How can I plan a relaxed first Disney trip with FP+?

[Spyells]

Hello guys!

I'm planning my family's first Walt Disney World trip for this December and I have some questions about fast passes. My party will be made up of two teenage boys (they will be turning 17 on the trip so they are so excited), a senior (she's already worried about too much walking and not enough relaxation), me (i'm 23 so as long as I get some rest every once in a while I'm good), and my mom (she's in her 40's but she's like me she'll be fine with some rest every once in a while).

My question is do I need to use the fast pass? And for which rides? My brothers and I don't like roller coasters. My grandma already thinks I'm going to be acting like a drill sergeant. LOL! I want to make sure we have a relaxing vacation and explore a little bit. I don't want us completely burned out. Right now I have our itinerary set where we have a rest day after every two days of parks. I also have scheduled a sit down dinner for each park day to give us a chance to rest. Our trip is 10 days December 16-26 and we will also be visiting Universal Orlando for two days. So any tips you guys can give me for that would be great too. Do I have to get some type of fast pass for that also? My brothers and I are huge Harry Potter fans.

Thanks!

 

[kadrachb]

I mean, you don't *need* to use fastpasses if you don't want to. But, rides like Peter Pan in MK and Midway Mania in HS are somethings that even if you don't like rollercoasters, you might want to get a FP for. The Safari at AK, and Soarin' at Epcot. I think you might want to look into the FP rides/attractions and discuss with everyone what you might want to do.

Also, it really depends on what you don't like about roller coasters. I normally don't like them, but I LOVE them at Disney. 7DMT and BTMRR are pretty calm.

 

[caroline1851]

Yes, you should use fp+. I think it's a waste of time and money to go to a park to then have to wait an hour or more to go on anything. I'm not a roller coaster person at all and I like 7 dwarves, thunder mtn, splash mtn, space mtn..... You need to do some planning with which rides to go on first and then have some fp+ for later so that you don't spend the whole time waiting in line.

 

[glassslippergirl]

It's a waste to have the FP+ benefit and not use it. Believe me, you're paying for it in your ticket price whether you use it or not. Your party may call you a drill sergeant, they will probably never thank you for the planning, but would you rather listen to them complain about 60 minute wait times for Peter Pan? WDW is not like a local theme park. It's huge, and you need to prepare for it. If that task falls to you, then so be it.

Have you read Mesaboy's FP+ thread? I'd recommend the first two posts; they have great FP+ advice that may help you make some decisions and weave FP more naturally into each day. http://www.disboards.com/threads/fastpass-basic-info-suggested-priorities-and-strategies-part-ii.3326057/ Since it's your first trip, you may want to watch YouTube videos of some rides to determine what you want to prioritize for FP+. Generally, I don't think you need to waste FP's on shows because they have plenty of seating. Since you're going in December, you may want to look into the Candlelight Processional. It's a bug Christmas "pageant" in Epcot each night with a massed choir, full orchestra, and celebrity narrator telling the Christmas story. It's like nothing you've seen before-- a feast for the eyes and ears. There is a dining package available that gets you a meal and priority seating, and I'd recommend it.

Also, I'm going to echo PP's advice. WDW roller coasters are not the max thrill rides like at local parks. We love the max thrill rides, so take the advice FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, but 7DMT had great theming and was pretty mild (it was DS's first roller coaster, and he's not yet three).

For Universal, there is front of the line access for guests staying in their (Universal's) hotels, so if you're splitting your stay between Disney resorts and Universal, check out Universal's website for front of line access. If you're not staying on their property, then you don't have this privilege.

 

[subtchr]

glasslippergirl covered some great points.

When are you visiting Universal? Where are you staying for both portions of the trip? A few more details will help us give you better advice. The beginning of your trip won't be horrible crowd-wise, but each day the crowds will build, until you run into the highest crowds of the year the last few days of your trip.

But as others have said, there is no reason NOT to use FP+, or at least schedule it! If for whatever reason you end up not using one or more of your FP+ reservations, it's no big deal. But the first time you and your group stroll past hundreds of people waiting in a standby line, your family will thank you.

 

[Spyells]

We're staying at the Yacht Club resort. We're visiting Universal December 21 and 22. We won't be staying at a Universal resort we'll get there by shuttle. I think our main concern was trying to run around the parks and make different deadlines (fastpass and dining reservations) when it's our first time at Disney World and we don't know where we're going. We just don't want to be too stressed out. But you guys are right, my family will also be happy when they don't have to stand in long lines either. I feel kind of torn because I'm the planner. We have a travel agent too though. But I'm the one that does all of the communicating with her. They pretty much just let me handle everything. Lol!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

If you got to the parks early in the morning, you can tour until at least 12:30 with minimal waits on the non headliners, and even some of the headliners. So maybe schedule a couple FP+ for after that time. That makes your whole morning more relaxed, but you can still get on some things with minimal waits later in the day. Also save things that rarely build lines for later in the day. The closer you get to Christmas the more crowded it is going to be, so be prepared for that as well.

 

[subtchr]

Thanks for the further info.

For Universal, there is an extra cost Express Pass you can purchase. Visiting at such a high demand time, I would highly recommend those, although it will be a large added expense. When we go to Universal, we stay onsite there, because a stay at their top three resorts entitles you to an included Express Pass. Spend some time on this board here on the Dis, and also this site, for more Universal info.

You say you have a park schedule and one ADR for each Disney park day. How did you determine that schedule? If you used one of the planning sites to pick the best park days, that's great. Since it is your first visit, just schedule your FP+ in whatever park you have your ADR for. I would not recommend trying to hop all over the place for your first visit.

Keep asking questions, you've come to the right place!

 

[Spyells]

I was able to determine that schedule because I've cruised through this forum and other Disney sites throughout the years on and off. Disney World is a place my family has wanted to visit since I was little we just never had the money. So now I have to put all of these vacation ideas, tips and tricks in motion that I've been reading about all these years. I would be lying if I didn't say I was scared I wouldn't mess up. There's a difference between just casually cruising through and going "Oh, this resort sounds fun" and "this ride sounds cool". And actually having to pay attention to touring plans, dining reservation tricks, flight deals, fast passes, etc. And my family isn't being the most helpful. They're excited about the end result not about the planning part. As soon as I ask for their opinion they change the subject. LOL!

 

[mom2rtk]

The days you are going to be there will be very high crowd level days. Passing on FP+ will mean potentially very long waits for the signature attractions at WDW.

Would you rather keep a schedule or spend more of your time waiting in line? Those are your choices.

 

[Jennytoon]

I was able to determine that schedule because I've cruised through this forum and other Disney sites throughout the years on and off. Disney World is a place my family has wanted to visit since I was little we just never had the money. So now I have to put all of these vacation ideas, tips and tricks in motion that I've been reading about all these years. I would be lying if I didn't say I was scared I wouldn't mess up. There's a difference between just casually cruising through and going "Oh, this resort sounds fun" and "this ride sounds cool". And actually having to pay attention to touring plans, dining reservation tricks, flight deals, fast passes, etc. And my family isn't being the most helpful. They're excited about the end result not about the planning part. As soon as I ask for their opinion they change the subject. LOL!

I can have a similar problem with my family offering opinions on whether they like or don't like something (mostly because they're kids so they don't always know what they want LOL). I get around it with the Disney Dinner Poll ... when I first start planning a trip, I work out the parameters I want input on and then I take a poll on one question every day at dinner. It's much easier to express an opinion by making a choice between two things than to say whether you like or dislike something. Some examples:

• If we have one sit-down meal per day which would you prefer: a) take a break in the middle of touring to eat, then go back to touring or b) eat either when we are done touring (lunch) or just starting out (dinner). If the answer is a, then I will make more early lunch and late dinner ADRs to give a break from touring, whereas if b then I make more late lunch or early dinner ADRs.
  
  
• Would you prefer to a) all stay together if not everybody wants to ride the same ride or b) try to split up and meet up again later. If a, then I don't worry so much about trying to make forked plans, if b, then I will.

I find touring style (as addressed in the above questions) to be a bigger factor in trip satisfaction even than what people want to ride and where they want to eat. But I also have poll questions asking to choose between two restaurants for example Boma and Sanaa (more expensive but opportunity to try more things for Boma vs. traditional single entree but lesser price tag with Sanaa), or same experience different cuisine (Cape May breakfast vs. Tusker House). Oddly enough, restaurants I don't want to eat in never make it to the poll. I will also poll attraction types (do you or don't you like water rides) and other random stuff.

I like this method because it helps everyone be excited for the trip, and even though it doesn't give me concrete answers, it gives me guidance so that I can feel confident I'm making the decisions that will result in a plan that will give everyone a great time. We often don't stick to it when we get there, but even still having a sound foundation helps a lot.

One other oft-given piece of advice, tried but true -- you won't do everything no matter how hard you try. The key is to have a great time, not measure yourself against a checklist as you go.

 

[JimmyV]

One way to minimize the feeling that you are constantly running from place to place trying to fit within deadlines is to avoid the temptation to park hop. As first time visitors on crowded days, there is enough going on at each park to keep you interested and entertained for a full day without the need to run from place to place. Hopping is a good strategy for Disney vets who know the ropes and have favorite things that they like to do. But as new guests, you will want to absorb everything each park has to offer. This will help you naturally slow down and relax. In the end, you will probably only have 4 deadlines each day--3 Fastpasses and one dinner. Not bad over the course of 12-15 hours. If, over the course of 10 days you feel that you are getting the hang of everything and you want to venture out into park hopping, you can always add that feature to your tickets at Guest Services. But to start out, I would get basic tickets and smell the roses at each park as opposed to doing too much running around.

 

[JennyDrake]

You are going at a VERY busy time. No one in your party needs to worry about "running around" because it is going to be wall-to-wall people. If you ever needed to use FP+---it is during this time! Because of the crowds, you are going to be (somewhat) limited in what you can accomplish. PPers who have said expect an hour wait for each and every attraction aren't kidding........

The BEST touring option is to utilize rope drop (which will still be busy), then have FP+ set up for something around noon-2 pm. The group can break then and if you and your mom wish to stay you can and the others can go back for swim and rest. Sit down lunches and/or dinners can give your group a break from the intensity of the crowds and enjoy some time together.

 

[mom2rtk]

You are going at a VERY busy time. No one in your party needs to worry about "running around" because it is going to be wall-to-wall people. If you ever needed to use FP+---it is during this time! Because of the crowds, you are going to be (somewhat) limited in what you can accomplish. PPers who have said expect an hour wait for each and every attraction aren't kidding........

The BEST touring option is to utilize rope drop (which will still be busy), then have FP+ set up for something around noon-2 pm. The group can break then and if you and your mom wish to stay you can and the others can go back for swim and rest. Sit down lunches and/or dinners can give your group a break from the intensity of the crowds and enjoy some time together.

This poster isn't kidding.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I don't really think a first trip will be 'relaxed' even if you plan it that way. Once you arrive and see IRL how awesome everything is and all there is to experience plans of slow and relaxed go out the window, particularly for a first timer with high expectations. I'd plan a break everyday like we have to be at the hotel for X many hours and a few sit down meals to get you off your feet some but other than that there wont be a lot of free/relaxed time.

 

[JimmyV]

This poster isn't kidding.

Is that true for the first 3 or 4 days of the OP's trip? I've only been in December back in the dark ages of Jolly Holidays, and back then the crowds didn't swell until around 12/20. Is it really crowded now from 12/16-12/20?

 

[xlsm]

My advice for a more relaxed trip (that still involves some planning) during a high crowd level time is: Hit rope drop and tour the park on one direction. By that I mean, look at the park maps and tour in order without criss crossing the park. Do what you can/want in the morning before the biggest crowds arrive, take a break inside somewhere or back at the resort, then come back in the evening.

Do not forgo making FPs. It will be worth it.

Most importantly, enjoy the experience of just being in the parks. Take in all the details. Be patient, understand it will be VERY BUSY, and don't expect to "see it all".

Have a magical vacation and treasure the time with your family....you're going to Walt Disney World!

 

[mom2rtk]

Is that true for the first 3 or 4 days of the OP's trip? I've only been in December back in the dark ages of Jolly Holidays, and back then the crowds didn't swell until around 12/20. Is it really crowded now from 12/16-12/20?

I would expect the first few days to be manageable, but that entire next week to be crazy busy, especially if they have never been before and don't know what "crowded" feels like at WDW.

 

[bigcrit]

I have been during December. We were there the week before and week of Christmas. The week before was very manageable. The week of, was crazy busy, but still fun. I think you will have a great time. I agree not using FP is a waste.

Have you looked into touringplans.com? They offer the best way to tour the parks, particularly during busy times.

Being the planner for this trip, you may be the only one that appreciates all the necessary planning. No one notices the things they have avoided like waiting in long lines, terrible seats at show. Not being able to find the food they like or a table to sit at. And endless things that are mitigated by the collective experience of Dis'ers who share those tips. In the end you will have a great time and your family will have a memory of a lifetime.

Oh yeah, if you want to relax. Just take a break in the middle of the day back at your resort, which is beautiful. Breaks really re-charge your battery and is the best advice I could give to anyone new to the parks. You are n a great location transportation wise, so getting to and from your resort should be fairly easy.

Hope you have a great trip......

 

[momofboyz3]

Have a wonderful time! My family has a similiar dynamic... I'm 42. My twins 16. My little guy 12. We like to make WDW as relaxing as humanly possible & do take 2 "rest days" FP+ allows it to be more relaxed since you already have those rides scheduled. I love the planned table service every day ~ we do that too and that's part of our break since I don't like to go back to the resort midday. I also like to plan a non rope drop day as well as a day where we go back to the resort a bit earlier.