Dhs day strategy with topolinos reservation

[KGmomoftwins]

Going to dhs on August 20 but have a Topilinos reservation at 11:30. How should we do our touring plan? We are staying at BWI. Our priorities in the order are all Toy Story rides, all Star Wars rides, rail road, and frozen show. I’m willing to purchase l ILL and the new fast pass. Just need help with logistics of a touring plan. What to go on when and realistically when we need to leave the park. Or would we be better off just going to the park after the character breakfast? Thanks for the help!

 

[scrappinginontario]

You can get a lot done between Early Theme Park Entry and your ADR. If it were me, I would leave DHS at 10:30 at the latest.

What order to tour would be based on what is up or down at the time you enter the park and when you enter the park. Personally we would choose to start in either TSL or Batuu (Star Wars).

 

[Disturbia]

Going to dhs on August 20 but have a Topilinos reservation at 11:30. How should we do our touring plan? We are staying at BWI. Our priorities in the order are all Toy Story rides, all Star Wars rides, rail road, and frozen show. I’m willing to purchase l ILL and the new fast pass. Just need help with logistics of a touring plan. What to go on when and realistically when we need to leave the park. Or would we be better off just going to the park after the character breakfast? Thanks for the help!

You can try moving the ADR to 12:15 pm (negative there is that the characters don’t stop by as much). Stakeout can give you a notification. If not, I would utilize early entry and hit a few rides before the early lunch at 11:30 IF your family has early risers and you don’t have a late evening the night before. It’s extremely difficult to exit by 10:40 am and you will not be able to check in until you’re inside Riviera (I’ve tried). HS is so crowded and spread out and even calling a cab takes the same time as taking the Skyliner (from experience).

Check 2-3 days before and someone might cancel an early 7-8 am booking (cancelation is now 2 hours so that won’t help because you will be at your resort or in the park).

Ask your family if they would want to sleep in instead and start the park around 1 pm (Budget 1.5 hours for the breakfast). Aug is hot, remember to take some electrolytes (HS has little shade and lines for carts can be long as well; I usually take liquid IV packets).

 

[KGmomoftwins]

You can try moving the ADR to 12:15 pm (negative there is that the characters don’t stop by as much). Stakeout can give you a notification. If not, I would utilize early entry and hit a few rides before the early lunch at 11:30 IF your family has early risers and you don’t have a late evening the night before. It’s extremely difficult to exit by 10:40 am and you will not be able to check in until you’re inside Riviera (I’ve tried). HS is so crowded and spread out and even calling a cab takes the same time as taking the Skyliner (from experience).

Check 2-3 days before and someone might cancel an early 7-8 am booking (cancelation is now 2 hours so that won’t help because you will be at your resort or in the park).

Ask your family if they would want to sleep in instead and start the park around 1 pm (Budget 1.5 hours for the breakfast). Aug is hot, remember to take some electrolytes (HS has little shade and lines for carts can be long as well; I usually take liquid IV packets

I think I’m leaning to doing the park 1 until close we might need a sleep in day as this will be our third park day in a row. Only doing 4 nights.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I think I’m leaning to doing the park 1 until close we might need a sleep in day as this will be our third park day in a row. Only doing 4 nights.

Just 2 note.

If your ADR is at 11:30, I would anticipate it being closer to 1:30 if not 2:00 before you arrive at DHS. Often an ADR (especially with characters) can take 90 mins to enjoy your meal and not feel rushed. Topolino’s is one of our current favourite ADRs!

Also, you will want to check show times for Frozen as it will end earlier than your other attractions.

 

[Skippyboo]

I don’t think the Frozen show starts running until 9:30 am and then it’s on the 30s until last show at 6:30 pm. That and Star Tours are definitely something to do after eating. I would get FP and try for SDD, TSMM, Aliens with your 3. Then you can try to book MMRR. Remember it will have tiers with advanced booking. Rope drop Rise and then pop over to MFSR. The Skyliner from HS to CBR is pretty short and then a quick hop on Epcot line to Riviera.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I don’t think the Frozen show starts running until 9:30 am and then it’s on the 30s until last show at 6:30 pm. That and Star Tours are definitely something to do after eating. I would get FP and try for SDD, TSMM, Aliens with your 3. Then you can try to book MMRR. Remember it will have tiers with advanced booking. Rope drop Rise and then pop over to MFSR. The Skyliner from HS to CBR is pretty short and then a quick hop on Epcot line to Riviera.

I think I’m leaning to doing the park 1 until close we might need a sleep in day as this will be our third park day in a row. Only doing 4 nights.

OP is now saying they won't arrive until after their ADR which will change things up for them a bit.

 

[Mikey15]

I think I’m leaning to doing the park 1 until close we might need a sleep in day as this will be our third park day in a row. Only doing 4 nights.

It’s a tough call. I can’t imagine doing it with twins, but on paper you’ll get more done while it’s cooler if you rope drop and then go to Topolino’s. Starting the park with the least shade at 1 in August after a full meal when you want to hit a lot of popular attractions sounds rough to me.

My thoughts since you’re staying so close would be:
1. Buy Multipass (G+)
2. Buy Rise individually
3. Rope drop Toy Story land. Or at least plan to depending on how Multipass booking goes. This is all new again to everyone but Slinky Dog is Tier 1 with MFSR and MMRR so you’re going to want to hit one early if you don’t get the prebooking
4. Do MMRR and/or Frozen singalong after TSL if you can get them done before 11. Big asterisk but Multipass should help here for Frozen (and for getting AS2 / TSM done sooner)
5. Leave DHS at 11a (no later) and take Skyliner to CBR then Riviera
6. Enjoy a nice brunch
7. Skyliner from Riviera to Epcot and walk ~5mins to Boardwalk
8. Nap
9. Go back for Star Wars stuff when and if you’re up for it. I said DHS is bad for shade and I meant it, but Black Spire Outpost is much better than the rest. It’s also beautiful after dark, but it’s August and I’m guessing you probably won’t make it that late. Still, now you should be rested and able to leisurely finish that part of the park.

The Milennium Falcon ride is weird. Some days it can be practically walk on. Other days it’s an hour wait. Rise you at least can pay for LL, but there’s also a risk of it going down during the day (but it’s very much worth doing). Star Tours can basically be walk on unless people are trying to escape a sudden downpour or beating sun.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

It’s a tough call. I can’t imagine doing it with twins, but on paper you’ll get more done while it’s cooler if you rope drop and then go to Topolino’s. Starting the park with the least shade at 1 in August after a full meal when you want to hit a lot of popular attractions sounds rough to me.

My thoughts since you’re staying so close would be:
1. Buy Multipass (G+)
2. Buy Rise individually
3. Rope drop Toy Story land. Or at least plan to depending on how Multipass booking goes. This is all new again to everyone but Slinky Dog is Tier 1 with MFSR and MMRR so you’re going to want to hit one early if you don’t get the prebooking
4. Do MMRR and/or Frozen singalong after TSL if you can get them done before 11. Big asterisk but Multipass should help here for Frozen (and for getting AS2 / TSM done sooner)
5. Leave DHS at 11a (no later) and take Skyliner to CBR then Riviera
6. Enjoy a nice brunch
7. Skyliner from Riviera to Epcot and walk ~5mins to Boardwalk
8. Nap
9. Go back for Star Wars stuff when and if you’re up for it. I said DHS is bad for shade and I meant it, but Black Spire Outpost is much better than the rest. It’s also beautiful after dark, but it’s August and I’m guessing you probably won’t make it that late. Still, now you should be rested and able to leisurely finish that part of the park.

The Milennium Falcon ride is weird. Some days it can be practically walk on. Other days it’s an hour wait. Rise you at least can pay for LL, but there’s also a risk of it going down during the day (but it’s very much worth doing). Star Tours can basically be walk on unless people are trying to escape a sudden downpour or beating sun.

Thank you super helpful! Twins are going to be 12! Last trip was at 4 and they were in strollers. I think the bigger worry will be my husband he’s had some major health issues and we will likely need a bit of a slower pace. How long would you nap at the hotel for after brunch? I like this plan and it could possibly work.

 

[Mikey15]

Thank you super helpful! Twins are going to be 12! Last trip was at 4 and they were in strollers. I think the bigger worry will be my husband he’s had some major health issues and we will likely need a bit of a slower pace. How long would you nap at the hotel for after brunch? I like this plan and it could possibly work.

12 sounds like a really good age for DHS! I suppose tweens can have their own equivalent of crankiness or tantrums, but at least you don’t need the strollers and can hopefully “travel” more lightly in the park in terms of kid supplies.

I think it’s the most compact park, so while it can be people-y sometimes it’s at least not long to get from one end to the other (Millenium Falcon to Tower/Fantasmic would be the longest distance). The nice thing about that is you can do a midday break without the cure (the rest) being worse than the disease (via extra walking). I’d definitely take your husband’s needs into consideration on that, of course.

Perhaps because of the easy coming & going there’s a nonzero amount of people going into DHS at 5 or later. I know because I’ve been one of them. You have to zig over to the left through the traffic of people exiting, and may have a line to go through once you’re there. The mix of people leaving and entering is a little trickier than the other parks imo just because it’s narrower with less alternative paths. I’m digressing though. I brought this up because I think a lot of people do feel they can get a lot out of DHS even later in the day. Some people just come for Fantasmic. Others may be there for rides or even the evening ambiance while the crowd flocks to Fantasmic.

I definitely think you should steal some downtime during the day, whichever end. If 6 rides and a show are a must-do though, and three of the rides are Tier 1, it’s hard to say with confidence you could get it all done from ~1:30 to close. Utilizing the morning feels more beneficial to me.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

12 sounds like a really good age for DHS! I suppose tweens can have their own equivalent of crankiness or tantrums, but at least you don’t need the strollers and can hopefully “travel” more lightly in the park in terms of kid supplies.

I think it’s the most compact park, so while it can be people-y sometimes it’s at least not long to get from one end to the other (Millenium Falcon to Tower/Fantasmic would be the longest distance). The nice thing about that is you can do a midday break without the cure (the rest) being worse than the disease (via extra walking). I’d definitely take your husband’s needs into consideration on that, of course.

Perhaps because of the easy coming & going there’s a nonzero amount of people going into DHS at 5 or later. I know because I’ve been one of them. You have to zig over to the left through the traffic of people exiting, and may have a line to go through once you’re there. The mix of people leaving and entering is a little trickier than the other parks imo just because it’s narrower with less alternative paths. I’m digressing though. I brought this up because I think a lot of people do feel they can get a lot out of DHS even later in the day. Some people just come for Fantasmic. Others may be there for rides or even the evening ambiance while the crowd flocks to Fantasmic.

I definitely think you should steal some downtime during the day, whichever end. If 6 rides and a show are a must-do though, and three of the rides are Tier 1, it’s hard to say with confidence you could get it all done from ~1:30 to close. Utilizing the morning feels more beneficial to me.

You’re so right. I think the plan is going to be rope drop tsl. Do everything there and head to brunch. Rest and then head back around 4 hitting frozen show first. Hopefully I can get an ILL for rise in the evening. DHS is a the only park we have not been too and will be our last park day on this trip.

 

[StarCruzer]

Thank you super helpful! Twins are going to be 12! Last trip was at 4 and they were in strollers. I think the bigger worry will be my husband he’s had some major health issues and we will likely need a bit of a slower pace. How long would you nap at the hotel for after brunch? I like this plan and it could possibly work.

The upside is that if your husband needs a little extra recovery time, maybe you and the twins can get a head start and he can meet you there? I'm the person with health issues in my family and honestly I had to learn that sometimes I need extra book & balcony time while everyone else is in the parks but obviously if your husband wants to be part of the action that's OK too!

I would just say if you have someone with a slower pace in your group, it's about prioritizing. Do you need Slinky Dog AND Runaway Railway? Smuggler's Run AND Rise of the Resistance?

Our strategy is always be willing to drop a few things from your Disney plan. These days there's so much to do that you can really wear yourself out trying to do it all!

 

[KGmomoftwins]

The upside is that if your husband needs a little extra recovery time, maybe you and the twins can get a head start and he can meet you there? I'm the person with health issues in my family and honestly I had to learn that sometimes I need extra book & balcony time while everyone else is in the parks but obviously if your husband wants to be part of the action that's OK too!

I would just say if you have someone with a slower pace in your group, it's about prioritizing. Do you need Slinky Dog AND Runaway Railway? Smuggler's Run AND Rise of the Resistance?

Our strategy is always be willing to drop a few things from your Disney plan. These days there's so much to do that you can really wear yourself out trying to do it all!

I think that’s great idea. I honestly think he just wants to see the girls happy and the Star Wars area. Last year was really rough he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, had to have a lower back surgery, and then 2 discs replaced in his neck. I think we all need some happiness. Thanks for your insight

 

[Disturbia]

I think that’s great idea. I honestly think he just wants to see the girls happy and the Star Wars area. Last year was really rough he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, had to have a lower back surgery, and then 2 discs replaced in his neck. I think we all need some happiness. Thanks for your insight

With all those issues, maybe the teens can go with you for rope drop (involves a lot of standing in huge crowds and not easy to access restrooms/food/places to lean on). Your husband can take the boat over to Epcot and catch the Skyliner

Also, your husband probably can’t do rides that cause fast jerky movements? Definitely talk to a Dr about what is safe.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

With all those issues, maybe the teens can go with you for rope drop (involves a lot of standing in huge crowds and not easy to access restrooms/food/places to lean on). Your husband can take the boat over to Epcot and catch the Skyliner

Also, your husband probably can’t do rides that cause fast jerky movements? Definitely talk to a Dr about what is safe.

Thank you for the videos! Surgeries were 15 months ago and he has no restrictions (blows my mind that there are none) but we won’t be doing any big coasters like guardians, tron, or rr. No one likes soarin but me so I plan on doing that during the extra evening hours alone. The star wars stuff from videos looks like it will be ok. I did rent a scooter from gold thanks to these boards he’s not happy about it but I said it’s there for you if you want.

 

[gottalovepluto]

You’re so right. I think the plan is going to be rope drop tsl. Do everything there and head to brunch. Rest and then head back around 4 hitting frozen show first. Hopefully I can get an ILL for rise in the evening. DHS is a the only park we have not been too and will be our last park day on this trip.

Rope drop is a good call. DHS can be a disaster of a park operationally with ride breakdowns so maximizing your hours in the park is always the better gamble.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I did rent a scooter from gold thanks to these boards he’s not happy about it but I said it’s there for you if you want.

Smart. My Dad was refusing until he woke up one morning and couldn’t walk out of the hotel much less within the park before he got an ECV. Having it ready to go just in case may save a lot of time and arguments on your trip.

The only caution I have is the Millennium Falcon thing. I see a chiropractor and that stupid ride jerks me around like nothing else at Disney because the pilots will suck and you will feel like a pinball as they hit more than you can even imagine is there to hit.

 

[Disturbia]

This video shows the Fantasmic crowds exiting right before Jollywood nights