First time planning a Disney trip!

[Eeyore91]

Hi all- this is my first time starting a thread, so forgive me if there's an established one where this should have gone- I did some searching and didn't see one!

I'm headed to Disney in about 2 weeks (rescheduled due to Irma), just me and another adult. I've been to Disney before, but only with a school group where we had a mandatory itinerary to follow, so this is my first time planning the whole thing myself! As I make our plan, I wanted to ask you all (as the experts) if you think it looks reasonable based on your experience.

Day 1- travel day
Day 2- Magic Kingdom at rope drop, Hollywood Studios in the afternoon (with FP)
Day 3- Animal Kingdom
Day 4- Rest/pool for the day, then MNSSHP at 4PM
Day 5- Epcot in the morning, then go back to our favorite park or rides for the afternoon

My hope is that this will allow us to cover everything (knowing we have the flexibility of that final afternoon to hop wherever we want to go back to) and not be totally exhausted since we have that pool time built in. I also figure we'll use the late hours of MNSSHP to hit the big rides with a shorter line. We're staying off property, so we can't leave the parks and come back (we'd have to pay for parking twice, and our hotel is a bit of a drive away). At least hopping to another park after lunch will give us a break to sit down and cool off!

Any thoughts? Things I'm missing or should be aware of, or tips for someone who doesn't have the option of leaving the parks once we're there? Thanks in advance- I'm so excited for our trip (and to finally meet Eeyore at MNSSHP- my friends wouldn't let me wait for it as a kid!)

 

[loves to dive]

F&W is happening at Epcot. If you are two adults you are probably want to spend some time there sampling from the booths. They don't open until WS does at 11.

 

[Eeyore91]

F&W is happening at Epcot. If you are two adults you are probably want to spend some time there sampling from the booths. They don't open until WS does at 11.

Good catch! I'll factor that in and plan to stick around there a little longer on the last day for lunch!

 

[sharonabe]

We're staying off property, so we can't leave the parks and come back (we'd have to pay for parking twice, and our hotel is a bit of a drive away). At least hopping to another park after lunch will give us a break to sit down and cool off!

Just in case it does become an option, you don't have to pay to park twice. Just keep your receipt and you can park at any park after your break.

With that said, we often use our hopping for a short break. The cool bus ride gives you a shot of energy. You may want to also plan your lunch for around that time for a little more "rest" time in the heat of the day.

 

[Skippyboo]

The 20 buck parking is good for all day and all 4 theme parks. So you could park at AK and then go eat somewhere offsite and then come back at park at TTC for MK. They don't charge you another 20 bucks

 

[CrazyHare]

Just know you will not be able to do everything. We spent 8 days at Disney recently and we still didn't do everything. Go with the flow and you will have fun.

The line for Pooh and friends can get long at MNSSHP. They don't sign, but you will get to take a cute photo of them in their Halloween costumes.

 

[Eeyore91]

The 20 buck parking is good for all day and all 4 theme parks. So you could park at AK and then go eat somewhere offsite and then come back at park at TTC for MK. They don't charge you another 20 bucks

Oh wow, I was given the wrong info by a family member then! I'm so glad I posted here. It may still not be worth going all the way back to the hotel, but it's great to know we could go take a break if we want to and come back reenergized until closing. Thanks!

 

[minniegirl19]

If it were me I'd consider flipping Epcot and Hollywood studios. The first day I'd start at mk then head over mid afternoon to enjoy the food and wine festival and the atmosphere of Epcot at night during it. Then I would start your last day at studios even if you stayed there until the evening and then go over and see happily ever after at magic kingdom (unless there's a MNSSHP). if there is a party on the last day but not the first day I'd do mk at night instead then to see it. That's just my preference though!

 

[athunter]

I'm not an expert by any means but I agree with pp about flipping HS and Epcot and then ending with hea at MK. Also, fwiw I love Animal Kingdom but don't find that it is a full day park for us... especially if we're planning to RD. Hth

 

[Eeyore91]

I'm not an expert by any means but I agree with pp about flipping HS and Epcot and then ending with hea at MK. Also, fwiw I love Animal Kingdom but don't find that it is a full day park for us... especially if we're planning to RD. Hth

Good point- I forgot to say this originally but if AK ends up taking less time, we're going to hop over to Epcot that night. Then we'd adjust the last day and go back to 2 of the parks.

The one thing my friend asked for is that we end a day at HS, so that's the reasoning behind the first day- but I'm getting plenty of MK time so I'll be happy!

 

[athunter]

Good point- I forgot to say this originally but if AK ends up taking less time, we're going to hop over to Epcot that night. Then we'd adjust the last day and go back to 2 of the parks.

The one thing my friend asked for is that we end a day at HS, so that's the reasoning behind the first day- but I'm getting plenty of MK time so I'll be happy!

Epcot during F&W after AK sounds perfect!

I don't know your travel dates but if the Star Wars dessert party at HS is available during your visit, you might consider it. If you and your friend are Star Wars fans, then I'd say it's a must do. Just be sure to get there early to get a table but even if you don't, people tend to be pretty nice and considerate at these events.

 

[Eeyore91]

Thanks for the input, everyone! Two quick questions I thought of:

Is it worth getting magic bands since we're staying off property? To my knowledge, the only benefit is not having to carry the physical tickets around, so it didn't seem worth it to me- but I'm interested to know if anyone thinks otherwise.

During MNSSHP, about how much time should you plan to be in line to meet characters? We will probably only do one, but I'm trying to gauge how much time to plan for that since we'll want to fit in rides before and after.

 

[sharonabe]

Thanks for the input, everyone! Two quick questions I thought of:

Is it worth getting magic bands since we're staying off property? To my knowledge, the only benefit is not having to carry the physical tickets around, so it didn't seem worth it to me- but I'm interested to know if anyone thinks otherwise.

During MNSSHP, about how much time should you plan to be in line to meet characters? We will probably only do one, but I'm trying to gauge how much time to plan for that since we'll want to fit in rides before and after.

I don't see any advantage to the magic band except that it could make you completely hands free and possibly bag free, but putting your card ticket in your pocket is almost the same.

The line for characters at MNSSHP depends on who you want to meet. Take a look at who will be there and come back and ask again.

 

[athunter]

Thanks for the input, everyone! Two quick questions I thought of:

Is it worth getting magic bands since we're staying off property? To my knowledge, the only benefit is not having to carry the physical tickets around, so it didn't seem worth it to me- but I'm interested to know if anyone thinks otherwise.

During MNSSHP, about how much time should you plan to be in line to meet characters? We will probably only do one, but I'm trying to gauge how much time to plan for that since we'll want to fit in rides before and after.

Post #6 on the "MNSSHP 2017 My Party Plan Strategy in the Making" thread has some great information on characters and wait times.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/mnsshp-2017-my-party-plan-strategy-in-the-making.3604086/