Anyone feel like critiquing my park strategy?

[Aidensmommy22]

I am planning our strategy for our trip in September. We will only have 3 days in the parks. We have park hoppers so I'm hoping we can spend time in all 4 parks. My boys are 5 & 7. They do not ride some of the thrill rides. I know we will need the most time at MK. Here is my plan so far. Please critique & tell me what you would change. I'm following easywdw on most recommended parks each day.

Day 1- HS, arrive at rope drop, go straight to TSM, then RR, then FP to ToT (although my kids say they won't ride those 2, so we may not end up riding RR or ToT), then FP to Star Tours, grab lunch, then FP to TSM. Then hop to MK. No plan for there yet. I just know we want to see the electrical parade.

Day 2- Epcot, arrive at rope drop, go straight to TT, then SE, then Nemo, then FP to Soarin, tour WS, grab quick lunch, then FP to Maelstrom. Not sure how to use 3rd FP. Then my plan was to hop to AK & ride safari, EE & Dinosaur. They close at 5pm so I'm not sure if that is cramming too much into the day.

Day 3- MK, arrive at rope drop & spend the entire day there. Early closing at 7pm this day. FP for seven dwarfs mine train, Peter Pan's flight & Splash Mtn. All afternoon times.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

What dates in September?

 

[Aidensmommy22]

What dates in September?

Park days will be Sept. 10, 11 & 12

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

We are there for the same days

Your plans are similar to ours!!!

Our plans are:
10th = Magic Kingdom
11th = Epcot
12th Magic Kingdom & MNSSHP

 

[Luvchefmic]

I agree with your thinking that day 2 is going to be too much. I got a headache just reading & thinking about it. I would say that something has to go. Not sure what though. Will you have a car or rely on the buses. ? With a car a lot easier I'm thinking time wise from 1st park to 2nd

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I am planning our strategy for our trip in September. We will only have 3 days in the parks. We have park hoppers so I'm hoping we can spend time in all 4 parks. My boys are 5 & 7. They do not ride some of the thrill rides. I know we will need the most time at MK. Here is my plan so far. Please critique & tell me what you would change. I'm following easywdw on most recommended parks each day.

Day 1- HS, arrive at rope drop, go straight to TSM, then RR, then FP to ToT (although my kids say they won't ride those 2, so we may not end up riding RR or ToT), then FP to Star Tours, grab lunch, then FP to TSM. Then hop to MK. No plan for there yet. I just know we want to see the electrical parade.

Day 2- Epcot, arrive at rope drop, go straight to TT, then SE, then Nemo, then FP to Soarin, tour WS, grab quick lunch, then FP to Maelstrom. Not sure how to use 3rd FP. Then my plan was to hop to AK & ride safari, EE & Dinosaur. They close at 5pm so I'm not sure if that is cramming too much into the day.

Day 3- MK, arrive at rope drop & spend the entire day there. Early closing at 7pm this day. FP for seven dwarfs mine train, Peter Pan's flight & Splash Mtn. All afternoon times.

Ok, Day 1 looks good.

Day 2 I would get a FP for TT, I think that will appeal the most to your boys instead of Soarin. I like the Maelstrom FP, My third choice is Turtle talk, its not needed but a good use of a FP, not a ride and I think your boys would find it fun! I woulnd't hop to AK after Epcot. IF you have to have both AK & Epcot, I would go to AK at rope drop and then ride safari and see a show and THEN hop to Epcot and make your FP+s there for later evening. Logically it makes sense because you wont need FP at AK at rope drop, can hit the *Must dos* and leave, PLUS AK has shorter hours so it makes sense to go there first since Epcot is open later. (But personally I wouldnt hop -- we arent hoppers)

Day 3 looks good too!

 

[Luvchefmic]

AltoQueenKelley Brilliant Great advice to OP do AK first then Epcot better than a bottle of Aleve !

 

[Aidensmommy22]

Ok, Day 1 looks good.

Day 2 I would get a FP for TT, I think that will appeal the most to your boys instead of Soarin. I like the Maelstrom FP, My third choice is Turtle talk, its not needed but a good use of a FP, not a ride and I think your boys would find it fun! I woulnd't hop to AK after Epcot. IF you have to have both AK & Epcot, I would go to AK at rope drop and then ride safari and see a show and THEN hop to Epcot and make your FP+s there for later evening. Logically it makes sense because you wont need FP at AK at rope drop, can hit the *Must dos* and leave, PLUS AK has shorter hours so it makes sense to go there first since Epcot is open later. (But personally I wouldnt hop -- we arent hoppers)

Day 3 looks good too!

I agree with your thinking that day 2 is going to be too much. I got a headache just reading & thinking about it. I would say that something has to go. Not sure what though. Will you have a car or rely on the buses. ? With a car a lot easier I'm thinking time wise from 1st park to 2nd

That's what I was afraid of. I didn't think about the idea of going to AK then hopping to Epcot. That may work better. The only problem I see is possibly not being able to ride Soarin. By late afternoon, I would think the wait would be at least an hour even in low crowds. We may have to sacrifice it though. Or I might be able to choose Soarin as my 4th FP one day & hop from MK.

 

[Moseymouse]

My suggestion would be:

Day 1: Magic Kingdom. I have to start each trip at MK with Wishes. No matter what. FP: Peter Pan, 7DMT, and one of the mountains.

Day 2: EPCOT. If your boys like fireworks, I wouldn't miss it! Perhaps spend a couple hours in the morning doing MK but keep in mind that there's plenty to do at EPCOT! I would save the FPs for EPCOT. FP: Soarin', Maelstrom, and Mission Space

Day 2: AK (maybe HS). The animals are most active in the morning and closes early. My buddy and I are both big animal people and LOVE zoos (not by any means saying animal Kingdom is!!!) so we are planning two days there. I would see if there was a day when AK has EMH to make the most of your time there, leave early afternoon to do HS. For me, there are many more kid friendly activities at AK than HS. I would leave AK by early afternoon to do the couple rides there, have dinner at 50s or Sci Fi and stay for Fantasmic. Unless they open up having FP+ ressies at two parks FP: TSMM, ToT and Star Tours

I understand that this is a complete revamp, but I wouldn't try to cram both AK and EPCOT before 5pm. There would be too much rushing and too much missed for me. AK and HS are sometimes considered half day parks so it only makes sense to me that two half days make a full day

 

[si-am]

I agree that Day 2 is iffy. Epcot is really a 2 day park. It would be difficult to see it in half a day, and touring WS before lunch is impossible since nothing there even opens til 11.


Maybe do AK on the afternoon of Day 1 instead? Then leave Day 2 for Epcot and Day 3 for MK?

 

[serene56]

#2 Epcot. That's a lot of walking back and forth. Save space ship'earth for when you are leaving,

You have no innoventions in the plan and its air conditioned and your kids will get hands on entertainment

World showcase opens at 11. Its gonna be hot and its a lot o walking. Figuring half day in just future world is cutting yourself short.

How about animal kingdom in the morning and Epcot the rest of the day

 

[Aidensmommy22]

I agree that Day 2 is iffy. Epcot is really a 2 day park. It would be difficult to see it in half a day, and touring WS before lunch is impossible since nothing there even opens til 11.


Maybe do AK on the afternoon of Day 1 instead? Then leave Day 2 for Epcot and Day 3 for MK?

#2 Epcot. That's a lot of walking back and forth. Save space ship'earth for when you are leaving,

You have no innoventions in the plan and its air conditioned and your kids will get hands on entertainment

World showcase opens at 11. Its gonna be hot and its a lot o walking. Figuring half day in just future world is cutting yourself short.

How about animal kingdom in the morning and Epcot the rest of the day

I have been struggling with deciding on the plans. I'm trying to stick to easywdw which suggests HS on day 1, Epcot on day 2 & MK on day 3. I know I'm trying to cram too much in. We can't decide where AK should go in at. We could possibly do HS/AK one day but they aren't both suggested on any of the same days so I'm not sure whether to just change it all up or what. I really appreciate all of the input so far!

 

[Luvchefmic]

I have been struggling with deciding on the plans. I'm trying to stick to easywdw which suggests HS on day 1, Epcot on day 2 & MK on day 3. I know I'm trying to cram too much in. We can't decide where AK should go in at. We could possibly do HS/AK one day but they aren't both suggested on any of the same days so I'm not sure whether to just change it all up or what. I really appreciate all of the input so far!

I love Josh and everything about his website That being said I have never followed anyone's " park of the day advice " I also am in the camp of you stay on property you absolutely go to & take advantage of EMH morning or
night I know I know I am in a small minority it seems

I say write down all your must do things and go from there AK is wonderful first thing in the morning

 

[Moseymouse]

I have been struggling with deciding on the plans. I'm trying to stick to easywdw which suggests HS on day 1, Epcot on day 2 & MK on day 3. I know I'm trying to cram too much in. We can't decide where AK should go in at. We could possibly do HS/AK one day but they aren't both suggested on any of the same days so I'm not sure whether to just change it all up or what. I really appreciate all of the input so far!

Really I wouldn't put too much effort in sticking to one sites "recommendations". I tend to think of them like the weather forecast. Every channel is going to say something different and stay adamant the the are the #1 advisors. In reality, you have to roll with whatever you're most comfortable with. You will never know what the best park on a day is because you aren't in all of the parks. You have to roll with what you think is best. If 75% of guests decided to go to one park only because it was recommended, guess what becomes a poor recommendation....

 

[letsgoreds]

Wait...with 5 and 7 year old boys, no Jedi Training Academy? It is adorable and our favorite part of the park. If you are unsure what it is, go to youtube and watch. There are tons of videos of kids, and it is the same from year to year. no Darth Maul in September.

I sign up first (like near the front of the line to enter the park), then B-line it to TSM.

No matter what you do, you will have a great time!

I would book 2 of you for RnR and to for ToT and use parent swap. If the kids aren't interested, then can just use the 2 bands that are programmed for the FP+. Kids can sit and enjoy an ice cream Mickey : )

 

[Aidensmommy22]

Wait...with 5 and 7 year old boys, no Jedi Training Academy? It is adorable and our favorite part of the park. If you are unsure what it is, go to youtube and watch. There are tons of videos of kids, and it is the same from year to year. no Darth Maul in September.

I sign up first (like near the front of the line to enter the park), then B-line it to TSM.

No matter what you do, you will have a great time!

I would book 2 of you for RnR and to for ToT and use parent swap. If the kids aren't interested, then can just use the 2 bands that are programmed for the FP+. Kids can sit and enjoy an ice cream Mickey : )

I may need to look into the Jedi training. My boys love star tours. It's their favorite ride. That's a great idea for RnR & ToT.

 

[disneyAndi14]

It is easier to do AK at RD, go right to safari, EE,and whatever else, you would easily be done in time to go to HS, FP+ there! that would work much better. You can do a lot early at AK without FP+, we do a lot before noon at AK then we spend time at HS with FP+. Epcot and MK need full days I think. We are park hoppers and we find we see a lot in the morning at RD and do our FP for the afternoon at a different park. Have fun, whatever you choose.

 

[Aidensmommy22]

It is easier to do AK at RD, go right to safari, EE,and whatever else, you would easily be done in time to go to HS, FP+ there! that would work much better. You can do a lot early at AK without FP+, we do a lot before noon at AK then we spend time at HS with FP+. Epcot and MK need full days I think. We are park hoppers and we find we see a lot in the morning at RD and do our FP for the afternoon at a different park. Have fun, whatever you choose.

Do you think we would have time do AK at RD, ride safari, kali & dinosaur, hop to HS, FP+ TSM & Star Tours then go to MK for the evening electrical parade all in one day? My boys don't ride that much at HS or AK. It's just a lot of walking.

 

[johde]

With 3 days and Park Hoppers, I think I would do the following if you think the Kids will be up for long days

Day 1 DHS (FP+)hop MK
FP TSMM, Star Tour

Day 2 AK Hop EPCOT (FP+)
FP Maelstrom and TT, catch Soarin' during Evening EMH on the way out. With Evening EMH most of FW will be open past 7:00 with little wait. Catch rides closing at 7:00 on the way in, do WS, then do FW rides open late.

Day 2 MK (FP+) Hop DHS for Fantasmic (or back to EPCOT if you need more time there)

 

[Aidensmommy22]

With 3 days and Park Hoppers, I think I would do the following if you think the Kids will be up for long days

Day 1 DHS (FP+)hop MK
FP TSMM, Star Tour

Day 2 AK Hop EPCOT (FP+)
FP Maelstrom and TT, catch Soarin' during Evening EMH on the way out. With Evening EMH most of FW will be open past 7:00 with little wait. Catch rides closing at 7:00 on the way in, do WS, then do FW rides open late.

Day 2 MK (FP+) Hop DHS for Fantasmic (or back to EPCOT if you need more time there)

That's almost exactly what I think I should do except do you think it would be better on day 1 to go to HS at RD, go straight to TSM, ride 2 times hopefully before line gets too bad, Go to star tours, maybe ride it 2 times, any shows the boys want to see, then hop to MK & use my FPs there? If so, what 3 would you choose at MK for evening time?