It was Columbus Day recently too, maybe that hasnt helped with crowd levels. I went around this time in 2017 and found October to be heaving
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Just back from 4 nights at DLP (5th visit) and honestly was not overly impressed. Hotel was great (Newport Bay, and we really enjoyed the buffet there). But wait times for rides were ridiculous and didn't get on half the rides we normally would.
Maybe I am just getting older and have less patience but it was so so busy.
Food queues were fine though and we enjoyed the food we did have (mostly quick serve).
Marvel land was OK, but much smaller than I expected but lots of character appearances.
Disney D-lights drone show was impressive watched a video yesterday on how they created it which was good.
It just didn't feel so magical this time (maybe because our daughter is older now).
We will go again but not until the new land is open.
Maybe I am just getting older and have less patience but it was so so busy.
Food queues were fine though and we enjoyed the food we did have (mostly quick serve).
Marvel land was OK, but much smaller than I expected but lots of character appearances.
Disney D-lights drone show was impressive watched a video yesterday on how they created it which was good.
It just didn't feel so magical this time (maybe because our daughter is older now).
We will go again but not until the new land is open.
It sounds like you had the same experience as me, I went 26th September to 28th. We didn't get to do some of rides like my fave ToT due to the queues. I'm not keen on queuing longer than 45 mins which used to be realistic for dlp that time of year but now it doesn't seem so!
I'm currently on Disney blues, having come back not that long ago. I'm ready to rebook! (I've been doing Disney for years)I'm scared to eventually go back to wdw after hearing so many people say its not the same. We've only been once in 2018 but it sounds like it's changed so much
The magic is still there! It just feels more expensive with a different fastpass system but listen, it's not the be-all. It is what it is and I doubt Disney are going to change...so just go and enjoy it.
So talking of expense, I didn't come home with a new handbag (which usually ends up at the back of my wardrobe anyway) but I still filled my suitcase with American goodies...mainly stuff picked up at Walmart rather than the mall. I couldn't wait to crack open my Ken's Blue Cheese sauce when I got home!
We did buy Genie BUT only for, say, the weekend OR our first MK/HS days. At other times, the queues really weren't that bad. We didn't attempt to rope drop for a big ride, but checking regularly for lower queue times (such as during a parade) did help.
We didn't expect to ride everything and are happy just doing the iconic rides! You'll still be singing 'A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow', 'Small World' and 'Golden Dream' for months to come.
Just don't go in comparing it to previous visits...it's still lovely and magical. A little more planning required maybe.
Yes, agree with the comment not to compare to WDW, especially in terms of food. If you keep your expectations quite low, I think you’d be pleasantly surprised. The castle is the nicest and you can go inside and see the dragon under.
I’m sure you will have the best time!
My husband and daughter went on ToT 3 times but each time the wait was at least an hour, crushers coaster was never below 90 mins, spiderman was even longer!
We have been for less days before and managed more rides, it did ruin it a bit for us if I am honest and there is no way we were paying for premiere passes.
Think we only went on ToT x3 pirates of carribean x 4, indiana Jones, buzz lightyear, Avengers x 2, phantom manor x 3, thunder Mountain x1, cars road trip and space mountain x 3.
The ones we went on more than once we only did as queue times were really low (apart from ToT which is their favourite so they were happy to queue and avengers which they loved)
Enjoyed it but was glad to get home and wish we had spent our money on a different holiday instead.
We always make a point of going to MK in the day time when it’s a party night (when we go that time of year), the crowds are always much more manageable
I don't want to put anyone off at all. Had a lovely morning at Animal Kingdom rope dropping Flight of Passage. An enjoyable day for the most part.
I've always been a Disney planner so it isn't the planning side of things that's bothering me at all. This isn't my first rodeo
But I hope everyone else who has a trip coming up has a truly wonderful time. I can wholeheartedly recommend Cabana Bay & Royal Pacific at Universal. My favourite hotels
Hopping onto the Skyliner in a bit (it's so fun!)
I've always been a Disney planner so it isn't the planning side of things that's bothering me at all. This isn't my first rodeo
But I hope everyone else who has a trip coming up has a truly wonderful time. I can wholeheartedly recommend Cabana Bay & Royal Pacific at Universal. My favourite hotels
Hopping onto the Skyliner in a bit (it's so fun!)
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I found having an inferior booking was the most disappointing for me.
Back to 2019, we were at Coronado Springs with a dining plan (with guaranteed Ghirardelli to come home with), spending credit, magical express, extra hours, mousekeeping with incentive to opt out etc
Alot of people posted with their pixie dust and room upgrades.
That's just non existent. This year, we had a dining credit and an extra half hour in the parks, which we found useless tbh.
I paid about £250 for Hard Rock with express passes in 2019, that had doubled this time round.
The skyliner is fab isn't it? We stayed at the Caribbean beach before trying French Quarter.I don't want to put anyone off at all. Had a lovely morning at Animal Kingdom rope dropping Flight of Passage. An enjoyable day for the most part.
I've always been a Disney planner so it isn't the planning side of things that's bothering me at all. This isn't my first rodeo
But I hope everyone else who has a trip coming up has a truly wonderful time. I can wholeheartedly recommend Cabana Bay & Royal Pacific at Universal. My favourite hotels
Hopping onto the Skyliner in a bit (it's so fun!)
I found having an inferior booking was the most disappointing for me.
Back to 2019, we were at Coronado Springs with a dining plan (with guaranteed Ghirardelli to come home with), spending credit, magical express, extra hours, mousekeeping with incentive to opt out etc
Alot of people posted with their pixie dust and room upgrades.
That's just non existent. This year, we had a dining credit and an extra half hour in the parks, which we found useless tbh.
I paid about £250 for Hard Rock with express passes in 2019, that had doubled this time round.
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Skyliner is the best ride in the parks at the moment 
For an on-site booking
To be honest, Disney have gone a bit 'irregular' with dates/offers.
But, historically I've booked in April/May for the following summer. I think that's when they usually bring out their best offers...but, that's booking a standard room in a moderate resort.
Some people book early to secure a certain accomodation & type (suites that are excluded from offer will go quicker). If that's the case, you'd be looking a little earlier from Feb/March time.
Flights
Flights are released 11 months in advance. BOOK THE PRICE THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH. Flight prices have rocketed and sales are a bit hit and miss. So book at a price you are happy with and don't look back.
Package holidays
Depends who you book with. TUI and Virgin may start to release these February/March, but again, they are not following a regular pattern. So just keep an eye out from around December.
Some 'specialist' agents may start taking bookings sooner, but the price is likely to be much higher, as they are basing the cost on an estimation plus a margin of 'error'.
Ocean Florida is a popular one HOWEVER they also have some mixed reviews as they sometimes they don't 'confirm or ticket' the flight until a few weeks before. This has caused issues for people wanting to pre-book seats/meals etc.
Oh my God, just realised how much I wrote...so sorry for the essay!
No please don’t apologise! Thank you for being so amazingly helpful! I’ll my eyes peeled
Anyone have any tips for Disney at Christmas? What to wear, what to expect ..? What to eat? It’s my first time (can’t believe it!). Going to Cali but I’m sure the other parks are similar at that time of year. Does haunted mansion have an overlay still?
It does! I did Christmas last year in Cali. Got chilly in the evenings so I needed a jumper and a hat. Will have a look back at my food recs but it has been a year so things may have changed
Thank you so much! Should probably add im a veggie
but I’m sure it’ll be fine with wherever !A few questions as we’re starting to plan our 2024 WDW trip…
Best moderate resort for young kids? Best pool?
When do they release dates for resort bookings?
Are the best deals via Disney themselves?
Best moderate resort for young kids? Best pool?
When do they release dates for resort bookings?
Are the best deals via Disney themselves?
i would say caribbean beach also because of the skyliner!
Disney used to release deals around spring the year before but i’m not sure (sorry!). They’ve changed it a bit the last years and have not been very consistent.
I think best deals are through Disney but it depends if you want to visit any other parks besides Disney. Maybe another party would give you a better deal but depends…
Thank you! We did think about CB, skyliner is a big bonus!
We’ll definitely just be doing Disney because of the kids’ ages (good few years before universal is worth it). I noticed you get a saving if you buy your Disney ticket at the same time, I wonder if they’ll bring back a dining voucher at all!
I’m here now , staying at the yacht club - happy to try and answer any questions x
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