Touring plans + park hoppers + afternoon breaks

[hodad]

7yo, 6yo, 3yo, and 4 parents headed to WDW Feb. 19-26. I'm familiar with park strategies from touringplans, Kenny's, and easywdw, but before now I've only gone to parks for one long stretch. I'm interested in strategies that involve mornings in a park, afternoons at the hotel pool, and evenings in a park, with the flexibility that a park-hopper affords. Where can I find touring plan resources for such a trip? Do you have any pointers? Is there anything I should know about the specific week we will be going that would determine which parks we visit when?

 

[kayteekt]

Make your own with the touring plans site you can pick the attractions you want to do and length of time in park, input your fp. I put them in the order you want to do them, then it gives time estimates. This helps me know if my plan is realistic.

 

[DisneyCAL]

Check out easywdw for cheat sheets and crowd calendars. Go with the recommended days. With a 3yo and 6 yo, you will want to take a break, whether its to nap or just lay down in the dark cool room or go for a swim and then return to the same park or a different (you will need park hopper option for this). Our 5 yr old twins on the last trip did much better with a 45min nap and a swim. We typically did park open until around 1 or 2pm, took break until 5, had dinner somewhere then did fireworks somewhere. Your older kids could stay with an adult or two while 3yo goes back for a break if they feel like they can stick it out, but I would plan FP for mid morning to early afternoon so 3yo doesn't have to wait, then if older children or other adults want to stay they can use 4th FP option. Use the FP for the headliners and fill in your ride list in between with lesser rides. Hope this helps.

 

[AFwifelife]

I like making my own plans in TouringPlans. I like making the plan for a relaxed pace with minimized walking so we can do things leisurely but it still gives me a good idea of what can be done and when I should get FP+.

 

[Delirium]

Whatever plan you come up with needs to be flexible. That's why, even though I review those sites for park recommendations, I actually create my own touring plan.

- First I know what I want to FastPass. I don't need them to make those recommendations

- Secondly, I tend to do things a little more generically, such as 'Be in Adventureland from 9:00-10:30. That helps avoid the rigid timelines some of those plans provide in case a ride goes down or there's a need for something like an unexpected bathroom break.

- Finally, I recommend breaking early afternoon (between 1-2) and hopping late (6 or after). We always use hoppers. They are a great value for us. But, trying to hop without an extended break can wear you down more than just staying in the park you are at.

 

[BlueLion]

I've really liked the personalized plans on TouringPlans to prep for our upcoming trip, where you can build in breaks and meals, start by using their "optimize" feature, then rearrange as you like and use "evaluate" to see expected times. We have a 9yo and 2yo and are planning a similar schedule with afternoon breaks. The plans give a good idea of how to fit things in and will help avoid the "what do we do now delays," knowing we'll end up needing to go with the flow anyway. They've also helped me come up with good fastpass times to try for once we can book. The site also offers other good tools like a reservation finder and room request service with detailed maps and room info, including views. And you get a discount if you've bought their unofficial guide.

 

[fairy8i8]

When will your group get up and be at the parks? With park hopper, you can get a lot more done by taking advantage of the early mornings if you are staying onsite, but you need to be there 30 minutes before opening like any other morning plan, and then you want to do a different park in the afternoon. They all say to skip EMH parks because they assume that you will not get there early enough to be towards the front for rope drop, and that you will not be hopping to a different park. If you can be there early, you can get a lot more done with an 8am EMH opening than in a different park with a 9am opening in the same amount of time. 7am EMH are even better. However, know yourself and your group. We are early morning people. Also, depending on your week in february, it could give you more park time. Evening EMH are crowded, unless you are staying up WAY late.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I built my own, while referencing KtP's plans. I made itineraries from 9am-2pm morning/early afternoons and left the late afternoons/evenings completely clear (except for some dinner ADRs). If the kids are energized, we'll stay in the parks longer or return after naps/swimming.

 

[mkla2015]

I would expect the parks to be pretty crowded because that is the week of President's Day.

I'd recommend packing clothes for all temps- we've been freezing at that time of year and sweating at that time.

I like using Touring Plans to create my own plan. What you described is exactly what we do- parks in the morning, back to the resorts in the afternoon, then back out to the parks at night. It's the way we've toured since having kids and it works great for us.