Disney with the boyfriend, IN ONE DAY?!

[OrlandoGirl]

Can it be done?

My boyfriend hasn't been to Disney since he was a toddler, and he's always been so jealous of my annual pass (soon to be employee main gate pass, when I get into the Hospitality Program starting in May! *crosses fingers*)! So for his birthday, I bought him a one-day parkhopper (all I could afford ), and we're planning on going this Sunday.

Unfortunately, we have ONE DAY to catch him up on the parks...

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get as much done as possible? Like, what order should I hit the parks? I want him to be able to do AT LEAST the following:

MGM:
-Millionare
-Tower of Terror
-Rock-n-Roller Coaster

Magic Kingdom:
-Stitch
-Buzz Lightyear
-Haunted Mansion
-Jungle Cruise
-Pirates

Epcot:
-Norway ride (he loves vikings, what can I say? hah)
-I'm not a big fan of Test Track or of Mission Space, but I think we'd do these if we had the time...

We're probably going to not bother with Animal Kingdom, unless someone can think of a ride that two college kids would like there.

I'd be really grateful for any tips!!

 

[CheshireVal]

I dunno-- sounds to me like you're really biting off more than you can chew. I don't think your bf would enjoy rushing around all day. Part of the magic of Disney is taking time to appreciate the ambience.

If I were you, I'd just stay in one park for the day, but if you absolutely *must* hop, I'd pick two rather than three.

Just my opinion, though.

 

[DanceRC28]

Personally I haven't been on it, but I have read on here that the Stitch ride is terrible. You may want to cross that off the itinerary in favor of something better. Have fun!

Renee

 

[laurabelle]

Personally, I'd do one park in a day, in fact last May my sister and I did do just one day at Epcot. If you must do more than one, I would either do MK a.m. and monorail over to Epcot for the second half of the day or do MGM & Epcot using the boats. Otherwise, you're going to lose too much precious time going from park to park.

 

[OrlandoGirl]

Personally, I'd do one park in a day, in fact last May my sister and I did do just one day at Epcot. If you must do more than one, I would either do MK a.m. and monorail over to Epcot for the second half of the day or do MGM & Epcot using the boats. Otherwise, you're going to lose too much precious time going from park to park.

I'd love to have the luxery of doing one park a day, but unfortunately that's not going to happen. We're both college students with severely limited budgets.

 

[TallandGoofy]

What is your favorite park?

That's the one I would go to. Then you can really enjoy it--parades, fireworks, nice dinner, etc...

Also, you get a chance to share with him why it is your favorite park and whatever it is that makes it special to you.

I think he will appreciate your thoughtfulness for taking him to any park.

If you try to go to three, you will waste hours just getting from one park to another--when you account for having to walk all the way out, catch a bus/monorail...(e.g. getting to the Kingdom from anywhere takes For-EVER sometimes!)

Plus, if you do end up getting into the Hospitality Program (good luck!), you will be able to take him back and go to the parks you missed.

 

[laurabelle]

I think you misunderstood...I meant if you have only one day to do a park, I would just pick one park and stay there, or chose between the two I mentioned, so you would be spending less time travelling and more time actually in the parks on that day.

 

[OrlandoGirl]

I think you misunderstood...I meant if you have only one day to do a park, I would just pick one park and stay there, or chose between the two I mentioned, so you would be spending less time travelling and more time actually in the parks on that day.

Okay, I get what you're saying. Sorry :x
Thanks

 

[Mymatisse]

Orlandogirl it definitely can be done!

We did a day long blitz of all of our favorite rides giving a friend of ours who hadn't been to the World a brief taste of what there is to offer. I think we hit Animal Kingdom, did Tough to be a bug, the Safari, and Dinosaur. Then we treked over to MGM did a quick spin on Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster. I think we hit some of the major rides at Magic Kingdom and then rounded out the night at Epcot for Illuminations. I dunno if you'll be driving but it definitely helps to have a car with you so you don't have to wait for Disney transport.

We were lucky because we went in Jan so there were hardly any lines. I do understand what it is to be a poor student, so you gotta take advantage of the opportunities as they present themselves. I'm sure you will have a blast on your whirlwind adventure through the World.

 

[HeatherPage]

I know you said you only have one day to catch him up, is it because you can only afford the one day ticket or are there other time constraints that are limiting you to one day? The reason I ask is I know it's a birthday present, but maybe he would have the money to upgrade both passes to a two day park hopper so you could both enjoy yourselves more. I'm not sure how well you know his parents but maybe you could call his mom or dad and tell them what you are doing for his birthday and maybe they'll chip in to upgrade to a two day pass? Just a thought. If I only had one day I'd do like the other's said, pick one park for all day (my first choice would be MK but that's my favorite park) or split it between MK and Epcot. Do you have enough money for snacks, decent dinner, etc.? Try to stay as late as you can at the MK to see the fireworks, etc. Also, if you don't want to leave WDW property immediately after the parks close, maybe you could take the monorail over to the Poly to look around, relax on a hammock on the beach, etc. The view of the Contemporary/MK from the Polynesian at night is awesome! Have fun whatever you decide!

 

[MommyPoppins]

We did it last Saturday. DH and I were at the gates of MK at 9am. Rode SM and BTMR 2 times and then went to SpM and rode that. Then we left and took the monorail to Epcot. We got FP for TT walked the WS ate a sit down lunch at R&C rode the viking ride, went and rode TT walked around the Living Seas. Left and went back to MK got on a Bus to AK. We got there 1 hour and a half before they closed then we rode Dinosoar, walked onto Kali and walked into ITTBAB. Going to AK close to closing is perfect. Everyone left after the parade. We practically had the place to ourselves. We could have left and gone to MGM, but we had to drive 3 hours to get home. So we just went back to MK to get our car. We left Orlando around 7. So it's totally possible, but like someone else said. You miss some of the magic because you can't stop and smell the roses, or watch any of the street shows.

 

[OrlandoGirl]

Plus, if you do end up getting into the Hospitality Program (good luck!), you will be able to take him back and go to the parks you missed.

You know, in all this hurry to plan I totally forgot that, HELLO, I'm going to get free admission soon if I make it. :x
Thanks for reminding me! hah

 

[laurabelle]

Okay, I get what you're saying. Sorry :x
Thanks

No problem...

 

[scrump]

We've done 4 parks in one day, but I probably wouldn't suggest it for your purposes. It'd be like doing one or two attractions in each park and then hopping again. But you'd be amazed at what you need to accomplish!

I'm sort of in the same position. I've never been to WDW with my husband, who is not too keen on going. So I have to devise a way to stay there for as short a time as possible, but exposing him to the "essentials".

I think there have been some great suggestions in this thread. If getting help with an upgrade is not possible, then I would either pick one or two parks and enjoy them somewhat leisurely, or pick your absolute favorites in each park and do a speed tour!

You'll have fun no matter fun, enjoy!!! And maybe you can give me some tips!!!

 

[BostonRob]

Don't listen to all these naysayers, of course you can do it. You should probably start at MGM at 9:00AM (get there at 8:30) hit those two thrill rides first thing, then millionaire if you must (You might not have enought time to do EVERYTHING you want, so I'd cut Millionaire).

Then head to Epcot - if you get there around 11:00 when world showcase opens, you should probably grab a fast pass to one of the Future world thrill rides, then head to Norway. If you're there well before 11:00, and you may be if you skip millionaire, then just grab a fast pass for either mission space or test track and lineup for the other one. If everything goes smoothly, you should be done with Norway and out of Epcot before noon.

This gives you the rest of the day, say from 1:00 to 11:00 to do the Magic Kingdom. Honestly, 10 hours should be enough time to do everything you want to do there and then some.

Come back and tell us how it went. I'm betting you guys have a blast.

 

[Kaycee]

If you just hit the highlights you have listed, I think you can do all three parks and still have fun with it.

I'd start out at opening at MK. I'd drop Stitch off your list because of the bad reviews it gets. I'd save it for a future trip when you have more time.

After you're finished with the rides you have listed for MK, I'd ride the monorail (the monorail is essential for any WDW trip, IMO!) to Epcot and hit the highlights of World Showcase. Then you can walk through the International Gateway, along the Boardwalk, and to MGM (I love that walk, and if you enjoy walking it's not a bad walk and much quicker than the boats).

 

[BostonRob]

If you just hit the highlights you have listed, I think you can do all three parks and still have fun with it.

I'd start out at opening at MK. I'd drop Stitch off your list because of the bad reviews it gets. I'd save it for a future trip when you have more time.

After you're finished with the rides you have listed for MK, I'd ride the monorail (the monorail is essential for any WDW trip, IMO!) to Epcot and hit the highlights of World Showcase. Then you can walk through the International Gateway, along the Boardwalk, and to MGM (I love that walk, and if you enjoy walking it's not a bad walk and much quicker than the boats).

This is a nice suggestion, I love walking around the Epcot/Boardwalk/MGM area too, but you gotta remember that both those parks will be close at 9:00 PM, while the Magic Kingdom stays open until 11:00. So you HAVE to do the MK last, just to take advantage of those last two hours.

 

[kareneast]

Don't listen to all these naysayers, of course you can do it. You should probably start at MGM at 9:00AM (get there at 8:30) hit those two thrill rides first thing, then millionaire if you must (You might not have enought time to do EVERYTHING you want, so I'd cut Millionaire).

Then head to Epcot - if you get there around 11:00 when world showcase opens, you should probably grab a fast pass to one of the Future world thrill rides, then head to Norway. If you're there well before 11:00, and you may be if you skip millionaire, then just grab a fast pass for either mission space or test track and lineup for the other one. If everything goes smoothly, you should be done with Norway and out of Epcot before noon.

This gives you the rest of the day, say from 1:00 to 11:00 to do the Magic Kingdom. Honestly, 10 hours should be enough time to do everything you want to do there and then some.

Come back and tell us how it went. I'm betting you guys have a blast.

I agree with BostonRob. Following his plan, you shouldn't have any problem seeing the things you want in the 3 parks all in one day. Especially with MK being open until 11pm. You can even see SpectroMagic and Wishes Fireworks or use that time to ride more rides with shorter lines (since most people will be lined up to see the parade)

 

[Msslaydbug]

YES !!! It can be done !!

My brother and some of his friends only had one day to do Disney and when they told me they were going to do 3-4 parks in one day I luaghed. Well, they did. They started with Breakfast before AK opened, did Dinosaur, Kali, Jungle Trek, and Safra. They left and went to MGM there they did TOT 2x , RnR 3x, the great movie ride, Backlot tour, headed over to MK and did Philarmagic, SM , and SM, after that they headed to Epcot to do MS, TT, and watch Illuminations.

They were dead by that night but they did on a very slow day !!

 

[OrlandoGirl]

Don't listen to all these naysayers, of course you can do it. You should probably start at MGM at 9:00AM (get there at 8:30) hit those two thrill rides first thing, then millionaire if you must (You might not have enought time to do EVERYTHING you want, so I'd cut Millionaire).

Then head to Epcot - if you get there around 11:00 when world showcase opens, you should probably grab a fast pass to one of the Future world thrill rides, then head to Norway. If you're there well before 11:00, and you may be if you skip millionaire, then just grab a fast pass for either mission space or test track and lineup for the other one. If everything goes smoothly, you should be done with Norway and out of Epcot before noon.

This gives you the rest of the day, say from 1:00 to 11:00 to do the Magic Kingdom. Honestly, 10 hours should be enough time to do everything you want to do there and then some.

Come back and tell us how it went. I'm betting you guys have a blast.

Thanks so much!! I'll definately take the route you suggested, though we'll HAVE to do Millionare... I've yet to make it in the hot seat, and every time I've been I've been *this* close... ie - #2 after fastest finger, or #1 when they don't need a new player...grr.... and we're both trivia FREAKS! haha. But like I said THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!