Questions....lots of questions, LOL

[Aliciahere]

Hey Everybody, I'm a bit overwhelmed at this point as I'm planning our only family trip to WDW, but I'm gathering information as much as I can. We are staying offsite at Summer Bay Resorts for two weeks from Oct 29th to Nov 12th. My family of four includes DD8 and DS6. I must apologies in advance if I get some of the acronyms wrong.... Here is my preliminary outline for that time:

Oct 29th - Arrival
Oct 30th - At resort, picking up food, getting orientated
Oct 31st - MK and then MNSSHP - arrive around noonish
Nov 1st - AK - arrive around noonish
Nov 2nd - At resort
Nov 3rd - DHS - rope drop for Jedi training for DS6
Nov 4th - Epcot - probably a noonish arrival to see light show at the end
Nov 5th - At resort
Nov 6th - USIoA
Nov 7th - US
Nov 8th - At Resort
Nov 9th - Kennedy Space Center (or MK, if Christmas decorations will be out by then)
Nov 10th - Legoland - both kids are big into Lego - this is a must
Nov 11th - MK or Kennedy Space Center
Nov 12th - Departure

Whewph - it's tiring just writing it down..... And now the questions,

While the resort has a shuttle to Disney and US, it's not a great shuttle, very limited (which is unfortunate, a big reason I picked this resort is because it had a shuttle). IE: It has shuttles to MK, Epcot, DHS, but not AK. Is it possible to travel between resorts before presenting tickets? For example if we don't have Park Hopper can we take the hotel shuttle to Epcot, and then take Disney transportation to AK?

I'm wondering if it may end up being easier to just rent a vehicle....but then there are other costs - parking, maybe tolls???? Something else I'm not aware of?

Since we are going to MK on the same day we are planning on going to MNSSHP can the adults dress up for the whole day or do we have to bring our costumes with us and change there once we have our wristbands?

Is there anyway for us to get to Downtown Disney (or Disney Springs by then I think....)? If we don't have Park Hopper?

What to families do to try to have some quiet time if you are staying offsite? Like for about a hour later in the day? Is there somewhere in the shade where you can sit and read a book or something? Watch a movie?

We are all big into Star Wars and I'm worried about whats going to be happening at DHS during construction. From what I understand now there are three big Star Wars things right now, Jedi Acadamy, Star Tours and the Way of the Force correct?

This is all I can think of now, but I'm sure there will be others..... Thanx again in advance!

 

[Rob562]

Let's see what I can answer for you...

-A rental car will be your most convenient option. I presume you'd have to pay for airport transportation anyway, so factor that into your calculations. You'd really only have tolls to and from the airport ($3-$4 each way), plus I think your drive to Kennedy Space.
Parking at Disney and Universal is $20/day. I don't know about Legoland. There is no parking fee to park at Disney Springs.

-When renting a car, for most of the major rental companies if you skip the pre-pay option, you can cancel and re-book if prices go down in the future. (When I'm renting a car I tend to re-check prices every few weeks)

-If you're relying on the free shuttle, there is no direct way to get from a theme park to Disney Springs. You'd have to go to a nearby hotel and then transfer to a Disney Springs bus. If you have a car, by October many of the current construction traffic headaches should be gone.

-Yes, if you're relying on the free shuttle you can take Disney transportation between parks.


-Rob

 

[ekutchey]

Parking at Legoland is $20.00 per day as well.

I must ask are you flexible on you MNNSSHP choice day? Just in case tickets sale out before you get them. Halloween night is usually the first to sell out and quite quickly. Just something to be aware of.

You don't need a park hopper or ticket to use Disney transportation. Your resort shuttle can drop you off at any of the parks or transportation center and you can utilize the monorail or buses as needed.

You are correct for Star Wars but there is also the new Star Wars Launch Bay at HS as well as Star Wars food selections at Backlot Express quick service restaurant at HS.

 

[mouse_luv]

Showing up at the Disney Parks at Noon?

 

[Aliciahere]

I know I know! Lol, I just know my kids won't be able to make it to 10pm if we get there earlier than that. If anybody has ideas on how to do it, I'm all ears

 

[mousehockey37]

Ok, let's break this down the best we can... For starters I would look at the theme parks and what you plan to accomplish at them. Will you have enough time to get to everything in just one day per park? Magic Kingdom is the only one you've given more than one day to.

Also, factor that into your ticket purchasing as well. Sure, you can add days on while you are there, but it's nice to know what you're doing before you leave.

Hey Everybody, I'm a bit overwhelmed at this point as I'm planning our only family trip to WDW, but I'm gathering information as much as I can. We are staying offsite at Summer Bay Resorts for two weeks from Oct 29th to Nov 12th. My family of four includes DD8 and DS6. I must apologies in advance if I get some of the acronyms wrong.... Here is my preliminary outline for that time:

Oct 29th - Arrival
Oct 30th - At resort, picking up food, getting orientated
Oct 31st - MK and then MNSSHP - arrive around noonish
Nov 1st - AK - arrive around noonish
Nov 2nd - At resort
Nov 3rd - DHS - rope drop for Jedi training for DS6
Nov 4th - Epcot - probably a noonish arrival to see light show at the end
Nov 5th - At resort
Nov 6th - USIoA
Nov 7th - US
Nov 8th - At Resort
Nov 9th - Kennedy Space Center (or MK, if Christmas decorations will be out by then)
Nov 10th - Legoland - both kids are big into Lego - this is a must
Nov 11th - MK or Kennedy Space Center
Nov 12th - Departure

Whewph - it's tiring just writing it down..... And now the questions,

Just looking at your schedule though, in my opinion, it's a little bit scattered, but it does lead to opportunities to mix and match should the weather not cooperate. I would also possibly plan, just in case, an extra day in there to go back to DHS should you not get your son in the Jedi Academy the first time.

While the resort has a shuttle to Disney and US, it's not a great shuttle, very limited (which is unfortunate, a big reason I picked this resort is because it had a shuttle). IE: It has shuttles to MK, Epcot, DHS, but not AK. Is it possible to travel between resorts before presenting tickets? For example if we don't have Park Hopper can we take the hotel shuttle to Epcot, and then take Disney transportation to AK?

I'm wondering if it may end up being easier to just rent a vehicle....but then there are other costs - parking, maybe tolls???? Something else I'm not aware of?

I would find out ahead of time what the schedule is for that shuttle. How often does it run, when does it start/stop running (you want to be at the parks by noon, well, is that when the shuttle is going to get you there? or does it only leave at 8am for example), does it only do certain parks on certain days? The last thing you want is to get stranded at a park. Renting a vehicle may be a safer, more reliable option. I'm not saying that things aren't safe, but knowing that you have a car to go to, and that you didn't miss the last shuttle back to your resort.

As for when you are at the Disney Parks, you do have modes of transportation available to you.

Since we are going to MK on the same day we are planning on going to MNSSHP can the adults dress up for the whole day or do we have to bring our costumes with us and change there once we have our wristbands?

There have been some changes to the costume codes and such so I would keep an eye out for this, you could also call as the trip approaches. Also, as others have mentioned, the Halloween Party is a separate ticket event. You'll want to get those tickets ASAP when they are available as the parties right around the 31st are the first to sell out.

Is there anyway for us to get to Downtown Disney (or Disney Springs by then I think....)? If we don't have Park Hopper?

Yes. You can take a cab or find some other ways. There's been some discussion on here about non-Disney resort guests using the transportation, so I'm not going to be one to promote it, but it's there.

What to families do to try to have some quiet time if you are staying offsite? Like for about a hour later in the day? Is there somewhere in the shade where you can sit and read a book or something? Watch a movie?

This I can't really help with. If you mean about finding a spot to sit and relax in the parks for an hour or so to unwind, there's not really much around. You'd have to claim a bench and people watch or something.

We are all big into Star Wars and I'm worried about whats going to be happening at DHS during construction. From what I understand now there are three big Star Wars things right now, Jedi Acadamy, Star Tours and the Way of the Force correct?

The Jedi Academy is a definite hit. You'll want to look more into that as it sounds this is a big thing for your trip. I'm not sure of the signup process, but I know it fills up quickly. Hopefully someone who has been there recently will be able to further help with that.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

What I can tell you I don't like the starting time at Epcot although I do understand why. The other way I could think of is use fast pass plus for Epcot with you booking 30 days ahead of time. I am bringing this up because by the time you go to WDW, 2 new attractions will be very crowded by noon depending the starting time of Frozen ever after. Soarin' is going to be turning into Soarin' around the World along with adding more capacity to the attraction. While Soarin' around the around would getting higher capacity, the change from Soarin' to Soarin' around the world would cause even more people want to go to the attraction.

The Frozen stuff in Norway is going to be crowded including Frozen ever After ride and the Anna and Elsa meeting & greet. The only catch is if the Frozen attractions are going to be opened earlier than rest of World showcase. Most of World showcase opens up at 11 in the morning compare to 9 at Future World. The Frozen Ever after ride is going to be a tall order in anyway you put it if your daughter is into Frozen. The problem with the ride Disney isn't changing the capacity at all or very little from Maelstrom to Frozen Ever After despite Maelstrom was not designed to having big crowds.

To make matters worse for you for Epcot, the Food and Wine Festival should still going on on November 4th on a Friday. Crowds are going to big on that day and it would affect the wait lines at Epcot attractions besides the guests going for the food and drinks.

 

[OvertheHorizon]

I would avoid scheduling Epcot on Friday, Saturday or Sunday at that time of year due to the Food and Wine Festival, which draws a LARGE number of local visitors. On Friday and Saturday nights during Food and Wine, Illuminations is pushed back to a later time (10 p.m.) rather than the usual 9 p.m.

 

[harryk]

Really, Really, Really, look into fast passes for your selections. Noon at AK is a little late - if you want to see the animals on the safari tour. Yes, they are there later in the day - but they tend to be more active earlier in the day.

 

[JohnD]

If it hasn't been pointed out already, since you're staying off site, you won't be able to make your FP+ selections until 30 days out -- not 60 days out as with resort guests.

Second, anyone can utilize Disney transportation (monorail, bus, boat) while on property. A park ticket isn't needed.

Third, costumes. Um, tricky subject as Disney increased security measures recently. The latest info is that no costumes are allowed for anyone over 14, including for the parties. Previously, anyone could wear a costume so long as it doesn't block the face and is family friendly. Right now, the official answer is no costume. But who knows that the policy might be when the parties are near in 2016?

 

[WDW_Emily]

Do you children like big rides? If the answer is yes, I would plan maybe to get to EPCOT around 10am. You will have enough time to ride Test Track, Soarin, and Mission Space and then spend time in the countries. EPCOT in my opinion is a tiring park because there is a lot of walking. However the shows in the countries are a great break in the middle of the day.

If Animal Kingdom closes at 5pm that day and you arrive at noon, there are very few things you will be able to do. It's not necessary to arrive at DAK for rope drop but I'd say try to arrive around 10AM. Go straight to the safari. If you go before 10AM you have a chance of not seeing Elephants because they take the longest out of all the animals on safari to come out. Fast pass Everest, Dinosaur, and Kali River Rapids. These should be pretty easy to get at the 30 day mark. If you need any advice on Animal Kingdom I would be happy to help I used to do tours there.

Have you thought of any dining reservations? That's another way to have a break in the parks.

 

[mouse_luv]

Okay, I wanted to add a few things I forgot in my previous post. You are going at the time of Food and Wine, and it gets a little crazy at EPCOT and there are going to be many new attractions open at EPCOT as well, so demand will be high. Is there a big reason why you are staying off property? Because you could stay at Pop or another value for the same or less that you are staying at Summer Bay, and then you would have all the Disney Perks that you won't have where you are currently booked. Another option (w/o the Disney perks but with Uni perks) would be Cabana Bay resort at Universal which is in the same price range as well. Just something to think about.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

If Animal Kingdom closes at 5pm that day and you arrive at noon, there are very few things you will be able to do.

It is very unlikely that AK will close at 5 pm when the op is going unless there is a special private event due to the night time stuff they adding to the park next year starting in the spring. The nature of the additions is classified as night time attractions/events and I am guessing that park would have to stay open till 8:00 pm at least.

I am bringing this up because of the river of the Night show first night showing will be in the spring of next year. AK also will have their night time version of Killmanjaro Safaris.

The real problem with AK next year is the question of enough attractions for the guest to do before going to the Rivers of the Nighttime show since the new Avatar Land isn't opening before 2017 if starting 9 in the morning.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

There is something I didn't mention about AK. It is rumored that Rivers of the night will only will have fast pass plus seating and is something to keep an eye on as a result if the rumor is true

I can't argue about starting 9:00 a.m. at AK since I am not too sure about the crowds that time of the year. Disney did add a new shop, new eating places and a new bar to AK, but I don't know if that is enough for a guest before they are able to do a Killmanjaro Safaris or watch Rivers of the Night.

 

[smk]

Epcot on Friday during food and wine is a bad idea, it is always packed. Also, entry to the MNSSHP is at 4, the party starts at 7 PM. I personally do not go to a park the day of the party. I like to sleep in, eat a good meal because you are limited once the party starts to mostly QS unless you make a reservation ahead of time.

And, as others have pointed out costumes are limited to kids 14 and under. So, plan some but don't get you hopes up. That may change now that Disney is installing metal detectors however, it is hard to say. Buy those tickets for the 31st as soon as you can, that night sells out fast.The party tickets generally start selling late April, early May.

 

[WDW_Emily]

It is very unlikely that AK will close at 5 pm when the op is going unless there is a special private event due to the night time stuff they adding to the park next year starting in the spring. The nature of the additions is classified as night time attractions/events and I am guessing that park would have to stay open till 8:00 pm at least.

I am bringing this up because of the river of the Night show first night showing will be in the spring of next year. AK also will have their night time version of Killmanjaro Safaris.

The real problem with AK next year is the question of enough attractions for the guest to do before going to the Rivers of the Nighttime show since the new Avatar Land isn't opening before 2017 if starting 9 in the morning.

True! I forgot all the nighttime things will be open by then! If you are planning to stay for the nighttime safari/river show, I would say arriving at noon should be fine.

 

[Aliciahere]

Wow, this is exactly what I was looking for - you guys are rock stars, thank you so much!

I must ask are you flexible on you MNNSSHP choice day? Just in case tickets sale out before you get them. Halloween night is usually the first to sell out and quite quickly. Just something to be aware of.

DH is quite adamant that he wants Oct 31st to be the first day in the park and to go to the MNSSHP.... I'm gonna work on him for this. I would love to be able to go to the party on the 30th (if tickets are available for that day), and then go to MK on the 31st. It's tough though, since I'm the planner, I typically get my way, so when DH decides he want's to do something, I try to at least give the illusion that he has a part of the planning process, bwahahahah.

Ok, let's break this down the best we can... For starters I would look at the theme parks and what you plan to accomplish at them. Will you have enough time to get to everything in just one day per park? Magic Kingdom is the only one you've given more than one day to.

With the amount of time we have in Orlando, and the amount of other things we want to do, I'm pretty sure we will be good, though that last day in MK is up in the air - I think we will keep it open and decide while we are there what location we really want to go back to. IE: if we don't get Jedi Acadamy on the original day we selected, this may end up being a HS day.

To make matters worse for you for Epcot, the Food and Wine Festival should still going on on November 4th on a Friday. Crowds are going to big on that day and it would affect the wait lines at Epcot attractions besides the guests going for the food and drinks.

I would avoid scheduling Epcot on Friday, Saturday or Sunday at that time of year due to the Food and Wine Festival, which draws a LARGE number of local visitors. On Friday and Saturday nights during Food and Wine, Illuminations is pushed back to a later time (10 p.m.) rather than the usual 9 p.m.

Okay, I wanted to add a few things I forgot in my previous post. You are going at the time of Food and Wine, and it gets a little crazy at EPCOT and there are going to be many new attractions open at EPCOT as well, so demand will be high.

Epcot on Friday during food and wine is a bad idea, it is always packed

Oh good gosh yes, this is the exact reason why I put up the schedule. Thank you so much, this info is golden. Nixing EPCOT on Friday!

Do you children like big rides? If the answer is yes, I would plan maybe to get to EPCOT around 10am.

Honestly, I don't know for sure. We have never really been on any big rides before. My first instinct is that they don't like big rides, but that we will all go on at least one - probably Test Track (and who knows - they may love it). It's unfortunately really tough to plan that.....

Is there a big reason why you are staying off property?

We have a timeshare, and we are using it (the price we end up paying is incredibly cheap). This way we have two bedrooms and a kitchen also, which will help big with breakfast costs, and meals when we are on resort. It's already booked, also.

It is rumored that Rivers of the night will only will have fast pass plus seating and is something to keep an eye on as a result if the rumor is true

I am keeping a close eye on this. I think AK is going to be a bit of a highlight for our family. I went to BG when I was 9 and really enjoyed it.

Buy those tickets for the 31st as soon as you can, that night sells out fast

http://www.exploriaresorts.com/wp-c...-Summer-Bay-Orlando-Fall-Shuttle-Schedule.pdf

Also keeping my eye out on this! Lots to watch for, lot to remember.

Thank you guys so much. All of this information is just awesome!

 

[Aliciahere]

Showing up at the Disney Parks at Noon?

Wait a minute..... is this from the crazy 3D MJ show that was at Disney??? OMG I remember seeing that when I was 9 (and I remember that I was one of the kids that reached out trying to touch the gremlin guy.....)

 

[mousehockey37]

http://www.exploriaresorts.com/wp-c...-Summer-Bay-Orlando-Fall-Shuttle-Schedule.pdf

That is not a favorable shuttle schedule AT ALL.

Shuttle Departs resort at:
7:05 a.m. TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS®
7:30 a.m. TO EPCOT®
8:40 a.m. TO ANIMAL KINGDOM®
9:25 a.m. TO TTC – Ticket Transportation Center MAGIC KINGDOM® - (MAGIC KINGDOM® IS REFERRED TO AS TICKET & TRANSPORTATION CENTER)
11:30 a.m. TO EPCOT®
11:30 a.m. TO HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS®
12:30 p.m. TO EPCOT®

Shuttle back to resort departs theme parks at:
4:55 p.m. FROM HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS® (LANE 41)
5:45 p.m. FROM EPCOT® (LANE 49)
6:00 p.m. FROM ANIMAL KINGDOM® (LANE 51)
7:45 p.m. FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS® (LANE 85)
9:35 p.m. FROM EPCOT® (LANE 49)
11:00 p.m. FROM MAGIC KINGDOM® (LANE #C34 at TTC)- (MAGIC KINGDOM® IS REFERRED TO AS TICKET & TRANSPORTATION CENTER)
*12:30 a.m. FROM MAGIC KINGDOM® (LANE #C34 at TTC) (*ONLY IF MAGIC KINGDOM® CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT OR LATER)

You're going to need a rental car. Especially for the days that you want to get to rope drop at DHS for the Jedi Academy, your shuttle isn't even leaving your resort until AFTER the park is open for some time. Your only option to DHS for RD is to go to EPCOT on the early shuttle and walk/boat over to DHS from there.

Also, if you're planning on seeing Illuminations at EPCOT, this return table doesn't bode well either. You'd have to almost watch the fireworks from in FutureWorld and run out to your shuttle. Again, the shuttle going back from DHS doesn't bode well either.

I'd seriously look into getting a rental car.