Can MK still be done "old school"

[kessieann]

We have not been to DW for a few years and all this new information is a bit overwhelming.
We will only be at MK for 1 day and all I really want to know is can you still get on a ride if you
don't do the Magic Band & FF+? Is there still just a standard line you can get in or does
the wait make it unbearable? Also, I still have one more day from a paper Magic Your Way
card with a card reader strip on the back. Do you have to turn this in at guest services &
get a new ticket or will they still take the paper one at the gate?

 

[Accident]

There is still standy(normal) lines and some rides even have single rider lines... As normal, areas of the park and certain times of days, the lines will be longer than others.. Fastpass is just a way to get a couple things with less waiting but it's first come, first serve and limited number of fastpasses per ride for each time slot.. The newest rides and shows tend to have the longest lines and they can get to be somewhere between 1 and 2 hours of waiting for them.

I've never converted an older ticket to know, if you do need to convert it, guest relations is directly next to where you go through the 'turnstyle' so only a few steps to the side to take care of it there.

 

[hamilkm]

After you trade in your old ticket you can always go to a FP+ kiosk in the park and schedule 3 fast passes for the day. When I was there the Saturday of Labor Day weekend we were able to get things like Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain the same day.

 

[Nohal]

Keep in mind that the line for guest relations is usually long. Get there as early as you can. As PP said after you get your ticket go to the FP+ machine and get 3 FP's for things you want to do. Thanks to FP+ there are usually lines at all of the rides even the ones that didn't have lines before. You don't need a magic band but you will need to use your ticket if you get FP+.

 

[mom2rtk]

Of course you can still just show up and wait in line. But a huge portion of each attraction's capacity is taken up with FP+, so the waits can indeed get very long. Additionally, there are more attractions with FP than ever before. So depending on the time of year you visit, you would need to pack your patience.

There's no reason not to at least try FP. Schedule 3 rides as soon as you trade in your ticket. Worst that could happen is that you don't use them. Best that would happen is that you get to bypass 3 lines. You can get more after the first 3, but you must line up at a kiosk to avoid a line with FP+

 

[subtchr]

There is still standy(normal) lines and some rides even have single rider lines...

Just FYI for the OP, there are only 3 single rider lines at WDW, and none are in the MK.

Test Track, Rock 'N Roller Coaster, and Expedition Everest.

 

[cjparker0110]

Old school is still an option as others have stated. Give FP a try as it never hurts to cut down on wait time on a few rides. However, don't feel compelled to run clear across the park to make your next FP reservation. You can always just stand in another line. Last time I was there you only got one FP at a time. Odds were slim on getting 2-3 unless you were lucky. But even there, I remember having an FP for Soarin' for 5:00 or something. I just know we were half way around World Showcase when that came up. The ONLY reason I trekked across the park for it was the wait time for that ride was averaging 2 hours at the time and I wasn't willing to do that for any ride.

Use your best judgment and discernment in choosing what to do and you'll have fun.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

You're going to want the FP when you get there. Things you probably remember having little to no lines now have 30+ minute waits with the addition of FP+. Just see what's available at the kiosks and go from there.

 

[wisblue]

We have had some days going to MK without FP in advance, and you can do just fine.

My first suggestion would be to follow what has been the single most important piece of advice since WDW opened. Get to the park early, and take advantage of the lower crowds to do as many things as possible before the crowds get too large.

I would also second the recommendation others have made to make 3 FP reservations shortly after you enter the park. At MK there is usually a good selection of FPs available in the morning, though you probably won't be able to get anything for 7DMT or some of the low capacity FP attractions, like meeting Anna and Elsa or the parades or fireworks.

Because you haven't been to WDW in a few years, I would also recommend looking at one of the many resources out there, like Touring Plans or easyWDW, to help identify which attractions you want to experience and how to approach the park to do them with as little waiting as possible.

If you have to convert an old ticket, that's all the more reason to get there early. If you are in the area the night before, you can convert the ticket at one of the parks or at Disney Springs (Downtown Disney). If you have to do it at MK, I would plan to be there at least 45 minutes before park opening to get that resolved.

 

[hsmamato2]

if you won't have FP I would plan to be there WELL before rope drop.... I have read that is the best way to avoid crowded lines... and head straight to wherever is important to you..... if the park opens at 8:30 you should be waiting at the gate by 7:30 (?)

 

[3DisneyFanz]

We have had some days going to MK without FP in advance, and you can do just fine.

My first suggestion would be to follow what has been the single most important piece of advice since WDW opened. Get to the park early, and take advantage of the lower crowds to do as many things as possible before the crowds get too large.

I would also second the recommendation others have made to make 3 FP reservations shortly after you enter the park. At MK there is usually a good selection of FPs available in the morning, though you probably won't be able to get anything for 7DMT or some of the low capacity FP attractions, like meeting Anna and Elsa or the parses or fireworks.

Because you haven't been to WDW in a few years, I would also recommend looking at one of the many resources out there, like Touring Plans or easyWDW, to help identify which attractions you want to experience and how to approach the park to do them with as little waiting as possible.

If you have to convert an old ticket, that's all the more reason to get there early. If you are in the area the night before, you can convert the ticket at one of the parks or at Disney Springs (Downtown Disney). If you have to do it at MK, I would plan to be there at least 45 minutes before park opening to get that resolved.

If possible I think the last point about Disney Springs is a solid idea if you can do it. The guest services areas down there can also have 30+ minute waits but the one at Disney Quest is usually much less crowded than the one next to the marketplace co-op.

 

[Accident]

The guest services areas

I used to mix up these names also. So you can find it, your looking for Guest Relations, guest services is a different group and you won't find an office for them and they can't help you with ticket conversions.

 

[MrsHull]

What time of year are you going?

The thing is, visitors can only book 3 FP+ in advance anyway. So, unless they are only doing those three attractions, most people wait in more standby lines than FP lines anyway. So, yes, it is possible to not use FP+ and have a good time. However, you may find you like this system better than paper fast passes, if you remember those. Instead of having to send a runner ahead to secure fast passes, now you just make your three reservations at a kiosk and enjoy the rest of your day. (Or book in advance if you don't have a ticket to trade out).

 

[WillAustin]

I'd try to use FP+ and also get to the parks early.

Just as a random example, if you went to MK today, right now, these are the standby times:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: 40
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin: 35
Haunted Mansion: 30
Jungle Cruise: 40
Peter Pan's Flight: 75
Pirates of the Carribean: 50
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: 50
Space Mountain: 35
Splash Mountain: 40
Winnie the Pooh: 35

I'd want to be using FP+ today.

 

[RedAngie]

Of course you can still just show up and wait in line. But a huge portion of each attraction's capacity is taken up with FP+, so the waits can indeed get very long. Additionally, there are more attractions with FP than ever before. So depending on the time of year you visit, you would need to pack your patience.

+

I take it those FP+ ONLY trials at Toy Story Mania and a few others didn't prove feasible.....not yet anyway.

 

[sunshine1]

When i went last month. I had no pre booked fps.

I was there for rope drop weaved my way through the crowds and was within the first 40 people or so to get on to the 7 dwarfs mine train.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

We have not been to DW for a few years and all this new information is a bit overwhelming.
We will only be at MK for 1 day and all I really want to know is can you still get on a ride if you
don't do the Magic Band & FF+? Is there still just a standard line you can get in or does
the wait make it unbearable? Also, I still have one more day from a paper Magic Your Way
card with a card reader strip on the back. Do you have to turn this in at guest services &
get a new ticket or will they still take the paper one at the gate?

Really depends on when you are thinking of going - as in, what date?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

In short, no.

WDW is not the same place it was a few years back. The changeover to FP+ means touring is now vastly different. Standby lines still exist, as others have said, but there is no reason YOU can't use FP - since you already HAVE tickets.

Whether you need to convert your ticket to enter the park depends how old. I'm not 100%, but I think paper= needs to be converted. (I think all the ones that are new enough are plastic)

HOWEVER- I think as long as it is MYW- you can link it BEFORE YOU GO - via Disney's MDE. If you can link it via the website, then you CAN book your FP in advance. You'll also verify how many days of park admission are left on the ticket.

Once you link it though- it will be listed as your top ticket until you unlink it. If it really only has one day, then the following won't matter. The following only applies if you discover it has more than one day left: if you aren't going to use ALL the days up now, you will want to unlink it at the end of your trip. (or rather un prioritize it). And MAKE SURE the correct ticket is linked on future trips until you use this old one up. I hope that makes sense.