Dec 19th and 20th ... Help Me Plan Please

[FlyTieGuy]

Hi,

Just found this board and it looks like a great resource.

My 11 year old son and I will be driving down to his grandparents and I plan on doing Dec 19th and 20th, 2019, Benn 6 years since he did Disneyland. We will be staying at the Animal Kingdom lodge Some questions and planning ...

1) Seems to be a lot of hotels and fast passes open as only ones not available are Avatar, Slinky Dog and 7 Dwarfs. Am I being too optimistic or should I expect it to be crazy crowded?

2) Should I be satisfied with two parks for a full day each or do the park hopper option?

3) Can I just add park hopper during the day if we decided to do it while there tho leaning towards just doing it?

4) List top 3 fast passes needed/recs for each park (only Avatar, Slinky Dog and 7 Dwarfs are toast)

5) Huge Star Wars kid (me too ) ... should I expect hour plus lines for the rides and any time in the day you guys and gals think are preferable?

6) Anything else to help me out is much appreciated

Thats my start and thank you in advance for helping me make the best out of the two days with my son!

 

[Mome Rath]

Hi,

Just found this board and it looks like a great resource.

My 11 year old son and I will be driving down to his grandparents and I plan on doing Dec 19th and 20th, 2019, Benn 6 years since he did Disneyland. We will be staying at the Animal Kingdom lodge Some questions and planning ...

I'm assuming that this is your first trip to WDW? Just asking so others will know how detailed to get and other tips you may need.

1) Seems to be a lot of hotels and fast passes open as only ones not available are Avatar, Slinky Dog and 7 Dwarfs. Am I being too optimistic or should I expect it to be crazy crowded?

I'd plan for crazy crowds and be happy with anything less. lol I think the 19th will be less crowded than the 20th.

2) Should I be satisfied with two parks for a full day each or do the park hopper option?

I'd stick with 2 parks for a full day each, unless you get to one of the parks and it's absolutely slammed and you want to hop out of it. (Again, I'm assuming this is your first trip.)

3) Can I just add park hopper during the day if we decided to do it while there tho leaning towards just doing it?

Yes, you can add it at any point.

4) List top 3 fast passes needed/recs for each park (only Avatar, Slinky Dog and 7 Dwarfs are toast)

This link should help: Suggested Priorities, it's in the FP FAQ thread.

5) Huge Star Wars kid (me too ) ... should I expect hour plus lines for the rides and any time in the day you guys and gals think are preferable?

I'd suggest following along in the Galaxy's Edge subforum as you get closer to time, and Rise of the Resistance opens. Yes, plan for those hour lines. Right now, later in the evening has been better, but that may change.

Thats my start and thank you in advance for helping me make the best out of the two days with my son!

Have a wonderful trip! It will be busy, but plan ahead, and just be ready for crowds.

 

[hiroMYhero]

To add to this, the OP also has the following thread and questions on the SWGE forum where SWGE posters are replying:

Just realized my original post was in the wrong spot so I am editing it for Galaxy Edge only. Sorry abt that as my 1st time posting.

Best times of the day to head into Galaxy Edge

Approx how much time do we need to take it all in

Can one walk right in or do they limit crowds

Must see attractions

Wait time for rides and attractions

# Thats my start and thank you in advance for helping me out here

 

[Poohspaleeyore]

I prefer to Rope drop (arrive at least an hour before park opening and go straight to ride) inorder to ride the headliner attractions that i do not have fast passes for. i have also read that once you use your three allotted fast passes you can continue to schedule additionall.fastpasses as availability permits. of course the more crowded of a day it is the more limited fast passes are. if you use a fastpass early in the allotted hour you can use the My Disney Experience phone App to reschedule prebooked fast passes for an earlier time. I checked touring plans and crowds for the 19th and 20th are predicted to be a 10 (the maximum) at Hollywood studios but lower at a 3 to 4 for MK. On dec 20th MK opens at 8 am extra magic hours. since you are staying on sight you can take advantage of this and hopefully be able to do a little more. also both days are party days so mk will close at 6 unless you buy party tickets. so if you decide to park hop, i would go to MK first on the 20th and then park hop to Animal Kingdom and rope drop HS on the 19th and then park hop if time permits.