1 day at Disney (on 11/25)

[MOMandSONvacation]

My son and I leave for FL next week. We'll spend four days at Universal and want to spend 1 day at Disney. I've never been there before. I tried to research it, but it is so OVERWHELMING. We enjoy thrill rides.

1. Should I just buy 1 day park hopper tickets?
2. Will we be able to do everything in one day?
3. Can you walk from park to park on foot?

I really sincerely appreciate any advise you have for me. It is crunch time and we just decided to go for it and do one day at Disney.

Thank you!

Regards,
Heather

 

[CaitlinMarie13]

I would look up the different rides at the different parks and pick one park. You can't walk from park to park, but if you have a car that would be faster than taking the bus/boat/monorail. And whether or not you will get everything done depends on your definition of everything. Everything in one park? Maybe. Everything there is to do in Disney? Absolutely not. I have stayed in Disney for a week and still not done everything!

 

[KimK2006]

I, too, would pick one park and concentrate on that. You won't be able to do everything in one park in one day, especially Magic Kingdom and Epcot. It would take days to do "everything" in each of those.

No, you can't walk from park to park by foot. They are spread out. You can drive your car, or take a Disney bus between the parks.

 

[KimBean]

My son and I leave for FL next week. We'll spend four days at Universal and want to spend 1 day at Disney. I've never been there before. I tried to research it, but it is so OVERWHELMING. We enjoy thrill rides.

1. Should I just buy 1 day park hopper tickets?
2. Will we be able to do everything in one day?
3. Can you walk from park to park on foot?

I really sincerely appreciate any advise you have for me. It is crunch time and we just decided to go for it and do one day at Disney.

Thank you!

Regards,
Heather

One day in disney in my opinion is one day at Magic Kingdom. So no, don't buy park hoppers. Even the "thrill" rides at Disney aren't really thrilling... I would just take Magic Kingdom all in and enjoy the day. Now, IF doing thrill rides are your only interest then do the hopper.

I will be going to WDW for 10 days in December. I will not do everything and will be in parks all 10 days. So no.

You cannot walk from park to park.

 

[MOMandSONvacation]

Thank you, Kim! I had never read you couldn't walk to each part so I'm very glad I asked. One day at Disney is sounding very daunting. If you could only do one park, what would you recommend that will offer the innovative and thrilling rides? I have researched each park and nothing really says this is it.

 

[MOMandSONvacation]

Thank you KimBean and Caitlin. I really appreciate the input!!!!

 

[wareagle57]

We are doing the opposite of you. 4 days at Disney and 1 day at Universal. We did the same thing two years ago and while hectic, we were able to do everything we wanted at both Universal parks in 1 day, but could not get to everything in Disney in 4. But, if you want to hit all the "highlights" in 1 day at Disney it is possible but it may be too much work for a first timer and definitely not something I would recommend.

There really aren't that many thrills to be had at Disney, but the most thrilling park would be Hollywood Studios.

 

[db8mommy]

If all you are wanting to do is "thrill" rides, then I would get a park hopper and do Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom, Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom, Rockin' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios, Test Track and maybe Mission:Space ( I haven't been to Epcot lately and can't remember if this would be a "thrill" ride.

HOWEVER, most of us here are serious Disney junkies and the idea of only being at WDW one day or only doing "thrill" rides is our of most of our wheelhouses. Good Luck!

 

[momto3boysillbe]

I don't remember seeing how old your son was but there are some fun rides at Magic Kingdom for everyone. Space, Splash, and Big Thunder Mountain are all "thrill" rides and can be found there. They aren't I'm so scared...what's going to happen next rides but they are fun. The rest of the rides at Magic Kingdom are tamer but fun to experience if you've never been. None of the parks have many thrill rides. There are maybe 2-3 per park on average I guess.

 

[Indio]

Since it's your first visit and only 1 day, I'd do Magic Kingdom. Like others said, there aren't a lot of rides for the thrill junkie, but my teenage/college age sons still love it. And for only 1 day, I feel like you'll get the best bang for your buck at MK. More to do there than the other parks and you'll get a feel for what Disney is. Even though all 4 parks are vastly different - I'd still go here first and save the other 3 parks for a longer trip. OH, and don't worry about hopping - too much for a 1st timer with only 1 day IMO.

 

[KimK2006]

As PP's have said, there isn't one park full of "thrill" rides. And most would say the most intense rides in Disney don't compare to the thrill rides in Universal. (Haven't been to Universal, so, can't say for sure.) Disney is about the experience as a whole. For one day, I would do Magic Kingdom. Are you going the week of Thanksgiving? If so, prepare for it to be crowded! Arrive 30minutes or so before official park opening. Do research on the park you decide to go to. Hit the "headliner" rides first before the crowds hit. Enjoy the experience. Many of the un-intense rides are extremely enjoyable. Have fun!!

 

[ORMom2Four]

For only one day, I would not buy a park hopper and I agree with many here--go to Magic Kingdom.

It takes far too long to get from one park to another. Focus on one park for your trip, have a great trip

 

[johde]

A seasoned WDW veteran could probably do all 4 parks in 1 day. I know I'm planning on doing it in January with a spare day I have on a No Expiration Option ticket I have. For a first time visit it would be tough.

Having said that, I agree with most everyone else and say if your going to WDW for the first time for 1 day, you go to the Magic Kingdom.
If you were going to try it, I would try and do it Saturday (22nd). I would also go all out and book a value resort onsite for Friday Night.

8:00 a.m. DHS EMH
TOT
RNR
Star Tours

Travel to DAK (about 10:00)
Dinosaur
Primeval Whirl
Expedition Everest (single rider possible)
Safari (not a thrill ride game day decision)

Epcot
Spaceship Earth (Not Thrill Ride) 1:30 FP+
Test Track (Single Rider Line)
Mission Space 2:30 FP+
Snack/late lunch or possible Nemo or Imagination while waiting for FP+
Soarin 3:30 FP+

Travel to Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom has Extra Magic Hours until 2:00 a.m.
Thrill rides include
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain

I would also do
Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbean
Buzz Light Year

Depending on your sons age
Wishes
Main Street Electrical Parade

If you don't get lost or collapse from exhaustion you'll have had quite a day.

 

[Starhart81]

If you are really ambitious, you can try a strategy similar to the previous post. Not sure of the age of your son, but I would say Hollywood Studios would be the most thrilling for a boy.

Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster, and Star Tours are the thrill rides. Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show and Indiana Jones Stunt Show can be thrilling shows for boys. Toy Story Mania is fun for almost anyone.

 

[Terra Nova guy]

If you are only interested in high intensity thrill rides, make Hollywood Studios your first stop, get on Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster early in the morning. Then make your way to Animal Kingdom and get on Expedition Everest. Those three rides are the biggest thrill rides Disney has to offer. Since you have only 1 day, try to make it a day when Magic Kingdom is open late. I would really recommend experiencing MK since it is really what Disney is all about. If you make it there, try Space, Splash, & Big Thunder Mountains. They are not thrilling as the others, or the big Universal coasters, but worth a ride. I would avoid Epcot since the only thing close to thrill rides are Mission Space and Test Track, but it sounds like these are not worth it for you.

 

[Skywise]

I'm with Terra Nova guy -
Arrive early and park at TTC then walk over to the Polynesian and have breakfast at the Kona Cafe - From there take the bus to either AK and ride Expedition Everest or DHS to ride Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster and Star Tours. Then bus to the other park. That should get you done around mid-late afternoon - Bus to MK and hit at least Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain, catch the fireworks and call it a day!

Alternatively, spending the day at MK is good too. MK is easily a 2 day park to do everything.