FP at Magic Kingdom-Buzz, Splash, Big Thunder or Pirates?

[jsmla]

I plan to arrive at the Magic Kingdom 2:00 PM(ish) after spending the morning at the Studios. I currently have FPs for Buzz, Splash and Big Thunder. It looks like Pirates has seen an uptick in wait times since the redhead redo. Would you drop one of my scheduled FPs for Pirates?

Thanks!

 

[CAS239]

I would FP Pirates over Buzz

 

[MMR76]

I have never had a problem getting a 4th+ FP for Pirates. In fact there have been times where we were able to ride it b2b with FP. FWIW we have always gone at the end of May, other times of the year may vary.

 

[DisneyFive]

Splash is probably the slowest of all of those. In order, these are what I would FP:

Splash
BTMRR
Pirates
Buzz

 

[NikkiDP]

I would FP Pirates over Buzz

Totally agree with this! Unless you have someone who absolutely loves it I personally don't think it is worth it. As someone else says, Pirates can sometimes be used as a 4th FP but it would depend on how late your final FP is. I would do Pirates, Splash, BTTMR FP and then if you really want to ride Buzz try it for the 4th.

 

[Klayfish]

My order would be:
Splash
BTMRR
Buzz
Pirates (this to me is the easiest to get on standby and/or a 4th FP)

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Personally I'd stick with what you have.

The only thing that would impact my decision is the timing and order of your FPs. If you have them all close together are you ok with walking across the park to Tomorrowland for Buzz when your other FPs are for generally the same area (and Pirates would be close enough too) if Buzz is later. If Buzz if the first of your FPs then there isn't that walking distance issue.

Also keep in mind you can adjust on the fly. You can see if there was a Pirates FP available the day of should you go to the park and notice the wait times are higher than you're comfortable with.

 

[eiblehs]

If I were you, I would keep the FPs for Splash and BTM, but definitely swap Buzz for POTC. Normally, both of those rides have low wait times (especially in the evening/night times). However, as you mentioned, the new redhead scene is keeping the wait times unusually higher for Pirates. You will more than likely be able to snag a 4th FP for Buzz once you use all three.

 

[ChristineOH]

What are you doing at DHS that you don't want to use your FP there? That is a hard park to do without FP, unless you're not doing rides.

Last week, during big spring break crowds, I found Pirates easier to get as a 4th than Buzz. Usually Buzz isn't hard to get, but last week, it was.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

What are you doing at DHS that you don't want to use your FP there? That is a hard park to do without FP, unless you're not doing rides.

Last week, during big spring break crowds, I found Pirates easier to get as a 4th than Buzz. Usually Buzz isn't hard to get, but last week, it was.

DHS isn't that hard to do without FP and they are going in the morning which should help.

But it depends on the OP's strategy.

Earlier times for FPs can mean greater likelihoood of getting rolling 4ths since you've used up your first 3s HOWEVER, when park hopping making your FPs for the afternoon can become an advantage if you're going to the 2nd park when it would be busier in terms of waits. Arriving at 2pm at MK means it is likely busy enough.

With Buzz I figured more people probably go for that over Pirates in terms of snatching up FPs pre-booked which is why I suggested sticking with it over Pirates and I would agree with your easier to get 4th FP for Pirates.

 

[maryj11]

We did not have any trouble getting a 4th or 5th FP for Buzz. I would go with Splash, Big Thunder, and Pirates.

 

[ELSA711]

I always consider the queue if I have to wait for something and time of year. I choose to FP the blazing hot queues and wait in the shaded ones.
POTC is an easy queue to me

 

[jsmla]

Thanks for all of the advice! I'm concerned about Pirates because it seems busier since the new redhead's arrival and I want to make sure I see the new version. I've changed things up a bit. (In addition to this day I'll have Early Morning Magic (5/22) and another morning (AM EMH) at the MK.) On the 20th I have ADRs for Jungle Skipper (6:15) and the HEA dessert party with a Plaza viewing.

This plan is for 5/20. Touring Plans has the crowds at 6 for DHS, 5 for MK. The plan is to go to DHS for morning EMH. I'll be solo and have no problems with very early rising so I should be at the front of the turnstiles. I may or may not ride TSMM depending on how crazy it feels. Not all that interested in R&RC unless the Standby/Single Rider line is very short.




Lunch will be at either Captain Cook's or Contempo Cafe depending on time/buses. Nothing set in stone after Big Thunder. I'll just go with lesser attractions or anything I can pick up as a 4th FP.

 

[AllieBoo]

I would stick with what you have. I've never had an issue getting a 4th fp for pirates

 

[maryj11]

I hate to throw a wrench in your plans but having dinner right before the dessert party is not a good idea. Well it wasnt for us anyway. We ate at Ohana at 4:00 and could barely eat 2 desserts each. You want to be good and hungry for the dessert party they have so much to eat. Maybe make an earlier reservation or skip Skippers completely?

 

[jsmla]

I hate to throw a wrench in your plans but having dinner right before the dessert party is not a good idea. Well it wasnt for us anyway. We ate at Ohana at 4:00 and could barely eat 2 desserts each. You want to be good and hungry for the dessert party they have so much to eat. Maybe make an earlier reservation or skip Skippers completely?

I'm really not all that interested in the desserts. I did this party in September (and skipped dinner altogether) and didn't find that anything was all that amazing. I'm pretty short and am 90% doing this for the hassle-free viewing area. DH doesn't like fireworks (or much of anything at WDW to be perfectly honest) so I like to see them when I'm solo. The other 10% is for the chocolate covered strawberries. I admit it's pricey-that's why I'll be staying at ASMu. I'd rather upgrade my park experience than my hotel.

 

[disneylover102]

Pirates is probably more worth a FP over Buzz but if you do 2 maps (each map takes about 5-10 minutes) at Pirates Adventure, they’ll give you a free FP for Pirates in addition to your pre booked FPs.

 

[jsmla]

Pirates is probably more worth a FP over Buzz but if you do 2 maps (each map takes about 5-10 minutes) at Pirates Adventure, they’ll give you a free FP for Pirates in addition to your pre booked FPs.

What is this?

 

[Mother Brer]

Newbie question, but I had never seen a screen shot of what Touring Plans offers before - is this on the app, or on the site? Or can you put something like this together on both? Thanks!

 

[disneylover102]

What is this?

I’ve never actually done this before, so this is just what I’ve heard. In Adventureland, there’s a place called A Pirates Adventure and inside they have “maps” that you can take and basically do a treasure hunt around Adventureland. You have to do 2 of those and they each take about 5-10 minutes. Once you return with the 2 maps completed, they’ll give you a paper FP for Pirates for every person in your party that participated.