The Mouse is Causing Me Brain Damage

jwoods703

Earning My Ears
Joined
Feb 22, 2014
Messages
48
I’m stressing out, slightly to my own doing. This is my wife and I’s second trip to WDW and this time includes my 4y/o daughter’s first experience. We are also splitting the time up and doing 3 days at Uni.

I remember last time going insane trying to make reservations and planning FP+ times, though I made it all get smoothly together. However, this time I can’t simply make it work. We are doing 2 days at Magic Kingdom and 1 day at Animal Kingdom. My wife booked be our guest for dinner one day 6:55 and a Tony’s restaurant experience for lunch 12:15 on the other. The problem really becomes where Tony’s is located inside the park.

I’m trying to split the park into two days 1 day Tomorrowland and Fantasyland the other Adventureland and Frontier land. All of that being said I’m banking on LM Voyage being a small line as the park opens our first day. I also seem pretty stuck itinerary-wise in trying to put the Haunted Mansion in on Frontier/Adventureland.
I’m currently going insane moving FP+ around and I think I’m just making it worse.

Thanks for letting me rant, if anyone has any advice I’m more than willing to listen
 
Obviously, I can't comment on your itinerary, but would it help you to configure your lands differently? Like....Fantasy / Frontier and then Tomorrow/ Adventure? Or some other 'twosome'. If the purpose of your trip to Tony's is for the parade viewing, you're right.....you could easily see the parade from many venues...Frontier-, Liberty Square, Hub, Main Street. We've never had a problem finding a place for Fest. of Fantasy, if we plan our spots 30 minutes before it begins. ...again, just some logistical thinking. I hope your family has a great trip!
 
I’m stressing out, slightly to my own doing. This is my wife and I’s second trip to WDW and this time includes my 4y/o daughter’s first experience. We are also splitting the time up and doing 3 days at Uni.

I remember last time going insane trying to make reservations and planning FP+ times, though I made it all get smoothly together. However, this time I can’t simply make it work. We are doing 2 days at Magic Kingdom and 1 day at Animal Kingdom. My wife booked be our guest for dinner one day 6:55 and a Tony’s restaurant experience for lunch 12:15 on the other. The problem really becomes where Tony’s is located inside the park.

I’m trying to split the park into two days 1 day Tomorrowland and Fantasyland the other Adventureland and Frontier land. All of that being said I’m banking on LM Voyage being a small line as the park opens our first day. I also seem pretty stuck itinerary-wise in trying to put the Haunted Mansion in on Frontier/Adventureland.
I’m currently going insane moving FP+ around and I think I’m just making it worse.

Thanks for letting me rant, if anyone has any advice I’m more than willing to listen
LM will have a small line at opening. and its not hard to get a 4th FP for it either. Get the FP for the hard to get rides first
 
I would be happy to help but I'm not sure I understand the issue lol.
 

Obviously, I can't comment on your itinerary, but would it help you to configure your lands differently? Like....Fantasy / Frontier and then Tomorrow/ Adventure? Or some other 'twosome'. If the purpose of your trip to Tony's is for the parade viewing, you're right.....you could easily see the parade from many venues...Frontier-, Liberty Square, Hub, Main Street. We've never had a problem finding a place for Fest. of Fantasy, if we plan our spots 30 minutes before it begins. ...again, just some logistical thinking. I hope your family has a great trip!

There's no logistical purpose behind Tony's, other than my wife wanted to go last trip and we didn't have the time to make it. I've also tried making adjustments to this time for both lunch and dinner(with a 4 y/o it makes it a bit more difficult as the only other lunch time I found was 1:55pm). It's also nice being close to the front entrance of the park during that time to take my 4YO home for a nap afterwards back at the Contemporary.

LM will have a small line at opening. and its not hard to get a 4th FP for it either. Get the FP for the hard to get rides first

Everything I'm reading is LM is not difficult getting into. I'm trying to set that up early in the morning so we can hit the FP over at Tomorrowland(my Wife wants Space Mountain and I'm going to take our daughter on the Speedway. I'm going to save a FP that way by getting a rider switch for myself.

I would be happy to help but I'm not sure I understand the issue lol.

It may be easier if I kind of cover my MK itineraries with you, and maybe I'm just missing something with how I'm going to make it work(the second day at MK is more my issues time line wise):

Tuesday:

-Park opens head to the back for It's a Small World then to LM(No FP)
**Try to fit in meeting Ariel and Dumbo if there's time**
- 11:15-12:15 First FP Wife goes to Space Mountain, I get a rider switch ticket and get the extra FP
-While my Wife is at SM, take my 4yo to Speedway, go meet up with her and ride Speedway off the switch
- 12:30-1:30 Second FP Peter Pan's Flight
**Grab QS Lunch and head back to Contemporary for my 4yo to get a nap**
**Head back to MK around 5-5:30, go shopping**
- 6:55 Be Our Guest Dinner
- 8:25-9:00 Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Thursday(Where most of my problems fall, though I've fixed most of it):

- Park opens head to Jungle Cruise No FP
- 9:45-10:45 Haunted Mansion FP
- 12:15 Tony's for Lunch
**Head back to Contemporary for 4YO nap**
- 5:45 Planet Hollywood for Dinner
**Head back to MK**
- 7:45 Splash Mountain FP

I'm trying to fit in Big Thunder Mountain Railroad(unavailable during times I want). I think the only way I can make it happen would be cancelling Planet Hollywood and doing a QS dinner back at MK.

I'm also open to anyone looking over this itinerary and telling me rides I could catch that shouldn't be a long wait that we could fit in or if anyone looks at this and tells me I'm crazy and could make a better set up. The only things I can't change are BOG and Tony's as my wife would hurt me.

I'd dump Uni.
Problem solved.

My wife wants to do Harry Potter World which we missed last time. I'm a huge Simpsons fan, so I'll be stopping by for a Krusty Burger and a Duff Beer
 
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I am not sure I understand the problem. But if it’s the concern about crisscrossing the park with little legs, don’t forget about the railroad. You could spend the morning in Adventureland and Frontierland, then hop on the train to get to lunch at Tony’s.
ETA: sorry, I forgot about the railroad’s extended closure.
 
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I am not sure I understand the problem. But if it’s the concern about crisscrossing the park with little legs, don’t forget about the railroad. You could spend the morning in Adventureland and Frontierland, then hop on the train to get to lunch at Tony’s.
ETA: sorry, I forgot about the railroad’s extended closure.

That's one of the biggest issues I've run into. It would have made things a lot easier if the railroad hadn't been closed
 
Although you might have a bit of a wait at BTMRR, if you head directly to Jungle Cruise, ride it, and then head directly to BTMRR, I would guess that the wait for BTMRR won’t be extreme. You should be able to ride that and still make your HM FP without a problem.
 
Although you might have a bit of a wait at BTMRR, if you head directly to Jungle Cruise, ride it, and then head directly to BTMRR, I would guess that the wait for BTMRR won’t be extreme. You should be able to ride that and still make your HM FP without a problem.

I'm monitoring waiting times on touringplans.com/magic-kingdom, this may be an alternative or try to push HM just to make sure I create enough time to get there. Thank you.


Also, Disney Springs...has anyone done T-Rex? Are there any restaurants that we have to do? Right now we have reservations for BOG dinner, T-Rex, Rainforest Cafe, Tony's, Chef Art-Smiths, and Planet Hollywood. I tried to get a Chef Mickey for breakfast since we're staying at the Contemporary, but to no avail.
 
Have you thought about an umbrella stroller (from home) or renting a stroller from outside vendor? It could be very useful if flying (airport). Than criss crossing 4 year Old would be good to go. There is a lot of walking in the parks and even if your child doesn't normally use stroller, it would be beneficial in the parks.
 
Have you thought about an umbrella stroller (from home) or renting a stroller from outside vendor? It could be very useful if flying (airport). Than criss crossing 4 year Old would be good to go. There is a lot of walking in the parks and even if your child doesn't normally use stroller, it would be beneficial in the parks.

We do plan to bring a stroller for the long walks for our daughter, however if I can avoid it I'd prefer to not have to criss-cross(unless it's the only way). It seems it may have to come down to either trying to fit BTMRR and Jungle Cruise in before my HM FP or cancel Planet Hollywood and fit the FP in there while getting a QS meal in for dinner.
 
I'm monitoring waiting times on touringplans.com/magic-kingdom, this may be an alternative or try to push HM just to make sure I create enough time to get there. Thank you.


Also, Disney Springs...has anyone done T-Rex? Are there any restaurants that we have to do? Right now we have reservations for BOG dinner, T-Rex, Rainforest Cafe, Tony's, Chef Art-Smiths, and Planet Hollywood. I tried to get a Chef Mickey for breakfast since we're staying at the Contemporary, but to no avail.

Our experience is prepare to spend a lot of time getting to and from Disney Springs if using bus transportation. With you only having those few days in the parks, I would not go there 3 times for meals. T-Rex and Rainforest are pretty similar food wise. Not horrible but definitely better places to eat around.
 
Our experience is prepare to spend a lot of time getting to and from Disney Springs if using bus transportation. With you only having those few days in the parks, I would not go there 3 times for meals. T-Rex and Rainforest are pretty similar food wise. Not horrible but definitely better places to eat around.

Thank you for the feedback. Glad to know we are going smart with it. Should have mentioned 2 of those meals at DS are on Monday, that’s our arrival day and time to spend specifically at DS. Only time during our park days we hit DS is Thursday at Planet Hollywood, which I’m contemplating canceling.
 
Thank you for the feedback. Glad to know we are going smart with it. Should have mentioned 2 of those meals at DS are on Monday, that’s our arrival day and time to spend specifically at DS. Only time during our park days we hit DS is Thursday at Planet Hollywood, which I’m contemplating canceling.

That makes more sense! Have you tried Liberty Tree Tavern? We love that one! It is a must do on our MK days.
 
I would head straight to BTMR and then Jungle Cruise before your HM FP. I’d also dump that Planet Hollywood res because I wouldn’t waste potential park time making the trip to/from DS.

The other big one for me are those late FP times. You’re missing out on so many FPs that way! I’d consider trying to move those to an earlier time using the refresh method.
 
I would head straight to BTMR and then Jungle Cruise before your HM FP. I’d also dump that Planet Hollywood res because I wouldn’t waste potential park time making the trip to/from DS.

The other big one for me are those late FP times. You’re missing out on so many FPs that way! I’d consider trying to move those to an earlier time using the refresh method.

"Refresh method?"
 
T-Rex - food is ok, but ig was the atmosphere that did it for us! Our kids loved going there to see the dinosaurs and play in the boneyard. Once they got older we dropped it off our list, but when they were young it was one of their favorite places to go. FWIW
 












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