I'm drowning in fairy dust here...HELP!

[FlanaginShenanigans]

Soooooo I'm beyond overwhelmed. I don't have a clue where to begin with the fast passes. We are going down may 15th (we are using that day to check into the resort and hang out, do down town disney and relax before we do the parks). As of right now we have park hopper passes for Monday and Tuesday (and doing the quick service meals so we don't have to fool with sit down meals). I'm trying to make the most of our trip and the fast passes so we aren't running all over the park like chickens with our heads cut off. I have 3 non disney boys (they were raised on nickelodeon...I know I know...I'm a terrible parent but cut me some slack I've been shoving disney down their throats trying to prepare them). How is the best way to break up the days between the parks? You can now only use your fast passes at 1 park per day, which throws a Lil bit of a monkey wrench in this whole thing... my focus is more on the rides and the non disney princess characters. I'm also playing with the idea of adding an extra day of tickets...but for now let's say it's just the 2 days. Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!

 

[mesaboy2]

I would start by reviewing the FP super thread pinned at the top of this forum.

 

[dkbnyc]

how old are your boys and what is important to them? We don't do park hoppers and we like rides- so we spend multiple days at MK. For a 2day trip I might spend both days at MK, or 1 full day at 2 different parks. IF this is your first visit, I wouldn't try to see everything all at once.

 

[Mikie]

For sure, plan to do one full day at Magic Kingdom and then consider whether you want to pick one different park to try, a second day at MK, or spring for the Hopper feature and split the second day.

Check EasyWDW for his "Cheat Sheets", which give an idea of a 1 day or 2 day itinerary for each park. Then, of course look at the superthread Mesaboy2 above mentioned (and wrote!). It will have every single detail about how to use Fastpasses and how to select the most important ones considering what things you want to do.

 

[FlanaginShenanigans]

The boys are 10, 9, 8 &15 months (so he doesn't really count). There are only 2 rides in Epcot I think they'd enjoy (test track and the enegery 1...I cant think of the name but it has the dinosaurs). I figured animal kingdom was gonna be like "you've seen 1 elephant you've seen em all..." but after doing more research and talking to some friends that have been very recently I don't feel that is the case. I have only been to Epcot myself and I was like 16 when we went.

 

[cel_disney]

The boys are 10, 9, 8 &15 months (so he doesn't really count). There are only 2 rides in Epcot I think they'd enjoy (test track and the enegery 1...I cant think of the name but it has the dinosaurs). I figured animal kingdom was gonna be like "you've seen 1 elephant you've seen em all..." but after doing more research and talking to some friends that have been very recently I don't feel that is the case. I have only been to Epcot myself and I was like 16 when we went.

If you go to Epcot - a couple of the boys may also be able to do sum of all thrills I'd they are tall enough - it's great fun...and mission space - we actually love to go as a family and play the interactive teamwork space race video game there..

If they like Star Wars - definitely do DHS. Lots of activities for that age - star tours, Jedi training, visiting launch bay, toy story mania, tower of terror, rock n roller coaster, muppets, Indiana jones should all be age appropriate for the older ones - and things like Disney jr for the toddler.

 

[ryukage]

For boys that age, EPCOT would probably be the least interesting. There's very little in Future World between each attraction, and World Showcase is 60% gift shops, 30% food kiosks, and only 10% attractions. I love EPCOT, but I didn't really start loving EPCOT until I was a teenager and became fascinated with Japan.

It's true that Disney's animals are the same as you'd find at zoos, but the habitats Disney has created for their animals are incredible. There's a LOT to see on the exploration trails, and you still have 3 great thrill rides: Dinosaur, Everest, & Kali River Rapids. The theming is better at AK than EPCOT's Future World too.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I agree with other posters about definitely doing one day at MK. The other day I'd say should be either DHS or AK. What are your boys' personalities? Are they more nature, gentle, artsy, animal lovers, or more science, techie, thrill riders?

 

[Amanda999]

For boys that age, EPCOT would probably be the least interesting. There's very little in Future World between each attraction, and World Showcase is 60% gift shops, 30% food kiosks, and only 10% attractions. I love EPCOT, but I didn't really start loving EPCOT until I was a teenager and became fascinated with Japan.

It's true that Disney's animals are the same as you'd find at zoos, but the habitats Disney has created for their animals are incredible. There's a LOT to see on the exploration trails, and you still have 3 great thrill rides: Dinosaur, Everest, & Kali River Rapids. The theming is better at AK than EPCOT's Future World too.

+1. I have 2 tween DS, and Epcot world showcase - to them - is a shopping mall that has no shade and is a long walk. They do like Test Track, Soarin, Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land and Figment (latter 2 really don't need FP; Earth usually not). At your sons' ages they also still liked Nemo, Turtle Talk and the aquarium (none of those 3 require FP unless you are there at a super busy time).
My kids aren't particularly nature lovers, but they are far more interested in AK. AK has things you can do without FP, e.g., take the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch. The train alone is fun, and shady. Then, there's a small goat petting zoo the little ones will love (they have brushes so you can brush them), Chip and/or Dale to meet (low lines), indoor area with vets working on animals sometimes (if not, you can still look at displays in the cool AC). Its a hidden gem, in a really hot park, for when you want to do a non-FP activity. No FP needed for the two walking trails (names escape me) or watching the huge monkey enclosure (near Everest). The younger one might like the boneyard (he can dig in sand).