columbus day weekend park tetris

[sdsatl]

We are visiting HS, MK, and Epcot the weekend of Columbus Day (that Fri, Sat, and Sun).

I am leaning toward...
Fri - Epcot
Sat - MK
Sun - HS
... but could use input.

Epcot is not recommended any days, but is said to be better Fri than the weekend, because of F&W. MK has to be Sat or Sun, because we won't have hoppers and don't want to miss MSEP (we'll be back in Feb, though, so I guess we could...). HS has EMH Sat and Sun, so this is the thing I'm considering changing (HS on Fri, and Epcot on Sun).

I have never been over a "holiday" weekend or during F&W, so planning our days is kind of stressing me out. What would you do?

 

[shortnsassy730]

Rope drop you EPCOT day and utilize your fp and you should be okay. Save things like Ellen's Energy Adventure for mid to late afternoon as that is fast loading/large capacity. For the most part, while super crowded, its because the locals are out and they stick to the Food and Wine sections.

 

[sdsatl]

Rope drop you EPCOT day and utilize your fp and you should be okay. Save things like Ellen's Energy Adventure for mid to late afternoon as that is fast loading/large capacity. For the most part, while super crowded, its because the locals are out and they stick to the Food and Wine sections.

Thank you! We definitely plan on being at RD and later hitting WS as soon as it opens (and then staying away). I was hoping the crowds would primarily affect the F&W sections.

 

[100AcreWood]

I've never been that weekend but we were in the parks during President's Day weekend and it was busier than I've ever experienced. I agree you should go in with a plan. I wished I had one that day. F&W is busy but doesn't seem to effect the ride lines as much. It just makes it difficult to maneuver through the park. Doing rope drop is excellent advice.

 

[sdsatl]

I've never been that weekend but we were in the parks during President's Day weekend and it was busier than I've ever experienced. I agree you should go in with a plan. I wished I had one that day. F&W is busy but doesn't seem to effect the ride lines as much. It just makes it difficult to maneuver through the park. Doing rope drop is excellent advice.

Thank you! I'll definitely have a plan for each park (easywdw's Memorial Day cheat sheet posts were very helpful)! I read a blog post from a girl who was there President's Day weekend without a plan or good FP+, and it sounded miserable (for the parents). And RD is a must for us; Disney is the only place I ever see 6 a.m.

 

[vinotinto]

I think Friday at Epcot will be busy with locals at F&W in the evening. However, I think the morning at Future a World will be OK with your RD plan.

We'll also be there that weekend. We've been twice during Columbus Day. I think the weekend at MK will be very busy.

 

[Lucius Best]

I am leaning toward...
Fri - Epcot
Sat - MK
Sun - HS
... but could use input.

Epcot is not recommended any days, but is said to be better Fri than the weekend, because of F&W. MK has to be Sat or Sun, because we won't have hoppers and don't want to miss MSEP (we'll be back in Feb, though, so I guess we could...). HS has EMH Sat and Sun, so this is the thing I'm considering changing (HS on Fri, and Epcot on Sun).

I don't think Columbus Day will be busier than President's Day, but it will be busy. I would assume MK will be busy both Sat and Sun just because it's the weekend. I would also assume Epcot will be busy every day because of F&W. And HS will be busy Sat and Sun because of EMH. But if you do rope drop and FP+, you can get a lot done in the mornings.

Because of the small number of rides at HS, that's the one that's most unmanageable with crowds. So I would do HS Friday, and then go to MNSSHP Friday night, because you're only there 3 days, why not maximize your hours in the park.

Fri - HS & MNSSHP
Sat - Epcot
Sun - MK

 

[sdsatl]

I think Friday at Epcot will be busy with locals at F&W in the evening. However, I think the morning at Future a World will be OK with your RD plan.

We'll also be there that weekend. We've been twice during Columbus Day. I think the weekend at MK will be very busy.

Thanks for the perspective (since you're familiar with that weekend)! I am leaning toward doing MK on Fri, even though we'll miss MSEP.

 

[sdsatl]

I don't think Columbus Day will be busier than President's Day, but it will be busy. I would assume MK will be busy both Sat and Sun just because it's the weekend. I would also assume Epcot will be busy every day because of F&W. And HS will be busy Sat and Sun because of EMH. But if you do rope drop and FP+, you can get a lot done in the mornings.

Because of the small number of rides at HS, that's the one that's most unmanageable with crowds. So I would do HS Friday, and then go to MNSSHP Friday night, because you're only there 3 days, why not maximize your hours in the park.

Fri - HS & MNSSHP
Sat - Epcot
Sun - MK

Wow! Thank you for the scheduling input! I keep going back and fourth... We're actually there five days -- Thursday we're doing the student seminar in AK, so that's a non-negotiable day. Monday is our breakfast/DD departure day, but it's also tempting to do Epcot that day and drive home laaate, because it's supposed to be a lot less crowded. I think going to HS and doing the party sounds great, though! It would be a long day for my youngest, but that would be so much fun. You're an enabler!

 

[Mikie]

Agree with Lucious Best. I've been on that weekend twice and as you noticed with Epcot not being "recommended" any day, it will be busy the whole weekend. Get there early as crowds for F&W come later. Maybe RD in the front of the park, hit WS as soon as it opens and hang out til it's just too crowded, then return to future world. MK can also be expected to be busy, but I'd pick Sunday as your best bet. Early arrival, a touring plan, and judicious use of Fastpass should help there.

It is a busy weekend, but not Christmas, peak summer, President's day busy. Have fun!

 

[Linda Kuehl]

It just makes it difficult to maneuver through the park. Doing rope drop is excellent advice.

 

[Lucius Best]

Monday is our breakfast/DD departure day, but it's also tempting to do Epcot that day and drive home laaate, because it's supposed to be a lot less crowded. I think going to HS and doing the party sounds great, though! It would be a long day for my youngest, but that would be so much fun. You're an enabler!

Only about $30 to upgrade 3-day ticket to a 4-day ticket...

We always visit a park on departure day, it's relatively inexpensive to add one more day to the park ticket, and parks are less busy in the mornings, and we can sleep when we get home.

 

[MataHari22]

I would not do Epcot again on a Saturday during F&W. Made that mistake last year and it was packed. Was not on the same weekend as you're going though. (I was supposed to meet friends at Epcot Saturday, 10/25, was the only day they could meet, and then ended up not coming anyway. Grrrr) WS was shoulder to shoulder, and that isn't a holiday weekend. So, if you choose to do it, just be aware and try and plan accordingly. Rope drop in the am and get FW done and then do WS directly after that, and if the crowds build too much go back into FW. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[sdsatl]

I would not do Epcot again on a Saturday during F&W. Made that mistake last year and it was packed. Was not on the same weekend as you're going though. (I was supposed to meet friends at Epcot Saturday, 10/25, was the only day they could meet, and then ended up not coming anyway. Grrrr) WS was shoulder to shoulder, and that isn't a holiday weekend. So, if you choose to do it, just be aware and try and plan accordingly. Rope drop in the am and get FW done and then do WS directly after that, and if the crowds build too much go back into FW. Hope you have a great trip!

Thank you! It is so helpful to hear others' experiences. Your advice is exactly what we plan to do, whatever day we decide on (probably not Saturday!), and you've helped me decide to forgo the stroller. I wore my youngest in all four parks last time, and Epcot was the only one I'd wished I had a stroller in, but not if it will be shoulder to shoulder.

 

[sdsatl]

It is a busy weekend, but not Christmas, peak summer, President's day busy. Have fun!

Ah, so relieved to hear this!

 

[Disneylover99]

We went for The Columbus Day weekend in 2013. We spent most of Saturday in Epcot, then hopped to MK later in the day. On Sunday, we rope dropped MK, then hopped to Epcot later in the day.

MK was okay both days.....moderate/high crowds IMO. Epcot crowd wise seemed the same, but the difference of people at the Food and Wine kiosks were like night and day. Those kiosks had huge lines on Saturday....even early in the day. On Sunday, the food and wine kiosks were much more manageable.

 

[MataHari22]

Thank you! It is so helpful to hear others' experiences. Your advice is exactly what we plan to do, whatever day we decide on (probably not Saturday!), and you've helped me decide to forgo the stroller. I wore my youngest in all four parks last time, and Epcot was the only one I'd wished I had a stroller in, but not if it will be shoulder to shoulder.

I cannot advise about the stroller, as I have never had children. I would hate for you to be sorry you didn't bring it, should it not be as bad. But see below...

MK was okay both days.....moderate/high crowds IMO. Epcot crowd wise seemed the same, but the difference of people at the Food and Wine kiosks were like night and day. Those kiosks had huge lines on Saturday....even early in the day. On Sunday, the food and wine kiosks were much more manageable.

@sdsatl, this was my expirence, long lines at kiosks, hard to find a place to try and eat, and very congested while trying to walk around.

 

[leebee]

Also, be prepared for the park hours to change. We have been to WDW for Columbus Day weekend in 2014 and 2012, and both times, Disney changed the park hours as it got closer and closer to our departure weekend. I believe MK ended up being open for late magic hours that were not originally scheduled, as did DHS. Epcot changed its Saturday night park closing from 9pm to 10pm in 2014, too. It's not a huge thing, but something to be aware of; if I'd had enough advance notice I probably would have scheduled my park days differently, but by the time I found out, we'd already pre-purchased a couple of things and were locked into our plans.

Do F&W on Sunday if at all possible, or Friday. NOT Saturday!

 

[sdsatl]

We went for The Columbus Day weekend in 2013. We spent most of Saturday in Epcot, then hopped to MK later in the day. On Sunday, we rope dropped MK, then hopped to Epcot later in the day.

MK was okay both days.....moderate/high crowds IMO. Epcot crowd wise seemed the same, but the difference of people at the Food and Wine kiosks were like night and day. Those kiosks had huge lines on Saturday....even early in the day. On Sunday, the food and wine kiosks were much more manageable.

The more people weigh in about the weekend, the more I'm considering moving back our departure day and doing Epcot on Monday.

 

[Disneylover99]

The more people weigh in about the weekend, the more I'm considering moving back our departure day and doing Epcot on Monday.

That sounds like a good idea to me.