Help please!

[cancersucks]

I am a veterin to WDW, but with have not been on here since our trip last May. My aunt just called me last night and said they are going for one day (Sun. March 9th) They are polar oppisites of our family, and find myself lost on what to tell them.

Not staying onsite-

Mom and dad want to go for the kids, but not theme park people
Son-14
Daughter 10 (mostly going for her)

Want to stay for fireworks and electrical parade

How do fastpasses work for non-resort guests now with the magic bands, and suggestions for that time of year for those ages? Oh, and dad is a foodie.

I know I could do a search, but I was just asked this am, and told her I would get back to her today with some help- gotta take the kiddos to school though right now. Thanks!

 

[2girlsmom]

Well, you didn't say so start with making sure they understand that Disneyworld is 4 parks, 2 of which have fireworks. But based on the statement of the Electrical Parade, sounds like they are going to Magic Kingdom. At this age, MOST kids would be more into the mountains (which Splash will be closed), less into Dumbo, etc. Currently, offsite guests can't book FP+ in advance, so when they arrive at the parks, they will need to go to a FP+ kiosk (located throughout the park) and choose their selections for their 3 FP+. As long as they get there reasonably early in the day, they SHOULD be able to get Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain plus one additional ride, possibly Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Buzz? All 3 of these are popular with my 13 year old, but really is a personal choice to the family. They may also have the option to FP+ the Wishes or the parade as their third choice, and since you have mentioned that this is important to the 10 yr old, that may be a good option for them. All other rides will be on standby, but 3/9 is before the majority of the spring break crowds, so shouldn't be TOO bad, probably standby times up to 30 minutes or so as a guess.

 

[cancersucks]

Thank you. Yes, the Magic Kingdom- sorry, forgot to add that. We ALWAYS stay onsite for atleast 6 days with 2 young boys, and we love themeparks, so this is really different for me Plus, since I do not have a trip planned right now, I have not followed up on the FP+. I am off do do a search, but wanted a few opinions. Thank you

 

[redhotariel]

I would suggest if they all enjoy different things (which is what it sounds like) a good option would be a hopper pass. If dad is a foodie he would love EPCOT. I mean MK has good food we all know that, but a foodie loves EPCOT. Maybe start off at Epcot, it sounds like the kids may be old enough to go odd by themselves- they can hit up some more thrilling rides like Soarin, Test Track, even rides like Nemo and friends etc. And just go until like 2 (as world showcase doesn't really "open" until 11) Mom and dad can enjoy the scenery, the food, the more relaxed feel of EPCOT, the kids can enjoy some rides and then they can head off to MK. If they are going early march I don't believe the lines and wait times will be crazy as Easter is late this year. So I think they would have a good chance of getting on BTMRR, and Space Mountain and then they could enjoy doing the electrical parade and fireworks. It would kind of be the best of both worlds for everyone. I have not yet tried the FP+ system as I don't get there for another week. Now if they start out at EPCOT they can't get fastpasses for MK, crappy, but as I said I don't think the lines will be too ridiculous. Now if they are first-timers (which it doesn't say) I think they will enjoy it either way, so just suggest some classic rides, POTC, Haunted Mansion, IASW, BTMRR, etc. They will have fun either way. If they don't want to hop MK is a perfectly exciting park on it's own. And as I said before there is still a lot of good food for dad