Do you think I will make my FP+ time

[Angel Ariel]

We're staying at the Pop Century from Mar 14-17, we're going to a Jays @ Braves game on the 15th, and our big park day is the 16th.

Plan for the 16:
Rope drop at AK @ 9:00 AM
Expedition Everest
Kilimanjaro Safaris

High tail it MK
FP+
9:05 AM - 10:05 AM Voyage of the Little Mermaid
10:15 - 11:15 Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Then head over to Epcot and drink around the world.

Do you think I will be able to make my 9:05 - 10:05 AM FP+ on Voyage of the Little Mermaid?

Should I do Kilimanjaro first or Everest? Will it likely not make a difference.

I know AK and MK aren't that close, but I would just take the first available bus that gets me to either the Contemporary, Grand Floridian or MK.

I would have preferred a 9:30-10:30 time but it was not available.

Thanks in advance,
Mike

No I don't think you'll make your LM FP+. *Maybe* your 7DMT one, but it'll be close.

It'll take you at least 30 mins in AK just to ride the 2 attractions(and that's best case scenario) - without FP+ for them, there will likely be a bit of a wait for whichever one you go to 2nd. Then there's walking out of the park to the buses.

Even if you're at the buses by 9:45am, it was our experience in Nov 2014 that buses took at *least* 30 mins to get from AK to MK (including the wait at the stop) - again, best case. So best case is getting to MK at 10:15, which is already past your first window.

In November we hopped from DHS to AK to MK on a Sunday night (AK was open til 8pm). We left DHS around 6pm, but due to bus related issues we were not *on* a bus until decently after 7pm. We arrived at AK around 7:45 - high tailed it to EE b/c we just wanted to ride it once at night (we've never been in AK after dark). When we got off, it was 8:01pm (according to EE's FP+ return sign). We spent a little bit of time slowly walking/taking pictures, and were out at the bus stop around 8:30ish. We got to MK after MSEP had started - probably about 1/2 way through the parade. MSEP started at 9pm that night, IIRC, so we were on MS by like 9:10pm or so? So 40 mins from AK to MK - and that was with *no* crowds, getting on the first bus that came - AK was totally empty.

So arrived at AK at 7:45, only rode Everest - with *no* line at all, took some pics, got on the bus and was at MK by 9:10ish. That's almost 1.5 hrs with no crowds, and only riding EE (not trying to get KS, which is a longer attraction time as well). I would move your LM FP+ if you can....and if you can move 7DMT, I probably would.

 

[ncdj2013]

Seriously? If I were doing rope drop at one park I would spend the morning there and do my FP at another park after lunch.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Thanks for the input, I really didn't take walking time between attractions into consideration.

My wife is a huge little mermaid fan, hence the FP+ on Journey. I was able to change my FP+ around a little.

Journey 9:30-10:30
7DMT 10:30-11:30
SM 11:30-12:30

On easywdw I read that rope drop happens around 15 minutes prior to the park opening. If I'm there for 8:30, and ready to head toward KS at 8:50 would that increase my odds?

If I work backwards from
10:25 - ride Journey
10:15-10:25 walk from the front of the park to Little Mermaid
9:35-10:15 transportation from AK - MK (assume 40 min)
9:25 - 9:35 walk from EE to front of the park
9:20 - 9:25 EE
9:10 - 9:20 walk to EE (only if there is no wait)
8:50 - 9:10 KS
8:45 - 8:50 walk to KS

If we can be off KS by 9:10 and there is no wait at EE, we might chance it, I think getting off KS any later than 9:15 or any wait at EE means we skip it and head to MK.

Even just riding 1 ride at AK and hopping to MK can take 1.5 hrs before you're entering MK (and that's to Main Street, not to the back of the park).

I truly think the PP's idea of rope dropping MK, spending the morning there, hopping to AK for the afternoon (using FP+ for KS, EE, and whichever else you'd like), and then hopping from AK to Epcot is a better plan.

 

[mesaboy2]

Even just riding 1 ride at AK and hopping to MK can take 1.5 hrs before you're entering MK (and that's to Main Street, not to the back of the park).

I truly think the PP's idea of rope dropping MK, spending the morning there, hopping to AK for the afternoon (using FP+ for KS, EE, and whichever else you'd like), and then hopping from AK to Epcot is a better plan.

Yep.

 

[estherhead]

Why can't you make the mermaid for after sm? I don't understand why it has to be first and stress you totally out? Also we always find doing EE first and the KS equals shorter lines. EE takes 10 minutes to do first thing a rope drop. But Ks Will take up a good 45 minutes making there a much longer line at EE. I just feel like you have your attractions backwards in both parks.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Why can't you make the mermaid for after sm? I don't understand why it has to be first and stress you totally out? Also we always find doing EE first and the KS equals shorter lines. EE takes 10 minutes to do first thing a rope drop. But Ks Will take up a good 45 minutes making there a much longer line at EE. I just feel like you have your attractions backwards in both parks.

EE does have a single rider option, though, if the OP is open to that. We did that on our last trip for the first time..DH and I were on the same train, just not right next to each other.

 

[norybell]

As a PP noted, outgoing bus waits that early in the morning can be much longer than usual. Before 10:00 AM, I would allot a full half hour just for the bus wait, not including actual transport time.

 

[subtchr]

Thanks for the input, I really didn't take walking time between attractions into consideration.

My wife is a huge little mermaid fan, hence the FP+ on Journey. I was able to change my FP+ around a little.

Journey 9:30-10:30
7DMT 10:30-11:30
SM 11:30-12:30

On easywdw I read that rope drop happens around 15 minutes prior to the park opening. If I'm there for 8:30, and ready to head toward KS at 8:50 would that increase my odds?

If I work backwards from
10:25 - ride Journey

10:15-10:25 walk from the front of the park to Little Mermaid

9:35-10:15 transportation from AK - MK (assume 40 min) - As others have noted, this will only be 40 minutes if you somehow, miraculously, have a bus waiting when you get to the stop

9:25 - 9:35 walk from EE to front of the park - Front of the park, maybe, but then it's almost as long to get to the bus waiting areas

9:20 - 9:25 EE - Walking through the line isn't all that long, but still, no way you are walking through the line, riding, and exiting in 5 minutes

9:10 - 9:20 walk to EE (only if there is no wait) - That's practically a run

8:50 - 9:10 KS - This will most likely be more like 9:30, I'd bet

8:45 - 8:50 walk to KS - It's a long walk back to KS. Then a decent walk through the line. No way you will be boarding a truck at 8:50.

If we can be off KS by 9:10 and there is no wait at EE, we might chance it, I think getting off KS any later than 9:15 or any wait at EE means we skip it and head to MK.

My observations in red above.

I agree with everyone else, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. You are being unrealistic about the distances between things, and overly optimistic about wait times and logistics.

Why set yourself up for that stress? Just do MK first thing, then AK later if you really want to do it. Or switch the Mermaid FP for later.

 

[Alesia]

Thanks for the input, I really didn't take walking time between attractions into consideration.

My wife is a huge little mermaid fan, hence the FP+ on Journey. I was able to change my FP+ around a little.

Journey 9:30-10:30
7DMT 10:30-11:30
SM 11:30-12:30

On easywdw I read that rope drop happens around 15 minutes prior to the park opening. If I'm there for 8:30, and ready to head toward KS at 8:50 would that increase my odds?

If I work backwards from
10:25 - ride Journey
10:15-10:25 walk from the front of the park to Little Mermaid
9:35-10:15 transportation from AK - MK (assume 40 min)
9:25 - 9:35 walk from EE to front of the park
9:20 - 9:25 EE
9:10 - 9:20 walk to EE (only if there is no wait)
8:50 - 9:10 KS
8:45 - 8:50 walk to KS

If we can be off KS by 9:10 and there is no wait at EE, we might chance it, I think getting off KS any later than 9:15 or any wait at EE means we skip it and head to MK.

You're still pretty unrealistic on your times. Arriving at 8:30 will put you at the back of the pack. You won't even be walking into the park until at least 9:00. And that's if the park actually does open 15 minutes early.

Let's say, for argument's sake, that you arrive at 8:00 and you are closer to the front. Your times are going to be more like this:
8:50 to 9:00 walk to KS
9:00 to 9:10 wait for KS
9:10 to 9:35 KS
9:35 to 9:45 walk to EE
9:45 to 9:50 walk to the queue for EE
9:50 to 9:55 EE
9:55 to 10:05 walk from EE to front of the park
10:05 to 10:25 wait for bus to MK
10:25 to 10:45 bus ride
10:45 to 10:55 walk to MK gates (including bag check)
10:55 to 11:05 walk to fantasyland

Honestly, even these times are very optimistic. I think you are really underestimating how long everything takes.

 

[ilovemk76]

You are betting on getting in early and walking right on KS for you plan to work? Ditch AK and go right to MK. Or move all three MK FP+s forward to after lunch.

You seem hellbent on this plan, so just do it and let the cards fall where they may.

 

[estherhead]

I also want to say that when we put it down it doesn't look fun. It looks all transportation and waiting and walking. But walking thru AK and MK is part of the fun, if you aren't rushing. The only part of the plan that isn't enjoyable is waiting for the bus.

If you slow down and give yourself some wiggle room this could be an enjoyable start to your day.

 

[Aquatic]

We're staying at the Pop Century from Mar 14-17, we're going to a Jays @ Braves game on the 15th, and our big park day is the 16th.


Thanks in advance,
Mike

Remember - this is also spring break for a lot of people. So, getting into parks might not go that quickly because it might be crowded.
I was at Epcot on a low crowd day (Monday, Jan. 5th), and when I arrived at 8:40, there was a huge crowd waiting to get in. They started letting people in at 8:50. However, since I was at the back of the crowd, I didn't get in until 9:05. A family in front of me had magic band issues slowing the line a little bit.

 

[mike28j]

Thanks for all your input.

I basically told DW that our plan was likely (99.9%) to result in failure, so we have dropped AK, and moved our FP+ to be as early as possible, so we can get the attractions done that we want.

Thanks again, at least I wont be stressing out the entire time we are at AK wondering if we'll make it to MK for our FP+.

 

[IWannaBuildASnowman]

Yeah, it's ambitious and I wish I could say go for it, but trying to do 2 parks by 11 am is pretty much impossible. The thing is too, you'll be super stressed out and any one little thing will throw off the entire plan. Plan for success!

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks for all your input. I basically told DW that our plan was likely (99.9%) to result in failure, so we have dropped AK, and moved our FP+ to be as early as possible, so we can get the attractions done that we want. Thanks again, at least I wont be stressing out the entire time we are at AK wondering if we'll make it to MK for our FP+.

While I understand this, I do think that AK is an awesome experience. If you have time during your stay, try to head there and at least wander around the park. I am not sure what the construction will be like at the time of your visit, but if it is opened up some, it is a lovely place to visit.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

We're staying at the Pop Century from Mar 14-17, we're going to a Jays @ Braves game on the 15th, and our big park day is the 16th.

Plan for the 16:
Rope drop at AK @ 9:00 AM
Expedition Everest
Kilimanjaro Safaris

High tail it MK
FP+
9:05 AM - 10:05 AM Voyage of the Little Mermaid
10:15 - 11:15 Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Then head over to Epcot and drink around the world.

Do you think I will be able to make my 9:05 - 10:05 AM FP+ on Voyage of the Little Mermaid?

Should I do Kilimanjaro first or Everest? Will it likely not make a difference.

I know AK and MK aren't that close, but I would just take the first available bus that gets me to either the Contemporary, Grand Floridian or MK.

I would have preferred a 9:30-10:30 time but it was not available.

Thanks in advance,
Mike

You will never make the 9:05-10:05 Voyage, guaranteed. Even if you got to the safari at 9:05, that is a good 20 minute ride. Then make it over to EE and that's at least a 5 - 10 minute ride even with FP so that is at least 9:45-9:50 and you would have to fly to make it.

 

[riverbend]

Thanks for all your input.

I basically told DW that our plan was likely (99.9%) to result in failure, so we have dropped AK, and moved our FP+ to be as early as possible, so we can get the attractions done that we want.

Thanks again, at least I wont be stressing out the entire time we are at AK wondering if we'll make it to MK for our FP+.

I think you and your wife will have a much more relaxed and enjoyable experience having eliminated the pressure of trying to fit in a park hop in time for your FP+. You can always count on The DIS to set you straight!