Hi all,
It's been a while since I've been to WDW (think Fast Pass glory days) and am coming up quick to my ADR window, leading to which park on what day, and have come across the LL
. Is there a place that has all knowing info on what, how, where to maximize the LL options? I have found bits and pieces on several threads and websites but they just lead to more questions. We are staying YC beginning of September.
TYA MudEJeep
Ah yes. The FP glory days! We were just in this very same situation in mid-May, having taken a break beginning in 2020 from annual WDW trips. Honestly, we made LLMP and LLSP work for us, but we missed FP+.
The biggest difference for us was it was easy to ride the attractions we love multiple times in a day with FP+. We do spend multiple days in each park (except for EPCOT this year as the Flower and Garden madness was not for us), but we only traveled to WDW once a year in the past, and will return next year, so we choose to maximize our park time, with one rest/pool day midway through.
This time around, Early Entry was key for us. The LLMP is like FP+, except after you use your first one, you don’t have to wait to book your fourth, and so on. And, you can only book one LLMP per attraction, each day. So, for example, if you book a Peter Pan LLMP and want to ride again, you have to ride standby as the system won’t let you book another LLMP for it. This is where EE came into play for us. We really loved walking into virtually empty parks (great pictures) and walking on several favorite attractions before rope drop and before our first LLMP of the day. For example, FOP is one of our all time favorite attractions. So, on the days we were at AK, we purchased the LLSP, but also went for EE so we could ride twice.
Which leads me to, make sure you understand the different tiers and which attractions are LLSP and which are LLMP. The two are separate, and don’t affect each other. Also learn which attractions are not open during EE, as you don’t want to waste those precious 30 minutes or so waiting for an attraction that isn’t even open yet.
The other option is the extended evening hours for guests at deluxe resorts, if EE isn’t your thing. We stayed at Boulder Ridge and could have gone then if we wanted to. But, we’re early risers and preferred to leave the parks a little while after dinner, except for the night we stayed for MK fireworks (once per trip always because while we adore the fireworks, the crazy isn’t our thing), and go back to the resort to swim and decompress with a cocktail afterwards. It was a glorious upper 90’s the entire 9 days we were there, and this was a lovely respite.
I spent months obsessing over all the changes and worrying about how to make a magical trip happen like all those we’d taken in the past. I got so much good advice from this board. Come here with specific questions, as someone will always have an answer.
This all being said, once we were there, the magic all came back. We realized quickly that our tried and true touring plans still worked best for us, with some adjustments made for the new systems and lands we hadn’t experienced yet (looking at you, the magnificent Galaxy’s Edge). We were able to ride everything we wanted, and multiple times if we chose, with minimal waits. All three of us became adept at refreshing and moving LLMP and LLSP if necessary and honestly, have no complaints. We also had no issues getting LLMP and LLSP day of. Pay attention to wait times on the app, as well.
It definitely cost more than in the past, given FP+ was free, but it is what it is. I remember being upset when legacy FP was replaced by FP+, but then ended up loving it. I won’t say I love LLMP and LLSP due to the extra cost and the one per day restriction, but it works and like I said, it is what it is.
One totally random piece of advice…if you are driving to the parks for EE, the parking lots do not open until one hour prior to the stated EE time or very close to. EE was 8:30 for every park but AK, which was 7:30, for the entire length of our stay. One morning we arrived at HS at 7:15, and had to circle around and come back at almost 7:30, because security was not allowing anyone through.
Best advice I can give is do your research and plan your days according to what you and your family love. Understand that without EE or extended evening hours, you may only ride an attraction once per day, but that may be your thing anyway. Your previous touring plans will still work, with some adjustments. Be prepared to be flexible and adjust on the fly due to the unexpected, like ride closures. Pack good humor and patience. Schedule a pool/rest day mid way through, if it’s your thing. And most importantly, have the best time ever. Enjoy every precious second with your loved ones.
