Need reality check on touring plan! Is this possible?

[Ottilie]

Ok Disboarders, I need your expert advice on how realistic my touring plan is! This is for DL only, on Sunday, March 29. We are two reasonably fit adults and one five year-old (with stroller). We have 3-day park hopper tickets, but Sunday is the only full day we can spend at DLR. We will be able to spend a half-day on Monday to hit anything we may miss. Basically I want input on how feasible this plan is, given crowds, cheerleaders, etc. Also if you think I’m leaving something important out, please tell me! Oh, and we will be eating when/where we are hungry at non-PS places, probably at mid-morning and early dinner time- having breakfast and afternoon meal at the hotel.

THANKS ☺

Here’s the plan:
6:30 am- line up at security.

7:00 am enter park for MM
Pick up Birthday Button/Fun Card at City Hall
Ride Peter Pan
Ride Dumbo
Ride Mr. Toad, Alice, Pinocchio
Ride Matterhorn

8:00 am pick up FP for Space Mountain and/or Buzz
Ride Star Tours
Head to Critter Country
Ride Pooh
Pick up Splash/Big Thunder FP (if we can get one, time-wise)
Ride Pirates
Ride HM (doubt DD will actually do this but wanted to include in case)
Take train to Toontown
Pick up Roger Rabbit FP
See Mickey & Minnie
Ride Roger Rabbit
Take train to Tomorrowland

See 11:35 am or 12:40 pm Jedi Academy (how early do I need to arrive? DD wants to be picked, we will have Star Wars t-shirt, sign, etc.)
Ride IASW
Go to Princess Fantasy Faire OR to see Tinkerbelle (unless wait is ridiculous)
Ride Buzz with FP
Ride Splash with FP

Return to Hotel for 3-4 hours of nap/break

Return to the park late afternoon/early evening
Explore Tom Sawer Island (if still open)
Ride Big Thunder with FP

Tarzan’s Treehouse
Ride Jungle Cruise
Go to the Tiki Room (none of us have ever been!)
Ride SM with FP
See HISTA, depending on time
Check wait for NEMO, depending on time, ride.
9:25 Fireworks, view on Main Street (how early for an OK view?)
After fireworks, try Nemo again, or back to hotel.


THANKS AGAIN!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Wow! You are quite the planner. There are others that do commando touring that can comment much more thhoroughly on your plan but my gut feel is that it is a bit overambitious.

From 8am to 9am you have 6 rides AND getting your birthday button at City Hall. Just mathematically, IF you are in and out of City Hall in 10 minutes and get to Fantasyland in 5 minutes (meaning absolutely no stopping, pictures, looking at all as you walk up Main Street for the first time), you will have 7 minutes for each ride and 3 minutes to get to Space Mountain from the Matterhorn. That seems like a LOT imho.

When you head over to Pooh, get your FPs for Splash and Big Thunder before you ride Pooh, not after.

I'm not sure what time you are heading back to the hotel for a 3-4 hour break, but Tom Sawyer's Island shuts down around 6, I think. This would probably means you will not have time for it with your plan as is.

As for your question about fireworks, last night the park was busy. We saw people starting to camp out for fireworks about 6:30pm - 7pm (not joking!). I personally think this is WAY too early, but people do it. You could probably find a decent spot about an hour before hand, but will need to leave extra time to walk through the masses of people.

I would save Nemo until thhe end of the night. No point in wasting your valuable time in line while other things are open if you don't have to, riht?

Have a wonderful trip and make sure somewhere in your plan you leave time to just enjoy the Park and moment - not just running through a timeline and a checklist.

- Dreams

 

[DizNee Luver]

Ok Disboarders, I need your expert advice on how realistic my touring plan is! This is for DL only, on Sunday, March 29. We are two reasonably fit adults and one five year-old (with stroller). We have 3-day park hopper tickets, but Sunday is the only full day we can spend at DLR. We will be able to spend a half-day on Monday to hit anything we may miss. Basically I want input on how feasible this plan is, given crowds, cheerleaders, etc. Also if you think I’m leaving something important out, please tell me! Oh, and we will be eating when/where we are hungry at non-PS places, probably at mid-morning and early dinner time- having breakfast and afternoon meal at the hotel.

THANKS ☺

Here’s the plan:
6:30 am- line up at security.

7:00 am enter park for MM
Pick up Birthday Button/Fun Card at City Hall
Ride Peter Pan
Ride Dumbo
Ride Mr. Toad, Alice, Pinocchio
Ride Matterhorn

8:00 am pick up FP for Space Mountain and/or Buzz
Ride Star Tours
Head to Critter Country
Ride Pooh
Pick up Splash/Big Thunder FP (if we can get one, time-wise)
Ride Pirates
Ride HM (doubt DD will actually do this but wanted to include in case)
Take train to Toontown
Pick up Roger Rabbit FP
See Mickey & Minnie
Ride Roger Rabbit
Take train to Tomorrowland

See 11:35 am or 12:40 pm Jedi Academy (how early do I need to arrive? DD wants to be picked, we will have Star Wars t-shirt, sign, etc.)
Ride IASW
Go to Princess Fantasy Faire OR to see Tinkerbelle (unless wait is ridiculous)
Ride Buzz with FP
Ride Splash with FP

Return to Hotel for 3-4 hours of nap/break

Return to the park late afternoon/early evening
Explore Tom Sawer Island (if still open)
Ride Big Thunder with FP

Tarzan’s Treehouse
Ride Jungle Cruise
Go to the Tiki Room (none of us have ever been!)
Ride SM with FP
See HISTA, depending on time
Check wait for NEMO, depending on time, ride.
9:25 Fireworks, view on Main Street (how early for an OK view?)
After fireworks, try Nemo again, or back to hotel.


THANKS AGAIN!

Wow you really have a full-day there. I think the first hour is doable since you have a MM. I would suggest switching the Matterhorn to right after you ride Dumbo....that line can get very long. Then come back to finish Fantasyland rides. After that is when things will get nutty.

You're okay with the morning plan until about Mickey's House. When we were there last March during spring break, the wait at Mickey's house was over an hour. So keep that in mind for your next set of plans. With the projected crowds, getting to the 11:35 showing of Jedi Academy is doubtful.

I hope your son gets picked when you do go....but last week our friend was there with her son & he was the only one there with a sign....& he didn't get picked....very sad to see these kids faces when they're not the chosen few.

As for the Princess Fantasy Faire & Pixie Hollow. The lines for PFF were long all day. We were there the 7th thru 14th. Even our slow day there was a very long line. Pixie Hollow's longest wait time was 60 mins during our trip. The day we did it we got thru in under 30 mins. Pixie Hollow takes one family at a time to see the Pixie's so that's why it's slower. As for PFF, we've never been brave enough to tackle this one & not sure how they do it.

Break time will definately be needed...good plan!!

The evening is a great time to take advantage of the FP's. As for Nemo....the wait last week was 30 mins.....during spring break rush last year it was 2 hrs. Hopefully somebody there now can update you on what that's looking like. As for our family.....now that we've been on it....we wouldn't wait over 5 mins to ride it. The hype was much better than the ride itself! (IMO)

As for the fireworks......during a slower time (last week) we waited for 2 1/2 hrs to get a close view of the castle. People will start hanging out in the general area of the castle & main street a good 2 hours prior & when it gets down to 30 mins....things really fill up fast. Depending on where you want to view from (the castle....get there early!!) down by the flagpole near the train station.....probably an hour would work. By the way, the view at the flagpole is very good!!

I wish you lots of luck & hope you can accomplish most of your plan....but you will definately be fighting huge crowds & wait times to the popular rides (without FP's) can be 60 mins +....so you need to factor in extra time.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Ottilie]

Wow! You are quite the planner. There are others that do commando touring that can comment much more thhoroughly on your plan but my gut feel is that it is a bit overambitious.

From 8am to 9am you have 6 rides AND getting your birthday button at City Hall. Just mathematically, IF you are in and out of City Hall in 10 minutes and get to Fantasyland in 5 minutes (meaning absolutely no stopping, pictures, looking at all as you walk up Main Street for the first time), you will have 7 minutes for each ride and 3 minutes to get to Space Mountain from the Matterhorn. That seems like a LOT imho.

When you head over to Pooh, get your FPs for Splash and Big Thunder before you ride Pooh, not after.

I'm not sure what time you are heading back to the hotel for a 3-4 hour break, but Tom Sawyer's Island shuts down around 6, I think. This would probably means you will not have time for it with your plan as is.

As for your question about fireworks, last night the park was busy. We saw people starting to camp out for fireworks about 6:30pm - 7pm (not joking!). I personally think this is WAY too early, but people do it. You could probably find a decent spot about an hour before hand, but will need to leave extra time to walk through the masses of people.

I would save Nemo until thhe end of the night. No point in wasting your valuable time in line while other things are open if you don't have to, riht?

Have a wonderful trip and make sure somewhere in your plan you leave time to just enjoy the Park and moment - not just running through a timeline and a checklist.

- Dreams

Yeah, I DO like to plan! However, I won't fall apart if we have a day different from the plan. It is the unexpected that always makes a Disney trip magic! I really just wanted to know if my plan was even in the ballpark of possible- so thanks for your valuable input!

 

[21yankees]

My only thing is to go to City Hall after you're done with the MM rides. If you get to Peter Pan even 10 minutes after opening the line can be a bit long.

steph

 

[Ottilie]

My only thing is to go to City Hall after you're done with the MM rides. If you get to Peter Pan even 10 minutes after opening the line can be a bit long.

steph

This is exactly the kind of info I need! Thanks!

 

[SeansMom]

My only thing is to go to City Hall after you're done with the MM rides. If you get to Peter Pan even 10 minutes after opening the line can be a bit long. steph

I second that. I wouldn't waste a second of MM morning waiting in line at City Hall.


Has your five year old been to DL before? If not, I can see some modifications in your future if they turn out to be not as brave as you'd hoped for. Our boys were always ready to go on everything, but our neice refused rides in outright terror, including: Spalsh Mountain, anything that had a dark line, and anything that looked as if it moved quickly. Of course you know your child best and if you've been before it should work out well. IF you need to do a child swap, rides will take twice as long...once for you to ride, once for DH to ride.

 

[Ottilie]

I second that. I wouldn't waste a second of MM morning waiting in line at City Hall.


Has your five year old been to DL before? If not, I can see some modifications in your future if they turn out to be not as brave as you'd hoped for. Our boys were always ready to go on everything, but our neice refused rides in outright terror, including: Spalsh Mountain, anything that had a dark line, and anything that looked as if it moved quickly. Of course you know your child best and if you've been before it should work out well. IF you need to do a child swap, rides will take twice as long...once for you to ride, once for DH to ride.

She's been there, but not since she was 2. I know we'll be skipping some things due to the scare factor, so hopefully that will free up some time for other things...I just don't know what will be scary for her- she's unpredictable that way, I could see her doing fine on one "scary" ride and then refusing to go on another. She is pretty brave/daring, though.

I think DH and I will just skip whatever DD doesn't want to ride. We've been so many times, and this day is all about DD! She is our oldest, and we are so excited to give her time with just mom and dad on her birthday.

 

[A-T-G]

Wow! That is some plan! I agree with the poster that suggested skipping City Hall during MM! Go right for Peter Pan! The wait can be crazy for that ride. Head over to City Hall after hitting up the 1st wave of rides. You might need a snack break anyway (or bathroom), so you can kill a few extra birds with that one stone.

As mentioned above, snag your Slash Mountain FP's ASAP! If not sooner. Big Thunder doesn't always have a huge line, if you time it just right. I tend to ride that one in the evening, and don't usually have to wait very long at all.

Give yourself lots of extra time to wait for Minnie and Mickey. Any kind of character meet can be a time suck (for long lines).

Have fun! It sounds like it will be a blast!

 

[ballarinamom]

My only thing is to go to City Hall after you're done with the MM rides. If you get to Peter Pan even 10 minutes after opening the line can be a bit long.

steph

That was my first thought too. You could actually take the train from Toontown (or Tomorrowland) to Main Street. That way you see the Diorama.

Also, PFF and IASW are right outside of the TT gate. So taking the train to Tomorrow land to get onto IASW would be counter productive

 

[ballarinamom]

Also, make sure to grab fastpasses before you head over to the hotel. Maybe Jungle cruise?

When does Toontown open on your 1st day? If meeting Mickey and Minnie is important to you, go there when they first open. Send a runner for FPs if you can. In November, Mickey's line was horrendous! And we were there during TTMM! Mickey took two breaks before we saw him- 40 minute wait.

Decide ahead of time as to weather you will do Tinkerbell or PFF. Now PFF is just the meet and great and no craft or storytelling. Get to either a before they open. The line for Tinkerbell started 20 minutes before it opened and we still waited a good 15-20. That was a slow day.

 

[Misskitty3]

PFF will take at the very least, 90 minutes .....

Have you considered doing the Pat E Cake birthday party for your DD? I think it takes about 40 minutes total and you would get the opportunity to meet Mickey & Minnie without having to stand in line. It costs around $15 per person and you get to decorate your own birthday cake.

 

[DizNee Luver]

PFF will take at the very least, 90 minutes .....

Have you considered doing the Pat E Cake birthday party for your DD? I think it takes about 40 minutes total and you would get the opportunity to meet Mickey & Minnie without having to stand in line. It costs around $15 per person and you get to decorate your own birthday cake.

We did this & I will give you our 2 cents on this.......
don't waste $15.99 per person to do this. You are spending almost the price of a character meal (child's price) to see Mickey & Minnie come in, do a short congo line & then you can line up to see them for a PhotoPass picture. If you don't get in line immediately, they will cut off the line & not let anyone else in. When you get up to the characters, you are rushed thru, picture snapped & then they're on to the next. NO AUTOGRAPHS!!!!! We were very disappointed as we did this our last afternoon & had not gotten up to Mickey for an autograph. My feeling was, if I was paying that high a price for a somewhat "private" party, I should be able to get character time & signatures. You get neither.

 

[Ottilie]

We did this & I will give you our 2 cents on this.......
don't waste $15.99 per person to do this. You are spending almost the price of a character meal (child's price) to see Mickey & Minnie come in, do a short congo line & then you can line up to see them for a PhotoPass picture. If you don't get in line immediately, they will cut off the line & not let anyone else in. When you get up to the characters, you are rushed thru, picture snapped & then they're on to the next. NO AUTOGRAPHS!!!!! We were very disappointed as we did this our last afternoon & had not gotten up to Mickey for an autograph. My feeling was, if I was paying that high a price for a somewhat "private" party, I should be able to get character time & signatures. You get neither.

Thanks- your TR was the reason we decided to skip. DD will have her birthday dinner at Ariel's the night before instead.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Thanks- your TR was the reason we decided to skip. DD will have her birthday dinner at Ariel's the night before instead.

Well I'm glad I was able to help. Ariel's Grotto will be a lovely place for her birthday. You can order at check-in the Princess Jewelry Box that comes with a personal cake & some goodies in it for $15 or you can order the gift bag $4.99 or a deluxe one for $9.99 as bonuses if interested. None of those have to be pre-ordered & are available at any of the sit-down restaurants ..... just in case you didn't know.

Hope she has a beautiful birthday. If you skip the Princess Jewelry Box, make sure they know she's celebrating a birthday, that way they bring out a small dessert with candle on it. Maybe a princess will be around to help sing Happy Birthday!!!!

 

[Snow Orange]

Oh man. I was using the Pat-E-Cake thing as back up on our last day in case we didn't get a chance to see Mickey on the 1st 2 days. It looks like we should just cancel. Anyone else have a better experience with it? We don't have MMTTM passes so I figured this would also be the best shot for a picture and autograph.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Oh man. I was using the Pat-E-Cake thing as back up on our last day in case we didn't get a chance to see Mickey on the 1st 2 days. It looks like we should just cancel. Anyone else have a better experience with it? We don't have MMTTM passes so I figured this would also be the best shot for a picture and autograph.

I would suggest trying to catch Mickey on Main Street (the flag pole, city hall end). If he's out & there's a huge line....walk up to the CM escort & ask how long he'll be out & when he's coming back. We did this last year & were able to do something window shopping for a very short time & then watched for him to come out & got in line (total time from asking the CM....30 mins). Much shorter than the wait time at Mickey's House in ToonTown. Also, if you have parkhoppers.....Mickey (and others) hang out in front of the huge sun/water fountain in DCA. The characters were taking turns but with larger crowds they may be out in groups.
Hope that helps. Even if the party had been the bomb.......not getting more than about 1 min. with the characters really was a disappointment for the kids. (our PhotoPass pic with them looks like they were rushed in & out)

 

[ballarinamom]

Thanks- your TR was the reason we decided to skip. DD will have her birthday dinner at Ariel's the night before instead.

If you are doing Ariel's, then skip PFF as you will meet almost all of the Princesses at Ariel's. Go for Tink instead!

 

[toni1227]

I showed my 5 year old daughter some of the rides on you tube so she would know what to expect. She watched haunted mansion 3 times on you tube and it ended up being our first major ride! She was a little scared in the elevator hallway but other than that is was not too bad at all. I know not all kids are the same though..I would not have ridden that ride personally at 5 because I was scared of everything until I was like 10. The youtube thing really helped. My kids rode everything at DL except Space Mountain (b/c I felt bad making them ride that b/c they seemed a bit scared of all the bigger rides) and Matterhorn (b/c the line was too long).

Jedi-training--my DH and DS were there 30 min before and were right at the rope line (unfortunately i could not be there b/c my DD was sick in the hotel room).

 

[azdisneylover]

I have a thought.......if you slow down a bit and really enjoy the park, (riding what your child really wants to ride, etc), this give you a GREAT REASON the second you are heading for the exit to start planning for your next visit to do the things you missed, or loved so much, you all would love to do again! Maybe you can get APs if you do not have them...... just a thought.
Enjoy yourself and take lots of pics to share!