Stressed Out. Seems impossible.

[jessbedell0513]

Ok. So I am taking my first trip to Disney World with my 11 year old son in June (I know, not an ideal season on the crowd calendar, but it was my only option.) I am just really stressing about how we are going to make the most of our time. I know that it is not possible to do everything at magic Kingdom, I am not expecting to be able to, but when I read some of the blogs out there, I feel like I am not going to have time to do a whole lot. We are staying off site and plan on being there as long as possible. I think my fastpass strategy will be to schedule my first three for early in the day in the same general area of the park and then add on after that, but I read that there is not very much selection when you choose the same day, which worries me. I know that alot of my stress is probably unncecessary, but I am wondering if any people who are experienced with Magic Kingdom have any tips or advice.

 

[g-dad66]

You'll want to schedule your first 3 FPs for rides with high demand, which won't be necessarily in the same area of the park. In my opinion, it's better to do a little bit of backtracking/extra walking, rather than excessive time standing in lines.

If you do 2 or 3 high-demand rides at Rope Drop (park opening), and if you get, say, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan, and Space Mountain for your first three FP, you shouldn't have much trouble getting additional Fast Passes for other popular rides.

Actually, I would recommend doing Peter Pan first at Rope Drop, so that you don't miss the interactive queue. That would allow you to get your 3rd FP for either Big Thunder or Splash Mountain, which would be the other top priorities (assuming you will want to do them as well as Seven Dwarfs and Space Mtn). We usually do Peter Pan first then zip over to Tomorrowland for Space Mountain and Buzz, without much wait for any of those. Then we're in good shape to start in on our FP rides.

I definitely recommend Seven Dwarfs for a FP rather than doing it at Rope Drop, because there are way too many people headed there, and you can have a long wait if you're not at the head of the pack.

P.S. You'll be fine...

 

[baler31]

Even staying offsite you can book FP with a ticket linked to your MDE account. You do not have to wait until same day unless you don't purchase your tickets ahead of time. I would highly rec'd buying your tickets and linking them ahead of time. Look on www.easywdw.com he has touring plans that will help you plan your day and the website is free. Have a plan and you will be fine. June is not a busy time at Disney nearly as much as it used to be. The last 3 years our June/July 4th trips have had some very low crowds.

 

[Chanth]

not sure what your budget is or if the available days in June work with your trip, but early morning magic (EMM) is a neat add on, and would get three attractions out of the way and open you up for scheduling other fast passes: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/early-morning-magic/

 

[ChristineOH]

You'll want to schedule your first 3 FPs for rides with high demand, which won't be necessarily in the same area of the park. In my opinion, it's better to do a little bit of backtracking/extra walking, rather than excessive time standing in lines.

If you do 2 or 3 high-demand rides at Rope Drop (park opening), and if you get, say, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan, and Space Mountain for your first three FP, you shouldn't have much trouble getting additional Fast Passes for other popular rides.

Actually, I would recommend doing Peter Pan first at Rope Drop, so that you don't miss the interactive queue. That would allow you to get your 3rd FP for either Big Thunder or Splash Mountain, which would be the other top priorities (assuming you will want to do them as well as Seven Dwarfs and Space Mtn). We usually do Peter Pan first then zip over to Tomorrowland for Space Mountain and Buzz, without much wait for any of those. Then we're in good shape to start in on our FP rides.

I definitely recommend Seven Dwarfs for a FP rather than doing it at Rope Drop, because there are way too many people headed there, and you can have a long wait if you're not at the head of the pack.

P.S. You'll be fine...

I agree with this advice!
We have been four times in June. It will be hot, but other than that, it's not a bad time to visit. Remember after you use your three pre-booked FP, you can get more all day. We can get good FP for five people. If it's just you and your son, it will be much easier! Read up on how to use the FP system and you'll be fine. And MK is a low-stress rope drop if you've already got a FP to 7DMT. If you can't get an early FP to 7DMT at 30 days, the morning you are there, check from time to time to see if you can move it earlier. For only two people, you should be able to.

Fantasyland clears out in the evenings. You can grab a FP and modify the time to use it pretty much right away. (For everything except 7DMT.) Or after fireworks, you can hit the rides with low or no waits.

 

[mrzrich]

Are you just going for one day?

 

[Skippyboo]

Relax, you don’t have to plan everything to the millisecond. As the other posters said make your 3 Fast Passes for the more in demand rides at 30 days out. If your son isn’t a morning person, trying to get him up early to rope drop every day might not work well, try the alternative of staying late in the evenings. The night time shows tend to draw people from the rides. So at MK, people are camping out for fireworks, those people aren’t in line for rides.

Do see the MK fireworks one night though. They are super good. Maybe book a garden view dessert party if you both like sweets and the budget. That’s will guarantee you a good fireworks viewing location and some dessert sampling for around 150 bucks

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

It’s hard the first time you do this. I was stressed out too (Hubby joked that it is like planning a wedding). Previous posters (PPs) gave you good advice. Another way to RD MK is to get FPs for 7DMT, Peter Pan and Space and then go straight to Splash and Big Thunder Mtn which will have very short waits at RD. It’s nice and quiet and almost peaceful back there first thing in the morning.

MK is great because there are so many ways to approach it but it can be overwhelming the first time.

 

[Klayfish]

First, I'd say there's nothing wrong with June, it's a great time to visit.

How long is your trip?

Don't stress about plans. If you're a first timer, I know that's not easy. But from someone who is a veteran, especially of the summer (made many, many summer trips including every summer since '14) I can tell you there's no need to do obsessive planning. We wing it big time...yes, it helps that we have so much experience there...but that experience also tells me that you don't need to plan. If you want to, nothing wrong with that. But you don't have to.

If you only have one day in MK, no, you really can't see every last thing. But you can still do a lot. I don't read or listen to blogs, so I don't know what advice they're giving, but we also stay offsite. Pick your first 3 FP+ for the rides you want most. And yes, I'd pick them for as soon as you get there. Then start grabbing more. In June, you'll have no problem getting many more. 7DMT will be the hardest, so that may be one you want to get in your first 3...but the others are pretty easy.

 

[Mome Rath]

Ok. So I am taking my first trip to Disney World with my 11 year old son in June

Yay! Congratulations on your first trip, and your boy's age is perfect for being able to spend a full day in the parks. Also, welcome to disboards!

(I know, not an ideal season on the crowd calendar, but it was my only option.)

The crowd calendars are all in a state of flux right now, so don't stress about it. As PP's have mentioned, it's not a bad time to go, just make sure to stay hydrated.

I am just really stressing about how we are going to make the most of our time.

How many days will you be there and how many parks are you wanting to see?

Don't stress, you're in the right place to figure out what is the most important to you and then how to plan to hit those important things. Truly, don't stress, it seems so overwhelming when reading about it, but a little knowledge is what it truly takes, and the right expectations. No on can see and do everything at WDW on one trip, not even the most experienced vets.

I know that it is not possible to do everything at magic Kingdom, I am not expecting to be able to, but when I read some of the blogs out there, I feel like I am not going to have time to do a whole lot. We are staying off site and plan on being there as long as possible. I think my fastpass strategy will be to schedule my first three for early in the day in the same general area of the park and then add on after that, but I read that there is not very much selection when you choose the same day, which worries me. I know that alot of my stress is probably unncecessary, but I am wondering if any people who are experienced with Magic Kingdom have any tips or advice.

As others have said, if at all possible get your tickets early, and I also second picking out if you think you'd rather be early morning people or late night people and then look at the hours for the time you'll be there. Also, don't forget when you use a fastpass (when you "tap" the first FP tapstile getting on a ride), you can modify the time of your other fastpasses to use them up quicker if you can find an earlier time slot, that will give you a better chance of using up more FP's in a day.

 

[Eastern]

June is not a bad time to go. With just the two of you, I think it will be easy to grab FP as you go. I would definitely rope drop a couple of days. It was hard to get my kids out of bed, but it pays off in the first hour or two. You will be fine, I really wouldn't worry.

Get your 3 FP for 7DMT, PP, and Space, as many have said. Then do rides that are convenient (shorter lines) timewise. Keep checking your MDE for FP availability and just do what comes up as shortest wait time. You can get a lot done if you are flexible and don't wait an hour for whatever 'must do' ride.

If you are actually choosing your FP same day, take whatever and then try refreshing to get other choices. It works, you just have to keep trying. Make sure your phone battery is fully charged.

There is always something with a short wait and that varies throughout the day so take advantage.

 

[whiporee]

If you're stressing now, I'd like to pass along one tidbit. There's no single ride at WDW that is going to mess up your trip if you don't ride it. Not 7DMT or FoP. So if you don't happen to get FPs for those, don't worry about what you haven't been able to do -- concentrate on what you can. For a first trip, a lot of WDW is going to feel overwhelming, but I assure you you won't run out of things to do in any of the park. Because this is a strategies and planning forum, there's a lot of talk about having both strategies and plans, but in reality you can usually get FPs for Space, Splash and BTMR, and even the Dwarves line is usually about an hour. I guess what I'm saying is don't worry about not getting FPs for certain rides -- it really won't take away from your day unless you let it.

 

[sponica]

Honestly my first trip to WDW, I was 18 with my mom as a HS graduation present, we went July 1 through 3 (at that time one of the most crowded times to go). We were clueless about EVERYTHING. Had no idea fastpass existed so stood in line for 75 or 100 minutes at Splash Mountain. (this was back in the days of paper fastpasses). There were rides/attractions I didn't even know EXISTED until my second or third trip. We only went to MK and the then MGM studios.

Take a deep breath, pick your MUST DO rides and the "it would be nice to do" rides. If you miss out on a FP for a ride you really want, then wait standby if it's that important.

I feel like everyone's first trip comes with a learning curve. My sister after her first trip said "holy moly you really need a strategy at Disney World"

 

[MickeyWaffles]

You already know you won’t see everything. That is half the battle! Don’t set wild expectations for things you must accomplish.

We don’t measure our trips in the number of rides we get on. It’s the fun we have. A huge part of MK for us is the atmosphere. Try not to go in so stressed out and checking off a list of rides that you don’t notice the atmosphere and little things that make MK so magical, especially on your first time there.

Be smart about your FPs as others have said.

You will have a great time!

 

[Minnesota!]

You will have a blast, regardless of what you do/do not experience. I suggest rope drop, get to 7DMT first, then hit Peter Pan. Then, have a few FP set up.

Or, a pre-park breakfast at BOG. That gave us quite the jump - accomplished EVERYTHING and were on our way out of the park by noon.

 

[tlmadden73]

Ok. So I am taking my first trip to Disney World with my 11 year old son in June (I know, not an ideal season on the crowd calendar, but it was my only option.) I am just really stressing about how we are going to make the most of our time. I know that it is not possible to do everything at magic Kingdom, I am not expecting to be able to, but when I read some of the blogs out there, I feel like I am not going to have time to do a whole lot. We are staying off site and plan on being there as long as possible. I think my fastpass strategy will be to schedule my first three for early in the day in the same general area of the park and then add on after that, but I read that there is not very much selection when you choose the same day, which worries me. I know that alot of my stress is probably unncecessary, but I am wondering if any people who are experienced with Magic Kingdom have any tips or advice.

1) Don't worry .. it's always easy to stress about the unknown
2) You WILL NOT get it all done (unless you plan on a 10+ day trip )
3) Doing three fast passes early in the day is great, as it gives you flexibility for later in the day. Some people like to do them in the afternoon since that is the busiest time of day (but I personally feel that doesn't give you much flexibility (like what if the kids are tired or want to see the parade that you didn't plan on, etc.).
4) Just KNOW you are going to have to wait in long lines and it may be "crowded" (to you).

Just get there for Rope Drop .. make Fast Passes for the "big" (long wait) rides that you REALLY want to go on .. just try not to make them on opposite ends of the park near in time to each other so you aren't trying to run from Space Mountain to Splash Mountain trying to make that window.

The fact is .. that even the perfect plan can get messed up .. by ride breakdowns, crowds and weather, but there is plenty to do at WDW (more than just rides) to just enjoy "being" there.

 

[Disneymom1126]

One piece of advice is to try and read through relevant messages here (Theme Park Attractions and Strategies) between now and when your trip comes. You'll learn a lot of useful tips just by reading the types of questions other people ask and the answers they receive. At Magic Kingdom, rope dropping can really help your day. Between the time the park opens and 10-11 a.m. most lines are going to be really short (with the exception of 7DMT). When my daughter was younger, we always rope dropped Fantasyland, but now that she is more into all of the bigger rides, we follow one of the plans below and they have worked well for us.

1. Rope drop Tomorrowland and ride standby on Buzz Lightyear, Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, and Astro Orbiter. Use FP+ for 7DMT, Thunder Mountain, and Splash Mountain in the 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. range. Catch the Festival of Fantasy parade. Do some shows in the middle of the day (Hall of Presidents, Country Bears, Tiki Room, Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor, Philharmagic, etc.). Not only is this the most crowded time, but in June it's also the hottest part of the day! Also you can start looking for extra FP+ after you use your 3rd FP, so you can usually find them for Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise. As it gets closer to park close/later at night the lines in Fantasyland will slow down again (as families with smaller kids leave), so you can usually either get additional FP+ for things like Dumbo, Barnstormer, etc. or you won't need them because the lines will be short (especially after the fireworks)

2. Basically follow the same format, but rope drop adventureland/frontierland (Thunder, Splash, Pirates, Jungle Cruise) and then use FP+ for 7DMT, Space, and Buzz

The wildcard with this is Peter Pan - you may want to go directly there at rope drop and then follow 1 or 2 above because there really isn't a good time to ride that outside of the first ride at rope drop or with a FP+ and I haven't had a lot of luck getting a FP for that as the 4th, 5th, etc. FP.

This is all assuming you are spending one day at MK. If you are spending more than one day at MK I have other ideas!

 

[rdaky]

I think the best thing you can do for yourself is to know that it's ok that you won't see/do it all. And that is OK! We are going in June this year, too. And we already know it's going to be hot and busier than what we're used to (we normally go during light seasons). Odds are, my kids are going to be hot and cranky by mid-afternoon and we'll probably just go back to the hotel and swim, possibly missing out on rides. But that's ok! It's still a vacation, it's still Disney. It's impossible to do everything and if you try to cram in as much as humanly possible, you are just setting yourself up to be exhausted.

We are doing rope drop. I figure if we can get in as much as we can in the morning before it's crowded and before mid-day heat hits, we'll at least enjoy a few hours in the parks. And maybe go back at night, or maybe not, depending on how everyone feels.

 

[fla4fun]

Relax. Everyone here was a newbie at some point and we had enough fun that we keep coming back for more!

I recommend that you schedule your FP starting in the morning. Even if you schedule one for right at park opening you may be able to work in one or two other rides and then hit that first FP late in the window. In MK I usually schedule them in sort of an arch pattern so I am working my way around the park as I am hitting the FP. For example, I might schedule POTC, then BTMRR then PP and rope drop JC before Pirates, Splash before Thunder and HM before PP (depending on wait times, of course). Even if you have back to back FP windows, if you hit the first one at the beginning of your window and the second at the end, that gives you about an hour and a half window between them. Then from PP I just keep working my way around through to Tomorrowland, getting what FP I can and taking advantage of any short lines I can find.

It’s not about the quantity of attractions you visit, but the quality of the time you spend together that makes for a good Disney vacation.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Ok. So I am taking my first trip to Disney World with my 11 year old son in June (I know, not an ideal season on the crowd calendar, but it was my only option.) I am just really stressing about how we are going to make the most of our time. I know that it is not possible to do everything at magic Kingdom, I am not expecting to be able to, but when I read some of the blogs out there, I feel like I am not going to have time to do a whole lot. We are staying off site and plan on being there as long as possible. I think my fastpass strategy will be to schedule my first three for early in the day in the same general area of the park and then add on after that, but I read that there is not very much selection when you choose the same day, which worries me. I know that alot of my stress is probably unncecessary, but I am wondering if any people who are experienced with Magic Kingdom have any tips or advice.

If you really want to squeeze in as many attractions as possible, show up before rope drop or early magic hours, and use a contrarian strategy. That means doing the opposite of what the herd is doing. At MK, most people head for Fantasyland or Tomorrowland in the morning. So go straight to Adventureland or Frontierland first. Have fast passes waiting for you for later in the morning, for 7DMT, Peter Pan and Space Mountain. As post # 17 noted above, save all the shows for the afternoon, when the ride wait times are longest and the weather is most oppressive (all these shows are indoors, in air conditioning).

I would use the same contrarian strategy for rope dropping every park. At Epcot, go to Future World first thing, and have your Frozen fast pass waiting for you later. At DHS, go to everything not named Toy Story, and at Animal Kingdom, everything not named Pandora.