I want to super-use FP+! But don't know park layout

[SpringSprite]

It really seems like everyone on this board has a super-advantage at the parks just from knowing where EVERYTHING is! We have maps, but they don't really give me a good idea of how far apart everything is, which will be a huge issue for our October trip - traveling with two slow walking grandmas' and a pokey 4 year old. (And a 5 year old who will be aggravated at the slowness the whole time )

My question is, as I'm at the kiosks trying to plan additional FP, is it clear what is in the area and will be doable by a certain time? I am going to have a hard time planning return times not knowing walking distances, unless I can actually SEE the attraction. Believe me, we are going to be walking SLOWLY.

Can someone give me some advice about how best to strategize given this situation?

 

[Robo]

It really seems like everyone on this board has a super-advantage at the parks just from knowing where EVERYTHING is! We have maps, but they don't really give me a good idea of how far apart everything is, which will be a huge issue for our October trip - traveling with two slow walking grandmas' and a pokey 4 year old. (And a 5 year old who will be aggravated at the slowness the whole time )

My question is, as I'm at the kiosks trying to plan additional FP, is it clear what is in the area and will be doable by a certain time? I am going to have a hard time planning return times not knowing walking distances, unless I can actually SEE the attraction. Believe me, we are going to be walking SLOWLY.

Can someone give me some advice about how best to strategize given this situation?

I'm going to take you at your word that your group will be walking SLOWLY, so...

Figure in MK, DHS, DAK, and Epcot's Future World section, your group can take between 10 and 25 minutes to get beween various points.
(So, if you allow 25 minutes, you'll be OK on nearly everything.)

In Epcot's World Showcase, the trip could take up to 45 minutes, between distant points.
(Allow for that in your timing.)

 

[DisneyWisher]

There's a thread called Magical day in MK using 10 FPs...can't link, iPhone app isn't equipped for that.

 

[cleophus12]

Sounds as thought you are a first time visitor to WDW. In your case, I wouldn't recommend trying to super-use the FP+. Book your three ahead of time, and then pick up others as you are able, but don't push yourself or your crowd to do so. Just relax and use stand by lines when you can (when they are not too long). Get as much done as you can and be happy with whatever that is. Don't stress out by trying to do too much.

 

[Nancyg56]

Sounds as thought you are a first time visitor to WDW. In your case, I wouldn't recommend trying to super-use the FP+. Book your three ahead of time, and then pick up others as you are able, but don't push yourself or your crowd to do so. Just relax and use stand by lines when you can (when they are not too long). Get as much done as you can and be happy with whatever that is. Don't stress out by trying to do too much.

I was thinking the same thing. My super use was the DDP when it was really a bargain. Folks were sharing how to max it and I found myself looking for the most expensive restaurants in order to get the biggest bang. Thank goodness someone on the boards commented on this practice and for that moment, I was tuned in, because the DDP would have been a colossal waste of money had I contnued down that path. I made ADR"s that made sense for my family and our planned park days.

OP- If this is your first trip, make your FP plans, and don't worry about trying to rush from one attraction to the next in order to maximize FP use. There is so much more to Disney than the attractions, and if your family feels pressurd to get from one place to another, they will miss some of the best moments that happen.

 

[SpringSprite]

thank you for your feedback! I went a lot as a kid, once for a couple days as an adult, and the kids have never been...I do need to remember that all my plans will probably be for naught once we get there, since I have no idea if they will/won't nap, will be able to make rope drop, will behave at our ADR's, etc...

"super-use" is probably not the terminology I should have used...I just really want to minimize line time as much as possible (unlike everyone else, LOL) and reading here makes it seem that standby lines are no good anymore :0 It's helpful to know that 25 min is a safe bet from attraction to attraction.

I think I'm getting overwhelmed from an overload of info! I anticipate getting there and everyone is a DIS boarder, zooming along from ride to ride with no waits, while I stand there in a state of utter confusion and sensory overload!

 

[Kate and Family]

Regarding walking slowly - Yes. If you have little ones, they may have to take two (or more steps) for every one that you take. (How old are your boys?). And there is so much to see - enjoy the detail and theming as you walk.

I think you have about an hour window on your Fast Pass. Head for the FP attraction as early as possible - that way you will not be running to it.

Decide your "biggies" - every thing else is gravy.

This will be awesome for the boys. Remember, they have not been reading the DisBoards, so they come into it with a different perspective than you have.

 

[SpringSprite]

Decide your "biggies" - every thing else is gravy.

This will be awesome for the boys. Remember, they have not been reading the DisBoards, so they come into it with a different perspective than you have.

I LOVE your positive perspective! Thanks!

 

[KCSherri]

In addition to the other great tips already posted here, I would offer one more:

When you book your initial 3 FP+ rides/attractions, try to shoot for them to be booked before 2:00 pm…that way, you will be free (after 2:00 pm), to book additional ones at the kiosks located in the various lands. This should help alleviate, somewhat, the SB lines for you and your family.

Another tip, especially if you have little ones…don't be afraid to take a break in the afternoon…go back to your hotel and rest/nap/swim/etc. The lines are heaviest in the afternoons; if you come back in the early evening, you'll feel refreshed, and the lines may be a bit shorter. You can then head to the nearest FP + kiosk and book your next ride….

 

[cleophus12]

Also, we have found over the years that by planning to leave the parks in the afternoons for a short break, we have missed many a thunder storm.

 

[kay1864]

It really seems like everyone on this board has a super-advantage at the parks just from knowing where EVERYTHING is! We have maps, but they don't really give me a good idea of how far apart everything is, which will be a huge issue for our October trip - traveling with two slow walking grandmas' and a pokey 4 year old. (And a 5 year old who will be aggravated at the slowness the whole time )

My question is, as I'm at the kiosks trying to plan additional FP, is it clear what is in the area and will be doable by a certain time? I am going to have a hard time planning return times not knowing walking distances, unless I can actually SEE the attraction. Believe me, we are going to be walking SLOWLY.

Can someone give me some advice about how best to strategize given this situation?

I use RideMax, which you can set at Normal or Slow walking speed. It minimizes your walk distances and wait times in lines.

 

[MichaelaF]

This will be awesome for the boys. Remember, they have not been reading the DisBoards, so they come into it with a different perspective than you have.

I totally agree with Kate. And honestly, I think MOST visitors are not super-planner Disers. You're probably leap years ahead of a lot them as far as what you know.

We went back in October for the first time since I was a kid (like, 11 years old). I found that most of the distances were exactly as I remembered them. FP+ had just started testing at our resort (and some others) and so was rolled out to most on-property people, but not off. We planned a lot, but also stayed flexible, and skipped some less-important FPs or changed some in the app where we could (it was unpredictable, like now). But I definitely was a little stressed out when others in the group (read: my parents) weren't all that interested in sticking to the plan. I'm pretty flexible, but starting the day at NOON kinda causes problems when you have 9am FPs! For example.

Then in March, we ended up taking a very last-minute, 2-day trip to Disneyland. I also hadn't been there since I was a kid, but I was much younger than at WDW, and didn't remember much at all. I had NO time to plan, and of course they are still on FP-, so it's not like I could book those anyway. We just went and basically decided to go seat-of-our-pants style, knowing that we wouldn't see everything in 2 days anyway.

Honestly, we probably enjoyed the DLR resort better, just because I was less stressed about "making it all work", so we focused a lot more on little details and seeing what we could. We stopped for the Dapper Dans, who sang happy birthday to my DH. We strolled the corners where there aren't really any big things. My husband got pulled in to do the "Daddies Dance" at the entrance. It was, actually, maybe more magical for us, just because we payed more attention. (Though maybe also because my mother wasn't there? Hahahahahaha. Kidding. I love her!)

All that is to say, I think that the magic is in the details at Disney, so build in some free time to roam and discover and enjoy the place, not just the rides and attractions. I actually really like FP+ overall, but I do think that one of it's downsides is that it's easier (self included) to get caught up in getting form place to place, and so it can become easier to miss the awesome Disney magic.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Like others said, I wouldn't overplan for your first trip. That said, you might want to check out the Passporters Guide to WDW. It includes maps that show the walking time between different attractions/ areas of the park. It might help give you a better overview of the parks.

 

[kiramay]

If this is the kids first trip, they won't know what they miss. So I'd plan your 3 must-do rides for FP and then look at the maps ahead of time and pick rides in between to try to hit for standby. Just plan to not crisscross the park. Start at one Land and work your way to another.

 

[PEC]

Sounds like the group will be moving a little slow, which is fine. A key will be, get there at RD. That means at the park 30 minutes early. Even going slow you can easily do several things in the first couple of hours using standby.. At MK 6-8. The other parks 2-4. At that point use your FPs. Then after you use your 3 FPs, see what other FPs you can get. With children 4-5 you should be able to get M&Gs (Minus A&E) with the extra FPs plus there may 2d tier rides etc that the children will like.
Plus if the children and Gandmas begin to tire, you can always leave mid to late afternoon adn come back in the evening. You can do a few more things in the evening (minus AK it closes early).

 

[serene56]

Our first visit was when GD was 5- 2010
I had a plan.

it was a good plan.

Rope drop for everyone. We did that-- we watched the show Walked under the tunnel and she saw Snow White. She whispers-- snow white? she IS real. So much for my plan. We needed to take her to see snow white. Then she sees all those other characters.

By the time we are done its almost 11am and guess what-- here comes our first parade-- Move it Shake it-- we follow that down into the HUB where she dances in the street with more characters.

Never made it off main street til after 11:30

Point being-- stop and smell the roses. Its not all about rides but living in that moment

 

[Julylady]

I totally agree with the other posters. Do not judge the quality of your day by how many rides you are able to do. Instead think about the quality of the experience you are having as a family. I really envy your experiencing WDW for the first time as a family! Its been a long time since we did that. Just let things happen. If someone is struggling to keep up with the group....slow down. If someone really wants to stop and watch a street show, do so. If the group is getting too tired to enjoy themselves, return to the hotel for a break.

Have a plan, but be willing to deviate from it based on how things are going for your family. Focus on having fun together, not riding as many rides as possible.

 

[CaryHaven]

It really seems like everyone on this board has a super-advantage at the parks just from knowing where EVERYTHING is! We have maps, but they don't really give me a good idea of how far apart everything is, which will be a huge issue for our October trip - traveling with two slow walking grandmas' and a pokey 4 year old. (And a 5 year old who will be aggravated at the slowness the whole time )

My question is, as I'm at the kiosks trying to plan additional FP, is it clear what is in the area and will be doable by a certain time? I am going to have a hard time planning return times not knowing walking distances, unless I can actually SEE the attraction. Believe me, we are going to be walking SLOWLY.

Can someone give me some advice about how best to strategize given this situation?

I've read some of the responses and haven't seen it mentioned yet, but maybe something like touringplans.com would be good for you. You can pick whether you want to minimize wait times or minimize walking. It kind of gives you an estimate of what your schedule would be. You can pick a pre-made plan or customize it. You can also just try it for 45 days and cancel it if you don't like it. It's not much, and there's a coupon code out there for it as well.

I used to be a ride commando, but that was before kids. (5 and 1 currently), so... as some others have said, pick your biggies. I like to do one area before moving on to the next to minimize walking. That sounds like it might be a good idea for you too. Have a great trip!

 

[wcurry66]

i second touring plans. for a small fee, you can list the rides you'd like - and based on the day and times you are going, it'' suggest tour. the tour can with minimize walking distance or wait time.

once you get the plan, you can reorder as you see fi and have it recalculate

 

[SnowBelleAlice]

Bring a double or two single strollers, is my suggestion
Disney is exhausting, yes for 5 year olds.
My DD's Disney stroller from 3-7 was a Mac Volo, light and skinny once folded, easy to get off/on busses.
There's little rain in October, still a mid day break can be nice.