4+ parks in 3 days - is this possible? LONG!

[marciemi]

We're going with DH for a short business trip and can purchase the convention 3 day hoppers. DS would really like to visit Blizzard Beach as well (weather permitting), as well as DisneyQuest (since we had one nearby in Chicago that we visited frequently, but closed before he was tall enough to ride the "cool" rides). We don't plan on seeing everything in each park (obviously!), but just a few choice ones. This is my plan - please tell me if it's doable - it's been over 4 years since my last visit and I could definitely use some input!

Monday (MLK day unfortunately) - flight arrives noon, go to hotel, check in, go directly to EPCOT (hopefully around 4pm). Objectives - Mission Space, Test Track, American Adventure, Journey to Imagination.

Tuesday AM (EE Morning at MGM) - go to MGM at EE opening. Objectives - RNRCoaster (at least twice), ToT, Millionaire.

Tuesday PM (EOH at MK) Relax at hotel mid-afternoon, then go to MK around 5 for extended hours. Objectives - Buzz Lightyear, Mickey's Philharmagic, Space Mountain.

Wed AM (regular hours) - go to MK in morning. Do general touring. No real objectives - just the fun stuff (Splash Mtn., Pooh, Jungle Cruise, HM, POTC, etc.) If the lines are huge for any of these, we'd just do what we can. We want to have fun, not accomplish everything.

Wed PM - AK. Objectives - Primeval Whirl, Lion King Show, Kilimanjaro Safari's if possible - not necessary.

Wed late PM - (EOH at EPCOT). If we want to go back. Seems awfully late to me so I really doubt we'd to this, but could if there were say one or two attractions we felt we had to see.

Thu (non-hopper day) If the weather is good, we'd check out of hotel (Coronado Springs) by 11 and spend 4-5 hours at Blizzard Beach. If not good, we'd spend those hours at Disney Quest (included with our passes). If the weather's supposed to be good, we'd cram Disney Quest in on Tuesday afternoon instead of going to the hotel. Objectives - Buzz Lightyear, Cyberspace Mountain, Make your own CD. Leave for airport around 4pm for flight home.

Will we be running ragged? Yes obviously, but then they'd come back to only 1 day of school (Fri), then a 3 day weekend to recover. It would be just me, my 9 year old, and possibly my 11 year old. They normally go to bed around 10 and get up around 6:45 so it wouldn't be too much different, but obviously much more physical activity, walking, etc.

Any suggestions, improvements, help? Thanks so much!

 

[bbowers]

MGM in AM - to do RNRC twice, get your Fast Pass on the way in to ride it as your first ride in the morning. You can do TOT right after RNRC, then it should be time for your FP back at RNRC. You'll be all done with both in about 1 hr, 20 minutes or so. WWTBAM may not be open yet, so you will probably be able to do a few more things during your visit.

Personally, I like AK in the AM better. But that's just me!

Lastly - do NOT miss Pirates at DQ!!!!!!!!!

 

[lovethattink]

Great advice from bbowers! In addition, Disney quest usually doesn't open 'til late morning. Be sure to try a Quest Burger at the Cheesecake Factory Express. It is the best hamburger at WDW!

 

[Dizzy for Dsny]

It's possible to get done, just have the kids ready for a lot of walking. We just returned from a trip 12/2-12/6 (spent 12/3 starting at 2:00pm - 12/5 @ 1:00a.m. doing parks, resort decorations, etc...) and we logged on a pedometer this trip - it was 19.5 miles within time period stated.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

 

[VAN]

Is this your first time to WDW? If it is, I would forget about Blizzard Beach and Disney Quest and just focus on the parks. I do think you are going to run yourselves ragged and then none of it will be enjoyable. If you all have that great of a time, just promise yourselves a future, longer trip to the World.

[Any chance you can extend your stay?]

Just my opinion.

 

[minkydog]

We're going with DH for a short business trip and can purchase the convention 3 day hoppers. DS would really like to visit Blizzard Beach ,as well as DisneyQuest
Monday (MLK day unfortunately) - flight arrives noon, go to hotel, check in, go directly to EPCOT (hopefully around 4pm). Objectives - Mission Space, Test Track, American Adventure, Journey to Imagination.(QUOTE]

This sounds doable, since Epcot is usually open kinda late.

Tuesday AM (EE Morning at MGM) - go to MGM at EE opening. Objectives - RNRCoaster (at least twice), ToT, Millionaire.
Tuesday PM (EOH at MK) Relax at hotel mid-afternoon, then go to MK around 5 for extended hours. Objectives - Buzz Lightyear, Mickey's Philharmagic, Space Mountain.

There are extended hours at MK? In January?? Be sure to double check that. If MK closes at 7pm, then just go to MK in the afternoon and think about DQ in the evening. Or just save MK for Wednesday and go to DQ in the afternoon. The kids will love it.

Wed AM (regular hours) - go to MK in morning. Do general touring. No real objectives - just the fun stuff (Splash Mtn., Pooh, Jungle Cruise, HM, POTC, etc.) If the lines are huge for any of these, we'd just do what we can. We want to have fun, not accomplish everything.
Wed PM - AK. Objectives - Primeval Whirl, Lion King Show, Kilimanjaro Safari's if possible - not necessary.

The lines in January are usually pretty short, so this should be completely doable.I like AK in the a.m. because the animals are more active. Also, AK closes early, so keep that in mind.

Thu (non-hopper day) If the weather is good, we'd check out of hotel (Coronado Springs) by 11 and spend 4-5 hours at Blizzard Beach. If not good, we'd spend those hours at Disney Quest (included with our passes). If the weather's supposed to be good, we'd cram Disney Quest in on Tuesday afternoon instead of going to the hotel. Objectives - Buzz Lightyear, Cyberspace Mountain, Make your own CD. Leave for airport around 4pm for flight home.

Whew! this made me tired just reading it! I would probably pick one, since you are checking out that day. Blizzard Beach can be rather nippy in January. I think I'd just go hang out at Wilderness Lodge and eat lunch at Whispering Canyon, then do some horseback riding in Fort Wilderness to offset the craziness of this week. You all about gonna be exhausted.

Cathy

 

[marciemi]

Thanks for all the replies. This isn't our first visit, but it's been over 4 years. So the objectives are the things I know they'd really like or haven't been on. We did do Disneyland almost 2 years ago, so much of the MK stuff at least is the same.

I agree I'd like to forego Blizzard Beach. I wasn't trying to cram in both on Thursday, but cramming in DQ on an already packed Tuesday. We'll see about the weather, but I think I can convice him BB isn't all that much more exciting than the water parks around here, especially if it's cool. That would free up the schedule a little!

The extended hours I'm referring to are the ones everyone's posting threads about now. Instead of all early entry days, sounds like there are some extended evenings for resort guests. And the most recent information shows it on Tuesday for MK that week. (Subject to change! of course)

I agree Animal Kingdom would be better in the morning, but it just won't fit in the schedule that way and MK is more of a priority. Hopefully we can still hit the couple rides we want and if we don't see as many animals as we could have, we'll just deal with it!

I do like the MGM schedule as far as RNR - thanks for the help!

Any more advice?

 

[eeyore0062]

We have definitely done it. We always hop when we go. Usually we will do Animal Kingdom one morning, then when it closes, hop to Epcot and go to the World Showcase and see Illuminations. With the current Extra Magic Hour, on Sunday we would start in MK and do everything by 1 pm, then go to Epcot and focus on Future World and see Illuminations. On Monday, we would do EMH at AK, stay until closing and then go to either Epcot or MGM, and see Fantasmic. On Tuesday we would go to EMH in MGM until done, and then if MK has later hours, go back so we could see Wishes.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Monday (MLK day unfortunately) - flight arrives noon, go to hotel, check in, go directly to EPCOT (hopefully around 4pm). Objectives - Mission Space, Test Track, American Adventure, Journey to Imagination. I might replace this with Disney Quest. Not sure what hotel you are staying in but a DTD/DQ evening seems a safer plan for a travel day than EPCOT

Tuesday AM (EE Morning at MGM) - go to MGM at EE opening. Objectives - RNRCoaster (at least twice), ToT, Millionaire.

Tuesday PM (EOH at MK) Relax at hotel mid-afternoon, then go to MK around 5 for extended hours. Objectives - Buzz Lightyear, Mickey's Philharmagic, Space Mountain.

Wed AM (regular hours) - go to MK in morning. Do general touring. No real objectives - just the fun stuff (Splash Mtn., Pooh, Jungle Cruise, HM, POTC, etc.) If the lines are huge for any of these, we'd just do what we can. We want to have fun, not accomplish everything.

Wed PM - AK. Objectives - Primeval Whirl, Lion King Show, Kilimanjaro Safari's if possible - not necessary. There is so little you want to see in AK that I'd probably flipflop this schedule...plus you've already been in MK already. With an abbreviated schedule like this I've found I can complete AK inside of two hours...that way you have the bus trip before the park opens conserving some time.

Wed late PM - (EOH at EPCOT). If we want to go back. Seems awfully late to me so I really doubt we'd to this, but could if there were say one or two attractions we felt we had to see.

Thu (non-hopper day) If the weather is good, we'd check out of hotel (Coronado Springs) by 11 and spend 4-5 hours at Blizzard Beach. If not good, we'd spend those hours at Disney Quest (included with our passes). If the weather's supposed to be good, we'd cram Disney Quest in on Tuesday afternoon instead of going to the hotel. Objectives - Buzz Lightyear, Cyberspace Mountain, Make your own CD. Leave for airport around 4pm for flight home. I'd pack up early (by 8), check out and hop until about 1 or 2pm and then go to BB for just a couple of hours. It'll only be tolerable (if that) in the afternoon.

Will we be running ragged? Yes obviously, but then they'd come back to only 1 day of school (Fri), then a 3 day weekend to recover. It would be just me, my 9 year old, and possibly my 11 year old. They normally go to bed around 10 and get up around 6:45 so it wouldn't be too much different, but obviously much more physical activity, walking, etc.

Any suggestions, improvements, help? Thanks so much!

any chance you could send hubby back and just keep the kids out one more day? From education perspective 4 days out doesn't seem any worse than 5. If money is an issue you could switch to cheaper hotel (assuming you are staying in Disney hotels).

(reply embedded...software made me type this)

 

[marciemi]

Thanks for the input! Unfortunately we already bought our airline tickets, or I'd at least move them back a day. When we bought the air (for DS9 and me), we were thinking we'd be able to purchase Length of Stay (whatever they're called these days) passes so decided the added cost for the hotel for that night (Coronado Springs), plus the added cost of the extra day just wasn't worth it.

But then we found out about all the changes with ticketing and that with the convention we couldn't buy LOS tickets anyway (they said we might be able to when we arrive, but they won't exist by that point) and that the convention tickets were much cheaper anyways. I agree that I would prefer to do DQ the first day and save EPCOT, but DH has very little free time (only that first travel day and Tuesday evening) and he REALLY wants to do EPCOT and Mission Space, so that's our priority in case he gets tied up the other days or something.

Ordinarily I wouldn't hesitate about taking the kids out more (we can get discounted hotel rates that first Sunday night, and Thu/Fri night after - Mon-Wed nights the company is paying for), but we pulled them out in Sept for 6 days for a cruise. This WDW trip was totally unplanned and this way at least they can get back Friday to get their homework to make up over the weekend. It's also the first week of the new semester, so they'll have some new classes and teachers and I'd like them to be in once that week. I wish we could change and fly out now even early Sunday morning, relax and do like DQ that day and have the whole day Mon at EPCOT, but the change fee for the airline tickets (x4 people - DH I think could change his) is nearly as much as we paid for them ($100 to change, only paid $157). So we're stuck with what we've got!

I'm not sure what you mean by the bus trip at AK. Do you mean the distance to get there before the park opens? Since we'll be at CS, we'll be right there, so I'm actually thinking MK to do more travel before. Or do you mean some rides open early? I was thinking going to AK first would be a waste because by the time we did the 2 rides we wanted, Lion King might not be showing yet. Also, MK is more the priority - if everyone's happy and wants to stay there all day, we'd consider skipping AK, or just running over there long enough to do Primeval Whirl (my kids are big roller coaster fans and have never done a spinning wild mouse - as Rollercoaster Tycoon calls it - ride).

Thanks for your help - unfortuate that air is so inflexible. I wish we could add more now but will just have to do a whirlwind tour!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

No I meant the bus from your hotel to AK but as you say the situation is the reverse.

If it helps any I noticed that on Labor Day the parks cleared out by 3pm...which makes sense...the season pass holders and people nearby in the region would need to leave by then.