Category — i. Itineraries for Walt Disney World

After Toy Story Land opens on June 30, 2018, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be profoundly shifting its FastPass+ tiering, and, at least through August 25, its operating calendar as well.

Image (c) Disney

• Each of the Toy Story Land rides–the new Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers, and the old Toy Story Midway Mania–will be in Tier One, and will be the only rides in Tier One. This means you can only pre-book one of these rides per day.
• Regular park hours at the Studios from 6/30 through 8/25 will be from 8a to 10.30p, with daily morning Extra Magic Hours offered from 7a-8a. This means that for those not using or not eligible for Extra Magic Hours, the new rides will be crowded at regular park open. So, too, might be the next level of priorities, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and Star Tours, as guests who arrived for Extra Magic Hours make their way to these rides after some time in Toy Story Land. So don’t count on low waits at “rope drop”–that is, at regular park open.
• During this June 30 to August 25 period, Fantasmic will be showing twice every night.  Most of the period it’s on at 9 and 10.30p, but after August 18 it shifts to 8.30 and 10.30p. The evening Star Wars show is on at 10p every night. This suggests that you might find good luck in Toy Story Land after the first Fantasmic, as others in the park either leave, make their way to Star Wars, or make their way to the second Fantasmic. You might find even better luck if you can get into the land right after the Star Wars show–you’ll have about ten minutes to walk less than a quarter of a mile.

Based on these factors, I’ve developed a second draft (the first one won’t work so I’ve redirected it to here) of touring plans to replace those in my current itineraries to see Hollywood Studios between June 30 and August 25 (I’ll build another version for visits after then). The main challenge in creating these are the start times and show schedules of the various shows, which does lead to a bit of dead time after some of the steps.

TOURING HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS THE SUMMER AFTER TOY STORY LAND OPENS, SECOND DRAFT PLAN, DAY ONE

Pre-book FastPass+ for Toy Story Mania (8-9a), Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (9-10a) and Tower of Terror (10-11a)

• Arrive at the park by opening time
• Ride Toy Story Mania (FP+)
• See Muppet Vision 3D
• Ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (FP+)
• See Voyage of the Little Mermaid (9.30a show)
• Ride Tower of Terror (FP+). As soon as you tap in for this FastPass+, look for additional FastPass+ later this morning or early this afternoon, especially for the noon Indiana Jones. After those, or if none are available, look for an additional set of FastPass+ for tonight’s first Fantasmic.
• See Beauty and the Beast (11a show)
• See the noon Indiana Jones if you got a FastPass+ for it. If you did get FastPass+, check as soon as you tap in for FastPass+ for Fantasmic tonight
• See Disney Junior Live on Stage
• Head back to your hotel
• Return it the park, arriving at the Fantasmic queue no later than 60 minutes before showtime (if you don’t have FastPass+ for it) or 30 minutes if you have FastPass+
• See Fantasmic
• Head to Toy Story Land and see Alien Swirling Saucers; after, see another Toy Story ride if the lines are acceptable

TOURING HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS THE SUMMER AFTER TOY STORY LAND OPENS, SECOND DRAFT PLAN, DAY TWO

Pre-book FastPass+ for Slinky Dog Dash (8-9a), Star Tours (9-10a) and the 10.30a show of For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along

• Arrive at the park by half an hour after regular opening time (i.e. by 8.30a for an 8a open)
• Ride Slinky Dog Dash (FastPass+)
• Ride Star Tours (FastPass+)
• See the 10.30a For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along (FastPass+). As soon as you tap in for this FastPass+, look for additional FastPass+ for later this morning or early this afternoon, to return to favorites or to see the noon Indiana Jones if you did not see it yesterday
• See Walt Disney Presents
• If you did not see it yesterday, see the noon Indiana Jones
• See Star Wars Launch Bay
• See March of the First Order
• See Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away
• Head back to your hotel, but before leaving look for additional FastPass+ to use before the evening Star Wars show
• Return it the park, arriving in time for your FastPass+ if you got an additional set, and be in the center area no later than 45 minutes before Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular
• See Disney Movie Magic
• See Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular
• If you can move quickly (you’ll have about ten minutes), as soon as the Star Wars show ends head to Toy Story Land and get in line for a favorite

I’d love to hear any thoughts or feedback! Use the comment form below.

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest!!

DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: APRIL 21 TO APRIL 29, 2018

The material below details next week’s Disney World operating hours, Extra Magic Hours, parades, and fireworks.

For more on April 2018 at Disney World, see this.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/21-4/29/18

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 9a-11p 4/21, 9a-10p 4/22, 9a-11p 4/23, 9a-10p 4/24 through 4/26, 9a-11p 4/27, 8a-12MN 4/28, and 9a-10p 4/29

Epcot will be open from 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-9p 4/21 through 4/28, and 9a-9.30p 4/29

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open 8a-10.30p 4/21, 9a-10p 4/22, 9a-9.30p 4/23 through 4/27, and 9a-10.30p on 4/28 and 4/29

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/21-4/29/18

Saturday 4/21 Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

Sunday 4/22  Morning: none Evening: Magic Kingdom

Monday 4/23  Morning: Animal Kingdom Evening: none

Tuesday 4/24  Morning: none Evening:  Epcot

Wednesday 4/25 Morning:  none  Evening: Magic Kingdom

Thursday 4/26 Morning: Epcot Evening: none

Friday 4/27 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: none

Saturday 4/28 Morning: Animal Kingdom Evening: none

Sunday 4/29  Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/21–4/29/18

The Magic Kingdom: Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: 3p every day

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/21-4/29/18

Happily Every After at Magic Kingdom: 8.55p 4/21 through 4/28; 9p 4/29

IllumiNations at Epcot:  9p every night

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:  8.30p 4/21 through 4/28; 9p 4/29

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9.15p 4/21 through 4/28; 9.30p 4/29

Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 8.45 and 10p 4/21 through 4/28; 9.15 and 10.30p 4/29

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/21-4/29/18

See Steve Soares’ site here. Click the park names at its top for show schedules.

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest!!

DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: APRIL 14 TO APRIL 22, 2018

The material below details next week’s Disney World operating hours, Extra Magic Hours, parades, and fireworks.

For more on April 2018 at Disney World, see this.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/14-4/22/18

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 8a-12MN 4/14, 9a-11p 4/15, 9a-10p 4/16 through 4/20, 9a-11p 4/21, and 9a-10p 4/22

Epcot will be open from 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open  9a-9.30p 4/16 through 4/16, 9a-8.30p 4/17, 9a-9.30p 4/19 through 4/20, 8a-10.30p 4/21, and 9a-10p 4/22

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/14-4/22/18

Saturday 4/14 Morning: Animal Kingdom   Evening: none

Sunday 4/15 Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

Monday 4/16  Morning: Animal Kingdom Evening: none

Tuesday 4/17  Morning: none Evening:  Epcot

Wednesday 4/18 Morning:  none  Evening: Magic Kingdom

Thursday 4/19 Morning: Epcot Evening: none

Friday 4/20 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: none

Saturday 4/21 Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

Sunday 4/22  Morning: none Evening: Magic Kingdom

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/14–4/22/18

The Magic Kingdom: Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: 3p every day

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/14-4/22/18

Happily Every After at Magic Kingdom: 8.55p every night

IllumiNations at Epcot:  9p every night

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:  8.30p every night

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9.15p every night

Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom 8.45 and 10p 4/14 through 4/16; 8.45p 4/17; 8.45 and 10p 4/18 through 4/22

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/14-4/22/18

See Steve Soares’ site here. Click the park names at its top for show schedules.

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest!!

TOURING HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS AFTER TOY STORY LAND OPENS

UPDATE 4/18. This won’t work for June 30-August 25 (for why, see this).  I’ll have a revision out shortly!

I’m starting to work on my revised itineraries for Disney’s Hollywood Studios for use after Toy Story Land opens on June 30. I’m waiting to finalize them until Disney releases the official FastPass+ tiering—or May 1 (60 days before), whichever comes first.

FastPass+ at Hollywood Studios has tiering—you can pick only one attraction from “Tier One” rides, and up to two or three (three only if you don’t pick a Tier One) from another group.

Image (c) Disney

With the opening of Toy Story Land, it’s expected that the tiering here will shift quite a bit from what it is today. Expected to be in Tier One are the two new rides, the family coaster Slinky Dog Dash and the minor spinning ride Alien Swirling Saucers, and also the other ride in Toy Story Land, Toy Story Mania.

Attractions expected to be in Tier Two include most, but perhaps not all, of

• Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
• Disney Jr. Live on Stage
• Fantasmic!
• Frozen Sing-Along
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Muppet Vision 3D
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
• Star Tours
• Tower of Terror
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid

The new tiering complicates one day visits for those who wish to see all three Toy Story rides. One can be seen at rope drop, one via FastPass+, but the third will require either some waits or seeing it at park close, which might get in the way of seeing one of the evening shows here.

Some guests with older children will want to skip Alien Swirling Saucers as it does not look like there’s much to this ride, but Alien Swirling Saucers likely will have such low capacity that the skippers won’t mean a lot for waits—at least early on. Others will want to skip Slinky Dog Dash, as they avoid coasters. However, the experience so far with the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train coaster at Magic Kingdom suggests that if Slinky Dog Dash is as family friendly as I expect, the skippers won’t have much impact on waits for it, it either.

For most one a one day visit, my suggestion would be to see Toy Story Mania at rope drop, pre-book FastPass+ Slinky Dog, and skip Alien Swirling Saucers, seeing the evening shows instead. For those with younger folk or avoiding coasters, book your FastPass+ for Alien Swirling Saucers and skip Slinky Dog. But good itinerary design means not skipping rides.

For a while now my standard itineraries have devoted two calendar days to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, for several different reasons:

• Allowing people to see both the evening shows, Fantasmic and the Star Wars fireworks, which otherwise is hard to do on a single day given how close together they can be scheduled
• Giving people some extra time off while still enabling them to book six FastPass+ for the Studios, and
• Setting up an itinerary structure that would still work after Toy Story Land opens—and, I hope (gulp) after Star Wars: Galaxy Edge opens

Itinerary design for the Studios is further complicated by shows with limited schedules and a larger group of attractions, including most of these, that—at least right now—operate only from late morning until early evening.

My current thoughts on the new touring plans is on each day to rope drop, to have an afternoon break, and to return in the  evening for one or the other of the evening shows. This permits eight high priority rides with low waits—six via FastPass+, and two more at rope drop.

Day 1 begins with Alien Swirling Saucers at rope drop, and includes pre-booked FastPass+ for Slinky Dog Coaster, the Frozen Sing-Along show, and Star Tours. Day 2 beings with Tower of Terror at rope drop, and includes pre-booked FastPass+ for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Toy Story Mania, and Fantasmic.

The immediate objection to this is the backtracking required. But Hollywood Studios is a small enough park that backtracking matters less than at the other parks (the longest walk at the Studios is half a mile), and the tiering structure means you can’t really avoid being in Toy Story Land both days if you want to minimize waits.

The other issue is using a FastPass+ for Fantasmic. Savvy folk know that using a FastPass+ for an evening show is often unwise, as it precludes you from looking for 4th and further FastPass+ until you’ve gone through the FastPass+ tap in—and many nights of the year, there won’t be any FastPass+ left, because of either crowds or park close times. I certainly would not use a FastPass+ for Fantasmic for a one day itinerary, and likely will have to abandon it after Star Wars opens, but for now, the chance to avoid long lines to get a good Fantasmic seat makes me comfortable with including it—especially since it’s on the late-arrival day, anyway.

So here’s my current overview of the days (note that I will revise this as need based on both reader feedback and the actual tiering once announced by Disney):

TOURING HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS AFTER TOY STORY LAND OPENS DRAFT PLAN DAY ONE

Pre-book FastPass+ for Slinky Dog Coaster (9-10a), the 10.30 Frozen Sing-Along show, and Star Tours (11a-noon)

• Arrive at the tapstiles by 45 minutes before scheduled opening
• See Alien Swirling Saucers
• See Slinky Dog Coaster (FastPass+)
• See Muppet Vision 3D
• See the 10.30a Frozen Sing-Along (FastPass+)
• See Star Tours (FastPass+)
• Look for additional FastPass+ to use either before you return to your hotel or when you come back before the evening Star Wars show
• See the noon Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• See the 1p Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
• Head back to your hotel
• Return to the park, arriving in the park no later than 45 minutes before Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular
• See Disney Movie Magic
• See Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular

TOURING HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS AFTER TOY STORY LAND OPENS DRAFT PLAN DAY TWO

• Pre-book FastPass+ for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (9-10a), Toy Story Mania (10-11a), and Fantasmic
• Arrive at the tapstiles by 45 minutes before scheduled opening
• See Tower of Terror
• See Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (FastPass+)
• See Toy Story Mania (FastPass+)
• See Walt Disney Presents
• See Voyage of the Little Mermaid
• See Disney Jr. Live on Stage
• See Star Wars Launch Bay
• See March of the First Order
• See Star Wars: a Galaxy Far Far Away
• Head back to your hotel
• Return to the park, arriving in the park no later than 45 minutes before Fantasmic
• See Fantasmic (FastPass+)

I’d love to hear any thoughts or feedback! Use the comment form below.

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest!!

DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: APRIL 7 TO APRIL 15, 2018

The material below details next week’s Disney World operating hours, Extra Magic Hours, parades, and fireworks.

For more on April 2018 at Disney World, see this.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/7-4/15/18

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 8a-12MN 4/7, 9a-11p 4/8 and 4/9, 9a-10p 4/10 through 4/13, 8a-12MN 4/14, and 9a-11p 4/15

Epcot will be open from 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open 8a-11p 4/7, and 9a-9.30p 4/8 through 4/15

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/7-4/15/18

Saturday 4/7 Morning: Animal Kingdom   Evening: none

Sunday 4/8 Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

Monday 4/9  Morning: Animal Kingdom Evening: none

Tuesday 4/10  Morning: none Evening:  Epcot

Wednesday 4/11 Morning:  none  Evening: Magic Kingdom

Thursday 4/12 Morning: Epcot Evening: none

Friday 4/13 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: none

Saturday 4/14 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Sunday 4/15  Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening:  none

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/7–4/15/18

The Magic Kingdom: Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: 3p every day

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/7-4/15/18

Happily Every After at Magic Kingdom: 8.55p every night

IllumiNations at Epcot:  9p every night

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:  8.30p every night

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9.15p every night

Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom 8.45, 10 and 11.15p 4/7; 8.45 and 10p 4/8 through 4/15

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 4/7-4/15/18

See Steve Soares’ site here. Click the park names at its top for show schedules.

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest!!

DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: MARCH 31 TO APRIL 8, 2018

The material below details next week’s Disney World operating hours, Extra Magic Hours, parades, and fireworks.

For more on April 2018 at Disney World, see this.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/31-4/8/18

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 8a-11p 3/31 and 4/1, 8a-12MN 4/2 through 4/7, and 9a-11p 4/8

Epcot will be open from 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open 8a-11p 3/31, 8a-10p 4/1, 8a-11p 4/2, 8a-10.30p 4/3 through 4/6, 8a-11p 4/7, and 9a-9.30p 4/8

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/31-4/8/18

Saturday 3/31 Morning: Animal Kingdom   Evening: none

Sunday 4/1 Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

Monday 4/2  Morning: Animal Kingdom Evening: none

Tuesday 4/3  Morning: none Evening:  Epcot

Wednesday 4/4 Morning:  none  Evening: Magic Kingdom

Thursday 4/5 Morning: Epcot Evening: none

Friday 4/6 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: none

Saturday 4/7 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Sunday 4/8  Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening:  none

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/31–4/8/18

The Magic Kingdom: Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: noon and 3.30p 3/31 through 4/3; 3p 4/4 through 4/8

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/31-4/8/18

Happily Every After at Magic Kingdom: 8.55p every night

IllumiNations at Epcot:  9p every night

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:  8.30p every night

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9.15p every night

Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom 8.45 and 10p 3/31 through 4/6;  8.45, 10 and 11.15p 4/7; 8.45 and 10p 4/8

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/31-4/8/18

See Steve Soares’ site here. Click the park names at its top for show schedules.

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest!!