Week After Turkey Day Shenanigans

[Meeko5]

Ok so the castle lighting with all the Christmas lights - is there a set time that this happens? I can't seem to find any info on the WDW website about it (shocking) but would love to see it! I know it gets dark fairly early in December, so I'm trying to figure out what time to try and plan to be back at MK on the night we hop over. Anyone know?

 

[Sharla75]

If your bag 'o bands is from the same MDE account you're currently using, then they wont work for SDFP. Borrowed ones would though

I'm confused about this extra magic band thing. Do you need bands that aren't linked to your MDE account? So, you just purchase extra bands and use the kiosks to get additional FPs? Can you only get one at a time, or all three? Aren't the magic bands linked to your park ticket? So many questions...

 

[Meeko5]

I'm confused about this extra magic band thing. Do you need bands that aren't linked to your MDE account? So, you just purchase extra bands and use the kiosks to get additional FPs? Can you only get one at a time, or all three? Aren't the magic bands linked to your park ticket? So many questions...

Yes, you need RFID cards or bands that are not linked to your current MDE - anything you link just becomes a "clone" of your current band/card/etc. Magic bands that aren't linked to a ticket will still work to book same day fast passes at any kiosk, and you get a full set of 3, then additional 1 at a time just like regular accounts There's an awesome thread by ScrapYap to read about it: http://www.disboards.com/threads/everything-sdfp-second-set-fp-long-faq.3520747/

 

[Candycane83]

Ok so the castle lighting with all the Christmas lights - is there a set time that this happens? I can't seem to find any info on the WDW website about it (shocking) but would love to see it! I know it gets dark fairly early in December, so I'm trying to figure out what time to try and plan to be back at MK on the night we hop over. Anyone know?

Would love to know too!

 

[Meeko5]

Would love to know too!

http://wdwprepschool.com/holiday-christmas-season-at-disney-world/

I found this on WDW prep school, and it was updated July of this year but looks like it's still based off last year's times since I can't find anything "official" on the disney site. I'm gonna use this as a guide for now though - I completely forgot about the castle lighting until this morning and I definitely want to catch it once. I think the boys will be in awe of it too!

 

[Candycane83]

http://wdwprepschool.com/holiday-christmas-season-at-disney-world/

I found this on WDW prep school, and it was updated July of this year but looks like it's still based off last year's times since I can't find anything "official" on the disney site. I'm gonna use this as a guide for now though - I completely forgot about the castle lighting until this morning and I definitely want to catch it once. I think the boys will be in awe of it too!

Thanks so much! I think my DS would love this too! So many lights

 

[Sharla75]

Yes, you need RFID cards or bands that are not linked to your current MDE - anything you link just becomes a "clone" of your current band/card/etc. Magic bands that aren't linked to a ticket will still work to book same day fast passes at any kiosk, and you get a full set of 3, then additional 1 at a time just like regular accounts There's an awesome thread by ScrapYap to read about it: http://www.disboards.com/threads/everything-sdfp-second-set-fp-long-faq.3520747/

Well, that just opens up a whole new world of possibilities... Thanks for the info!

 

[Meeko5]

Well, that just opens up a whole new world of possibilities... Thanks for the info!

 

[Meeko5]

I just stumbled across a Tusker House lunch on 12/1 and grabbed it since I haven't been able to find an earlier time for Boma that day...DH reallllly wanted Boma again, and wasn't impressed with TH. But the characters were SO fun. He may have to suck it up haha.

 

[JamieOak]

I just stumbled across a Tusker House lunch on 12/1 and grabbed it since I haven't been able to find an earlier time for Boma that day...DH reallllly wanted Boma again, and wasn't impressed with TH. But the characters were SO fun. He may have to suck it up haha.

That's great! You can still keep searching for Boma but at least you have a better time.

I have a lot of options for lunch on 12/1. It's our MVMCP day so it makes sense to stop at an MK area resort for lunch and then straight to MK from there. So my options are anywhere in WL, CR, GF, or Poly. I haven't done much reading on resort restaurants yet, except for WCC and Artist Pointe since I was looking at possibly staying at WL for our trip (WCC would be our choice between the 2).

 

[Meeko5]

That's great! You can still keep searching for Boma but at least you have a better time.

I have a lot of options for lunch on 12/1. It's our MVMCP day so it makes sense to stop at an MK area resort for lunch and then straight to MK from there. So my options are anywhere in WL, CR, GF, or Poly. I haven't done much reading on resort restaurants yet, except for WCC and Artist Pointe since I was looking at possibly staying at WL for our trip (WCC would be our choice between the 2).

We LOVED 'Ohana, but thats going to be hard to come by at this point. I've heard great things about Kona at the Poly too.

We've never eaten at the CR or the GF, but from what I've read you can't really go wrong at those either.

 

[JamieOak]

We LOVED 'Ohana, but thats going to be hard to come by at this point. I've heard great things about Kona at the Poly too.

We've never eaten at the CR or the GF, but from what I've read you can't really go wrong at those either.

Oh yeah at this point we are picking up scraps or setting up TP alerts. I'm also not against noting a few specific restaurants on my plan and seeing what is available a few days in advance, or day off, after people have started cancelling before the 24 hr window. So I'd just be happy to narrow it down to a few options and go from there. I see Ohana only serves breakfast or dinner, so that's probably not the best fit for us since we'd want something around 2:30ish.

 

[Meeko5]

Oh yeah at this point we are picking up scraps or setting up TP alerts. I'm also not against noting a few specific restaurants on my plan and seeing what is available a few days in advance, or day off, after people have started cancelling before the 24 hr window. So I'd just be happy to narrow it down to a few options and go from there. I see Ohana only serves breakfast or dinner, so that's probably not the best fit for us since we'd want something around 2:30ish.

Kona has the noodles from Ohana. They are SO FREAKING GOOD.

 

[heath92681]

I think the castle lighting was around 6:00 or 6:30 last year. It was right before the park closed. Then they do it a second time during the xmas party or at like 8:00ish if I recall correctly.

 

[Meeko5]

I can no longer keep my days straight - I've been sucked into the constant dining search and keep booking things "just in case". If someone at Disney saw my ADR's at the current moment they would think I was insane.

I need DH to wake up (3rd shifter) and put me in check LOL

 

[JamieOak]

I can no longer keep my days straight - I've been sucked into the constant dining search and keep booking things "just in case". If someone at Disney saw my ADR's at the current moment they would think I was insane.

I need DH to wake up (3rd shifter) and put me in check LOL

Want to switch it up and book some for me?! haha. I have a grand total of....1! 1 ADR for 7 days. Yak and Yeti on our AK day, which so far always seems to have availability. I kind of have 2 other meals covered just by the Wild Africa Trek and EMM reservations, so if I cheat I can count 3.

 

[Meeko5]

Want to switch it up and book some for me?! haha. I have a grand total of....1! 1 ADR for 7 days. Yak and Yeti on our AK day, which so far always seems to have availability. I kind of have 2 other meals covered just by the Wild Africa Trek and EMM reservations, so if I cheat I can count 3.

Suuuuure. Give me access to your MDE. I may add an extra Jamie to all your awesome plans though

 

[JamieOak]

Suuuuure. Give me access to your MDE. I may add an extra Jamie to all your awesome plans though

That's a fair price to pay for your expertise! haha. It might get a little confusing though. I already have a Jamie, Brad, Chip, Dale, Elsa, and Mickey on my MDE! All of those extras are related to SDFPs haha.

 

[BDFmom]

I can no longer keep my days straight - I've been sucked into the constant dining search and keep booking things "just in case". If someone at Disney saw my ADR's at the current moment they would think I was insane.

I need DH to wake up (3rd shifter) and put me in check LOL

I have several days with 'extra" just in case ADRs!!

 

[missnikki411]

I have lots of extras too. Some in demand ones too.

I'm still trying to hunt down others for backups but I haven't been lucky. I think finding tables of 2 is hard since there are so many tables set aside for larger groups and not many small tables at the restaurants. But fingers crossed!!