Second Guessing my Touring Plan

[ElsasFan]

We are only a couple of weeks away from our trip! I am thinking through our touring plan, trying to figure out what order to experience attractions, pencil in times for QS lunches, etc. Now that I am working on the nitty-gritty details, I am second-guessing my original plan.

We have two days planned in the MK, with an extra, "open" day at the end of our week in WDW that was intended to use to see or do whatever we didn't get around to prior to that. Realistically, though, I thought our kids would want to go back to MK (they are ages 8, 6, and 4), so I made MK fast passes for that day, too.

On our first day, we had planned to start in Adventureland (going the opposite direction of most of the crowds), and we have fast passes for BTMRR at 10:35, Pirates at 11:50, and Jungle Cruise at 12:55. I plugged the attractions in Adventureland, Frontierland, and Liberty Square into Touring Plans, and it suggested that we go to Hall of Presidents second and Country Bear Jamboree third, which was a clue to me that I need to rethink my plan some. Was it a bad decision to FP those rides if we're going to start on that side of the park? I was planning on being in that area in the afternoon so we can see the FOF parade in Adventureland. Should I stick with those Fastpasses and instead start in Fantasyland and then head to the other side of the park when it's time for our first fast pass? My original strategy was not to go to Fantasyland first thing because it might be hard to get the kids away from that area.

Suggestions are welcome! I might be overthinking this. Thanks in advance.

 

[TXTransplant]

Does MK have morning EMHs on either day? We have not been since pre-FP+, but we always either started out in Fantasyland or with Splash Mtn. Splash Mtn is my son's absolute favorite ride, so we started out there during EMH so we could ride as many times as we wanted before the line built-up.

When we start in Fantasyland, we do it so we can ride Dumbo (just get that one out of the way right of the bat, if your kids have any interest) and Peter Pan. I would guess that strategy also applies to SDMT, but based on what I've read in other threads, I don't know that I'd try to ride that standby at rope drop. The lines for the Pooh ride also get very long as the day goes on, so that might be another ride to hit in the early morning, if your kids really want to ride it.

You could also hit Buzz Lightyear and Space Mtn during this early morning period, since you don't have FP+ for those rides, and the lines do get long.

I don't think your FP+ selections are bad, but the only rides/attractions in Adventureland are Jungle Cruise, Pirates (and you already have FP+ for both), the Swiss Family Treehouse, and the Tiki Room. Even if there are no morning EMHs on your MK day, I don't think I would waste precious morning time on the treehouse or Tiki Room because the morning is going to be the time with the lowest crowds.

Same for Country Bears and Hall of Presidents (and any other show, for that matter)...save those attractions for the afternoon when the park is more crowded (these are high-capacity shows, so your wait is likely never to be more than the length of one show, 15-20 min) and you are tired and/or hot.

Edited to include the Magic Carpets in Adventureland. I thought the addition of that ride was stupid, so we've never ridden it. A trip on Dumbo is essentially the same experience, just with different theming.

 

[BrianL]

Without getting into details, if you are going in two weeks you should run into fairly low crowds. You will probably find that you will get more done than you think, especially if you are there at rope-drop (you can walk-on Jungle-Cruise first thing, well, you can walk on most anything first thing, but JC is the first thing you will come to in Adventureland).

That said, you might consider doing some other things before your FPs, then heading to that side to use them mid-day. Of course, you can always use them for a second ride on them. If wrangling your kids out of Fantasyland is a problem, you might save that part.

 

[AUTUMNSAM]

Okay, I would head to do the park backwards, maybe Haunted Mansion and a few Fantasyland then hit BTMRR, Pirate and end at Jungle.

 

[jar]

Presidents and Bears seem to be a waste of morning hours when you can get the benefit of no lines on the high demand rides. As a prior poster mentioned, these don't fill up (especially Presidents) so your only afternoon wait for them is for the next show. And if it's hot, Presidents has a/c (not sure about Bears). If you want to stay in Frontierland/Adventureland, can also ride the major stuff twice - once before lines and once with FP.

 

[hollygolitely93]

Agree Presidents and Bears is a waste before 11am. I think you could do a few things that first hour before you head over to BTM...

1. soak in Main Street, ride BTM without FP+ (kids always like to ride twice!) then Splash and see Toy Story character.

2. Go to Tomorrowland and ride Space; Buzz; speedway.

3. Meet some of the harder characters like Merida...etc.


Then head over to Adventureland for your FPs. Do Splash first by 10am if you plan for that one...Meet Woody and Jessie at the exit of Splash

Do your BTM FP+

Probably will catch the Banjo brothers after BTM if this is Tuesday-Saturday (11am) so keep look out for them for a quick entertainment break

Maybe an early lunch before your Pirate FP+? Pecos Bill is right there...

Then go do POTC and watch the 12:25 Pirate Tutorial (if you rather do lunch after Pirates there is a 11:20 tutorial) and plenty of food options over there.

Go meet Peter Pan

Ride Jungle Cruise

Now go do those slower moving attractions...President; Country Bears; Meet Tiana; shop a bit. kids may snooze for one of those attractions

Get an afternoon snack and stake out your spot for FOF

After FOF are you planning to leave the park for rest and dinner or keep going?