Thinking of Changing Strategy...

[jbish]

So, we've always been rope drop people, especially at MK.

But now for our next trip in March, 2017, I'm thinking we may do rope drop a few mornings at MK but on our other MK days, we may sleep in, use the pool, relax, and do MK in late afternoon through evening.

I've been monitoring the wait times on the Lines app and notice for later afternoon and evening, the line times drop quite a bit. This is even for higher crowd times (7-8 usually). So I'm thinking, why get up to an alarm while on vacation and just take our time in the morning and do MK later in the day? As long as we can hang for later hours, why not! And plan our FP+ for that.

So has anyone switched their game plan to something like this (rope droppers before and now going to the parks later)?? How did it work out? I'm especially curious for higher crowded times...

Would love some input on this! Our daughter will be 9 at time of trip and is a pretty flexible child.

Your plan sounds good to me while I am sitting here in my living room but when I get there I am go-go-go lol! I always say we are going to tour more relaxed but I can never quite get there. We are making a quick trip in October and only visiting parks four days so not sure that will be the vacation to try it for me. Maybe on our next longer trip

I read this post a few days ago and now I'm seriously considering this strategy. It's going to be a big switch in my preference to be at RD and take advantage of the lower crowds during the morning. But if I want the kids to be functional for the late night stuff, then I'm thinking we need to take the mornings more slowly. This isn't our first trip and it won't be our last. So why kill ourselves, right? Like Momtwofour, though, I fear that I'll feel like I'm missing out once I get there! LOL But I'm giving this some serious thoughts. I'm sure DH will actually love not feeling like we are in a constant rush to get to the next thing!

 

[crayon3448]

Last year (when the kids had just turned three) it was a scramble to make it to the parks by 10 and it was more like 11 most days. My kids sleep in late and stay up late (all year long, it's just the way our family schedule works). We've never felt like we're missing out, but then again have never done rope drop to know. It's a different kid of touring for sure, but I never felt like we couldn't do all we wanted on our trips with a little planning.

 

[BethR9]

I read this post a few days ago and now I'm seriously considering this strategy. It's going to be a big switch in my preference to be at RD and take advantage of the lower crowds during the morning. But if I want the kids to be functional for the late night stuff, then I'm thinking we need to take the mornings more slowly. This isn't our first trip and it won't be our last. So why kill ourselves, right? Like Momtwofour, though, I fear that I'll feel like I'm missing out once I get there! LOL But I'm giving this some serious thoughts. I'm sure DH will actually love not feeling like we are in a constant rush to get to the next thing!

These are my thoughts exactly!

 

[tlmadden73]

Personally, I feel if I am not in the park for at least 10-12 hours I am wasting my ticket money. But that comes from always going on short trips and not going as frequently as some people on these boards. I want to maximize the time I have there.

I've always liked RD just for the lack of crowds, but it IS a hard sell to a family that wants to sleep in on vacation. I've dragged my wife to some RDs last vacation reluctantly, but it was worth it. The downside was because of the early start (and having a toddler) we never stayed that late (left before night shows).

THOUGH, I think that strategy CAN change now thanks to FP+. Despite the complaints, I think this is the best perk of FP+ .... knowing you can arrive at the park in the afternoon and be able to skip three lines (no matter what the wait is at that time) is amazing. By the time you do those rides, its dinner time and the crowds begin to thin out naturally. I would consider an "afternoon drop" only because of FP+.

I'd say go for it. You get the best of both worlds and some stress free mornings.

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

Just switched to this strategy on our April trip. We did midday breaks on mk days, hit rope drop (almost) at hs for Jedi training, and skipped our fp for epcot morning in favor of pool time. We all had more fun. Two couples travelling together and daughters 6 and 7.

 

[jbish]

Personally, I feel if I am not in the park for at least 10-12 hours I am wasting my ticket money. But that comes from always going on short trips and not going as frequently as some people on these boards. I want to maximize the time I have there.

I've always liked RD just for the lack of crowds, but it IS a hard sell to a family that wants to sleep in on vacation. I've dragged my wife to some RDs last vacation reluctantly, but it was worth it. The downside was because of the early start (and having a toddler) we never stayed that late (left before night shows).

THOUGH, I think that strategy CAN change now thanks to FP+. Despite the complaints, I think this is the best perk of FP+ .... knowing you can arrive at the park in the afternoon and be able to skip three lines (no matter what the wait is at that time) is amazing. By the time you do those rides, its dinner time and the crowds begin to thin out naturally. I would consider an "afternoon drop" only because of FP+.

I'd say go for it. You get the best of both worlds and some stress free mornings.

There's always one parent that is the "RD 'til you drop" person and one that isn't, right? Sounds like our family. But we've been in your shoes on our last two trips when the kids were younger and they couldn't do the night time shows. This time, though, we have to get in the Star Wars fireworks - that's a must. However, I'm finally realizing that maybe the rush in the morning to hit RD every day isn't a necessity. FP+ definitely helps with that. So maybe we can do more in the evenings and take our time in the mornings. Plus, DH wants to be able to swim - again, I see no reason to waste valuable park time at a pool, which we can do anytime over the summer. If I'm at Disney World - so I want to be IN Disney World! LOL

 

[mocame]

I've been thinking of changing our strategy also. So many people do what we always did...RD...Afternoon at resort pool/rest...Evening at park until fireworks/evening entertainment...Back to resort.

We found this last trip that it was more crowded when we were at the park, crowded at the resort quiet pool in the afternoon, and then we were too tired to stay in the park after fireworks/parades to enjoy the lower crowds. Thinking of changing it up for our next trip in a few years since my kids will be older teenagers.