Tips on not stressing out as much when making plans? HELP!!!

[HappyGrape]

And breathe....

Next Monday is our ADR window
I don't know when what time will Wishes or Fantasmic be (November)
I don't know if Rivers of Light or the Jungle book show will be on nightly and what time
I can't decide to do MNSSHP or not, and if I do I can't decide on 30th or 31st of October. I don't know the cost difference and it may be deciding factor. or not
I am very disappointed that thunder mountain is under renovation and it is one of the big for us to decide to go or not to MNSSHP
All of the above have impact on my ADR choices and MNSSHP have impact on 4 days of my holiday plans

I am feeling my stress levels trying to decide above
On top of this, trying to decide timing for night time ADRs as it's hard to predict when 9 year old boy that eats home at 6 will be ready for dinner at WDW

Any tips? How can you make a choice 180 (+10 days onsite) days ahead when the information changes so often!

 

[Puffin]

When planning our trip we started by choosing which park to go to on which day according to the crowd level calendar. From there on you can start filling in reservations, fast passes, etc. But there's always room for change when new information about opening hours or nighttime shows is available. It's easy to swap days or parks, but you need a basic grid to start from. Once you have the first plan layed out, your stress levels will be down too because from then on you tackle the problems or questions one at a time.

 

[Nancyg56]

I do the same thing as Puffin. I start with a basic plan. I plan using the crowd calendars in combination with our own schedules, make dining ADRs that seem reasonable for us and work with our plans, and then book FP when it is time. That grid is the key, IMO. As updates occur, I tweak my plans.

I have to say that my family decided a long time ago that vacations were not supposed to be stressful, so I plan what I can, and if something comes up I refuse to let it stress me out.

 

[OldSchoolReasons]

I second this!
Write down all your dates (I use Excel so I feel real professional!) then add your first choice based on crowd calendar and then add your second choice, so that if you decide to MNSSHOP one day, you'll have a back-up that still factors in crowd levels and the same to incorporate RoL.

Restaurant reservations, why not go overboard and book two times? Say a 6pm and 8pm slot, once you've been in the parks for a day or two you'll know what your dining patterns will be like and you won't miss out on anywhere you want to eat because you booked the wrong time.

Also breathe, it'll all fall into place

 

[Nancyg56]

Restaurant reservations, why not go overboard and book two times? Say a 6pm and 8pm slot, once you've been in the parks for a day or two you'll know what your dining patterns will be like and you won't miss out on anywhere you want to eat because you booked the wrong time.

Also breathe, it'll all fall into place

Please do not do this. First, you have to cancel the day before or there will be a no show charge on your CC. It is easy to forget where you planned if you have two dinners on the books.

But honestly, if everyone booked up two meals because they wanted options once they arrived, this would be a disaster for those folks in the same boat the OP is in...trying to plan a trip without all of the tools necessary. You are considering a PPO breakfast in the park? FIne book it right away, they are tough to secure. Then let it go if as you pan it seems you are not going to get up and out that early. YOu are considering lunch at BOG? Book it but please do not feel the need to book every lunch open that week you are there.

ADR hoarding has caused a huge issue for all of us. Please do not encourage people do do this.

 

[HappyGrape]

Actually booking ADR as I would be going to MNSSHP may work well for us. Sure I will cancel it when the ticket prices are out and will keep the one that we are going to

 

[HappyGrape]

But honestly, if everyone booked up two meals because they wanted options once they arrived, this would be a disaster for those folks in the same boat the OP is in...trying to plan a trip without all of the tools necessary.

ADR hoarding has caused a huge issue for all of us. Please do not encourage people do do this.

I can imagine booking 30 ADRs when you only need 15 can be incovenience for some but I feel ok booking 2 180+10 days ahead and cancelling one lets say 80 days ahead of the holiday. The one spare find a new owner on the cancellation tread.

I really can't decide on MNSSHP and I am pretty set on other days

Is wishes in November likely to be at 8?

 

[ginny_lynn]

http://www.easywdw.com/nov15-v4.jpg

Here is last years crowd calendar from easywdw to give you an idea when each thing may be in November.

 

[alliecat523]

If Thunder Mtn is the only factor in going to the party then it's not worth the cost. Also, the 31st is the most popular day for that party so it's likely to sell out and be crowded.

 

[HappyGrape]

I believe 30th is also likely to sell out so there shouldn't be any difference?

 

[mindeola]

Make your ADR's at lunchtime! That is what I do. It frees up the evening for shows and unknown events and we just grab a QS meal when we are hungry.

 

[HappyGrape]

Another question

if I have ADR at 7 and we arrive at 6:30 is it likely that they will tell us to go back at 7 and wait for table then or will they tell us to wait for next available table?

 

[HappyGrape]

Out of 14 days it's really 3 that I am really stressing about!

31st October, 1st and 2nd of November.

Option A
Monday MK EMH leave at 10:30 AM, rest & pool, EP dinner and FP+
ADR would be BOG at 10:00, Biergarten at 7 pm
Tuesday MK - full day, ADR Ohana
Wednesday EP (pm) - ADR Via Napoli, late arrival


Option B

Monday MK EMH leave at 10:30 AM, rest & pool, EP dinner and FP+
ADR would be BOG at 10:00, Biergarten at 7 pm
Tuesday EP (pm) - ADR Via Napoli, late arrival. EMH nights, we are onsite.
Wednesday MK - full day, ADR Ohana

Option C


Monday MNSSHP, ADR BOG
Tuesday Epcot EMH evening - ADR Biergaten
Wednesday MK full day, ADR Ohana

 

[rastahomie]

"Do less, enjoy more. Do less, enjoy more." Repeat until you've entered an altered state of consciousness.

 

[HappyGrape]

"Do less, enjoy more. Do less, enjoy more." Repeat until you've entered an altered state of consciousness.

LOVE THIS haha

 

[Mikie]

Out of 14 days it's really 3 that I am really stressing about!

31st October, 1st and 2nd of November.

Option A
Monday MK EMH leave at 10:30 AM, rest & pool, EP dinner and FP+
ADR would be BOG at 10:00, Biergarten at 7 pm
Tuesday MK - full day, ADR Ohana
Wednesday EP (pm) - ADR Via Napoli, late arrival


Option B

Monday MK EMH leave at 10:30 AM, rest & pool, EP dinner and FP+
ADR would be BOG at 10:00, Biergarten at 7 pm
Tuesday EP (pm) - ADR Via Napoli, late arrival. EMH nights, we are onsite.
Wednesday MK - full day, ADR Ohana

Option C


Monday MNSSHP, ADR BOG
Tuesday Epcot EMH evening - ADR Biergaten
Wednesday MK full day, ADR Ohana

Looks like Tues/wed you are deciding between using the EMH park or not. Conventional wisdom seems to be to take advantage IF you think you'll really use the whole time. EMH park draws larger crowds and if you're likely to stay through only part of the bonus hours, you've not really utilized the benefit. If you know in advance that your crew isn't likely to stay up through the whole things, probably best to avoid it altogether.

Looks like you have hoppers, so if you make a sensible plan but change your mind, you're not stuck anywhere.

I don't do the parties, so I can't speak to how good they are, but I can say that if your go to MK during the day on a party day you can expect good crowds and an easier day than the non-party days at MK the same week. I imagine the morning EMH on that day would be pretty great if you're early risers!

 

[mousefan73]

Please do not do this. First, you have to cancel the day before or there will be a no show charge on your CC. It is easy to forget where you planned if you have two dinners on the books.

But honestly, if everyone booked up two meals because they wanted options once they arrived, this would be a disaster for those folks in the same boat the OP is in...trying to plan a trip without all of the tools necessary. You are considering a PPO breakfast in the park? FIne book it right away, they are tough to secure. Then let it go if as you pan it seems you are not going to get up and out that early. YOu are considering lunch at BOG? Book it but please do not feel the need to book every lunch open that week you are there.

ADR hoarding has caused a huge issue for all of us. Please do not encourage people do do this.

I disagree here. I am a hoarder. For our 9 day trip I have about 40 ADRS right now... and you know why? Because DISNEY sets this crazy rule of opening reservations at 180 days and if you dont reserve well within that time for certain places you are SOL. Seeing that I know from experience that park times and events are not set i stone for my trip I cannot make a decision until Disney gets their act together.

I often keep my ADRS also until the week of the trip. We like to be able to change plans... I might know only 2 days before if Cape May fits better for us at 5pm or 7pm.
I cancel then well within the time slot.. I also cancel way ahead of time once park hours, events etc.. are fixed. I also dont like having pages of ADR to look at. So I cancel.


Another issue this year is how disney is keeping everyone on hold with AK.. I think I have booked Boma and or tusker everynight of our trip. 1. I do not know when ROL will be 2. We want to plan this. 3. Who knows how long AK will be open etc...

It was always a sure thing that Boma for us was a 6:30 ADR tiime.. This was after AK closes.. So now I booked 6pm and 8:30/9 pm not knowing when we are leaving AK ( all dependent on ROL). Assuming that it has to be dark so a 5pm AK is not possible.

I figure I am doing a service to the poor folks who 1. have no idea how insane disney planning has beome or 2. People who plan trips short notice.

Either way I cancel, and no tables are empty so disney doesnt lose out.. this is why there is always hope for a hard to get ADR.. just check the days before or 24 hrs before.

 

[Mikie]

I disagree here. I am a hoarder. For our 9 day trip I have about 40 ADRS right now... and you know why? Because DISNEY sets this crazy rule of opening reservations at 180 days and if you dont reserve well within that time for certain places you are SOL. Seeing that I know from experience that park times and events are not set i stone for my trip I cannot make a decision until Disney gets their act together.

I often keep my ADRS also until the week of the trip. We like to be able to change plans... I might know only 2 days before if Cape May fits better for us at 5pm or 7pm.
I cancel then well within the time slot.. I also cancel way ahead of time once park hours, events etc.. are fixed. I also dont like having pages of ADR to look at. So I cancel.


Another issue this year is how disney is keeping everyone on hold with AK.. I think I have booked Boma and or tusker everynight of our trip. 1. I do not know when ROL will be 2. We want to plan this. 3. Who knows how long AK will be open etc...

It was always a sure thing that Boma for us was a 6:30 ADR tiime.. This was after AK closes.. So now I booked 6pm and 8:30/9 pm not knowing when we are leaving AK ( all dependent on ROL). Assuming that it has to be dark so a 5pm AK is not possible.

I figure I am doing a service to the poor folks who 1. have no idea how insane disney planning has beome or 2. People who plan trips short notice.

Either way I cancel, and no tables are empty so disney doesnt lose out.. this is why there is always hope for a hard to get ADR.. just check the days before or 24 hrs before.

You don't see that lots of people doing exactly as you do are a big part of the reason WHY you have to do so much dancing to get your desired adr's?

I get that maybe you're disagreeing about whether it's ok/not ok to do so, but I don't see how you could disagree about how lots of people hoarding has a big effect on all other planners.

 

[monorailrabbit]

Another question

if I have ADR at 7 and we arrive at 6:30 is it likely that they will tell us to go back at 7 and wait for table then or will they tell us to wait for next available table?

We have shown up early for ADRs before. Sometimes we are seated sometimes we have to wait. Never hurts to try!

 

[Nancyg56]

I disagree here. I am a hoarder. For our 9 day trip I have about 40 ADRS right now... and you know why? Because DISNEY sets this crazy rule of opening reservations at 180 days and if you dont reserve well within that time for certain places you are SOL. Seeing that I know from experience that park times and events are not set i stone for my trip I cannot make a decision until Disney gets their act together.

I often keep my ADRS also until the week of the trip. We like to be able to change plans... I might know only 2 days before if Cape May fits better for us at 5pm or 7pm.
I cancel then well within the time slot.. I also cancel way ahead of time once park hours, events etc.. are fixed. I also dont like having pages of ADR to look at. So I cancel.


Another issue this year is how disney is keeping everyone on hold with AK.. I think I have booked Boma and or tusker everynight of our trip. 1. I do not know when ROL will be 2. We want to plan this. 3. Who knows how long AK will be open etc...

It was always a sure thing that Boma for us was a 6:30 ADR tiime.. This was after AK closes.. So now I booked 6pm and 8:30/9 pm not knowing when we are leaving AK ( all dependent on ROL). Assuming that it has to be dark so a 5pm AK is not possible.

I figure I am doing a service to the poor folks who 1. have no idea how insane disney planning has beome or 2. People who plan trips short notice.

Either way I cancel, and no tables are empty so disney doesnt lose out.. this is why there is always hope for a hard to get ADR.. just check the days before or 24 hrs before.

I cannot tell you what to do, but this behavior makes it difficult for others to plan.