Choosing a Park

[mdoc]

We're heading to WDW the week after Thanksgiving. 4 adults and a 2 year old. I'm expecting that week will be more crowded than usual this year. The adults have been dozens of times, though 2 of us haven't been since before covid. 2 year old has been once, to MK for one day earlier this year. But it's all about the toddler.

I reserved MK (non-party day), AK and Epcot for our first 3 days. For each of our last two days I reserved MK again (both are party days), with the expectation that we'd hop to HS at around 2 on one day and leave for home late afternoon on the other. My plan for the day we hopped to HS was to stack LLs all day so we'd be able to enjoy attractions without standing in long lines during the crowded afternoon/evening hours. With the changes to Genie+ that will no longer allow me to get LLs for after 2:00 regardless of the current return time, do I need to adjust my plans and do a full day at HS? Is there enough to do there all day with a 2 year old who doesn't tolerate lines well? Alternatively, do the attractions at HS push out past 2:00 fairly early so that the new policy won't matter? I'm assuming that MK and HS are the parks most likely to not have reservations available, otherwise I'd just make a day-of decision based on how the trip is going.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Alternatively, do the attractions at HS push out past 2:00 fairly early so that the new policy won't matter?

For the time you are traveling, I would expect that times will push out very quickly. Slinky will be at 2:00 by 7:03am, then some combination of MFSR, ToT, and RnR will be past 2pm by your second pick up. That said, I don't know that the 2 year old will be able to do any of those (maybe Slinky if it's a tall two) so you're just talking about stuff for the adults.

With the height limits, HS for a two year old is shows, characters, saucers, Mickey and Minnie, and Midway Mania. You could use your G+ in MK throughout the morning and just grab MMRR, AS2 and TSMM when they break the 2pm threshold, if the trip is really all about the toddler. Those three rides, Dis Jr dance party, and Lightening McQueen show are right in a 2 yo's wheelhouse and easily doable in the afternoon. Heck, you could probably stack a few adult HS options earlier in the day, then switch to grabbing the kid friendly stuff when they push out past 2pm.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

We're heading to WDW the week after Thanksgiving. 4 adults and a 2 year old. I'm expecting that week will be more crowded than usual this year. The adults have been dozens of times, though 2 of us haven't been since before covid. 2 year old has been once, to MK for one day earlier this year. But it's all about the toddler.

I reserved MK (non-party day), AK and Epcot for our first 3 days. For each of our last two days I reserved MK again (both are party days), with the expectation that we'd hop to HS at around 2 on one day and leave for home late afternoon on the other. My plan for the day we hopped to HS was to stack LLs all day so we'd be able to enjoy attractions without standing in long lines during the crowded afternoon/evening hours. With the changes to Genie+ that will no longer allow me to get LLs for after 2:00 regardless of the current return time, do I need to adjust my plans and do a full day at HS? Is there enough to do there all day with a 2 year old who doesn't tolerate lines well? Alternatively, do the attractions at HS push out past 2:00 fairly early so that the new policy won't matter? I'm assuming that MK and HS are the parks most likely to not have reservations available, otherwise I'd just make a day-of decision based on how the trip is going.

I realize that this change is supposed to "level the playing field" for those not hopping and that don't have APs but you could do this before in G+ and the system would automatically give you a time after 2. I have also heard that these new changes that they've rolled out have not been working very well. I've not used it yet but I'm keeping my eyes on it. I'd keep a tab on the G+ thread on here for more info too.https://www.disboards.com/threads/everything-genie-genie-and-individual-lightning-lane-please-read-posts-1-7.3856734/

Yes, you're totally right, MK and DHS are the parks where it makes more sense to use G+ as Epcot and AK never really have a need with so few attractions thus higher demand for LLs.

As far as turning your DHS day into a full day instead of PH, without knowing what you'd want to ride, I do think you could have a pretty full day with a 2 year old. We were at DHS over spring break, mid/late April this year and by early afternoon, 3:35p, most of the big attractions were gone. I only remember the time since we were in the LL for Rockin Roller Coaster and were looking for other LLs.

DHS has never been a full day park for us and our kids are teens. However, I think with all the shows back up and running, (not sure if you think your kiddo would be ok with sitting for the shows), the Disney Junior area and some cute meet and greets, there could be a good bit for a nicely paced day with a toddler. I wouldn't do rope drop until close at DHS, but you could definitely fill a day and maybe do a nap time break if needed and I don't think you'd be bored. All in all, I feel like what Disney has done to G+ and PH has really degraded the value of a hopper and downgraded G+ for anyone who hops.

 

[sponica]

do the attractions at HS push out past 2:00 fairly early so that the new policy won't matter?

Slinky dog is blink and you missed it at 7, practically. If you're looking for e-tickets, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I wanted later return times at DHS for some rides because my husband was playing golf, and I think the ones I wanted got later relatively quickly.
But there's not much I'd use a LL on with a 2 year old...

 

[mdoc]

All in all, I feel like what Disney has done to G+ and PH has really degraded the value of a hopper and downgraded G+ for anyone who hops.

I agree with you on this! We're using APs not park hoppers, so I don't have to worry about whether to get a PH, but I don't think I would buy one these days - with the limitations on park hopping and the new G+ policy, they're not worth it.

 

[mdoc]

Slinky dog is blink and you missed it at 7, practically. If you're looking for e-tickets, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I wanted later return times at DHS for some rides because my husband was playing golf, and I think the ones I wanted got later relatively quickly.
But there's not much I'd use a LL on with a 2 year old...

Thanks for this. Whether toddler gets to 38 inches for Slinky Dog in the next 3 months is the big question. Right now I'm thinking she won't. She made Barnstormer by about half an inch in March.