MK touring plan - would you change anything?

[FiveofusNL]

Hello All. Looking to the DIS Community for feedback on our MK touring plan. We will be visiting MK on Thursday, July 5th . We will be staying offsite but plan on being there at RD. I know it will be crowded, but with a bit of luck, I hope to get through a lot of these things without unreasonably long waits.

RD
Big Thunder (this is a favorite, so hope to ride twice before it gets crowded)
Pirates of the Caribbean
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Haunted Mansion
It’s a Small World
FP#1 - Peter Pan
11:35 ressie at BOG for me and DD
FP#2 - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Under the Sea
Dumbo
The Barnstormer
FP#3 - Space Mountain (2 people)/Buzz Lightyear (3 people)
People Mover
FP#4 – Jungle Cruise
Leave park around 3:00, come back at 7:30
Use MDE to see what has lowest wait times to fill time before HEA
Happily Ever After

So, what do you think? Is this doable? Would you change the order? I know things may change depending on how busy it is and the FP we manage to get.

 

[chicagoshannon]

The only thing I'd worry about is leaving the park. It is possible they'd close the park to off site people. Just keep an eye on the crowds that day.

 

[TeacherDL]

Looks good to me!

 

[only hope]

I would schedule the fp’s earlier and use them for nearly every ride after 10:00. You’ll be doing a lot of waiting if you only use 4 fp.

 

[maryj11]

Sounds like a good plan to me too.
As soon as you scan your bands for Space Mountain and Buzz I would check for a FP for Jungle Cruise. When we were there this past summer there were still a few FP's left in the middle of the day for it. We didn't get the time we wanted but had to wait an hour. When you leave for your break you could look for a 5th FP.

 

[FiveofusNL]

The only thing I'd worry about is leaving the park. It is possible they'd close the park to off site people. Just keep an eye on the crowds that day.

Good point. I thought we would be safe leaving and returning in the evening, as compared to earlier in the day when the crowds are often higher. I don't want to miss HEA, but if we must then I can live with that. Experience has thought me that my family needs a break away from the crowds when in the parks during the day and evening.

I would schedule the fp’s earlier and use them for nearly every ride after 10:00. You’ll be doing a lot of waiting if you only use 4 fp.

So which ones would you get FP for? I was worried I'd be wasting them for rides that don't really require a FP. I was also unsure if I could get a 4th, let alone any others.

Sounds like a good plan to me too.
As soon as you scan your bands for Space Mountain and Buzz I would check for a FP for Jungle Cruise. When we were there this past summer there were still a few FP's left in the middle of the day for it. We didn't get the time we wanted but had to wait an hour. When you leave for your break you could look for a 5th FP.

So, I can do this on MDE while in line up for Buzz (after scanning)? I thought you had to finish the ride...but now that I think of it, they wouldn't know when that was.

 

[only hope]

It depends on your interests. PP and 7DMT are the hardest to get and should be set up early in the day as your chances of modifying them are slim. Meeting Mickey (though that could change after he goes silent) and Enchanted Tales seem to be the next hardest, followed by the mountains. Splash is of course harder to get in the summer. Pirates tends to be a bit harder to get than HM the day of, so riding it after thunder mountain is a good idea.

The least popular attractions that don’t normally need a fp are Philharmagic and Monsters. You’re going on a busy day so you may want to use a fp for even those, but those will be the easiest to get.

It will be busy. I would start using fp about an hour after open. Use the third after lunch and grab a fourth as soon as you tap in. Give it about thirty seconds after tapping in to check. If it doesn’t think you used it, close the app and reopen it. If you don’t see what you want, just keep refreshing.

If you’re not watching the parade, it’s an excellent time to do rides. The wait times will be shorter than posted, especially in Fantasyland. I don’t think MK has a history of hitting capacity on July 5, so you should be ok for a break. After you use your last pre-break fp, schedule a post-break fp to use upon re-entering the park.

If you have children in your group/people who won’t/can’t do certain ride, consider using rider swap.

 

[FiveofusNL]

Thanks so much only hope for all of the great info! Using your tips, I am thinking Haunted Mansion as FP#1, Peter Pan as #2 and keep the after lunch Seven Dwarfs for #3. While waiting to board that one, I will be on my phone trying to get #4 Space/Buzz. Likewise, as soon as we are in that line up, I will be looking for #5 (prob jungle cruise).

 

[Alesia]

Good point. I thought we would be safe leaving and returning in the evening, as compared to earlier in the day when the crowds are often higher. I don't want to miss HEA, but if we must then I can live with that. Experience has thought me that my family needs a break away from the crowds when in the parks during the day and evening.

So which ones would you get FP for? I was worried I'd be wasting them for rides that don't really require a FP. I was also unsure if I could get a 4th, let alone any others.

So, I can do this on MDE while in line up for Buzz (after scanning)? I thought you had to finish the ride...but now that I think of it, they wouldn't know when that was.

First of all, don't worry -- the chance of you not getting back into the park is basically 0%. I wouldn't give it a second thought.

Second, use those fastpasses early. Even on busy days, we can easily get 10 or 12 fastpasses. July 5th will be fairly crowded, but not that bad. Most people will have gone on the 3rd or the 4th.

 

[sharonabe]

Your morning is probably okay; be on the lookout for an early EMH or an earlier opening than 9:00 that day.

I think your after lunch plans are questionable. It will easily be 12:30-45 by the time you finish at BoG. Dumbo and Barnstormer can easily have a 30-45 min wait each. Anticipate skipping something after lunch in order to make your 3:00 exit.

 

[123SA]

You are staying off-site, so fast pass booking at 30 days out? I'd be surprised to find FP+ at those times available at 30 days. If you are eligible to book at 60 days, ignore this post.

 

[FiveofusNL]

Second, use those fastpasses early. Even on busy days, we can easily get 10 or 12 fastpasses.

Wow! I definitely did not think that was doable. I am so glad I asked about it here, I am learning so much about being more strategic with FP. Thanks!

Your morning is probably okay; be on the lookout for an early EMH or an earlier opening than 9:00 that day. Will do! Thanks for the reminder.

I think your after lunch plans are questionable. It will easily be 12:30-45 by the time you finish at BoG. Dumbo and Barnstormer can easily have a 30-45 min wait each. Anticipate skipping something after lunch in order to make your 3:00 exit.

Thanks for the heads up. I will keep that in mind. I was greatly underestimating how long we would need in BoG. I figured quick service so in and out in about half hour to 45 mins. DH,and DSx2 won't be eating with us, preferring to grab something elsewhere. I will need to make sure they realize we may be longer so they aren't waiting around.

I'd be surprised to find FP+ at those times available at 30 days.

I have been concerned. Making a plan upfront so I know what to look for when my FP window opens, but realizing I may never get it. Fingers crossed for some pixie dust.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

It

The least popular attractions that don’t normally need a fp are Philharmagic and Monsters. You’re going on a busy day so you may want to use a fp for even those, but those will be the easiest to get.

The only FP I tried to get on Sun and couldn't get (I did not try for 7DMT or PP) was ... Philharmagic. I was only trying because I could and obviously no big deal that I couldn't (we walked right into the theater) but thought it was funny. Ok Disney, no Philharmagic FP for me. I'll take a Jungle Cruise FP instead.

OP, I agree that your afternoon looks pretty packed. I would move Space/Buzz to after your break. If you can get your FPs so that 7DMT is the last one, you should have no problem getting Dumbo and Barnstormwr FPs back to back. On a busy afternoon that will save you some time. Then if you have time you can try for Space/Buzz right away and if you don't get it, you have the whole break to try for it and will be looking for a time that's further out which helps. Some of the more popular rides I was not able to get immediately, quickly but was definitely able to get an hour out.

 

[FiveofusNL]

I would move Space/Buzz to after your break. If you can get your FPs so that 7DMT is the last one, you should have no problem getting Dumbo and Barnstormwr FPs back to back. On a busy afternoon that will save you some time. Then if you have time you can try for Space/Buzz right away and if you don't get it, you have the whole break to try for it and will be looking for a time that's further out which helps. Some of the more popular rides I was not able to get immediately, quickly but was definitely able to get an hour out.

. That makes sense. Thanks!!

 

[maryj11]

Good point. I thought we would be safe leaving and returning in the evening, as compared to earlier in the day when the crowds are often higher. I don't want to miss HEA, but if we must then I can live with that. Experience has thought me that my family needs a break away from the crowds when in the parks during the day and evening.

So which ones would you get FP for? I was worried I'd be wasting them for rides that don't really require a FP. I was also unsure if I could get a 4th, let alone any others.

So, I can do this on MDE while in line up for Buzz (after scanning)? I thought you had to finish the ride...but now that I think of it, they wouldn't know when that was.

Yes you can do it as soon as you scan your bands

 

[maryj11]

Thanks so much only hope for all of the great info! Using your tips, I am thinking Haunted Mansion as FP#1, Peter Pan as #2 and keep the after lunch Seven Dwarfs for #3. While waiting to board that one, I will be on my phone trying to get #4 Space/Buzz. Likewise, as soon as we are in that line up, I will be looking for #5 (prob jungle cruise).

I think Space is harder to get a FP for than Haunted Mansion. I'm not sure if you will be able to get a same day for Space. I may be wrong because we usually don't ride Space. I would keep Haunted Mansion for rope drop because lines don't start to build until after 10:00. Space gets longer lines early.

 

[Alesia]

I agree with the others that have pointed out that you won't have time for everything you have planned for the afternoon.

A good rule of thumb is to plan 4 attractions for the first hour that the park is open, 3 attractions for the second hour, and 2 for every hour after that.

I generally allow 45 minutes for a counter service meal, but I'd allow an hour for BOG

 

[FiveofusNL]

I would keep Haunted Mansion for rope drop because lines don't start to build until after 10:00. Space gets longer lines early.

Thanks maryj11!

A good rule of thumb is to plan 4 attractions for the first hour that the park is open, 3 attractions for the second hour, and 2 for every hour after that.

I generally allow 45 minutes for a counter service meal, but I'd allow an hour for BOG

Knowing that rule of thumb helps a lot. Likewise with how long I should work into the schedule for BoG. I am going to keep it all in mind while revamping my touring plan. Many thanks Alesia.

 

[kathy884]

As an offsite visitor I have never been able to get a fastpass for 7DMT at the 30 day mark, so that makes me think your plan may not be realistic for getting that. Well I could have gotten one during the evening fireworks, but that was it. And since the first three FPS need to be scanned before you get the 4th, sometimes that means all that are left are things you don't need a fastpass for or a headliner later in the evening. I like to plug what I want to do into a personal touring plan in Touringplans.com to see what they think lines will be like and the order ty suggest, especially on busy days. It helps me level set expectations, get a feel for how long lines will be if I don't have a fastpass. I would do this to see if their time study crowd level data thinks you can get in. Our doing this has meant that we sometimes skip headliner or two that we can't get fastpass for, as the line length is longer than we would prefer and not worth it to us.

I believe you can make you BOG lunch reservation 180 days in advance. Sounds like you already have that reservation? If not, call right away to see if you can get that.

I believe that you can make a personalized plan on touringplans.com without getting a subscription or at least that used to be the case.

 

[FiveofusNL]

As an offsite visitor I have never been able to get a fastpass for 7DMT at the 30 day mark

We would really like to ride it, but I know that there is a good chance we wont get it. I came up with the touring plan as a basic outline to organize myself when looking for FP. I won't lie...I will be disappointed if we don't ride it, but will just do something else.

I believe you can make you BOG lunch reservation 180 days in advance. Sounds like you already have that reservation? If not, call right away to see if you can get that.

Yes, I was lucky enough to get them! I could only get a reservation for 2/5 of our party....but it is only myself and DD who most wanted to go, so that worked out okay.

I believe that you can make a personalized plan on touringplans.com without getting a subscription or at least that used to be the case.

Thanks! I will look into it.