2 park days for first time trip, advice?

[Lori74]

we are getting park hoppers for 2 days november 11th and 12th. we have been to disney world once for mnsshp. one day is for magic kingdom. the other we definitely want to go to epcot, we're not adventurous eaters, so food and wine isn't going to take up our time, we just want to explore. then we're thinking of going to dhs for part of the day, would like to see osbourne lights. the kids are 12 and 15. our 12 yr old isn't into rides, but he's always wanted to go to epcot. our 15 yr old loves rides. this is a surprise trip for them, so we're just trying to plan this all out ahead of time. advice?

 

[lovndisney12]

Since DS 15 is into rides, take a look at the rides at Epcot at DHS and figure out which park would be best for your FP+. TSM, Soarin', Test Track and Rockin' Roller Coaster will probably be the ones with the longest lines.

What a great surprise for your kids!

 

[BlueFairy]

If you are staying at WDW hotel, make your plans NOW and read up on FP+ to maximize your time in the parks. You can reserve those FPs at 60days. If you are staying offsite, it's 30days.

Epcot could take all day if you let it. If you have 1 interested in the rides, and 1 who wants to see most of the park (think World Showcase!), then you should plan to get an early start.

Can't advise on Osbourne. We've never seen it.

Personally, I would not spend time hopping with only 2 days, but my kids are younger and slow moving. If Osbourne is a priority, you will have to buy the hopper. Just know that you do have the option to save $$$$$ by buying single park tickets.

 

[Lori74]

yes we are staying at ssr so im trying to be ready for fp+ i'm thinking my dd 15 will enjoy dhs rides more than epcot, so that's what i'm leaning toward.

 

[Shmily01]

My 12 year old loves rides so DHS is his favorite park because of RnRC and Tower of Terror. I think that HS would be a good fit! Have a great time!!!

 

[lovndisney12]

As far as hopping, my DS 13 and I did a one day quick visit after a conference and hopped from DHS to MK in the afternoon. It was a fun day and we still felt like we got to do a lot of what we love. We also LOVE Osborne lights and if you think DS would like the rides there, I would certainly take advantage of RD at Epcot for those rides and then use FP+ at DHS - but selections are limited at DHS.

Here is an example of what we did in one day utilizing park hoppers with FP+ at DHS in the AM and then just waiting in line at MK. This was early November - I believe during Jersey week on a Sunday - so it was somewhat crowded.

DHS:
RD RnR (rode 3 times)
FP+ ST
ToT waited in line (would have FP+ but DS didn't think he wanted to do it prior to trip)
TSM w FP+
Great Movie Ride
Beauty and the Beast

MK:
SM
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
People Mover
Buzz
Stitch's (don't ask me why)
Monster Laugh Factory
Jungle Cruise
Carousel of Progress

We did not "race" through the parks. We stopped for coffee and hot chocolate at DHS. In MK we had cinnamon rolls and Lafue's Brew, early dinner at The Plaza, and ice cream in the evening and watched the fireworks before heading out.

 

[lovndisney12]

As far as hopping, my DS 13 and I did a one day quick visit after a conference and hopped from DHS to MK in the afternoon. It was a fun day and we still felt like we got to do a lot of what we love. We also LOVE Osborne lights and if you think DS would like the rides there, I would certainly take advantage of RD at Epcot for those rides and then use FP+ at DHS - but selections are limited at DHS.

Here is an example of what we did in one day utilizing park hoppers with FP+ at DHS in the AM and then just waiting in line at MK. This was early November - I believe during Jersey week on a Sunday - so it was somewhat crowded.

DHS:
RD RnR (rode 3 times)
FP+ ST
ToT waited in line (would have FP+ but DS didn't think he wanted to do it prior to trip)
TSM w FP+
Great Movie Ride
Beauty and the Beast

MK:
SM
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
People Mover
Buzz
Stitch's (don't ask me why)
Monster Laugh Factory
Jungle Cruise
Carousel of Progress

We did not "race" through the parks. We stopped for coffee and hot chocolate at DHS. In MK we had cinnamon rolls and Lafue's Brew, early dinner at The Plaza, and ice cream in the evening and watched the fireworks before heading out.

Oh - and I see I forgot Muppets at DHS

 

[sharona]

My advice for your non MK day is to arrive before RD at one park and then use your FP+ early evening in the other. If it were me, I would go to EP first and get right to Soarin then use single rider line for Test Track then when World Showcase opens spend the early afternoon there getting lunch and exploring the countries. Head to HS after 3 and see a show and use your FP+ then eat dinner and see the lights.

I'm not as familiar with the international gateway entrance but maybe someone else can chime in on whether that is the best way to get from EP to HS?

 

[sharonabe]

Yes, if you are in World Showcase when it's time to go to HS, just head out the back entrance and use the boats to get to HS. It's a leisurely ride that will give you enough rest to hit HS running.

 

[sharonabe]

I just looked at the park hours for your dates, and I have a suggestion for you. Nov 12 is a party night at MK, so here's what I would do with a 2-day PH.

Nov 11 EP stay here most of the day and have an early dinner here. Hop to MK in time for parade and Wishes. It's also late EMH, so you could stay later.
Nov 12 MK in the morning. It's the day after late EMH AND a party day, so this park will be the least crowded it can be all week. It will be a great day to tour and get a lot done. Hop over to HS at whatever time you need to do the attractions for your 15 yr old. I would use FP+ at HS; you won't need it at MK.

 

[Lori74]

we have bog at 8am on 11th, and i just got 8am at sci fi on the 12th so we will be in before rope drop on both days

 

[alliecat523]

The International Gateway entrance is near the UK pavillion. It's a great way to enter and exit the park with few crowds.

 

[Brenda Kim]

Take the boat from HS to Epcot, it does take I think 20 minutes because it stops at Swan and Dolphin, Beach Club and Boardwalk, but it is a nice way to rest your feet and enter the back of Epcot at the International Gateway, which is between France and UK.

 

[subtchr]

I just looked at the park hours for your dates, and I have a suggestion for you. Nov 12 is a party night at MK, so here's what I would do with a 2-day PH.

Nov 11 EP stay here most of the day and have an early dinner here. Hop to MK in time for parade and Wishes. It's also late EMH, so you could stay later.
Nov 12 MK in the morning. It's the day after late EMH AND a party day, so this park will be the least crowded it can be all week. It will be a great day to tour and get a lot done. Hop over to HS at whatever time you need to do the attractions for your 15 yr old. I would use FP+ at HS; you won't need it at MK.

we have bog at 8am on 11th, and i just got 8am at sci fi on the 12th so we will be in before rope drop on both days

I would highly recommend rethinking those ADRs and use the touring plan that sharonabe posted above. We are doing the "not going to a party - maximize MK time park hop" dance on our visit in December as well, and you won't regret it if you do, too. MK crowds are significantly impacted by the party schedule.

 

[tlmadden73]

I'd think that park hopping is a bit ambitious for only two park days.

Just save some money and do MK and DHS ... with all the shows .. DHS can easily fill a day and it has some great night shows.

I'd skip Epcot . .. two really great rides .. then not much else if you aren't interested in the world showcase.

 

[wareagle57]

I just looked at the park hours for your dates, and I have a suggestion for you. Nov 12 is a party night at MK, so here's what I would do with a 2-day PH.

Nov 11 EP stay here most of the day and have an early dinner here. Hop to MK in time for parade and Wishes. It's also late EMH, so you could stay later.
Nov 12 MK in the morning. It's the day after late EMH AND a party day, so this park will be the least crowded it can be all week. It will be a great day to tour and get a lot done. Hop over to HS at whatever time you need to do the attractions for your 15 yr old. I would use FP+ at HS; you won't need it at MK.

Another option, if you aren't food/drink people and the world showcase does not interest you, Epcot has EMH the night of the Christmas party. You could knock out Test Track, Soarin' and Spaceship Earth that night. Spend your morning in MK, and make FP+ reservations for the afternoon in DHS. The lights stay on an hour after closing so you could stay until 9 and then walk or take the boat to Epcot, but I would suggest seeing the lights a little earlier in the night so you make sure you have enough time in Epcot.

On the 11th end the night as MK as suggested. Go to DAK that morning for EMH. Spend your afternoon however you want.

3 parks in one day seems like a lot, but hoping to Epcot from DHS really isn't a big deal, and this maximizes the amount of time you are in the parks. For the premium you pay for park hoppers on such a short trip, I think it's best to use them. One hop in 2 days isn't worth it. You'd be better off just picking two parks and skipping the other two and saving the money.

 

[Lori74]

thank you all for your suggestions! you've been most helpful!

 

[GaryDis]

The backup plan should include allowing the 15yo to go off on her own, assuming both you and she are comfortable with that. You could, for example, spend the morning at Epcot, plan on QS lunch, and she could hop to DHS either before or after lunch, and you meet up with her at DHS for dinner. 15 is a good age to allow a teen some time to be self-sufficient, particularly in a safe environment like WDW.

 

[Lori74]

yes that is an option, our 20 year old son will also be with us, and he just goes with the flow, so we definitely have wiggle room for our family getting done what they want. i know our plans are very ambitious for 2 days, that's why we are getting the park hopper, our 2 youngest are being surprised with this trip, so we would like to give them a few choices with what they would like to do, which i'm sure at some point would require us to separate.