MK touring plan for Sun w/ 8 yr. old?HELP

[pitmindi]

HI to everyone. Need Help quickly. I have read this board and bought two books but I still don't have a touring plan for any park. We leave tomorrow and will do MK on Sun with EE, arriving at 7:30 to pick up hopper tickets. My daughter is not interested in characters or dumbo or peter pan, etc rides. WHAT SHOULD MY TOURING PLAN BE?? Where should I start? Do I start with a fast pass at 8:00, also, how long does it take to walk from one end of MK to the other ( I am a fast walker)?? I guess I'm thinking of going to MK, getting fast pass for space mountain (I always wanted to ride this), going to Philharmonic (sounds awsome from posts on this board) and playing everything else by ear, kind of like walking around MK and judging the line and attraction, and going on it if the line is short and the ride looks fun. Also, what about touring plans for AK and MGM??? At AK I guess first do the Safari then Lion King? Then see animals and leave??? What about MGM?? I don't want to rush around and try to get on every ride, just the bestdo-not-miss rides for me and and an 8 year old.-----Boy-- This disney vacation involves alot of thought -- certainly not relaxing!!! Thanks to everyone who helps this needy person!

 

[crcormier]

WHOA! Relax!

First off, if the must-do rides are what you want to see, then just look at the ones listed in your book, decide which of their must sees are yours, and come up with a list.

How you do the park depends on your personality, I guess. Personally I prefer to take places by sections. It's only about a 5 minute walk from one end of the MK to the other, but still, you don't want to be power walking back and forth all day! Try and flow with some sense of purpose, like 'let's see these three things in Tomorrowland, we'll FP this one and go on this other one and eat something while waiting for our FP. Then move on to Fantasyland or Frontierland, do FP Splash Mountain and wait for Big Thunder, etc.

If you want a place to start, your best bet is to probably head for Splash Mountain or Space Mountain first. Those are the two most popular attractions in MK, and can have the longest lines. I usually like to hit Splash Mountain, then head right to Big Thunder since it's right next to it, then go over and hit Space Mountain. If you do these all first thing the lines will be fairly short and then you can take the rest of the day at a leisurely pace without worrying about whether you'll get on them or not.

For MGM, same thing, hit Tower of Terror and Rock'N Roller Coaster first, then you can take time for rest of the day.

AK, there's quite a bit to see other than the Safari. Definitely do Dinosaur, Kali River Rapids if it's not cold out. Try and get those three before seeing the show, since the show is at a set time throughout the day.

But most of all, RELAX, enjoy yourself, it's a vacation! And enjoy!!

Craig

P.S. Your daughter may say she's not interested in "Peter Pan", but I bet she'd love it in spite of herself, considering it's probably the most popular ride for adults too!

 

[lentesta]

Hey pitmindi, which two books do you have? I may be able to help.

Len

 

[pitmindi]

I have the unofficial guide and the passporter books. Thanks Len for your help. Mindy

 

[Eeyore2003]

Not sure how this is going to work, never am, but I did do a "tentative" schedule for Magic Kingdom for when we go in July with brother/sister and their two kids ages 11 and 8. They've never been there before, and I'm only planning on hitting headliners, because I like that afternoon break, this is early entry day (Sunday)
I usually get there 1/2 hour or so before gates open at 8:00 and get in line, only Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are open from 8 to 9---

Space Mountain (from my experience, you're not going to have to wait or need a fast pass first thing

Buzz

Winnie the Pooh

Peter Pan

If it's around 9 stand at the rope for Fronteirland---

Splash Mountain (first thing) if there is too long of a line grab a fastpass and do Big Thunder Mountain

If you go on Splash Mountain, then do Big Thunder Mountain

Haunted Mansion

Mickey's Philharmagic

(fastpass for anything you want to ride again)

Jungle Cruise

Pirates of the Carribean

Swiss Family Treehouse

THEN you really have all the big ones, or kind of big ones over

I then plan on asking them what they want, I'm thinking

Carousel of Progress

Ariel's Grotto

Small World

OR Mickey's Toon Town

Then Hall of Presidents

If we STILL have time, I was thinking of Tom Sawyer Island

I've left out some that others may think important, BUT.........

Country Bear Jamboree
Tiki Birds
Snow White

Well, hope this helps and I cannot guarantee anything here!!!!!!

Most of all, take it easy and have fun. Bottom line is that I'd rather have them have "fond" "fun" memories, than push it. If we don't get to something, Oh well!!!!!! Nobody can see or do a fraction of everything in a day.

 

[Eeyore2003]

I should add that I usually do have kids of my own along and have done this with them. So I in the past have always planned for them. Also, don't know how much of these your 8 year old will want to do. If my 8 year old neice doesn't want to do some or more well, we'll adjust.

 

[Eeyore2003]

I just re-read your post!!! Do relax!!! On one trip I just pulled out the plan in the Unofficial Guide that has most of what I want on it. Add or subtract as you want. For parks you're not sure about, just follow the plan and relax. It really does work pretty good and that way you'll feel in control and like you have a plan, don't waste time in that wonderful place figuring out what, where and when!!!! This is advice from someone who everyone used to "yell" at during the week at least once to "calm down"!!!! From experience, it's much better to just take a step back and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!! The Unofficial Guide plans are as good as any if you'll feel better having one.

 

[lentesta]

Hey Mindy,

Thanks for reading the Unofficial Guide!

For the AK and MGM, use the touring plans from the Unofficial Guide. Skip any attractions in the plans that you don't want to see. As Eeyore2003 says, this is probably good advice for Fantasyland, too.

If you're still at home, drop me an e-mail and I'll see what we can do for you from here: testa@ncat.edu.

Sincerely,

Len