Flying in Friday (Couple of Questions)

[LegendsNJ]

Hi all, new board member here. I've been reading thru the threads and haven't found a specific answer to a few questions. IF they were already answered I apologize.

A few details about our trip, Coming down this Friday the 29th (arriving 5PM) and leaving next Wednesday the 3rd (leaving 8:30pm).

Have been to Disney several times before (but not ridden Frozen, Pandora land ride so thats on the must list)

Staying at the Hilton Bonnet Creek (and will utilize shuttles from there or just uber )

Planning on the following parks:

Dec 30th Magic Kingdom (possibly switch it to the 2nd depending on answers)
Dec 31st Epcot
Jan 1st Animal Kingdom
Jan 2nd Hollywood Studios

1. The Magic Kingdom;
A. The Holiday Decorations, Will they be up during the duration of our trip?
B. Snow on Main Street, I've read that this occurs daily after the Christmas Party is over Dec 22 thru New Years. If I was to switch to the 2nd would the snow effect still be in effect?

My thought process is the MK will be swamped on the 30th and not as bad on the 2nd. Hollywood Studios no matter how you spin it can be done in a day.

2. Epcot;
A. I've read about people lining up 4 hours prior to get a spot to see the 1140pm illuminations show, Is that really needed? Seems like it can be seen from just about anywhere in the World Showcase.
B. I've read how the mass exodus occurs after midnight, if we were to (which we are planning on doing) stay till 1:00, how is it getting out at that time?
C. In that 12-1am hour are the ride lines doable I.E. Test track, Frozen? (those are the only ones I'm curious about)

3. Animal Kingdom;
A. Is River of Lights worth seeing? I want to make a dinner reservation at Rainforest Cafe but the last one is at 7:45 and I think River of Lights starts at 7:30 and goes 20 minutes, which would put me past my reservation time... Something tells me we won't make the earlier show due to waiting in line over at Pandora land, (no luck so far with the FP there)


4. Hollywood Studios:
A. Should I drop my Toy Story Mania FP in favor or Tower of Terror or Rock'n Roller (seems like with the addition of another track the lines towards the end of the night aren't worse than 30 minutes) while Tower of Terror and Rock'N Roller Coaster keep an HOUR strong plus going.


One last note I have a reservation in Epcot at a restaurant in Japan and we have multi-day 1 park per day passes, but are not staying on Disney Property, so if I've read correctly unless it hits a level 4 closure we are ok? (and the odds of that are .0001% lol.)

Thanks in advanced for your responses, my girlfriend and I are super pumped to enjoy New Year's at Epcot and the rest of the time at Disney.

 

[Robo]

1. The Magic Kingdom;
A. The Holiday Decorations, Will they be up during the duration of our trip?
B. Snow on Main Street, I've read that this occurs daily after the Christmas Party is over Dec 22 thru New Years. If I was to switch to the 2nd would the snow effect still be in effect?

My thought process is the MK will be swamped on the 30th and not as bad on the 2nd. Hollywood Studios no matter how you spin it can be done in a day.

2. Epcot;
A. I've read about people lining up 4 hours prior to get a spot to see the 1140pm illuminations show, Is that really needed? Seems like it can be seen from just about anywhere in the World Showcase.
B. I've read how the mass exodus occurs after midnight, if we were to (which we are planning on doing) stay till 1:00, how is it getting out at that time?
C. In that 12-1am hour are the ride lines doable I.E. Test track, Frozen? (those are the only ones I'm curious about)

3. Animal Kingdom;
A. Is River of Lights worth seeing? I want to make a dinner reservation at Rainforest Cafe but the last one is at 7:45 and I think River of Lights starts at 7:30 and goes 20 minutes, which would put me past my reservation time... Something tells me we won't make the earlier show due to waiting in line over at Pandora land, (no luck so far with the FP there)


4. Hollywood Studios:
A. Should I drop my Toy Story Mania FP in favor or Tower of Terror or Rock'n Roller (seems like with the addition of another track the lines towards the end of the night aren't worse than 30 minutes) while Tower of Terror and Rock'N Roller Coaster keep an HOUR strong plus going.


One last note I have a reservation in Epcot at a restaurant in Japan and we have multi-day 1 park per day passes, but are not staying on Disney Property, so if I've read correctly unless it hits a level 4 closure we are ok? (and the odds of that are .0001% lol.)

Thanks in advanced for your responses, my girlfriend and I are super pumped to enjoy New Year's at Epcot and the rest of the time at Disney.

1. A. Likely.
B. Nope.
2. A. 4 Hrs? Nope.
B. The later you delay, the fewer the guests.
C. The later you delay, the fewer the guests.
3. Nearly everything is "worth seeing" at least once, certainly over eating a meal at Rainforest.
4. Toss-up.
Epcot will not hit level 4, so you're "safe."

 

[hiroMYhero]

4a. ToT is a Tier 2 Ride so you can have a FP for ToT and TSMM, or, ToT and RnRC.

ToT is a better FP to have versus Star Tours because it is difficult to find a ‘day of’ FP for ToT.

And, to DISboards!

 

[Robo]

ToT is a better FP to have versus Star Tours because it is difficult to find a ‘day of’ FP for ToT.

Star Tours?

 

[Allison]

Star Tours?

I don't understand the question.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Star Tours?

Probably should have said Little Mermaid or even Frozen.

If the OP doesn’t have ToT booked, he must have Star Tours and a show booked?

 

[Alesia]

My reponses are in red:

Hi all, new board member here. I've been reading thru the threads and haven't found a specific answer to a few questions. IF they were already answered I apologize.

A few details about our trip, Coming down this Friday the 29th (arriving 5PM) and leaving next Wednesday the 3rd (leaving 8:30pm).

Have been to Disney several times before (but not ridden Frozen, Pandora land ride so thats on the must list)

Staying at the Hilton Bonnet Creek (and will utilize shuttles from there or just uber )

Planning on the following parks:

Dec 30th Magic Kingdom (possibly switch it to the 2nd depending on answers)
Dec 31st Epcot
Jan 1st Animal Kingdom
Jan 2nd Hollywood Studios

1. The Magic Kingdom;
A. The Holiday Decorations, Will they be up during the duration of our trip?
Most will come down on the 1st.
B. Snow on Main Street, I've read that this occurs daily after the Christmas Party is over Dec 22 thru New Years. If I was to switch to the 2nd would the snow effect still be in effect?
I don't think so, but I'm not completely sure.

My thought process is the MK will be swamped on the 30th and not as bad on the 2nd.
Yes. But you'll miss most of the holiday stuff, including the special fireworks.

Hollywood Studios no matter how you spin it can be done in a day.
Not for my family.

2. Epcot;
A. I've read about people lining up 4 hours prior to get a spot to see the 1140pm illuminations show, Is that really needed?
I'm sure there are people who do, but it's definitely not necessary.

Seems like it can be seen from just about anywhere in the World Showcase.
No, you can't. Most of the show takes place on the surface of the water. You need a clear view of the center of the lagoon.

B. I've read how the mass exodus occurs after midnight, if we were to (which we are planning on doing) stay till 1:00, how is it getting out at that time?
Better.

C. In that 12-1am hour are the ride lines doable I.E. Test track, Frozen? (those are the only ones I'm curious about)
They'll be shorter than they were earlier, but I wouldn't necessarily count on being able to do both.

3. Animal Kingdom;
A. Is River of Lights worth seeing? I want to make a dinner reservation at Rainforest Cafe but the last one is at 7:45 and I think River of Lights starts at 7:30 and goes 20 minutes, which would put me past my reservation time... Something tells me we won't make the earlier show due to waiting in line over at Pandora land, (no luck so far with the FP there)
I would pick Rivers of Light over RFC.


4. Hollywood Studios:
A. Should I drop my Toy Story Mania FP in favor or Tower of Terror or Rock'n Roller (seems like with the addition of another track the lines towards the end of the night aren't worse than 30 minutes) while Tower of Terror and Rock'N Roller Coaster keep an HOUR strong plus going.
That depends on the rest of your touring plan.


One last note I have a reservation in Epcot at a restaurant in Japan and we have multi-day 1 park per day passes, but are not staying on Disney Property, so if I've read correctly unless it hits a level 4 closure we are ok? (and the odds of that are .0001% lol.)
If it hits stage 4, nobody gets in. That hasn't happened in 18 years and almost certainly won't happen again.

Thanks in advanced for your responses, my girlfriend and I are super pumped to enjoy New Year's at Epcot and the rest of the time at Disney.

 

[allshookup]

People do not "line up" to see the midnight fireworks four hours before, they put their blankets all around the lagoon and hold their spot all day long. You can still see the fireworks from anywhere in World Showcase although you may not see what's actually happening on the water, ie. the fountains, fire, etc. depending on how tall or short you are, but fireworks will be shooting off all over Epcot even behind the "countries".

There is a mass exodus at midnight and we found we could walk onto Maelstrom after midnight, but not sure how that will be now that's it's Frozen.