MK Planning for 6 & 8 yr. old

[OHIOVACATIONER]

A Grandma here trying to find the best plan to do as much as possible at MK for a 6 and 8 Yr. old. Thinking of LLMP and trying to figure out the best route to the rides for less walking and back tracking to save energy for me and the kids. Someone posted the other day on their strategy and of course I cannot find it now so hoping to get some good ideas here. Thank you

 

[ucf_knight]

A Grandma here trying to find the best plan to do as much as possible at MK for a 6 and 8 Yr. old. Thinking of LLMP and trying to figure out the best route to the rides for less walking and back tracking to save energy for me and the kids. Someone posted the other day on their strategy and of course I cannot find it now so hoping to get some good ideas here. Thank you

I’ve been testing out AI apps (Grok specifically) and this is what they spit out when I asked your question. Pretty interesting and seems like a good plan to me even if it’s a long read: (had to adjust as BTMRR is closed)

Updated LLMP Pre-Book Selections

Since Big Thunder is out, I’ll swap it for another popular ride that suits your crew:

1. Tier 1: Peter Pan’s Flight (Fantasyland) – Still a must for LLMP, book early (e.g., 9:00–10:00 AM).
2. Tier 2: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Fantasyland) – Keep this mid-morning slot (e.g., 10:30–11:30 AM).
3. Tier 2: Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Fantasyland) – Stays late morning (e.g., 11:30 AM–12:30 PM).

Adjusted Step-by-Step Plan

We’ll keep the efficient route—Fantasyland to Tomorrowland to Adventureland—and replace the Frontierland detour with a lighter alternative.

Morning: Fantasyland Focus (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

1. 8:00 AM – Arrive and Head to Fantasyland
• Same as before: enter via Main Street, U.S.A., straight to Fantasyland (10-minute walk, stroller recommended).
2. 8:00–8:30 AM – “it’s a small world” (Standby)
• Gentle boat ride, low waits early (under 15 minutes), near Peter Pan.
3. 8:30–9:00 AM – Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid (Standby)
• Ariel’s ride, 10-20 minute wait early, near Dumbo.
4. 9:00–10:00 AM – Peter Pan’s Flight (LLMP #1)
• First LLMP, short walk from “it’s a small world.”
5. 10:00–10:30 AM – The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (LLMP #2)
• Next LLMP, right nearby. Book your next LLMP after this (suggestion below).
6. 10:30–11:00 AM – Mad Tea Party (Standby)
• Spinning teacups, 15-25 minute wait, close to Pooh.
7. 11:00–11:30 AM – Dumbo the Flying Elephant (LLMP #3)
• Third LLMP. Book another LLMP after this (e.g., Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin).
8. 11:30 AM – Snack Break
• Mickey pretzels or fruit from a Fantasyland cart. Still no big walks!

Midday: Tomorrowland and Lunch (12:00 PM – 2:00 PM)

1. 12:00–12:30 PM – Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (LLMP #4)
• Head to Tomorrowland (5-minute walk east). Use your next LLMP here—kids love the laser game.
2. 12:30–1:00 PM – Tomorrowland Speedway (Standby)
• Driving fun next to Buzz, 20-30 minute wait midday.
3. 1:00–2:00 PM – Lunch at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
• Quick-service in Tomorrowland, order via app, rest up.

Afternoon: Adventureland and Liberty Square (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

1. 2:00–2:30 PM – Jungle Cruise (LLMP #5)
• Walk west to Adventureland (10 minutes from Tomorrowland). Use your next LLMP here—great boat ride with funny skippers.
2. 2:30–3:00 PM – Pirates of the Caribbean (Standby)
• Right next to Jungle Cruise, 20-30 minute wait, cool and relaxing.
3. 3:00–3:30 PM – Magic Carpets of Aladdin (Standby)
• Spinner ride nearby, 15-25 minute wait, easygoing.
4. 3:30–4:00 PM – The Barnstormer (LLMP #6)
• Instead of Big Thunder, head back to Fantasyland (10-minute walk via Liberty Square). Book this LLMP after Jungle Cruise. A mini roller coaster (height min. 35”), perfect for 6- and 8-year-olds, with 30-40 minute waits skipped.
5. 4:00–5:00 PM – Break or Filler
• Rest near Fantasyland (e.g., benches by Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak) or try a low-key option like Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland (5-minute walk back, short show, no LLMP needed). If the kids want more, hit Mickey’s PhilharMagic (3D show, 5-minute walk, minimal waits).

Evening: Wrap-Up (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM or Later)

1. 5:00–5:30 PM – Haunted Mansion (LLMP #7)
• Walk to Liberty Square (5-10 minutes from Fantasyland). Book this as your final LLMP—spooky fun with a skipped 45-minute wait.
2. 5:30–6:00 PM – Dinner or Snack
• Columbia Harbour House (near Haunted Mansion) for quick bites or trek back to Adventureland for Dole Whip.
3. 6:00 PM Onward – Fireworks or Exit
• Stay for fireworks (around 8 PM) with a Main Street spot by 7:00 PM, or ride something like “it’s a small world” again (shorter waits late). Exit when ready!

What Changed

• Big Thunder Replacement: Swapped for The Barnstormer, a shorter coaster in Fantasyland, keeping you closer to earlier stops and avoiding a Frontierland detour.
• Route Adjustment: After Adventureland, you loop back to Fantasyland for Barnstormer, then hit Liberty Square for Haunted Mansion—still a logical circle with no big backtracks.
• Energy Still Saved: You’re still clustering rides by land, using LLMP to skip lines, and keeping walks short (5-10 minutes between zones).

Final Notes

• LLMP Flow: After Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, and Dumbo, you’ll book Buzz, Jungle Cruise, Barnstormer, and Haunted Mansion in that order as you go.
• Stroller Reminder: Essential for the slightly longer Adventureland-to-Fantasyland return (10 minutes).
• Flexibility: If Barnstormer’s too mild or the kids want repeats, use standby for PhilharMagic or Pooh later when waits drop.

You’ll still get 10-12 rides, plenty of magic, and less exhaustion without Big Thunder. Enjoy your day, Grandma—you’ve got this! Let me know if you need more adjustments!

 

[OHIOVACATIONER]

I’ve been testing out AI apps (Grok specifically) and this is what they spit out when I asked your question. Pretty interesting and seems like a good plan to me even if it’s a long read: (had to adjust as BTMRR is closed)

Updated LLMP Pre-Book Selections

Since Big Thunder is out, I’ll swap it for another popular ride that suits your crew:

1. Tier 1: Peter Pan’s Flight (Fantasyland) – Still a must for LLMP, book early (e.g., 9:00–10:00 AM).
2. Tier 2: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Fantasyland) – Keep this mid-morning slot (e.g., 10:30–11:30 AM).
3. Tier 2: Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Fantasyland) – Stays late morning (e.g., 11:30 AM–12:30 PM).

Adjusted Step-by-Step Plan

We’ll keep the efficient route—Fantasyland to Tomorrowland to Adventureland—and replace the Frontierland detour with a lighter alternative.

Morning: Fantasyland Focus (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

1. 8:00 AM – Arrive and Head to Fantasyland
• Same as before: enter via Main Street, U.S.A., straight to Fantasyland (10-minute walk, stroller recommended).
2. 8:00–8:30 AM – “it’s a small world” (Standby)
• Gentle boat ride, low waits early (under 15 minutes), near Peter Pan.
3. 8:30–9:00 AM – Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid (Standby)
• Ariel’s ride, 10-20 minute wait early, near Dumbo.
4. 9:00–10:00 AM – Peter Pan’s Flight (LLMP #1)
• First LLMP, short walk from “it’s a small world.”
5. 10:00–10:30 AM – The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (LLMP #2)
• Next LLMP, right nearby. Book your next LLMP after this (suggestion below).
6. 10:30–11:00 AM – Mad Tea Party (Standby)
• Spinning teacups, 15-25 minute wait, close to Pooh.
7. 11:00–11:30 AM – Dumbo the Flying Elephant (LLMP #3)
• Third LLMP. Book another LLMP after this (e.g., Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin).
8. 11:30 AM – Snack Break
• Mickey pretzels or fruit from a Fantasyland cart. Still no big walks!

Midday: Tomorrowland and Lunch (12:00 PM – 2:00 PM)

1. 12:00–12:30 PM – Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (LLMP #4)
• Head to Tomorrowland (5-minute walk east). Use your next LLMP here—kids love the laser game.
2. 12:30–1:00 PM – Tomorrowland Speedway (Standby)
• Driving fun next to Buzz, 20-30 minute wait midday.
3. 1:00–2:00 PM – Lunch at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
• Quick-service in Tomorrowland, order via app, rest up.

Afternoon: Adventureland and Liberty Square (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

1. 2:00–2:30 PM – Jungle Cruise (LLMP #5)
• Walk west to Adventureland (10 minutes from Tomorrowland). Use your next LLMP here—great boat ride with funny skippers.
2. 2:30–3:00 PM – Pirates of the Caribbean (Standby)
• Right next to Jungle Cruise, 20-30 minute wait, cool and relaxing.
3. 3:00–3:30 PM – Magic Carpets of Aladdin (Standby)
• Spinner ride nearby, 15-25 minute wait, easygoing.
4. 3:30–4:00 PM – The Barnstormer (LLMP #6)
• Instead of Big Thunder, head back to Fantasyland (10-minute walk via Liberty Square). Book this LLMP after Jungle Cruise. A mini roller coaster (height min. 35”), perfect for 6- and 8-year-olds, with 30-40 minute waits skipped.
5. 4:00–5:00 PM – Break or Filler
• Rest near Fantasyland (e.g., benches by Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak) or try a low-key option like Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland (5-minute walk back, short show, no LLMP needed). If the kids want more, hit Mickey’s PhilharMagic (3D show, 5-minute walk, minimal waits).

Evening: Wrap-Up (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM or Later)

1. 5:00–5:30 PM – Haunted Mansion (LLMP #7)
• Walk to Liberty Square (5-10 minutes from Fantasyland). Book this as your final LLMP—spooky fun with a skipped 45-minute wait.
2. 5:30–6:00 PM – Dinner or Snack
• Columbia Harbour House (near Haunted Mansion) for quick bites or trek back to Adventureland for Dole Whip.
3. 6:00 PM Onward – Fireworks or Exit
• Stay for fireworks (around 8 PM) with a Main Street spot by 7:00 PM, or ride something like “it’s a small world” again (shorter waits late). Exit when ready!

What Changed

• Big Thunder Replacement: Swapped for The Barnstormer, a shorter coaster in Fantasyland, keeping you closer to earlier stops and avoiding a Frontierland detour.
• Route Adjustment: After Adventureland, you loop back to Fantasyland for Barnstormer, then hit Liberty Square for Haunted Mansion—still a logical circle with no big backtracks.
• Energy Still Saved: You’re still clustering rides by land, using LLMP to skip lines, and keeping walks short (5-10 minutes between zones).

Final Notes

• LLMP Flow: After Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, and Dumbo, you’ll book Buzz, Jungle Cruise, Barnstormer, and Haunted Mansion in that order as you go.
• Stroller Reminder: Essential for the slightly longer Adventureland-to-Fantasyland return (10 minutes).
• Flexibility: If Barnstormer’s too mild or the kids want repeats, use standby for PhilharMagic or Pooh later when waits drop.

You’ll still get 10-12 rides, plenty of magic, and less exhaustion without Big Thunder. Enjoy your day, Grandma—you’ve got this! Let me know if you need more adjustments!

This is amazing. Great idea. I never thought about explaining it to AI. I just pulled the MK map and this plan looks amazing. Now to see if Grandma can keep up. Thank you

 

[kwdw]

So….. you need to share more info for the best help. Are you at a Disney resort and plan to do ETPE? At a deluxe resort and have a night that will be EE? Are you off property? Would they like/want a character meal? Or you you want a TS meal sometime during the day for a break? Are they snackers?. Shoppers? Ride chickens? Do you want to plan to stay for fireworks or will you be gone up then?

Based on what you did say, I agree with the LLMP and I am thinking a TS meal to give everyone a break. I like late lunches or early dinners when the TS is a break, but if you are doing ETPE, then an early or on time lunch works, too.

With kids that age, definitely try to avoid criss crossing the park before the parade. I would plan at least a drink snack and plan to watch the parade. In general, it might be good to know from a parent what little snacks you could bring with you. To this day, my teenage niece would prefer a little fruit snack bag or a single serve bag of chips frequently vs. waiting for a big snack. Grazing on familiar snacks helps her stay occupied and avoids some whiny stuff.

Balance attractions to get downtime….. a show like Mickeys Philharmonic may seem corny, but if they have waited in three lines for three short rides and you’ve been walking, suddenly the 10 minute sit time can help everyone’s stamina.

And most importantly, don’t stay rigid to a plan if it’s not working. Kids that age could be full of energy and be great all day or could be grumpy and letting them take an hour to eat a QS meal might be the right choice,

 

[Goofy4]

https://touringplans.com/ has plans you can view that suit your needs, and/or you can use their app.

It's the electronic companion to the book: https://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-Guide-Disney-World-Guides/dp/1628091436

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I was going to mention Touring Plans too. You can make plans and adjust the walking speed to slower. They’re great for situations like yours, and they have an app where you can follow the touring plan in real time.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Gender of kids? Favorite characters? Interest in sit down dining? Princess fans? Need more info!