Does it make any sense to go to MK for <An Hour before Epcot?

[jvz82]

To hell with the naysayers.. i say you try it and report back with your results!

I think it sounds super fun. Do it!! I need to go solo one day. My 4 children really drag me down from Disney speed, lol.

 

[Gillbob316]

Answering misc questions...

I’m not staying anywhere yet. Still hotel shopping. Very last minute trip because airfare was good on Black Friday weekend. Have my plane tickets, my park tickets and car rental. Still hotel shopping.

No I don't have fastpasses for Epcot. I can't get one for Frozen anyway, and that's really my only ride priority there. I actually have my 3 pre-chosen ones at Hollywood Studios later in the afternoon (2 to 5ish), which will be my third stop of the day.

I'm aware you can't make fastpass selections for the same day, on the same magic band, w/ the same My Disney Experience account, before you've used the selections you have. Which is why *Cough* I have 5 magic bands, each with its own separate account. (That's that family I'm not traveling with that day). I understand the concept of same day fastpasses thoroughly, and have made use of this method to great effect on previous trips.

Since someone asked, here's my full day on paper (I'm aware it's A LOT. No need to warn me. I'm alone, I'm young, I'm experienced, I'm motivated. On most trips I'm the one who always wants to go rope drop to close, wall to wall. I find I have great Stamina when at the parks and motivated to do/see things. I always want to do the most and pee the least, and while I’ll miss their company, I’m mildly ecstatic to not have my friends/family slowing me down. I've been twice this year already, and I'll be back again, so anything I miss won't be a major travesty for me. My main priorities are to see seasonal holiday things, and to see newer attractions I haven’t experienced yet.

You all know the plan up to Epcot. Once I get to Epcot, Plan is more or less ride Frozen then kill whatever time is left 'til World Showcase opens riding something else. I’ll likely see whats available for same day fastpasses at a kiosk before I decide. Maybe Spaceship Earth. Single ride test track. Soarin if the wait isn't terrible. As many or few as I have time for. Once showcase opens, go enjoy Holidays around the world for 2 to 4 hours, or however long it takes. Snack. Learn about foreign holidays. Head to Studios early afternoonish, between 2 and 4 most likely. My biggest goal for the afternoon is check out Star Wars Launch bay (because I haven’t yet). I might see the Frozen Sing-A-Long if it seems easy to work in (because I haven’t yet). I’d like to poke my head in Pizzarizzo (because I haven’t yet), but probably won’t eat, having likely over-eaten at Epcot. I have fastpasses for Toy Story, Tower of Terror & Star Tours, but I’m not stuck on using them if I can’t find time. (But if I can, great). ANYWAY, do as much or as little of that as time allows between arrival and Jingle Bells, Jingle Bam. Watch Jingle Bam at 6:45. Run to Fantasmic and hope they let me in at 7. If they do, watch it. If they don’t, from there, I will either hang out at Studios until close (9pm) or head straight to Magic Kingdom (depends how much I still feel like doing at Studios really). Once I arrive back at Magic Kingdom, hang out. Could be anywhere from 4 to 1 hour depending on how late I leave Studios. Will watch wishes at 10 if I make it by then and ride whatever time allows for ‘til they close at Midnight. Use fastpasses if I actually got them earlier before Epcot.

I’m really not looking to do anything in particular at MK, because I’m going there the following day for Very Merry. Any time at Magic Kingdom tacked onto the beginning and end of the day is just icing on my Disney cake. Really.

I’ve thought it out rather thoroughly, but I’m aware that the best laid plans at Disney can often go awry, so I’m trying to keep my mindset flexible and my goals loose. I’m trying to pack as much in as possible, but also very prepared to drop things if I get behind schedule. I know what things I want to do at each park… but there isn’t much I’ll be crushed to miss.

And that’s enough typing for now. I must now go and get a “going to Florida soon” haircut.

 

[Orsino]

Another possibility is to ditch the monorail all together and take a bus to Beach Club instead (or Boardwalk). You could then hoof it to the International Gateway. I'm under the impression that rope drop from IG is less ideal than the main gate, but given what you are trying to achieve, it may be a feasible option.

 

[crazylady]

I think that sounds like a fun day. I would just plan to stand in line for Frozen so I could spend some time enjoying MK in the morning. And I like the idea to bus to Beach Club and use the IG.

 

[alliecat523]

I'm alone, I'm young, I'm experienced, I'm motivated. On most trips I'm the one who always wants to go rope drop to close, wall to wall. I find I have great Stamina when at the parks and motivated to do/see things. I always want to do the most and pee the least, and while I’ll miss their company, I’m mildly ecstatic to not have my friends/family slowing me down. I've been twice this year already, and I'll be back again, so anything I miss won't be a major travesty for me. My main priorities are to see seasonal holiday things, and to see newer attractions I haven’t experienced yet.

I could have written this. I've only done two solo trips (last one was October) and this is the beauty of traveling solo. I do miss the company but love the freedom. Good for you! Enjoy yourself. I'm jealous.

 

[sandam1]

Personally, I would probably skip the Disney transportation and use Uber from the MK (walk to the Contemporary and call for one) to Epcot. Or use Disney's new "pay" Express park hopping transportation although I'm not sure what times it starts in the morning.

 

[Nancyg56]

You are alone, and you are the only one you need to please, so why not? For me this would be my version of a nightmare.

If you are okay with a mishap throwing a monkey wrench into your plans, go for it. I bet the only time you could pull this off is when you are by yourself, so I would sy that you should indulge in anything that you woudl have to avoid traveling with a group.

 

[Jajone]

We were 2 adults, Jersey week, last Saturday of Food and Wine and also Dapper Days at Epcot. Our goal was TT and Soarin this day. We RD TT and when we left checked the wait times for FEA..20 min. We had a FP for it another day but decided to try it. We got there about 930 and had a 30 minute wait. We decided to wait it out. I also am jealous of your plans, sounds perfect for me. I probably would purchase the new express transportation as well, especially if going to other parks that day too.

 

[Gillbob316]

So I just read up on Disney's paid transport service after seeing it suggested. (And I thank you for the suggestion) Starts the 7th, so all good there. $15 bucks per person, per day, which sounds completely fair to me, especially as a solo. BUT... doesn't start 'til 10am each day, so it wouldn't help me at all in this early morning park hop.

Basically sounds like a paid bus service, but faster than the typical free busses, in that they escort you backstage, and you take backstage roads park to park, and since you're never exiting the parks and under cast member escort the whole time, you don't have to re-admit at each park. You just head right back in without re-doing security/ticketing.

Even though it doesn't help me in the early morning hop, still considering it for my park hops later in the day. The price is right, and any extra speed would be great considering I want to pack a lot in. Would be nice to not have to trek back to my car between Epcot and Studios. Not to mention I could do more drinking at Epcot if I don't have to drive myself (I'm not planning to get tanked up, I'm not normally a big solo-drinker, but there are a lot of Holiday exclusive drinks that have caught my eye, so it would be nice to know I didn't have to worry about it). A con (in my eyes) is the busses leave on the half hour all day (I assume 1st one at 10)... so I'd have to coordinate my departure to a 30 minute mark. Which is mildly inconvenient, but not a huge deal breaker.

Thanks for the suggestion, think I might do it!

 

[Nancyg56]

So I just read up on Disney's paid transport service after seeing it suggested. (And I thank you for the suggestion) Starts the 7th, so all good there. $15 bucks per person, per day, which sounds completely fair to me, especially as a solo. BUT... doesn't start 'til 10am each day, so it wouldn't help me at all in this early morning park hop.

Basically sounds like a paid bus service, but faster than the typical free busses, in that they escort you backstage, and you take backstage roads park to park, and since you're never exiting the parks and under cast member escort the whole time, you don't have to re-admit at each park. You just head right back in without re-doing security/ticketing.

Even though it doesn't help me in the early morning hop, still considering it for my park hops later in the day. The price is right, and any extra speed would be great considering I want to pack a lot in. Would be nice to not have to trek back to my car between Epcot and Studios. Not to mention I could do more drinking at Epcot if I don't have to drive myself (I'm not planning to get tanked up, I'm not normally a big solo-drinker, but there are a lot of Holiday exclusive drinks that have caught my eye, so it would be nice to know I didn't have to worry about it). A con (in my eyes) is the busses leave on the half hour all day (I assume 1st one at 10)... so I'd have to coordinate my departure to a 30 minute mark. Which is mildly inconvenient, but not a huge deal breaker.

Thanks for the suggestion, think I might do it!

I bet that coordinating the departure will be easier that you think, especially if you are nto a WDW novice.

I agree that the park to park transport is a great way to be able to indulge in a cocktail or two during the day if you typacally use your own transportation between parks. WE never drive in DIsney, so for us, that is not a worry, but I know that if we did, and my DD is our driver..(control freak about driving) she refuses to have even one drink. Disney is the only place she will allow herself to indulge in a cocktail because she knows she will not be behind the wheel.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Probably your best option if you really want to see the ceremony.



On my October trip, we arrived at MK early enough to see the opening ceremony and all adults were being sent for additional screening - bags or not.

Really? I went in September and got a brief Metal Detector passthrough at worst. Curse these Florida themeparks and their increased concern for the safety of their guests! (Kidding... kinda... mostly. Yay safety. Boo lines.)

When I went in Sept. 2016, I did the bag check line and then was sent to the metal detectors too. Happened at every park for me. I was fast because everything was in my bag and I had no pockets to empty but it got comical.

If you've never seen the MK opening ceremony, like others said you could go to MK to see that but it's always taken me an hour to get from MK to Epcot on the monorail no matter what time of day because of having to transfer at the TTC plus waiting on 2 monorails - one at MK and the other at the TTC.

I go solo alot and if I wanted to be in Epcot for rope drop I'd just skip the opening ceremony for MK.

 

[cmarsh31]

Sounds like a blast to me! If you make FEA you do, if not, meh! My DD and I love a good challenge (we leave DH & DS asleep in the hotel room) - we'd totally try it!

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

IMO your parking hopping and walking in that one day is going to eat you alive. I think you're correct in suggesting you're underestimating the "friction" of hopping and general travel around WDW. I do WDW just like you do when I'm alone, and my own MK-Epcot-DHS day in August made me feel like half my day was spent on Disney transportation. Not to mention that hopping requires a lot of walking, on top of the uber-walking that Epcot requires on its own, before even thinking about MK or DHS.

As regards the new "express" bus option, I wouldn't bother. It's really not express unless you get there right before the every-30-minutes bus you want is leaving. Otherwise you'll just be standing there for half an hour wasting time. It's nothing more than Disney's attempt to compete with Universal Orlando's Hogwarts Express, without the benefit of actual theming.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Personally, I would probably skip the Disney transportation and use Uber from the MK (walk to the Contemporary and call for one) to Epcot. Or use Disney's new "pay" Express park hopping transportation although I'm not sure what times it starts in the morning.

By the time you walk to CR to wait for your Uber, you'd already be waiting at the TTC to connect with the Epcot monorail. There's no benefit.

 

[Gillbob316]

IMO your parking hopping and walking in that one day is going to eat you alive. I think you're correct in suggesting you're underestimating the "friction" of hopping and general travel around WDW. I do WDW just like you do when I'm alone, and my own MK-Epcot-DHS day in August made me feel like half my day was spent on Disney transportation. Not to mention that hopping requires a lot of walking, on top of the uber-walking that Epcot requires on its own, before even thinking about MK or DHS.

As regards the new "express" bus option, I wouldn't bother. It's really not express unless you get there right before the every-30-minutes bus you want is leaving. Otherwise you'll just be standing there for half an hour wasting time. It's nothing more than Disney's attempt to compete with Universal Orlando's Hogwarts Express, without the benefit of actual theming.

If you were talking to anyone else in my family I might agree with you, but as I mentioned in an earlier post, I've always found I can summon remarkable stamina when I'm at the parks and properly motivated. I've done 3 park days before. I've done marathon days before. This last september I did HHN at Universal, got all 9 houses and both shows in a single night with no express... and that was AFTER 2 hours sleep, a morning flight, and an afternoon at Universal (pre-HHN hours). I'm honestly not too worried about it. I thrive on Marathon park days.

I'd agree with your concern that I'd feel like I was wasting half the day on Disney transport BUT... frankly... I'm making every effort to minimize that. My first park hop from Magic Kingdom to Epcot should be done before Epcot opens, so I won't feel I've wasted any time I wouldn't have anyway had I just gone straight to Epcot. Now granted, that travel may run long, and I may get to Epcot late... but... that's the entire original point of this thread. Most people seem to be of the opinion that if I catch the opening ceremony then hop on a monorail back to the TTC, I should make it to Epcot before they open... so that's more or less my plan. Plan to do my best to avoid being late. My second hop from Epcot to Studios is the only real "active" hop of my day during park hours... I plan to shoot for the 2:30 express bus and since I don't plan to ride much of anything at Epcot (mostly just there to snack and take in the holidays at world showcase) I don't see why I should miss it. Not like I'll be tied up on a ride or anything, so I should be able to make my way toward the bus as 2:30 approaches easily enough. My first fastpass at Studios is ToT, which conveniently is exactly where the bus lets off, so I figure that's just more time saved, considering I don't have to go to my car, drive, park, re-enter or walk to ToT from the gate. Studios closes at 9, so I should be taking the 9:30 bus to Magic Kingdom at the absolute latest (if I don't leave earlier). Assuming they take less than 1/2 an hour to arrive (which I'd hope they would, considering they're advertising speed w/ the express service) I should hopefully be in MK no later than 10, for a good 2 more hours. As with the beginning of the day, any time at MK is just gravy since it's time I otherwise would have just spent at my hotel, had I not park hopped, so it doesn't feel wasteful to me even w/ travel time.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Making every effort to minimize Disney Transport time is almost entirely out of your hands. You are at the mercy of headways and queues, no matter what.

 

[Gillbob316]

Alright people... I remember a couple of you asked me to come back and tell you how this all worked out once I got back, so now that I finally have some time to sit down and do it, I'll do just that...

Nutshell Short Version:

Pretty much everything worked out. Take that naysayers! I feel the only really big(ish) compromise I made all day was skipping Jingle Bells, Jingle Bam. That's about it. Other than that, I did every major thing I wanted to do. A few small headaches along the way, but I stayed flexible and made it work.

Long Version:

I woke up bright and early and got to the TTC probably around 7:30ish, give or take. Bought the Express Parking upgrade for $15, the girl at the counter knew just what it was. Monorail was closed so I took the Ferry Boat over to MK. My whole life I've prefered the Monorail, as it feels faster and I find it more comfortable and enjoyable... BUT... I didn't mind doing the Ferryboat this morning, as I discovered early dawn Ferry Boat before the crowds is actually very... soul-centeringly soothing, lol.

Asked a few employees a few questions about the express transport before the welcoming show. 4 out of 5 of them didn't know what I was talking about. Word was clearly not well spread about this new service amongst the staff. Welcome show came and went. Enjoyed seeing it again after many years. On the advice of this thread, I didn't bother going into the park to ensure my chances of making it to Epcot before they opened were better. Hopped the resort monorail back to the TTC. Hopped a bus from the TTC to Epcot (Epcot Monorails weren't running yet, as some in this thread predicted).

Got to Epcot, got through security & walked in at probably 10 minutes to 9am. About the same time I arrived on my previous Sept trip. Went straight to Frozen. Line was down the street to Mexico, but the ride doors weren't open yet, so I waited anyway, figuring the street line would empty into the building (which was correct). Timed my wait, it was approx. 20 minutes, which was more than fine by me. When I got off, I bought some Frozen Magic Bandits, because I like Frozen, and try to buy a little something whenever I'm in Norway. They also compliment the Very Merry band I bought the next day very well.

Went and rode Test Track Single Rider. Got on and off pretty quick. Bought a Holidays Around the World pin at the center of the park to commemorate the visit. Picked up same-day fastpasses for Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land using my spare Magic Bands. Each was only 5 minutes from the time I got them both, so I used them immediately. I'd have liked to have ridden Soarin' as well, but the wait times were over an hour w/ no fastpass available, so I skipped it. Rode it in Sept, so no big deal. By the time I got off The Land it was pushing near to 11am... so I headed to World Showcase. I was mildly annoyed when I got there that hardly any of the Holiday Food Stands opened before noon, making me say, "Well why did I rush straight here at 11am if none of the reasons I'm here are open!?" SO... I grabbed a Crazy Elf at Joffreys (one of the few I found WAS open) and rode the Three Caballeros ride to kill some time. Shopped in China briefly. By around 11:45, the Holiday Story in Norway was starting, so I caught that. After that... the Holiday stands were all open, and the stories were scheduled pretty much non-stop across showcase in 15-30 minute intervals, so I just bounced from one story to the next as they happened: After Norway I high-tailed it to Japan and watched their story, grabbed a holiday cheese plate in Germany along the way (which was great!). Bounced back to China to watch their Holiday show after, grabbing the alcoholic peppermint hot-chocolate drink in America, and a Caramel Kiss in Germany on the way. After China I looped around the front and got a Holiday Sandwich near the front of showcase (waited way too long for it... cold by the time I ate it... SLOW employees at that stand). Continued to the UK & watched Father Christmas then on to France where I watched Pere Noel, all while eating my sandwich along the way. Backpeddled over to Italy and watched La Befana. Headed back to Japan and shopped a short bit. Checked out that Kawaii exhibit, which I'd never seen before. Went over to Morocco & watched their Holiday story. It was about 2:00 at that point, so I went to try and catch the 2:30 bus to Hollywood Studios...

As mentioned earlier, practically NO employees were up to speed on the paid express busses, and I had trouble finding one who could direct me to the pickup point. By the time I did find one, it was almost 2:30 on the dot, which is later than I meant to arrive. I told them studios. They said bus would be there in about 2 minutes. I sat down. They came over 2 minutes later and said they were mistaken, and the bus had just left, and wouldn't be back for 1/2 hour (approx. 3pm). I told them I was a bit peeved about that, as it was a chore finding employees who could actually direct me to the bus stop, and I was now sure to miss my Tower of Terror fastpass window at Studios (ending at 2:55). To make it up to me, they extended my ToT pass to an all day window, and furthermore, gave me a flex pass which I could use on almost any ride in all 4 parks (save a couple exceptions such as FEA and Fireworks). That eased my mood considerably, and I thank them again for it!

Waited out the bus. Got to Studios shortly after 3pm. The bus lets you out literally RIGHT next to Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, so I rode that single rider as soon as I stepped into the park. Then went and used my Toy Story fastpass (which was ending at 3:55). Got off Toy Story a little after 4, just missed the last March of the First Order, and it was too early for the next Star Wars show (which was at 4:30) so I checked out Pizzarizzo. Didn't eat, just poked my head in and took some photos of the new place, as I'm a Muppet fan. Headed back to the middle to check out the Star Wars Galaxy show. Was neat, but I honestly expected more... was basically just "movie clip" "character in a mask" "movie clip" "character in a mask". ANYWAY... went and used my Star Tours fastpass next. Saw a new intro I'd never seen before. Middle was lame old Jakku again. End was Boba Fett, which I'd seen before. Then Went and caught the Frozen Sing Along at 5:30 (never did it before). First 28 minutes were ho-hum. Last 2 minutes where Let It Go is reprised were the most magical insanely cheerful 2 minutes of my entire trip. I've never seen so much artificial snow per square inch in my life. Then went and used my ToT fastpass. Got off that about 6:30... now my original plan was to watch Jingle Bam at 6:45, then try to speed to Fantasmic at 7 and hope they still let me in. Since I've heard repeatedly Jingle Bam is nothing special... and ToT is literally right next to Fantasmic, I decided to just compromise, cut my loss, and go straight into Fantasmic (oh btw, I forgot, I'd gotten a same-day fastpass for Fantasmic at a kiosk earlier, so I used that). Got a nice seat. Real close. Saw most of the Jingle Bam fireworks from the arena while I waited, which made me feel a little better about skipping it (though couldn't hear the music, or see the projections, obviously). Fantasmic was awesome, better than I remembered, been 5+ years since I last saw it. Though the big Maleficent dragon robot was broken, haha. After that, rushed out of the arena. Checked out Star Wars Launch Bay to check it off my bucket list. Had an encounter out front where some Stormtroopers inspected my bag, which amused me a good deal. Went and rode the great movie ride, because I've heard rumors it might not be around much longer, so I needed to make sure I got at least one more ride in. Considered doing Muppet Vision 3D, but decided to just catch the next bus to Magic Kingdom, because I've done Muppet Vision a million times.

Probably got to Kingdom around 8:45-9pm. Went to the fastpass kiosk by Buzz to see what was available. Was upset to find out I still had a Tower of Terror fastpass, and no longer had my flex pass, because ToT illogically used the wrong fastpass, taking my flex instead of the ride specific pass. Talked to a lady to hopefully rectify it, and she wrote me a paper pass for Minetrain to replace it. Also picked up fastpasses for Winnie the Pooh & It's a Small World while I was there, on the fly. Night kind of becomes a blur here, haha... I watched Carousel of Progress. I think I then headed back to mainstreet to get my free Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom cards. Watched Wishes at 10 (so insanely crowded!)... I assume at this point I then went to Fantasyland and used my 3 fastpasses. I then checked the fastpass kiosk near peter pan, and surprisingly got passes for both Pirates and Jingle Cruise (shocked me to find these available so late, must be because I was solo. I did refresh several times before they turned up). Went and rode Jingle Cruise first. Great skipper. Good line delivery. Much better than the one I had in Sept, who spoke too fast, and was hard to understand, ruining a lot of jokes. Got off about... literally 1 minute to midnight. Was amazed I made it to Pirates before they closed the line, so used that pass to (but absolutely didn't need to, as it was practically empty, haha). Got off. Park was mostly closed by then. Shuffled back to mainstreet... shopped a little. Headed home to my hotel.

Saw the opening ceremony. Got more rides in at Epcot than I expected to (would have likes Soarin, but no big deal). Did everything I wanted to do at Studios and then some, except for Jingle Bam. Had no regrets about missing anything at Magic Kingdom, as I did virtually everything else the next night at Very Merry. Got to see wishes the night before seeing Holiday wishes.

As for the rest of the weekend: Did everything else I wanted to do at Magic Kingdom during Very Merry. Saw Friendship Faire & Muppet History for the first time. Got more free cards, including the Very Merry exclusive. Ate at Skipper Canteen for the first time... paid $5 a shrimp for 5 shrimp. Good shrimp, but would absolutely not pay that for such a minimal portion again. Ate so much free cookie and cocoa I wanted to die. Rode Peter Pan for the first time since the refurb. First time I'd seen the new line, very cool. Especially since I'm a big Tinker Bell fan. Rode Barnstormer for the first time in probably 10 years. Pirates & Jingle Cruise both again (another great skipper!). Rode Thunder Mountain, which I didn't get to in Sept, because it was shut down, so yay there! Rode Splash Mountain for the first time since I was a kid. Usually skip it because I don't like being wet. Splash wasn't nearly as bad as I feared, no regrets! Loved riding it again after so many years! I think I rode Space Mountain at some point... but... it's honestly such a blur, hahaha. I truly don't recall if It was the first or second night that I rode it. Rode Haunted Mansion twice (favorite ride!) Was the very last guest to ride Haunted Mansion that night, which made me feel special. Also had a good day and 1/2 to two days at Universal, where I did everything over there (I'm a very experienced Universal passholder, so I never have trouble fitting everything there). Saw Grinchmas and the Macy's parade. Visited Disney Springs for the first time since Feb. Ate a tasty ham sandwich at Earl of Sandwich. Loved the Holiday Tree Trail. Got sad the drone show got cancelled due to inclement weather, but c'est la vie.

All and all... got a lot done for a 3 1/2 day weekend. Absolutely would NEVER have seen & done so much at Epcot with my family and friends along. They settle into world showcase SLOWLY... which is nice in it's own right, I admit, but I was bouncing around showcase like a madman on this trip, they'd have hated it.

Take that pessimistic people who said I was shooting for too much. I knew what I was getting myself into, and considering Jingle Bam was the only major thing I walked in wanting to do... but didn't get to... I'd call it a win overall.

There were moments it was exhausting. Usually when the wrong combination of food and fatigue hit me at the same time (which was mostly during very merry, where people kept handing me free sweets!)... but as I said earlier in this thread... I'm in my 30s, and I'm really good at pushing through park fatigue to get more fun in. No regrets running this marathon. I can be tired when I get home, hahaha...


Believe it or not, I got back from Very Merry between 1 and 2 am, and stayed up past 3 watching the encore Mid-Season Finale of Walking Dead (and most of Talking Dead)... then slept 'til around 7 or 8, woke up and headed right back for my final day at Universal. *Highfive*

 

[cmarsh31]

Woohoo! I knew you could do it! Sounds like an amazing adventure!