ImDownWithDisney

I work in the power industry at a plant built in 1945. Failures of anything are a direct result of lack of planning or a robust condition based maintenance plan. If we can keep an ancient power plant online with 0% unexpected outages disney can keep some little rides going if they chose to. It all comes down to how much are you willing to spend. 

In

They did this about 2 years ago at Skipper Canteen. That was good bread. Just another way of reducing the value for the customer and upselling. The appeal of standing in massive lines, eating overpriced average tasting food, and being gouged at every turn would seem to be bad to most people, but Disney is as crowded as ever.

22 hours ago, momof3kids-Yvonne said:

Awesome! Do you have a weekend that works best for you or any that you know won't work?

We should be open to any time. My wife started a new job with a rotating weekend shift, but by then she will have some vacation time built up if she needs to take it.

We're in again for DC. That's always a good time. 

3 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

I’m glad that the TCD gang got to enjoy MNSSPs back when the price was reasonable, attendance was low, and things were simpler. It’s not fun anymore. And it’s a colossal ripoff. 

TCD

We did one with the girls in 2009. We had a good time, but I am pretty sure we won't do another one.

They'll probably add a $20 per night resort fee and let the gem station be "free".

RotR still cant beat sipping a high quality bourbon under an awning at the Fort and maybe some subsequent golf cart riding. I'll ride it later. 

13 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

That phone definitely will not get you a boarding group. 

That model came out a couple of years after I got my first cell phone. Like I said, mine was bolted in the car, but there was a optional mobile unit about half the size of a car battery that you could sling over your shoulder to make the phone truly mobile. 

I was one if Cellular One’s first customers in 1986. I’ve had the same cell number since then. 

TCD

To be honest I almost miss those 4 watt bag phones. You had to be dedicated to carry one.

17 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

LOL. I need to show that phone to my kids. They’ll be amazed. 

About the cost of a new phone.  Even the most expensive smart phones these days are way cheaper than what I paid for my first cell phone in 1986. I was a big shot back then and paid $2800 for a phone that was bolted into my car and did nothing other than make and receive phone calls. 

But boy was I cool. 

TCD

And it cost like a dollar per minute for usage....and the coverage area was terrible. I once paid $900 in the 90's for tiny little Motorola flip phone that didn't even text. It was way before texting came out. Oh to be young again and work only for toys.

I am torn on these ridiculous price increases. I hate paying more money each year, but also the parks are crowded AF. The recession years around 2008 spoiled me. I wish a lot of these people would pick something else to do with their money and stay away from Disney. lol

17 minutes ago, Travisma said:

Ironically, this new system seems is similar to the original ticket books that Disney once used, where guests had to pay for each attraction individually. While the new systems would still likely have standby or other wait systems for guests without reservations, it does seem odd to revive a concept the company did away with nearly forty years ago.

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I would love to see some sort of senior citizens/old fogeys type of AP that just got you into the park and maybe allowed you access to a couple of rides per day (at a greatly reduced price of course)!

When we go without the adult kids we just wander around, maybe catch a show or two, people watch, and catch a ride if there is a very low wait time.

We have a hard time keeping up with the kids and grandkids because of the wonderful FP system that bounces you across the parks all day long.  With the crowds it's not real enjoyable rushing around the parks fighting the crowds.

We can keep up with them (easier when we take the walkie talkies) but we usually arrive at the next destination a bit after they get there.

I'm not that old, but I would like to see that too.

The crowds these days are terrible. If we didn't go a lot we would try to ride more things. These days we will hit 3 FP's and maybe a short line then bounce.

Years ago we had a small TT and a class B on the same site, but it was the tow vehicle.

2 hours ago, LONE-STAR said:

I like the ride but it is so hard for me to say its worth getting up that early on vacation. But you have to do it at least once.

We were lazy and said screw it....we'll catch it next time

1 hour ago, Travisma said:

Better plan is kicking back with a very large adult beverage, relaxing, and watching the madness.

It will be a little early in the day for that lol 

6 minutes ago, mouseketab.....Carol said:

Also, while you are in the park waiting for park opening, try and find one of the blue "guest services" umbrellas/tents and park yourself near it. If for some reason the system doesn't see that your entire party is in the park, they will have to add you to the boarding group on their system. Being close to them will speed up that process.

 

Good info, thanks.

1 minute ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

You can get the boarding group for anyone who has scanned in to the park and is linked to your account.

After you get your boarding group, if it’s a high number, you can bounce to another park and wait for your number to get called. You have an hour to get back after being called- but this is not being strictly enforced.

TCD

Sounds like a plan to me.

16 minutes ago, Katman1356...Jason said:

Not completely lottery. Phone speed and internet speed are key. Reboot your phone when you get up that morning so it is running nice and fresh. Then Make sure you are not on Disney's wifi. Verizon seems to beat out AT&T anecdotally. 

Cool...good to know. I have a new note 10+. Maybe that will help lol. I assume I can get them for all in my party?

7 minutes ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

You are correct. For the first few weeks of operation, boarding groups were assigned sequentially based on when the guest logged in and requested the boarding group- first come, first served. It was then changed to the current system where boarding groups are assigned randomly- so there is no reward for being early. You could easily have to wait until afternoon for your boarding group to get called even if you request the boarding group at park opening. 

It seems that breakdowns, closures and re-sets are a daily occurrence. If you have a later boarding group, you will get pushed back because of those. 

TCD

Yeah, if we get assigned a late group I probably won't even bother trying to ride it. We will catch it next time.

13 minutes ago, mouseketab.....Carol said:

You can get through security early, and get in the gates BUT you can't hit the button for a boarding group until official park opening, so depending on what time the park opens is how much time you will need to spend in HS.

So HS opens at 7 on Monday. At 7:00:01 everybody is hitting buttons. I has to be just luck that gets you in an early group.

So we are going to the Tampa RV show this weekend. We plan on hitting Disney on Monday before we head home in the afternoon. I have some FP's for MK around lunch time to early afternoon. But I was thinking about getting up early to rope drop HS. With this new boarding pass system it sounds like a lottery system to get an early boarding pass. If we were to show up early (without bags) to get through security fast and hit the button for a pass I wonder if we could get on by 10 am or so? I almost inclined to not take the gamble and just go to MK only instead. I guess worst case scenario is we get a late pass, ride a few rides at HS early then hop to MK. I really want to be on the road home by 4pm.

12 hours ago, Lkrn05 said:

Can you guys please give me recommendations? I’ve looked through posts but haven’t found the exact answer. We are a family of 4 - 2 kids 8 & 11. Have a 17ft travel trailer and first time to Disney for me and my girls, husband went as a child. I had originally booked a 300 loop preferred for 06/2020. Then I got to reading and think I should upgrade to premium. I want to feel secluded but not too far from amenities. What would be some good premium loops (not meadow preferred)? We also booked a golf cart but for $400... rather spend that on some fun experiences instead 🤦‍♀️ Thanks in advance. LK

Not sure what you mean by booking the 300 loop. Only types of loops can be booked. You can request the 300 at or before check in, but there is no guarantee that you will get it. With that being said I think a preferred loop would be good, especially with a 17' trailer. I would want the 100 or 200 loop though to be closer to the boat. The fort is not that big. Going to the pool from the preferred loops is just a short bike ride or walk with a cut through the 600 or 1400 loop. You will be spending extra money on the premium sites for space that you don't really need with shorter trailer. Since the creation of the premium meadow loops the remaining premium loops are about the same distance from the pool as the preferred. In either one you will probably still want to bus it to the outpost if you don't keep the cart.

I agree with TCD. I remember when the custodians were everywhere in the parks. Also they use to touch up paint nightly. Now the queues will look like crap until they close for a refurb

1 hour ago, Grumpy and Grandma said:

There were several available yesterday and they even added regular chairs which I've never seen before. 

We thought it was unusually quiet for Christmas Day. Over a dozen parking spaces open up front and the only about 18 vehicles in the grass by the HItch/Un-hitch. We did see a new parking area in the grass by the riding stable and even it had a lot of open spots.  Only 4 GC's in the grass by the Outpost bus stop and probably 20 GC's still available for rent. Even the GC's on the road were sparse yesterday. 

My point was that I had no desire to sit in the rocking chairs now that the view is construction fencing. We were there at Thanksgiving with both the new playground and old playground area surrounded by green fencing it was not a pretty view. Plus they did not even have the Christmas tree up.

It is a shame what the settlement has become. The replacement beach is a slap in the face to campers. Our last trip I didn't even attempt to find a rocking chair at Crocketts 

1 hour ago, Marty in SC said:

Thank you for the replies!  Unfortunately, there will be 9 of us staying on the campsite,   I'm hoping that Jason's suggestion will work.  😀

You can still just add 1 person. If they are traveling together they can get in the gate. If they won't be coming in and out a lot Jason's suggestion would probably be the easiest.

We always add the in laws (AP holders) who live in Winter Garden. That way they can make FP's 60 days out with us, use EMH, and come and go through the gate with a magicband.