Is there only one strategy these days?

[nilla]

[QUOTE="momof2n2, post: 54997086, member: 159160"...it almost seems like the only strategy these days is to arrive at RD & ride as much as possible til 11:30/12, have three consecutive FP+, and then go back to the resort and people watch, swim, or drink.

AND take longer trips to get to do as much as you used to do in shorter ones.[/QUOTE]

I was about to say, "you can find some good strategies in my latest Trip Report", but then realized that the strategy you just laid out is exactly what our strategy is

 

[loves to dive]

We rarely go for longer than 5 days and I think that is plenty of time to get in what you want. Mind you, my son is grown now so what we want to do is different than those with little ones but even when he was little we pretty much did the same thing. We are sort of go with the flow kind of people. He has never been an early riser, I always have been. So we book FP the night before, yes we wait until the night before, because it's usually not until the night before that we know what park we want to be at the next day. I never book anything before 10, if he gets up earlier that is fine we go earlier and catch what we can, if not we have our FP. We usually do all three in a row and I have been known to have them all over the park. We don't mind waiting in line if we really want to ride a ride we will wait up until an hour sometimes, we are on vacation, no reason to rush. We don't sweat the small stuff, never did. Even when he was little it wasn't about how many rides we could ride in one day but just enjoying being there. I swear he had fun just jumping up and down on benches and give the kid a play sword and his day was made. We also don't do many ADRs until the day of. Since we rarely know what park we are going to we don't know where we want to eat. We go to GS when we get to the park and have them check to see what's available and we go from there. We have always had PHs from the very beginning when they added a second park, yes we have been going that long. We almost never spend all day in just one park, never have. When he was little he would sleep on the bus or monorail, no strollers for my guy even at 3 he walked. We rarely took afternoon breaks back at the hotel although if the weather permitted there was usually two or three days we some how ended up at the pool for a few hours. Our style is go with the flow and stop and enjoy the place, not ride as many rides as you can. I can't tell you how many times we've looked at each other and said what do you want to do now, I don't know let's walk this way and see what pops up at us.

 

[msmama]

The things you mentioned - rope drop, mid day break, FP utilization (which granted, the mechanics of that has changed), back to the parks after resting has pretty much always been the most suggested strategy I've seen (and I've been here since 2009 - where has the time gone?!?!).

You have a family of 10. It's going to take you A WHOLE lot longer to do things than it takes my family of 2. Heck, ONE of your bathroom breaks probably equals the same amount of time for our entire days worth!!

So, yes, Rope drop is still important if you want to ride a lot of rides in a short amount of time.

I've never done a mid-day break, personally. We spend as long as we can in the parks and then leave around dinner time and spend our evenings at the resort.

There's a fair amount of discussion about when do use your FP's. Personally I'm a huge fan of FP+ and HATED the old FP way (and rarely used them). I plan my FP's by where I think I'll be on a certain day (either all in one land, or moving around the park in a certain direction, or whatever). HS is the one park that I don't mind crisscrossing for FP's because it's smaller. Other than that, I WILL NOT have FP's on opposite sides of the park. All of that said, I don't think my wait times have changed that much from using the old FP's (or not using them as the case may be) to having 3 of the new version of FP's.

All that said, if you enter a park in the middle of the day when it's most crowded, there's still a lot you can do (especially with your prebooked FPs). They may not be the headliners, but there will still be rides you can ride and fun to be had without crazy wait times!

 

[davkata]

As far as which additional FP are generally available...We have never found any of what we consider "headliners" available Test Track, Soarin, Everest, RnRC, SpaceMtn, etc. However, we have most recently travelled during very busy President's week (past 2 years) and our FP are always for late afternoon, so that may be part of why. We got to MK in the evening once and things like Small World, Haunted Mansion, were available, but with little to no waits for those it wasn't worth the hassle of going back to a FP kiosk after each ride. The late night rides and during fireworks and parades worked pretty well. Oh, and rain! Yes rain, we rode 7DMT and met Anna and Elsa with NO FP+ and less than 20 min wait during President's week last year as everyone else cleared out!

 

[MJ6987]

Ok. So I know that's hyperbolic, of course.

But I've been using the DIS to plan trips since 2007 & the boards seem so quiet these days JUST as I'm approaching my time to make FP+ reservations!!!

I've been reading regularly since early 2013 and it almost seems like the only strategy these days is to arrive at RD & ride as much as possible til 11:30/12, have three consecutive FP+, and then go back to the resort and people watch, swim, or drink.

AND take longer trips to get to do as much as you used to do in shorter ones.

As someone who only has 5 park days over one week, please tell me there's more hope than this.

What about shows and similar attractions? I.e. Non-rides. You don't need to be there at rope drop or have a fast pass plus to do shows, they are never that busy, so you can save these till the afternoon. Not to mention in-park meals, walk-around areas (world showcase, Animal Kingdom trails), shopping, live entertainment, "streetmosphere", parade and fireworks....

 

[Pemeberly]

When we went in September, we only did rope drop one day. Actually, it wasn't even really rope drop - we had a BOG breakfast reservation an hour before the park opened. Now granted, we went in the off season, but we still did everything we wanted to do with plenty of time to spare. We also had 5 park days.

It's really about finding what works best for your situation. Personally, my boyfriend and I hate waking up early. We'd rather make use of EMH or just general night time than do straight rope drop. We tried to get to the park by 10am most days and would stay until about 2pm-3pm. Then we'd go to a bar or something to get out of the heat, get dinner, then go back and play until closing. Again, this was around labor day when the park wasn't as crowded, but we found our strategy worked just fine.

Book FP for those "must-see" attractions or anything that might have a long line. Be realistic about what your family can handle. RP is great if everyone can wake up that early but it's not worth it if it's going to wear people out.

Have fun!

 

[tlmadden73]

That "only" strategy (going at rope drop and doing as much before lunch and then taking an afternoon break is just a general "theme park" strategy.
I was doing that strategy when I was a teenager at my local Six Flags park and it always worked well. We'd be lined up before the park opens .. beeline to the "big" ride and get on it in minutes and they pretty much hit every major coaster before lunch. We'd eat, people watch, relax and watch shows in the afternoon.

The fact remains that most people don't want to get up "early" and get to a park and no matter how crowded it will be at lunch time, it is always pretty empty in that first two hours (and then again the last few hours).

The only other strategy is "go where the people aren't" .. go during less crowded times of year (harder to find) go on rides during parade and fireworks times .. avoid EMH parks (unless you plan on using those extra hours) .. eat at "odd" times .. etc. Going early and staying late is part of that strategy too.

Fast Passes, I think, help because you can now show up in the middle of the day and still guarantee 3 rides without lines.

As for lowering expectations? You should just be "content" with doing less than planned. Nothing goes according to plans due to longer lines, unexpected stops, rides breaking down, weather, longer meal times, transportation waits, .. or just crowds in general.

There was tons I wanted to get done on my last MK trip, but we only ever stepped into FantasyLand, Storybook Circus and Tomorrowland! I didn't get as much done in the morning EMH (as I had planned) because my son wanted to hit Buzz twice in a row and the line at the Speedway went longer than I expected .. then he wanted to hit the Teacups (no line .. but still) 3 times in a row. I just rolled with it .. we were still having a good time!

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

As someone who only has 5 park days over one week, please tell me there's more hope than this.

I don't know if you only have 5 parks days due to travel on the front/back end? If not, I'd spring for a 7-day ticket as the price is minimal. We have started doing that as the extra park days (after 4 days) is not a big expense.

 

[momof2n2]

I don't know if you only have 5 parks days due to travel on the front/back end? If not, I'd spring for a 7-day ticket as the price is minimal. We have started doing that as the extra park days (after 4 days) is not a big expense.

I considered adding two more days to our tix, but there are a lot of other things my family likes to do in central FL. As much as WDW made it financially attractive to "lock it in" we resisted the urge to miss our other area favorites. But it was a tough one.

 

[mindeola]

Our first time with FP+ was this past June. We did four days and there were just three of us. We usually travel with 10-15. It is amazing what small group can accomplish! We did make rope drop each day, bee lined to try and ride at least two very popular rides before lines got crazy. Our FP were all booked before lunch. Mixed in with that we would do anything we wanted to do with a short wait. We ate a nice leisurely lunch and then took the rest of the day at our leisure. Getting more FP didn't really work well. All of the rides were rides with lower wait times anyway. Did not seem worth our time.

We are headed back as a party of five in May. We will have a first time visitor with us. I want her to see as much as possible, but want her to enjoy the pace as well. We will probably employ the same strategy. The kids are all college students, so I may need to let them sleep in and meets us later. I am going to go with the flow!

 

[TommyJK]

Trying myself to plan our touring plan Strategy for a trip soon.

I'm going to be at an 8+ crowd level day. Planning to be there for rope drop. Is the following feasible to do before noon (first 3 hours of the day):

Jungle Cruise
Pirates
Splash Mountain
BTMRR
Haunted Mansion

In roughly that order?

I hear the left side of the part is pretty quiet in the mornings and I have my FP+'s booked for the afternoon (Seven Dwarves, Space Mountain and Splash Mountain).

Thoughts and feedback would be appreciated.

 

[epcotty]

Seriously, we've gotten to do as much as we used to do at every park without having to add days. We don't make rope drop @ MK due to transportation to get there but get there about an hour later. The other parks we arrive shortly after rope drop usually. FP times are the best we can get, then we'll get more later on. We avoid lines that are too long. One other good tip is try to ride stuff close to park closing

 

[Planogirl]

I considered adding two more days to our tix, but there are a lot of other things my family likes to do in central FL. As much as WDW made it financially attractive to "lock it in" we resisted the urge to miss our other area favorites. But it was a tough one.

We did four days and one Christmas party and that was actually plenty. We don't find much to do in three of the parks right now plus like you we have other local favorites that need time.

 

[Nancyg56]

The strategy that the OP listed is basic strategy for WDW and many othe theme parks. I think that in pat, it makes sense, but my family does not adhere to it. I like the flexibility that FP+ gives us int hat we can arrive later int eh day and hit the three headliners we want, and still get to stay to enjoy evening entertainment. WE get hit RD, stay til after lunch and then go back to relax, and know that if we return in the evening we have it planned.

I do think that mindset plays a big part in how you view touring Disney. WE do nto think that DIsney is all about attractions, so that takes a level of stress away. We enjoy wandering, and don't mind chatting in a line.

 

[DougEMG]

it almost seems like the only strategy these days is to arrive at RD & ride as much as possible til 11:30/12, have three consecutive FP+, and then go back to the resort and people watch, swim, or drink.

AND take longer trips to get to do as much as you used to do in shorter ones.

As someone who only has 5 park days over one week, please tell me there's more hope than this.

There is no hope! Crowds are up, lines are longer and everywhere feels more crowded.

The strategy you mentioned is the best one if you want to maximize the number of rides you do with the minimal wait. There have been days were we've just left after doing our 3 FP+ because lines were too long everywhere; which is 30+ minutes for us.

Go check out easy wdw, they have touring plans for all the parks.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

The traditional morning plan works well if you're satisfied with hitting each of the headliners once.

The late night plan works better if you want to experience those same attractions multiple times.

 

[wisblue]

Trying myself to plan our touring plan Strategy for a trip soon.

I'm going to be at an 8+ crowd level day. Planning to be there for rope drop. Is the following feasible to do before noon (first 3 hours of the day):

Jungle Cruise
Pirates
Splash Mountain
BTMRR
Haunted Mansion

In roughly that order?

I hear the left side of the part is pretty quiet in the mornings and I have my FP+'s booked for the afternoon (Seven Dwarves, Space Mountain and Splash Mountain).

Thoughts and feedback would be appreciated.

You should be able to do those 5 in less than 3 hours easily., and maybe closer to 2 hours. When we do that we start at BTMRR because that can build up a line quickest. Then we do Splash if it's warm enough, then POC and JC, and then use the breezeway to go over to HM.

 

[dja14]

My SIL went in July 2 years ago (so I realize more people are probably using FP now) and she said they had good luck with getting the 3 FP and then going and getting another. They arrived at rope drop, rode a couple things, started their fastpasses at 10:30 or 11, did one after another and then went and got another. They took whatever was closest time and closest to them. Then they did it again. She said they walked more but they rode a lot, usually going from one FP to another. A couple times there was a little time and they just found something with a short wait or got a snack, stepped into a shop, etc. They usually stay all day and most likely ate a table service some time. She said she loved the bands (wasn't dragging tickets out all the time) and the walking wasn't any more to her because she or my brother always ran for Fp, so they ran all over anyway. She said the kids were just happy to be there, so they didn't notice any difference. She was so happy with their trip I felt a lot better.

I think the key now is probably being more flexible with what happens after your 3 fp (and I have always been the one with the step1, step 2 list so that is not easy for me)

 

[buzznina]

RD is starting to get sadly funny. People are starting to get ridiculous with rushing in, you think it was the start of the Boston marathon now when they open the gates. We also use to be that tour plan family, with a schedule and a detailed plan. We threw out our touring plans years ago and have had more fun and relaxing trips ever since. I laugh when I read people stressing out because their coming up to the 180 day ADR window or their reservation is at 5:15 and they wanted a 5:30 so they are on every day looking to see if one opens up

 

[Barbara76]

Ok. So I know that's hyperbolic, of course.

But I've been using the DIS to plan trips since 2007 & the boards seem so quiet these days JUST as I'm approaching my time to make FP+ reservations!!!

I've been reading regularly since early 2013 and it almost seems like the only strategy these days is to arrive at RD & ride as much as possible til 11:30/12, have three consecutive FP+, and then go back to the resort and people watch, swim, or drink.

AND take longer trips to get to do as much as you used to do in shorter ones.

As someone who only has 5 park days over one week, please tell me there's more hope than this.

We were there right before Christmas and we for a lot done everyday, we never RD. We would do one park in the morning, and one in the evening. Worked well. The trip was only 5 days and I feel like we got most of what we wanted done, we did miss ToT.