Give me feedback on this MK strategy

[Joe Arkansas]

Here's the situation: Our family will be traveling to WDW July 20-25. It will be me, DW, DD19, DS17, and my MIL and FIL, both in their 60s. For our immediate family, it will be our third trip (but first since 2010). For the in-laws, it will be their first trip. We will have 5 park days, with the basic plan being 2 days at MK, and 1 day each in the other parks.

We want to make MK our Day 1 park. It's a family tradition, and I think a great way to introduce the in-laws to the Disney experience. I know the prevailing touring strategy for MK is to arrive at RD, and head straight to Fantasyland, with the hordes going to Mine Train. I also know securing FPs for Mine Train will likely be a challenge. That said, I am concerned that Mine Train/Fantasyland stampede might not be the best way for the in-laws to begin their Disney experience.

Instead, I am considering this rough plan: At RD, head west into Frontierland. Start with BTMR, then do Splash, PotC, and Jungle Cruise. My thinking is that these should all be walk-ons, or very short waits. At this point, we could cross back over to experience HM and HoP, or head across the hub into Tomorrowland. (Likely utilizing our FPs for some of these). We would take a break in the afternoon, and upon return, hit some of the attractions we skipped in Frontierland, Adventureland, and Tommorowland. (Some of us might not even return to the park at all, depending on how we feel.) The idea would be to save Fantasyland for our second MK day. This would be more like 60+5, so our likelihood of obtaining FPs for MineTrain would be greater. (At the very least, by that time, we would all be more acclimated to the crowds.)

I'm curious to what other folks might think of this strategy. What am I not considering?

 

[SaintsManiac]

Personally, I rather RD Frontierland. It's peaceful and we prefer those rides anyway. I think your plan looks good and you've given this thought.

You should not have trouble with Mine Train that far in to your trip. I got it on days 2 and 3 of mine next month.

 

[disneyinthespringtime]

Since it sounds like you don't mind the potential to get wet early in the day, the plan sounds like a good one! I think it's a smart idea not to subject your ILs to the rope drop rushing for 7DMT first thing.

 

[pitpat]

Absolutely save Mine Train for when you have a FP. RDing Frontier/Adventure is the way to go for an enjoyable morning.

 

[Sara_H]

I like your plan. When we are at the parks we always head to Adventureland first because most others head to Fantastyland or Tomorrowland. However if there are early magic hours, not all parts of the park are open. The stampede can definitely be overwhelming and it might put your in-laws in a bad place. If you are on property, 60 days out for Mine Train might not be out of the question that time of year but it depends on what your priorities are for other parks. For instance, if you want Flight of Passage at AK, make that your first fastpass you get regardless of what day you are going.

 

[mamaofsix]

That's a good plan. We travel as a multi-generational family and Frontierland is our favourite.

Just as an opinion: when we went last time and rode 7DMT at rope drop, we were sorely disappointed. It was probably our kid's least favourite ride, surprisingly. It is very short, not thrilling, and definitely not worth the stampede or even a 30 minute wait, in our view. We truly do not understand the hype behind it, nor why it's so hard to get a fast pass. Next time we will totally save ourselves the trouble and skip it! I wish now that we had gone to Frontierland and gotten to ride all of our favourites with no wait instead...

As an aside, my parents are also in their 60s. Their favourites were Carousal of Progress, the People Mover and Country Bears Jamboree. Rarely line-ups for these Big Thunder / Space / Teacups, etc., were absolutely too much for their equilibrium. So, you might want to keep that in mind. My advice would be to plan fp's for tamer rides like Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Buzz, etc., for the entire family. Allow your parents the option to opt out of the more thrilling rides in favour of sitting to rest their feet and enjoy the atmosphere while the rest of you ride...

 

[NickC]

That is usually our plan for day 1 in MK. It works really well for us.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Your basic plan is good. But, i would start with JC and PotC with FPs for BTMR, Splash and HM. That is a little less back tracking to HM/HoP. In the heat of July, with that group, you won't get to Tomorrow land before lunch (unless it's an EMH morning?). Your in-laws may be exhausted by then. Better to plan just a 1/2 day for the first day. Have lunch at MK. If everyone is up for it pick up 4th FP for whatever is available. Get SDMT, PP and Space FPs for the second day, and you'll get it all done.

 

[Magnoliafan]

Just as an opinion: when we went last time and rode 7DMT at rope drop, we were sorely disappointed. It was probably our kid's least favourite ride, surprisingly. It is very short, not thrilling, and definitely not worth the stampede or even a 30 minute wait, in our view. We truly do not understand the hype behind it, nor why it's so hard to get a fast pass. Next time we will totally save ourselves the trouble and skip it! I wish now that we had gone to Frontierland and gotten to ride all of our favourites with no wait instead.

What rows did you sit in? I’ve found that Mine Train is like 3 separate rides in one. Front cars are extremely mild and borderline boring. Back cars have more motion and a much higher thrill factor. Middle cars have a moderate thrill and are the sweet spot for ride wimps like me.

OP, I like your plan. My 60-something Mother may be able to come with me on my next trip and she hasn’t been to MK since 1990. I’d never subject her to the RD hordes in Fantasyland, especially on the first day.

 

[mamaofsix]

What rows did you sit in? I’ve found that Mine Train is like 3 separate rides in one. Front cars are extremely mild and borderline boring. Back cars have more motion and a much higher thrill factor. Middle cars have a moderate thrill and are the sweet spot for ride wimps like me.

OP, I like your plan. My 60-something Mother may be able to come with me on my next trip and she hasn’t been to MK since 1990. I’d never subject her to the RD hordes in Fantasyland, especially on the first day.

We were riding in the middle and towards the back (there were 7 of us riding). Felt like just above Barn Stormer in terms of thrill and duration. That might have been the intent, though, so to each his own. Just wasn't our cup of tea

 

[lcbhunter]

Shhh don’t spread the word too much about how peaceful it is in Frontierland and Adventureland at RD lol. This is how we love to start off our Magic Kingdom days also. We use a similar plan at Animal Kingdom, heading straight to Everest and Kali for multiple rides early while the hordes are headed to Pandora

 

[CAQDaddy]

Your plan is exactly how I rope drop MK. Frontierland and Adventureland are so much quieter than Fantasyland or Tomorrowland at rope drop.

 

[GPC0321]

Sounds like a solid plan to me. I did the 7DMT RD stampede for the first time last summer. Yikes. I mean, we were at the front of the stampede and got on the ride with pretty much no wait...but I just remember as we were race-walking like crazed fools behind the CMs thinking how easy it would be for someone to stumble and result in a pile-up. You literally had to make sure your strides/steps were choreographed with the people all around you so that you didn't trip each other up. And I swear winding our way through the empty queue took longer than the actual ride. LOL.