For those of you that like to plan

[bumbershoot]

My goodness Carmel, your 6 year old is a little bit of a thing! Hubby is half Korean and has always been built something like a sumo wrestler (all sides of his family are small, so no one knows where his body type came from), LOL, so nowadays when I think "Asian" as you said before, I don't always think of itsy.

I think you're going to be able to do quite a bit on this trip. I can just feel it.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... I've posted before that I only got about 5 rides per day. It was horrible. ...

I remember your previous thread!

IIRC your previous visits were on a Saturday. Weekdays are so much better.

The most important tip is Early! Early! Early!

On Monday morning, I highly recommend getting to the Security Tables no later than 7:30am; and 6:30am for the Magic Mornings on Tuesday and Thursday. (Yes, I know 6:30 is very early. But it makes a huge difference and it's worth it! )

I agree with the others --- see the Fantasyland rides during the Magic Morning on Tuesday.

The following is far from perfect, but it might help a little.
1- I kept the backtracking to a minimum.
2- DH should skip some of the rougher rides.

FWIW...

Monday
8:00am: Everyone else goes to Astro Orbitor (while you hold
all the tickets and get FPs for Space Mtn)
Astro Orbitor
Buzz Lightyear
Star Tours (DH should skip this one.)
Take DL Railroad from Tomorrowland to Frontierland (Grand Canyon/Primeval World dioramas)
Everyone else goes to Pirates (while you get FPs for Splash Mtn)
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
Winnie the Pooh
(Gotta visit Pooh’s Corner!)
Ride Splash Mtn (using FPs)
Get FPs for BTMRR
(The next one wasn’t on your list, but ...
the Mark Twain Riverboat is calling... )

The rest of Monday is wide open, but remember to use the
FPs for Space Mtn and BTMRR.

Tuesday (Magic Morning)
7:00am Peter Pan
Dumbo
Alice
Matterhorn
Mr. Toad
Mad Tea Party
(ETA: King Arthur Carrousel)
The entrance for Adventureland will open at 8:00am. Just before 8:00am
you will want to be at the AL entrance.
(You might have time for the King Arthur Carrousel, Pinocchio and Snow White, otherwise these
can be done in the early evening or during Thursday's Magic Morning.)
8:00am: Everyone else goes to Jungle Cruise (while you get FPs for Indiana Jones)
Jungle Cruise
Tarzan’s Treehouse
(It’s time for a Dole Whip!)
Tiki Room
Indiana Jones (using FPs) (DH might skip this one.)
(Your youngest won't be tall enough for Indiana Jones, so if you're going to ride Indiana Jones it will need to be on Monday or Tuesday.)

10:00ish: Hop to DCA
Get FPs for Soarin’
Get FPs for GRR (it’s not on your list, but GRR is fun in the summer...)
Paradise Pier
-Mulholland Madness (DH should skip this one.)
-Sun Wheel
-Orange Stinger
-Jumpin’ Jellyfish
-Zephyr
Ride GRRrrrr (using FPs)
Ride Soarin’ (using FPs)

The rest of Tuesday is wide open.

Thursday (Magic Morning)
Your second Magic Morning is a great time to re-ride favorites! The Matterhorn is calling!
8:00am: A great time to collect a couple of FPs!
(This isn't on your list, but I would recommend the Storybook Land Canal Boats. Storybook isn't available during MM, but it usually opens a little after 8:00am.)
(ETA: To add to what Molly and Gail posted, 9:00am on Thursday (or Tuesday) would be a good time to visit Mickey's Toontown (since MTT opens at 9:00 on both days).
9:00am Get FPs for Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
Gadget's Go Coaster
Visit Mickey's House for photos
Play in Minnie's House
Ride RRCTS (using FPs))

(Stroll by the Snow White Grotto near the Castle, if you haven't, already.)

Hop to DCA
Get FPs for Soarin’
ToT
Monsters Inc.
Turtle Talk w/ Crush (it’s not on your list, but TTwC is not to be missed... )
(Did you ever see the Toy Story Zeotrope? Me neither, but it’s in the
Character Close-Up in the Disney Animation Building, and I’ve heard it’s
pretty cool. They will dim the lights every so often, and the "show" is just a few minutes.)
Muppets
ITTBB
(ETA: a bug's land)
Remember to ride Soarin' (using FPs)

The rest of Thursday is wide open.

Got Maps?

DL
http://adisneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr_v0200/en_US/map/images/DLPLowbandMap.pdf

DCA:
http://adisneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr_v0200/en_US/map/images/DCALowbandMap.pdf


HTH

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... I think you're going to be able to do quite a bit on this trip. I can just feel it.

I agree with Molly!

I think your previous trip was a scouting mission for this one.

Now that you're getting ideas from the DIS, instead of only going on 5 rides in a day...

you'll be going on 5 rides or more in your first hour!



P.S. - I added a few things to the previous post (post #22)

 

[farmfresh]

I like the look of ss columbia's schedule for you.. esepcially being thereearly!!but here's an alternative plan if you don't think you can handle park hopping - which can be a bit of a trial with younger kids, and let's face it, you are wanting to limit thewandering potential in the trip!

So - make Monday your DCA day. Get there 9.30 for Soarin, ride , then pick up GRR and Screamin Fps (you can hold them both at the same time). Pre Toy Story Mania we have used the mornings to ride MM and the rest of the pier rides. I would skip the sun wheel - slow and if you pick the sliding carriages, unpleasant!

Keep checking your time windows on your FPs - pick up another GRR if you like, and a tot or soarin pass.

Head to Monsters Inc if your kids like it, otherwise skip it - although it might be a nice one for your husband to do with them - MM, CS, and TOT are bumpy.

You have a choice now: either leave the park for a rest, then come back andride your FP rides, or ride your FP rides, and take a later rest. Use the evening for DL fireworks etc. (if you feel like it, on your way home, have someone duck in to Dl with the tickets to pick up a DL FP)

Tuesday

MM at DL

Go to Fantasyland, and ride Peter Pan, then Dumbo if its on your list, then the other Fl rides. You will have them done by the end of MM. Your husband can enjoy them all, except the Matterhorn.

As you have some height restrictions, you will be best to do IJ and Space Mountain today. Pick up a SM FP as you head over to New Orleans Square to ride Pirates and Haunted Mansion - you should be ready for IJ Fp after that. You might also want to grab an Autopia Fp - that is one that will need all four of you. For some reason my then 7 now 8 year old girl loves this ride!

Thursday
Use MM for any FL rides you want to hit again, or go to the Astro Orbitors. Pick up a Buzz FP, ride Spacetours (you all sit together). I'm not sure that your children will meet the height restrictions for Splash Mountain (and it probably wouldbn't suit your husband) so I have left it out. Head instead for Jungle Cruise, then on up to Winnie the Pooh.

You can ride Roger Rabbit any day as it is a disconnected Fp - you can hold it at the same time as any other FP.


This will get you on most of the time consuming queue rides easily before midday. You can then add in things like the disney rail road, the sailing ships etc as you feel like it. it alsomeans you can go haome nad have abreak, then come back in. Again, each time you leave, pick up a Fp - you can use it when you return in the evening for prades, shows etc.

Given your situation, if you can afford it I would try for preferred fantasmic seating. If not try a character buffet dinner, rather than breakfast

Hope this helps - I know ridemax is out, but if even this seems too complex, try the UNofficial guide . At least you'll have a plan to follow, and really, that's all you need!

 

[daneenm]

Others have given you great detailed plans. I just wanted to chime in with the two keys that keep our trips easy to handle...

• Get there EARLY! You can get a ton done from rope drop until mid-morning.

• FastPass is your friend. Collect the next one as soon as the 'next fastpass' time on your most recent one. We just 'discovered' the concept of the FP runner on our trip to WDW last year and it works very well. Helps avoid dragging the kiddos around and still lets you take advantage of the FPs.

We usually get there at rope drop ride and collect FastPasses until lunch or a bit after, go back to the hotel for a swim or rest and then return at night to go on rides with short lines, use our FastPasses from the morning, watch the parade, etc.

Works very well for us. Good luck!
Daneen

 

[carmel]

Ya'll are the best! I started an Excel file last night to organize all of this information.

They say the magic happens when you walk through the gates of Disney. I think it starts earlier than that - right here on this board!!!!

THANK YOU SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO (My 10 yr old's favorite way to emphasize a point) MUCH!!!!

 

[carmel]

My youngest......Yup - she's a peanut. She is even tiny on the Chinese charts. My dad calls her 'hollow bones' because she weighs nothing. She is following her growth curve so the docs aren't worried - they said she is just going to be a tiny person. She only wears a size 7 shoe and size 4T pants - she'll be 6 on Monday!

My oldest is actually in the 50% of the US size charts.

 

[Hound 109]

1. S.S. Columbia delivered a dynamite schedule

2. I agree with everyone that the key is being in line early (40-45 min. the first two days) & the methodical collection of FPs.

3. I'll add my opinions to S.S. Columbia's excellent touring plan (not because my opinion means anything....but i give it anyway .

I remember your previous thread!

IIRC your previous visits were on a Saturday. Weekdays are so much better.

The most important tip is Early! Early! Early!

On Monday morning, I highly recommend getting to the Security Tables no later than 7:30am; and 6:30am for the Magic Mornings on Tuesday and Thursday. (Yes, I know 6:30 is very early. But it makes a huge difference and it's worth it! )

I agree with the others --- see the Fantasyland rides during the Magic Morning on Tuesday.

The following is far from perfect, but it might help a little.
1- I kept the backtracking to a minimum.
2- DH should skip some of the rougher rides.

FWIW...

Monday
8:00am: Everyone else goes to Astro Orbitor (while you hold
all the tickets and get FPs for Space Mtn)
Astro Orbitor
Buzz Lightyear
Star Tours (DH should skip this one.)

If inclined.....now might be a good time to consider Jedi Training if it's getting ready to start. Either way nab a Buzz FP for later if it's time to nab one.

Take DL Railroad from Tomorrowland to Frontierland (Grand Canyon/Primeval World dioramas)
Everyone else goes to Pirates (while you get FPs for Splash Mtn)
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
Winnie the Pooh
(Gotta visit Pooh’s Corner!)

You got that right.

Ride Splash Mtn (using FPs)
Get FPs for BTMRR
(The next one wasn’t on your list, but ...
the Mark Twain Riverboat is calling... )

The rest of Monday is wide open, but remember to use the
FPs for Space Mtn and BTMRR.

& Buzz.

Tuesday (Magic Morning)
7:00am Peter Pan
Dumbo
Alice
Matterhorn

Both sides.....because you can.

Mr. Toad
Mad Tea Party
(ETA: King Arthur Carrousel)
The entrance for Adventureland will open at 8:00am. Just before 8:00am
you will want to be at the AL entrance.

& You'll be 50 steps ahead of the riff raff non MM patrons who are lined up behind you on Main St.

(You might have time for the King Arthur Carrousel, Pinocchio and Snow White, otherwise these
can be done in the early evening or during Thursday's Magic Morning.)
8:00am: Everyone else goes to Jungle Cruise (while you get FPs for Indiana Jones)
Jungle Cruise
Tarzan’s Treehouse
(It’s time for a Dole Whip!)
Tiki Room
Indiana Jones (using FPs) (DH might skip this one.)
(Your youngest won't be tall enough for Indiana Jones, so if you're going to ride Indiana Jones it will need to be on Monday or Tuesday.)

10:00ish: Hop to DCA
Get FPs for Soarin’
Get FPs for GRR (it’s not on your list, but GRR is fun in the summer...)

I agree completely....Griz is a must do....& the Soarin'/Griz FP two step is a great "first thing in DCA strategy".

Paradise Pier
-Mulholland Madness (DH should skip this one.)
-Sun Wheel
-Orange Stinger
-Jumpin’ Jellyfish
-Zephyr
Ride GRRrrrr (using FPs)
Ride Soarin’ (using FPs)

The rest of Tuesday is wide open.

Thursday (Magic Morning)
Your second Magic Morning is a great time to re-ride favorites! The Matterhorn is calling!
8:00am: A great time to collect a couple of FPs!
(This isn't on your list, but I would recommend the Storybook Land Canal Boats. Storybook isn't available during MM, but it usually opens a little after 8:00am.)
(ETA: To add to what Molly and Gail posted, 9:00am on Thursday (or Tuesday) would be a good time to visit Mickey's Toontown (since MTT opens at 9:00 on both days).
9:00am Get FPs for Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
Gadget's Go Coaster
Visit Mickey's House for photos
Play in Minnie's House
Ride RRCTS (using FPs))

(Stroll by the Snow White Grotto near the Castle, if you haven't, already.)

Hop to DCA
Get FPs for Soarin’ & Griz....because you can.
ToT
Monsters Inc.
Turtle Talk w/ Crush (it’s not on your list, but TTwC is not to be missed... )

Agreed MUST NOT be missed.

(Did you ever see the Toy Story Zeotrope? Me neither, but it’s in the
Character Close-Up in the Disney Animation Building, and I’ve heard it’s
pretty cool. They will dim the lights every so often, and the "show" is just a few minutes.)
Muppets
ITTBB
(ETA: a bug's land)
Remember to ride Soarin' (using FPs)

Bugs Land has some neat rides & the TRATATORIA is a nice spot for a relaxing meal. Also the Redwood Trail area is a great place for kids to scamper.

The rest of Thursday is wide open.

Got Maps?

DL
http://adisneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr_v0200/en_US/map/images/DLPLowbandMap.pdf

DCA:
http://adisneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr_v0200/en_US/map/images/DCALowbandMap.pdf


HTH

 

[Vacation Dad]

It sounds like you prefer to have a schedule to start your day, and that is great. Do be aware that “opportunities” outside of the schedule may arise that can be too good to resist. Almost every trip there are a couple occasions where a ride has just opened up right before we walked past, so there is almost no line. I remember Peter Pan opening up after having been closed for a while just as we walked by one time. All of the other rides in the area were packed, but due to pure luck we walked right on the ride. Another time Splash Mt showed a standby time of 5 minutes while all the other rides in the area were at about 45 minutes. I had to double-check to make sure I read the sign correctly! So be sure to keep your eyes open for that “opportunity”, you never know when it might appear.

Have great trip!

 

[Brady's Mom]

I don't really have anything to add to the schedule! Everyone's tips are about the same as mine. (or better!)

When we went in March, my mom came with us and she has some health problems, so even though we had a plan, we did take some break times and she and my dad did some sitting around. I think in some ways they had a better opportunity to soak up DL's atmosphere than I did as I rushed from one thing to another.

One thing that really helped us were our cell phones. Just about every "big" person in our group had one, so we could keep in touch with one another. If you and DH both have one, bring them. As you are running from one place to another to get the fast pass, he can find a nice quiet shady spot for he and the girls and then you don't have to worry about where you left them. Just call and find out where they are! (Although you have probably thought of this, it doesn't hurt to mention it again.)

Have you thought about a stroller for your little daughter? She is very little and could probably use a shady rest spot once in a while. My 6 year old still likes the double jogging stroller when we go from one land to another because then he doesn't get bumped by people.

Just some random thoughts as I was reading the posts in this thread!

 

[carmel]

We are definatly doing the stroller thing. I'm sure my 10 yr old will say 'How come she gets to sit in a stroller when I have to walk ALL the way back to HoJos......' Yeah, she's the diva of the family.

I made a PS at Rainforest Cafe for Thursday at 4pm. I think that gives us enough time. I combined all of the info for this thread and organized it (with colored font even!) and Hubby was impressed. I told him my mission this time was to ride more than Snow White and Pinocchio which we always rode since there was no one in line, LOL. I'm getting excited. I seriously used to dread it - I know, how can you dread a trip to Disney. But, it was like looking at candy under a glass plate. I wanted to ride all of these things but just couldn't get to them. Hubby is looking most forward to one of those soup in a bread bowl things in NOS. I told him I hadn't scheduled it in yet so he needed to check back with me