Spring Surprise (March 31-April 3rd 2022)

was there anything to pre-order for this weekend? like they have bundles for marathon weekend, etc?
nope unless things were listed after the fact..... I hope this isn't the new norm as it eases the anxiety knowing I've already seccured my magnet and pins (though having to run with the masses at the expo means AP discount so you loose some you win some I guess.... )
 
nope unless things were listed after the fact..... I hope this isn't the new norm

I think that they had realized, by the time the SS registration happened, that supply chain issues were going to have a major impact and they didn't want to over-sell OR have to potentially ship pre-orders to people. (That's my theory, anyway.) I looks like maybe things got adjusted/sorted out since it at least appears that merch for princess was more abundant than it was for MW. Fingers crossed at least.
 
thank you for those replies - yeah, ding dang, that sucks. I too am worried about purchasing things based on the line up of people for the Princess weekend started as early as 6 or 7am (per online videos) - though Princess is super popular.
 
thank you for those replies - yeah, ding dang, that sucks. I too am worried about purchasing things based on the line up of people for the Princess weekend started as early as 6 or 7am (per online videos) - though Princess is super popular.
I took the first bus from ASMu and got to the expo at 9:30am and got into the merch line right away, and 2.5 hours later when I got into the merch room, there wasn’t anything sold out, as far as I could tell. I got everything I wanted, and mobile checkout was quick and easy.

So don’t despair, or think you have to get up at the crack of dawn (unless you’re doing the yoga, of course 😆). But the line did grow quick once the resort buses started coming, so if you’re bussing, get on the first one.
 

How would you plan it, in my shoes? Keep it as Saturday Hollywood Studios, Sunday Epcot? Or switch?
My plan is EP reserved for Saturday and DHS reserved for Sunday: I want a guarantee of being able to celebrate the TOT 10-Miler at DHS that evening. But I'm also arriving Sat. morning and going to the expo at 11, and not planning any morning park time, only afternoon/evening.
 
Local Just doing Everest my current “plan” is expo at opening lunch either at springs or Epcot (have a park pass booked for options) than check in/nap at pop till an hour before first bus

Friday Magic, Saturday studios, Sunday DAK (pending bell service being able to hold bags)
 
Do you think the expo merch line will be less crazy for Springtime weekend versus Marathon and Princess? I have a tour in Animal Kingdom at 11:45am and am wondering if I have time to go to the expo beforehand (I would Uber straight to AK after).
 
/
Do you think the expo merch line will be less crazy for Springtime weekend versus Marathon and Princess? I have a tour in Animal Kingdom at 11:45am and am wondering if I have time to go to the expo beforehand (I would Uber straight to AK after).
Hard to say on the one hand smaller field on the other no pre orders and I assume those doing Everest that night will want to go earlier to relax pre race
 
Do you think the expo merch line will be less crazy for Springtime weekend versus Marathon and Princess? I have a tour in Animal Kingdom at 11:45am and am wondering if I have time to go to the expo beforehand (I would Uber straight to AK after).
I can't imagine it being much better. This is a race weekend where three beloved and unique events are returning for the first time in several years. I'd imagine fans who are sentimental about these races would make it a high priority to get merch, particularly since there's no guarantee that we'll see these races again next year (given the surprise "theme", it seems unlikely). If I were doing this and I was interested in merch, I'd def be there early and expect some craziness.
 
Let's talk parks really quick for SS. Because the TPAS board is just a little much for me these days.

We are headed down for spring break the week leading up to SS weekend. We are doing 2 park days (AK on Sunday and HS Monday) and possibly adding hoppers to get over the F&G at Epcot (and I'd really like to ride Remy.) I'm really hoping they also extend the park hours. I booked us a FW campsite (since there are 11 of us) to get into the parks as early as possible and try to get through the super long lines before they are super long for FoP in AK and ROTR in HS. We'll have to use rider swap for both of these. I'd also like to go on MMRR at HS because I haven't been on that, and I'm hoping to get DS1 and 2 to try TT and maybe RR.

Is Genie+ going to be a worthwhile expense? It would be $160 for the 2 days. I know that there's been a fair amount of discussion about whether or not it's "worth it" in HS on busy days. I wasn't thrilled with it during MW when we did MK for the day...I think we ended up using it for like 3 things, but we also bought it late and it was just DH, DD, and myself and we weren't super concerned about getting on the "big" rides; having a 16, 14, and 10yo along for the trip will definitely change how we do things. The last time we did a big trip with everyone I was able to get us a FP for almost every ride we did that "needed" it, so this trip is going to be a significant change.
 
Let's talk parks really quick for SS. Because the TPAS board is just a little much for me these days.

We are headed down for spring break the week leading up to SS weekend. We are doing 2 park days (AK on Sunday and HS Monday) and possibly adding hoppers to get over the F&G at Epcot (and I'd really like to ride Remy.) I'm really hoping they also extend the park hours. I booked us a FW campsite (since there are 11 of us) to get into the parks as early as possible and try to get through the super long lines before they are super long for FoP in AK and ROTR in HS. We'll have to use rider swap for both of these. I'd also like to go on MMRR at HS because I haven't been on that, and I'm hoping to get DS1 and 2 to try TT and maybe RR.

Is Genie+ going to be a worthwhile expense? It would be $160 for the 2 days. I know that there's been a fair amount of discussion about whether or not it's "worth it" in HS on busy days. I wasn't thrilled with it during MW when we did MK for the day...I think we ended up using it for like 3 things, but we also bought it late and it was just DH, DD, and myself and we weren't super concerned about getting on the "big" rides; having a 16, 14, and 10yo along for the trip will definitely change how we do things. The last time we did a big trip with everyone I was able to get us a FP for almost every ride we did that "needed" it, so this trip is going to be a significant change.
I used G+ yesterday in HS, and I did get ToT for 11:15-12:15 (which was right on top of my lunch res at 11:45, but I made it work by the skin of my teeth) and then only got Star Tours and Indy (neither of which was really needed, but I felt like I needed to get some kind of value for my money). I could have gotten a Smuggler’s Run for late in the day, butIi didn’t want to stay that late.

My AK day after the half was better, I got LL for Safari and N’avi River Journey, and bought $LL for FoP and it all fit together nicely in the afternoon, and then I was able to stack LL for thing I wanted in MK for the evening. But I’m also solo, so it might be easier for me to snag times than a larger party.
 
and then I was able to stack LL for thing I wanted in MK for the evening. But I’m also solo, so it might be easier for me to snag times than a larger party.
Do you have to be tapped in at the 2nd park to get LL for stuff? Or can you do it at the first park before you hop?
 
Let's talk parks really quick for SS. Because the TPAS board is just a little much for me these days.

We are headed down for spring break the week leading up to SS weekend. We are doing 2 park days (AK on Sunday and HS Monday) and possibly adding hoppers to get over the F&G at Epcot (and I'd really like to ride Remy.) I'm really hoping they also extend the park hours. I booked us a FW campsite (since there are 11 of us) to get into the parks as early as possible and try to get through the super long lines before they are super long for FoP in AK and ROTR in HS. We'll have to use rider swap for both of these. I'd also like to go on MMRR at HS because I haven't been on that, and I'm hoping to get DS1 and 2 to try TT and maybe RR.

Is Genie+ going to be a worthwhile expense? It would be $160 for the 2 days. I know that there's been a fair amount of discussion about whether or not it's "worth it" in HS on busy days. I wasn't thrilled with it during MW when we did MK for the day...I think we ended up using it for like 3 things, but we also bought it late and it was just DH, DD, and myself and we weren't super concerned about getting on the "big" rides; having a 16, 14, and 10yo along for the trip will definitely change how we do things. The last time we did a big trip with everyone I was able to get us a FP for almost every ride we did that "needed" it, so this trip is going to be a significant change.
I my humble opinion, I prefer Fast Pass+. At least you could guarantee three priority rides and place them at times in the day where you wanted. I have only used Genie+ for MW so far; and that was just for four people. But I would say that at least at HS and MK it helped. Both days we were able to prioritize a couple rides that were important to us. It also helped to be in the park at rope drop and get on one ride, like at MK we went straight to Space Mountain and had a very short wait. We will likely use Genie+ again but never at Epcot or AK, that was a waste.
 
I my humble opinion, I prefer Fast Pass+. At least you could guarantee three priority rides and place them at times in the day where you wanted. I have only used Genie+ for MW so far; and that was just for four people. But I would say that at least at HS and MK it helped. Both days we were able to prioritize a couple rides that were important to us. It also helped to be in the park at rope drop and get on one ride, like at MK we went straight to Space Mountain and had a very short wait. We will likely use Genie+ again but never at Epcot or AK, that was a waste.
I would agree with this. I almost feel like they took a look at Fastpass and Fastpass+, kept the worst of both, and came up with Genie+. In any case, I think it is pretty good in Magic Kingdom, hit-or-miss at DHS, and not worth it at Epcot. Fair warning, there is a chance that if the parks are crowded, you will feel like it wasn't worth it because you didn't get anything good as everything will be gone before noon; if the parks aren't crowded, you might feel like it wasn't worth it because you wouldn't need it in the first place. With the time of year, I'd lean more towards the former being likely. Our strategy at DHS without Genie+ was rope drop Slinky, head straight to TSMM after that, wait an hour for Tower, single rider both Smugglers Run and RNRC, and either skip or LL Rise. If you don't want to be an engineer in Smugglers Run or don't want to likely be split from your group, you'll want Genie+.
 
I my humble opinion, I prefer Fast Pass+. At least you could guarantee three priority rides and place them at times in the day where you wanted. I have only used Genie+ for MW so far; and that was just for four people. But I would say that at least at HS and MK it helped. Both days we were able to prioritize a couple rides that were important to us. It also helped to be in the park at rope drop and get on one ride, like at MK we went straight to Space Mountain and had a very short wait. We will likely use Genie+ again but never at Epcot or AK, that was a waste.
Fully agree on FP+ being the superior system
 
I would agree with this. I almost feel like they took a look at Fastpass and Fastpass+, kept the worst of both, and came up with Genie+. In any case, I think it is pretty good in Magic Kingdom, hit-or-miss at DHS, and not worth it at Epcot. Fair warning, there is a chance that if the parks are crowded, you will feel like it wasn't worth it because you didn't get anything good as everything will be gone before noon; if the parks aren't crowded, you might feel like it wasn't worth it because you wouldn't need it in the first place. With the time of year, I'd lean more towards the former being likely. Our strategy at DHS without Genie+ was rope drop Slinky, head straight to TSMM after that, wait an hour for Tower, single rider both Smugglers Run and RNRC, and either skip or LL Rise. If you don't want to be an engineer in Smugglers Run or don't want to likely be split from your group, you'll want Genie+.
I'm assuming that the parks will be at or near capacity since that's getting into peak spring break time.

I will rope drop ROTR, possibly jump over to SR, and then after that it's anyone's guess. I didn't get to ride SD last time we went to HS because I was pregnant, and we really love TSMM. I completely agree that FP+ was waaaaay better than the current system, but I'm also a person who plans way far in advance. I feel like we don't get as much out of our park days with G+ as we did with FP+.
 
10K registration appears to be reopened right now for anyone who is looking...

I wish runDisney could weed out the 5k registrations of kids who don't meet the age requirement (someone mentioned this being a thing earlier), and open up some 5k/Challenge slots!
 
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I'm assuming that the parks will be at or near capacity since that's getting into peak spring break time.

I will rope drop ROTR, possibly jump over to SR, and then after that it's anyone's guess. I didn't get to ride SD last time we went to HS because I was pregnant, and we really love TSMM. I completely agree that FP+ was waaaaay better than the current system, but I'm also a person who plans way far in advance. I feel like we don't get as much out of our park days with G+ as we did with FP+.
Good chance. I was there this past week for Princess and I know Magic Kingdom sold out at least a few days we were there (New York was apparently on winter break) and things went fast. Only things that still had Genie+ availability were the rides that had the shortest waits anyway or shows.
 
10K registration appears to be reopened right now for anyone who is looking...

I wish runDisney could weed out the 5k registrations of kids who don't meet the age requirement (someone mentioned this being a thing earlier), and open up some 5k/Challenge slots!
I'm really curious about the reasoning behind the age requirements. My daughter, who will be 12 when these races happen, is a year too young but is registered to do the 10k and 10 miler (and yes, she has trained and no, this won't be her first time doing either distance). I'm assuming it's an insurance thing having to do with the race being at night, but all of the 5k and many of the 10k races I've done at Disney started and ended before sunrise.:confused3
 














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