Anyone Care to Review my Epcot Plan?

[Indecisive]

My group is me, DH, DS7, DS4, and my in-laws, who are both in their 70s. My in-laws are in reasonably good shape, but are slower walkers. I am a little worried about all the walking at Epcot. Our trip will be in early May on a Crowd Level 5 day. Does the below plan seem reasonable at a slow-to-moderate pace? (We would not plan to stay for Illuminations, unfortunately, as my kids and in-laws will be too tired. Maybe DH and I will head back to the park for it after taking everyone back to BLT but, in any case, what I'm really looking for is feedback on the below plan without regard to Illuminations.) I have not included any of the Innoventions, not because I'm not interested, but just because I think it would be too much to do all of the below plus Innoventions. Maybe Innoventions will have to wait until our next trip. Or, if our touring really goes faster than planned, maybe we can do some of those attractions. Thank you in advance!

Rope Drop Test Track
9:15am Mission: Space (Green)
9:55am Ellen's Energy Adventure (35 min)
11:00am Walk to Germany (time permitting, Gran Fiesta &/or Maelstrom)
12:30pm Biergarten
2:15pm The American Adventure (30min)
3:25pm Take Friendship Boat from Morocco to Canada
3:55pm Soarin' (FP+)
4:25pm Living with the Land
5:10pm The Seas with Nemo and Friends
5:30pm Turtle Talk with Crush
6:10pm Spaceship Earth (16min)
Dinner either at Sunshine Seasons if we are starving, or back at the Contemporary.

 

[Luvchefmic]

My group is me, DH, DS7, DS4, and my in-laws, who are both in their 70s. My in-laws are in reasonably good shape, but are slower walkers. I am a little worried about all the walking at Epcot. Our trip will be in early May on a Crowd Level 5 day. Does the below plan seem reasonable at a slow-to-moderate pace? (We would not plan to stay for Illuminations, unfortunately, as my kids and in-laws will be too tired. Maybe DH and I will head back to the park for it after taking everyone back to BLT but, in any case, what I'm really looking for is feedback on the below plan without regard to Illuminations.) I have not included any of the Innoventions, not because I'm not interested, but just because I think it would be too much to do all of the below plus Innoventions. Maybe Innoventions will have to wait until our next trip. Or, if our touring really goes faster than planned, maybe we can do some of those attractions. Thank you in advance!

Rope Drop Test Track
9:15am Mission: Space (Green)
9:55am Ellen's Energy Adventure (35 min)
11:00am Walk to Germany (time permitting, Gran Fiesta &/or Maelstrom)
12:30pm Biergarten
2:15pm The American Adventure (30min)
3:25pm Take Friendship Boat from Morocco to Canada
3:55pm Soarin' (FP+)
4:25pm Living with the Land
5:10pm The Seas with Nemo and Friends
5:30pm Turtle Talk with Crush
6:10pm Spaceship Earth (16min)
Dinner either at Sunshine Seasons if we are starving, or back at the Contemporary.

Initially I thought it looked good Then I thought about the parents, in reasonably good shape but slow walkers & the 4 y/o ( even if not walking) It seems too much Go Go Go and not enough time to stop & smell the roses KWIM ? or window shop or get a drink of water or anything else that may come up

I would pare it down some it seems too much commando here there and everywhere and it doesn't seem like that is the group you will be traveling with There will be approx 9 - 10 miles of walking in an average WDW day

 

[ucfknight]

If you are worried about too much walking, you may want to take the Friendship boat to Germany instead of walking. You could maybe hit Mexico and then backtrack just a little to the Friendship launch. You would miss Norway and China by doing this, but it would cut out quite a bit of walking since your plan has you walking all the way from the front of the park (Ellen's Energy Adventure) all the way to the back of the park (Germany).

 

[siskaren]

I wouldn't try to time it out to the minute like that.

 

[Indecisive]

I wouldn't try to time it out to the minute like that.

I should have mentioned in my original post that I am not really trying to plan it to the minute, but I have included times as estimates, which I think is pretty necessary in order to make ADRs and reserve FP+ times. I am not planning to be a drill sergeant, but I do want to keep generally on track so we don't miss any ressies.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Don't discount the weather either While certainly not July or August heat even early May can get super hot and that will slow everyone down Weather is so unpredictable lately, I mean right now we are looking at 30 degrees at night for the next week or so

 

[summermac]

I think it looks pretty reasonable although I have to suggest you consider dinner in the WS somewhere over Sunshine Seasons. However these are all pretty nearby and you will mostly be sitting for them:
3:55pm Soarin' (FP+)
4:25pm Living with the Land
5:10pm The Seas with Nemo and Friends
5:30pm Turtle Talk with Crush

If you're already going to possibly walk back to Sunshine Seasons, might as well go to WS and eat a little better.

 

[Indecisive]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far. I may consider cutting out a little bit to stop and smell the roses, have a little less walking, etc.

Summermac--I know! I'd really love to go back to WS for dinner. In particular, it will be the flower and garden festival and they will have all the food kiosks! I am just afraid it will amount to too much walking to go back and forth to WS a couple of times. But I suppose if I forego an ADR and just keep the kiosks in mind, perhaps we can play it by ear and see how much energy my team has left by that point!

 

[summermac]

It is a good bit of walking BUT there are plenty of places for your parents/kids to chill and relax along the way. I totally forgot you are going in May. Yeah, you have to hit WS! Even if not on this Epcot day perhaps you have time for an evening there after a chill day?

 

[bethp1968]

What time does Epcot open? If it is 9am, you will not get to Test Track and get on immediately, because there will be many others with the same idea as you

Also, even with a FP+ for Soarin', you will still be waiting in line, plus the pre-ride spiel and then the ride itself, will most likely take longer than the 30 minutes you have allotted.

Weather will definately play a factor, as well. More than likely, there will a rain storm during the day, where you will either continue to walk/run through it or have to duck inside a store to wait it out.

I say, get your FP+ and ADR's in order, then have a general plan for those rides/shows/countries you want to see and HAVE FUN!!!

 

[Krissy562]

First off, I don't see your other FP+ choices. Am I missing them?
My general strategy in Epcot is to get as much done in FW as possible, then move to WS knowing that we (and we are only in our 50s) may be pooped by the time we are coming back through FW. This is a BIG park, and unless the weather is really nice, that is always a factor.
Applying my strategy to your general plan, I think I might eliminate Ellen's in the morning, and save it for the way out. I like TT at rope drop, and I think you will have no problem knocking off that, and Mission Space in no time flat. This is where we always hit a glitch because DD (12)wants to play in Innoventions - happens every time. I have to bribe her to get her out of there.
If you can manage to avoid that problem, I would go straight to The Seas building and do both of those instead of Ellen. (get your FP+).
Then head to WS. I too like the idea of taking the friendship boat right to Germany, but depending on the timing, I might go the other way, take the boat to Moracco, and sightsee your way to Germany. Deciding where you want to stop later. Keep in mind, the boats aren't faster than walking, but they are much easier on the feet.
With your group, you will really have to keep playing it by ear and alternating adult interests with kid ones; that's not going to necessarily make the most efficient touring but it will keep everyone happier.
My number one piece of advice is that under no circumstances should you do the American Adventure immediately after eating at Biergarten unless you are counting this as your naptime. I guarantee someone will be asleep. I love that show, but on a full stomach, with a Bier in me - I would never make it all the way to the end. Listen to me on this.

 

[Indecisive]

My number one piece of advice is that under no circumstances should you do the American Adventure immediately after eating at Biergarten unless you are counting this as your naptime. I guarantee someone will be asleep. I love that show, but on a full stomach, with a Bier in me - I would never make it all the way to the end. Listen to me on this.

OMG, Krissy, that is hilarious!!!! I never would have thought of this, but I believe you! I will listen to you!

I like your other suggestions as well. I will go do some tweaks to my plan! It's true I left off my other FP+, partly because I am still trying to figure that out! Any thoughts? I know which rides are the headliners, but I've also heard that FP+ are not as necessary in the morning (for obvious reasons), yet I've also heard that FW is less busy in the late afternoon because everyone is in WS, so I am not sure where that leaves me in terms of best usage of the FP+?

 

[Indecisive]

Oh, and also, thanks to bethp1968! The park opens at 9am. I know there will be a big crowd going to TT. We'll shuffle along as best we can.

I'm sure you are right about rain being a factor. This being my first trip, I am in such denial about that. Disney just seems so sunny to me. At least that's how they show it in all the photos!

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

I would seriously consider rethinking the Mission Space (Green) side. I know my parents were late 60's when they rode and myself 40ish..lol were horribly nauseous from the Green side...

 

[Ariel Oswald]

Definitely at EPCOT, you need to take time to "stop and smell the roses". Hands down this is my two kiss favorite park and not because of the rides, but rather the "roses." They are now DS13 and DD7 but both have loved it since they were very little (under 2). We travel often with my parents who are in their 70's and my mom has had her knees replaced so I know about the need to shuffle along!

Some suggestions, unless you are just really into Ellen, skip that as it takes longer and really may not interest the kids, Mission Space has a great indoor play area inside which both your kiss may enjoy and a large scale video game callled Mission Space Race which your DS May like if he is into video games. This is a great place to hang out during a rain storm or in the heat of the day too! Allow time in the SEAS to view all the fish tanks ....this pis another great cool down/rainy day area! Finally in FW, both of my kids love the piggy bank adventure and the Where's the Fire game in Innoventions. There are ample places for the grandparents to sit in Innoventions and in the Seas if they need a break while your kids are enjoying themselves.

In between FW and the WS is a splash and where the kids can cool off if it is hot and you want to bring along a change of clothes for them. Grab a drink in Mexico and walk back to it.....relax and sips while they cool off. Also, signup for a Perry mission or two in WS ....each adventure happens in one country, so the grandparents can sit enjoy the view and a refreshment while the kids do the mission. Typically during Flower and Garden, there are playgrounds set up for the kids to run around with benches or rockers for the folks.

Take your time and do not try and shove it all in! Let the kids set the pace and you will be surprised by all the fun things they can find to do in the WS as you wonder....play with puppets in china, band a drum in the outpost, eat a gelato in Italy, try on all the fun hats in each country, etc.......

Trust me the "roses" will make the lasting memories much more than the rides!

 

[Krissy562]

OMG, Krissy, that is hilarious!!!! I never would have thought of this, but I believe you! I will listen to you!

I like your other suggestions as well. I will go do some tweaks to my plan! It's true I left off my other FP+, partly because I am still trying to figure that out! Any thoughts? I know which rides are the headliners, but I've also heard that FP+ are not as necessary in the morning (for obvious reasons), yet I've also heard that FW is less busy in the late afternoon because everyone is in WS, so I am not sure where that leaves me in terms of best usage of the FP+?

Well, since you asked, here is my plan...Once you've covered both TT and Soarin', strictly speaking you wouldn't really need to FP anything. But, since you can - why not? Mission Space Green is never busy enough to need it, so I would look toward Living Seas. Get your first FP of the day there for maybe the 10:15-11:15 hour. Thoroughly tour that then Skip the whole Land Pavilion and Journey into imagination and head to the World Showcase. You won't be able to do an adult version of WS in half a day, so pick one or two things in each country to get a taste and move on until your lunch reservation (a bit later might be better unless your kids need the early lunch). The kids will be rarin' to go at this point, so you could do Maelstrom and the Mexico Boat rides for some more action. That would put you back at the gateway , where you could pick up the boat, and head all the way back to Morroco to visit the second half of WS. Save your Soarin' FP for when you are done in WS, which will be about 5 or 6. If you like the looks of Sunshine Seasons for Dinner, I don't see anything wrong with that, especially since you'll be right there for Soarin, and you will have had a HUGE lunch at Biergarten. At this point, you will have covered the quality attractions, and if you're exhausted, you can consider the day a success. If you have more energy, then hit the attractions at Imagination, which are fairly easy in and out. Still more energy? Then try Ellen's. On the way out, Spaceship Earth is a must do.
Every family is different, and this may be way too much for everyone, but you will have gotten the best of the best done.
Don't be afraid to save things for another trip - that's what keeps us all coming back!

 

[Indecisive]

Thank you for your suggestions, everyone! I am back at the drawing board to come up with a plan that has more "smelling the roses" time!