Planning park schedule - input appreciated!

[BlueLion]

I've been mostly lurking for a while now, picking up tons of useful info and tidbits from everyone on the site.

As my 60-day FP+ booking window approaches, I'm trying to finalize our park days and FP picks and am debating a few things, namely whether I try to work in morning EMH at Epcot and, if so, what else should then change. I'd LOVE any input from the experts on my plans and questions! Sorry about the length. I'm happy for any little bits of advice I can get!

We'll be in the parks Mon 8/15 - Fri 8/19, staying onsite at POR. Parks open at 9 each day, 8 with EMH. It's me, DH, DS9, DS2. Little one is too short for all with height reqs except Barstormer, barring any sudden growth spurts between now and then. So lots of rider swap for us. General idea is to be at Rope Drop, go through lunch or shortly after, take a longish nap/swimming break at hotel, back around 4-6 most nights. We do have park hoppers. My thought is to have scheduled plans but know we'll need to go with the flow, especially given the 2-year-old. Thinking around 10-1, give or take, for the FP times to give time for RD stuff, and since PM is probably more up in the air.

Highlights as follows, with lots of other fillers too, of course:

Mon (arrive ~3-4 pm): Epcot
-- FP Charcter spot, FEA for me and DS9 (plus DS2) / Soarin for DH (use rider swap here; DH is fine w/missing FEA.), Spaceship Earth.

Tues: Magic Kingdom (prob AM & PM)
-- ADR: BOG 8:25 - get there early and be efficient
-- RD: 7DMT, Fantasyland, Haunted Mansion
-- FP PP, Splash (after lunch), 3rd TBD - maybe 7DMT again? or Buzz (family favorite). BTMRR is closed
-- ADR: BOG 11:05

Wed: AM: Hollywood Studios / PM: Epcot
-- RD: RNRC
-- FP TSMM, TOT for me / Star Tours for DH & DS9 (use ride swap on both), 3rd TBD - maybe Disney Jr?
-- ADR: Sci-Fi Dine In 11:25
-- late Afternoon/Evening at Epcot, with Illuminations? Have ADR at Spice Road Table, but might want to do Star Wars fireworks at HS instead.

Thurs: AM: Animal Kingdom / PM: TBD
-- RD: EE
-- FP Kili Safari, Kali, maybe EE again? Dinosaur is closed
-- ADR: Tusker House 11:45

Fri: Magic Kingdom (prob AM & PM)
-- RD (EMH): Space & Tomorrowland
-- FP Jungle Cruise, POTC, 3rd TBD
-- ADR: Crystal Palace 11:45

Overall, I think this will work pretty well for us, but a few points/questions/ideas bugging me:

-- Test Track - hoping we can get lucky Mon night, maybe with single rider though not sure that'll fly with DS9 (if he still wants to do it once we're there). Otherwise standby.
-- EMH at Epcot Thurs morning - wouldn't mind working this in (would help with Test Track) but I guess maybe switching parks later morning as crowds set in? Or at least not go back in the PM. Not super attached to the TH ADR at AK. If we do Epcot EMH, we could then skip Epcot Wed PM, for... AK? Or AK Thurs late morning/PM? Would need to figure out FP+ with this plan. Maybe do Epcot early with no FP, and book FP for AK? Or switch out Monday afternoon instead? This is the part driving me nuts (clearly).
-- MK - will it get too crazy by later in the day Friday given the EMH? We'll probably be winging it by that afternoon anyways, and definitely want to do the EMH there.
-- Evening shows - not interested in JB at AK. Most interested in Star Wars and probably MSEP/Wishes. Probably won't make it to evening shows every night though. Will need to see what energy levels are like after the naps and how DS2 does being out later.
-- Are Star Wars fireworks expected to continue through August on Sun/Wed/Fri nights?
-- Trying to figure out the TBD FPs. Not too interested in the sit-down shows, for the most part. Or princesses, particularly those with long lines. We do like meeting other characters, so those might be some good choices.

Thank you in advance!!!

 

[mshanson3121]

I'll just make my comments in bold in your post.

I've been mostly lurking for a while now, picking up tons of useful info and tidbits from everyone on the site.

As my 60-day FP+ booking window approaches, I'm trying to finalize our park days and FP picks and am debating a few things, namely whether I try to work in morning EMH at Epcot and, if so, what else should then change. I'd LOVE any input from the experts on my plans and questions! Sorry about the length. I'm happy for any little bits of advice I can get!

We'll be in the parks Mon 8/15 - Fri 8/19, staying onsite at POR. Parks open at 9 each day, 8 with EMH. It's me, DH, DS9, DS2. Little one is too short for all with height reqs except Barstormer, barring any sudden growth spurts between now and then. So lots of rider swap for us. General idea is to be at Rope Drop, go through lunch or shortly after, take a longish nap/swimming break at hotel, back around 4-6 most nights. We do have park hoppers. My thought is to have scheduled plans but know we'll need to go with the flow, especially given the 2-year-old. Thinking around 10-1, give or take, for the FP times to give time for RD stuff, and since PM is probably more up in the air.

Highlights as follows, with lots of other fillers too, of course:

Mon (arrive ~3-4 pm): Epcot
-- FP Charcter spot, FEA for me and DS9 (plus DS2) / Soarin for DH (use rider swap here; DH is fine w/missing FEA.), Spaceship Earth.


Tues: Magic Kingdom (prob AM & PM)
-- ADR: BOG 8:25 - get there early and be efficient
-- RD: 7DMT, Fantasyland, Haunted Mansion
-- FP PP, Splash (after lunch), 3rd TBD - maybe 7DMT again? or Buzz (family favorite). BTMRR is closed
-- ADR: BOG 11:05

I would stick with Buzz since it's a family favorite.

Wed: AM: Hollywood Studios / PM: Epcot
-- RD: RNRC
-- FP TSMM, TOT for me / Star Tours for DH & DS9 (use ride swap on both), 3rd TBD - maybe Disney Jr?
-- ADR: Sci-Fi Dine In 11:25
-- late Afternoon/Evening at Epcot, with Illuminations? Have ADR at Spice Road Table, but might want to do Star Wars fireworks at HS instead.

I'm not sure that Disney Jr. needs a FP+. What about the Frozen Fever sing a long show - both of our children (including our 8 year old son) really enjoyed it.
And the fireworks are a permanent thing now from my understanding, so if you want to see these, I would take an afternoon break after Sci-Fi, and then come back for the evening and enjoy the fireworks. Make it a Star Wars evening - do the launch bay etc...

Thurs: AM: Animal Kingdom / PM: TBD
-- RD: EE
-- FP Kili Safari, Kali, maybe EE again? Dinosaur is closed
-- ADR: Tusker House 11:45

I would do the Epcot EMH and focus on Future World, lots of stuff your kids could enjoy without FP+ including Figment and Image Works, The Seas with Nemo and the Aquarium, Living with the Land, and you could definitely RD Test Track with EMH. Then skip over to AK, see if you can get your Tusker House a bit later, but if not, eat lunch at Restaurantosaurus, I think that would be a pretty cool atmosphere for kids, and it's AC. Then FP+ Kali, Safari and EE. Now, this all said - you might want to consider - how are the kids going to handle the night night before with the fireworks (you'll be at least 11:30 getting back to your room) and then being up and out the door by 7ish for EMH at Epcot?

Fri: Magic Kingdom (prob AM & PM)
-- RD (EMH): Space & Tomorrowland
-- FP Jungle Cruise, POTC, 3rd TBD
-- ADR: Crystal Palace 11:45

Great plan. I would do rope drop, then take an afternoon break after your ADR and come back for the evening to enjoy MSEP and Wishes. The evening actually won't be as bad due to EMH, because morning EMH do not impact evening crowds the way evening EMH do. The afternoon will be busy for sure, but that's a great time to take your break, and then come back around supper time, when many are choosing to leave.

Overall, I think this will work pretty well for us, but a few points/questions/ideas bugging me:

 

[sharonabe]

As enticing as that EMH at EP may be, I would say no. Being up late the night before is one big reason, but another is where it is in your schedule. You will all be getting tired by that 4th day and getting up early is going to be difficult. Even with afternoon breaks/naps, I think you'll be happy you don't have to get up an hour earlier on that Thursday.

I haven't looked at the crowd calendars, and my suggestion is almost a complete re-working, but what about:

Mon evening at AK

Tues MK

Wed EP a.m., HS p.m.

Thur HS a.m., EP p.m.

Fri MK

This would give you an EP morning to FP Soarin and do TT at rope drop. Your 9 yr old will probably be fine with single rider after he's ridden it once with one of you, but doing it first time as single rider might be a little stressful.

 

[Shellyb84]

I agree that the Frozen sing-a-long would be a better use of FP+ than Disney Jr.

 

[lovethattink]

Don't forget about using baby swap since your 2 year old doesn't meet height requirements.

 

[mshanson3121]

Another "idea"... you only have 4 days plus an evening. That's not much time. And you're going to waste a lot of it park hopping. Every time you leave the park/hop etc... you're losing an hour. So, maybe you want to consider something more like this:

Mon evening: HS
Tues: MK
Wed: AK/HS
Thurs: EP
Fri: MK

Focus on one park per day. Less hopping (which can be tiring in and of itself). The new fireworks at HS are supposed to start this summer, and my understanding is they'll be every night. So, go to HS on the first night. Since you'll have two full days at MK, it's not the rush to get it all done in one day. Allow yourself to sleep in a bit as you recup from the night before and arrive a bit later, and focus on using FP+ and then less-busy attractions this day. Do one day split between AK/HS. Use your FP+ for HS, and rope drop EE, Kali and Safari. Spend a full day at EP, FP+ the same rides you had planned above, and rope drop TT. Finish up with MK.

 

[BlueLion]

Thanks so much for the ideas! The wheels are spinning. This gives more to think about on the drive to work this morning!

 

[MainMom]

I think you are fine park hopping since you are doing afternoon breaks at your hotel. Your schedule looks good to me. We like doing Epcot on arrival day and MK on our first full day and last day too.

 

[BlueLion]

Thank you all again for the input! After bouncing around all these ideas today I'm now thinking

Mon evening: AK
Tues: MK
Wed: HS
Thurs: EP
Fri: MK

We don't really have a ton to fit in at AK, so in some ways that shorter day there really makes sense, and some of the evening activities could be fun. With this plan we could also skip park hoppers and save some money, adding later if we really felt the need. And now I'm into Garden Grill as a Tusker character lunch substitute.

The late Wednesday night and early Thursday is a tough spot; thanks for the heads up there. Hoping the naps help with keeping us well-rested in general. The older kid doesn't like to sleep much anyway and I'm hoping the little one also gets some decent stroller sleep.

mshanson, thanks for the Restaurantosaurus tip. That might work really well for day 1, and my son was sold once he saw a Mac and cheese topped hot dog in a video. Also like the whole Star Wars evening idea.

Thank you thank you!

 

[lovethattink]

Thank you all again for the input! After bouncing around all these ideas today I'm now thinking

Mon evening: AK
Tues: MK
Wed: HS
Thurs: EP
Fri: MK

We don't really have a ton to fit in at AK, so in some ways that shorter day there really makes sense, and some of the evening activities could be fun. With this plan we could also skip park hoppers and save some money, adding later if we really felt the need. And now I'm into Garden Grill as a Tusker character lunch substitute.

The late Wednesday night and early Thursday is a tough spot; thanks for the heads up there. Hoping the naps help with keeping us well-rested in general. The older kid doesn't like to sleep much anyway and I'm hoping the little one also gets some decent stroller sleep.

mshanson, thanks for the Restaurantosaurus tip. That might work really well for day 1, and my son was sold once he saw a Mac and cheese topped hot dog in a video. Also like the whole Star Wars evening idea.

Thank you thank you!

We ate at Restauntosaurus Monday night. We are locals so OOP not dining plan. I got a kid's meal. It's been so long since we ate there, I forgot it came in a bucket with a shovel! The corn dog nuggets were really good! I got broccoli for my side, it was nicely cooked and seasoned. Other side of a chocolate chip cookie which I ended up bringing home. Comes with a small drink, soda is refillable!

I had pomegranate lemonade.

The fixings bar looked really nice for burger toppings.

 

[BlueLion]

We ate at Restauntosaurus Monday night. We are locals so OOP not dining plan. I got a kid's meal. It's been so long since we ate there, I forgot it came in a bucket with a shovel! The corn dog nuggets were really good! I got broccoli for my side, it was nicely cooked and seasoned. Other side of a chocolate chip cookie which I ended up bringing home. Comes with a small drink, soda is refillable!

I had pomegranate lemonade.

The fixings bar looked really nice for burger toppings.

That sounds and looks great for us! Thanks for sharing!

 

[caroline1851]

As enticing as that EMH at EP may be, I would say no. Being up late the night before is one big reason, but another is where it is in your schedule. You will all be getting tired by that 4th day and getting up early is going to be difficult. Even with afternoon breaks/naps, I think you'll be happy you don't have to get up an hour earlier on that Thursday.

I haven't looked at the crowd calendars, and my suggestion is almost a complete re-working, but what about:

Mon evening at AK

Tues MK

Wed EP a.m., HS p.m.

Thur HS a.m., EP p.m.

Fri MK

This would give you an EP morning to FP Soarin and do TT at rope drop. Your 9 yr old will probably be fine with single rider after he's ridden it once with one of you, but doing it first time as single rider might be a little stressful.

I think this is PERFECT

 

[BlueLion]

I think this is PERFECT

Yeah, sharonabe's plan is definitely a good option too. I wouldn't get to save the $220 on park hoppers which now has me excited, but would let us avoid the later night / earlier morning combo. I checked and can get my ADRs on the alternate days, too.

The Disney site also stopped working just as I submitted the change to cancel the park hoppers, so maybe that's a sign!

 

[mshanson3121]

We ate at Restauntosaurus Monday night. We are locals so OOP not dining plan. I got a kid's meal. It's been so long since we ate there, I forgot it came in a bucket with a shovel! The corn dog nuggets were really good! I got broccoli for my side, it was nicely cooked and seasoned. Other side of a chocolate chip cookie which I ended up bringing home. Comes with a small drink, soda is refillable!

I had pomegranate lemonade.

The fixings bar looked really nice for burger toppings.

Oh my word, my kids would LOVE that, lol. I can see us having to do this when we go back.

 

[mshanson3121]

Yeah, sharonabe's plan is definitely a good option too. I wouldn't get to save the $220 on park hoppers which now has me excited, but would let us avoid the later night / earlier morning combo. I checked and can get my ADRs on the alternate days, too.

The Disney site also stopped working just as I submitted the change to cancel the park hoppers, so maybe that's a sign!

If you want to save the money, you can still avoid the late night/early morning thing, as you don't have to go to EMH, even if they're offered. Also, since you're just doing one park per day, that makes it easier FP+ wise, as you can choose to sleep in a bit Thursday morning and make a later arrival at EP, and just make use of your FP+ and rider swap. The beauty of Epcot is things like Living with the Land, Nemo, Figment etc... rarely have long lines, no matter what time of day you go. When you don't park hop, you don't have to be so strategic and worry about getting up for rope drop for the first park since you're trying to save your FP+ for the next park.

 

[sharonabe]

If you want to save the money, you can still avoid the late night/early morning thing, as you don't have to go to EMH, even if they're offered. Also, since you're just doing one park per day, that makes it easier FP+ wise, as you can choose to sleep in a bit Thursday morning and make a later arrival at EP, and just make use of your FP+ and rider swap. The beauty of Epcot is things like Living with the Land, Nemo, Figment etc... rarely have long lines, no matter what time of day you go. When you don't park hop, you don't have to be so strategic and worry about getting up for rope drop for the first park since you're trying to save your FP+ for the next park.

You are correct that they don't HAVE to go to EMH, but if they arrive at around 10 or 11 at a park that has early EMH, they will not be able to do all that they want to do without long waits. EP has tiered FP+, so they will have to choose between those instead of using rope drop strategy to get some of them done without the need of a FP. The park will also be much more crowded than if they go on a day that doesn't have early EMH.

 

[mshanson3121]

You are correct that they don't HAVE to go to EMH, but if they arrive at around 10 or 11 at a park that has early EMH, they will not be able to do all that they want to do without long waits. EP has tiered FP+, so they will have to choose between those instead of using rope drop strategy to get some of them done without the need of a FP. The park will also be much more crowded than if they go on a day that doesn't have early EMH.

One good thing about Epcot is it handles crowds well, it won't seem as crowded as other parks would. Also, they are doing rider swap with split FP+, so they're actually all set for the "big" rides, and the only ride that will come into play is Test Track, which can be managed with single rider/rider swap, or going later in the evening etc... And again, even with EMH, the "kiddie" rides like Nemo, Living with the Land, Figment etc... will not have significant waits.

 

[hooch11bear]

We'll be at the parks during the same period and staying at POR. I agree with the park hoppers. I know some people love them, but we never get them. We just like to focus on one park each day. Have a great trip!!

 

[BlueLion]

All great points for us to keep in mind! One thing that helps is we'll have a car and are driving to Epcot from POR, so that should be fairly quick at least -- both to get us there and then to escape when it's time for a nap. Thanks again!

We'll be at the parks during the same period and staying at POR. I agree with the park hoppers. I know some people love them, but we never get them. We just like to focus on one park each day. Have a great trip!!

Nice!! Say hi when you a wiped out, cranky family returning from Epcot midday Thursday!

 

[hooch11bear]

I don't know if you've stayed at POR before, but they have a piano player named Yehaa Bob!! He plays Weds through Satd. I know you will be there for a limited time, but if you are at the resort and have a little time, he puts on a fantastic show. It's fun for adults and kids. We always leave extra time to see him.