[Dana]

Originally Posted by gingles

Totally agree. We don't do parades and shows every night, but the problem is scheduling. You generally try to schedule your ADR's around your touring--where you are that day, how long you're going to be touring (MK vs. little AK), and of course if you're seeing Wishes, SM, or Fantasmic.

In the old days (at least in warmer months) you had them every or almost every night but now you make an ADR (like we did for 1900 Park Fare) only to find out a week later that it conflicts with your only chance to see Fantasmic. Or you schedule Cal. Grill and find out they're not doing Wishes that night.

I guess we "over-planners" just need the extra challenge.

I couldn't agree more. I just plan the park of the day now...nights are free for whatever we "feel" like doing. If it's a parade, then parade it is...works better in the long run. Besides, if you miss a show accidently you have an excuse ready for the next trip.

[ddoll]

I thought they always did this. When the crowds are lower, the hours and attractions decrease.

What am I missing?

[mickeysgirlz]

Here is what I noticed!

I always check the park hours/show/parades, etc WAY in advance and plan out my time. WELL, my last few trips, about 10 days out I get an email: "Your Disney Vacation Is Almost Here!" and one of the first things in it is Park Hours and Updates . . . when you click this link it takes you to the calendar page. Well the hours have ALWAYS changed . . . like now MK is closing at 12 not 11pm . . . I honestly think they are changing all this stuff weekly based on the crowds.

I know when were were there at Xmas, there were a few parades added that weren't "scheduled".

Make sure Disney has your email on file!

[gingles]

Originally Posted by ddoll

I thought they always did this. When the crowds are lower, the hours and attractions decrease.

What am I missing?

They always have decreased as seasons demand, but it's getting more severe...

Originally Posted by gingles

I checked our itinerary from Sept. 2008. During our stay, there were 7 showings of Fantasmic and 5 Spectromagic Parades.

This Sept. there are only 3 showings of Fantasmic and 3 Spectromagic Parades and we're staying one day longer!

These trips were both scheduled Labor Day week.

[cowanfamily]

I can't get over how few fireworks and parades are scheduled during Sept - c'mon now, surely it will be crowded....what's going on??? We worked around it, but I have a feeling it is going to be very crowded when they have them, like Fantasmic. We have the dinner package, just to make sure we get a seat....has anything changed lately for July or Aug that anyone has noticed?

[Tiggerific]

Originally Posted by cowanfamily

I have a feeling it is going to be very crowded when they have them, like Fantasmic. We have the dinner package, just to make sure we get a seat....

I don't know. There are a LOT of seats for Fantasmic and I am not sure the preferred seating is all that great. It does help from standing in line, but I'd bet even the people that just show up at the last minute get good seats. Anyone out there thing dinner package is *required* to get in (or to get decent seats)?

[mommyof2]

We were surprised that we were unable to catch Fantasmic the entire 2 weeks we were there!! They were very few showings!!

[cowanfamily]

Originally Posted by Tiggerific

I don't know. There are a LOT of seats for Fantasmic and I am not sure the preferred seating is all that great. It does help from standing in line, but I'd bet even the people that just show up at the last minute get good seats. Anyone out there thing dinner package is *required* to get in (or to get decent seats)?

Last Sept. we were there during EMH and we could not even get into the staging area, it was so full 35 minutes before the show, so we missed it completely on a 13 night trip! And this year, it is only showing 3 nights during our 12 night stay, so I am a little nervous - I must see it, it really is my favorite show, so I'm not taking chances! (but for normal people, you're probably right)