows at set times - trying to squeeze in FP+ in there plus ADRs? It's a mess!

I'm excited to hear about your JTA experience! I got in line with my 4-year old and we got almost to the front (after waiting in line for 40 minutes...) and he decided he didn't want to do it anymore. I think all the "big" kids around freaked him out. Maybe next year!

We didn't have any trouble using RS - no one asked us to scan our bands. But some of them did let us through with 4 on a RS pass when the rule is to only allow 3. I think it depends on how much of a stickler the CM is.

I wasn't super impressed with the food selection at our H&V breakfast. And the character interaction was just ok. If I can swing it, we're going to skip it next time and maybe try to meet Jake at Animation Courtyard.

So glad you got a BOG reservation! I'm interested to see how the new lunch ADR system and breakfast works out!!

 

[ashw100]

I agree that HS is a difficult park to plan. So many shows at set times - trying to squeeze in FP+ in there plus ADRs? It's a mess!

I know its so difficult then add in JTA with no guarantee if you will do it or what time

I'm excited to hear about your JTA experience! I got in line with my 4-year old and we got almost to the front (after waiting in line for 40 minutes...) and he decided he didn't want to do it anymore. I think all the "big" kids around freaked him out. Maybe next year!

Sorry, that is a bummer. I didn't even think he would want to do it but, he keeps talking about wanting to fight Darth Vader and he doesn't even know about this trip.

We didn't have any trouble using RS - no one asked us to scan our bands. But some of them did let us through with 4 on a RS pass when the rule is to only allow 3. I think it depends on how much of a stickler the CM is.

I think I am just going to go in hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

I wasn't super impressed with the food selection at our H&V breakfast. And the character interaction was just ok. If I can swing it, we're going to skip it next time and maybe try to meet Jake at Animation Courtyard.

Surprisingly enough, I actually enjoyed the lunch offerings. I was disappointed with the characters. Some of the worst interactions of the trip. But, as I said, the boys loved it and didn't notice the impatient characters so we are going back.

So glad you got a BOG reservation! I'm interested to see how the new lunch ADR system and breakfast works out!!

Thanks. I sounds like lunch will be the same as before they are just calling it an ADR instead of fastpass. I'll be more interested in breakfast when I can see an official menu.

 

[ashw100]

DH and I were talking a couple of night ago about possibly taking an anniversary trip somewhere. We landed on going back to WDW!There is nothing even remotely set about this trip except that we want to go. I think it will be so fun to go just the two of us. We haven't even had date night since the baby has been born. Right now we are looking at October. Our anniversary is in September but, his vacation doesn't restart until October. He has a conference for work every October and we don't know when that will be so, we are looking at the last three weeks of October depending on that. The trip will also depend on if there is a bounce back offered in May and if there are black out dates. The final determining factor would be if MIL is willing to come here and watch the boys. Connor will be in kindergarten and I don't wan to take him out to sit at Grandma's house in Chicago. Even though this is a very slim possibility that we will go, I am excited to possibly be able to go to the Halloween Party again and do the Food & Wine Festival.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

How Exciting!

 

[afwdwfan]

I hope everything falls in place for your anniversary trip. I know it is hard to get too excited about it not knowing if it will happen yet, but I really hope it all works out for you!!!

 

[yeheyprincex2]

DH and I were talking a couple of night ago about possibly taking an anniversary trip somewhere. We landed on going back to WDW!There is nothing even remotely set about this trip except that we want to go. I think it will be so fun to go just the two of us. We haven't even had date night since the baby has been born. Right now we are looking at October. Our anniversary is in September but, his vacation doesn't restart until October. He has a conference for work every October and we don't know when that will be so, we are looking at the last three weeks of October depending on that. The trip will also depend on if there is a bounce back offered in May and if there are black out dates. The final determining factor would be if MIL is willing to come here and watch the boys. Connor will be in kindergarten and I don't wan to take him out to sit at Grandma's house in Chicago. Even though this is a very slim possibility that we will go, I am excited to possibly be able to go to the Halloween Party again and do the Food & Wine Festival.

Exciting, the though of an adult trip is fun
I can spend a day day dreaming about a childless trip, haven't done that since 2010. Last childless Disney trip was 2009.
I would love a few days getaway with DH, if only my mother would say yes to watching my children. For some reason she is very intimidated by the thought of taking my kids for a few days. We tried last summer and plans fell through