Back to WDW after 3 year absence. Help needed please.

[Greenkai3000]

So it's been 3 years since our last visit to WDW...We took a break from visiting Florida, and opted to go to DL in CA, and DL Paris the last 3 vacations we went on.

We will be staying at the Port Orleans Riverside Resort for the first time August 16-21, and would like some input, advise, and help with some questions please.

1) Besides the obvious (Fantasyland Expansion and Tron Test Track update) What all has changed at WDW in the last 3 years?
2) Have they finally started to reinforce all Fast Pass return times?
3) Are most shows from 3 years ago still running at all 4 parks?
4) Have any of the attractions changed, or will they be going to be down for major refurbishments?
5) We've been to WDW during peak, Group Tours, triple digit weather, and 60mins+ wait time season. Is it pretty much the same in the middle of August, or will the crowds and amount of GTs have thinned out a bit by then?
6) Finally, are walk-ins an option at Be Our Guest , and most Character Buffets when we don't have ADRs?

Thanks for the help in advance!!!!!

 

[ImagineerDude]

1) Really, not much has changed in the past 3 years besides what you mentioned, though a lot has been announced (Disney Springs, GF Villas) and rumored (DHS 2.0, etc)

2) YES. FPs must be used in that specific time slot. Not 1 minute before or after!! Fastpass+ may roll out by the time of your trip, but that's a discussion for another thread

3) I think the shows are the same? It's still that dang castle show during the day, but Celebrate the Magic is a new projection show on the castle at night and Wishes is always a must! Oh and DHS parades have stopped performing.

4) Test Track, and a few new returbs have been added to the list recently...just search if on this site or on google.

5) Expect those afternoon storms still! Ponchos! I've never been during that time, but a lot of schools are still out for summer during that time.

6) Your best bet for BoG without a ressie is the QS lunch...you may have to wait a half hour at least to get in, but I highly doubt you could get in for dinner. Keep calling and checking online! However most character dinners other than Cindy's should have minimal waits...I remember going to Chef Mickeys at 6pm one July day with a party of 6 and being seated right away, but that is not always the case.


Have fun!

 

[englanddg]

^^ Everything

The only part I'd add...I go in August every trip since 2010. I've never seen massive tour groups at Disney as I've heard others describe, though I did at Universal. Not sure why. I have seen large family reunions.

Anyhow, because of how schools around the country go back, I find the middle two weeks are a great time to visit. I generally do 14 days, spanning from the second Weds of the month to the Fourth Weds of the month. Starting the third week of the month, I notice an immediate drop in attendance.

A good way to judge expected park crowds, outside of using a crowd calendar, is to look at Disney's posted hours and hotel room rates (they used to have a calendar with the room rates posted, but I'm not sure where it is on the new site). But, if you note they start closing down parks earlier, that means they are expecting less crowds.

 

[KatMaria]

Be Our Guest has been booked for months and months already, but you can always try to eat lunch quick service there (and you get refillable drinks, which is awesome for the hot summer) and fastpasses are being enforced so if you miss your window, you miss your window. Its been a super busy summer at Disney already so there might be heavy crowds even that late in August. Some schools don't go back till the first week of September also. You can always check the refurb calendar on the disney website to see what rides will be down.
Also your best bet for dining is to download the MyDisneyExperience app and that way you can see what restaurants are available to eat at, even book it the same day or a few days ahead. Thats what I always do when I visit the parks. Good Luck and welcome back!