A couple of assorted strategy questions

[way2tyred]

Hi all! I swear I'm not usually an overthinker, but I'm feeling some pressure to make this trip great. When you are spending so much money, it's hard not to. We are going at the end of August.

People on trip - 2 adults that have been to Disney several times, 2 youngish teenagers that have never been. We will be there 6 full days plus arrival and departure. Planning on doing MNSSHP and also Typhoon Lagoon. We land at MCO at noon. My original plan was Epcot on arrival day, stacking LL and working our way through the countries, doing Frozen, Remy, 3 Caballeros, etc. It's going to be a very early morning for us but I know we will want to hit a park the first day.

Then planning 1 more full day for Epcot, 2 full days at MK, and then 1 full day everywhere else

First question, I'm having second thoughts about starting at Epcot. Remembering that it's the kids' first time at Disney, are they going to be underwhelmed with this start? I thought we needed 2 full days at MK and that the countries would be a low pressure way to start if everyone is tired and wants to leave early. But if you were me, would you do MK on the first day since our second MK day also includes MNSSHP? I could still stack LLs and maybe it's a better "first look". But OTOH, it will take longer to get to MK (staying at POP).

Second question - would you do Boma for dinner after a day at AK or at Typhoon Lagoon? Which park would be finished earlier for you (again, keeping in mind that 2 of the people have never been)? Our other meals are lunches, so this is the only one I'm a little stumped on.

Thanks!

 

[lovethattink]

I’d do Boma on AK day since it’s the shortest distance from a park. Unless you aren’t going straight from the park?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I’d do Boma on AK day since it’s the shortest distance from a park. Unless you aren’t going straight from the park?

Funny, my thought was to do Boma on the TL day, because seeing and enjoying AK at night is amazing, and TL is a day we'd be ready to move out by mid/late afternoon, clean up, and head to dinner! Both good strategies, and not much help for OP. But I would definitely take time to do Boma.....

 

[scrappinginontario]

If it’s their first time, there is just something magical about starting at MK!!

Also, there is a lot of walking at Epcot. Since your day starts early for travel, I’d lean towards MK day 1 but then I’d also want to take advantage of lower crowds on party days snd head back there the next day but you may not wish to do that.

If you chose to start at Epcot, it’s a great park too and your teens won’t know what they’re comparing it to and will likely love it!! My dd is 15 and Epcot has been her favourite park since she was a young child.

 

[Lou'sMommy]

I think that starting at Epcot is a good choice. Of course, every family is different, Epcot has always been both my kids favorite park. They are young adults now, but my daughter insisted that we start our May trip at Epcot since it's the best. Either way, I know your family will have a great time. I would be intentional about getting into air conditioning pretty often as you walk around at Epcot. It's bound to be very hot at the end of August.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

With the price of reg park tickets and G+, you are taking a risk if you plan on making 1st day a park day and buying G+. You may well have a travel delay and/or since it is August afternoon/evening storms are very common. During a summer storm, the rain is often VERY heavy. Walking across Epcot in torrential rain can be a bit daunting. On the other hand, in the other parks, many rides go down- like all the outdoor coasters. While you can potentially modify your G+ times, you still have to ride the rides during your assigned time window. If that gets pushed back, you might not be able to crisscross Epcot fast enough. We often go in August. If we have AP's we will go to a park on a half-day. When paying for regular park tickets, we tend to not go to a park, especially in August heat, and double-especially if you will have to have long travel/early start.

We often start at Epcot, for 1st timers though I would ask THEM where they want to start. I made the mistake once of taking first timers to MK, but what they really wanted to do first was to visit the hotel pool slide. (Actually, when we arrived, we first took a nap.) your group might also be very happy just chilling at the hotel.

It is very easy to get caught up in planning, trying to make the trip 'better' My experience taking 1st timers taught me it is better to do the opposite and allow the trip to be as spontaneous as possible. Be prepared to cancel dining, be prepared people might want to sleep in or take breaks, etc. First timers don't know all the ins and outs of park touring. They want to a vacation, and they probably have some idea of how the like to vacation. They might not realize just how crowded the QS places get in the noon hour, or how crowded the Hub gets during the fireworks, or how long it takes to get around WDW. Where you have learned small compromises pay off.

When we go to Boma, we often pair it with AK, but we don't go to the water parks. Either would be fine. Truly, what I'd plan is to be able to swap in the event of less-than-ideal weather. Actually, attraction options at AK are fairly limited when there is lightning. I would try to visit both the water park and AK on days with good weather if possible.

 

[elvispursley]

I don’t know that you’d necessarily need G+ on your arrival if you go to Epcot. Most of the attractions (with the exception of Remy and Frozen) have fairly short waits. And if you’ve never been to a Disney park, I find the queues for both those attractions very well-done. As mentioned above, with potentials for travel delays, I’d hold off on purchasing G+ and/ILL u til you land.

 

[loislane]

I don't think it's a bad idea to start at Epcot - IF everyone feels up to it after travel day. I wouldn't bother with G+, but I might purchase a later ILL for GotG if I knew for sure we were going to Epcot. Outside of that, there's a lot you can do at Epcot that you don't need G+ for - just enjoying World Showcase and exploring the different countries. Or ride Nemo and spend some time in The Seas aquarium. Keep in mind Test Track just closed for a retheme so there is one less "thrill" ride at Epcot. But a late start at Epcot can still knock out of lot of items on the "to do" list, freeing up your other Epcot day to focus on the rest.

As for Boma, it would depend in part on how you plan to get there. Are you planning to go straight from TL or AK or do you plan to go back to your room and freshen up? If I was just going straight from wherever, I'd go from AK because it's easy to just hop on a bus from there to AKLodge. If I was planning on being back at the room first, I'd go on my TL day and plan plenty of time for traveling -both back to Pop and then however you plan to get over to AKL.

Two full days at MK - especially with one of them being MNSSHP - will give you a lot of opportunity to get things done. But you will have to prioritize ahead a little for the party because there isn't enough time to ride everything, watch all the special shows/fireworks/parades, trick or treat, and meet all the characters. If the party day is your 2nd MK day, I would probably focus on doing whatever rides you missed, a few ToT stops (adults can ToT, too!), the parade and fireworks. I do find that MK is the one park we really utilize G+ for and we are generally able to get quite a bit done.

All that said - don't stress too much. I'm sure everyone will have a grand time.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

Didn't see mention of Park Hoppers, maybe skip the $ of MNSSHP and get PH. That gives you flexibility on arrival day. Also can gauge the teens interests and where to go during park days.

Are you staying off site? Where you are staying might be a huge influence.

2 days MK, 1.5 Epcot, that is kind of cheating the time at AK/HS (which the teens may find HS more likable).

 

[glocon]

I would do your plan and get g+ and stack rides at EP. It’s easy access from Pop like you said, and the skyliner is a fun intro to newbies. The rides you mentioned are fun and a nice taste of EP.

As for Boma, I’d go on TL day since it seems most people leave mid-afternoon from there.
It will give you time to freshen up then head over.
If you’re ready early I’d say head over and enjoy the savannahs and maybe Victoria Falls Lounge as well.

AK park has such good food options I’d suggest eating all your meals there on your park day.
We love Yak & Yeti, Tiffins, Nomad Lounge and Satuli Canteen. So many great choices, and the snacks all over the park are so good too.

Make sure that you take your friends to see Festival of the Lion King!