Finally getting back to Disney after 7 years - 5 days only HELP

[lisaross]

Hi everyone

Wow if feels great being back on these boards to help plan another Disney trip. In the past we have done Disney for 10 days and 7. This time we only have 5 full days in Disney and then we'll be going to Universal for 3.

We will be flying in late on 4/22 and checking out on 4/28. Our kids are both boys 14 and 15.

We are not ones to go back to resort for a swim nap because we might be too lazy to get out and hit another park again - but this trip I'm thinking a few early mornings maybe one day sleep in a bit. Not really sure we have never done the late EMH before but maybe this time. Just seems like it's so different with the fp+. We r thinking of not getting the dining plan because my 14 year old eats like a bird. We will still want to do a TS each day - either lunch or dnr. We usually have cereal or something quick in the morning as not to waste time. We r staying at PoFQ.

What would be your strategy with only 5 days? We will have hoppers and want to see wishes and one other night show

Thanks

 

[Jennytoon]

Do you like to re-ride the headliners, or are you more relaxed, looking for a wider coverage of the attractions?

In some parks, the answer to this question will determine whether or not you need an early morning. For instance in AK there are no tiers and only 3 rides where FP+ really gives you a big boost over standby, so this is a park where you can either a) sleep in a bit and arrive at 10, FP in hand or b) make it an early morning and then use FP+ that you made in a different park later on. If you are into maximizing re-rides then something like this won't have as much advantage for you.

Actually, if you're really OK with early mornings most times, one strategy that a number of people praise as having been made available by FP+ is hitting a park at RD with no FP in that park and knocking out the headliners in the first hour or two, hitting the rest of the rides in the morning park (that don't need FP) at leisure, then hopping to a second park later with FP already in hand. We did this a couple of times on our recent trip (some of which was at a relatively peak time), and it worked well. MK is often listed as the best park to hop to because it has the latest hours, but you could also just pick the park with PM EMH; that would allow you to FP the headliners at the second park and then maybe re-ride them during EMH if that is important to you.

I suspect you know already, but I would definitely consider single-rider for attractions that have it, we considered the single rider line at RNR to be kind of like a fourth FP since then we could choose TSMM freely without worrying about the tiers. With kids your age, it might be a viable strategy especially if not everyone is into the coasters.

 

[sharonabe]

Check out easywdw.com for his crowd calendar and cheat sheets on park touring. He will recommend to avoid EMH, but I think that's a personal choice. If you have hoppers, it's easy to take advantage of the EMH and the most recommended parks.

As to early or late EMH, that depends on your family. As mine have gotten older, they prefer to sleep in just a little bit more and do the late EMH. Personally, I wouldn't try to do both (burning the candle at both ends) as we would hit a wall around day 3 or 4. We still make rope drop, but we make it at a non early EMH park.

 

[lisaross]

We Are more morning people - and like to reride headliners

 

[sharonabe]

Then I would definitely hit the early EMH parks and around 11:00 or 12:00 hop to the most recommended park. Probably schedule FP+ in the 2nd park.

 

[lisaross]

Then I would definitely hit the early EMH parks and around 11:00 or 12:00 hop to the most recommended park. Probably schedule FP+ in the 2nd park.

Yes that is what I think I'm going to do and maybe AK day and Dhs we wil just come back for a swim and dnr and an early to bed relaxing night