**~~***The Official June 2017 Thread***~~**

[Roxyfire]

Happy March! How's everyone's planning coming together?

We will hit double-digits soon (this month) but not quite yet....

Ya know, I totally missed my double digit by a lot. We're at 87 days now, but we do arrive on May 28th rather than the June 3rd we originally started with way back when. At this point, I'm just trying to wait patiently for another month before worrying about Fastpasses. I know it'll be busy but we have enough time that we can just leave or parkhop if we want to.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

We've change a few of our ADR's and I am still trying for a later lunch time at 50's Prime Time. Just waiting patiently to book FP!

 

[JennLTX]

I finally decided I was being a coward and finalized my ADRs based on the assumption that the Star Wars Guided Tour will continue to be offered on Wednesdays. I have a backup plan if it isn't, but I might feel slightly less magical...

 

[Zhoen]

I have a backup plan if it isn't, but I might feel slightly less magical...

That's how I feel about the ice cream...

 

[Zhoen]

Woke up this morning feeling kinda blah... but then I realized that exactly 4 months from now, I'll be waking up in Key West, going out of my room, and sharing a mimosa with THIS guy...

 

[Senk]

Hi all!

First timer family heading down from Ohio June 4-10. We are staying at POR in a Royal Room. Myself, husband and our 2 kids ages 10 and 8.
None of us have ever been to Disney World and the kids have really never been on a big trip at all before. I was afraid I waited too long an the kids would think they are too old for Disney, especially my 10 year old but they haven't acted like that at all. We are all pretty excited as this will likely be our first and only WDW trip.
We are flying, the drive was like 16 hrs and thankfully we had enough rewards points on our credit card to get cheap flights so we are doing that instead.

I am doing the planning and have been slightly obsessed/overwhelmed with trip planning. Our vacations tend to be extended family things with beach houses or DH and I only all inclusives where we arrange travel and then just show up. This requires so much more, I had no idea. ADRs, touring plans, FP+ and all so far in advance. I've already made mistakes so I'm nervous going forward about making more.
We skipped the dining plan, 10 year old eats like a kid, I am a light eater and do is the 8 year old. I budgeted it out and feel we will possibly save a few hundred that way. I missed the initial booking window for our ADRs, I think I expected our Disney planner to do it but something happened there so by the time I went in 3 days after our window opened the restaurants we wanted were mostly available but the times were less than ideal. I kind of panicked and just booked stuff haha. Also since I have never been and really have no clue where we will be at what time, what shows we want to go to and how long it will take to get from A to B, etc.

So what we have thus far:
June 4- Arrival day
Check in POR, head to Disney Springs, late lunch at T-Rex then hang out at the resort to gear up for next day (also booked Boatwrights for dinner incase we want to cancel T-Rex, still undecided on that)
June 5- HS, Late dinner at Sci-Fi. Its really too late IMO but it is done
June 6- MK Late dinner at 'Ohana, also too late and I may cancel but really wanted to try it.
June 7- EP Dinner at Marrakesh
June 8- AK ROL Tusker House dining package for dinner
June 9- MK I made PPO BOG but also a BOG dinner reservation. I need to decide which to keep. I'm leaning towards dinner because it just feels like it would be cooler.
June 10- nothing planned. We have 6 days of tickets and our flight out is at 6:25p so we could visit a park in the morning but I don't know yet what to do. Maybe AK again


I'm nervous about touring and how to book our FP+, that will open in a few weeks and I'm not ready.
I am super excited and ready for it to be June already!

 

[misstdiana]

We will be there in June but I haven't decided the dates or where we are staying yet. It will be me and my daughter(18) graduating this year and my son (14) graduating junior high. We have the AP that expires on July 2 so I assume that is the last day we can use them? Waiting on the new AP discounts to come out.

 

[ashleymrush]

Hi all!

First timer family heading down from Ohio June 4-10. We are staying at POR in a Royal Room. Myself, husband and our 2 kids ages 10 and 8.
None of us have ever been to Disney World and the kids have really never been on a big trip at all before. I was afraid I waited too long an the kids would think they are too old for Disney, especially my 10 year old but they haven't acted like that at all. We are all pretty excited as this will likely be our first and only WDW trip.
We are flying, the drive was like 16 hrs and thankfully we had enough rewards points on our credit card to get cheap flights so we are doing that instead.

I am doing the planning and have been slightly obsessed/overwhelmed with trip planning. Our vacations tend to be extended family things with beach houses or DH and I only all inclusives where we arrange travel and then just show up. This requires so much more, I had no idea. ADRs, touring plans, FP+ and all so far in advance. I've already made mistakes so I'm nervous going forward about making more.
We skipped the dining plan, 10 year old eats like a kid, I am a light eater and do is the 8 year old. I budgeted it out and feel we will possibly save a few hundred that way. I missed the initial booking window for our ADRs, I think I expected our Disney planner to do it but something happened there so by the time I went in 3 days after our window opened the restaurants we wanted were mostly available but the times were less than ideal. I kind of panicked and just booked stuff haha. Also since I have never been and really have no clue where we will be at what time, what shows we want to go to and how long it will take to get from A to B, etc.

So what we have thus far:
June 4- Arrival day
Check in POR, head to Disney Springs, late lunch at T-Rex then hang out at the resort to gear up for next day (also booked Boatwrights for dinner incase we want to cancel T-Rex, still undecided on that)
June 5- HS, Late dinner at Sci-Fi. Its really too late IMO but it is done
June 6- MK Late dinner at 'Ohana, also too late and I may cancel but really wanted to try it.
June 7- EP Dinner at Marrakesh
June 8- AK ROL Tusker House dining package for dinner
June 9- MK I made PPO BOG but also a BOG dinner reservation. I need to decide which to keep. I'm leaning towards dinner because it just feels like it would be cooler.
June 10- nothing planned. We have 6 days of tickets and our flight out is at 6:25p so we could visit a park in the morning but I don't know yet what to do. Maybe AK again


I'm nervous about touring and how to book our FP+, that will open in a few weeks and I'm not ready.
I am super excited and ready for it to be June already!

Senk - I'm not going to lie...I'm really impressed! You have definitely done your research and are talking on the boards like a true vet and you've never even been! I'm so excited for you and your family. You are going to have a great time. Don't fret over fastpasses, they are super simple to figure out. My advice would be to avoid making them for the morning. If you are staying in the park all day, then make them in the afternoon and use a 4th possibly 5th pass later after the first 3 are done. If you are taking afternoon breaks at the hotel, then I suggest doing your fastpasses in the evening. If you get to the park early enough you can get a lot done in the mornings just by standing in line. A second day at AK may be your best bet on your last day since Pandora will be open. The crowds are going to be thicker there than usual (not that you'd have anything to compare to) and you may want some more time. Good luck with everything!

 

[ArielSRL]

Hi all!

First timer family heading down from Ohio June 4-10. We are staying at POR in a Royal Room. Myself, husband and our 2 kids ages 10 and 8.
None of us have ever been to Disney World and the kids have really never been on a big trip at all before. I was afraid I waited too long an the kids would think they are too old for Disney, especially my 10 year old but they haven't acted like that at all. We are all pretty excited as this will likely be our first and only WDW trip.
We are flying, the drive was like 16 hrs and thankfully we had enough rewards points on our credit card to get cheap flights so we are doing that instead.

I am doing the planning and have been slightly obsessed/overwhelmed with trip planning. Our vacations tend to be extended family things with beach houses or DH and I only all inclusives where we arrange travel and then just show up. This requires so much more, I had no idea. ADRs, touring plans, FP+ and all so far in advance. I've already made mistakes so I'm nervous going forward about making more.
We skipped the dining plan, 10 year old eats like a kid, I am a light eater and do is the 8 year old. I budgeted it out and feel we will possibly save a few hundred that way. I missed the initial booking window for our ADRs, I think I expected our Disney planner to do it but something happened there so by the time I went in 3 days after our window opened the restaurants we wanted were mostly available but the times were less than ideal. I kind of panicked and just booked stuff haha. Also since I have never been and really have no clue where we will be at what time, what shows we want to go to and how long it will take to get from A to B, etc.

So what we have thus far:
June 4- Arrival day
Check in POR, head to Disney Springs, late lunch at T-Rex then hang out at the resort to gear up for next day (also booked Boatwrights for dinner incase we want to cancel T-Rex, still undecided on that)
June 5- HS, Late dinner at Sci-Fi. Its really too late IMO but it is done
June 6- MK Late dinner at 'Ohana, also too late and I may cancel but really wanted to try it.
June 7- EP Dinner at Marrakesh
June 8- AK ROL Tusker House dining package for dinner
June 9- MK I made PPO BOG but also a BOG dinner reservation. I need to decide which to keep. I'm leaning towards dinner because it just feels like it would be cooler.
June 10- nothing planned. We have 6 days of tickets and our flight out is at 6:25p so we could visit a park in the morning but I don't know yet what to do. Maybe AK again


I'm nervous about touring and how to book our FP+, that will open in a few weeks and I'm not ready.
I am super excited and ready for it to be June already!

First off, yay to your first trip. And I obviously don't know your situation but so many people say it's their only trip and end up going back multiple times so I hope the WDW bug bites you bc I love it so! As far as ADRs, people cancel all the time. You can get a free acct at touringplans.com and you can set up a reservation finder for those two restaurants and you'll be notified if something becomes available in your time frame. As far as FPs, we do midday rest/pool breaks so I usually schedule 1 or 2 before our (usual 1-5) break, then another 1 or 2 after (obviously equaling 3). I use touring plans to create my own plans and that also helps me know when to schedule them.

But I too am impressed. You are going to create a wonderful vacation for your family by planning. So many newbies just show up and have a miserable time bc they didn't know to do or didn't research to know to do any planning.

Oh and POR is a beautiful resort! Enjoy!

 

[Senk]

ashleymrush- thanks for the encouragement! I told your I'm kind of obsessed with planning.
This is such a big expensive trip for us, I know it won't be perfect but I'd like to be as prepared as possible.
AK has EMH the morning of our departure. That would be useful on a half day visit but it will probably be packed because of Pandora but so will our first AK day so two chances to do stuff will probably be a good bet.

ArielSRL- thanks for the touringplans.com tip. I just did the reservation finder, that would be great if something opened earlier for those two days! Fingers crossed. I'mean considering paying for a touring plan, but maybe I'll try to make my own first.
Unless we have a terrible time (not likely) I can already tell I will want to go back.

 

[JennLTX]

Okay, June folks going home, tell me about your AK plans. At this time, I've got Tusker House ROL reservations for lunch at 11:55 on the 5th. Plan is to hit it at rope drop for EMH, but go straight to KS, then Everest as many times as we can ride (it's one of DS's faves). I want to schedule "Caring for Giants" at 10:30, and that would give us plenty of time for me to hit the Dawa Bar before lunch (this IS important; I NEED their mojitos). Then, depending on how the new FP+ tiers shake out, we'd use one for a Pandora ride in the afternoon (I'm assuming there's no way I'll be able to FP+ both), one for Lion King (in 6 trips to WDW, we've never seen it), and one for Kali. I'm thinking we'll need a park break, and since we've never seen AKL, I thought it'd be fun to pop over there for a bit, look around, snag some Zebra Domes, rest in the air conditioning, then head back to AK for ROL.

But that's the perfect world in my head. I've also made up my mind that if DS announces he's over it and wants to go back to the resort in the afternoon and blow off ROL, we'll do that.

Bottom line is I have concerns because 1) all our previous trips were in the spring when I pulled DS out of school, so the crowd situation is going to be new, and 2) I have NO idea what to expect from the combination of early summer crowds and new park stuff.

What are YOUR thoughts about AK in June? Share!!!!!!

 

[Roxyfire]

ashleymrush- thanks for the encouragement! I told your I'm kind of obsessed with planning.
This is such a big expensive trip for us, I know it won't be perfect but I'd like to be as prepared as possible.
AK has EMH the morning of our departure. That would be useful on a half day visit but it will probably be packed because of Pandora but so will our first AK day so two chances to do stuff will probably be a good bet.

ArielSRL- thanks for the touringplans.com tip. I just did the reservation finder, that would be great if something opened earlier for those two days! Fingers crossed. I'mean considering paying for a touring plan, but maybe I'll try to make my own first.
Unless we have a terrible time (not likely) I can already tell I will want to go back.

LOL you sound just like me when I started my first as-an-adult trip last year. Honestly you're doing great by setting up all this ahead of time. It is a lot of work but it's less to worry about once you're there. I think if you expect it'll be crazy busy at AK and just be in that mindset, you'll have more realistic expectations. Don't be too nervous about your FP choices. I went with the strategy of booking what we most wanted to do at 11, 12, and 1 or 12, 1, and 2. That way, if we got a bit of a late start we could at least do the favorites without a big wait. Our plan to be there before opening worked out well for us, but I am usually super hyped on vacation.

I'm sure you've seen this, but in case you haven't there is a discussion about priority of FPs. It was helpful to me when I did my FP the first time.

 

[ArielSRL]

Okay, June folks going home, tell me about your AK plans. At this time, I've got Tusker House ROL reservations for lunch at 11:55 on the 5th. Plan is to hit it at rope drop for EMH, but go straight to KS, then Everest as many times as we can ride (it's one of DS's faves). I want to schedule "Caring for Giants" at 10:30, and that would give us plenty of time for me to hit the Dawa Bar before lunch (this IS important; I NEED their mojitos). Then, depending on how the new FP+ tiers shake out, we'd use one for a Pandora ride in the afternoon (I'm assuming there's no way I'll be able to FP+ both), one for Lion King (in 6 trips to WDW, we've never seen it), and one for Kali. I'm thinking we'll need a park break, and since we've never seen AKL, I thought it'd be fun to pop over there for a bit, look around, snag some Zebra Domes, rest in the air conditioning, then head back to AK for ROL.

But that's the perfect world in my head. I've also made up my mind that if DS announces he's over it and wants to go back to the resort in the afternoon and blow off ROL, we'll do that.

Bottom line is I have concerns because 1) all our previous trips were in the spring when I pulled DS out of school, so the crowd situation is going to be new, and 2) I have NO idea what to expect from the combination of early summer crowds and new park stuff.

What are YOUR thoughts about AK in June? Share!!!!!!

My thoughts?? I'm avoiding the planning of AK! Lol. I'm going to have to look at it soon but I truly have no idea what I'll do until they announce the FP situation. Well, I guess that's not totally true. If they do tiers, we'll do Nav'i River Journey at RD, then Safari. If no tiers, we'll keep our plan of Safari at RD, if we can get both Pandora attractions as FP (though really my DH is the only one doing the banshee ride, as I'll book mine for EE, preferably at night). I do have a TH ROL breakfast pkg booked but I prefer to drop it for a FP. Oh and I have several adult beverage stops planned!

 

[Tod&CopperFan]

ashleymrush- thanks for the encouragement! I told your I'm kind of obsessed with planning.
This is such a big expensive trip for us, I know it won't be perfect but I'd like to be as prepared as possible.
AK has EMH the morning of our departure. That would be useful on a half day visit but it will probably be packed because of Pandora but so will our first AK day so two chances to do stuff will probably be a good bet.

ArielSRL- thanks for the touringplans.com tip. I just did the reservation finder, that would be great if something opened earlier for those two days! Fingers crossed. I'mean considering paying for a touring plan, but maybe I'll try to make my own first.
Unless we have a terrible time (not likely) I can already tell I will want to go back.

Congrats on your first trip!! We did our first family trip in 2014 and I thought it would be a 1 and done trip, but DH ended up enjoying himself and here we are, planning our 3rd trip! My kiddos are similar age to yours, and I can tell you they will love WDW!!! I also want to let you know that in our experience the kids have had no problem doing full park days. I haven't been very successful at afternoon breaks and have gone from early breakfast ADRs/ropedrop to night time fireworks and the kids have been fine. I didn't really say that was a concern of yours, but thought I would share!

Don't fret about your FPs. Take a look at the priority link posted a few posts up, but other than that, just enjoy what you book. You're doing a great job. Also, don't give up on moving those ADRs to times that work better for you! Just keep checking!

 

[JennLTX]

My thoughts?? I'm avoiding the planning of AK! Lol. I'm going to have to look at it soon but I truly have no idea what I'll do until they announce the FP situation. Well, I guess that's not totally true. If they do tiers, we'll do Nav'i River Journey at RD, then Safari. If no tiers, we'll keep our plan of Safari at RD, if we can get both Pandora attractions as FP (though really my DH is the only one doing the banshee ride, as I'll book mine for EE, preferably at night). I do have a TH ROL breakfast pkg booked but I prefer to drop it for a FP. Oh and I have several adult beverage stops planned!

AK is underrated in the adult beverage department, I think, so I feel obligated to provide my support.

So the FP booking window for an arrival that includes Pandora's opening day is awfully close. I assume that's not going to mean much to Disney, that we're all going to just have to gird ourselves for replanning at some point?

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Count me in on not knowing how to plan AK now! We have switched much of our schedule around so we can have more time there. Now we have planned:

June 3 flight arrives 8:40 am/ME to POR, drop bags at bell services - AK/Boatwrights 7 pm
June 4 MK/The Wave 7:15 pm
June 5 EP/Les Chefs de France 7:30 pm
June 6 HS/50's Prime Time Cafe 7:25 pm
June 7 MK/BOG lunch 12 pm/O'Hana 7 pm
June 8 AK/Tusker House ROL 12:30 pm
June 9 EP/Via Napoli 7 pm
June 10 MK/BOG 7 pm

We were going to do more at HS but dropped it to 1 day and added AK to our arrival day. I am just hoping we can do everything we want there. My mom needs the mid-day break to get out of the hear so we will be leaving by 1 or 2 depending on when we eat lunch. We plan to be back by 5 or 6.

 

[JennLTX]

Count me in on not knowing how to plan AK now! We have switched much of our schedule around so we can have more time there. Now we have planned:

June 3 flight arrives 8:40 am/ME to POR, drop bags at bell services - AK/Boatwrights 7 pm
June 4 MK/The Wave 7:15 pm
June 5 EP/Les Chefs de France 7:30 pm
June 6 HS/50's Prime Time Cafe 7:25 pm
June 7 MK/BOG lunch 12 pm/O'Hana 7 pm
June 8 AK/Tusker House ROL 12:30 pm
June 9 EP/Via Napoli 7 pm
June 10 MK/BOG 7 pm

We were going to do more at HS but dropped it to 1 day and added AK to our arrival day. I am just hoping we can do everything we want there. My mom needs the mid-day break to get out of the hear so we will be leaving by 1 or 2 depending on when we eat lunch. We plan to be back by 5 or 6.

I LIKE your dining plan!!!!!!

 

[trvlgirlmq]

I LIKE your dining plan!!!!!!

Thanks! We have never tried The Wave or O'Hana and I have heard good things about both. Of course, we haven't been since 2011 so BOG is totally new to us too. We also probably will not go back for many more years so want to make the most of this trip.

 

[ashleymrush]

Like most of you, I'm so up in the air about what to do for AK. We are going one day for the full day. We'll do RD and have a TH ADR with ROL package. Our TH is for 10:30 so that we can score breakfast so the super picky kids and then lunch (at breakfast price) for the more adventurous adults. I'm sure they'll do tiers as well but will likely get one for an Avatar ride but then RD the other one. Until that time, I'll get the regular ones, EE, Dinosaur, and Safari. I'm thinking of doing the KS at night this time though. I've honestly never been in the AK at night and am really looking forward to it. It'll be nice to have a different experience.

As far as alcohol goes, can someone clue me in on good drink in AK? I've been to Disney a lot but many of the times I have gone have been as a chaperone on a high school trip that I plan for seniors. Going to WDW with 25 teenagers makes you REALLY want alcohol but of course I can't drink when I am chaperoning. Any other time I've always gone in the morning and was done before it was "appropriate" to drink. Please tell me what I should order if you know of any special AK specific concoctions. I'm always down for a good drink!

On a final note, it's so nice to start to see all us approach and pass into double digits! I'm at 103 days now. I always feel like once I hit 99 its full speed ahead and will be here before I know it!

 

[ArielSRL]

So there was some info released about the rides and eats in Pandora today. No mention of tiers. What I'm gathering from those big into the rumors, is most likely no on the tiers. But it's all speculation at this point.

@ashleymrush as far as the drinks....omg, there are so many offerings. What I did was go to the Disney site and to the AK dining page and look at all the bars and carts bc there truly are several. I printed like 5-7 drink menus that included drinks I would be interested in. Obviously, I want to walk around AK, lol, so I'm going to have to choose wisely as I'll never be able to drink all of my picks.