Advice on 3-Day Touring Order for Feb 17-19th

[007003s]

Our group of four thirty-something adults (no kids) have three days at WDW on Feb 17th, 18th, 19th (Thu-Sat). We will be staying these 3 nights at the WDW Swan and then flying out on Sunday Feb, 20th.

I am looking for feedback on this proposed itinerary and whether we are picking the right park for the right day during the busy President's Day weekend.

Feb 16th - PreDisney
Arrive by plane, spend day shopping at Belz outlets and night at Sheraton Studio City ("free" on starwood points). Meet up with fourth person who is flying in later on separate flight.

Feb 17th - Epcot
Arrive at Swan by taxi ~8am, check-in to get Resort IDs, leave bags and immediately walk/ferry/taxi to Epcot. (Is it worth taking a taxi to Future World entrance to avoid delay of walking to Test Track from Intl Gateway at opening?)
Logic: Epcot has 3 Extra Magic Hours that night for resort guests, closest park to our hotel. However www.touringplans.com suggests avoiding Epcot on this day. Should we listen?

Feb 18th - MGM
Logic: Avoid MK since it has 1 Extra Magic Hour that morning and will be particularly crowded (following Unofficial Guide advice). MGM will require a shorter touring day after our lengthy Epcot Thursday. Can check out Downtown Disney in the evening if we are feeling energetic.

Feb 19th - MK
Logic: MK slightly less crowded since no Extra Magic Hour. Park is open to midnight and we can take advantage since we will be sleeping in on Sunday

Feb 20th - Open
Relax at Swan, tour Boardwalk and some resorts before heading to the airport.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[MinakoMouse]

Hi there!
I see that you're going Prez weekend so the crowds may be a bit noticable but it's no biggy. We were there post-Christmas holiday last year and we got through it with ease . The plan looks good. I'm not sure if the parks open early or late for resort guests but take advantage of it. We did when it opend early. When we got tired, we headed back around 2ish for a refresher nap. Worked great! Have fun!!!!

M.M.

 

[HereWeCome Mickey]

From reading on these boards I know that MK on a Saturday is very crowded and then throw in the holiday weekend and I have a feeling that it will be xtra crowded. We are also going to be there that weekend and I have chosen to go to MK on Thursday Feb 17 hoping that we will beat the crowds. Now you mentioned that you won't have any kids so for you it may not make a difference. But with our 11yo, 8yo and 18 month old in tow we opted for the Thursday. Good luck and see ya there.

 

[007003s]

Thanks for the response HereWeComeMickey. However if we did MK on Thursday we would lose 4 hours of MK park time (closes 8pm Thur instead of midnight Fri/Sat), as well as 3 hours of Epcot time (no Extra Magic hours). So hopefully the extra time will make up for the busy Saturday at MK.

 

[ccgegg]

Based on your posts, it doesn't sound like you have hopper passes. That $35 might make your planning easier. I think Saturday at MK will be packed. Saturdays are one of the busiest and Pres Day weekend will only make it worse.