WDW Questions and Hotel Recommendations?

[mickEblu]

Is it just you, SO, and 2 yr old? If so, no way is that worth it IMO for just 2 meals a day. Also keep in mind you're probably not going to want to do table service every day if you want to maximize your park time. They take a good chunk of time out of your day and your 2 y/o will not appreciate them, I can assure you!

Forgot to answer your question. No my uncle, aunt and one of my cousins are most likely going. Their own room, package etc.

 

[mickEblu]

Wow, so 4 nights at the Pop Century and two 6 day park hoppers = $1600. Sounds like a deal to me!

 

[Disney Irish]

I don't have any suggestions as I've never been Bruh, so I just say take me with you....

 

[mickEblu]

I don't have any suggestions as I've never been Bruh, so I just say take me with you....

Lol, come on down!

 

[dweezil78]

I meant how early in the morning do i have to wake up to try to get one of the supposed daily batch of FPs for FOP. So ideally, Ill have 3 FP's booked for all 4 parks in advance and then day of I can keep adding other FPs as they become available? And it sounds liek even some of the more wanted FP's become available if you check often enough.

Ah -- are you hearing that they withhold a batch of FPs for FOP every day? I had not heard that and it definitely did not appear to be the case when I was there. As far as I know, it's like anything else -- hotel guests get first dibs on them 60 days out and they disappear immediately. The waking up early thing, as far as I know, would be to take advantage of magic morning hours and line up!

So which FPs would you book for each park? Also is there a certain order you think the parks should be experienced in for a first timer? How many days would you do for each park? I'll have 6 day park hoppers. So I'm thinking 2 days at the parks, then a rest day or half rest day/ half park day. Then 2 more park days. May or may not use the last day.

Well, how much are you considering your 2 yr old vs. more adult thrill rides? That could impact my FP suggestions a tiny bit.

I can tell you that there are a few single rider lines which, if you're ok with, you can do instead of using FP slots for those (assuming the single rider lines aren't outrageously long). Expedition Everest, Rock n' Roller Coaster, and Test Track all do single riders. Can't recall any others offhand, that may be it...

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

@dweezil78 is right - there is no FP inventory held for day of release. All FPs are snapped up 60 days out by hotel guests for FOP. The only way you can grab them after the fact, or on the day of, is if park hours are extended (meaning more FPs are created) or an existing FP is canceled and you're able to grab it in the app. That's what refreshing the FP list can do for you in the app, but getting FOP day of is very, very difficult if not full on unlikely.

If you can't get FOP FP in advance, your best bet is to be at the park gates 90 minutes prior to park opening and rope drop it. If you show up any later than that, you're looking at an automatic 2-4 hour wait.

 

[mickEblu]

Ah -- are you hearing that they withhold a batch of FPs for FOP every day? I had not heard that and it definitely did not appear to be the case when I was there. As far as I know, it's like anything else -- hotel guests get first dibs on them 60 days out and they disappear immediately. The waking up early thing, as far as I know, would be to take advantage of magic morning hours and line up!



Well, how much are you considering your 2 yr old vs. more adult thrill rides? That could impact my FP suggestions a tiny bit.

I can tell you that there are a few single rider lines which, if you're ok with, you can do instead of using FP slots for those (assuming the single rider lines aren't outrageously long). Expedition Everest, Rock n' Roller Coaster, and Test Track all do single riders. Can't recall any others offhand, that may be it...

Oh I’m going on all the adult rides. Lol That’s why I convinced my uncle to come. That way we can do child switch. Didn’t want to ride all the thrill rides alone. Does child switch work the same at WDW? Of course we ll take my son on some of the kiddie stuff but it’s not top priority. We take him to DL 15-20 times a year.

 

[mickEblu]

@dweezil78 is right - there is no FP inventory held for day of release. All FPs are snapped up 60 days out by hotel guests for FOP. The only way you can grab them after the fact, or on the day of, is if park hours are extended (meaning more FPs are created) or an existing FP is canceled and you're able to grab it in the app. That's what refreshing the FP list can do for you in the app, but getting FOP day of is very, very difficult if not full on unlikely.

If you can't get FOP FP in advance, your best bet is to be at the park gates 90 minutes prior to park opening and rope drop it. If you show up any later than that, you're looking at an automatic 2-4 hour wait.

Ok thanks! Rope drop it is. On a Magic morning if possible. I don’t want to spend 3 hours of my day in line for one attraction.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Ok thanks! Rope drop it is. On a Magic morning if possible. I don’t want to spend 3 hours of my day in line for one attraction.

If you go for EMH, you'll need to arrive 90 minutes prior to the EMH start. You're probably better off going on a non-EMH morning for DAK.

 

[mickEblu]

If you go for EMH, you'll need to arrive 90 minutes prior to the EMH start. You're probably better off going on a non-EMH morning for DAK.

Oh really, why? Because all the hotel guests have the same idea?

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Oh really, why? Because all the hotel guests have the same idea?

Yup!

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

If you wanna be sneaky for Frozen Ever After or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, book breakfasts that start before park opening as early as possible at Akershus (Epcot, Norway) or Be Our Guest (MK, Fantasyland). That way you can be first to the ride and beat the rope drop crowds to arrival.

 

[mickEblu]

Yup!

This is the kind of advice that you just couldn’t get anywhere else. Thank you and Everyone else who has responded so far!

 

[dweezil78]

Oh I’m going on all the adult rides. Lol That’s why I convinced my uncle to come. That way we can do child switch. Didn’t want to ride all the thrill rides alone. Does child switch work the same at WDW? Of course we ll take much son on some of the kiddie stuff but it’s not top priority. We take him to DL 15-20 times a year.

Ok got it! I haven't done child switch too much, so not entirely sure. Here would be my picks for FPs in each park, none should really be too surprising. I put the WDW exclusives/or ones that are different enough up front.

My strategy is to stack your 3 dailies as early as possible right up against one another so that you get access to your other FPs early enough. Even if you have just one left that isn't active until the evening, you will be tied up the rest of the day without access to FPs. Put the big ones up front as those are harder to come by later in the day, leaving you with the easier ones later (i.e. your Pirates, Haunted Mansion type attractions.)

Note that all parks except for MK have tiered FPs which means you'll be unable to stack 3 of these at any given time. So you'll be forced to throw in others not on this list by default.

MK: 7 Dwarfs, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, , Big Thunder, Peter Pan
Epcot: Test Track (Single Rider), Frozen, Mission Space (go for Orange, the intense one!!!), Illuminations
AK: FOP, Expedition Everest (Single Rider), Kilimanjaro Safaris, River Journey, Festival of the Lion King
DHS: TOT, Rock N' Roller Coaster, Midway Mania

 

[dweezil78]

If you go for EMH, you'll need to arrive 90 minutes prior to the EMH start. You're probably better off going on a non-EMH morning for DAK.

Good point -- I agree if he ends up going week of 4/15 which puts EMH at 8am opening. If it was a 7am opening I'd be more inclined to say go for it as less people are willing to wake up quite that early.

 

[mickEblu]

Ok got it! I haven't done child switch too much, so not entirely sure. Here would be my picks for FPs in each park, none should really be too surprising. I put the WDW exclusives/or ones that are different enough up front.

My strategy is to stack your 3 dailies as early as possible right up against one another so that you get access to your other FPs early enough. Even if you have just one left that isn't active until the evening, you will be tied up the rest of the day without access to FPs. Put the big ones up front as those are harder to come by later in the day, leaving you with the easier ones later (i.e. your Pirates, Haunted Mansion type attractions.)

Note that all parks except for MK have tiered FPs which means you'll be unable to stack 3 of these at any given time. So you'll be forced to throw in others not on this list by default.

MK: 7 Dwarfs, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, , Big Thunder, Peter Pan
Epcot: Test Track (Single Rider), Frozen, Mission Space (go for Orange, the intense one!!!), Illuminations
AK: FOP, Expedition Everest (Single Rider), Kilimanjaro Safaris, River Journey, Festival of the Lion King
DHS: TOT, Rock N' Roller Coaster, Midway Mania

Thank you for this! This is invaluable.

 

[No Name]

Wow lots of solid answers so far. I'll add what i can and keep it short.

1. Where should I stay between the Port Orleans - Riverside, Pop Century, All Star Movies, All Star Music, All Star Sports, Disney Coronado Springs, or Disney's Caribbean beach resort? Do any of these make more or less sense with a 2 year old? I'm leaning towards Port Orleans, Coronado Springs or the Caribbean beach resort. These all seem pretty centrally located. Of all the hotels listed above, only the Port Orleans- Riverside has "boat" listed as a transportation option. All of the others only have the bus option. Is this a game changer? Which parks would this boat be able to take me too if any? I don't see a waterway leading from the resort to any of the parks. Also, of all the hotels listed, only Coronado Springs is available for a 5th night. Would doing one anyone of the hotels listed above for 4 nights and then a non Disney hotel outside of the bubble for 1-2 nights be too much of hassle? I'm thinking parks day 1 and day 2. Rest on Day 3. Parks day 3 and day 4. Then maybe a half day parks day 5 and hit the road to Savannah to start my road trip. I'm just getting 6 day park hoppers to have the convenience of park hopping while I'm there. 5 day park hoppers are't available with this deal.

The value resorts have a unique style courtesy of the 90s, so just make sure you don't dislike the look. Pop Century sounds like a solid choice! Tim has a nice video tour of the resort.

2. How do you recommend getting to the parks each day from the resorts I'm leaning towards above?

For Epcot, DHS, and DAK, by bus or by car. For the Magic Kingdom, you go to the Ticket and Transportation Center and then take a monorail or ferry across the Seven Seas Lagoon.
As for park-hopping, if you have a car you might as well drive. If you don't have a car and you're going from Epcot to DHS or vice versa, you can take a friendship boat. For MK to Epcot or vice versa, you can take the Epcot monorail.
I've never had a problem without a car but certainly having one makes things easier.

3. Is it possibly too late too book some of the good park restaurants and E tickets with Fast pass plus considering 4/15 is only 3 weeks out? Would it be worth postponing this trip to early/ mid May so I could be closer to 60 days out and have my pick of the litter?

You're a quick planner! I think it'll be fine.

4. What restaurants do you recommend to book for my table service meals at the parks? What restaurants do you recommend at Disney Springs or at any of the hotels?

I'm more of a quick-service person, but when I do table service I usually go for something that's unique or a buffet. So I like the Mexico restaurant at Epcot, with a nice ambiance and walk-on boat ride that passes by. At DHS, I like the 50s Prime Time Cafe and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. I've rarely eaten table service at DAK because it used to close before dinner time! At the Magic Kingdom, I like the Crystal Palace character buffet. I also like Chef Mickey's character buffet at the Contemporary. Disney Springs has a place called T-Rex which is like the Rainforest Cafe (owned by same company). Of course, meal reservations opened 180 days in advance, so some things will be taken regardless of whether you postpone a month, but there are plenty of good options.

5. What are some must see hotels or must see anything outside of the parks?

The Magic Kingdom monorail loop is one of my favorite places in the world. But don't take my word. Even @George Lucas on a Bench called it "f***** epic"! Please bask in the beauty of the MK area. Ride the monorail. Also visit Disney Springs. If you like mini golf then check those out.

6. I looked up closed attractions during my desired stay and it appears only the Liberty Bell Riverboat is down out of all 4 parks. I'm thinking the list is pretty accurate considering its only 3 weeks out, right? If TOT is down, there will be hell to pay.

That's pretty accurate and fortunate for you. Enjoy your trip!

 

[dweezil78]

Forgot to answer your question. No my uncle, aunt and one of my cousins are most likely going. Their own room, package etc.

BTW -- on that note, you may want to divide and conquer in regards to FPs. Getting 2 FPs together is going to be far easier than getting 5 and may limit you a bit on what you can snag.

 

[dweezil78]

The value resorts have a rather unique style, so just make sure you don't dislike the look or the fact that you enter your room from outside.

I believe all the moderates are outside motel-style entry too, no? I can't think of one that isn't. Really the only difference between value and moderate resorts are proximity to the parks, the classiness of the theming, and the on-site amenities/dining options. The actual room buildings and room interiors aren't going to be significantly different, especially with the recent updates/upgrades at Pop Century.

 

[mickEblu]

BTW -- on that note, you may want to divide and conquer in regards to FPs. Getting 2 FPs together is going to be far easier than getting 5 and may limit you a bit on what you can snag.

Do you mean for FOP and the other hard to get FPs or FPs in general? I was thinking of just booking at exactly the same time with my uncle and selecting FPs together.