Days Per Park

[chudlyfudly]

Hi all,

I felt that this post would be most appropriate here in the solo travellers forum as I'm going alone to WDW in March 2018 and wanted some thoughts on my plans at the moment.
Obviously I'm way too excited about it and have started thinking about my loose plans for the trip. I wouldn't describe myself as a WDW veteran but I've been from the UK in the region of about 7 or 8 times previously with family, usually for 2 or 3 weeks. We've always done an itinerary in the past, which we often deviated from but it was always good to have a structure of some sort.

My trip in March will be for 2 weeks. To get my planning started, I wanted to figure out roughly how many days I'd spend in each park. Obviously this will come down to personal preference, so I'd love to hear all of your thoughts. I currently allocate time in half day periods as I'll often spend the morning in one park and the afternoon in another / by the pool.

I'll have 14 full days there. Here's how I'd like to spend them at the moment (this is in terms of total amount of full days at each park. So say for example, I want to spend a total of 2 days in Hollywood Studios, this would likely be a total of 4 half day visits)
Magic Kingdom - 3.5 (7 half day visits)
EPCOT - 4 (8 half day visits)
Animal Kingdom - 3 (6 half day visits)
Hollywood Studios - 2 (4 half day visits)
Typhoon Lagoon - 1 (probably split into two half day morning visits)
Disney Springs - 0.5 (1 half day visit)

I'm aware this won't leave much downtime, but I leave my plans fairly open to cutting some bits and pieces out here and there when I get there. Firework shows are factored in separately to this too. I also know that this is quite a bit of time to spend there as a solo traveller, but while I love the attractions I also love just spending time in the parks and soaking it all in.

Once I've figured this much out I'll start going into a little more detail with my plans, but I guess this is as good a place to start as any!

​

So I'm curious to know what you think of this. I'm also curious to know how you would divide those 14 days?

Thank you!​

​

 

[brad813]

Hi all,

I felt that this post would be most appropriate here in the solo travellers forum as I'm going alone to WDW in March 2018 and wanted some thoughts on my plans at the moment.
Obviously I'm way too excited about it and have started thinking about my loose plans for the trip. I wouldn't describe myself as a WDW veteran but I've been from the UK in the region of about 7 or 8 times previously with family, usually for 2 or 3 weeks. We've always done an itinerary in the past, which we often deviated from but it was always good to have a structure of some sort.

My trip in March will be for 2 weeks. To get my planning started, I wanted to figure out roughly how many days I'd spend in each park. Obviously this will come down to personal preference, so I'd love to hear all of your thoughts. I currently allocate time in half day periods as I'll often spend the morning in one park and the afternoon in another / by the pool.

I'll have 14 full days there. Here's how I'd like to spend them at the moment (this is in terms of total amount of full days at each park. So say for example, I want to spend a total of 2 days in Hollywood Studios, this would likely be a total of 4 half day visits)
Magic Kingdom - 3.5 (7 half day visits)
EPCOT - 4 (8 half day visits)
Animal Kingdom - 3 (6 half day visits)
Hollywood Studios - 2 (4 half day visits)
Typhoon Lagoon - 1 (probably split into two half day morning visits)
Disney Springs - 0.5 (1 half day visit)

I'm aware this won't leave much downtime, but I leave my plans fairly open to cutting some bits and pieces out here and there when I get there. Firework shows are factored in separately to this too. I also know that this is quite a bit of time to spend there as a solo traveller, but while I love the attractions I also love just spending time in the parks and soaking it all in.

Once I've figured this much out I'll start going into a little more detail with my plans, but I guess this is as good a place to start as any!

​

So I'm curious to know what you think of this. I'm also curious to know how you would divide those 14 days?

Thank you!​

​

I would consider dropping a day at either Epcot or HS and add a day at Blizzard Beach, to give you a break during each weak. If you weren't keen on two Disney water parks, Universal's Volcano Bay is now open, or SeaWorld is another good option. The idea is really give yourself a break somehow each week, so you don't exhaust yourself.

 

[chudlyfudly]

I would consider dropping a day at either Epcot or HS and add a day at Blizzard Beach, to give you a break during each weak. If you weren't keen on two Disney water parks, Universal's Volcano Bay is now open, or SeaWorld is another good option. The idea is really give yourself a break somehow each week, so you don't exhaust yourself.

Thanks brad813. Have you been to HS since they started working on Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land? I love HS for the nostalgia but it seems to me that there's increasingly less to do there over time, and so I think your suggestion of dropping another day there may be a good shout. Also a good idea to replace this with Blizzard Beach perhaps, TL was always a favourite of mine but it might be nice to try BB again. Have you done both as a solo traveller? And if so did you find either any more suitable for a solo trip goer?

 

[brad813]

I haven't been to any of the theme parks yet, but do know they have a lot of construction going on because of SW land. I did go to BB solo a few weeks ago, and food aside, it is great for a solo trip. You won't be the only one either, and people are welcoming. By following my suggestion of doing two water park days, one each week, you could do both Disney water parks if you wanted. I also gave alternatives outside the Disney bubble if that doesn't suit your tastes though.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Not sure what new attractions, if any, may open at Hollywood Studios between now and March, but since the construction has been going on, there is so little remaining to do there that I've been typically allocating only one half day to this park during my entire trip, even if the whole trip is ten days or more, and it has been this way for at least my past three trips.

Other than that, I most often visit only one park per day, in order to minimize time travelling between parks and waiting in bag check lines. Even with a rental car, it's still extra time consuming to enter two parks per day. Maybe those who use the express bus (extra fee) would have a different perspective. On the other hand if you're spending the other half of each day by the pool or otherwise at the resort, the half-day approach makes a little more sense to me than if it's visiting two parks each day.

I think it's good to have three days each at Animal Kingdom and Epcot, and four days at the Magic Kingdom. Currently I don't find enough to do at Epcot to make it worth more than three days in one trip, but this could also change if they open new attractions there.

 

[brad813]

Not sure what new attractions, if any, may open at Hollywood Studios between now and March, but since the construction has been going on, there is so little remaining to do there that I've been typically allocating only one half day to this park during my entire trip, even if the whole trip is ten days or more, and it has been this way for at least my past three trips.

Other than that, I most often visit only one park per day, in order to minimize time travelling between parks and waiting in bag check lines. Even with a rental car, it's still extra time consuming to enter two parks per day. Maybe those who use the express bus (extra fee) would have a different perspective. On the other hand if you're spending the other half of each day by the pool or otherwise at the resort, the half-day approach makes a little more sense to me than if it's visiting two parks each day.

I think it's good to have three days each at Animal Kingdom and Epcot, and four days at the Magic Kingdom. Currently I don't find enough to do at Epcot to make it worth more than three days in one trip, but this could also change if they open new attractions there.

Or if you happen to be there during a special event. If I may ask, how long does it typically take to get through security mid-afternoon? I have a trip in September and will be park-hopping both days(Animal Kingdom to Magic Kingdom on one day, and HS to Epcot to HS to Epcot on the other(I am starting in HS until WS opens, then going over to enjoy the Food and Wine Festival, then back to HS for the Star Wars Dessert Party and Fireworks, then back to Epcot for evening EMH).

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Or if you happen to be there during a special event. If I may ask, how long does it typically take to get through security mid-afternoon? I have a trip in September and will be park-hopping both days(Animal Kingdom to Magic Kingdom on one day, and HS to Epcot to HS to Epcot on the other(I am starting in HS until WS opens, then going over to enjoy the Food and Wine Festival, then back to HS for the Star Wars Dessert Party and Fireworks, then back to Epcot for evening EMH).

Actually my last few trips were during either Food and Wine or Flower and Garden, and the OP is going during Flower and Garden, so the special event was already factored into my comments. Without it, two days would be plenty at Epcot.

Time to get through bag check lines can vary a lot, so I wouldn't even venture a guess as to a specific duration, although September (having probably the second-worst weather, after August) is among the least busy times of year, so I'm thinking Brad will encounter shorter lines than the OP visiting in March, especially if the OP is there in late March when the spring break and Easter crowds are arriving. Even so, Brad, all that back-and-forth in one day between HS and Epcot looks more stressful than a day at work, IMHO. I'd seek a way to do at most only one transition per day between the parks, to save the time and hassle of going back and forth between them. YMMV.

 

[brad813]

Actually my last few trips were during either Food and Wine or Flower and Garden, and the OP is going during Flower and Garden, so the special event was already factored into my comments. Without it, two days would be plenty at Epcot.

Time to get through bag check lines can vary a lot, so I wouldn't even venture a guess as to a specific duration, although September (having probably the second-worst weather, after August) is among the least busy times of year, so I'm thinking Brad will encounter shorter lines than the OP visiting in March, especially if the OP is there in late March when the spring break and Easter crowds are arriving. Even so, Brad, all that back-and-forth in one day between HS and Epcot looks more stressful than a day at work, IMHO. I'd seek a way to do at most only one transition per day between the parks, to save the time and hassle of going back and forth between them. YMMV.

I will be walking between the two, but carefully timing it. As far as stressful, I would suppose that depends on what you do for a living. Though, now that you mention it, I should review my dining plans to see if I my can just do one day where I need to park hop....streamline it a little bit.

 

[chudlyfudly]

Not sure what new attractions, if any, may open at Hollywood Studios between now and March, but since the construction has been going on, there is so little remaining to do there that I've been typically allocating only one half day to this park during my entire trip, even if the whole trip is ten days or more, and it has been this way for at least my past three trips.

Other than that, I most often visit only one park per day, in order to minimize time travelling between parks and waiting in bag check lines. Even with a rental car, it's still extra time consuming to enter two parks per day. Maybe those who use the express bus (extra fee) would have a different perspective. On the other hand if you're spending the other half of each day by the pool or otherwise at the resort, the half-day approach makes a little more sense to me than if it's visiting two parks each day.

I think it's good to have three days each at Animal Kingdom and Epcot, and four days at the Magic Kingdom. Currently I don't find enough to do at Epcot to make it worth more than three days in one trip, but this could also change if they open new attractions there.

Thank you both for your continued comments and advice, this is all very helpful. Despite being a reasonably seasoned Disney goer, this will be my first solo trip and this is a large part of why I'm not quite sure at the moment for my day to day allocations.

Like you, HS is really becoming less and less of an appeal given how little there is in the way of attractions at the moment. It's a shame because I love any opportunity to ride the Rock n' Rollercoaster and Star Tours a few times, but I guess neither are worth too many trips back there across the 14 days. I'll be staying on Disney property (Pop) without a rental car so relying entirely on Disney transportation for my trip. I'm trying to plan reasonably strategical/logical park hops but again I think you could be right in trying to keep it more to single parks on each day.

Ideally I'd also like to factor in a little bit of time to do some resort hopping too, perhaps as another break from the parks, but I was thinking of maybe making that part of one of my wet weather contingency options and doing the monorail resorts.

I can't figure out if a half day at Disney Springs is enough having never been before (I went when it was DTD and Westside) - while I know that some of the DTD parts are the same I'm not sure I'm that bothered about non-Disney shops. What would be your thoughts on how much time you'd spend at Disney Springs? Am I right in thinking the buses don't run there until later in the day?

 

[loves to dive]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say if you are going solo and for that length of time, it's the perfect opportunity to just wing it. I know, I know, that is a sin for most but seriously with 14 days, and I'm assuming you have park hoppers since you are planning half days in some parks, just go with the flow works. I go solo at least once a year and don't even make FPs until the morning I get up and usually on the bus. I've been known to do 4 parks in one day and it be totally accidental. If any festival is going on at Epcot, I normally hop over there every day for at least a snack because I try to get something from every booth. Park hopping really doesn't take a lot of time and it's a good time to get off your feet and relax. As far as resort hopping, if I'm done with a park for the day I go to the bus stop area and decide do I want to explore deluxe, moderate or value. Then I sort of hang out in the area where those buses come and hop on the first bus to arrive. Then when I'm done, I just hop on the first park bus to arrive unless it's one for the park I just left.

 

[brad813]

Thank you both for your continued comments and advice, this is all very helpful. Despite being a reasonably seasoned Disney goer, this will be my first solo trip and this is a large part of why I'm not quite sure at the moment for my day to day allocations.

Like you, HS is really becoming less and less of an appeal given how little there is in the way of attractions at the moment. It's a shame because I love any opportunity to ride the Rock n' Rollercoaster and Star Tours a few times, but I guess neither are worth too many trips back there across the 14 days. I'll be staying on Disney property (Pop) without a rental car so relying entirely on Disney transportation for my trip. I'm trying to plan reasonably strategical/logical park hops but again I think you could be right in trying to keep it more to single parks on each day.

Ideally I'd also like to factor in a little bit of time to do some resort hopping too, perhaps as another break from the parks, but I was thinking of maybe making that part of one of my wet weather contingency options and doing the monorail resorts.

I can't figure out if a half day at Disney Springs is enough having never been before (I went when it was DTD and Westside) - while I know that some of the DTD parts are the same I'm not sure I'm that bothered about non-Disney shops. What would be your thoughts on how much time you'd spend at Disney Springs? Am I right in thinking the buses don't run there until later in the day?

Disney Springs is an entertainment, dining, and shopping district basically. If you want to go, choose a restaurant or two there to have dinner at and do your shopping and other activities entertainment around that. Cirque de Soleil La Nouba will be gone by your trip(closes Dec 18th) so that is out, but there are a few options for evening entertainment. The Disney Boardwalk also has entertainment options I believe, but not as robustly. I don't think you really even need a half day unless you want to do heavy shopping. Also, keep in mind if you need a car, you can get an Uber or Lyft relatively quickly even late at night. As far as time from the resorts to the parks, it takes 30 minutes to an hour from any resort on property except Fort Wilderness, which takes longer to some parks, via Disney Transportation.

 

[brad813]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say if you are going solo and for that length of time, it's the perfect opportunity to just wing it. I know, I know, that is a sin for most but seriously with 14 days, and I'm assuming you have park hoppers since you are planning half days in some parks, just go with the flow works. I go solo at least once a year and don't even make FPs until the morning I get up and usually on the bus. I've been known to do 4 parks in one day and it be totally accidental. If any festival is going on at Epcot, I normally hop over there every day for at least a snack because I try to get something from every booth. Park hopping really doesn't take a lot of time and it's a good time to get off your feet and relax. As far as resort hopping, if I'm done with a park for the day I go to the bus stop area and decide do I want to explore deluxe, moderate or value. Then I sort of hang out in the area where those buses come and hop on the first bus to arrive. Then when I'm done, I just hop on the first park bus to arrive unless it's one for the park I just left.

I agree, you don't have to plan for that much time. You will have time to do what you like. However, if you want particular ADRs, that is where you might want to consider booking a few in advance, especially with March and April being Spring Break in the US. I also would point out that you can easily visit the Polynesian or the Grand Floridian after leaving the Magic Kingdom. The Polynesian is a five minute walk from the Ticket and Transportation Center, and there is a bridge connecting it to the Grand Floridian, or you take a short bus ride. The Monorail goes the loop around from the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary, and there are boats from the Contemporary to Ft Wilderness if you want to go to one of their movies or shows or the campfire, but Ft Wilderness does have it's own transportation system inside. Bottom line, you have options without going far from where you spent the day, no matter which park you visit.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Thank you both for your continued comments and advice, this is all very helpful. Despite being a reasonably seasoned Disney goer, this will be my first solo trip and this is a large part of why I'm not quite sure at the moment for my day to day allocations.

Like you, HS is really becoming less and less of an appeal given how little there is in the way of attractions at the moment. It's a shame because I love any opportunity to ride the Rock n' Rollercoaster and Star Tours a few times, but I guess neither are worth too many trips back there across the 14 days. I'll be staying on Disney property (Pop) without a rental car so relying entirely on Disney transportation for my trip. I'm trying to plan reasonably strategical/logical park hops but again I think you could be right in trying to keep it more to single parks on each day.

Ideally I'd also like to factor in a little bit of time to do some resort hopping too, perhaps as another break from the parks, but I was thinking of maybe making that part of one of my wet weather contingency options and doing the monorail resorts.

I can't figure out if a half day at Disney Springs is enough having never been before (I went when it was DTD and Westside) - while I know that some of the DTD parts are the same I'm not sure I'm that bothered about non-Disney shops. What would be your thoughts on how much time you'd spend at Disney Springs? Am I right in thinking the buses don't run there until later in the day?

If anything currently under construction at HS has opened by March, then the park could merit more time, but I don't know when the new areas will be opening.

Disney Springs must have its fans, but I find it to be overgrown, just way too many stores, and the non-Disney shops are upscale and even more expensive on average than the Disney ones. I don't much care for this area since it was expanded. I may go there for a meal or two on a trip, if I go there at all, but it's not a place where I care to spend lots of time. I actually enjoyed shopping there back when it had just a few stores, but now I prefer not to shop there at all. Last I heard, the buses from the parks to Disney Springs started running at 4PM, although that could change. Buses from the resorts to Disney Springs start running earlier than that, as some will go for lunch or make a day of it, but I don't know what time exactly. You can ask the front desk people, when you arrive at Pop.

 

[brad813]

If anything currently under construction at HS has opened by March, then the park could merit more time, but I don't know when the new areas will be opening.

Disney Springs must have its fans, but I find it to be overgrown, just way too many stores, and the non-Disney shops are upscale and even more expensive on average than the Disney ones. I don't much care for this area since it was expanded. I may go there for a meal or two on a trip, if I go there at all, but it's not a place where I care to spend lots of time. I actually enjoyed shopping there back when it had just a few stores, but now I prefer not to shop there at all. Last I heard, the buses from the parks to Disney Springs started running at 4PM, although that could change. Buses from the resorts to Disney Springs start running earlier than that, as some will go for lunch or make a day of it, but I don't know what time exactly. You can ask the front desk people, when you arrive at Pop.

The Star Wars section they are building won't be open until 2019. I am unsure on the Toy Story one. They need to add another adult attraction there really, since kids will really only go to Toy Story or Star Wars anyway.

 

[raddisneyfan]

I thought i read on some site -- it might of been this one under News and Rumors forum -- that Toy Story was possibly going to open in May 2018. I have gone to WDW a few times solo for 8 days each time and will be there in September for 10. HS always gets the least number of days allocated, then MK, then AK, and I always spend most of my time at EP--but then I'm usually going for Flower and Garden or Food and Wine. I always make a lunch ADR for each day and that kind of gives me a rough schedule before I go, but when I get there things can change drastically--cancelling and rebooking ADRs like crazy. After all, you're solo--free to come and go as you please--one day you're full of energy, the next you might want to sit by the pool for a bit and just take in a resort you haven't been to before--you have plenty of extra time. The only time I'm locked into a particular park on a set date is when I've gone to the MVMCP at MK or booked a tour. Have a great 2 weeks no matter what you decide--and should be nice weather in March for walking the parks!

 

[brad813]

I thought i read on some site -- it might of been this one under News and Rumors forum -- that Toy Story was possibly going to open in May 2018. I have gone to WDW a few times solo for 8 days each time and will be there in September for 10. HS always gets the least number of days allocated, then MK, then AK, and I always spend most of my time at EP--but then I'm usually going for Flower and Garden or Food and Wine. I always make a lunch ADR for each day and that kind of gives me a rough schedule before I go, but when I get there things can change drastically--cancelling and rebooking ADRs like crazy. After all, you're solo--free to come and go as you please--one day you're full of energy, the next you might want to sit by the pool for a bit and just take in a resort you haven't been to before--you have plenty of extra time. The only time I'm locked into a particular park on a set date is when I've gone to the MVMCP at MK or booked a tour. Have a great 2 weeks no matter what you decide--and should be nice weather in March for walking the parks!

I heard 2018 on Toy Story as well, but that is still a soft date. My ADR plans focus around breakfast first, mainly because it allows for early park entrance.

 

[chudlyfudly]

I thought i read on some site -- it might of been this one under News and Rumors forum -- that Toy Story was possibly going to open in May 2018. I have gone to WDW a few times solo for 8 days each time and will be there in September for 10. HS always gets the least number of days allocated, then MK, then AK, and I always spend most of my time at EP--but then I'm usually going for Flower and Garden or Food and Wine. I always make a lunch ADR for each day and that kind of gives me a rough schedule before I go, but when I get there things can change drastically--cancelling and rebooking ADRs like crazy. After all, you're solo--free to come and go as you please--one day you're full of energy, the next you might want to sit by the pool for a bit and just take in a resort you haven't been to before--you have plenty of extra time. The only time I'm locked into a particular park on a set date is when I've gone to the MVMCP at MK or booked a tour. Have a great 2 weeks no matter what you decide--and should be nice weather in March for walking the parks!

Ah I'll just miss Toy Story if that's the case! No matter though as I'm amazed in a way that it'll be open that early! I think part of why I've allowed quite a bit of time for EPCOT is partly the flower and garden festival, but also because it's my favourite park to walk around - world showcase lends itself really well for an amble with a drink. I'm pretty set on Boma for an ADR, and this is perhaps a little off topic but I was wondering if there's a buffet style breakfast without characters that you/anyone else here knows of? I used to love the Crystal Palace for a good breakfast but I'm not all together bothered about doing character dining alone.
Thank you for your advice!

 

[brad813]

Ah I'll just miss Toy Story if that's the case! No matter though as I'm amazed in a way that it'll be open that early! I think part of why I've allowed quite a bit of time for EPCOT is partly the flower and garden festival, but also because it's my favourite park to walk around - world showcase lends itself really well for an amble with a drink. I'm pretty set on Boma for an ADR, and this is perhaps a little off topic but I was wondering if there's a buffet style breakfast without characters that you/anyone else here knows of? I used to love the Crystal Palace for a good breakfast but I'm not all together bothered about doing character dining alone.
Thank you for your advice!

Boma is a characterless breakfast, and there are a few more in the resorts. Not sure in the parks themselves. Let me know how Boma is. I may consider it for dinner on my AK day in December. Headed to SeaWorld the other day, and the rest of my time will be spent in the Bahamas.

 

[chudlyfudly]

Boma is a characterless breakfast, and there are a few more in the resorts. Not sure in the parks themselves. Let me know how Boma is. I may consider it for dinner on my AK day in December. Headed to SeaWorld the other day, and the rest of my time will be spent in the Bahamas.

In terms of dinner at Boma I can vouch for it already as I've been there many times in the past - I think it's brilliant. As you'd expect it's a good amount of African cuisine, some of which is can be spicy but overall I'd say it feels like a suitably accessible take on African food. The desserts are brilliant too.

 

[brad813]

My mother will be on that trip with me. I like spicy, but she typically likes her food as flavorful as a Vulcan does, which is to say, bland.