Just returned - had a great time!

[Mary Mastria]

Hi all,

I hope its okay to post this in the general discussion section as many people here were so helpful and I wanted to say thank you and let you all know about the trip.

We just returned from WDW today (arrived Tuesday). We are a family of 4 w/13 & 8yo kids. We are Jerseyans and heard all about "Jersey week" and were expecting crowds but didn't think it was bad at all. We got to ride most everything we wanted several times. We are not a big roller coaster family so maybe that helped but we followed the rule of getting to the parks early. For example, on friday we arrived AK at 9am, rode Kali River Rapids 3x (no FP) and did everything we wanted to do by noon-ish which gave us time to go to another park that day. We haven't been to Disney for 8 years and truly had a blast. I was a bit nervous/hesitant re: the magic bands and FP+ system but I have to say we really liked it and thought it worked well. Some highlights: getting front row viewing for the MK parades, enjoying the tastings from the food & wine festival in Epcot (were not expecting how good the food would be and got to taste unique items), riding POC & Soarin several times, walking thru MK during Magic Hours until midnight(!), eating at Boma's and just spending time w/my family and have my kids take in the Disney magic.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We were just there and I would be happy to help someone as you all have helped me!

Mary

 

[Mary Mastria]

Oops forgot to add....we stayed at POFQ and loved, loved, loved it.

 

[DfromATX]

How far in advance did you book your fast pass rides? We're going this June and it will be our first time using the new system. I'm not sure if I will like it or not.

 

[Mary Mastria]

DfromATX, I felt exactly the same about the system before I got there. However, I really liked it b/c it ensured you got to ride what you wanted and in a way, it kept us on task Also, there was some flexibility right til the end (of course, not for the super popular rides). For example, on Tuesday, we arrived earlier than expected and I was able to change my POC fp from mid-afternoon to 10am on the day we arrived. I booked my FPs probably 30-ish days before we left. I couldn't get a fp for the Seven Dwarfs ride but everything else was available.

 

[DfromATX]

DfromATX, I felt exactly the same about the system before I got there. However, I really liked it b/c it ensured you got to ride what you wanted and in a way, it kept us on task Also, there was some flexibility right til the end (of course, not for the super popular rides). For example, on Tuesday, we arrived earlier than expected and I was able to change my POC fp from mid-afternoon to 10am on the day we arrived. I booked my FPs probably 30-ish days before we left. I couldn't get a fp for the Seven Dwarfs ride but everything else was available.

Wow, I can't believe even in October/November you still couldn't get on it. There's another post on here where the OP was talking about not being able to get on either. I've been watching the wait times on my phone. It doesn't look too bad first thing in the morning. Maybe my strategy will be to get a fast pass for something else for around 10, then make a beeline straight to the mine train and try to get that done first. Thanks. I'm glad you had a good time. Was it any less crowded than summer months?

 

[POLY LOVER]

Hi all,

I hope its okay to post this in the general discussion section as many people here were so helpful and I wanted to say thank you and let you all know about the trip.

We just returned from WDW today (arrived Tuesday). We are a family of 4 w/13 & 8yo kids. We are Jerseyans and heard all about "Jersey week" and were expecting crowds but didn't think it was bad at all. We got to ride most everything we wanted several times. We are not a big roller coaster family so maybe that helped but we followed the rule of getting to the parks early. For example, on friday we arrived AK at 9am, rode Kali River Rapids 3x (no FP) and did everything we wanted to do by noon-ish which gave us time to go to another park that day. We haven't been to Disney for 8 years and truly had a blast. I was a bit nervous/hesitant re: the magic bands and FP+ system but I have to say we really liked it and thought it worked well. Some highlights: getting front row viewing for the MK parades, enjoying the tastings from the food & wine festival in Epcot (were not expecting how good the food would be and got to taste unique items), riding POC & Soarin several times, walking thru MK during Magic Hours until midnight(!), eating at Boma's and just spending time w/my family and have my kids take in the Disney magic.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We were just there and I would be happy to help someone as you all have helped me!

Mary

Glad to hear you had a great time!

 

[Mary Mastria]

From what other visitors, taxi drivers, CMs said, it was less crowded than summer - even less than the week before (which was Halloween). In fact, some workers commented that it was a "slow week." I don't think I would call it that but I must say the crowds were manageable. If you really want to ride Seven Dwarfs, do it first thing. It was the only ride at MK that consistently had high waits. During eve magical hours, I saw it for 30 minute wait time but my kids were exhausted and didn't want to ride it Remember, however, you can't get another FP until you use your three. We got to the parks between 8:30-9:30am every day except the day we went to HS. On that day, our FPs didn't begin until 10am and I was glad since we were at MK til 12am the night before! Oh, also, checking the phone is a good idea. I did it and was very surprised with the low wait times throughout different points in the day. Also, someone told me they overestimate the wait times. For example, we got on standby for Test Track with a 40 minute wait in the morning but waited less than 30 minutes. When are you going?!

 

[mergatroid]

Wow, I can't believe even in October/November you still couldn't get on it. There's another post on here where the OP was talking about not being able to get on either. I've been watching the wait times on my phone. It doesn't look too bad first thing in the morning. Maybe my strategy will be to get a fast pass for something else for around 10, then make a beeline straight to the mine train and try to get that done first. Thanks. I'm glad you had a good time. Was it any less crowded than summer months?

That was probably me complaining before our recent trip. Rode it finally this year by queuing for 20 minutes shortly after park opening.

 

[DfromATX]

That was probably me complaining before our recent trip. Rode it finally this year by queuing for 20 minutes shortly after park opening.

Nope, it's @yedliW and it's a current post, but that's what worries me... seems like many are not making it onto the ride.

 

[DfromATX]

From what other visitors, taxi drivers, CMs said, it was less crowded than summer - even less than the week before (which was Halloween). In fact, some workers commented that it was a "slow week." I don't think I would call it that but I must say the crowds were manageable. If you really want to ride Seven Dwarfs, do it first thing. It was the only ride at MK that consistently had high waits. During eve magical hours, I saw it for 30 minute wait time but my kids were exhausted and didn't want to ride it Remember, however, you can't get another FP until you use your three. We got to the parks between 8:30-9:30am every day except the day we went to HS. On that day, our FPs didn't begin until 10am and I was glad since we were at MK til 12am the night before! Oh, also, checking the phone is a good idea. I did it and was very surprised with the low wait times throughout different points in the day. Also, someone told me they overestimate the wait times. For example, we got on standby for Test Track with a 40 minute wait in the morning but waited less than 30 minutes. When are you going?!

Usually we go in June. We haven't booked yet (probably will by December once we see the flights available). The last time we went was June 2013 so we miss it! I was also surprised you said you did a fast pass for POC. That's one we've waited very little time for, sometimes even just walking on. How was Hollywood Studios? Was everything open? Construction mess?

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Thanks for sharing,

 

[mf1972]

Hi all,

I hope its okay to post this in the general discussion section as many people here were so helpful and I wanted to say thank you and let you all know about the trip.

We just returned from WDW today (arrived Tuesday). We are a family of 4 w/13 & 8yo kids. We are Jerseyans and heard all about "Jersey week" and were expecting crowds but didn't think it was bad at all. We got to ride most everything we wanted several times. We are not a big roller coaster family so maybe that helped but we followed the rule of getting to the parks early. For example, on friday we arrived AK at 9am, rode Kali River Rapids 3x (no FP) and did everything we wanted to do by noon-ish which gave us time to go to another park that day. We haven't been to Disney for 8 years and truly had a blast. I was a bit nervous/hesitant re: the magic bands and FP+ system but I have to say we really liked it and thought it worked well. Some highlights: getting front row viewing for the MK parades, enjoying the tastings from the food & wine festival in Epcot (were not expecting how good the food would be and got to taste unique items), riding POC & Soarin several times, walking thru MK during Magic Hours until midnight(!), eating at Boma's and just spending time w/my family and have my kids take in the Disney magic.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We were just there and I would be happy to help someone as you all have helped me!

Mary

we just got back 10/30 & had a good time too. stayed at pop century. did POFQ a few years ago. nice quiet resort & love the boat ride to Disney Springs.
fall is a nice time to go. not as warm, & F&W festival is always fun. we're from NJ too.