Trip Report: Extended Version

Still putting a few things away here at home, but I finally finished my last load of laundry from the trip--woot! Here's the general overview of what we did each day. More details to come on specific events/restaurants.

We started our trip on Friday afternoon. My parents traveled with us this time, so we waited for them to arrive from Indiana that morning. In the mean time, my girls and I had a callback for a Christmas show (we all got in!) that we had to work in before we left town. When my parents arrived, we had just a few minutes to repack their van with all our luggage and theirs. Fortunately, we were only going to Atlanta--a four-hour trip--so it was OK that we were a little tight. I think everyone had something at their feet, but we squeezed everything in. We had a brief stop-over for our callback and then were on our way to my brother's house where we spent the night before heading for Florida on Saturday.

The trip in to FL was also pretty smooth. We stopped at the Welcome Center and snagged a free cup of OJ before arriving at Pop Century around 4 p.m. on Saturday. [A side note: I actually turned down free passes to the Sea World Halloween party for that evening. I was offered an opportunity to review it for Trekaroo, a family travel site, but knowing that our arrival time was unlikely to be early in the day, I let those go to another family. It hurt a little, but it was the right decision.] Our check-in at Pop went pretty smoothly. We had done online check in, and this saved some time. Still, I had to wait for an actual desk clerk Cast Member, since I was paying with gift cards and not the credit card on file. My mom, on the other hand, was able to check in with a roaming CM who had a handheld device, charging their room to her card. It took all of about 30 seconds.



We had only stayed at Pop one other time, back in 2005 soon after it opened. Our reactions were largely the same: this resort is fine, not great. The theming throughout the resort is fun, but the rooms are somewhat bland. In addition, because it is so large, it always feels crowded. That said, our room assignments were precisely what we had asked for, so we really have no complaints...we just like some of the others better than Pop. This was also our first opportunity to use our Magic Bands. We were all very excited to see that they indeed worked in opening our doors. That is, perhaps, the single best use of them--so convenient to simply tap your band to the censor, especially when you have your hands full.

That Saturday evening, we had our traditional dinner at Sweet Tomatoes (we don't have these in Nashville). We love to fill up on healthy food (soup and salad) before diving in to all Disney has to offer. I found an online discount that gave us 15% off with my Visa card, so that was a bonus.

Since we had two different types of tickets--Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Homeschool Days Parkhopper Tickets--we were told by my CM cousin that it would be a good idea to have plastic tickets to enter the Parks, particularly for the Halloween party, to ensure that the system didn't take away one of our Parkhopper days instead. (This is one of the quirks of the system--it can't prioritize tickets at the gate.)In addition, we knew that plastic tickets would be our only opportunity to acquire Fastpasses while in the Parks (though we had scheduled 3 FP per day on our Magic Bands through FP+). So, since we had no evening activities planned, we headed to the Magic Kingdom Guest Relations to have our tickets "fixed."

The process did take some time--it's clear there are still some kinks in the system and quite a learning curve for CMs--but we were rewarded well for our trouble. Since we were arriving near closing, we were given passes to head into the MK in time to see the evening fireworks. (This "Magical Moment" was courtesy of our daughter who kept begging us to go into the park then...followed by our explaining that we didn't want to waste a whole park ticket day for just an hour or so in the MK. The CM overheard all this and granted her wish!) Along with that, we were given two FastPasses good for any ride--we were able to ride Under the Sea (which we'd never been on) and Buzz Lightyear. We also got free ice cream bars from a cart! All-in-all a pretty sweet deal!

Because of our surprise trip into the MK, most of us didn't have great walking shoes on (the girls and I were wearing flip flops) and we also got to bed later than planned. But sore feet and a little less sleep were a small price to pay for Extra Magic!



Sunday, we tried to sleep late and ate a light breakfast in our room before heading to Whispering Canyon Café for lunch. I'll write more on this experience, but I'll just mention that what could have been a terrible lunch turned out well for us again because of the way Disney handles their own mistakes.

After an hour or so of rest, we donned our Halloween costumes and headed to the party. I'll do a separate post on this as well...overall, we enjoyed the whole night, but it's not something we feel we have to do often or again anytime soon.



Monday was a "rest day" after our late night. We have brunch at Kona Café (always a favorite) and did a little shopping for last-minute necessities like milk. We had planned to walk over to Art of Animation for dinner, but a downpour of rain nixed that idea. We settled for the Everything Pop food court. It was fine, and we were able to mostly dodge the rain.



Tuesday was a full day in Epcot. We had FP+ for Soarin', Character Spot (we've actually NEVER done this), and Test Track. We tried to change our selection for the Character Spot, since there was no line and we didn't really need to use it, but neither the app nor the kiosk nearby would allow us to make another FP+ selection (something it should allow you to do). As I said, still a few kinks in this system. As for Test Track, we really enjoyed the new "design-your-own-car" aspect of the ride, but we otherwise prefer the old version. It loses something with all the dayglow and darkness. For example, because it's so dark inside, you can actually see the daylight outside as the car in front of you breaks through the wall to outdoors, so there's no element of surprise. Sure, we knew it was coming, but it was more exciting when you used to crash through those doors than it is now. Also, it's hard to tell what the semi that heads toward your car is, so it's not as exciting/scary either.



We had lunch at Sunshine Seasons. We also visited the Chase Visa lounge in the American Adventure for free drinks and a nice little rest. In the evening, we took in some of the Food & Wine festival and had some tasty dishes, but we found that our old favorites (particularly the bakery in France) are a better deal and we are never disappointed in them. While we didn't stop to sit down, we stood and listened to Sugar Ray perform the one or two songs of theirs that we actually know. Took us back a few years. Scott and I finished the evening with dinner at La Hacienda de San Angel--alone. (My parents and cousin took the girls for us!) A rare treat for us!



Wednesday was our Homeschool Program at Disney's Hollywood Studios (more on that later). We hit all our favorites (Toy Story, Great Movie Ride, Tower of Terror, Star Tours) and tried a new dessert favorite: the Butterfinger Cupcake from Staring Rolls Cafe. (So very delicious!!!) But lines were rather long at even the marginal attractions, which we are just not used to. (I've come to the conclusion that balanced school calendars are screwing up Disney in the fall for all us homeschool families!) We saw Minnie Mouse in her new meet-n-greet and waited 45 minutes for my youngest to get her photo with Wreck-It Ralph and Venelope (never again). After getting frustrated at wait times, we decided to head over to Epcot to finish out our day at EMH. Even with F&W crowds, we were able to hit Soarin' again and several other less popular attractions. And we ate at the French bakery. Again.



Thursday had us back at the MK, our favorite park, and the one we are most comfortable navigating--which, in turn, allows us to do and see more in a day. We did two "new" things: First, we ALL rode Space Mountain together! It's a new era for our family! The other new event was eating at Be Our Guest. I'll do an entire post on that, but our overall impressions were VERY favorable. I'd put it on my "must do" list for sure. We left a bit before the MK closed to stop by Captain Cooks (Polynesian) and have a late dinner. Loved the pork nachos! And, of course, we got our self serve Dole Whip!



Despite it being our least favorite park, we decided to give Animal Kingdom a half day on this trip--if for no other reason than to eat at Flame Tree BBQ! And for the first time, our girls (and I) rode Expedition Everest! Our oldest didn't want to do it again (youngest went again with Daddy), but at least she got on it! Very proud of this brave move (if you knew her, you'd appreciate how hard this was for her). We got soaked twice on Kali River Rapids, and we saw my friend Claire flying as Squirt in Finding Nemo. That was really all we cared to do at AK, so we hopped back to the Studios for the end of the day. Again, the Studios was rather crowded, so we mostly attended shows and minor rides. (My parents weren't with us on Wednesday, so we mostly went back to DHS for their benefit.) We weren't able to ride Toy Story (out of FP), but we hit most everything.



Our last event before leaving town was breakfast with one of my old theatre friends at Olivia's (Old Key West Resort). We had a lovely visit, a good meal, and a bonus of 40% off with her CM discount (she is a seasonal Disney employee). We had another uneventful trip back to Atlanta, where we stopped over for my sister-in-law's birthday and to see my nephew who has been away at college. After a great night with them, we drove across town to my aunt's house so that my Dad could do a few quick repairs for her while we visited. She made us a yummy lunch, and by early afternoon we were on our way back to Nashville.

That's the long version of the whole week, but there will be several posts coming on specific events, activities, and restaurants. Oh, one other thing: although the crowds were greater than we expected, we couldn't have asked for better weather! Other than the brief shower on Monday, and one tiny shower while we were inside the American Adventure at Epcot, we had clear skies and mild temps!

 

Thursday's Tip

My best (and most broad) WDW vacation tip is to be prepared. The more planning you do in advance, the less time you'll spend hemming and hawing once you arrive at the Disney Parks--and the more time you'll have for fun! So this Thursday's Tip is a variation on a theme: prioritize your top attractions and structure your touring plan around them.

Here's an example: On our last trip, the new Little Mermaid and Belle attractions were not yet open in the Magic Kingdom, so those will be at the top of our list. But we'd really also love to try to eat at Be Our Guest. And, of course, we don't want to miss "Mountains" either. Fortunately, our Magic Bands will allow us to pre-select Fastpasses for 3 attractions. Because they were at the top of our list, we chose Journey of the Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, and Thunder Mountain Railroad (an old favorite). We've also been able to secure a lunchtime "Fastpass+ Direct to Table" seating for Be Our Guest (it's a pretty cool pre-order setup, and we're excited to see how well it works). With those plans in place, we'll likely head straight for Splash Mountain to get Fastpasses  (or ride) as soon as we enter the park, then continue through the rest of the park and using our pre-selected Fastpasses.

If you aren't lucky enough to have the Magic Bands, head to one of your top destinations to ride first thing in the morning, while another member of your party heads to a different favorite to snag Fastpasses for the group. If you choose the fastest "runner" who knows his or her way around the park, they can likely catch up with you before you even board your first attraction (especially if you're lugging small children and/or strollers, etc.). That way, you're sure to at least conquer your two top attractions with little or no wait time.

The worst mistake you can make is deciding to wait until the line dies down at your must-see attraction. It likely won't happen, if it's a popular one, and Fastpasses might be gone for the entire day before 10 a.m. To avoid disappointment, structure your day around your favorites or the most popular attractions, and add in the rest once you have those secured.

 

We're Participating in the Magic Band Test

I've been a bit MIA from the blogosphere this week as I was traveling through the Mississippi Gulf Coast, reviewing hotels and attractions for Trekaroo. Trekaroo is a travel site that specializes in family travel. Most of the reviews are user-driven (meaning family travelers like you and me review destinations, attractions, restaurants, hotels, etc.), but there is also editorial content. I was fortunate enough to be chosen as a Superoo--a reviewer who has the opportunity to review destinations in exchange for free passes, stays, etc. Long story short, we were able to spend three days at the beach, enjoying all the Biloxi area has to offer, for the cost of our gas and a few tips here and there. I'm in the process of writing my reviews, but I'll be sure to share those links with you once they are up on the site.

All that to say...I haven't been giving Disney much attention this week. However, while we were away, I did receive an email invitation to test the new Magic Bands and the MyMagic+ program on our trip to WDW next month! I was so excited that I ordered our Magic Bands right away--and they arrived on our doorstep the day we arrived home! Here they are:



We have all our reservations (resort and dining) synched through My Disney Experience. At this point, I have only been able to synch up MY park ticket and not the rest of the family (seems to be a snag with ordering tickets through the Homeschool Days program...they have different kinds of reservation/confirmation numbers), so I have yet to choose our FastPass+ options. But I'm going to give them a call today to see if I can resolve this. We have friends doing the test this month, so I'll be anxious to see what they think. I'm still skeptical about the program, but excited to get to test it!

Get Ready for "FastPass" Dining

Since its opening in the new Fantasyland, Be Our Guest Restaurant has been one of the hottest ADRs around! Guests who are unable to secure a reservation--or are unwilling to pay the excessive dinner prices--are able to take advantage of the lunchtime counter service option, which is less expensive and requires no reservations. But this popular option has created another problem: colossal lines that form as early as 10 a.m. each day for lunch service.

Disney has been testing a solution, a pre-order system akin to FastPass dining. Two options are offered: FastPass+ Direct to Table allows guests to choose an arrival time and pre-order their meal via the Disney World website. This can be done days or even weeks prior to arrival. A second option, FastPass+ Expedited Arrival, allows guests a bit more spontaneity about what they will eat. Guests again log on at home to select an arrival time but are able to check in at a kiosk in the Magic Kingdom the day they will be dining. A yellow rose "beeper" of sorts is provided to guests. Just bring the rose to Be Our Guest at your designated arrival time and essentially skip to the front of the order line, place your order and pay, and be seated. Your food will be delivered to your table.

Of course, the system is merely in testing now, but expect to see some version of it offered to guests staying on Disney property in the near future.

Disney News

There have been several Disney-related stories in the news recently, so rather than regurgitating what other people already explained so well, I thought I'd share a few links here so you can read the original stories. Click below and enjoy!

• Despite previously saying he wouldn't, J.J. Abrams has apparently reconsidered and will, in fact, direct the new Star Wars movie. Very exciting news for this LOST fan!


• Disney's new MyMagic+ has caused some privacy concerns with a Massachusetts Congressman. Bob Iger responds.


• Aladdin is headed to Broadway!


• George Clooney will star in Tomorrowland, written by Damon Lindelof (another LOSTie!) and Jeff Jensen. The subject matter and plot are still a bit of a mystery.

Those are the major updates for now. Will be interesting to see how each of these stories continues to unfold.

ABC News Nightline Merger Between Disney and ABC

My Magic+

photo ©Disney Co.

A couple of days ago, Disney officially announced the new "My Magic+" system. I'll admit that I haven't had time to fully absorb it or even form a complete opinion. So I won't try to sway you, dear reader, or even simplify it for you. Instead, I'll simply point you to the official word from the man himself, Tom Staggs, Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman. Here's the link to the official announcement from the Disney Parks Blog. For more information, a quick search of "My Magic+" will yield tons of articles, posts, stories, etc. from bloggers and fans who are way more informed than I am on this subject! (I'm not afraid to admit my limitations. When it comes to technology, I'll leave that to the techies. Just point me to the deals and coupon codes, please!)

 

Roundup of Updates

I have been terribly remiss about keeping up with the updates around Walt Disney World. My only defense is the same as everyone else's: busyness! The holidays have really snuck up on me. (That explains why so many of my posts lately have been Amazon deals...I am still struggling to get my shopping done!) Pair that with a still fairly new-to-us home, a husband's crazy work schedule, the start of Upward cheer season (I'm a coach), and our normal lives as a homeschooling family, and I simply haven't been able to keep up with the Most Magical Place on Earth as much as I would like. But this morning, I finally carved out some time to read up on some exciting new developments, which I now share below (in shorthand) for you.

• The new Fantasyland expansion area continues to draw the crowds, with wait times exceeding 100 minutes at the Under the Sea--Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction. FYI, if you have a visit planned, you'll want to note that Fastpasses for the ride are located in OLD Fantasyland near Mickey's Philharmagic, not near the Little Mermaid attraction.


• Be Our Guest restaurant (new Fantasyland) will be testing a system that would allow guests to essentially reserve a time for lunch and even pre-order food. Guests would then arrive at the restaurant at the appointed time and go through an express checkout, where they would be given a magical rose (much like traditional restaurant "beepers") to take to their chosen table where the food would later be delivered. Sounds like a viable solution for eliminating the lunchtime bottleneck that seems to be happening in this very popular new eatery.


• WDW has just completed yet another test of the new Fastpass+ system--the first of these tests that also included live shows. (Many of us were curious as to how they would fit into the picture when the original concept was first introduced.) Certainly there are both pros and cons to the system, but based on how many of the new kiosks are sprouting up around the World, I'm guessing it's here to stay. I have yet to personally experience it, but I'm fluctuating between being excited about the new technology and lamenting over losing a system that I am familiar and comfortable with.


• There was a lot of buildup, and if you weren't in the Magic Kingdom on the evening of December 5 you missed it, but the dragon flew. And, as Forest Gump would say, "That's all I have to say about that."


• While Fantasyland was having its "Grand Re-Opening," Test Track was not to be outdone, when it rolled out its 2.0 version on December 6. There was a band (One Republic), pyrotechnics, WDW execs and such...it was kind of epic. I hear the attraction is pretty cool too. Our family is pretty psyched about giving it a whirl on our next visit!


• Disney has retooled the official Walt Disney World website. Check it out here.

Those are the highlights for now. Back to my Christmas shopping. Oooh...here's another great deal I found on Amazon (Ok, this one is actually from MY list):

FASTPASS+ Expanding to Quick Service Dining?

FASTPASS+ doesn't appear to be going away, if you read anything into the latest rumors in the blogosphere. It seems that after testing the system with some 4000+ guests last week, Disney is considering how the system might expand to include quick service dining establishments for guests who carry smart phones. Possible applications would include previewing menus, ordering meals, arranging a pick-up time, and even paying for the meal--all via smart phone app.

The definite up-side to this plan is that it allows guests to multi-task--to make lunch or dinner plans while waiting in line. Yes, this will definitely save time for some.  There are, however, some possible negative ramifications. For starters, how about those poor folks who don't have a smart phone (like me--although my husband does)? Will this make what looks like a short line at Cosmic Ray's turn into a 30-minute wait to receive your food? And even if you do have a smart phone, how long would you be able to use a highly-sophisticated app without running down your battery entirely? And finally, I'll just throw this one out there: isn't it all just a bit elitist? The beauty of the current FASTPASS system is that it's very simple to use, and it's available to everyone. There's talk that FASTPASS+ will be offered--at least initially--only to those staying in Deluxe Resorts. Does that apply to this dining aspect as well? Or will the app be offered for a fee?

There are still a lot of questions, and this is obviously still in the planning stage. I am very open to new technology--and I love the idea of smart phones making things easier for guests. My real concern lies in whether this minimize the experience for the average guest while Disney offers a a superior guest experience for those who can afford to pay for it. Walt Disney World should be experienced fully by all guests--not just those who

X-Pass Testing Begins Today

Beginning today, Disney will be running a 2-week test on its new X-Pass feature. Guests who take part in the test have been pre-selected, so even if you happen to be heading to the Parks this week, don't plan on getting in on the test unless you've already been informed.

If you're not familiar with the X-Pass experience, a cursory web search will yield dozens of articles offering more information. And you can see by the numerous articles that the proposed system is receiving very mixed reviews, with many guests sharing concerns about how this will affect the Fastpass system for those not using X-Pass. And, of course, since X-Pass will be offered only to guests at the Deluxe Resorts (at least initially), the concern is that the guest experience of those of us who traditionally stay in Value or Moderate Resorts will be somehow diminished. (I'm trying to reserve judgment for now, but honestly, I think this is an epically bad idea at first glance.)

It will be interesting to see what changes Disney makes to the current plan, based on the two-week test. Or--dare we hope?--if they will scrap the entire idea.

UPDATE: I'm now reading that what we've been calling "X-Pass" will be presented to the public as "FastPass+" instead.

FastPass Coming to Additional Attractions

At least two attractions at Epcot are currently getting FastPass machines installed. In preparation for the coming X-pass feature, Disney is adding FastPass machines to The Seas with Nemo and Friends and Spaceship Earth. Additional attractions around the World are expected to get FastPass in the near future, in preparation for the controversial--and largely unfavorable among fans--program. Of course, Disney has made no official announcement on when  it will premier, or even exactly what X-pass will entail, but there is an abundance of speculation and rumor that can be located with a simple web search.

In other Epcot news, Habit Heroes--the Innoventions exhibit aimed at helping guests kick unhealthy habits and improve fitness--has closed for some reworking just three weeks after it's opening. The attraction came under fire when several noted experts on juvenile health and obesity condemned it as being inappropriate and possibly harmful to children's self esteem. No word yet on exactly what will change or when it will re-open.

Thursday's Tip

With Disney cracking down on FastPass return times, chances are that you may not be able to use FP for all the attractions that you want to ride during any given day. In a perfect world, return times would line up for your schedule--and that may come in time, with the NextGen technology and XPass--but for now, you'll likely miss out on a FP for at least one attraction that you want to see. Our Thursday's Tip offers an alternative to FP for getting  on your favorite ride with minimal wait: use the stand-by line during a parade or fireworks show.

Crowds throughout the Parks tend to lighten during the parades, particularly the evening ones. And as long as you're in line for an attraction before a Park closes, you will be allowed to ride. I don't recommend waiting until the last minute for your absolute favorite attraction--anything could happen, and a ride can shut down at any time--but if you're unable to fit a popular attraction in via FastPass, the stand-by line during parade times is a great second option.

Say It Isn't So!

There have been rumors before, but it looks like this time it might be true: Disney is going to start cracking down on Fastpass return windows. (Can you hear the collective wail from devoted WDW fans everywhere?) This has long been one of my favorite tips for readers--that you can actually use Fastpasses anytime after the start of the return window on the ticket. This has allowed my own family to have a somewhat flexible touring schedule at Walt Disney World and still manage to visit those key Fastpass attractions. But now it seems that beginning March 7, all guests will be required to use Fastpasses during the actual time listed on the paper ticket, with a 5-minute grace period at the start and a 15-minute grace period at the end (meaning, you can be up to 5 minutes early or up to 15 minutes late...but that's IT!).

Why the sudden change? All guesses point to preparation for the new NextGen Fastpass system that will allow guests to log on to their computers or mobile devices and essentially plan every detail of their Disney vacation, including what times they will visit each attraction. The need for precision with the NextGen system is pretty obvious.

I'm a planner, but the idea of scheduling every minute of my time in the Disney Parks is completely unappealing to me. And from what I gather from other fan sites, it's pretty unappealing to many devoted fans. I can't help but wonder if the NextGen Fastpass system will have the same effect on one's ability to get Fastpasses "on the fly" as Free Fall Dining has had on our ability to get Advanced Dining Reservations less than a month in advance.

Like it or not, it's coming.

DHS Testing New Opening Procedure

I'm hearing rumors that Disney's Hollywood Studios is testing a new Park opening procedure that essentially allows guests into the Park a half hour earlier than before. This "rope drop without a rope," as they're calling it internally, will allow all Park guests with valid tickets through the turnstiles at 8:30 a.m. (previous "normal" opening has been at 9:00 a.m.). The only three attractions that will open at 8:30 are Toy Story Midway Mania!, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, and Tower of Terror. All other attractions will open at 8:45. FastPasses will be distributed for all attractions that use the system beginning at 8:30, and signups for the popular Jedi Training Academy will also begin at 8:30 near the ABC Sound Studio that formerly housed Sounds Dangerous.

My guess is that they hope to alleviate some of the backup and harriedness that occurs when guests are rushing to the three big attractions--whether to ride or to retrieve a FastPass--at rope drop. Perhaps this will keeps guests with--how shall I say it?--less aggressive touring plans out of the fray. Whatever the reasoning, I can only guess that this will make the mad rush for FastPasses--particularly for Toy Story Midway Mania!--even more competitive, as they will likely be gone even earlier in the day than before.

Thursday's Tip

Perhaps my number one tip to those planning their first Walt Disney World vacation is to go during an off-peak season--which can usually be defined by the times of year when school is in session. But that is not always possible for those with children in school or, perhaps, are teachers or school employees themselves. Which leads to my number two tip--today's "Thursday's Tip"--and one that applies most significantly to those traveling during Disney's busiest, or peak, seasons: have a plan in place.

Now, I know that's a pretty vague and lame tip in and of itself, so I'll elaborate. When you aren't able to visit WDW in the off-season, it's essential that you plan your days in the Parks according to several factors. First, look at the schedule for Extra Magic Hours. My rule of thumb is to always visit the Park with early EMH, then hop to another park around mid-morning or lunchtime, when things start to get crowded. For late EMH, I typically avoid that Park until at least after dinner time, then hop over in time to enjoy the EMH. This, of course, only applies to those with a Park Hopper ticket and those that are staying on Disney property.

Another key factor into which Park to visit on which day is special entertainment. Mostly, I'm talking about Fantasmic!, but there may be other shows or parades that this applies to also. (In the slower months, Disney sometimes drops a parade here or there, or offersFantasmic! only a couple of times per week.) Here's where it gets tricky: if you want to view these special shows, you'll need to visit that Park (I recommend hopping over about 1-2 hours prior to show time). But if, like us, you've seen them all a few times, you might want to avoid the Park on nights with parades/entertainment, as they'll likely be more crowded. Better yet, if you visit those Parks, take the opportunity to visit a few attractions while everyone else is enjoying the show. Lines will be considerably shorter on most attractions.

The final, vital component into the "which Park which day" decision is the scheduled regular Park hours (not just EMH). This really comes into play when there are special events (such as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party) that close one of the Parks early. Obviously, if you don't have a Park Hopper, you'll want to avoid the early-closing Park, so that you can get a full day of fun at another Park. (It's all about getting your money's worth!) But if you can Park Hop, the early-closing Park will tend to have the lightest crowds; start your day there, then simply hop to another Park when it closes.

Pair these tips with the usual tips for touring--always arrive at rope drop, use Fastpass to your advantage, visit the busiest attractions/areas early in the day--and you're well on your way to "beating the crowds" during peak season.

Parade FASTPASS Coming to WDW?

Disney is beginning a limited FASTPASS test this week, offering guests reserved viewing space for the afternoon "Celebrate a Dream Come True" parade in the Magic Kingdom. The FASTPASSES are being distributed randomly at this point, but if you're one of the lucky recipients, you'll be viewing the parade from in front of the castle. The test period is expected to run through mid-November. No idea if or how Disney plans to implement this program on a regular basis for Park guests, but it sounds interesting.

We once had the good fortune (thanks to a Cast Member friend!) of experiencing reserved parade viewing. Let me say, that is the way to go! No waiting or being smooshed against your neighbor. We had only one other family (the Grand Marshalls of the parade) in the area that was approximately 15' x 10', and we were at the Main Street hub, facing the castle. Nice!  Here we are, having a snack and waiting for the parade to start:



Would you be willing to pay for reserved parade viewing?

Thursday's Tip

If you're at all familiar with Disney's FastPass service, you know how much of a time-saver it can be. But knowing how to properly use the system to your advantage is invaluable. Here are a few tips to make FastPass work for you:

• Get a FastPass for the most popular attractions first. This might mean sprinting to Toy Story Mania at rope drop or sending a runner to Soarin' as soon as you're in the gate, but it's worth the effort.


• You aren't locked into the time window listed on your FastPass. You can return to the attraction any time after the window opens. I had heard mumblings to the contrary recently, but on our most recent trip we encountered no problems returning to attractions well after the time frame given on the FP.


• You don't have to wait until you use the FastPass you're holding to get another one. In most cases you simply wait until the return time on the FP opens, and you can get another one. But what if you get a FP at, say, 9:15 a.m., and the return time isn't until 4:45 p.m.? It doesn't mean you have to wait until evening to get another FP. Just look at the stub, and you'll see the time that another FP will be available to you printed at the bottom.

Anybody have any other great FastPass tips to share?

Thursday's Tip

Here's a tip that's just for me: follow your own advice! For everyone else, I guess the tip would be: follow the tips you learn here at Affording the Mou$e.

OK, I have a few confessions to make...I let my guard down a few times on our most recent trip and didn't always follow the tips I give to others. And it cost me. No, nothing that ruined my trip. But a few things that caused us a bit of added frustration or time. Here are a few examples:

• Use online check-in...and do it as early as you can (10 days prior to your arrival). I did this for All-Star Sports, and it worked out great. The only details we had to handle at check-in were paying the remainder of our bill and getting our "Key to the World" cards and info packet. Breezy. But I didn't use online check-in with the Grand Floridian. Honestly, I was hopeful that by showing up in person--on the eve of my 40th birthday--that I might have a better chance at a room upgrade. And, ya know, it almost worked...almost. I could actually hear the concierge on the phone with someone, and he said, "Take a look at the comments section," just as he began making me a birthday button. But apparently, they didn't have a room available at that time, so I then heard him say, "So, I'll just put her back where I had her then." Bummer. Serious bummer. Got my hopes up for nothing. Making matters worse, my regular room wasn't ready until after 3:00--even though I arrived at around 9:30 a.m. to attempt check-in. Using online check-in would likely have at least secured me a room sooner. And if you aren't satisfied with the room you're given through online check-in, you can always request to be moved. Lesson learned.


• Use Fastpass. Yes, we used it most of the time (except for waits less than 20 minutes, and even then sometimes). But on our Animal Kingdom day, we decided that we would wait 30 minutes to ride Kali River Rapids, rather than come back in a couple of hours when the Fastpass window would have allowed. We were willing and prepared to wait the alotted time--except that the wait was actually more than 50 minutes! It's good that I got soaked on the ride, because I needed to cool down (both literally and figuratively) after that wait.


• If it's your birthday, let everyone know! I had intended to wear my birthday button all week, but I kept forgetting or taking it off for one reason or another. But I received birthday "gifts" in some surprising places. For example, at the Studio Catering Company, on the day before my birthday, a Cast Member offered me free dessert as I was picking up our food--simply because she saw my button. I wondered how many free desserts I might have missed out on earlier in the week by not wearing it faithfully.


• If it's your birthday and you're eating at a table service restaurant, don't order dessert. (OK, this one wasn't actually a matter of not following my advice...I just thought it was worth bringing up here.) As I mentioned in my food post, I was pretty disappointed to discover that the birthday dessert I received at Les Chefs de France was actually the one that came with my pre fixe menu. Had I not ordered any dessert, I still would have received it--but it would have been free. I cheated myself out of a free dessert, and that was a sour note at the end of my birthday celebration--and one that could have been avoided.


• Always ask a Cast Member the current parade route. It just so happened that the evening parade was going the opposite direction that I thought it would on this particular visit. This cost us some precious time in getting to our perfect spot to view Tinkerbell's flight during Wishes. (We wanted to see the "Let the Memories Begin" show on the castle then watch Tink fly before making our escape to Adventureland.) We still made it in time, but we had to miss some of the Main Street Electrical Parade to do it. A rookie mistake that I am ashamed to admit.

I'm sure there are more, but those are the ones that come to mind. I know this stuff. Really, I do. But even veteran Disney guests make mistakes now and then. Learn from me...do as I say, not as I do. Avoid stress by sticking to the plan.

Star Tours in Soft Opening Mode

A lucky few have already seen the new Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, now that it's in soft openings at Disney's Hollywood Studios (it officially re-opens this weekend), and the reviews are pretty impressive. There are some 54 possible scenarios for where your crew will go and who will go with you. The new attraction definitely pays homage to the old, both in the queue and in the actual attraction. There are plenty of so-called "Easter eggs"--those little moments and sites that highlight other Disney films and characters. And there are, of course, so many favorite characters and settings from all the Star Wars movies.

With so many possible scenarios, expect this attraction to top the "must do" list for Disney's Hollywood Studios, possibly un-seating Toy Story Midway Mania in that area. And since most fans will want to ride multiple times, in order to experience more scenarios, expect FastPasses for the attraction to be gone each day by, say, noon...if not earlier. In other words, you'll want to head straight to the Star Tours FP machine first thing in the morning when visiting DHS if you plan to ride. (And, of course, you plan to ride, right?)

Thursday's Tip

I'm a natural-born planner. I like to have an itinerary in hand months before we ever load up our car en route to Walt Disney World. And while not everyone shares my fervor for planning, most everyone who has ever been to WDW will agree that, at least to some extent, planning is an essential ingredient for a great experience with Mickey and the gang. Today's tip: create a strategic Park touring plan, based on your family's preferences.

For example, if you have teens or older kids who love thrill rides and adventure, your touring plan for, say, the Magic Kingdom will need to focus heavily on getting to the Mountains--Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. But if you're like me and have two little princesses in the family, you'll want to make sure you get in line early for the new Rapunzel & Flynn Ryder meet-n-greet. In other words, your strategy needs to focus on what's most important to you, and then you can fill in any "spare" time with the attractions that aren't quite as essential to your crew.

How do you make a touring plan? First, as previously mentioned, prioritize attractions as "must see," "see if time permits," and "skip." (There might be a few attractions you know you wouldn't visit, even if you had all the time in the world. Haunted Mansion was that way for us until just recently. Our girls had no interest in being scared...none. If my husband was choosing, he'd say Country Bear Jamboree fits in that category.)

Next, plan your FastPass useage. Yes, I said plan...there is a strategy to using this service. Since you can't get a new FastPass until the timeframe on your current FP has started, you don't want to pick up a FP in the morning that has a return time for 4 p.m. or after--that's too many hours to sit idly without a FP! Instead, head to another attraction with an earlier return period and get that FP first. [The exception to this rule is an attraction such as Toy Story Midway Mania that tends to run out of FastPasses by midday. Grab whatever time you can, or you'll be waiting for two hours in the standby line.] It's a complicated system, but when you learn how to use it properly, FP will save you a ton of time!

Finally, as much as possible, finish attractions in each area at once. Now, I know there are major touring websites who will disagree with this approach--and there are instances when it does make sense to skip around in order to fit in more attractions. But as a mom of small children, avoiding criss-crossing the Parks as much as possible saves us from having tired, cranky children. Also, to some extent there is an "instant gratification" thing going on. If the children see Dumbo, they want to ride Dumbo...now. Don't get me wrong, we do our fair share of hopping around; we simply try to avoid going from land to land irradically, unless there is a quick form of transportation (such as a train) very close by.

Just a few additional comments: It pays to arrive early (before rope drop). You'd be surprised how much you can see and do in the first two hours if you arrive before the Parks open. Also, it is imperative that you know what the newest and most popular attractions are, so that you can either get a FastPass or get in line for those first. Finally, come to terms now with the fact that you won't see and do everything you'd like to see and do. I've been to WDW over a dozen times and there are still attractions I'm going to get to "one of these days."

Mickey FASTPASS Coming Soon

If you read this post, you know that Disney has plans to take the FASTPASS to a whole new level. Perhaps the first baby step in that direction is the newest "attraction" that offers FP service: meeting Mickey. Yep, you can now avoid that sometimes excruciating line for a meet-n-greet with the Mouse, once he moves into his new digs in Town Square Theatre (Magic Kingdom), set to open this spring.

Concept Art, copyright Disney Co.

While the official Disney Parks Blog mentions that you will be given a one-hour time window on your FASTPASS in which to return for your meet-n-greet, it is unclear whether the FP will be valid anytime after that window, as FP works for other attractions. (My guess is it will, but they aren't advertising that fact.) Either way, I for one am thrilled to see this development. Can't wait to not wait in line to see our favorite Mouse!