Help planning rope drop with kids

[beachteachlv]

Good morning!

We will be at the parks next week. Tuesday 2/15 DL and 2/16 DCA. Two kids (4&1) and my parents coming along for an extra set of hands.

Our four year old is tall enough for any rides she wants to ride (she’s 44” so anything really) which is vastly different than our last visit when she was only 2. With that trip we had zero expectations and rode very little with her. So now I’m having a harder time planning our days.

We have not and do not plan to buy Genie+. Just doesn’t seem worth the extra cost for us when hopefully crowds/lines are manageable and we don’t have plans to ride “big” rides with the exception of RSR.

That being said… we know Fantasy Land will be a focal point, but also Pirates and HM are high on the list. I’ve been scoping out the wait times on the app and just not sure what to do. Do we head straight for Peter Pan and fantasy land? Or go for Pirates and HM first?

For DCA - is it even worth trying to get on RSR first? Is this a ride we can buy a lightning lane pass for? Only 3 of us will be riding it so its do-able financially. DCA is really where I have no clue how to plan our day.

Both days we plan to be there for rope drop, go back to hotel for mid day nap, then return for the evening. No park hoppers. We are staying at BWPPI.

I really appreciate any planning insight!! Thank you!

 

[underminer]

If Fantasyland is a focal point and you can get close to the front of rope drop, I would hit Peter Pan first and then enjoy short lines for the rest of the land. Even if you can’t get PP done first, you can really enjoy that first hour in Fantasyland with very short waits. HM and Pirates have higher capacities and can easily be done in the next hour or two of park opening.

For DCA, if you are going to purchase the LL for RSR, I would head back to Pixar Pier and knock out those rides with shorter lines (especially Toy Story and the fun wheel if you like that one). I would also buy a LL for Webslingers if you don’t mind shelling out a little more $. Have fun!

 

[WonkaKid]

That being said… we know Fantasy Land will be a focal point, but also Pirates and HM are high on the list. I’ve been scoping out the wait times on the app and just not sure what to do. Do we head straight for Peter Pan and fantasy land? Or go for Pirates and HM first?

As the previous poster said, I’d definitely do Fantasyland first especially if you can get close to the front of the rope. If you can do PP first, that’s your best choice because, as you know, that line gets long quickly. Other than Alice, the rest of the FL rides have lines that grow considerably slower. Moreover, you can head over to Pirates even an hour after the park opens and the line should still be reasonable. Same with Haunted Mansion. That wouldn’t be true if it were the holidays. HM gets very busy with the Christmas overlay.

Good luck! I hope you report back here after your trip.

 

[beachteachlv]

As the previous poster said, I’d definitely do Fantasyland first especially if you can get close to the front of the rope. If you can do PP first, that’s your best choice because, as you know, that line gets long quickly. Other than Alice, the rest of the FL rides have lines that grow considerably slower. Moreover, you can head over to Pirates even an hour after the park opens and the line should still be reasonable. Same with Haunted Mansion. That wouldn’t be true if it were the holidays. HM gets very busy with the Christmas overlay.

Good luck! I hope you report back here after your trip.

Thank you!

We have done rope drop in the past and always went far right to hit Tomorrowland. Where should we aim to be to be at the best spot for Fantasy Land? I’m hopeful we will be there early enough but getting two kids and four adults out the door by 730 may be more challenging than even I am capable of

 

[smartlabelprint]

If you want to ride Peter Pan first I highly recommend a baby carrier rather than a stroller that morning. If Peter Pan already has a considerable line by the time you get there your time is best spent riding the rest of the fantasyland rides while they have a super short wait.

My kids are 6&7 and we went to a quiet museum the other day. They were active, going between the kids activities. After 30 minutes they needed a break for snacks. I’m going to set a timer on my phone for 20 minutes, knowing that in a loud crowded spot they may need a break sooner. They have special needs so your kids may have a longer tolerance. But I highly recommend trying a busy place near you to learn your kids needs. Meeting those needs are more important than line length. They’ll do ok in longer lines if they’re regulated.

My kids were worse at 4 than 1. I’d keep your expectations low for the trip. I remember one ride from my trip at age 4 but overall my memories are positive. You can’t do everything in 2 days, so don’t try to - for the best results!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Thank you!

We have done rope drop in the past and always went far right to hit Tomorrowland. Where should we aim to be to be at the best spot for Fantasy Land? I’m hopeful we will be there early enough but getting two kids and four adults out the door by 730 may be more challenging than even I am capable of

If you want to be there for rope drop and a chance for Peter Pan you will want to be out the door before 7:30…. Unless I guess you are staying at the Grand Californian Hotel, though you need to give yourself time for security. If you are driving you want to arrive to the parking around 7am if you are serious about a shot for Peter Pan at rope drop. But don’t wait for Peter Pan if the line is to the chains by the time you arrive… you will waste as much time waiting for it as you would later in the day, but you’ll miss out on all the other short lines in Fantatsyland. First thing, do Alice, Dumbo, Snow Vwite, Casey Jr Train and Storybookland Canal Boats.

 

[beachteachlv]

If you want to be there for rope drop and a chance for Peter Pan you will want to be out the door before 7:30…. Unless I guess you are staying at the Grand Californian Hotel, though you need to give yourself time for security. If you are driving you want to arrive to the parking around 7am if you are serious about a shot for Peter Pan at rope drop. But don’t wait for Peter Pan if the line is to the chains by the time you arrive… you will waste as much time waiting for it as you would later in the day, but you’ll miss out on all the other short lines in Fantatsyland. First thing, do Alice, Dumbo, Snow Vwite, Casey Jr Train and Storybookland Canal Boats.

thanks!! We are staying at the best western park place inn mini suites right across harbor. I don’t think I can be super serious about it, just given the nature of life with a 4&1 year old. The more responses I’m getting I’m not sure aiming for PP is going to be our best bet.. seems like we will end up with a wait for it no matter what and I don’t want to waste precious time in that first hour.

 

[beachteachlv]

How does this look for DL on Tuesday 2/15


Alice
Dumbo
Storyland Canal
Casey Jr
Snow White
Carousel

Jungle Cruise
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
Pooh

Buzz
Astro Orbiter
Autopia

Small World
Any repeats

We are splitting our day with a mid day nap, so I’m not sure where our morning cut off will be..

Any suggestions or adjustments I should make??

 

[starlite_]

Honestly since you have extra hands with you, then you could have one or both your parents help out with the Peter Pan line later in the day while you and the kids do the carrousel (or any short ride) or have them sit and rest nearby with the kiddos while you do the line. Or at least the longer part of it and just join the group once the line folks reach the point of no return haha (wherever is the last easy spot to join the line)

 

[smartlabelprint]

How does this look for DL on Tuesday 2/15


Alice
Dumbo
Storyland Canal
Casey Jr
Snow White
Carousel

Jungle Cruise
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
Pooh

Buzz
Astro Orbiter
Autopia

Small World
Any repeats

We are splitting our day with a mid day nap, so I’m not sure where our morning cut off will be..

Any suggestions or adjustments I should make??

Storyland boats can be pretty slow when starting up. Be flexible about when you ride that one. Maybe closer to the end of your time in fantasyland.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Storyland boats can be pretty slow when starting up. Be flexible about when you ride that one. Maybe closer to the end of your time in fantasyland.

I agree, though I love this ride and the line gets rather long later on, so maybe do it toward the end of your Fantasyland time.

I would probably do this order or close to it:

Alice in Wonderland
Dumbo
Snow White
Mr. Toad
Pinnochio
Casey Jr. Train
Teacups
Storybookland Canal Boats
Carousel

I love Peter Pan so much but I almost never wait for it. It’s almost always 40 minutes or longer unless you are at the very front of the rope at rope drop and make a beeline straight there with no delays for parking strollers, etc. It’s too annoying, especially with toddlers. But if your kids are good with waiting you could always do it later and just bring snacks for the line.

 

[whoever]

Fantasyland. Their loading mechanisms are slow as snot. Both Pirates and HM have extremely high ridership per hour.

 

[beachteachlv]

I agree, though I love this ride and the line gets rather long later on, so maybe do it toward the end of your Fantasyland time.

I would probably do this order or close to it:

Alice in Wonderland
Dumbo
Snow White
Mr. Toad
Pinnochio
Casey Jr. Train
Teacups
Storybookland Canal Boats
Carousel

I love Peter Pan so much but I almost never wait for it. It’s almost always 40 minutes or longer unless you are at the very front of the rope at rope drop and make a beeline straight there with no delays for parking strollers, etc. It’s too annoying, especially with toddlers. But if your kids are good with waiting you could always do it later and just bring snacks for the line.

thank you!!! I think I have only ever done PP once or twice in all of my DL visits for this exact reason.

If we follow that Fantasyland plan pretty closely, do you suspect we should still make it over to Pirates and HM with decent wait times? I’ve been looking at wait times on the app and even now, an hour after opening on a Friday, both those are 15m or less so I am hopeful!

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

Good morning!

We will be at the parks next week. Tuesday 2/15 DL and 2/16 DCA. Two kids (4&1) and my parents coming along for an extra set of hands.

Our four year old is tall enough for any rides she wants to ride (she’s 44” so anything really) which is vastly different than our last visit when she was only 2. With that trip we had zero expectations and rode very little with her. So now I’m having a harder time planning our days.

We have not and do not plan to buy Genie+. Just doesn’t seem worth the extra cost for us when hopefully crowds/lines are manageable and we don’t have plans to ride “big” rides with the exception of RSR.

That being said… we know Fantasy Land will be a focal point, but also Pirates and HM are high on the list. I’ve been scoping out the wait times on the app and just not sure what to do. Do we head straight for Peter Pan and fantasy land? Or go for Pirates and HM first?

For DCA - is it even worth trying to get on RSR first? Is this a ride we can buy a lightning lane pass for? Only 3 of us will be riding it so its do-able financially. DCA is really where I have no clue how to plan our day.

Both days we plan to be there for rope drop, go back to hotel for mid day nap, then return for the evening. No park hoppers. We are staying at BWPPI.

I really appreciate any planning insight!! Thank you!

I don't mind your question. I ask these types of questions too. But, if you can carve out a little time out of your schedule there is a pinned thread for RD experiences and strategies. When I can, I look through the thread to see what other experiences people have, good or bad. I find reading others experiences really helps me think of things I hadn't thought about before.

I think it is always good to do the rest thing for a break, mid-day. When our kids were little like yours, it really helped them a lot in the parks to be semi-more patient and have more fun. Ours are now 19 and 17 and hell my DW and I now just ditch'em in the parks have fun ourselves. I will say this about PoTC and going their first, the ride is a longer ride and we tend to forget about it. So, if we hop on that first, then you may be eating up more of that RD or early day quiet period while at that one attraction. So, I would maybe go HM first then PotC second if that is where you head right away. As far as DCA, everything I have read is that Carsland is awesome and that if RSR is a priority, go there first thing at RD. I'm not sure I have read where the standby lines really ever drop significantly for RSR. Maybe right before park close?

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Epicnemesis]

Skip PP at rope drop and go straight to Alice and then work your way back to the castle from there hitting the rides you want along the way.