3/22-3/28 - Never Waited Over 10 Min!

[PolyHereWeCome]

We just got back last night from a fabulous 1st family vacation to MK, Epcot, AK, and MGM!!

We were there during Easter/Spring Break and by using the advice here -- GET THERE EARLY AND USE FAST PASS -- we never waited in any line more than 10 minutes. Mostly it was getting there early! And we are 1st timers, so not at all familiar with the parks or anything. Just well researched!

We walked on most everything, and used FastPass for Test Track on Easter Sunday (got a FP at 11 AM, with a crazy late return time of 4-5 PM, but we knew it'd be a late return and went with our plan of hitting WS and finished everything just in time to ride). Also used FP for Kali and Buzz.

3/23 and 3/24 we were in MK from 7:45-Noon, and only used 1 FP (for Buzz because we wanted to ride 3 times). 1st day walked on Dumbo, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Small World (GREAT NEW LOOK) -- rode twice in a row, Teacups, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Birds. 2nd day we did Tomorrow Land and bits and pieces. People were pouring in (!) as we were leaving both days.

3/23 We took advantage of Fantasmic Dinner Pkg (H&V dinner) and sat in absolutely perfect center seats by just getting there about 45 min. early. Definitely a full house and seats way to left and right were full by the time the show started.

3/25 we were at AK at about 8:30, and rode the Safari 1st thing, saw the 1st Lion King show of the day (GREAT SHOW), and grabbed FP for Kali, which we rode at around 11, after seeing Tree and Bug's Life, and then left the park by noon. Again, crowds pouring in as we leaving and, man, it was getting hot, too.

Will write more later.

 

[DebbieB]

Glad you had a great trip. Your experience shows that you can manage during crowded times by pre-planning.

 

[shelleybell]

Wow! Sounds like perfect timimg! Glad it was a great family trip. Have you started planning your next trip yet?

 

[civileng68]

We just got back last night from a fabulous 1st family vacation to MK, Epcot, AK, and MGM!!

We were there during Easter/Spring Break and by using the advice here -- GET THERE EARLY AND USE FAST PASS -- we never waited in any line more than 10 minutes. Mostly it was getting there early! And we are 1st timers, so not at all familiar with the parks or anything. Just well researched!

We walked on most everything, and used FastPass for Test Track on Easter Sunday (got a FP at 11 AM, with a crazy late return time of 4-5 PM, but we knew it'd be a late return and went with our plan of hitting WS and finished everything just in time to ride). Also used FP for Kali and Buzz.

3/23 and 3/24 we were in MK from 7:45-Noon, and only used 1 FP (for Buzz because we wanted to ride 3 times). 1st day walked on Dumbo, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Small World (GREAT NEW LOOK) -- rode twice in a row, Teacups, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Birds. 2nd day we did Tomorrow Land and bits and pieces. People were pouring in (!) as we were leaving both days.

3/23 We took advantage of Fantasmic Dinner Pkg (H&V dinner) and sat in absolutely perfect center seats by just getting there about 45 min. early. Definitely a full house and seats way to left and right were full by the time the show started.

3/25 we were at AK at about 8:30, and rode the Safari 1st thing, saw the 1st Lion King show of the day (GREAT SHOW), and grabbed FP for Kali, which we rode at around 11, after seeing Tree and Bug's Life, and then left the park by noon. Again, crowds pouring in as we leaving and, man, it was getting hot, too.

Will write more later.

While this may be true about not waiting more than 10 minutes, please understand that this is ONLY because they rode the rides first thing in the morning or got fastpasses. The crowds were among the worst I've ever seen at Disney, EVER!

Those same days that you speak about had 2 hour waits on many attractions later in the day.

 

[Rpsemont]

I notice that alot of the park hours were really long that week (open later) compared to other weeks. I know it's a prime spring break week, but maybe with MK open till midnight (and MGM till 10PM) alot of people opt not to do the early AM thing

 

[bdrex95]

While this may be true about not waiting more than 10 minutes, please understand that this is ONLY because they rode the rides first thing in the morning or got fastpasses. The crowds were among the worst I've ever seen at Disney, EVER!

Those same days that you speak about had 2 hour waits on many attractions later in the day.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this. I am going to make my DW read this thread, because she thinks I'm nuts for planning as much as I am. I keep trying to tell her how important it is to be at the parks at opening, and use FP wisely, but she just looks at me like I'm nuts.

Hopefully she will realize just how wise I really am...LOL

 

[danny1649]

Sounds like you had agreat trip,thanks for sharing.

 

[cocowum]

Great job. If you plan correctly and get to the parks early you can have a good time during peak season. We did the same thing last year and had a blast!!! It's so funny to hear people complain about long lines and not getting to do anything. I am so glad you had a good time. I always read these posts to my DH when he complains about getting up early.

 

[civileng68]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this. I am going to make my DW read this thread, because she thinks I'm nuts for planning as much as I am. I keep trying to tell her how important it is to be at the parks at opening, and use FP wisely, but she just looks at me like I'm nuts.

Hopefully she will realize just how wise I really am...LOL

HOnestly, she should read this...................point being.

If it is as busy as it was last week.....or even CLOSE, if you arrive after 11:00 am, forget riding rides until LATE that day or night even.

By 12:00 noon, space mountain fast passes were at 11:15 pm last week.

 

[mhingher]

I was there 3/5-3/12 and had a similar experience. Besides the questionable weather (we lucked out though, mid 70's and rain only one day), it is the best time to go. We also did Universal and IOA in one day. Didn't have to use Fast Pass until our last day for Test Track, some sports teams started arriving.

Glad to hear you had a good time too!!! Next year we're going in May, I kinda missed wearing shorts!

 

[GoingtoSeeRella]

Hi everyone This is my first post here

We were there 3/19-3/24 and had a similar experience. Got on the bus at AS Sports at 6:20 and was at MK by about 6:30 a.m. My DD4 got to throw conffetti as they did the MK countdown...how awesome!! We never experienced that before and it was amazing to see the characters coming out to greet everyone.

My DD4 got to wake Tinkerbell, and then we were able to do all of Fantasyland before our 8:30 CRT ressie!! I was amazed!! While I was in Fantasyland with the young DD4 and DD2, DH and DS7 did SM, Buzz x3, Stitch, and then high-tailed it over to Splash Mountain and still made it to breakfast in time!! After breakfast we did JC and HM and a Steamboat ride.

Left the park that day by about noon to do some swimming, and returned about 4 p.m. WOW! The crowds were out of control and FPs for all the main attractions were for 10 p.m. or later. We did Carousel of Progress and Timekeeper, did some character autographs, ate dinner, shopped, and did Spectro and Wishes.

Crowds were out of control, but by getting up at the crack of dawn, we were able to do everything we wanted. The 7 a.m. thing really worked for us because we have small kids who wake up pretty early anyway

Thanks to everyone at these boards, who helped in my research before our trip!! We can't wait to go back again!!

 

[princesslulu]

Awesome!!!! I hope our trip goes as well as yours! I have a feeling it will

 

[Nebsky]

We just got back last night from a fabulous 1st family vacation to MK, Epcot, AK, and MGM!!

We were there during Easter/Spring Break and by using the advice here -- GET THERE EARLY AND USE FAST PASS -- we never waited in any line more than 10 minutes. Mostly it was getting there early! And we are 1st timers, so not at all familiar with the parks or anything. Just well researched!

We walked on most everything, and used FastPass for Test Track on Easter Sunday (got a FP at 11 AM, with a crazy late return time of 4-5 PM, but we knew it'd be a late return and went with our plan of hitting WS and finished everything just in time to ride). Also used FP for Kali and Buzz.

3/23 and 3/24 we were in MK from 7:45-Noon, and only used 1 FP (for Buzz because we wanted to ride 3 times). 1st day walked on Dumbo, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Small World (GREAT NEW LOOK) -- rode twice in a row, Teacups, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Birds. 2nd day we did Tomorrow Land and bits and pieces. People were pouring in (!) as we were leaving both days.

3/23 We took advantage of Fantasmic Dinner Pkg (H&V dinner) and sat in absolutely perfect center seats by just getting there about 45 min. early. Definitely a full house and seats way to left and right were full by the time the show started.

3/25 we were at AK at about 8:30, and rode the Safari 1st thing, saw the 1st Lion King show of the day (GREAT SHOW), and grabbed FP for Kali, which we rode at around 11, after seeing Tree and Bug's Life, and then left the park by noon. Again, crowds pouring in as we leaving and, man, it was getting hot, too.

Will write more later.

We were there 3/19 through 3/27 and had the just the same exp. We didnt wait for anything over 20 mins though. We were usually at MK for rope drop. Did 20 attractions Easter Sunday before 12:00 and Space Mountain was done 4 times. All of the major rides were done.

civileng68, why do you sound so negative?
You are right, if you do show up when the masses do, you will wait. Thats why there are EMH for on site guests. Heck, even if staying offsite, if they were there for 8am opening, they still would have done a lot of the rides by the heavy crowd times.

Crowds will always be at Disney. If you anticipate the crowds and can take steps to avoid them and succeed, then who cares how crowded it is. Our plan was to get there early, do the things we wanted to do, then get out during the mid day.

If you dont want crowds, dont go to Disney. Go out to the desert and watch the cactus grow. Not many people will be in line to do that.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Glad to relieve fears for those going during busy times and it's fun to read others experiences. And, yes, nothing like enjoying the rewards of all our hard working planning!

The MK park opening sounded like so much fun, GoingtoSeeRella!! Good for you to rise and shine!!

This trip was suppose to be a one-time only thing, but, of course, now we want to go back!!! Would definitely consider going back this time again -- the heat of summer or cool winter is more problematic for us than these crowds.

Oh, I should also mention that on our last night, Easter Sunday, I entered MK at 8 PM (Wishes was at 9), and rode Haunted Mansion (spooky fabulous at night and solo) and Small World, then walked over to Main Street, got a great seat right among the crowds in from of the castle, right on Main Street. Everyone very considerate during Wishes, got great photos and loved it (Wishes was nice from the Poly. but nothing like this). Rode 1/2 dozen more rides, plus saw PhilharMagic again, and saw Spectromagic Parade (great at night), crowds lightened after 10, and left just after 11. DH and kids slept in, so I had no bag check or stroller hassles at all.

 

[HollyJoy]

Glad you had a great trip!!! See what a little planning can do!?

 

[BostonRob]

civileng68, why do you sound so negative?
You are right, if you do show up when the masses do, you will wait. Thats why there are EMH for on site guests. Heck, even if staying offsite, if they were there for 8am opening, they still would have done a lot of the rides by the heavy crowd times.

civileng68 didn't sound negative at all to me - simply stating the facts.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Oh, forgot to mention that the 2 mornings that we went to MK for EMH, they didn't ask for our resort ID/key (don't know about the MYW tickets, but ours were hoppers and nothing on them said that we were staying at the Poly). It was 7:30ish AM, and the park opened at 7 AM for resort guests and was supposed to open at 8 AM for everyone.

So even with them letting everyone in, the MK was very reasonable.

 

[disneyaggie]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this. I am going to make my DW read this thread, because she thinks I'm nuts for planning as much as I am. I keep trying to tell her how important it is to be at the parks at opening, and use FP wisely, but she just looks at me like I'm nuts.

Hopefully she will realize just how wise I really am...LOL

No, you are not nuts! I, too, was at the parks upon opening (which is a lot of fun. I loved this -- I encourage you to experience this). I got on Buzz Lightyear, the Indy Cars, Snow White, Winnie the Pooh and Mickey's Philharmagic all within the first hour! So yes, you are totally correct!