DLR Pro, never been to WDW. One (partial) day only- Do I go?

[pharmama]

So like it says- I am a DLR PRO, past AP holder there, grew up in SoCal etc etc. I know those parks in my sleep and am a big Disney fan. Yet I have never been to WDW.

I find myself in Orlando for a conference and don't see much exciting for tomorrow afternoon/evening....soooooo do I go to WDW for part of a day with no reservations and no plan? Which park(s??) do I go to? I'm guessing its really only feasible to go to one?

If it helps, what I love about Disney is simply the magic, the attention to detail etc. I don't need to get on every ride (or even a lot of rides) but wouldn't mind trying to catch fireworks or some other evening entertainment (but not F!).

Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated!

 

[hamilkm]

I believe you should always go if you get a chance! Magic Kingdom closes at 6 tomorrow night for the Christmas Party, but if you want to check out MK you can always buy a Christmas Party ticket that will get you in at 4pm. If I was in your shoes I think I would go to Epcot. It is open til 9:30pm and there is really nothing like it at Disneyland. The atmosphere and details of the world showcase sound like something you might like. You can also try to grab a couple of fast passes for rides once you get your ticket and the Holiday ending to Illuminations is amazing!

 

[bdiddy]

With MK closing early I second Epcot. We just went to DL for the first time this summer and they are SO similar. In DL I felt like if I wasn’t looking too close that I was in MK. Don’t get me wrong there is plenty that is different but so much is the same. It just feels the same for sure.

So just for experiencing something totally different - Epcot would be the way to go for sure.

 

[hiroMYhero]

If you decide on Epcot, there are afternoon and evening FPs available for Test Track and Soarin’. You’d have to choose 1 because they are both Tier 1 rides.

It’s best to set up your My Disney Experience account now and as soon as you buy your ticket, link it and book 3 FPs.

Animal Kingdom also has FPs available for everything except the 2 Pandora rides and the Mickey/Minnie meet and greet. There is still availability for the Rivers of Light Show - similar to World of Color.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Also a DLR pro and just had my first visit to WDW in September and loved it.

While I don't think Epcot would be a bad idea, I was actually underimpressed. If I was in your shoes I would do:
1) get the Christmas party ticket. It will let you into MK at 4pm. And then you can stay until late. It will be lower crowds than typical so you can do rides or just wander around. And Christmas decorations would be great to see, or
2) Resort hop. Go around and visit all the MK resorts-Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge. Those ones are just so cool to look at and explore. And the christmas decorations will all be up. Plus you can stop at the lounges and snack on food and just take in atmosphere. Then watch fireworks from the beach of the Polynesian. It will be more relaxing and give you a little taste of WDW.

 

[DisneyFive]

Well, it would only give you a tiny speck of an idea of what WDW is like, but sure, up to you


Would I? no. I want the full experience on a trip.

Dan

 

[Dr.Mickey]

Hi! I did the opposite trip (WDW pro on a business trip to DLR) and I'm so glad I went. If you view it as a sneak peek at WDW instead of a trip without enough time, I think you will be happy that you spent your money to go for the night.

I am torn between recommending the Christmas party vs Epcot.

We love Epcot, but some don't. Honestly, Future World doesn't offer a DLR pro much. You already have Soarin. And RSR is way better than test track. For us, Epcot is about ambling through World Showcase, meeting the cast members, shopping and eating, then watching Fireworks. No rides involved.

For the Christmas party - that is the best way to see the MK. Most rides are 10 min waits or less. The parade is cool. And the fireworks are incredible. You might want to check out the big thread on the party. One note: some people say it is extremely crowded - and that is true if you insist on watching the first parade on the center of Main Street and you want to meet every character. If you catch the second parade and ride some rides, it will feel uncrowded.

One last thought - the party is cheaper than a single day ticket.

I say go for it

 

[pharmama]

Yeah, I know it will be just a small taste of WDW and I will be back with the whole family at some point but OTOH it seems like a pretty good way to use up an empty afternoon/evening.

I had totally missed that there was a Christmas Party tomorrow... I probably wouldn't get there much before 4pm anyway so I might just go with that. I am definitely curious about Epcot but I'm thinking the extra time I'd get at MK open till midnight would be nice. Seems like it might be cheaper too since the ticket is slightly cheaper and there's some food included, right? I do want to see the castle too-even better that it will be decorated for the holidays!

I only see that it starts at 7pm though. So I can get in at 4pm? I know the Halloween party works this way at DLR so I'm not surprised but I just don't see it on the website anywhere....

 

[Dr.Mickey]

Well, it would only give you a tiny speck of an idea of what WDW is like, but sure, up to you


Would I? no. I want the full experience on a trip.

Dan

Come on, Dan. If you were staying at a hotel within walking distance of DLR for a meeting and you were out at 4:30pm, would you just have a drink at the hotel bar? Or would check out the park and catch some fireworks, even if only for a few hours? I wasn't strong enough to resist for my first visit to DLR, and I'm glad I did

 

[Dr.Mickey]

Yeah, I know it will be just a small taste of WDW and I will be back with the whole family at some point but OTOH it seems like a pretty good way to use up an empty afternoon/evening.

I had totally missed that there was a Christmas Party tomorrow... I probably wouldn't get there much before 4pm anyway so I might just go with that. I am definitely curious about Epcot but I'm thinking the extra time I'd get at MK open till midnight would be nice. Seems like it might be cheaper too since the ticket is slightly cheaper and there's some food included, right? I do want to see the castle too-even better that it will be decorated for the holidays!

I only see that it starts at 7pm though. So I can get in at 4pm? I know the Halloween party works this way at DLR so I'm not surprised but I just don't see it on the website anywhere....

Good plan. You will enjoy your "bonus" Disney fix. And yes, you can get in at 4. But I don't think the ticket says so. But it has been 4 forever.

 

[pharmama]

Good plan. You will enjoy your "bonus" Disney fix. And yes, you can get in at 4. But I don't think the ticket says so. But it has been 4 forever.

Thank you and everyone else who responded. Ticket has been purchased for tomorrow nights MVMCP- I'm so excited!

 

[Dr.Mickey]

Thank you and everyone else who responded. Ticket has been purchased for tomorrow nights MVMCP- I'm so excited!

That's awesome! We don't need a full report, but you should let us know how it goes in a day or two. I'm officially jealous. It's nice to live vicariously through others.

 

[Alicenwonderment]

That's awesome! We don't need a full report, but you should let us know how it goes in a day or two. I'm officially jealous. It's nice to live vicariously through others.

I'm a bit jealous too. I hope you have a great time. Now what type of conference has you in the area? I need to find me one in my field that takes place near a castle.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Thank you and everyone else who responded. Ticket has been purchased for tomorrow nights MVMCP- I'm so excited!

You can also try to book advance FPs for 4-6 too!

 

[pharmama]

You can also try to book advance FPs for 4-6 too!

I did look at this but ended up feeling a little paralyzed. Any advice on which ride(s) I should target for this timeslot? Which rides will have the longest lines during the party (no FP during the party, right?)? I would have done Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for sure since its WDW unique but nothing left (not surprised). I will definitely try to ride that during the party.

I'm a bit jealous too. I hope you have a great time. Now what type of conference has you in the area? I need to find me one in my field that takes place near a castle.

As you might guess from my username, I'm a pharmacist and am attending a hospital pharmacy convention, ASHP. Next year this conference in Anaheim so I'll have an excuse to hit up DLR that time (not that I need an excuse...)

 

[Lesley Wake]

I did look at this but ended up feeling a little paralyzed. Any advice on which ride(s) I should target for this timeslot? Which rides will have the longest lines during the party (no FP during the party, right?)? I would have done Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for sure since its WDW unique but nothing left (not surprised). I will definitely try to ride that during the party.

I think it all just depends on what you want to do and what is available. Maybe try to get something that isn’t at Disneyland too, though MK has the most overlap.

Things I would skip (due to being so similar to DLR), unless it’s your absolute favorite rides: Under the Sea, Buzz Lightyear, small world, Winnie the Pooh. Though I am now thinking, maybe if you want it to be a more laid back and wander type of visit, you maybe can skip FPs, allowing you to be more unscheduled!

And remember for the party itself, there is lots of special entertainment-parade, stage show, fireworks! And of course cookies!

 

[McNs]

I reckon you made the right choice - we've had 4 trips to DLR and had our first visit to WDW this year. MK was by far my favourite park as it had more of that magic than the other parks. We didn't quite get Epcot but I think it's because we were approaching it like a regular park, and the kids just wanted to go on rides (plus it was hot and everything is really really far. Plus we were staying at Beach Club so the pool generally won).

7DMT is a great ride so make sure you do that. With no FP the wait should be less than an hour (we did it at a halloween party and waited 40 mins). We enjoyed doing some of the classics even though they are in both parks, though a couple are identical (looking at you, Ariel). And then there are the rides that should be at DLR (Peoplemover, Carousel of Progress) that are awesome and full of that great Disney nostalgia. The kind of rides that in a regular park would be boring and dated but for some reason at Disney are full of awesomeness.

Enjoy your evening!

 

[DisneyFive]

Come on, Dan. If you were staying at a hotel within walking distance of DLR for a meeting and you were out at 4:30pm, would you just have a drink at the hotel bar? Or would check out the park and catch some fireworks, even if only for a few hours? I wasn't strong enough to resist for my first visit to DLR, and I'm glad I did

After a few trips under my belt I would. In fact I’ve done just what you mentioned. I had a conference in the Contemporary a few years back and attended MNSSHP one of the evenings, but I already had four weeklong+ Vacations to WDW by that point. It wouldn’t be easy but I could resist a 1/2 day visit if I knew I would come back someday for a full blown WDW vacation. ...but that’s just me and I’m probably pretty weird.

Dan

 

[pharmama]

Based on what was available I booked Space and IASW. I may dump IASW if something better comes up.

Thanks again everyone for the help!

 

[mindeola]

I did look at this but ended up feeling a little paralyzed. Any advice on which ride(s) I should target for this timeslot? Which rides will have the longest lines during the party (no FP during the party, right?)? I would have done Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for sure since its WDW unique but nothing left (not surprised). I will definitely try to ride that during the party.



As you might guess from my username, I'm a pharmacist and am attending a hospital pharmacy convention, ASHP. Next year this conference in Anaheim so I'll have an excuse to hit up DLR that time (not that I need an excuse...)

Ride 7 Dwarfs after ten pm and the line shouldn't be too awful.