It's coming up! Which rides do I head to 1st?

[skysmama]

Hi, I'm headed to my first WDW trip with my DD3 in 4 days!!! and I was just wondering if anyone has any advice for where I should head first when I get to the park?

I read that I should get there early, and that this is Pres. week so it will be super busy, but which rides will be the first to fill up (we can't go on any of the fast ones like space mountain, she's too little) but I remember hearing that Peter Pan and Dumbo fill up quickly? Or am I being crazy and they all fill up quickly. I know everyone likes the tour guide books, but I was just wondering for personal opinions, b/c there is no way I can purchase one more single thing for this trip- were talking serious single mommy budget here!

Plus, I already bought one and it was the worst buy ever- wish I had known about this place before I bought it, all the info in the book is on here, plus 10x more to boot! (I also didn't know about TGM or the unofficial guide).
Thanks for your help! Im really excited for DD3- she's gong to be so happy!

 

[dougsmom98]

We always head straight back to Fantasy Land in Magic Kingdom. We always do Dumbo first and then Peter Pan. In our experience, those two lines are the worst. We noticed on our last trip that a lot of people are going straight to Dumbo so it has made that wait a little longer, so by the time we are done with that Peter Pan's line is long. So we may reverse it this time. My other advice is to always have a fast pass in hand and you will do fine.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I would fastpass Peter Pan, head straight over to Dumbo and then swing back by Peter Pan to see if you can hop on right away. After those 2, Aladins ride can get pretty long and so can Buzz Lightyear so I'd go for those next or go for fastpasses for them.

Have fun

 

[neonurse]

Aftergoing to MK a few times I finally figured out a trick. Look at the map and see what ride around that area has a fast pass available. (I believe it has FP beside the attraction name) Always make sure you get a fast pass before waiting in a line that doesn't have one.

Example: Get a Fast pass for buzz light year then wait in line for say Dumbo. The fast pass will give you a window of time to return 1:15-2:15. At 1:15 you are able to get another fastpass for Peter pan before going into Buzz Lightyear. This will save you alot of time. It takes a bit of planning and looking at the map but especially on busy days it will be worth it. I alway carry a marker and write numbers next to the attractions. Great to make plans while standing in line or having a rest and a snack.

I hope you have a memorable and amazing first trip to disney.

 

[Perditamarie]

I would do Fantasyland first and do Dumbo pronto -- it does take FOREVER!
I also would not leave Fantasyland to run to Tomorrowland for FP (unless you have someone to send). Here's some ideas:

Dumbo
get fast pass for Pooh
Cinderella's Carousel
Snow White (if not too scary)
time for Pooh?
fast pass for Peter Pan
Small World
time for Pan?
Mickey's Philharmagic is also here but maybe wait for afternoon
Toontown may be open now..do the Teacups on your way if you dare..if you are going to Tomorrowland now, check out the Indy Speedway on your way.

Have Fun!

Buzz Lightyear is in Tomorrowland...I would not leave Fantasyland to get a FP in Tomorrowland just to come back to Fantasyland, unless you have someone to help you. When you go to Tomorrowland, if the wait is too long, you can ride the TTA while you wait for Buzz (and enjoy a little rest)

 

[egoldber]

After MANY trips to WDW with older DD, I completely agree with the above poster. This is almost exactly what we do.

The only other thing I would add is that if you want to see Ariel in Ariel's Grotto, do it as soon as it opens. This line can get horribly long. And Ariel's Grotto also often opens WAY before it says it will open in the time guide. On our trip last month, we noticed that the Grotto was open as we were on Dumbo (our first ride) and header over there straight after Dumbo.

Also, while DD and I wait in line for Dumbo, DH usually runs to get a FP for another ride. The trick with Fasntasyland is to stagger the FP rides with the non-FP ones. If you time it right and get there at park opening you really shouldn't have to wait more than 5 or 10 minutes for any ride.

After we finish Fantasyland we head to either Adventureland or Tomorrowland and use the same strategy there as well. Expect a bit longer wait times because it will be a little later in the day.

 

[skysmama]

This is SOOO helpful, you have no idea!! (or do you! ) So, different attractions open at different times? Like Ariel's Grotto? I thought they just all opened at the time that WDW opened- you can see just how new I am to this!!

Okay, so I will use this great info, but one more thing- if I have a FP and it's window to "use" is between 1:15-2:15, can I get another one for a different ride right before I hop on the ride for the first FP?

Thanks again- tight budget means only 1-2 days in WDW (hoping to hit AK as well!)
Heather

 

[suffolkprincess]

Dumbo first! We have two adults so one of us gets in the Dumbo line while the other gets the Peter Pan fastpasses and then gets in the Dumbo line alone. Then, when the first pair is done riding, we hand off DD to the other waiting person. That way she gets two rides pretty close together. I don't have any problem doing this and do not feel it is line cutting because she is sharing the seat with someone who would not be sharing with anyone else (adults generally ride Dumbo solo unless with their child; they don't ask solos adults to pair with other solo adults.) I aalso ALWAYS ask the CM if its ok, and they always say yes. "My husband is back there-- can I give my daughter to him after I ride with her?" But the one time the CM hesitated to say yes we didn't do it.

Then, ride Small World and the carousel while waiting for your PP fastpass. Then, as soon as you can get one, get the Pooh fastpass and go ride Peter Pan. Then you can go see Ariel, ride the teacups or hit toontown (or all three)while waiting for your Pooh window.

 

[suffolkprincess]

This is SOOO helpful, you have no idea!! (or do you! ) So, different attractions open at different times? Like Ariel's Grotto? I thought they just all opened at the time that WDW opened- you can see just how new I am to this!!

Okay, so I will use this great info, but one more thing- if I have a FP and it's window to "use" is between 1:15-2:15, can I get another one for a different ride right before I hop on the ride for the first FP?

Thanks again- tight budget means only 1-2 days in WDW (hoping to hit AK as well!)
Heather

YES: as soon as your window opens up to ride you can get another FP. ALSO-- you can ride later than your window, but not earlier. So, if your window is 1:15- 2:15, you can ride at 2:30, but NOT at 1:00! PLEASE doublecheck this on the Theme Park boards before you plan on it, though, I think I have read that sometimes this is a problem.


Another thing to seriously consider-- 3 year olds like to do things "again"-- PLAN on riding things multiple times! AND-- you might just want to plant the seed that you "need" a FP to ride those rides. My DD thinks you need a FP to ride Peter Pan-- my niece, however, demands to ride Peter back to back. My SIL spent HOURS in line for that ride last trip because the first time would be a FP, but that second ride... and third ride... wasn't! We avoided this while still keeping things fun by just telling her, as we got off the ride and she (inevitably) said: "AGAIN"-- "Its the other childrens' turn, but we'll get another ticket to come back later and HEY LOOK-- there is XYZ! Lets GOOO!"

 

[neonurse]

Yes you can get another FP as soon as the time window starts. I have done it. I have not gone to a FP late though. Sorry I didn't remember that Buzz was so far away from Dumbo (it was just and example) I just look at the map and make sure I have a FP for something before I wait in a non fastpass line up. The best advise I can give you is to relax and enjoy yourself. You won't be able to see and do it all so don't try. I was a bit of a control freak last year...rushing everywhere. Don't do it. Stop and smell the roses. Take lots of picture. Don't be afraid to ask someone to take a pic of all of you. Remember to play it forward. If you see someone taking a family pic without them in it offer to take theirs. The best family pic I have was taken by a woman who stopped and said that I should be in the pic too. She said she has too many pic without her in them. Makes you think. You might really make someones day and viseversa. There is a great spot for photo on the bridge between fantasyland/tomorrow land leading to the castle and on the other side frontierland bridge to middle (castle) great pic with castle in background. Also don't forget to go to Judge's tent near mickeys country house and get your pic taken with Mickey.

Wishing you and your family magical memories.