Early ADR & FP+ strategy

SuzaBanana

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Joined
Nov 24, 2014
Messages
82
Trying to figure out a plan before I need to book FP+ next month. I'd love advice from the experts!

We have an 8:10 ADR at Crystal Palace on a 9am RD day. As fairly quick eaters, I'm hoping to get on a few rides before the masses descend. I'd love help with an MK plan of attack, taking into consideration that I have small kids who aren't interested in A&E or 7DMT or anything else scary or fast. I'm wondering which of the following rides are best for FP+ versus early morning RD? Also, we will be leaving MK for naptime & possibly not returning after, so assume the all rides will be done in the AM hours. Not looking at doing it all in one morning, but having fun is the most important goal! We'll be back when they are a bit older ;)

So, rides of interest are:
Peter Pan
It's a Small World
Under the Sea
Dumbo
Jungle Cruise
Winnie the Pooh
Philharmagic
People Mover
WDW Railroad
Tom Sawyer Island
Swiss Family Treehouse
 
We always do this early morning ADR at Crystal Palace. My advice would be to arrive at CP at 8:00am and check in, then ask for the bill as soon as you arrive at CP. Your server can look after that while you start eating. That way, as soon as breakfast is over / or after you've seen all of the characters, you can leave (sometimes paying the bill / using dining credits can take up a lot of valuable time).
Then I would do a few stand by rides at 9:00am in Fantasyland before using FP.
Have funpixiedust:
 
We always do this early morning ADR at Crystal Palace. My advice would be to arrive at CP at 8:00am and check in, then ask for the bill as soon as you arrive at CP. Your server can look after that while you start eating. That way, as soon as breakfast is over / or after you've seen all of the characters, you can leave (sometimes paying the bill / using dining credits can take up a lot of valuable time).
Then I would do a few stand by rides at 9:00am in Fantasyland before using FP.
Have funpixiedust:

That's totally the plan!
My question is, what rides should I target for stand by & what rides should I book FP+ for? Also, what times in the AM are most advantageous for FP+ in the AM?
 
That's totally the plan!
My question is, what rides should I target for stand by & what rides should I book FP+ for? Also, what times in the AM are most advantageous for FP+ in the AM?

A complete list of FP attractions and my suggested priorities is in the green link in my signature.

Almost every attraction can be done with a generally short wait in the first hour or two of park time.
 

To give you an idea of what is possible, here is the morning portion of my plan for our upcoming January trip. These times are the estimates from TP, but honestly, based on my past experience I have always been able to do a lot more in the same amount of time. For instance, we usually ride PP and WTP more than once back to back. I’m not sure if TP is being careful or if these new times reflect the new FP+ world we now live in. I will try to remember to report back here in a couple of weeks and let you know how it went. Crowds are projected between 3-5 for my trip.

1) 7:30 Crystal Palace
This is a before park ADR at the same time as yours. I plan to be done eating by 8:45. We will eat fast, get the bill as soon as we sit down, and not wait for characters if they haven’t made it by yet. From past experience, I know however that it is very hard to get a large family done by 8:45 especially if you want to see all the characters. We are only 2 adults this trip.

2) 9:17 Peter Pan's Flight
I think TP is off on this time. It isn’t factoring in the fact that I will already be in the park near the ride before 9:00 and should be able to walk on first. We have always ridden with a walk on either before or right at park opening time. Sometimes, we have managed 2 or 3 walk-ons before the majority of the rope drop people have made it back to the ride. This just depends on if they let you in line or on the ride before they open the gates or if they hold you at the land entrance.

3) 9:27 Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Again, I have always been able to do this more than once walking on both times. I estimate it will be closer to 9:00 – 9:15 when we do this from past experience, especially if we do PP only once.

4) 9:39 Mad Tea Party
5) 9:45 Dumbo
6) 9:53 Barnstormer
7) 10:03 LM (16 minute wait)
8) 10:29 7DMT (FP+)
9) 10:44 IASW
10) 11:11 HM (FP+)
11) Lunch at 11:00

As you can see, you can get a lot done in the first 2 hours the park is open. I don’t see any issue with getting all your attractions in.

The only issue is that some of your attractions are spread far apart, so there isn’t a great way to do them all without a certain amount of backtracking.

Your rides will build lines pretty much in this order:

Peter Pan (You want to do this within the first 10 minutes the park is open or sooner. If not, save it for a FP+)

Winnie the Pooh (You want to do this within the first 30-45 minutes the park is open.)

Jungle Cruise (before 10:30)

Under the Sea, Dumbo, People Mover (before 11)

It's a Small World (expect a line during busy times, but not a bad line)

These attractions are not generally affected by lines:
Philharmagic
WDW Railroad
Tom Sawyer Island
Swiss Family Treehouse

Your best bets for FP will be Peter Pan and Jungle Cruise. Next best, People Mover, WTP, LM, and Dumbo.

I would suggest using FP for Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, and People Mover. The last one doesn’t get really longs or 30 min lines until later, but because it is by itself on the other side of the park, it would be nice to leave it until later. The FP won’t save you a ton of time, but it will help a little.

Here are two options that try to minimize walking while keeping the rides that build lines somewhat first.

Option A:

1. CP ADR
2. If you can be in line or at the Fantasyland rope for PP by 8:45, ride. If not skip to step 3.
3. WTP
4. Under the Sea
5. Dumbo
6. Philharmagic
7. IASW
8. Peter Pan FP+
9. Swiss Family Treehouse
10. Jungle Cruise FP+
11. Tom Sawyer Island
12. WDW – take it round to the Main Street stop
13. Go to Tomorrowland
14. People Mover

Option B
1. CP ADR
2. Peter Pan at or before 9:00
3. WTP
4. Under the Sea
5. Dumbo
6. WDW railroad from Fantasyland to Main Street
7. Go to Tomorrowland
8. People Mover
9. Go to Adventureland
10. Swiss Family Treehouse
11. Jungle Cruise FP+
12. Tom Sawyer Island
13. IASW
14. Philharmagic
 
To give you an idea of what is possible, here is the morning portion of my plan for our upcoming January trip. These times are the estimates from TP, but honestly, based on my past experience I have always been able to do a lot more in the same amount of time. For instance, we usually ride PP and WTP more than once back to back. I’m not sure if TP is being careful or if these new times reflect the new FP+ world we now live in. I will try to remember to report back here in a couple of weeks and let you know how it went. Crowds are projected between 3-5 for my trip.

1) 7:30 Crystal Palace
This is a before park ADR at the same time as yours. I plan to be done eating by 8:45. We will eat fast, get the bill as soon as we sit down, and not wait for characters if they haven’t made it by yet. From past experience, I know however that it is very hard to get a large family done by 8:45 especially if you want to see all the characters. We are only 2 adults this trip.

2) 9:17 Peter Pan's Flight
I think TP is off on this time. It isn’t factoring in the fact that I will already be in the park near the ride before 9:00 and should be able to walk on first. We have always ridden with a walk on either before or right at park opening time. Sometimes, we have managed 2 or 3 walk-ons before the majority of the rope drop people have made it back to the ride. This just depends on if they let you in line or on the ride before they open the gates or if they hold you at the land entrance.

3) 9:27 Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Again, I have always been able to do this more than once walking on both times. I estimate it will be closer to 9:00 – 9:15 when we do this from past experience, especially if we do PP only once.

4) 9:39 Mad Tea Party
5) 9:45 Dumbo
6) 9:53 Barnstormer
7) 10:03 LM (16 minute wait)
8) 10:29 7DMT (FP+)
9) 10:44 IASW
10) 11:11 HM (FP+)
11) Lunch at 11:00

As you can see, you can get a lot done in the first 2 hours the park is open. I don’t see any issue with getting all your attractions in.

The only issue is that some of your attractions are spread far apart, so there isn’t a great way to do them all without a certain amount of backtracking.

Your rides will build lines pretty much in this order:

Peter Pan (You want to do this within the first 10 minutes the park is open or sooner. If not, save it for a FP+)

Winnie the Pooh (You want to do this within the first 30-45 minutes the park is open.)

Jungle Cruise (before 10:30)

Under the Sea, Dumbo, People Mover (before 11)

It's a Small World (expect a line during busy times, but not a bad line)

These attractions are not generally affected by lines:
Philharmagic
WDW Railroad
Tom Sawyer Island
Swiss Family Treehouse

Your best bets for FP will be Peter Pan and Jungle Cruise. Next best, People Mover, WTP, LM, and Dumbo.

I would suggest using FP for Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, and People Mover. The last one doesn’t get really longs or 30 min lines until later, but because it is by itself on the other side of the park, it would be nice to leave it until later. The FP won’t save you a ton of time, but it will help a little.

Here are two options that try to minimize walking while keeping the rides that build lines somewhat first.

Option A:

1. CP ADR
2. If you can be in line or at the Fantasyland rope for PP by 8:45, ride. If not skip to step 3.
3. WTP
4. Under the Sea
5. Dumbo
6. Philharmagic
7. IASW
8. Peter Pan FP+
9. Swiss Family Treehouse
10. Jungle Cruise FP+
11. Tom Sawyer Island
12. WDW – take it round to the Main Street stop
13. Go to Tomorrowland
14. People Mover

Option B
1. CP ADR
2. Peter Pan at or before 9:00
3. WTP
4. Under the Sea
5. Dumbo
6. WDW railroad from Fantasyland to Main Street
7. Go to Tomorrowland
8. People Mover
9. Go to Adventureland
10. Swiss Family Treehouse
11. Jungle Cruise FP+
12. Tom Sawyer Island
13. IASW
14. Philharmagic

THAT is fantastic! Thank you SOOOOOO much!!! :worship:
 
To give you an idea of what is possible, here is the morning portion of my plan for our upcoming January trip. These times are the estimates from TP, but honestly, based on my past experience I have always been able to do a lot more in the same amount of time. For instance, we usually ride PP and WTP more than once back to back. I’m not sure if TP is being careful or if these new times reflect the new FP+ world we now live in. I will try to remember to report back here in a couple of weeks and let you know how it went. Crowds are projected between 3-5 for my trip. 1) 7:30 Crystal Palace This is a before park ADR at the same time as yours. I plan to be done eating by 8:45. We will eat fast, get the bill as soon as we sit down, and not wait for characters if they haven’t made it by yet. From past experience, I know however that it is very hard to get a large family done by 8:45 especially if you want to see all the characters. We are only 2 adults this trip. 2) 9:17 Peter Pan's Flight I think TP is off on this time. It isn’t factoring in the fact that I will already be in the park near the ride before 9:00 and should be able to walk on first. We have always ridden with a walk on either before or right at park opening time. Sometimes, we have managed 2 or 3 walk-ons before the majority of the rope drop people have made it back to the ride. This just depends on if they let you in line or on the ride before they open the gates or if they hold you at the land entrance. 3) 9:27 Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Again, I have always been able to do this more than once walking on both times. I estimate it will be closer to 9:00 – 9:15 when we do this from past experience, especially if we do PP only once. 4) 9:39 Mad Tea Party 5) 9:45 Dumbo 6) 9:53 Barnstormer 7) 10:03 LM (16 minute wait) 8) 10:29 7DMT (FP+) 9) 10:44 IASW 10) 11:11 HM (FP+) 11) Lunch at 11:00 As you can see, you can get a lot done in the first 2 hours the park is open. I don’t see any issue with getting all your attractions in. The only issue is that some of your attractions are spread far apart, so there isn’t a great way to do them all without a certain amount of backtracking. Your rides will build lines pretty much in this order: Peter Pan (You want to do this within the first 10 minutes the park is open or sooner. If not, save it for a FP+) Winnie the Pooh (You want to do this within the first 30-45 minutes the park is open.) Jungle Cruise (before 10:30) Under the Sea, Dumbo, People Mover (before 11) It's a Small World (expect a line during busy times, but not a bad line) These attractions are not generally affected by lines: Philharmagic WDW Railroad Tom Sawyer Island Swiss Family Treehouse Your best bets for FP will be Peter Pan and Jungle Cruise. Next best, People Mover, WTP, LM, and Dumbo. I would suggest using FP for Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, and People Mover. The last one doesn’t get really longs or 30 min lines until later, but because it is by itself on the other side of the park, it would be nice to leave it until later. The FP won’t save you a ton of time, but it will help a little. Here are two options that try to minimize walking while keeping the rides that build lines somewhat first. Option A: 1. CP ADR 2. If you can be in line or at the Fantasyland rope for PP by 8:45, ride. If not skip to step 3. 3. WTP 4. Under the Sea 5. Dumbo 6. Philharmagic 7. IASW 8. Peter Pan FP+ 9. Swiss Family Treehouse 10. Jungle Cruise FP+ 11. Tom Sawyer Island 12. WDW – take it round to the Main Street stop 13. Go to Tomorrowland 14. People Mover Option B 1. CP ADR 2. Peter Pan at or before 9:00 3. WTP 4. Under the Sea 5. Dumbo 6. WDW railroad from Fantasyland to Main Street 7. Go to Tomorrowland 8. People Mover 9. Go to Adventureland 10. Swiss Family Treehouse 11. Jungle Cruise FP+ 12. Tom Sawyer Island 13. IASW 14. Philharmagic

Can you tell me what TP you used to get all those exact times for your plan? Does it cost? I read someone saying theirs was free. Thanks !
 
Our first ride after our morning ADR @ CP was Peter Pan. We walked right on to it. Then, we hit It's a Small World, Little Mermaid, and Dumbo. We rode all of those with minimal waits. I don't think we used our first fast pass until 10:45-11:00. We had a meet and greet with Anna and Elsa though.
 
Can you tell me what TP you used to get all those exact times for your plan? Does it cost? I read someone saying theirs was free. Thanks !

You go to the Touring Plans website and then to the section that lets you make customized plans. I'm not sure if you have to pay for this service or not. I have a subscription. It is only like $12.

You pick your day, when you will arrive, your rides, meals, and breaks, and it spits back a detailed plan that tells you exactly how many minutes it takes to walk between each attraction, wait in line, and experience the attraction. It is very useful.

Now, my personal opinion about it is this:

You need to know what you are doing to actually get a good plan out of it. The service is still relatively new and has some bugs that need to be worked out. As far as the wait times and such, all that is very accurate, but for some reason the Optimize feature does not work as it should. I wouldn't use the optimize feature, only the Evaluate feature.

"Optimize" is supposed to rearrange your attractions into the order that should lead to the least amount of waiting and be the most efficient. The problem is I have never been able to get it to actually work right, and I have read others reporting the same thing.

For instance, I it usually ends up spitting something back to me that makes no sense, like going to Monsters Inc. or Tom Saywer Island or some other low priority ride first thing in the morning at rope drop. Then, it will tell me to do Peter Pan or another headliner during the busiest time of the day. I have had it do this to me on a number of different occasions.

It is a great tool to use if you take the time to play around with it. You can click and drag and move the attractions around in the order you want them to be. I always end up with a better more efficient time after moving everything around based on my knowledge of attraction wait times and which you should try to hit first. Then when you think you have a decent plan figured out, you can use the Evaluate feature to see the exact times it will end up taking. The times it spits out are accurate. The only thing you need to take into account is the walking from one attraction to the other. For instance, it may tell you it is an 8 minute walk. However, that is an 8 minute, no distractions, no breaks, no stopping for pics, or bathrooms, or waiting for dawdling kids, etc.
 
To give you an idea of what is possible, here is the morning portion of my plan for our upcoming January trip. These times are the estimates from TP, but honestly, based on my past experience I have always been able to do a lot more in the same amount of time. For instance, we usually ride PP and WTP more than once back to back. I’m not sure if TP is being careful or if these new times reflect the new FP+ world we now live in. I will try to remember to report back here in a couple of weeks and let you know how it went. Crowds are projected between 3-5 for my trip.

1) 7:30 Crystal Palace
This is a before park ADR at the same time as yours. I plan to be done eating by 8:45. We will eat fast, get the bill as soon as we sit down, and not wait for characters if they haven’t made it by yet. From past experience, I know however that it is very hard to get a large family done by 8:45 especially if you want to see all the characters. We are only 2 adults this trip.

2) 9:17 Peter Pan's Flight
I think TP is off on this time. It isn’t factoring in the fact that I will already be in the park near the ride before 9:00 and should be able to walk on first. We have always ridden with a walk on either before or right at park opening time. Sometimes, we have managed 2 or 3 walk-ons before the majority of the rope drop people have made it back to the ride. This just depends on if they let you in line or on the ride before they open the gates or if they hold you at the land entrance.

3) 9:27 Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Again, I have always been able to do this more than once walking on both times. I estimate it will be closer to 9:00 – 9:15 when we do this from past experience, especially if we do PP only once.

4) 9:39 Mad Tea Party
5) 9:45 Dumbo
6) 9:53 Barnstormer
7) 10:03 LM (16 minute wait)
8) 10:29 7DMT (FP+)
9) 10:44 IASW
10) 11:11 HM (FP+)
11) Lunch at 11:00

As you can see, you can get a lot done in the first 2 hours the park is open. I don’t see any issue with getting all your attractions in.

The only issue is that some of your attractions are spread far apart, so there isn’t a great way to do them all without a certain amount of backtracking.

Your rides will build lines pretty much in this order:

Peter Pan (You want to do this within the first 10 minutes the park is open or sooner. If not, save it for a FP+)

Winnie the Pooh (You want to do this within the first 30-45 minutes the park is open.)

Jungle Cruise (before 10:30)

Under the Sea, Dumbo, People Mover (before 11)

It's a Small World (expect a line during busy times, but not a bad line)

These attractions are not generally affected by lines:
Philharmagic
WDW Railroad
Tom Sawyer Island
Swiss Family Treehouse

Your best bets for FP will be Peter Pan and Jungle Cruise. Next best, People Mover, WTP, LM, and Dumbo.

I would suggest using FP for Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, and People Mover. The last one doesn’t get really longs or 30 min lines until later, but because it is by itself on the other side of the park, it would be nice to leave it until later. The FP won’t save you a ton of time, but it will help a little.

Here are two options that try to minimize walking while keeping the rides that build lines somewhat first.

Option A:

1. CP ADR
2. If you can be in line or at the Fantasyland rope for PP by 8:45, ride. If not skip to step 3.
3. WTP
4. Under the Sea
5. Dumbo
6. Philharmagic
7. IASW
8. Peter Pan FP+
9. Swiss Family Treehouse
10. Jungle Cruise FP+
11. Tom Sawyer Island
12. WDW – take it round to the Main Street stop
13. Go to Tomorrowland
14. People Mover

Option B
1. CP ADR
2. Peter Pan at or before 9:00
3. WTP
4. Under the Sea
5. Dumbo
6. WDW railroad from Fantasyland to Main Street
7. Go to Tomorrowland
8. People Mover
9. Go to Adventureland
10. Swiss Family Treehouse
11. Jungle Cruise FP+
12. Tom Sawyer Island
13. IASW
14. Philharmagic

This is great. You basically planned our Magic Kingdom days in May! :yay:
 





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