Should we skip HS if no TSM, MM or Fantasmic?

[Wes1stTrip2016]

I've read some posts and an email from WDW Prep School that there are no FP+ for TSM after Oct 15th and maybe no Fantasmic after the end of Jan and the possible closing of Mama Melrose....which are the main 3 things I wanted to do in HS (bummer)....so based on that - would you just skip HS this trip and do a 3rd MK day with a 5yr old boy?

If no Mama Melrose, I have an extra TS credit with no desire to do H&V and limited TS at MK...so I don't know what I'd do with that credit....maybe cut short the 3rd MK day and go to DTD and do T-Rex?

OR

Should I cancel my 5th park day ticket and go to Universal?

 

[darkwing818]

OP here's my question for you, if these are truly your main reason for hitting HS why would you want to go, if there were issues? For us we enjoy HS regardless of whether or not we have a FP+ for TSM. The other 2 would not affect us one way or the other, so we would not skip HS, but that's just us.

 

[revdon64]

Are you sure that the FP+ availability isn't just about the 60 day window? Also, if you have to add a MK day there are great TS restaurants at the resorts on the monorail loop. Try Ohana or Chef Mickey's,

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

OP here's my question for you, if these are truly your main reason for hitting HS why would you want to go, if there were issues? For us we enjoy HS regardless of whether or not we have a FP+ for TSM. The other 2 would not affect us one way or the other, so we would not skip HS, but that's just us.

Maybe I should have worded my question differently....scratch TSM, TOT, RnRC & Fantasmic - is there much else there for a 5yr old boy to find entertaining enough to warrant a park ticket? The meal at MM was the only meal of the week that DH & I chose for ourselves to enjoy vs being geared for DS.

 

[Accident]

For us, HS has now become a "ride it once more it might be gone next time" park. TSM not having fast passes wouldn't change our minds. On our upcoming trip which is just before that week, we're going to play HS by ear and decide while there. We did get fast passes for what we could just in case.. We're also waiting for D23 this weekend with what will hopefully be more news and timelines on what is happening and closing when. We lucked out on last year and happened to be at WDW when the other rides closed permanently and very happy we had 1 more chance to ride.

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

Are you sure that the FP+ availability isn't just about the 60 day window? Also, if you have to add a MK day there are great TS restaurants at the resorts on the monorail loop. Try Ohana or Chef Mickey's,

I'm not sure but last night I saw folks posting on a FB page that they had tried for Oct 14th & 15th to no avail. No confirmation from the DIS on any of it yet though. This is part of the email sent from Shannon Albert of WDW Prep School.

Two strange things to point out for Hollywood Studios: there are no Fantasmics currently scheduled after January, and there are no FastPass+ reservations for Toy Story Mania available after October 14. Could be a glitch, could be a sign of some upcoming closures, or it could be something else. I just want you to be aware as you make your trip plans

 

[3DisneyFanz]

With a 5 year old I would skip HS. It's not a very kid friendly park to begin with and if two of the big things they can do are gone it's better to find somewhere else.

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

For us, HS has now become a "ride it once more it might be gone next time" park. TSM not having fast passes wouldn't change our minds. On our upcoming trip which is just before that week, we're going to play HS by ear and decide while there. We did get fast passes for what we could just in case.. We're also waiting for D23 this weekend with what will hopefully be more news and timelines on what is happening and closing when. We lucked out on last year and happened to be at WDW when the other rides closed permanently and very happy we had 1 more chance to ride.

I'm less concerned about the FP then I am about the thought of the ride not being open, as Toy Story is a fave of DS's right now. =(

 

[Accident]

I'm less concerned about the FP then I am about the thought of the ride not being open, as Toy Story is a fave of DS's right now. =(

He doesn't like anything else or the rest of "pixar row"? Most closures reopen earlier as it's a worst case scenario for people to properly plan, even if you decide to skip i'd keep my eye open when there in case it changes and is open and keep your trip flexible enough to suddenly be there.

Two strange things to point out for Hollywood Studios: there are no Fantasmics currently scheduled after January, and there are no FastPass+ reservations for Toy Story Mania available after October 14. Could be a glitch, could be a sign of some upcoming closures, or it could be something else. I just want you to be aware as you make your trip plans

Neither are strange to me. The toy story second track upgrade says the ride will be opened except for a short period for queue changes. There was also a building permit for something new near fantasmic (I think it's a second amphitheater IIRC), they also could really use getting everyone off that street when it's time to line up, that just requires construction. Fantasmic is a much better show in california so I welcome this changing and hopefully for the better. After seeing it on the west coast, it's become a we can skip thing at WDW now.

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

With a 5 year old I would skip HS. It's not a very kid friendly park to begin with and if two of the big things they can do are gone it's better to find somewhere else.

DH & I are discussing a 3rd MK day, which may allow for us to avoid that crazy RD rush down Main Street (that I just saw on a video) 2 out of 3 days, as we plan for an early breakfast at CP.

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

He doesn't like anything else or the rest of "pixar row"? Most closures reopen earlier as it's a worst case scenario for people to properly plan, even if you decide to skip i'd keep my eye open when there in case it changes and is open and keep your trip flexible enough to suddenly be there.

Neither are strange to me. The toy story second track upgrade says the ride will be opened except for a short period for queue changes. There was also a building permit for something new near fantasmic (I think it's a second amphitheater IIRC), they also could really use getting everyone off that street when it's time to line up, that just requires construction. Fantasmic is a much better show in california so I welcome this changing and hopefully for the better. After seeing it on the west coast, it's become a we can skip thing at WDW now.

First I've heard "Pixar Row" - please explain! He loves Cars & Monsters Inc too!

 

[Accident]

First I've heard "Pixar Row" - please explain! He loves Cars & Monsters Inc too!

That's what I call the narrow street that TSM is on, it just felt like "pixar row" to me. Characters on 1 side, army men running around, mostly pixar themed.

 

[bc7ate9]

First I've heard "Pixar Row" - please explain! He loves Cars & Monsters Inc too!

You can meet Buzz and Woody in a room that looks like Andy's bed. There are Greem Army Men walking around sometimes. There are huge toys and other cute theming. If you go back a little further, you can meet Sully and Mike. It's a fun area to walk through, but there's not a whole lot to DO.

 

[jacknsally19]

So I am going to WDW next month with my 3 (almost 4) year old.... and I decided to skip HS despite being very close to the park (staying at Boardwalk) AND my DD being a huge fan of Woody & Buzz. I actually had a FP+ scheduled for TSMM and cancelled it because I think the park is not worth it for young kids right now. An extra day at MK will allow repeating some favorites and/or doing a few things more slowly.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Most closures reopen earlier as it's a worst case scenario for people to properly plan, even if you decide to skip i'd keep my eye open when there in case it changes and is open and keep your trip flexible enough to suddenly be there.

While refurbs do occasionally finish early, I certainly wouldn't say that it's usual, or even often. It's typically a big surprise when something re-opens early. But, if it does close, it is worth checking, OP, to see if it opens early.

There was also a building permit for something new near fantasmic (I think it's a second amphitheater IIRC)

The permit is for a new flex space theater, not an amphitheater. The location is between RnR and ToT, so I can't imagine it would have an impact on Fantasmic, certainly not enough to close it for several months.

Hopefully, Fantasmic just hasn't been added to the calendar yet.

 

[ktlm]

That would be a hard decision. At 5, he may love the Star Tours ride. It was one of DD's absolute favorites at that age and still is at age 9. For us, losing TSM and Mana Melrose would be losing 2 out of 3 of our main things and with Animation and also the characters in there being gone, that would almost make us dump it, but Star Tours and the Beauty and the Beast show would probably still get us there. It would definitely be a park hopping day though and it doesn't sound like you have hoppers. Your son might also love Jedi Academy if you get there early enough to show up. We don't deal with that at WDW as we do it at DL where there is no advance sign up and kids just get picked out if the crowd. If your choice is DHS or DTD though, I would still take DHS.

 

[skipfierce]

With a 5 year old I would skip HS. It's not a very kid friendly park to begin with and if two of the big things they can do are gone it's better to find somewhere else.

I will have to disagree that it is not kid friendly. It all depends on the kid I suppose. We took our daughter when she was 5 and 6 and she loved that park. Her favorite was Star Tours but also loved The Great Movie Ride, Indiana Jones, Muppets, and even liked One Man's Dream.

And as far as table dining, she absolutely loved 50's Prime Time Cafe. She really got a kick out of Cousin Lindsay making me eat my greens like a "choo choo". Still talks about it to this day. IN my opinion there is plenty to keep kids entertained at DHS.

 

[Quellman]

There are tons of places to eat that can spruce up your vacation that aren't as focused on your 5 year old that aren't "t-rex cafe". Try tutto italia at EPCOT if you want Italian, or maybe coral reef for the aquarium feel. Or if you are ditching MK early on day 3 why not try out one of the dining locations at the resorts near there? Ohana can be a great experience as is the Wave at the contemporary. Or try the fun of Whispering Canyon. There may even be a 1 TC option for the last show of Hoop-de-doo. If not those places, take a trip to Animal Kingdom Lodge for Boma. Your small fry can enjoy the animals before or after the meal (or both)!

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

There are tons of places to eat that can spruce up your vacation that aren't as focused on your 5 year old that aren't "t-rex cafe". Try tutto italia at EPCOT if you want Italian, or maybe coral reef for the aquarium feel. Or if you are ditching MK early on day 3 why not try out one of the dining locations at the resorts near there? Ohana can be a great experience as is the Wave at the contemporary. Or try the fun of Whispering Canyon. There may even be a 1 TC option for the last show of Hoop-de-doo. If not those places, take a trip to Animal Kingdom Lodge for Boma. Your small fry can enjoy the animals before or after the meal (or both)!

We are eating at WC on arrival night (very excited for this and to check out WL), we are doing HDD on our non park day and had planned for Chef Mickey on our 2nd MK day.....I've been thinking this afternoon that if we do scratch HS, that we could do the Garden Grill for breakfast on our Epcot day as we had no TS planned for there. Options, options.....but I'm really hoping all the HS issues resolve and my plan goes back to what I've written and whited out the first 6x. LOL =)

 

[epcotty]

I'd definitely skip HS, we're already skipping it now with all the closed attractions. Hopefully Fantasmic's not in danger, it was bad enough when it was only on sometimes