Newbie With a Planning ?s

[MacMama0930]

I read a lot on these forums but I am still unclear on a few things.

• Can I pull FP at different parks when my 60 window opens up?
• Can I upgrade a park hopper ticket to a premium AP that gets me into both coasts park?

Quick backstory/summary:

• Staying on site
• 3 day park hopper
• First time at WDW (Disneyland vet)
• Work convention, limited time in parks
• Will be park touring solo as husband doesn’t like Disney much

Some other important notes about trip:

• Day 1 - convention until 1:30, Ultimate Night of Adventures Tour scheduled for 4pm
• Day 2 - convention ends at 3:00, planning possible Epcot, it shows EMH of 9-11 so that gives me more time in the park.
• Day 3 - planning on skipping convention and touring parks until flight leaves at 5:30

I feel like my plan needs tweaking based on what I’m really wanting to do. Here are my musts:

• Pandora / Avatar, which is why I booked the tour
• Frozen Ever After (not at DL)
• Test Track (not at DL)
• Rock n Rollercoaster (not at DL)
• Splash Mnt (heard its better at WDW)
• Tower of Terror (because even though Guardians totally rules at DCA, I miss ToT)

I think there’s more, but that’s what I got right now. Any WDW gurus wanna help me plan out my days?? Thank you!

 

[Robo]

I read a lot on these forums but I am still unclear on a few things.

• A. Can I pull FP at different parks when my 60 window opens up?
• B. Can I upgrade a park hopper ticket to a premium AP that gets me into both coasts park?

Quick backstory/summary:

• Staying on site
• 3 day park hopper
• First time at WDW (Disneyland vet)
• Work convention, limited time in parks
• Will be park touring solo as husband doesn’t like Disney much

Some other important notes about trip:

• Day 1 - convention until 1:30, Ultimate Night of Adventures Tour scheduled for 4pm
• Day 2 - convention ends at 3:00, planning possible Epcot, it shows EMH of 9-11 so that gives me more time in the park.
• Day 3 - planning on skipping convention and touring parks until flight leaves at 5:30

A. Yes. (But in advance, only ONE park per day with 3 FP in that park.)
B. Yes.

I don't find Splash to be any better, nor weaker, than the DL original version.
ToT at WDW has always been a more complex attraction with extra "features" (and a lot of fun!) than the DCA version.

Day 3- You need to be at the airport by about 3:15PM.

 

[MacMama0930]

A. Yes. (But in advance, only ONE park per day with 3 FP in that park.)
B. Yes.

I don't find Splash to be any better, nor weaker, than the DL original version.

Day 3- You need to be at the airport by about 3:15PM.

Ok, so I couldn’t prebook two FP at MK and one for ToT, for example?

 

[Robo]

Ok, so I couldn’t prebook two FP at MK and one for ToT, for example?

Correct.
Please read over the first several FastPass+ Sticky Posts at the top of this forum for how FP+ works.

 

[HydroGuy]

I read a lot on these forums but I am still unclear on a few things.

• Can I pull FP at different parks when my 60 window opens up?
• Can I upgrade a park hopper ticket to a premium AP that gets me into both coasts park?

Quick backstory/summary:

• Staying on site
• 3 day park hopper
• First time at WDW (Disneyland vet)
• Work convention, limited time in parks
• Will be park touring solo as husband doesn’t like Disney much

Some other important notes about trip:

• Day 1 - convention until 1:30, Ultimate Night of Adventures Tour scheduled for 4pm
• Day 2 - convention ends at 3:00, planning possible Epcot, it shows EMH of 9-11 so that gives me more time in the park.
• Day 3 - planning on skipping convention and touring parks until flight leaves at 5:30

I feel like my plan needs tweaking based on what I’m really wanting to do. Here are my musts:

• Pandora / Avatar, which is why I booked the tour
• Frozen Ever After (not at DL)
• Test Track (not at DL)
• Rock n Rollercoaster (not at DL)
• Splash Mnt (heard its better at WDW)
• Tower of Terror (because even though Guardians totally rules at DCA, I miss ToT)

I think there’s more, but that’s what I got right now. Any WDW gurus wanna help me plan out my days?? Thank you!

OK I will take your situation as a challenge LOL!

Which onsite hotel are you staying at? That would influence a little bit how I would plan to fit things in.

On Day 1 you have AK nailed down. Only thing I would suggest is try to fit in the FOTLK (Festival of the Lion King) show. I had never heard of the tour but just looked it up. Guess it is new. Normally I would say it is not needed to do what you want, but in your case I can see how it would be. At AK also be aware that EE has a single rider line that is usually pretty darn quick. In case you want to fit in a second ride because if I were you I would. I would want also to a second ride on FOP but that is not likely in your case.

For the other parks, and with your priorities, I think I would focus your FPs on Epcot and DHS and fit in MK somewhere along the way. Once I know your hotel I might tweak the following...

Day 2: Epcot use FP+ on FEA and try and ride TT with single rider. You might also use your other FPs on things like Mission Space (MS) and/or SpaceShip Earth (SSE). I would say SSE at 3-4PM/MS at 4-5/FEA 5-6. Ride SSE as you enter Epcot. Ride MS next. Then explore Epcot Future World a little and head to FEA to use your FP. AS SOON AS YOU SCAN IN TO FEA, LOOK FOR FP #4. It may be pretty easy to get TT for one person in your case. Explore World Showcase. See Voices of Liberty and American Adventure.

Day 3: DHS at rope drop with FPs for RnR at ToT. If it were me I would rope drop ride standby RnR and have FPs for 9:15-10:15 for ToT and 10:15-11:15 for RnR (second ride). Have FP #3 for 11:15.

Maybe use FP #3 on Star Tours? Or get a throwaway FP #3 and just scan in and not ride. The key thing is as soon as you scan FP#3 you can then try and select FP #4 at MK (Splash Mtn). Should be pretty easy being solo. If you make FP#3 a throwaway for a low demand FP, as soon as you scan into RnR (FP#2) at around 10:15AM you can move FP#3 up in time so as soon as you exit RnR you can go to FP#3 and scan it. Then do FP#4 at MK. Read the FP sticky thread including the FP Addendum thread by @Cluelyss.

When you head to MK have Splash Mtn FP ready for your arrival and do that first so you can shoot for FP #5. Other things to do at MK: I would not miss Philharmagic. Try and get a FP #5 for Seven Dwarves Mine Train. If possible go see Monsters Inc Laugh Floor.

Without knowing your hotel, I would suggest you think about doing something like Uber to maximize your limited time in the parks - and not waste time on Disney transportation which is (usually) as efficient as one can reasonably expect but still not set up for folks with highly limited time.

 

[MacMama0930]

OK I will take your situation as a challenge LOL!

Which onsite hotel are you staying at? That would influence a little bit how I would plan to fit things in.

On Day 1 you have AK nailed down. Only thing I would suggest is try to fit in the FOTLK (Festival of the Lion King) show. I had never heard of the tour but just looked it up. Guess it is new. Normally I would say it is not needed to do what you want, but in your case I can see how it would be. At AK also be aware that EE has a single rider line that is usually pretty darn quick. In case you want to fit in a second ride because if I were you I would. I would want also to a second ride on FOP but that is not likely in your case.

For the other parks, and with your priorities, I think I would focus your FPs on Epcot and DHS and fit in MK somewhere along the way. Once I know your hotel I might tweak the following...

Day 2: Epcot use FP+ on FEA and try and ride TT with single rider. You might also use your other FPs on things like Mission Space (MS) and/or SpaceShip Earth (SSE). I would say SEE at 3-4PM/MS at 4-5/FEA 5-6. Ride SSE as you enter Epcot. Ride MS next. Then explore Epcot Future World a little and head to FEA to use your FP. AS SOON AS YOU SCAN IN TO FEA, LOOK FOR FP #4. It may be pretty easy to get TT for one person in your case. Explore World Showcase. See Voices of Liberty and American Adventure.

Day 3: DHS at rope drop with FPs for RnR at ToT. If it were me I would rope drop ride standby RnR and have FPs for 9:15-10:15 for ToT and 10:15-11:15 for RnR (second ride). Have FP #3 for 11:15.

Maybe use FP #3 on Star Tours? Or get a throwaway FP #3 and just scan in and not ride. The key thing is as soon as you scan FP#3 you can then try and select FP #4 at MK (Splash Mtn). Should be pretty easy being solo. If you make FP#3 a throwaway for a low demand FP, as soon as you scan into RnR (FP#2) at around 10:15AM you can move FP#3 up in time so as soon as you exit RnR you can go to FP#3 and scan it. Then do FP#4 at MK. Read the FP sticky thread including the FP Addendum thread by @Cluelyss.

When you head to MK have Splash Mtn FP ready for your arrival and do that first so you can shoot for FP #5. Other things to do at MK: I would not miss Philharmagic. Try and get a FP #5 for Seven Dwarves Mine Train. If possible go see Monsters Inc Laugh Floor.

Without knowing your hotel, I would suggest you think about doing something like Uber to maximize your limited time in the parks - and not waste time on Disney transportation which is (usually) as efficient as one can reasonably expect but still not set up for folks with highly limited time.

Awesome! Thank you!! The convention is at Coranado Springs so that’s where I’ll be staying.

 

[HydroGuy]

Awesome! Thank you!! The convention is at Coranado Springs so that’s where I’ll be staying.

The good thing about CSR is that it is fairly central. My first visit ever to WDW was for a conference at CSR.

Think about my suggestions and obviously consider what others may yet say.

Does the UNA tour require actually FPs for the rides? Or can you still use your parkhopper pass and book FPs in addition?

I think I would stick with my original suggestion:

Day 2: As I stated in the PP.

Day 3: Rope drop RnR. FP#1 ToT 9:15-10:15AM/FP #2 RnR 10:15-11:15/FP #3 throwaway Star Tours 11:15-12:15. You can use FP#2 at RnR as early as 10:10AM. Scan RnR FP #2, before you ride try and move FP #3 ST up to the current time. Exit RnR, go to ST, scan FP#3, do not ride, and make FP#4 for Splash Mtn. High tail it out for MK.

If you cannot get a good time for Splash, as soon as you have transportation to MK, keep checking the MDE app in route. Move around Splash as needed. Ride Splash first and as soon as you scan but before you ride, try for SDMT FP #5.

 

[HydroGuy]

Also I am not certain this is still available but might be a good option for someone like you with limited time:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_GB/guest-services/express-transportation-options/

ETA: and this https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...nnie-van-service-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

 

[Robo]

Also I am not certain this is still available...

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_GB/guest-services/express-transportation-options/

Express Transportation is no longer offered.

 

[MacMama0930]

The good thing about CSR is that it is fairly central. My first visit ever to WDW was for a conference at CSR.

Think about my suggestions and obviously consider what others may yet say.

Does the UNA tour require actually FPs for the rides? Or can you still use your parkhopper pass and book FPs in addition?

I think I would stick with my original suggestion:

Day 2: As I stated in the PP.

Day 3: Rope drop RnR. FP#1 ToT 9:15-10:15AM/FP #2 RnR 10:15-11:15/FP #3 throwaway Star Tours 11:15-12:15. You can use FP#2 at RnR as early as 10:10AM. Scan RnR FP #2, before you ride try and move FP #3 ST up to the current time. Exit RnR, go to ST, scan FP#3, do not ride, and make FP#4 for Splash Mtn. High tail it out for MK.

If you cannot get a good time for Splash, as soon as you have transportation to MK, keep checking the MDE app in route. Move around Splash as needed. Ride Splash first and as soon as you scan but before you ride, try for SDMT FP #5.

Oh how funny. Where do you live, cause I know you’re super active on the DL board?

The tour doesn’t require use of my FP, so I can get FP in addition. So I thought about trying to time another FOP FP for after my tour

 

[sharonabe]

Oh how funny. Where do you live, cause I know you’re super active on the DL board?

The tour doesn’t require use of my FP, so I can get FP in addition. So I thought about trying to time another FOP FP for after my tour

If you can't get that FP, just remember you can get in line for FoP at the very end of the day for that second ride.

 

[HydroGuy]

Oh how funny. Where do you live, cause I know you’re super active on the DL board?

The tour doesn’t require use of my FP, so I can get FP in addition. So I thought about trying to time another FOP FP for after my tour

I was born and grew up about 40 miles from DL in SoCal. I have lived in Colorado for 20+ years now.

I have a lot of perspective on DLR as I remember my first trip at 3 years old and did things like grad night as a high school senior. I then starting taking my own four kids when they were young (3-5 years). So I have experienced DL as child, teen, adult, a location for taking dates in my 20's, with my own kids as children, teens and now adults. My next new experience is taking my granddaughter this June. She just turned 3. Disney is also a customer of a company I founded. So I know them on a business level as well (both DLR and WDW as well as WDI). Regarding WDW I have some opinions to offer but I think everyone on this forum recognizes @Robo as the expert. There are of course other experts here too.

Depending on how late AK is open on your Day 1, you may be able to use FP after the tour. But I would give serious thought to trying to snag an FOP FP at say 2-3PM. FOTLK seems to usually show at the top of the hour and you could get FP #2 for FOTLK at say 3PM. You would want to rush to AK, ride FOP as close to 2PM as you can, see FOTLK at 3PM and then move towards the 4PM tour.

Sounds like fun! I have a conference in June at WDW and was planning to go solo for 3 days like you for a quick visit but DS21 said he wants to come with me so we will probably go 5-6 days together. That will be after 4 days at DLR with DS26 and his family LOL. Literally the week before! I am flying directly from SoCal to Florida.

 

[KittyKitty]

My 1st thought was change your return flight to a couple of days later!

 

[MacMama0930]

My 1st thought was change your return flight to a couple of days later!

I know, I wish!! I have two small children at home and this will already be the longest I’ve been away from them - so it’d be hard to stay much longer.

 

[MacMama0930]

I was born and grew up about 40 miles from DL in SoCal. I have lived in Colorado for 20+ years now.

I have a lot of perspective on DLR as I remember my first trip at 3 years old and did things like grad night as a high school senior. I then starting taking my own four kids when they were young (3-5 years). So I have experienced DL as child, teen, adult, a location for taking dates in my 20's, with my own kids as children, teens and now adults. My next new experience is taking my granddaughter this June. She just turned 3. Disney is also a customer of a company I founded. So I know them on a business level as well (both DLR and WDW as well as WDI). Regarding WDW I have some opinions to offer but I think everyone on this forum recognizes @Robo as the expert. There are of course other experts here too.

Depending on how late AK is open on your Day 1, you may be able to use FP after the tour. But I would give serious thought to trying to snag an FOP FP at say 2-3PM. FOTLK seems to usually show at the top of the hour and you could get FP #2 for FOTLK at say 3PM. You would want to rush to AK, ride FOP as close to 2PM as you can, see FOTLK at 3PM and then move towards the 4PM tour.

Sounds like fun! I have a conference in June at WDW and was planning to go solo for 3 days like you for a quick visit but DS21 said he wants to come with me so we will probably go 5-6 days together. That will be after 4 days at DLR with DS26 and his family LOL. Literally the week before! I am flying directly from SoCal to Florida.

That’s awesome! My experience is much more novice, as I only became a Disney addict in my thirties. I love, Love Disneyland but I’m very excited to see The World. I’m sure I’ll probably still prefer my home park...especially weather wise and proximity and all that. But I’m so looking forward to cruising around a whole new space!