Epcot itinerary help needed!!!

[Lisa0503]

I am trying to figure out how to best tour Epcot to see everything we want and get back to the resort as soon as possible after our Noon ADR at the Coral Reef for the kid's nap... It will be myself, DH, DD (2) & DS (1) and another adult...FF (Family Friend...)

My question is can we get to TT & MS and then be at the living seas for TT w/Crush for the first show? We plan to be at the park opening (entering from IG)

What I was thinking of doing is having DH head to Soarin to get 3 FP's while, FF and I take the kids over to TT where FF can ride standby and get a child swap pass for DH & I to use later in the day (possibly that night, or in the week if it is valid for more than that day) and then do the same thing at MS... How long would it take to ride both TT & MS standby first thing in the morning? (in Mid Sept)

Thanks for you help!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I do not think you will have any problem at all, JMO.

 

[goofie4goofy]

Wow, your timeline made my head spin

I would have thought it was impossible until I read you are going mid September. It should not be a problem. You may not even have to walk that fast.

 

[Lisa0503]

Wow, your timeline made my head spin

You think it is making your head spin...you should be me...I have changed my mind a million times about how to tour the parks!!! Thanks for the replies!!! I have not been to Disney in over a decade and never had a plan so this is really all new to me. Even with going in Sept with the low crowds, I am trying to figure out how to tour the parks as efficiently as possible to see as much as possible in the morning and get the kids back to the resort for afternoon naps...

 

[disney1990]

I am trying to figure out how to best tour Epcot to see everything we want and get back to the resort as soon as possible after our Noon ADR at the Coral Reef for the kid's nap... It will be myself, DH, DD (2) & DS (1) and another adult...FF (Family Friend...)

My question is can we get to TT & MS and then be at the living seas for TT w/Crush for the first show? We plan to be at the park opening (entering from IG)

What I was thinking of doing is having DH head to Soarin to get 3 FP's while, FF and I take the kids over to TT where FF can ride standby and get a child swap pass for DH & I to use later in the day (possibly that night, or in the week if it is valid for more than that day) and then do the same thing at MS... How long would it take to ride both TT & MS standby first thing in the morning? (in Mid Sept)

Thanks for you help!!!

This is what we do. Be at the park as soon as it opens. Coming in at the IG may be to your disadvantage because you have a long way to way to get to Soarin. One person goes straight to Soaring to get FastPasses. The second person walks over towards TT. After the first person gets the FastPasses, they meet you at TT. Ride TT, ride MS, at this point it should be time for you to go do Soaring. Then if you want to do Crush, go to the Living Seas. I'm not sure you will make the first show, but you should make one of the first shows.

 

[Lisa0503]

Coming in at the IG may be to your disadvantage because you have a long way to way to get to Soarin.

How far of a walk is it from IG to Soarin & Test Tract? Also, I had a read a post somewhere that CM's let people in thru IG a little early so they can catch up with everyone coming in thru the main entrance. Can anyone confrim this?

 

[jjbescher]

It depends on the CM. I have been there when the park opens and sometimes they have let us in early and sometimes at the same time.

jon

 

[Lisa0503]

It depends on the CM...

Just like everything else Disney!!! You would think it would not be too hard for consistancy!!! Now I am wondering if I should take a cab to get to the front entrance

 

[MrsG]

We always use the IG and I think they do let you in a little earlier to meet up with the front gate people. Just keep in mind if using the IG: bear to the left by Great Britain. It is a shorter walk down the left side past Canada than to go to the right past France. At that time of year, you shouldn't have much of a problem at all. And think of it, if you had to take a Fast pass for 1:30 after the Coral Reef, you could still see the attraction and get to the room for necessary naps. It always works out in the end. I am a planner, but even I have to concede that it really is OK if we don't follow the plan exactly. The best laid plans of mice and men.......

Enjoy! You will have a great time so don't worry.

 

[Lisa0503]

We always use the IG and I think they do let you in a little earlier to meet up with the front gate people. Just keep in mind if using the IG: bear to the left by Great Britain. It is a shorter walk down the left side past Canada than to go to the right past France. At that time of year, you shouldn't have much of a problem at all. And think of it, if you had to take a Fast pass for 1:30 after the Coral Reef, you could still see the attraction and get to the room for necessary naps. It always works out in the end. I am a planner, but even I have to concede that it really is OK if we don't follow the plan exactly. The best laid plans of mice and men.......

Enjoy! You will have a great time so don't worry.

Thanks for that tip!!! We will definately stay to the left past Canada!!! I know I am probably over planning this entire trip but that is also part of the fun of it. I do want to get as much done as possible and since we are traveling with little ones, we have to plan on the big rides taking twice as long since all the adults want to ride them (thankfully there is Parent Swapping). I am trying to plan our time so the adults can switch off taking the kids back to the resorts for naps and the other adults can finish the rides they want before heading back... I know all my planning can go out the window the first time DD sees a character...

 

[Hannathy]

Another idea is letting the kids nap in the stroller while you browse through world showcase. We never went back to the room, always just let them nap in the stroller and epcot is perfect for that esp. in the countries. That way everyone wins, kids rest, adults get to do what they want.

 

[erinch]

one advantage to going in IG is that you will bypass the character lineup at the maingate. We had our plans go crashing down because our DD HAD to "get" Minnie and a couple of others. Try to check the schedule to see where the characters will be, then try not to be there when they are.

 

[Straitlover]

I don't have kids, so I can't say for sure, but I don't think you can get the child swap in the single rider line, can you? I think that's only the regular standby line. Hopefully someone w/ experience will say for sure.

Does your DH or FF walk very fast? You could have one of them sprint over to Soarin for the FP and then head over to TT. The rest of you stroll over to TT and you might meet up at about the same time. If the regular standby's not long, everyone head to it and get one child swap pass for the odd man out. If it's a long wait, hit the single rider line. Then head over to MS. There's no single rider line anymore, so just pick either the regular or lite version, get in line and do a child swap again for the odd man out (make this person different from the TT odd man). Once you're through, if you still have time before your Soarin FP, use the 2 child swaps while the 3rd person waits w/ the kids. Then hit Soarin. If there's time before your lunch, do Turtle Talk; Otherwise, go right after your lunch. Does Turtle Talk have FP? I'm not sure sinc eit was closed on my last visit. If it does, go pick up some FPs right before your lunch, and they should come due right after.

 

[Lisa0503]

Another idea is letting the kids nap in the stroller while you browse through world showcase. We never went back to the room, always just let them nap in the stroller and epcot is perfect for that esp. in the countries. That way everyone wins, kids rest, adults get to do what they want.

I wish!!!! DS might sleep in the stroller but there is no way my DD would plus from what I have read on the boards, it is still supposed to be very hot in September so I think going back to the A/C resort and maybe a quick dip in the pool before naps would be best. We plan on being in the WS almost every night for dinner and will explore WS a few countries at a time!

 

[Lisa0503]

one advantage to going in IG is that you will bypass the character lineup at the maingate. We had our plans go crashing down because our DD HAD to "get" Minnie and a couple of others. Try to check the schedule to see where the characters will be, then try not to be there when they are.

THAT IS A GREAT IDEA!!!! I had not thought of that. The day we are at MK, I did make ADR's at CP before park opening. I had thought that will get us in the park and closer to Dumbo as well as avoid the characters upon entering... I had not thought about checking the times guide to avoid the characters in the other area's of the park....

 

[Lisa0503]

I don't have kids, so I can't say for sure, but I don't think you can get the child swap in the single rider line, can you? I think that's only the regular standby line. Hopefully someone w/ experience will say for sure.

Does your DH or FF walk very fast? You could have one of them sprint over to Soarin for the FP and then head over to TT. The rest of you stroll over to TT and you might meet up at about the same time. If the regular standby's not long, everyone head to it and get one child swap pass for the odd man out. If it's a long wait, hit the single rider line. Then head over to MS. There's no single rider line anymore, so just pick either the regular or lite version, get in line and do a child swap again for the odd man out (make this person different from the TT odd man). Once you're through, if you still have time before your Soarin FP, use the 2 child swaps while the 3rd person waits w/ the kids. Then hit Soarin. If there's time before your lunch, do Turtle Talk; Otherwise, go right after your lunch. Does Turtle Talk have FP? I'm not sure sinc eit was closed on my last visit. If it does, go pick up some FPs right before your lunch, and they should come due right after.

Turtle Talk doesn't have a FP (unfortunately) and I have read that the lines can get VERY LONG since the theater is so small. That is why I am trying to get into the first show....

As per getting a Child Swap Pass and using the single rider line at Test Track...I have no idea I suppose that it would be no biggie to have FF stand in the regular standby line even though she would be riding alone... Anyone have any advice on this one???

 

[english rose 47]

Having a hard time with planning Epcot. We want to do Soarin, Turtle talk most of allalso HONEY i shrunk the kids and Test track' Eat at Garden Grill (lunch or dinner) and a cs at Electric Umbrella Plus some of the Countries Norway and Germany in particular. I'd thought Soarin first then Turtle talk followed by Honey then hread over to GG for lunch grab FP for TT first then do THe World (not all) and then kinda play it by ear till time to eat again. We picked Electric as it is the best menu choices for us. What do you Disers think?

 

[erinch]

at coral reef, is sitting next to the tank important to you? If so, you want to arrive right when it opens for lunch, and request a table by the tank--those are 4 seat tables, but I think there's room for a high chair.

 

[Lisa0503]

at coral reef, is sitting next to the tank important to you? If so, you want to arrive right when it opens for lunch, and request a table by the tank--those are 4 seat tables, but I think there's room for a high chair.

Oh...I hope there is room for 4 and a high chair near the tank. We made our ADR's for noon since that is when the restaurant opens hopeing that we could sit near the tank....

 

[Lisa0503]

Having a hard time with planning Epcot. We want to do Soarin, Turtle talk most of allalso HONEY i shrunk the kids and Test track' Eat at Garden Grill (lunch or dinner) and a cs at Electric Umbrella Plus some of the Countries Norway and Germany in particular. I'd thought Soarin first then Turtle talk followed by Honey then hread over to GG for lunch grab FP for TT first then do THe World (not all) and then kinda play it by ear till time to eat again. We picked Electric as it is the best menu choices for us. What do you Disers think?

FWIW, your plan sounds good to me although I am trying to figure out Epcot myself. You could also send someone from you party over to get FP's for Test Track after Turtle Talk then meet up with everyone at 'Honey'...