Help w/ DHS plan

[Ava]

I make my FP+ ressies tonight and am still not sure what to do at DHS. Our Tier 1 choice is definitely TSMM, and then we will do Star Tours, but I'm not sure what to pick for our 3rd. We're not interested in Tower of Terror. Is the FP a good value at any of the shows? Right now I'm thinking of just getting our 3rd FP for Muppets even though we likely won't need it for that, and then trying to get a 4th for Great Movie Ride.

We'll be taking a break back at the resort after lunch so the kids can make it through Fantasmic that night so we won't have time to do all the shows. Any that you'd prioritize for a 5yo and 1yo?

 

[tndisney5]

Hard to decide. I probably would change the muppets FP for Indiana Jones or lights, motors, action. Toy Story and Star Tours are our favorites so after that we usually pick a show for the 3rd pass and then do stand by for great movie ride, back lot tour, etc.

 

[Malibustyle23]

I cant say which would be a good use of a fp but I would not miss taking them to Disney Jr stage show, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Muppets and Beauty and the Beast although that isn't a tier 2 show.

 

[Ava]

I cant say which would be a good use of a fp but I would not miss taking them to Disney Jr stage show, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Muppets and Beauty and the Beast although that isn't a tier 2 show.

I definitely plan on the Disney Jr show, but have read that the FP+ seating location there is not good (too close to the stage so it's difficult to see) so I don't want to use the FP there. I guess I could and then just not sit in the FP section. DHS is tough b/c so many attractions are designated Tier 1. And most of the Tier 2 attractions probably won't even require FP when we're there (late Sept).

 

[csjordan]

I make my FP+ ressies tonight and am still not sure what to do at DHS. Our Tier 1 choice is definitely TSMM, and then we will do Star Tours, but I'm not sure what to pick for our 3rd. We're not interested in Tower of Terror. Is the FP a good value at any of the shows? Right now I'm thinking of just getting our 3rd FP for Muppets even though we likely won't need it for that, and then trying to get a 4th for Great Movie Ride.

We'll be taking a break back at the resort after lunch so the kids can make it through Fantasmic that night so we won't have time to do all the shows. Any that you'd prioritize for a 5yo and 1yo?

I agree with PP...Disney Jr., Beauty and the Beast, and Little Mermaind are not to be missed with little ones. We are going next month with group of 12, including 2 yo twin niece and nephew. Will see those shows, the priority in that order. Well, actually, priority goes to Frozen events, but for the "regular" shows, those are our "must do's".

We are not sure whether the twins will nap in the stroller, but are going to give it a shot, so that we don't have to go back to the resort. Too much to do in one day, LOL! Our FP's are TSMM, Tower of Terror, and a guest services FP that we received when they cancelled our Little Mermaid FP (not sure why it was cancelled, but whatever). We are using it on Star Tours first thing in the morning, at rope drop. Then it's TSMM, and then TofT. All done with FP's by 10:30. Snagging a fourth of some kind (hoping for Rock n Roller Coaster) and heading over to see the Frozen processional. Going to try to see the Frozen Sing Along at 12:30 and then off to lunch. I am hoping to get a FP for Fantasmic, but if not, no big deal. Frozen fireworks are top evening priority. Good luck with the planning!

 

[Ava]

I agree with PP...Disney Jr., Beauty and the Beast, and Little Mermaind are not to be missed with little ones. We are going next month with group of 12, including 2 yo twin niece and nephew. Will see those shows, the priority in that order. Well, actually, priority goes to Frozen events, but for the "regular" shows, those are our "must do's". We are not sure whether the twins will nap in the stroller, but are going to give it a shot, so that we don't have to go back to the resort. Too much to do in one day, LOL! Our FP's are TSMM, Tower of Terror, and a guest services FP that we received when they cancelled our Little Mermaid FP (not sure why it was cancelled, but whatever). We are using it on Star Tours first thing in the morning, at rope drop. Then it's TSMM, and then TofT. All done with FP's by 10:30. Snagging a fourth of some kind (hoping for Rock n Roller Coaster) and heading over to see the Frozen processional. Going to try to see the Frozen Sing Along at 12:30 and then off to lunch. I am hoping to get a FP for Fantasmic, but if not, no big deal. Frozen fireworks are top evening priority. Good luck with the planning!

Thanks! I wish we were going during the Frozen events, but we'd already planned for Sept before they announced them. (It's actually probably better this way, already too much to plan, lol. And we are doing MNSSHP, which I'm really excited about.)
The other thing that's making my DHS plan difficult is that we're planning to stay at MK for MSEP/Wishes the night before, so I don't know if we'll make it to rope drop. The kids may still wake up at the crack of dawn, or they may sleep later. I'm not going to wake them just to make rope drop b/c then no one will have a good morning.

So my tentative plan is:
TSMM FP for around 10-11am. If we make it to rope drop, we'll meet Woody/Buzz and/or Jake/Sofia and try to see the first Disney Jr show. Then use our TSMM FP. If we don't get there till later in the morning, we'll head right to TSMM, then see/meet whatever doesn't have a long line. (I know, very specific there, lol.) Either way, 2nd FP will be Star Tours around 11-12. We have an ADR for Mama Melrose at 12:15. So do I do a throwaway FP for 12-1 and then try to book a 4th when we get out of lunch, before we head back to the hotel for nap? Or do I do a FP for 9-10am that we might not make if the kids sleep in?

Also, how do the FP for shows work with timing? For example, if I make a FP for the 9:40 Disney Jr show, could I have a TSMM FP for 10-11? Or does the system block out a certain amount of time for the show? I know the show is 30-minutes long so I'd definitely have time to be at TSMM by 11, but don't know if the system will allow it.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I too have been considering a "throw away" third FP. The way the DHS FPs are tiered seem to make that a reasonable choice. It just could be that in some circumstances the best use of that third FP is to get it out of the way so you can get FPs for something that makes sense. I haven't actually experienced this yet, but definitely thinking about it

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Whatever you do - get them over early so you can get your 4th FP early and try to get Fantasmic FP for the 4th one. That is what we are going to try to do. Not sure if all of the Fantasmic FP will be done by the time we can try - but I hope it works out.

 

[csjordan]

Thanks! I wish we were going during the Frozen events, but we'd already planned for Sept before they announced them. (It's actually probably better this way, already too much to plan, lol. And we are doing MNSSHP, which I'm really excited about.)
The other thing that's making my DHS plan difficult is that we're planning to stay at MK for MSEP/Wishes the night before, so I don't know if we'll make it to rope drop. The kids may still wake up at the crack of dawn, or they may sleep later. I'm not going to wake them just to make rope drop b/c then no one will have a good morning.

So my tentative plan is:
TSMM FP for around 10-11am. If we make it to rope drop, we'll meet Woody/Buzz and/or Jake/Sofia and try to see the first Disney Jr show. Then use our TSMM FP. If we don't get there till later in the morning, we'll head right to TSMM, then see/meet whatever doesn't have a long line. (I know, very specific there, lol.) Either way, 2nd FP will be Star Tours around 11-12. We have an ADR for Mama Melrose at 12:15. So do I do a throwaway FP for 12-1 and then try to book a 4th when we get out of lunch, before we head back to the hotel for nap? Or do I do a FP for 9-10am that we might not make if the kids sleep in?

Also, how do the FP for shows work with timing? For example, if I make a FP for the 9:40 Disney Jr show, could I have a TSMM FP for 10-11? Or does the system block out a certain amount of time for the show? I know the show is 30-minutes long so I'd definitely have time to be at TSMM by 11, but don't know if the system will allow it.

I am jealous...the MNSSHP is definitely on my bucket list, but the darn school calendar won't let me go, LOL! I'm sure you will have a lot of fun. Plus, I'm hearing rumors of some of the Frozen events may get extended!

Either way, 9-10 FP that you may or may not make, or a throwaway...same difference, really. I would probably go with the 9-10 FP. You have until 10 am to arrive at the attraction. That way, you use all 3 quicker and can possibly get the 4th one. Not sure how the shows work, as far a scheduling. I know it won't let you overlap. You could always play around with the times to get what works best for you.

I'm glad you mentioned meeting Jake and Sophia. Since my two kids are older, I forgot about those meet and greets for the twins. I have added that to my list, as well! So much to do, so little time!

I hope you guys have a great trip! It sounds like you are off to a great start on your schedule!

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Slightly OT, but if you haven't seen it yet I highly recommend watching the Fantasmic video on youtube. There is a 7 minute stretch that can be terrifying to small children. Routinely see parents taking crying children out of the arena during it. It's my favorite of the nighttime shows at WDW, but can be intense.

As for the question, I would plan a 9-10am throw away FP since you won't be in the park anyway, so that way you can be done with your 3rd a little after 11 and try to snag a 4th. Good luck.

 

[jess1662]

Slightly OT, but if you haven't seen it yet I highly recommend watching the Fantasmic video on youtube. There is a 7 minute stretch that can be terrifying to small children. Routinely see parents taking crying children out of the arena during it. It's my favorite of the nighttime shows at WDW, but can be intense. As for the question, I would plan a 9-10am throw away FP since you won't be in the park anyway, so that way you can be done with your 3rd a little after 11 and try to snag a 4th. Good luck.

Agree! My son was terrified and I had to take him out.

 

[Aurora0427]

Slightly OT, but if you haven't seen it yet I highly recommend watching the Fantasmic video on youtube. There is a 7 minute stretch that can be terrifying to small children. Routinely see parents taking crying children out of the arena during it. It's my favorite of the nighttime shows at WDW, but can be intense. As for the question, I would plan a 9-10am throw away FP since you won't be in the park anyway, so that way you can be done with your 3rd a little after 11 and try to snag a 4th. Good luck.

I'm so glad you posted this- I haven't seen Fantasmic since 2000. I've been debating whether or not to take DD3 in December. Think we'll skip it and wait until she's older.

 

[Ava]

Slightly OT, but if you haven't seen it yet I highly recommend watching the Fantasmic video on youtube. There is a 7 minute stretch that can be terrifying to small children. Routinely see parents taking crying children out of the arena during it. It's my favorite of the nighttime shows at WDW, but can be intense. As for the question, I would plan a 9-10am throw away FP since you won't be in the park anyway, so that way you can be done with your 3rd a little after 11 and try to snag a 4th. Good luck.

Thanks, for both points of advice. I've seen Fantasmic before but it's been several years so I don't really remember it in detail. I think my 5yo will be okay - I took her to see Maleficent in the movie theater and there was only one scene that made her climb into my lap - but I'll check out a video to be sure. And I think the baby (if she's even awake for it) will be too young to really know what's going on. Loud noises also don't bother her, thankfully.

Now what to choose for that 9-10am FP!

 

[Crl1817]

Agree! My son was terrified and I had to take him out.

Ds was 7 and he and dh left in the middle because ds was scared. (I was in our room with younger dd, so I did not see it.)

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Here's something I posted in the families section that breaks down the show:

Not happening. My son is just at the age of understanding the concept of scary things and wow does this deliver. First 15 minutes are great (slight dicey moment if you don't want your kid to see gunfighting at 10 minute point) however I HIGHLY suggest checking out at least everything between minutes 15:25 with Snow Witch and Mirror through 22:20 when Mickey wins and each villain screams their defeat cry. The worst:
16:16 Huge snake vs. scared Mickey
20:00 Huge dragon
22:00 Mickey's win and montage of screams of agony.

Too bad because it's my favorite too, but not gonna risk ruining what should be his best park day thanks to DisJr and Buzz/Woody with him being terrified. Maybe we can standby on TSMM while my folks watch it (never have)

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8H8pxhpZLw

[\QUOTE]

 

[Ava]

Here's something I posted in the families section that breaks down the show:

Not happening. My son is just at the age of understanding the concept of scary things and wow does this deliver. First 15 minutes are great (slight dicey moment if you don't want your kid to see gunfighting at 10 minute point) however I HIGHLY suggest checking out at least everything between minutes 15:25 with Snow Witch and Mirror through 22:20 when Mickey wins and each villain screams their defeat cry. The worst:
16:16 Huge snake vs. scared Mickey
20:00 Huge dragon
22:00 Mickey's win and montage of screams of agony.

Too bad because it's my favorite too, but not gonna risk ruining what should be his best park day thanks to DisJr and Buzz/Woody with him being terrified. Maybe we can standby on TSMM while my folks watch it (never have)

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8H8pxhpZLw

[\QUOTE]

Thank you for the video link! Wow, I did not remember that show at all. And I'm sitting here waiting to make my FP+ ressies so what else am I going to do besides watch Fantasmic?

I think we'll still give it a shot. The worst that can happen is she gets scared and we leave. (Or I ruin the magic and tell her that it's just a show and they're all actors.)

Is it midnight yet?