My Touring Plan - comment/critique/question

[Andy S]

My wife, 2 boys (7 and 3), and in-laws (early 60s) are going for spring break Apr 9-15th. I know it will be hella crowded, but I feel like we can have a great week with rope drops, FP, SDFP, Nap Breaks & late nights. I'm pretty proud of the final plan, but feel free to critique/comment/question all you want. I would love any feedback that might make it better.

We're staying offsite at Windsor Hills, so no EMH
Wedensday we're taking a break to go out to the beach for a day.

Sunday April 9th:
Rope Drop Epcot
9 – 9:30: Frozen Ever After
9:30 – 9:45: Gran Fiesta Tour
10 – 10:30: Pixar Film Festival
10:30 – 10:45: Jumping Fountains
10:45 – 11:00: Journey into Imagination w/ Figment
11:15 – 11:30: Spaceship Earth
Lunch AT Electric Umbrella
NAP
4:10-5:10: Splash Mountain (FP Me, DW, DS7) (Rider Swap return w/ MIL, FIL & DS7)
4:20 – 5:20: Big Thunder Mtn (FP MIL, FIL) (Rider Swap return w/Me, DW & DS7)
5:20 – 6:20: Jungle Cruise (FP2)
6:15 – 6:30: Aladdin’s Magic Carpets (SDFP)
6:20 – 7:20: Pirates of the Caribbean (FP3)
Dinner @ Casey's Corner
7:30-8:00: Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor
8:00 - 8:15: People Mover
8:15 - 8:45: Tomorrowland Speedway (SDFP)
9:00 - 9:30: Mad Tea Party (SDFP)
Wishes: 10:00pm

Monday, April 10th:
Rope Drop HS
8:50 – 9:15 am Toy Story Mania
9:15 - 9:45am: Toy Story Meet & Greets
10 am – 10:20am: Little Mermaid Show
10:30 am – 11am: Frozen Singalong
Lunch @ ABC Commissary
NAP
3:30-4:30 pm: Tower of Terror (FP) (Rider Swap)
5:00 - 5:30: Beauty & the Beast Live (FP)
6:00 – 6:30 pm - Disney Jr Live on Stage
6:15 - 7:15: Star Tours (FP) (Ride Swap)
7:00 – 7:30 pm - Muppet Vision 3D
7:30 pm: Reservations @ Scifi Diner
9:15: Star Wars Fireworks

Tuesday, April 11th:
Rope Drop AK
8:55am – 9:25am Kilimanjaro Safaris
9:25am – 10:25am Expedition Everest (FP/Rider Swap)
10:15am – 10:45: Triceratop Spin
10:45 – 11:30 The Boneyard and/or Primeval Whirl (SDFP)
Lunch at Restaurantasaurus
NAP
4:05-5:05 pm: Kali River Rapids (FP)
5 - 5:30pm: Finding Nemo the Musical (SDFP)
6 - 6:30pm: Festival of the Lion King (SDFP)
Dinner: Pizzafari
7:30 pm: It’s Tough to be a Bug
8:00 Tree of Life Awakenings
8:30 pm: Rivers of Light (FP)

Weds, April 13th:
Beach Day

Thursday, April 12th:
Rope Drop MK, Valet park @ Contemporary
9:00 – 9:20: Peter Pan
9:30 – 9:45: Little Mermaid
10:00 – 10:30: Dumbo
10:45 – 11:15: Winnie the Pooh
11:35: Lunch at Chef Mickey’s
NAP
3:45 – 4:45: Buzz Lightyear (FP)
4:45 – 5:15: Carousel of Progress
5:15 - 5:45: Astro Orbiter
5:25 – 6:25: Space Mountain (FP) (Rider Swap)
Dinner @ Cosmic Ray’s
7:05 – 8:05: Mine Train (FP)
7:30 - 8:15: Enchanted Tales w/ Belle (SDFP)
8:15 – 8:45: It’s a Small World (SDFP)
9:00 – 9:30: Haunted Mansion (SDFP)
Wishes: 10:00pm

Friday, April 13th:
Rope Drop Epcot
9am – 9:30 am: Soarin’ (Rider Swap)
9:30 – 9:45: Living with the Land
9:25 – 10:25 am Living Seas with Nemo (FP)
10:45 – 11:45: Turtle Talk with Crush (FP)
Lunch at Electric Umbrella
NAP
4 – 4:45 pm: Ellen’s Energy Adventure
5:00 - 6:00: Test Track (FP) (Rider Swap)
Dinner & Evening at World Showcase
9pm: Illuminations

Saturday - Fly Home!! (WHEW!)

 

[sharonabe]

A few things:

Your first EP day. It's a very LONG walk from Journey to Spaceship Earth and then back to Electric Umbrella. I would eat at EU first then hit SE on your way out.

MK on the 12th. I'll be VERY surprised if you can do Astro Orbiter in 30 min. It's a very slow loading ride, and as you said, this is a very busy week. Be prepared to wait longer or skip it. You don't have much else planned around this time, so waiting isn't out of the question, but it might be a little boring and hard to do for the little ones.

Is there a reason you're eating at EU twice on the same trip? There are so many really good places to get QS at EP, that that seems a little strange to me.

 

[glassslippergirl]

My wife, 2 boys (7 and 3), and in-laws (early 60s) are going for spring break Apr 9-15th. I know it will be hella crowded, but I feel like we can have a great week with rope drops, FP, SDFP, Nap Breaks & late nights. I'm pretty proud of the final plan, but feel free to critique/comment/question all you want. I would love any feedback that might make it better.

My comments are in boldface throughout.

We're staying offsite at Windsor Hills, so no EMH
Wedensday we're taking a break to go out to the beach for a day.

Sunday April 9th:
Rope Drop Epcot
9 – 9:30: Frozen Ever After
9:30 – 9:45: Gran Fiesta Tour
10 – 10:30: Pixar Film Festival
10:30 – 10:45: Jumping Fountains
Love that you're dedicating time to this!
10:45 – 11:00: Journey into Imagination w/ Figment
11:15 – 11:30: Spaceship Earth
Lunch AT Electric Umbrella
Not the greatest food-- I'd pick Sunshine Seasons for a better experience, unless you need hamburgers and nuggets to keep everyone happy-- which I totally understand.
NAP
4:10-5:10: Splash Mountain (FP Me, DW, DS7) (Rider Swap return w/ MIL, FIL & DS7)
4:20 – 5:20: Big Thunder Mtn (FP MIL, FIL) (Rider Swap return w/Me, DW & DS7)
Good plan to split up FPs while all getting to ride.
5:20 – 6:20: Jungle Cruise (FP2)
6:15 – 6:30: Aladdin’s Magic Carpets (SDFP)
You can't get a SDFP until you've used all three FPs. After you scan your last FP, immediately get on the phone and schedule another. Availability will be limited in a high crowd week like this. BTW, we will be there the same week!
6:20 – 7:20: Pirates of the Caribbean (FP3)
Dinner @ Casey's Corner
7:30-8:00: Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor
8:00 - 8:15: People Mover
8:15 - 8:45: Tomorrowland Speedway (SDFP)
9:00 - 9:30: Mad Tea Party (SDFP)
Wishes: 10:00pm
Definitely-- such a great show, so sad it's in its final days

Monday, April 10th:
Rope Drop HS
8:50 – 9:15 am Toy Story Mania
9:15 - 9:45am: Toy Story Meet & Greets
10 am – 10:20am: Little Mermaid Show
10:30 am – 11am: Frozen Singalong
Lunch @ ABC Commissary
NAP
3:30-4:30 pm: Tower of Terror (FP) (Rider Swap)
5:00 - 5:30: Beauty & the Beast Live (FP)
6:00 – 6:30 pm - Disney Jr Live on Stage
6:15 - 7:15: Star Tours (FP) (Ride Swap)
7:00 – 7:30 pm - Muppet Vision 3D
7:30 pm: Reservations @ Scifi Diner
9:15: Star Wars Fireworks

Tuesday, April 11th:
Rope Drop AK
8:55am – 9:25am Kilimanjaro Safaris
9:25am – 10:25am Expedition Everest (FP/Rider Swap)
10:15am – 10:45: Triceratop Spin
10:45 – 11:30 The Boneyard and/or Primeval Whirl (SDFP)
SDFP available only after all three FPs used. Love the Boneyard!
Lunch at Restaurantasaurus
Basic menu, but I love the attention to detail/backstory here.
NAP
4:05-5:05 pm: Kali River Rapids (FP)
5 - 5:30pm: Finding Nemo the Musical (SDFP)
6 - 6:30pm: Festival of the Lion King (SDFP)
Dinner: Pizzafari
7:30 pm: It’s Tough to be a Bug
8:00 Tree of Life Awakenings
8:30 pm: Rivers of Light (FP)
You actually won't be able to get any SDFP today if you have RoL FP.

Weds, April 13th:
Beach Day

Thursday, April 12th:
Rope Drop MK, Valet park @ Contemporary
9:00 – 9:20: Peter Pan
9:30 – 9:45: Little Mermaid
10:00 – 10:30: Dumbo
10:45 – 11:15: Winnie the Pooh
11:35: Lunch at Chef Mickey’s
NAP
3:45 – 4:45: Buzz Lightyear (FP)
4:45 – 5:15: Carousel of Progress
Kind of boring for kids; long, too
5:15 - 5:45: Astro Orbiter
Not going to happen in this short a timeframe
5:25 – 6:25: Space Mountain (FP) (Rider Swap)
Dinner @ Cosmic Ray’s
7:05 – 8:05: Mine Train (FP)
7:30 - 8:15: Enchanted Tales w/ Belle (SDFP)
8:15 – 8:45: It’s a Small World (SDFP)
9:00 – 9:30: Haunted Mansion (SDFP)
I'm guessing these will go quickly-- could be wrong.
Wishes: 10:00pm

Friday, April 13th:
Rope Drop Epcot
9am – 9:30 am: Soarin’ (Rider Swap)
9:30 – 9:45: Living with the Land
9:25 – 10:25 am Living Seas with Nemo (FP)
10:45 – 11:45: Turtle Talk with Crush (FP)
Don't really need FP. I'd get one for Living with Land instead
Lunch at Electric Umbrella
Seriously, try something else, maybe in WS
NAP
4 – 4:45 pm: Ellen’s Energy Adventure
Just make sure your he kids can handle sitting still in the dark for 45 mins
5:00 - 6:00: Test Track (FP) (Rider Swap)
Dinner & Evening at World Showcase
9pm: Illuminations

Have a good trip

Saturday - Fly Home!! (WHEW!)

My comments are in bold above.

 

[Alesia]

I wouldn't recommend eating at the Electric Umbrella even once, but definitely not twice. Epcot has some of the best counter service options in WDW, the Electric Umbrella is definitely not one of them.

Since you have a fastpass for RoL, you won't be able to get any same day fastpasses for that day

Ellen's energy Adventure is dark, sometimes loud, and 45 minutes long. Also, you cannot leave until it's over. I don't recommend it for small children. Jin

 

[disneyguy07]

I think your April 12 schedule at MK might be a little overambitious-- mainly it seems to be unrealistic to get three SDFPs in a row for a busy time of year.

Also, just wanted to note that Flower and Garden will be going on at Epcot during your visit. Might be worth taking some time to view some of the displays at Epcot while you're there.

 

[MisterPat]

I would move Winnie the Pooh on the 12th to right after Peter Pan. If you wait to do it after Little Mermaid and Dumbo, the line will long by then.

 

[Andy S]

A few things:

Your first EP day. It's a very LONG walk from Journey to Spaceship Earth and then back to Electric Umbrella. I would eat at EU first then hit SE on your way out.

MK on the 12th. I'll be VERY surprised if you can do Astro Orbiter in 30 min. It's a very slow loading ride, and as you said, this is a very busy week. Be prepared to wait longer or skip it. You don't have much else planned around this time, so waiting isn't out of the question, but it might be a little boring and hard to do for the little ones.

Is there a reason you're eating at EU twice on the same trip? There are so many really good places to get QS at EP, that that seems a little strange to me.

Thanks for the tips - based on yours & other comments, we'll probably hit up Sunshine Seasons before Spaceship Earth (or just eat offsite somewhere on the way back to the condo)

Good point on Astro Orbiter - I figure we'll be done with Buzz by 4:30 and would have 90+ min to do AO and CofP before Space Mtn FP+, but thanks for the heads up on the wait.

I plan on using extra magic bands for the SDFP trick, so we'll how that goes.

I begged & pleaded to skip Ellen's Energy Adventure, but my wife insisted. Maybe I can talk her into letting me and DS3 sit outside and look at the pretty flowers.

Thanks everyone - keep 'em coming...

 

[Lynzer4]

My wife, 2 boys (7 and 3), and in-laws (early 60s) are going for spring break Apr 9-15th. I know it will be hella crowded, but I feel like we can have a great week with rope drops, FP, SDFP, Nap Breaks & late nights. I'm pretty proud of the final plan, but feel free to critique/comment/question all you want. I would love any feedback that might make it better.

We're staying offsite at Windsor Hills, so no EMH
Wedensday we're taking a break to go out to the beach for a day.

Sunday April 9th:
Rope Drop Epcot
9 – 9:30: Frozen Ever After
9:30 – 9:45: Gran Fiesta Tour
10 – 10:30: Pixar Film Festival
10:30 – 10:45: Jumping Fountains
10:45 – 11:00: Journey into Imagination w/ Figment
11:15 – 11:30: Spaceship Earth
Lunch AT Electric Umbrella
NAP
4:10-5:10: Splash Mountain (FP Me, DW, DS7) (Rider Swap return w/ MIL, FIL & DS7)
4:20 – 5:20: Big Thunder Mtn (FP MIL, FIL) (Rider Swap return w/Me, DW & DS7)
5:20 – 6:20: Jungle Cruise (FP2)
6:15 – 6:30: Aladdin’s Magic Carpets (SDFP)
6:20 – 7:20: Pirates of the Caribbean (FP3)
Dinner @ Casey's Corner
7:30-8:00: Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor
8:00 - 8:15: People Mover
8:15 - 8:45: Tomorrowland Speedway (SDFP)
9:00 - 9:30: Mad Tea Party (SDFP)
Wishes: 10:00pm

I think you might be underestimating the wait times on rides... Tomorrow is slow moving and I think the wait will be more then 30 minutes. You will also want to get your spot to see wishes in front of the castle and it gets difficult to navigate around 9:30 so you will want to be on your way to the front by 9:15ish.

Also I think by the time you hit 11am Spaceship Earth will have a much longer wait then 15 minutes. You are going in what Kenny the Pirate calls INSANE so wait times will be high by mid morning. You are also back tracking to do lunch. I suggest hitting lunch at a place on the way home or at your condo.


Monday, April 10th:
Rope Drop HS
8:50 – 9:15 am Toy Story Mania
9:15 - 9:45am: Toy Story Meet & Greets
10 am – 10:20am: Little Mermaid Show
10:30 am – 11am: Frozen Singalong
Lunch @ ABC Commissary
NAP
3:30-4:30 pm: Tower of Terror (FP) (Rider Swap)
5:00 - 5:30: Beauty & the Beast Live (FP)
6:00 – 6:30 pm - Disney Jr Live on Stage
6:15 - 7:15: Star Tours (FP) (Ride Swap)
7:00 – 7:30 pm - Muppet Vision 3D
7:30 pm: Reservations @ Scifi Diner
9:15: Star Wars Fireworks

Even with driving you aren't giving much time for naps if you want more then 2 hours. By the time you finish lunch ... 11:30 and walk out of the park and get your car it's Noon. Then to be back in the park at 3:30 you will need to leave your hotel by 2:30. So


Tuesday, April 11th:
Rope Drop AK
8:55am – 9:25am Kilimanjaro Safaris
9:25am – 10:25am Expedition Everest (FP/Rider Swap)
10:15am – 10:45: Triceratop Spin
10:45 – 11:30 The Boneyard and/or Primeval Whirl (SDFP)
Lunch at Restaurantasaurus
NAP
4:05-5:05 pm: Kali River Rapids (FP)
5 - 5:30pm: Finding Nemo the Musical (SDFP)
6 - 6:30pm: Festival of the Lion King (SDFP)
Dinner: Pizzafari
7:30 pm: It’s Tough to be a Bug
8:00 Tree of Life Awakenings
8:30 pm: Rivers of Light (FP)

Weds, April 13th:
Beach Day

Thursday, April 12th:
Rope Drop MK, Valet park @ Contemporary
9:00 – 9:20: Peter Pan
9:30 – 9:45: Little Mermaid
10:00 – 10:30: Dumbo
10:45 – 11:15: Winnie the Pooh
11:35: Lunch at Chef Mickey’s
NAP
3:45 – 4:45: Buzz Lightyear (FP)
4:45 – 5:15: Carousel of Progress
5:15 - 5:45: Astro Orbiter
5:25 – 6:25: Space Mountain (FP) (Rider Swap)
Dinner @ Cosmic Ray’s
7:05 – 8:05: Mine Train (FP)
7:30 - 8:15: Enchanted Tales w/ Belle (SDFP)
8:15 – 8:45: It’s a Small World (SDFP)
9:00 – 9:30: Haunted Mansion (SDFP)
Wishes: 10:00pm

Again
lunch at Chef will take an hour... you don't be done until 12:30 or 1pm. Then to get back to MK and at Buzz by 3:45 you will need to be leaving your hotel around 2:45ish.

Friday, April 13th:
Rope Drop Epcot
9am – 9:30 am: Soarin’ (Rider Swap)
9:30 – 9:45: Living with the Land
9:25 – 10:25 am Living Seas with Nemo (FP)
10:45 – 11:45: Turtle Talk with Crush (FP)
Lunch at Electric Umbrella
NAP
4 – 4:45 pm: Ellen’s Energy Adventure
5:00 - 6:00: Test Track (FP) (Rider Swap)
Dinner & Evening at World Showcase
9pm: Illuminations

Do you have an ADR? If not I would suggest getting a table reservation for the evening. Overall it looks good. I do think you might be underestimating the wait times esp. in the evening. And like someone else said you cant get SDFP until you have used all three for the day.

Saturday - Fly Home!! (WHEW!)

 

[Alesia]

I begged & pleaded to skip Ellen's Energy Adventure, but my wife insisted. Maybe I can talk her into letting me and DS3 sit outside and look at the pretty flowers.

Does she understand that if your son doesn't do well, leaving is not an option? It's not just that you can't reenter if you do leave -- leaving isn't an option, period. I don't know your son, but sitting still and being quiet for 45 minutes is nearly impossible for most 3-year-olds.

 

[momto2js]

I have a couple of thoughts. Your first MK day, I think those fast pass windows are really tight given that one group has to go through the FP line and the other has to stay with the non rider. It is also a really long time to ask the non rider to just "hang out". The other question is how you are getting SDFP before #3 is used, but perhaps there is a loophole I am not aware of. For our mid march tip, I am making the assumption there will be no SDFP's at all.

The other thing I think is really ambitious is RD at soaring. I have waited with the kids when parent #1 had a fast pass and it took longer than 30 minutes for one ride. I don't think you are going to be able to wait in line exit, find the other part of your group, swap, have them wait in the FP line and ride in 30 minutes. I think that is more like 45 to an hour to complete the whole thing.

If you are heading out after lunch, offsite, it is generally better to hit a drive through or order curbside take away to pick up. It will save time and money too. Have a good trip!! Oh and I totally agree with Energy as an adults, if they must attraction.

 

[sharonabe]

I plan on using extra magic bands for the SDFP trick, so we'll how that goes.

Is that trick still working? I thought they had closed that "loop hole" a while back. You might want to ask that in a separate post.

 

[mrzrich]

I don't think you'll be able to get into the 10:30 Frozen sing along if you are leaving the Mermaid show at 10:20. The doors will probably be closing when you arrive.