Epcot itinery - please critique

[Disney_Princess83]

I think you need to be aware that you don't get into restaurants exactly at the time of your ADR. We've waited half an hour after checking in many times. In my opinion, you should book an ADR if you're interested in enjoying the restaurant. Otherwise, you can just rope drop straight to where you want to go.

8:05am is the first reservation of the day. They shouldn't have any hold up at the restaurant, they will be seated soon after checking in.

 

[Linkura]

That one is a real toss up. Our youngest would love FEA , but we heard that you could get wet and our oldest would not be happy about that. All 4 of us will love the TT for sure.
So you think it would be easier to get a FP for TT like after dinner on the way out ?

You'd want to try to book the FP as soon as you're eligible. It would be much easier to get a 4th for TT than FEA.

Also, make sure you book a 3rd FP even if you end up not using it so you can book a tier 1 like TT or FEA for your 4th.

 

[Monima]

You'd want to try to book the FP as soon as you're eligible. It would be much easier to get a 4th for TT than FEA.

Also, make sure you book a 3rd FP even if you end up not using it so you can book a tier 1 like TT or FEA for your 4th.

Got it, thanks. You are a great help. Trying to make sure everyone gets to do what they want while not overloadingvour schedule is harder then I thought

 

[Mickeymouseisking]

8:05am is the first reservation of the day. They shouldn't have any hold up at the restaurant, they will be seated soon after checking in.

I was commenting more on the attitude towards the ADR or rather the necessity of it, just because I also read the OP's original plans for AK, where they didn't really want the character breakfast and were doing it for the "first into the park" aspect, which is COMPLETELY fine! Don't get me wrong just in that case it actually put them in the back of the pack for FOP so it was counterproductive and in EPCOT I've never found it necessary for Soarin, so I wouldn't get an ADR for breakfast unless I wanted that breakfast.

Also, since it's the OP's first trip to WDW (woohoo!) I just wanted her to be know that many times you have to wait after you check in and that should be taken into account, because I've read many reviews where people had really tight schedules planned and then were upset because they were unaware that that could happen. I guess I should have been clearer...hope I was now.

 

[Monima]

I was commenting more on the attitude towards the ADR or rather the necessity of it, just because I also read the OP's original plans for AK, where they didn't really want the character breakfast and were doing it for the "first into the park" aspect, which is COMPLETELY fine! Don't get me wrong just in that case it actually put them in the back of the pack for FOP so it was counterproductive and in EPCOT I've never found it necessary for Soarin, so I wouldn't get an ADR for breakfast unless I wanted that breakfast.

Also, since it's the OP's first trip to WDW (woohoo!) I just wanted her to be know that many times you have to wait after you check in and that should be taken into account, because I've read many reviews where people had really tight schedules planned and then were upset because they were unaware that that could happen. I guess I should have been clearer...hope I was now.

I appreciate everyone's input. It would be madness to turn down advise from someone who has experience, lol.
The purpose of the b'fast ressie at AK was to get in early and unfortunately 8:35 is the earliest that was available.
You are absolutely correct that I do not want to cram too much into the schedule and then be disappointed.
Hubby and I looked it over and we have since lightened our load and will most likely cancel AK b'fast, especially since it looks like park will open at 7 or 8 due to Pandora's popularity.
If we so happen to have time in between we can always add on as a nice surprise.
Thank you for your input. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[Mickeymouseisking]

I appreciate everyone's input. It would be madness to turn down advise from someone who has experience, lol.
The purpose of the b'fast ressie at AK was to get in early and unfortunately 8:35 is the earliest that was available.
You are absolutely correct that I do not want to cram too much into the schedule and then be disappointed.
Hubby and I looked it over and we have since lightened our load and will most likely cancel AK b'fast, especially since it looks like park will open at 7 or 8 due to Pandora's popularity.
If we so happen to have time in between we can always add on as a nice surprise.
Thank you for your input. It is greatly appreciated.

You're very sweet

Since you said your daughter is into shopping at world showcase, maybe she'd like to Pick a Pearl at the Japan store - Mitsukoshi? If you haven't read about it you can check it out on YouTube.

 

[GillianP1301]

As others have already pointed out, you do get to design your car with FP for Test Track, so with the 8:05 ADR for Garden Grill (we've done that time before, the restaurant is empty and you will get seated right away and the food comes quickly, so being out by 8:45 is very doable), I would head straight to Soarin' first, then hit up Living with the Land before cutting across FW to get to Test Track, which I would FP.

If you can find sometime to fit in the Living Seas area then it's really worth checking out and a ride on Spaceship Earth on your way out is a great way to end the day.

 

[blemon]

Here's my opinion:
Yes, you can build the car with the FP on Test Track.

The issue I see for you is that test track and mission space are clear on one side of the park while Soarin is on the other.

I would recommend that you try to go to Soarin first then get FP for Test Track or switch your FP time so that you go to Mission Space first then Soarin before World Showcase.

And definitely check out Morocco. It's cool but there is not much to do there. A couple of shops and a little gallery.

 

[Monima]

As others have already pointed out, you do get to design your car with FP for Test Track, so with the 8:05 ADR for Garden Grill (we've done that time before, the restaurant is empty and you will get seated right away and the food comes quickly, so being out by 8:45 is very doable), I would head straight to Soarin' first, then hit up Living with the Land before cutting across FW to get to Test Track, which I would FP.

If you can find sometime to fit in the Living Seas area then it's really worth checking out and a ride on Spaceship Earth on your way out is a great way to end the day.

Great, thanks. I was hoping someone could confirm that 8.05 b'fast will allow enough time.
We have rearranged our schedule, thanks to everyone's input.
The only toss up is, if we should use our tier 1 FP for TT or FEA. This will have to be a family decision.
Get excited

 

[Monima]

Here's my opinion:
Yes, you can build the car with the FP on Test Track.

The issue I see for you is that test track and mission space are clear on one side of the park while Soarin is on the other.

I would recommend that you try to go to Soarin first then get FP for Test Track or switch your FP time so that you go to Mission Space first then Soarin before World Showcase.

And definitely check out Morocco. It's cool but there is not much to do there. A couple of shops and a little gallery.

Thank you for your input. We rearranged our itinery to make it more efficient.
I have heard about Morocco being beautiful, so thanks for confirming. We will definitely spend some time there.

 

[bnhonest]

Just my experience here, take it for what it's worth. My family (me, DW, DS 11, DS 9) did Epcot about a month ago. Here is how we did it.

RD to Soarin'
Straight to Living with the Land
9:15-10:15 FP for Seas with Nemo
Turtle Talk with Crush
Journey/Imagination
Lunch at Mexico
11:00-12:00 FP for FEA
Gran Fiesta boat ride at mexico
12:10 FP for Spaceship Earth
Out of the park break until 4:30
Friendship boat to America
5:30 Dinner at Italy
SDFP for Soarin'
Illuminations
PM EMH-
Test Track
Mission Space
Character Spot
Done

Lessons learned:
Don't fast pass Seas with Nemo in first 2 hours. Not necessary.
SDFP were readily available for Soarin'.
SDFP was not available for Test Track
Mission Space was a walk on at EMH. I think it had 10 minute waits the rest of the day.

You got meals and maybe a little different priorities. Hindsight, I probably would have Rope Dropped to Test Track and come back to Soarin'. That would have knocked out Test Track first and then sent me to Seas and Imagination before I headed to world showcase.

Go read Josh at EasyWDW for tips on where to stand for Rope Drop. It's good info.

 

[~AristoCat~]

I like what you have for the most part. I imagine your kids are young and the Meet and Greets are important so that important. The one glaring concern is the 8:05 breakfast at Garden Grill and then the FP at Test Track at 8:45. I imagine that is the start of the FP time for Test Track and you have till 9:45 because there is no way you are getting there at 8:45. This then pushes back your other FP listed and the trekking you have to do will definitely make you need a few sit downs. The problem with pushing the FP back it will eventually be getting close to the time for lunch in France which is another walk from Mission Space to the the UK to see Mary Poppins if time allows for that and then getting to the lunch in France. After lunch it seems quite doable with possibly a long wait for Frozen in the evening, but I think you already are aware of that. Good Luck and be prepared to be on the move at least in the beginning of your day.

 

[Monima]

Ok, quick question. Need to get from Italy to Norway. Is it faster to walk or to take the boat from Germany to Mexico ?
If walking is faster, how long would it take ?

 

[GillianP1301]

Ok, quick question. Need to get from Italy to Norway. Is it faster to walk or to take the boat from Germany to Mexico ?
If walking is faster, how long would it take ?

I generally find walking is faster and I really only do that boat ride if it's at the dock and ready to load and even then I think it may only be slightly faster or a wash because they need to load, do their safety spiel and then the time for the boat to make it across and then unload. Unless you are really trying to save some step on your feet or you just want a leisurely boat ride, then I'd say walking would be the faster option.

 

[Monima]

I generally find walking is faster and I really only do that boat ride if it's at the dock and ready to load and even then I think it may only be slightly faster or a wash because they need to load, do their safety spiel and then the time for the boat to make it across and then unload. Unless you are really trying to save some step on your feet or you just want a leisurely boat ride, then I'd say walking would be the faster option.

Got it, thanks

 

[Monima]

I just found out that the Food and Wine starts the Saturday we planned Epcot. Ppl say that it will be extremely busy. Now I'm getting worried. Should we switch Epcot to be on Friday and AK to be on Saturday?
I checked meal ressies, the only difference would be that b'fast would have to be at 8.20 instead of 8.05 at Epcot.
We would also loose our ROL reservation for AK on Friday.
But this is our first time and I do not want to get stuck in a crammed full park.
We are not interested in Food and Wine.

 

[Nick6300]

I second Club Cool if you are first time visitors. You have to do the Beverly "surprise" pic. I've done it to my kids twice and can't wait to do it again. (They were younger and won't remember. Bad mom!! LOL)

That's funny. Yes it's bitter, but do you think it's worse than Japan?

I love tricking perfect strangers (if they seem friendly enough not to slap me afterwards) into drinking it. "Mmmm it's yummy!" Trust me... as I get out my camera.

 

[Nick6300]

That one is a real toss up. Our youngest would love FEA , but we heard that you could get wet and our oldest would not be happy about that. All 4 of us will love the TT for sure.
So you think it would be easier to get a FP for TT like after dinner on the way out ?

We love the Living with the Land, and personally couldn't skip it on an EP day.

I wouldn't change your days from Sat EP, messing up your dining reservations. It will be busy at WS on Sat afternoon-evening if it's F&W opening wknd / Labor Day wknd but it'll be busy Fri night too. I hear ROL standby waiting is at around an hour plus. And the slightly lower crowds on Fri (if you switched) at EP, you'd have an uptick at AK. If memory serves I believe AK tends to be early EMH on thurs and sat. More people will want to be there - other than it's Sat.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would not switch your days. Friday may be byway as well.

If you can add Living with the Land I would do so, and I would SB Nemo. Living Seas is pretty cool, so it is nice to see some of it.

I would absolutely work Spaceship Earth in.

THe World showcase has a lot of shopping, and some Countries are more fun to thatn others. My granddaughter loves shopping in Japan, and pick a pearl was a must do for her.

 

[Mickeymouseisking]

I wouldn't switch days. Unless Disney changes it, Saturday is morning EMH day at AK, so crowds will be worse there that day than on Friday, and crowds at AK are probably going to be an issue now for a while, so I'd definitely advise avoiding the more crowded days there. I'd rather be in a crowded EPCOT than a crowded AK.