Taking kids for first time next year, FP+ and general questions

[eXo]

I am taking my family (wife + 2 kids) to Disney during the second week of December *next* year (2015).

I went to MK for the first time myself this past October and I can't wait to share it with my 4 year old girl (will be 5 by the time the trip comes along).

Anyways, I planned the trip for 6 full days (not including arrival day and leaving day) with a 7 day ticket, so I guess technically we can visit the parks the night we arrive.

I've been playing around with how many days to spend at different parks, how to make the most out of it, but also trying to not plan very much at all from the point of view that the best laid plans can be waylaid by a tired child. I want to make the best of our time without it being a grind, stressful, or anyone (including the little ones) feeling like they HAVE to do anything. If we don't see it all, then hey, that's fine - gives them a reason to go back, right? In the end though, it appears the the crux of making this work is relying on the fast pass + system, and unfortunately I'm really good at dreaming up scenarios that aren't explained especially well on the official website. This boards expertise would be GREATLY appreciated in solving these mysteries.

My first question is in regards to the adult rides. I know that rider switch is available, and the way I believe it works is that the adult who wants to ride the ride enters the line and expresses the the cast member that they have a significant other who would like to ride as well. The cast member then gives the other adult a pass to come back and ride at a later time.

Two things don't completely make sense about this. First, does the adult who is not riding an the child have to wait in line as well? On one hand, it makes sense as it proves there *is* another adult, and it's not just a ploy for that person to get a free fastpass, but on the other hand it really sucks that the child who can't ride has to wait for a ride that they can't enjoy... and the adult who isn't riding can't seem to to take them anywhere during this time.

Which brings me to option 2. If it is a fastpass ride, and Adult one uses a fastpass to access the ride, then the entire family can quickly make their way to the front, get the rider switch pass, and then adult 1 rides while adult 2 and the kids do something else. BUT, now you have a situation where one adult has used up a fast pass, and the other adult and both kids still have all 3. So now, you can only do 2 other things as a family - not three - right?

Finally, lets say my oldest daughter wants to meet Elsa. Now pretend I am lucky enough to secure a fastpass for this (please oh please don't be so difficult in a year from now). Do the adults or even one adult have to use a fast pass as well for this? I mean, my wife and I aren't trying to meet Elsa - we just want our daughter to. So it would blow if we had to use a fast pass, just to accompany her to the princess. If we *don't* have to use a fast pass for that, then that makes the rider switch much more viable.

In a theoretical example, say I use a fast pass for space mountain, access the ride with kids & wife, get them rider switch passes, wife gets to ride later. I have 2 FP+ left. Daughter uses FP+ to meet Elsa. She has 2 left. Wife uses FP+ to reserve some ride, we do rider switch again, I ride it later, and she has 2 left. Now the entire family has an equal amount to do family things together, yet we all got to do something for ourselves as well. Is that doable?

Next - I understand Be Our Guest is FP+ *only* these days. Grrrr. So does the entire party have to use a fast pass EACH to eat there, or can one person use their fast pass to make a reservation for the family? It seems daft that if my daughter's fast passes are all going to meet princesses that I would have to take one of those away from her just so she could join us for lunch. But that's part of the problem with making a bloody meal something that you have to not only reserve, but use up one of your "special reservations" that are supposed to be used for meet and greets and rides.

Next stop - figuring out how many days to spend in each park, which in turn tells me how many fast passes I have available to distribute across each parks rides.

Some days I love being the family planner. other days....

edit:
Another question! If I use my park hopper option to go to a second park in the same day, do I get to make 3 FP+ reservations for each park, or only one of them?

And, after using your 3 I have heard you can go to a kiosk to get another. Can this ONLY be done at a kiosk, or can I do it via my smart phone as well? I ask because when I was at epcot this past Oct, the lines for the kiosks were RIDICULOUS! Seems daft to wait in line just to SEE if you can get a fast pass you want.

 

[Mikie]

You'll have a great time! Such fun in the anticipation too!

Rider switch - you see a cast member at the ENTRANCE to the line and show that there's a small child who can't ride. Waiting patent & child hang out, go shopping, get a snack, etc. Riding parent uses the standby line or FP line if you had a FP booked. The waiting parent can then go through the ride immediately or return later as needed with the paper rider switch pass.

FP for meet and greet - unfortunately that is the case that a parent must also use a FP o escort their child through the process. Using one FP on a thrill ride and then getting a rider switch without scheduling a second FP can help minimize the sting of burning your FP on a princess visit!

Unless Be Our Guest has changed yet again, it is technically not FPonly, it just really helps to get a FP. However, it is a separate, special kind of FP and does NOT count against your 3 ride FPs. There are some excellent threads on the Restaurants board explaining this, how to get it (I highly recommend) and will likely be up to date on whether walk-ups are still available.

With 6 full days, I'd spend two at MK, two at Epcot and one each at Animal and Holywood studios. If you go on arrival day, make it another MK day. There are many opinions and variations on this, but especially if you don't plan to park-hop I think it's easiest this way.

**************.net and easyWDW are two sites with great overviews and General planning guidelines for everyone but especially for first timers.

 

[Mikie]

P.s. Character meals are my absolute favorite way to get a nice sit-down break and meet characters without standing in line! Dining in the castle while meeting princesses, the rotating Garden Grill at Epcot where you can meet Chip and Dale and Mickey & goofy, Chef Mickey in the contemporary resort (right by magic kingdom) to eat and meet mickey, Minnie, Donald and goofy. . . It's as much a part of my family's trips as the rides and shows.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

I've been playing around with how many days to spend at different parks, how to make the most out of it, but also trying to not plan very much at all from the point of view that the best laid plans can be waylaid by a tired child.

Maybe you should plan to schedule your FP+'s for late morning to mid afternoon, so meltdowns or late sleeping isn't a factor, then maybe score a 4th later if things are going well.

edit:
Another question! If I use my park hopper option to go to a second park in the same day, do I get to make 3 FP+ reservations for each park, or only one of them?

Nope, one park, per day only in advance...once the three are used, you may schedule an additional one at the kiosk in any park (but only for the park the kiosk is in)

And, after using your 3 I have heard you can go to a kiosk to get another. Can this ONLY be done at a kiosk, or can I do it via my smart phone as well? I ask because when I was at epcot this past Oct, the lines for the kiosks were RIDICULOUS! Seems daft to wait in line just to SEE if you can get a fast pass you want.

Currently only at the kiosk, we all hope that it changes soon, but no word yet.

 

[Bamagirl43]

Hi! We will be there 2nd week of Dec. 2015 as well. I think I can answer your question about the Be Our Guest FP+. Unless something has recently changed, this FP does NOT count against your inital allotment of 3 FP+. It is on a separate unrelated system. You would make the reservation for your whole family.
As far as park hopping. You can only make your 3 FP+ for 1 park. After the window for your final FP has closed, you can use the kiosks at that park or hop to another park to see what is available for FP+ scheduling. You can only make 1 additional FP+ at a time. This makes it really hard to plan. I was never able to get the app to work in the park, so don't know if you can use it to schedule additional FP+.
HTH, but feel like I may have confused the issue even more.

 

[eXo]

Thank you for tackling my wall of text.

As of Oct 8th, I read on multiple sources that Be Our Guest was FP+ only. Disneyfoodblog and Touringplans among others (can't post link due to small post count, but a quick google search of "be our guest fast pass only" will pull it right up).

I'm sure things will change again between now and then, but that also means things could "get worse", in that, more restaurants could have this requirement.

The worst thing about a parent having to burn a FP to take the child to the princess is that I HAVE to see my daughters face when she meets them and I know my wife will feel the same. So we will end up both having to use all of our fast passes just to be able to see her enjoy hers. That sorta blows, as it nearly eliminates any chance I'll get of experiencing any of the adult rides that I've never been able to do. The only way rider switch would really work for us was if we weren't separated for very long. But I'd never ask my wife to deal with both kids for 30-60 minutes while I selfishly stood in line for something. Oh well.

Regarding the advice on days, that is a very popular suggestion. The primary change I may make is Epcot. While my wife and I really enjoy it there (except for Food & Wine festival... never doing that again.... the number of drunks was outrageous), I really don't feel that my 2 and 5 year old will be entertained for 2 whole days there. Between the aquarium, turtle talk, nemo adventure, figment, the "future" ride (can't remember the name), and the potential Frozen ride in Norway - I'm not sure there is much else that would keep their attention. A 360 degree movie about Canada with Martin Short is a sure fire way to get some kids screaming if you as me (he's creepy.. hah).

I'd like to walk them through the world pavilions, primarily for the benefit of my daughter. But I think it is easily a one day event considering no one in my family will ride Mission: Space, and the kids will be too small for Test Track and Soarin'.

Rather than a second day at Epcot, I think I may take them to Universal that day. My daughters entire room is painted with Dr. Seuss, and my wife and I have visited USF multiple times together during our dating and after we got married. it's a place I'd love to share with our daughter, primarily for the Seuss stuff, and they have some kid friendly stuff at USF now as well what with the Despicable Me ride. Unfortunately I'd have to buy a 2 park ticket and then likely have to buy an express pass on top of that, so that one day at universal stands to be very expensive. It is a firm "maybe" right now =)

And thanks for mentioning the character meals. I intend to attempt a Cinderella Breakfast for my daughter, which will knock out several of the princesses. I also would like to do the same at the Crystal Palace for my little boy to meet the Hundred Acre Wood fellows. And maybe a jaunt to Chef Mcikey's as well to meet the Mickey Crew. But that still leaves Merida, Elsa, Anna, Rapunzel, and whoever else I might be missing. !

Airship Ariadne: making my plans only in the morning has def. been my modis operandi so far. I figure if I only schedule breakfasts and lunches with fast passes in between, that leaves the afternoon for resting, swimming, rides or whatever else. I'm hoping the show'like nature of the events at DHS will keep them from getting tired, as that park def. requires more planning due to the length and number of shows.

Thank you for addresses my other questions as well.

Bamagirl43 - nice to run into another early planner! There were probably a few other times of the year that were a bit slower, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see the parks all lit up, see the giant Christmas tree at the Wilderness lodge, or all the other great stuff they do there.

Thanks for the info on the fast pass system and BoG. I had heard they had also made the Toy Story ride at DHS FP+ only as well recently, so it sounds like they are taking their busiest rides/attractions/meals and using this system to encourage guests to stay on site (since FP+ is available so much earlier to them, it guarantees that all resort guests get access).

Thank you all for your input. I hope to talk to a cast member some time next year about us all having to use our fast passes to accompany my daughter. If they force one of us to use one, then that is fine - but for both of us to have to burn one just to watch her is silly. I'm hoping there is a work around there.

edit:
It seems that the FP+ thing for BoG was in effect until Oct 31st. At that point folks were unable to continue making reservations. I have been unable to find any information for the month of Nov. as to how this has progressed.

 

[AngiTN]

Thank you for tackling my wall of text.

As of Oct 8th, I read on multiple sources that Be Our Guest was FP+ only. Disneyfoodblog and Touringplans among others (can't post link due to small post count, but a quick google search of "be our guest fast pass only" will pull it right up).

Thanks for the info on the fast pass system and BoG. I had heard they had also made the Toy Story ride at DHS FP+ only as well recently, so it sounds like they are taking their busiest rides/attractions/meals and using this system to encourage guests to stay on site (since FP+ is available so much earlier to them, it guarantees that all resort guests get access).

edit:
It seems that the FP+ thing for BoG was in effect until Oct 31st. At that point folks were unable to continue making reservations. I have been unable to find any information for the month of Nov. as to how this has progressed.

Your info on BOG lunch and TSM is wrong.
There were tests done for FP only but they are no longer going on.
TSM is as it always has been (for now) book FP in advance or standy by day of
BOG lunch still offers both FP and stand by but for a period of time each day the line is closed to stand by. Typically it opens up again about 2:30 or so.

 

[AngiTN]

As for FP and rider switch.. it is what it is. Each of you need a FP to enter the que for M&G and such.
As for FP and rider switch and waiting I wanted to point out the 5 yo will likely be tall enough for most all the rides at Disney. 99% of Disney's rides are family rides without height requirements. Most 5 yo are tall enough for the next tier of rides, leaving only a few they can't ride.
If you get FP and then use Rider switch 1 parent and your 5 yo can ride, leaving the other parent and younger child waiting and then the waiting parent can ride with the 5 yo. So the child gets to ride twice on 1 FP.
For the rides with the higher height requirements there is often a single rider line that takes very little time. I would suggest it and let your wife and the kids play someone nearby while you ride. Sometimes it's nice to let them eat a snack and rest for the 15 min or so it takes

 

[mjkacmom]

I'm pretty sure a CM isn't going to let you into the meet and great without a fast pass. Millions of other parents had to do the same.

 

[eXo]

As mentioned in the first post, I have a 5 year old AND a 2 year old. So it really doesn't make a difference that my daughter is over 40" if I still have a son who obviously is under. Not to mention my daughter is unlikely to want to ride any of the rides in question.

As far as both of us having to use a fast pass to accompany her, It never hurts to ask. Sometimes millions of people do things simply because they don't think about it.

 

[AngiTN]

As mentioned in the first post, I have a 5 year old AND a 2 year old. So it really doesn't make a difference that my daughter is over 40" if I still have a son who obviously is under. Not to mention my daughter is unlikely to want to ride any of the rides in question.

As far as both of us having to use a fast pass to accompany her, It never hurts to ask. Sometimes millions of people do things simply because they don't think about it.

True, no harm in asking but you can also be sure you are not the first to think on it nor the first to told that everyone has to have a FP. You may find a nice CM but be aware you have to find 2, at least. There are 2 check points and both of them will have to agree to let you in without a FP. Finding 1 CM that skirts the rules, not as hard as finding 2. Simply want you to be aware and prepared. I would hate for you to get there, have just 2 FP and be turned away. Getting another while you are there will be unlikely.
Something else to note, you can't book any FP for just your 5 yo. The system won't allow it. An adult with have to be booked for each of them too.

I did notice you had 2 children which is why I said 1 parent can ride with the older child while the other parent waits with the younger one. Waiting doesn't have to mean sitting and doing nothing either. But if no kids want to ride then single rider is probably your best bet.
Or do what the rest of us have done. Hold off on the bigger rides till the kids are big enough to ride.
Simply trying to offer suggestions based on experience

 

[Luvchefmic]

P.s. Character meals are my absolute favorite way to get a nice sit-down break and meet characters without standing in line! Dining in the castle while meeting princesses, the rotating Garden Grill at Epcot where you can meet Chip and Dale and Mickey & goofy, Chef Mickey in the contemporary resort (right by magic kingdom) to eat and meet mickey, Minnie, Donald and goofy. . . It's as much a part of my family's trips as the rides and shows.

you keep forgetting PLUTO who loves to do the hotdog dance

Both places are great !

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I think the answers to some of your initial questions shows how frustrating too early planning can be. Things change so rapidly and information becomes stale quickly. We can answer your questions with how things are RIGHT NOW, but that may mean diddly squat a year from now.

As for Epcot and young kids...we have young kids, and Epcot is a 3/4 day park for us, at best. When the kids were smaller, we would split a 6 day trip with 3 days at MK and 1 day in each other park. Now our youngest is over 40 inches, and both kids love Star Wars, so we're splitting our trip next month with 2 full days and 2 half days (arrival and departure day) at MK, 2 days at DHS, and 1 day each at AK and Epcot. Our kids can do Star Tours over and over again, which is why we spend so much time at DHS.

 

[AngiTN]

I think the answers to some of your initial questions shows how frustrating too early planning can be. Things change so rapidly and information becomes stale quickly. We can answer your questions with how things are RIGHT NOW, but that may mean diddly squat a year from now.

So true. I really do think we'll see changes to FP+ between now and this time next year. No idea what but I would be surprised to see it exactly as it is today, both for FP+ in general and for things that may end up being FP+ only.

 

[Jessterly]

Hi!! You are going to have such a great trip!! Lots of others have touched on your fp questions so I'll try to give you some insight into the other things. Before I do though - don't be surprised if you get snarky responses to your question about adults fp-ing meet & greets. I asked that very question on this forum and got so blasted I almost swore off the forum altogether. It was only b/c sweet people PMed me and reminded me to ignore the negative nellies that I kept on. Your question is NOT stupid and totally valid. But yea, we do have to use our fast passes so we can see our kids meet characters.

Anyway... scheduling. We find that not getting park hopper passes is a great way for us to save a fairly significant amount of $$ while our DD is young. Park hopping - while awesome for adults who want to eat lots of dinners at Epcot and experience tons of the thrill rides - is exhausting and time consuming with the littles. I find that many of the advantages of PH can be neutralized with careful planning of your days.

I agree with the previous poster that said you might want 3 days at MK. For your littles, this will be their favorite park. And there is so much to do - you can split the park in two for MK1 and MK2 and then do their favorites again on MK3.

My daughter's second-favorite (at ages 2 & 3) park is HS. They have done an awesome job with Disney Jr. stuff and character meets.

If I had 6 park days, I would do 3 MK and 1 each at the other parks OR 2 days at HS and skip AK (LOVE that park but it's lots of walking and at its core is similar to a zoo for that age group). I would also build in some serious rest time in there. Maybe do MK morning and spend noon til past dinner back at the hotel, returning for fireworks. Plan a day where you're back to the hotel early for a good nights sleep.

Sleep - with a 2 & 4yo, definitely take their sleep into consideration. Are you early risers? Then roll with that and be at the parks every day before rope drop. Sleep in at home? Don't force a major schedule change on them - be smart about your fast passes and anticipated crowds and go to the parks later in the day.

I guess my advice boils down to -- have a plan but be flexible. Allow for rest and down time. Often the young kiddos have WAY different ideas of their favorite things than we do. My 2yo last year wanted to ride the MK carousel over and over, and she loved the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground.

 

[eXo]

Thanks to every one for their replies. I understand the sentiments behind the responses about the fast passes and meet and greets. No one likes the idea of someone "working the system", and many of you have been around long enough to just know how it works. When I said I would "ask", I basically meant calling Disney about 2 months before my trip (just before I make fast pass reservations), to ask them for their official policy at the time. I did not mean I would try to sweet talk the cast members into letting me in. AngiTN was dead on, that that approach is a formula for dissapointment, and I would never risk NOT seeing my daughter meet her princesses simply to save a fast pass.

As far as putting off the big rides until later, I suppose I was talking theoretical more than anything. I went to Mk for the first time myself this past oct, and while Space Mountain was fun - it's not something I have an itch to do again. When it comes to coasters I love the insane ones - the crazier the better. So on that scale, Space Mountain is about as tame as it gets. I've never been on Splash Mountain, but I don't care to get splashed either. I really just want to do it one time one day, simply to see the theming. That leaves Big Thunder Mountain (did I mess the name up on that?... seems like I did), which I wouldn't mind doing again, but only if my older child would like to as well. I'll show her some youtube videos of it so she can gauge whether or not she thinks it is too scary.

My primary interest is trying the Tower of Terror and Aerosmith coaster at Hollywood Studios. Twilight Zone is something I grew up watching with my dad, and I'd love to see Disney's take on it. I'll have to do some research and see if it is worth using fast passes for the shows at Hollywood studios, or if I can get away with using one of mine to check out the Tower.

Jessterly - thank you for being so kind and welcoming. It was nice to have someone express understanding as to why I am asking these things.

The park hopping is something I added to our package simply for options. It didn't really add that much to the overall cost of the trip. And since we have two little ones with us, I can't imagine staying in the park all day (from open to close). But I do know that the kiddos will want to see fireworks at least once or twice. So since we will be going back to the room to rest anyways, the park hopper just gives us the opportunity to go anywhere we want for the second half of the day, if that is what makes sense. Or, thats how I looked at it anyways.

I do think the bulk of our trip will be focused on MK and DSH. I'd like to have a flex day somewhere in the trip, towards the end, where I can ask them where they would like to go back too.

It sounds to me, from your advice Jessterly, and from many websites, that parents of young children often make the mistake of trying to do too much at too intense of a pace. So I figured I would book all fast passes before lunch (or with one right after lunch if needed) and make most of my ADR's for breakfast and/or lunch. My kids both get up with e at 5:30am every day at home and then take a 2-3 hour nap from 11am-1 or2pm. I then have them lay down around 8pm on weekdays, but I allow them to watch movies or play on their tablets for an hour before lights out. On weekends they stay up later some times, but then in turn they sleep later. Point being, I have a pretty good feel for their schedules, and I basically just have to account for the fact that they will be more tired than usual (just from stimulation if nothing else). My daughter can skip her afternoon nap without turning into a heathen, so depending on the circumstances, we may also look into allowing the younger one to just sleep in a rental stroller or if he is small enough to still use our baby straps, he can sleep against one of us. The short of it though, is if I only plan mornings, then we can always play afternoons by ear.

It's also worth mentioning that the reason my wife and I went to Disney World this past Oct by ourselves was simply so we could see it together and experience it our way. The trip next Dec is for my kids. They will simply be happy being there. The rides, the princesses, the holidays, and the shows are really all just a bonus to me. My motivation for the trip is 100% seeing their faces experience it all.

When I first booked the trip, I thought an 8 day trip with 6 full days would be plenty (especially since the website defaults to a 7 day/5 full day trip). It's amazing how fast those days fill up!

 

[Raenstoirm]

Thanks to every one for their replies. I understand the sentiments behind the responses about the fast passes and meet and greets. No one likes the idea of someone "working the system", and many of you have been around long enough to just know how it works. When I said I would "ask", I basically meant calling Disney about 2 months before my trip (just before I make fast pass reservations), to ask them for their official policy at the time.

Don't EVER EVER believe something a phone cast member tells you. Point blank they have no idea what they are talking about and give wrong info about 75% of the time. Often if they don't know, they make it up. The call centers are not in Florida and most of them have never set foot in disney world. Come here and ask any question you may have. If you were planning a trip right now I would tell you to book at 3 FP+ for A&E and if your plan works, just don't use one of the adult ones and change it to something else the day of. However I will tell you people have tried and I think your plan has worked for one family and only one of the hundreds who have tried. And even that seemed circumspect when hearing the person tell their tale. Ideally A&E will get easier though next year since I hope they add more meet and greets, so this may be a moot point.
As for everything else, I think you have gotten great advice. You chose a great age for your daughter to really get into the magic. And if she is princess girl, like you say, she will be in heaven! Happy Planning!

 

[eXo]

Thanks - I'll follow your lead and forget the phone call.

My daughter is def. a princess kinda girl. Anytime she gets to choose a gift it is straight to the disney store and she buys one of the princess dresses she doesn't have yet.

Speaking of which, I've been meaning to search the boards for feedback and reviews of the fairy godmother makeover salon/experience deal they offer. I'll go search now.

 

[AngiTN]

Don't EVER EVER believe something a phone cast member tells you. Point blank they have no idea what they are talking about and give wrong info about 75% of the time. Often if they don't know, they make it up. The call centers are not in Florida and most of them have never set foot in disney world. Come here and ask any question you may have. If you were planning a trip right now I would tell you to book at 3 FP+ for A&E and if your plan works, just don't use one of the adult ones and change it to something else the day of. However I will tell you people have tried and I think your plan has worked for one family and only one of the hundreds who have tried. And even that seemed circumspect when hearing the person tell their tale. Ideally A&E will get easier though next year since I hope they add more meet and greets, so this may be a moot point.

Your post reminded me, by this time next year won't A&E start to appear in Epcot also? Wasn't their starting to appear in both parks confirmed but no date offered? I've sort of lost track on what is going on with them.

I too think their waits will be down a year from now, even if they don't move. Maybe to the point a FP is plentiful. They will remain popular but I believe they peaked and are just dropping now, though very slowly