Trying to sort out MGM. Need Help.

[Sandy Feet]

We're going to have to split our MGM visit into 2 days. The first visit will be with 2 kids: 2 1/2 yrs and 7yrs. The second visit will be with the kids 7, 11, and 14.

From reading else where on this site, these seem to be the best attractions for the younger ones visit.
(Thank you SnoWhiteRabbit )

- Playhouse Disney
- Beauty & the Beast
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid
- Great Movie Ride
- Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground
- Muppet Vision
- the parade

If we arrive at or before opening time, how long would it take us to enjoy the above?

Then, the current plan is to go back another day with the older ones and see more of the other attractions and Fantasmic.

So, what is the best time to arrive in the afternoon on day 2? Or, is it best to go again in the morning then take a break and arrive later for Fantasmic?

 

[ryley26]

alot will depend on the show schudule and if they overlap. I'd get there early get show scheudule and plan from there. you also might to have the little one decide which shows are a must.

 

[sugermouse]

I don't really know how long it will take you to do all of the above... But I can tell you that some of the shortest lines are at night. MGM closed at 10, we came at 8:30 and did 5 attractions in and hour and a half!

Probably for all those attrractions... in the summer... I would say, 6 hours? I may be way off. Wish I could help.

 

[Duckfan]

some of the shows stop before closing time, say 8 and MGM closes at 10. Get fast passes for the shows to and you can plan around it. How long things take to do is relative to time of year and just how crowded it is that day. Plan approx 40-50 minutes per show, ie 10 minutes in line and the show is about 20 minutes. This may be a bit much or too little but it will give you an idea. If you go in the morning, get a fast pass for one show and head to another. I would also like to suggest making a stop to Sorceror Mickey on Mickey Ave. It goes fairly quickly and we loved it.

 

[dzneelvr]

Mermaid, Muppets,and Great movie ride run continously throughout the day.
Beauty and the Beast and Playhouse Disney have specific shows and are fewer in number.
Parade runs once each day. It was 3:30 last week.

The Honey I shrunk the kids playground is closed for refurbishment and I can't remember when it is opening again.

For younger kids, my advice would be to make sure you do Beauty, Playhouse, and the Parade, and then fill in with mermaid, muppets, and great movie ride.

Fantazmic is wonderful but if you are going in a busy season, the crowds are huge. Some begin standing in line 2 hours prior to the show and last week, the line went all the way down Sunset Blvd and back out to the entrance, ending at the photo shop on your right as you walk in (yes! it was wild!!!!).
We went in 30 minutes before the show and got standing room for the show, but we sure didn't want to stand in line for 2 hours just to get a seat.
Have a wonderful time.

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

The lines will be very long for ToT & RnRC in the afternoon. I don't know if you're going during a busy time, but I wonder if all the fast passes for these rides will be given out if you don't get to the park until the afternoon.

 

[anditoo72]

This is totally my oppinion, and I am no expert- I would see Little Mermaid first (first showing usually around 9:20 and it's like a 17 min show) Then stand in line for Playhouse Disney (first showing around 10:00 am- 20 min show). You'll want to see Great Movie Ride if it is a walk on- if not I would go to Honey I shrunk the Audience Playground you want to do that before it gets to crowded and hot. If you want to go see Buzz I would do that also before it gets to hot and crowded (maybe work that in before or after the playground) they are in the same vacinity . Buzz and Woody are outside and Two years ago we melted in line trying to see him and they took breaks every 10 min. That leaves you the rest of the day to see the other attractions.

MGM is tricky because it depends on when the parade is (sometimes at 3:30 sometimes at 5:30) I had to change my plans around when I found out that the parade for the day we were going was at 3:30. Something else to keep in mind is that Beauty and the Beast is in an outdoor theater. If you wanted to catch this first showing (sorry I don't know the time) that one is usually the least busiest and obviously least hot. You could get FP for Little Mermaid see Beauty and Beast then do the Playhouse Disney show- They are all in the same area. On this plan however, the Honey I shrunk the Audience would be crowded by then. Decisions, Decisions. Sorry If I confused you more than I helped you.

With the list you have you could potentially do the park including the parade in a 1/2 day (assuming the parade is at 3:30).

 

[xyymom]

The Honey I shrunk the kids playground is closed for refurbishment and I can't remember when it is opening again.

Does anyone know for how long? I've been excited to see my kids play in there in October

 

[anditoo72]

It was suppose open last week, but was pushed up to this week or next week I can't remember definately before August though.

 

[Sandy Feet]

Thanks All,

I'm going to have to print this thread and refer to it when making my plan! Is it possible to get a copy of the show times etc before getting to the parks? I don't want to get too regimental ,but it would be nice to have an idea of when shows are on.

Too bad about the playground being closed.

dzneelvr - you've really scared me about Fantasmic! I'm still debating between arriving really early to snag seats and sending dh to bring us take-away dinner to eat while we wait, or to buy the dinner package. But it would be sooo awful if we had the package and then Fantasmic was cancelled due to weather.