Need Help Planning June Trip

[DisneyStarWisher]

My DH and I just got back from our pre-Christmas trip. It was fairly crowded (which I expected), and I learned I have more trouble planning now due to FP+. Our family will be going the first week of June. I know it will be crowded then, just not as crowded as Christmas. I'm trying to figure out how to plan for the most rides. We can go into the parks only two days. We would like to hit all four parks. Here's what we would like to do:
AK: Safari, EE, Kali
DHS: TSM, ToT, Star Tours, Indiana Jones
Epcot: World Showcase, maybe Test Track
MK: 7DMT, Jungle Cruise, Splash Mt, BTMRR, PoC, HM, Space Mt
I was planning on two parks one day and two parks the next, but looking at the list of rides, it's pretty clear that we may need a full day at MK. But that would leave the other three parks for the second day, and I'm afraid that will be just too much. I don't think we can leave a park out, but we are using some NE tickets and don't want to use a third day. What kind of plan would you try in our situation?

 

[g-dad66]

I think you can accomplish your AK, DHS, and Epcot list in one day.

I'd do AK first (you shouldn't have much wait for any of those 3 first thing in the morning).

I'd do DHS second (with TSM, ToT, and Star Tours FP+). There should be Indiana Jones showings throughout the whole afternoon.

Do Epcot last, and use single-rider lane for Test Track, or do it just before closing (if you don't mind missing Illuminations).

 

[tink9702]

g-dad66 has a good plan above. Another option would be:

AK followed by MK with FP+ at MK
HS and Epcot with FP+ at HS and single rider for TT

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

g-dad66 has a good plan above. Another option would be:

AK followed by MK with FP+ at MK
HS and Epcot with FP+ at HS and single rider for TT

This was my original plan. Then I started thinking about switching AK and DHS. We want to eat lunch at AK. There is nowhere at DHS we want to eat, so we could leave before lunch. But then I started thinking about missing out on Indiana Jones. That's when I started thinking about my plan in my original post.

I think you can accomplish your AK, DHS, and Epcot list in one day.

I'd do AK first (you shouldn't have much wait for any of those 3 first thing in the morning).

I'd do DHS second (with TSM, ToT, and Star Tours FP+). There should be Indiana Jones showings throughout the whole afternoon.

Do Epcot last, and use single-rider lane for Test Track, or do it just before closing (if you don't mind missing Illuminations).

I was thinking this would work as well, but when I started typing all the things I wanted to do, I thought I might be crazy.

ETA-I probably need to mention that since it will be June and very hot, my DH and I will definitely want to take afternoon breaks. Not sure about the rest of the family, but they will probably be more willing to keep on keeping on. My DH and I would rather miss out on things at DHS rather than MK. So if we get to go to MK in the morning and evening we should be able to do all that we want to do, but if we just get to go to MK only later in the day, we won't. So with that information, do you think the plan in my original post is best?

 

[quagmire0]

Would help if you can do rope drop, obviously, and if you can snag early ADR's for both days, that would be even better. Getting a head start on the most in demand attractions can set you on the best path in terms of timing. I second the afternoon breaks. Even though most people recommend them for people with kids, I found even myself getting crabby in the late afternoon on days we didn't take a break. Plus you avoid the peak crowds doing that. And hey, if you aren't morning people, per-se, you can go early, take a siesta, then come back for the nightcap.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Would help if you can do rope drop, obviously, and if you can snag early ADR's for both days, that would be even better. Getting a head start on the most in demand attractions can set you on the best path in terms of timing. I second the afternoon breaks. Even though most people recommend them for people with kids, I found even myself getting crabby in the late afternoon on days we didn't take a break. Plus you avoid the peak crowds doing that. And hey, if you aren't morning people, per-se, you can go early, take a siesta, then come back for the nightcap.

We are definitely going to do rope drop each day. We go to WDW every year and know that breaks are a must for my DH and me. My teen kids are different though. They do not need the breaks. Also we are taking someone who's never been to WDW before, and I'm starting to think a full day at MK will be necessary for her. For my DH and me, I think we will need morning and evening to do our musts. That's what has made me think about a new plan.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I am still struggling with how to plan parks with FP+. I am back to doing two parks each day because my DS wants more time at Epcot and doesn't want to do three parks in one day. We like doing Epcot and MK at night. That leaves DHS and AK for the mornings. I know that I will make FPs for my first park on my Epcot day because the only ride we might do at Epcot is Test Track and we can always do single rider line for it. Where I am struggling is how to plan FPs for MK. My kids will be arriving around 1:30 in the afternoon, but my DH and I will not be arriving until around 4 due to needing an afternoon break. I know that we want to ride 7DMT together. I also want to ride HM and PotC since I missed them this last trip. So what I'm wondering is should I make FPs for like 2-3 (Splash), 3-4 (BTMRR), and 4-5 (7DMT) and then try to get HM and PotC FPs after the first three, if needed? We will also need to set aside time to eat dinner and gets seats for the parade and fireworks. Will this even work???

 

[g-dad66]

I am still struggling with how to plan parks with FP+. I am back to doing two parks each day because my DS wants more time at Epcot and doesn't want to do three parks in one day. We like doing Epcot and MK at night. That leaves DHS and AK for the mornings. I know that I will make FPs for my first park on my Epcot day because the only ride we might do at Epcot is Test Track and we can always do single rider line for it. Where I am struggling is how to plan FPs for MK. My kids will be arriving around 1:30 in the afternoon, but my DH and I will not be arriving until around 4 due to needing an afternoon break. I know that we want to ride 7DMT together. I also want to ride HM and PotC since I missed them this last trip. So what I'm wondering is should I make FPs for like 2-3 (Splash), 3-4 (BTMRR), and 4-5 (7DMT) and then try to get HM and PotC FPs after the first three, if needed? We will also need to set aside time to eat dinner and gets seats for the parade and fireworks. Will this even work???

I think it could work.

After riding 7DMT (say at 4:30), get 4th FP+ which might have return time of 6:30 or so (maybe earlier?).
After 4th FP+, might be able to get 5th FP+ with return time of 8:30 or so?
If parade is at 11:00 after fireworks, this should work. If doing 9:00 parade, it could be tight.
But if 4th and/or 5th FP+ unavailable for HM and/or PotC, you could probably do them standby with waits of something like 30-40 minutes for each. That should still give you time for a meal sometime between 4:30 and 8:00.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I think it could work.

After riding 7DMT (say at 4:30), get 4th FP+ which might have return time of 6:30 or so (maybe earlier?).
After 4th FP+, might be able to get 5th FP+ with return time of 8:30 or so?
If parade is at 11:00 after fireworks, this should work. If doing 9:00 parade, it could be tight.
But if 4th and/or 5th FP+ unavailable for HM and/or PotC, you could probably do them standby with waits of something like 30-40 minutes for each. That should still give you time for a meal sometime between 4:30 and 8:00.

The park hours are showing only one parade at 9 and Wishes at 10. The park closes at 10. Are you thinking they will extend hours and add another parade?

 

[g-dad66]

The park hours are showing only one parade at 9 and Wishes at 10. The park closes at 10. Are you thinking they will extend hours and add another parade?

I think that's very likely in June.

You can check out the schedule for June 2015 here: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours/june15.cfm

 

[willieT]

I've used this site as a good, reliable resource for crowd info (plus hours and other details) -- here's June 2016:

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/calendars/june-2016-walt-disney-world-crowd-calendar/

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I think that's very likely in June.

You can check out the schedule for June 2015 here: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours/june15.cfm

I have seen this. I guess I never paid attention to the closing times or the fact that there were two parades. I did notice that the EMHs were very different. I will be ok if the park hours are extended, but I won't be happy if they change the EMHs. I have planned our parks around the EMHs.

I've used this site as a good, reliable resource for crowd info (plus hours and other details) -- here's June 2016:

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/calendars/june-2016-walt-disney-world-crowd-calendar/

Yes, I love easywdw.

Although it looks like I don't know what I'm doing (which in this case I don't), I am pretty experienced in planning trips. We go once a year, and I plan Disney trips for friends. But our last two trips have been with FP+, and that's what's causing me some difficulty. We are avid park hoppers, and I just don't think FP+ works well with park hopping. Add to that we are taking someone who has never been to Disney before. And add to that there are certain places where all my folks want to eat! I had a lightbulb moment this morning and here is what I came up with. Which would you do?

Option #1
Day 1:
Morning at MK (7DMT, BTMRR, Splash, HM, lunch at LTT)
DH and I take a break while teens go to DHS (FP for ToT, RNRC standby or single rider, FP for ST, DH and I arrive for Indy and FP for TSM)
Return to MK (dinner at CHH, PotC, JC, Tomorrowland, MSEP, Wishes)

Day 2:
Morning at AK (Safari, FP for EE, ITtBaB, FP for Kali, PW and FP for Dinosaur (teens)/Finding Nemo (DH and I), lunch at Yak and Yeti)
DH and I take a break while teens go to Epcot (World Showcase, The Land, The Seas)
DH and I return for possible FP for Test Track or single rider, dinner at VN, we stay to tour WS while teens monorail to MK for EMH

Option #2
Day 1:
Morning at AK (Safari, Kali, EE, DINOSAUR and PW (teens)/Finding Nemo (DH and I), lunch at Yak and Yeti, ITtBaB)
DH and I take break while teens go to MK (FP for Splash, FP for BTMRR, Tomorrowland)
DH and I arrive at MK (FP for 7DMT, HM, PotC, dinner at LTT, MSEP, Wishes)

Day 2:
Morning at DHS (RnRC, FP for ToT, FP for ST, FP for TSM, Indy)
Boat to Epcot for lunch
DH and I take break while teens stay at Epcot (World Showcase, The Land, The Seas)
DH and I return for dinner at VN and to tour WS. Teens monorail to MK for EMH

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Any advice? I'm wanting to rearrange our ADRs as soon as possible. TIA!

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

You may want to consider an evening at MK as you can get a lot done in a short amount of time.

Here's just an example of what can be accomplished on a crowd level 8 June evening from 8 pm to midnight without FP+

Big Thunder 3x
Splash Mtn 2x
Space Mtn 2x
Mine Train (10 min wait right a closing time)
Pirates
Jungle Cruise
Haunted Mansion
Pooh
Peter Pan
Speedway
Barnstormer 2x

We also watched the parade and fireworks and had a couple of Dole Whips.

Just keep in mind that the posted wait times are greatly exaggerated in the evening.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

You may want to consider an evening at MK as you can get a lot done in a short amount of time.

Here's just an example of what can be accomplished on a crowd level 8 June evening from 8 pm to midnight without FP+

Big Thunder 3x
Splash Mtn 2x
Space Mtn 2x
Mine Train (10 min wait right a closing time)
Pirates
Jungle Cruise
Haunted Mansion
Pooh
Peter Pan
Speedway
Barnstormer 2x

We also watched the parade and fireworks and had a couple of Dole Whips.

Just keep in mind that the posted wait times are greatly exaggerated in the evening.

This is good information. It relieves me to know that we will be able to get some of the headliners done without FPs. Both of my plans have MK at night. It's my favorite time at MK!

I'm leaning toward Option 1 though because I want more time at MK than at DHS. There are only two things I want to do there. But there's lots I want to do at MK!

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Your teens may be interested in multiple rerides on some of the headliners. That's best accomplished during the last two hours of operation at any of the parks.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Your teens may be interested in multiple rerides on some of the headliners. That's best accomplished during the last two hours of operation at any of the parks.

Yes, they are used to attending MNSSHP where they ride those rides over and over. Now that oldest is in college, no more fall break trips. It's been a long time since we've been during the summer. Seeing how busy it was right before Christmas this year, has me worried about the summer even though I know it won't be as bad. Hopefully, they won't change the EMH at MK for our second park day because I feel like they will want to skip Illuminations to go to MK EMH instead.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Hopefully it's a 1 - 3 am EMH for them. Those are the best.

 

[mzsarah10]

We go the first week of June. We did rope drop each day like you said. We always went straight to one headliner and used one fast pass for the others. I like your option 1. We were able to do so much at night when the heat was less.

 

[maryj11]

You may want to consider an evening at MK as you can get a lot done in a short amount of time.

Here's just an example of what can be accomplished on a crowd level 8 June evening from 8 pm to midnight without FP+

Big Thunder 3x
Splash Mtn 2x
Space Mtn 2x
Mine Train (10 min wait right a closing time)
Pirates
Jungle Cruise
Haunted Mansion
Pooh
Peter Pan
Speedway
Barnstormer 2x

We also watched the parade and fireworks and had a couple of Dole Whips.

Just keep in mind that the posted wait times are greatly exaggerated in the evening.

I agree you can do a lot of rides while and after the parade and fireworks are going on without FP Most people head out after the fireworks so lines drop on the rides. Also I found out the wait times listed around those times are way shorter then what is posted