Fitting everything in at HS is a struggle!

[TexasPrincess1]

There was a small wait to get in at the restaurant, too. The food is a buffet. The characters came around pretty quick, too! I guess because we were the first seating. I was able to get juice and coffee included in the price.

 

[NeuroCindy]

Do you have a Disney Visa? They offer a star wars meet and greet to card holders that has a shorter line.

 

[picklethings]

I really need someone to say, "don't do this/that, it's terrible!" We want to do everything! And as soon as I start to cut something, someone tells me it's awesome, so back on the list it goes!

 

[picklethings]

Yes, we have the Disney Visa.

 

[TexasPrincess1]

30 minutes is what I did. 15 probably would have been fine. Maybe I was just lucky or it was the days I picked. I tried to pick days that would have the least crowd levels.

 

[bigbabyblues]

It is possible that the shows could fill to capacity if you wait too long to go in. I have heard of it happening specifically with VoLM and Indiana Jones, but it could happen with any of them I guess, especially with FP+.

We ended up going to HS one evening to do a few things and then another full day (with a break), but we had been many times before and knew what we wanted to do.

 

[TexasPrincess1]

I really need someone to say, "don't do this/that, it's terrible!" We want to do everything! And as soon as I start to cut something, someone tells me it's awesome, so back on the list it goes!

Do everything! That was our goal! I feel satisfied like we have seen it all. Now, I can plan a trip somewhere else next time even though I love Disney!

 

[momtotaryn]

It our favorite ride at Disney world! It is so smooth even though you go upside down twice. They have a single rider line that moves pretty fast after rope drop. Within 10 minutes of opening we saw the standby line jump to 30 minutes.

Did RnRC change from 5 years ago? I definitely do not recall it being smooth, and I hit my head several times, making me wonder if that was what may have caused my brain tumor. (Well, I am not serious, I know it didn't actually cause my brain tumor, but we did ride it before I was diagnosed.) Because of our prior experience, I warned my sister's family about it, so we all didn't ride it during our trip last month. Obviously, I couldn't ride it for health reasons, but my own family didn't want to either. If the ride did change, I gave my sister's family the wrong info. Sounds like they would have enjoyed it.

 

[Belle_1989]

I feel the same way. DD wants to see all the musicals and DS wants to do the Jedi training along with everything else star wars plus fantasmic that night. Its gonna be a long day

 

[picklethings]

I was surprised that we did everything at animal kingdom so fast so maybe that is the one to look at taking some time from. Epcot took us a day and a half, too!

We are already cutting into our AK day to be able to get 2 RDs at Epcot! Eeek! I need to add a day or 2 onto the trip or something!

 

[tlmadden73]

This has ALWAYS been the problem with DHS. Simply because it is mainly shows, it is hard to coordinate the times to catch it all.

It is my favorite park and despite all that I have NEVER seen Beauty and the Beast. (Mainly because I have never found the time).

Your best bet is to skip a show to make time. Either B&B or Frozen or Little Mermaid.

Musts:
Toy Story Midway Mania
Tower of Terror
Rock N Roller Coaster (if you are coaster fans).
Star Tours
Indiana Jones

It also sounds like your kids are big Disney Junior Fans . .so that show is a must.

I went in August with my 3 year old son (and his counsins 2 and 4).
We did:
Disney Junior
Meet and Greets
TSMM
Little Mermaid
Star Tours (adults)
H&V lunch (my son was scared of the big characters despite really enjoying the puppet show earlier in the day).
Frozen Ever After
Nap (while the oldest girl got her hair done).
Muppets
Rock n Roller Coaster (just me).

There were other things we did (that no longer are there .. like the watch Jedi Training, Frozen Parade, Frozen Boutique, Frozen short, Honey I shrunk Playground, Pizza Planet, etc. Those all took some time out when we could have been doing other things.

I would definitely see Indiana Jones as that show may eventually be gone from the park (as it is the last remaining "making of movies" attraction at the park .. just really won't fit the theme of the park much longer (one would think).

 

[minera]

I am of the same thinking, we love to watch shows and with the need to schedule some down time in the afternoon, we are finding it difficult to juggle a schedule without giving up a few shows.... We do have a Fantasmic Dining package scheduled for lunch at Mama Melrose's.

 

[momof2cuties]

I think hs may be our fave park. It doesn't feel as overwhelming. I really enjoy extra time to just watch the street performers and not run from one thing to the next. Trading with the jawas was so much fun. Bring some trinkets or toys with you. The Indiana jones show is good but if its miserably hot out it will not be a cool break. Really hot in there I find.

We enjoy Beauty and the beast show , little mermaid was good and has Ac! Meeting buzz and woody was great fun and sorcerer Mickey is awesome! The Disney visa meet was kylo ren. No wait and he is quite intimidating.

 

[picklethings]

All the little things are killing me- the stormtrooper march, the Star Wars stage show, possibly some meet & greets. I'm a planner, but I have visions of the kids seeing something they want to do on the spot, and being torn between staying on schedule or stopping. I don't want to be like that, but I feel like the show schedules don't allow for a lot of flexibility without cutting.

 

[picklethings]

I wish we didn't have to take a break! Then we could fit it all in. My kids could probably handle it if it was our only day at WDW, but it's day 2 of 5, and we are unfortunately limited in being able to have a rest day due to a conference we are attending.

 

[momof2cuties]

I wish we didn't have to take a break! Then we could fit it all in. My kids could probably handle it if it was our only day at WDW, but it's day 2 of 5, and we are unfortunately limited in being able to have a rest day due to a conference we are attending.

It's not as exhausting as the other parks because you are sitting more for shows so maybe you won't need a break. Don't remember if you said how old your kids are or when you are going. Or staying.

 

[yulilin3]

@picklethings This is my best advice. Prioritize. Pick 4 things, between shows and attractions that are must dos for your family. The rest just take it as bonus. I know it doesn't sound like much of a strategy but when you let yourself have some wiggle room it'll feel better and you will enjoy more the things that you actually get to do.
Both outdoor SW shows, the First Order March and A Galaxy Far Far Away are not the best. I wouldn't wait for them at all. If you happen to be walking by and they are on you can stop and watch but don't wait for them, they're outside with no cover from the sun

 

[picklethings]

So if you were planning just 1 day in the park, with the *possibility* of going back one evening, what would you put as lower priority, that could potentially end up being missed?

I feel that our top priorities are:
JTA
Frozen Sing-Along
Launch Bay (including Jawa trading, meeting Chewbacca & Kylo Ren)
Disney Jr show
TSM
Star Tours
Indiana Jones show
Fantasmic
Star Wars fireworks

We'd also like to do RnRC, March of the First Order, Star Wars stage show, Beauty & the Beast, maybe meet Olaf. I've heard we should see Muppet Vision as well.

But if we save most of the lower priority things for another day, they will not be available in the evening when we could go.

 

[picklethings]

It's not as exhausting as the other parks because you are sitting more for shows so maybe you won't need a break. Don't remember if you said how old your kids are or when you are going. Or staying.

Kids are: DD11 (but she has Down syndrome, so her interests are younger than her typical peers), DS8, and DS4.

We head down in a week and a half! All ADRs, FP, etc are set. I'm just trying to tweak my touring plans.

 

[yulilin3]

From your list. Launch Bay has very little waits for the characters late in the evening, so if you go around 7pm both Chewie and Kylo Ren meet will be about 10 minutes each.
JTA is a huge time consumer because you have to be at the designated area for your show 30 minutes before, then the actual show is about 20 minutes.
If the schedule continues for both Fantasmic and the SW fireworks/projection show you will NOT be able to do both on the same night
You didn't say when you are coming
Just keep in mind that you cannot do everything in one day.

 

[SillySallySews]

Three out of my four kids are big Disney Jr. fans and I would not take them back to that show if you paid me! The performers were fine, but the show itself is not all that great and sitting on the floor all bunched up together with strangers is the worst! When you think you can't squeeze in any tighter they will tell you get closer. We all left that show super cranky and uncomfortable, and not even my youngest kids really enjoyed it. If you do go it's actually better to get into the theater later so you are more towards the back. The closer you are to the stage the harder it is to see anything. If I had to skip a show at DHS this one would definitely be it.