Early May trip, Ques. on Crowds - Off day ideas

[AndyGorzalski]

I'm a fairly well read, Disney Nerd, but haven't been to WDW since 2000, although was a season pass holder at DL in Southern California for most of 2000's. I'm headed to WDW with wife and two boys (just turning age 8 and 6) for the boys first big week long trip. We'll be there May 2nd through May 9th. We're staying at Port Orleans French Quarter, and also have guest passes from a family member (WDW cast member) for park admission. Pretty nice, but puts a damper or our use of Fastpass. Trying to figure that out.

May 2nd: Travel, swim, hang out. No parks, just get acclimated
Sunday, May 3rd: Magic Kingdom
Monday, May 4th: Hollywood Studios
Tuesday, May 5th: Off Day
Wednesday May 6th: Universal IOA, Harry Potter Stuff (boys are at their Harry Potter mania apex)
Thursday May 7th: Animal Kingdom
Friday May 8th: Magic Kingdom

Here are my questions to the experts :

1. Based on having guest passes, ...Possibly not having the 60 days out Fastpass booking, does that really impact us? put us at a disadvantage? Based on reading, it seems like there are differing opinions.

2. May 2nd through 9th How are crowd levels?? It seems like it will be pretty fair to low. Any opinions, experiences in that frame?

3. Off day idea suggestions?? Right now it's looking like pools, bikes at French Quarter, lay low. Then Boat Ride in to Disney Landing for early dinner at T. Rex. Any other ideas?? Is Boardwalk worth going over to to check out? Any relaxing off day ideas that are low impact?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[JohnD]

So Epcot doesn't interest you? The Flower and Garden Festival is going on then.

As for your questions:

1. If your guest is a CM, I don't understand how that puts a "damper" on things. If you're paying to stay at a resort, you should alread be within the 60 day window to book FP+. If you really can't do the 60 days out thing, you should definitely able to book FP+ no later than 30 days out as that applies to regular tickets without a resort stay. You might find the most popular are all book (e.g. Anna and Elsa, 7DMT, Soarin', TSMM, etc.).

2. Spring levels tend to be "down" relatively speaking. Keep in mind there are always crowds at WDW but not as many as, say, middle of summer or Christmas holidays.

3. All sound good to me. Is a water park considered an "off day" item for you? If it's all about running from one slide to the next, then probably not. In the Boardwalk area, I highly suggest Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at the Beach Club resort. Good hamburgers, hot dogs, and grilled cheese sandwiches. But the real draw is the ice cream sundaes. There is also a good bakery on the Boardwalk, carnival games, etc.

 

[AndyGorzalski]

Awesome, Thanks John.

The guest passes are from a CM, security team etc. But it seems like we can't link them to account right now to activate fastPass capability on My Disney Experience. I think she needs to activate the passes every day and be present. Let me know if you know of any other routes, would be good to at least plug a few FastPasses in for things.

Thanks. Let me know.

 

[JohnD]

Awesome, Thanks John.

The guest passes are from a CM, security team etc. But it seems like we can't link them to account right now to activate fastPass capability on My Disney Experience. I think she needs to activate the passes every day and be present. Let me know if you know of any other routes, would be good to at least plug a few FastPasses in for things.

Thanks. Let me know.

Well, I would try to add those passes to your MDE account if not already. Who knows, the ability to make your FP+ might activate. And who better than your CM friend to help you out.

Same goes for choosing which rides, etc. It seems to me your CM friend is your inside source.

 

[Klpalmer]

I also plan on going to Hollywood studios on May 4th, going for the Star Wars breakfast and have read on this site the park will be packed that day so this may effect your fast passes. Also am traveling similar dates to you and have found some popular restaurants be our guest, kona, and others were completely booked when I started making reservations at the beginning of January so if you have any must eat at restaurants I suggest booking a reservation as soon as possible.

 

[JohnD]

I also plan on going to Hollywood studios on May 4th, going for the Star Wars breakfast and have read on this site the park will be packed that day so this may effect your fast passes. Also am traveling similar dates to you and have found some popular restaurants be our guest, kona, and others were completely booked when I started making reservations at the beginning of January so if you have any must eat at restaurants I suggest booking a reservation as soon as possible.

May 4th may not be Star Wars Weekend but it is Star Wars Day. You know, "May the 4th Be With You." I'm not joking. That is more than likely why it's packed.

 

[Gaston's gal]

A suggestion for your off day might be fishing at the resort. Might be fun for your boys. Enjoy your trip!

 

[AndyGorzalski]

Maybe we'll flip flop Studios and Animal Kingdom if May 4th is going to be a madhouse for Star wars stuff.

 

[MermaidJuli]

1) If you're not able to get fast passes, or your fast passes come later and the things you hoped for are booked up, try getting to the parks at rope drop (as soon as they open) and immediately riding the must-do rides that usually have the highest wait times later in the day.

2) If you haven't been to WDW since 2000, you should know that crowd levels have grown and grown over the years. Especially in Magic Kingdom, even the relatively slow days still feel very busy/crowded compared to how they used to be. There will be a lot of people, so if you go in with that mentality it might help you to feel less overwhelmed when you get there.

Magic Kingdom will most likely be fairly crowded on Sunday, May 3rd simply because it is a weekend. Friday, May 8th should be a little easier to get around MK and catch some of the things you missed the first day. I do agree with the above posters about May 4th and think it would be a wise idea to swap the days you planned for Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.

3) Some off-day ideas:
-- Port Orleans French Quarter offers a nightly free outdoor "cajun" campfire and movie (most of the resorts offer some sort of nightly outdoor movie). If you google "WDW Outdoor Movie Schedule" you can find out more information on which resort is showing which movie on which night (in case your boys don't want to watch the movie playing at your resort that night). If you felt like going to a different resort to see the movie there, it is still free and open to all Disney guests. Some of the different resorts offer different experiences, such as Fort Wilderness where they have a campfire with s'mores and a Chip n' Dale appearance and sing along. A few of the resorts have their movie shown on their beach area, which can be fun as well.

-- Horse drawn carriage rides are available close by at Port Orleans Riverside.

-- If your boys like pirates, Disney has 4 different "Pirate Excursions" each morning where the kids wear pirate hats and go out on a boat with the group as they hear pirate stories and search for a treasure chest.

-- Like someone else mentioned, you can do dockside fishing at Riverside. There is a rental place set up there.

-- You could do a character breakfast at one of the restaurant options in a resort, like 1900 Park Fare, Cape May, Ohana or Tusker House.

Hope you have a great time!