Touring Plans for May - Input appreciated (updated)!

[WDWRook]

Thanks. Now, to figure out a better plan in time to move some FP+

 

[WDWRook]

Updated my touring plans for DHS as follows. Let me know what you think.

9:00 --- Jedi Sign Up
9:00 - 10:00 --- RnR (if DS9 wants), or Star Tours/GMR/Mickey M&G/

Open (slot for Jedi availability)

10:35 - 11:15 --- TSMM FP+ (1015-1115 window)
11:25 - 12:45 --- Sci Fi Diner Lunch

Open (slot for Jedi availability)

1:15 - 2:00 --- Frozen Sing along
2:00 - 2:30 --- Star Tours FP+ (1:45-2:20 window)
2:45 - 3:30 --- Indiana Jones
3:45 - 4:30 --- B&TB
4:40 - 5:00 --- ToT FP+ (4-5 window, if kids will do it)

Open (slot for Jedi availability and Launch Pad)

6:30 - 7:45 --- Minnie's Fantasmic Dine

Open (star tours, GMR, M&Gs, shopping, etc)

8:30 - 9:30 --- Fantasmic

9:30 / 10:00 --- SWs Fireworks (hopefully)

Seems less crisscrossing. The darn shows with dedicated times, and most only having times in the afternoon is messing me up. Hope for Jedi slot in the morning of just after Lunch to leave the later open slot just for Launch Pad, Under the Sea, etc. Possible extra fast pass for Star Tours or GMR, or whatever we missed after dinner and before Fantasmic. I hope we won't need a fastpass for the Frozen sing along at 1:30. The EasyWDW cheat sheet suggests it's not a long wait for that.

 

[WDWRook]

Well, have made some changes to our AK day with no ROL. Would appreciate any thoughts, thanks.

RD- Safari 9-10am
Pangani trail 10-10:20
Lion King 10:30-11:30
Lunch FTB 11:40
Flight of wonders 12:30-1:15
Maharajah 1:15-1:45
Kali FP+ 1:45-2:15
Nemo 2:30-3:35
Dinosaur FP+ 3:35-4:35
Other Dinoland stuff
EE FP+ 5-6
Tree of life Bug show

Currently AK is scheduled to close at 6pm. Will that be extended?

 

[Robo]

Kali FP+ 1:45-2:15
Nemo 2:30-3:35

You are very likely to be sopping wet and cold watching Nemo.

 

[Robo]

Currently AK is scheduled to close at 6pm. Will that be extended?

All "rides" should continue... qs in, Exp. Everest, DINOSAUR, It's Tough to Be a Bug, etc.
Kali River should run at night, but only if it's not too cold.
Festival of the Lion King and/or Finding Nemo the Musical may or may not have a later show or two.

The waking trails and Conservation Station will very likely close by sundown.
The Safari should switch to "Night Safari" mode about dusk.
Flights of Wonder likely won't perform after sundown.

 

[WDWRook]

Do you think it is likely that hours will extend beyond 6:00 PM? hard to plan our dinner reservation not knowing. Currently scheduled for Tusker House at 6:30, but thinking to change that to outside of AK if the place closes at 6:00 PM.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

We did a "day off" on our trip, slept in, shopped at DS, did the pool, then dinner, but then we went into MK to see MSEP and Wishes. That kept us from having to be out late after being in the park all day and kept us busy on our day off.

 

[Robo]

Do you think it is likely that hours will extend beyond 6:00 PM?

I'd say a better than 49% chance.


(But then, what isn't?)

 

[caroline1851]

I took my kids when they were 6 and 3 and then again when they were 9 and 5. This schedule would've never worked.....they wanted to go back and swim almost everyday around 2 or so. They were tired of the parks by then. Instead of having a full rest day, i'd do shorter overall days. No need to do Fireworks, etc. 2 nights at MK. Once is fine. Maybe do a RD until they are tired one day then the other day do pool all morning/early afternoon and then go to park dinner time and for night stuff. 3 hours around the world at epcot will not be enough. kidcot stations are fun for the kids plus there's just a ton to see. Looks like you've done tons of research though and you look more prepared than most. so yipeeee!

 

[WDWRook]

We got back from our Trip on Monday, so I thought I'd write up a short review. Mostly for myself so I have notes for planning our next trip (and a bit to relive the fun).

We spent seven nights and stuck pretty close to our plans. I was expecting the kids to not be able to handle the long days and assumed we would have to shorten a few of our days; but the kids were more than troopers and made it open to close each park day (then proceeded to fall asleep on the bus). We took a few short breaks, plus sat down for lunch and dinner each day, but most of our breaks were sitting down for rides or shows and that seemed to be enough. In fact, the kids kept saying they were bored and "whats next" when we tried to take breaks. Weather was perfect, well maybe a bit hot. 85-90 all week and not one drop of rain.

Stayed at POR and a Royal Room. We got the floor and the building we requested but were a bit further of a walk than I hoped for. The room was very nice, though a bit small and I'm intending to look for a bit larger rooms going forward. I'm not sure I'd pay extra for the Royal again, but it was fun for this time. I would pay extra to have a shorter walk to the bus and pool area again. Pools were fun including the quiet pool which we used our last day. We took a day off mid-trip to sleep in, swim and then do Hoop-de-Do and it was a very much needed break. The food court was very good. We didn't do the table service restaurant and only watch Yea Ha Bob for five minutes. We would definitely recommend POR and go back, but next trip we will likely go someplace else just because we like to try new things.

Transportation was great. We hardly ever had to wait more then 5-10 minutes for a bus, always got on the first bus and the rides were short even to AK. Boat to DSprings was fun too and the Magical Express was a great service. We did take a Cab to breakfast at Ohana one day just to give the kids an extra half hour to sleep. Really nothing but good comments on transportation.

We spent two days at MK and could have easily had a third day there. Are schedule was jam packed and only waited like 15 minutes a couple times for rides and the Circus M&G. Most of the time we walked right on to rides. We also managed between 8-10 fastpasses each day with the extra passes you can get. We had passes for the major rides like 7DMT, BTM, SM, A&E. Then, we roped dropped PP, Pooh, Hunted Mansion and M&G for Cind/Rap. We managed to get FP+ added later for PP (rode three times), two for Pirates, Small World, Speedway, twice for Buzz, Meet Tink and a few more. I was always surprised at the long standby line for rides when I could open my phone and snag a FP for right then, and walk on. We were surprised at how much we liked the Philharmagic show and the Tails with Belle. The only issue was we overestimated our kids adventurous side as they got scared on BTM, were okay on 7DMT (but I could not get them to go again) and just skipped SpaceMt. There is a lot we need to go back for, including the thrill rides, the Town Square stuff, Tom Sawyer, a few M&Gs and to have more time for the Wizard game. Our kids both got picked for the Pirate Training with our son fighting Jack Sparrow, which was a lot of fun. Jack and Gaston were both fantastic and we have a cutest picture ever with our DD5 and Gaston (Gaston was the longest wait of the day at like 20 mins).

AK was a lot of fun, but again we ran out of time even though we went open to close. I have no idea how anyone does this as a half day park. And we skipped EE and Primeval and most of the Dinoland and spent very little time on the Island. We did do all the shows (and Lion King was are fav show by a long margin) the safari twice and Kali River twice both via FP+). Once again we managed to get 5-6 FP+ and squeezed in a few unplanned M&Gs. In spite of the kids dislike of the thrill rides, they were okay with Dinosaur and with Hunted Mansion. DD5 was a bit scared at one point but did fine and would go again. Kali was the favorite ride and I'd likely not do the Safari twice as it was virtually the same activity. Need to go back for EE, have more time for the Adventurers game (kids loved it) and of course the new nighttime show.

Hollywood was awesome, especially the Star Wars stuff. Based on comments we expected longer bus rides, but we ended up getting to HW very early and got picked as "family of the day" so we got to open the park. Once again, we ran out of time and can't imagine this as a half day park. Kids got first dibs on the Jedi Training (perk of the family of the day) which was a lot of fun and the kids loved it. Took over an hour of time though. Star Tours was our fav ride though we only got on it twice do to time. Toy Story was fun, but IMO overrated compared to the lines and the reviews. We again did every and Indiana Jones was great. We can skip B&TB and LM next time, along with the Muppets. The Star Wars stage show was great and the kids met Chewie, Kylo Ren, Mickey/Minnie, and Olaf. Kids fav was Fantasmic. We had the Famtasmic dinner so our seats were great. We skipped RnR and ToT as kids would not try them.

Epcot. We really underestimated this park as we initially planned to skip it. Then, our plans but us in the World at 3:30. No where near enough time. DS9 and I started with Mission Space Orange and wife and DD5 did green. Both loved it. Also did Test Track with DS9 loved, and DS9 and I did Sum of all thrills three times. It's his fav ride of all of Disney, and the last ride we went upside down four times. I wish we could have went back and did BTM and 7DMT again after this since DS9 seemed to get over his fear of the rides on our last day. Turtle talk was fun, and SE was cool. When we go back, Epcot will be our main focus. We all loved the World area and kids loved the Perry game, but we only made it through UK, France and Japan, and rushing at that. When we go back our focus will be SofAT, Soarin (was closed) and TT, then hit the world at 11:00 am sharp.

Food was great all around. We dined at PRT (fun, good food, great decorations, characters were just okay) BOG was great, our fav meal by a lot. Hoop De Doo was great fun and food, we will do it again, though maybe not next trip. We stared at Raglan Road which again was a lot of fun and good food and ended at SAI. We read a lot of bad reviews at SAI and even canceled our reservation at one point. SAID was great. Food was prepared well, service was great and the atmosphere was great; second fav to BOG. We did the Fantasmic at Hollywood and Vine and food was good, but service was slow. Also did the Breakfast at Ohana which the kids loved. We likely wont do PRT again anytime soon, we will absolutely do the rest again with BOG and SAI likely for next trip. CS we had Peco Bills and Cosmic Rays, both good. Flame Tree was good, but BBQ at Hoop was better. Sunshine Seasons at Epcot was good café food. I can't think of any meal or dish we disliked. We waited 30 minutes to be seated at H&V due to a backup for the Daisy pictures and overall slow service. We didn't wait more than 5 minutes anywhere else.

We also did the dinning plan. I think we got good value as we did all the most expensive meals on DP (PRT, BOG, HDDR, Ohana, H&V FAN,). Our kids don't eat much so we split lunch meals several times and ended up with 2 QS and 2 snack credits left to waste on cookies and suckers from the POR store. I doubt we will buy the dining plan again.

One change we made that we wish we did not; we initially had all days schedule for EMH days, and flipped AK, HS and Epcot to be non EMH days due to concerns with crowds. Due to the lack of time at those parks, we wish we did not make that change. Also, that meant we missed the Star Wars fireworks at HS. Next time we also need to slow down. Although the kids wanted to keep going, at times we felt like we were rushing from attraction to attraction. We did manage to do most everything we planned though.

Thanks for all the help. Now, time to plan the next trip and to look into the DVC idea......

 

[Candycane83]

Thanks for the great review!

 

[WDWRook]

Forgot to add:

Dole Whip, good but not as good as it was made out. Too sweet for me to eat an entire one on my own.
Touring Plans, most of the time more accurate than MDE, but several times was way off and didn't even show the correct "current posted wait time". Best use of Touring plans though was my personalized plan, which really helped us to arrange our plan to minimize walking and wait times. That was great and worth every penny for the app just for that part.
Memory Maker was great, we used it a lot and they got some great pictures, especially the 7DMT with a short video that the kids love. Worth the cost and will buy again. We have hundreds of pics from MM.

We are planning to go back maybe next May of late summer/ fall of 2017, and skipping one of the parks. Frankly, not sure what to skip. I'd say AK, but with the new ROL and Avatar perhaps open by then, and DS9 now maybe ready to try EE. But, HS was great too. I don't think you can do WDW and skip MK. and Epcot is our must do park. Kids want a water park day, thus the idea to skip one park and we are thinking to drop down to 5 night trip more often vs a 7 night trip.