Flying solo again soon... how's my plan look?

[adamreisinger]

After spending my birthday last year at Disneyland, I wasn't expecting this year to be quite as amazing, but one thing led to another and suddenly I find myself headed down to Walt Disney World for a brief trip the day after my birthday. I've put together my plan for the two-night stay, and I'd love to hear what the friendly folks on this board think of it and what else I should try to make room for while I'm there.

May 18
Flight arrives at 11:00 a.m.
Drop off bag at AKL
Arrive at DHS by 2 p.m.
Meet w/ BB-8 at Star Wars Launch Bay
Meet w/ Star-Lord & Baby Groot at One Man's Dream
Squeeze in a ride on TOT or RNRC depending on wait time
Express transportation over to MK
4:05-5:05 FP window for BTMRR (probably catch the end of this window)
5:05-6:05 FP window for Splash Mtn (get the window as early as possible)
Meet w/ Merida
6:05-7:05 FP window for Space Mtn (late in window, depending on how long Merida takes)
7:50 ADR at Tony's
9:00 Watch Happily Ever After from somewhere on Main Street

May 19
Rope drop Animal Kingdom
Ride EE (single-rider line FTW!)
9:40 ADR at Tusker House
Meet w/ Pocahontas (might do this at RD if she's out at 9 a.m.)
Express transportation to Epcot
12:20-1:20 FP window for Mission: SPACE (near end of window)
1:25-2:25 FP window for Spaceship Earth (near start of window)
2pm start Drink Around the World in Canada
4pm-ish grab something to eat at World Showcase (no ADR)
5:55-6:55 FP window for FEA (time this to arrive in Norway for DATW around this time)
Finish DATW in Mexico
Express bus back to AK
8-ish depending on timing, maybe try to squeeze in a ride on DINOSAUR
9:15pm Rivers of Light (Dining package reserved seat)

May 20
9am-11am Pandora DVC Member Preview
11-12 hang out at Nomad Lounge, try a couple of cocktails
Noon-2pm Pandora D23 Member Preview
1:55-2:55 FP window for It's Tough to be a Bug!
Maybe grab another single-rider spot on EE
Bus back to AKL
5pm DME to airport

I really want to make sure I do the Merida and Pocahontas M&Gs because I need them to complete my signed princess portrait set. Otherwise pretty much everything outside of the two ADRs and the two Pandora preview windows is completely flexible, so I'm open to suggestions.

Also, I'm wondering if it'd be worth checking my bag instead of doing a carry-on, then skipping DME from the airport and taking an Uber directly to DHS? It might save me an hour, but I'm not sure it's worth the cost. Thoughts from the crowd?

 

[com_op_2000]

On May 19th at EPCOT F&G will still be going on, you can eat at the food booths around WSC as you do the drinks around the world. If you are ambitious enough, you can do drinks around the WSC at the F&G booths, even more things to try.

 

[adamreisinger]

On May 19th at EPCOT F&G will still be going on, you can eat at the food booths around WSC as you do the drinks around the world. If you are ambitious enough, you can do drinks around the WSC at the F&G booths, even more things to try.

I might try to work some F&G drinks into the Drink Around the World quest, so long as I stay upright enough to enjoy Rivers of Light later that night.

 

[kwdw]

On May 19 - I'm not sure I'd do the backtrack from Mission Space back to Spaceship Earth. I might skip the SE FP. So - I'd go around the world the opposite direction. I'd get as far as the second boat dock - then ride the boat back to future world to walk back over to Mexico to use the FEA FP+. So - maybe this is about the extra steps to hit SE aren't worth it for me????

But - your plan works.

 

[adamreisinger]

On May 19 - I'm not sure I'd do the backtrack from Mission Space back to Spaceship Earth. I might skip the SE FP. So - I'd go around the world the opposite direction. I'd get as far as the second boat dock - then ride the boat back to future world to walk back over to Mexico to use the FEA FP+. So - maybe this is about the extra steps to hit SE aren't worth it for me????

But - your plan works.

Good call on this. I was able to flip the FP windows for SE and MS, so I'll arrive from the Express Bus right near SE, do SE, then go over to MS, then probably take your advice and just start DATW in Mexico, rather than walking all the way over to Canada to start.

 

[rstevens333]

I'm not even a big character person and this plan sounds really good to me. Express transportation is pretty great.

I wonder if you could skip the Uber by checking your bag, then popping out at an EPCOT area hotel and just walking to DHS before your check in. We hopped out at the Poly when staying elsewhere last year and our bags made it just fine.