Too much in one day?

[BelleMarie]

I am taking my husband and kids on their first trip to WDW this September (first time planning for more than just myself). I'm having a hard time with planning for our HS day, though, and need some feedback.

Currently we have an 8:30 ADR for 'Ohana and a 4:50 Mama Melrose F! ADR. The problem I'm running into is having enough time in the parks with those two chunks of the day gone. My son *has* to do Jedi Training Academy or he simply won't be able to go on living (tiny exaggeration), and IIRC that is usually in the early afternoon, correct?

So, I'm considering letting the F! dining package go in favor of more park time, but want some reassurance/guidance first. Are those ADRs plus Jedi Training plus everything else the kids *must* do (TSMM is their main focus for this park) going to put us in too much of a crunch? Or do you think it'll be ok?

Thanks!

 

[kristenabelle]

I could be wrong, but JTA signup is usually right after rope drop, and very, very popular. Heading over there after an 'Ohana breakfast may put you towards the very end of the signup pack, or may even shut you out from that day, depending on crowds. There are multiple JTA shows throughout the day, so you can sign up for any of the shows available. You'll have best pick first thing after rope drop, though. If anything, I'd drop 'Ohana or move to another day.

 

[Spunky946]

If you do the am Ohana, you will probably not get him signed up for Jedi training. It's based on first come, first serve and people get there as early as 8 to be first in line.

Hollywood has been opening up between 8:30-8:45 for a 9 am start. A breakfast at 8:30 will put you there at 10:30. If Jedi is that important, I would skip Ohana. All the spots might be gone by 10:30, I would not risk it.

 

[TimothyG]

From what I hear, you basically need to be at HS for Rope Drop and rush to the JTA signup in order to get a slot. If you have an 8:30 ADR at Ohana, you won't even be close (you probably wont get to the park until at least 11 AM IMO) and will completely miss the sign ups. Plus, you won't want to spend all that money on a nice meal and rush your meal to get to HS.

I would either cancel Ohana or plan a second morning at HS so that you can be in the front of the line for RD. At RD, walk briskly to the sign up.

 

[DisneyFive]

As the others said, Jedi Training sign up is right at rope drop and fills fast. I would move the Ohana breakfast to a different morning if possible. A MK morning is great, since you can just hop on the monorail to MK after breakfast.

We love eating dinner at the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and the Contemporary on our MK days for this very reason.

Dan

 

[Itinkso]

By the time you reach DHS, the JTA slots will probably be gone. The best strategy for JTA is rope drop on a non-EMH day if you are not a resort guest. If you are a resort guest, sign-ups begin at EMH rope drop on an EMH morning.

By signing-up as soon as the park opens, you will have a better selection of sessions and will be scheduled around your ADRs and Fp+. If the kids really want to do JTA, you will need to adjust your schedule of parks/ADRs.

 

[gwmort]

I agree with the above.

Unless JTA has been added to fp+ or something by now.

also note the participant has to be at the sign-up with you, you can't send a runner without the kid to sign up.

 

[BelleMarie]

So I had the right idea, wrong method That's why I asked.

I'll see what I can do to change 'Ohana, otherwise I'll drop it. JTA is all we've been hearing about, so I'll adjust our plans.

Thanks!

 

[DisneyFive]

Hope all goes well. JTA is an awesome experience for a kid who is really into Star Wars.

The only problem we had was the heat in late Sept when we've done it. When its 93 degrees, sunny and humid, it can be crazy hot in that area as it's all outdoors.

Dan

 

[kristenabelle]

Happy planning!

 

[buggy2727]

So I had the right idea, wrong method That's why I asked.

I'll see what I can do to change 'Ohana, otherwise I'll drop it. JTA is all we've been hearing about, so I'll adjust our plans.

Thanks!

That's why these boards rock!