WDW : August 23 - August 30, 2016 - Tips, Tricks, etc?

[Easto]

We are Booked for a week at the Polynesian

Crowd Levels for this time are: Moderate

(taken from www.kennythepirate.com

Temperature: High 93 / 73 Low

Chance of Precipitation: 43-56 %

Now time for some questions:

(1) Some days are RED because of Extra Magic Hours in the a.m. or the p.m. These are considered least recommended park that day because crowds are expected to be larger these days. As an aside, last time we went to Disney was during March Break so I know how bad crowds can be. I used a crowd calendar when we went then and the crowds were still HUGE. Anyways, with the overall crowd level estimated as being MODERATE while we visit if we chose to attend a RED park would that be asinine (huge crowd?)

We are still trying to plan which park we hit each day, and I am not 100% sure we can make things work doing all GREEN parks

(2) If we are staying on site should we use the morning extra magic hours, or would you recommend totally avoiding that park and stick to a recommended GREEN park?

(I will have a bunch more questions, I will stick with these for now)

 

[cassie58]

That week is usually a slower time as Southern schools and many western ones are back already, and when we did it we found it very manageable. I do not think any of the days will be insane, and especially not compared to spring break time. According to Josh on easywdw.com, your beginning days are rated as Level 5, but at the end of the week they are down to Level 3 and 2! When we went that same week, we used the a.m. EMH to get in early and beat the heat, and we got so much done in the first couple hrs., then would book the latest brft ADR or go back early afternoon and take a pool break before dinner ADR and return to park for evening. We went against the calendar in that way, which works if you will get there at RD and take advantage of that time. You have a good two hrs. before the regular crowds make their way fully into the park and start forming longer lines. Also, if you know the parks and have a plan and your FPs, and can get there for opening, I think you will be fine. Conversely, even though evening EMH can be more crowded as more peolple stay late than come early, when we were there Thanksgiving week a few yrs. ago we stayed late, and at 11:30 pm walked on almost everything, including Splash, Buzz, PP, etc. - between that and our FPs we got on almost every ride our first night there! Also if you have hoppers, you can always jump to another park if one seems crowded( I know this does not always work with ADRs!). I would use the calendars as a guide, but do what works best for your family!

cassie58

 

[Easto]

(3) what time do you suggest to head back to the hotel for some pool/nap time?

(4) eat supper at the park after the break, or eat then head back to the park?

 

[luvmyguyz]

We'll be there the same time - August 24 to 30. This is our first August trip so I'm interested in everyone's responses too. I think this might be the first time we actually take mid day breaks!

 

[kandb]

We go this time of year. We are not big fans of going in the am, leaving and then coming back, don't want to be in the car/bus 4 times per day, traveling is a waste of time. We spend most of our days at the resort, hang out at the pool and then go around 2-3, do some rides, sit down dinner and then some rides after dinner. Works better for us.

 

[Mainemama]

(3) what time do you suggest to head back to the hotel for some pool/nap time?

(4) eat supper at the park after the break, or eat then head back to the park?

Yay for a week at the Poly! It is very easy to head back to Poly from MK. Assuming you rope drop, I would head out between 12 and 1. Our favorite thing to do is have a nice, cool sit down lunch at GFC. I try to build in 3-4 hours for a break, especially if you want to enjoy the volcano pool. If we are hungry before returning to MK, we try to eat first (just not a fan of food in MK). Epcot, I take a break at same time, but would plan to eat back in park. AK honestly we just stay until we are done, and then don't return, but with the evening offerings, you may want to break. The bus ride to me is not worth leaving and returning, just takes too long. If you have a car, this would help. Or, with hoppers, I would do evening at AK on a different day to only take the bus once. HS we also usually just do morning or evening to minimize bus.
In terms of your original question, I usually cross reference the EAsy WDW calendar with touring plans calendar. They give slightly different projections and often help me make a decision. The general rule of thumb, though, would be do not go to an EMH park unless you are going to use EMH.

 

[cassie58]

I think you need to plan around your ADRs and morning/evening plan and FPs. For example, if you have a brft ADR and tour the park before and/or after that(we like to do the latest brft at CP on early EMH days or a pre-park opening on normal day) and the crowds and heat are not bad, you might stay till 2, figure an hr. back to hotel(shorter to Poly from MK of course, but in other parks figure walk to front of park, wait for bus, drive back, etc). Go back and swim for an hr., then shower/relax/snack, redress, and head back at 6 to be there by 7 if you want to see evening shows or have late FP. You could eat CS meal at resort before you leave or grab later at park. If you have dinner ADR, you might do park till 11, back to hotel, lunch/swim/nap, be ready to head back at 4 for dinner ADR and FPs and night shows. Being on the monorail, you could for example leave MK and have a late brft ADR at Chef Mickey's on the way to resort, or have early dinner ADR at Ohana and jump on monorail back to park. Since you will be there for a week, and will possibly do some parks twice, you might do a longer day and stay till 5-6, then come back and relax for the evening, maybe watch fireworks from Poly beach.

When you are not on the monorail at MK or Epcot, you may not want to travel back and forth, and may just want to take a break in the parks, stop an get a Mickey ice cream bar or frozen lemonade or a CS meal inside, or get some shade or see The Muppets to cool off and sit for a bit, to refresh and keep you going for evening. It will depend on the heat, crowds, and your family's style.

cassie58

 

[Easto]

Thank you for the replies thus far.

If I am staying at the Poly I take the monorail to MK.

What's the mode of transportation to the other parks:
- Epcot?
- AK?
- HS?

 

[cassie58]

Thank you for the replies thus far.

If I am staying at the Poly I take the monorail to MK.

What's the mode of transportation to the other parks:
- Epcot?
- AK?
- HS?

Epcot is also on the monorail, but you have to switch to another track at MK. It is the same as if you wanted to leave MK and hop over to Epcot. AK and HS both will require buses.

 

[siskaren]

Epcot is also on the monorail, but you have to switch to another track at MK.

Actually, since the OP is staying at the Poly, all she (he?) has to do is walk over to the TTC and get on the monorail there.

 

[Easto]

Ok, got it.

MK and EP days we can hop on the monorail and get back to the hotel for a break.

AK and HS days we need to rely on a bus, so many those days we can make a good dining reservation for a lunch time break then maybe hit a show right after for an extended break.

 

[cassie58]

Actually, since the OP is staying at the Poly, all she (he?) has to do is walk over to the TTC and get on the monorail there.

Thanks for correcting me - I did not realize it was quicker to walk from there. I will pass that on to my cousins who will be staying at Poly as well.

cassie58

 

[Easto]

Ok, what do you guys think about this:

Aug 24 - Animal Kingdom
Aug 25 - Magic Kingdom
Aug 26 - Epcot
Aug 27 - Hollywood Studios
Aug 28 - Magic Kingdom
Aug 29 - Magic Kingdom

The crappy part about online FP+ is we sort of have to commit to which park on which days in advance so we can pick reservations, etc.

My girls will be 4 and 6 at the time and I think MK has the most of them to do and experience. In addition, 3 days of MK allows us to take it SLOW, take afternoon breaks, and still get to do everything.

What do you guys/gals think?

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

We will also be there Aug 19-28th at the Poly. My daughter and I did July 4th last year. I can say we did almost everything in the MK that day even with the huge crowds. If it can be done that day, most days should be ok. This is the week we used to travel with the kids were small. The crowds are less by far but to be honest crowds are bigger every year even during the "slow times". Make a list of your must do's and work from there. Don't be afraid to move around the park to avoid the crowds. See you at the poly!

 

[DisneyDreamer64]

We'll be there August 20 - 29. Thanks for asking, I'm loving the tips!!

 

[cassie58]

I think it sounds good. Since you have 3 days scheduled at MK, while you are there you might discover you want to go back and do another park a second day or part of a day, if you find you have things you didn't get to or want to do again. So maybe on one of the last two days you plan a meal out of the park, like Ohana, 1900PF, or Chef Mickey's, and if you decide to go to a different park you are not tied to an ADR in MK. I know it's a pain with the FPs, but you could make them for MK, and then try and switch during the week if you change plans, or go to another park early to do some things, and then hop over to MK later (if you have hoppers).

cassie58

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Def take afternoon breaks. It is really hot in August, especially in the afternoon so avoid being there after 2. Also, Animal Kingdom feels hotter than most parks so be aware of that for your first day.

 

[Easto]

I'd think if we went to any other park more than once (other than MK) it would be HS. MK is awesome for kids with lots of characters, shows, rides, parades, etc. That's why I'm leaning to 3 days at MK

 

[Easto]

Anyone have another suggestion?

The sad part is we have to plan so far in advance to take advantage of food reservations, FP+ (eventually), and who knows what else.

 

[kjmollypup]

Anyone have another suggestion?

The sad part is we have to plan so far in advance to take advantage of food reservations, FP+ (eventually), and who knows what else.

Agreed - but so does everyone else, and you're ahead of the game because you are here getting educated on the best way to do it all!

I was in your shoes last year. We were on our first trip with our kids who were 4 and 6 at the time, about a week earlier than you're going, and we stayed at the Polynesian. I wanted to fit in as much as possible, so while I did plan breaks every afternoon from about 1 to about 5 for swimming and napping (best decision ever!) I did NOT plan a break in my park days. So I had planned Monday through Friday straight for rope drop all five days.

By the end of our second full park day, we were dragging. I had planned AK for Wednesday and had to change plans quick. So glad I did, because we lounged at the pool that morning and really recovered nicely, were able to fit in more MK time that night, and rope dropped the next two days with ease. I was sad to miss AK but in the end, I definitely made the right decision for our family.

I'm planning our next trip for this August and I built in two rest days to our plan. My kids love to go, go, go...but Disney is a whole other level of energy. Plan accordingly!