Critique my plans

[Kydisneyfamily]

Our trip is coming in June. This is the first time I've been in many years and the first time I've ever had to plan. Planning is all on me. DH is one of the people that thinks FP costs extra. FP window opens April 18 and while we're on Spring Break and I've got time to plan I'm trying to determine FPs and times. Below is the schedule I've sketched out. Advice and tips from veterans is greatly appreciated. I know this will be a busy time so I want to have realistic expectations as to what we will be able to accomplish. I've played around with Touring Plans to help some. We're staying at All-Star Sports with quick service dining plan and will pay OOP for 2 character meals. We have 2 rooms and are reservations are linked in my MDE account. For FP purposes I have Group A: Myself, DH, and DS5. We also have DS2 which will qualify us to use Child Swap. Group B: Mom, Grandma, and 10 year old. I want to RD as much as possible so I don't think the Pandora EMH are a feasible option for us. I know this post if quite lengthy. Thank you for taking time to read and respond.

Arrival Day: Saturday, June 17
We'll probably arrive late afternoon/early evening. Plan is to hang around the resort (explore, visit gift shop, arcade, and/or swim). Dinner in food court.

Sunday, June 18
Morning Extra Magic Hours at Hollywood Studios.
8:00-9:00 Rope Drop RNRC and TOT and use Child Swap.
9:00-10:00 FP TSMM, Meet Buzz/Woody, Meet Mickey, Minnie, Chip, and Dale
10:00-11:00 FP Star Tours. We'll have to ride in 2 groups.
11:00-12:00 Group A Disney Jr. show and meet Disney Jr. characters. Group B to Frozen sing a long. Grab a QS lunch. Leave around 1:00 and return to resort for rest or swim break.
Leave resort around 5:00 and head to MK. I can't resist visiting MK on our first park day. We'll grab a QS dinner and see what Extra FPs we can pick up and see if we can find some short lines. I thought maybe exploring the Adventureland, Frontierland, and Liberty Square area. We'll try to catch Happily Ever After before returning to resort.

Monday, June 19
Morning Extra Magic Hours at Animal Kingdom
8:00-9:00 RD to Safari and the Gorilla Falls Trail in Africa. Discovery Island Trails on the way to Pandora.
All FP(9-10) boat ride. Arrive at the end of FP window. Group A FP Flight of Passage 10-11 and Group B ride with Child Swap.
10:30: Head to Asia. Group B FP Everest (11-12) and Group A use Child Swap. Group A FP Primeval Whirl (11-12) and Group B Child Swap. Triceratop Spin. QS lunch and then Group B FP rapids (12-1) and Group A use Child Swap. I want to do this right before we leave for our break so we can head straight back and change out of wet clothes. Leave around 1:00 and return to resort for rest/swim break.
Leave resort around 5:00 and head to Epcot. QS diner in Epcot. Use extra FPs or find short lines in Future World or maybe just stick to touring part of World Showcase and watch Illuminations.

Tuesday, June 20
Magic Kingdom for regular park opening. We have an ADR at Crystal Palace at 10:35. (We also have a 10:30 on Friday. We will only keep one. Opinions on which to keep?) When I made this ADR I was thinking this was an EMH morning and we would've had 2 hours of park time before worrying about this. Maybe I looked on the park hours wrong or at one time it was EMH morning? Rope Drop to PP and other Fantasyland rides. Suggestions on what order to hit them in? Group A FP 7DMT 9-10 and Group B use Child Swap. Group B FP Barnstormer 9-10 and Group A use Child Swap. Around 10 start heading to CP? This doesn't leave much time here so I'm leaning toward canceling this ADR. Hoping to get an around 11:15-12:15 FP for Buzz and hit it at the end of the window and an around 12:15-1:15 FP for Town Square Mickey and hit that at the beginning of the window on our way out of the park for our afternoon break.

Tuesday evening head to HS. Try to catch anything we missed on our morning visit. Fantasmic is at 9:00. Maybe get a QS dinner around 7:30-7:45 (arriving at the theater around 8) and bring it to eat in the theater while waiting for showtime. We have to sit down to eat at some point so I'm trying to think of ways to maximize our time.

Wednesday, June 21
Epcot for regular park opening. RD to TT. We will need to use Child Swap pass. Finish up here by 9:45? Thoughts on using now or coming back later? Group B FP FEA 9:15-10:15 and Group A use Child Swap Pass. Group A Fastpass for Soarin 10:30-11:30 while Group B rides with Child Swap. Ride Living with the Land. FP Character Spot 11:30-12:30. Try to catch Turtle Talk and Seas with Nemo. FP Spaceship Earth (12:30-1:30) and hit on the way out for afternoon break.

Wednesday evening in Magic Kingdom catching short lines, picking up Extra FPs, or just enjoying the atmosphere.

Thursday, June 22
Epcot for Extra Magic Hour. We have a 10:45 ADR for Chef Mickey. Spend 8:00-10:00 finishing up Future World Attractions that we've missed. Leave around 10:00 (?) and use monorail to get to Contemporary. Then for getting back to the resort. Monorail back to Epcot or MK and catch the bus?

Thursday evening in Animal Kingdom. FP for ROL and ???

Friday, June 23
Our last park day and MK morning EMH. So we'll probably head to MK. We do have a Crystal Palace ADR for 10:30. I'm thinking we should keep this one and cancel Tuesday's to have more park time Tuesday? FPs for ???
Evening plans are kind of play it by ear. Return to MK, visit another park, or rest and pack.

 

[Pkltm]

i don't think you can fastpass both pandora rides.

 

[pitpat]

Don't miss the Lion King show at AK. Nemo is also a good show, but long.

I wouldn't waste a FP on Barnstormer, especially from 9-10. Winnie the Pooh would save you more time.

 

[gap2368]

Our trip is coming in June. This is the first time I've been in many years and the first time I've ever had to plan. Planning is all on me. DH is one of the people that thinks FP costs extra. FP window opens April 18 and while we're on Spring Break and I've got time to plan I'm trying to determine FPs and times. Below is the schedule I've sketched out. Advice and tips from veterans is greatly appreciated. I know this will be a busy time so I want to have realistic expectations as to what we will be able to accomplish. I've played around with Touring Plans to help some. We're staying at All-Star Sports with quick service dining plan and will pay OOP for 2 character meals. We have 2 rooms and are reservations are linked in my MDE account. For FP purposes I have Group A: Myself, DH, and DS5. We also have DS2 which will qualify us to use Child Swap. Group B: Mom, Grandma, and 10 year old. I want to RD as much as possible so I don't think the Pandora EMH are a feasible option for us. I know this post if quite lengthy. Thank you for taking time to read and respond.

Arrival Day: Saturday, June 17
We'll probably arrive late afternoon/early evening. Plan is to hang around the resort (explore, visit gift shop, arcade, and/or swim). Dinner in food court.

Sunday, June 18
Morning Extra Magic Hours at Hollywood Studios.
8:00-9:00 Rope Drop RNRC and TOT and use Child Swap.
9:00-10:00 FP TSMM, Meet Buzz/Woody, Meet Mickey, Minnie, Chip, and Dale
10:00-11:00 FP Star Tours. We'll have to ride in 2 groups.
11:00-12:00 Group A Disney Jr. show and meet Disney Jr. characters. Group B to Frozen sing a long. Grab a QS lunch. Leave around 1:00 and return to resort for rest or swim break.
Leave resort around 5:00 and head to MK. I can't resist visiting MK on our first park day. We'll grab a QS dinner and see what Extra FPs we can pick up and see if we can find some short lines. I thought maybe exploring the Adventureland, Frontierland, and Liberty Square area. We'll try to catch Happily Ever After before returning to resort.

Monday, June 19
Morning Extra Magic Hours at Animal Kingdom
8:00-9:00 RD to Safari and the Gorilla Falls Trail in Africa. Discovery Island Trails on the way to Pandora.
All FP(9-10) boat ride. Arrive at the end of FP window. Group A FP Flight of Passage 10-11 and Group B ride with Child Swap.
10:30: Head to Asia. Group B FP Everest (11-12) and Group A use Child Swap. Group A FP Primeval Whirl (11-12) and Group B Child Swap. Triceratop Spin. QS lunch and then Group B FP rapids (12-1) and Group A use Child Swap. I want to do this right before we leave for our break so we can head straight back and change out of wet clothes. Leave around 1:00 and return to resort for rest/swim break.
Leave resort around 5:00 and head to Epcot. QS diner in Epcot. Use extra FPs or find short lines in Future World or maybe just stick to touring part of World Showcase and watch Illuminations.

Tuesday, June 20
Magic Kingdom for regular park opening. We have an ADR at Crystal Palace at 10:35. (We also have a 10:30 on Friday. We will only keep one. Opinions on which to keep?) When I made this ADR I was thinking this was an EMH morning and we would've had 2 hours of park time before worrying about this. Maybe I looked on the park hours wrong or at one time it was EMH morning? Rope Drop to PP and other Fantasyland rides. Suggestions on what order to hit them in? Group A FP 7DMT 9-10 and Group B use Child Swap. Group B FP Barnstormer 9-10 and Group A use Child Swap. Around 10 start heading to CP? This doesn't leave much time here so I'm leaning toward canceling this ADR. Hoping to get an around 11:15-12:15 FP for Buzz and hit it at the end of the window and an around 12:15-1:15 FP for Town Square Mickey and hit that at the beginning of the window on our way out of the park for our afternoon break.

Tuesday evening head to HS. Try to catch anything we missed on our morning visit. Fantasmic is at 9:00. Maybe get a QS dinner around 7:30-7:45 (arriving at the theater around 8) and bring it to eat in the theater while waiting for showtime. We have to sit down to eat at some point so I'm trying to think of ways to maximize our time.

Wednesday, June 21
Epcot for regular park opening. RD to TT. We will need to use Child Swap pass. Finish up here by 9:45? Thoughts on using now or coming back later? Group B FP FEA 9:15-10:15 and Group A use Child Swap Pass. Group A Fastpass for Soarin 10:30-11:30 while Group B rides with Child Swap. Ride Living with the Land. FP Character Spot 11:30-12:30. Try to catch Turtle Talk and Seas with Nemo. FP Spaceship Earth (12:30-1:30) and hit on the way out for afternoon break.

Wednesday evening in Magic Kingdom catching short lines, picking up Extra FPs, or just enjoying the atmosphere.

Thursday, June 22
Epcot for Extra Magic Hour. We have a 10:45 ADR for Chef Mickey. Spend 8:00-10:00 finishing up Future World Attractions that we've missed. Leave around 10:00 (?) and use monorail to get to Contemporary. Then for getting back to the resort. Monorail back to Epcot or MK and catch the bus?

Thursday evening in Animal Kingdom. FP for ROL and ???

Friday, June 23
Our last park day and MK morning EMH. So we'll probably head to MK. We do have a Crystal Palace ADR for 10:30. I'm thinking we should keep this one and cancel Tuesday's to have more park time Tuesday? FPs for ???
Evening plans are kind of play it by ear. Return to MK, visit another park, or rest and pack.

I think you might have too much planed for too little time.

2 you can only FP 1 ride in pandora and the change you get the time you want is slim.

3 going back every day to your resort take a lot of time, you may only want to do this 1 day

4 for child swap often times they want to see the too short child so go to the ride all together

 

[chris benton]

Random thoughts:
1. You can grab fp+ at different parks, so don't wait until you are at that park to check for fo+. Example:
"Leave resort around 5:00 and head to MK. I can't resist visiting MK on our first park day. We'll grab a QS dinner and see what Extra FPs we can pick up." Pretty sure you can score MK fp+ for later that day while you are still in Hollywood. No need to wait.

2. Don't waste a FP on Barnstormer unless it's near and dear to your heart, and the wait is more than 20 minutes. That is to say, the ride itself is just a kiddie coaster, it's over before you know it, and I'd bet the wait for it wouldn't be THAT bad.

 

[mindeola]

1. Hollywood Studios You are missing out if you do not do TS Midway Mania. You would definitely need to FP. Your kids will love it! I love that you are going to MK on the first day! I can't resist that either. Make your FP for there as soon as you swipe your band on the last FP of HS.

2. IO do not think you can accomplish all of that before one. Still a decent plan though.

3. My birthday! Wish I was going to be in MK! I would drop CP breakfast that day. I love going there, but you are taking time away from the cooler temps and lower crowds.

4. You cant make FP for Frozen before 1100 I don't think?

I like your approach since that is what we do. Park in the am with a different park in the PM. It works well for us. Have fun!

 

[Kydisneyfamily]

i don't think you can fastpass both pandora rides.

You can't and I know that. Thanks for pointing that out. I worked on this so much my head's spinning. I can change one of them to the time we are there for ROL.

 

[Kydisneyfamily]

I would like to see Lion King and Nemo. I'm just not sure where to fit it in. My thinking in FP Barnstormer was so that it has a height requirement and we could split FPs between that and something else. My plan is to snatch evening FP as soon as we scan the last one of the morning. With the heat and crowds and two little guys I just feel we need that afternoon break and rest time.

 

[HopperFan]

1. Hollywood Studios You are missing out if you do not do TS Midway Mania. You would definitely need to FP. Your kids will love it! I love that you are going to MK on the first day! I can't resist that either. Make your FP for there as soon as you swipe your band on the last FP of HS.

2. IO do not think you can accomplish all of that before one. Still a decent plan though.

3. My birthday! Wish I was going to be in MK! I would drop CP breakfast that day. I love going there, but you are taking time away from the cooler temps and lower crowds.

4. You cant make FP for Frozen before 1100 I don't think?

I like your approach since that is what we do. Park in the am with a different park in the PM. It works well for us. Have fun!

OP planned that, with a lot of other things in a one hour set. I don't think all that can be done, Buzz & Woody alone can eat up 30 minutes of it. "9:00-10:00 FP TSMM, Meet Buzz/Woody, Meet Mickey, Minnie, Chip, and Dale"

Completely agree the plan is very aggressive for summer with little ones.

 

[Kydisneyfamily]

OP planned that, with a lot of other things in a one hour set. I don't think all that can be done, Buzz & Woody alone can eat up 30 minutes of it. "9:00-10:00 FP TSMM, Meet Buzz/Woody, Meet Mickey, Minnie, Chip, and Dale"

Completely agree the plan is very aggressive for summer with little ones.

Planning HS is my downfall! All the shows make it so hard. I could cut out all the characters meets, most of those we could find elsewhere anyway.

 

[HopperFan]

Planning HS is my downfall! All the shows make it so hard. I could cut out all the characters meets, most of those we could find elsewhere anyway.

It is the only place to get Buzz & Woody together so I would keep that one. Only place Mickey is Sorcerer (cool set too). Minnie is quite cute as well but since you have boys I would catch her elsewhere, they likely won't be impressed with her dress. Chip and Dale at MK are cute in their cowboy vests.

 

[Kydisneyfamily]

Do you have to wait in two separate lines for Mickey and Minnie?

 

[nicki.momof3]

I think you need to step you plan back by 50%. You are traveling with two young children. Keep the afternoon resort break. Everyone will need it. You have way to many things planned in short periods of time.

Make a list of your top few "must do's" at each park. The rest are "optional". Take time to swim and relax. The summer heat is brutal.

Have a great trip.

 

[drinkme]

I think it's great you have breaks planned for every day, especially with the little kids in your family. And the heat in June. However, you also plan on doing early EMH almost everyday ALONG WITH going back to the park in the evening.

First, with the little ones it will be hard to do the "leave at 1pm, go back to swim/rest, head to park at 5." It will be more like 7 before you get back to the park. It just takes a lot of time to travel back and forth. By the second day you will be done with doing that!

With getting to the second park so late you will stay until closing. After a couple of days everyone will want to sleep in. The heat is just too much.

But this is just my opinion. Many families do what you have planned and they make it work.

Have a fun trip!!

 

[loutoo]

There is no rider swap for FEA. If you want to ride it the whole group must have fp, which means riding soaring standby.

I agree that you are perhaps overly ambitious with a 2 and 5 year old. I absolutely agree you should be taking breaks, but I think at least one or two of your days should be 1/2 days where you only do either the morning or night.

Doing rope drop in the morning and nightie show at night can be overwhelming day after day, even with afternoon brealks. Take a night or a morning off.

Exhausted kids and adults lead to less fun.

 

[HopperFan]

Do you have to wait in two separate lines for Mickey and Minnie?

Hmm, I guess they might be one line. We did it during EMM and there were no lines - we were the only ones, so it seemed like they weren't one but I guess they are ... They are not together though, two different rooms. If your goal was together that would be AK.