WDW Commando Club

[AirGoofy]

Norm, Have A Great Trip, Look forward to hearing all about it

Thanks, we had a great trip. My trip report is in my signature. We only did 3 days in the parks this trip, but we went from open to close in true commando style.

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

MY FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am back guys!!! I have the new job and still in school (overwhelmed a bit, but I will be okay). I missed you all though. Someone fill me in, lol. I will try my best to catch up. Last time I was on Commander, you were about a week out on your trip.

 

[Disney Commando]

MY FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am back guys!!! I have the new job and still in school (overwhelmed a bit, but I will be okay). I missed you all though. Someone fill me in, lol. I will try my best to catch up. Last time I was on Commander, you were about a week out on your trip.

Congratulations on the job

It's been kinda quite, watching all the FP+ hype, seems its not what a lot of people thought, see threads all the time that people are mad that some are using FP+ & FP during their stay, along with times they want used already.

But when you rush into a new system you are going to have problems, and your not going to please everyone, but the way it's going they got to do something quick or they might as well scrap it

It's interesting reading, but they have to do something with it and then make it permanent otherwise its going to be hard to plan around it

 

[MaMudduck]

Hi everyone,

I've been over on the Canadian boards alot more lately, we are almost 1 month out, I got most of my plan made but for me it's almost like planning 3 different trips (groups of people) at the same time. So I'll give you the 3 basic outlines:
Whose going:
Me- , AP tix- 3day US
DH- Not a huge Disney fan, but goes because he loves me, 3 days left on 10NE tix
DD- 18yrs- loves WDW - 10+NE tix, 3dayUS
DDbf- (might be fiance after this trip) 20yrs- big kid and lots of fun 10NE/3US
then the Walkerducks (a young family that are like kids to us)
Matt, Kat, Karah (7) Shelby (5) Max(3) Emerson (8months)- they all have 6day (non hopping)

Mudducks (4)are flying out of Buffalo Nov.29, (cuz we are ducks and we fly)
Walkerducks (6) are driving from Peterborough Canada 1460 miles (cuz they are walkers and driving is faster than walking)

Friday 29th: Ducks arrive at Westgate Lakes & Spa 2bdroom 2pm- shopping & dinner
Sat: Walkers arrive sometime, we get 3brd additional unit at Westgate.
Dh & DBf- Disney Quest.
Sun: (all) O'hana's 8:30am- then off to MK- Late lunch at BOG,
Mon: (ducks only) US/IOA- Lunch at 3Broomsticks, Dinner somewhere on Citywalk.
Tues: BBB for little girls/ DTD T-Rex lunch, 4pm MVMCP all in costumes, that I'm still sewing.
Wed: (ducks less DH) US/IOA
Thrus: (all): AK, DD&BF; evening at Epcot
Friday: (all) HS- check out of 2 brdrm
Sat: day off- I'm sure I'll go to a park but no one else will. DD&BF US/Ioa
Sun: AK (all)- Tuskerhouse CM 1:45pm
Mon: DD & BF fly home
Tues: EP (all that's left)- DH& I babysitting as Matt & Kat celebrate 8yr anniversary.
Wed. Alone I will attempt 4 parks in one day
Thurs: Mk as long as possible (all)
Friday:shopping, packing, DH&I- US/IOA
Sat: check out, Walkers hit the road & Ducks fly

Not a super tight commando plan, but with so many little ones I thought 1 day on/one off would work best.
Offsite is the best for 10 people since I just trade my timeshare in Mexico for 3 weeks in Florida (so it's almost like its free..)
All the places we are eating at I've never been to before so that'll be cool.
We have 2 cars & I have an AP so parking will be free.
I really hype about this trip because I'll get to experience it through the eyes of little ones again. (I get to play fairygod mother!)

 

[Disney Commando]

Hi everyone,

I've been over on the Canadian boards alot more lately, we are almost 1 month out, I got most of my plan made but for me it's almost like planning 3 different trips (groups of people) at the same time. So I'll give you the 3 basic outlines:
Whose going:
Me- , AP tix- 3day US
DH- Not a huge Disney fan, but goes because he loves me, 3 days left on 10NE tix
DD- 18yrs- loves WDW - 10+NE tix, 3dayUS
DDbf- (might be fiance after this trip) 20yrs- big kid and lots of fun 10NE/3US
then the Walkerducks (a young family that are like kids to us)
Matt, Kat, Karah (7) Shelby (5) Max(3) Emerson (8months)- they all have 6day (non hopping)

Mudducks (4)are flying out of Buffalo Nov.29, (cuz we are ducks and we fly)
Walkerducks (6) are driving from Peterborough Canada 1460 miles (cuz they are walkers and driving is faster than walking)

Friday 29th: Ducks arrive at Westgate Lakes & Spa 2bdroom 2pm- shopping & dinner
Sat: Walkers arrive sometime, we get 3brd additional unit at Westgate.
Dh & DBf- Disney Quest.
Sun: (all) O'hana's 8:30am- then off to MK- Late lunch at BOG,
Mon: (ducks only) US/IOA- Lunch at 3Broomsticks, Dinner somewhere on Citywalk.
Tues: BBB for little girls/ DTD T-Rex lunch, 4pm MVMCP all in costumes, that I'm still sewing.
Wed: (ducks less DH) US/IOA
Thrus: (all): AK, DD&BF; evening at Epcot
Friday: (all) HS- check out of 2 brdrm
Sat: day off- I'm sure I'll go to a park but no one else will. DD&BF US/Ioa
Sun: AK (all)- Tuskerhouse CM 1:45pm
Mon: DD & BF fly home
Tues: EP (all that's left)- DH& I babysitting as Matt & Kat celebrate 8yr anniversary.
Wed. Alone I will attempt 4 parks in one day
Thurs: Mk as long as possible (all)
Friday:shopping, packing, DH&I- US/IOA
Sat: check out, Walkers hit the road & Ducks fly

Not a super tight commando plan, but with so many little ones I thought 1 day on/one off would work best.
Offsite is the best for 10 people since I just trade my timeshare in Mexico for 3 weeks in Florida (so it's almost like its free..)
All the places we are eating at I've never been to before so that'll be cool.
We have 2 cars & I have an AP so parking will be free.
I really hype about this trip because I'll get to experience it through the eyes of little ones again. (I get to play fairygod mother!)

Looks Great I love seeing through the eyes of the little ones, I believe that is good for the soul and keeps you young

The only thing about the plans that disturbs me is on Sat and Wed out of 10 people I can't believe only you will want to venture into the parks

 

[Disney Commando]

This weekend coming up is usually when I would be at WDW, but this year we did a extended stay during the summer, OK so right now I regret it since I would be getting ready to go now, but I have secured this week for the next 2 years

These are a few things I would do if I were there

- This is a great week this week coming up you can actually do MNSSHP & MVMCP if you plan it right also just watching the parks go from Halloween to Christmas this week is awesome

- By next Fri Nov 8 AK should have the Jingle Jungle parade running and most of the Characters should be in Christmas mode, also this is usually the day Osborne Lights starts, it could change but this is how it has landed years prior

- F & W Fest still going on at Epcot can also catch some great concerts

- Nov 5th at Great Britain, Guy Fawkes Day, I will call this a legitimate reason why your kid is not in school this week since most likely they will not learn this in History class but if it's brought up most likely they would get extra credit

New Stuff

- Starting in Nov The Jungle Cruise turns into the Jingle Cruise, This is one of my son's favorite rides so I'm really excited to hear 1st hand from someone that did it

-Glow with the Show Mickey Ears

- Talking Mickey at Town Square Theater

I will have more for after Thanksgiving since Epcot goes all Christmas then

 

[Disney Commando]

Kinda bummed out right now since we are usually in route to WDW at this time, I have made it law in my house that starting tomorrow and ending next Sat, that only Mickey soap & Shampoo are to be used in the shower (have a good supply) and for the week we are only to drink from our refillable mugs, it's not much but it should make me feel a little better

Oh yeah! after making plans for the next 3 years this week is now covered going to try for something around Easter break to make up for not going this week

 

[AirGoofy]

Oh yeah! after making plans for the next 3 years this week is now covered going to try for something around Easter break to make up for not going this week

How close to Easter? That 2 week period of near park capacity will test those commando skills. I get to book at the 11 month window tomorrow. This time change has made me wait 1 extra hour.

 

[Disney Commando]

How close to Easter? That 2 week period of near park capacity will test those commando skills. I get to book at the 11 month window tomorrow. This time change has made me wait 1 extra hour.

If we do it, it will be the end of the week right after Easter, looking to get there late on the 23rd and leave early on the 27th

I do not worry about park capacity, in fact I don't even want to know, some might think I'm crazy, and they would be right, I'm Crazy like a fox

 

[kmedina]

About to wrap up our 11 day commando trip which included 3 nights at Dl, 7 nights at WDW and 1 night at Universal Hollywood. I am TIRED. After four hours in the park today, we will be driving home.

 

[Disney Commando]

About to wrap up our 11 day commando trip which included 3 nights at Dl, 7 nights at WDW and 1 night at Universal Hollywood. I am TIRED. After four hours in the park today, we will be driving home.

What a trip, Did you start in Ca or Fl, also did you use the magic bands & the advance FP

These new magic bands need to become our main focus, once us Commandos know all the ins and outs of the system we can come up with the most lucrative way to use it with our kind of touring style

 

[Disney Commando]

Since everyone in my house is kinda feeling down due to we are usually at WDW right now, It now looks like we will be going to WDW 3 times next year

I hope to have the 1st one that will be in April booked by the end of next week

By the time we go on the 1st trip all 3 will be booked and planed out

 

[kmedina]

What a trip, Did you start in Ca or Fl, also did you use the magic bands & the advance FP These new magic bands need to become our main focus, once us Commandos know all the ins and outs of the system we can come up with the most lucrative way to use it with our kind of touring style

Drove to California and started at Disneyland. Parked our car at LAX and flew to a Florida for DisneyWorld. Flew back to California and went to Universal. Then, we drove back home. Yes, we used Magic Bands and fastpass plus. It worked like a breeze (except the one I booked for BoG lunch, not through MDE. For some reason at check in, they had the order linked to my two year old who had no charging privileges. I was not allowed to pay for him they told me. I booked it under my account. They made me go through the order line, despite the pre order. When I got to the front, the cashier informed me the order was indeed under my name. I will never get those 15 minutes back)!

Fastpass Plus worked nicely for every park but MK. There are just too many fastpass attractions there. Choosing only three when others could have much more was just so unfair. My husband tried to get a standard fastpass for Winnie the Pooh but was informed he could not since we were using fastpass plus. The fastpass operators sent him to what he called the fastpass sheriff. I did not know we were not allowed to use regular ones if we used the magic bands, because I thought you could do both in the testing phase.

Since everyone in my house is kinda feeling down due to we are usually at WDW right now, It now looks like we will be going to WDW 3 times next year I hope to have the 1st one that will be in April booked by the end of next week By the time we go on the 1st trip all 3 will be booked and planed out

Cool. I am already going through withdrawal as well. We got APs for Disneyland on our recent trip, so we are sneaking down there for my son's birthday weekend next month. It will be more than a year before we get back to WDW though.

 

[jmm476]

Hi! I've been quiet on this thread for a while, but our trip is just 30 days away now and I wanted to comment or question some things that I know our commando leader will know...

1. Received my AAA package yesterday and there's neither fireworks viewing nor story time included now? Seems the only reason to book with them now is the diamond parking pass, at least in my mind. Any idea when that changed? A friend who went in September still had both vouchers.

2. I'm considering booking harmony barber shop for my DD. She's turning 2 during the trip and she's never had a real haircut before, just my mom trimming her bangs until now. I see they have a first haircut package. Do you think I should make an appointment? I would want one late in the day, maybe 4ish so it doesn't interfere with nap time (a big if at this point) or my FP+ selections.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[kmedina]

Hi! I've been quiet on this thread for a while, but our trip is just 30 days away now and I wanted to comment or question some things that I know our commando leader will know... 1. Received my AAA package yesterday and there's neither fireworks viewing nor story time included now? Seems the only reason to book with them now is the diamond parking pass, at least in my mind. Any idea when that changed? A friend who went in September still had both vouchers. 2. I'm considering booking harmony barber shop for my DD. She's turning 2 during the trip and she's never had a real haircut before, just my mom trimming her bangs until now. I see they have a first haircut package. Do you think I should make an appointment? I would want one late in the day, maybe 4ish so it doesn't interfere with nap time (a big if at this point) or my FP+ selections. Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Never booked through AAA, so I have no advice for question one. The answer for question two is a resounding yes in my opinion. My two year old just had his first haircut there. For $18, you get Mickey ears, the haircut, a bag to keep the hair and a certificate. It is a fantastic deal. Plus, you will always have the memory that the first haircut took place at Disney. If you are unsure of the time, you can always walk in without an appt. They take walk ins and it does not add much to the time. There were two open chairs when I walked in third behind two other groups. Despite the fact that we had an appointment and the two just ahead of me did not, they were given the chairs. They were called back after we were checked in too. I am guessing I may have been called next even if there was another walk in ahead of me, but you never know. If there is an open chair, I am guessing it is first come, first served regardless of appointment status. If there is a wait for chairs, I am guessing the appointments go back first.

 

[Disney Commando]

Hi! I've been quiet on this thread for a while, but our trip is just 30 days away now and I wanted to comment or question some things that I know our commando leader will know...

1. Received my AAA package yesterday and there's neither fireworks viewing nor story time included now? Seems the only reason to book with them now is the diamond parking pass, at least in my mind. Any idea when that changed? A friend who went in September still had both vouchers.

2. I'm considering booking harmony barber shop for my DD. She's turning 2 during the trip and she's never had a real haircut before, just my mom trimming her bangs until now. I see they have a first haircut package. Do you think I should make an appointment? I would want one late in the day, maybe 4ish so it doesn't interfere with nap time (a big if at this point) or my FP+ selections.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

On our last trip in August we did not receive the Fireworks or Storytime, I asked our AAA agent about it and she said it was because we did not book the complete package (room,park tickets & DP) we only got room and park tickets last trip, but we did get a voucher for Disney Quest & Mini Golf

If you are going to Harmony barbershop late in the day I would definitely make a appointment, they do close early like 5 or 6, this way you will get in for sure

 

[jmm476]

On our last trip in August we did not receive the Fireworks or Storytime, I asked our AAA agent about it and she said it was because we did not book the complete package (room,park tickets & DP) we only got room and park tickets last trip, but we did get a voucher for Disney Quest & Mini Golf If you are going to Harmony barbershop late in the day I would definitely make a appointment, they do close early like 5 or 6, this way you will get in for sure

We'll if that's true then that makes sense. We didn't book DP this time around, just room and tickets. That's strange though I thought I remembered getting those vouchers in the past without DP so maybe they changed their rules? I guess it doesn't matter, as long as DH insists on driving to the parks, the parking pass is a nice bonus!

Thanks for the heads up about the appointment. I didn't realize the first time haircut included mouse ears. I was going to schedule it for our last full day there, now I might move it up to DDs birthday so she can wear the ears for a few days afterwards. The new FP+ times have me stressed out that attractions are going to have much longer lines and we're not going to get to do nearly as much as last December. I'm actually having nightmares about this upcoming trip like we forgot to bring our magic bands and then we show up without any luggage types of dreams.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[jmm476]

Never booked through AAA, so I have no advice for question one. The answer for question two is a resounding yes in my opinion. My two year old just had his first haircut there. For $18, you get Mickey ears, the haircut, a bag to keep the hair and a certificate. It is a fantastic deal. Plus, you will always have the memory that the first haircut took place at Disney. If you are unsure of the time, you can always walk in without an appt. They take walk ins and it does not add much to the time. There were two open chairs when I walked in third behind two other groups. Despite the fact that we had an appointment and the two just ahead of me did not, they were given the chairs. They were called back after we were checked in too. I am guessing I may have been called next even if there was another walk in ahead of me, but you never know. If there is an open chair, I am guessing it is first come, first served regardless of appointment status. If there is a wait for chairs, I am guessing the appointments go back first.

Thanks for the info on the barber shop! I think that would upset my DH if walk ins were taken before people with an appointment. But I plan on calling to make one soon. Need to figure out the best day and time now...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[kmedina]

Thanks for the info on the barber shop! I think that would upset my DH if walk ins were taken before people with an appointment. But I plan on calling to make one soon. Need to figure out the best day and time now... Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I wasn't exactly thrilled either, especially since the party directly in front of us walked in literally two seconds ahead of us. I saw them racing for the door, so I yielded to avoid a potential collision. The one ahead of him walked in while we were parking our stroller too. Had I gone in ahead of my DH, we would have been first (getting both open chairs with no wait). It only added about 10-15 minutes to our wait though, so it was not too bad. We were about 5 minutes early to our appointment as well, so when the walk ins (which I heard them both say they were) went back it was still just ahead of our appointment time. Of course, it was after our appointment time when a seat opened. We needed two, because my older son had an appointment as well.

Even though we were passed up for walk ins, I still think booking an appt is the way to go. Have fun. We did.

 

[kmedina]

We'll if that's true then that makes sense. We didn't book DP this time around, just room and tickets. That's strange though I thought I remembered getting those vouchers in the past without DP so maybe they changed their rules? I guess it doesn't matter, as long as DH insists on driving to the parks, the parking pass is a nice bonus! Thanks for the heads up about the appointment. I didn't realize the first time haircut included mouse ears. I was going to schedule it for our last full day there, now I might move it up to DDs birthday so she can wear the ears for a few days afterwards. The new FP+ times have me stressed out that attractions are going to have much longer lines and we're not going to get to do nearly as much as last December. I'm actually having nightmares about this upcoming trip like we forgot to bring our magic bands and then we show up without any luggage types of dreams. Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I did not find the fastpass lines to be any longer than they were before fastpass plus. I think this is because they still give out the same number. My guess is if they give say 500 per hour, they would only give the difference of unused ones for a particular time when the day actually arrives. Meaning if they assign 300 to fastpass plus, only 200 would be available to pull the day of. I could be wrong, but I am guessing this is what they're doing.

If you forget to bring the magic bands, your room key should work as well, since it has the same technology. You could also pull a regular fastpass if you do not use the magic bands. Just do not try to pull a regular fastpass whilst wearing a magic band or you may end up in Disney prison. My DH was held up by the "sheriff" for doing that at MK. We did not know it was not allowed. It is so unfair that fastpass plus only gets three, but others can pull many more. We only needed three at Epcot, HS and AK, but I would have liked six at MK.