1 Day - 2 Parks What are your suggestions?

[Pez Pez]

So we will be visiting WDW the first week of December fulfilling my sons make-a-wish We are given 3 day park hopper passes and here are my plans

Day One: Magic Kingom
Day Two: MGM
Day Three: Epcot/Animal Kingdom

Does this seem realistic

I have an 12 year old that only wants to ride thrill rides and a 3 year old that is happy with ice cream and an occasional character sighting. We are an active family that realizes that we wont see all of WDW in 3 days. But want to see most of it

Any suggestions, specific planning tips, major rides we should hit at each park, anything to help me feel like I know what I am doing.

TIA

 

[buckler]

I'd switch up things a bit and do

Day 1: Magic Kingdom
Day 2: Epcot
Day 3: AK / MGM

Epcot is so big it deserves a full day. I'd do AK in the morning because it closes earlier. Then head to MGM.

Have fun!

 

[MiniGirl]

I love the Studios, and love to see someone giving it a full day. However, for your situation, I think I'd go to Epcot for a full day and split AK/Studios -- just like the PP mentioned. If you're wanting to see the shows, then by all means make the studios a full day park. For rides though, there just isn't much there -- RnRC and ToT. Those are great rides. Some of the best in all of WDW (in my opinion). There is also a lot to see at AK; but if you're looking for thrill rides, it has EE. Although I guess some consider Kali River Rapids and Dinosaur thrill rides, too. I don't care for either one. I got drenched on KRR, (My clothes were still wet the next day.) and Dino, well, it's just plain scary to me.

 

[zippy doo dah]

I agree with buckler. MK and Epcot are definately all day parks and have plenty thrill rides and easy things to keep both kids (and adults) entertained. If you son is looking for thrill rides MGM and AK don't have as much to offer and wouldn't need a full day. Here are the places I would visit...

AK
1. Expedition Everest
2. Kilaminjaro Safaris
3. Kali River Rapids
4. Dinosaur

MGM
1. Tower of Terror
2. Aerosmith RocknRoller Coaster
3. Lights, Motor, Action Extreme Stunt Show
**These would be great for your little one and we don't want him/her to get bored**
4. The Great Movie Ride
5. MuppetVision 3D

Best of Luck and have a magical vacation. Hope this helped.

 

[Princess Roo]

My best advice is to get to some park at the very beginning of each day. You can often walk on to one or two thrill rides in that first half hour and grab a FastPass in between, saving TONS of time. Also, if DD is too short for the thrill rides, you can use the child swap so that DS can go on them twice. (You go up the line - either regular or FastPass, depending if you have a Fastpass - and ask for a child swap ticket. You and DS go on once and then later in the day DH and DS use the swap ticket to go back through the FastPass line.) So, for one FastPass, DS can get two times on the same ride. For MK, you might want to grab Fastpasses for thrill rides on the way to Fantasyland for DD, since the lines there are a lot shorter at the beginning of the day and most rides don't have FPs there.

Maybe think about how important parades and fireworks are to your kids compared to rides. The parades and fireworks take a while, so depending on the interest level, you may want to just choose one parade and one nighttime show for the trip, instead of seeing them in each park.

For characters, maybe you could add a meal at Chef Mickey's for either dinner the night before your 3 park days or breakfast the day after, depending on your travel times? That would let DD meet the "main" characters without spending time in line to do so.

Have a WONDERFUL trip!

 

[MSSANDRA]

Here is what i would do

Day1- MK
Day2 -Morning till about 2 or 3/ AK- evening Epcot
Day 3- Morning till about 2 or 3/ MGM- Eveing -Epcot

Epcot often stays open later and WSC is alway later. Be sure to plan around EMHs as well.

Do not hesitate to take breaks and rest as needed. it is better to see a little of WDW and have a great trip than see a lot and be too tired to enjoy any of it!!!

 

[Miz Diz]

Here is what i would do

Day1- MK
Day2 -Morning till about 2 or 3/ AK- evening Epcot
Day 3- Morning till about 2 or 3/ MGM- Eveing -Epcot

Epcot often stays open later and WSC is alway later. Be sure to plan around EMHs as well.

Do not hesitate to take breaks and rest as needed. it is better to see a little of WDW and have a great trip than see a lot and be too tired to enjoy any of it!!!

If you do this, I would go to MGM in the evening so you can see Fantasmic - great closing show!

You can get through AK and MGM in less than a day.
At AK - try to see Festival of the Lion King.
I've never been early Dec, but hear it is not that crosded. Work your fast passes. Are you at least a family of 4? For the faster rides (like Expedition Everest), you can use 2 tickets to get a fast pass and then grab another fast pass (Like Primevil Whirl) with the other 2 tickets. When you go on the ride, ask for the rider switch. That way the 12 year old can ride twice, while the 3 yo sits out.

At AK - the 12 yo will probably want to also do Primevil Whirl. The 3 yo can do Triceratop Spin across the way.

Also, Expedition Everest and Rock N Roller Coaster have single rider lines, if your 12 yo will be riding by himself.

 

[poohfriend]

I would just encourage you to make peace with the fact that you WONT and CANT do it all.

Make a list of your two most important rides/attractions in each park...if you get those done, you'll be pleased.

My family LOVES Magic Kingdom. We love to go our first and last day. Also, without knowing your exact days, it's hard to make recommendations. If you are staying on site you are eligible for Extra Magic Hours.

You may also want to consider the timing/days of Mickey's Very Merry Chirstmas Party. Typically Magic Kingdom closes at 7 on those nights...so unless you also pay for tickets the the MVMCP (which would run close to $200 for your fam) you have less hours than normal to "fit" it all in. Some folks might change their schedule to see the nightime parade there!

HAVE YOU MADE DINING RESERVATIONS. YOU NEED TO if you plan on any sit-down meals. The three year old might really enjoy the character meals...especially pooh and friends at Crystal Palace.

Which child is receiving the "Wish!"?

what a great christmas present for your family.

Let us know your dates for more specific advice. (And also favorite characters!)