4 Parks In One Day

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

Our group of 6 adults, 46-56, all in excellent health/shape, are planning a day trip to Disney next year.
We are thinking of doing all 4 parks in one day.
3 of us are very Disney park knowledgeable(ie: park layout, must see attractions, etc).
Have you ever done this? What were your experiences?

 

[bigbabyblues]

We did it last Saturday, we are a family of 4, 2 teenagers. We were not eligible for EMH, so we started at MK, drove to HS, started walking to Epcot and stopped at the Boardwalk to rent a surrey bike and do 2 laps around the resort area. Went on to Epcot and son had lost his wallet, so 2 had to go back to look for that, which took about 45 minutes. That threw a little wrench in, but we did Epcot, walked back to our car at HS and then went to AK. Our requirement was 3 attractions in each park, plus a photopass pic. HS was the easiest and most difficult at the same time--difficult because 3 of us don't do RnR or ToT snd TSM was closed. We only prebooked one FP, that was Test Track, but it was down for storms when we got there. We ended the day with FoP. It was a great day!

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

We did it last Saturday, we are a family of 4, 2 teenagers. We were not eligible for EMH, so we started at MK, drove to HS, started walking to Epcot and stopped at the Boardwalk to rent a surrey bike and do 2 laps around the resort area. Went on to Epcot and son had lost his wallet, so 2 had to go back to look for that, which took about 45 minutes. That threw a little wrench in, but we did Epcot, walked back to our car at HS and then went to AK. Our requirement was 3 attractions in each park, plus a photopass pic. HS was the easiest and most difficult at the same time--difficult because 3 of us don't do RnR or ToT snd TSM was closed. We only prebooked one FP, that was Test Track, but it was down for storms when we got there. We ended the day with FoP. It was a great day!

Thanks for responding! We were thinking the same thing, like 3 or 4 attractions in each park plus staying for one of the nighttime shows at whichever park we land in last. It is encouraging to know it is possible

 

[Pmlocke]

I did it with my wife for my 60th Birthday. It took a little planning. We went on at least two rides in each park, ate at two of the parks (lunch and dinner) and stayed for the fireworks at MK. It was really easy. Luckily we had no problem with transportation. The buses were always right there as was the monorail going from EPCOT to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[loves to dive]

I have done it a number of times and never on purpose, it's the fun of have park hoppers (an AP in my case). I was up early one morning, did my morning walk/jog around the resort and my morning yoga, got my breakfast and ate in my room and was still done before AK was supposed to open for morning EMH so I just hopped on a bus and went there. I rode Safari, EE and walked the trails (this was before FOP) and got bored so hopped on a bus to HS couldn't have been any later than 10, probably earlier than that. I rode ToT, GMR (before it closed obviously) and TSMM, was hungry and it was during F&W so I walked over to Epcot and grazed at a few booths, rode SSE, walked over to the land and rode the Land then walked through the living seas, decided I needed to do some shopping so hopped on the monorail over to MK, decided what the heck and rode Pirates, climbed Swiss Family and wandered over and rode the Liberty Bell. By then I was hungry so ate at Pecos Bills, decided to ride Big Thunder and then went to Main Street and shopped a little. Epcot was still open so I hopped on the monorail and back over there, grabbed me some dessert at a few booths and walked back to BW where I was staying. I was in bed by 9. All without a single FP I might add, it was just on the spur of the moment and wherever I felt like going with no plans.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

I've done it a bunch of times. We like to start in AK (especially if they have morning EMH) and finish in MK. MK is usually open latest & it takes so long to get in & out of the park that doing it in the middle of the day just wastes time if you're driving yourself.

 

[StageTek]

Love doing that! Jan 2017 three of us old guys (58, 61, 63) did it on our last day. Wanted to end our trip with the fireworks at MK (stayed at FW Cabins) and didn't want to "rope drop".

Had a nice breakfast - HS for ToT and RnR (for the two oldest...)
AK for the Safari then Everest (all three of us) and lunch.
Epcot for Frozen (only FP) Spaceship Earth, Living With The Land and some of the Pavilion movies. Stopped for beer and a shared plate of fish and chips.
MK to end the day - Country Bears, CoP, and People Mover (we're all from CA and miss those), Pirates, HoP. Dinner at Liberty Tree and fireworks.
Took the boat back to FW and had time for drinks and cigars.

One of our group left early in the AM so we both did a quick four park trip catching one or two attractions in each park before we left The World at 4PM

 

[supernova]

It always shocks me that people are so amazed by doing 4 parks in a day. I do that every single trip to WDW. It's really no big deal.

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

Thank you @Pmlocke @loves to dive @MusicalAstronaut @StageTek @supernova
I’m very encouraged to read that 4 parks in a day is doable!
I may have done 3 parks in a day at some point on a trip but not 4.
I think we’ll give it a go, it seems like a fun day!

 

[supernova]

Thank you @Pmlocke @loves to dive @MusicalAstronaut @StageTek @supernova
I’m very encouraged to read that 4 parks in a day is doable!
I may have done 3 parks in a day at some point on a trip but not 4.
I think we’ll give it a go, it seems like a fun day!

Of course, it also helps to have a rental car. But I've also kept the car at one of the parks and resorted to taking the bus once or twice. Good luck. Let us know how you do!

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

Of course, it also helps to have a rental car. But I've also kept the car at one of the parks and resorted to taking the bus once or twice. Good luck. Let us know how you do!

I will! & we will have rental cars. I have been asked to put a "presentation" together for our group of what the costs are, what we would do for attractions, shows, where to eat, etc.
I'm excited ...& now nervous to be the one doing the planning.

 

[loves to dive]

Just keep in mind sometimes driving and parking can take as long as the buses. We drive to WDW and park our car at the resort and never get in it again, using Disney transportation the entire time unless we are leaving from a late dinner at a different resort, then we take Uber. You can walk between HS and Epcot as quick, if not quicker than you can drive or take a bus and there is the monorail between Epcot and MK. The only park you would really have to drive/bus for is AK. Most of the times we have done 4 parks without even meaning to it was from going to the bus stop and hopping on the first park bus to arrive.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

Just keep in mind sometimes driving and parking can take as long as the buses. We drive to WDW and park our car at the resort and never get in it again, using Disney transportation the entire time unless we are leaving from a late dinner at a different resort, then we take Uber. You can walk between HS and Epcot as quick, if not quicker than you can drive or take a bus and there is the monorail between Epcot and MK. The only park you would really have to drive/bus for is AK. Most of the times we have done 4 parks without even meaning to it was from going to the bus stop and hopping on the first park bus to arrive.

AK is the park that I think it's really important to have a car. We'll do that one first and it takes FOREVER for the busses to show up. We once did EMH and got to the bus stop at 9:30am - only to sit there for 45 minutes waiting for a bus to come. The screen kept saying it was ~10 minutes away, and then pushing it back as time progressed. If we'd just taken our car we could've been at DHS before that bus even showed up.

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

@bigbabyblues, @loves to dive, @MusicalAstronaut, @supernova, @StageTek, @Pmlocke
What attractions, shows, night time show, etc would you put on your must do lists? Also, where would you to choose to eat in the parks (lunch/supper)?
Thanks, in advance, for your answers & opinions

 

[loves to dive]

@bigbabyblues, @loves to dive, @MusicalAstronaut, @supernova, @StageTek, @Pmlocke
What attractions, shows, night time show, etc would you put on your must do lists? Also, where would you to choose to eat in the parks (lunch/supper)?
Thanks, in advance, for your answers & opinions

Hard to say since my must dos might not be yours, for example everyone else will tell you FOP is a must do but it isn't for me. I'll do it if I have time and happen to get a FP but it's not high on my list. Since we go often and have been going for over 30 years, we are not ride centric but enjoy walking around and taking in the details most people will just run right by. But here goes with mine:

AK: Safari and walking the trails. If I can do that I'm good, I like just walking around this park and taking in all the detail so much to see. Shows - Lion King, who doesn't love them some tumble monkeys. I happen to like the night time show at AK, it might actually be my favorite but again, most people aren't crazy about it. The good thing about it is you can usually get a FP very late in the day. Food - We always eat a Nomad Lounge for lunch, I'm not a huge meal eater so sharing a couple of small plates and a refreshing adult beverage and relaxing works for us. If we are eating there at night, we love Tiffins, it is actually one of 3 TS restaurants at WDW that we regularly repeat.

HS: ToT is my only must do here, we will do it over and over, 6 times getting on and off is our record. I'll do TSMM if I have time and can get a FP but it's not high on my list. Shows: this one is hard because I like a few, I enjoy Indiana Jones but most people will tell you it's tired and old, maybe that's why I like it. I also enjoy watching the Star Wars show, it's quick and easy to see. Food: HBD lounge is another one we repeat just about every trip, I love their Cobb Salad and if you time it right, you watch the Star Wars show - 2 for one. Nighttime - again this is one most people are going to say the Star Wars Light Show but I don't like it. I'm height challenged and if you don't want to pay for the dessert party, it's hard to get a spot where some big person isn't going to shove in front of you at the last minute. I do like Fantasmic, you sit and there are very few bad seats in the house.

Epcot: This is going to sound silly but we have to do SSE and Living with the Land. Neither are hugely popular but we have been going for over 30 years and just enjoy them. I'm not a fan of the new Soarin, unless you get a seat in exactly the middle it is distorted. Food: Anything is WS is good for us, we love every restaurant there but we repeat Spice Road Tables just about every trip. We can walk up at just about any time of the day and get a seat outside without ADRs and again we love to share the small plates and have a refreshing adult beverage. Shows - we like to stop and watch any of the entertainment in WS if it happens to be going on when we are walking around, we don't plan to see them but we have seen them all multiple times. I'm not a fan of Illuminations, not a popular opinion but I skip it every time.

MK: Pirates, BTM are our must dos, we will hit HM if it's got a short line but everything else we ride is just whatever we can catch. I do have to do CoP every trip, I'm old. Food: we rarely eat in this park but when we do it's been at Skipper's Canteen or Pecos Bills. Shows - I'm not a fan of the stage show but if I'm there while the parade is happening I enjoy it but I won't sit and wait for it. I'm also not a fan of the new night time show - again with the short person and big people or people putting their kids on their shoulders have gotten right in front of me at the last minute the two times I've tried to see it. Projection shows are not the friend of short people.

 

[StageTek]

What attractions, shows, night time show, etc would you put on your must do lists? Also, where would you to choose to eat in the parks (lunch/supper)?

As I put together my must do list I'd love to know yours.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

@bigbabyblues, @loves to dive, @MusicalAstronaut, @supernova, @StageTek, @Pmlocke
What attractions, shows, night time show, etc would you put on your must do lists? Also, where would you to choose to eat in the parks (lunch/supper)?
Thanks, in advance, for your answers & opinions

For 4 parks in 1 day I always end in MK, so Happily Ever After! I've also done the first showing of the Lion King in AK, if that's your jam. It's a great show. I love the Indiana Jones show in DHS too if you can squeeze that in. For rides I try to hit the following, and this is assuming 8am opening for AK (so get there at 7:30am) and late closing of MK (10pm-midnightish). AK: Safari, Everest, Dinosaur. You'd need to get a fastpass for FOP if you want to ride it and I'd make it your very first thing so you can get others later in the day. Do the Lion King show after the rides if you want. I also like going on the maharaja(???) trail to see the tigers. That's about it for me in AK! Then go to either DHS or Epcot. The time of year affects the order here for me. If it's Food & Wine time, I'd do Epcot first and hit a couple booths RIGHT when they open (and they sometimes open as early as 10:30am). Soarin' if you have a fastpass, single rider TestTrack, and Mission Space. Also Living with the Land if you want! The number of rides depends on how busy it is but those are the ones I like. Then go to DHS. I love Tower of Terror so I'd do that, single rider for RNRC, you could fastpass Toy Story Mania, and see Indiana Jones if you want. Then I'd head to MK for the rest of the night and ride whatever has the shortest lines and watch the fireworks. My favs are Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Pirates, Jungle Cruise (triple points if it's Christmas and it's the Jingle Cruise), Astro Orbiter, People Mover, Mad Tea Party. There are others I like but they usually have lines that make me skip them. You say you're Disney-Smart so I don't need to tell you how to lay out your fastpasses or add new ones as you go. For food on these days, I don't do ADRs. It's not that hard to do this but it's a LONG day. I've burned every one of my friends out on this. It's usually too much walking for them or by 10pm they want to go back to the hotel. So if anyone's not used to walking they should prepare, lol, and maybe have some extra coffee! Use that mobile ordering to skip the lines for food or eat a turkey leg. For me the 4-in-1 is all about rides so I just eat whatever on the go. Might be a good day for that fried chicken waffle thing at Sleepy Hollow! If the line isn't long.

 

[Darren B]

I think this sounds like something to add to my solo trip next summer

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

As I put together my must do list I'd love to know yours.

I will preface this list by saying, I REALLY don’t like to skip anything. I’ve had many trips over the years so my preference is to go slower & enjoy the details of everything. This trip will be the opposite, but still awesome because it feels like a challenge. My list of attractions in no particular order:

AK: KS, EE, FoP, Lion King Show, TTBAB
HS: ToT, RnRC, ST, TSM, Indiana Jones show
Epcot: SE, Soarin, TT, LWTL
MK: Space Mountain, Splash Mountin, POTC, JC, HM, IASW, PP, CoP

Night Show: My choice would be Fantasmic or RoL because they offer seating & seem more “adult themed”.
Illuminations has never grabbed me (not sure why).

Eats: I would like to do 1 meal in Epcot WS for the experience. I’ve been to most but not all. We could do table service or quick service.
Satuli Canteen in AK was a hit our last trip so that would be an option.

My list does not take into consideration the new Toy Story attractions @ HS or anything else that might open before we go in 2019.

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

@loves to dive, @MusicalAstronaut
Thank you both for your thorough, detailed suggestions...they are supercalifragilisticexpealidocious!