Touring plans for tweens

[hermione8]

So my DH and I are disney veterans, multiple trips each year for many years. Our (only child) DD is 24 now so for the past 10 years or so our trips have been pretty laid back as far as planning. We always get the DP so we planned most of our days around TS meals. We get our FPs and after those are done we just decide if we feel like going back to the resort or staying in the park. Easy Peasy. Welllll, this November we are taking our 2 nieces, they are both 9yo. I am getting so stressed about planning our days! I sat down with them and the birnbaum guide and they chose the attractions they really wanted to do, I made adr's already. The thing is, they are not early risers, unless they have to for school. I guess on weekends they like to get up at 8 or 9ish. I am not a morning person AT ALL. I don't know if we should try to do RD, come back in the afternoon for a swim and go back for dinner or sleep in and stay in the parks til they close. I guess I"m just forgetting how it goes with kids and their endurance! I don't want to be dragging them around the parks at all hours if they would rather be swimming or sleeping lol. Anyone with tweens have advice for me?

 

[ldo]

Before the new fp+, we used to get there by 9am--just couldn't do earlier. I actually like the new fp+, b/c I can get all fp for after 11am and stand in line prior to 11 am, when wait is very low. I usually have a few days, esp. the day of or after late EMH to sleep in and book fp+ starting at noon or even later. So, you don't get as many AM rides, but still have your fp+ rides and don't have to be a drill master for your nieces--I find my teens do much better with the below plan. If you all happen to rise early, just stand in line with lower crowds. We usually ride 4 rides from 9-11am, then you still have your noon-2pm fp+. Everyone has more fun sleeping in. My tweens/teens (and Mom) loved staying late in the parks. At 9, that's pretty special, at least once on the trip. Here's our usual plan:

mk-fp+ @ noon, 1, 2 for big thunder, splash, and maybe haunted mansion--all in same area. Upon entering, walk straight to jungle cruise, alladin and pirates ride-you can do all of these from 9-11am. After last fp ride, get another fp for the pm-leave and return after dinner. Also get mickey sorcerers card packets on you way out and do later that evening.
ak-fp exp everest if you have rollercoaster fans, kali falls, safari--lion king or nemo show, stand in line, no need for fp. Stand in line for bugs life or get a fp for later that day. Plan to stay in park/nearby all day-closes early (note--now open at night, at least for summer).
2nd day mk-fp+ @ noon+ for buzz, space, minetrain (if all out--get speedway). Try to be there @ 9am, go to peterpan, small world, teacups, goofys barnstormer.
epcot- fp+ soarin @ 11am, turtle talk, mission space (only do green). Stand in line 1st thing for test track or do single rider line.
make any changes to fp+ at least the night prior. Day visitors will book up fp for major rides by 10 am and it's harder to change day of.

 

[hermione8]

Thanks for the info! Now I need to find out more about sorcerers cards, I haven't heard of those.

 

[Tod&CopperFan]

My 9/10 y/o DD did fairly well with her endurance and ability to take whatever the park through at her. Our plans usually involved arriving at 9 am (ish), we also just couldn't seem to get there earlier. The biggest issue we found with her, was if she got hungry she got very cranky!! We had the dining plan and usually a TS meal in the air conditioning and time to sit and eat seemed to revive her and she was ready for more park time after the meal. Also, by the last few days of the trip, she was more tired (heck we all were!), falling asleep on the bus rides, etc. I think you will do great with some well planned in-park breaks with your nieces. If this is their first time at Disney they will be so excited their adrenaline will probably carry them through! Good luck!