How many attractions?

[ashleymrush]

Here are my early/rope drop plans. How many attractions (on average) do you think can be done by noon when DH and I plan to take DS5 back to the resort for a midday break? We've never done rope drop before and want to plan accordingly.

MK - CP ADR @ 8:15 then into park (quick eaters and don't care about meeting every Pooh character)
EPCOT - rope drop at 9am
AK - rope drop at 8am (EMH)
MK - rope drop at 8am (EMH)
AK - rope drop at 9am

 

[sharonabe]

So many different factors here. What time of year? Will DS be in a stroller or walking? Do you have a plan in mind or will you let DS take the lead? With rope drop, you will have the opportunity to ride some things more than once, but if you do that, you might miss some other things. So, if DS REALLY likes Dumbo, will you ride it over and over or move on?

You might want to take a look at the cheat sheets over on easywdw.com. That might give you an idea of how to start and what you might get accomplished.

 

[ashleymrush]

We will be there in mid-June and DS will be walking. I'm a bit of a Disney vet having been more than 15 times. This is my first trip with a kid though and doing rope drop. I have sections of the parks to focus on each morning so I know how to maximize the rides in a certain area. I'm just trying to gauge my expectations. Like are we talking 3 rides or upwards of around 8?

 

[summermac]

How tall is DS?

 

[summermac]

You will definitely get more than 3 rides done by going to the park at Rope Drop and leaving at noon. For sure. My goodness, that's one ride an hour.

Also if you plan on returning and closing the park (say MK) you could always start rope drop in Adventureland (it will be DEAD!) and get through Libery Square by noon. Hit Fantasyland (make your FP+ for Peter Pan back there) that evening. That place dies out in the evening b/c all the kids who didn't take a break are D!O!N!E!

 

[Krissy562]

It depends completely on which attractions you choose (will your DS want to go on the Mountains or stick with the tamer rides?) and what time of year your trip is planned. The carousel will only take you a few minutes, while Mickey's Philharmagic will be a much greater investment in time. Also, with a 5yo on board, you can (and probably should) be easily sidetracked by all the Magic MK has to offer.

This is how we always toured with a little one in tow:
My DD was interested in completely different things each trip - sometimes the focus was pin trading, sometimes it was characters, sometimes it was rides. We always had a deal with DD that we would skip the characters and pin trading at the beginning of the day. We would take that first hour or two and conquer all of the attractions that tended to be busiest later on (particularly Fantasyland and Tomorrowland); pretty much commando. Along the way, we would grab a fastpass for something we didn't hit (usually one of the mountains). We skipped attractions that were easy to get into later in the day (the Carousel, Mickey's Philharmagic, and the Play areas for example) even if we were "right there". Once we got all the biggies out of the way, then we would kick back and play. By this time DD would have figured out what she wanted to do next (pins, characters, snack etc) and she would direct the rest of the morning. It was much easier for us to relax, because we knew we weren't blowing prime ride time on pin trading, or whatever and we knew we were going to be ahead of the general crowds.

So my now long answer to your short question would be: Figure out what you really want to make sure you hit, pick out the attractions that will be busy later, focus on those and get them done first. Then it won't matter how many attractions you get done, because you've finished all your "must do's". No matter how YOU choose to attack the attractions, absolutely, positively make sure that you make time to just enjoy being in the park together. Those moments will end up being what you and your DS remember years later.

 

[summermac]

Yes, you do need to figure out your must dos at each park. Then when you come back it's all about relaxing. That's how we roll usually. However I will say FP+ is helping our touring style with this b/c now we can "go commando" in one or two areas, knowing that we have a FP for Space and BTM already. WOOHOO!

 

[Krissy562]

I agree - I think FP+ will actually enhance the way we tend to tour. I understand though that it won't necessarily do the same for others

 

[freewill]

It depends completely on which attractions you choose (will your DS want to go on the Mountains or stick with the tamer rides?) and what time of year your trip is planned. The carousel will only take you a few minutes, while Mickey's Philharmagic will be a much greater investment in time. Also, with a 5yo on board, you can (and probably should) be easily sidetracked by all the Magic MK has to offer. This is how we always toured with a little one in tow: My DD was interested in completely different things each trip - sometimes the focus was pin trading, sometimes it was characters, sometimes it was rides. We always had a deal with DD that we would skip the characters and pin trading at the beginning of the day. We would take that first hour or two and conquer all of the attractions that tended to be busiest later on (particularly Fantasyland and Tomorrowland); pretty much commando. Along the way, we would grab a fastpass for something we didn't hit (usually one of the mountains). We skipped attractions that were easy to get into later in the day (the Carousel, Mickey's Philharmagic, and the Play areas for example) even if we were "right there". Once we got all the biggies out of the way, then we would kick back and play. By this time DD would have figured out what she wanted to do next (pins, characters, snack etc) and she would direct the rest of the morning. It was much easier for us to relax, because we knew we weren't blowing prime ride time on pin trading, or whatever and we knew we were going to be ahead of the general crowds. So my now long answer to your short question would be: Figure out what you really want to make sure you hit, pick out the attractions that will be busy later, focus on those and get them done first. Then it won't matter how many attractions you get done, because you've finished all your "must do's". No matter how YOU choose to attack the attractions, absolutely, positively make sure that you make time to just enjoy being in the park together. Those moments will end up being what you and your DS remember years later.

That is excellent advice IMO. A great balance of efficiently seeing your priorities and then letting the little ones steer you around the magic, too. Thanks for that.

 

[serene56]

EMH early morning for Magic Kingdom. We headed directly to Tomorrowland and got to ride. see everything over there before 10:30
Yes, even Stitch ride, saw Buzz, and stitch- neither siging autographs or had a PP photogragher- rode tomorrowland people mover, and COP. to name the few. Also Rode Buzz lightyear, Space Mountain. and the speedway.

we made our way to Main street to watch the Move It Shake it parade. spent about 20 minutes in the hub dancing with various characters. Was a very nice parade too.

 

[ashleymrush]

Thanks so much for all the replies. I think a lot of this will help. Our plans are to do as much as possible in the mornings and reserve the FP+ for the evening. My mom (also a Disney vet that hasn't done rope drop) believed that I would only get about 3 rides done by noon and I thought I could get a lot more so I wanted to see what others who had done it had to say. There are a lot of things that we'll have to wait and see on for example I don't know how DS will react to characters or thrill rides yet but I think with the advice and info y'all gave we'll definitely be able have a great time. It's his birthday present so it's really all about letting him have the best time he can. Thanks again! If anyone else has more advice or info, please feel free to continue to contribute, especially with tips for the other parks - AK and EPCOT.

 

[redsbe]

As others have posted it really depends on age of kids and how they manage the walking (or in a stroller) and if you stay in one area of the park. People often underestimate the time it takes to line up, enter/exist and experience the rides - times at very considerably between rides, plus all the waling involved. Plus the added distractions to kids while walking through the parks. RD and EMH are a very effective means of time and ride management and you could easily enjoy several of the most popular attractions (or fewer with repeated rides) - keeping in mind that if you include shows they will take up more time.