Arrival Day Park?

[d0naldduck123]

Would HS or AK be better for arrival day? My BF and I will be going for 4 days (1 day at each park) on Christmas week in December, and we would be able to get to the parks around noon. I normally would have done AK but with Pandora opening and ROL, there's more things to do. For HS, we mostly want to do the thrill rides and watch Fantasmic, but I'm not sure if it's doable in a half-day?

 

[lifepaused]

I have only been to DW once in 2003 but I am returning this year again. I had chosen to do MK on the first day as this is what I class a the True Disney Park. But unfortually I could not get where I wanted to eat so I swapped it with AK. I also think what day of the week is your first day, noting that weekends are a lot busier so for our trip we are doing HS on a Saturday, with sunday a rest day. Take a look at tripadviser.com they have a crowd graph for each day of the year so you can see past results.


HS for what I have read is a half day pass, especially if you get fast passes to the rides you want to do.

 

[mdelano4]

I would do DHS on the half day, given those two to choose from. AK usually closes early, so you might be pressed for time.

 

[BigredNole]

If those are your requirements, I would do DHS. There are only 2 thrill rides there and you should be able to get FPs for them. You could probably even go there at about 6PM to do it. FP RnRC, ToT, and then go watch Fantasmic.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

A half-day, in the afternoon, the week after Christmas?

I would go somewhere that there is a lot of options to chose from pick the less popular things to do that afternoon, since it's going to be very busy in the afternoon Christmas week. Riding the thrill rides at DHS starting at noon? That's going to be a lot of line-standing.

 

[Ava]

A half-day, in the afternoon, the week after Christmas?

I would go somewhere that there is a lot of options to chose from pick the less popular things to do that afternoon, since it's going to be very busy in the afternoon Christmas week. Riding the thrill rides at DHS starting at noon? That's going to be a lot of line-standing.

Not if they can get FPs for them.

OP, you can get FP for Rockin Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, and Star Tours. The only problem might be Fantasmic; there aren't likely to be any FPs for it available as a 4th, so you will have to line up early to go standby. Unless you want to do the dining package. That's another option.

 

[ChuckNFM]

Would HS or AK be better for arrival day? My BF and I will be going for 4 days (1 day at each park) on Christmas week in December, and we would be able to get to the parks around noon. I normally would have done AK but with Pandora opening and ROL, there's more things to do. For HS, we mostly want to do the thrill rides and watch Fantasmic, but I'm not sure if it's doable in a half-day?

I agree with DHS. For me it would make better use of short day.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Yes, I would go to DHS. As PP noted, I would FP+ RnRC and ToT (then pick a 3rd based on preference) and consider booking a Fantasmic dining package. If that's all you want to get done, you'll be fine.

 

[Orangeballer]

I just got back yesterday and we did our short day at AK but that didn't include Everest. Unless you have kids that are Star Wars fanatics I'd suggest doing DHS as the short day as well.

 

[maryj11]

We always go to HS on arrival day. We do not do everything that day but do FP our favorite rides and watched the fireworks last trip. It is the park that can be done in half day to me. Right now anyway. Now when the other lands open that will be different. If I were you I would get the hoppers for 4 day trip. That way you can hop from one park to one that is open later or one that is less crowded.

 

[hooch11bear]

My choice would definitely be HS. AK is one of our favorite parks and we would need a full day there, especially with ROL and Pandora.

 

[d0naldduck123]

Thanks for all the replies! I've never tried HS on a half-day before, but it's good to know that it's doable with FP's!

 

[kniquy]

I agree with PP that HS would probably be your best choice for your first day. Getting there at noon isn't that bad, you still have most of the day and can catch fantasmic in the evening. I would suggest booking one of the restaurants for a fantasmic dinner package. This way you know you will get good seats to fantasmic and you have to eat anyways. You could just do a late lunch (when ever the cut off is - so that it might be less expensive than dinner) We really enjoyed mama melrose, but there are others.

 

[d0naldduck123]

Oh that's a good point! I hadn't considered that before. Thank you!