Best route for Magic Kingdom ?

[gravel72]

What’s your best foot path for Magic Kingdom?

I am sure we all agree there is a time to shop and eat on Main Street, but 8 or 9am is not that that time. I know they say “stop and smell the roses”, but there will be time browsing after the first crucial few hours is over.

So once you fly through Main Street, then where do you go? Is it a bee-line to Space Mountain? What’s your route to get the most out of your visit?

I am taking a toddler with me this time, so my plan is to head straight for Fantasyland and Mickey’s Toontown Fair. Since Space Mountain and other thrill rides are out of the question.

Any advice ?

-gravel72

 

[luvsTink]

It the big rides are out, and since you have a toddler I would go to fantasy land. We have a wide range of age of kids (5,7,16) and we found the different touring plans in the Unofficial Guide to be most helpful in planning.

Have fun!

Anne

 

[Lucky4me]

With the little ones it was head straight for Dumbo while someone else got fastpasses for Pooh. From Dumbo it was Peter Pan, Snow White, Teacups, Carousol, Small World, Lion King (now Mickeys Philharmagic) and then use the fast passes for Pooh.

Now that the baby is riding more thrill rides than me, it's straight to Tomorrowland and Space Mountain.

 

[Suebie]

Definitely head to Fantasyland first. This part of the park can get very crowded and congested as the day progresses. We always do Fantasyland first and are done in an hour. If you're in the park by opening, you should be done with Fantasyland in time for Toontown opening at 10:00.

Have fun.

 

[gravel72]

I am staying on property ... ( Is there any other way?), So we will be there when the gates open. Hopefully 7:30am, which has happen before with us.

That'll give us a good 2-3 hours, before the crowd starts piling in.

I see us spendy most of our time at Fantasy Land and Mickey's ToonTown, which is fine with me. What ever she wants to do.

It will be a much slower pace then I am use too, but it'll be good for me to slow down and let her take control.

-gravel72

 

[SeattleMark]

I would highly recommend eitehr http://www.TourGuideMike.com or http://www.touringplans.com (from the folks at the Unofficial guide to Disney.

They're well worth the money and will save you TONS of time standing in lines.

 

[swilphil]

We do Dumbo first and then whatever else in Fantasyland that seems to be "calling" us. We save our Fastpass for Buzz Lightyear.

 

[gravel72]

Yes, I agree. We may have to hit Dumbo first.

The hard part is getting a toddler to walk(or stroll) past everything else on the way to FantasyLand. There will tons of distractions, trying to pull us off that bee-line to Dumbo.

Of course, I do not want to be one of those “Drill Sergeant” Fathers who must race to every ride and follow a strict schedule. I will try to make it to Fantasyland first, but I’ll just relax and see where things fall.

I know from experience if you try to rush things, you make life miserable for everyone.

Any advice for 2-3 year olds ?

 

[crzy4mk]

gravel72,

Not sure how soon your trip is, but if you've got the time (more than 90 days out) and the extra money, I would suggest an early PS at Cinderella's Round Table. When we were at WDW in February, we got the earliest PS possible (8:05) and park opening wasn't until 9:00. We were able to stroll down Main Street while it was virtually empty, enjoy a nice character meal (which my 4 dd will never forget), and be standing at the entrance to Fantasyland when they dropped the rope at about 8:55. We rode Dumbo, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh (fastpass), the Carousel, Snow White, It's a Small World, and see Philharmagic all in the first hour! It makes a huge difference having that head start on everyone while they are trying to figure out which way to go from the gate!

 

[gravel72]

We are about 30 days away from our trip. This time it is just a short 4 day trip.
2 days at the parks on hopper passes. The other 2 days are for traveling and non-park things, such as Downtown Disney.

We wanted to make a short trip while our daughter was still under 3. Kind of a introductory vacation. Plus we wanted to take advantage of the “Free Under 3”.

I am not sure if she will be into the Character meals yet. Although, it does sound like an good idea to have an 8am breakfast. That way you are right near Fantasy Land when it’s time to open.

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by gravel72
Yes, I agree. We may have to hit Dumbo first. The hard part is getting a toddler to walk(or stroll) past everything else on the way to FantasyLand. There will tons of distractions, trying to pull us off that bee-line to Dumbo.

We took our kids this year at 2 and 4 and last year at 1 and 3. It wasn't any problem heading straight for Dumbo. I suggest keeping the toddlers in the stroller or carrying them if they are antsy. There will be lots of time to wander around during the day but opening isn't that time. Now it was a problem waiting at will call to pick up our tickets last year when everyone else was entering the park. This year we bought our park passes ahead of time at the Disney Store.

As far as a character breakfast, our 2 year old and 4 year old just loved the Crystal Palace breakfast with Pooh and friends. We ate at 8:15 and were done a little after 9. You could make an 8:05 PS and be out before the park opens on a non-Early Entry day.

Remember, Toontown doesn't open until 10 a.m., even on Early Entry days.

 

[gravel72]

I was not aware that toontown did not open on early days.

Thanks for the heads-up.


For budget reasons, we are going to eat one meal a day in the hotel. So I figured breakfast was probably the best one for that. That way we can get an early start and be ready for gates opening.

 

[gravel72]

Just to clarify ...

If I have an early morning PS inside one of the parks ( like Crystal Palace), we can get in even if the park is not open yet ?

Do they check your PS at the gate?

 

[Suebie]

Yes, you get in early and they check your PS at the gate. We have a 8:05 PS at Crystal Palace on a day when the park opens at 9:00.

Have fun.

 

[Pig Pen]

My best tip is to utilize the "shortcut" pathways close to the castle to get around MK. Cuts out many miles of walking if you are a crisscrosser like me!