Technically, it's not twice in the same year... - BACK ON!!!

[momabaarjo]

Joining in on the planning fun...our trips will overlap a little!

 

[AnnieDan_Artlover]

Hi all

Sorry I have abandonned you for a while (don't we all say that too often on these boards? )

Maybe it's because I unconsciously knew what was coming.

The spring has been easier on my health than the winter. Had not had infections on top of viruses and so on... but Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is still making life hard.
I've had a few bedridden days each month, migraines and osteoarthritis episodes regularly... routine, in other words!

A few months ago Mama told me we had to start being careful with our expenses.
My parents are both retired now, so our income is lower than it was, and we have to be careful so they don't spend all their retirement money too early (neither of them worked for a company with a retirement plan, they had to make their own, so it's not garanteed).

I say "their" income but "we" because as I may have said before, being chronically ill I can't work. I get social disability money, which I mostly share with them (and use the rest for my personal expenses).

So... seeing how much effort we have to make to make ends meet, and how many things we need to delay buying... or had to decide not to buy, because money is short... I was feeling maybe she would just not go to Disney.

I'm also personally very low on money and haven't even finished paying last December's trip! I THINK I will have by next September, but I'm not 100% sure.
My computer died on me last January so I had to put money into that and so on... as things always happen.

I talked to Mama about it, and she said she had put money aside specifically for that trip, and she didn't want to re-assign it, and she wanted to go.

And then... weather happened.
Mama had already told me of her worries about us going to WDW late-September to early October heat-wise. And I had told her I was sure I would be OK, and how could that be so much warmer than what I had planned initially (end of October)?
Plus, I had been fine in May in 2008, and this past December, and we had a few days in the warm side.
But in truth... I was wondering myself.

Because in May 2008, I was in a wheelchair, but on the warmest day, I almost fainted because of exhaustion and heat.
And last December, when we had that worst day heat-wise, it was really hard for me. I couldn't stand to watch the parade, I had to sit down often... and it definitely was a harder day.

Still, I was sure I'd be fine.

And then, as I said... the weather happened. Here.
It's 84°F right now, plus humidity...
And here I was, outside, sitting in the shade, just typing on the laptop... with my cooling scard around my neck, wet hair and an iced coffee to drink... and I started feeling ill, my blood pressure dropped, and I had to rush inside (well... rush slowly ) so as not to faint.
It took me at least half an hour to recover.

When my mom learned of that, she came back on the subject of Disney, and would it really be wise to go?
She didn't want me to have a crappy trip, didn't really want to have to worry about me or be overly protective ("are you OK?" "Are you sure you can do this?" "do you need to rest?"). And she's not a fan of the heat either...

So we checked the average weather for September and October, again.
And it's exactly what we have today... or worse.

Realizing that our last trip was almost perfect, in my eyes... even with the problems we had... I wouldn't feel brokenhearted not to go back so soon... or ever again. eek. And most of all, I'd rather "end" Disney with that last, good trip as my last memory (at least, last memory for a while), than go back and have a crappy trip and end on THAT memory.
Because we had already decided that next fall would be our last Disney trip for a long while. We are limited and want to do other trips.

We talked about it, and she feels the same.

But we didn't officially decide right away...

After a while she came back and told me, maybe we could just go to the parks in the late afternoon and evenings... and maybe early morning.
And then I looked at my plan, and noted that parks never opened early (plus if we went late in the evening we wouldn't want to wake up early, she added).
And since it's off-season, there are no or very little EMH planned... so parks will close before 10pm!

And AK closes at 5-6pm.

So we would spend the day in the room, in the AC... and then only 5-6 hours in the parks each day?
Spend over 7000$ for that?

No way.

If I could only physically do so few hours, it would be worth it.
But going at another time of the year, I can do an almost normal day, so it's not worth it in my eyes. And I would just go crazy being stuck inside the rest of the time! Knowing the parks are all around and having all those plans I can't do!

So that was it.
We officially pulled the plug on our trip.

Fall 2013 trip died this afternoon at 2pm. RIP.

Honestly... I'm at peace with the decision. Because of what I said earlier.
But I'm still sad.

I'm thus ending this PTR...

 

[swwake]

Oh I'm sad to hear this. But here's hoping that there will be another Disney trip in your future!!

Your health is what's most important.

 

[thummyt]

I m so sorry that you won't be able to continue on with your trip! Definitely your personal health as well as your family's financial health are most important!

 

[AnnieDan_Artlover]

OMG I can't believe it!

I had not intended to completely stop writing, among other things I wanted to reply to your kind words, swwake & thummyt
I also take the opportunity to say I have NOT abandonned the past trip TR... but I have so many things going on at once : EDS awareness, including my blog, a new video I shot that will be shown to doctors to help teach them about the illness -SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT!, I'm now a moderator on an international rare disease website, I sometimes help a local marketing company by doing text revision/correction, I'm also in the process of putting the final touches to my book which I wanted to publish this fall... might be a bit late now... CRAZAY.
Good crazay. Health is still bad, but I've seen worse.
And so... each day I have to make choices and never get to do all I want/need, and the TR always gets pushed down the list... But it IS on the list! My Passporter pouches and notebook are beside my sofa in the living room... always ready... slightly dusty

So... now on to the big news :
Had the trip not been cancelled, we would've left last Friday, and this Wednesday would've arrived in Disney. We both tried not to think about it.
But I got an ADR reminder email last Monday!

I was confused... I was sure they had all been cancelled.
See, after I cancelled the trip, I went to check the ADRs on the Disney website... and it said I didn't have any. To make sure it wasn't just a glitch, I also checked my MyDisneyExperience app, and re-checked the website a few times over the months. Always I got "there is nothing to show". So I figured when you cancelled the trip, all the ADRs connected to it got cancelled too.
I should've known better : a) I have changed resort ressies many times for our first trip in 2008 (well... our Disney Unlimited agent did, but I knew how it worked), I've read enough here about split stays and last-minute resort changes... I should have remembered how they are not linked to a resort ressie.
b) I have had troubles with the Disney website so many times while making the ADRs, I shouldn't have trusted.

So, on Monday, I had to call and cancel everything. Thank god for Skype!
I must say, cancelling that, one by one, on the week it would've happened, while I'm physically much better than when we cancelled the trip... I was tearing up and it hit me much harder.
But we couldn't do anything about it. The decision had been done, mom had told me it was better financially after all, and without the bounceback offer, we wouldn't be able to afford it (or would have to stay at a moderate or value resort... which honestly would be too hard with my health).
Plus, it would be so last minute, we probably wouldn't be able to find anything where we wanted... we had had trouble finding availability at the Contemporary with the bounceback offer, and that was almost a year early!
And finally, we had said we didn't want to go back for the holidays... well, I don't meant that we wouldn't want to go then a second time, holidays were great, just see my TR when I finish it!
But what made us excited was seeing the Halloween period and F&W.
So I didn't even bring it up.

And then it happened.
Literally 5 minutes after hanging up with dining to cancel, I got an offer in my email.
Turns out, it's the same damn email announced everywhere : up to 30% if you book by the end of October, for a trip almost anytime from now to the holidays.

But, having cancelled and been so busy, I hadn't been anywhere near Disney info (too depressing).
Not thinking "we could go back", but just how funny it was, I sent the email to Mama.

And she replied with "...maybe we could go!".

So, that day, I was over my head in Fuzzy Disney Math trying to figure out if, indeed, we could... looking if there was any kind of availability... Set up my account on the reshaped MyDisneyExperience website as well...

And I was lucky that the link to make room reservations with that special offer didn't work, and had to call...
Because the guy on the phone a) noticed I could get a 35% discount with my AP! and b) found us an even better place to stay, for less than what we had agreed on!

Because we're just a month out, as I feared, there was less availability. That meant most standard aka cheaper rooms in the few Deluxes we were interested in, were not available.

After talking about it, and realizing that we intended to go to Epcot to eat almost every day, we decided we'd love to stay in one of those resorts (ideally Beach or Yacht Club).
Of course, if cheaper, Contemporary would've been nice, we liked it. But it was a lot of walking to use the monorail and we didn't plan on going to MK that much more than HS, and much less than Epcot... And it would be nice to change.
Our last choice would've been AKL, but with the extra to get Savannah view (cuz if we're that far, might as well see the animals dammit!). I've been dreaming of those animals for a while... But being so far... well made it our last choice.

So. I called. And asked for BeachClub. The only available room (and I really mean ONLY, as in just ONE), was with laguna view... not cheap.
But Mama was set on staying in that area so she said, alright, go!
And that's when the great CM (he really was super nice and helpful!) said "wait, for 100$ less (over the total stay) you could have a Boardwalk VILLA, 1 bedroom!


Of course we jumped on that!

I won't have to wear earplugs! (Mama snoooores so loud!) And she'll be able to watch TV to fall asleep, while I'll be able to play on my laptop or iPhone without bothering her...
She's very excited about the washer/dryer... I'm mostly excited about the jettub!!! The help that will be to my joints!!!
And having both a tub and a shower will save us some time too!

I can't believe we'll have that! (for a bit less than 400$ a night with the discount).
So, it's more money than what we would've spent had we gone this week. Because of the season price change, and because IT'S A VILLA.
But we decided it was totally worth it.
Go back this year, see what we wanted to see... and not go again, or not for a long time. (not together anyways... I might go with friends... or not).
And "splurge" to make sure we have the best experience, while also making sure it's the easiest for my health. Being close to Epcot and HS, sleeping great, not losing time doing laundry (and really resting when we're back at the resort), and that jettub... all things which might help.

We will of course save a bit of money by having a full kitchen... but we won't be doing a whole lot of cooking, especially not with the F&W going on! We are not going there to cook! We plan on eating in for late-night snacks and breakfasts.

I did have to decide if it was still worth going to Universal, which in itself cost almost 1000$ more. And which was just for me.
Unlike Disney, we don't have APs there. I looked at the different options, and for how many rides I really wanted to go back... and when the count stopped at 5... I figured even for those it wouldn't be worth it.

Instead, we added 3 nights at value Disney resorts.
That way, we keep the same overall plan we had, but we're at Disney the whole time... 11 days total. Even less stress in case of a bad (or hot) day.

Because of course, it might still be hot...
But I'm hopeful. One month later should make a difference. The predicted weather is about 80°F... if it's not 95°F with the humidity, I should be fine. And it could even be colder... which is what I'm hoping for of course!
Last year we were there just one month later, and we had one almost "too hot" day, a few almost too cold... the rest being perfect. We could be lucky.

So... I've spent over 15 hours in the past few days checking everything out, on the phone for the different ressies and modifying the Sept/Oct plan into a new Oct/Nov plan!

Which is now :
Oct. 26th : leave home, drive
Oct. 27th: Drive (maybe have dinner with my friend on the way!)
Oct. 28th: Drive and arrive in DISNEY - All-Star Music
Oct 29th: First day at the park, hurray!
Oct. 30th: change resort for Boardwalk Villa
Nov. 8th: change resort for Pop Century and enjoy our last park day
Nov. 9th: Start the drive back home
Nov. 10th: Drive some more
Nov. 11th: Surprise! Visit Hershey museum and pick up a few Xmas gifts along the way ...and if we can make it, arrive home late in the evening

I'll detail you our new day-to-day plan in another post. If I forget, Swwake, send me a message or something to remind me

Oh, and I almost forgot : we got in the Magicband testing!
Being a huge techie I'm excited about that, even though I know it might be complicated, might have glitches and so on...

I'm also curious to see if, with the heath being a bit more present than last december (unless I'm super lucky), I'll need to ask for that new Disability card, which is a kind of fastpass... I'll tell you more later too.

Gotta go back to planning and all those things I have to attend!

Can't tell you all happy I am that we're going, after all! Woohoo!

 

[Redwavess]

Hooray I'm really happy for you!!!

I found your thread a little while ago and got hooked, but as I read on I saw your trip was cancelled so I didn't post a reply!!!

I can't wait to read more!!! Go Disney!! Go Disney!!!

Madeline

 

[swwake]

Wow this is super exciting! I've been missing Disney quite a bit and have had my "moments" of thinking we could make a last-minute trip. But I don't see it happening this year.

I thought about you last week when they announced the new rules for the disability access cards. I think it sucks that those who really need it are being punished due to the acts of a few cheating VIP "hosts". My SIL said "they aren't being punished. They still get fastpasses." To which I replied - that's not good enough. Some people have to plan their whole days around a couple of hours when they will feel well enough to go to the parks and see their favorite attractions. Having to go get a fastpass and return later will add stress and time.

I thought about your situation, as well as the many Wish children. Just makes me furious!

Anyway, hope you've had a good summer. Good to see you back!

 

[AnnieDan_Artlover]

Awww, Madeline, that's so sweet! Never thought someone could get "hooked" on one of MY PTRs or TRs, wow! Welcome aboard (again!)

And Susan, em, Swwake, thanks for raising awareness and speaking out for those like me!

I'm actually not to frustrated about it... for myself. Because honestly, I had always ALWAYS thought that was pretty much how the old GAC cards worked... they used to say "if it's just waiting outside that's a problem, rent an ECV (scooter) or take your wheelchair" (and who cares if that costs you over 300$ -that's when you decide beforehand to rent one for the whole stay, otherwise it's much more expensive). Otherwise I had been told I would be in the regular line anyways, and, only if the wait was too long or, you know, the CM felt bad for me, I guess, I would be given a time to come back... or would just be offered to sit out the wait time somewhere more comfy.

In 2008, I asked for the GAC. We didn't use it at every attraction. It wasn't super crowded, sometimes also just using the wheelchair entrance made it the FP entrance anyways and they didn't make us wait longer than the FP people (but not less). I remember one time in particular, at ToT I think, where because I was in a wheelchair, I was asked to wait somewhere else, and because of that I actually waited about twice longer than everyone else (which is why I always was confused when people said a GAC or wheelchair was a way to go "front of the line"!).

Last year, not to give any punchlines away from my TR, but I didn't ask for a GAC, and even though my health still gave me grief at times, since it was so lightly crowded, using Fastpasses the right way, we were good.

I had been wondering about asking the GAC this year since it will be hotter (hopefully not too much), and since I'm writing to you right now with a maybe torn meniscus in my right knee (happened yesterday), wearing a brace and unable to walk, we might have to rent the scooter and ask for the damn GAC (or should I now say DAS, as they call it now) and see.

I like the way the new FP+ works in that you don't need to walk across the whole park to get, say, a Kilimanjaro Safari FP, and then tour the park, to go there again when it's time. You have a set time (which you can, maybe, slightly modify on the day if needed) and you can organize your day accordingly.
But having only 3 allowed FP+ per day, for just ONE park, makes it hard.
Not being able to do a long day in one park, we usually park-hop a lot. With F&W we'll park hop even more! Stop in Epcot for dinner and move on, for example.

So... having used regular FPs last year, if I'm in good shape... we might be fine without it (either if we can add the regular FPs even though we have MagicBands... which I'm guessing we can't... or simply if it's not too crowded!). We could also be fine just getting return times with the DAS. Especially if rumors are true and there are kiosks around the park you can get return times for without having to get to the attraction... rumors now about this don't seem too encouraging though.

I totally understand Disney for changing the system, am not angry with them for this. I'm definitely angry with the people who cheated, abused and made it this way now.
I also wish they would've just made it so that people with disabilities could simply have access to more FP+ slots and the ability to park hop. I mean, it would work the same way, we wouldn't be cutting in front of anyone... and I'm not talking unlimited or 4 FPs every hour... I can't do that anyways. No, just maybe a few more each day, and have the possibility to have a few FP+ in MK in the afternoon and then 1 or 2 at Epcot in the evening. Or the chance to do FP+ for rides in the day at one park, and then use a parade spot FP+ in the evening at another park.
I do realize, though, that all of this, MagicBands, FP+ system and this new DAS card are (or will be) in testing, not set in stone in any way... so it might get better.

So far, there aren't so many rides, especially so close after being there, that we are dying to do and need an FP. So we end up with a lot of repeat FP+. But at the same time, we will want to ride some less popular attractions for which we don't take FP+ (or for which they aren't available)... and if the wait times are over 15-20min (5-10min, if it's very hot or if I'm having a bad day)... I'll need the DAS card or will have to skip that ride.

On that note... let's go write that detailed plans post

 

[AnnieDan_Artlover]

Wow... no, it didn't take me THAT long to write the post...
Just many things (mostly good ) happened...

But I'm here, not forgetting. And here it goes:

Oct. 28th: we arrive in Disney late in the evening and check in All-Star Music.

Oct. 29th: FIRST DISNEY DAY
Early start at AK (hopefully at or close to rope-drop), and stay there until around noon.
We have FP+ for Primeval Whirl, Dinosaur and Kilimanjaro Safari.
Then we move on to Epcot after lunch for the rest of the day and all evening.
We might as well see the Smash Mouth concert (Eat to the Beat). But not IllumiNations.

Oct. 30th: We switch resort in the morning (we probably won't be able to settle in Boardwalk so early, but some luggage will be transferred, the rest being in the car it's no problem... the administrative part is the bothering one we need to get out of the way )
Once it's done, hopefully by late morning, we move on to MK for the day, where we have FP+ for POTC, Haunted Mansion and IASM. We plan to catch MSEP and Wishes... and I keep trying for FP+ for those (we don't care losing an attraction FP+). I know it's not necessary, but we'd like to try the parades/fireworks preferred seating, and Mama would especially love not having to stand for so long (me too, but unlike her I'm able to sit on the ground... even though it's hard to get down and back up).
I'm hoping for the 2nd MSEP to be added to the schedule, which is always less crowded... but I don't know if they do that in early November?

Oct. 31st: Back to MK, at rope drop, and since it's an AM EMH... well we'll try anyway
We have FP+ for Space Mountain, Under the Sea and POTC, and plan to stay until after the afternoon parade.
Then we'll go shopping at Basin in the Grand Floridian (we know the monorail goes the other way and we'll basically have to do one extra turn... but since they don't ship to the resorts -we learned that last trip- it's that or carry our soaps around all day. Plus, monorail is fun! )
After that and some relaxing, it's on to Epcot for dinner and some evening fun.

Nov. 1st: Late start. Head to Epcot for a late afternoon lunch... then on to MK around 4pm for the MNSSHP!!!
Since we get there early, I got us FP+ for Space Mountain, Under the Sea and Haunted Mansion (to put us in the mood )
We plan on not riding rides during the party itself... just hit the trick or treat spots, maybe a few characters (but no 1h lines... love the 7 dwarves but... no.), a dancing party if I convince Mama... and just get in the sights.
And of course, unless we have the good luck of FP+ getting offered for those fireworks and parades until then, at least 90min total to save those spots...
At least there's a second parade... at the MVMCP we arrived maybe 20min early for the fireworks, and then moved our good Frontierland spot for the 2nd parade and it was perfect.

Nov. 2nd: After such a late night, we'll get to AK late morning... with FP+ for Dinosaur, Primeval Whirl and Kilimanjaro Safari (see a pattern in the FP+s?)
We'll stay for the afternoon parade, too...
Then head on to Epcot for dinner (maybe with a break at the hotel in between), and if we feel like it, we'll continue towards MK for MSEP and Wishes... especially if it didn't happen or go well the 1st time around.

Nov. 3rd: We finally get to HS! Where we have FP+ for ToT, Star Tours and Toy Story Mania (I say "we have FP+" but most times it's just me who'll ride of course...) and where we'll stay until closing time or so...
We plan on a late dinner at Epcot, and then maybe swing by Jellyrolls to see those duelling pianos I've been wanting to go see since 2007!

Nov. 4th: Get in Epcot near rope drop, and we have FP+ for Soarin, Journey with Figment (I know, it's corny and we don't need an FP... but we had to fill the 3rd FP+ spot and I want to go anyways ) and Maelstrom.
We also have a place for a chef's demonstration at 1pm. I just hope it's not something I can't taste after, like coconut or shellfish... and thus I wouldn't benefit from the tips either... crossing fingers!
We'll stay until dinner, and then move to HS where they have evening EMH.

Nov. 5th: Yet another early and full day at Epcot. This time the FP+ are for Nemo, Soarin' and Living with the Land (I know... but the Land ride was the one we waited the most for last time, curiously!).
We'll leave in early afternoon since we have an ADR at Boma at 4:50pm.

Nov. 6th: Our second full day at HS, where we'll arrive late morning.
FP+ are for Star Tours, ToT and FANTASMIC! That one is interesting... can't wait to see where we'll be seated and how much or little wait there actually is for a scheduled arrival FP time of 20-30min before the show! Mama isn't very excited to see the show again... but after seeing it in 2008 with a dinner package and about 45min wait (in wheelchair) and being seated so high and far back... and then last December, not a bad seat (middle, middle) but almost 2hrs wait... it would be fun to have a grat seat and not wait long! Plus... it's our last time...
After the show if we're not too pooped I'd love to check out Epcot since it's an evening EMH.

It's the nice thing of being so close... when you're just 10min away, and walking (so no waiting for a bus or monorail), you can very easily say "we'll check it out" and then 1hr in the park is totally worth it!.

Nov. 7th: Last AK day. With the big day before and late Epcot night, we'll arrive around noon. We also want to start packing in the am. FP+ are for Primeval Whirl, Dinosaur and... you guessed it, Kilimanjaro Safari...
We plan to attend the afternoon parade, because it will be the 1st JINGLE jammin' parade (the Xmas one)! I absolutely loved it last trip.
Then we have our 2nd and last ADR of the trip (that's where you see the F&W effect!), at Sanaa at 5:35, which I'm hoping to be perfectly timed with the animals being active close to sunset...
Getting back if timing is right and we have energy I'd LOVE to go see Dennis De Young at Epcot's Eat to the Beat concert... and then we finish packing.

Nov. 8th: Our last day
We start by saying goodbye to the Boardwalk and switching resorts, checking into Pop Century.
Then we go to MK one last time, hopefully getting there by late morning.
And we leave at some point in the afternoon... There's an MNSSHP anyways, so by 4pm it won't be as much fun...
Moving to HS for one last time... to witness the first lighting of the Osbourne Festival of Lights!!! Which will be different from last trip! We would've been happy to see the same thing again, so it's even better!
And believe it or not, we still aren't finished... we have FP+ for Soarin', Misson Space and IllumiNations... All after 8pm, so it's tight but possible...
The sun should set around 5:30, so I'm guessing the lights should start around 6:30... if we get in right away, it might take 30min navigating and taking it all in... it's a very close thing to get to Epcot by the FP+ time of Soarin (1-8pm) but we could either try to change it on the day... or just miss it and that wouldn't be too bad.
I think it will be nice to end the day with the show, especially not having to scout our spot an hour early, even more if we're lucky enough to have a chair!!! (For the 10pm show, the FP+ arrival time is between 9:35 and 9:55!)

Nov. 9th: We check out of Pop and leave...

But I'm sure by then we won't be too sad to leave... having spent enough time to see and do all we wanted, having seen spring (and Flower & Garden Festival, and Pirates & Princess party which was going on in 2008), the Holidays (and MVMCP) and fall (and F&W, and MNSSHP).
We'll be tired and, still, will be looking forward to stopping to the Hershey's museum on the way...

And I know I'll be looking forward to decorating the house a baking holiday treats... in other words, I'll be in the holiday spirit, thanks to the last 2 days in the World!

...Having to cancel and then the chance to re-book this trip seems to be like the perfect timing, things will be even better.

 

[swwake]

So how do the FP+ work? Is your window 1 hour like the FP? I saw that you said Soarin' 1-8 - so you have 7 hours to use it?

And if you use a parade or Fireworks FP+, you can't get an attraction one?

And you get 3 FP+ per day? Only one park - I think I read that.

I'm just curious about how all of this will work.

 

[Redwavess]

Wow great job on the plans!!!! You are so organized and have everything planned so well!!! Great job on that!!!

The dueling pianos is something I have always wanted to see too!! You'll have to let me know how it goes if you are able to go there. I loved Living with the Land!!! Not sure why, but I got a huge kick out of it!!! It could have something to do with the fact that it is very different than anything I had rode before at our trips to Disneyland.

I'm so excited for you guys and can't wait to hear more!!!

Happy Counting down,

Madeline

PS -- I completely agree with you about the issues with the GAC. It is too bad that it has been abused and now Disney feels like that have to make changes because of it!!! Being the mother of a daughter with serious heart issues it is upsetting that the abuse of the GAC has led to this. I wish you could bring a DRs note and that would be sufficient, but then again people would find a way to abuse that!!!

 

[AnnieDan_Artlover]

Swwake, that's exactly why I'm talking about those FP+ and kinda the whole point of the PTR/TR, right? To answer questions

You are right, FP+ is like a regular FP, 1 hour to use it... It was a typo for the Soarin' one. It's from 7-8pm that day.

When I started the planning, I got offered 3-packs.
I'd choose a park for that day (only one park) and then pick from a list of attractions (not all attractions were always offered... for example, for the days I said I wanted MK FP+, POTC was offered only once!). I would get asked to put the attractions in order... the most important one first.
And then I'd get offered only 4 choices.
Say I chose, in MK, POTC, IASW and Space Mountain, and put Space Mountain first.

I might get offered POTC at 9h15-10h15, IASW 10h15-11h15 and Space 14h-15h. Then other combinations, in different orders and different times.
I was clearly told I could always change times or switch for another attraction choice.

And if I chose only 2 FP+ (say I thought we felt we didn't need to have an FP+ for the 3rd day in that same park!), we'd get a 3rd one thrown in anyways. And since it wasn't necessarily one we liked or thought we needed an FP for, that's why I got repetitive FPs. I figured, might as well get FP+ for the rides I like to ride more than once, and also in case we miss them.
And if by the end of our stay we figure we'd rather ride some of the other stuff, and we haven't been able to because of lines, we'll just change it.

The limit is indeed at 3 FP+ a day. But maybe it's because of our APs. Maybe it's more otherwise... I think I read about other people making 4 FP+ a day in the boards... Still not that much.
Then again, since you're limited to 1 per hour...

I have no idea how busy or not it'll be, but if it's anything like last time we went, we won't even need all the FP+ we have.
Except for rides like Soarin' and Space Mountain...

And if it's busier and lines are too long for me to stand in them, well I'll ask for that DAS and as long as they don't tell me to "just rent a scooter" (which then I might become one of those not-so-nice customer, asking how is that not discriminatory...), I'll just have FPs when the wait is over 10-20min (depending on the heat), so I'm not too worried.

But I do feel it's not a lot.
I mean, with the old system, people with good planning could hit a lot of attractions in a day. Because it could be 1 FP at a time OR 1h in-between.
So if the wait with FP was just 40min, you could have 3 FPs in 2 hours. And if you planned your whole day around FPs, you could hit all the FPs-attractions in the day. (I never did that though).
I don't think the 3 FPs a day will stay that way once it's the same for everyone. Because they want people to have more time in the park and be more happy, not wait in lines more.

As for being limited to one park, it's really that. And it's so far what irritates me the most.
Especially since, yes Swwake, if you take a fireworks or parade FP+ (only available on weekend nights Fri-Sat-Sun btw, which means we won't get one for our Wishes/MSEP nights... well I'm trying for one, but they don't show it to me), you lose an attraction FP+.
And if you want to spend the day, say, in AK and, with it closing so early, spend the evening in a park with evening entertainment and use an FP+ for that... no way.
Or you just use all the FP+ in that evening.
Which is what we had to do.
I had to look at what days we could stay in one park, or what days we were going back a 3rd time at a park, so we wouldn't mind not having FPs, and using those FPs in the evening, using one for "entertainment".

Made for some puzzles.
I understand it has to do with "because it's in testing", because otherwise it wouldn't make sense.
I mean, limiting attraction FPs, sure, you don't want everyone to be in the FP line, it wouldn't make sense to have that line getting longer... and the number of slots is limited.
But rides and entertainment is exclusive. I mean, of course spaces are limited there too... just say when it's full and that's it. I would let people have, as an example, 3 FP+ in park attractions every day, and maybe a set number in entertainment for the vacation. Or one every day (for the people living in the area and not staying there). And I would definitely make those "splittable".
If I look at my planning, I wouldn't have minded so much habing all my FP+ needing to be in the same park, if it weren't for those show FP+!
If we had entertainment FP+ which we could use independently, that would already much better. For people touring like me, anyways.

Madeline, thanks for the nice words.
I've learned how to Disney plan in the best place : here!
Well, I've always been a planner.

But it's still loosely planned, we might change (like leave at a different time, skip something). I'm not one to plan a rides schedule or anything.
With my health it wouldn't be possible anyways.

Thank you girls...

 

[swwake]

Well I suspect what will happen is people will stop buying the park-hopper if they are limited by Disney to fast-passes only in one park per day. When Disney figures out they are losing money on that (the park hopper upgrade), they will figure out a way to allow fast passes in more than one park per day. Ultimately, they win, because chances are people will get their FP or FP+ in more than one park, then change plans and not use them, but they've then still paid for the PH add-on.

I read somewhere that there is an unwritten rule that people at deluxe resorts may get more FP+ than people at value, etc. They don't want to broadcast that, because they don't want uproar, so supposedly it will be a behind-the-scenes thing.

Best option for us will be to go during off-season (Sept/Oct) when the crowds are low and you don't really need FP or FP+. Then get them and use them as we want to, and not worry about it if they don't get used.

I guess this system also removes the option of sprinkling fairy dust and giving people your FP as you're leaving the park and they're entering.

 

[AnnieDan_Artlover]

You know Swwake, I completely agree!
It was fun to sprinkle some fairy dust that way... Then again I might say when you're dead tired and in lots of pain or sick, you don't always feel like trying to find someone to hand out the FPs to...
But usually, it was fun.

It's funny you speak of going in the off season where FPs aren't even needed... as it WAS our plan. Until the reality of that season's weather hit me.

I had heard of Deluxe guests getting a few "perks" but I also know it's not necessarily a given. But if we get a perk like that, well yay. If we don't I'll have to see about that... what's that new name again? DAS? that disability FP.

And I'm 100% they will adapt, and this 3 FP a day limited to one park and including all categories is just for the testing period. Otherwise they'll just lose in so many ways, not just money. Well, it always comes down to money, but, ya know.

Talking about that... No matter how much I tried, I can't secure a BOG dining ADR, but while I was looking I saw "we now offer FP+ for lunch". mmm, interesting!
So I clicked the link... which, just like when I click the link for Wishes or MSEP, brings me NOWHERE.
I get brought back to my usual FP+ selection page, where I'm offered to change my FP+ choices (if I hadn't already chose them all I could make new ones, too).

But if I say "heck, lets try!" and hit "change existing"... BOG for lunch is NOT a choice.

It gives me that too for Wishes and MSEP. I know it's only available on weekends (which, you know, would be nice of them to tell us...), but even when I check on days it's supposed to be available... nothing.
I mean, if it's just FULL, couldn't they just show it as available AND FULL?! It would at least show us it's not just a bug in the system!!!

And, as an aside... since we're testing that thing, I think it would be nice to have a quick link to report problems. Just sayin'.

So I went online and looked for info about that new BOG FP+ for lunch...
And found that people were booking that and it was great! They were booking for November right now... so it should be open... and it didn't seem to be something that was soooo full that it was impossible to get...
And one person had a review with pics... and when that person clicked the link, the result was no where near what I got!

I still don't know if a BOG FP+ would count as one of the 3... I'm guessing yes, but we wouldn't mind too much (I can do Space Mountain one time less!)... but so far it seems we won't even find out. argh.

On a totally different topic, I am trying to decide on which day we should have the grocery delivered.
Yeah, we decided to have grocery delivered.
We are driving, so we could, technically, bring everything. Or stop on the way, at Publix, for example.
But we'll arrive in Orlando past 8pm we're guessing.
And we'll be spending our first 2 nights in Pop Century.
With most of our stuff in the car, in the Florida heat. (Or maybe we'll bring the stuff in... yeah, maybe we will).
But it means : no time to go grocery shopping... no space to put the groceries.
And once on Disney property, I really won't feel like getting back out just for that!!!

So Mama decided she'd rather pay the extra to have it delivered.
And I happily approved.

We're gonna go with Garden Grocers, which we had used in 2008 (well, I think!)... for a 14$ fee I think it's worth not bothering
It's nice to have the pics of everything to choose.

BUT... when do we have everything shipped?!
On the day we switch resorts, in the early afternoon... hoping we get our studio early, at the risk of having to wait for that, or wait after the groceries, and lose some time in the parks? (Of course we're not in a huge hurry, but still, we'll be frustrated if that happens...)
Or
On our 1st full day at Boardwalk Villas, in the late afternoon, at the point when we have a rest at the resort planned... and then not have our stuff for yet another day?!

We don't plan on a whole lot, it's not mega grocery.
Mostly some breakfast stuff, like bread and eggs, and drinks : milk, water, soda.

It may be because I'm tired, but I can't see the solution.
And it's not to bring everything but the fresh stuff, because then we don't have the 40$ minimum for the order... (plus, having water in a car for almost a week, in the sun, isn't very good).

Any ideas?

 

[AnnieDan_Artlover]

Well, we found a solution for the grocery

We will bring the soda and water... being careful not to let the water in the sun... and will bring that in POP our first night (along with everything else... I still remember a boombox I had that melted in the sun after being left in the car!).

...and all the rest I just ordered at Garden Grocers, for delivery on our 1st full day at Boardwalk Villas, at the end of our day. I moved dinner time around so we wouldn't feel rushed, and since we would be going through Epcot on our way back from MK anyways, instead of going back there after the grocery delivery... I'm guessing we might've decided to just eat in, being too tired
So we'll eat earlier (which we usually prefer) and have the latest delivery time of 7-9pm. And then relax. Or go to Jellyrolls that night.

...Haha, while I was typing this, Garden Grocers called me to confirm! And they told me we didn't have to be there (I thought I remembered that, but wasn't absolutely sure...) and reassured me that bell services where they would keep our stuff until we went to pick them up would have everything refrigerated... So I asked if we could change the delivery time... she didn't seem happy about it (well then, why mention online "You have to be present" and then on the phone "you don't"?! It changes things!), but said I should email them and ask.
So it's what I did... asked for the previous day, same time.
So the groceries would arrive just a few hours before us, and we would have our stuff for our first morning at Boardwalk Villas...
and either way, now we won't have to do anything special on Halloween night (our 1st full day at BWV). So we will have the choice to either go back to the room (well... villa... keep calling it the room) before heading back out to Epcot for dinner later... or eat while going through Epcot on the way back from MK... or do both?

It's just starting to hit me that we're leaving in a week.
Hey, it means single digits dance!
Anxiety is starting to creep in... I hadn't been realizing that we were truly leaving until now... and it was fine as there wasn't so much to be done.

But now there is, packing among other things.
And panic is setting in

Soooo... gotta go!

 

[Redwavess]

Well, we found a solution for the grocery

We will bring the soda and water... being careful not to let the water in the sun... and will bring that in POP our first night (along with everything else... I still remember a boombox I had that melted in the sun after being left in the car!).

...and all the rest I just ordered at Garden Grocers, for delivery on our 1st full day at Boardwalk Villas, at the end of our day. I moved dinner time around so we wouldn't feel rushed, and since we would be going through Epcot on our way back from MK anyways, instead of going back there after the grocery delivery... I'm guessing we might've decided to just eat in, being too tired
So we'll eat earlier (which we usually prefer) and have the latest delivery time of 7-9pm. And then relax. Or go to Jellyrolls that night.

...Haha, while I was typing this, Garden Grocers called me to confirm! And they told me we didn't have to be there (I thought I remembered that, but wasn't absolutely sure...) and reassured me that bell services where they would keep our stuff until we went to pick them up would have everything refrigerated... So I asked if we could change the delivery time... she didn't seem happy about it (well then, why mention online "You have to be present" and then on the phone "you don't"?! It changes things!), but said I should email them and ask.
So it's what I did... asked for the previous day, same time.
So the groceries would arrive just a few hours before us, and we would have our stuff for our first morning at Boardwalk Villas...
and either way, now we won't have to do anything special on Halloween night (our 1st full day at BWV). So we will have the choice to either go back to the room (well... villa... keep calling it the room) before heading back out to Epcot for dinner later... or eat while going through Epcot on the way back from MK... or do both?

It's just starting to hit me that we're leaving in a week.
Hey, it means single digits dance!
Anxiety is starting to creep in... I hadn't been realizing that we were truly leaving until now... and it was fine as there wasn't so much to be done.

But now there is, packing among other things.
And panic is setting in

Soooo... gotta go!

Hooray for the single digit dance!!!!

I'm glad that your grocery problem worked out!! That will help make things easier!!!

And I'm so excited that your trip is right around the corner!!!

Good luck with all the packing and last minute details!!!

Hugs,

Madeline