Four parks one day strategies and thoughts

[perchy]

Returned from a trip in July with four kids and turned around and booked another for September, solo. My goal is is spend most of my days at the resorts. I’m a resort hopper. But the Disney voices inside my head encouraged me to try the 4 parks 1 day challenge. I thought this could be fun too. And since I was just there, I don’t need to hit all the headliners.

I wondered what others factored into which park to rope drop, do second, third and last, and why.

 

[Laura's Dad]

I've done it. Another website used to do a 4 park challange making use of WDW transportation and requiring 3 attractions in each park.

Animal Kingdom was my starting point. I rode the bus from PO-FQ for early entry. Did Dinosaur, Everest, and Bug's Life. before leaving. This was done in FP era, so I got three for the second park. Rode the bus from AK to DHS. This was the longest I had to wait, although I met a nice DISer at the bus stop that was doing something similar. Went to DHS and rode Tower of Terror, R and R Coaster, and Star Tours. Replenished FPs after each check in for Epcot. Rode boats from DHS to Epcot's International Gateway (today you could also take the Skyliner). Walked around World Showcase eating at a couple of Food and Wine food booths before eating a favorite ham, apple, and cheese sandwich at the fast food place in Norway (sadly never re-opened after COVID). Rode Mexico boat ride, Soarin' and Spaceship Earth. Checked on MK FPs after each entry. Rode the monorail from the front of Epcot to the TTC then switched over to the MK monorail. Rode PeopleMover, Under the Sea and finished up on Pirates. Finished up around 4-5 ish.

I am an early riser and was able to get on one of the first busses to the AK in the morning. Although the day went smoothly, I was surpringly worn out around 2-3 o'clock. Probably because of adrenaline rush in the morning. It was a very fun experience.

 

[Miffy]

I haven't done this, but if I did, I'd do the parks in this order:
1. Rope-drop DAK then bus to
2. DHS then walk/boat/Skyliner to
3. Epcot then monorail to
4. MK

I'd have lunch at DHS or Epcot and dinner/snack at MK.

ETA: And I'd pick a day when MK was open late.

 

[perchy]

Definitely doing AK first with early entry and the earliest park opening.

I’d have to buy multi passes at at least two parks. Can you buy mps at multiple parks or does buying one cover you for the day?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Definitely doing AK first with early entry and the earliest park opening.

I’d have to buy multi passes at at least two parks. Can you buy mps at multiple parks or does buying one cover you for the day?

One LLMP per day, purchase at the first park you want to use it, max of 3 attractions at a time. Can buy 2 LLSP each day, at different parks.

 

[Genie+]

After you buy LLMP, it can be used at all the parks. You must book the 3 pre-selections at the first park you want to use them, but once you use 1 LL that opens up the ability to modify the other 2 pre-selections to other parks (Plus you’ll be able to book a 3rd slot after using the first one).

 

[GBBTomorrow]

I've done it, except we called it "Around the World in a Day" because we started AND ended in Magic Kingdom.

Our Rules:

• Three attractions in each park
• Only Disney transportation or walking

Our Park Itinerary (I don't remember which rides we did, to be honest, but we did three favorites in each park)

• Stayed at Swan
• Bus to Magic Kingdom for rope drop
• Bus to Animal Kingdom
• Bus to Studios
• Walked to Swan for pool break and change clothes
• Walked to Epcot
• Monorail to Magic Kingdom for Dole Whip and fireworks

We had a blast and I'd totally do it again!

 

[perchy]

After you buy LLMP, it can be used at all the parks. You must book the 3 pre-selections at the first park you want to use them, but once you use 1 LL that opens up the ability to modify the other 2 pre-selections to other parks (Plus you’ll be able to book a 3rd slot after using the first one).

Ok excellent.

I will Rope Drop AK and I would like to end at EP.

Torn between MK or HS second. It’s an MK party day, which means the closer to 4 the busier it will be.

But HS needs the MPs or I’ll be all over the place and times won’t align.

Ugh. What to do….???

 

[garris3404]

My daughter and I completed the "4 parks 1 day challenge" back in 2018. Our "rules" were as follows:
1) 5 attractions in each park, with 3 being tier 1 headliners
2) eat something in each park (snack in AK, TS lunch in HS, snack in EP, CS dinner in MK)
3) multiple photo-pass pictures in each park
4) use only Disney transportation (bus from Pop to AK; bus from AK to HS; boat from HS to EP; monorail from EP to MK; bus from MK to Pop)
5) do some pin trading
6) have a magical day

 

[pinkcheezit]

Ok excellent.

I will Rope Drop AK and I would like to end at EP.

Torn between MK or HS second. It’s an MK party day, which means the closer to 4 the busier it will be.

But HS needs the MPs or I’ll be all over the place and times won’t align.

Ugh. What to do….???

What did you end up doing? This is my predicament with MK or HS second and MK a party night.