FP Planning and Park Days

[aliciamakino]

My DH and DD (who is 3 1/2) will be heading to Disney April 21st - 27th. With my 60 day FP window being next week, I'm attempting to put together a rough trip outline. We have been to Disney 3 times but always just to MK, no other parks. So not sure what to expect at AK or EP. Although the crowd calendar predicts this to be a slower time, I have my doubts as the Star Wars Half Marathon is that Sunday at HS. I currently have no dining plans booked. Here's what I'm thinking thus far- Opinions and advice much appreciated!

Sunday- Pool Day/Disney Springs (have local FL family coming to meet up for the day)

Monday- Epcot @RD get FP for Frozen (this is a MUST), other 2 FP are up in the air since the other rides I would want it for are also T1. Maybe Character Spot? Hoping to hit up Test Track in the single rider line. For us Epcot will mainly be meeting all the princesses, Flower showcase and eating around the world. We will stay to see the night show. Any MUST dos on your lists?

Tuesday-MK @ RD get FP for 7D, Meeting Elena, which other? At RD will either hit up Space Mountain, Speedway and Buzz Lightyear or could go the other way and go Jungle Cruise, Thunder Mountain. Honestly I never feel like there is enough time at MK. And while I would love to omit Friendship Faire, and the parade to have more time for rides, my DD LOVES them. And we will stay to see Happily Ever After.

Wednesday- Pool Day/Resort Hop. I want to hit the Polynesian for Breakfast for some Tonga toast @ Captain Cooks, walk around and shop and get a Dole Whip before either hopping on the Monorail to Grand Floridian or Contemporary. Back to the Hotel to swim, Dinner @ Disney Springs.

Thursday- AK @ RD get FP for Safari, Everest and maybe Festival of Lion King. After watching videos of the Pandora rides, I don't think my DH or DD have much interest. And we will stay for River of Light show.

I'm not stuck on any particular day for any park. So if anyone has any ideas of how I can make this better, or rides not to miss, please help! I'm doing most of my planning based on reading blogs and prior experience.

Thanks!

 

[Klayfish]

For Epcot, it doesn't really matter what your other two FP+ are, as none of the Tier 2 rides need FP+ all that often. But I'd do Spaceship Earth as one, because it's line will spike from time to time. Maybe MS as the other? If you want to do the three Tier 1 rides and you'll be there for rope drop, do this...rope drop TT (no FP+, just hustle to the ride). When you get off, hustle right to FEA, the line won't be too long yet. Then use your Tier 1 FP+ for Soarin'.

MK is really personal taste, as outside of 7DMT, all others aren't hard to get FP+ for.

I wouldn't bypass the Pandora stuff, it's really cool. Rivers of Light is really so-so, at best, IMO.

Why no Hollywood Studios? I'd do that instead of a pool day, but that's just my opinion.

 

[aliciamakino]

For Epcot, it doesn't really matter what your other two FP+ are, as none of the Tier 2 rides need FP+ all that often. But I'd do Spaceship Earth as one, because it's line will spike from time to time. Maybe MS as the other? If you want to do the three Tier 1 rides and you'll be there for rope drop, do this...rope drop TT (no FP+, just hustle to the ride). When you get off, hustle right to FEA, the line won't be too long yet. Then use your Tier 1 FP+ for Soarin'.

MK is really personal taste, as outside of 7DMT, all others aren't hard to get FP+ for.

I wouldn't bypass the Pandora stuff, it's really cool. Rivers of Light is really so-so, at best, IMO.

Why no Hollywood Studios? I'd do that instead of a pool day, but that's just my opinion.

We decided to skip HS until the Toy Story land is done. Didn't really seem to be too much there for my little one. Also attempting to "cut back" a little this time around (HAHA). We are staying at AOA and we LOVE the Nemo Pool and splash park. Rest days are paramount for the 3 1/2 year old to make it a week long Disney trip without burning out and being crabby. Perhaps I should not plan to be there at Rope Drop at every park and still through the night show? Thanks for the Epcot tips, I will adjust my FP plans.

 

[jjjones325]

Agree that Tier 2 FP at Epcot are generally not a must, but since you have two, I'd opt for Character Spot as one of them.