Second-guessing MK Strategy

[kbmartin]

Help me out if you can. I keep going over my plans and wondering if I could do them better!

We are utilizing rope drop on Wednesday, August 20th for MK and plan to take a break at our hotel in the afternoon, but we will be back in the evening. I cannot decide where to start or if I should alter my plans. I am considering a start in Fantasyland at Peter Pan's Flight instead of the plans I have here. Tell me what sounds better!

7:30 - be on bus to MK (officially opens at 9 am)

Once park opens, head to Adventureland (do Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Enchanted Tiki Room).

9:20-10:20 am - FastPass+ for Splash Mountain (shooting for the 10 am range)

10:20-11:20 am - FastPass+ for BTMR

Take railroad to Fantasyland no later than 10:50

11:15-11:45 am - FastPass+ for lunch at BOG

11:55-12:55 - FastPass+ for 7DMT

Gaston's Tavern - Meet Gaston (TOP PRIORITY!!!)

At this point, ride Under the Sea or take a break.


I am second guessing myself for a few reasons. First off, Gaston is a top priority for me. He is one of my favorite characters, and DH really wants to challenge him. Both of them have biceps to spare! The reason this is a problem is because I am not 100% positive when Gaston appears. On the WDW website, it says he's there from 10 am - 4:45 pm. I think, though, on the MDE app, it says that he's only there from (I think - for some reason he isn't on the character lineup tonight...) 12:30-12:55 and 1:00-1:20. I'm afraid we will miss him due to not rushing through BOG (I want some cool photos) and the 7DMT wait time. Can anyone confirm that they have RECENTLY (in the last week or so) seen Gaston at times other than 12:30-1:20?

I also don't know about having early FastPasses. I don't really plan to use the first one at 9:20, but even at 10 am it's early and there might not be much of a standby wait anyway. Should I just hold off and use FastPasses in the evening when we return to MK? My only hesitation is - if I use them in the morning, I can book more at night.

I'm feeling frazzled. The trip is about a week away, and all this planning has made me feel like the trip just HAS to be practically perfect in every way!

 

[bc7ate9]

First off, everything won't be perfect - and that's ok because it'll still be magical.

We like to meander to Fantasyland after rope drop, have a cinnamon roll at Gaston's, and meet him during his first set at 10 am (he's also a priority for us). No idea how regular his schedule is throughout the day so I can't speak to that.

Tiki Room and Pirates are pretty easy to get on most of the time, I think so I'd maybe save those for later in the day to get out of the heat for a bit - then use an additional FP for Jungle Cruise later in the day, if necessary. You could still do Splash MT and BTMR in approximately the time you have planned (I'd also skip the train and just walk either way).