1 day at MK, how to plan

[stefplus3]

We'll be at MK for one day in July and I dont know how to plan our day. We're going to be there for rope drop and hopefully stay thru the last parade but other than that I don't know what to do. We're off site and still outside the 30 day window for FP+ (next tues is the 30 day mark). We have 2 adults, a 9yr old girl, and 2 boys ages 15 and 19.

Oh and I made 1pm ADR at Crystal Palace (to hopefully save us from the melting sun and heat).

 

[ammag]

Have you all been before? What do you think your four top ride priorities are? Do you ou need to sit and watch wishes or would you mind skipping it?

 

[stefplus3]

We've only been once and my daughter was SO sick the entire time that we had to abandon the entire plan so someone could stay at the condo with her. I don't even know what rides are there (sad, I know). We want to watch a parade if we can.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

You need to figure out which rides you'd like to ride, which characters you'd like to meet, and which shows you'd like to see. We can help you put them into a cohesive plan, but we can't really tell you what you'd like to do since we don't know you or your family.

My daughter and I visited the MK for one day last summer when we were in Orlando for Star Wars Weekend. We were able to accomplish a lot (including the nighttime parade and Wishes) but we also had evening EMH to work with and knew what we wanted to do.

I'd suggest reading through some ride descriptions and then coming back and letting us know what you think would appeal to your family so we can help you plan.

 

[stefplus3]

Thanks, I'll go do that. What are the must do rides?

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would watch the boards and see if you will be able to add on additional FP once your pre-chosen ones are used, and if so plan them fairly early in the day. If not save them for later in the day.

We sometimes will do a short week-end trip with one full day at MK and one thing we like to do is plan dinner somewhere outside of the park, just to take a real break. We like Trails End Buffet. It's a short relaxing boat ride away, has really good, simple food, and is slightly cheaper than any other WDW buffet.

 

[Aliceacc]

How about this as a starting place?

Top rides I think your family will enjoy:
- Space Mountain
- Big Thunder
- Splash Mountain
- 7Dwarfs Mine Train
- Haunted Mansion
- Pirates of the Carribbean
- Mickey's Philharmagic
- Buzz Lightyear

When you get to the park, get to a FastPass+ Kiosk and get FPs for some of those if you can (the first 4 will be the toughest, so any of them would be good.) If you can time Splash for mid afternoon, there's a good chance you'll get wet and it will help in the summer heat.

 

[stefplus3]

Because I'm basing this trip on nothing (I didn't do 1 ride the last time we were there, just a show by the castle and a parade and then we had to leave w/ dd) all of those look good.

Is there a certain order we should try to hit them in? I can book FP+ on Tues at midnight. We'll be there for rope drop so should we try to get FP for later in the day?

 

[Aliceacc]

Take a look at http://www.easywdw.com/cheatsheets/mk_cheatsheet_easyguide2.pdf

It should give you a good idea of what to do when. How closely you stick to it is, of course, up to you.

If that doesn't appeal to you: The 3 mountains and Mine Train will have the longest waits during the day. I would hit Space at Rope Drop, and FP the other 3.

Also, since you're going over the summer, hit www.walmart.com and pick up 2 of these: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Misty-Mate-Inc.-Misty-3-Oz.-Personal-Mister/19687876 (you can share with the boys.) They'll make the summer heat and humidity so much more manageable!!!!

Plan to do lots early, and I would FP for afternoon, when the crowds are crazy. Splash Mountain will probably get you wet, so I would (and have) plan to FP that for mid afternoon. Likewise, Laugh Floor has an indoor waiting area, so plan that for the heat of the day.

Oh, and somehow I missed the fact that you have a daughter-- sorry. She'll want to do some of Fantasyland. We all love Peter Pan-- and you'll want to FP it, the lines get crazy. And for some (bizarre, if you ask me) reason, my daughter still loves the Magic Carpets of Alladin-- it's like Dumbo, but with shorter lines and a spitting camel. I wouldn't spend a FP on it, but had to mention it.

 

[stefplus3]

thanks!!!!