Magic Kingdom Touring Plan, Whad'da think?

[anditoo72]

We want to do Magic Kingdom for the most part in one day! I am trying to decide what the best way to tackle it! This is what I was thinking please feel free to help me decide if this is the best way. Our MK day is scheduled for Wednesday August 11th (we will be there 8-16)
Our travelers include Me, DH, DM-I-L, Six kids 13, 12, 10, 6, 4, 2. I will have my own strollers, staying on Disney property Fort Wilderness- Get there for park opening on that day is 9:00 am (non-early entry day). I want to break for lunch (since we will be eating light in the Motor home) early 11:00-11:30- Please let me know if you think I put it to late in the plan.

1) Splash Mountain (only the two year old won't be able to go- leave with DM-I-L, she doesn't like many rides).
2) Big Thunder Mountain (again if she is up for it I will leave two year old with DM-I-L).
3) Pirates of the Carribbean
4) Magic Carpets of Aladdin
5)Tiki Bird Show
6) Haunted Mansion
7) Hall of Presidents
Lunch at Peco's Bills
8) Peter Pan
9) Whinnie The Pooh
10) Cindy's Carousel
11) Ariel's Grotto
Send someone over to Space Mountain for FP to use when we come back
Leave the Park(Not staying for afternoon parade we saw it last time!) for Nap and Supper
Come back 6:30- 7:00
(Send someone over for FP to Splash Mountain (our Fav.) to use just before we leave for the night)
1)Use FP for Space Mountain
2)Do Buzz Lightyear
3)Transit Authority
4) Tomorrowland Speed way
5) Mickey's toon town including Goofy's Barnstormer
6) Ride WDW Railroad maybe get off at mainstreet do some looking around
7) Get a Mickey Bar and stroll around waiting for either FP to be used or Electrical Parade then Wishes (I don't remember ever seeing the Electrical Parade)
Just so you guys are aware I skipped Country Bear, Tom Sawyer, and Jungle cruise on purpose (also small world is closed at this time), but If I missed anything else let me know!! (I don't know anything about Micky's Philharmonic or Timekeeper if they are must sees could you tell me where they are located and where I should fit them in?)
Just so you know I didn't put Dumbo in because we are going again on Sunday the 15th just for Magic hour. I want my little girl to wake up tink (hopefully) and we will do Dumbo, Peter pan, and Pooh, and of course Splash Mountain agian before leaving the park for Epcot!!!

 

[debkorb1]

I have to say it is a very ambitious plan, especially during hot, humid and crowded August. This will be compounded by the fact you have a big group with so many young kids. But if you are a super commando then I admire your ambition

Looking at the order I would say leaving Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan so late in your plan may be a problem. On a busy day the Fastpasses run out by lunchtime and therefore you may well be waiting a long time (somewhere around the hour mark for each ride, maybe even more).

Otherwise it looks like a good line up of rides - good idea to start with the mountains and to get there as early as possible!

Have fun.

 

[Poohlovr]

I agree that this is a very ambitious, as well as optimistic, plan.
Just as an example, yesterday morning, by 10:00 Space Mtn had a 25 min wait. By 11:30 Peter Pan had a 65 min wait while Pooh was a 60 min wait.

I certainly wish you well.

 

[anditoo72]

Hmmmm... Maybe after Thunder mountain I should send someone to pick up FP for Pooh to use after lunch??? I am also thinking I scheduled lunch to late??? Maybe move it up to after the Tiki Bird Show??? We can save Peter Pan for the Extra Morning Hour, we don't need to see it twice.

 

[jbwolffiv]

I like the idea of sending for FP at Pooh early too. My DSiL was there in May and still has yet to get on Pooh since she got there too late to get the FP, they were all gone. Good luck, we will be at SSR from the 8-17 yet we are going to SeaWorld that day, havent been there in 23 years. That is 3 less people at MK for ya!

 

[renessa]

I know that it requires backtracking, but Tiki Birds, Pirates, and Presidents could be saved for later in the day. I don't think that there are huge waits for these rides, even in the peak hours. Plus, they are AC, which will be great in August during the heat of the day. Definately get FP for any rides that you can, send someone ahead like others mentioned. Mickey's Philharmagic is a must see!!! It is located in Fantasy Land, where Legend of the Lion King once was. I think this show holds lots of people, so the line moves really fast. I also think that the show isn't very long. Sorry I can't be of more help on this one.

Have a great time!!!

Not to seem unpatriotic, but the Hall of Presidents may not be very entertaining for the young ones. It does take up a bit of time, so maybe it can be an "if we have time" attraction.

 

[anditoo72]

I totally aggree, but my husband loves it!!! Personally I use it for a nap hime !! But now with the little ones I was thinking how am I going to keep them awake during the show so we can take a nap back at the Motor Home (they won't take two naps, unfortunately). Maybe I should meet him somewhere else or ride HM twice

Maybe we can do the Philharmonic when we comeback into the park later that day. I also aggree that pirates and tiki could wait, but with the six kids I didn't want to do to much backtracking but they are definate must sees with this crowd.

 

[chop456]

anditoo72,

I will be at WDW at that time, too! And, I have scheduled to go to MK on that day! Have you checked out the UG touring plan? It seems to have a good stragety for a 1-day visit. If you want me to PM you their outline, just let me know.

 

[cleo]

It's a very ambitious plan, especially with 6 children and a trip out of the park--in August! I'm guessing the 2, 4, and 6 year olds, AND MIL are going to mutiny about half way through. That might be a good thing, if MIL is willing to nap with the younger children and the rest of you can stay in the park. Otherwise, I think it's going to result in a case of the crankies. August is hot and crowded, with long waits and lots of people jostling you around when you're trying to get from one attraction to the next.

If you're going again for EMH, why not save the Fantasyland attractions (or most of them) for that morning? That will ease things up a bit. I'd put PhilharMagic in in place of the Carousel, Pan, and Pooh, and save them for EMH.

Let us know if it works out!

 

[lentesta]

Hi anditoo72,

I think Fantasyland in early afternoon probably not a good idea at all....and I'd save Adventureland for later and do some switching around with Frontierland and Fantasyland.

Good luck on your touring plan.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[anditoo72]

I have the UG, love it!!! but its a 2002 version. I used part of thier plan just tweaked it and then tweaked it somemore so now its more my plan then thiers . It's so hard to know what to do. We were there about the same time two years ago. We took five kids at that time and they all did well. I know that MIL will take a nap with the kids, but I still have to be there because she won't wake up when they do (not on purpose she just isn't used to it, she had a stroke 10 years ago and while she is good watching them for a short time. Its hard for her for any good length of time, ya know?). We are only visiting the parks three times this visit and this is like our BIG day at the park and I have Typhoon Lagoon day for the previous day and a rest/pool day scheduled for the next day. Do you think I am pushing to much. Whenever we tackle the parks we always do commando style (my Dad taught me, what can I say its in the genes) and the kids have always held up really well in the past no meltdowns at Disney.

Okay so what do you guys think of this?
1) Splash M 2) BTMR 3)Send for Pooh Passes 4)POC 5) Aladdin 6)Tiki Birds 6) Lunch Peco's Bill 7)HOP 8)HM 9) Philharmagic 10) Pooh 11)ariel's Grotto 12) get fp for Space mountain for when we return 13)leave nap and supper

1)Return and use FP for Space M (send someone for FP for Splash M for before we leave)
2)do the rest of Tomorrowland (BL, TA, Speedway)
3) Toontown-Barnstormer
4)Railroad to mainstreet poke around relax wait for parade

I know everything is different in WDW, but if my kids take naps they are usually up until 10:00 PM anyway (7:00 is thier bedtime when they don't have a nap)By the way I love the advice, tips and help with my plan. It's hard when you are the only one that plans and there is no one to bounce it off of. (hubby hates planning, but loves to reap the benefits when we get to the parks -hardly any decisions!)

 

[mic_key_mouse]

Since you know what attractions you definitely want to see, buy a custom plan from Len. They are not high priced- and with such an ambitious plan the only way you will pull it off IMHO is with a custom touring plan. I don't see how it can be done in August with a group your size, but maybe at least the computer will order the attractions so you can see and do most of it.

Blessings

 

[Gupsmom]

My suggestion...

Send DMIL with 2 yr old to get Fastpasses in Fantasyland while you are on the Mountains.

Do the Mountains and maybe Aladdin but then do Fantasyland before Adventureland. The lines for Pooh/Peter Pan will get long fast compared to Pirates...not to mention that at least the Pirates line is out of the sunlight.

Also...definately send someone to get a fastpass for either Space or Buzz before lunch. Then you'll be sitting and eating while you wait for your time....and when you're done with lunch grab another fastpass if your time is up.

 

[anditoo72]

Len?? Is that website associated with the UG? Someone sent me a PM with this link I was just looking into it. Has anyone used these customized plans?

How long do you have to wait to get another FP?

 

[mic_key_mouse]

Len = lentesta- he posted above. He is the computer guru for the UG. Website is here:http://www.touringplans.com/index.html

Blessings

 

[anditoo72]

Thanks for that knock over the head!!! Yeah, its the obvious that always misses me!!!

 

[chop456]

Anditoo72,
You said you were at WDW last year at this time (in August). What are the dates you will be there? I am very curious about the crowds and lines. We will be there 8/9-8/20.

Thanks!

 

[anditoo72]

It was two years ago, but still the crowds were not that bad. I even commented on it to my husband, that they didn't seem that bad. Don't get me wrong the parks did get busy in the afternoons as they always do, but we rode all the big rides in the A.M. and used FP. Last time we had two full days in the MK one day I started out with Splash Mountain the second Fantasyland it worked out wonderfully. This time I have only one full day in MK and the EMH only on the second day then we are going to Epcot. That is why I am trying to cram so much in one day. The heat was killer though, make sure you drink water and plenty of it. I know I am going to have trouble with the kids drinking water so I am putting kool aid in bottled water for them only watered down so the water has some taste and then for a change I will bring the fruit water. (the one by apple and eve all natural no splenda like the fruit 2O)

 

[lentesta]

anditoo72, I've run your list of attractions through our touring plan software with the park operating hours for August 11, and I don't think it's possible to see everything selected with a mid-day break of more than 3 or 4 hours. Let me know how long you're looking to make that mid-day break, and I'll see what the software can come up with.

The time at which you can get your 'next' FASTPASS is almost always printed on your current FASTPASS. I think it's rare for that 'next' time to exceed two hours, and is often less. There are some rules that you can use to help estimate the time, but the easiest way to know is to simply look at the FASTPASS you're holding. It'll be printed on the bottom, saying something like "You can get your next FASTPASS at XX:XX am/pm"

mic_key_mouse, thanks for mentioning the software. I'll be happy to post anditoo72's plan here for everyone to see, if that's okay with her.

Sincerely,

Len

 

[lentesta]

Just a quick update....with the current attraction list, it looks like the maximum mid-day break one could take and still have a decent chance of seeing everything is a little less than 3.5 hours, plus lunch.


FWIW, I'd take a long look at the Hall of Presidents, WDW Railroad, Tomorrowland Speedway, and Barnstormer to see whether they are absolutely necessary. The HoP and Speedway are potentially long waits (and the HoP is a long presentation) for attractions that most kids rate "fair." My point is that your time may be better spent elsewhere.

If we drop the WDW Railroad and HoP, it's possible to see everything and include almost a four hour break, if that helps:

---------------Magic Kingdom Touring Plan-----------------------
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Park Hours: 9:00am - 10:00pm

Afternoon Parade: 3:00pm
SpectroMagic Parade: 9:00pm
Wishes: 10:00pm

1. Arrive at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom 30 minutes prior to opening.
2. Ride Space Mountain in Tomorrowland.
3. Ride the Tomorrowland Speedway.
4. Ride Buzz Lightyear.
5. Obtain a FASTPASS for Splash Mountain in Frontierland.
6. Ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland.
7. Ride Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland.
8. Dine at Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn at 11:00 a.m.
9. Ride Splash Mountain.
10. Ride the Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Adventureland.
11. See Enchanted Tiki Birds.
12. Send one member of your party to obtain FASTPASSes for Peter Pan's Flight in Fantasyland.
13. Around 2:00 p.m., take a four hour break.
14. Ride Peter Pan's Flight in Fantasyland.
15. Enjoy Cinderella's Carousel.
16. Ride The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. (This will be your longest wait of the day.)
17. See Mickey's PhilharMagic.
18. See The Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square.
19. See the evening parade from Frontierland.
20. Tour Mickey's Toontown Fair in Toontown.
21. Ride the Barnstormer.
22. View the evening fireworks, if desired.
23. Depart the Magic Kingdom.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let me know what you think.

Sincerely,

Len
[edit: added in fireworks.]