New Touring Plan - Thoughts?

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

So my new, adjusted touring plan, based on the change in MK park hours to a general 8 am opening is this:

Group members: Mom (me), DD (age 8), DD (age 2 and 37" tall), Grandma (aged 73, mobility issues)

Goals: Minimize walking and waiting in line. Hit lots of character meet and greets (we will have MM). Take time for sitting breaks (indoor rides count as sitting breaks, too).

Arrive at park 7:30 for RD.

8-9 am

1. Cinderella and Rapunzel
2. Peter Pan
3. Winnie the Pooh
4. Enchanted Tales with Belle

9am-10am

5. Under the Sea
6. Ariel's Grotto
7. Meet Daisy, Minnie, Goofy, Donald (PSS)
8. Ride Barnstormer

10am-11am

9. Ride Dumbo
10. Ride Carousel
11. Ride IASW
12. Ride Haunted Mansion

11 am-12pm

13. Hall of Presidents (for Grandma- take kids back to Carousel and maybe Pooh)
14. Mickey's Philharmagic
(some time built in here in case earlier plans run over)

12:20 - BOG lunch

1:30 - Catch Casey's Corner Pianist
2:05- Dream Along with Mickey

2:30 - head down Main Street to FoF Fastpass (2:45-3:05 return)
(maybe take kids to meet Tinkerbelle if time allows)

Watch FoF
(maybe take kids to Mickey or Tinkerbelle, if time allows)

4 pm- Harmony Barbershop haircut for the girls

4:45 - 5:45

Ride CoP
Ride People Mover

6 pm

Meet A&E (FP with 5:20-6:20 return)

6:45 - dinner at BOG

8:30 - find spot for MSEP

9 pm- watch MSEP

9:35 - head to FP area for Wishes


Busy day! Tried to plan things that would appeal to all.

 

[Rosebud123]

That's a super long day, IMO, especially for your mom. I could only do it if I had the next day off to relax by the pool! Why no break?

 

[glassslippergirl]

We've done days that long with grandma and a little one. If you think your group is up for it, I say the duration of the day is worth a try, at least.

Is be concerned about the tight schedule. It's a real challenge to fit four rides into an hour. It leaves little room for bathroom breaks, much less things totally out if your control like a line or ride breaking down for a few minutes. How will you feel if you're 20 minutes off? An hour off schedule? It puts a stress on the vacation that I wouldn't find desirable, although everyone is different in that respect. I'd keep the order and remove times for all but ADRs and FP+.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

That's a super long day, IMO, especially for your mom. I could only do it if I had the next day off to relax by the pool! Why no break?

This is the only day my mom will have in the parks. She is spending the rest of the vacation at the resort. I was thinking since we paid $111 for her one day ticket, we'd like to get our money's worth. Also, since we are at AKL, just traveling back and forth can be tiring. I was hoping the lunch and dinner, plus the shows and COP could be breaks for her. I know we will have to see how she feels.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

We've done days that long with grandma and a little one. If you think your group is up for it, I say the duration of the day is worth a try, at least.

Is be concerned about the tight schedule. It's a real challenge to fit four rides into an hour. It leaves little room for bathroom breaks, much less things totally out if your control like a line or ride breaking down for a few minutes. How will you feel if you're 20 minutes off? An hour off schedule? It puts a stress on the vacation that I wouldn't find desirable, although everyone is different in that respect. I'd keep the order and remove times for all but ADRs and FP+.

That's a good point. I am flexible. The things in the middle of the day like HM and Philharmagic can be left out entirely, if necessary. My DD and I will have annual passes and will be back in September, plus we have other days in MK in July. Just trying to get Mom to have a great day with her grandchildren.

I also haven't factored in the little one yelling she wants to ride the carousel over and over as soon as she sees it, or the older one wanting to ride SDMT and the Teacups. Or both of them wanting to get soaked next to the Barnstormer, requiring a clothing change (little one loves water, but complains about being "Toking wet."

I can go with what happens, but I like to have a plan. I am familiar enough with the park to come up with a workaround.

 

[Lucius Best]

Goals: Minimize walking and waiting in line. Hit lots of character meet and greets (we will have MM). Take time for sitting breaks (indoor rides count as sitting breaks, too).

I like the general order you have your rides planned, but I think it's pretty ambitious to get those all done before lunch. It all depends on the crowds, and if you're flexible you should be fine. Just don't kill grandma. You have minimized walking, and wait times shouldn't be too bad for what you have planned, but that's a lot of standing around in the afternoon for shows/parades/fireworks.

 

[Muskegon78]

I don't think that will all fit in before lunch, but good luck!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I like the general order you have your rides planned, but I think it's pretty ambitious to get those all done before lunch. It all depends on the crowds, and if you're flexible you should be fine. Just don't kill grandma. You have minimized walking, and wait times shouldn't be too bad for what you have planned, but that's a lot of standing around in the afternoon for shows/parades/fireworks.

No plans to kill her. But she might be a little beat up when we are done.

I was hoping we might find a seat or some shade for her to listen to Casey's Corner pianist and watch Dream Along with Mickey, but if not, we may avoid these shows and go somewhere (where?) she can rest until FoF. This will likely be the time that the little one falls asleep in her stroller, so we will need somewhere shady for that, too.

Are there any quiet, shady, cool areas to sit and rest for a while - not too far away from Main Street?

 

[Lucius Best]

I was hoping we might find a seat or some shade for her to listen to Casey's Corner pianist and watch Dream Along with Mickey, but if not, we may avoid these shows and go somewhere (where?) she can rest until FoF. This will likely be the time that the little one falls asleep in her stroller, so we will need somewhere shady for that, too.

Are there any quiet, shady, cool areas to sit and rest for a while - not too far away from Main Street?

Can't say, there have been a lot of changes to the castle hub area with new walkways and Wishes FP+ viewing areas, there used to be a lot of benches but I don't know how many are left.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

We've done days that long with grandma and a little one. If you think your group is up for it, I say the duration of the day is worth a try, at least.

Is be concerned about the tight schedule. It's a real challenge to fit four rides into an hour. It leaves little room for bathroom breaks, much less things totally out if your control like a line or ride breaking down for a few minutes. How will you feel if you're 20 minutes off? An hour off schedule? It puts a stress on the vacation that I wouldn't find desirable, although everyone is different in that respect. I'd keep the order and remove times for all but ADRs and FP+.

I also think it's a litle tight. Even without a line, things like ETWB, IASW, an HM will take 10-20 minutes because of the length of the attraction. And HM may have a line by 10 or 11. I would also push Hall of Presidents and Philharmagic to the afternoon and take a break at Gaston's Tavern in the morning after meeting Ariel.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I also think it's a litle tight. Even without a line, things like ETWB, IASW, an HM will take 10-20 minutes because of the length of the attraction. And HM may have a line by 10 or 11. I would also push Hall of Presidents and Philharmagic to the afternoon and take a break at Gaston's Tavern in the morning after meeting Ariel.

Thanks for the thoughts! I am sure it is a good idea to break at the Tavern because we we will likely be hungry, since we are skipping BOG breakfast. I think I am pretty spoiled because I have gotten used to walking on Fantasyland rides in the fall and at MNSSHP. I haven't been accounting much for lines. I checked MDE for wait times today and yesterday morning and I am seeing some ugly waits for some of the attractions fairly early in the morning.

I will probably talk with my mom about my list of attractions and see what is a priority for her. We could probably skip two or three things on my list and she would not mind.

We can skip Philharmagic altogether, but we have to find time for HoP. It is Mom's favorite.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Thanks for the thoughts! I am sure it is a good idea to break at the Tavern because we we will likely be hungry, since we are skipping BOG breakfast. I think I am pretty spoiled because I have gotten used to walking on Fantasyland rides in the fall and at MNSSHP. I haven't been accounting much for lines. I checked MDE for wait times today and yesterday morning and I am seeing some ugly waits for some of the attractions fairly early in the morning.

I will probably talk with my mom about my list of attractions and see what is a priority for her. We could probably skip two or three things on my list and she would not mind.

We can skip Philharmagic altogether, but we have to find time for HoP. It is Mom's favorite.

You should easily be able to fit in HoP in the afternoon. I don't think it's ever full. It will also make a good break in the heat of the afternoon.

 

[Quellman]

8-9 am
1. Cinderella and Rapunzel
2. Peter Pan
3. Winnie the Pooh
4. Enchanted Tales with Belle

4:45 - 5:45
Ride CoP
Ride People Mover

6 pm
Meet A&E (FP with 5:20-6:20 return)
6:45 - dinner at BOG

Why not start with Pan? Lines will build more quickly for that than the Generic Princesses at Fairytale hall. It also would minimize back tracking from the princesses to pooh.
You have a lot of walking from the Barbershop to Tomorrowland then to Fantasyland at the end of the day.

You could consider catching the train at Mainstreet and riding it back to Storybook Circus and taking the path (smoking) to Tomorrowland. This would take up more of your time and provide a look at adventure and frontierland which you are skipping this day. Of course you may need to call an audible to skip either CoP or People Mover. CoP is 21 minutes in length. About 10 minutes for the people mover. I would try to meet your last princesses as late as possible in your FP window. This way you aren't without something to do before diner.

One other consideration about your day in general. You talk about getting the value out of your mothers ticket, which by the sounds of it is all about attractions and entertainment. I don't know if she's been to the parks with your kids before. There is value having her enjoy the happiness and fun your kids are having and being with them. I know when i took my son, I spent so little time actually looking at the park and more time watching his reaction to all the things I know and love. Later when my wife's parents came along, they wanted to hold him and be with him as he re-experienced things for the second or third time. You want to capture those precious pictures with hem and your girls since we have yet to find the fountain of youth.

The last consideration. If you plan on skipping the pianist and dream along with mickey, you could hit up the tiki room and grab a dole whip float.

 

[Kathryn777]

We tour like this too, I like it. I think I would go from Ariel to the haunted mansion, then work my way back. That one can get a long line and carousel, barnstormer, and Dumbo has a play area that has seats and is air conditioned

 

[Ava]

As others have said, I think your morning plans are ambitious. I'm not sure what your travel date is or the predicted crowd level, but due to the length of some of the attractions alone I don't think you'll get through 4 per hour. For example, ETWB is 20-25 minutes long, not including any waiting time. IASW is 15 minutes long. Also, IASW & HM may have a line by the time you get to them. If IASW is important to you, I'd ride it in the morning after Peter Pan since they're right across from each other.

Personally, I'd skip the pianist & Dream Along w/ Mickey and move Hall of Presidents & Philharmagic to after lunch. It will be very hot in the park and everyone will probably welcome sitting down in air conditioning before being out in the sun for the FoF parade. (The FP area for FoF does not have any shade at all.)

Also, spots right on the curb for MSEP will likely be full by 8:30. I would just go right to the Wishes FP area after dinner and watch the parade from there. You won't be able to see all of the ground level performers, but you'll be able to see the floats. Then you won't have to move again for the fireworks and will be able to relax a bit.

 

[Kathryn777]

What is your third fast pass? I see a&e and fof.

 

[Kathryn777]

Not knowing the date you're going, I used next week and plugged it in to touring plans.
It shows block 1 finishing at 10, block 2 finishing at 11:45, block 3 would finish at 1:30 (without a lunch break).

Enchanted tales with belle is a really long one. 20 min wait, we waited close to that with a fp, and then 20 min to do it. So probably an hour start to finish.

If I take that out, you finish block 1 at 9:10, block 2 at 10:40, block 3 at 12:10. I would do PP first, that trims 20 min off the expected time

 

[tink9702]

I'd move Enchanted Tales with Belle to a FP+ for afternoon if possible & Hall of Presidents to afternoon too.

I'd also do Peter Pan, Pooh then Cinderella/Rapunzel.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Why not start with Pan? Lines will build more quickly for that than the Generic Princesses at Fairytale hall. It also would minimize back tracking from the princesses to pooh.
You have a lot of walking from the Barbershop to Tomorrowland then to Fantasyland at the end of the day.


You could consider catching the train at Mainstreet and riding it back to Storybook Circus and taking the path (smoking) to Tomorrowland. This would take up more of your time and provide a look at adventure and frontierland which you are skipping this day. Of course you may need to call an audible to skip either CoP or People Mover. CoP is 21 minutes in length. About 10 minutes for the people mover. I would try to meet your last princesses as late as possible in your FP window. This way you aren't without something to do before diner.

One other consideration about your day in general. You talk about getting the value out of your mothers ticket, which by the sounds of it is all about attractions and entertainment. I don't know if she's been to the parks with your kids before. There is value having her enjoy the happiness and fun your kids are having and being with them. I know when i took my son, I spent so little time actually looking at the park and more time watching his reaction to all the things I know and love. Later when my wife's parents came along, they wanted to hold him and be with him as he re-experienced things for the second or third time. You want to capture those precious pictures with hem and your girls since we have yet to find the fountain of youth.

The last consideration. If you plan on skipping the pianist and dream along with mickey, you could hit up the tiki room and grab a dole whip float.

Great suggestions. Riding the train might be good, since we will be right there after Harmony Barbershop, and Mom can see more of the park.

I really want to do CoP because it is such an iconic attraction and neither Mom nor I have ever experienced it. To save some walking, I suppose we could do it after Wishes. The girls would probably be just as happy riding The Barnstormer several times rather than heading to Tomorrowland.

You are right about Mom seeing the girls' reactions and their faces. And if they decide they want to do something that is not in my plans (like ride the Barnstormer multiple times), then it might be better to let them do that with smiles than to drag them somewhere with whines and frowns just because it is on the itinerary.

Not sure about Tiki room because of the walk back to Adventureland. Another poster suggested maybe HoP after lunch, and we may do that.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Not knowing the date you're going, I used next week and plugged it in to touring plans.
It shows block 1 finishing at 10, block 2 finishing at 11:45, block 3 would finish at 1:30 (without a lunch break).

Enchanted tales with belle is a really long one. 20 min wait, we waited close to that with a fp, and then 20 min to do it. So probably an hour start to finish.

If I take that out, you finish block 1 at 9:10, block 2 at 10:40, block 3 at 12:10. I would do PP first, that trims 20 min off the expected time

Thanks so much for doing that! I didn't know Touring Plans got that detailed. Nice. We actually have a FP for ETWB for the next day (just the girls and I) but that would mean Mom misses it. Of course, she saw it a couple of years ago, so to save an hour off our morning might be worth skipping it. I think she would enjoy seeing the girls in the "show," but she does see them "perform" fairly regularly.

Our third FP is for Wishes. I know that cuts off the possibility of getting a 4th FP, but I read that the Wishes FPs are often worth it (for some guests) and I thought it would be nice for Mom.