Is this plan realistic for 6/2 (Grad Nite)?

[tnzzz]

Hello!

We are making a short trip to DLR next month, and I'm trying to put together an itinerary for each day. Our last trip was not planned out well but I'm trying to be much more prepared this time around, and have a wish list of what I would like to be able to do.

We are going June 1st and 2nd. How does my plan for Friday the 2nd look? It will be a Grad Nite so I'm trying to knock out the rides early in case we decide to leave mid-day (and maybe return in the evening depending on crowds). There will be two adults and two kids, 4 years and 18mos, my 4yo will ride everything I have planned out.

I kind of feel like I'm attempting too much here, is this plan realistic on a very busy Friday?

Also I try to allow for some extra time on fp rides because we ride swap, and sometimes ride back to back, but otherwise will come back later to ride again. I'm also trying to plan for a slow pace, with my 4yo on foot.

June 2nd DL - Itinerary

7am - Rope Drop (8am open)
8am - Ride Pirates
Runner fp Space Mtn
830 - Fantasyland
- Snow White, Alice, Mr Toad, Pinocchio, Canal boats
930- Ride Astro Orbitor
10- Ride Space mtn
Runner fp Splash
1030 - Tinkerbell Meet
11 - Ride Pooh
1130 - Ride Splash
Runner fp BTMRR
--- if time here/use ride swaps or window shop
1245 - Ride BTMRR
Lunch @1:20 Carnation Cafe
230 - It’s a Small World
3 - Mickey and the Magical Map
4 - Toon Town/fp RRabbit
5 - Enchanted Tiki Room
Head over to DCA or back to hotel depending on kids and crowds
Dinner (open)

Please feel free to offer suggested changes or advice.

Thanks

 

[VandVsmama]

Send 1 adult for Space Mtn FP first.
Then do the Fantasyland stuff.
Then Astro Orbiter, then meet Tinkerbell (because it's basically right next door).
If Space Mtn FP window isn't open yet, THEN go on Pirates.

 

[tnzzz]

Send 1 adult for Space Mtn FP first.
Then do the Fantasyland stuff.
Then Astro Orbiter, then meet Tinkerbell (because it's basically right next door).
If Space Mtn FP window isn't open yet, THEN go on Pirates.

Thanks, this was my original plan (pirates after Fantasyland), but I was nervous because the wait last March both days was too high for us by the time we got over there. So I wanted to knock it out first thing.

I think I will switch Tinkerbell and Space mtn if the return time still works.

I am going to try and put this into RideMax when I purchase it later this month and see what it suggests as well.

 

[figment_jii]

Do you have a reservation for Carnation Cafe? If not, I would definitely make a reservation at this point. It might be a bit tight getting from lunch, to IaSW, to Mickey and the Magical Map. The show is 3:15 pm, but you probably don't want to wait until the very last minute to get in (I don't know what crowds are like for the show anymore, but it's something to keep in mind). IaSW attraction has a length of 15 minutes, but you probably want to assume there is going to be some amount of a wait. It's just something to keep in mind (i.e., you might end up doing IaSW after Mickey & the Magical Map).

In terms of FL, I would prioritize Alice. Alice is a slow loader and that line builds up fairly quickly and can hover around 30 to 45 minutes for much of the day. If you go first thing in the morning, it probably won't be too bad, but if you wait, the line can build up. The Canal Boats is another slow loader and there is very little shade in the queue (Tinkerbell's queue also has almost no shade).

 

[tnzzz]

Do you have a reservation for Carnation Cafe? If not, I would definitely make a reservation at this point. It might be a bit tight getting from lunch, to IaSW, to Mickey and the Magical Map. The show is 3:15 pm, but you probably don't want to wait until the very last minute to get in (I don't know what crowds are like for the show anymore, but it's something to keep in mind). IaSW attraction has a length of 15 minutes, but you probably want to assume there is going to be some amount of a wait. It's just something to keep in mind (i.e., you might end up doing IaSW after Mickey & the Magical Map).

In terms of FL, I would prioritize Alice. Alice is a slow loader and that line builds up fairly quickly and can hover around 30 to 45 minutes for much of the day. If you go first thing in the morning, it probably won't be too bad, but if you wait, the line can build up. The Canal Boats is another slow loader and there is very little shade in the queue (Tinkerbell's queue also has almost no shade).

We do have a reservation at that time. I'll skip IaSW if it looks like it'll cut too close to Mickey and the Magical Map. I was thinking in line at 3 would be ok, but maybe 245 instead?

Thanks for the input on FL. I am not even trying to attempt Peter Pan this time, and we have done Alice before. I'll either hit it first or skip it this trip.

Thanks again

 

[DLRExpert]

Based on your selected attractions in the original post

730am: Arrive at the park a half hour early.

8am-845am: When the park opens take the path towards the Matterhorn (right side of the castle), veer left toward Alice in Wonderland and ride it first, Mr. Toad next, Pinocchio, Snow White, and Canal Boats.

845am-11am: Ride Astro Orbiter, Tinkerbell Meetup (Tink should open at 9am, have FP runner get FP for Space while waiting for Tink), ride Big Thunder (no FP needed around 930am), ride Pirates of the Caribbean (Should be around 945am at this time), ride Splash Mountain (no FP needed), ride Winnie the Pooh, grab FP for any attraction you want to ride later. Then use FP for Space Mountain.

Yes, that is 11am, when you can be done with all of this.

- The reason for the delay in getting the FP for Space is that you really want the return time to be around 1030am-1130am. There is a HUGE crowd heading to that attraction to ride or collect FP at the opening, so it's better to ride those Fantasyland attractions first.

- It's a Small World could be done after Space, but remember that this attraction is a fast loading people eater like Pirates. So even if the line looks long, you will move fast. When the line splits, make sure you stay on the right side.

- The Pirates line can look deceptively long, like Small World. If the Pirates line is going over the bridge, it's still not a bad 30-minute wait. It moves fast and again stay to your right when the line splits up. However, based on my recommendations above the line should only be 15 minutes or less.

- Toontown, I would wait until about an hour and a half before it closes. Grab FP for Roger Rabbit then explore the rest of the land and finish with a ride on Roger.

- Show up 30 minutes before Magical Map but it shouldn't be too hard to find a seat.

- Tiki Room can be done at any time. I usually catch it when I am wasting time until the next FP.

- Most of the Grad Nite kids will start to arrive at the park around 10am.

- ALWAYS use your Child Swap ticket later in the day since there is no expiration time and it is better used when the park is busier.

ME

 

[Nevada Jen]

I would ride Pirates first as of right now. I've been watching the line and it gets crazy fast. That might fix itself when indy opens back up. I think you are going to need to send a runner for space fastpasses at rope drop and the rest of you amble your way over to Pirates and wait for the runner to get in line. No haunted mansion?

Here is the thing with Mickey and the Magical map. You either need to start waiting at 245 to get up nice and close or you really don't need to wait at all. We walked in about 2 minutes into the show last Friday at your time and there were still seats. Not a ton or good seats, but seats none the less. There is really no point in getting in line at 3. You will wait 15 minutes for a bad seat. Might as well just show up 5 minutes before.

Last thing, there is not very much wiggle room for food and drink breaks. If there are huge crowds, the lines for food are insane. With a schedule that tight, you are going to want to bring drinks and snacks along with you.

 

[tnzzz]

Based on your selected attractions in the original post

730am: Arrive at the park a half hour early.

8am-845am: When the park opens take the path towards the Matterhorn (right side of the castle), veer left toward Alice in Wonderland and ride it first, Mr. Toad next, Pinocchio, Snow White, and Canal Boats.

845am-11am: Ride Astro Orbiter, Tinkerbell Meetup (Tink should open at 9am, have FP runner get FP for Space while waiting for Tink), ride Big Thunder (no FP needed around 930am), ride Pirates of the Caribbean (Should be around 945am at this time), ride Splash Mountain (no FP needed), ride Winnie the Pooh, grab FP for any attraction you want to ride later. Then use FP for Space Mountain.

Yes, that is 11am, when you can be done with all of this.

- The reason for the delay in getting the FP for Space is that you really want the return time to be around 1030am-1130am. There is a HUGE crowd heading to that attraction to ride or collect FP at the opening, so it's better to ride those Fantasyland attractions first.

- It's a Small World could be done after Space, but remember that this attraction is a fast loading people eater like Pirates. So even if the line looks long, you will move fast. When the line splits, make sure you stay on the right side.

- The Pirates line can look deceptively long, like Small World. If the Pirates line is going over the bridge, it's still not a bad 30-minute wait. It moves fast and again stay to your right when the line splits up. However, based on my recommendations above the line should only be 15 minutes or less.

- Toontown, I would wait until about an hour and a half before it closes. Grab FP for Roger Rabbit then explore the rest of the land and finish with a ride on Roger.

- Show up 30 minutes before Magical Map but it shouldn't be too hard to find a seat.

- Tiki Room can be done at any time. I usually catch it when I am wasting time until the next FP.

- Most of the Grad Nite kids will start to arrive at the park around 10am.

- ALWAYS use your Child Swap ticket later in the day since there is no expiration time and it is better used when the park is busier.

ME

I've spent some time rearranging my plans, using a bunch of your suggestions. Thanks
I may still keep Pirates first, because of the recent wait times, but I'll keep an eye on the app wait times the next couple weeks around 930 and decide from there.
We usually back to back on child swap, but I'll take your advice and save the swaps for later in the day. Or for down time, if we're fortunate enough to have any!

 

[tnzzz]

I would ride Pirates first as of right now. I've been watching the line and it gets crazy fast. That might fix itself when indy opens back up. I think you are going to need to send a runner for space fastpasses at rope drop and the rest of you amble your way over to Pirates and wait for the runner to get in line. No haunted mansion?

Here is the thing with Mickey and the Magical map. You either need to start waiting at 245 to get up nice and close or you really don't need to wait at all. We walked in about 2 minutes into the show last Friday at your time and there were still seats. Not a ton or good seats, but seats none the less. There is really no point in getting in line at 3. You will wait 15 minutes for a bad seat. Might as well just show up 5 minutes before.

Last thing, there is not very much wiggle room for food and drink breaks. If there are huge crowds, the lines for food are insane. With a schedule that tight, you are going to want to bring drinks and snacks along with you.

I think we may try and squeeze Haunted Mansion in there, thanks for the reminder.
I'm worried about the longer than usual waits for Pirates as well. And we do have snacks packed, they're useful in line for the kids, to keep them occupied.
Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

We usually back to back on child swap, but I'll take your advice and save the swaps for later in the day. Or for down time, if we're fortunate enough to have any!

The only place this might not work is Space Mountain. We recently went and the CM made me meet my husband at the exit with our child and then immediately ride. I know the child switch line for SM is the handicapped entrance, so maybe this is why. Or maybe it was because we didn't want to wait in the line with him to get on the ride so they made us prove we had a child. I am really not sure, but just wanted to share our recent experience.

 

[DLRExpert]

I've spent some time rearranging my plans, using a bunch of your suggestions. Thanks
I may still keep Pirates first, because of the recent wait times, but I'll keep an eye on the app wait times the next couple weeks around 930 and decide from there.
We usually back to back on child swap, but I'll take your advice and save the swaps for later in the day. Or for down time, if we're fortunate enough to have any!

I think we may try and squeeze Haunted Mansion in there, thanks for the reminder.
I'm worried about the longer than usual waits for Pirates as well. And we do have snacks packed, they're useful in line for the kids, to keep them occupied.
Thanks for the suggestions!

As previously mentioned Pirates is a bit longer right now because of the Indiana Jones rehab. Anytime Indy goes down it makes Pirates longer. It might also get a spike with the new movie coming out.

For Mansion, you can usually get FP for that attraction at any time during the day. It only sells out during the holiday theme.

 

[tnzzz]

The only place this might not work is Space Mountain. We recently went and the CM made me meet my husband at the exit with our child and then immediately ride. I know the child switch line for SM is the handicapped entrance, so maybe this is why. Or maybe it was because we didn't want to wait in the line with him to get on the ride so they made us prove we had a child. I am really not sure, but just wanted to share our recent experience.

We used a swap last trip and I can't recall how they had us switch, but I'll keep this in mind. Thanks!