How would you plan/structure your time to get maximum out of your trip - tips needed!

[RoseBug]

I know I have 7 months to plan - but I am so excited (and so ocd) that I can't stop wanting to get planned in advance.

Every other time we have been to DLP it's just been a "as the mood takes us" type trip. But as we have only 2 days (Sat and Sun) and as it is for a special occassion we want to try to fit everything in we want to do.

These are the things that we feel are a must for us ... do you have any tips on how to plan/time these activities (FP suggestions, booking times etc.)

Cafe Mickey for character lunch with birthday cake (Saturday lunchtime - what time is the best to book and is there a best place to request to sit or would evening be a better experience)

Auberge for character lunch (Sunday - early lunchtime - leaving Sunday evening)

Crush (we didn't make it on here last time and I desperately want to)

Rock n Roller Coaster (my favourite)

Peter Pan
Small World
Dumbo
Flying Carpets

Parades - which ones are on and what time/differs?

Shows - what shows are on at what time and what would you recommend for a toddler?

Rides - what would you suggest not to miss, both for us and for our toddler daughter.

Oh and where do you suggest we eat on the Friday night in the village. If we left it til we got there to see if we made it in time would we manage to get Buffalo Bill tickets at the last minute?

Is Rainforest Cafe still expensive? Think my DD would love it in there.
Thanks guys.

 

[Kazzabelle]

Hi, We usually really make the most of EMH (if you have them) and do the rides that are open then those are done for the day.
We always use our FP and it tells you on the ticket when you can get another I remember our one for BTM said you can get another 10 minutes before your time on the ticket.
For Crush we always Queue up for Studio's opening at 9.30 and run to crush this is usually the quietest time. We have been lucky on a few occasions that we were allowed to ride at 9.30 and not wait until the 10am opening so we have managed to get in a couple of times.

DS and DD love Playhouse Disney live show and stitch live.

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time and don't worry about planning so far ahead I do too, my dh thinks i'm mad

 

[A Small World]

I know I have 7 months to plan - but I am so excited (and so ocd) that I can't stop wanting to get planned in advance.

Every other time we have been to DLP it's just been a "as the mood takes us" type trip. But as we have only 2 days (Sat and Sun) and as it is for a special occassion we want to try to fit everything in we want to do.

These are the things that we feel are a must for us ... do you have any tips on how to plan/time these activities (FP suggestions, booking times etc.)

Cafe Mickey for character lunch with birthday cake (Saturday lunchtime - what time is the best to book and is there a best place to request to sit or would evening be a better experience) We did DDs birthday Sat lunchtime and booked for 12. Lunchtimes tend to be a bit quieter but the character interaction is still as good. Assuming the park will close early when you are there evening might be better as you arent wasting park time in which case book for about 6.30

Auberge for character lunch (Sunday - early lunchtime - leaving Sunday evening) Again we booked for 12

Crush (we didn't make it on here last time and I desperately want to) As already mentioned the best way to do this is to make a dash for it as the park opens Do you both want to ride it? I definitely isnt toddler friendly

Rock n Roller Coaster (my favourite)There isnt usually a queue for this ride

Peter Pan
Small World
Dumbo
Flying Carpets
Again as mentioned definitely aim to be in the park for the start of EMH - you will be able to ride Peter Pan, Dumbo, the carrousel, tea cups and possible snow white or pinnochio with no queue. Small world isnt usually too bad to get onto as its very fast loading.


Parades - which ones are on and what time/differs? This will probably change by the time you go but there will prob be a parade at about 5 in the main park and a parade in the studios but you may not get chance to do both

Shows - what shows are on at what time and what would you recommend for a toddler? She will probably love animagique - again other shows may ahve changed by then

Rides - what would you suggest not to miss, both for us and for our toddler daughter.

Oh and where do you suggest we eat on the Friday night in the village. If we left it til we got there to see if we made it in time would we manage to get Buffalo Bill tickets at the last minute? To be honest I wouldnt bother too much with Buffalo bill as you are on such a short trip and definitly wouldnt do it on the first night. Am I right that you were considering the later show? If so I think your DD would find it very late and you need to be up bright and early to get in before the crowds on the saturday

Is Rainforest Cafe still expensive? Think my DD would love it in there.
Thanks guys.

Be careful not to try and do too much - its a short trip and meals do take time - you will prob be in cafe mickey for about an hour and could be in auberge for longer.

 

[susannah365]

I know I have 7 months to plan - but I am so excited (and so ocd) that I can't stop wanting to get planned in advance.

Every other time we have been to DLP it's just been a "as the mood takes us" type trip. But as we have only 2 days (Sat and Sun) and as it is for a special occassion we want to try to fit everything in we want to do.

These are the things that we feel are a must for us ... do you have any tips on how to plan/time these activities (FP suggestions, booking times etc.)

Cafe Mickey for character lunch with birthday cake (Saturday lunchtime - what time is the best to book and is there a best place to request to sit or would evening be a better experience)we've done lunch before, its much quieter so you get good character interaction, but there weren't as many characters so it's a tough choice - certainly when my youngest was just 2 it was better to do our main meal at lunchtime to prevent tantrums so we liked lunch!

Auberge for character lunch (Sunday - early lunchtime - leaving Sunday evening)book for 12 and get there to queue at 1130 then you'll pretty much be first in to see cinderella, with a good chance of being taken to your table with suzy and perla which my daughter loved. remember to ask to sit by the fireplace so that you can see them if they dance.

Crush (we didn't make it on here last time and I desperately want to)definitely not reccommended for a toddler! you will want to start to queue at 9ish for the gates to open at 9.30ish ready to run!

Rock n Roller Coaster (my favourite)

Peter Pan
Small World
Dumbo
Flying Carpets
make the most of EMH by getting there at 8 - you'll be up early with a toddler anyway so may as well make the most of the morning!also do buzz - it's our favourite!

Parades - which ones are on and what time/differs?we like standing at the back of the stage for the stars and cars parade because you meet lots of the unusual characters - get a spot at 2ish for parade at 2.30 then the english showing of stitch or disney playhouse is often on. don't miss these - especially disney playhouse which your toddler will love.

Shows - what shows are on at what time and what would you recommend for a toddler?

Rides - what would you suggest not to miss, both for us and for our toddler daughter.

Oh and where do you suggest we eat on the Friday night in the village. If we left it til we got there to see if we made it in time would we manage to get Buffalo Bill tickets at the last minute? if you get there for the 6.30 dinner showing then yes, it is worth seeing if there's tickets for it. my toddler loved it - you sit on benches so they can stand up and see everything and share your food. lots of animals and things to look at. if you can't get a ticket, i'd say see if you can get in to cafe mickey - we would eat there every meal! and it's actually quite cheap if you share a pizza (which are huge) and chips!

Is Rainforest Cafe still expensive? Think my DD would love it in there. my toddler did not like the thunder in rainforest cafe - just something to think about. but he did like the animals. we also had a bad experience with the food and service but i know others love it there.
Thanks guys.

i'd reccommend not trying to rush about too madly - take in the atomosphere!