Fitting SOTMK into my TP

[sdomino11]

Going to attempt SOTMK with my kids this next trip. Planning on getting the cards as soon as we're through the gates. Touring Plans has this taking us 20 minutes. I'm guessing this includes more than just getting the cards? Is it likely that this 20 minutes time frame is also allowing us to do the Main St part of the game?

Also, I've got some holes in my TP when we could easily get to each of the remaining lands to do another "run" of the game. Am I totally wrong in thinking that we could say, "Lets do another step of SOTMK in between these next two rides"? Would that work? Like the Main St section first thing, then a few hours later Fantasyland, then a few hours later Adventureland...?

TIA

 

[jennab113]

It probably will take 10-20 minutes just to get the cards. They get you signed up and give you your cards, the the CM takes you to a practice portal and shows you what to do. You usually find out where your first real portal is at the end of the instructions. You could maybe ask for Main St if that's where you want to start, but usually it is assigned.

You also don't really get to pick where you go next. For example, when you get done with Main St, it might send you to Adventureland when you'd rather Fantasyland be your next stop.

You can definitely do it between rides if you're in a land. You can play a couple portals, go ride a ride, then go back and do another couple portals to finish the round.

 

[momto3boysillbe]

In my opinion it ends up taking longer than you think it will. You never know who will be in line in front of you so sometimes you're just waiting. We did it on a day we were leisurely taking in MK not a day when we were trying to fit in a bunch of other things.

 

[rlovew]

It depends on how planned out your day is- Other than my FP+ reservations I don't have a specific plan (but we have Aps and I am okay with 3-4 rides for the day). So I will play a portal and do a ride/show/ ect if the line is short and then play another portal but I stay in whichever area I am assigned too and then will head off for my FP when it comes up. If you really want to plan out your day then you probably need to set aside an hour-ish sometime to play a round of the game. It may be shorter it may take that much time depending on how quickly you move and how busy the portals are in that area.

You can wait and get cards back near the Liberty Square Christmas shop and use those early times for rides when the lines are shorter as well. Then you can start somewhere close to that for your first quest of the day.

 

[sdomino11]

Thank you -- very helpful!

 

[kwdw]

I wouldn't recommend getting started with this first thing in the morning. Take advantage of short lines for attractions at the beginning of the day and start this later. I'd wait until you have a quiet time in your plans - and the line behind the Christmas shop is almost always shorter and faster. With no line - 10 minutes to get started. But - the 20 minute suggestion is probably about average.

They will ask you now what LAND you would like to start the game in. That's nice. So - when you start - pick the land you are going to be in next on your touring plan. You'll do several portals in one land before you move on to a different land.

For first-timers - you don't need a binder or anything - but I might bring an envelope with each kid's name on it to put each of your sets of cards in. They are trading card size - so just a small letter size will do. It helps keep the cards in good shape and not lose them in random places. And if they decide to collect them - this becomes more important later on.

NOTE - SOTMK players - especially ones with a binder of cards or are holding up more than one card to play - are experienced and "usually" friendly (and probably playing a med or hard level, not the easy intro level). If they offer to trade - make sure you trade "like card for like card." Mainly - know that there are "star" cards - there's a symbol on them - and those are numbered 1-22 - and those are harder to find - only one per pack. Don't give away a star card for a non-star card. Your kids might want a particular character more, but if they get into it, star cards are harder to get. Sometimes experienced folks will give away a card or two to a new player, too. (Don't ask - but if you strike up a conversation, they might offer.) I've got like 6 extras of a common card now - so for example, I might do this my next trip.

It's easiest if you all play the first game the first time through because different games could split up your party in different lands. If you have more than one kid - just have them trade off who battles at each portal.

Sometimes newbies just want to cast their spell and move on - and don't really listen to what the portal story is. That's okay! It's intended to be fun however you want it to be. BUT - you do need to make sure they stop and pay attention to what the next portal they are being sent to. Some little ones get ready to move on too soon!

There's a nice facebook page about this all, too.