Are we crazy? (June 20-23)

[Dreamport]

Due to formerly unfortunate circumstances, my sister, myself and possibly even two friends have the fortunate opportunity to travel next month without paying for airfare, so I figure why not be in Disney World on my actual birthday?! It falls on the first day of summer so there's never going to be a good year to spend my actual birthday there. Work schedules and a room discount even falls into place. Why not do this now when practically half of our travel prices will be slashed??

My question for the dearly awesome disboarders is .... how the Hades do we tour? I've made plans for week-long stays in February, a short trip in September and even got to visit Disneyland in July once but that's nothing compared to a weekend at the World in the summertime. Star Wars weekends will be done but there's a concert series going on at Epcot and the Mine Train should be open at Magic Kingdom. Not to mention FP+ is still going to be a completely new experience for us! Just when I'd finally mastered FastPass planning. The high crowds and FP+ are what worry me the most.

Our preliminary idea is this:
Friday (20th) -- Fly in and take it easy at the resort. From here it's based on what FP+-es I can get at this late time (is a month out late?).
Saturday -- Rope drop EPCOT, hit up most of Future World in the morning, World Showcase in the afternoon/later at night to hear the Journey tribute band, then close out with whatever we missed in Future World. *OR* we could rope drop the EMH at HS to catch whichever headliners we can then head over to Epcot for whatever is the best suggested touring plan for showing up later in the day. There's also the possibility no matter where we rope drop of leaving Epcot just before 9pm to try and catch the 10:30 showing of Fantasmic! (Y'know, if I want to push us to the breaking point.)
Sunday -- Rope drop Magic Kingdom, use the best touring plan possible, maybe leave mid-day for a bit of a rest then come back to catch MSEP, Wishes and the night EMH. If I read correctly, they were just changed today from 11pm-1am to 1am-3am?!?
Monday -- head home.

There are NO delusions about being able to see and do everything. Our friends have never been to Disney but we know they would appreciate even a small taste of the Mouse and have the stamina to handle the long days. For me the atmosphere and sharing with these friends would be the highlight and my sister just wants to use up the flights before we lose them. So, any suggestions on what's the best options? Tips for FP+? Talk me out of it because we're Bonkers, yeah, totally nuts? Either option is viable at this point.

 

[iheartglaciers]

It's not crazy! I did a 2-park day trip with my friends because it's all we could afford and we had an amazing time! We went to all 4 parks in those 2 days and of course knew we couldn't do everything. If you're up for the pace, it's doable! We're going again this year for another two days, but will only hit up 2, maybe 3 parks this time.

 

[emilymad]

We are going the same dates for a quick trip. We never go in the summer and I am a little scared!

Our plan is to go to the parks at RD and then back to the hotel and pool around lunch. Most days we made our FP+ for mid morning. The only exception is one day we are going to AK in the morning so I made our FP+ in the evening at Epcot.

We are working under the assumption that the 4th FP+ won't be available for anything good.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

Crowds will begin to pick up, but it will be nowhere near as crowded as it will during 4th of July week. Your main problem will be the heat. With longer park hours, you can have a nice rest at your resort for a couple of hours to refresh.

 

[margaret07013]

We are working under the assumption that the 4th FP+ won't be available for anything good.

If you are referring to AK, HS or EPCOT - than you are correct. you will not find any good choice for your 4th FP+. MK you will be able to find something. I just came back from a week long stay.

 

[hookedonears]

Yes.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Not crazy at all. I have heard that folks are able to still book headliners with the exception of A&E meet n greet and probably mine train. But if you are going to EMH at MK I would think you'd be able to get in on some mine train action. One of the benefits to FP+ in my opinion is that you can guarantee rides on your first day. Depending on what time you get in, you could possibly hit up AK or HS on your arrival day and free up time on one of your other days. Not sure the price difference in tix tho...obviously something to factor in. Drink lots of wate too....staying hydrated is key to energy (at least for me) during those summer days.

 

[goofyallday]

I would skip Epcot all together personally. If you want to go to future world at epcot take the mono rail over from magic kingdom. you can spend like two hours at future world depending on the lines. IDK if you done the international part of epcot before but, I would skip that all together. They're like two rides over there there. The rides over are horrible anyways. So I wouldn't spend a whole day at EPCOT. I just don't think its worth it.

 

[Dreamport]

It's not crazy! I did a 2-park day trip with my friends because it's all we could afford and we had an amazing time! We went to all 4 parks in those 2 days and of course knew we couldn't do everything. If you're up for the pace, it's doable! We're going again this year for another two days, but will only hit up 2, maybe 3 parks this time.

Thanks for the vote of confidence! My sister and I were unable to fit everything we wanted into a 4 day trip before, including a MNSSHP, so I'm adamant about doing what we can and enjoying ourselves for a 2 day stint. Zero expectations save just being in Disney. I hope your own upcoming trip is completely fun!

We are going the same dates for a quick trip. We never go in the summer and I am a little scared!
Our plan is to go to the parks at RD and then back to the hotel and pool around lunch. Most days we made our FP+ for mid morning. The only exception is one day we are going to AK in the morning so I made our FP+ in the evening at Epcot.
We are working under the assumption that the 4th FP+ won't be available for anything good.

After reading up on it, I'm working under the same exact assumption about the 4th FP+. Hopefully we'll both have good luck that weekend! So use the FP+ for later in the day is a good idea then? And you've already been able to pick some out?

Crowds will begin to pick up, but it will be nowhere near as crowded as it will during 4th of July week. Your main problem will be the heat. With longer park hours, you can have a nice rest at your resort for a couple of hours to refresh.

I'm such a go-getter at theme parks. Once I'm in I'm afraid to leave because I don't want to miss out on a minute. Your suggestion of mid-day breaks will certainly be taken to heart, though. A rest and plenty of water/actual fruit for snacks.

Yes.

Thank you! Finally someone with a bit of honesty

Not crazy at all. I have heard that folks are able to still book headliners with the exception of A&E meet n greet and probably mine train. But if you are going to EMH at MK I would think you'd be able to get in on some mine train action. One of the benefits to FP+ in my opinion is that you can guarantee rides on your first day. Depending on what time you get in, you could possibly hit up AK or HS on your arrival day and free up time on one of your other days. Not sure the price difference in tix tho...obviously something to factor in. Drink lots of wate too....staying hydrated is key to energy (at least for me) during those summer days.

A&E (Anna and Elsa, yes?) are easily the Disney equivalent of my sister and I, but there are zero delusions of meeting them on such a short trip. Do lines really get up to 5 hours to meet them? Insane!! The flight we're looking at would get us to the resort around 3pm so we could maybe do a bit at AK or HS like you suggested. The price for another full day would be just shy of another $100 per person which is a bit steep for us while just adding a hopper for everyone on the two days would be about half as much. Plenty of water and real fruit are absolutely part of the plan! Thank you so much for the input!

I would skip Epcot all together personally. If you want to go to future world at epcot take the mono rail over from magic kingdom. you can spend like two hours at future world depending on the lines. IDK if you done the international part of epcot before but, I would skip that all together. They're like two rides over there there. The rides over are horrible anyways. So I wouldn't spend a whole day at EPCOT. I just don't think its worth it.

EPCOT is actually my favorite park just behind Magic Kingdom. I don't mind the lack of rids and enjoy walking around the World Showcase. It's more about atmosphere for me. I'm sorry you don't enjoy it more. You DO, however, bring up a good point. While it's my birthday our friend(s) who come along deserve more than just 'atmosphere'. Maybe we will splurge on hoppers and do a split day with Hollywood Studios since it's closer than MK. Thank you!

 

[Dreamport]

Well, it's been five days since finding out this was even possible and there's still no less of a desire to head down. I guess we're actually going to think seriously about this!

 

[nvlorenzai]

Your main problem will be the heat.

 

[Kristina4109]

Don't forget in the middle of trying to do as much as you can, to stop and HYDRATE. It's going to be hot and humid and you don't want to exhaust yourself. I still think it's a great idea and that you should totally do it.

 

[emilymad]

We made all of our FP+ to be done by around noon. We know we will want to go back to the hotel to swim and to get out of the heat. We are going to try to get done as much as possible in the mornings and then again around dinner time. We were able to get all the FP+ we wanted. Even the Mine Train was no problem.

 

[JimmyV]

Crazy? No. There will be hundreds of thousands of other people there with you, so you can't all be crazy, right?

But overambitious? Perhaps. Make sure you read this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3276224

Make a touring plan that fills your days......and then cut it in half!