AK on an EMH or not (in Sept)?

[Lesley Wake]

I'm going in September and plan on one day in Epcot and one day in Animal Kingdom (in addition to days in the other parks, but those are more set in stone based on ADRs). Please let me know which option is best, based on your experience (although I know Pandora is a game-changer, so best guesses are welcome too). We are 2 sisters in our late 20's/early 30's; I've never been to WDW, but both have had AP's for Disneyland.

Option 1:
Visit AK on monday, when there is AM EMH. Get there for the early time and spend the whole day there.
Visit Epcot on Thursday, during food & wine. There is AM EMH, but because we are doing PM EMH at Magic Kingdom the night before, we may not use it. Spend the whole day there.

Option 2:
Reverse the previous days; visit AK on Thursday and Epcot on Monday. This could mean less on-site resort guests, but means we can't do the early hour for Pandora so would be competing with everyone. (I'm assuming we will FP one of the rides and RD the other)

Option 3:
IF we get free dining (a big IF), we will probably need to get park hoppers; if we do not get free dining we will just get base tickets. Monday morning visit AK for the AM EMH and visit for a bit, maybe do the Kilimanjaro Safari while animals are just getting up and active. Then as the park starts to get crowded, head over to Epcot for the afternoon, dinner, and Illuminations. Thursday, reverse it-start in Epcot, then head over to AK for the afternoon and Rivers of Light.

The main thing is I don't want to visit either of those parks on a weekend. With Pandora and the Food & Wine festival, it seems like both will attract a lot of locals. The other weekdays are "scheduled": Tuesday & Friday are our break days, but one we will do MNSSHP. Wednesday we want to do MK, with reservations at BOG (late breakfast), and CRT (during the fireworks).

We have some time to decide, but need to make decisions before the dining packages open for ROL for September.

 

[kmb584]

With Pandora opening, I would personally do AK that Monday solely because of the AM EMH. This way, you'll have a better chance of getting on the attraction that you're waiting in the stand-by line for without a several hour wait. We tend to shy away from EMH, but almost always take advantage of it for AK because of how hot and humid it gets in that park in the afternoon.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

With Pandora opening, I would personally do AK that Monday solely because of the AM EMH. This way, you'll have a better chance of getting on the attraction that you're waiting in the stand-by line for without a several hour wait. We tend to shy away from EMH, but almost always take advantage of it for AK because of how hot and humid it gets in that park in the afternoon.

I agree - unusual circumstances make this the best option.