new here...advice for MK?

[AwaitingTheMagic]

Hello!

I am going to Disney with 6 friends. We are all between the ages of 21-24.

We are hoping to ride the "thrill rides", so here is my plan for MK. I am thinking there will be large crowds since we will be there around Memorial Day weekend.

Go to Frontierland
Grab fastpass for Splash Mountain. Head to and ride Thunder Mountain Railroad. Go back and ride splash mountain.

Go to Tomorrowland
Grab fastpass for Space Mountain. Ride Stiches Great Escape. Head over to and ride Space mountain

Head over to Adventure Land and ride Pirates of Caribbean

Those are the rides that are "must see's" for us. As long as we do those we will be happy! Do you think we could add in more rides though? Should I switch anything around? (this will be our first time to Disney...I can't believe I'm actually going...

 

[AwaitingTheMagic]

Oh, and this would be for the whole day. We would obviously stop for lunch too, and take time to just take it all in. We plan on going right for opening (well, even before that).

I expect we can probably do many more rides, but I just want to make sure about those "must sees".

What other rides can you suggest for us?

 

[I'mNoPrince]

You should be fine with your plans
Hit

JC when you do PotC
Buzz when you do Space
HM and Mickeys Philhamonic (it's a great show at any age)

Then when you do PotC get another fastpass for Splash or BTMRR and start over you should be good for a lot.

 

[Stick_to_Disney]

Welcome. That plan sounds pretty good! Just be sure to be at the parks early, be safe, and have fun!!

 

[Evad]

Skip Stitches Escape. It's not very good. You can use the time wasted there on much better things. Remember to slow down, take it all in. There is so much to see. Good luck and have fun!

 

[AwaitingTheMagic]

Thanks for the advice so far! You guys are quick!

I wasn't sure about Stiche's Great Escape either. So maybe we will just take it out. I pretty much just chose it because I didn't want to do just one ride in that section of the park...

Although I think the rides will be "funner" for us at MGM (TOT, RRC etc), I am most looking forward to MK. When I think Disney, I think the castle. As much as I will want to rush over to get a fast pass for splash (or anything) I will definetly need to take a moment to enjoy the castle. I have wanted to go to Disney for SOOOO long, and it's finally happening!!!

But as I said, I am kind of concerned about the crowds. Mem. Day weekend is around that time, as is Gay Days. I have nothing wrong with that group, don't get me wrong...I just don't want the huge crowd! But I think the plan is to do the parks that they aren't going to for that day sort of thing....and we heard that we definetly MUST skip MK on the sat of Gay Days...I hear its REALLY packed...

And I will definetly look into those rides you added for me! They don't even need to be thrill rides...I just don't want to ride Dumbo sort of thing!

 

[cabanafrau]

Have a fabulous time & don't hesitate to switch things up as you go, letting the magic happen -- & it will!!!

 

[AwaitingTheMagic]

Definetly will

Although a huge planner, if we end up stopping for a certain ride before heading off to the other ride, it will be fine.

I have actually been reading these boards daily (im addicted) for a couple months now, but have only now signed up.

If I have learned one thing, it's that, although planning IS important, you don't want to do so much that you rush around looking like a chicken with your head cut off! I think if we rush from ride to ride, not only will we be tired by the end of the day, but we will have missed a lot of magical moments...I love these boards!!!

 

[jswalker1981]

I went to MK a few weeks ago, and got there when it opened. First I hit Pirates, walked right on, then went to Splash Mtn, walked on. Went to Thunder Mtn and had only a five minute wait. Then went over to Tomorrowland, got a FP for Space, which was about 45 minutes-1 hour wait for the return window. So, don't worry about getting a FP for Splash, most people head to Tomorrowland and Fantasyland first. Haunted Mansion, Philharmagic, Jungle Cruise are a few rides that don't have long waits that are really good. Hope you have fun.

 

[AwaitingTheMagic]

Oh wow! was it super crowded when you went? That sounds really good. I might just have to steal your itinerary!

 

[jswalker1981]

For being a saturday it wasn't that bad. But I did all 4 parks that day. I went to MK first, then Epcot, then AK, then MGM. I went on Pirates, Splash, Thunder, COP, Buzz, Space, Philharmagic, Haunted Mansion. Then went to Epcot, and saw the new Nemo ride, Test Track, Mission:Space, Spaceship Earth. Then went to AK for Expedition Everest and Dinosaur. Then finally went to MGM for TOT, The Great Movie Ride, Muppets Vision 3, and then finished with Rockin' Roller Coaster. I got to MK a little after 9am, and left WDW at around 8pm. So, needless to say, I had a busy day.

 

[AwaitingTheMagic]

Oh wow!

You pretty much just described most of the rides I want to go on!!

Here are my must sees:

Epcot...
Mission: Space
Soarin’
Test Track
Honey I Shrunk the audience
And of course, the pavilions

MGM...
Rockin’ rollar coaster
Star Tours
Tower of Terror

AK...
Expedition Everest
Dinosaur
Kilimanjaro safari
Kali River Rapids

That is impressive you did all of that in one day! We are getting a 5 day hopper (we want to do both waterparks as well), ALTHOUGH we are thinking of doing 7 day now since it's only 5 bucks cheaper. Forsure want a full day at Epcot and AK. I think I can do MGM in a half day. MK, not too sure. There are not many rides I really need to see, but I really think MK represents Disney the most!

 

[Lorelai]

When you go to Epcot make sure to get right to Soarin' and grab a Fast Pass, or just ride it, and then head to Test Track & Mission Space.

Also, call the dining line and book a few meals based on what park you plan on being in on any given day. Disney restaurants can get pretty booked during a busy season. You should try some of the great sit down restaurants there with your friends...it's a great way to take a little break and soak up the atmosphere.

Have Fun!!

 

[jswalker1981]

Well, then you've got enough days to enjoy the parks at your own pace. When you do Epcot, get there early, and get a FP for Soarin' as FP return window gets late pretty quick. It isn't really easy to do MK in half a day, not with so much to do there. AK has so much to look at, that most people think that it is just a half day park, but there is a lot to see and enjoy. It reminds me of the World Showcase, that there is so much to soak in.

 

[AwaitingTheMagic]

It's seems that Soarin' is quite the popular ride! I actually haven't heard of it until I started reading the DIS (I know, that's terrible!).

You both mentioned the meals. That is what we are most worried about. I have been reading (and drooling over the pics!) of all the wonderful food. But it is all so expensive (which, it's Disney, I expect it to be). We will probably do 1 or 2 nice restaurants (I'm thinking Le Cellier).

Maybe I would need to start a new thread, but what are some nice sit down restaurants that won't empty our wallets? (we are all in university, so money is (unfortunately!) and issue with us. Most of my friends say they will just do counter service...But after seeing all the reviews, I want some sit down restaurants!!

 

[jswalker1981]

I haven't eaten much at the restaurants, for the same reason as you (money). But I did like the restaurant in the Mexican pavilion. The prices weren't that bad, and it is in a relaxing atmosphere. I've heard good things about the German pavilion too. Not sure about the rest of the parks.

Oh, and one other thing about Epcot, if you are debating between getting a FP for either Test Track or Mission:Space, get the FP for Test Track. When I went to M:S, I got a FP, but the standby time for the real ride was only 30 minutes, and the green version (or the easy ride) had a standby time of 10 minutes. Enjoy your trip, I'm heading down there on tuesday.

 

[C-CMom]

I agree that Mickey's Philharmagic is great for any age. Haunted Mansion is certainly a classic. Those are great with your thrill rides. I've been twice around the Memorial Weekend (well, a bit more into the week following), but rode your primary rides plenty of times. Fastpass can work miracles. One suggestion may be to keep an eye on your times for when you can get another Fastpass (printed on the pass, as I'll bet you know), and maybe take turns sending someone ahead to get Fastpasses if you really want to maximize. But certainly stop to smell the roses, munch on a Turkey leg (you just can't do that everywhere), hunt for a Hidden Mickey, etc. Be sure to catch Wishes, which is, IMHO, the best thing there. Have a great time!

 

[AwaitingTheMagic]

Sounds good, will do! With all the pavillions at epcot, it is hard to choose which one to eat at! I am thinking German, like you suggested. I'm Canadian, so will pass that one up (want to try new things!).

Let me know how your trip goes! And if you find some good low priced restaurants, let me know!

 

[AwaitingTheMagic]

What's a turkey leg?! (I am still learning!)

And definetly will be doing some shows as well, thanks for that advice!

 

[AwaitingTheMagic]

I should have made it more clear...I am also going the week following mem. day weekend. we are actually getting there before the weekend, but we will do other Orlando stuff first. I think we are starting Disney on the Tues. after the long weekend. I've pretty much just been planning around Gay Days...Trying to not be at the same park as them (not because I'm against it, just don't want the crowds)...although if those turn out to be the low crowd parks, we will go there!