Help with first time for 4 and 8 yr old boys - just 2 days

[Sunshine2U]

We're bringing grandson (4) and nephew (8) for 2 days at the Park in November. There will be 4 adults and we've all been to WDW multiple times. Here's what I've planned so far.

Thursday Night: 7:30 dinner at Chef Mickeys then watching fireworks from lakeside

Friday: Magic Kingdom - Peter Pan at rope drop, FP for 7DMT. Then we'll split up for the nephew to FP Space Mtn and grandson to FP Adventures with Belle. We'll meet back up for FP at Buzz Lightyear then head to lunch at CRT (1:15). We'll finish out the day working around FP availability and probably leave the park around 7:30.

Saturday: 8:15 ADR at BOG so we'll try to hit 7DMT at park open. Then we'll pick up whatever attractions we can without FP.

QUESTION: If I get FP to 2:00 show of Beauty and the Beast Live (grandson) and RNR (nephew), it seems like it would be "worth it" (choke) to pay $114 for 6 of us to use Express Transportation to hop from MK to Studios, especially since the drop off is right there and our time is limited. What time/bus should we use to get to our 2:00 FP? I'd like to be there in time to pick up a light lunch to take in with us to the show (is that ok?). I figured the RNR crew can ride RNR and TRT then pick up lunch while we are at the show.

Is it ok to purchase the Express Trans pass when you show up to take the bus, or is there limited availability where we should plan to purchase it early a.m. at the resort?

We'll finish up at Studios with FP to TSM and SW, and work in whatever we can. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[sharonabe]

QUESTION: If I get FP to 2:00 show of Beauty and the Beast Live (grandson) and RNR (nephew), it seems like it would be "worth it" (choke) to pay $114 for 6 of us to use Express Transportation to hop from MK to Studios, especially since the drop off is right there and our time is limited. What time/bus should we use to get to our 2:00 FP? I'd like to be there in time to pick up a light lunch to take in with us to the show (is that ok?). I figured the RNR crew can ride RNR and TRT then pick up lunch while we are at the show.

It wouldn't be worth it to me. May I make another suggestion? Why not hire one of the new Minnie Vans to take you? It's only $20, and it would be fun. Granted, it wouldn't save you as much time, but it would still be better than the regular buses.

 

[Sunshine2U]

Thanks! I will revise my question. What time should we be leaving MK, depending on using either Minnie Vans or Express Transportation?

 

[Hootch]

The Minnie vans are pretty new and a lot of people have not used them. I would say 20-25 minutes. There is some road construction and we often saw wait time for buses increase in the afternoon.

Your probably aware that the Minnie vans are $20 and can handle six people.

 

[minniegirl19]

A suggestion I have is to watch happily ever after in the park if possible. With a 730 ADR you might not finish in time for the fireworks either. If you do I'd suggest watching them from the bridge in between BLT and the contemporary. It's a completely different experience inside the park compared to outside and with planning to leave the park at 730 I'd just stay the extra time and watch it from inside the park (if the 4 year old can make it)

 

[sharonabe]

Thanks! I will revise my question. What time should we be leaving MK, depending on using either Minnie Vans or Express Transportation?

I don't know how Lyft works, but I do know that's how you hire the Minnie vans, so you may want to explore all the logistics of that before you decide.

If you decide to go with Minnie, I think I would want the van to pick us up around 12:30-12:45. That should put you at HS by around 1:00-1:15 which gives you time to get in the gate, pick up lunch and head into the show.

I just checked the express bus schedule, and buses from MK to HS leave at 20 and 50 minutes past the hour. You could probably take the 12:50 and be able to get lunch and get to the 2:00 show. So that option gives you about 30 extra minutes in MK.

If you just go with regular bus transportation, I would be headed out of MK (as in be at the exit) by 12:15-12:30. That gives you plenty of cushion for waiting on the next bus to HS.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would not spend over $100 for one trip from MK to DHS. If you use the regular bus transportation from MK to DHS, I would be at the bus stop by 12:15. This gives you time to wait for the bus, drive to DHS and get through security.

You don't mention where you are staying, but the Minnie Vans are only available to those staying at the EP resorts currently. This may change by November. If you can use a Minnie Van, reports are they can take 20 minutes or so to show up for pick-up, so I'm not sure this will save you time in this scenario (I think they are mostly time savers for resort to resort transportation where a transfer would be involved).

As sharonabe pointed out, the express bus will give you, maybe 30 minutes extra in MK. Not sure that's worth $100, but you will know exactly when the bus is leaving as opposed to waiting for one at the regular bus stop.

 

[Sunshine2U]

Thanks y'all. That really helps.

 

[Sunshine2U]

A suggestion I have is to watch happily ever after in the park if possible. With a 730 ADR you might not finish in time for the fireworks either. If you do I'd suggest watching them from the bridge in between BLT and the contemporary. It's a completely different experience inside the park compared to outside and with planning to leave the park at 730 I'd just stay the extra time and watch it from inside the park (if the 4 year old can make it)

Really considering bringing a stroller for that very reason. We're driving from SC so we'll have the room. We've never tried to do the parks with a stroller, our kids were older the first time we brought them.

 

[bravenyc]

Really considering bringing a stroller for that very reason. We're driving from SC so we'll have the room. We've never tried to do the parks with a stroller, our kids were older the first time we brought them.

I would 100% bring a stroller for the 4 yo - I have found it invaluable for all of the walking (especially when you are in a hurry) and for the long days. With only 2 days I also recommend staying in MK for the fireworks - that way you will not be rushed at Chef Mickey's. Your nephew and grandson will be tired the next day but they will be running on Disney magic and will only have to make it through one more day and then they can rest.

Also - my experience has been that you don't need a FP for Beauty and the Beast - (one of my favorite shows!). If you grandson and nephew are star wars fans, the FP may be better used on Star Tours.

Good luck - they will have a blast!

 

[Sunshine2U]

haha - it is my 28 yo DS who is the Star Wars fan. We are definitely reserving a set of 6xFP for that. We'll also all FP Toy Story Mania. There will be 3 of us going to Beauty and the Beast. I can see using those three Magic Bands to FP something else. I'll have to study the FP rules again.