Late night touring of MK with three mountains ... and getting around?

[Toni79]

I need some advise for late night touring of MK to include the three “mountains” (roller coasters) ….
I’m traveling with a 2.5 year old and a hubby who does NOT do roller coasters. I’ve been working on our day time touring plans that are 100% focused on the 2.5 year old! And I’ve already booked FP+ for attractions during the day. A compromise that I’m toying with is heading back to MK by myself after the little one is in bed. She’s in bed around 8:00/8:30, so I’d like to think I could get back to MK by 9:00/9:30 (we are staying at POP).
Any tips for a single rider to ride the three mountains at night? And tips to get to the attractions when you arrive at the park during a parade?
Do all three of the “mountains” have single rider lines? I’m not sure I’ll be able to get FP+ for any of them that day?
Also, a HUGE concern is that I’ll probably be arriving during the Main Street Electrical Light Parade (starts at 9:00), so I’m not sure how I’ll be able to get to the attractions since EVERYONE will be on Main Street?!?!? I was thinking about taking the RailRoad, but I read that it shuts down at a certain time (I’m not sure if it shuts down before the fireworks or before the parade?)
I’m looking at either Friday 5/8/15 (park is open until midnight) or Tuesday 5/12/15 (park is open until 11pm). Parade times are 9, 11 and Wishes is at 10.
Also, I wouldn’t mind seeing Wishes. Any viewing suggestions that might fit my late night coaster plan?
Please tell me if I am being CRAZY!!!

 

[tobikaye]

None of the Mountains have SR lines. In fact, the only SR lines in all of WDW are RnR (DHS), EE (AK), and TT (EP). If you arrive at 9 pm, you probably can walk right down the middle of Main Street till you get to the Hub as the parade starts in Frontierland. In this case, I would head straight to Space Mountain to avoid trying to go against the parade. Then depending on time, I would walk back from Space Mountain towards the castle so that you are in the spoke in front of Cosmic Rays. This used to be a decent spot to watch Wishes, but I am not sure about the projection on the castle. After the fireworks, head across the way to BTMRR and Splash. This late at night, you should be able to get on them easily on a night that the MK closes at midnight.

If you do not arrive until after the parade has already started in Frontierland, I would cut through the shops on the left side of Main Street and then take the spoke to Adventureland and head for Splash and BTMRR. As soon as the parade passes and they let you through, head straight for these attractions. After, if you get lucky and the fireworks have not started, I would walk through up to Liberty Square and head over towards the Hub. After the fireworks, head for Space Mountain.

FYI: If you are at MK earlier that day, you could always see if you could get an extra FP for one of these attractions for when you think you might make it back to MK.

 

[srauseo]

This might be tricky. It's one thing if you're already in the back of the park when the parade starts but getting from the front of the park to the back once the parade has started might be slow. And, yes, I think the railroad does shut down earlier. Today it closes at 8pm. You won't be able to cross the parade route so I think your best bet would be to head to Space Mountain first by walking up the Tomorrowland side of Main Street - I'm not sure if all the shops are connected on that side like they are on the Adventureland side. Disers?

Also, I don't think any of the Magic Kingdom rides have a single rider line. But you should definitely stop at a kiosk after using your third FP and before leaving the park to see if you can book any of the mountains for your evening visit.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

10 pm to midnight is a great time for multiple re-rides on the mountains. Space Mtn. keeps a moderate line later than anything else in the park, so I would start at Splash/Big Thunder.

We visit in June, and Splash is virtually a walk-on by this time, while Big Thunder may have a 5 minute or so wait. One drawback with Splash is that they often reduce capacity from 3 loading docks to 2 late in the evening, meaning that it can often take longer to get off the boat than it takes to get on. Even then, at a minimum, you should be able to ride Spash twice and Big Thunder 3 times in an hour. Keep in mind that posted wait times are greatly exaggerated in the evenings, so don't let those numbers discourage you.

Try to head to Space about 11 or so. The actual wait should be a half hour or less by then. If you time it right, you could ride 3 times before the park closes at midnight. Remember that if you're in line before closing time, you'll be allowed to wait and ride. The gate does close when the clock hits midnight.

 

[disneybirds]

I am going to agree with Babe the Blue Ox and suggest heading to Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain first. We have ridden these rides many times at night during the parades and had a great time. Space Mountain will have the longest wait, so I would hold it until last. The crowds only diminish as the evening gets later. You might want to also think about hitting Seven Dwarfs as it is so much fun at night!

 

[shpooey]

But you should definitely stop at a kiosk after using your third FP and before leaving the park to see if you can book any of the mountains for your evening visit.

Agree! And to add onto this, you can use DH and DD's MagicBands as well to book fourth FP+. If you're lucky, you might be able to get a FP+ for all three. And even if you don't see any available FP+ for the mountains, book any attraction, then you can check on the app while you're back at the resort and change to one of the mountains if anything becomes available.

 

[SPSRAS]

We did this last year - left the sleeping little one with grandma. We arrived just ahead of parade - rode 2 x BTMR with no wait - were held up by the parade on our way to splash (videoed it for our little one who still loves to watch it) then did Splash - then went over to Space Mountian which still had a 40 minute wait - so I guess I agree with Baby the Blue Ox too! We didn't even think to try for 4th FP but maybe should have!

 

[Toni79]

Agree! And to add onto this, you can use DH and DD's MagicBands as well to book fourth FP+. If you're lucky, you might be able to get a FP+ for all three. And even if you don't see any available FP+ for the mountains, book any attraction, then you can check on the app while you're back at the resort and change to one of the mountains if anything becomes available.

Thanks for all the ideas. I knew I wanted to try to get FPs beofre leaving the park, but I never thought about using DH's band (DD is under three and although she'll have a band, I don't think I can link any FPs to her since technically she does not have a ticket). I also did not relaize that once I got a FP from the kiosk I could change it from the app. These are great "hacks"! LOL!

I'm still a little worried about trying to navigate from the front of the park to the if I arrive during the parade. But someone else told me that they usually will have crowd control and will leave some walkways open. So hopefully that helps!

Thanks again!

 

[juliekzp]

Also, have hubby put child to bed so you can head out 30-60 minutes sooner :-D

 

[Toni79]

Also, have hubby put child to bed so you can head out 30-60 minutes sooner :-D

Haha! I like the idea ... but that might go over like a lead balloon! DH would do it ... but my 2.5 year old is very set in her routines ... I'll have to decide if that's a battle I want to fight with a toddler! LOL!