Epcot/DHS Parkhopping plan

[mtrib]

Can I get some help strategizing one of our touring days?

Saturday of President's Day weekend park levels predicted to be a 9 so BUSY. No EMH. Parks open 9AM. Epcot closes 9pm. DHS 8 pm. Epcot we mostly want to hit Test Track (maybe twice), Soarin' and Mission Space. Maybe Turtle Talk for nostalgia. DHS we want to hit Toy Story and RNRC at least twice each, Star Tours, Fantasmic (7PM) and fireworks (8PM). Which plan makes most sense?

1- Epcot 8:05 AM Garden Grill PPO ADR made. Hit rides early and repeatedly without FP+. Boat or bus to DHS where hopefully I'll get some Fast Passes. Spend afternoon/evening working FP and then go to shows. What are chances we'll be able to ride repeatedly without having to skip an evening show to take advantage of later evening lessening of crowds?

2- DHS 8:30 AM Hollywood + Vine PPO ADR made. Hit rides at RD early with no FP. Head to Epcot for midday crowds with FP for Test Track, Mission Space and something else, wait for soarin'. After 3rd FP start booking for DHS rides again and head back over there for any rides we can catch and evening shows.

I'm thinking #1 but I'm worried about not having enough time to ride Toy Story and RNRC more than once.

Thoughts?

Thanks! This board has been so helpful. I appreciate all the advice!

 

[Ksquared]

I would probably go with option 1 to make sure you get the FP+ for DHS. I've not been there for President's weekend, but we were just there for xmas and I can tell you DHS was crowded despite the fact that there aren't that many attractions open. Now some of that could be the night time shows they had during the holidays but I think you will have an easier time doing garden grill, then hopping right on Soarin (maybe twice) and then over to Test Track.

 

[caliope]

Have you already started checking for FP? If you’re staying on site, that weekend is now less than 60 days away. If off site, I’d wait to see what you can get at the 30 day mark and build your plan from there. I’d decide what my “must do” attractions are and make those the priority.

Also, do you have dining plans midday (other than the two PPO breakfast options)? That could add a time element.

I think there are multiple ways you can organize your day. Only advice I’d give regarding hopping Epcot to HS or vice versa would be to either take the boat (if it happens to be at the dock when you’re walking by) or walk (if there’s no boat in sight).

 

[mtrib]

Thanks, guys! Caliope, your plan seems so logical I didn't think of it. I'll see what FP I can get and go from there. We are off property this time so no FP until 30 days out. We currently have 2:40 lunch at Sci Fi but we'll prob just do QS lunch and dinner to maximize our time doing attractions.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

What’s your thinking for where you park? Just curious if that may factor into how you “start/end” your plan.

 

[mtrib]

What’s your thinking for where you park? Just curious if that may factor into how you “start/end” your plan.

We're going to Uber. Haven't done that before. I know for MK the best plans to be dropped off at intersection in front of Contemporary instead of TTC. Know any trick spots for Epcot or HS?

 

[twoolle]

What’s your thinking for where you park? Just curious if that may factor into how you “start/end” your plan.

We plan to park hop from Epcot to HS on March 8. We will drive to Epcot from WL. Any advice on whether we should drive over to HS or not? We did last year and it worked fine but I'm definitely open to other options.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We're going to Uber. Haven't done that before. I know for MK the best plans to be dropped off at intersection in front of Contemporary instead of TTC. Know any trick spots for Epcot or HS?

The ride share pick-up/drop off points are near the front entrances of both Epcot and HS, so those are easy. For Epcot, you can always go to BC or BWI and walk to the Int'l Gateway as well, as an alternative.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We plan to park hop from Epcot to HS on March 8. We will drive to Epcot from WL. Any advice on whether we should drive over to HS or not? We did last year and it worked fine but I'm definitely open to other options.

Personally I'm not a fan of taking that time during the middle of the day to move my car. Are you staying at HS late? Part of me would like to leave the car at Epcot all day if possible.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Can I get some help strategizing one of our touring days?

Saturday of President's Day weekend park levels predicted to be a 9 so BUSY. No EMH. Parks open 9AM. Epcot closes 9pm. DHS 8 pm. Epcot we mostly want to hit Test Track (maybe twice), Soarin' and Mission Space. Maybe Turtle Talk for nostalgia. DHS we want to hit Toy Story and RNRC at least twice each, Star Tours, Fantasmic (7PM) and fireworks (8PM). Which plan makes most sense?

1- Epcot 8:05 AM Garden Grill PPO ADR made. Hit rides early and repeatedly without FP+. Boat or bus to DHS where hopefully I'll get some Fast Passes. Spend afternoon/evening working FP and then go to shows. What are chances we'll be able to ride repeatedly without having to skip an evening show to take advantage of later evening lessening of crowds?

2- DHS 8:30 AM Hollywood + Vine PPO ADR made. Hit rides at RD early with no FP. Head to Epcot for midday crowds with FP for Test Track, Mission Space and something else, wait for soarin'. After 3rd FP start booking for DHS rides again and head back over there for any rides we can catch and evening shows.

I'm thinking #1 but I'm worried about not having enough time to ride Toy Story and RNRC more than once.

Thoughts?

Thanks! This board has been so helpful. I appreciate all the advice!

My inclination would be to do option 1 only because traveling between EP and DHS twice will eat up a lot of time (traveling, going through security, etc.). That is time better spent waiting in a line for something you want to ride twice.

 

[twoolle]

Personally I'm not a fan of taking that time during the middle of the day to move my car. Are you staying at HS late? Part of me would like to leave the car at Epcot all day if possible.

HS closes at 8 and that's when SWAGS is also and we will stay for that. So it wont be real late. Epcot is open until 9 so if we walked back over would we have to go thru security again? It seems like a long walk with 4 littles at the end of the night.