What to FP+ when surprising 11yo ride newbie?

[Serrina89]

Hi DISers,

Going on a surprise trip to Disney with BF, her adult sister and my 11 year old sister. (Jan 31 - Feb 4). My sister doesn't know. Its kinda hard to plan things without clue-ing her in like FP+ selections. The last time she went to Disney she was 4 or 5. She hasn't been to any theme parks since then except a waterpark (Age 8ish). At the water park, it took all we had to get her to go down the baby slide. After she went down, she loved it!

My approach for her riding things is to not make her ride anything she doesn't want to except (HM, and pirates...which may seem scary but is not) and let her choose what she wants to and doesn't want to. The main issue is what FP+ to schedule and keep in mind the people we are going with are ride enthusiasts. I don't want to waste FP+ on a ride she won't get on, but it would suck to wait in line for SDMT (I've really want to ride this) or BTMRR

1)What are your thoughts on MK FP+?
2) Critique My Touring Plans?
3) Advice on Dealing with a tween who hasn't experienced roller coasters before.
4) Also considering we are only going for a short time, should I spend the extra money to go to Hollywood studios (Park Hopper - would only use it one day). If I could describe what makes disney magical in one world it would be --- FANTASMIC----- (its hard justifying paying 100 (PH cost) to see that one show. Considering neither of us would ride RnRc or ToT)
5) Definite NO's for rides (Space Mountain, RnRc, ToT, EE)

Extra Info to assist questions:

Park Plan

Wed Jan 31 (Arrive @ 7:30 - POR, DS, Boathouse restaurant, Boats at DTD, Mini Golf, Carriage ride) - Planned by BF because its her Bday (day is not changeable)

Thur Feb 1 - MK (planning on starting in Fantasyland to ride kiddie rides and work our way up in difficulty)

Fri Feb 2 - Epcot (FP+ Frozen, not sure about the others)

Sat Feb 3 - Switch from POR to AOA (just me and sister now; others go home) AK / HS(only fantasmic and maybe TSMM if time allows)

Sun Feb 4 (plane leaves at 535 PM - Half day at MK

 

[disneyvoice]

I would get FPs for the most popular rides that always have the longest lines. If your sister ends up not liking certain kinds of rides you can always change your FPs when you are there. Keep in mind that the "thrill rides" at WDW are not anywhere near as intense as they are at other amusement parks and many (most) kids want to ride them as soon as they are tall enough.

 

[larie21]

Most thrill rides at WDW esp MK are still tame compared to most roller coasters. My kids have loved riding Splash, Space, Big Thunder since they were tall enough at 4 years old. But everybody's different so if you don't think she would enjoy the bigger rides then skip them. Splash will be down at that time & you said Space was out. I would recommend SDMT (very smooth & tame) & Big Thunder & then another popular choice like Peter Pan.

Also if it were me, I would skip HS. That's a lot of $ for one use of a park hopper esp. if you guys don't want to ride most of the rides there.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

You could do what that one person did and get a HM FP first and scare the kid back to Chicago.

 

[piglet1979]

I am one that hates thrill rides. Even at Disney. I would avoid at least space mountain. Not being able to see it before going on is very frightening. While you are their let her see the other rides and go with what she thinks. Sometimes a little push for Barnstormer or 7 dwarfs as they are very tame but may look terrifying to her. It took me a long time to ride Splash. That drop scared me. I sucked it up and rode just to get my daughter to go on it. I like the ride now but would love it much more without the drop.

 

[disneyvoice]

@piglet1979 makes a good point. A lot of people (of all ages) are worried about rides that they can't see. I would suggest getting FPs for the "big" rides but then once your sister knows she is going you could show her videos of the rides on YouTube.

 

[Serrina89]

I am one that hates thrill rides. Even at Disney. I would avoid at least space mountain. Not being able to see it before going on is very frightening. While you are their let her see the other rides and go with what she thinks. Sometimes a little push for Barnstormer or 7 dwarfs as they are very tame but may look terrifying to her. It took me a long time to ride Splash. That drop scared me. I sucked it up and rode just to get my daughter to go on it. I like the ride now but would love it much more without the drop.

I think that's a good idea! I'll make a FP+ for SDMT and see how she does on that. If she likes it, I'll see how she feels about BTMMR.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

At MK I'd FP 7DMT, Splash Mountain and either Big Thunder, Pirates or HM. Not a huge fan of Peter Pan, and you can always change your reservations to get most of the other rides. When we were there last week there was a lot of same day availability for most rides other than 7DMT, Big Thunder, Space, Peter Pan and to a lesser extent Pirates. Not only is Space in the dark, it simply isn't that good of a ride (IMO). Big Thunder, 7DMT, Rock n Roller Coaster, and Everest are all much better coasters and no more intense/scary (well, except maybe RnR).

 

[Shanti]

Hi DISers,

Going on a surprise trip to Disney with BF, her adult sister and my 11 year old sister. (Jan 31 - Feb 4). My sister doesn't know. Its kinda hard to plan things without clue-ing her in like FP+ selections. The last time she went to Disney she was 4 or 5. She hasn't been to any theme parks since then except a waterpark (Age 8ish). At the water park, it took all we had to get her to go down the baby slide. After she went down, she loved it!

My approach for her riding things is to not make her ride anything she doesn't want to except (HM, and pirates...which may seem scary but is not) and let her choose what she wants to and doesn't want to. The main issue is what FP+ to schedule and keep in mind the people we are going with are ride enthusiasts. I don't want to waste FP+ on a ride she won't get on, but it would suck to wait in line for SDMT (I've really want to ride this) or BTMRR

1)What are your thoughts on MK FP+?
2) Critique My Touring Plans?
3) Advice on Dealing with a tween who hasn't experienced roller coasters before.
4) Also considering we are only going for a short time, should I spend the extra money to go to Hollywood studios (Park Hopper - would only use it one day). If I could describe what makes disney magical in one world it would be --- FANTASMIC----- (its hard justifying paying 100 (PH cost) to see that one show. Considering neither of us would ride RnRc or ToT)
5) Definite NO's for rides (Space Mountain, RnRc, ToT, EE)

Extra Info to assist questions:

Park Plan

Wed Jan 31 (Arrive @ 7:30 - POR, DS, Boathouse restaurant, Boats at DTD, Mini Golf, Carriage ride) - Planned by BF because its her Bday (day is not changeable)

Thur Feb 1 - MK (planning on starting in Fantasyland to ride kiddie rides and work our way up in difficulty)

Fri Feb 2 - Epcot (FP+ Frozen, not sure about the others)

Sat Feb 3 - Switch from POR to AOA (just me and sister now; others go home) AK / HS(only fantasmic and maybe TSMM if time allows)

Sun Feb 4 (plane leaves at 535 PM - Half day at MK

Magic Kingdom: FP Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, if you can't get Seven Dwarfs)

Any Disney ride should be doable by a typical 11 year-old.