Disney must do's on a short trip?

[mcbks621]

Hello everyone!

So my mom and I (I'm 15) are visiting WDW October 24-28 and this will be our first trip back since 2007. Last time we went, I was too scared to ride anything, but this time I'm extremely excited and I would love to see and do everything! Unfortunately, I know that's just not possible in such a short amount of time. I'm not sure when I'll be back because with 5 younger brothers, Disney is very expensive! So this trip is really special to me and I want to make the most of it! We will only be in the parks 4 days with park hopper tickets and we are staying on property at CBR. I've been stalking the boards and I've read a lot of tips but I'm definitely feeling a little overwhelmed trying to figure out what to bring, see, and do! My mom has absolutely no interest in reading any tips or figuring out which parks to visit on which days. I'm pretty much on my own to figure things out. If any of you have some tips for short trips, please share!

Thank you so much!!

 

[trj010014]

Hi! You will have an amazing time! The best tip i can give you is don't feel like you have to see everything- because you can't.
If you are staying on disney property do extra magic hours. If your not, avoid the parks during those days.
Buy a disney tour book!!!!!!!! It will tell you about the four parks, and the rides in them.
Make sure you use fast passes.
If I think of more, I'll tell you!!

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Oh you sound just like me! My mom and I took several trips together when I was younger that were Friday- Monday. We had park hoppers and I will tell you that it can be done. Make sure you take advantage of the fast passes and really plan out the starts and ends to your day. For instance we would get to HS at park opening and go grab a fast pass for TOT and get in line for Aerosmith. Once Aerosmith was done we would usually be ready for FP at TOT. We tend to spend in between time catching a ride with a short wait etc. Typically we would then leave the afternoon for the park we wanted to watch fireworks at.

Depending on the type thrill you are willing to take on, I would suggest
Hollywood studios - TOT and Aerosmith
Animal Kingdom- KRR, Dinosaur, EE
MK- BTMRR, Splash mountain, Space mountain
Epcot- test track

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Take advantage of the EMH if you are staying onsite. You can got a lot done. THe best EMH are the evening ones for MK the park is dead and you can get lots done!

 

[drlaurafsu]

Best advice...get there early. If you can be at the park before it opens (some will let you in a little early) then you can do so much by noon. Try to focus on the things that develop long lines later in the day. We only ever ride Astro Orbiter first thing or last thing because it is a slow loader and there is no FP...but my son loves it. Its not a headliner...but because of the waits later its definitely on the early/late list.

Get an app for your phone to show the wait times. Keep an eye on it for the week or two before your trip (especially once you know which parks on which days - since a MK saturday will look similar on prior weekends. Only things like Columbus day holiday in Oct would tend to throw off the schedule.)

 

[Tres Vegas]

Rockin Roller Coaster in Disney Studios!

be in line 45 minutes before gates open, this pays off. We would be the first 100 and take off to one side of the park and sweep to the other side. most crowds show up around 10 or 11 at full force.

Fast pass when you can to help save time in the day.

Have fun!!!

 

[TimeLady]

You and your mom are going to have a fantastic time! Don't stress about what you don't fit in; nobody ever fits in everything into one trip! And it's not going to go exactly as you plan, no matter how well you plan, so try to find that balance between planning and flexibility. (I'm very much a planner and have had a hard time with this myself!)

On a short trip, you might be tempted to not spend as much time in World Showcase as you would on a longer trip. But it is SO worth it. I always try to block a whole afternoon for exploring it. I love going to World Showcase on my last day at Disney and just wander around, soaking everything in. On one hand, it's relaxing after the crazy pace of the rest of the trip. On the other hand, it's Disney's attention to detail on display and at it's finest. Don't stay on the main pathway... There's so much hidden in the twists and turns of the country pavilions!

As for attraction must-do's, Soarin' in Epcot, Expedition Everest in AK, Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios. When I've been there, Soarin' has seemed to have the longest lines, so I make it my Fastpass priority in Epcot.

 

[V2000]

Must Dos

Tower of Terror
Fantasmic
Sci-Fi Dine in Theater restaurant
Soarin' over California
World Showcase at Epcot
Teppan Edo
Haunted Mansion
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Toy Story Mania


Honestly, I've been to Disneyland many times and Disney World only once. I really really enjoyed the World Showcase at Epcot. Make some time for it!

Have a awesome time!

 

[V2000]

Oh yeah, I see you are going in October! How cool! Everything will be decorated for the fall/halloween.

 

[iluveeyore]

I have taken my daughter alone on two separate trips - one when she was 11 and one when she was 16 - it depends on how your Mom likes rides I guess - our most fun was had going to all the shows at each park together, especially Festival of the Lion King (AK) and Beauty and the Beast (HS) - our favourite rides each trip were the Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest and Kiliminjaro Safari - just enjoy taking it all in together, get cast members to take a few special pics of you and your Mom, and have a wonderful time! Our best memory is seeing Wishes together and Fantasmic - we have the soundtrack at home, which brings a lot of smiles to both of us

 

[MikeM]

Must Dos

Tower of Terror
Fantasmic
Sci-Fi Dine in Theater restaurant
Soarin' over California
World Showcase at Epcot
Teppan Edo
Haunted Mansion
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Toy Story Mania


Honestly, I've been to Disneyland many times and Disney World only once. I really really enjoyed the World Showcase at Epcot. Make some time for it!

Have a awesome time!

Good must do list.

I just wanted to 2nd the Sci-Fi theater. We just tried it for the first time last year and really regret passing it up in previous trips. Great food and great atmosphere. Lots of fun.

I would have to add the Rockin' Roller coaster to the list though. I'm a coaster nut and this is one of my all time favorites. Talked my daughter into riding it a couple years ago. When they strapped her in she almost started to cry and wanted out (she was 17 by the way). When we got off she wanted to run back and get in line again.

 

[The Hendies]

For Rock 'N Roller Coaster, we always go with the single rider option. We are together right up to to ride, then get split, usually riding on the same train. So what if you don't actually ride NEXT to your Mom, the ride is over before you know it! We have been able to ride 2 - 3 times in a half hour on good days! And every once in a while, we even get to ride together!

Ditto on the advise not to worry about seeing everything this trip! Even with 4 days, there is alot to see!

 

[AntFarm]

Oh you sound just like me! My mom and I took several trips together when I was younger that were Friday- Monday. We had park hoppers and I will tell you that it can be done. Make sure you take advantage of the fast passes and really plan out the starts and ends to your day. For instance we would get to HS at park opening and go grab a fast pass for TOT and get in line for Aerosmith. Once Aerosmith was done we would usually be ready for FP at TOT. We tend to spend in between time catching a ride with a short wait etc. Typically we would then leave the afternoon for the park we wanted to watch fireworks at.

Depending on the type thrill you are willing to take on, I would suggest
Hollywood studios - TOT and Aerosmith
Animal Kingdom- KRR, Dinosaur, EE
MK- BTMRR, Splash mountain, Space mountain
Epcot- test track

This is a good list of the top rides in each park but I would add Soarin for Epcot and Toy Story Mania for Hollywood Studios too

 

[JonathanWills1]

Thanks a lot friends for sharing your useful opinions and views it would be very helpful for newbies like me..

 

[jklmw]

Sci Fi is awesome. Our kids loved the cars and we really did too a must do.

 

[MichaelH]

Soaring is a must. As soon as you got to EPCOT go get a fastpass and if the line is not long go ahead and ride too.

MK - Splash mountain, BTMR, Space mountain.
Studios - TOT, RR, and the stunt show. I really enjoy that.

 

[Dani C]

It will really depend on what type of rides or shows you will enjoy. There are many things for every preference, and whether you like thrill rides, shows, shopping, etc. will really make a difference. For instance, many people here rave about Soarin' but nobody in my family thinks it worth even a five minute wait (yes, we have all done the ride before) however Tower of Terror and Star Tours are never passed up. Some people will enjoy attractions simply because of the characters involved, some won't. Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy your vacation.