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View Full Version : Rethinking switching things between May and Oct, what do you think?



Janine
04-20-2011, 11:25 AM
What prompted me to rethink things was talk in another thread about the dance party at HS EMH. Plans for May and Oct are set, so figured we’d do it on another trip. Then it occurred to me, in May we’re staying at WL, but future trips will most likely be offsite at a timeshare. It’s now or never. While the dance party may not seem reason enough to switch things around, once I re-worked things between May and Oct., I actually liked it better. Until... no availability to move the dessert party to May 20. I would have to skip the dessert party all together (would do it in May 2012), but could add the Pirate and Pals cruise on May 20 instead (since it’s our last night and want to do something extra). Anyway, here are the pre and post plans. Opinions please… Party is me, DH and DD5.

Original plans, just for the days effected;
Monday, May 16: EP RD-3:00, MK at 7:00, Dessert Party and Fireworks
Friday, May 20: MK RD-parade, 7:15 Hoop Dee Doo (MSEP is now at 10:00 – could go over to MK to see MSEP?)

Wednesday, October 19: HS RD-2, 5:30 ‘Ohana (may skip 'Ohana), Chip ‘n Dale’s Campfire (8:00), Haunted Carriage Ride (9:00 or 9:30)

Revised plans, just for days effected;
Monday, May 16: EPCOT RD-3, HS at 7:00 for EMH and Dance Party
Friday, May 20: MK RD-parade, Whispering Canyon, Pirate and Pals Cruise, or I guess we could go to MK for fireworks and MSEP, without the Dessert Party (will keep trying for Dessert Party).

Wednesday, October 19: HS RD-3:00, 7:15 Hoop Dee Doo, Haunted Carriage Ride (9:30)

The morning after each of these nights is a sleep in, so that’s not an issue.
Pros/cons –
-if we do Pirate & Pals, that means no castle show, MSEP or seeing the fireworks from within MK.
-Don’t know much about the Pirates and Pals – wasn’t on my radar and wasn’t something I was considering. The more I think about it, it may be better to just to go MK for castle show, fireworks and MSEP, even if I can’t get the dessert party. It will have more than enough bang without the dessert party.
-I was really excited for the dessert party, because of the MK focus of the May trip, and the atmosphere.
-I now really like the idea of the whole party atmosphere of HS EMH.
-I like now having HDDR in Oct on carriage ride night because it makes for a nice evening with good flow. But… it would be much more convenient in May, when we're staying at WL – and in Oct., we could always do the campfire on carriage ride night, which gives us something else to do at FW.

So I guess it comes down to Dessert Party (which can done later, but really wanted to do it on this 1st MK focused trip) and the dance party (which can only be done in May). Did I just answer my own question?:confused:
Help, opinions, thoughts…

I’m at 24 days from the May trip, so soon there will be one less trip to obsess over (but then May 2012 will be right around the corner).

(yes, Michael, this is all your fault for posting about the HS EMH dance party):tongue:

Janine
04-20-2011, 11:28 AM
I just noticed my new tag, Josh. It's either that, or they'll feel bad for the pathetic girl who didn't even know the rooms numbers, and give me a penthouse suite (yes, eventhough they may not even have those at WL).

stevenmilz
04-20-2011, 12:08 PM
Dance party, dance party, dance party... Actually I think it was my May itinerary posting that prompted all the HS EMH dance party discussion, so I guess I'm biased!

josh
04-20-2011, 12:45 PM
My head is spinning

Janine
04-20-2011, 12:46 PM
Yes, Steven, that was you. Thanks...

Janine
04-20-2011, 12:47 PM
Just think how my head feels, Josh. This is how I think, every day.

josh
04-20-2011, 01:02 PM
:bananapowerslide:

My personal opinion of the Dessert Party isn't very high. For the $25 it costs for one person and the hour early you're arriving anyway, you could buy treats for the whole family from Main Street Bakery and have your choice of spots for the Parade and Wishes. Plus, Dessert Party viewing for the Parade isn't good. There are certainly some people that really enjoy it though and I think I'm in the minority in that opinion. It just doesn't seem "worth it" unless Magic Kingdom is ridiculously busy and it would be a big hassle to get spots for the shows. It looks like you have enough fun stuff going on that the addon "experiences" would just be piling it on (that's a good thing). I'd probably go with the Hollywood Studios EMH if that's what you want to do and just go to the "normal" Parade and Wishes.

PR1NC355
04-20-2011, 01:11 PM
Janine - all that talk about the DHS dance party caught my interest too. Sounds like something my crew would enjoy...haven't quite figured out a way to juggle things to work it in yet, but I agree that it sounds like lots of fun! Just my two cents (not worth much with my lack of WDW experience) but, from the sound of it, I'd definitely do the dance party in May while you have the opportunity.

jhalpin76
04-20-2011, 01:52 PM
My head is also spinning because I do the same thing with my plans! I am still making changes to my itinerary - I must be on version 50! Everytime I read another trip report I find something I want to add or change. If I were you, I would go to the DHS EMH and save the dessert party for a future trip. Your kids are little and would enjoy the dance party more.

Janine
04-20-2011, 03:39 PM
Ok. I think I'm going to cancel the dessert party on Tuesday and go to HS EMH instead. On Friday, I'll cancel HDDR and do it in October when we're going to FW for the haunted carriage ride anyway and we'll go to MK for fireworks and MSEP instead (w/o dessert party - athough I'll keep checking for an opening while we're there, since it's a 48hr cancellation penalty thing). I'm not going to do the Pirate cruise thing, as I think we'd enjoy MSEP and fireworks and being in MK more.

Check back next week. I'm sure they'll be more rethinking about some other thing.

stevenmilz
04-20-2011, 07:56 PM
I posted four videos from our December visit to the HS EMH Dance Party on YouTube. Links are below. I had to reduce the size, so they're not the best quality, but you ought to get an idea of what the party is like. It's now the "Disney Junior" party versus Playhouse Disney which it was still called in Dec. Supposedly they're working Jake and the Neverland Pirates costumes, but no timeline as of our March trip. I have more videos if desired. BTW, the boy chasing the bubbles is DS4 (Jake) and the curly haired girl is DD2 (Julia).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS--8JBs4O8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEIiCFXFl8I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAqzEwnMm0Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtRIJS_APLQ

Janine
04-20-2011, 09:05 PM
Thanks so much for sharing! Adorable kids. I can't believe Mickey danced with them for so long.
DD5 watched them, she's in.

stevenmilz
04-21-2011, 07:49 AM
I think I mentioned in another thread that during our March trip (despite it being high crowd levels), the dance party was nearly deserted (20 kids maybe?). Julia had major time with Minnie, like a good ten minutes out of the 15 or so she was out (they rotate the characters throughout the night and the characters come back multiple times -- i.e. M & M might be out 5 or six times for ~15 min each). She was thrilled...

Janine
04-23-2011, 08:48 AM
New question...
I currently have a 4:20 FDP on Tuesday, May 17. We're just going into HS for this. Earlier in the day, we're hanging out at the resort (WL), after a 1900 PF bunch. Since I am now going to HS EMH on Monday, for the dance party, should I just do the 10:30 F! on Monday instead? Or will that be much worse then doing an it with FDP on a non-EMH night? When would I have to line up for both?

If we did do F! while we're already there on Monday EMH, on Tuesday night we would now take the boat over to FW for the campfire and movie (maybe eat at Trail's End first). That's starting to sound like a nice relaxing day (1900PF/resort pool/Trails End/Campfire & movie), and I really don't need the extra HS time.

What do you think? Late F! while we're there for EMH, or will early FDP on non-EMH night be a lot better?
Thanks again, and you know, you're all enablers by suggesting these new things and giving me great feedback. Hopefully, the madness will stop soon. Yeah, probably in 2 weeks and 6 days.

stevenmilz
04-25-2011, 08:56 AM
My guess (no experience here) is that it'd be better to do with FDP versus on an EMH night. We did the FDP on an EMH night, going to the 8:30 F! show and then off to the dance party during EMH. With two small kids, I don't think I'd ever want to brave the F! crowds for an hour wait. I would assume the EMH adds to that crowd level. The FDP worked out great for us.