What will it be for trip #3? (August 5-14, 2012)
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Linnynad · 01-22-2012, 09:25 PM

We did TL on a Saturday and it was the first Sat in Oct. I know you going in August will be much different, but our plan was to get there as it opened so we could find "our spot" for the day. Close to what WE wanted to be near and not just wind up with any opens spots that were left. Once we got there we noticed the sign for a cabana rental and it was a great deal ( being Oct helped with that). It came with our own covered cabana, locker, towels, refillable mugs, water and a personal waiter to grab our lunch order when we were ready. I still think that if we were to go in the summer months I would still consider doing this, it really was relaxing to have that and to not wait in line for food, find a spot to sit etc......

As to answer your question on which park to do first, I would think about going to the water park first, then head to DtD or DQ at night/afternoon. Either way I'm sure they will all be crowded on a weekend, but the waiting in lines at a water park and looking for a spot to rest could get annoying later in the afternoon I would think, not to mention big crowds around water and the wave pools freak me out a little. OR I would consider taking a splurge on the cabana and making an entire day of it..........I'm sure you will enjoy them all, I hope you can decdie what will work best for you guys.
Hope that hepled a little.

**KMB733** · 01-23-2012, 02:00 PM

I'll do the best I can, since I've never done a water park in the summer. If it was me, I would probably get a water park when it opens. I have a feeling that once lunchtime rolls around it might be pretty crowded. I'd think about maybe heading back to the hotel for a little while, and then heading to DTD for late lunch, early dinner and some shopping. Good Luck making a decision!

**HiddenMickey** · 01-23-2012, 08:09 PM

Because of the threat of afternoon thunderstorms in August, I'd go to water parks at opening for sure. We usually get there for opening and leave around 1-2pm. Once we did a whole day and surprised ourselves.

DsnyDiva · 01-23-2012, 08:19 PM

I actually got my first PIN code today..I had already booked a 10 day in august 2012 as well..I called my TA and she was able to apply my PIN to my POR and upgrade me to a garden view room saving me 300.00...This is our 3rd year in a row going and I am anxiously waiting any more PIN offer's I might get...

mcc0313 · 01-31-2012, 02:43 PM

We usually do the water parks in the morning when they open, get a good spot and enjoy. We have found they definitely get more crowded as the day progresses, we got there at opening one time and the water slides were a walk on for a good two hours or so until the crowds built up, so that would be my recommendation.

DQ we have tried at opening and later in the day, we liked the fact that opening we really did not have much lines for any of the popular rides, but the time we made it through most of them the lines had built up.

I would probably say since you have 3 days I would plan the DQ and the WP for the morning, relax and enjoy if the evenings. Just realized you get there the day after we leave.

bsblady01 · 01-31-2012, 02:50 PM

more please

benjiboo25 · 01-31-2012, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcc0313

We usually do the water parks in the morning when they open, get a good spot and enjoy. We have found they definitely get more crowded as the day progresses, we got there at opening one time and the water slides were a walk on for a good two hours or so until the crowds built up, so that would be my recommendation.

DQ we have tried at opening and later in the day, we liked the fact that opening we really did not have much lines for any of the popular rides, but the time we made it through most of them the lines had built up.

I would probably say since you have 3 days I would plan the DQ and the WP for the morning, relax and enjoy if the evenings. Just realized you get there the day after we leave.

Thanks for your experiences...We thought about doing just one activity a day...but we want to make good "use" of the WP add-on. I think if we just made 3 total visits we would not get our money worth! LOL!

I think our 2009 August trips overlapped a bit as well...

benjiboo25 · 01-31-2012, 09:26 PM

It seems my plan is still changing on nearly a daily basis as we approach ADR day.

The biggest unknown is how we will do with driving to WDW and how that will affect our arrival. We originally planned to arrive Sunday 8/5, the first day of value season at POR. However, driving should get us into Orlando on Saturday evening. We thought about renting a cheap hotel room outside WDW but decided it would be worth the added expense to get to settle into our WDW digs and have a full park day sunday 8/5. DH also wants to try driving straight thru from MN to WDW (26 hours). I am up for the challenge, but not going to make firm plans around it. Again, he drives for his job and thinks nothing of driving 12-16 hours a day. I could certainly take a few long shifts. The seats in our minivan recline well, so we should be able to get decent sleep. That plan would put us at WDW Saturday morning (before checkin time). We would try to request early check-in so we can take a nice long nap, explore the resort and get everyone to bed by 7pm so we are all energized for the morning...hmmm...(And of course, If I find airfare around $225 we will be back to flying which may alter the schedule again!). I have not called WDW to add 8/4....I fear I would add it just to make more changes soon after! (we are also playing with our last day, to try to fit in the visit to SIL in southern FL..)

Before I could finalize our ADR plans, I needed to see the Park Hours and hoped to have info on the Y.E.S. program schedule.

This weekend I was very excited to see the schedule posted for the Y.E.S. program all the way through August. Although I cannot actually register for the programs yet, at least I can plan around the program days. DS (9) is the main target for the Y.E.S. program. He was hoping for a couple fof classes that are actually not offered during our trip. After reading the descriptions and viewing the YouTube videos on the 3 options that would be available to us, Ben decided that he is most interested in "Synergy in Science." I was thrilled too since it appears to be a mostly indoor program! Because the class is scheduled for the Monday we are at WDW, I had to juggle our planned park days.

I was also excited to see WDW post the Park Hours for our trip dates yesterday. I had been tentatively planning based on last year's hours. It looks like the EMH days are fairly similar to last year so that did not change our plans at all.

Our touring plan priorities to work around included:
MK on Sundays (silly reason--our Sundays at MK have been less stressful than other days at MK...crowds were always tolerable for us...Last year, we got to MK soon after rope drop and made our way immediately to meet the fairies. It was basically a walk through and a CM told us Sunday mornings are always mellow--especially on an EMH evening as it was that day and as it will be the 2 sundays we are at WDW)

Hit an Epcot EMH evening--We just loved those nights last year! We were at BC so w made good use of the time but the crowds were so easy and the night was never too late!

Try not to do 2 major park days in a row. Unfortunately the Y.E.S. schedule changed this plan. So we have adapted this to "no EARLY morning after a LATE night."

At this point it looks like:
Sun-MK
Mon-Epcot (Y.E.S. program)
Tues-Water park/DTD
Wed-AK
Thur-Waterpark/DTD
Fri-DHS
Sat-Waterpark/DTD (or Epcot if we leave Monday)
Sun-MK
Mon-Epcot (or DTD if this is departure day)

So the trip is still evolving. This is in large part due to the flexibility driving may afford us. We have always been locked in by our flight schedule.

ADRs are a bit tougher this time. We have always been on the DDP. This time, we will be OOP ( using room discounts and Y.E.S. program tix). With DS turning 10 this spring, it is hard to imagine paying $40 for a buffet for a kid. I still have more work to do before ADR day...

**Cam22** · 01-31-2012, 10:08 PM

Plans are looking good!

and

for working out the ADRs.

Linnynad · 01-31-2012, 10:40 PM

I think your plans look really good with spacing those waterpark days in there.
Do they still open at 10am during the summer months?
I love the 2 MK days, they to me are always the best!!
Good luck with your ADR's!

ilovedisney247 · 02-01-2012, 01:16 AM

Plans look good! If you are worried about spending $$$ for a ten year old at a buffet try doing the restaurants that are regular TS--lots of them will let your son order off of the kid's menu or you could try having him order just an appetizer if that would be enough food!

**Colexis Mom** · 02-01-2012, 07:24 AM

Great plans so far!

Good luck with the ADRs!

benjiboo25 · 02-01-2012, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linnynad

I think your plans look really good with spacing those waterpark days in there.
Do they still open at 10am during the summer months?
I love the 2 MK days, they to me are always the best!!
Good luck with your ADR's!

The waterparks open at 9 in August. There are a couple of 8am EMH days....but we will avoid those--too early!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovedisney247

Plans look good! If you are worried about spending $$$ for a ten year old at a buffet try doing the restaurants that are regular TS--lots of them will let your son order off of the kid's menu or you could try having him order just an appetizer if that would be enough food!

That is what I am looking at. Buffets have just worked so well for our family in the past and he is the biggest fan of them!

benjiboo25 · 02-01-2012, 07:48 AM

So I have decided to make the ADRs we want...despite my worries about the prices at this point. The ones with a star next to them are the ones that still may be deleted before the trip...(I am still hoping we get a free dining deal!)

A note about our meal times...Last trip, we planned for early meal times hoping to lessen the crowds. The benefit of this became more clear to us during the trip. Recall that our DD(7) is ASD. She gets anxious and shuts down in crowds. Early meal times gave us/her 2 major benefits: 1.) the restaurant filled up while we were eating and was practically unnoticeable and 2.) arriving early meant we got a table/booth along the wall of a restaurant instead of in the middle. This was not something I was aware of until DH and I were processing why our 6:00pm dinner at Crystal palace was so miserable. We were at a table right in the middle of the action. We were constantly shifting to get out of the way of characters and other guests who were taking pics in the aisles. We now know that a side table out of the way is best for us and the best chance of getting it is with an early ADR.

Here are the restaurants we hope to get ADRs at

Sun-MK
Crystal Palace*- 8:30 (we want to try this for the benefit of entering MK before it is officially open. I do not think we have ever had a chance to fully absorb the castle and Main Street because it has always been so crowded when we arrive)
The Plaza- 4:45 (We have never eaten here and frankly, had not ever considered it using the DDP. I recently ran across some comments here on how this is essentially a CS -quality/selection/pricing restaurant with the added benefit of table service. Sign me up!

Mon-Epcot (Y.E.S. program)
LeCellier-1:30 (This was DH's fav dinner August 2009 on the DDP. I am still not sure of the timing for this because of the YES program. There is a morning and an afternoon session but I could not find specific times. We would love the later YES program time, but do not want to miss lunch here. I may get another ressie just in case while we await the exact YES schedule).

Tues-Water park/DTD
Wolfgang Puck Cafe- 5:30 (New for us but very much looking forward to it!)

Wed-AK
Tusker House- 1:00pm (We ate here during trip #1 with the Nemo reserved seating. I know they have done away with that...but I am hoping it returns before August as that was the main reason I started considering this place.)

Thur-Waterpark/DTD
Olivia's 6:00 pm
This is also the day we move from POR to OKW
This is also our 15 year anniversary! We thought about doing our nice dinner here but through it would be too much hassle on moving day. We want to stay flexible

Fri-DHS
Mama Melrose Fantasmic Package-4:45pm

Sat-Waterpark/DTD (or Epcot if we leave Monday)
Narcoose's 6:30????? pm. We will also have the kids in a kids club at GF. This will be our anniversary dinner. Not sure what a good ADR time is to be able to catch the water parade and possible the fireworks????)

Sun-MK
1900 Park Fare 11:30am (This was our favorite dinner buffet last trip. Bfast is cheaper to we and trying to make it a brunch to last most of the day....)

Mon-Epcot (or DTD if this is departure day)
No meal plans this day.....