MK Navigation help

[Minnie1986]

Hi All,

So on my MK day, I have a 7:30AM ADR for Chef Mickey's. Assuming that gets us (myself and my 8yo godson) actually into the MK at ~9am, what would be the best way to navigate until our first FP+ for Space Mountain at 10:15 AM. Which "land" should we head for? Or, should we just dawdle on Main Street until it's for Space Mountain? Basically, is it worth trying to ride something in that 75 minute (wait time dependent, of course)?

 

[belledream]

Lines at park opening will be shorter then, moreso than any other point during the day (for the most part). If you have other attractions you seriously want to get under your belt, it's a no brainer. You could just head to Tomorrowland, ride Astro Orbiter (a good one for mornings since there's no FP) or Buzz, then take a ride on Tomorrowland Transit Authority if you have even more time to kill before your FP.

 

[Minnie1986]

Lines at park opening will be shorter then, moreso than any other point during the day (for the most part). If you have other attractions you seriously want to get under your belt, it's a no brainer. You could just head to Tomorrowland, ride Astro Orbiter (a good one for mornings since there's no FP) or Buzz, then take a ride on Tomorrowland Transit Authority if you have even more time to kill before your FP.

Didn't think about this. He'll definitely want to do Buzz ASAP. Astro Orbiter I try to save for night time, but who says I can't do it more than once in a day. My original thought was to go to Adventure land, until I looked at a map and realized how nuts that would be. Thank you!

 

[belledream]

Didn't think about this. He'll definitely want to do Buzz. Astro Orbiter I try to save for night time, but who says I can't do it more than once in a day. My original thought was to go to Adventure land, until I looked at a map and realized how nuts that would be. Thank you!

True, Astro Orbiter might be cooler at night...but you said it!

Buzz could definitely be close to a walk-on in the morning.

Adventureland isn't a terrible idea if you just want to walk, but this is the first hour of your day. You may enjoy a more non-rushed time later!

 

[rob0519]

Personally, I would go the other way into Frontierland. There is a good chance you could do Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain Railroad and still make it Space Mountain for your 10:15 window.

 

[Minnie1986]

True, Astro Orbiter might be cooler at night...but you said it!

Buzz could definitely be close to a walk-on in the morning.

Adventureland isn't a terrible idea if you just want to walk, but this is the first hour of your day. You may enjoy a more non-rushed time later!

I like your idea of just heading to Tomorrowland and doing a few walk ons/short line rides until the first fastpass. I think this will result in the small chance of a cranky kid.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Personally, I would go the other way into Frontierland. There is a good chance you could do Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain Railroad and still make it Space Mountain for your 10:15 window.

I'm the opposite. I always do Magic Kingdom in four half-days so I get maximum Fastpass+ value. With 12 pre-scheduled FP+ rides plus whatever we're able to re-book, we never have to scramble around in the mornings. Our MK rope drops are always very low stress.

 

[Gomer]

Just to provide a Fantasyland based alternative (since you'll have a young child with you), I have done the following for a 10:15 FP setup many times over the last few years and find it works well with children in tow.

Assuming you do make it there at or shortly after rope drop, you should be able to do the U loop trough FL and back to Space.

So...
Pooh->Small World-> Mermaid->Dumbo- Space Mountain

Depending on how leisurely you move and how busy the park is, you should be able to get all 4 in and be at Space by 10:15 pretty easily. I've even managed to sneak in a Cinnamon Roll and Coffee at Gaston's post mermaid and still make it work. If you got slowed down for some reason it would be pretty easy to bypass Dumbo and come back later.

This allows you to get most of the FL rides done before they get crazy lines in the afternoon. (I'll usually use a FP or EMH to get Pan done at a different time.)

 

[Minnie1986]

Personally, I would go the other way into Frontierland. There is a good chance you could do Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain Railroad and still make it Space Mountain for your 10:15 window.

This is normally what I do, since a lot of people head to Tomorrowland first thing. However, I think Splash is going to be closed while I'm there (mid-September) and Thunder Mountain is my next fastpass after Space Mountain.

 

[Minnie1986]

Just to provide a Fantasyland based alternative (since you'll have a young child with you), I have done the following for a 10:15 FP setup many times over the last few years and find it works well with children in tow.

Assuming you do make it there at or shortly after rope drop, you should be able to do the U loop trough FL and back to Space.

So...
Pooh->Small World-> Mermaid->Dumbo- Space Mountain

Depending on how leisurely you move and how busy the park is, you should be able to get all 4 in and be at Space by 10:15 pretty easily. I've even managed to sneak in a Cinnamon Roll and Coffee at Gaston's post mermaid and still make it work. If you got slowed down for some reason it would be pretty easy to bypass Dumbo and come back later.

This allows you to get most of the FL rides done before they get crazy lines in the afternoon. (I'll usually use a FP or EMH to get Pan done at a different time.)

I like this idea. I feel like these, Pirates, Jungle Cruise and Buzz are going to be his must dos. Thanks!

 

[LAKid53]

I'd throw in the Mine Ride, if you didn't get a FP.

 

[Legendary]

I like this idea. I feel like these, Pirates, Jungle Cruise and Buzz are going to be his must dos. Thanks!

I would do the FL route first followed by Buzz then use your SM fast pass. You have until 11:15 to use it. Around lunch FL and TL get really busy. Not sure what your other FP's are but you should not have a problem getting 4th and 5th for Pirates and Jungle Cruise.

 

[Minnie1986]

I'd throw in the Mine Ride, if you didn't get a FP.

I managed to snag the last one that was available on my MK day at the 60 day mark, thank goodness.

 

[Minnie1986]

I would do the FL route first followed by Buzz then use your SM fast pass. You have until 11:15 to use it. Around lunch FL and TL get really busy. Not sure what your other FP's are but you should not have a problem getting 4th and 5th for Pirates and Jungle Cruise.

Thanks. My FPs, as they stand are:
1. Space Mountain 10:15 AM
2. BTMR: 11:35 AM
3. 7DMT: 3:15 PM

I was thinking of possibly switching 7DMT and BTMR, or just trying to move up 7DMT in general; but there are no more 7DMT fastpasses available for the day. What I'm thinking of doing is rope dropping Mine Train, doing a few others in FL, and then heading to Space Mountain. This way, I may be able to book my 4th, etc FPs more quickly, instead of having to wait until after 3:15. Does this make sense, or would it be too hectic? It's my godson's first trip and I don't want him to have to dash at the very beginning.

 

[Legendary]

The majority of guests at rope drop head to Mine Train and SM. We try to get to the park at least 45min-1hr before park opening and usually find space at the rope. Its makes getting to the Mine Train less stressful. Cast Members will hold the line back and walk guests to attractions in a nice orderly fashion so that there are no stampedes. You will not have to make a mad dash.

 

[Minnie1986]

The majority of guests at rope drop head to Mine Train and SM. We try to get to the park at least 45min-1hr before park opening and usually find space at the rope. Its makes getting to the Mine Train less stressful. Cast Members will hold the line back and walk guests to attractions in a nice orderly fashion so that there are no stampedes. You will not have to make a mad dash.

I guess my only concern is that I may not make rope drop, due to my ADR.

 

[Marianm]

I'm the opposite. I always do Magic Kingdom in four half-days so I get maximum Fastpass+ value. With 12 pre-scheduled FP+ rides plus whatever we're able to re-book, we never have to scramble around in the mornings. Our MK rope drops are always very low stress.

What's your plan when you do all half days? We'll prob do at least four days in MK and I know I'm starting in tomorrowland, but not sure what else to hit along with it.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

What's your plan when you do all half days? We'll prob do at least four days in MK and I know I'm starting in tomorrowland, but not sure what else to hit along with it.

Day 1: Magic Kingdom Adventureland morning, hop to Hollywood Studios
Day 2: Animal Kingdom morning, hop to Epcot World Showcase, including IllumiNations
Day 3: Morning off, Magic Kingdom Frontierland and Liberty Square afternoon / evening, including FoF Parade
Day 4: Epcot morning, hop to Magic Kingdom Fantasyland
Day 5: Epcot morning, evening off
Day 6: Animal Kingdom full day, including Rivers of Light
Day 7: Hollywood Studios morning, hop to Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland, including Happily Ever After