RD Strategy for FL - help wanted

[starjazz]

Hey - so this has SURELY been covered, but rather than dig for past threads, I'm hoping to appeal to the generous side of this board.

We've been doing DLR the last couple of years, and our last trip to WDW all of the New FL was open except the Mine Train. We're heading back to WDW for Spring Break 2016, and I'm wondering how to best approach our MK day with the FP+ and FL which will undoubtedly be our little girls's fav. They're 7 and 5.

Given its going to be packed for Spring Break, is the best strategy to do RD and try to get FL done without FPs and then use FPs on other big ticket rides like Space, BTMRR, etc.? I'm just not sure which 3 rides to get FPs for and how to most effectively use the morning time.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Robo]

Hey - so this has SURELY been covered, but rather than dig for past threads, I'm hoping to appeal to the generous side of this board.

We've been doing DLR the last couple of years, and our last trip to WDW all of the New FL was open except the Mine Train. We're heading back to WDW for Spring Break 2016, and I'm wondering how to best approach our MK day with the FP+ and FL which will undoubtedly be our little girls's fav. They're 7 and 5.

Given its going to be packed for Spring Break, is the best strategy to do RD and try to get FL done without FPs and then use FPs on other big ticket rides like Space, BTMRR, etc.? I'm just not sure which 3 rides to get FPs for and how to most effectively use the morning time.

Spring Break = all bets are off in relation to the "right system."

Everything will be busy at rope drop, on.

If you want to be sure to ride 7DMT or visit with A&E, those would be best with a FP+.
And, "who knows" at what time you will be able to BOOK those FP+.

 

[nilla]

I'd still get FPs for 7DMT. We went back to that ride immediately at rope drop a few weeks ago, then moved on because the line was already huge. Fortunately, we had FPs for later.

I'd get the FPs for 7DMT and two of the Mountains, perhaps all three FPs being in the early afternoon.

With the appeal of 7DMT, you will be able to walk on just about everything else in FL in the morning, with the exception of the Anna and Else meet and greet.

 

[starjazz]

I can say that we'll happily be able to skip the Anna & Elsa meet and greet. They've done it in DLR twice in the last couple of years, so they won't mind sacrificing it this trip if it means a shorter line for BTMRR!

Is Spring Break pretty much hour long lines everywhere all day? Man, there's got to be a better way to do this with kids...

 

[Robo]

I can say that we'll happily be able to skip the Anna & Elsa meet and greet. They've done it in DLR twice in the last couple of years, so they won't mind sacrificing it this trip if it means a shorter line for BTMRR!

Is Spring Break pretty much hour long lines everywhere all day? Man, there's got to be a better way to do this with kids...

Christmas week.
July 4th holidays.
Easter/Spring Break.

Unless you REALLY like tightly communing with tens of thousands of your closest friends all day long...
pick other times to visit WDW.

 

[kj2mom]

We were there 4th of July and were pleasantly surprised. I prepared for traffic going in, we parked in the front row, I prepared for a jam up at the entrance, we got right through, I was figuring no chance in really seeing the opening show, we got a perfect spot, I was figuring we would be trampled walking in, not a single person was rushing, I was hoping to do a couple of rides before lunch, we did Peter Pan, Small World, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Railroad, Jungle Cruise, Buzz Lightyear, saw Tink, Stitch's Great Escape and Carousel of Progress before our Plaza reservation at noon. Things could not have gone more smoothly for us (except we criss crossed the park more than my liking that morning and ended up walking 12 miles that day).

 

[starjazz]

Christmas week.
July 4th holidays.
Easter/Spring Break.

Unless you REALLY like tightly communing with tens of thousands of your closest friends all day long...
pick other times to visit WDW.

Well, I wish we could. We've pulled our kids out of school the past couple of years for it. Taken them during Feb when crowds are low(er). But now that our oldest is in 2nd grade, we're trying to be committed to her education and not pulling her out of school. Jan-Mar is the time for us because my parents winter down in Orlando now-a-days, so we have a free place to crash. Much as I'd rather do Jan/Feb again, Spring Break seems to be it. I just despise long lines, but we'll make the best of it. At least since they've had some recent trips, maybe they won't mind the fact that we obviously will not be doing it all, and we won't be making mid-day decisions like "hey, lets go hop on BTMRR right quick!".

 

[Robo]

But now that our oldest is in 2nd grade, we're trying to be committed to her education and not pulling her out of school.

Because, as we all know, what we learned in "week 18" of second grade was never taught again.


Sorry, but we have this discussion in our family all the time.

 

[starjazz]

Because, as we all know, what we learned in "week 18" of second grade was never taught again.


Sorry, but we have this discussion in our family all the time.

Oh, I totally hear you Robo. Part of me is like, 2nd grade?! Who cares! For that matter, part of me feels like that about any grade. But our kid is a little bit behind the curve, and needs all the days she can get. I just feel guilty with her particular situation.

 

[KathyNY76]

FWIW, all my teacher friends say it's fine to pull kids even up to junior high for any type of family vacation (assuming there is no big project due the week you'd be out.) But everyone has their own opinion.

However, check out easywdw. Josh has good plans for touring that make the most of rope drops. If you Google "easywdw spring break" you'll probably find some blog posts from him on the subject. There is also a forum there and you might be able to search it for people's recent spring break experiences.

Good luck!

 

[Robo]

Whatever you decide...

Have a great trip!