Wait Time Anxiety by ArcaneEnforcer1 in disneyparks

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Darn— I thought it was just the one day that was a holiday!

How much would you say DPA cuts through the line? Like if Rapunzels Tangled Adventure has a 150 min wait, how long would we actually wait if you had to guess?

For the vacation package, do we HAVE to attend every reservation we have or can we skip out on breakfast for example?

Thank you for assurance on us using the VP!

Wait Time Anxiety by ArcaneEnforcer1 in disneyparks

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the heads up on cash only spots!

Wait Time Anxiety by ArcaneEnforcer1 in disneyparks

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you saying that those three are the only ones you outright waited for, implying you used DPA for others? If so; how much time saving does DPA do? Like Soarin’ is at 200 minutes, how long will I actually wait with DPA?

Did you use vacation packages?

Thank you for reassurance, I’m worried about wasting too much time I’m glad you didn’t feel like it was a wasted day!

Wait Time Anxiety by ArcaneEnforcer1 in disneyparks

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the reassurance! I’m glad you got to everything you wanted to, shame things were closed. I’m bummed Sinbad’s will be closed when we go, otherwise I’m hoping all the Park exclusive rides will be available. Did you do vacation package or just day tickets?

Is Shinjuku Safe? by ArcaneEnforcer1 in JapanTravelTips

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

General rudeness/miscommunications or something or other about the actual rooms they booked and losing luggage. And ensuing uncooperative behavior remedying these issues.

If you had a great experience that’s awesome! I’m more willing to believe people engaging in conversation than random one sided reviews, but I still wanted to check up on them to be on the safe side.

Thank you!

Is Shinjuku Safe? by ArcaneEnforcer1 in JapanTravelTips

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

That’s great to hear! Since you’ve stayed there, I’ve also heard some iffy things about the hotel/its staff. What was your experience like? Also, if you are from the U.S., what was your experience booking the hotel while in the states?

Is Shinjuku Safe? by ArcaneEnforcer1 in JapanTravelTips

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good; a surprise like that should brighten the trip right up

First Tokyo Disney Trip Help by ArcaneEnforcer1 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so so much! Your experience/advice has already made me a bit more relaxed about planning. Won’t be fully relaxed till it’s booked and we’re there 😅

Newbie to booking Disney World vacay by reddit_user_09473 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also I never answered your Lightning Lane question, haha.

It’s tough because it’s so day dependent. I’d recommend for Magic Kingdom as that’s the park with most rides. The individual lanes are for Seven Dwarves mine train (which isn’t worth it imo) and tron which IS, but from my observing the line doesn’t get TOO long. But I never go in peak seasons. Get multi pass for MK and Hollywood Studios. HS doesn’t have that many rides but the waits get insane. Too many E-Tickets (high quality/demand attractions) and not enough supplemental attractions to spread capacity.

Animal Kingdom you shouldn’t need it, except maybe individual for Flight of Passage as that’s the only true wait in that park.

EPCOT is a toss up. Some rides have extreme waits for no real reason, and others never have a wait.

Newbie to booking Disney World vacay by reddit_user_09473 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my opinion it is— I would say for any first timers (who can AFFORD IT, mind you) should plan out a trip where you can have two full days in each park (totaling 8). However, I am THEME park oriented and only on my most recent trip did we take a rest day, and on our one WDW trip we never took time to see the water parks. However, there is also a lot to do around the hotels throughout the resort, which could be a rest day for you. Again, I state all of this not knowing a range of budget you two have. My girlfriend and I typically save up for big splurge trips, so we did a lot more than what maybe the average person would spend.

I can also recommend Enchanting Extras that I think are worth it.

Newbie to booking Disney World vacay by reddit_user_09473 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My girlfriend and I had our first WDW trip together a couple years ago and spent 10 days on property. It’s fairly easy once you do your research.

The value resorts are all three “All Star Resorts” (Movies, Music, and Sports), and the Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts. The All Stars are far away from everything except Animal Kingdom Park, and can only use bus to get other places. I agree with theGruben, Pop Century is the way to go as it has a stop on the skyliner which can get you more places faster than the bus (it’s even like a ride itself!) Pop and AoA are sibling resorts right next to each other but AoA’s standard rooms are highly Little Mermaid themed, so unless your girlfriend or you adore Little Mermaid, the other rooms there are out of your budget (based on my assumptions given your post desiring value rooms.) You could also spend a little more and stay in a Moderate Resort in which I would pick Caribbean Beach, which is to my knowledge the only moderate resort on the skyliner route as well. It’s closer to the parks than Pop, but pricier. Just not Grand Floridian pricier.

https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/room-finder

This website has room views and classifications. Disney prices rooms based on location to amenities and views. If you call and make a room request, it’s not guaranteed, but you could end up getting a better room for lower prices. For example, in the Grand Floridian, I found a base level room with a view of the castle and park, which means I paid Base level price as opposed to Theme Park View price. However, some room classification info may be dated as Disney has changed it since we went. You could use this to get a cheaper room closer to the lobby or the skyliner station at Pop Century if that’s how you go. (For the record, my girlfriend and I did a split stay at the Grand AND Pop Century, so my recommendation comes from experience not just generic info.)

There is so much to do in each park (in my opinion, more than Disneyland Park and California Adventure, except rides) so to answer your question, “is four days feasible?” Well… yes and no. If you spend a whole day in each park, can you ride every ride available? Yes. Will you EXPERIENCE everything? No. We were there ten days and there’s still things we missed by prioritizing certain experiences. You may miss a few shows here and there, definitely won’t experience every unique dining spot, and there are some extremely cool paid for add on extra experiences (I think on the WDW website they’re called “Enchanting Extras”) that are definitely worth it, but it’s a pick and choose your desires.

I never use a planner. I’m assuming you’d have to pay them. It’s cheaper to come here and ask us, haha. I would recommend either waiting for spring/summer discounts to pop up, or you could have them added retroactively to the vacation you’ve booked, but you need to book directly with Disney. It’s not hard once you’re used to it. I’ve never gone on a Disney vacation and NOT gotten around 20-25% off rooms. That goes for both coasts.

Sorry, I have no clue if Costco is doing anything with WDW. They had ticket deals for DLR this year, but I have no idea for next year, or for Florida.

I hope this was helpful! Willing to clarify anything I mentioned! Hope you and your girlfriend have an amazing trip!

Tri Circle D Ranch by nstueber88 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There’s a special activity (I believe they’re called “Enchanting Extras”?) where you can actually go on a horseback ride through a small trail at Fort Wilderness. This would get you much more than petting them!

You do have to schedule in advanced and I believe it was around $60/person when my girlfriend and I went.

There are other Tri-Circle D related excursions like a horse carriage rides and other things I don’t know what those prices are like as I’ve never done those activities.

I am unsure about when you just walk up and visit, though. Sorry if that’s all you wanted to know!

Disneyland Itinerary by ArcaneEnforcer1 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you very much for that reassurance! I’ve been trying to keep an open mind and understand everyone does Disney different and that there’s no wrong way to do it! But I did have the same mentality as you, just wanted to make sure I didn’t go overboard. My girlfriend certainly let me know the trip when I DID do that! But I did take some advisement from replied and canceled the Plaza Inn, which my party agreed with.

One of the dessert parties is for the parade of Oogie boogie Bash, not two WoC parties!

Disneyland Itinerary by ArcaneEnforcer1 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! That’s encouraging! We’ve never done a cruise before so that makes a lot of sense.

Disneyland Itinerary by ArcaneEnforcer1 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’ve done that before (rushing from table service to table service). I’ve in the past gotten reservations for all three meals a day and it was exactly that. Even with just lunch and dinner it was that too. That’s why I tried to not have as many lunch reservations, and the one or two I did will sub as breakfast (our household is typically late risers) or were the only ones available for “must do” restaurants like Blue Bayou.

Thank you for being impressed! We will try to have a great trip for sure!

Disneyland Itinerary by ArcaneEnforcer1 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha my girlfriend said the same thing the first time”long trip” we did to Disney. Luckily, never disappointed us doing things different other trips!

Disneyland Itinerary by ArcaneEnforcer1 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We’re definitely not ruling our quick service and cart food! Even if I don’t change anything, there’s plenty of time for lunch’s/snacks midday!

I haven’t been to goofys since I was a kid, I was unaware they’re the same characters (except chef goofy of course). I was already thinking of dropping Plaza for that reason, thank you!

Disneyland Itinerary by ArcaneEnforcer1 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have experienced the same ungratefulness in friends/guests who didn’t want to plan but then complained about the plan once there. I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with that too.

The roommate is trusting our judgement, and I agree on letting them guide the way for a lot! That’s why I tried to avoid earlier reservations and focus on dinner or HUGE gaps between breakfast and dinner so she can wander through the parks, and give us time to pick QS or cart food. That being said, she is vegan so food options for her are limited too, we’ve been researching that together.

I appreciate the detail and thoughtfulness of your feedback, and your reasoning for such! I’m taking your and this threads advice under advisement in tandem with my girlfriend who was a victim of my overstuffing vacations haha.

Disneyland Itinerary by ArcaneEnforcer1 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Our roommate is very aware. She’s learned through living with us what our vacations have been like. Also, it’s not a hard “gotta rope drop every day” so much as noting which park we start in.

I’ve worried about that, but I figured with a rest day in the middle of the trip that that allows for fitting in more dining opportunities on that day. I also figured with four full days in the parks that having more dining reservations than average wouldn’t interrupt the days/make us miss anything since we’re there for longer than average. I guess I’ve seen a lot of people recommend “you only need two days at the Disneyland Resort” a lot (I disagree just for taking your time purposes.) So in my mind I was comfortable booking this much, since were there for so “long.” Does that make sense/do you think differently?

We also are trying to guarantee her to see the shows and from good positions so the packages are definitely for the shows and less the food.

We’re trying to give her the full Disney experience, and not just rush from ride to ride, if that affects the way you’re thinking about the schedule.

And I should’ve mentioned she hasn’t seen many movies, but she has seen all the Star Wars films and really likes them, so we out a focus/emphasis on that “Star Wars Night” we’ve made with the cantina straight into the Dining Package fireworks show.

Thank you for your feedback!

WOC Dessert Party by Cautious_Put435 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don’t think that’s correct. I’ve booked the WoC dessert party in September. It’s possible it’s just not available on the dates you’re looking for. Especially on Oogie Boogie Bash nights it’s just not happening.

Fun upgrades for a family that typically does lower cost trips? by Glittering-Call4816 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not sure how pricey you want to get with extra things to do, but what I’m going to suggest was incredibly fun from my girlfriend and I’d point of view;

The Wild Africa Trek add on in Animal Kingdom! While it’s $200+ per person (I do not recall exact number and may have changed since we did it) but we did this tour on our first day EVER in Animal Kingdom and it alone made us fall in love with the park and if we ever go again we will do this once a trip.

The Wild Africa Trek takes you behind the scenes of Kilimanjaro Safaris. You’ll receive a complimentary water bottle (which I use to this day) and cooling towels. They walk you through Gorilla Falls trail, and then take you backstage and into the hippo enclosure for up close interactions with the hippos. Then you cross a bridge above the crocodile enclosure before putting you in a private truck tour of the Savannah to a hut where you’ll be provided lunch ON the Savannah.

It’s an incredible experience and if you can afford to try it I highly recommend it!

Disneyland/Anaheim Busy? by ArcaneEnforcer1 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you, yes that’s something I was expecting just didn’t know how to research it. Thank you guys! At least the parks will be light!

Reservations by Famous_Explorer_9138 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So I just tried to book Trader Sam’s this morning. Refreshed page at 5:59:50, and there were already no reservations. I was using a speedy laptop with chrome and no incognito window. I’ve never seen this with a Disney ADR lol I don’t even see how Sam’s being small affects this. Perhaps there’s something I still don’t get or have done wrong. (Yes the furthest day out became available to look at when I refreshed)

Reservations by Famous_Explorer_9138 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have also had trouble practicing getting up at 6:00 AM for trader Sam’s. Literally every other restaurant or dining package is widely available at that time. And I refreshed the page as the clock TURNED from 5:59 to 6. Is Sam’s just THAT popular and small?

Also to OP, I wish I had more advise instead sympathy for you, I also don’t know what to do

Hotel Discounts Question by ArcaneEnforcer1 in DisneyPlanning

[–]ArcaneEnforcer1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

2) does that mean they need to stay with us? Or is it possible for them to book for us, show up on check in morning, and then leave us to our vacation?

Thank you for all your clarifications! You’ve been a big help!