The *Official* February 2011 Thread - Happy Dance Time...The Park Hours Are Out!

[lilandvisma]

One more suggestion would be to make sure to bring a stroller. Even if you feel that your DD isn't going to need it, after a few days of the parks she will!

 

[lilandvisma]

Just a bit of additional info for anyone who's planning on being in WDW around 2-4-2011. The dance teams will be having some sort of party/special night on the 4th as well...So glad we'll be in Epcot then lol. Thank you Allison for the info on the dance teams!

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

No Problem Mandy!

On another thread I read that there will be a large band group staying at the Pop the first few days in Feb and checking out on the 5th I think.....

Beth- like Mandy said Fantasmic is at DHS- you can make a dining reservation at Mama Melrose, Hollywood and Vine or Brown Derby to get preferred seating so you dont have to stand in a line for so long for fantasmic- you have to call disney to make the reservation- most people say that Mama Melrose is the best place to get your fantasmic package..... With everything you said, I think I would plan on........

Sun: MK or AK
Mon: MK- may be a bit crowded but shouldnt be horrible I dont think
Tues: AK or MK (whichever you didnt do on Sunday- MK should have a light crowd)
Wed: DHS (fantasmic)
Thurs: EP
Fri: Leave- are you going to try to go to a park in the morning?

How does that sound?

 

[BethR9]

Thanks Mandy for the input. I've been thinking about it more and I don't think we'll do park hoppers. With the hours being as short as they are, I just don't see the benefit of them.

I misspoke about HS and Epcot. My fingers were ahead of my brain!

I think Fantasmic is at 7 pm or later (don't have the screen up now). I'd like to go later to HS that day just so it's not such a long day for us (no midday break). I'd like to get there around 11ish but do you think all the FPs for TSM will be gone by then? I don't want to wait in line for 2 hours but would do a FP and go back and ride it.

What time does the line start forming for Fantasmic usually? How many seats does it have or how does that work? Can ya tell I'm learning still?

Beth

 

[BethR9]

No Problem Mandy!

On another thread I read that there will be a large band group staying at the Pop the first few days in Feb and checking out on the 5th I think.....

Beth- like Mandy said Fantasmic is at DHS- you can make a dining reservation at Mama Melrose, Hollywood and Vine or Brown Derby to get preferred seating so you dont have to stand in a line for so long for fantasmic- you have to call disney to make the reservation- most people say that Mama Melrose is the best place to get your fantasmic package..... With everything you said, I think I would plan on........

Sun: MK or AK
Mon: MK- may be a bit crowded but shouldnt be horrible I dont think
Tues: AK or MK (whichever you didnt do on Sunday- MK should have a light crowd)
Wed: DHS (fantasmic)
Thurs: EP
Fri: Leave- are you going to try to go to a park in the morning?

How does that sound?

I think that sounds great. I'm thinking MK on Sunday and then maybe AK on Monday, MK on Tuesday, DHS Wedn, EP on thursday and then MK our last day. I think I'm going to ignore the numbers on touring plans. They just confuse me and seem to change weekly (I've been keeping a spreadsheet with the numbers and it has changed).

The dining reservation might be a good way to go. Great point and I didn't know about that!

Why do you think MK will have light crowds on Tuesday?

Beth

 

[lilandvisma]

Beth--

I'm not sure about TSM. We didn't get FP for it when we went in June last year but we did wait a good 30 minutes w/o one. They do have a lot of props set up for the kids to look at while in line though which did help a little!

We were sure to get to Fantasmic early last year. We were front and center but with a 2 year old in the sweltering FL heat it was a LONG wait for it to start. Or so it seemed. Which is why we are doing Mama Melrose Fantasmic pkg. this time. We are hoping to avoid a longer wait and ensure good seats for us at the same time. That also includes the appetizer, entree and dessert

 

[lilandvisma]

If you are going to book a fantasmic pkg you will need to call disney dining and they will ask for your cc to hold the ressie. They aren't supposed to charge your card but today I noticed while looking at our statement they charged my card $1?? Anyone else have this happen and do they credit it back?

 

[momtwoboys]

had to switch our trip to April, sorry to leave you! Have a good time planning everyone

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Mandy- YES! They charged my card $1 too

Beth- MK on Tuesday- no parade, no EMHs so crowds should be lighter. If Toy Story is a MUST do- I would be a bit nervous about the fastpasses being gone by 11am- but you never know. We may not have to worry so much since its February and crowds should be lighter. Our schedules will almost be the same lol- Here is what we are doing the same week.... Sat-MK, Sun-AK, Mon-EP, Tues-MK, Wed-DHS, Thur-EP, Frid-MK, Sat-???

 

[floridascgirl]

Sorry if this is a silly question, but when the Touring Plans give a crowd level # rating and then lists the parks, what's the story for a park that isn't listed?

For example: Thurs.,10 Feb.'11 5 EP AK MK...what's the deal for HS on that day?

 

[BethR9]

Awesome question and I thought the same thing myself!

I'm guessing one of these ladies can help us though. They're pretty awesome!

Beth

 

[o2bnoz]

In answer to the Touring Plans question...

From what I understand, if a park is NOT listed then it's basically a "middle of the road" day for that park. It isn't going to be completely crowded, but won't be the lowest crowds, either. So, if it says that MK, EP are the parks of choice and DHS is the park to avoid, then AK is probably going to be somewhat MORE crowded than MK and EP, but not as bad as DHS.

It's not a perfect science, but they are really just estimating crowd levels based on the last several years on that particular day. SO... it's still a guessing game of sorts.

However, people SWEAR by Touring Plans, and I have to say that when we strayed from the days that they predicted on our last trip, we were SORRY with a capital "S". We went to Epcot for a few hours on a "bad day" and believe me, it was SWARMED with people and we were miserable! After that, I stuck with their days.

I have the same question about DTD. There is no way to tell from their levels, how crowded it will be there. I would love it if they would include it in their plans. But... it is what it is! I'm definitely glad to have found it for the help in planning.

I know that doesn't answer all that you might want to know, but it's the best that I've got!

Happy planning everyone!

 

[BethR9]

If we don't do a Fantasmic package, what time should we get to the theater to get in line? Is there a bad seat in there? Does it fill up?

Also, how much is the Fantasmic package? I hate how online it doesn't give you a price, you have to call. I just want to know the cost first before I waste my time calling.

Something else! Is there a place online where it lists what shows are going on at what time? For instance, Finding Nemo, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Little Mermaid, etc. I'm thinking there must be if people plan their days down to the minute.

Thanks!

Beth

 

[Marlynmik]

I'm just reading about the Fantasmic packages. . . We were planning on eating at Mama Melrose's and booking ADR. Do we have to do it differently to get a Fantasmic "package"?

Our preliminary itinerary goes something like this:

Thurs (10): arrive around 1pm - Epcot until close
Fri (11): MK - dinner at Cali Grill (watch the Wishes fireworks)
Sat (12): MK - electrical parade - dinner at CRT
Sun (13): DHS - Fantasmic
Mon (14): AK

 

[lilandvisma]

I'm just reading about the Fantasmic packages. . . We were planning on eating at Mama Melrose's and booking ADR. Do we have to do it differently to get a Fantasmic "package"?

Our preliminary itinerary goes something like this:

Thurs (10): arrive around 1pm - Epcot until close
Fri (11): MK - dinner at Cali Grill (watch the Wishes fireworks)
Sat (12): MK - electrical parade - dinner at CRT
Sun (13): DHS - Fantasmic
Mon (14): AK

You have to call Disney Dining and request a fantasmic pkg, specifically for MM's. You also have to give a valid credit card or debit card. They did charge me $1 at the time of booking.

I've never done the package, but we did wait for what seemed like forever last year for fantasmic. Granted, we had excellent seats but I'm hoping this will shave off some wait time with the pkg HTH.

 

[lilandvisma]

If we don't do a Fantasmic package, what time should we get to the theater to get in line? Is there a bad seat in there? Does it fill up?

Also, how much is the Fantasmic package? I hate how online it doesn't give you a price, you have to call. I just want to know the cost first before I waste my time calling.

Something else! Is there a place online where it lists what shows are going on at what time? For instance, Finding Nemo, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Little Mermaid, etc. I'm thinking there must be if people plan their days down to the minute.

Thanks!

Beth

Price for MM's fantasmic pkg is $32.99 / adult and 11.99/ child 3-9 years of age. And the good thing about that is that you get to order a 3 course meal From what I have been reading on the disboards you are able to chose off the regular menu, so it's not like a choose from 3 options type.

Some more info about the Fantasmic Pkg can be found

http://allears.net/din/fantdin1.htm

 

[lilandvisma]

Oh and if you arrive early enough for the show even without a dinner pkg. you will be fine for seating. BUT it does FILL UP FAST with A LOT of people. The night we went we were literally two rows back, front and center (we also waited a good chunk for the show to start). However within that time frame the entire theater filled up and I dont recall there being seats to spare by the time the show started. Just make sure you get there at least an hour ahead.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Ugh- is it February yet!?!?!

There are a few people on here that are going to be in Epcot on Thursday, Feb 10th- maybe thats when we can have a meetup? How fun would that be

 

[lilandvisma]

Ugh, I hear ya! It's been soooo hot and humid here that I am really looking forward to some snow. Oh and Disney too

Well, we are to be staying at POFQ now. I will be calling tomorrow morning to make it official I just keep thinking about the size of the other mods and the dance ppl. at CBR...POFQ is compact and everything is close by. You can also walk to POR from there and even use their pool and food court if needed. It's really appealed to me, esp. when I think about how exhausted we typically are at the end of park days and just don't feel like walking miles to get to our rooms. My girls are loving the look of their pool as well so thats a plus. I'm excited and am NOT switching again

We also have ALL of our ADR's made. Here is our (tentative) schedule

2/2-Arrive to resort after early flight, check in, etc..MK by 1ish, eat something small since we are to be having dinner at 7pm @Ohana
2/3-HS, grab some breakfast at hotel, snack/graze ...Mama Melrose @ 3:40 Fantasmic Pkg, probably eat CS at hotel once back.
2/4-Epcot, DD's bday Probably BBB @ DTD early, maybe WPE for CS Breakfast , head to Epcot by noon--lunch @ LeCellier at 2, Dinner at Akershus 8pm--EMH from 9-12, use some snack credits at the Patisserie in france YUM
2/5-Resort day, relax...DTD later or vice versa, definitley getting WPE for CS dinner/lunch
2/6-AK, Tusker House 8am Breakfast, CS probably Flame Tree for Dinner.
2/7-MK, Crystal Palace @4:15
2/8-Epcot, chefs de france 12:00, Garden Grill 5:45
==Switch over to POP==
2/9-MK, Ohana BF 8am, CS lunch or plaza or Kona dinner (the only loose end I need to tie up! lol)
2/10-Departure day by early evening.. try to swim in the morning, explore a bit??

So that is what I have for the moment. We love Kona sooo very much but not sure if I want to pay OOP for dinner there since we will be doing a split stay and won't be on the DDP for the last two days. We can afford to do it, I just don't know if I want to be going back and forth to the Poly on our last night there. And typically towards the end of our vaca I really don't want to eat anything heavy and when I go to Kona I have to get the Mahi Mahi and desserts....sooo good ! DH wants Ohana over Kona though. Ah well.

Sorry bout the rambling lol.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Mandy- Didnt realize till just now that you are from Michigan- not too far from us- we are in Ohio. I am excited that you will be at Tusker for breakfast at the same time as us!!! I think your plan looks great! I think POFQ is a GREAT choice- that is more than likely where we will end up too once a deal comes out. We stayed at POR in May and really liked it.