One day at Disney World

[shakinros]

Help me out with some vacation planning y'all.

Next week, we are going to FL to see my parents. We will mostly be in Tampa, but are planning a one day trip to Disney to test it out before committing many thousands of dollars to a full stay. DD is 4.5. Hitting Disney next Saturday and we will just do Magic Kingdom. We'll drive over in the morning (2hrs including parking time) and drive back in the eve.

I have made no reservations for anything and we don't have fast passes. I know this is like the opposite of typical Disney vacation planning, but I'm trying to keep it casual.

Any advice to help set this up for success? Should we leave Tampa at the crack of dawn to be there when the gates open, or let the crowds through and show up mid-morning? I was thinking we would only do Fantasyland and quick service meals. I know which rides she will prob like (Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo, Small World, the carousel) Should I plan a route through the park or leave it open? And final question: DD (and DH for that matter) are likely to be wiped by maybe 4pm. Any point in trying to stay long enough to eat another quick service meal for dinner, or should we just drive back to Tampa and eat dinner there?

Thanks for your help! I'm by far the most excited person about this part of the trip and I'm trying really hard not to overdo it.

[akafred]

Well, I am a "do all the things" Disney person, so the idea of not booking FPs for MK on a Saturday in spring break timing makes me twitchy. Saturdays are always super crowded at MK, as that is when locals visit most. I would STRONGLY recommend getting FP for things you know the kids will want to ride, like Peter Pan or the godawful 7 Dwarves Mine Train, stories with Belle, or any roller coaster. If you actually want to ride any rides and not stand in lines, get there at rope drop. Actually at least 30 minutes before since you'll have to ride the boat or monorail and get through security etc. Yes it's crowded but nothing compared to the crowds from around 10 or 11 on to about 4. My MO is book FP and make a plan, but it's ok if you don't make a plan. But FP yes, get there super early and hit the more popular rides you don't have a FP for in the first 2 hours, and after that turn your attention to things you saw that looked interesting earlier, buy a souvenir, grab lunch, take a leisurely stroll down Main Street, and watch some shows. That'll take you to 4pm and you can decide to stay or go. Once 7pm hits it will get less crowded again.

[mustardseed2007]

Any ride with over a 20 minute wait, I would avoid if you don't have a FP. It will suck up all your time standing in line. Skip it and see if you can go back to it.

You will need a FP for Peter Pan UNLESS you get there right when the park opens and walk like you're on a mission to get there. You may want one for Pooh but if you hit it at the right time, in my experience, you can do that without a FP. And the line loops around a little play ground so the kids can play if you have a wait. You can definitely do small world without a FP - just keep checking it if the line is long b/c it will go down eventually.

There is a quick service restaurant right next to small world - Pinocchio's grotto or some such. It's a decent quick service with flat bread pizzas, and if you get a seat next to the window you can see the boats from the small world ride setting off.

That time of year I would try to either get there really early, or take it slow and get there late and stay late depending on how your kids are after a long drive etc. etc.

If you are there as late as the wishes firework show, I would go over and do dumbo during that time. The line will be short and you'll have a magical view of fireworks. If not, they have changed dumbo so that you can take a number, go play in the play area, and then go ride when your number is called. We really haven't done much of that b/c we tend to go when there isn't a line for that one.

If you find yourself pressed and you haven't done dumbo, consider doing the magic carpet ride in adventure land next to the dole whip stand. It's the same ride...but without the cute elephants.

You will need a FP for any roller coaster except the barnstormer which is only good for really little kids anyway. You'll also need it for the buzz light year/toy story ride....you'll want it for Belle if you have kids that are into Belle but I wasn't all that impressed with it...other people love it though so that may just be me.

[mustardseed2007]

They also have a 200 dollar per person vip thing if you are rolling in it. You get a personal escort and get to jump the line on 10 rides. I dream of this...for a one day trip I'd probably do it too...

[shakinros]

Feb 26, 2017 12:05:14 GMT -5 mustardseed2007 said:

They also have a 200 dollar per person vip thing if you are rolling in it. You get a personal escort and get to jump the line on 10 rides. I dream of this...for a one day trip I'd probably do it too...

Well this does sound amazing. I don't have anywhere near that much money though.

[twinmomma]

My tip is enter MK at rope drop and immediately hop the train back to Fantasyland. Start there in the back and loop towards the front and you can beat crowds on all the classic rides the little kids like. It worked awesome for us.

[CoverGirl82]

Agree with others on FPs for Buzz Lightyear and Peter Pan rides. If your DD is into the princesses, you may want to consider using your 3rd FP for one of the princess character meets.

I would recommend you have a plan to walk around the park, and not plan activities that cause you to criss-cross the park. (Because I've done that, and it wasn't the smartest planning on my part.)

We loved taking the train around a couple times in the afternoon to give everyone a rest.

We take snacks and water bottles with us in a backpack. A quick service we liked was Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café in Tomorrowland.

Have fun!

[librarychica]

Plan extra time for parking -- I was reminded this past weekend that MK is a bitch to get into. Fast passes -- get some. They've made me not hate theme parks. I have recently rediscovered MK despite living down the road so I can't recommend specific rides. For princesses, we enjoy the Storytume with Belle. You get a little show and the whole princess thing. Head straight to the back to Fantasyland and work your way forward.

You can bring in a small soft side cooler. We fill ours with cold drinks and cut fruit and stick it under the cooler. Since you're heading backt to Tampa after I would leave another cooler with drinks and snacks in the car so you have cold water for the drive back.

Have fun!

[Widget123]

Not going to MK for another year + but I am totally stealing some of these ideas. Starting at the back at Fantasyland sounds really smart.

[mustardseed2007]

Feb 26, 2017 13:40:53 GMT -5 shakinros said:

Feb 26, 2017 12:05:14 GMT -5 mustardseed2007 said:

They also have a 200 dollar per person vip thing if you are rolling in it. You get a personal escort and get to jump the line on 10 rides. I dream of this...for a one day trip I'd probably do it too...

Well this does sound amazing. I don't have anywhere near that much money though.

we can dream right! 

[akafred]

Feb 27, 2017 9:52:53 GMT -5 Widget123 said:

Not going to MK for another year + but I am totally stealing some of these ideas. Starting at the back at Fantasyland sounds really smart.

Our first trip we started in Frontierland which was awesome. We rode Thunder Mtn 7 times in a row before the crowds got there. Most people went through the castle to old Fantasyland.

The last trip we started in Tomorrowland and stopped for Space Mtn and the cars, then went back to new Fantasyland. This was perfect and we stayed until the first couple hours were up and the crowds got busier then we rode the train to Frontierland and the first of our fast passes (Big Thunder) and worked our way back to old Fantasyland. Both were good choices. Once again most people headed through the castle at rope drop. Really though as long as you get there at rope drop you're fine.