3 days to do 4 parks for WDW first timers?

[disney-super-mom]

DH and I are taking a short trip to WDW in late January. We are veteran DL/DCA people, but we've never been to WDW before, so this will be our first visit there.

It's going to just be just he and I on this trip - NO KIDS!

Anyway, we're only going to have 3 full days to see the four parks, and we're staying onsite at SSR. How possible is it for us, touring without kids, to see all 4 parks in 3 days? Our plan thus far looks like this:

Day 1: Epcot

Day 2: MK

Day 3: AK (in the morning), MGM (in the afternoon).

I think we'll be okay and our plan is a good one (especially because crowds should be lighter then, and we'll be able to make good time without our little ones in tow), but need the advice of you WDW experts.

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

I think that without kids, it very well may be possible. But there are still the long lines and massive amount of people. But, I think it's possible. Animal Kingdom will be hard to get through in half a day though. Just my opinion. I wish you luck!!

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

if you goto AK for 1/2 day you will miss tons. if you must, do MGM,AK then MK in that order. if you get bored or tired you can goto epcot. there is no way to see epcot in a day. world showcase is one day to see it all. future world is one day also. there is so much to see and do at MGM that 1 day is pushing it. its possible since you have no kids. it's just the time of year that should be on your side. if you go on a wing it trip it should work. MK is so much bigger and better then DL(grew up going to DL). since you are staying onsite take advantage of the early magical hour to get in 1 hr early. if you have your car use it. you will get around faster then the bus. i hope you enjoy what walt disney wanted with disneyland but had to do it in Florida.

 

[Polyfor30th]

I think this will be a great "teaser" trip, and do-able sans the kiddos. But def plan another trip to catch what you may miss or revisit new favorites

Have Fun!

 

[nicknamy1996]

Late January and no kids... You may be able to do a park twice!

I think you've got the schedule right.

AK/MGM fantasmic
EPCOT illuminations
MK wishes

Will get you seeing all 3 of the night time shows.

If MGM is not at all day park it has to be a 2nd half of the day park because you have to see Fantasmic.

Thinking about it we usually do 4 parks in our first 3 days almost every trip (granted we are not trying to do it all) but it does work out that we hit all 4 then use the next couple of days to double up on some of them.

I would consider finding the park hours and seeing if any particular park is open late during your stay. MK is open 3 hours late on EMH p.m. days, if you hit one of those you could do AK from 9ish (wait, you said without kids, then 9 is possible) As long as you don't want to see the parade you could be done with AK by 2 or even earlier and if MK is open late you could do a whole bunch in one day. Possibly covering AK and MK in one day. Leaving you 1/2 day to play with perhaps EPCOT day/MGM night and then a full day at EPCOT.

AK/MK wishes
EP/MGM fantasmic
EPCOT illumination

 

[disney6family]

I agree with nicknamy about checking EMH that may help you get some more time into your day. It definitely is doable, especially with no kids. From a former DL AP, MK is like DL so you can skip some of the same rides and just do the ones that are different or that are your favs - unless you feel you absolutely must ride Dumbo in both parks Also, DCA has Soarin', so that could be cut - but neither DL or DCA have World Showcase and without the kids that is a great place for a little romance!

 

[SaraMc]

DH and I used to go before DS and we would be there for 7 days and not seen everything. However I must say you have to do Epcot in 2 days it really is 2 parks. Also try to get to PI and downtown Disney, that's so much fun, go to the Adventurers club its great!

 

[MichelleVW]

It'll make you want more, but it's doable. Personally we LOVE Epcot, but can easily see all we want to in one non crowded day.

I should dig up my 4 parks in one day trip report!!! We were only there for 2 days and on day one we started in AK at ropedrop, then I think we went to MGM, then took the boat to Epcot...saw some stuff there, then went over to the MK for a few attractions and ended up watching Wishes to finish up the day!!

 

[hniki234]

I think your schedule is doable. You won't be able to see everything, but you'll be able to fit in a good bit. We usually only spend a half day at AK and we always hit the big rides and shows. MGM is hard to fit in a half day, though, since there are show times you have to work around. Oh, well. It'll give you a reason to come back!

 

[Got Quattro?]

Day 1 = MK in the morning then EPCOT WS 5pm till close
Day 2 = AK in the morning then MGM 2pm till close
Day 3 = Epcot FW in the morning then AK 4m till close

That lets you see, Illumination, Fantasmick, and Wishes....plus plenty of time to hit the E tickets items at each park.

 

[Walter C]

I would probably follow the same plan myself, if I had only 3 days. I'd say it looks just about right, although you won't see everything, and you don't want to go through each park at breakneck speed.

Fastasmic is one of a few great ways to close out your Disney World vacation, IMO.

 

[MichelleVW]

Day 1 = MK in the morning then EPCOT WS 5pm till close
Day 2 = AK in the morning then MGM 2pm till close
Day 3 = Epcot FW in the morning then AK 4m till close

That lets you see, Illumination, Fantasmick, and Wishes....plus plenty of time to hit the E tickets items at each park.

Did you mean MK on day 3?

I'm going for 3 days in Jan. Saturday the 20th, Sunday the 21st and Monday which is the first Pirate and Princess party which we'll be going too...

I may use your plan...but I keep changing my mind a million times....if only I had ONE more day....

 

[mom2kandj]

We did exactly what you are trying on our trip in April 2005. Three days, four parks, and no kids. That trip was a great teaser as it led to a January 2006 trip and now planning a January 2007.

Anyhoo, being that you are familiar with DL/DCA, I would switch a few things.

My order:

Epcot (DH and I could spend all three days there eating and drinking our way around World Showcase!)
AK/MGM maybe hop back to Epcot(if not watching Fantasmic)
MK then hop back to a favorite.

FWIW, I prefer DL's version of Fantasmic so staying late at MGM is not a priority for us. I also put MK on day three. On the DIS, many will tell you that one day is not enough to experience MK. Having visited DL, you will spend most of your time "comparing" the two parks. As long as you know that you'll be coming back for a longer vacation with the whole family, I'd skip attractions that you have ridden at DL unless they are favorites.

We find that we are drawn to Epcot and AK as they provide something different than what DL/DCA can provide. MK and MGM will be familiar, but different enough to be interesting. The mere scope of WDW might be overwhelming as DL/DCA sit on a so little land. There is so much to see and the magic is so contagious, that by the end of day one, you'll be imagining how much your kids would love it.

HTH!

Rose

 

[luvgrumpy]

YIKES! I wouldn't really recomend trying to do 4 parks/3 days. We do just that frequently ourselves and it's hard even for veterns. But as long as you're just getting a taste of each park and save the rest for another trip. Follow some of the good advice already posted here and have fun.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Yes, this trip is just to wet our appetites a bit, see what all the hub-bub is about, and get a feel for the parks before we make the LONG trip over to WDW with our kids (DS 7 & DS 3).

Well, okay I'll admit, the trip is also so DH and I can a some fun alone time too! (Our first time alone in 8 years!)

We're mostly going to do rides and attractions at the parks, check out the WS (have a few beers along the way), check out a few Disney resorts (where we have ADRs), and if we have time maybe see and show or two (like maybe Nemo, or Lion King, or something else) (for this trip, since we won't have our kids with us, the shows won't be a priority).

Anyway, we're very excited! Can't hardly wait to get there and see everything for real!