Extremely Last Minute Solo Trip

[whittx]

Hey everyone! It's been a while since I've been on the boards, but I know y'all are great at giving advice! I purchased an annual pass as a birthday present to myself a few days ago and decided on a very last-minute and short birthday trip. I will be at the parks 10/1-10/3 and will be road-tripping to get there. I have made my park reservations for MK and Hollywood Studios, but am at a slight disadvantage as I won't be staying on property since everything was already booked up.

I will be leaving my home in AL on the morning of 10/1 getting me there around 4-5PM (possibly earlier, but I know how I am in the mornings haha!) and I plan on checking into my hotel and spending that evening at Disney Springs or Resort hopping if that is allowed again (I'm a little out of the loop), on 10/2 I will start my day at Hollywood Studios and then head to Epcot to catch their new fireworks show. 10/3 I will be staying in MK all day, and then will drive back home. I know it's going to be a long trip home on Sunday night, but totally worth it for me. I have no ADRs so I plan on just eating QS and snacks throughout the day and I will have my car so I won't have to rely on Ubers or shuttles from the hotel. This is the most unprepared I have ever been for a Disney trip, but I am ok with going with the flow and am prepared for crowds with this trip since I know that I will be back soon and that I have an entire year of visits.

Is there anything that I am not thinking about?

P.S. Sorry about any abbreviations that are wrong or not used, I haven't been to the parks since 2015, so I'm a bit out of practice haha!

 

[EpcotPhoenician]

If you're starting your day at Hollywood Studios, make sure you rope drop. Lines build up quickly after the first few hours of the morning. By evening, the park empties out substantially.

Pro tip since you're traveling solo: use Mobile Order for your food at off hours (e.g., dinner at 4 PM). You'll receive your food much quicker and won't have an issue locating a table to sit at. You can then jump on a few rides while most families are eating dinner at 6 PM, 7 PM, etc.

Have fun!

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

I can highly recommend The Enchanted Rose at the Grand as an idea for your fist night - their short rib sliders are wonderful. And though I'm not a truffle fan, people rave about their truffle fries. Then, make your way downstairs outside Gasperilla's and watch the fireworks - you won't see any projections but you'll see the fireworks and hear the music!

Also - I would pony up the extra $$ for priority parking at Hollywood Studios. If you decide to hop to Epcot, the parking is right by the skyliner station so it would be easy to get back to your car.

 

[loves to dive]

Pretty good advice already. If you plan to hop to Epcot, remember F&W is happening. Friday nights can be a little crowded in WS (o.k. they can be a lot crowded) but doable as long as you are aware. I've done the skyliner from HS to Epcot and I can tell you, even if there is not wait, it is quicker to walk or if you are there right when the boat arrives, ride the boat at over to the BW and walk from there. Unless you just want to ride the skyliner for fun that is. The same with the way back from Epcot to HS, we always walk it and I'm less than young. If you are too tired for words, it is better to walk to YC and catch the boat from there.

Resort hoping is allowed but some of the deluxes, especially those at MK are not allowing you to park there unless you have an ADR. You can certainly do it with Disney transportation but since you are staying off site, that would be a challenge. Since you have an AP, you could park at any of the parks for free and take Disney transportation from there, it would be easy enough to park at TTC at MK and hop on the monorail or walk to CR. There are no trams right now at TTC so it will probably be a hike from the parking lot. Easy enough to park at HS and walk over to any of the Epcot resorts or use the skyliner and go to The Riviera.

 

[Skippyboo]

I can highly recommend The Enchanted Rose at the Grand as an idea for your fist night - their short rib sliders are wonderful. And though I'm not a truffle fan, people rave about their truffle fries. Then, make your way downstairs outside Gasperilla's and watch the fireworks - you won't see any projections but you'll see the fireworks and hear the music!

Also - I would pony up the extra $$ for priority parking at Hollywood Studios. If you decide to hop to Epcot, the parking is right by the skyliner station so it would be easy to get back to your car.

You get free parking at the parks as a AP. It’s not worth it to spend money for preferred parking especially when the Skyliner doesn’t go directly between Epcot and HS . You have to connect to Caribbean beach switch to Epcot line with a stop at Riviera. The boat or walking path is quicker.

The security guards are pretty strict about not letting people go to the resort if they aren’t staying there without an ADR. MK area is going to super packed on Oct 1 for 50th anniversary. I would just stick to Disney Springs

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

You get free parking at the parks as a AP. It’s not worth it to spend money for preferred parking especially when the Skyliner doesn’t go directly between Epcot and HS . You have to connect to Caribbean beach switch to Epcot line with a stop at Riviera. The boat or walking path is quicker.

The security guards are pretty strict about not letting people go to the resort if they aren’t staying there without an ADR. MK area is going to super packed on Oct 1 for 50th anniversary. I would just stick to Disney Springs

I know you get free parking as an AP. With the Oct 1st crowds I personally would pay the extra for priority parking for a short trip with (anticipated) larger crowds. That's just me though ;-)

 

[whittx]

Thank you, everyone! What if I were to park at Epcot in the morning and walk/take the Skyliner to HS in the morning? That way my car is at the park I'm ending my day at, or is that not a smart move?

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

Thank you, everyone! What if I were to park at Epcot in the morning and walk/take the Skyliner to HS in the morning? That way my car is at the park I'm ending my day at, or is that not a smart move?

While I'm all about parking for the exit, The downside of this is that Hollywood Studios opens earlier than Epcot - so the parking lot wouldn't even open until an hour before Epcot opens - really cutting into that early morning time at HS.

You can do it in reverse, though. Park at HS - take the boats or skyliner (or walk) to Epcot - and then return to your car at the end of the night.

 

[Jillfo]

Thank you, everyone! What if I were to park at Epcot in the morning and walk/take the Skyliner to HS in the morning? That way my car is at the park I'm ending my day at, or is that not a smart move?

You won't be able to walk through Epcot from the parking lot to the International Gateway in the morning (which would be necessary to get to the Skyliner or the walkway to HS) without a park reservation.

 

[whittx]

Thank you for all of your help! I went rogue on Saturday and instead of hitting HS and Epcot, I ended up going to all 4! I'm not sure I have it in me to do that again, but I had a lot of fo fun hopping around. But I will definitely be parking at the park I intend to end at from now on, I was kind of bummed I had to leave MK earlier because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get to my car.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

Thank you for all of your help! I went rogue on Saturday and instead of hitting HS and Epcot, I ended up going to all 4! I'm not sure I have it in me to do that again, but I had a lot of fo fun hopping around. But I will definitely be parking at the park I intend to end at from now on, I was kind of bummed I had to leave MK earlier because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get to my car.

Glad you had fun!