Would love your thoughts on 2 Day MK in late May/June

[Mom2J&J]

Thank you to everyone who gave me suggestions about crowd level, wait times, and character interactions. I've revised my plans accordingly and would love any and all thoughts. The only things missing that I wanted are: Buzz Lightyear ride, Haunted Mansion, and Philharmagic - but at this point, my brain is fried.

Thanks in advance for anything.

MCB

************************************************** *

My family: me, DH, DS14, DS10, and DD7

Tuesday, May 31 – Magic Kingdom
CL8, Most Recommended

FP+
· ALL -- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (11:00am-12:00pm)
· GIRLS -- Enchanted Tales with Belle (12pm-1pm), BOYS – Space Mountain again (12pm-1pm)
· GIRLS -- Anna and Elsa at Fairytale Hall (1pm-2pm), BOYS – Big Thunder (1pm-2pm)

Arrive at Magic Kingdom at 7:30 a.m.

8:40 a.m. – ADR at Be Our Guest (but plan to get in early & be finished and in line for 7DMT by 8:45)

8:45-8:55 - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train before park open, if possible

9:00 – 9:30 - BOYS - Space Mountain, GIRLS to meet Ariel

9:35 – 10:05 - Winnie the Pooh

10:10-10:30 - All ride Barnstormer

10:30-11:00 - All ride Journey of the Little Mermaid

11:05-11:30 - All ride Seven Dwarfs (w/FP+ 11:00-12:00)

12:00-12:30 - Girls to Enchanted Tales with Belle, Boys to Space Mountain (w/ FP+ 12:00-1:00)

12:35 - LUNCH at Pinocchio Village Haus, sit upstairs

1:30-2:00 - Girls meet Anna and Elsa, Boys to Big Thunder Mountain (w/FP+ 1:00-2:00)

Meet up in Frontierland for FoF parade.

2:30 - 3:15 - Parade, Try to stand on bridge that connects the Pecos Bill area of Frontierland with the Big Thunder Railroad entrance.

Catch train back to main entrance to head back to FW cabins for the rest of the day.



Thursday, June 2 – Magic Kingdom
CL7, Most Recommended

FP+
* ALL– Peter Pan (10:00-11:00)
* GIRLS – Meet Cinderella/Rapunzel, BOYS – Space Mountain or 7DMT (11:00-12:00)
* ALL – Splash Mountain (12:00-1:00)

7:05 ADR at Chef Mickey

Arrive at Magic Kingdom at 8:15

9:05-9:25 BOYS - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, GIRLS - meet Tinkerbell

9:30-10:00 BOYS - Splash Mountain, GIRLS - meet Aladdin and Jasmine

10:05-10:35 - Meet up at Pirates of the Carribean

(time built in to walk back up to Fantasyland)

10:45-11:05 - Peter Pan (w/FP+ 10:00-11:00)

11:10-11:40 - It's a Small World

11:45-12:20 - GIRLS - meet Cinderella/Rapunzel, BOYS - Space Mountain or 7DMT (w/ FP+ 11:00-12:00)

12:30-1:00 - Splash Mountain (w/FP+ 12:00-1:00)

Get 4th FP+ (2:00-3:00) for Buzz or Haunted Mansion, if possible

1:05-1:45 - LUNCH at Columbia Harbour House

2:00-3:00 - Use 4th FP+

Done for day, back to resort.

 

[twinprincesses09]

We are going to be at MK on these days too! Our morning plans look pretty similar. Just wanted you to be aware there are rumors that Anna and Elsa might be moving to Epcot on May 27. Of course, this is not confirmed, rumors only. But if your DD is anything like my two DDs6, you might want to prepare her for the possibility. We are spending 2 days at Epcot that week as well, so hopefully we will get to see them wherever they are, but I've already warned mine that Anna and Elsa might be on vacation back in Arendelle the week we are there! I can only imagine the wait times if that is the first week they are in their new location (with FEA open too). Not knowing when FP+ will be released, I prefer to prepare them beforehand so they won't be too disappointed if we don't get to see them.

 

[prestoncaldwell]

Split plans are complicated. I applaud you.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Thank you to everyone who gave me suggestions about crowd level, wait times, and character interactions. I've revised my plans accordingly and would love any and all thoughts. The only things missing that I wanted are: Buzz Lightyear ride, Haunted Mansion, and Philharmagic - but at this point, my brain is fried.

Thanks in advance for anything.

MCB

************************************************** *

My family: me, DH, DS14, DS10, and DD7

Tuesday, May 31 – Magic Kingdom
CL8, Most Recommended

FP+
· ALL -- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (11:00am-12:00pm)
· GIRLS -- Enchanted Tales with Belle (12pm-1pm), BOYS – Space Mountain again (12pm-1pm)
· GIRLS -- Anna and Elsa at Fairytale Hall (1pm-2pm), BOYS – Big Thunder (1pm-2pm)

Arrive at Magic Kingdom at 7:30 a.m.

8:40 a.m. – ADR at Be Our Guest (but plan to get in early & be finished and in line for 7DMT by 8:45)

8:45-8:55 - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train before park open, if possible

9:00 – 9:30 - BOYS - Space Mountain, GIRLS to meet Ariel

9:35 – 10:05 - Winnie the Pooh

10:10-10:30 - All ride Barnstormer

10:30-11:00 - All ride Journey of the Little Mermaid

11:05-11:30 - All ride Seven Dwarfs (w/FP+ 11:00-12:00)

12:00-12:30 - Girls to Enchanted Tales with Belle, Boys to Space Mountain (w/ FP+ 12:00-1:00)

12:35 - LUNCH at Pinocchio Village Haus, sit upstairs

1:30-2:00 - Girls meet Anna and Elsa, Boys to Big Thunder Mountain (w/FP+ 1:00-2:00)

Meet up in Frontierland for FoF parade.

2:30 - 3:15 - Parade, Try to stand on bridge that connects the Pecos Bill area of Frontierland with the Big Thunder Railroad entrance.

Catch train back to main entrance to head back to FW cabins for the rest of the day.



Thursday, June 2 – Magic Kingdom
CL7, Most Recommended

FP+
* ALL– Peter Pan (10:00-11:00)
* GIRLS – Meet Cinderella/Rapunzel, BOYS – Space Mountain or 7DMT (11:00-12:00)
* ALL – Splash Mountain (12:00-1:00)

7:05 ADR at Chef Mickey

Arrive at Magic Kingdom at 8:15

9:05-9:25 BOYS - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, GIRLS - meet Tinkerbell

9:30-10:00 BOYS - Splash Mountain, GIRLS - meet Aladdin and Jasmine

10:05-10:35 - Meet up at Pirates of the Carribean

(time built in to walk back up to Fantasyland)

10:45-11:05 - Peter Pan (w/FP+ 10:00-11:00)

11:10-11:40 - It's a Small World

11:45-12:20 - GIRLS - meet Cinderella/Rapunzel, BOYS - Space Mountain or 7DMT (w/ FP+ 11:00-12:00)

12:30-1:00 - Splash Mountain (w/FP+ 12:00-1:00)

Get 4th FP+ (2:00-3:00) for Buzz or Haunted Mansion, if possible

1:05-1:45 - LUNCH at Columbia Harbour House

2:00-3:00 - Use 4th FP+

Done for day, back to resort.

Is something missing here? No MSEP or WISHES one night?

 

[Mom2J&J]

We are going to be at MK on these days too! Our morning plans look pretty similar. Just wanted you to be aware there are rumors that Anna and Elsa might be moving to Epcot on May 27. Of course, this is not confirmed, rumors only. But if your DD is anything like my two DDs6, you might want to prepare her for the possibility. We are spending 2 days at Epcot that week as well, so hopefully we will get to see them wherever they are, but I've already warned mine that Anna and Elsa might be on vacation back in Arendelle the week we are there! I can only imagine the wait times if that is the first week they are in their new location (with FEA open too). Not knowing when FP+ will be released, I prefer to prepare them beforehand so they won't be too disappointed if we don't get to see them.

Thanks for the warning! I had heard that, too. I like your idea of Anna & Elsa visiting Arendelle. I hope they still have them in both places - we shall see. Good luck to you!

 

[Mom2J&J]

Split plans are complicated. I applaud you.

Thank you! It IS really hard!

 

[Mom2J&J]

Is something missing here? No MSEP or WISHES one night?

I went back and forth with MSEP and Wishes. As much as I want to see them, I just think it's going to be more trouble than it's worth when it comes to staking out places and dealing with crowds. Originally, I wanted to snag FP+ for both on our arrival day since we had the FP+ to burn, but now that they did away with the Wishes FP+, I don't know. I think we're going to come back to the resort and chill and watch the fireworks from the beach in pajamas. My kids won't know any different and it will take some stress off the planning of it all.

But I hear you - seems crazy.

 

[Marbel]

Your plan looks great! But I think you should make the trek back for the MSEP and Wishes. They're truly magical. Even if you don't stake out a spot, you'll still find good spots for viewing both. Plus you can try to squeeze in any rides you missed. MK at night time is pretty special with Main Street all lit up.

 

[Mom2J&J]

Your plan looks great! But I think you should make the trek back for the MSEP and Wishes. They're truly magical. Even if you don't stake out a spot, you'll still find good spots for viewing both. Plus you can try to squeeze in any rides you missed. MK at night time is pretty special with Main Street all lit up.

*sigh* Thanks for the suggestion; I do see your point. The research on seeing MSEP, CtM, and Wishes is a little overwhelming. Do you happen to have any suggestions as far as planning those for the evening? We'll be coming from the FW boat on Thursday, June 2nd, if we come back.

 

[nilla]

7:30 - 11:00 on Day 1 might involve more time in lines than you're planning for, though I admittedly have no experience with how the "7DMT before park opens" thing works, since we've never tried it.

 

[Mom2J&J]

7:30 - 11:00 on Day 1 might involve more time in lines than you're planning for, though I admittedly have no experience with how the "7DMT before park opens" thing works, since we've never tried it.

You're probably right. The best I could do to plan was to look at Josh's wait times and guess. I'll keep my fingers crossed and my family moving.

 

[Marbel]

*sigh* Thanks for the suggestion; I do see your point. The research on seeing MSEP, CtM, and Wishes is a little overwhelming. Do you happen to have any suggestions as far as planning those for the evening? We'll be coming from the FW boat on Thursday, June 2nd, if we come back.

It's a good idea to head back to your resort for a break but since you're in the cabins at FW, you won't have that long to relax (sorry! lol). One option is to go back but stay around the Settlement. Stretch out on the beach chairs, have a great dinner of fried chicken takeout from the Trail's End counter, and then head back. I see that for your dates, there is only one MSEP, so you would have to get back to MK before 9. (If there were a 2nd MSEP, you could head back for 10 (wishes) and catch the later MSEP at 11) My advice is to leave enough time for the boat ride back to MK. Lots of people will have the same idea as you plus there may be ppl coming out of HDDR and heading back to MK. You may have to wait for the next boat. For that reason as well as factoring in bag check and walking up Main Street, I think you should be at the dock no later than 7:30 pm. We found great viewing spots for MSEP around the hub, and for Wishes in the middle of Main street up near the bakery. (CL8 most recommended park)

Or you may decide to just stay at MK and power through until parade time. Either way, I don't think you will regret it. I love MSEP as much as FoF (FoF wins by a hair). I love Main Street at night. I love 7DMT and Splash at night. I love Wishes. It's all wonderful!

 

[Marbel]

A small tip for 7DMT after BOG breakfast. See if you can be out and in line for the mine train by 8:40 (this was easy with getting there at 8 and having preordered). They released our line (maybe 10 ppl) right at 8:40. We got 2 rides in.

 

[Disneymom1126]

As far a Philharmagic -- there isn't much of a wait there ever in my experience (mostly just a wait until the show that is playing finishes and they clear the theater for the next show). There may be time on day 1 around when you plan to have lunch at Pinocchio's to bop in to Philharmagic.

As for MSEP, CtM, and Wishes -- We've had good luck watching MSEP closer to frontierland and liberty square. We then usually walk through liberty square and over the bridge (not the path the parade takes, there's one further away from the castle) and keep close to Crystal Palace and look to find a spot for Wishes and CtM that isn't too close to the castle. You can see both of them from a lot of different points from the park entrance all the way to right in front of the castle.

One thing to know, though is the closer you get to the castle, the more "chaotic" it becomes in our experience. It was stressful for us when we tried to stand closer because DD was 7 (so I couldn't really physically pick her up to see aside from carrying her "piggyback" style) and she couldn't really see and was complaining about that for some of the show...then there are people with kids on shoulders and people holding up iPads, etc (though this could be anywhere too). I guess the best advice I have would be don't feel like you have to be right down in with the masses to get a good view! If you haven't seen CtM and Wishes before, they are definitely worth going back and experiencing even with the crowds!

 

[dcsetman]

I apologize if someone else mentioned this and I just missed it in the thread, but isn't Big Thunder Mtn Closed during the time you are there (you had it marked for a FP for boys)?

My husband and I will be taking 2 of our granddaughters during this same time frame and will be at MK on Wednesday (instead of Tuesday). I have been planning our FP to book at the end of this month, so just wanted make sure you are aware.

Sad about Soaring being down too - but still will be a magical trip.
Best wishes on your trip

Penni
dcsetman

 

[twinprincesses09]

I apologize if someone else mentioned this and I just missed it in the thread, but isn't Big Thunder Mtn Closed during the time you are there (you had it marked for a FP for boys)?

The refurb on Big Thunder has been postponed. Here is what it says on Disney's site:

From August 8 to November 18, 2016, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed for refurbishment.

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree that if you can make it back for MSEP and Wishes, I would try. I regret not fitting them in when we took the girls in August, they would have loved it.

I think that if you really cannot find a space in front of the Castle, and you may find that difficult if you don't plan for it, try Frontier Land. Then make your way towards the Castle if possible fo CTM, and Wishes.

If you don't make the plan solid, you can just wing it I the family is up to it. No harm no foul if you don't get there because it is an extra anyway.

 

[dcsetman]

The refurb on Big Thunder has been postponed. Here is what it says on Disney's site:

From August 8 to November 18, 2016, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed for refurbishment.

Thank you, I missed that announcement. My girls will be thrilled.