dznyfam3
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2012
- Messages
- 131
My family and I live on the west coast in WA and haven't visited WDW since 2005. We usually just head to DL every year or so as that park is home for us. But we want to try a trip to WDW next year. I'm extremely overwhelmed by all the planning I see goes into dining and Fastpass+ in WDW. At DL I book a few dining locations 60 days out and our days are not planned out except for what park we start at each day and first ride of the day. I've been planning our trip to WDW for April 2016 for awhile and I know what dining reservations I'll be selecting however we will be staying offsite. It will be my family: DH, DS7, myself and my parents.
My main question is what can I expect as to the ease of getting the fastpasses I want at 30 days out since we will be staying offsite? Is there really an unfair advantage for those staying offsite compared with those staying onsite? Does this disadvantage for offsite guests mean my planning will be much more stressful?
Another area of concern is transportation. The resort we will be staying at offsite offers a daily shuttle to Epcot at 8:00 in the morning for dates in April. How will this affect us when most parks open at 9:00? When we travel to DL I get to the gates 45 minutes before park opening. However from what I've read and from what we experienced even back in 2005 in WDW it can take quite awhile to not only wait for your bus to each park but travel between the parks. I'm planning character breakfasts at WDW resorts on our non-park days to make it easier but I like to be early for rope drop at park opening. How reasonable is this when staying offsite? and how would this differ if I considered an onsite hotel instead?
One last question, for special dining such as Tomorrowland Dessert Fireworks Party, is that something which can be booked 180 days out or no?
Looking for some much needed trip planning help!!

Thanks!!
My main question is what can I expect as to the ease of getting the fastpasses I want at 30 days out since we will be staying offsite? Is there really an unfair advantage for those staying offsite compared with those staying onsite? Does this disadvantage for offsite guests mean my planning will be much more stressful?
Another area of concern is transportation. The resort we will be staying at offsite offers a daily shuttle to Epcot at 8:00 in the morning for dates in April. How will this affect us when most parks open at 9:00? When we travel to DL I get to the gates 45 minutes before park opening. However from what I've read and from what we experienced even back in 2005 in WDW it can take quite awhile to not only wait for your bus to each park but travel between the parks. I'm planning character breakfasts at WDW resorts on our non-park days to make it easier but I like to be early for rope drop at park opening. How reasonable is this when staying offsite? and how would this differ if I considered an onsite hotel instead?
One last question, for special dining such as Tomorrowland Dessert Fireworks Party, is that something which can be booked 180 days out or no?
Looking for some much needed trip planning help!!

Thanks!!