Epcot 1 day plan - take 2!

[inspectorgadget]

This is a reworked plan - I posted the first one yesterday and have tweaked it based on suggestions (thank you!)

I will be in Epcot on 9/21, crowd level 3/most recommended, rope dropping and staying all day. 2 adults and 3 children who are tall enough for everything. Please review this plan and tell me if it will work. I haven't been to Epcot in 20 years! I have no idea if the time frames are even close. I need to leave time for the kids to "tinker" with interactive stuff (not for too long) at the end of any ride, when available. Is there too much time in between everything or not enough time? I'm fine if the schedule gets ahead and I can move around things to work between FPs since the window is 1 hour. Thank you for your help!

9:00 Test Track
9:30 MS Green
10:10 Nemo
10:20 Turtle Talk
10:45 Living Seas
FP 11:00 Soarin
11:20 Living with Land
12:00 lunch/Electric Umbrella
FP 1:00 Spaceship Earth
1:30 Journey Imagination
FP 2:00 Characters (I am unable to book this for pre-lunch time at 30 days out)
2:15 World Showcase
dinner QS in WS
9:00 Illuminations

 

[AndiSlamberg]

I would put Nemo above MS Green. Nemo can get really busy and any time I've ever been to Epcot there has never been a long line for MS either side.

 

[ktlm]

I think that is a decent loose plan. I see you are giving yourself more time in WS, but I will say that even that may leave you wanting more, especially if you have kids that love the characters or are interested in the really fun Agent P missions. I also think that you may find that you get some of these things done quicker than you think, and some may be slower. I would leave MS in place after Test Track. The PP is right that the line for Nemo will build faster, BUT MS is near TT and across Future World from everything else you want to do. I think it may be easier to go ahead and do it instead of criss crossing back and forth across the park. As far as whether there is enough time between TT and MS, it probably depends on whether you are in the front or back of the rope drop crowd. If you are closer to the front and get to TT before the line builds, that schedule should be fine. The line does build fast though and that TT line can get to 30 minutes or above fast. On a crowd level 3 day- you might be able to do Nemo with a 10 minute or less wait. We used to walk on it every trip before FP+. We usually go on days that are about a level 5 or 6, and since FP+ we have found the line to be 20 or 30 minutes by 10:00 a.m. as opposed to the walk on we are used to. I think that will just be a matter of luck. I will also say that after you have done Living with the Land, you might want to go ahead and check the character line as it is near where you are eating. Since that meet and greet changed and since FP+ we have rarely seen that line more than 10 minutes at the times we have been at EPCOT, you might be able to go ahead and knock that one out quickly and not have to wait for your FP. That would save you some criss-crossing and afternoon time. I would stick with what you have as your tentative schedule and then just be flexible once you are there based on lines etc. You might be able to get things done in your time frames, you might get them done quicker, or with the post FP+ line increases it might take you a little longer. We have found that because Nemo and Figment which we walked on for years, now have 20 to 30 minute lines frequently when we are there, we don't always get as much done as we used to. I think it really is just going to depend on whether the day is actually a 3. If it is really a 3, you might be able to fly through everything! Have fun!

 

[epcotty]

Looks like a good plan

 

[itchin2go]

Please don't have lunch at the Electric Umbrella. I feel like it's one of the worst reviewed places in Epcot. If you're already in the Land, why not Sunshine Seasons?

Otherwise, I think it's a tight plan, but good. Some things may take a little longer than is budgeted.

 

[kiramay]

Try adding Sum of All Thrills. It's a custom build roller coaster that my kids love doing!

 

[inspectorgadget]

I think that is a decent loose plan. I see you are giving yourself more time in WS, but I will say that even that may leave you wanting more, especially if you have kids that love the characters or are interested in the really fun Agent P missions. I also think that you may find that you get some of these things done quicker than you think, and some may be slower. I would leave MS in place after Test Track. The PP is right that the line for Nemo will build faster, BUT MS is near TT and across Future World from everything else you want to do. I think it may be easier to go ahead and do it instead of criss crossing back and forth across the park. As far as whether there is enough time between TT and MS, it probably depends on whether you are in the front or back of the rope drop crowd. If you are closer to the front and get to TT before the line builds, that schedule should be fine. The line does build fast though and that TT line can get to 30 minutes or above fast. On a crowd level 3 day- you might be able to do Nemo with a 10 minute or less wait. We used to walk on it every trip before FP+. We usually go on days that are about a level 5 or 6, and since FP+ we have found the line to be 20 or 30 minutes by 10:00 a.m. as opposed to the walk on we are used to. I think that will just be a matter of luck. I will also say that after you have done Living with the Land, you might want to go ahead and check the character line as it is near where you are eating. Since that meet and greet changed and since FP+ we have rarely seen that line more than 10 minutes at the times we have been at EPCOT, you might be able to go ahead and knock that one out quickly and not have to wait for your FP. That would save you some criss-crossing and afternoon time. I would stick with what you have as your tentative schedule and then just be flexible once you are there based on lines etc. You might be able to get things done in your time frames, you might get them done quicker, or with the post FP+ line increases it might take you a little longer. We have found that because Nemo and Figment which we walked on for years, now have 20 to 30 minute lines frequently when we are there, we don't always get as much done as we used to. I think it really is just going to depend on whether the day is actually a 3. If it is really a 3, you might be able to fly through everything! Have fun!

That is incredibly detailed and helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply!

 

[inspectorgadget]

Try adding Sum of All Thrills. It's a custom build roller coaster that my kids love doing!

I had that on my original plan but I looked it up and I think my kids would not like being inside that simulator - the contraption part itself. Well, at least one of them. My oldest is 7 but they are all tall (no height restrictions).

 

[inspectorgadget]

Please don't have lunch at the Electric Umbrella. I feel like it's one of the worst reviewed places in Epcot. If you're already in the Land, why not Sunshine Seasons?

Otherwise, I think it's a tight plan, but good. Some things may take a little longer than is budgeted.

My thought is that Sunshine Seasons would be busier and that we might be able to get out of Electric Umbrella quicker. But maybe that's not the case?

 

[sunflowerblooms]

I think Sunshines Seasons since you are already there makes the most sense. The times we where at Epcot Electic Umbrella has been busy and unless you are eating outside its not particularly attractive.
Does your Spaceship Earth FP time start at 1 pm? Could that be moved earlier in case you finish lunch earlier? I am thinking just 15 min - 12:45 to 1:45 FP for spaceship and 1:45 starting FP for Characters.
An alternative to that is if you are planning on Phineas and Ferb while you are in WS then perhaps you have some time built in between lunch and Spaceship Earth and could get registered for that first then finish FW.

 

[inspectorgadget]

I think Sunshines Seasons since you are already there makes the most sense. The times we where at Epcot Electic Umbrella has been busy and unless you are eating outside its not particularly attractive.
Does your Spaceship Earth FP time start at 1 pm? Could that be moved earlier in case you finish lunch earlier? I am thinking just 15 min - 12:45 to 1:45 FP for spaceship and 1:45 starting FP for Characters.
An alternative to that is if you are planning on Phineas and Ferb while you are in WS then perhaps you have some time built in between lunch and Spaceship Earth and could get registered for that first then finish FW.

My FP+ window hasn't opened up yet (30 days), it does on Friday. This is the "in my head" plan so I can be prepared. I know I may have to move things around. However, I've been looking online everyday and the earliest I can ever get characters starts at 2:00. I can't get any earlier, but I will try to move it up if I am able. How can it be that there are only afternoon times? Have that many people booked at 60 days out for characters, and all of them want the morning times?

That's a great idea to go ahead and register for Agent P. That way we will be ready to go when we are done with FW. By the way, where do you register for that?

 

[sunflowerblooms]

That's a great idea to go ahead and register for Agent P. That way we will be ready to go when we are done with FW. By the way, where do you register for that?

It's located on the main walkway towards World Showcase. It's a bit of a zig from your plan but if you have enough downtime between lunch and your fastpasses then it might make sense at least you'll be ready to hit WS a little bit sooner after the character meet and greet.

 

[itchin2go]

My thought is that Sunshine Seasons would be busier and that we might be able to get out of Electric Umbrella quicker. But maybe that's not the case?

*hits self on the head* I wasn't thinking of timing - just good food!

I would take a look at Sunshine Seasons before leaving the building. That place is pretty good at feeding a lot of people. If it just looks like a madhouse that you don't want to deal with, try another place. Maybe just have a snack somewhere and then have more snacks at World Showcase.

 

[MrInfinity]

This is a reworked plan - I posted the first one yesterday and have tweaked it based on suggestions (thank you!)

I will be in Epcot on 9/21, crowd level 3/most recommended, rope dropping and staying all day. 2 adults and 3 children who are tall enough for everything. Please review this plan and tell me if it will work. I haven't been to Epcot in 20 years! I have no idea if the time frames are even close. I need to leave time for the kids to "tinker" with interactive stuff (not for too long) at the end of any ride, when available. Is there too much time in between everything or not enough time? I'm fine if the schedule gets ahead and I can move around things to work between FPs since the window is 1 hour. Thank you for your help!

9:00 Test Track
9:30 MS Green
10:10 Nemo
10:20 Turtle Talk
10:45 Living Seas
FP 11:00 Soarin
11:20 Living with Land
12:00 lunch/Electric Umbrella
FP 1:00 Spaceship Earth
1:30 Journey Imagination
FP 2:00 Characters (I am unable to book this for pre-lunch time at 30 days out)
2:15 World Showcase
dinner QS in WS
9:00 Illuminations

Since you mention tinkering but tall enough to ride everything, are your kids are in the 6-9 range? If that's the case, then I think this is really ambitious. It's a great plan, don't get me wrong... but I think you're going to be off one ride and making a bee-line to the next to keep this schedule. For example...

* Your Nemo time is way understated. 10 min to get there (across the park) and ride? You'd have to run at top speed and have 0-wait, just not likely.

* Spaceship Earth... get there (from the Land Pavilion) and ride all in 30 min at midday? No way. The ride itself is around 14 min. And there is analysis afterwards.

* You've allowed little to no time for any post-ride cooling off / playing at MS or Test Track. The games here are really cool actually and kids would easily spend 20 min or more at them.

Basically you hit all 4 Pavilions across a huge park in 2 hours (between 9 and 11) -- with no bathrooms, snacks, or slushies -- in September (hot!). Can your kids handle that? Our kids would have had several snacks in this time to keep them hydrated, cool and happy.

I think you'll make it onto all the things you say, you'll just be running a little behind and get to the WS later than 2:15. But you have till 9:00pm so you'll be fine! Since you're trying to hit each pavilion only once, I would just spread things out more. It's not like you need 7 hours in the WS, right? There is no way our kids could do another 7 hours in the WS after such an action-packed morning. The first time we went to Epcot we definitely over-planned it and did not realize how long (and how hot) the walks are between the pavilions. An extra half-hour at the MS exit and then around the Seas would take all the pressure off of having to go-go-go, and all it costs you is an hour in the WS, which the kids won't miss.

 

[inspectorgadget]

Since you mention tinkering but tall enough to ride everything, are your kids are in the 6-9 range? If that's the case, then I think this is really ambitious. It's a great plan, don't get me wrong... but I think you're going to be off one ride and making a bee-line to the next to keep this schedule. For example...

* Your Nemo time is way understated. 10 min to get there (across the park) and ride? You'd have to run at top speed and have 0-wait, just not likely.

* Spaceship Earth... get there (from the Land Pavilion) and ride all in 30 min at midday? No way. The ride itself is around 14 min. And there is analysis afterwards.

* You've allowed little to no time for any post-ride cooling off / playing at MS or Test Track. The games here are really cool actually and kids would easily spend 20 min or more at them.

Basically you hit all 4 Pavilions across a huge park in 2 hours (between 9 and 11) -- with no bathrooms, snacks, or slushies -- in September (hot!). Can your kids handle that? Our kids would have had several snacks in this time to keep them hydrated, cool and happy.

I think you'll make it onto all the things you say, you'll just be running a little behind and get to the WS later than 2:15. But you have till 9:00pm so you'll be fine! Since you're trying to hit each pavilion only once, I would just spread things out more. It's not like you need 7 hours in the WS, right? There is no way our kids could do another 7 hours in the WS after such an action-packed morning. The first time we went to Epcot we definitely over-planned it and did not realize how long (and how hot) the walks are between the pavilions. An extra half-hour at the MS exit and then around the Seas would take all the pressure off of having to go-go-go, and all it costs you is an hour in the WS, which the kids won't miss.

Those are some very valid points and I should probably rework overall plan, spreading some things out. That way if we get ahead of ourselves, great. I followed Josh's cheat sheet (easywdw) and that's how I came up with my plan, including times. But I guess I didn't account for the fact that he doesn't tour with children, nor does he linger after the rides and play. I hate having to cram things in for just one day, but that's all I got. Thank you for your help.