Disney Half Day

[curious16]

Help! My DH and I are arriving at Disney this Sunday around noon (our flight lands at 10:30 a.m. Orlando) - any recommendations as to what is the best thing to do for a 1/2 day?

We are at Disney on Monday, Tues. and Wed as well. I was thinking 1/2 day at the animal kingdom, monday at epcot, tuesday at Magic Kingdom, Wed. at MGM/Disney - is this realistic?

Any input for a Disney World newbie is appreciated!!!

If it helps, we are staying at the Contemporary Resort.

 

[tar heel]

What kind of passes do you have? Are there young children involved?

 

[kbkids]

Sounds good to me. With no kids (I'm assuming) I would definitely do the half day at Animal Kingdom. The only change I might make is, since you are staying on-site, you can take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour and get in an hour before the park officially opens, in which case, you would need to do MK on Monday, MGM on Tuesday, and Epcot on Wednesday.

Here is the weekly schedule:
Sunday - Magic Kingdom
Monday - Animal Kingdom
Tuesday - Disney-MGM Studios
Wednesday - Epcot
Thursday - Magic Kingdom
Friday - Animal Kingdom
Saturday - Disney-MGM Studios

If it were just me and hubby, I would probably take advantage of it. With kids, we're never able to get out of the hotel room early enough to do that.

Animal Kingdom will also close at 5:00, and Epcot will stay open until 9:00. You may could leave AK and go on to Epcot and catch some of the sights there if you wanted. I personally would go to Downtown Disney after leaving AK though.

 

[threeboysmom]

I think AK closes at 5:00 p.m. so, in my opinion, you won't get your money's worth at the park. I'm guessing you're arriving at the Contemporary at noon - by the time you check in, get your bags to your room, freshen up, wait for a bus, and travel to AK, it will probably be 1:00-1:30ish. Since you're staying right at the Contemporary, I would just hop the monorail to the MK and spend the 1/2 day there. Then.....

Monday - Epcot as planned
Tuesday - MK as planned/maybe go back to Epcot or MGM for the evening since those parks are usually open later
Wednesday - AK in a.m., then MGM in afternoon/evening

 

[curious16]

I love this website....thanks for the tips already.

We have Ultimate Hopper Passes. And you are right, no children. This is our honeymoon trip actually and I cannot wait. From reading the books, it seems as though Animal Kingdom won't need a full day, which is why I thought it wouldn't be so bad for a 1/2 day. I think we can make it to the park around 2 and it is open until 6 p.m. I do want to take advantage of those e-magic hours though...this is my first time staying at a Disney Resort (we have always stayed offsite at Disneyland as kids) and I hope the real deal lives up to my expectations...especially since we are staying at a resort off the monorail - talk about childhood fantasy....

 

[kilee]

Since you realistically won't be getting to a park until early afternoon, I'd think of maybe hitting up the World Showcase. It will be open late and it's a great place to start. This way you can combine another 1/2 day between Epcot & AK. I think even if you got to AK by 1pm-- you might be cutting it close. I personally also prefer AK in the morning. However, when we do the parks we are always there at opening (or within 15 minutes). You can get SOOOO much done in that first 90 minutes. Pretty much decide what are your must see's. We always do 2 days at the parks-- 1 day off. So, take into account that by the last day you may be tired.

 

[curious16]

Thanks for the tips....I think I may check the Disney website re: early entry days because I should take advantage of that since I'm staying at a Disney resort.