Sep trip HELP

[disneyprincesskate]

Hi ALL!!!!

I'm brand new to DIS and hope this is the right place to post.

A little background....I've been to WDW a handful of times. My most recent trip was in February, but before that was 2010. This trip I'm leaving DH and the kids behind and going with one of my girlfriends. Soooo excited to be stroller and diaper-less this trip!!!!! We don't have the dining plan and plan to bring in a few snack items and grab something in the parks if we're out of food haha. Also, this will be my girlfriend's first time to WDW.

We're driving from Georgia and these are our tentative plans:
9-13: arrive around 5-6pm check into ASMo, head to MK, ride a few rides and definitely watch Wishes and hopefully EP. Plan to drive to MK so we can catch the ferry. I'd really like to share that feeling of excitement when the castle comes into view with my friend.
9-14: RD MK and park hop later to DHS, really wanna see Fantasmic! (will be both our firsts)
9-15: RD Epcot, park hop to AK and maybe back to Epcot for Illuminations
9-16: Sadly pack up and drive home *sniffs/dries eyes*

My questions are:
-Am I overly ambitious with our plans?
-How should we plan our FP's? Never used more than three before, but recently learned there may be a way to acquire more...?
-The big transportation debate! How to get to and from the parks? Should we use the busses everyday except arrival day? I used them for the first time in February. Being dropped at the front of MK is awesome! But, are they necessary for the rest of the parks? Easier to park hop with the bus or quicker to drive?
-Thinking of trying Brown Derby at DHS. Never been to a signature before. Is there a dress code? Dying to try the Cobb salad! Is the FDP necessary?

Thanks in advance! I look forward to interacting with other Disney fanatics °o°!!!!!

 

[DisneyFive]

Schedule looks good. Not overly aggressive. Just be aware that AK closes pretty early, like 5pm on the 15th. You might want to Rope Drop AK and get done what you want there, then spend the rest of the day at Epcot... up to you though.

• We try for FP's late morning/early afternoon. After you use your first three, you can visit a kiosk in the park to see what else may be available.
• Transportation is up to you. I like the buses, since I don't want to worry about driving when I'm at WDW. However, or friends would rather drive to any of the four parks, except Magic Kingdom. They say driving and parking at AK, EP, and HS is easier then taking the bus. However, MK can be worse driving due to the hassle with the shuttles and stuff. (don't know much about that though, since we always take the buses as mentioned).
• No dress code for Brown Derby. Standard park attire.

Dan

 

[disneyprincesskate]

Thanks Dan!!

RD at AK sounds like a good idea! Would prob save some travel time too. My original thinking to RD Epcot was for EMH. You think skipping that and less travel back and for would be better?

Also, after we've used our three FP's at one park, when we hop can we then try to get FP's at the new park? Is it strictly one park only for FP's with a possibility of more at the same park?

 

[BrianL]

You can get your additional FPs for the park that you are currently in. If you have already hopped, the FP will be for that park, regardless of what your initial ones were for. You can not get FPs for another park before you arrive there.

As for transportation, driving will be much faster and easier to leave at night when the lines for the bus get long. MK is the only exception because of the need to get to the TTC parking lot.

 

[DisneyFive]

Well, EMH for Epcot could be very useful for trying to hit the two headliners standby, Soarin and Test Track. So maybe your original plan would work good too.

Dan

 

[disneyprincesskate]

Do all additional FP's (after first three) need to be made at a kiosk?

 

[disneyprincesskate]

Also, how'd you get that countdown to show up after all your posts?

 

[dizneegirl]

Do all additional FP's (after first three) need to be made at a kiosk?

Yup.

 

[mesaboy2]

OP, two things:

1. You may find the green link in my signature helpful for understanding FP+.

2.

 

[scdak]

Driving is the only way for me! I even prefer to drive to MK and I know that I am probably one of the rare individuals that like that option. Being dropped off in front of MK is great........waiting in line for buses at the end of the day NOT so great, I would rather wait a short time, take the ferry and enjoy the sights of MK for just a little bit longer

 

[disneyprincesskate]

OP, two things:

1. You may find the green link in my signature helpful for understanding FP+.

2.

Super helpful! Thanks!!

 

[disneyprincesskate]

Driving is the only way for me! I even prefer to drive to MK and I know that I am probably one of the rare individuals that like that option. Being dropped off in front of MK is great........waiting in line for buses at the end of the day NOT so great, I would rather wait a short time, take the ferry and enjoy the sights of MK for just a little bit longer

I think I will do this. I know for sure we will drive the first day to MK, but wasn't sure about 9/14 as we are planning RD at MK and hopping to close DHS for EMH. The waits for busses will prob be long after EMH, huh? Not to mention ASMo shares their busses (first time staying there, not sure what to expect).

 

[leebee]

I'd drive. You'll save a bunch of time when park hopping, and you'll get home faster at night than waiting for a resort bus. Everyone says what a hassle it is driving to MK, but it's part of the fun. Park in the MK lot, take the tram to the TTC. Hop on a monorail to the MK. At the end of the evening, take the ferry boat to the TTC, and a tram to the parking lot. For my family, the Ferry Boat and the Monorail are as much a part of the Disney experience as the attractions and shows!