Help me plan our first (half) day in MK

[shelleyr25]

On Thurs 8/31 our flight lands at 11 am so we should be at the Poly just after lunch. I would like to spend the afternoon at the MK. We will also be spending the following day there so I hope that between the 2 days we can do it all. My kids (7&8) have never been to Disney so I dont want to rush it and I want them to be able to go on a ride again if they would like too. All the touring guides start early in the morning with the big rides being taken care of before the afternoon. If we are just getting to the park around 2pm or so what will we be able to do without waiting too long?? We have 7:30 dinner reservations at Crystal Palace and plan on staying thru the fireworks.
Any tips would be great!!!

 

[ScottNBecky]

well by not getting there until the PM then yeah that puts a bit of a challenge into your plan if you dont want to rush things.

Your kids being 7 and 8, I would say head to Fantasyland, and start with Peter Pan and work your way to through Fantasyland hitting all the rides your can there. By pass Dumbo though b/c the wait will be long and if you are pressed for time its better to skip that.

 

[la79al]

Get a fast pass as soon as you get there for the ride you want to do the most. Maybe head to see some characters and just look for short lines on the way. Go through a planning guide or video with your kids to determine what they really want to do. I agree skip Dumbo and the Pooh ride too. Make sure you do the Buzz ride, the Pirate ride, the Haunted Mansion.

 

[rlovew]

If you are getting to the park at 2 and plan on spending the next day there this is what I would do.
Afternoon Day: (Adventureland/Frontierland/Liberty Square)
1. Get a Fastpass for Splash Mountain
2. See a show of the Country Bears (if you will be going in by 2:15)
3 Find a place to watch the parade in Frontierland. (3pm parade- finished about 3:20)
4. Get a Fastpass for Thunder Mountain
5. Ride Splash (4:00)
6. Ride Pirates (4:30-4:45)
7. See the Tiki Birds, Swiss Family Treehouse, and Alladin's Carpets (maybe 5:45)
8. Get a Fastpass for Jungle Cruise (if there isn't a wait just ride it)
9. Ride Thunder Mountain (6:10)
10. Walk through Frontierland up towards Liberty Square
11. If you don't have a Fastpass get one for Peter Pan (it is just beside the Columbia Harbor House.
12. Ride Haunted Mansion (6:30)
13. Walk through Fantasyland and if the wait is not longer than 15 minutes see the Phiulharmagic. (7:00)
14. Head over to the Crystal Palace for Checkin. (if you have any fastpasses left ans you have time use them now- otherwise after dinner use them)
15. Enjoy your dinner and then find a spot to watch the fireworks.

Day 2 (Full day starting at 9am)
1. Be at the gates of the Magic Kingdom by 8:30 (enjoy the preshow that starts about 8:50)
2. Go straight to Dumbo.
3. Get a Fastpass for Pooh and ride Sapce Mountain and then Buzz and Astroblasters.
4. If your kids really enjoy characters head over to the toontown opening at 10am.
5. After visiting with characters head back to Fantasyland- ride the teacups and then Pooh
6. Get a fastpass for Peter Pan.
7. Ride Small World and visit Ariel.
8. Watch Philharmagic (iof you didn't the night before) and then ride the Carrasel and Snow White.
9. Enjoy lunch somewhere.
10. Get a fastpass for Stitch (if you want to ride it).
11. Ride the TTA and the Carrosel of Progress.
12. Catch any of the shows you want to see (Belle's story, Castle show)
13. For a cool place to ride out the hours of 1-3 try the Hall of Presidents and then head over to Tom Saywer's Island.
14. Enjoy walking on Main Street and go back to any ride you want to see again. walk around and look for the little details (read the main street windows, listen to the music in the lands, look at the lampposts).

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! rlovew that was SO nice of you to take the time to plan that out, you can plan my park days ANYDAY

 

[shelleyr25]

rlovew...Thanks sooooo much!!!! That sounds like a great plan!! Thanks so much for taking the time to post that reply for me!! I will let you know how we do

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!!