2012

[jaydubz]

So this may be sacreligous, but bear with we please... Is anyone thinking about not going in 2012? I ask because of what I see as the convergence of two things: 1) the opening of the new Fantasyland expansion area and 2) the 6-month refurb of Test Track.

Now, here's my thinking: The opening of FLE is bound to draw a greater number of people into the world in general and specificially to MK, right? Some of those folk are bound to get fed up with the crowds, which are bound to be greater because of all of the general public touring FLE. Some of that overflow will head to EPCOT, only to find that one of the E-tickets (TT) is closed which could stress the other rides and such, making EPCOT seem overly crowded. Two parks potentially down.

I don't know maybe I'm overthinking it.

Thoughts?

[PSL1013]

We go every year regardless! :rotfl: Although crowds do bother me, we've been to Disney so many times that we would just take it a bit easier. It also probably depends on the time of year, just like it does normally. Weekends during the Food & Wine Festival are very crowded, the lines at the food kiosks are very long...that being said, we stay away on the weekends or if we want to fight the crowds, we just deal with it.

[dwkay8]

Will FLE bring in increased crowds? Yes. Will Test Track being down divert crowds to other attractions? Yes. Will the average guest notice or care about either of these things? No. The average guest has a remarkable resiliency for standing in line ;)

People who frequent WDW, like many of us on SR, will probably notice the crowds. But we'll plan for it just like we plan for everything else. I enjoy enough about WDW that I'd still take a trip after FLE is done.

Also, with no schedule for the completion of FLE, and this refurb happening in early 2012, I wouldn't put money on the fact that these two events will happen simultaneously. If someone is planning a trip in the first half of 2012 to experience FLE, they will be sorely disappointed. I think the end of 2012, and mainly 2013 and beyond are when FLE will bring in new crowds.

[jaydubz]

@dwkay8: Good point. I hadn't really considered the staggered opending of FLE over an extended period of time. Actually, maybe I'd just subconsciously forced the thought away because I want to go back now and not wait until 2014 or beyond!!!

[m 'n c]

We are tentatively planning a trip next fall - September or December depending on my sister-in-law and the nephew. If they come it will be December if they don't it will most likely be September.

[poshpartymommy]

Well, we considered the FLE soft openings too for 2012 but are still going and in the summer mind you :eek: But we are skipping the Disney Parks for 2013 and doing a Disney cruise instead and then back to WDW for 2014 to tour the all new and "gently" used FLE. We figured any little tweaks that will have to be made will have been made after a year burn in period. But yes we are going next year...2012 here we come.:party:

[jaydubz]

Well, we considered the FLE soft openings too for 2012 but are still going and in the summer mind you :eek: But we are skipping the Disney Parks for 2013 and doing a Disney cruise instead and then back to WDW for 2014 to tour the all new and "gently" used FLE. We figured any little tweaks that will have to be made will have been made after a year burn in period. But yes we are going next year...2012 here we come.:party:

So maybe 2012 is the wrong year to skip?!? Interesting thought, leave 2013 to work the kinks out.

OMG we're talking about making plans for 2 1/2 years away!!! Crazy. But I guess Disney does that do ya'

[shmily1]

I can't skip a year no matter what happens (unless it closes down totally!). I haven't skipped since it opened so this shouldn't be a big deterent either :) I'm still working on cramming a couple more trips in this year and can't even think of next year yet.

[jaydubz]

I can't skip a year no matter what happens (unless it closes down totally!). I haven't skipped since it opened so this shouldn't be a big deterent either :) I'm still working on cramming a couple more trips in this year and can't even think of next year yet.

Yeah, I hear ya'. Totally thinking about doing another quickly Mon-Fri trip in mid-late october before my AP expires. Would love to be able to catch the F&W festival and Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. Truly would love to share those things with my GF but I don't think she can swing the time off work.

[crazy4disneyrn]

I am planning on September of 2012, anyone know the dates that test track will be closed? It is one of my ds's favorite rides in Epcot.

[jaydubz]

The rumor mill over at wdw magic is that it will be a 6-month refurb starting in January 2012. That would put the reopening in July.

That said, the "official" word from WDW itself, at least according to its January calendar shows no refurbs in EPCOT at all.

What does that mean....who knows....stay tuned for more.

[momof3lovebugs]

I am planning on being there for the RunDisney Wine and Dine half marathon in 2012. I am doing Tinker Bell in January and will do the W&D to get my coast to coast medal! :D I guess I'll just deal w/TT being down if it is :( The F&WF will make up for that though! :D

[poshpartymommy]

Well, I hope they can get it done before our Aug 2012 trip:cry:. We love TT.

[jenny105]

FL is scheduled to open in phases. Some of it will be done in 2012 but most of it won't be complete until 2013. The coaster won't be done until 2014! So I'm not too worried about it.

I'm bummed about TT though. I saw that it was supposed to close in the summer of 2012 which seems ridiculous to me because that's peak season. Hoping they move the dates of this so it's open by the first week of Oct 2012 when I'm there :)

[jenny105]

I am planning on being there for the RunDisney Wine and Dine half marathon in 2012. I am doing Tinker Bell in January and will do the W&D to get my coast to coast medal! :D I guess I'll just deal w/TT being down if it is :( The F&WF will make up for that though! :D

I want to do this but I think I might collapses halfway through. :rotfl: A runner I am not.

[momof3lovebugs]

I want to do this but I think I might collapses halfway through. :rotfl: A runner I am not.Jenny-neither was I, until recently. :p Now I just finished my first 10K and really can see me finishing! :banana: You could make the W&D a goal and do it easily!!

[jenny105]

Jenny-neither was I, until recently. :p Now I just finished my first 10K and really can see me finishing! :banana: You could make the W&D a goal and do it easily!!

I want to try. Set back right now though, I was out running with my DBf and sprained my ankle. :mad: It might be awhile before anyone allows me to run again. :rotfl: