An alternate MK rope drop strategy: help me brainstorm?

[ldymcbth]

So I was planning on using SDFP magic bands to help us in a couple of weeks, but it looks like that loophole is going to be closed. I was going to skip rope drop (b/c bleh, the new show) and just rely on SDFP (dummy bands) and then our regular FPs to help us see what we want to see.

Since the rumor is that the loophole is closing, can you help me brainstorm an alternate rope drop plan to help us get the most out of MK? My kids are 9 and 10 and we have FP+ already for Space Mtn, Mine Train, and Big Thunder.

I was thinking about hitting something OTHER than Fantasyland at rope drop and maybe doing Jungle Cruise, Magic Carpets, and Pirates as our first rides. We could then head back to Splash which is their only other must-do that we didn't get FP+ for. I'm wondering if by that point, splash will be at a huge wait. I hate to ride it early in the day (I don't want to walk around wet) BUT I also don't want to wait 75 minutes to ride it.

Little Mermaid/Small World/Dumbo etc are no longer focus points for my kids, so if we can't ride those b/c the wait times bubble up, it will be okay. If they were still in that zone I'd head to Fantasyland first for sure.

The last time we went (shortly after FP+ was introduced) we were SO disappointed with how long lines for things like Pirates, Buzz Lightyear, etc., had gotten. I'm just trying to avoid that situation where they balk at having to wait 45m to ride Buzz. I can't really blame them!

 

[mom2rtk]

Do you plan to ride Peter Pan?

 

[MamaBelle4]

I would hit your top priority first.

In a couple weeks it will probably be miserably hot (to me!) pretty early in the day. The hotter it is, the longer the line for Splash will be. You can try to get a 4th FP+ after you do your other three, but personally, I'd probably rather be safe than sorry.

 

[ldymcbth]

Do you plan to ride Peter Pan?

No, sadly, they are over it. Haha!

 

[amberpi]

I'd do JC, Pirates, Splash to HM. Those don't get so crowded as quickly, but do build long lines. They're all pretty long though, so they'll each take time, but it'd be a thought as everyone else runs to Fantasyland. I'd do PP, and then HM, because if PP is your first thing, virtually no line, and its short. You'd still get to ride it and be close to HM after.

 

[ArielSRL]

Are you following the SDFP thread? There may be an alternate way to use SDFP...it is being discussed on the thread.

 

[Klayfish]

SDFP?

 

[ldymcbth]

Are you following the SDFP thread? There may be an alternate way to use SDFP...it is being discussed on the thread.

Yes, I've been following, but by the time they allegedly are going to "turn off" the SDFPs, I will have less than 2 weeks before I go - makes me really nervous, so I am trying to form an alternate plan.

 

[ArielSRL]

Yes, I've been following, but by the time they allegedly are going to "turn off" the SDFPs, I will have less than 2 weeks before I go - makes me really nervous, so I am trying to form an alternate plan.

Ok, well I will be trying the alternate method on 6/6 so if that works, I'm sticking with that.

 

[cusack1020]

We actually booked our fastpasses for 7DMT, Space and Buzz. My plan is to hit JC, Big thunder, splash and then pirates. I put JC first because the line has just been building really fast lately. Big Thunder and Splash should both be fine when we get to them. Pirates may have a bit of a wait but should be OK. I felt it made more sense to use the FP on Buzz because it's on the other side of the park. I am pretty sure we can hit all the adventureland/frontierland before the lines build. We will then head to space at 11 and then Buzz. This might make sense for you as well because you really shouldn't need a FP for big thunder in the first hour. 7DMT we will do right before lunch.

 

[CarrieR]

Can you switch your FP from BTMRR to Splash at a "more acceptable" time, and then include BTMRR in your AM strategy? If so, I would go to BTMRR, then work your way back through Pirates & JC (which shouldn't yet be long.) You can walk across to Buzz at that point - wait may be building but shouldn't be terrible.

 

[marjorieeeee]

If the park is open after fireworks (seems like it usually is in summer), then fantasyland should be pretty empty in the evening. So I agree that pirates and jungle cruise are good rope drop rides. The adventureland crowd waiting for the rope was probably the smallest. It will probably still be early enough for a short-ish line for splash.

If you're staying all day and not meeting any characters, you should be able to get through everything, even with only 3 fast passes.