help with order of rides

[wakica]

I'm quite lost. I used to be a pro at touring WDW but I haven't been since the prebooking of fast pass rides so I'm a bit at a loss.

Here's a list of rides wanted to be done for each park. I have them in order of the way we used to do them but just not sure it's the best way now or which ones should be prebooked fast passes?? Also, if I'm missing an attraction that you think is a must see I'm happy to have you inform me. There are some new things since i went 5 years ago.
OH! Almost forgot - it's for 2 adults in their 40's and we can't show up before rope drop - coming in on a bus from an outside hotel.

Going in January

Fri Jan 13
EP
really only concerned about
Soarin
Test Track

Then planning to just tour around the World Showcase with no particular goals except to grab a snack at the bakery in Norway and enjoy the scenery and surroundings.
Also planning to watch Illuminations. best spot??

Sat Jan 14
HS
Toy Story
Rock n Rollercoaster
Tower of Terror
Star Tours

probably eat at 50's or Sci Fi.

Sun Jan 15
MK
Space
Buzz
Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder
POTC
Jungle Cruise
grab a Dole Whip
at some point The People Mover
watch Wishes. Best spot???

thanks in advance for any advice. I'm completely lost when it comes to the new prebooked fast passes.

Kim

 

[wakica]

oops, I'm really rusty!!! posted this in the wrong place. sorry. feel free to delete mod. i'm going to paste it in the right spot now.

 

[cassie58]

At Epcot, you can do TT single rider if needed, so I would FP Soarin for late morning, (since you can only FP one with the Tiers at Epcot) and try to do TT when you first get there, and if long wait, you can choose single rider. You can then decide to do any other rides in FW and explore the seas, etc. Then you can head to WS to wander for afternoon/evening. Beware, Norway area is crazy with new Frozen ride in place of Maelstrom, and Anna & Elsa meet outside, and was already a smaller area - just an FYI! There is a good area in front of Italy we like for Illuminations, but depends on crowds/how early you want to get your spot.

At HS, since you can get either TSM or RnRC FP with Tiers again, get TSM FP, and go to RnRC when you arrive. (TSM may be harder to get at 30 days). It also has single rider if needed. You can FP ToT and ST in your Tier 2. You will want to try and get an ADR for Sci-Fi or 50sPT, as walk-ups are hard to come by these days. If you guys are into Star Wars, there is now Launch Bay in place of Animation Academy, where there is memorabilia, short film, and meets with Chewy and Kylo. If this interests you, plan to do it earlier in the day - can check the SW thread on here for more info. There is also a Star Wars Stage show throughout the day, and may be SW fireworks show at night. You have to plan your day based on any other shows you want to see like Indy or B&B, and a meal, to see where FP fit best in your day. Steve Soares site, wdwent.com has the weekly schedule for each park of shows and events, which changes a little with season and park hours, but it gives you a general idea to work with.

At MK, the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (coaster) in New Fantasyland is the most coveted FP since it has the longest lines all day and is fun, but very short, so not one you want to wait for hours to do. If you can get FP, go for it. Peter Pan is the other one with long lines so FP If you want it. If not, I would go for the mountains, and since you can now get 4th, 5th, 6th FPs if available after using your three, make them for late morning/early afternoon(so as soon as you get in line for 3rd, you can go on app to try for 4th), in order of which lands you want to rotate through so you are not crisscrossing the park all day. Based on what you don't have FP for, you can go to the others first thing when lines are shorter, like if you FP the mountains, go to Adventureland first to do POTC and Jungle Cruise(get a Dole Whip), and then head into Frontierland to do FP for BTMRR and Splash, then head to HM if waits aren't long, and later head over to Tomorrowland for Space FP and try Buzz, etc. Be sure to try and see projection show on the castle at night - really amazing, currently being shown after Wishes, but could change - check times as it gets closer - just began a new one, called Once Upon a Time. You will want a view from front of castle, depending on crowds and how early you want to get a spot, we like to sit in the hub area and grab a snack from Sleepy Hollow while we wait - you can check out Robo's maps on here for good areas to see it and Wishes.(and other night shows). HTH! Let us know if you have other questions!