Is this realistic for MK on Easter Morning?

[GPC0321]

I keep looking at my tentative schedule for our trip, and it strikes me that for MK on Easter Sunday I have no plans for FastPasses. That evening we're going to Epcot to see IllumiNations, and I have my heart set on using a FP+ for that since it's the first time we've ever seen it (and possibly the last for all we know).

My thinking is that by being at rope drop (or early EMH if they have them), and not doing the "mountains", 7DMT, or any character meets, we should be able to do what we want during those first early couple of hours without FastPasses?

This is the tentative plan. Mainly I'd like to know if we have time to do these things before our 10:30 lunch at BOG IF there are no early EMH and the park opens at 8am? If we have extra time we'll add in Carousel of Progress and might try to catch some of the Main Street entertainment (Trolley show, etc.)

• Arrive at MK as early as possible (6:30 if EMH, 7:30 if not) and catch the opening show
• Peter Pan's Flight
• Winnie the Pooh
• It's a Small World
• Mickey's Philharmagic
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• 10:30 lunch at Be Our Guest

After BOG, we're either going to try to catch the early (if they have one) Easter/FoF parade. This might be tricky since the Easter pre-parade startes at 11:45. My idea was to go to the train station in Fantasyland, ride to Main Street station, get off, and hopefully be able to squeeze in somewhere to see the parade as it makes its way down Main Street. It might be cutting it close though. Thoughts on that?

If we make the parade, we'll exit the park as soon as it's over. If we don't think we'll make the parade, we'll probably go over to Liberty Square after BOG and ride the riverboat (always wanted to do that). Then we'll leave.

We're going back to MK to spend the last evening of our trip there (a Tuesday), and will have FP+ for Haunted Mansion and hopefully Wishes and MSEP. We'll do People Mover, Jungle Cruise, and PotC at the very end of the night.

Love thoughts on my Easter plan, especially trying to hit the parade. Am I silly for thinking we could get through lunch at BOG, catch the train, get to the Main St. station and actually get into position to see the parade before it gets there? Of course, if there is no early parade, it's a moot point anyway.

 

[hookedonears]

I keep looking at my tentative schedule for our trip, and it strikes me that for MK on Easter Sunday I have no plans for FastPasses. That evening we're going to Epcot to see IllumiNations, and I have my heart set on using a FP+ for that since it's the first time we've ever seen it (and possibly the last for all we know).

My thinking is that by being at rope drop (or early EMH if they have them), and not doing the "mountains", 7DMT, or any character meets, we should be able to do what we want during those first early couple of hours without FastPasses?

This is the tentative plan. Mainly I'd like to know if we have time to do these things before our 10:30 lunch at BOG IF there are no early EMH and the park opens at 8am? If we have extra time we'll add in Carousel of Progress and might try to catch some of the Main Street entertainment (Trolley show, etc.)

• Arrive at MK as early as possible (6:30 if EMH, 7:30 if not) and catch the opening show
• Peter Pan's Flight
• Winnie the Pooh
• It's a Small World
• Mickey's Philharmagic
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• 10:30 lunch at Be Our Guest

After BOG, we're either going to try to catch the early (if they have one) Easter/FoF parade. This might be tricky since the Easter pre-parade startes at 11:45. My idea was to go to the train station in Fantasyland, ride to Main Street station, get off, and hopefully be able to squeeze in somewhere to see the parade as it makes its way down Main Street. It might be cutting it close though. Thoughts on that?

If we make the parade, we'll exit the park as soon as it's over. If we don't think we'll make the parade, we'll probably go over to Liberty Square after BOG and ride the riverboat (always wanted to do that). Then we'll leave.

We're going back to MK to spend the last evening of our trip there (a Tuesday), and will have FP+ for Haunted Mansion and hopefully Wishes and MSEP. We'll do People Mover, Jungle Cruise, and PotC at the very end of the night.

Love thoughts on my Easter plan, especially trying to hit the parade. Am I silly for thinking we could get through lunch at BOG, catch the train, get to the Main St. station and actually get into position to see the parade before it gets there? Of course, if there is no early parade, it's a moot point anyway.

Yes. It's been a while, but last time we went Easter morning - From rope drop until noon, the crowds were relatively very lite. Afternoon however, people started pouring in and the park became incredibly packed.

 

[GPC0321]

Yes. It's been a while, but last time we went Easter morning - From rope drop until noon, the crowds were relatively very lite. Afternoon however, people started pouring in and the park became incredibly packed.

That's good to hear. I'm hoping we're heading back to the resort about the time the crowds start getting really thick.
Making the parade is one thing I'm still not sure of, but if the train to Main Street doesn't seem like a good idea, if we're done with lunch by 11:30 (hopefully? with a 10:30 reservation?) we might just walk straight down to Liberty Square and catch it as it comes through there. That might be the quicker and smarter plan anyway.

 

[Carriemel]

I was a solo on Easter morning this past year. I was able to do what you did and a whole lot more. Space Mountain 2x, BTMRR a couple times, HM, JC, plus the ones on your list. I walked out at noonish, and was glad I did - the crowds were really getting bad.

 

[GPC0321]

I was a solo on Easter morning this past year. I was able to do what you did and a whole lot more. Space Mountain 2x, BTMRR a couple times, HM, JC, plus the ones on your list. I walked out at noonish, and was glad I did - the crowds were really getting bad.

Oh, excellent! What time did MK open, do you remember? 7 or 8?
I'm traveling with my parents, who are in their 70's. This Easter will be the first time we've stepped foot in the Magic Kingdom in 17 years, so I really don't want to have to rush around from ride to ride like we're in some sort of competition. We'll have no trouble getting there bright and early, and I'd like for us to be able to do the few attractions in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland (probably add Carousel of Progress) on my list, and still feel like it's okay to take our time and enjoy the atmosphere as we do so. I know when we first enter the park we're going to be "ooohing and ahhhing" at everything. LOL. So, your experience is great news! Thanks!

 

[Nancyg56]

Oh, excellent! What time did MK open, do you remember? 7 or 8?
I'm traveling with my parents, who are in their 70's. This Easter will be the first time we've stepped foot in the Magic Kingdom in 17 years, so I really don't want to have to rush around from ride to ride like we're in some sort of competition. We'll have no trouble getting there bright and early, and I'd like for us to be able to do the few attractions in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland (probably add Carousel of Progress) on my list, and still feel like it's okay to take our time and enjoy the atmosphere as we do so. I know when we first enter the park we're going to be "ooohing and ahhhing" at everything. LOL. So, your experience is great news! Thanks!

I have no experience on a Holiday morning so I will stay out of that, but I did want to add that CofP is awesome! Please add it to your lan, your parents will enjoy it. Also, if the People mover is running, take it at night. I may be silly, but this attraction is one of my favorite evening attractions, and I drag anyone who will come with me on it. The MK is lovely at night and you get some pretty views.

I may be in the minority though when it comes to an Illuminations FP. I really do not think you need it. My favorite viewing spot is in Mexico to the right of the Cantina. We do try to get there a little early and camp out by the railing, but with a cup of coffee and a treat, it is a nice wait.

I also agree that there is no reason to be running from attraction to attraction. You get on what you get on, and rnjoy the atmosphere. I just returned from a last minute quick trip, and I really wanted to hit the Holiday events, so the only thing I planned was FP each day, and that was it. A friend joined us and she was geneally a commando RD to park close gal, but this trip was not that for me, and I stuck to my guns. We had a blast! There is so much more to evey park in Disney than the "attractions" . Enjoy the atmosphere and the little things with your parents, you will nto leave with buyers remorse!

 

[wisblue]

We were at MK on Easter Sunday 2015 (and plan to be there again in 2016).

There was a 7 AM EMH that day, as there has been for Easter Sunday (and much of the week before and after Easter) for the last few years.

If there is a 7 AM EMH you will be able to do everything you listed with time to spare. Last year we did 7DMT, Space, Buzz, PP, BTMRR, Splash, JC, and POC by about 9:30. Then my daughters went to Main Street to get pictures with the Easter Bunny and some of the girls in the colorful Easter dresses who would be appearing in the Easter parade. We still had time to go on HM before our 11 AM lunch at LTT and finished lunch in time to see the noon FOF parade and Easter pre parade. The parade was just going past LTT as we left and we walked over to the Hub to see it as it arrived there.

If you have lunch at BOG at 10:45 you should be able to finish in plenty of time to catch the parade if there is an early one. I think you will get to Main Street faster if you walk right there instead of backtracking to the train station and waiting for the train to arrive.

For now the calendars show a 9 AM opening with no EMH for Easter Sunday. We are hoping that will change because we love those 7 AM EMH. If the park opens at 8 with no EMH, you should still be able to do the things you want before your lunch reservation because you aren't doing many of the things where lines build fastest.

 

[GPC0321]

I have no experience on a Holiday morning so I will stay out of that, but I did want to add that CofP is awesome! Please add it to your lan, your parents will enjoy it. Also, if the People mover is running, take it at night. I may be silly, but this attraction is one of my favorite evening attractions, and I drag anyone who will come with me on it. The MK is lovely at night and you get some pretty views.

I may be in the minority though when it comes to an Illuminations FP. I really do not think you need it. My favorite viewing spot is in Mexico to the right of the Cantina. We do try to get there a little early and camp out by the railing, but with a cup of coffee and a treat, it is a nice wait.

I also agree that there is no reason to be running from attraction to attraction. You get on what you get on, and rnjoy the atmosphere. I just returned from a last minute quick trip, and I really wanted to hit the Holiday events, so the only thing I planned was FP each day, and that was it. A friend joined us and she was geneally a commando RD to park close gal, but this trip was not that for me, and I stuck to my guns. We had a blast! There is so much more to evey park in Disney than the "attractions" . Enjoy the atmosphere and the little things with your parents, you will nto leave with buyers remorse!

Thanks for your reply! Definitely adding CofP to the list of things to do that morning, and definitely doing People-Mover when we're back there on Tuesday night! PM, JC, and HM are all things I'd like to do at night (though if we can sneak HM in Sunday morning, we'll do it then too. My fave!)

I know IllumiNations FP+ isn't for everyone, but honestly, if we can get the attractions at MK done early without FP+, we might as well use one for IllumiNations that night. If we find a better spot we'll just stay there and forget the FP+ area.

 

[GPC0321]

We were at MK on Easter Sunday 2015 (and plan to be there again in 2016).

There was a 7 AM EMH that day, as there has been for Easter Sunday (and much of the week before and after Easter) for the last few years.

If there is a 7 AM EMH you will be able to do everything you listed with time to spare. Last year we did 7DMT, Space, Buzz, PP, BTMRR, Splash, JC, and POC by about 9:30. Then my daughters went to Main Street to get pictures with the Easter Bunny and some of the girls in the colorful Easter dresses who would be appearing in the Easter parade. We still had time to go on HM before our 11 AM lunch at LTT and finished lunch in time to see the noon FOF parade and Easter pre parade. The parade was just going past LTT as we left and we walked over to the Hub to see it as it arrived there.

If you have lunch at BOG at 10:45 you should be able to finish in plenty of time to catch the parade if there is an early one. I think you will get to Main Street faster if you walk right there instead of backtracking to the train station and waiting for the train to arrive.

For now the calendars show a 9 AM opening with no EMH for Easter Sunday. We are hoping that will change because we love those 7 AM EMH. If the park opens at 8 with no EMH, you should still be able to do the things you want before your lunch reservation because you aren't doing many of the things where lines build fastest.

Thank you! Very grateful for the advice about getting to the parade! Our lunch is scheduled for 10:30, so I'm hopeful that we'll be able to eat and get somewhere good to see the noon parade.
I thought I'd seen hours of operation for MK on Easter that had it at 8am, but maybe I'm mistaken. Seems like it depends on which site I look at. I cannot imagine they'll open at 9am, so I'm glad to hear that even if it is an 8am opening we should get it all done. If we can get HM and PotC done that morning too, so much the better! That means we could do FP+ when we return Tuesday evening for Wishes and MSEP and maybe JC since I hear it's more fun at night.
I'm getting so excited! A bunch of people I know are either there right now or were just recently there. Drives me insane with jealousy, LOL!