Suggestions re: touring with family & fp+

[luvseaside]

I could use some advice from those who have traveled with extended family and coordinated their park time. I am traveling to WDW in Sept with my husband, adult niece, her husband and their 2 yr old. My husband & I have been to Disney before (prior to FP+ implementation), but the others are rookies. I am trying to set up a touring plan so I can make our FP+ reservations next month. However, I am struggling with it.

I've looked at a few "Touring with Toddler" type plans, but they seem to largely ignore thrill rides & focus on shows and kiddie rides. While we want to make sure my great-nephew (GN) does all the rides/characters that he can stand (I personally love the Winnie the Pooh ride myself!), the adults also want to do thrill ride/headliners as well. How have others coordinated those "hand-offs" with the child, and not wasted a lot of time? (For example, since we are two couples, would we schedule a FP for one couple at Space Mountain for 9:30 a.m, then schedule a FP for the 2nd couple @ 9:45 a.m.? I now there's an hour FP+ window, but is it easier/better to do it that way?)

We are only going for 4 full days so I want to maximize our time. But I also have no intention of being park commandos. I know that we have to be realistic that the GN will tire out easily and they will want some resort down time. They are laid back and know they can't do everything, so that's not an issue.

I guess I was just wondering how it has worked for others who have traveled with a larger group/family in real life. How did you schedule FPs? Am I way overthinking this? I'm just overwhelmed with trying to coordinate FPs and ADRS (character meals) and making sure we aren't backtracking all over the parks.

 

[Ntw25]

We are going in July as an extended family, wife and I, kids - 23, 21, 15, sons girlfriend 23 and toddler 20 months. I took control of the planning front to back for everyone.

I spoke to everyone and got their views on what they wanted to do, see and eat, I then used "Touring plans" to get a good idea of a draft plan for each day and booked restaurants according to the day and where we would be.

For FP's I have again covered all of the favourites, 7DMT, Haunted Mansion, Safari, Test Track etc with a view that we will decide what to do when we get there in terms of who goes on what, when. Likely that my wife and I will not ride everything so will happily look after the little one while some of the others go twice. I am happy that it will work out.

I have definitley over-thought and over planned, but as I have done this myself and not included everyone in every conversation they are blissfully unaware of the kind of precision that I am expecting (haha).

My plan.............is that I will take the lead, I will move the group effortlessly through the parks, riding the best rides, eating the best food and seeing the best shows despite the heat and the crowds........wish me luck.

 

[Kathryn777]

You need to learn how to use the Rider swap. For space mtn (and anything with a height restriction) schedule 1 fp for each person in the first couple and show the baby at the entrance, you get a pass for up to 3 people to ride (so second couple doesn't need a fast pass)

I usually try to take the baby to "something" while I wait. Ie people mover for space mtn

 

[luvseaside]

You need to learn how to use the Rider swap. For space mtn (and anything with a height restriction) schedule 1 fp for each person in the first couple and show the baby at the entrance, you get a pass for up to 3 people to ride (so second couple doesn't need a fast pass)

I usually try to take the baby to "something" while I wait. Ie people mover for space mtn

I did think about using the Rider Swap, but doesn't that leave one person riding alone at first, which isn't much fun for them. I think I will wait to use RS when we use up our 3 FP+ and cannot get a 4th one for a ride. We can utilize RS for rides with longer wait times. Or for those specific rides that my niece & husband didn't get a FP for because they used FP+ for a character/show that my husband & I don't want to see. For example, they will likely use a FP+ for Adventurers Outpost in AK b/c GN loves Mickey & Minnie! There's really no need for me to waste a FP on that. So maybe we'll ride swap with them for EE or Dinosaur.

Thanks for the suggestions! This is new for us, because we've been enough that we had adopted a laid-back touring style before. If we skipped something, it was no big deal. But taking rookies, with a small child, is a bit more stressful because you want them to see as much as they can, but still have it be enjoyable.

 

[Kathryn777]

No you can ride however many people you have fp for first

So Epcot is a prime example.
Yourself and your husband get fp for test track. You go to scan your band, show the baby and you get the swap for up to 3 people (so your niece and her husband) to come back.
Your niece and your husband get their fp for test track and show the baby and get a rider swap pass for yourself and your husband to use.

You have each used 1 fp choice, with 2 rides. And you'll want to, the process of doing that is slower than you would think

At AK get 2 fp for EE (get rider swap pass) Your niece and husband get their fp for the outfitters character thing. Then they use the rider swap pass to ride EE without waiting.

 

[luvseaside]

No you can ride however many people you have fp for first

So Epcot is a prime example.
Yourself and your husband get fp for test track. You go to scan your band, show the baby and you get the swap for up to 3 people (so your niece and her husband) to come back.
Your niece and your husband get their fp for test track and show the baby and get a rider swap pass for yourself and your husband to use.

You have each used 1 fp choice, with 2 rides. And you'll want to, the process of doing that is slower than you would think

At AK get 2 fp for EE (get rider swap pass) Your niece and husband get their fp for the outfitters character thing. Then they use the rider swap pass to ride EE without waiting.

Thanks! That's very helpful!