Planning ahead - is this plan even doable anymore?

[uandmfan]

Hi all

I'm starting to think about our trip next year (late Jan through first week of Feb). My initial plan was this:

2 days HS so we could have 6 FP. My plan was to RD both days. Get a FP for 1 star wars ride one day and RD the other. Get a FP for slinky one day and RD TSMM. Then use the other FP for other attractions. My kids really want slinky and my son will want at least one star wars ride......

2 days MK. FP 6 fantasy land attractions and alternate RD for tomorrow land and adventure land (this has worked before)

AK FP one Avatar ride, get another FP for Everest and then RD safari.

EP RD TT or Soarin and get a FP for the other. Skip FEA.

But after reading some posts here about crowds and RD times, I'm not sure this is remotely possible. A similar strategy worked for us in 2017 but that was obviously a few land openings ago.

We are willing to be there early but realistically can't go open to close (if close is later). The kids will be 6 and 9.

Thoughts? Advice? We need to wait and see because crowds could be different a year from now?

I love Disney but I'm already stressed out!!
Thanks

 

[yulilin3]

Currently the only park where rope drop has no advantage is DHS. And the only reason for this is the bg system for RotR. Now we don't know what will happen in January. SO many things will change including the opening of rides at Epcot and MK for the 50th
I'm in the camp that believes if a trip is already stressing you out even before going it's just not worth it. As it stands your plan is doable as far as you proper and realistic expectations and know it will be crowded and plan accordingly

 

[jbish]

First of all, I would say its way too early to be freaking out. You have plenty of time until your trip and there’s no real way to anticipate what the best strategy will be in close to a year from now. Many things will change so the best park strategy will also evolve.

My best advice to you for now is just keep an eye on things, generally, and know what your “must do’s” are. You have 6 park days planned. And, quite honestly, if you had 10 park days planned, you probably still wouldn’t see “everything.” So just have a list of what’s most important to you and the family and plan around that.

But i did have a question about this:

AK FP one Avatar ride, get another FP for Everest and then RD safari.

As of right now, you can FP all three of what you mentioned. I would get a FP for Safari. Get a FP for Flight of Passage and you can rope drop Navi River Journey (if you wanted to see both Avatar rides) with low waits.

Overall, I just think it’s too early to get too stressed about the details. To the extent that you can, I hope you can enjoy the process of planning. I know that we, on this board, get caught up in the nitty gritty details of our trips. But you have lots of time and many things will change over the course of this year. These boards are a great resource for the details but see the wdwinfo articles for great overall updates and come back here with specific questions as you get ready to make dining reservations, FP selections, etc. We’ll be happy to give you our opinions!!

edit for correction

 

[figmentfinesse]

There are tiers at AK- Avatar rides and non-Avatar rides. But they can get FP for all their mentioned rides.

 

[DWillowBay]

Hi all

I'm starting to think about our trip next year (late Jan through first week of Feb). My initial plan was this:

2 days HS so we could have 6 FP. My plan was to RD both days. Get a FP for 1 star wars ride one day and RD the other. Get a FP for slinky one day and RD TSMM. Then use the other FP for other attractions. My kids really want slinky and my son will want at least one star wars ride......

2 days MK. FP 6 fantasy land attractions and alternate RD for tomorrow land and adventure land (this has worked before)

AK FP one Avatar ride, get another FP for Everest and then RD safari.

EP RD TT or Soarin and get a FP for the other. Skip FEA.

But after reading some posts here about crowds and RD times, I'm not sure this is remotely possible. A similar strategy worked for us in 2017 but that was obviously a few land openings ago.

We are willing to be there early but realistically can't go open to close (if close is later). The kids will be 6 and 9.

Thoughts? Advice? We need to wait and see because crowds could be different a year from now?

I love Disney but I'm already stressed out!!
Thanks

In 'theory', your plan is great and I really hope that you're able to do it just as you laid out. However, in reality, you'll just have to wait and see what's available and when and go from there....just like the rest of us....have a plan and have a Plan B.

 

[jbish]

There are tiers at AK- Avatar rides and non-Avatar rides. But they can get FP for all their mentioned rides.

Yes, I stand corrected. My point is the point you made. No reason not to get the safari if that’s what OP would want.

 

[Heather07438]

That plan sounds pretty solid to me. We're going in January 2021 too and planning similar, 2 days worth of FPs in some parks along with a few ropedrops. Those extra FPs should make life easier for us.

Going by current crowds this Jan & Feb has looked daunting. WDW just seems to get busier year on year. Who can say? My optimistic side thinks that early 2021 might not be so bad because some of the StarWars Land novelty will have worn off. More importantly- maybe attendance takes a dip as some people will wait to visit during the 50th Celebration later in the year. We can hope!

You might want to consider working the new Ratatoullie ride at France/Epcot into your plans. Sorry, don't want to make it more stressful but it looks like a fun ride, lol.

 

[midnight star]

Like others mentioned, things can change before your trip. BUT even with the uncertainty with crowds and new rides, having a plan is always helpful. Better to go in with something than with nothing at all

 

[Heather07438]

Like others mentioned, things can change before your trip. BUT even with the uncertainty with crowds and new rides, having a plan is always helpful. Better to go in with something than with nothing at all

Our strategy is to go 9 days next trip for a few reasons (instead of our normal 5-6). Those last 3 days of tickets only cost an extra $43 a person? Sold! Doing longer stays but less frequently also saves us 1 set of RT airfares. Hoppers help too, we can leave after our FPs if the park gets overwhelmed. I think we'll accomplish most of everything we love without having to spend every possible hour in the parks.

A more enjoyable and less frenzied pace for below our old average cost per day.

 

[uandmfan]

Thanks everyone.

I just saw the new Ratatouille ride would be open, so I'll have to revise my plans later once I see what's what - thanks for pointing that out. I'm ok skipping soarin' if we have to make a choice.

We can't add park days. We are using old discounted ticket. we have 6 days. In the last we've done at least 3 MK days so we may just buy EMM if it's still around. I figure that would take the pressure off of Fantasy Land!!

I feel better now. I think the time of year we picked is still likely to be relatively slow. Plus, half the point is to get out of the snow and cold and there isn't going to be a better time to go as President's Day and school breaks start shortly after.

Thanks for all the advice!