Hi everyone - it has been a long, long, long time since I've been here. And an even longer time since we've been to Disney! Too many curve balls in life.... the last time we went it was a 6 year old - now we are finally planning our next trip and it will be with our 17 year old (!) playing with his HS orchestra at Epcot!
So, the good news - we are finally getting back, after 11 years. The bad news - it's the week of Easter. :-/ This year our spring break was a few weeks after Easter, because Easter was so early - next year we are not as lucky. I'm truly dreading the crowds - but it's a once in a lifetime thing and we can miss it.
We are considering renting points - and will check out the The Timeshare Store - but will it be hard to rent points for that week? If we decide not to rent, I'm not sure where to stay - the Wilderness Lodge was always our "happy place" but we probably want to be closer to Epcot now.
It's been so long I don't even know what a Magic band is, what the changes to Fast past are or even where to start with all of this. Any suggestion, especially for that time of year, would be appreciated. 
Jen
Really there's no difference in when you go anymore, planning is the same regardless. 180 days for food, 60 days for fast pass. Crowds will be the crowds if you're tied to a date. The differences being that things will be unavailable the longer you wait from those start dates.
If you want to rent points at a particular place, it's best to hit the 11 month mark (coming up) by someone who owns at the resort you want to stay at.
Good gosh Jen, great to see you on again. I just came back myself, as we are planning for June 2017 for my daughters graduation. Hard to believe it's been so many years! Enjoy you planning for this exciting trip. :mickey:
Sharon
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Get me there soon or I might just go nuts!
1981 - Polynesian
2002- Wilderness Lodge
2005 - Port Orleans Riverside
2010 - POP Century
2017 in the works
Good to see you!!
Magic Bands are your substitute for room keys, park tickets, and paper fast passes. You use the bands the same way you would have used the other items.
There don't seem to be any less busy times any more - just busy and busier. Yes, it will be crowded during Easter but you already know that.
As noted, trips require more advance planning and leave far less room for just going with the flow. Fastpass is now a necessity for many rides that were previously all walk-ons. You are also more locked into your dining reservations as reservations are necessary especially during busy times and you must cancel at least a day in advance or get charged a per-person fee.
Good luck with your planning!!
Linda aka: Faline
INTERCOT Staff: Vacation Planning,Trip Reports and Disney Camping
faline@intercot.com
Nice to see you back on the boards Jen!!!
It will all come together!
Julie
Next Up:
Summer 2018... WE ARE BACK!!!
2 families
4 teenagers and Larry
Taking on the parks!
It's been so long! Good to see you too! Crazy how the time flies - I just noticed I joined 12 years - omg!! So happy we are finally going back!
Thanks everyone - it feels overwhelming and we haven't even started yet. I guess I'd better get busy though. I think I'm already a little late for the renting points things but I'll still look into it. Definitely a little overwhelmed - I think I'll reach out to Magical Journeys too.
Hi Jen!! Great to see you! It is all extremely planned now, but the magic is still there!
Jennifer (aka Mickey'sGirl)
INTERCOT Staff: Guests with Special Needs, Dining and Disney Characters
Last trip: March 2016 - Fantasy
Next trip: Aug 2017 - Aulani
I am a Galactic Hero once more!
