Fantasyland in one morning?

[mommyof2boys1girl]

Am I crazy to think we might be able to do Fantasyland in one morning? We plan to be lined up for entry 1 hour before park opening. Our first park day is a Wed., and the park opens at 10am. Is this actually doable with 3 little ones? We will probably be avoiding Pinocchio and Toad (will probably scare Ds #2), but will try the other "dark rides" as well as PP, Dumbo, etc. Or is it insane to try all of this on a non-EE (or MM - can't they keep the same terminology to make it less confusing??) day?

Also, do you always need PS reservations for dining in DTD? Our plane lands in LAX at 2pm, so we are thinking if everything goes well, we should be checked in at the hotel by suppertime, and perhaps make our way to DTD for supper - after all, we might as well maximize the Disney experience and whet the kids' appetite for the next day....but if the kids are insanely cranky, we may just order room service and stay in - should I make a PS at ESPN or something just in case, then I can always cancel? How busy are the DTD restaurants on a weeknite?

Thanks for any insight!
Carm

 

[SANDIEGOFAN]

You should be able to do FL easily in a little over an hour - the only unknown variable is Peter Pan which could have a line of 30 minutes. I usually hit Peter Pan, Dumbo, Alice, Matterhorn first. The rest are walk-ons in the morning. DTD restaurants aren't too busy on weekdays and I'm pretty sure ESPNZone doesn't take ressies - at least they didn't when I was there last month. Good part is, it was a weekend night and it only took 20 minutes to get seated.

Have fun!

 

[AmericanItGirl]

It shouldn't be hard to get a walk-up in DTD if you go early (but if you're worried, see which place you like and make same day reservations before checking out the rest of DTD). Peter Pan (due to the popularity of Tink, Pan, and Hook) will probably be the busiest in the morning, so I suggest going for that first, but it's definitely to do all of Fantasyland in the AM on a weekday. In fact it's probably smarter than trying to do an EE Saturday because the majority of trippers focus their trips on weekends and it seems like Fantasyland is the most popular first stop.

 

[spokanemom]

If you are wanting to eat at ESPN and you want to make ressies, then you can sign up for their "club". There is no cost for the club. It takes a couple of weeks to get your card, but you can make reservations online right away. They only take reservations 3 days in advance though.

Another benefit is when you buy points for the game cards (for the arcade upstairs) you will get bonus points.

 

[Hound 109]

Getting to the gate an hour ahead of time (In early May...mid week) will probably put you first in line. (I'd probably get there 40 min. ahead of opening).

I think the key to maxing out FL is not dawdling the first 20 min. No pics, no stopping for the characters & no pottie breaks (as you walk purposefully thru the castle to Peter Pan). Hopefully many (most will be heading toward Nemo). You should:

- Be one of the first on PP.
- then Dumbo.
- then Alice.
- then Matterhorn (if they are old enough)

If you do those 3 or 4 prior to a potty break (bathroom next to Alice, btw), then you'll have 40 min. to enjoy the rest of FL.

BTW - I think Toadie is less intense than Pinocchio (which i love) & much less intense than Snow White, fwiw.

Have a great time.

 

[DLR29]

Getting to the gate an hour ahead of time is will probably put you first in line. (I'd probably get there 40 min. ahead of opening).

I think the key to maxing out FL is not dawdling the first 20 min. No pics, no stopping for the characters & no pottie breaks (as you walk purposefully thru the castle to Peter Pan). Hopefully many (most will be heading toward Nemo). You should:

- Be one of the first on PP.
- then Dumbo.
- then Alice.
- then Matterhorn (if they are old enough)

If you do those 3 or 4 prior to a potty break (bathroom next to Alice, btw), then you'll have 40 min. to enjoy the rest of FL.

BTW - I think Toadie is less intense than Pinocchio (which i love) & much less intense than Snow White, fwiw.

Have a great time.

I agree with ever single word of this. Especially the order in which you ride the rides. Peter Pan first! Dumbo second! Alice third! And also to reinforce the "no dawdling". The kids might want to stop and see things, but you will seriously want to get to Peter Pan ASAP. Tell them there will be time for characters and exploring later.