Calling all TRUE experts: Here's a big touring plan challenge

[missypie]

My DS15 will be going to WDW with his school choir in late april. Their ONLY MK day is the day they arrive. They will probably arrive in the park at about 2 pm on Thursday, April 27th. I don't even think they are staying until park closing. It breaks my heart to think of that being their only time at MK (the "full" days are being devoted to MGM and one of the Universal parks). Fortunately, DS was just at WDW last summer, so he don't die if he doesn't get to ride everything.

I have these visions of them all getting into a long line and maybe getting to ride two rides the whole time...or getting a FP with a return time after they have to leave the parks.

Is there anyone brave enough to suggest a touring plan for these guys? I'm such a "get to the park 30 minutes before park opening and be done by 2 pm" person that I just can't fathom not getting to a park until 2 pm. Help!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

We went last year at the end of April - it was the end of peak season, nowhere near Easter, and just before the start of the Celebration. Overall, the crowds were fairly mild, but that was last year.
We found Epcot to be the best park for that time of year - the flowers were amazing, as were some of the other parts of F&G festival. Even if you aren't into gardening at all - they make flowering topiaries of the characters that are just amazing to see! If I had to visit one park at that time of year, and I'd been to WDW before, I'd go there. Plus, there's a lot to see that doesn't require waiting in a line, and lots of great QS places to eat. But generally, I wouldn't try to do WDW in less than four days. IF I was in your son's position, I'd choose an extra day at WDW over a day at Universal...but that's me.

It also depends what day of the week it is regarding crowd levels. Certain days are worse than others - EMH days can be the worst. They should consider that when planning their tour days.

As far as a MK tour plan - I'd say stay as late as they can - the crowds thin out at night. I'd also avoid eating at peak times and eat on the run. I'd also stay on rides during the parade, and maybe even during the fireworks. (Splash/BTMRR are really cool during the fireworks!) After the fireworks, a throng of people flooded Tomorrowland during the EMH night.
Big Thunder is great ride to hit during the fireworks. Splash will have a short line in the am, and evening. Avoid Small World in the afternoon, PP will also be crowded then. (Though PP always seems to be crowded.)
If the park is open late, and they can pull it off, it might be worthwhile to take a nap in the afternoon, so they can stay later.
If they are getting to the parks in the afternoon, it might be worthwhile to drive if they have access to a car. Another suggestion (say, if they are at a moderate resort with more than one stop,) would be to catch the bus at the main bus stop near the lobby rather than bus stops on the back side of the resort. Esp, if it's a MK EMH night.
The ride board (with wait times) by the castle used to be helpful, but recently, they were VERY unreliable.
I imagine your son won't want to hit rides like the Tiki birds per say - as opposed to the mountains, but if they want quantity some rides to consider would be: Tiki birds, HM, CBJ, Stitch, maybe Buzz, Snow White, AC, teacups - especially in the afternoon, when crowds are at their peak.
Otherwise, I'd say they have a good shot at getting at least a few FP's -I'd probably pick SM for a FP as soon as they enter the park. Late at night, they may be able to ride the other mountains multiple times without long waits, but not SM.

 

[missypie]

I appreciate your post, but the kids have NO control over what park they go to when, no option to hop to another park or go on another day, no choice of when they leave. I had thought of chaperoning, but when I saw the terrible schedule (and HUGE tour company mark-up), I didn't want to go anymore.

I think a Space Mountain FP is a good idea...maybe stand in line for Buzz and also do TTA; I can see the guys getting into the teacups. Maybe by then they can get another FP for BTMRR and/or Splash. Pirates will be closed.

 

[dwcrazee]

We will be there the same night! we have another day devoted to MK but, are going in that evening to catch Spectro. There are 2 Spectro shows that night so , if they are not into the parade they may be able avoid lines by riding while everyone else in the park is watching the parade.

I agree with the other poster in trying to eat at off times to maximize there ride time.

Good Luck!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

It's too bad they have so little control. Still, I think they could manage to have a good time. While they might not be able to make changes, knowing if it will be an EMH day will effect the crowd level. If it isn't an EMH day, they stand a better chance of hitting quite a few rides. If they know what time they have to leave, it will also help. They might not want to wait too late to hit the mountains, but probably the later the shorter the lines will be. Some attractions never really get long lines. If they aren't staying until park close, then maybe they could maximize their park time by waiting to eat dinner - they could have a pizza delivered to their room maybe. Most of the Disney resorts will deliver pizza to the rooms until 11pm (maybe all of them). Off property pizza places will go later than that. Even if the chaperones won't let them go out for food, they could always do that. If they are staying off property, call the hotel. They can give you a list of restaurants that will deliver.

 

[Amy&Dan]

We are also there that same night! Originally, that was supposed to be a late night EMH night until 1:00 a.m. but they changed that to the 30th I believe. Now the 27th is an early morning EMH which will make the park crowded pretty much all day. We were there this same time last year, and the thing that makes MK crazy at night in late April, when both Wishes and Spectro are shown, is that there are Grad Nites on both Fri and Sat of that week. So everybody who knows this knows to go to MK on the nights during the week there is Wishes/Spectro. I think the best advice is to pick one headliner and maybe one or two other things. Space Mountain would hopefully have fp's available in the afternoon when they arrive. TTA and Mickey's Philharmagic are both good ones to do while they wait for that fp to come up. Mickey's Philharmagic can hold so many people that even a long line gets in pretty quickly. And TTA hardly ever has a line. I agree with others that if they are there later, riding rides during Wishes/Spectro is a good idea. Unless of course they'd rather see the entertainment! And we rarely saw lines for Splash Mtn. last year at that time after about 9:00 p.m. So they may not even need to fp that one, especially if its at all chilly that night! It is a shame your son won't have much time, but a few hours at MK is better than no time at all! And he will likely be having so much fun with his choir mates he won't notice anything he misses.