UPDATE: Thanks again for the help. Now I'm back for a few more questions and critiques, please and thank you!
Do I book all three FP for one day before moving onto another? Or do I book the highest priority rides first – Anna & Elsa on day 4, Belle on day 2, TSMM on day 3, Test Track on day 2 – and then go back and fill in the others?
For the highest priorities, is it better to try for all four of us together, or start with one person and add the others later?
Lastly, am I going to regret hoping for the best with our early admittance and not getting a FP for 7DMT?!
These are my FP booking priorities:
Day 4 – MK: Anna & Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, Jungle Cruise Day 1 – MK: ETWB, BTMRR (M+K)/Splash Mountain (D+E), Peter Pan (M+K)/Haunted Mansion (D+E) Day 3 – HS: TSMM, Frozen Sing-Along, VOTLM Day 2 – Epcot: Test Track, Turtle Talk, Spaceship Earth
This is my planned itinerary, assuming I can get the FP times I want:
Day 1: MK 8:00am BOG breakfast 8:45am 7DMT (fingers crossed without FP)/Winnie the Pooh (split) > Meet Ariel > Under the Sea 10:00am Barnstormer > Dumbo > WDWRR Fantasyland to Frontierland 11:00am BTMRR FP > Tom Sawyer Island 12:00pm Splash Mountain FP 1:00pm Packed lunch/nap/swim at Contemporary 4:00pm ETWB FP 5:00pm Haunted Mansion FP/Peter Pan FP (split) 6:00pm Columbia Harbor House dinner 7:00pm IASW > 7DMT (with rider swap) > Carousel > PhilharMagic 9:00pm MSEP 9:45pm CTM and Wishes
Day 2: Epcot 8:45am Character Spot > Innoventions 10:00am Spaceship Earth FP > Project Tomorrow 11:00am Test Track FP > Advanced Training Lab 12:00pm Akershus lunch 1:00pm Explore World Showcase including Gran Fiesta Tour (2:00pm Nap?) 3:00pm Disney & Pixar SFF > Figment > Living with the Land > Circle of Life 5:10pm Coral Reef dinner 6:40pm Turtle Talk FP 7:00pm Seas with Nemo > Seas Pavilion 9:00pm IllumiNations
Day 3: HS 9:30am VOTLM FP 10:00am Hollywood & Vine breakfast 11:30am Frozen Sing-Along 12:00pm TSMM FP 1:00pm Mama Melrose lunch (Fantasmic package) 2:00pm Honey, I Shrunk the Kids 3:00pm Beauty and the Beast 4:00pm Disney Jr. Live 5:00pm 50’s Prime Time Café dinner (change to Sci-Fi if possible) 6:00pm Great Movie Ride 6:45-7:00pm Fantasmic package seating 7:30pm Fantasmic
Day 4: MK 9:00am BBB for girls; Peter Pan and/or Pooh for DS 10:20am CRT breakfast 11:30am Anna & Elsa FP > Carousel 1:00pm Swiss Family Treehouse > Magic Carpets 2:00pm Jungle Cruise FP > Pirate’s Adventure 3:00pm Festival of Fantasy Parade in Frontierland 4:00pm Buzz Lightyear FP > Monsters, Inc. > Astro Orbitor (possible 4th FP?) > PeopleMover 5:00pm Tomorrowland Speedway (possible 4th FP?) > Mad Tea Party > Meet Merida 6:00pm Leave park for dinner 7:00pm California Grill dinner 10:00pm Wishes and Electrical Water Pageant from Contemporary
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My 60-day window opens midnight on Friday. We will have two days at MK: our first day starts with an 8am BOG breakfast and our fourth day starts with a 9am BBB appointment and a 10:20am CRT breakfast.
My top priority is Anna and Elsa so I am going to try to book that first for our second MK day, ideally shortly after breakfast. I plan to spend the rest of that day in Tomorrowland so will probably get FP for Buzz Lightyear and Tomorrowland Speedway.
My bigger issue is our first day. Since we'll be finished breakfast before the park opens, what's the likelihood that we can do 7DMT and Enchanted Tales with Belle first thing without a FP? It sounds like we could get away without a FP for one or the other and do it first thing after breakfast, but we probably couldn't do both, right? If not, which should we try to do first and which should get a FP? (We are going the second week of March so it will be peak crowds, ugh.)
My concern with 7DMT is that DS is too short to ride so H and I would have to split up with the girls. How would that work if we get in line first thing, since Rider Switch isn't available? Or if we get a FP for the four of us, and if H and DD1 ride first, would there be enough time left in our FP for DD2 and I to ride when they get out?
Other FP we want are Splash Mountain (H and DD1), Big Thunder Mountain (me and DD1), Haunted Mansion (H and DD1), and probably Peter Pan (DD2 and DS). I still need to figure out if those fit better on our Fantasyland day or our Tomorrowland day.
Also, in Epcot, I plan to get a FP for H and DD1 for Test Track but I'm debating whether to get it for DD2 since she tends to frighten easily especially in the dark. She is very tall for her age, over 49", so she can ride everything even though she's still only 5. I was hoping to get a simultaneous FP for me and DS for the Character Spot and can't decide if I'm better off reserving a FP for her with me. I don't want her to miss out but I don't want to waste the FP either. WWYD?
Post by ilikedonuts on Jan 6, 2016 15:25:27 GMT -5
Get a FP for Belle and go to 7D first since you will be right there. Do not waste 30 minutes of your time at Belle first thing in the morning (make your FP for later in the day too).
Rider swap should still be available first thing unless its a day that they let the pre-park opening breakfast people ride before the park opens (which hasn't really been happening anymore).
FP availability chart. You should be fine getting A+E on your second day (I'm assuming you are staying on site because you mention booking for your entire trip tonight)
Post by ilikedonuts on Jan 6, 2016 15:28:45 GMT -5
You can always just get a Rider Swap for Test Track and then one of you can take DD2 (and DD1 can ride again) later in the day. That way you have the FP for Character Spot and can just bring her with you.
Get a FP for Belle and go to 7D first since you will be right there. Do not waste 30 minutes of your time at Belle first thing in the morning (make your FP for later in the day too).
Rider swap should still be available first thing unless its a day that they let the pre-park opening breakfast people ride before the park opens (which hasn't really been happening anymore).
Why would rider swap not be available? I'm planning my first trip with a child so I guess I don't really fully understand rider swap yet.
Get a FP for Belle and go to 7D first since you will be right there. Do not waste 30 minutes of your time at Belle first thing in the morning (make your FP for later in the day too).
Rider swap should still be available first thing unless its a day that they let the pre-park opening breakfast people ride before the park opens (which hasn't really been happening anymore).
Why would rider swap not be available? I'm planning my first trip with a child so I guess I don't really fully understand rider swap yet.
Sometimes if they let the pre-park breakfast people start riding at like 8:40 before the park opens, they haven't done rider swap until the park opened at 9am. Usually because you can usually get more then 1 ride in so it wouldn't be needed.
Why would rider swap not be available? I'm planning my first trip with a child so I guess I don't really fully understand rider swap yet.
Sometimes if they let the pre-park breakfast people start riding at like 8:40 before the park opens, they haven't done rider swap until the park opened at 9am. Usually because you can usually get more then 1 ride in so it wouldn't be needed.
Oh, that makes sense. They would start doing the rider swap later when the park officially opens or gets busier?
Sorry to thread hijack but I have another question about the OP's plans. H and I can get separate fastpasses? Like he gets one to Space Mountain, I get one to Splash Mountain. If we do it that way, would we be able to use the rider swap so we can both ride both or Disney does not allow that? This is also our first trip with the new fastpass system and I'm so freaking confused!
Sometimes if they let the pre-park breakfast people start riding at like 8:40 before the park opens, they haven't done rider swap until the park opened at 9am. Usually because you can usually get more then 1 ride in so it wouldn't be needed.
Oh, that makes sense. They would start doing the rider swap later when the park officially opens or gets busier?
Sorry to thread hijack but I have another question about the OP's plans. H and I can get separate fastpasses? Like he gets one to Space Mountain, I get one to Splash Mountain. If we do it that way, would we be able to use the rider swap so we can both ride both or Disney does not allow that? This is also our first trip with the new fastpass system and I'm so freaking confused!
Yes you can split up your fastpasses. This is what we did at EPCOT with Test Track and Soarin. Using rider swap all the adults were able to ride both rides.
On rides with height restrictions you can ask for a pass for the adult who is unable to ride (since they are staying with the kid/s who can not ride). The passes we got were good for a few days and up to three people. You take it to the FastPass entrance when you are ready to use it.
Oh, that makes sense. They would start doing the rider swap later when the park officially opens or gets busier?
Sorry to thread hijack but I have another question about the OP's plans. H and I can get separate fastpasses? Like he gets one to Space Mountain, I get one to Splash Mountain. If we do it that way, would we be able to use the rider swap so we can both ride both or Disney does not allow that? This is also our first trip with the new fastpass system and I'm so freaking confused!
Yes you can split up your fastpasses. This is what we did at EPCOT with Test Track and Soarin. Using rider swap all the adults were able to ride both rides.
Well this is awesome news!! Thanks! Test Track/Soarin was my original plan but Soarin will be closed when we go.
Post by DarcyLongfellow on Jan 6, 2016 15:59:59 GMT -5
The time you're going will impact a lot of that. If it's a busy time of year, then it will be hard to juggle all of that. If it's not, then you will have a pretty easy time. Over the next 30-60 days, President's Day weekend (and the weeks on either side of it) will be busy, as will most of March, although probably not the first week or so.
We were just there earlier this week, and crowds were INSANE. More crowded than I've ever seen them (and we go a lot). I highly, highly recommend following the "most recommended park" suggestions by easywdw -- they show them on their crowd calendars. We were at MK Monday and Tuesday. Monday was not a recommended day, but Tuesday was, and while both were very, very busy, Monday was awful.
BUT, even though it was super crowded, getting there at rope drop still makes a HUGE difference. If you're really there at park opening, you should be able to ride a TON of stuff before it gets crowded. We are not early risers, so we usually don't get to the parks much before 10 (at the earliest), but we would watch the wait times and they were reasonable until 11 or so.
All that to say, I would prioritize what you absolutely must ride. If A&E is your top priority, definitely book that right at midnight. 7DMT too -- it's still very popular. Both of them are hard to book 30 days out because resort guests book most of the available fastpasses at 60 days out. It sounds like you're staying onsite? If so, then you have a decent chance. Get online right at midnight, and definitely try to book both A&E and 7DMT for that second MK day.
Chances are pretty good that you could do one of those without a fastpass right at opening, but if it will ruin your trip not to do it, then I wouldn't count on it. I always make sure to fastpass anything that is an absolute must do -- then, anything else we ride is a bonus.
All the other rides you mentioned should have PLENTY of availability even as you get closer. We rarely decide to go more than 2 weeks in advance, and the ONLY fastpasses I have issues getting are Toy Story Midway Mania, A&E, and 7DMT. I don't try for any of the rollercoasters, but I've never seen them be unavailable.
Enchanted Tales with Belle isn't super popular, so you should be able to get a fastpass for it without an issue, as long as you try a day or so in advance. It's annoying because it takes a LONG time to ride, even with a fastpass, due to how long the pre-show is. I feel like most times I see the wait there listed as 30 minutes.
I've never tried to do the baby swap at park opening (since we're never there that early), but I can't imagine they wouldn't let you? Also, be aware that the baby swap (or rider switch) is ONLY available if someone in your group is too short to ride. Being scared doesn't count :-) You shouldn't have an issue, but just in case your youngest is super tall, it's something to be aware of.
Another thing, you don't need to worry about having enough time left to ride with your FP -- if you do the baby swap, you can show up in the last 1 minute of your fastpass time, and they will still let everyone in your party ride. Also, with the baby swap, you get a little ticket to come back and ride, and they don't limit the number who can come back through to the exact number in your party. So, since DD2 can't ride Soarin', first one parent takes DD1 and gets the baby swap pass, then the other parent takes DD1 again (so she rides twice). Also, they don't make the second parent tap their magic band to activate the fast pass. So, I believe that if you wanted everyone except the baby to ride, say, Splash Mountain, then you could make 3 fastpasses for that, 2 for something else. Then all of you could ride Splash (even though you only have 3 passes), then 2 of you could also ride something else with a fastpass. I'm not sure if I'm explaining that well -- I read up on it on disboards, so check there if you think you might want to do it. I don't believe it's "cheating the system" or anything -- they have it set up that way on purpose so that people don't have to ride alone.
Also, don't worry too much about doing only things in one area of the MK on a particular day. The park isn't all that big -- you could easily go over to Haunted Mansion from anywhere else. Also, even if you rode every ride in Tomorrowland, I don't think you could fill a whole day there. You might see if it's possible to fit all of your rides into your first MK day, then use that second day to revisit your favorites.
That was a whole lot of long winded explanation, sorry. Here's what I would do if I were in your shoes:
I would use that first MK day to fastpass: A&E, Splash, and Big Thunder. At rope drop, I'd try to do 7DMT. If the ride is longer than 20 minutes when you get there, skip it. After 7DMT (whether you ride it or not), then I'd do Peter Pan, Belle, then Haunted Mansion (in that order). Make sure to make your fastpasses for later in the day so you have time for all those other rides first. If any of those rides have a line over 15 or 20 minutes, skip it, then do it later in the day or first thing on your second day.
On your second day, I'd do a fastpass for 7DMT (in case you don't ride it the first day -- or you can re-ride it. If you don't want to re-ride it, just switch your fastpass as soon as you decide you don't want to do it). I'd also do a fastpass for Peter Pan and whatever Mountain you want to prioritize. Again, you can cancel these fastpasses and switch them to something else if you don't want to re-ride them after you go on the first day.
I can't answer the question about Test Track. DD1 has refused to try it (but she claims to be "scared" of any fast ride). I
I hope all that made sense! If not, just tell me.
Belle, 7DMT, Splash, Big Thunder, Mansion, Peter Pan
On rides with height restrictions you can ask for a pass for the adult who is unable to ride (since they are staying with the kid/s who can not ride). The passes we got were good for a few days and up to three people. You take it to the FastPass entrance when you are ready to use it.
We just went in November with DD, and this is exactly how it worked for us as well - When it's your FP window you can all go to the fastpass line and then state you need a rider switch pass, once when we were at AK it was super crowded and I went up alone without DD and H...They were kind of like "Where is your kid and husband?" So it's probably best to have your kids that can't ride near you when you ask for the pass
On rides with height restrictions you can ask for a pass for the adult who is unable to ride (since they are staying with the kid/s who can not ride). The passes we got were good for a few days and up to three people. You take it to the FastPass entrance when you are ready to use it.
We just went in November with DD, and this is exactly how it worked for us as well - When it's your FP window you can all go to the fastpass line and then state you need a rider switch pass, once when we were at AK it was super crowded and I went up alone without DD and H...They were kind of like "Where is your kid and husband?" So it's probably best to have your kids that can't ride near you when you ask for the pass
Definitely. I think they need to see the kid who can't ride, or they (understandable) won't give the rider swap pass.
Definitely. I think they need to see the kid who can't ride, or they (understandable) won't give the rider swap pass.
Yes, and we usually did this....for whatever reason it was a madhouse at that particular ride and there was almost no way for me to walk up to the entrance to the line, so DH hung back a little with DD. Thankfully, the castmember realized there were people everywhere and said something like "Well I guess it would be hard to get her stroller up here right now, lol" and gave me the rider switch pass when he saw my husband wave from over the crowd, lol
Sometimes if they let the pre-park breakfast people start riding at like 8:40 before the park opens, they haven't done rider swap until the park opened at 9am. Usually because you can usually get more then 1 ride in so it wouldn't be needed.
Oh, that makes sense. They would start doing the rider swap later when the park officially opens or gets busier?
Sorry to thread hijack but I have another question about the OP's plans. H and I can get separate fastpasses? Like he gets one to Space Mountain, I get one to Splash Mountain. If we do it that way, would we be able to use the rider swap so we can both ride both or Disney does not allow that? This is also our first trip with the new fastpass system and I'm so freaking confused!
You can definitively do that. We just did the same thing in October.
Post by curbsideprophet on Jan 6, 2016 21:16:26 GMT -5
I agree with trying to book Anna and Elsa as late as possible in your trip. I would also limit it to the minimum number of people to increase your chances.
I'm about to read this and hopefully it provides me with some clarification.
I know I sound like a total dumbass, but you request the rider swap ticket at the time we approach the ride or is it like the old fast passes? Isn't this the same concept as the single rider lines?
I'm about to read this and hopefully it provides me with some clarification.
I know I sound like a total dumbass, but you request the rider swap ticket at the time we approach the ride or is it like the old fast passes? Isn't this the same concept as the single rider lines?
You request it when you walk up to the ride. With the pass you get to come back to the FastPass line with up to three people, so some could potentially ride twice.
Ok, let me get this straight because I had no idea and am so glad I asked.
I can book a FP for H and DD1, walk up to the FP line together, show my too-short DS to the cast member and ask for a rider swap, and then I can go back with both DD2 AND DD1 to ride anytime afterwards, even days later, without booking a separate FP for the three of us?
If so, I love it, but now I have to reformulate my entire plan! lol.
Also, is rider swap available for all rides with height restrictions? The Rider Switch page lists only select attractions, of which 7DMT is not one.
This is our fourth trip with our kid(s) but our first with the FP+ system so it’s a bit complicated and overwhelming trying to figure it all out, and I appreciate all the tips!
ilikedonuts , that FP availability chart is great. Thank you!
DarcyLongfellow , thanks for all of that, especially the “being scared doesn’t count” bit because that would totally happen with DD2! I am now going to book FP for the bigger coasters and Test Track for me or H plus DD1 and then plan on using rider swap in case DD2 decides she wants to ride after all.
We’re staying at the Contemporary so this will be 60 days out. We’re going the second week of March so it could be peak crowds. I already chose our days based on the easywdw suggestions before I booked our ADRs – day 1 MK, day 2 Epcot, day 3 HS, day 4 MK.
We will be at MK first thing both days but our second day starts with BBB followed by CRT so we won’t be ready for rides until close to noon which means we’ll miss the lower morning crowds that day. Plus we have a 7pm dinner reservation at California Grill and most likely won’t return to the park, so it’ll be a short day for rides for us, even more so if we take DS back to the hotel for a nap. That’s why I’m being conservative and only planning Anna and Elsa and Tomorrowland our second day – anything else will be bonus. I know our first day will be overloaded so I like the idea of taking it a little easier on our last day.
Thanks again for all the help. I may be back for a final critique tomorrow or Friday!
Ok, let me get this straight because I had no idea and am so glad I asked.
I can book a FP for H and DD1, walk up to the FP line together, show my too-short DS to the cast member and ask for a rider swap, and then I can go back with both DD2 AND DD1 to ride anytime afterwards, even days later, without booking a separate FP for the three of us?
Also, is rider swap available for all rides with height restrictions? The Rider Switch page lists only select attractions, of which 7DMT is not one.
Yes, you can get a Rider Swap for 7DMT, at least we were able to get them when we were there...although DD is an infant, so she definitely can't ride anything
Ok, let me get this straight because I had no idea and am so glad I asked.
I can book a FP for H and DD1, walk up to the FP line together, show my too-short DS to the cast member and ask for a rider swap, and then I can go back with both DD2 AND DD1 to ride anytime afterwards, even days later, without booking a separate FP for the three of us?
If so, I love it, but now I have to reformulate my entire plan! lol.
Also, is rider swap available for all rides with height restrictions? The Rider Switch page lists only select attractions, of which 7DMT is not one.
This is our fourth trip with our kid(s) but our first with the FP+ system so it’s a bit complicated and overwhelming trying to figure it all out, and I appreciate all the tips!
ilikedonuts , that FP availability chart is great. Thank you!
DarcyLongfellow , thanks for all of that, especially the “being scared doesn’t count” bit because that would totally happen with DD2! I am now going to book FP for the bigger coasters and Test Track for me or H plus DD1 and then plan on using rider swap in case DD2 decides she wants to ride after all.
We’re staying at the Contemporary so this will be 60 days out. We’re going the second week of March so it could be peak crowds. I already chose our days based on the easywdw suggestions before I booked our ADRs – day 1 MK, day 2 Epcot, day 3 HS, day 4 MK.
We will be at MK first thing both days but our second day starts with BBB followed by CRT so we won’t be ready for rides until close to noon which means we’ll miss the lower morning crowds that day. Plus we have a 7pm dinner reservation at California Grill and most likely won’t return to the park, so it’ll be a short day for rides for us, even more so if we take DS back to the hotel for a nap. That’s why I’m being conservative and only planning Anna and Elsa and Tomorrowland our second day – anything else will be bonus. I know our first day will be overloaded so I like the idea of taking it a little easier on our last day.
Thanks again for all the help. I may be back for a final critique tomorrow or Friday!
we had a fas pass for 7D and then did riser swap. We had a 10 month old with us so we used rider swap on everything possible.
Ok, let me get this straight because I had no idea and am so glad I asked.
I can book a FP for H and DD1, walk up to the FP line together, show my too-short DS to the cast member and ask for a rider swap, and then I can go back with both DD2 AND DD1 to ride anytime afterwards, even days later, without booking a separate FP for the three of us?
If so, I love it, but now I have to reformulate my entire plan! lol.
Also, is rider swap available for all rides with height restrictions? The Rider Switch page lists only select attractions, of which 7DMT is not one.
This is our fourth trip with our kid(s) but our first with the FP+ system so it’s a bit complicated and overwhelming trying to figure it all out, and I appreciate all the tips!
Thanks again for all the help. I may be back for a final critique tomorrow or Friday!
Yes, you can do what you described in the first paragraph.
I think any ride with height restrictions offers Rider Switch. If you look under Accessibility and Other Information on a particular attractions webpage it should list Rider Switch if it is offered.