First Trip Help

[SmyleyMom]

My family and I are making our first trip to WDW. We arrive Sept 23rd and leave Oct 1. Going on the trip are me, DH, DD2, DD4 (will be 5 right before we leave). My mom and her husband are also coming for most of our trip. We are staying at CSR.

I have a few questions and also could use some help and critique on my fastpasses.

First, we arrive at the airport at 12:45. How long will it take us to get to CSR, check in and then get to MK? I know they close early that night for MNSSHP, but I want the girls to see MK for a few hours right away. I need an idea of what time we can make it there so I can try to book fast passes.

Second, I plan to make rope drop every day. What time would you suggest we be at the bus stops in order to get to the park before opening?

Third, we have scheduled an off day in the middle of our trip (Saturday). We have reservations at Chef Mickey's for 10:15 on that day. What is the best way to get there from CSR? When should I leave to ensure we're not late?

Fourth, departure day our flight leaves at 6 pm. We want to spend some time in MK before we have to leave. What time does Magical Express usually pick us up from the hotel? When would we need to leave MK in order to be back in time.

Okay, here are some of my notes that I have for Fastpasses. Any suggestions would be helpful. Both my kids love rides and don't scare easily. My mom does not like thrill rides at all, gentle is the way to go for her, same goes for her husband. My husband and I will go on everything.

Tues/Arrival Day/MK, No Grandparents:
A&E Meet and Greet if available
7 Dwarfs Mine Train? DD2 is too short to ride yet.
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Alternates: Rapunzel M&G, Space Ranger Spin?

Wed/HS/Everyone:
Toy Story Mania (Everyone)
Star Tours (Everyone) DD2 and Grandparents won't ride. DH, DD5, and I will go once, then use GP's FP for DH and DD5 to go again. Or maybe rider swap and I go too?
Tower of Terror (Everyone) Same plan as above, just me, DH and DD5 riding.

Thurs/Epcot/Everyone:
Maelstrom (Everyone)
Turtle Talk with Crush (Everyone)
Illuminations (Everyone)

Friday/MK/Everyone (This is Grandparents only day in MK):
7 Dwarfs Mine Train (everyone) Do rider swap as DD2 is too short.
Peter Pans Flight
Haunted Mansion
*note* Me, DH and both DD's plan to do the Halloween Party this night. Still unsure if we will take a nap/afternoon break this day.

Saturday:
Off Day

Sunday/Animal Kingdom/Everyone:
Safari
Expedition Everest (Fast Pass for me and DH). Unsure if DD5 can/will do this, can we do rider swap for it if we don't book her a FP?
Dinosaur (FP for both Grandparents and DD5) DH and I will use their FP to take DD5 on the ride.
Character Spot (Everyone) Unsure if there is a better option here.

Monday/Epcot/Everyone:
Soarin' (Me, DH and DD5)
Test Track Grandparents (Grandparents) DH and I will use their Fastpass. Again, unsure if DD can/will want to go. Can we use riderswap if she doesn't have a FP?
Maelstrom (Everyone) Not sure of a better option
Character Spot (Everyone)

Tuesday/MK/Just DH, Me and DD's:
Anna and Elsa M&G if can't get for arrival day
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Peter Pan's Flight (unsure if we should do this a second time)
Alternates if we already have A&E first day: Tomorrowland Speedway or maybe 7DMT again?

Wednesday/Departure Day/Probably MK again/Just Me/DH/DDs:
No plans for FP yet. Need ideas for this. Want things that we all can go on/enjoy.

*notes* I would like to do Splash Mountain with DD, but don't want to use a FP for it. How awful would the standby line be on the Tuesday before lunch time, around 11 or so?

I think that's it for now. I could really use some help. I tried to use my parent's FPs a little for headliner rides as they really don't care about rides. I'm not completely sure how rider swap works, so I don't know if the scenarios I had planned will work. On our HS day, DH and I plan to do Rockin Rollercoaster on the single rider line.

Sorry this is so long!

 

[wdwrich]

My family and I are making our first trip to WDW. We arrive Sept 23rd and leave Oct 1. Going on the trip are me, DH, DD2, DD4 (will be 5 right before we leave). My mom and her husband are also coming for most of our trip. We are staying at CSR.

I have a few questions and also could use some help and critique on my fastpasses.

First, we arrive at the airport at 12:45. How long will it take us to get to CSR, check in and then get to MK? I know they close early that night for MNSSHP, but I want the girls to see MK for a few hours right away. I need an idea of what time we can make it there so I can try to book fast passes.

Second, I plan to make rope drop every day. What time would you suggest we be at the bus stops in order to get to the park before opening?

Third, we have scheduled an off day in the middle of our trip (Saturday). We have reservations at Chef Mickey's for 10:15 on that day. What is the best way to get there from CSR? When should I leave to ensure we're not late?

Fourth, departure day our flight leaves at 6 pm. We want to spend some time in MK before we have to leave. What time does Magical Express usually pick us up from the hotel? When would we need to leave MK in order to be back in time.

1- Figure 90 minutes from the time you get off your plane until you reach your resort. Add another hour to check in and bus to MK on arrival day. Flight delays could have a significant impact on your MK arrival time, so keep that in mind when making FP+.

2- I'd be at the bus stop at CSR an hour before park opening to make rope drop.

3- To get to Chef Mickey's, take the bus from CSR to MK and either walk or monorail over to the Contemporary.

4- DME will pick you up at CSR about 3 hours prior to your flight time. That's what time the DME bus leaves the resort, so you need to be at the bus stop 15 minutes or so before that.

 

[Aliceacc]

My family and I are making our first trip to WDW. We arrive Sept 23rd and leave Oct 1. Going on the trip are me, DH, DD2, DD4 (will be 5 right before we leave). My mom and her husband are also coming for most of our trip. We are staying at CSR.

I have a few questions and also could use some help and critique on my fastpasses.

First, we arrive at the airport at 12:45. How long will it take us to get to CSR, check in and then get to MK? I know they close early that night for MNSSHP, but I want the girls to see MK for a few hours right away. I need an idea of what time we can make it there so I can try to book fast passes.It varies, widely. We're in about the same position as you; our flight gets in at about 12:30. What I did was plan my FPs around dinner-- one at 4, one at 5, and one at 8 pm. We can do other rides and attractions before we use those FPs

Second, I plan to make rope drop every day. What time would you suggest we be at the bus stops in order to get to the park before opening? I'll have a wake up call for 6:45 each day. We'll leave the resort by 8 and be at the parks by about 8:30 is for a 9 am opening.

Third, we have scheduled an off day in the middle of our trip (Saturday). We have reservations at Chef Mickey's for 10:15 on that day. What is the best way to get there from CSR? When should I leave to ensure we're not late? I would take the bus to the Magic Kindgom. The Contemporary, which hosts Chef Mickey's, is across the street from the MK.

Fourth, departure day our flight leaves at 6 pm. We want to spend some time in MK before we have to leave. What time does Magical Express usually pick us up from the hotel? When would we need to leave MK in order to be back in time.Magical Express picks you up about 3 hours before your flight. Like you, we're leaving at around 6 pm. We're htting Epcot for Extra Magic Hours, returning to our resort to check out and have breakfast at Cape May, then returning to Epcot. (It's about a 5 minute walk from our resort, so easier than it sounds.) You can store your carryons with Bell Services as you tour the park.

Okay, here are some of my notes that I have for Fastpasses. Any suggestions would be helpful. Both my kids love rides and don't scare easily. My mom does not like thrill rides at all, gentle is the way to go for her, same goes for her husband. My husband and I will go on everything.

Tues/Arrival Day/MK, No Grandparents:
A&E Meet and Greet if available
7 Dwarfs Mine Train? DD2 is too short to ride yet.Then why not take a pass? It's your first trip; there are so many things you can ALL do. Why not try Peter Pan?? It's one of our family's favorites.
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Alternates: Rapunzel M&G, Space Ranger Spin?We've never done any of the M&Gs, but we love Buzz!!!

Wed/HS/Everyone:
Toy Story Mania (Everyone)
Star Tours (Everyone) DD2 and Grandparents won't ride. DH, DD5, and I will go once, then use GP's FP for DH and DD5 to go again. Or maybe rider swap and I go too?Why not the Great Movie Ride? Tower of Terror (Everyone) Same plan as above, just me, DH and DD5 riding.Hmmm, I think I would chose to FP things that everyone can enjoy isntead of spending a FP on something so limited.

Thurs/Epcot/Everyone:
Maelstrom (Everyone)
Turtle Talk with Crush (Everyone)
Illuminations (Everyone)
PLEASE find a way to do Soarin'!!!!! Everyone I know, with the exception of one of my sisters, LOVES it!!!! We do it every single day we're in Epcot.

Friday/MK/Everyone (This is Grandparents only day in MK):
7 Dwarfs Mine Train (everyone) Do rider swap as DD2 is too short.
Peter Pans Flight
Haunted Mansion
*note* Me, DH and both DD's plan to do the Halloween Party this night. Still unsure if we will take a nap/afternoon break this day. That would mean less time wtih the grandparents in MK... would you reconsider?

Saturday:
Off Day Just my own personal bias, but we never take an off day. Do you have park tickets for this day? If not, it's VERY cheap to add a day on. Why not consider a "sleep in day" instead?

Sunday/Animal Kingdom/Everyone:
Safari
Expedition Everest (Fast Pass for me and DH). Unsure if DD5 can/will do this, can we do rider swap for it if we don't book her a FP?
Dinosaur (FP for both Grandparents and DD5) DH and I will use their FP to take DD5 on the ride.
Character Spot (Everyone) Unsure if there is a better option here.
Would you consider Kali River Rapids?? You WILL get soaked, but we love that ride!!!

Monday/Epcot/Everyone:
Soarin' (Me, DH and DD5)
Test Track Grandparents (Grandparents) DH and I will use their Fastpass. Again, unsure if DD can/will want to go. Can we use riderswap if she doesn't have a FP?
Maelstrom (Everyone) Not sure of a better option
Character Spot (Everyone)

Tuesday/MK/Just DH, Me and DD's:
Anna and Elsa M&G if can't get for arrival day
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Peter Pan's Flight (unsure if we should do this a second time)
Alternates if we already have A&E first day: Tomorrowland Speedway or maybe 7DMT again? How about Pirates of the Carribbean? Haunted Mansion? Buzz again???

Wednesday/Departure Day/Probably MK again/Just Me/DH/DDs:
No plans for FP yet. Need ideas for this. Want things that we all can go on/enjoy.How about Peter Pan, Buzz, Jungle Cruise?

*notes* I would like to do Splash Mountain with DD, but don't want to use a FP for it. How awful would the standby line be on the Tuesday before lunch time, around 11 or so? If it's a hot day, it will probably be quite a wait. WHy not have you and DD do that on Weds, while your husband and your other child do Indy Speedway or soemthign else?

I think that's it for now. I could really use some help. I tried to use my parent's FPs a little for headliner rides as they really don't care about rides. I'm not completely sure how rider swap works, so I don't know if the scenarios I had planned will work. On our HS day, DH and I plan to do Rockin Rollercoaster on the single rider line.

Sorry this is so long!

We're doing a family reuinion for 11 in 2 weeks.

I made up a list of "FPs for Everyone", "FPs for Most" and "FP's for just a few." I'll PM it to you for what it's worth.

 

[minnie mum]

1.First, we arrive at the airport at 12:45. How long will it take us to get to CSR, check in and then get to MK? I know they close early that night for MNSSHP, but I want the girls to see MK for a few hours right away. I need an idea of what time we can make it there so I can try to book fast passes.

2.Second, I plan to make rope drop every day. What time would you suggest we be at the bus stops in order to get to the park before opening?

3.Third, we have scheduled an off day in the middle of our trip (Saturday). We have reservations at Chef Mickey's for 10:15 on that day. What is the best way to get there from CSR? When should I leave to ensure we're not late?

4.Fourth, departure day our flight leaves at 6 pm. We want to spend some time in MK before we have to leave. What time does Magical Express usually pick us up from the hotel? When would we need to leave MK in order to be back in time.

Welcome to the Dis!

1. Allow 90 minutes from deplaning to arrive at your resort. Allow another hour to check in, catch the bus and get to MK. So around 2:15. But I'd add on another half hour to grab a quick lunch at your resort.

2. We allow ourselves an hour for Disney transportation, just to be on the safe side. You might have just missed the last bus, might have to wait for another bus to arrive, and you WILL have a wait while you go through the bag check.

3. Take the bus to the MK, then its a 5 minute walk to the Contemporary. Allow an hour for transportation.

4. ME will leave from your resort at 3:00 pm for your 6:00 flight. So you have to be ready to board before this- at least 15 min. You will also need to retrieve any bags you've left with luggage services, make last minute bathroom stops, etc. I'd leave MK by 1:00 - 1:30.

I'll let someone else chime in on your park plans.

 

[DaughteroftheKing]

I don't have any advice really, others have already chimed in. But did want to say I'm glad to see Maelstrom on your ride list for Epcot. It was our favorite ride, my husband still talks about it.

Have a great time on your trip!

 

[SmyleyMom]

Thank you so much to everyone that has offered advice so far. I appreciate it!

We're taking a rest day to give my girls some time to recover. We're doing Chef Mickey's for breakfast, then some time for Downtown Disney, then nap and pool time in the afternoon before eating dinner at 'Ohana and possibly watching the MK fireworks from the beach.

We'll be at the MNSSHP the night before and I figured we could use an easy day the next day.

 

[SmyleyMom]

Bumping to see if anyone has any suggestions for my FP.

 

[Tomh]

My family and I are making our first trip to WDW.

Congratulations!!!!!

I have a few questions and also could use some help and critique on my fastpasses.

First, we arrive at the airport at 12:45. How long will it take us to get to CSR, check in and then get to MK? I know they close early that night for MNSSHP, but I want the girls to see MK for a few hours right away. I need an idea of what time we can make it there so I can try to book fast passes.

I'm guessing you need to allow probably an hour to hour and a half for the Magic Express to get you to your resort, and hour to get checked in and such, and an hour to get from resort to MK, so probably 3 hours from airport to MK. And then . . . . if there is a flight delay. With MK closing at 7 that night, I might save that park admission, and do DTD that evening for supper, and that first little taste of Disney Magic.

Second, I plan to make rope drop every day. What time would you suggest we be at the bus stops in order to get to the park before opening?

Generally, it is a fairly safe bet that you will make rope drop if you are at your resort bus stop one hour prior to park opening.

Third, we have scheduled an off day in the middle of our trip (Saturday). We have reservations at Chef Mickey's for 10:15 on that day. What is the best way to get there from CSR? When should I leave to ensure we're not late?

I would be at the resort bus stop perhaps an hour and a half prior to the reservation, take the bus to MK, then walk from MK over to the contemporary. IF you won't be using the monorails at any other time, and you think the kids would enjoy them, you could leave a bit earlier, and take the monorail from the MK station.

Tues/Arrival Day/MK, No Grandparents:
A&E Meet and Greet if available
7 Dwarfs Mine Train? DD2 is too short to ride yet.
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Alternates: Rapunzel M&G, Space Ranger Spin?

If A&E isn't available, I would go for Space Ranger Spin, I think both kids will like it. DS did a 4, even though he couldn't hit anything, he didn't care, he just had a ball shooting the laser cannon at everything.

Wed/HS/Everyone:
Toy Story Mania (Everyone)
Star Tours (Everyone) DD2 and Grandparents won't ride. DH, DD5, and I will go once, then use GP's FP for DH and DD5 to go again. Or maybe rider swap and I go too?
Tower of Terror (Everyone) Same plan as above, just me, DH and DD5 riding.

Looks pretty good to me.

Thurs/Epcot/Everyone:
Maelstrom (Everyone)
Turtle Talk with Crush (Everyone)
Illuminations (Everyone)

Kids will LOVE Turtle Talk!

Friday/MK/Everyone (This is Grandparents only day in MK):
7 Dwarfs Mine Train (everyone) Do rider swap as DD2 is too short.
Peter Pans Flight
Haunted Mansion
*note* Me, DH and both DD's plan to do the Halloween Party this night. Still unsure if we will take a nap/afternoon break this day.

Good. Make sure to get at least DD on Small World, it seems to be a favorite of young (and not so young) girls.

Sunday/Animal Kingdom/Everyone:
Safari
Expedition Everest (Fast Pass for me and DH). Unsure if DD5 can/will do this, can we do rider swap for it if we don't book her a FP?
Dinosaur (FP for both Grandparents and DD5) DH and I will use their FP to take DD5 on the ride.
Character Spot (Everyone) Unsure if there is a better option here.

Two of my absolute favorite experiences in Animal Kingdom are the Festival of the Lion King show, and the Flights of Wonder show. Animal Kingdom is a challenging park in that there isn't THAT much to do, yet it is huge with lots of walking between attractions, and so it takes a lot longer to get things done than you would expect.

Monday/Epcot/Everyone:
Soarin' (Me, DH and DD5)
Test Track Grandparents (Grandparents) DH and I will use their Fastpass. Again, unsure if DD can/will want to go. Can we use riderswap if she doesn't have a FP?
Maelstrom (Everyone) Not sure of a better option
Character Spot (Everyone)

I see two days in Epcot here, but I don't see Soarin' Don't overlook Spaceship Earth, it is a slow moving ride, perfect for the little one's. Same with Ellens Energy Adventure (Universe of Energy) long, slow, COOL on a hot day, and perfect for the kids, especially the little one who will miss out on some of the other stuff.

Tuesday/MK/Just DH, Me and DD's:
Anna and Elsa M&G if can't get for arrival day
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Peter Pan's Flight (unsure if we should do this a second time)
Alternates if we already have A&E first day: Tomorrowland Speedway or maybe 7DMT again?

Tomorrowland Speedway, if you go early, or late, you can probably catch it with a 15 to 20 minute wait standby, which isn't too bad, so that is an option.

Wednesday/Departure Day/Probably MK again/Just Me/DH/DDs:
No plans for FP yet. Need ideas for this. Want things that we all can go on/enjoy.

*notes* I would like to do Splash Mountain with DD, but don't want to use a FP for it. How awful would the standby line be on the Tuesday before lunch time, around 11 or so?!

In my experience, Splash is best done either with FP, OR first thing in the morning, or during a parade. The rest of the day, it seems to have longer lines, but then again, you are going in September, I usually go in August, so the lines in general may be a little shorter for you.

Overall, your plans look pretty solid, I think you are covering most of the important rides with FP, and the rest you should be able to do standby without waiting too long in line.

 

[TXDisneyFan1]

I just had one tip that we tried from our last trip. If you don't think the grandparents will use all of their fast passes on certain days, make some FP+ reservations for headline rides on their magic bands and swap bands with them.

So, if you and your husband want to ride RnRC and nobody else does, schedule that time on the grandparent's band at the same time you and the kids ride TOT. Then, after you ride TOT, you can grab their bands and go straight from TOT to ride RnRC since they are right beside each other.

Hope you have a wonderful trip! You have a meal planned at O'hana, so you have definitely done your homework. (The potstickers and bread pudding is amazing!)