Please help with dhs plan - opinions

[whatname]

We are going mid-August. Plan to do dhs on a non-recommended emh day. I'd rather not, but that is just the way our scheduled worked.

So, I'm thinking of going to the park later in the day, maybe after lunch, because I would like to see F! and don't want to be there the entire day. How much time do you think the following would take/what time would we need to get to the park? Would we need to plan on lunch there?

Would really like to do:
Animation academy
1st time in forever
Muppet vision
Character-palooza
F!

Would be like to do:
Gmr
Beauty and beast
Little Mermaid
Tsmm
Character meet and greets as we stumble on them

Possibly do:
Indiana jones stunt

Is there an afternoon parade at dhs? If so, would like to see it.

We have adr at 50's prime time at 5:30pm. We don't want to be rushing from place to place and won't mind some time to wander around a little, have a snack, etc. I don't really want a rigid schedule, rush to get it all in. I actually also have an adr at 50's for lunch too and will cancel one when I figure out what we are doing.

Your advice please! Thanks!!!

 

[siskaren]

There isn't a parade at DHS, but honestly, I think you've got enough that you want to do for a full day there.

 

[Ava]

If you don't plan to be there at rope drop, get a FP+ for TSMM. Otherwise you'll likely wait in a very long line to ride it. I would also get a FP+ for F! since its an EMH night and will likely be crowded.

 

[whatname]

Can I fp both F! and tsmm? Is there some sort of tier or something? I would fp F! before tsmm because I prefer it.

Do you think arriving by noon, having a qs lunch, then dinner will work?

 

[siskaren]

You can't FP both Fantasmic! and TSMM because they're both tier one choices, and you can only choose one for your initial three. You might be able to get Fantasmic! as a 4th FP, but I don't know how likely that is.

 

[Fratthouse]

You can't FP both TSMM and F! due to the tiers. However, a FP+ isn't really needed for F!. It is definitely needed if you want to ride TSMM at any time of day other than rope drop (unless you are ok with waiting 60+ minutes). Do you know the park hours for your day? During busy season, F! is often offered twice a night. The second showing of F! is usually not even full - so using a FP for it is essentially useless.

If you are intentional about planning out your day, I think it could be done by arriving early afternoon and staying until close. However, you would need to have at least a loose schedule - you have several shows on your list of things to do, so you would want to have some idea of what shows you want to see at what times to ensure you are able to fit them all (and preferably without zig-zagging all over the park). I would FP TSMM, For the First Time in Forever, and then possibly VOTLM (this last one is probably unnecessary, but given the limited options at HS, it's probably your best bet).

If you're just wanting to show up and casually "wing it", then you can still have a good day, but you are probably not going to accomplish all of the things on your wish list. You would need to choose between having an (at least somewhat) regimented schedule, going for the whole day, or being ok with just doing the things you'd really like to do plus a couple of things you'd like to do.

 

[whatname]

Thanks for the info. Looks like we should go a little earlier rather than later. I just know we can't spend 12 hours in the park. The good news is, I have several months to figure it out.
Thanks for the help!

 

[BernieT]

DNS is a tough one to wing it in because of all the timed shows and attractions. Definitely get a FP for TSMM and probably 1st time in forever. Maybe hit the animation academy first. Not sure how it goes now, but it used to be first come first served so would fill up fast. Enjoy 50s prime time...it's one of our favorites!

 

[ghtx]

I would definitely start with a schedule of shows, and see what you can work in around it.

The schedule will change by August, but you can see weekly updates of the show schedules here: http://wdwent.com/

Also definitely get a TSMM FP.

I think that it would be hard to see all of this in one day: First Time in Forever, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Indiana Jones, and Fantasmic. The timing of the shows would have to work out perfectly.

 

[maryj11]

Yes I would start with the show times you want and your restaurant reservation then work some fastpasses around them. You may have to decide choosing one of the shows either Indiana Jones or Beauty and the Beast. That would make your schedule a little easier.
We did half a day last year and only got to go to Indiana Jones plus Rock n Roller Coaster, TSM, American Idol, Star Tours, Great Movie Ride, Little Mermaid and ate at Sci Fi. We didnt have time to see the Muppets or Beauty and the Beast
Does anyone know if HS will have fireworks this coming August ?