Should I really plan out the park routes?

[mollyseven]

O.k I have my adr's made for each day and the park picked for each day but should I really be looking at the park maps and deciding which order to go in and what rides we want to get fastpasses for ??? Seems hard to me.
For example when we arrive Sunday it won't be until about 11am at POP so we are planning on heading to MGM as soon as possible to get a star wars fix.. I have mama melrose adrs for 450pm....should we decide what we're doing before getting there. I know the kids will want to do star tours. Do we actually go to the ride and get a fastpass from the ride area or do you get them at the front gate?? Help
Maybe Im just too excited to think straight ...this is probably something I should've thought about before now. Ha

 

[Lzylitnin]

I would at least have an idea of what your group wants to see/ride. It helps to know the layout of the park so you are not running back and forth for attractions.

FastPasses are obtained near the entrance of each ride it is available for, not at the gate.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

What I am going to do is definately make a list of what we must do! Then look at the park maps and make a route of which way we'll go, not exactly which rides first second and third, I don't know if that would ever work out. although i'm sure it does for some people. We have 4 kids though and would like to stay as flexible as we can but still have a schedule. And we'll definately have ADR's. Good Luck!

 

[BeckWhy]

I agree with the above two statements.

I do both, but for some reason I always end up not sticking to it. Two of the main reasons is because of the fast pass time and/or because the line is too long so I just come back later.

But hopping around from one land to another and back again is really hard on your feet, I think.

 

[melomouse]

HI -

So exciting!!! Like the PP, I agree you might familiarize yourself from the maps as to where the attractions are in each park that are "must do's" for your family - and which will likely need FP - Star Tours, for instance - may need one, depending on time of day and what day. Grab the FP and do Muppets or NY and do what you want on that side of MGM.

I am only sure, at this point in time, that you WILL need FP for Soarin', EE and Test Track - if it's up. If thoses rides are important to your family and you have limited time, get those FP!!!

What you want to avoid is not knowing where - in general - in a park, that the attraction is located and walk from one end to the other because you didn't know where a certain ride even was. MK is the easiest, in my mind.Maybe because we spend the most time there!!

Some people actually do not only map it out and have a definite order - my family, I've found, needs a tad more flexibility.

 

[LISAMWDW]

I wouldn't and never have unless it's a really busy time like Spring Break or a holiday. I have a general game plan in my head. I like to be more relaxed and feel alittle free, other than my ADR's. However, with MGM as there as many shows, you may have to plan those because you could miss some things that you may want to see.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Not meaning to , but have you checked with Unofficial Guide or touringplans.com regarding which parks to hit which days? It really can make a huge difference in terms of fighting the crowds vs. avoiding the crowds.
I don't make a ride itinerary for each park, but I do agree with getting Fast Passes for the big rides as soon as possible.
Also, when in doubt, head left. In the park, in an attraction that has two lines...
Have a great trip!

 

[badatz]

O.k I have my adr's made for each day :

As a newcomer to the board may I ask what ADR's are?

 

[Hollyster2]

ADR'S are Advance Dining Reservations I believe.

 

[Karnak]

I wouldn't think about going into a park without a plan. I list the attractions I'd like to see, make out a route through the park so as to avoid backtracking (seeing lesser crowded attractions if a fastpass holds me up in one area), and allow myself plenty of travel time between lands. Once my route is set, I make ADRs where and when needed. I almost always have extra time during the day, and I use that time to relax, people watch, enjoy street performers, have a beverage, or do a favorite attraction more than once. I can't remember any time when I got behind, because I do allow myself plenty of strolling time between attractions. I never take a break in the middle of the day to return to my resort, because when I have tried that in the past I've noted that it tends to take up way too much time just traveling back and forth. (At least three hours in most cases.)

I have found that it is almost impossible to make a working plan for either the Animal Kingdom or the Studios without a list of show times, so I arm myself with such a list before I sit down to make my personal itinerary. (This is especially true of the Studios, where there are about ten shows to choose from.)

Enjoy.

 

[badatz]

I wouldn't think about going into a park without a plan. I have found that it is almost impossible to make a working plan for either the Animal Kingdom or the Studios without a list of show times, so I arm myself with such a list before I sit down to make my personal itinerary. (This is especially true of the Studios, where there are about ten shows to choose from.)

Enjoy.

Where can I get a list of show times?
I will be at MGM on Thur june 28

 

[nicknamy1996]

Unless you are going at a real busy time of year or if you are unable to walk a lot (or really just want to minimize the walking) just put down your "must sees" for each park and then just do everything else as you pass them or if they sound good. Make sense? Getting a map (or look at one online) ahead of time so you are familiar with the park is a great idea.

I usually do about 9 months of planning and eventually narrow it down to a simple spreadsheet on 1 sheet of paper with a column for each day with DAY, PARK,OPENS, CLOSES, PARADE TIME, FIREWORKS TIME, ADR TIMES AND #'S, and at the bottom I put my list of things to do. We are usually lucky enough to do the entire park, but again you want to be able to make sure you do the things REALLY want to so write them down. I know we are going to cover most of the park, so actually writing down the bigger things make less sense to me.... I know I'm going to ride space mountain so I don't need to write that down. But if in the middle of the day I pull out my list to check a parade time or something I'll say "oh yea, I wanted to be sure to have a dole whip today"

As a first timer I would still write down my big must sees though because even though you would think its hard to forget a major attraction I guess the parks can be overwhelming so it would be possible.

Ex.


MON
_____
MK
_____
8 AM
_____
9 PM
_____
3:30
_____
8:00
_____
Tony's 5:00
#24352436
______
Stitch
Tom Sawyers Island
Dole Whip

 

[runwad]

If this is your first time, I second getting a copy of the Unofficial Guide (can be borrowed from your library) and copying the park itineraries out of the back. This really helped us out on our trips and we did everything we wanted with minimal wait times.

 

[RyMickey]

I think it's important to have a general idea of what you want to get covered. Here's an example of what we "plan":

MK Day - Early Entry - Ride Dumbo, Peter Pan, Tomorrowland Speedway, finish Fantasyland rides. At official park opening (whatever time that may be), grab FastPasses for either Buzz or Space Mountain (whatever we feel like at the time) and explore Tomorrowland. Eat lunch at 1:10 at Liberty Tree and watch parade.
---Obviously, this is just a general idea. Our goal on this day is to see Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and the afternoon parade (and perhaps Mickey's Toontown area)

Epcot Day - Arrive at park opening. Grab FastPasses for Soarin' and visit Living Seas pavillion; at 10, see Turtle Talk. At this time, hopefully, Soarin' FastPasses will be ready to go. Someone in the party will run over to Test Track and grab FastPasses, then we'll all ride Soarin. Explore the Land, then leisurely walk over to Test Track.

In general, we do plan the beginnings of our days (usually until lunchtime). However, after that, it's an open book.

I think you need to go into each park with a plan of what you really want to see that day and plan out a general idea of at least your first few hours in the park.

Having too much of a plan takes away the fun (in our opinion), but you've got to have some type of plan in order to see what you desire.

 

[nalabell]

I would plan as much as you can stand. Having a plan and sharing with the family will cut down on problems later.