Best Evening Plan for MK following Afternoon Nap Break?

[beffysky]

Our first MK day we are planning to go crazy in Fantasyland at RD (FP+ for Anna and Elsa but nothing else there). Then FP+ reservations for Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. Lunch, back to the hotel for kiddie (and probably adult!) naps.

We're planning to return to MK around 5 or 5:30. What's the best area to hit for that time with no FP+? We're going to be there May 18th.

 

[glohoffman]

I dont have an answer for you, but i am following because I am curious too. We are going around the same time (the week before) and have the same plan for MK.

 

[sharonabe]

That is a late EMH day for MK, so expect the park to be very crowded when you return in the evening.

Are you planning on watching the parade and fireworks? The first or second parade? Will you be staying for the later hours?

 

[johnsonet]

If you'll be there at park opening, you might want to walk on as many rides as possible first thing and save a couple FP+ for evening attractions.

When we were there over President's Day weekend, I picked out my FP+ in the a.m. but didn't need them (Anna and Elsa will be different, I'm sure). I ended up switching things around a good bit.

I recommend MSEP FP+ if you plan on seeing the nighttime parade. We just walked up right before it started and had fabulous views!

 

[beffysky]

That is a late EMH day for MK, so expect the park to be very crowded when you return in the evening. Are you planning on watching the parade and fireworks? The first or second parade? Will you be staying for the later hours?

We are going to do the first parade and not staying after. Our group has two 4.5 year olds, a 2.5 year old and a 1 year old. We are honestly figuring the evening is mainly about the parade, but hope to do a couple of attractions before. Is it reasonable to think we could do Haunted Mansion or Pirates, or would we be better off sticking to really kiddie stuff like the Country Beat Jamboree or Tiki Room?

 

[BubblyTrip]

We just did two MK days the last two days. I'd think hard about saving those two mountain FP for the evening. We also did well with People Mover, the incredibles dance Party, and Astro Orbiter (believe it or not) in the evenings. Tea cups, Dumbo and I think the Carpets also had lower wait times.

 

[glohoffman]

If you'll be there at park opening, you might want to walk on as many rides as possible first thing and save a couple FP+ for evening attractions.

When we were there over President's Day weekend, I picked out my FP+ in the a.m. but didn't need them (Anna and Elsa will be different, I'm sure). I ended up switching things around a good bit.

I recommend MSEP FP+ if you plan on seeing the nighttime parade. We just walked up right before it started and had fabulous views!

I was planning on doing as much as possible the first two hours, and i got fastpasses between 11 and 2 (or something like that) and planned to go back to the hotel until our 5:00 BOG dinner reservation, then just kinda wing it in the evening for a more relaxed time, then do parade. Does that sound reasonable, or should i save those fastpasses for after our dinner??

 

[glohoffman]

We just did two MK days the last two days. I'd think hard about saving those two mountain FP for the evening. We also did well with People Mover, the incredibles dance Party, and Astro Orbiter (believe it or not) in the evenings. Tea cups, Dumbo and I think the Carpets also had lower wait times.

So would a Big thunder mountain FP be better in the evening then say...1-2pm?

 

[johnsonet]

I was planning on doing as much as possible the first two hours, and i got fastpasses between 11 and 2 (or something like that) and planned to go back to the hotel until our 5:00 BOG dinner reservation, then just kinda wing it in the evening for a more relaxed time, then do parade. Does that sound reasonable, or should i save those fastpasses for after our dinner??

I think your plan will be fine. You're right - 11 to 2 is a busy time, so it would be nice to have some FP+

Have you been before?
Are you traveling with young children?

In our case, we were one adult and 2 teens and we have all been many times.

I liked that our FP+ were a reason to return to the parks in the evening, (we don't do that very much anymore.)
Your BOG res. will be a definite reason to retn to the MK

I think your plan is a good one

 

[glohoffman]

I think your plan will be fine. You're right - 11 to 2 is a busy time, so it would be nice to have some FP+

Have you been before?
Are you traveling with young children?

In our case, we were one adult and 2 teens and we have all been many times.

I liked that our FP+ were a reason to return to the parks in the evening, (we don't do that very much anymore.)
Your BOG res. will be a definite reason to retn to the MK

I think your plan is a good one

Awesome, thank you! I have only been once before, when I was 13. So it is basically our first time. My girls will be almost 3 and 5. Im sure they will want to wander and shop, so I thought the evening would be nice to do the random rides and shop, then hit up the parade!

 

[johnsonet]

Awesome, thank you! I have only been once before, when I was 13. So it is basically our first time. My girls will be almost 3 and 5. Im sure they will want to wander and shop, so I thought the evening would be nice to do the random rides and shop, then hit up the parade!

OK.
My brother and SIL are taking their girls in a couple of weeks. The children are similar in age to yours I will report back or PM you how their trip goes. they have been before but only once and are using FP+ for the first time. I'm going to write myself a note to let you know any tips from them.

 

[glohoffman]

OK.
My brother and SIL are taking their girls in a couple of weeks. The children are similar in age to yours I will report back or PM you how their trip goes. they have been before but only once and are using FP+ for the first time. I'm going to write myself a note to let you know any tips from them.

That would be wonderful! MK is the only park I am stressing out about! Thanks so much!

 

[sharonabe]

We haven't been since the addition of FP+, but it seems like that is throwing off what used to be wait times at even the "smaller" attractions.

I agree that your plan looks like a good one. When you finish with dinner, either find a spot to wait for the parade or see what attractions have the shorter lines and go for those. Playing it lose and flexible will make for a much better experience.

 

[BubblyTrip]

So would a Big thunder mountain FP be better in the evening then say...1-2pm?

Probably the same-ish? But will you be there so late in the afternoon with kids if you are doing breaks before the evening?

For us the crowds got uglier a bit after 11.

 

[glohoffman]

Probably the same-ish? But will you be there so late in the afternoon with kids if you are doing breaks before the evening?

For us the crowds got uglier a bit after 11.

We were going to break after our last fastpass that is at 1ish, and then be back for a 5 oclock reservation.

 

[BubblyTrip]

We were going to break after our last fastpass that is at 1ish, and then be back for a 5 oclock reservation.

Got it. I think your plan is fine then. If you'll be content eating and doing just a few easy things in the evening. There were definitely a few 20-30 min wait rides for us in the evenings. Not many, but the ones I mentioned above. Philharmagic is good then too. My 5 yr old loved it, and I thought it was pleasant. Dumbo also has the play area, which makes the line more tolerable for kids. And the evening is a nice time for photos if you have MM.