30 Countdown

[was5]

I guess this trip is really happening!

I'm relieved to be at this point after cancelling our trip scheduled for Feb. and almost pushing this trip back due to MILs sick cat.

It will be wonderful to see the parks decorated for Christmas, even if it adds to the complicated decision making and planning. I watched a Travel Channel show on Disney holiday decorating. Now I wonder if I should try to fit in a trip to the Grand Floridian to see the giant gingerbread house, but I don't know if we have time for that.

We have our FPs and a few dining reservations, Askershus, BOG and Tusker House, but I might cancel TH. I don't think it's worth the extra money or the use of time. One the main reasons I wanted it was to get the ROL seating, but we will probably go to MK for fireworks in the evening the same day we go to AK during the day (our 2 MK days are the days they are closing early for the Christmas party. We are not buying tickets to go to one of those parties). We chose those days because they are green on the crowd calendars so I hope we can get a lot accomplished. I think missing ROL is worth seeing Cinderella's Castle lit up and fireworks at MK, right?

Trip will be H, MIL, DD (11), DS1 (5) and DS 2 (also 5). We will be there from Dec. 16-Dec. 22, staying at AoA and have QS free dining. All 3 kids have different personalities and likes/interests, but none of them are particularly easy going. This is where it will be helpful to have MIL around so we can split up if needed.

 

I have days mapped out, but not in an app (is Touring Plans really necessary). Feel free to critique. I have FPs as well as rides I would like to fit in. My biggest questions are 1) should we even try to stay late at Epcot on arrival day for fireworks or wait until our last day and see them then, 2) how much can we really accomplish at Toy Story Land before our first FP (can we RD either SD or TSM), 3) Do we have to choose between seeing Fantasmic and Jingle Bell Jam at HS or is it possible to see both?  4) should we skip ROL so we can hop to MK for fireworks and EHM Wednesday).

Sunday 12/16
Flight arrives 11:45 AM. Taking Magical Express.
Arrive at Hotel - 2pm
Lunch at AOA Food Court 2:30pm
Park EPCOT
Living with the Land 9:05AM will let expire so we can get a same day FP to something else
The Seas wth Nemo FP 2:55-3:55 DS, MIL, Me
Spaceship Earth FP 3:30-4:30 DD and H
Soarin FP 4:55-5:55 All
Try to get same day FP for Test Track (DD and H), Character spot (boys)
Dinner QS at Sunshine Seasons 6:30
Chip and Dale's Christmas Tree Spree??? Purchase map for 6.99
Illuminations - 9:30 pm or wait until Friday night



Monday, 12/17
Hollywood Studios - 9AM - 8PM
Slinky Dog Try to RD
Toy Story Mania Try to RD
Breakfast QS Woody's Lunch Box 10:30
Star Tours FP 10:30-11:30 All
Muppets 3D Noon All
Alien Swirling Saucers FP 1:45-2:45 All
Frozen Sing Along FP 3:15-4 Boys, MIL and me
Tower of Terror FP 3:45-4:45 H and DD - Rider Swap me?
RNR 4:30-5 Try for same day FP after TOT
Return to Resort for Dinner 5:00-7:00
Return to HS 7:00
Sunset Seasons Greetings - Projection Show ?? Sunset Blvd
Fantasmic - 8pm 8pm Sunset Blvd
Jinge Bell, Jingle Bam - fireworks 8:30pm 8:30pm Animation Courtyard


Tuesday 12/18
Magic Kingdon 9am-6pm
Opening show 8:55 AM
Dumbo RD
Barn Stormer
Silly Peets Side Show
Buzz Lightyear FP 9:55-10:55 Boys, MIL and me
Space Mountain FP 10:20-11:20 DD and H
Early Lunch Cosmic Rays 11:15AM
Peter Pan FP 11:50-12:50 All
Small World
Festival of Fantasy Parade 2pm (arrive around 1:30) All
Winnie the Pooh  Boys, MIL and me
Haunted Mansion  H and DD
Mickey's Philharmagic/Carosel 
Tea Cups
7 Dwarfs Mine Train FP 5:20-6 All
Park closes at 6
Return to resort for dinner/swimming 6pm


Wednesday 12/19
Animal Kingdom 9am-8pm
Navi River FP 9:40-10:40
Tusker House Res 10:45
Kali River
Expedition Everest FP 12:50-1:50  H and DD
Triceratops Spin
Primeval Whirl H and DD
Festival of the Lion King FP 2:45-3:30 Boys, MIL and me
Finding Nemo
Kiminanjaro Safari FP 4:55-5:55 All
Reserved seating for light show - might cancel
EMH PM hours at MK 9-11 pm Go to see Fireworks


Thursday 12/20
Magic Kingdom 9am-6pm
Jungle Cruise  RD
Carpets of Alladin 
Big Tunder RR Mountain FP 9:35-10:35  All
Splash Mountain FP 10:40-11:40  All
Train to Fantasy Land
BOG reservation - (pre-order food) 12:40
Ariel's Grotto or Enchanted Stories with Belle
Pirates FP 3:15-4:15 All
Swiss Family Treehouse 4:30-close
Return to resort for dinner/swimming 6pm


Friday 12/21
Epcot 9am-9:30pm
3 Caballeros Ride in Mexico RD
Frozen Ever After FP 9:30-10:30 All
Askersush brunch 10:30 All
Turtle Talk with Krush FP (might change if we can do this on Sunday) 11:55-12:55 All
Mission Space FP 1:30-2:30 All
Illuminations?

Saturday - check out. Flight at 2:25pm

[bowies]

Yes, fireworks at MK are 100% a better option than ROL.

[curbsideprophet]

I would consider eating at the airport before you get on Magical Express. That seems like a really late lunch.

MK will most likely be very busy on non party nights in the evening. I would consider watching on another evening form outside that park.

I think you will feel rushed for dinner on your HS day if you go back to your hotel. Your break is very short. I would consider leaving the park earlier or just stay in the park and try to book a sit down meal.

Three Caballeros does not open until 11 am.

I think touring plans is worth it. However I think you can create custom plans for free. You do need to make an account though. I like being able to pull my plan up in the app, which does require the subscription.

[bex]

I dont think I would go back to the hotel on your HS day, unless you go earlier (like go back from 3-5.) It is not a bad ride from AoA to HS, but if the construction is still going on, then you have a long walk from the bus to the park entrance that is going to eat up a good deal of time. I would just look for some place to eat in the park.

I would def do MK fireworks over AK. Also, I would probably plan to skip Illuminations the first night and do it your last night, even if you go back to the resort in between (I notice you don't have anything planned for Epcot after 230, so you have plenty of time to go back to the resort, relax, pack, and then either eat there or go back to Epcot for dinner and then Illuminations.)

[was5]

Thanks everyone. I was worried the break on our HS day was too short. I'll play around with that. Will also cancel TH res and focus on seeing MK fireworks. I think it will be cool to see MK at night with Christmas lights, in addition to the fireworks. But, if we would prefer to watch them from outside the park, where can we do that?

[bex]

Nov 17, 2018 11:35:54 GMT -5 was5 said:

Thanks everyone. I was worried the break on our HS day was too short. I'll play around with that. Will also cancel TH res and focus on seeing MK fireworks. I think it will be cool to see MK at night with Christmas lights, in addition to the fireworks. But, if we would prefer to watch them from outside the park, where can we do that?

I am not sure with the new fireworks (I haven't seen HEA yet, just wishes) but you used to be able to see them from the grand Floridian, the contemporary and I think the Poly. So scheduling a dinner reservation for there instead of lunch at TH may get you a nice spot for watching them without going back into the park.  I'm just not positive with HEA.

[revolution]

On arrival day, you won't be there to actually use the Living with the Land FP?

[devonpow]

We just got back from Disney last week - stayed at the Poly and the views of fireworks were pretty good from there and not crowded st all. Another option would be to do something like the pirates fireworks cruise that leaves from the Contemporary (we had reservations then cancelled because it was too much to fit in on our trip, but fits the bill for you if you want to see MK fireworks with a great view but not in the MK),

Also we rope dropped HS for toy story land. Managed to get to slinky dog with only a 35 minute wait. By the time we got off the alien spin was 45 minutes. DS1 and DH did it later in the day and neither liked it at all, so I don’t think it’s worth the wait. Slinky Dog is great though (both kids liked it so much we had to ride it again, with a 2 hour wait. Ugh).

[was5]

Nov 19, 2018 8:51:20 GMT -5 revolution said:

On arrival day, you won't be there to actually use the Living with the Land FP?

Right, there are two tier-1 attractions I'm hoping to accomplish our first day - Soarin and the character meet and greet, but we don't have a ton of time there that day. The only way I can try for a same day FP is if I book 3 FPs and either use them or let them expire. I figured it was worth giving up a tier 2 FP for a chance to get a second tier 1.

[was5]

Nov 19, 2018 9:11:26 GMT -5 devonpow said:

We just got back from Disney last week - stayed at the Poly and the views of fireworks were pretty good from there and not crowded st all. Another option would be to do something like the pirates fireworks cruise that leaves from the Contemporary (we had reservations then cancelled because it was too much to fit in on our trip, but fits the bill for you if you want to see MK fireworks with a great view but not in the MK),

Also we rope dropped HS for toy story land. Managed to get to slinky dog with only a 35 minute wait. By the time we got off the alien spin was 45 minutes. DS1 and DH did it later in the day and neither liked it at all, so I don’t think it’s worth the wait. Slinky Dog is great though (both kids liked it so much we had to ride it again, with a 2 hour wait. Ugh).

Do you have to be guest at the Poly to hang around and watch fireworks. I thought about the pirate cruise but I'm afraid to overplan and have melt downs.

Thanks for the info on HS. We'll do our best to RD slinky dog.

[revolution]

Nov 29, 2018 18:50:49 GMT -5 was5 said:

Nov 19, 2018 8:51:20 GMT -5 revolution said:

On arrival day, you won't be there to actually use the Living with the Land FP?

Right, there are two tier-1 attractions I'm hoping to accomplish our first day - Soarin and the character meet and greet, but we don't have a ton of time there that day. The only way I can try for a same day FP is if I book 3 FPs and either use them or let them expire. I figured it was worth giving up a tier 2 FP for a chance to get a second tier 1.

We've never had luck getting a 4th fast pass unless all 3 FPs were used by everyone. Learned that the hard way 2 years ago when grandparents didn't want to go on a few rides. Could've changed between now and then though.

[was5]

Nov 29, 2018 19:01:51 GMT -5 revolution said:

Nov 29, 2018 18:50:49 GMT -5 was5 said:

Right, there are two tier-1 attractions I'm hoping to accomplish our first day - Soarin and the character meet and greet, but we don't have a ton of time there that day. The only way I can try for a same day FP is if I book 3 FPs and either use them or let them expire. I figured it was worth giving up a tier 2 FP for a chance to get a second tier 1.

We've never had luck getting a 4th fast pass unless all 3 FPs were used by everyone. Learned that the hard way 2 years ago when grandparents didn't want to go on a few rides. Could've changed between now and then though.

My understanding is that you either have to use them or let them expire. So, our 9:30 FP will be off the books by 10:30 (or whatever the window is). This is what I've read on disboards anyway. I'll see if it really works.

[jaycee]

Will you RD at AK? If you go straight to Navi at RD then you wouldn't need the FP and could maybe keep your eyes out for a Flight of Passage FP or something else. I'm not sure a FP will be needed at 9:40 for Navi if you would have the opportunity to RD it.

[redheadk]

Nov 29, 2018 19:16:04 GMT -5 was5 said:

Nov 29, 2018 19:01:51 GMT -5 revolution said:

We've never had luck getting a 4th fast pass unless all 3 FPs were used by everyone. Learned that the hard way 2 years ago when grandparents didn't want to go on a few rides. Could've changed between now and then though.

My understanding is that you either have to use them or let them expire. So, our 9:30 FP will be off the books by 10:30 (or whatever the window is). This is what I've read on disboards anyway. I'll see if it really works.

This worked for us in October, fwiw. There were a few times that we all tapped in but it didn't clear one person's fast pass and that was a bit of a pain when trying to schedule another one. Luckily we weren't looking for Tier 1 passes when it happened so it was workable but just be aware. 

[redheadk]

Also, I found Touring Plans to be quite accurate for wait times. It was super helpful. It was generally either right on or slightly overestimated. It will also tell you when the next available Fastpasses are and if they are all out for the day. I was skeptical but it helped us a lot, especially after the first day when I understood it a bit better.

[chocolatepie]

Only on nights like NYE do they check guest status at the beach at Poly so you could stand there.

But.

I think you miss so much watching Happily Ever After not on Main St. Unlike Wishes, which was a great show anywhere, this one focuses so much on the castle projections and effects and you cannot see them outside of Main St. If you watch from afar, which we have many times just by chance, you'll notice "dead" points of no fireworks and it's because of things happening on the castle.

For that reason, I'm a huge fan of the Plaza Garden Dessert Parties - I'm 100% anti upcharge events and dessert parties but I would spend money on that again in a heartbeat. The view is fantastic and you don't have to worry about angling for a spot just in time for a dad to put their kid up on their shoulders and you missing everything. Plus once the fireworks finish, if you did the dessert party before the show, you can hang out on the grass and wait for the herd of people to leave. Or opt to do the post-dessert party and sip on hot chocolate while the herd leaves. It's so relaxing and gives you space for kids to play and run.

Just a thought

[bronxgirl]

Nov 30, 2018 15:04:17 GMT -5 chocolatepie said:

For that reason, I'm a huge fan of the Plaza Garden Dessert Parties - I'm 100% anti upcharge events and dessert parties but I would spend money on that again in a heartbeat. The view is fantastic and you don't have to worry about angling for a spot just in time for a dad to put their kid up on their shoulders and you missing everything. Plus once the fireworks finish, if you did the dessert party before the show, you can hang out on the grass and wait for the herd of people to leave. Or opt to do the post-dessert party and sip on hot chocolate while the herd leaves. It's so relaxing and gives you space for kids to play and run.

I'm not going back until WDW until 2021, but if everything is the same then I really want to do this. We did the Star Wars fireworks party once and totally worth it.

[alleinesein]

You have time to check out the Gingerbread house at the Grand FL on your Thursday. Since the park is closing early, why dont you do dinner at the QS at the Grand and check out the gingerbread house at the same time. Then head back to your resort. Just hop on the resort monorail when you leave the MK and head straight to the Grand.

[redheadk]

Nov 30, 2018 20:49:13 GMT -5 bronxgirl said:

Nov 30, 2018 15:04:17 GMT -5 chocolatepie said:

For that reason, I'm a huge fan of the Plaza Garden Dessert Parties - I'm 100% anti upcharge events and dessert parties but I would spend money on that again in a heartbeat. The view is fantastic and you don't have to worry about angling for a spot just in time for a dad to put their kid up on their shoulders and you missing everything. Plus once the fireworks finish, if you did the dessert party before the show, you can hang out on the grass and wait for the herd of people to leave. Or opt to do the post-dessert party and sip on hot chocolate while the herd leaves. It's so relaxing and gives you space for kids to play and run.

I'm not going back until WDW until 2021, but if everything is the same then I really want to do this. We did the Star Wars fireworks party once and totally worth it.

They aren’t cheap but I am so glad we did the dessert party for MK fireworks. We opted to skip the Halloween party (not a good fit for my dd) and do the dessert party instead. Dd dancing all around while singing and watching the fireworks in our little oasis of calm on Main Street was the absolute highlight of our trip.

[was5]

Dec 1, 2018 2:29:52 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

You have time to check out the Gingerbread house at the Grand FL on your Thursday. Since the park is closing early, why dont you do dinner at the QS at the Grand and check out the gingerbread house at the same time. Then head back to your resort. Just hop on the resort monorail when you leave the MK and head straight to the Grand.

Great idea! Thanks.