WDW Commando Club 2 - Magic Bands & FP+ Oh My

[Disney Commando]

Although all my FP+s have gone smoothly, with getting them back to back and in the morning, I realized on a Morning EMH it is not smart to get Fps for that park

Example AK - during the EMH, we rode EEx2, Dino, and then got on Safari that had a little bit of a wait about 10mins while we were on line the park was then open to everybody

Now do I really need Fps to do the same rides I just did, I'm thinking on our next trip on a AM EMH day, to make Fps for the 2nd park we go tog

Even Epcot & HS fall into this, at Epcot if you are at a 8am EMH you can do TT and Soarin and be done somewhere in the 9 - 9:30 time frame

Cosidering you can't get TT & Soarin combined on the FP+ system you would be way ahead, but let's face it do you really need a FP for Mission Space, Figment, Living with the land

At HS, RNR RR & TSM are the big ticket, if you can get both them done by 9 - 9:30 on a 8am EMH, unless you want to go to the Frozen sing a long, do you really need a FP for Star Tours, Muppets, Mermaid

I have found the only exception to this is MK, with so many headliners, like 7DMT, Space Mountain, Princesses M&G's, HM, PP. BTM, Splash Mountian, even with a AM EMH 3 Fps will certainly come in handy

I will be trying this out our next trip

Now if there is no AM EMH at the park and you are at RD, I would not make a FP for before 10am, you can still get 1 or 2 headliner rides in before they get too bad

 

[Ladybug1112]

Although all my FP+s have gone smoothly, with getting them back to back and in the morning, I realized on a Morning EMH it is not smart to get Fps for that park Example AK - during the EMH, we rode EEx2, Dino, and then got on Safari that had a little bit of a wait about 10mins while we were on line the park was then open to everybody Now do I really need Fps to do the same rides I just did, I'm thinking on our next trip on a AM EMH day, to make Fps for the 2nd park we go tog Even Epcot & HS fall into this, at Epcot if you are at a 8am EMH you can do TT and Soarin and be done somewhere in the 9 - 9:30 time frame Cosidering you can't get TT & Soarin combined on the FP+ system you would be way ahead, but let's face it do you really need a FP for Mission Space, Figment, Living with the land At HS, RNR RR & TSM are the big ticket, if you can get both them done by 9 - 9:30 on a 8am EMH, unless you want to go to the Frozen sing a long, do you really need a FP for Star Tours, Muppets, Mermaid I have found the only exception to this is MK, with so many headliners, like 7DMT, Space Mountain, Princesses M&G's, HM, PP. BTM, Splash Mountian, even with a AM EMH 3 Fps will certainly come in handy I will be trying this out our next trip Now if there is no AM EMH at the park and you are at RD, I would not make a FP for before 10am, you can still get 1 or 2 headliner rides in before they get too bad

I have to agree.. For future trips I won't schedule any FP before 11... Even if we don't park hop.

 

[Disney Commando]

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Santa Goofy got everything on your list

With all the construction going on at DTD, coming in on the water taxi from POR may not be the best way anymore (taxi now drops you off near the busses instead of over by the ballon).

From observation it now looks like the best way if you are coming from a park is to take a bus to Saratoga Springs and walk over, (would also eliminate having to take a bus to a resort then another or water taxi to DTD), also when leaving you can just take a bus from Saratoga Springs to a park

I can only imagine that the best way in and out of DTD will change often due to construction

 

[Disney Commando]

At the end of Jan, I will be listing some dates to see if we can arrange some kind of Commando Club meet, of course doing some EMH's as a group (imagine the look of a deer in headlights if they saw a group of Commando's, wearing WDW Commando Club t-shirts coming there way)

These are the times I'm thinking of

- Easter Week (Flower & Garden Festival)
- A Star Wars Weekednd
- Sometime in the middle of summer
- Sometime during F&W festival/MNSSHP
- Sometime after Thanksgiving during MVMCP

I will be posting more about this in about a month, just something to think about

 

[Disney Commando]

Going forward into 2015 some things I'm already looking forward to

- Easter at WDW & The Flower & Garden Festival

- Star Wars Weekends (A New movie is coming up, maybe it will be kicked up a bit as a promo)

- Rumor has it that Inside Out Characters will have a meet & greet
- STK Steakhouse coming to DTD word has it that they will offer roof top dining (what a cool view that would be, especially at night)

I'm sure as we go into the New year more exciting things will come into play

 

[Ladybug1112]

Going forward into 2015 some things I'm already looking forward to - Easter at WDW & The Flower & Garden Festival - Star Wars Weekends (A New movie is coming up, maybe it will be kicked up a bit as a promo) - Rumor has it that Inside Out Characters will have a meet & greet - STK Steakhouse coming to DTD word has it that they will offer roof top dining (what a cool view that would be, especially at night) I'm sure as we go into the New year more exciting things will come into play

Lots of stuff to look forward to... I definitely want to do a Stars Wars weekend someday... My DD is not into Star Wars yet... I'm hoping to watch all the movies with her this year so she'll go with me when the new movie comes out.
Unfortunately I don't think we'll make it to WDW on 2015... But you never know!

 

[Disney Commando]

Just booked a flight, will be at WDW Easter morning, Not sure where we are staying for sure yet (there are 6 rooms at a resort already reserved but it's still in the air), Someone at work said are you crazy, that's not like you going one of the busiest times of the year. I told her I'm a Commando I'm crazy like a fox

 

[AirGoofy]

At the end of Jan, I will be listing some dates to see if we can arrange some kind of Commando Club meet, of course doing some EMH's as a group (imagine the look of a deer in headlights if they saw a group of Commando's, wearing WDW Commando Club t-shirts coming there way)

These are the times I'm thinking of

- Easter Week (Flower & Garden Festival)
- A Star Wars Weekednd
- Sometime in the middle of summer
- Sometime during F&W festival/MNSSHP
- Sometime after Thanksgiving during MVMCP

I will be posting more about this in about a month, just something to think about

Sounds like a fun idea. Coordinating a group commando plan might take some more effort, but I'm sure you are up to the task. 2015 is still looking bad for us with the whole outlaw family vacation thing.

Going forward into 2015 some things I'm already looking forward to
t
- STK Steakhouse coming to DTD word has it that they will offer roof top dining (what a cool view that would be, especially at night)

The rooftop dining would be really cool at DTD. The characters in flight was really amazing, and while I doubt the restaurant would be that high, it would provide a unique view of WDW. Not sure I'm all too excited about another steakhouse since we have those locally. Still, I'm sure I'll give it a try.

 

[chelseabun76]

Oh my gosh, I have 24 days to go!!! I am stressed that my aunt is now coming with us in place of my mom (who just did 2nd round of chemo yesterday!!) because at least with my mom, she is happy to just plod along with us, isn't big on rides and likes to people see and was more than willing to go with my plans. I'm not saying my aunt isn't willing, but we only see her twice/year so I'm not AS comfortable with her in that setting as I would have been with my mom. LOL She is super cool though, and said she'll give me and my dd alone time at times during the week too So that is awesome. She also isn't the quickest at getting up and ready to go, and since we're doing RD every single day, and 2 8am adr's, she best be setting her alarms and throw in that pony tail! LOL!!!

SUPER EXCITED! I just got my lorazepam so I can fly without freaking out and I am starting my packing list today. Top of my list are SHOES and PONCHOS or rain jackets. I have not tested out my runners (I detest them, never wear them) so I'll be putting them on around the house for the next week to make sure they will be ok. Ponchos, well, I have 2 bargain store ones but I know if it's COLD and rainy, they just will not do. I"d rather have a good rain jacket but I don't have the time to order them (I live in the boonies, takes forever to get here). Would I be better off buying a pricey Disney one when we get there instead of these bargain store ones? I do not want to have to leave the parks at all to go back to the resort and change if we get wet and cold.

I am placing an order with garden grocer tonight to have for me when we get there, mainly breakfast items since we're on the regular dining plan and most meals will be used for lunch/dinner and I don't want to waste time at the food court on our race to the rope in the morning.

Hmmmm what else should I be doing?!?! haha!

 

[kittylady1972]

I guess I should start a new countdown here. We have taken the plunge and have booked JULY 4th WEEKEND at Walt Disney World this year. This will be our FIRST attempt at July 4th in Disney, but as commandos we know it can be done!

I've given all of the appropriate warnings up front to the rest of our family. It will be HOT. It will be CROWDED. They need to know this up front. And not just Thanksgiving Week Crowded...but wall-to-wall people crowded and I have EVERY intention of seeing fireworks in the Disney parks for July 4th. Somebody on the boards posted a strategy for catching fireworks at Magic Kingdom and then the SAME night catching Illuminations. I plan to try that out.

We know we will spend a LOT of time at the pool and waterparks though. We know we'll need that with a trip to the HEAT of Florida during probably the busiest weekend of the summer. We also have plans to do a lot of eating and cooking in our room which is why we have a 1BR Villa at Old Key West for this trip!

Obviously I have a little bit of time to do some planning but of course DINING can be booked as of THIS weekend if we want to do one or two places. I might have to reserve one or two restaurants just in case. Let the fun of planning BEGIN AGAIN!!

 

[Disney Commando]

Oh my gosh, I have 24 days to go!!! I am stressed that my aunt is now coming with us in place of my mom (who just did 2nd round of chemo yesterday!!) because at least with my mom, she is happy to just plod along with us, isn't big on rides and likes to people see and was more than willing to go with my plans. I'm not saying my aunt isn't willing, but we only see her twice/year so I'm not AS comfortable with her in that setting as I would have been with my mom. LOL She is super cool though, and said she'll give me and my dd alone time at times during the week too So that is awesome. She also isn't the quickest at getting up and ready to go, and since we're doing RD every single day, and 2 8am adr's, she best be setting her alarms and throw in that pony tail! LOL!!!

SUPER EXCITED! I just got my lorazepam so I can fly without freaking out and I am starting my packing list today. Top of my list are SHOES and PONCHOS or rain jackets. I have not tested out my runners (I detest them, never wear them) so I'll be putting them on around the house for the next week to make sure they will be ok. Ponchos, well, I have 2 bargain store ones but I know if it's COLD and rainy, they just will not do. I"d rather have a good rain jacket but I don't have the time to order them (I live in the boonies, takes forever to get here). Would I be better off buying a pricey Disney one when we get there instead of these bargain store ones? I do not want to have to leave the parks at all to go back to the resort and change if we get wet and cold.

I am placing an order with garden grocer tonight to have for me when we get there, mainly breakfast items since we're on the regular dining plan and most meals will be used for lunch/dinner and I don't want to waste time at the food court on our race to the rope in the morning.

Hmmmm what else should I be doing?!?! haha!

Good luck with your aunt, who knows she might surprise you

You might get wet, but as far as cold, compared to Canada it would still be a summer day

 

[chelseabun76]

Good luck with your aunt, who knows she might surprise you

You might get wet, but as far as cold, compared to Canada it would still be a summer day

Considering we're having -40 temps right now, I think it might seem like it yes! LOL!

 

[Disney Commando]

The rooftop dining would be really cool at DTD. The characters in flight was really amazing, and while I doubt the restaurant would be that high, it would provide a unique view of WDW. Not sure I'm all too excited about another steakhouse since we have those locally. Still, I'm sure I'll give it a try.

From what I gathered it was only 2 stories tall, and along the water, I looked up other locations and they were quite pricey

 

[Disney Commando]

I guess I should start a new countdown here. We have taken the plunge and have booked JULY 4th WEEKEND at Walt Disney World this year. This will be our FIRST attempt at July 4th in Disney, but as commandos we know it can be done!

I've given all of the appropriate warnings up front to the rest of our family. It will be HOT. It will be CROWDED. They need to know this up front. And not just Thanksgiving Week Crowded...but wall-to-wall people crowded and I have EVERY intention of seeing fireworks in the Disney parks for July 4th. Somebody on the boards posted a strategy for catching fireworks at Magic Kingdom and then the SAME night catching Illuminations. I plan to try that out.

We know we will spend a LOT of time at the pool and waterparks though. We know we'll need that with a trip to the HEAT of Florida during probably the busiest weekend of the summer. We also have plans to do a lot of eating and cooking in our room which is why we have a 1BR Villa at Old Key West for this trip!

Obviously I have a little bit of time to do some planning but of course DINING can be booked as of THIS weekend if we want to do one or two places. I might have to reserve one or two restaurants just in case. Let the fun of planning BEGIN AGAIN!!

Congratulations on your new trip

I can see you are also not afraid of crowd levels, I will be there on Easter (another one of those oh the crowd days people speak off). But IMO it's a lot of hype built up on how crowded it will be, and how you will get nothing done, people begin to have low expectations for the day

This is where a Commando has the upper hand, since most of us don't really care about the crowd level since we have a lot of the days list done before most decide to head to the parks

I look at it as we are about 2-3hrs ahead of most in the morning, take it easy in the afternoon (doing show rides, or going to DTD), eat a early Dinner/lunch around 2:30 or 3ish. Then when most are ready to eat dinner, it's time to hit main rides again, and take advantage of any night EMH's

 

[Disney Commando]

I now officially have a countdown again 88 days (Easter) till WDW, staying at POP

 

[Disney Commando]

Never been to a WDW Waterpark, going to do 1 this year, Typhoon or Blizzard & why

 

[Disney Commando]

It's been less then a week since we booked our next trip for Easter and I'm already digging deep on things happening while we are there

- Village People preforming at Epcot
- Cinderella's Golden Coach from movie on display at HS
- Inside Out Character Meet and Greet at HS
- Maybe STK Orlando at DTD with rooftop dining
- Meet Mr & Mrs Easter Bunny
- Egg Hunts
- Flower & Garden Festival

Almost 3 months to go sure much more will be added by then, at this point got to keep open minded and flexible So far for sure I know we will be traveling with 2 other families, so I got a little pressure of pulling off a Great plan

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

OMG I thought I had lost you guys!!! How is everyone? Happy New Year to explore WDW

Never been to a WDW Waterpark, going to do 1 this year, Typhoon or Blizzard & why

We have always gone to Blizzard Beach and honestly, IDK why but after a few years, Typhoon Lagoon did not look as interesting to me. Perhaps because we have a really awesome wave pool here in Michigan, so I don't really need that. I like the theme at BB best as well. There are a million tropical areas in WDW, not too many snow capped sun spots though. I LOVE the large family raft ride, it's the best. I'm a thrill seeker so I also like the slides and it is cool to take a ski lift to and from rides. All in all, I plan on trying both, aside from the swimming with sharks, I really think it is just up to personal preference. As with all Disney "which one" choices. . . try one, and then go back another trip and try the other, lol

 

[AirGoofy]

Never been to a WDW Waterpark, going to do 1 this year, Typhoon or Blizzard & why

We did Typhoon Lagoon on our honeymoon 14 years ago. It was fun - lazy river and large wave pool. That's more my style - lazy. I would have liked to try crushin gusher at Blizzard Beach, but since we have Holiday World & Spalshin Safari so close to here, we don't go to the waterparks at WDW anymore.

 

[Disney Commando]

Just booked a flight for Star Wars last weekend and it's also Father's Day Not sure where we are staying yet (probably POP), but it sure bets the Father's Day tie & BBQ