2 days, 4 parks and a Dream

[LSUfan4444]

I think LSU was thinking save FP+ for Epcot and hitting TSM at RD with little wait.

Absolutely.

If you want to do Soarin in the evening, you will need a FP+, so that kind of handcuffs you. Depending on the day, they may or may not be available unless they are pre-booked.

The fastest option would be having your FP+ at Hollywood Studios, but NOT TSM (which you should do at rope drop), but you run the risk that Soarin might not be available. And the big point is, IF you hit Hollywood at rope drop, you won't need any FP+.

If you're at AK for early magic hours and ONLY riding Everest and Safari, then do that and head to HS..you should be able to be there by rope drop.

Lets say you are at rope drop for AK (7:45) and head straight to the Safari and board at 7:55. After 18-20 minutes for that attraction you are off and back outside by (and lets be favorable here) 8:13, then walk almost .40 miles to Everest, which you do (for the fastest option available) single rider at 8:25 and are back out front by 8:30.

That gives you 15 minutes to get from Everest to your car, then to Hollywood Studios parking lot then through security and to the turnstiles.

If the two attractions were Everest and Triceratop Spin, okay, but Safari takes nearly (if not more) than 20 minutes and has a long walk just to get to the boarding area.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Yeah the ideal solution allows use of 3 FP anywhere and then the choice is Test Track, Soarin, and TSM. I dream of this day.

I do as well. I don't see them getting away with the tiers in HS and Epcot. I do hope I am incredibly wrong!

 

[cinderkelly]

I think I'd probably go with your plan too. I think LSU was thinking save FP+ for Epcot and hitting TSM at RD with little wait. This would work too. I do believe I have read accounts of folks being able to get an FP+ for Soarin' and TT later in the day. And maybe....just maybe....Disney will change it up again and allow us to prebook in more than one park. In my opinion this would really help out the OP.

Yes that was the original plan, get to AK for EMH, ride only the 2 attractions and bolt to DHS. Ride RNR, ToT, FP+ for TSM, or TSM first if we can make it by RD, then again later with FP+ if AK and DHS are only approx 5-10 min apart we may be able to do it with swift feet and a tail wind. I wasn't counting on being able to get any FP for Epcot ( fingers crossed that may change)

 

[mom2rtk]

The key is to not come close to making RD at Hollywood Studios, but ensuring that you do. That way you can keep FP+ at Epcot, ensuring Soarin (via FP+) and Test Track (via single rider).

If you are not at Hollywood Studios for rope drop (for an 8:45 opening) and do not have a FP for Toy Story, any time gains you made by going to Animal Kingdom first are now null and void. And because you will want/have to go do TSM first, now you will be in longer lines at the rest of the HS attractions.

That is why it is so important to be at Hollywood Studios for RD and a 8:45 opening. Walking through the turnstiles at 9:05 just messes you all up.

Totally agree with this.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Yes that was the original plan, get to AK for EMH, ride only the 2 attractions and bolt to DHS. Ride RNR, ToT, FP+ for TSM, or TSM first if we can make it by RD, then again later with FP+ if AK and DHS are only approx 5-10 min apart we may be able to do it with swift feet and a tail wind. I wasn't counting on being able to get any FP for Epcot ( fingers crossed that may change)

Good news is I believe you said Sept so lower crowds. But will be hot for sure. Make sure to drink lots of water and maybe even bring cooking towels. I've read lots of folks like frog tog brand (I have not tried them myself).

 

[gwmort]

How about you burn the first three fp+ in DHS right away, then head into Epcot to a kiosk to try to book another for Soarin or Test track that evening, then head to AK for afternoon rides (after 3:00 is historically very light crowds), then back to Epcot for your fp and anything else you can.

 

[cinderkelly]

Absolutely. If you want to do Soarin in the evening, you will need a FP+, so that kind of handcuffs you. Depending on the day, they may or may not be available unless they are pre-booked. The fastest option would be having your FP+ at Hollywood Studios, but NOT TSM (which you should do at rope drop), but you run the risk that Soarin might not be available. And the big point is, IF you hit Hollywood at rope drop, you won't need any FP+. Lets say you are at rope drop for AK (7:45) and head straight to the Safari and board at 7:55. After 18-20 minutes for that attraction you are off and back outside by (and lets be favorable here) 8:13, then walk almost .40 miles to Everest, which you do (for the fastest option available) single rider at 8:25 and are back out front by 8:30. That gives you 15 minutes to get from Everest to your car, then to Hollywood Studios parking lot then through security and to the turnstiles. If the two attractions were Everest and Triceratop Spin, okay, but Safari takes nearly (if not more) than 20 minutes and has a long walk just to get to the boarding area.

Ok, I totally see what you are saying . I may be willing to forgo KS and ride EE only, and head to DHS for RD, ride TSM first without a FP and instead FP + Soarin and TT for later in the day. Options are good...I'm going to have to come back after our trip in Sept and let y'all know how it played out!

 

[LSUfan4444]

The important thing (in my opinion) to keep in mind when pairing Epcot and Hollywood Studios (because of tiering and lack of options) in the same day is that 1 park should be done at rope drop and the other park should have your FP+.

Without that strategy, it might be possible to hit all the headliners, but certainly much more risky.

Which one you hit at RD is really irrelevant, but you need to hit either Soarin or Toy Story without a FP+ to keep the waits down for everything else.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Ok, I totally see what you are saying . I may be willing to forgo KS and ride EE only, and head to DHS for RD, ride TSM first without a FP and instead FP + Soarin and TT for later in the day. Options are good...I'm going to have to come back after our trip in Sept and let y'all know how it played out!

FYI...you'll only be able to FP+ Soarin' OR TT not both as part of your orebooked 3. TT does have a single rider line. I believe kiddos need to be 7 to use SR line.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

The important thing (in my opinion) to keep in mind when pairing Epcot and Hollywood Studios (because of tiering and lack of options) in the same day is that 1 park should be done at rope drop and the other park should have your FP+.

Without that strategy, it might be possible to hit all the headliners, but certainly much more risky.

Which one you hit at RD is really irrelevant, but you need to hit either Soarin or Toy Story without a FP+ to keep the waits down for everything else.

Totally agree! Still holding out for prebooking in more than one park tho. A dream is a wish your heart makes...=)

 

[cinderkelly]

FYI...you'll only be able to FP+ Soarin' OR TT not both as part of your orebooked 3. TT does have a single rider line. I believe kiddos need to be 7 to use SR line.

Thanks for the reminder, I totally forgot about that!

 

[baler31]

Rope Drop HS : By this I mean be at the turnstiles 45min before the scheduled opening. This park has a history of opening 15-30 minutes before the posted opening. Ride TSMM first. Ride RNR and then TOT. Ride whatever else you want, but leave by 11am. Take the boats to Epcot.

Schedule Fast passes for Epcot,Fast Pass Soarin, ride Test Track via single rider. Ride whatever else you want. Eat Lunch at Sunshine Seasons and take the bus to Animal Kingdom. I would leave Epcot no later than 3pm.

Animal Kingdom is generally empty after 4, with the removal of the parade I don't expect anything except people to leave even earlier than normal. You could try to get your 4th FP here but realistically you will not need it. The last Safari usually departs around 5pm I think and they are very rigid with that.

Return for evening at Epcot if you desire to see WS, Illuminations etc.

 

[baler31]

Do lines get shorter at AK near the end of the day? My original thinking was to get in those 2 attractions at AK during EMH, but if it's better to do DHS @RD that is ok too. I'm sure toy story gets crazy as the day goes on, wasn't sure how the lines build at AK later in the day

BTW you guys are all awesome!!

Yes, as I just poste lines are very short late in the day. But check what time AK closes as I just saw you were going in Sept. Check out the website easywdw he has excellent touring plans as well as photos of what AK looks like after the parade and wait times posted for the attractions.

 

[johde]

Looking at Disney's Park hours for September, here's what I'd do.

Friday - EMH AK - Hop to MK, Use FP+ at MK. With MNSSHP probably going on the night you will probably get a lot done as the crowds will be light. Once the park starts getting crowded with party goers, hop to EPCOT. Being September, You've got a shot at hitting TT and/or Soarin between 7:30-8:30 with minimal lines.

Saturday - EMH DHS - hit TSMM first, then anything else you want to ride. If need be hop to EPCOT and FP+' headliners missed the night before. Finally hop to MK and finish out the evening.

 

[Daddy Mack]

I am partial to starting at AK because that is what I did last week. Here's a breakdown of my 4 park day:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3275865

 

[suffieldhockeymom]

If planned correctly, you can do all 4 parks in a day. We did all teh headliners in a day 2 years ago when the Magic was in PC for a day. Start with the park that has EMH and work your way through the parks using FP+ for afternoon and get extra FPs after teh 1st 3 have been used. Looking at the MDE app for wait times.