Park Strategies

[janet89]

We are planning for Summer 2007!! Need advice for getting around the parks in summer months! Advice on any or all the parks will be appreciated.


Jan. 2005 : DCL and WL (1 night)

Summer 2007 : Planning Stages

 

[ciera321]

My best advice for a summer trip is start early at park opening, and use fastpass as often as you can. You can have 2 fastpasses at a time if you play it right. What we do is head to a park at opening, (I'll use MGM for an example) head straight for Rock n Roller Coaster, grab a fastpass for RNR and ride it, too. Then head to Tower of Terror and get in the standby line to ride,
which should only be about a 15 minute wait at that point. You will have 2 of the busiest rides done and a fastpass for a later ride all within about 30
minutes. When I can get another fastpass (it will tell you at the bottom of the fastpass) I get another one, that way you'll have 2 at a time. Use the first one,then ride less busy rides until you can use the second one. I hope I didn't thoroughly confuss you!!! Planning is the key (for me)!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

You can get a lot of your questions answered if you spend time on these boards reading and posting questions.

A low cost resource I have found valuable is:

TourGuideMike - www.tourguidemike.com (Advice for everything WDW related including parks, touring, dining, hotels, transporation, etc.) - developed by a paid WDW VIP tour guide

Another soon-to-be released resource I plan to use is:

RideMax - www.ridemax.com - specifically focused on itineraries.

RideMax has had a good track record at DisneyLand. They will be releasing a WDW version in a few weeks.

General advice you will find here about WDW:

1. Get to the parks early when the crowds are lower
2. Take afternoon breaks to the hotel, especially when it is hot
3. Take it slow - don't burn out
4. Start planning far in advance
5. Try to avoid busy season

 

[sjams]

another vote for Tour Guide Mike...I planned all of our trip based on his suggestions for our trip last June and it worked out wonderfully and I will use his site and advice again!!
I think the more you plan the better off you are going to be in the long run.

Happy planning!

 

[JulielovesDisney]

Definitely use Fastpass a lot. It'll save a lot of time, because the summer months are usually the busiest times at WDW. Go early to the parks, then take a break in the afternoon when it's the hottest. Fla gets really really hot in the summer. Then go back to the parks later, after you cool down either at the pool or in your room. Use Extra Magic Hours too. The mornings are usually the emptiest, since most people don't get up that early. That'll give you more time to ride the more popular rides. The evening EMHs are usually busier, but still use them! It'll give you more time to see everything.

 

[NancyIL]

I just got back from a spring break trip to WDW last week, and it will be my last one in March because of the crowds. Fortunately, the weather was great. I was at WDW once in July and I wouldn't do that ever again...it's too damn hot! I'd brave the horrendous crowds during Christmas or go during spring break before I'd ever voluntarily choose summer again!!!

 

[janet89]

Thanks for the info!! Any help I can get is appreciated. Looks like the planning is the key. We have invited DSIL and her family to go. She couldn't believe how far in advance I am thinking about this trip. I know from our January trip! I planned like crazy for our DCL, but not so much for our day at MK. I was expecting light crowds and they ended up being moderate crowds, which made a difference plus early close and DS needing a nap. We missed several big attractions (HM, BTMRR, Splash). We had a good time, but I was disappointed to have missed these. That's why we're going back, much to DH's dislike.
We are planning for the first or second week of June.