Last Minute Trips in this Disney Era - Worth Doing? About This Page:

[muntzp]

I've searched for this topic and didn't find anything, or at least anything recent. I have kind of a weird scenario ...

Because my son works for an airline, we can fly standby for free (or close to it). However, you can't know until the last minute whether you'll be able to get on the flight and usually don't even have a good idea of whether you'll get on until a day or two before. I'm dying to take our 11-year-olds to WDW, one of whom hasn't ever been. Our last WDW trip was in 2009. I'm looking at the week of Feb. 19, 2017 (President's Day Week).

Because of the tenuous nature of our flights, I don't think I should book lodging or get tickets until just a few days before departure. In the olden days in off-season, that wouldn't have concerned me, but it seems like things have changed in recent years, especially with the creation of FastPass+. It seems crowds are heavier and I assume we would not have any opportunity to take advantage of FastPass+ and so, for instance, Frozen might be completely out of the picture. My question: Do you think it would be frustrating to attempt a last minute trip to WDW? Should I abandon this idea?

Some more info that may be helpful or may allow you to give me advice:

• Our budget is very tight.
• There are six of us - 2 parents, 2 adult children, 2 11-yr-olds.
• For lodging, I am thinking either two rooms at Pop Century, a 2 room suite at Bonnet Creek, or a VRBO property nearby. Any advice regarding this?
• If we stay at Pop Century, I'd like to use Magic Express - Is this a problem with last minute plans that may change on the fly?
• Am I right in thinking that in mid-February, the weather will be too chilly to really enjoy the pools so I don't need to worry much about finding lodging with a good pool area? (We love lazy rivers, etc.)
• I'm assuming we would go to Magic Kingdom two days, AK once and Epcot one or two days.
• I'm aware of touringplans.com and am sure we would use it to plan our days.

Thanks for any advice. If I'm being silly to try to pull this off, let me know.

PS: An interesting aside ... if you take travel costs out of the equation, I think I've found that it's just as cheap to spend a week at WDW with five days admission as it is to do a five day trip to Disneyland with three days in the parks, at least for someone trying to do things pretty cheaply.

[Disney Dork]

I'm from New England and that week is vacation week for us. I'm guessing that will have some impact on crowds, hotel bookings, etc. Have you looked into do a room only booking for now? You would have to put down one night's deposit. I wonder if you did that if you could cancel 48 hours ahead if you know you're not getting a flight and get a refund? I don't know the cancellation policy but it may be worth checking in to. I know you wouldn't be able to cancel on short notice like that with a package. If you have a hotel booked it would allow you to book fast passes if you also have purchased your tickets. You could use the tickets at a later date if you end up not getting on a flight. It may be difficult but if you are a go with the flow kind of person it could work. You could also book ADR's ahead even without a reservation I believe. You would need to cancel them at least 24 hours ahead to avoid a fee if the vacation doesn't happen. Good luck!!

[muntzp]

Some very good suggestions there. Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts.

What I'm realizing is that if I don't feel like I have the cash flow margin to follow your ideas, we really can't afford a trip like this.

A follow-up question ... do you think anyone should go to WDW, even in slower seasons, without being able to use FastPass+? It really seems like you can't do WDW without frustration unless you're working at least 3-6 months ahead.

[Her Dotness]

Originally Posted by muntzp

Because of the tenuous nature of our flights, I don't think I should book lodging or get tickets until just a few days before departure.

Unless as was previously mentioned, you are "wing it" types, you'll definitely have problems trying to book anything inexpensive in a Disney resort, I'd bet. Your best chance would be something off-site which even then could take searching as busy as that particular time likely will be.

In the olden days in off-season, that wouldn't have concerned me, but it seems like things have changed in recent years, especially with the creation of FastPass+. It seems crowds are heavier and I assume we would not have any opportunity to take advantage of FastPass+ and so, for instance, Frozen might be completely out of the picture.

Yes, I expect you could forget hoping for Frozen. It's too new for the likelihood of getting an FP at such short notice unless you got a truckload of pixie dust dumped on you.

My question: Do you think it would be frustrating to attempt a last minute trip to WDW? Should I abandon this idea?

Budget trips in particular almost require six months advance booking unless you'll eat only QS and stay off-site, particularly if with relatives at no cost. ADRs for the most popular character meals, for instance, book up almost as soon as someone's 180 window opens at 6:00 am.

Your party size renders a last-minute booking more problematic, too. Just four people might be doable, six almost demands planning well in advance since the norm as you know is a room for four.

A follow-up question ... do you think anyone should go to WDW, even in slower seasons, without being able to use FastPass+? It really seems like you can't do WDW without frustration unless you're working at least 3-6 months ahead.

With a couple of 11-year-olds, you can't have much satisfaction without FPs. All the very popular attractions that appeal most to kids their age virtually require being able to book FPs at 60 days out. If you were looking at a less-popular week in February, you might get one or two of the super popular ones but not that week.

That said, sure you can still go to WDW at the slower seasons without using FPs. But, if you do, you can't expect to get onto the rides like Mine Train or Toy Story without roughly an hour long wait or more.

Honestly, booking an on-property stay at any time of year for someone in your position would be risky given that potential for last-minute cancellation. I don't know about off-site. We've only stayed one night a few times at a DS hotel.

[KimmyAnn1147]

I trust all that has been said above. Have you considered DisneyLAND? There's a boatload of moderate-priced hotels within walking distance, lines are significantly shorter, and FP+ isn't even a thing. ADRs are pretty easy to get for nearly everything except Blue Bayou even 24 hrs in advance.

If the airline flies to LAX, consider the West Coast!

[GingerJ]

to the boards, by the way!

Originally Posted by KimmyAnn1147

I trust all that has been said above. Have you considered DisneyLAND? There's a boatload of moderate-priced hotels within walking distance, lines are significantly shorter, and FP+ isn't even a thing. ADRs are pretty easy to get for nearly everything except Blue Bayou even 24 hrs in advance.

If the airline flies to LAX, consider the West Coast!

I've been to WDW on very short-notice trips before (like a week), although they were mostly before the new FP+ system. It's possible, and I think you'd have a reasonably good time, as long as you resign yourself to lines. People do get FP+s at the park, but the biggest ones may be hard to get, especially if you need 6!

Getting one room is pretty doable if you aren't picky, but getting two, as Dot says, could be near-impossible, depending on the time of year. Rooms or suites off-property might be a better bet.

You can wave good-bye to most table-service restaurants, but you might be able to walk in to something like Sci-Fi Dine-In if you show up at 11 am (opens at 11:30). For me, this isn't a hardship as I'm not a foodie, and feel that all the business about getting to TS restaurants, ordering, waiting, and eating takes too much time away from my rides (except for occasional special occasions on longer trips). Even so, people often report getting last-minute ADRs.

I wouldn't advise a complete newbie to drop in at the last minute with no planning, but a Disney World veteran can come in at rope drop and get most things they want done on a short-notice trip.

I'd say go for it, if you can figure out a way to get the room(s) you need!

Other question: You're probably not going to be swimming in February, but it could happen if it's very warm and the pools are heated. I wouldn't plan on that.

Giving it more thought: not to be a downer, but I think it might be impossible to find six seats on standby going to Orlando. DH's friend, who is an airline pilot, told me they call the buddy passes "enemy" passes, because they've given the passes to friends and family members who spent hours upon hours in airports waiting to get on a standby flight.

It might be better just to plan to drive, depending on where you are, or biting the bullet and getting tickets from a cheapo airline (Allegiant, Southwest, or other).

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but trying to get standby seats for a big group could be a nightmare--what if you get singles, or 3 or 5 tickets? Who goes then?

[Pris]

Originally Posted by muntzp

What I'm realizing is that if I don't feel like I have the cash flow margin to follow your ideas, we really can't afford a trip like this.

First, please let me offer you a big welcome to the boards!!

The statement above is the one that concerns me the most. I totally understand the desire to take your family to WDW, especially the younger ones who haven't been. I'm worried that you may be biting off more than your family can handle at this time. Is it doable? Yes, it is, as long as you are ready to forego some of the major rides and TS meals. That's assuming you can make the stand by flights. I don't really know how practical that really is with a party of 6. Perhaps you might want to reconsider some of your thoughts. For example, do the 2 older guys really need to go on this particular trip? If so, is it possible for them to help with the finances? Even a small "donation" could be helpful. If you traveled without them, you could focus totally on the younger ones, whom I believe you really wanted to do this trip for in the first place. I really think you might have come to realize that it would be a better plan to put this trip off. You might make it a family project to save money for it. Buy gift cards along the way and put them back as a savings. Get a big jar to drop your loose change in, etc. I don't know where you live, but is driving down a possibility? That can save a lot of money. You could plan an off-site stay. They can be booked much less expensively. There are many homes for rent in the area that include several bedrooms and even a private pool. True, you are not in the Disney bubble as much, but it can be much less expensive, especially with a party of 6. With a kitchen available, you can also save money on meals.

I wish you the best of luck in getting your family to WDW whether it be sooner or later. We are always here to answer questions and help you plan.

[Mares75]

Just speaking for FP availability, it really depends on when you go. Frozen Ever After FP pretty much requires advanced booking no matter when you go. We leave next week and there are still FP available for a lot of the big rides like Test Track, Soarin', everything at MK except 7 Dwarfs and Enchanted Tales with Belle. When we went in August, most of the thrill rides had no availability even at 60 days out. The week of President's Day I'm sure has much less availability than next week for example.

My only other advice would be to be honest with yourself about your finances and ability to go. Maybe start setting money aside planning on going next Feb if that's the time you really wanted to go. Pandora in AK will be open by then too.

There's nothing worse than being on vacation worrying about money and having to pinch every penny while you're there IMHO.

[Her Dotness]

I agree with those above suggesting that this trip likely is financially unwise.

Going to somewhere as pricey as WDW is rather like wondering if you're enough in love to marry. When you have to think about it much, you probably shouldn't do it.

The main concern I would have is your planning to fly standby. As Ginger indicated, I can't see how that would work at all. If you can't afford the cheaper airlines, better to wait and save, IMO.

WDW will still be there when you've more potential to enjoy it.

[muntzp]

Thanks for the good advice. It's what I needed to hear.

[muntzp]

With regard to Disneyland, that actually was my first thought. As I penciled out costs, I was surprised to see WDW actually price out the same as Anaheim. The fact that they don't yet use FP+ at Disneyland, though, merits consideration.

Completely understand the concerns about flying standby. We have the advantage of eight "positive space" passes that function like reserved seats that can be used in a pinch. Nonetheless, given this winter's weather, it probably is pretty risky.

Thanks for the insights and suggestions.

[jeneane]

I recommend you (1) review touring plans or easy wdw to get an idea about crowd levels and wait times; (2) review disney's website to get an idea about ADR and FP availability for your time frame (just pretend to book); (3) consider breaking up the group to get FPs; (4) consider single rider lines; and (5) treat the trip for what it is -- a last minute, go-with-the-flow adventure with no fixed expectations. I would not worry too much about ADR. If you are on a budget and if you are trying to devote the most time to attractions then counter service would be a better choice, but you should consider dining outside the high volume periods.

[revral]

Originally Posted by muntzp

What I'm realizing is that if I don't feel like I have the cash flow margin to follow your ideas, we really can't afford a trip like this.

I think that you've answered your question with this statement. I wouldn't want to take a trip when I'd be stressing out over every penny spent. I also wouldn't want to take a trip with someone who's stressing out over every penny spent.

[CinderAbby]

Hi and Welcome to the boards.

I think you have good intentions with this trip and I know how exciting it can be to come up with an idea so you're not being silly. Once all the details come into play however it's no longer exciting, it's depressing because the details cause us to step back and say "yeah, this isn't going to work like this." I've been there, done that (BTDT) so I feel for you. For your dynamics, Disney is not a let's go at the last minute destination but I do wish you luck in getting there when the time is right.

[Kynna]

Originally Posted by muntzp

With regard to Disneyland, that actually was my first thought. As I penciled out costs, I was surprised to see WDW actually price out the same as Anaheim. The fact that they don't yet use FP+ at Disneyland, though, merits consideration.

Completely understand the concerns about flying standby. We have the advantage of eight "positive space" passes that function like reserved seats that can be used in a pinch. Nonetheless, given this winter's weather, it probably is pretty risky.

Thanks for the insights and suggestions.

When you are ready to plan here's one thing to consider with Disneyland, you can get away with a shorter trip there and still feel like you have covered all your bases. Also staying off property and eating off property is a lot easier so you can find a place that serves free breakfast. If you want a meal on a budget there is a McDonalds not far from the main gate area. I think we paid about $40 for a taxi each way from SNA and they are waiting for you outside so you can find a minivan.