7 days out! Touring plan overload!!!

[emilyd1974]

This is my almost 9 year olds first trip to WDW! We leave next Saturday. I am totally overwhelmed by fast passes and touring plans!!! I am going to set up our fast pass+ but am I just shooting myself in the foot if I don't have everything planned to the minute?!? We are going to spend two days in MK and one day in each of the other three parks with one "rest" day. I guess I don't want to feel like we are literally running from ride to ride and I want him to enjoy the "experience". Am I totally naive about this? Do I NEED to have a plan to enjoy this? help!

 

[Caseheidi]

IMHO no, you do not need to plan every minute. You are going at a great time, Where you get to enjoy the Christmas decorations but also the Crowds are low. My advise would be to get on the website with your son, and choose the "must do's" in each park you are visiting, then play the rest by ear. Make your FP+ assignments, but if you decide not to use them, no big deal. Really the lines should be manageable, so the FP+ is just a perk at this time of year. A touring plan is more useful when the crowds are large, and wait times long.

 

[MomRN]

Here's what I do after a few trips under my belt:

I go to the parks based on recommended days at easywdw. Get to the parks early.

Those things that have to be concerning (such as signing up for Jedi training or getting a fast pass for TSM early) I focus on.

I don't make ADRs anymore, and the thought of Fast Pass+ makes me cringe.

The rest we take as the day goes on. I have a rough idea of the plans, but no set schedule.

For example our recent HS day went like this (most recommended park, rated 4/10 crowd):

We got there at 8:15am
Park opened about 8:45am
I took ds to sign up for jedi training while dh got TSM fast passes.
Fast passes were for immediate times, so we rode that. Then got more fastpasses for that night, since we were staying for Osborne lights.
Then we did whatever until Jedi time.
Then we did whatever until light and TSM time.

Epcot we had a plan based on getting on Soarin and Test Track as early possible, then went around the world.

MK and AK...really not much of a plan.

That being said, I still haven't seen/rode probably 25% of the rides/attractions in 5 weeklong trips. Keeps giving me a reason to go back I guess.

 

[SweetMissy]

IMO it's more stressful planning every minute. Go with the flow and enjoy your vacation. I can't see how a vacation can be enjoyable when you're stressed about making it to every ride at a particular time. When we go, we plan which day we're going to each park and that's it. I think it's funny that people plan the WHOLE day out. Just go and have fun.....fun is what's important, you can't plan it, it just happens.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

IMO it's more stressful planning every minute. Go with the flow and enjoy your vacation. I can't see how a vacation can be enjoyable when you're stressed about making it to every ride at a particular time. When we go, we plan which day we're going to each park and that's it. I think it's funny that people plan the WHOLE day out. Just go and have fun.....fun is what's important, you can't plan it, it just happens.

I couldn't agree more. Why be a drill sergeant? It's his first time; let him discover everything at your own pace and decide for himself what his favorites are or not. I wouldn't even buy hoppers. We only hop for a very short trip when we need to cram 2 parks into 1 day and hit only our favorites.