Recommendations for FP strategy with littles?

[merdie]

Hi,

We will be going to the World 8/1-8/8 and will do 5 parks days (3 MK, 1 EP, and 1 HS.) Recommendations for FP's for a family with two girls 6 and almost 3? They are into princesses, but are not princess crazed. My LO is still into Mickey and Minnie. Which FP's must I grab at 60 days out? Any touring strategies you guys can recommend? This is not our first trip and I'm sure not our last, so missing some things is ok. TIA!

 

[Robo]

General FP+ questions are discussed (and FP+ Priorities listed) in the highly recommended, super-complete, often discussed, gotta love it, not to be missed, must-read, gargantuan juggernaut, growing by leaps and bounds, constantly updated and refreshed by the DISboard's own mesaboy2...

FP+ thread found HERE.

 

[Mikie]

If they like Frozen and you don't need the FP for other things, definitely try for Anna and Elsa. Enchanted Tales with Belle. Peter Pan. Depending on your 3 year old's height and interests, Splash Mountain and maybe big Thunder (my niece was 3.5 years old and moderately daring and very excited to do those "big rides") Talking Mickey meet. I haven't felt a need to use FP for fireworks, si I can't say if they're "worth it", but if you do want that FP you should try for it first on day 60.

At DHS, get FP for Toy Story. After that, I'd probably do shows without FP, book FPs for the thrill rides and do rider swap because RnR and Tower of Terror are my very favorite rides

At Epcot, my kids actually love the Land ride (I like it fine, but was surprised about its appeal to kids). Spaceship Earth often doesn't need a FP, yet sometimes does get a long line - it is a kid favorite, so if you don't need FP for other things, get that one. Test Track was a hit with my 6 year old and again with 3.5 year old niece.

Biggest touring tip is to replicate your at-home daily schedule as close as possible. Disney is already tiring and over-stimulating without adding in repeated late meals, late nights, missed nap, etc. I like to go at opening, ride while lines are short, and get my FPs bunched around lunch as ride-lunch-ride-ride or ride-ride-lunch-ride. Then the rest of your afternoon is unscheduled and flexible.'

 

[Pinkos]

Agree 100% with the above poster. We leave sat, I have FP scheduled for morning (9,10,11). I won't use the first until the last minute and try to hit some rides the first 45-50 minutes. For days in the park I always have an ADR booked for lunch. It gives them some AC time plus I know they will eat lunch on schedule. If after lunch I feel they are tired, back to the resort for some down time. And then back to the parks for a QS supper, a ride or two. Then back to bed for close to regular time. If they are feeling good after lunch we will stay at the parks until they are tired and then head back to resort.

We have a planned/flexible thing going. My mornings are planned bc I know my kids (6&3) will be up early. Bedtimes are planned too bc without sleep they get cranky. Everything in btw, I'm going to let them guide me.


Have fun!

 

[Pinkos]

Forgot to mention the FP! Oops.

My picks:
HS: Frozen sing a long, TSMM, and star tours
MK: a&E, speedway, splash, thunder, 7DMT, PP, belle, POTC, little mermaid, and electrical parade ( we are planning one late night, I have 3-4 1/2 days planned for MK, hence the amount of FP)

Epcot: soarin, mission space, character greet

Ak: safari, nemo, Kali river Rapids

My kids are DS6, DD3.

 

[Mikie]

Lol! I forgot to mention 7 dwarfs - family-friendly and one of the most important FP to look for at 60 days out! The link Robo posted was my bible for deciding what rides among the ones I like were best choices as a FP, but in my post I tried to just list those that were of interest to my kids in that age group AND recommended for FP use in the "FP+ attractions, priorities and strategies" thread.