Thoughts on a VERY last minute trip in March

[infoseeker72964a]

We've been thinking of going March 24 for 4 nights. Don't have reservations yet (have a friend who's a new CM who offered to get us a F&F discount). I know it will be almost impossible to get many good FPs but I'm interested in thoughts on how the crowds might be and if we'd be able to get a lot done if we're there at RD. We've been to DW over 30 times (always with lots of planning) and have never gone at the last minute without any planning.

 

[FCDub]

It's not going to be "impossible" to get FPs. You're like 45 days out. There are plenty of offsite people who only have access to a 30-day window and get almost everything they want.

I offered this advice to a similar poster yesterday: While there are plenty of people who plan trips years in advance, I'd caution against stressing about a trip that's ~7 weeks away and thinking it's "last minute." I think too many people get caught up in the ultra planning of others and put their plans next to them and end up feeling inadequate and stressed out. By doing ANY planning, you're already putting yourself ahead of people who just show up and wing it.

Short answer: Breathe. You're going to be fine and have fun.

 

[hiroMYhero]

have a friend who's a new CM who offered to get us a F&F discount

Has your friend checked the Hub to see if any WDW properties are offering CM discounts? With it being “Easter Week,” there may not be many rooms offered at the CM rate.

If you do book an onsite room, book FPs as soon as possible and utilize rope drop.

 

[infoseeker72964a]

It's not going to be "impossible" to get FPs. You're like 45 days out. There are plenty of offsite people who only have access to a 30-day window and get almost everything they want.

I offered this advice to a similar poster yesterday: While there are plenty of people who plan trips years in advance, I'd caution against stressing about a trip that's ~7 weeks away and thinking it's "last minute." I think too many people get caught up in the ultra planning of others and put their plans next to them and end up feeling inadequate and stressed out. By doing ANY planning, you're already putting yourself ahead of people who just show up and wing it.

Short answer: Breathe. You're going to be fine and have fun.

You're right. It's not like we've never been there. It'll be fun no matter what we get to do!

 

[infoseeker72964a]

Has your friend checked the Hub to see if any WDW properties are offering CM discounts? With it being “Easter Week,” there may not be many rooms offered at the CM rate.

If you do book an onsite room, book FPs as soon as possible and utilize rope drop.

Don't think they checked for rooms yet. It's not definite that we'll be going. Will decide this weekend, but I'll ask them to look asap to see if there are even any discount available.

 

[WaterLinds]

We've been thinking of going March 24 for 4 nights. Don't have reservations yet (have a friend who's a new CM who offered to get us a F&F discount). I know it will be almost impossible to get many good FPs but I'm interested in thoughts on how the crowds might be and if we'd be able to get a lot done if we're there at RD. We've been to DW over 30 times (always with lots of planning) and have never gone at the last minute without any planning.

Yup, echoing above about it not being impossible at all. Especially if you're willing to periodically check the app for the harder to get FPs as your date approaches.

We booked our FP at 30-32 days out, basically. For Mardi Gras week, so probably a bit less busy than the week you're looking at but not a totally dead time either. At that point I think the only thing totally unavailable was FOP, but a few weeks later I got lucky and scored an evening one--and this week managed to move it to morning. FEA was late evening only, but again I've modified ours to 2 pm this week--and we're still not in the 24 hour window when things are supposed to become more fluid.

I've also gotten all the ADRs we want--the really hard to get ones I set up searches with TP's reservation finder and have managed them all, usually within about 15 minutes of my preferred time slot.

It probably takes a bit more time than booking it all the moment your window opens up, but it's definitely doable. And if you're flexible about what you do or where you eat--or not as schedule-bound as we are(we have young kids, so are a bit more tied to their routines)--you can likely have a great time without too much stress at all.

I can't speak to crowds that week, I assume most of March is hectic and close to Easter especially so. But everyone keeps saying there are no slow times anymore, so it might not be that much worse than any other time of year?

 

[Dumbo777]

That's awesome. I have had the TP reservation finder searching for a month and have not had anything come up. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

 

[WaterLinds]

That's awesome. I have had the TP reservation finder searching for a month and have not had anything come up. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

What time period are you looking for? Most of ours have come up in the last week, so just 1-2 weeks ahead of time. I imagine there's not much movement from the 180 day window until pretty close to the dates in question. I've been surprised by how many we've had open up, though--I missed a few BOG slots because I was working, but just kept resetting it and eventually snagged one.

 

[Dumbo777]

What time period are you looking for? Most of ours have come up in the last week, so just 1-2 weeks ahead of time. I imagine there's not much movement from the 180 day window until pretty close to the dates in question. I've been surprised by how many we've had open up, though--I missed a few BOG slots because I was working, but just kept resetting it and eventually snagged one.

I am hoping to get a bon voyage breakfast for mid April. I have not gotten any response in the searches.

 

[WaterLinds]

I am hoping to get a bon voyage breakfast for mid April. I have not gotten any response in the searches.

I bet you'll see more movement by late March. I imagine most people who booked at 180 days just don't think about it too much for a few months after, and then when it gets closer they start finalizing their plans and dropping extra reservations. It's possible I'm just really lucky, but it seems like most people are able to get the restaurants of their choice eventually using the TP tool. (I'm also using the finder from Mouse Dining, which I think we can name but not link here? I'm not clear on that, sorry if that's against the rules, I've been confused by posts about that site. Anyway, every time but one the TP notification arrived well before anything came from MD--and most of the openings MD never caught at all. So it doesn't hurt to use both, I'm sure, but in my experience the TP site seems to work better.)

Good luck!

 

[Ladyfish77]

I have planned a quick trip in March. Couldn't get FOP FP+ but got everything else I wanted. Most difficult thing was room reservations because it's a busy time. I'm going to keep looking for FOP, but we rode it inNovember, so I'll survive without riding it this trip.

 

[Dumbo777]

I bet you'll see more movement by late March. I imagine most people who booked at 180 days just don't think about it too much for a few months after, and then when it gets closer they start finalizing their plans and dropping extra reservations. It's possible I'm just really lucky, but it seems like most people are able to get the restaurants of their choice eventually using the TP tool. (I'm also using the finder from Mouse Dining, which I think we can name but not link here? I'm not clear on that, sorry if that's against the rules, I've been confused by posts about that site. Anyway, every time but one the TP notification arrived well before anything came from MD--and most of the openings MD never caught at all. So it doesn't hurt to use both, I'm sure, but in my experience the TP site seems to work better.)

Good luck![/QUOTE


Thanks. I'm going to keep trying.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

It depends a little what you expect from this trip. It won't be the same as the ones you plan long in advance, for certain, but there's more than one way to have fun at WDW.

IMO, a good way to approach a last minute-ish trip is to try some of the things you don't usually do. If you normally focus on the e-rides and parks, this would be a good time to consider options outside the parks.

Last year, we stopped by the Grand Floridian lobby and spent quite a while enjoying the fabulous Easter eggs! They were simply amazing! The folks who were only in the parks missed some amazing artwork!

Another option that's very unique- if it comes up available - is the treehouse rooms. For that matter, AKL is another place that's fun to explore on a non-park days. If you are looking for a less expensive option, the value resorts also have much to explore.

 

[PSUGuy]

We planned a 6 day trip in March 2014 on 6 days notice, just kept going back to the FP page and over those 6 days we got all the E Ticket rides we wanted, of course FoP wasn't around then but you'll do fine.

Bill From PA

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

I should probably advocate for you not to go since that's when my trip is, haha! But you'll be fine. I just got a CRT reservation last week, and I just checked and there seem to be FP available for plenty of attractions. My best advice is just make it a "go with the flow" type of trip and you'll have an awesome time!

 

[Dumbo777]

Have a great time