Rides with short wait times mid day

[cruise cruise cruise]

Our first day in the parks we will be entering the park early afternoon (I am guessing noon-2ish) on a Sunday.
I dont want my children's (4 and 5 y/o) first Disney experience to be lines lines and more lines, so which rides can I steer my family towards that will most likely have minimal wait times?

 

[MommyWithDreams]

We're going to experience our first Sunday at Disney too. We normally always try to go during the weekdays. We're going to venture over to DCA and see how the lines are when we arrive.

 

[BillyFan]

How about Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Tarzan's Treehouse, the Main St. Vehicles, Buzz.

 

[imjen]

We're going on a Sunday for the first time too. Besides what the previous poster mentioned, I was thinking of going over to Pirate's Lair in the afternoon. There's also Tiki Room, and it seems Star Tours lines usually aren't that long, and I'm wondering if maybe Small World will be ok too. I think it's a fast loader. And be sure to grab a fastpass for something right when you get in, you should still be able to get a couple that afternoon to use in the evening. And, DCA is a great option too.

 

[dangerkitteey]

Definetly Buzz... it's DD's favorite ride, and in our experience there's usually little wait (10 minutes is the longest we've ever waited for it). Also, if your kids wont be freaked out, Snow White and Pinocchio in Fantasyland are usually walk-ons.

 

[DangerMouse]

Pooh hardly ever has a line and is a great starter ride for kids.

 

[DizNee Luver]

IASW loads pretty good, but with it freshly refurbed the lines are super long..... just plan on doing that one first thing in the mornings.....

 

[Sherwin]

Maybe start out with something tamer over at DCA. It's usually less crowded anyway.

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

I would start at DCA! Or even toontown!

I would also go get a FP for whichever ride you think best.

Sunday afternoon, should be not too bad!

 

[farmfresh]

Depends what you mean by long line... we don't like to wait more than 15 mins! And a sunday afternoon (didn't say when) is going to be quite busy.Also - kids might be really keen to see certain attractions first (like fantasyland...) So whatever you decide, set their expectations accordingly.

Why not plan a strolling afternoon - commplete with ice cream or similar. Ride the Railroad, mybe grab a fastpass to buzz if hte queue is long 9and you can pick one up at the same time for Roger Rabbit.

You would also be in time for a parade!

just a different approach to consider!

 

[Sherwin]

Depends what you mean by long line... we don't like to wait more than 15 mins! And a sunday afternoon (didn't say when) is going to be quite busy.Also - kids might be really keen to see certain attractions first (like fantasyland...) So whatever you decide, set their expectations accordingly.

Why not plan a strolling afternoon - commplete with ice cream or similar. Ride the Railroad, mybe grab a fastpass to buzz if hte queue is long 9and you can pick one up at the same time for Roger Rabbit.

You would also be in time for a parade!

just a different approach to consider!

Lol I've only ever gone to DLR during peak seasons, so I consider a long line to be 45 min or more. Less than that is short for me!

Low expectations makes things more exciting.

 

[farmfresh]

Check out ride max and hydroguy's tips - you'll cut that wait way down, even in the busy season!

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

Thank you everyone. We will be there the Sunday after Easter Sunday.

By short line I mean no more than 10, maybe 15 minute max (or am I completely out of my mind thinking that there will be any ride with that short of a line??)

A few of you mentioned Buzz. Is that really one that we might find a short line for? That would be fantastic as it is one my kids are DYING to go on.

I think Snow White and Pinochio would not be good rides to start our week of with-- hate to scare my kids and then we are stuck on dumbo and the carousel for the rest of the week.

We do plan to stroll and take in the sites that day, but I also know my kids will want to ride a few rides, so just trying to get an idea of which rides to suggest rather than let them choose and choose ones that require a 1 hr wait.

 

[LavenderPeach]

Depends what you mean by long line... we don't like to wait more than 15 mins! And a sunday afternoon (didn't say when) is going to be quite busy.

Yes, we often go on Sundays and I totally agree that it will be pretty busy in the afternoon. I was actually surprised by a lot of the suggestions like buzz and toon town because I wouldn't consider them to have short waits, or at least not short for really little kids. The ones I thought of immediately, that others have mentioned already, are Pinocchio, Snow White and Pooh. They always seem to be short. Today it was really crowded and there was still no wait for Pooh. Oh and I agree with Tom Sawyer's Island too. It's a great place for the kids to run around and explore and I don't remember it ever seeming too crowded. I thought PP's idea of having ice cream was really good too.

 

[LavenderPeach]

A few of you mentioned Buzz. Is that really one that we might find a short line for? That would be fantastic as it is one my kids are DYING to go on.

That hasn't been my experience but maybe we just went on super busy weekends.

I think Pooh might be a good ride for you to start with.

 

[farmfresh]

No, I'm with you, Lavender peach....in general, Sunday or not, it will be busier in the afternoons...and Sunday will be even busier.

LP is right about some of the fantasyland rides sometimes being quiet, and also about Buzz generally not being that quiet. Your kids might well want to get a few rides in, but I wouldn't set that up with them... ...because it could actually be disappointing if you can't. But if you take a let's go and see approach, and if the first thing you do after you walk in is pick up a FP, then you will get to ride something without a wait! You might get lucky, but I certainly wouldn't underestimate how busy it might be, especially if your plans are in summer.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

I also think the parade is a good idea. (Although we don't know a whole lot about the upcoming Celebrate! A Street Parade.) Also, the Pixar Play Parade sounds like fun. Is that Sunday (April 19) considered Spring Break -- just wondered if the Electrical Parade might be showing?

How about the Mark Twain Riverboat? No line, and you can get a good look around the park.

After Winnie the Pooh, you could get some treats over at Pooh's Corner -- like a Tigger Tail.

JMHO, I would recommend getting an autograph book as soon as you can. You can put your photos of your children with the characters into the book, and it's a pretty neat keepsake.

Buzz Lightyear: As early as you could, it would probably be better to get a FP for Buzz -- the standby line could be too long. The Return Time would probably be in the late afternoon.

How about Soarin'? Is there anyway you could send a FP runner to DCA? The Return Time for the Soarin' FP would probably be in the early evening, but my DS5 and DD4 love Soarin, and it was an extra special experience the very first time! (The height requirement for Soarin' is 40-inches.)

HTH

 

[MomofM&M]

If you just want short waits, I would suggest Bug's Land. A lot of times you get off the ride and get in line and maybe have to wait once before you get to ride again. Sometimes, the CM will see us in line again and say we can just wait in our seats and go again if there isn't a line. I have gone on Heimlich's chew chew train 3 times in a row. Would not suggest that for Flik's Flyers or Francis' Boogie. The short waits definitely feed the again, again mentality.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Thank you everyone. We will be there the Sunday after Easter Sunday.

I think Snow White and Pinochio would not be good rides to start our week of with-- hate to scare my kids and then we are stuck on dumbo and the carousel for the rest of the week.

Totally agree. I'd do those later in the trip, after the children see that the dark rides are mostly fun.

Tiki Room doesn't open up right away, so don't go there first thing in the morning.

Jungle Cruise
Winnie the Pooh
Casey Jr
Tarzan's Treehouse
Pirates (line moves quickly)
Star Tours
Train around the park
Any of the Main Street Cars
Carrousel

 

[avalon451]

We got there about 2:30 on a busy Sunday afternoon, as well. We took the opportunity to stroll around looking at the park. We took the train around first, which was perfect. Had an ice cream cone and got a curb spot to watch the parade. Then we watched the flag retreat ceremony. Oh, yeah, the first thing we did was went to get a FastPass, so we'd have a good ride to do later-- for us, that was Haunted Mansion Holiday, but you might want to try Buzz or Space Mountain (surprisingly, many little kids love it! My 5 y.o. niece did!)

Another fun first day thing to do is see "Disney: the First 50 Years" at the theatre on Main street. It's a great intro to get you in the mood for the parks!

You could also go over to CA and hang out in Bug's Land, which is a lot of fun for little ones.