Ekk! Advice for friends heading down 12/26

[Kristamouse]

So our friends are going on an all expense paid trip to Bonnet Creek with Their 4 kids, Grandparents, and the sister family of 4. Over hell week in WDW, which they had no idea about. FP and a few meals are booked. Each family has own transportation and suite.
They asked DH and I to lunch to give them tips on the trip.
DH and I have 13+ trips but none on insane crowd days.
Please help me help them...

 

[LAKid53]

Tell them:

(1) To stay calm and be patient

(2) To plan on visiting the Magic Kingdom more than one day

(3) Get there early, by 10:00 AM at the latest, since MK will probably reach capacity several days during their trip. Given the tiered procedure Disney uses to refuse admission when a park reaches capacity, they would probably be the first to be refused admission

(4) To check Touring Plan's crowd calendar before they leave to get an idea of how crowded parks will be each day of their visit. Magic Kingdom will probably be the worst and both MK & EPCOT will be bad on New Year's Eve

(5) Tell them to visit this website on a regular basis during their trip. I don't know how Disney announces limiting admission and it would be nice to know BEFORE they show up at the gate

AND

(6) Be nice to Cast Members. It's not THEIR fault half the planet decided to go to WDW the week between Christmas and New Year's.....

And most of all, have fun!

 

[Kristamouse]

Thanks, I had told them a few of these already. The do not have magic bands can they change or add FP on the app yet or just at a kiosk?

 

[LAKid53]

Thanks, I had told them a few of these already. The do not have magic bands can they change or add FP on the app yet or just at a kiosk?

You mentioned that they have some FP selections already, so I will assume they have tickets linked to an MDE account, so yes, they should be able to change existing FP+ selections via the app. Once all three FP+ selections have been used, they will have to visit the kiosks at the parks to make an additional selection for the park they are currently in. However, during this time of the year, it might be difficult to get a FP+ for the more popular rides. So if they chose Soarin' as one of their three FP+ for EPCOT, it might be difficult to get an additional FP+ for Test Track once all three FP+ selections have been used (or expired). Which is why I really hate the tiered FP+ at EPCOT.....

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Having experienced a Disney Christmas - New Year trip I'd offer the following -

1) Don't expect to do anything without a long wait - food (even a little wait with ADRs), toilets, rides (even with FP+),

2) Expect the heaviest crowds you can imagine - anything less will be a bonus,

3) Go with a plan in mind for each park and be flexible

We did all the above and we had a very enjoyable trip - and yes, we would go back again during this time of year

 

[JIMINYCR]

I'd show them some videos of crazy times so they can see what they have in store first. Knowing theres going to be loooong waits, be sure to have something with them to provide distractions while in line. Pack an I pod/ smart phone, or kindle with something to read or listen to loaded on. Smart phones have Disney apps available to download with wait times/ activities etc to keep them more informed. Have snacks available to tide them over before/ between meal reservations. Get comfortable shoes and get them well broken in, to manage longer standing times and added stress to their feet and legs. Have some small activity books or something to serve as a distraction for the kids. Patience, patience, patience. Dont expect to conquer the same # of rides in a day as during low crowd season, plan to attack the most wanted rides early and be satisfied with what they can get to.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I'd say to be sure and emphasize to them the importance of EARLY, pre-rope-drop arrivals (using morning EMH where available). If they're night owls, suggest an afternoon nap break so they can take advantage of evening EMH as well, if they have parkhoppers.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Tell them to go with the expectation of only people watching and may be riding a couple of rides or seeing a couple of attractions. Outside of that is bonus. If they go with that mindset they will have a great time

 

[MickeyMomV]

I would tell them to enjoy everything the holiday has to offer like the decorated parks and hotels. Try to get in on the MVMCP and anything else that is holiday related. Tell them to enjoy all the rides they can get on and remind them they will NOT be able to ride everything.

The rides will "always" be there but the decorations and events will not. When they go again they can get to all of the rides they missed but they might not experience a Disney Christmas again.

 

[Lord_Vader]

Patience, patience, patience. And when that runs low, more patience.

The parks will be very busy with extremely long lines from resort buses to attractions.

 

[Tuvalu]

Try to get in on the MVMCP and anything else that is holiday related.

MVMCP are over before they arrive. The last party is the 19th.

 

[TXDisney]

I'd arrive early to the parks to get on the high traffic rides early in the day and call restaurants a lil before 24hrs from dinner to try and get last minute cancellations for the next day.

 

[DVCPluto]

I would tell them to leave their FPs alone on the app, if they have them set up for each day. We were just there and had various issues with changing experiences - times changed as well, and you can't see what they are changing to. If they want to change anything, go to a kiosk.

Most of all have fun and relax! Even with the crowds, they're still at WDW!