"UnOfficial" May 2013 planning thread. It's never to early to start planning!

[AvasMommy526]

Originally Posted by Lidian

I'll probably start early and check back once an hour or something. Some of my ADRs will be pretty rough to score ... but others I'm not as concerned about. So I'll just focus on the hard-to-get ones first, then snag whatever later when it's not sleeping-hours.

F! package is Fantasmic! at DHS. They have a package you can book where you dine at a select restaurant and order from a select menu and you get a pass to sit in the "reserved seating" area at that night's first F! showing. The only thing is they open it up to the public X amount of time before the show starts, so if you don't arrive early, you may not get to sit in the section. I think they request you arrive at least 30 minutes with your pass.

Last I heard about BOG was it was slated to open for the "holiday season" this year. But no confirmations on what they deem is "holiday season". It could be as early as October or as late as the end of December. Who knows. And even with that, there still isn't word on when they'll open up BOG for ADRs. I know it will run some time as just a walk-up restaurant. It could be a day, a week, or months. Disney has been very secretive about this place ... so hope it's worth it in the end!

Very good to know, thank you again!!
I am only worried about one of my ADR and that's Chef Mickeys because I need it for about 20 adults and 10 kids!! Thats all our family and friends coming in for the wedding the next day and we wanted to get everyone together for DD bday breakfast! Oh my I'm nervous!

I did hear about the F! Package, thanks for the info, we were thinking of doing this one night when we eat at Sci-Fi, little family tradition with my brothers!

And I agree about BOG, I have only heard things thru Dis and I was hoping to get in there on our trip, so I guess I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed for that and for FD!

[Corrine 1973]

Originally Posted by AvasMommy526

Very good to know, thank you again!!
I am only worried about one of my ADR and that's Chef Mickeys because I need it for about 20 adults and 10 kids!! Thats all our family and friends coming in for the wedding the next day and we wanted to get everyone together for DD bday breakfast! Oh my I'm nervous!

I did hear about the F! Package, thanks for the info, we were thinking of doing this one night when we eat at Sci-Fi, little family tradition with my brothers!

And I agree about BOG, I have only heard things thru Dis and I was hoping to get in there on our trip, so I guess I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed for that and for FD!

The F! Package is currently only available for Hollywood & Vine, Brown Derby, and Mama Melrose. You are able do either lunch or Dinner for the package and there is only a certain amount of packages available. I have done the package this last March and last May at Mama Melrose. I was able to order anything off of the regular Menu but also had to order a appitizer. It would cost a little more if you are paying OOP, but it ends up being an extra treat if you are on the dinning Plan (the DDP covers everything but the tip). The seats are the last two section to the right of the theatre and they want you to get there about 45 minutes before the show. (I got there about 30 minutes before the show and got in the first couple of rows. As Lidian stated, if there are two shows that night it is only good for the first show which often is the more crowded show.

[Lidian]

Originally Posted by AvasMommy526

Very good to know, thank you again!!
I am only worried about one of my ADR and that's Chef Mickeys because I need it for about 20 adults and 10 kids!! Thats all our family and friends coming in for the wedding the next day and we wanted to get everyone together for DD bday breakfast! Oh my I'm nervous!

I did hear about the F! Package, thanks for the info, we were thinking of doing this one night when we eat at Sci-Fi, little family tradition with my brothers!

And I agree about BOG, I have only heard things thru Dis and I was hoping to get in there on our trip, so I guess I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed for that and for FD!

Wow! 20 for CMs? Yeah, you need to JUMP on that and cross your fingers.

I don't know how many seats I'll be booking, but we'll do CM for dinner one night ... so I want to make sure I definitely get that. I got soooo lucky for our March trip and snagged a cancellation. Just keep in mind that if you have issues booking that large of a party online, be ready to call as soon as the phone lines open!

Originally Posted by Corrine 1973

The F! Package is currently only available for Hollywood & Vine, Brown Derby, and Mama Melrose. You are able do either lunch or Dinner for the package and there is only a certain amount of packages available. I have done the package this last March and last May at Mama Melrose. I was able to order anything off of the regular Menu but also had to order a appitizer. It would cost a little more if you are paying OOP, but it ends up being an extra treat if you are on the dinning Plan (the DDP covers everything but the tip). The seats are the last two section to the right of the theatre and they want you to get there about 45 minutes before the show. (I got there about 30 minutes before the show and got in the first couple of rows. As Lidian stated, if there are two shows that night it is only good for the first show which often is the more crowded show.

Thanks for clarification. I thought it was from a preset menu ... at least that's what I read.

[AvasMommy526]

Originally Posted by Corrine 1973

The F! Package is currently only available for Hollywood & Vine, Brown Derby, and Mama Melrose. You are able do either lunch or Dinner for the package and there is only a certain amount of packages available. I have done the package this last March and last May at Mama Melrose. I was able to order anything off of the regular Menu but also had to order a appitizer. It would cost a little more if you are paying OOP, but it ends up being an extra treat if you are on the dinning Plan (the DDP covers everything but the tip). The seats are the last two section to the right of the theatre and they want you to get there about 45 minutes before the show. (I got there about 30 minutes before the show and got in the first couple of rows. As Lidian stated, if there are two shows that night it is only good for the first show which often is the more crowded show.

Oh I didn't know it was just for them! Thanks for that information, I would've expected my priority seating And we were gonna try Hollywood and Vine for breakfast because DD loves Little Einsteins!! Maybe we will check out MM, I've been hearing some good things about there!!

Originally Posted by Lidian

Wow! 20 for CMs? Yeah, you need to JUMP on that and cross your fingers.

I don't know how many seats I'll be booking, but we'll do CM for dinner one night ... so I want to make sure I definitely get that. I got soooo lucky for our March trip and snagged a cancellation. Just keep in mind that if you have issues booking that large of a party online, be ready to call as soon as the phone lines open!

I am very scared and there's 10 children on top of that so I don't know if we can, I'm thinking maybe I can get half in and have my moms reservation number and do the other half, I'm definitely going to call that one in at 7am sharp and pray!

[jasperess]

Originally Posted by Corrine 1973

The F! Package is currently only available for Hollywood & Vine, Brown Derby, and Mama Melrose. You are able do either lunch or Dinner for the package and there is only a certain amount of packages available. I have done the package this last March and last May at Mama Melrose. I was able to order anything off of the regular Menu but also had to order a appitizer. It would cost a little more if you are paying OOP, but it ends up being an extra treat if you are on the dinning Plan (the DDP covers everything but the tip). The seats are the last two section to the right of the theatre and they want you to get there about 45 minutes before the show. (I got there about 30 minutes before the show and got in the first couple of rows. As Lidian stated, if there are two shows that night it is only good for the first show which often is the more crowded show.

Did you find that the Fantasmic package would have been necessary when you went in May? I'm just debating whether we should do it or not....

[cwt580]

May 5-11 WL

WL for a week. DDXDp.

already got weeks approved for both of us.......

30th anniversary
DD college graduation trip

[cmdmom]

May 25-June 2.

We are not sure of the resort yet. Either CBR or POP. Can't wait for prices to be released to book.

[Corrine 1973]

Originally Posted by jasperess

Did you find that the Fantasmic package would have been necessary when you went in May? I'm just debating whether we should do it or not....

It really depends on a lot of diffrent aspects. How big is your party, how many shows are planned that day, and if you mind standing in line for a while to get some seats are some of the things you need to think of.

It seems as if no matter how crowded (or uncrowded) the park is, this show does tend to ger pretty full. I have heard it is better now that they are doing shows everyday and sometimes twice a day.

Of course a family of 2 has alot easier time to find a pair of seats than a family of four or more when it starts getting crowded. Plus at a certain time they let people sit in the section reserved for the F! Package. (that is why you shouldn't arrive 5 minutes before the show and expect a seat because you did the package.)

Of course if there are two shows and you can stay up longer than I would reccomend going to the second show which is historically smaller.

That being said if you don't want to get in line up to 2 hours before the show than F! Package is great. Some people complain about the seats, but the only time I had a problem with them is when the boats with the characters came out. You still have to get there early, but I have got there about 30 minutes before the show and go close seats both times.

When I went last May with my DS if was already really crowded when we got to the show about 30 before it started. At the time I was very glad to get a seat and not have to wait in a crowd before the doors opend (my son has CFR so that is not an option.) Honestly if you are on the DDP, were planning on eating lunch/dinner at one of these places, and you find a F! available for the resteraunt than I would snag it. Once you are in the theatre you can sit anywhere you want but are safe (as long as you get there in time) to have a seat if the others are filled. But if none of the three are on you list of places to eat than I wouldn't stress about booking an F! Package just to get a seat. With some planning you should be fine.

Plus I think it is kind of cool that you get an appitizer that is covered under the DDP. The tomato and mozzerella appitizer at MM was yummmy!!

Sorry so long winded, I hope it help.

I also want to remind anyone who is thinking about doing the F! package that just because you booked at a resteraunt that does the F! Package does not mean that you have the F! Package. You have to book the resteraunt specifically for the F! Package. When I was there in May I heard a woman complain to a server that she was supposed to get a ticket to go see F!

[Corrine 1973]

Originally Posted by cwt580

May 5-? WL for a week. DDXDp.

already got weeks approved for both of us.......

30th anniversary
DD college graduation trip

Welcome cwt580. The DDXDP? I can't wait to hear where you plan to do your ADR's.

I add you to the list.

Originally Posted by cmdmom

May 25-June 2.

We are not sure of the resort yet. Either CBR or POP. Can't wait for prices to be released to book.

Welcome cmdmom. Looks like we we be there about the same time. I know what you mean, I keep checking everyday to see if the packages have been released yet. I just want Disney to take my money. Is that to much to ask? Pop is also on my short list of places to book.

Added you to the list.

[taymorel]

We will be going back next year. Planning for May 25-June2. Hopefully staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. We have been twice before in May and I love that time of year.

[lovethattink]

I don't know where we'll be staying or when, totally depends on SWW dates for next year. But we will be there!

[cmdmom]

Thanks for adding me.

[Corrine 1973]

Originally Posted by taymorel

We will be going back next year. Planning for May 25-June2. Hopefully staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. We have been twice before in May and I love that time of year.

Welcome taymorel. Yea, another Diser going the week I am going. AKL looks beautiful, I really hope to stay there at some time. I went to WDW world last year in May and it was great. I can't wait to go back at the same time and bring my little girl. Hope she like SWW.

You have been added to the list.

Originally Posted by lovethattink

I don't know where we'll be staying or when, totally depends on SWW dates for next year. But we will be there!

Yea tink is here. I hope our trips are overlapping a little this year so I can finally meet you and anikan.

Originally Posted by cmdmom

Thanks for adding me.

No problem. I actually noticed that I did it wrong and had to fix it when I did the last add. Must have been tiered. Can't wait to hear more about your trip.

[lovethattink]

Originally Posted by Corrine 1973

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="Purple"]Yea tink is here. I hope our trips are overlapping a little this year so I can finally meet you and anikan.

That would be great!

The wait 'til Dec/Jan to find out the dates for SWW is suspenseful!

[wdwnut61]

We are in the process of planning our next trip to celebrate DD's High School graduation. Our tentative dates are May 24th-June 9th still not sure about the resort.

We always wanted to travel in May but school schedules have prevented it till now. We were just there June 7 -17 and had a wonderful time. DD loves SWW so we knew we wanted to return during that time.

Looking forward to hearing everyones plans