WDW travel party of 9 with a 6 & 3yo! Looking for help in a world without FP!

[megapayne05]

Hello! My framily (friends that are family to us ) and I (9 total) are headed to WDW in September (week of Labor Day). My family already experience the Covid WDW but my girls are older and very conditioned for theme parks, especially Disney! Now the restrictions are being lifted and increased crowds (Bless!!), however, I am concerned with increased crowds and no FP in play we are potentially looking at a disastrous trip.
A few things:
1. We are staying at BLT for convenience with 3 and 6 yo.
2. Our framily has never stayed on WDW property and never been more than one day in a park.
3. first trip for the Littles
4. I already do the early in midday out (hello naps!)

I would appreciate any and all advice/tips/insight that anyone can offer!

 

[Heather07438]

Just wanna say have a great trip. Looks awesome!

No wisdom here as I’ve not visited with more than 5 people. Ropedrop and long break is the way to go For us too.

 

[Nabas]

Congratulations on your upcoming trip!

I'm not sure why you think this is potentially a "disastrous trip". FP+ doesn't reduce wait times; it only redistributes them. With no FP+, you'll find the Standby lines move faster than anything you might have experienced in the last 10 years.

Taking a midday break is essential for family with young children, and since you are already planning to do that, you should be OK.

Strollers for the younger children are important. There's a lot of walking and little legs get tired faster. A stroller even gives them a place to take a nap.

With a group of 9, don't feel obligated to do everything together. IMO, you'll all appreciate separating from time-to-time to let groups do different attractions at different paces.

BLT's pool is one of the smallest. Prepare yourself for a crowded pool. Also walk over to the Contemporary pool, which usually is not as crowded.

At those ages (6 and 3), our kids went to WDW with no expectations. We did not need to do a lot of attractions to keep them happy or entertained. Consider avoiding long lines and focus on just a few attractions that you think they'll really enjoy. For example, Peter Pan's Flight tends to have longer waits than Winnie the Pooh. Consider skipping PPF.

Use the My Disney Experience app to get a feel of what wait times are like throughout the day. This will give you a sense of the best times of day to day (usually early morning) and the attractions that tend to have shorter lines.

 

[megapayne05]

Thank you for the feedback...actually it was hubs that kind of lost it when I said “nope FP not available still.I agree with the FP causing more waits and lines...hard to predict waits when you are not sure who is going to show for the FP time.

we also plan to do things in the evening once Littles are down..we can take turns on who stays back. I am sure one of the Dads will volunteer.

I agree on the skip long waits with little ones...rope drop will be our friend for sure!

I hope to get a better idea as we get closer!

 

[Nabas]

Thank you for the feedback...actually it was hubs that kind of lost it when I said “nope FP not available still.I agree with the FP causing more waits and lines...hard to predict waits when you are not sure who is going to show for the FP time.

we also plan to do things in the evening once Littles are down..we can take turns on who stays back. I am sure one of the Dads will volunteer.

I agree on the skip long waits with little ones...rope drop will be our friend for sure!

I hope to get a better idea as we get closer!

The pool at BLT, so you can set your expectations: