Week After Turkey Day Shenanigans

[missnikki411]

I think the other side is open to anyone - good tips though! You're like the wishes guru here. Love it!

OMG I go out of my way to make sure we are at Wishes at least 3 times a trip. It is my favorite thing about Disney. I even have the soundtrack to it on my phone. Like I've said, I've seen it from every view, every angle. *starts listening to Wishes on phone*

 

[Meeko5]

OMG I go out of my way to make sure we are at Wishes at least 3 times a trip. It is my favorite thing about Disney. I even have the soundtrack to it on my phone. Like I've said, I've seen it from every view, every angle. *starts listening to Wishes on phone*

I haven't seen it since I was a kid - which is why I'm willing to pay $$ to get a good spot and not fight crowds. That double stroller and 2 young kids really puts a cramp in my plan sometimes

 

[missnikki411]

I haven't seen it since I was a kid - which is why I'm willing to pay $$ to get a good spot and not fight crowds. That double stroller and 2 young kids really puts a cramp in my plan sometimes

Since you were a kid?! It's going to be AMAZING!!!! Don't even get me started on Holiday Wishes or Hallowishes. *faints*

 

[Iowamomof4]

Since you were a kid?! It's going to be AMAZING!!!! Don't even get me started on Holiday Wishes or Hallowishes. *faints*

I'm sad we won't be able to see regular Wishes this time, but I have no desire to fight the crowds nor do we want to pay for the dessert party. We'll just be happy with Holiday Wishes and try to catch Wishes next time, whenever that is.

 

[missnikki411]

I'm sad we won't be able to see regular Wishes this time, but I have no desire to fight the crowds nor do we want to pay for the dessert party. We'll just be happy with Holiday Wishes and try to catch Wishes next time, whenever that is.

Just do what I do and watch it on Youtube at dangerous decibels to hold you over . Holiday Wishes made me cry the first time I saw it. So much magic.

 

[DisneyGB]

I don't think I've seen Wishes before (or if I did, it was 25 years ago), and never seen Holiday Wishes. The viewing area for the dessert party looks really great! I loved that it looked like people were seated as well. That would be wonderful. If there's enough of us there maybe we can start a word of mouth "sit down" campaign.

Now I'm wishing I had same view for Holiday Wishes too lol. I'm sure I can make do on Main St though. Planning to stake out nearby to Caseys with any luck.

My countdown today is 41 days. I'm finally starting to feel like it's really coming!!!

 

[missnikki411]

I don't think I've seen Wishes before (or if I did, it was 25 years ago), and never seen Holiday Wishes. The viewing area for the dessert party looks really great! I loved that it looked like people were seated as well. That would be wonderful. If there's enough of us there maybe we can start a word of mouth "sit down" campaign.

Now I'm wishing I had same view for Holiday Wishes too lol. I'm sure I can make do on Main St though. Planning to stake out nearby to Caseys with any luck.

My countdown today is 41 days. I'm finally starting to feel like it's really coming!!!

I just looked for a dessert party for Holiday Wishes and they have it at Tomorrowland Terrace, but they are all sold out. Too bad they don't have the plaza garden viewing area for that one too, I totally would have done it. Wish I knew that ahead of time because it gives you VIP seating for the parade too!


EDIT: Holiday Wishes are 360 degree fireworks. You are surrounded by them. Fun tease for you MVMCP guests!

 

[Iowamomof4]

Everyone going to MVMCP, which castle lighting do you plan to watch (if at all)? I kind of wish we could see the early one so we can focus on other things later, but I wonder if the later one might be less crowded? Or could it be more crowded as people park themselves for the parade and fireworks and things?

 

[DisneyGB]

I just looked for a dessert party for Holiday Wishes and they have it at Tomorrowland Terrace, but they are all sold out. Too bad they don't have the plaza garden viewing area for that one too, I totally would have done it. Wish I knew that ahead of time because it gives you VIP seating for the parade too!


EDIT: Holiday Wishes are 360 degree fireworks. You are surrounded by them. Fun tease for you MVMCP guests!

Yea, I saw that it was sold out. I'm almost relieved lol. How much more dessert can I realistically consume?! I wish they were "healthy appetizer" parties or something.

Love the idea of being surrounded! And definitely want to get snowed on. Bring on the MAGIC!!

I will probably watch the earlier castle lighting. I just never know how long the kids will last.

 

[JamieOak]

I don't think I've ever seen Wishes! I've been to WDW 3 times in my life and I don't remember any fireworks.

I've encountered another decision that I could use opinions on. I currently have us going to MK in the morning on our last day for RD, but I'm thinking of changing that now that they extended MK's hours the night of 12/3. If we stop at MK for a few hours that night after HS and the JBJB fireworks show, then I don't think we need to go back on 12/4 and I can go back to AK that morning instead. Since they are likely extending the HM refurb it seems we won't get to ride it 12/4 anyway. But then I won't see the Welcome Show at all this trip (won't see it on our EMM morning). On the plus side, we'd have the option to see Wishes for a 3rd time if we go to MK the night of 12/3. Right now we are seeing regular Wishes once and Holiday Wishes once. Or it could be an opportunity to ride stuff while everyone else is watching Wishes.

Here's a visual or my last 2 days.

Current schedule:


I've quickly concocted 2 different options.


or:

 

[Candycane83]

@JamieOak Have I told you I love your spreadsheets? I think your first plan works best with your Ohana reservation but it is very tempting to hop to MK after the early show at DHS. Are you doing much more at AK to fill the morning? If not, Epcot the whole day is a good option. Just take the monorail back and forth from TTC and walk to Poly for Ohana.

 

[OhioDiane]

Had DD3 measured at the pediatrician's office on Thursday, and she is 40 1/4 inches without shoes. I knew you guys would be the only ones to understand how exciting that is!!!

Planning to ride the monorail on arrival day to show the kids around (no parks for us that day). Any opinion on QS restaurants at monorail resorts that are good? Thinking Contemporary, but we might head to Wolfgang Puck's at DS.

 

[Meeko5]

Had DD3 measured at the pediatrician's office on Thursday, and she is 40 1/4 inches without shoes. I knew you guys would be the only ones to understand how exciting that is!!!

Planning to ride the monorail on arrival day to show the kids around (no parks for us that day). Any opinion on QS restaurants at monorail resorts that are good? Thinking Contemporary, but we might head to Wolfgang Puck's at DS.

We did the monorail ride around our first day too! The kids LOVED it - we had dinner at Ohana that night. So perfect

I haven't tried any of the QS at the monorail resorts but hear good things about all of them. Wolfgang puck express was super good though!

 

[Meeko5]

@JamieOak im all for more MK time, and we are just meh about animal kingdom. One day is more than enough there for us, but mostly because DS7 is a ride junkie and doesn't care for shows haha.

A full Epcot day with ohana break would be my suggestion if you want to flip flop some stuff.

 

[OhioDiane]

We did the monorail ride around our first day too! The kids LOVED it - we had dinner at Ohana that night. So perfect

I haven't tried any of the QS at the monorail resorts but hear good things about all of them. Wolfgang puck express was super good though!

And who am I kidding - the monorail ride is just as exciting for me! Love WPE, sooooooo good.

 

[twoolle]

Good morning! Fastpass strategy question for everyone. I have not been to Disney since they started using this whole FP+ system and I am so unsure about how to use it with park hopping. Let's say I have a FP+ for the Safaris at Animal Kingdom that I secured 60 days in advance, along with two FP+ for other attractions at Animal Kingdom for that same day. Now, let's say I get to the Safaris at my fastpass return window and there is no wait. Can I cancel or modify that fastpass, ride standby and choose an attraction in MK for later that evening if we plan on park hopping? Or do I need to use 3 fastpasses at Animal Kingdom before I can do that? This is all so confusing. I know some people say if you are park hopping to make your FP+ for the second park of the day, but I am too scared not to have any for the first park!

I know for sure you have to use 1 FP at AK for example to prove you are there before booking more at say MK. There is a park hopping thread under the FP FAQ thread that should be helpful. You can even book just 2 FP at AK, then after using the first you can go in and book a 3rd at MK, even with not using the 2nd yet. But I also can't remember if you can book 3 at AK, use the 1st at AK then modify the next 2 to MK.

I think if you rope drop AK and do the rides in the early morning you can go without FP. We did this last year and it worked.

 

[JamieOak]

@JamieOak Have I told you I love your spreadsheets? I think your first plan works best with your Ohana reservation but it is very tempting to hop to MK after the early show at DHS. Are you doing much more at AK to fill the morning? If not, Epcot the whole day is a good option. Just take the monorail back and forth from TTC and walk to Poly for Ohana.

I'm not married to that Ohana ADR. It might not be that long at AK either, I just filled all the time. And no plans for AK to know how long we'd want to stay there.

@JamieOak im all for more MK time, and we are just meh about animal kingdom. One day is more than enough there for us, but mostly because DS7 is a ride junkie and doesn't care for shows haha.

A full Epcot day with ohana break would be my suggestion if you want to flip flop some stuff.

I'm actually switching to a little less MK time rather than more, but since it's during late PM EMHs it should be lower crowds I hope. I think we have a lot of MK time for it being an adults only trip. It'll work out to 2 full days at least. I wouldn't mind the full day at Epcot either on our last day. Decisions, decisions...

 

[wonderlandwego]

We're staying at GF and I just read that Gasparilla Island Grill will be closed during my trip. Here I was all excited to use my new AP discount.lol Apparently the Grand Floridian Cafe will be offering a take out menu, so that's a plus. Not sure on where we get and fill our refillable mugs now.

 

[kellyjeanie]

We're staying at GF and I just read that Gasparilla Island Grill will be closed during my trip. Here I was all excited to use my new AP discount.lol Apparently the Grand Floridian Cafe will be offering a take out menu, so that's a plus. Not sure on where we get and fill our refillable mugs now.

That's inconvenient! I hope they have somewhere for you to use those.

 

[twix516]

I know for sure you have to use 1 FP at AK for example to prove you are there before booking more at say MK. There is a park hopping thread under the FP FAQ thread that should be helpful. You can even book just 2 FP at AK, then after using the first you can go in and book a 3rd at MK, even with not using the 2nd yet. But I also can't remember if you can book 3 at AK, use the 1st at AK then modify the next 2 to MK.

I think if you rope drop AK and do the rides in the early morning you can go without FP. We did this last year and it worked.

Awesome, thank you! I might keep my FP for the Safari and cancel the other two (right now I have FP for Lion King and Nemo because I'm traveling with my 2.5 year old twins, but I doubt I will actually need those FPs). Then after using the FP at the safari, I can try to get something for MK that evening.