First WDW trip and only there for 3 days.. need advice.

[kim31kim]

We are going to WDW the first or second week of December this year and our plans are to only be there for 3 full days. (we have limited time available off)

I noticed that they are having the Xmas party on Tuesday evenings, so I thought maybe we could fly down during the day Tuesday and then get checked in and all in time to go to the Xmas party on Tuesday night. Would I be missing out if I only saw MK at the party? Should I see it during the day too?

I am very new to all this! What are the three main parks? I know for sure that I want to spend a day at Animal Kingdom and lots of time at MK.. what about Epcot? Is it worth a full day? I have heard some people say they dont really like it.

So, I guess my question is.. if you had a night (xmas party) and then 3 full days (leaving the evening of the 3rd day around 7pm), how would you spend your time there?

It is just going to be my husband and myself. We are interested in seeing some of the "famous" shows like Fantasia and Circque as well.

I appreciate any help!
Kim<-- WDWvirgin

ps. would i be better off buying the single day admission tickets to each park? Are there downsides to doing that? I am just thinking that we won't have time to see more than one park in a day since we wont be rushing.

 

[bkline]

MK is one of my favorites. AK is second. I have been to MNSSHP, but not to the X-mas party. Some things are closed during the party, but you do tend to get more things done because the crowds are a little lighter than the normal day crowd. You may miss a little by not going during the day, but the party is very special.
The other 3 parks are Animal Kingdom, Epcot and MGM. I love Animal Kingdom. The safari is fun and A Bug's Life is a must see show. My favorite ride may be too cold in December: Kali River Rapids. You can get very wet. MGM would be 3rd on my list. They offer some great rides. Epcot would be last. Test Track was a lot of fun, but otherwise it was just ok.
I don't think I'm the best person to answer your ticket question, but I think the Hopper pass would work best, so you could visit 2 in one day. There might be a day when you had enough of one park and just want to get a taste of another park like Epcot. I think it's great to see, but I wouldn't spend a whole day in it.
Have a great trip.
You didn't mention what hotel you would be staying at, but a few even off-site at the Downtown Disney area would allow you early entry in a particular park each day. That would help you get more shows & rides in during your stay.

 

[dgaston]

I would suggest you get a 3 day hopper ticket. These are rare, and a little more work to get, but should fit the bill nicely. Some of the ticket brokers like Ticketmania occasionally have them, but you have to call to get them, as Disney prohibits them listing unusual ticket media on their website. Alamo is also offering 3 day hoppers. You need to call 1-800-560-2397, which is really a Disney number, and say you "plan" to rent from Alamo.

 

[aesalsa]

Since you are definitely going to MK and AK, I'll tell you a little about the other 2 main parks.

Epcot is the second largest park, after AK. There are 2 parts to Epcot: World Showcase and Future World.

World Showcase takes you to about 11 countries from around the world. Each country consists of restaurants, shops, rides/presentations, live shows, and wonderful shopping. It's like a piece of each on these counties has been brought to WDW, people and all! This is where some of the best dining is in WDW. In my experience, most people consider Mexico "not-to-missed" when visiting the World Showcase. Also, the breathtaking fire works and laser show, IllumiNations, is presented here. It is a spectacular display highlighting the countries of our world, choreographed to wonderful music. Most people consider this a must see here. This is presented @ 9 pm every evening.
DH and I love World Showcase. We consider it a MUST DO, and I think you can easily spend at least a day at the entire Epcot!

Future World is dominated by the incredible, beautiful Spaceship Earth, a ride in itself, taking you through the history of communications throughout our world up to today. A Must-DO by many. Future World is a tech fanatic's dream, presenting virtual games, interactive displays, what's up and coming in almost everything. Test Track is also located here. It is the highest speed ride in WDW, and it takes you through a test track for new vehicles. The newest attraction is MISSION:SPACE; it is an experience of a shuttle take-off. On these boards, most people have said it is one of the best rides they have ever ridden. This attraction is definitely "NOT-TO-BE-MISSED". There are many other entertaining attractions here.

MGM Studios is what I'd like to call a movie them park. The Great Movie Ride takes you through many of America's favorite movies, from "Alien" to "The Wizard of OZ". Rock n' Roller coaster is very fast and very exciting, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is more than a ride, it is an experience! It takes place in an old hotel that was popular with Hollywood's Elite. Wonderful special effects and a thrilling drop make this an awesome attraction for so many. Many live shows (i.e., Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular), shopping, graet restaurants (The Brown Derby. . .) and other attractions are great here. Fantasmic (which I haven't seen, only heard about) is what everybody has on their "To DO" list. Everyone on these boards say it is FANTASTIC. It is a live show which many people are willing to wait an hour in line to get a good seat. If you're interested in this, ask about it in another thread.

I know that this is long, bout I hope it will help you prioritize what you would like to see on your short trip. Please don't kill yourself trying to do and see everything-- you will miss a lot of great experiences if you rush too much! Enjoy yourselves and have a great time. BTW, Early to mid Dec. is a great, non-crwdwd time to enjoy WDW!

 

[kim31kim]

Thanks for the replies! I am going to look into getting that 3 day hopper pass. It sounds like just what we need, though I'm not sure if we will actually be "hopping" or not. I think though at least that way we could use Disney transportaion.. I heard without the hopper its not free.

Wow, I really appreciate the description of MGM and Epcot... So, are there really 4 main parks? Magic Kingdom, AK, Epcot and MGM? I really think I want to at leaset get to see all 4 places! I wonder if there is anyway to fit all that into one day.

Thanks so much.. I can't wait to get down there and soak it all in!

 

[jdads2]

Welcome to the DIS!

I give this same advice first and foremost to eveyone who asks me about WDW.

Take your time and relax!

You can't do or see everything in one trip. Enjoy what you can see and do to the fullest, that includes the walk between rides and events. There's a ton of stuff in the "background" to see and do at WDW.

A 3 day hopper is an excelent idea since AKL closes earlier than the other parks you could do that earlier in the day and then head to another park without needing a different park pass.

Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party can allow you to se MK late so that you can go to a different park earlier.

We often hit 3 or 4 parks in one day and ussually two and we have 3 kids. We always use WDW tranportation and haven't had a problem. We never rush. If we're late for something...OK we are never late, we're on vacation we can't be late!

Have fun and relax!

 

[kilee]

Disney transportation is free to all. I think on such short time and going w/o kids I'd get hoppers. 2 adults should be able to park hop w/ ease. This way you could hit up the highlights of each park. Personally I'd plan an entire day at MK. This will be enough to see all the highlights. Then if you get the hoppers. You can hit up AK at opening and possibly hop over to either MGM or Epcot and do some of the highlights. Then on your 3rd day spend it at the other park you didn't do. If you can swing it, do the MVMCP. This way you'll get bonus time in MK. MK has so much to offer that I could spend days there.

 

[AimeeM]

Kim
I think the Christmas Party is a must do! We did it last year and loved it. There's nothing better than walking down Main Street at night in the snow!!!! It was just breathtaking. I cant wait to get back next Thanksgiving/early december. Personally, we love Epcot. We hop there on nights were the park we are at closes early. Even our kids love to check out the kidcot stations, make their masks, and get differnt types of food to eat (tacos in mexico, they love the chinese counter service) Our favorite thing to do is get fish N chips in United Kingdom and go watch British Invasion perfom. They look and sound just like the beatles and its a great show. Illuminations is at night and over the lagoon. Its also a must see at Epcot. I think the more trips we take, the more time we spend at Epcot. Its great just to wander through all of the countries. We love park hopping to Epcot. Animal Kingdom closes at 5, ( a great time to park hop to Epcot which will be open until 9) and quite frankly, I think you only need about 1/2 day to see it w/o kids in December. Fantasmic at MGM is in the evening and is also a must see!! Spectromagic is the light parade at Magic Kingdom, but its usally on Saturdays in early December. You may luck out and have it being shown on Friday night or Ive seen in on a Wednesday once.
I agree that the 3 day hopper pass would be your best bet. Having no kids with you, I bet you will want to make the most of your 3 days at WDW. I would hit MVMCP on Tuesday night and get there around 5:00 with only your party tickets. The party is 7-midnight. Wednesday is Epcots EE day, and I heard its not really worth going there early as not much is open. I would head to MGM that day, stay all day and see Fantasmic at night. Thursday is Magic Kingdoms EE. I tend to avoid EE days, so you might want to avoid the crowds and be at Animal Kingdom when it opens on Thursday. You will most likely get everything you want to do finished by 2 or 3. The safari ride is great. Definately see Its tough to be a bug ( check out the tree on your way inside of it for the show! Its awesome!!) , Dinosaur, festival of the Lion King is good. I would park hop to Epcot for the rest of the night. On your last day, head back to Magic Kingdom and check it out in the day. Do anything you missed at the party or do it all again! If you feel like youve done enough there, you can hop back to Epcot again for the rest of the night. You can be there by monorail in just a few minutes!! Oh, buy an autograph book and get lots of pictures!! You will have so much fun!! We leave Tuesday and I cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[eleanor]

Put on your most comfortable shoes and GO. You can rest when you get home. Park hop by all means. You cant miss The fireworks at Epcot., it is wonderful. You can do AK in the morning ,go to MGM till after Fantasmic ,then take the boat to Epcot for WS and the fireworks.Sounds busy but you can relax on the buses and boat.

 

[jerseydizdreamer]

Kim -

First, congratulations on your trip! Like some of my fellow posters have said, the one thing you need to accept right up front is that you are not going to be able to see and do everything. I go for a week every other year, during the least crowded time of year, and because of the huge number of things to do, I don't get to everything. But that's OK... once you've tasted the Disney magic, you'll get a hunger, and trust us, you'll come back for more!

My suggestion would be to do your research ahead of time, and make a list. Heck, make a few lists. First up, make a list of what are, for you, "Must See" attractions. These are going to vary from person to person. For example, when I visit Epcot, Ellen's Energy Adventure is a "Must See" adventure. But I think very few people would probably put it on their personal "Must See" lists. I couldn't even explain why it's on mine.

The best way to prepare your list is to get a good guidebook. Personally, the three I buy are Birnbaum's (the latest edition of which, 2004, was just recently released), the Passporter (which is great for taking to the park with you, making notes, it has pockets in which to stick little souvies and such) and the Unofficial Guide. You can also get SO much info from this site, as well as www.wdwig.com. Use them... if you have questions, post them, and I guarantee you someone here will have an answer or point you in the right direction!

I'd also prepare a list of "Must Eat" locations. Again, check out the menus on-line, read recommendations from fellow travelers, and make a plan according to your schedule and budget.

As for how much you can see and do... with a park-hopper pass, you'll be able to hit all of the parks. Many people find it fairly easy to at least hit the highlights in all the parks during a visit the length of yours. Get up early, and stay up late! For many people, including myself, Animal Kingdom is considered a half-day park (although for others, especially those who love animals and nature, it can easily be an all-day adventure). Since you're already going to the Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, that's the equivalent of half-a-day in that park (how much you get to ride that night will depend on whether you want to see the shows and parades, or simply hit the major attractions which are open). With that in mind, you might well be able to visit the Magic Kingdom on another day and in a few hours hit the Must See attractions you don't hit on your Christmas Party night. For example, if you hit the MK in the morning to finish up, you could then zip over to Animal Kingdom and see what you wanted to over there.

Epcot is, for me at least, a definite all-day park. Morning in future world, afternoon in the World Showcase, and I never, ever miss a chance to see Illuminations (and then stop in a gift shop on the way out to buy the music!).

MGM is another park that, if you're only hitting the major attractions, can be done (assuming it's not extremely crowded) in half a day. But again, some people love all of the animation exhibits, shops, etc, and can spend a day or more here. It's all going to boil down to your personal Must See lists. (A personal Must-Eat in MGM is the Prime Time 50's Diner. Love it, love it, love it!).

You may, of course, wind up getting distracted, especially if you're like me and love holiday decorations (ohhhh... pretty lights! Eyes glaze over, warm and squishy feelings begin...). And remember, even after the parks close, you'll find plenty to do! Head over to The Boardwalk for a great evening (a Must See over there, for me: Jellyrolls, the dueling piano bar). Or go shopping at Downtown Disney (one of my tips is that I don't spend a whole lot of time shopping in the parks, but instead pick an evening to hit Downtown Disney and do all my shopping then, once the parks are closed).

Again, keep in mind you're not going to see it all. Be prepared to say, more than once on the way home, "Oh, we never did... (fill in the blank)." But you'll have so mnay great memories about everything you DID do that it won't make a bit of difference, and will, in fact, give you something to look forward to next time!

Have a great time... remember that planning the trip is half the fun! Ok, maybe not half, but it's sure a whole bunch of fun! Let your new friends here on the boards help. Ask questions. Get answers!

And have a great, great time!
Richard