Feb 2018, AK and Epcot - does this make sense?

[U2_rocks!]

I will be in Orlando in early February for other reasons and I can spare either Sat Feb 3 or Sun Feb 4 for a theme park day. I would be solo. At the moment I am really interested in the new Pandora land at AK, and I do also like to wander around World Showcase at Epcot. There is no EMH at either of those parks on either of those days, and park hours are 9 - 8 at AK and 9 - 9 at Epcot. Crowd levels are expected to be moderate both days. I have seen Illuminations many times but never been to AK after dark nor been to Pandora. Here is what I was thinking:

- park at AK around 8.15 a.m.
- ride Flight of Passage standby
- ride River Journey standby (or grab FP for later if available)
- EE single rider?
- take bus over to Epcot and have lunch in WS, catch some entertainment
- take bus back to AK before dark to see Pandora after dark and also Rivers of Light

As you can see I don't have a lot of priorities in each park. Anything else I get to ride/do/see along the way is a bonus. Does this plan make sense? Any tips? Thanks!

 

[mousehouse23]

I'd prefer to travel once between the parks. So I'd start the day in Epcot and end in AK instead, making my FPs for Na'vi if I can't get FoP, EE, and something else, while rope dropping a couple favorites in Epcot before meandering over to World Showcase before lunch.

At that time of year, even on the weekend, you might not wait that long for FoP near closing.

 

[Lesley Wake]

That should be fine. I would try to get to AK even earlier so there is less of a wait at FoP. If you do that early enough, you can almost walk onto NRJ afterwards.

 

[U2_rocks!]

I won't be able to get FP until I enter the park unless I buy my one day ticket in advance (haven't decided yet). Obviously buying it in advance will allow me to link it to my Magicband and make FP reservations 30 days out. I might get lucky with Na'vi then.

If I wait and try to do FoP near closing, wouldn't that mean I'd miss RoL? I don't generally like to hop twice either, but it was the only way I could see getting the advantage of early morning and night time at AK. I don't need to do Epcot at all actually - I was just thinking that I didn't want to spend all day at AK.

Would the bus trips and park entry be easier if I took the bus between AK and Beach Club and entered through the IG instead?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I won't be able to get FP until I enter the park unless I buy my one day ticket in advance (haven't decided yet). Obviously buying it in advance will allow me to link it to my Magicband and make FP reservations 30 days out. I might get lucky with Na'vi then.

If I wait and try to do FoP near closing, wouldn't that mean I'd miss RoL? I don't generally like to hop twice either, but it was the only way I could see getting the advantage of early morning and night time at AK. I don't need to do Epcot at all actually - I was just thinking that I didn't want to spend all day at AK.

Would the bus trips and park entry be easier if I took the bus between AK and Beach Club and entered through the IG instead?

I think your plan is very doable. Yes, to cut down on walking through FW to get to WS, from AK I would take whichever bus comes first - BC or BWI - and then, if you still find yourself in WS when you want to get back to AK, just go through IG and catch the bus from BC. You can uber in between the parks/resorts as well if you don't mind spending a little money.

 

[mousehouse23]

If I wait and try to do FoP near closing, wouldn't that mean I'd miss RoL? I don't generally like to hop twice either, but it was the only way I could see getting the advantage of early morning and night time at AK. I don't need to do Epcot at all actually - I was just thinking that I didn't want to spend all day at AK.

I believe it's possible to get into the FoP line after seeing RoL. I've never done it myself, though.

Given that you're not overly concerned with doing much at Epcot, you might just want to stick to your original plan. No stressing over FoP if you get it done first thing that way. And heck, if you really love it and have the opportunity to ride again at night, that's an option, too.