Do I really need a combat style itinerary in early May?

[icecreamforbreakfast]

We are going to be in the parks May 7th - 11th, I have spent more hours then my husband would like reading over these boards and trying to glean as much necessary info and planning tips as possible. I am just wondering how "prepared with a plan" do I need to be? We are planning to do MM on Thursday as it's a grad night, so we thought we'd go early and leave when/if the crowds got to us and maybe go to the beach that night. We also plan to do both the fireworks and fantasmic on Friday night (in that order - I think that is what is most suggested).

Other then that we have no plans. Is it unrealistic to expect the parks to be "uncrowded" enough to just do rides as we wander by or do we need to have a more combat like plan in place?

Anyone want to suggest a good itinerary for us? Kids ages 6 - 14 and enjoy every ride they can go on!

Can't wait only 7 more days until we hit the road!!!!

 

[Lissame]

I think you'll be fine. I don't even think a combat plan is necessary in the summer, personally, but that's just me.

I think as long as you have a general plan of which evening activities to do which days and a general plan of where you want to eat and when, and you plan to be there early (rope drop) each morning, you'll be great and should be able to ride your favorites multiple times.

I can't wait until my trip!

 

[skiingfast]

On any day I would stock up on FPs through the day to use as night. This will help particularily when the Grads are there.

I usually plan my first 2-4 attractions and that's it. Although I keep getting FPs and know basic strategy. I don't expect to find Space Mountain with a short wait to do at my leisure. That is the case with many attractions, but for most you should be able to hit them any time with short waits.

 

[nannyz]

I've been to DL so many times in the last three decades that I have lost track of the number.
I have never gone with any type of plan. It's vacation; time for fun. We all get 6-day hoppers and just go with the flow. If I don't get on a certain ride on one day, I do it the next day.
Have fun!!

 

[I'm mikey]

We play it by ear. Years ago we tried an itinerary and found it to be to rather hectic. if you tour the parks at a leisurely pace, its much more enjoyable.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I agree--even when we go during busy season (and we go every summer, December, and often in the spring once)--we have never gone with a "plan". We just go. It is our vacation, and we just do what we want. There may be some things that we try in order to make things easier (like doing Peter Pan first on a magic morning)--but that is about it. We eat what we want, get fast passes, and generally just go on what rides that we feel like at the time.

 

[HappyHaunt]

I know a lot of the vets here recommend these combat, strict plans no matter when they go. But it's not our style. It is after all a vacation, it's supposed to be relaxing! The one year we followed that advice we were all dead tired, with sore feet and in need of a vacation from our vacation! lol My son just got done telling me today that he wants to relax on this vacation and not rush around like mad people. lol

Granted there are times like last year we made sure to get to Star Tours first thing. Same with Nemo a few years back. But beyond that it's really what we feel like doing. Collecting FP is always a good idea, but again use them if you want to. Relaxing and having fun is what's most important!

 

[mysteriouspnai]

That early in the season, I don't recommend going with a hard plan. While waiting at the security tents to get into the esplanade, DBF and I like to discuss what land we want to hit up first and what FP to grab first and we go from there. We like to keep collecting FPs to use when the park gets really busy since we don't like to leave the parks. The grad nites will be a little different from the past years since the high school kids will be trickling in throughout the day. I'd say be prepared for a more rambunctious crowd as grad nite my year was full of kids sneaking in alcohol and marijuana (don't ask me how they snuck it in; I just smelled lots of alcohol breath in lines and skunk smell while walking around)

 

[Bungle]

We went that time of year last year. Had a blast, wasn't very crowded. Sunday was the busiest day surprisingly.

 

[cooniez]

We are going to be in the parks May 7th - 11th, I have spent more hours then my husband would like reading over these boards and trying to glean as much necessary info and planning tips as possible. I am just wondering how "prepared with a plan" do I need to be? We are planning to do MM on Thursday as it's a grad night, so we thought we'd go early and leave when/if the crowds got to us and maybe go to the beach that night. We also plan to do both the fireworks and fantasmic on Friday night (in that order - I think that is what is most suggested).

Other then that we have no plans. Is it unrealistic to expect the parks to be "uncrowded" enough to just do rides as we wander by or do we need to have a more combat like plan in place?

Anyone want to suggest a good itinerary for us? Kids ages 6 - 14 and enjoy every ride they can go on!

Can't wait only 7 more days until we hit the road!!!!

I have no advice as I'm a newbie as well, but I just wanted to say the title of your thread had me ROTFL...that's exactly how I feel sometimes trying to plan for our June trip!

 

[bakerudall]

I do "combat style" touring plans just because I think it's fun and it keeps me busy until vacation time, but I don't actually expect to be able to follow them. For me, as long as the first 3 hours are well-executed, the whole day will end up being a success.

 

[Hound 109]

Comments below.

I know a lot of the vets here recommend these combat, strict plans no matter when they go.

I resen....er..I resemble that remark.

Actually I think some of us read posts from WDW vets who comment that they "heard" that you don't have to plan for DLR & can just "wing it". Then they come back amazed at "how crowded it was" (when they arrived at 10am, instead of 8am), how the "lines were long...especially at night"....when they didn't have FPs for Indy, SM or BTMRR saved for the evening & tried to ride them late afternoon or evening. Or when they "arrived" at Fantasyland at 2pm & rode 3 rides in 2.5 hours.....when they could have ridden 6 rides in ONE hour after rope drop.

We try to encourage them to maximize the first two hours (when it's empty) & collect 3-5 FPs early for use later in the day. & I do think this is a good plan no matter when someone visits.


But it's not our style. It is after all a vacation, it's supposed to be relaxing! The one year we followed that advice we were all dead tired, with sore feet and in need of a vacation from our vacation! lol My son just got done telling me today that he wants to relax on this vacation and not rush around like mad people. lol

I admit i like to commando (so does Padewan Alec)....but when I'm with Mrs. Hound or others, we methodically work the parks the first 3 hours & THEN spend the next 6 hours smelling the roses. (& thankfully we have 4-5 FPs in our pocket for the evening).


Granted there are times like last year we made sure to get to Star Tours first thing. Same with Nemo a few years back. But beyond that it's really what we feel like doing. Collecting FP is always a good idea, but again use them if you want to. Relaxing and having fun is what's most important!

Different strokes for different folks.

But I can't "relax & have fun" if I'm in a 55 min. line that i could have easily avoided. The first time visitor may indeed prefer to sleep in every day & not worry if they're standing in longer lines in the afternoon & evening. But perhaps they would like to know that there is an alternative to this.

I agree with SKI. Have a plan the first 3 hours of each day during crowded times (or the first 2 hours in May) & have that "plan" include picking up 3-5 FPs (not "rushing around"....just pick them up as you're touring) for evening use....even if you don't use them.

From SkiingFast: On any day I would stock up on FPs through the day to use as night. This will help particularily when the Grads are there.

I usually plan my first 2-4 attractions and that's it. Although I keep getting FPs and know basic strategy. I don't expect to find Space Mountain with a short wait to do at my leisure. That is the case with many attractions, but for most you should be able to hit them any time with short waits.

I agree with SKI.....& I'm not trying to disuade the OP....just adding my opinion for others (who may be DLR newbies) who are reading, that there is a 3rd way to tour. (not just 1) Commando for 14 hours or 2) No plan at all.)

Thankfully 90% of DLR visitors DON'T arrive early to tour & collect FPs the first 2-3 hours....if they did, this basic strategy wouldn't be so darn effective.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

those are my dates too! this is what I've come up with:

May 7: arrive towards dinner time. unpack, relax, maybe go to DD

May 8: hit the MMH at the park opening, be at the gate ready to go in about 25 minutes before it opens. Head straight to Fantasyland, get on Peter Pan first then hit up the rest of Fantasyland. I think from there we will probably go to IJ and then the rest of the day is up in the air. Well, we do have a lunch reservation at Thunder Barbeque, and we would like to see WOC that night so we will fast pass it.

May 9: be at the parks for opening and head straight for Nemo subs or Fantasyland depending on what got done the day before. We have a lunch reservation at Blue Bayou. We will be leaving the parks midday to go to a Conan O'brien show taping. We will return and spend the rest of the day doing whatever, maybe we will see the Magic Memories and You show.

May 10: Hollywood Day

May 11: most likely hit the parks at opening, repeat Fantasyland or Nemo Subs strat depending on what happened earlier in the week. By this time, I will have hoped to have hit the majority of rides/shows we want to do the other 2 days, so this day will be to catch anything we missed and to repeat favorites. I do plan on catching the Fireworks this night, and I wanted to do Fantasmic but now I'm not sure if I wouldn't rather just ride more favorites. I guess we'll decide this on the fly.

and thats pretty much it

hopefully hearing my plans might help you a bit (even though we've never been to DL before...so on second thoughts, maybe take my plans with a grain of salt)

 

[Hound 109]

I do "combat style" touring plans just because I think it's fun and it keeps me busy until vacation time, but I don't actually expect to be able to follow them. For me, as long as the first 3 hours are well-executed, the whole day will end up being a success.

Dang....bakerudall just condensed what took me 6 paragraphs... into one perfectly articulated paragraph.

 

[subtchr]

Thanks for the post, Hound - you are so right!

We are more frequent WDW visitors than DLR, but we are very excited for our June visit, our first in 6 years.

We are early risers naturally anyway, and being east coasters, the time zone difference will help us even more. We are also FP collectors (it was with a great deal of relief that I learned that unlike WDW, DL and DCA are not presently enforcing FP time windows - that will really cramp our style the next time we are in WDW!).

So when we visit in June (a week after CL opens, so it will be even more packed than the usual summer crowds), a good morning plan at least will make the rest of the day so much more enjoyable.

We aren't staying long, so we won't be able to see everything, but with some good planning we hope to see everything we really want. Here's my vision of our "hybrid" plan:

Wednesday, 6/20 - Land at LAX at 11, get to GCH 1ish. We will have a Fantasmic Dessert package reserved for the first show, but other than that, since we will arrive early afternoon, we will just explore DL, grab any FPs available or ride any attractions with short lines. We might even walk around DCA first just to see the new "lay of the land".

Thursday, 6/21 - MM DL, spend that first hour doing FL rides and grabbing FPs. We will then head over to DCA when it opens (I am hoping for earlier than 10, waiting to see the hours!), ride and collect FPs there. We'll do WOC this night, possibly with a dinner package. After the morning hours, we can see what feels right, with FPs in our pocket from both parks (gotta love disconnect!).

Friday, 6/22 - I am hoping for a DCA MM, but if that doesn't happen, we'll decide which park we want to explore in the morning. We will depart mid-afternoon for a couple days in Santa Barbara.

The specifics of our plan aren't important, it's the general strategy of optimizing our time to enjoy as much as we can. It does help that we do not feel getting up early (especially pacific time!) detracts from our vacation. Having said that, I know that the second showings of F! and WOC are less crowded, but there is no way we will be up for staying out that late with the time change! Every family has to decide what is important to them.

 

[CourtFool]

Balance. The Perfect Plan® is going to hit snags. I think only combat needs a combat plan. Most other things can use strategies and guidelines.

Well maybe rocket science needs a combat plan too.

And surgery. Combat, rocket science and surgery.

Oh and weddings. Combat, rocket science, surgery and weddings. Everything else you are ok.

Ah blast. Just try to keep balanced. Do not plan so much you do not enjoy your time in the park.

 

[Butterfly123]

Our plan is simple, and like the previous posters:

--go early
--get fastpasses
--head straight to PP on our MM

Other than this, anything goes!

 

[subtchr]

Balance. The Perfect Plan® is going to hit snags. I think only combat needs a combat plan. Most other things can use strategies and guidelines.

Well maybe rocket science needs a combat plan too.

And surgery. Combat, rocket science and surgery.

Oh and weddings. Combat, rocket science, surgery and weddings. Everything else you are ok.

Ah blast. Just try to keep balanced. Do not plan so much you do not enjoy your time in the park.

May I please tour with you?

We just survived a family wedding last month. My take is that while it does require a combat plan beforehand, once the day arrives, you have to be ready for anything and take it as it comes. We were, and it was WONDERFUL. Beautiful, relaxed, and happy.

 

[Hound 109]

Comments Below.

Thanks for the post, Hound - you are so right!

Thanks.

We are more frequent WDW visitors than DLR, but we are very excited for our June visit, our first in 6 years.

We are early risers naturally anyway, and being east coasters, the time zone difference will help us even more.

Those of us who travel alot, know this. And you're right.....it's SO EASY to get up early the first couple of days when visiting DLR from the Central or Eastern Time Zone. Might as well get to the parks!


We are also FP collectors (it was with a great deal of relief that I learned that unlike WDW, DL and DCA are not presently enforcing FP time windows - that will really cramp our style the next time we are in WDW!).

So when we visit in June (a week after CL opens, so it will be even more packed than the usual summer crowds), a good morning plan at least will make the rest of the day so much more enjoyable.

Yep....that is what I believe.


We aren't staying long, so we won't be able to see everything, but with some good planning we hope to see everything we really want. Here's my vision of our "hybrid" plan:

Wednesday, 6/20 - Land at LAX at 11, get to GCH 1ish. We will have a Fantasmic Dessert package reserved for the first show, but other than that, since we will arrive early afternoon, we will just explore DL, grab any FPs available or ride any attractions with short lines. We might even walk around DCA first just to see the new "lay of the land".

Thursday, 6/21 - MM DL, spend that first hour doing FL rides and grabbing FPs.

You probably knew this, but if anyone else is reading......YOU CANNOT PICK UP FPs DURING MM. You have to wait till Gen. Adm. opening to begin your FP collection on an MM day (or any day).


We will then head over to DCA when it opens (I am hoping for earlier than 10, waiting to see the hours!), ride and collect FPs there. We'll do WOC this night, possibly with a dinner package. After the morning hours, we can see what feels right, with FPs in our pocket from both parks (gotta love disconnect!).

Friday, 6/22 - I am hoping for a DCA MM, but if that doesn't happen, we'll decide which park we want to explore in the morning. We will depart mid-afternoon for a couple days in Santa Barbara.

The specifics of our plan aren't important, it's the general strategy of optimizing our time to enjoy as much as we can. It does help that we do not feel getting up early (especially pacific time!) detracts from our vacation. Having said that, I know that the second showings of F! and WOC are less crowded, but there is no way we will be up for staying out that late with the time change! Every family has to decide what is important to them.

Sounds like a great trip! Are you heading up the PCH between Santa Monica & Oxnard? If so, stop & have one of the best fish sandwiches in the world (along with the fish market in Point Loma / SD) at Malibu Seafood. (you have to REQUEST it on SourDough, or they'll give you white bread).

http://www.malibuseafood.com/

Have a great time on the coast & at Walt's Park.

 

[subtchr]

Thanks for the tip on the fish sandwich - and especially the sourdough! We just might stop there, sounds great!

And also for the reminder about no FPs during MM. I had read that but it slipped my mind. We'll just get them when we can.

We are looking forward to the trip!!