What would be your strategy?

[floydfamily4]

Hi there. I am super excited about going back to WDW in November. We have never been during a school holiday and I am preparing myself for the crowds. We are only planning 1 day at DHS and Animal Kingdom and I would like some advice. How would you strategize getting the most out of those parks with 3 FP+ and rope drop? A little information for you: we will be a family of 4 including 10 year old twins who are dare-angels! My must do's for DHS are: TSM; RNR; Star Tours; ToT; Stunt show. My must do's for AK are: Everest; Safari; Nemo; LK; Dino. We will arrive 30 minutes (at least) prior to opening and be ready to go. I heard that if you do rope drop you should set your first FP+ for 10ish - would you agree with that strategy? Thanks all! Can't wait to see your ideas

 

[w.e.d 5571]

I would focus my fastpasses at hollywood studios and uses them for RNR, Star Tours, and ToT. The stunt show has plenty of seating, just be prepared to get fried if your not in the shade. TSM will have a long line, but the stand-by line is so cool, you will barley notice. I would go to Animal Kingdom first and go straight to the safari ride b/c the mornings have the best views, and after that just wait in the lines. I don't believe you can have fastpasses for two parks, but if you can I would do Safari, Dino, and Everest for Animal Kingdom. With the fastpass times, I agree to do them around 10, that way you can ride some rides with little wait times.

 

[Jennytoon]

I would also do AK first w/ FP @ DHS:

1. Straight to Safari, off by 9:45 max
2. Move to FoTLK @ 10, out by 10:30
3. Everest use Single Rider line, done by a little after / before 11, may even be able to get two rides in.
4. Dinosaur, will be done in time to get in line for Nemo show @ noon

You should even have enough time for a snack / bathroom break in there anytime exc. between 1 & 2. I would eat before leaving AK because they have better food than DHS.

Then move to DHS. You are unlikely to make the 1:30 stunt show unless you want to forgo lunch. I would get FP for TSM, ToT, and Star Tours and use the single rider line for RnR. You just have to make sure to catch the second stunt show @ 4:30.

 

[floydfamily4]

I would focus my fastpasses at hollywood studios and uses them for RNR, Star Tours, and ToT. The stunt show has plenty of seating, just be prepared to get fried if your not in the shade. TSM will have a long line, but the stand-by line is so cool, you will barley notice. I would go to Animal Kingdom first and go straight to the safari ride b/c the mornings have the best views, and after that just wait in the lines. I don't believe you can have fastpasses for two parks, but if you can I would do Safari, Dino, and Everest for Animal Kingdom. With the fastpass times, I agree to do them around 10, that way you can ride some rides with little wait times.

Thanks!

 

[floydfamily4]

I would also do AK first w/ FP @ DHS:

1. Straight to Safari, off by 9:45 max
2. Move to FoTLK @ 10, out by 10:30
3. Everest use Single Rider line, done by a little after / before 11, may even be able to get two rides in.
4. Dinosaur, will be done in time to get in line for Nemo show @ noon

You should even have enough time for a snack / bathroom break in there anytime exc. between 1 & 2. I would eat before leaving AK because they have better food than DHS.

Then move to DHS. You are unlikely to make the 1:30 stunt show unless you want to forgo lunch. I would get FP for TSM, ToT, and Star Tours and use the single rider line for RnR. You just have to make sure to catch the second stunt show @ 4:30.

Thanks so much!

 

[larryz]

I'd consider just cutting out DHS.

 

[floydfamily4]

I'd consider just cutting out DHS.

I've thought about it but my kids were too small for RNR and ToT when we last went to disney. When they see commercials or disney world specials they always mention how they would love to do ToT and RNR. We all loved TSM and the shows so I think its still worth it. Since we are surprising them I can't get their input and just have to go with what they've shared in the past. It's an idea though...

 

[bigcrit]

I would also do AK first w/ FP @ DHS:

1. Straight to Safari, off by 9:45 max
2. Move to FoTLK @ 10, out by 10:30
3. Everest use Single Rider line, done by a little after / before 11, may even be able to get two rides in.
4. Dinosaur, will be done in time to get in line for Nemo show @ noon

You should even have enough time for a snack / bathroom break in there anytime exc. between 1 & 2. I would eat before leaving AK because they have better food than DHS.

Then move to DHS. You are unlikely to make the 1:30 stunt show unless you want to forgo lunch. I would get FP for TSM, ToT, and Star Tours and use the single rider line for RnR. You just have to make sure to catch the second stunt show @ 4:30.

^ This

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Hi there. I am super excited about going back to WDW in November. We have never been during a school holiday and I am preparing myself for the crowds. We are only planning 1 day at DHS and Animal Kingdom and I would like some advice. How would you strategize getting the most out of those parks with 3 FP+ and rope drop? A little information for you: we will be a family of 4 including 10 year old twins who are dare-angels! My must do's for DHS are: TSM; RNR; Star Tours; ToT; Stunt show. My must do's for AK are: Everest; Safari; Nemo; LK; Dino. We will arrive 30 minutes (at least) prior to opening and be ready to go. I heard that if you do rope drop you should set your first FP+ for 10ish - would you agree with that strategy? Thanks all! Can't wait to see your ideas

DHS-arrive about 45 minutes prior to
Park open as they have been letting folks in early. Fastpass toy story, star tours, and tour of terror. RNR is tier 1 like Toy story so I would rope drop that. You *might* even get a second standby ride with less than a half hour wait the second time. This was our experience during SWW in May. There will be a line that extends through and out of the court yard at the start. This would be due to park opening before the listed time and the line remaining close until the listed time. I would get there earlier to be toward the front of that line. Schedule TOT for 30-60 minutes after park open of you want to do RNR twice. Or at park open for a quick visit after RNR. f you are referring to the Indiana Jones stunt show, I would aim for that next. Then Star Tours FP followed by TSMM FP.

For AK, you could ride Everest many times at Rope drop. Schedule Safari FP at 9:30 or 10. Do LK before lunch. Nemo after lunch followed by Dinosaur. If you don't wish to zig zag, schedule Safari and LK after dinosaur and adjust accordingly. (We prefer morning safari.) AK is one park where you can almost get by without FP.

If they like to get wet, squeeze in time for Kali River rapids. Fit in animal sightings and trails in between.

*This is what I do, results may vary and other guests may have different opinions on how to plan the day. Adjust suggestions as needed for meals. And it would help if I understood this was for one day. FP DHS evening and rope drop AK like gangbusters! Some shows will have to be dropped based on your priority. Schedule times won't allow you to fit it all in. Move RNR to night time but expect a wait.

 

[Rosebud123]

Are you doing 1 day in each park or both parks on the same day?

 

[floydfamily4]

DHS-arrive about 45 minutes prior to
Park open as they have been letting folks in early. Fastpass toy story, star tours, and tour of terror. RNR is tier 1 like Toy story so I would rope drop that. You *might* even get a second standby ride with less than a half hour wait the second time. This was our experience during SWW in May. There will be a line that extends through and out of the court yard at the start. This would be due to park opening before the listed time and the line remaining close until the listed time. I would get there earlier to be toward the front of that line. Schedule TOT for 30-60 minutes after park open of you want to do RNR twice. Or at park open for a quick visit after RNR. f you are referring to the Indiana Jones stunt show, I would aim for that next. Then Star Tours FP followed by TSMM FP.

For AK, you could ride Everest many times at Rope drop. Schedule Safari FP at 9:30 or 10. Do LK before lunch. Nemo after lunch followed by Dinosaur. If you don't wish to zig zag, schedule Safari and LK after dinosaur and adjust accordingly. (We prefer morning safari.) AK is one park where you can almost get by without FP.

If they like to get wet, squeeze in time for Kali River rapids. Fit in animal sightings and trails in between.

*This is what I do, results may vary and other guests may have different opinions on how to plan the day. Adjust suggestions as needed for meals. And it would help if I understood this was for one day. FP DHS evening and rope drop AK like gangbusters! Some shows will have to be dropped based on your priority. Schedule times won't allow you to fit it all in. Move RNR to night time but expect a wait.

Thank you so much for your thoughts. I am doing the planning solo and really appreciate the feedback of those who have been there recently.

 

[floydfamily4]

Are you doing 1 day in each park or both parks on the same day?

One park per day. We really love AK and because of the show schedules and usual early closing I can't imagine trying to do them together.

 

[Mikie]

One park per day. We really love AK and because of the show schedules and usual early closing I can't imagine trying to do them together.

Oh good, that's what I thought. But I could tell some others were advising on doing those parks together on one day, so I wasn't sure.

I like the AK plan someone outlined above. You could then decide if it's too hot and you want to leave, or spend some leisurely time on the trails, grab lunch at Flame Tree, use the app to check wait times and re-ride any favorites.

At DHS, do you have any Star Wars fans? My 7 year old son and 9 year old daughter really loved Jedi Training Academy, which is a free participation show, but you have to show up early to sign up for a time. Although it's open to kids through 12, on our day, my 9.5 year old was one of the oldest. I think an older child would only like it if they were very comfortable kind of being a ham on stage and really love star wars.

If interested in that, I'd show up at rope drop (be at the gates by 30-45 min prior to scheduled opening) head straight to Jedi Training sign-ups (the participating kids must go to sign up with you)
After registered, head to Rockin Roller Coaster standby
Have FP+ scheduled later for Toy Story and Tower of Terror and your choice of other (we used it on Star Tours, whose standby times vary a lot throughout the day. can often be found quite short, though)
After RnR, ride again if lines haven't built yet. if Tower lines are short, ride it standby.
Pick shows to watch working around meals, Jedi Training or FP times you already have (toy story is hard to move once you get it).
If you don't want Jedi Training, my plan would be similar, but skip the sign up and either head straight to Toy Story for a standby ride, ro straight to RnR for multiple rides.

I like to schedule FP+ starting 10:30-11:00 but I don't have a goal of obtaining extras, so completing them early isn't a focus for me. My primary concern is using them when they are really necessary, saving me the most time, not using one when the standby lines weren't bad to begin with.

 

[floydfamily4]

Oh good, that's what I thought. But I could tell some others were advising on doing those parks together on one day, so I wasn't sure.

I like the AK plan someone outlined above. You could then decide if it's too hot and you want to leave, or spend some leisurely time on the trails, grab lunch at Flame Tree, use the app to check wait times and re-ride any favorites.

At DHS, do you have any Star Wars fans? My 7 year old son and 9 year old daughter really loved Jedi Training Academy, which is a free participation show, but you have to show up early to sign up for a time. Although it's open to kids through 12, on our day, my 9.5 year old was one of the oldest. I think an older child would only like it if they were very comfortable kind of being a ham on stage and really love star wars.

If interested in that, I'd show up at rope drop (be at the gates by 30-45 min prior to scheduled opening) head straight to Jedi Training sign-ups (the participating kids must go to sign up with you)
After registered, head to Rockin Roller Coaster standby
Have FP+ scheduled later for Toy Story and Tower of Terror and your choice of other (we used it on Star Tours, whose standby times vary a lot throughout the day. can often be found quite short, though)
After RnR, ride again if lines haven't built yet. if Tower lines are short, ride it standby.
Pick shows to watch working around meals, Jedi Training or FP times you already have (toy story is hard to move once you get it).
If you don't want Jedi Training, my plan would be similar, but skip the sign up and either head straight to Toy Story for a standby ride, ro straight to RnR for multiple rides.

I like to schedule FP+ starting 10:30-11:00 but I don't have a goal of obtaining extras, so completing them early isn't a focus for me. My primary concern is using them when they are really necessary, saving me the most time, not using one when the standby lines weren't bad to begin with.

Yes! My son loves Star Wars and has a couple of light sabers. Where do you sign up for the Jedi Training? He might be one of the oldest but I doubt he would care. As for AK I remember we spent the entire day - open to close without doing EE or Dino and still felt like it was't enough time. I know we will need the whole day.

 

[Jennytoon]

OK, I was one of the people assuming you were trying to do both in one day -- sorry!

Someone else can handle DHS because we haven't spent enough time there for me to confidently offer advice, but we spend LOTS of time in AK.

Where do you want to eat lunch? It makes a difference what order you do things because the park is large, so there are multiple ways to attack it and I find it easier to choose a plan that meshes well with my meals.

 

[Mikie]

Yes! My son loves Star Wars and has a couple of light sabers. Where do you sign up for the Jedi Training? He might be one of the oldest but I doubt he would care. As for AK I remember we spent the entire day - open to close without doing EE or Dino and still felt like it was't enough time. I know we will need the whole day.

sign-ups are in the former Sounds Dangerous building, which is to the left, past Hollywodd & Vine restaurant, on the way to the Star Tours ride. Opposite direction of all the folks dashing for Toy Story or Rockin Roller Coaster. You'll see others heading that way and probably a cast member with a Jedi Training sign. There are show times throughout the day and when you've reached the front of the signup line, you'll be able to choose from any remaining unfilled show. Many people do run there. I went on a moderately crowded day and walked without running. We were passed by multiple runners, and by the time we reached the front of the signup line, the first 3 shows of the day were full, but all remaining shows had tons of slots and we wanted afternoon anyway.

For scheduling, you will need to report back about 30 min prior to your show time and then the show lasts about 20 minutes. Be prepared to video and take a lot of pictures! Each child performs as part of the group and also has their chance to be center stage alone. If you have Memory Maker, you'll get a LOT of pictures from this show.