slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
Hey there Hi there Ho there!
So, my GF & I went to WDW last year, late August-early Sept. Aside from the heat & driving out a day and a half early to avoid one of the hurricanes, I couldn’t have asked for a greater time. The nicest surprise was the lack of crowds most of the time. Many days we’d leave parks much earlier than anticipated, not because we were too hot or tired (though we WERE indeed hot and tired) but because we did absolutely everything we wanted to do in a ridiculously short time. We wound up checking out stuff we didn’t think we’d have time for, and also riding certain rides many times over (like ToT & Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland). And since we went in with Annual Passes, we figured we’d try to take advantage of them and go a few more times this year.
Unfortunately, my GF is a teacher. OK, THAT’S not that unfortunate. After all, I believe that children are the future, and my GF…you know…teaches them well and lets them lead the way. And so on… But because she IS a teacher (who also teaches summer school), our options of going are limited to mid August (just before the Passes expire)…and Easter Week.
Now we’re realistic. We know that the crowd situation will NOT be the same as it was in August. I’m basically working on an ultra-vague itinerary that will allow us to have enjoy our vacation as much as possible without feeling the need to beat the crowds. The good news is that, since we were there recently, if we miss certain attractions, we won’t be too terribly upset.
I guess I’d just like some input as to how realistic I’m being, and benefit from the experiences of people on the forum.
First of all, to save money for the trip in August, we’re driving down. From the Jersey Shore. Like I said, our plans changed last minute in September because of the hurricane. Our flight was cancelled, and we drove our rental car all the way to Philly Airport. And really, it wasn’t so bad. I was prepared for far worse. And now that we have Sirius Satellite radio, we are guaranteed hours of commercial free musical joy! HAHA! My plan is to drive my car, a 2002 PT Cruiser with only 35K miles. I might rent a car if I get a good deal, but with such low mileage on my car, I’m not too terribly worried.
The plan is to leave shortly after my GF finishes school on Thursday 3/24 (day before Good Friday, so it’s a half day). Taking turns driving and liberal breaks, I figure we’ll get to WDW early to mid afternoon on Friday. We’re checking in to Port Orleans Riverside (and supposedly getting one of the quieter areas in Alligator Bayou with a King Sized Bed…mee-yow). If they’ll let us check in early enough, we’ll take a nap, freshen up and we have PS for Boma at 7. After eating, depending on our exhaustion level, we may try to get into the MK for a late night ride or two. It closes at 11pm, and I figure it’ll be crowded, but not as bad as during the day, especially if there are two parades that night.
Saturday we’ll sleep late, grab breakfast/lunch and go to Epcot. I figure there’s a good chance it’ll be one of the least crowded parks for the weekend. Plans include PS for Rose and Crown for dinner @ 8pm, hopefully outside for Illuminations. Also hopefully, I’ll be able to park near the Boardwalk and use the rear entrance, so after the park closes, we’ll have a few drinks at Jellyrolls.
Easter Sunday, I actually (supposedly) snagged the last PS available for Breakfast at Chef Mickey’s @ 11:10 am (I know they stop seating at 11:30, but do they start schlepping food back to the kitchen spot on 11:30 as well? Anyone? Bueller?) I also figured the AK might not be as crowded during the weekends, but if it is, there’s at least plenty of walking tours to do. Dinner PS at 50’s Primetime Café to take advantage of MGM’s late night. No desire to see Spectromagic again, so even if it’s crowded, I figure it won’t be as packed when the show’s on.
Monday-I figure we could either go to a water park or Disney Quest. We may even (GASP!) sneak out to Universal (she’s never been, I have, but not to IOA). Dinner PS at Whispering Canyon.
The next three days, I intend to let us sleep as much as we need to, and take advantage of late nights in the parks (Tuesday AK, Wednesday MK, Thursday Epcot). The last 2 PSs I have are dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern Wednesday night (again, late night at MK), and ‘Ohana’s Thursday night (never been, really want to). We leave Friday when we’re darn good and ready, since, once again, we ARE driving. If we have to stop at a Motel 6 along the way, no problem, we have the whole weekend to get home.
If there are days where everything seems just too busy to enjoy, I intend to hang out more at the hotel, swim in the pool (weather permitting) maybe even take a horse carriage ride (I repeat…mee-yow). Maybe go to the campfire and movies one night at Fort Wilderness. And of course, Pleasure Island (I’ve seen so many people leave the Adventurer’s Club after 2 minutes of checking it out, I thank their lack of an attention span!).
I know I’ve pretty much written a book, but does anyone think I’m being too optimistic with the late nights in the parks? Or assuming Epcot and AK won’t be as busy on the weekend as MK & MGM? What do you all like to do there if it’s uber-busy? I’m curious, because I’d like this to be as special as possible, given the timing and circumstances.
Thanks in advance…
So, my GF & I went to WDW last year, late August-early Sept. Aside from the heat & driving out a day and a half early to avoid one of the hurricanes, I couldn’t have asked for a greater time. The nicest surprise was the lack of crowds most of the time. Many days we’d leave parks much earlier than anticipated, not because we were too hot or tired (though we WERE indeed hot and tired) but because we did absolutely everything we wanted to do in a ridiculously short time. We wound up checking out stuff we didn’t think we’d have time for, and also riding certain rides many times over (like ToT & Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland). And since we went in with Annual Passes, we figured we’d try to take advantage of them and go a few more times this year.
Unfortunately, my GF is a teacher. OK, THAT’S not that unfortunate. After all, I believe that children are the future, and my GF…you know…teaches them well and lets them lead the way. And so on… But because she IS a teacher (who also teaches summer school), our options of going are limited to mid August (just before the Passes expire)…and Easter Week.
Now we’re realistic. We know that the crowd situation will NOT be the same as it was in August. I’m basically working on an ultra-vague itinerary that will allow us to have enjoy our vacation as much as possible without feeling the need to beat the crowds. The good news is that, since we were there recently, if we miss certain attractions, we won’t be too terribly upset.
I guess I’d just like some input as to how realistic I’m being, and benefit from the experiences of people on the forum.
First of all, to save money for the trip in August, we’re driving down. From the Jersey Shore. Like I said, our plans changed last minute in September because of the hurricane. Our flight was cancelled, and we drove our rental car all the way to Philly Airport. And really, it wasn’t so bad. I was prepared for far worse. And now that we have Sirius Satellite radio, we are guaranteed hours of commercial free musical joy! HAHA! My plan is to drive my car, a 2002 PT Cruiser with only 35K miles. I might rent a car if I get a good deal, but with such low mileage on my car, I’m not too terribly worried.
The plan is to leave shortly after my GF finishes school on Thursday 3/24 (day before Good Friday, so it’s a half day). Taking turns driving and liberal breaks, I figure we’ll get to WDW early to mid afternoon on Friday. We’re checking in to Port Orleans Riverside (and supposedly getting one of the quieter areas in Alligator Bayou with a King Sized Bed…mee-yow). If they’ll let us check in early enough, we’ll take a nap, freshen up and we have PS for Boma at 7. After eating, depending on our exhaustion level, we may try to get into the MK for a late night ride or two. It closes at 11pm, and I figure it’ll be crowded, but not as bad as during the day, especially if there are two parades that night.
Saturday we’ll sleep late, grab breakfast/lunch and go to Epcot. I figure there’s a good chance it’ll be one of the least crowded parks for the weekend. Plans include PS for Rose and Crown for dinner @ 8pm, hopefully outside for Illuminations. Also hopefully, I’ll be able to park near the Boardwalk and use the rear entrance, so after the park closes, we’ll have a few drinks at Jellyrolls.
Easter Sunday, I actually (supposedly) snagged the last PS available for Breakfast at Chef Mickey’s @ 11:10 am (I know they stop seating at 11:30, but do they start schlepping food back to the kitchen spot on 11:30 as well? Anyone? Bueller?) I also figured the AK might not be as crowded during the weekends, but if it is, there’s at least plenty of walking tours to do. Dinner PS at 50’s Primetime Café to take advantage of MGM’s late night. No desire to see Spectromagic again, so even if it’s crowded, I figure it won’t be as packed when the show’s on.
Monday-I figure we could either go to a water park or Disney Quest. We may even (GASP!) sneak out to Universal (she’s never been, I have, but not to IOA). Dinner PS at Whispering Canyon.
The next three days, I intend to let us sleep as much as we need to, and take advantage of late nights in the parks (Tuesday AK, Wednesday MK, Thursday Epcot). The last 2 PSs I have are dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern Wednesday night (again, late night at MK), and ‘Ohana’s Thursday night (never been, really want to). We leave Friday when we’re darn good and ready, since, once again, we ARE driving. If we have to stop at a Motel 6 along the way, no problem, we have the whole weekend to get home.
If there are days where everything seems just too busy to enjoy, I intend to hang out more at the hotel, swim in the pool (weather permitting) maybe even take a horse carriage ride (I repeat…mee-yow). Maybe go to the campfire and movies one night at Fort Wilderness. And of course, Pleasure Island (I’ve seen so many people leave the Adventurer’s Club after 2 minutes of checking it out, I thank their lack of an attention span!).
I know I’ve pretty much written a book, but does anyone think I’m being too optimistic with the late nights in the parks? Or assuming Epcot and AK won’t be as busy on the weekend as MK & MGM? What do you all like to do there if it’s uber-busy? I’m curious, because I’d like this to be as special as possible, given the timing and circumstances.
Thanks in advance…
