Going to Walt Disney World for the 1st time in 28 years

[mtolentino97]

Hello everyone! I’m going to need some help and suggestions. I haven’t been to WDW since 1990 and I am going for a family vacation in September in to October 2018. The only downfall is it will be a trip where we are going to be at the parks for only 2 days. Some of our family members bought park hoppers and my wife and I are deciding on whether or not we should make the most of it and buy the premier passes. Now, my question is or are; can we fit 4 parks into 2 days? How does it work I’m terms of utilizing the monorail system? Would we have to drive in between parks? And is it worth it? We will have4 kids with us and 6 adults. The kids are rNging from 1-11. It is for sure a 50/50 split in terms of genders for the kids. We want the girls to experience the fantasyland at the MK since it does have differences to the DL one. And then we want the kids to see the AK since non of us has seen it before. And HS is another since there’s the Star Wars experience for the boys. Should we skip Epcot? Suggestions please.

 

[CAS239]

2 days isn't enough to fully take in one park.

I'd leave Epcot out and do AK one morning, HS that night, then a full day at mk.

The monorail, park wise, only goes from MK to Epcot. So you'd either drive, taxi, Uber, or take a Disney to the other parks. Parking for off site guests is $20 per day. When hopping just keep your receipt so you don't have to pay at the second park.

I'd rope drop AK, either head straight for flight of passage or go elsewhere in the park. Having fast passes set up for later in the day at HS. If you want fast passes for AK then try for FoP. Then once you use your fast passes at AK go on the app and book a FP for HS. You'll want to do HS at night because the Star Wars fireworks are great. If the timing is right you could possibly see Fantasmic as well.

MK you'll want a full day and top it off with happily ever after fireworks

 

[Micca]

Any way you could add another day or two? WDW is so immense it's just difficult to even touch the high points in two days. Are you a regular DLR visitor? If so, you could probably split a day between MK and DHS or Epcot. Depending on your interest in animals and shows, you could do the rides at AK and then head off to Epcot or DHS. FWIW, I have a friend who grew up around DLR visiting a couple of times a week for 20 years. He enjoys MK, but it's his #4 park at WDW, with AK being #1.

 

[rpb718]

Tough call to leave EPCOT out - especially during F&W - but if all you have are 2 days and especially if we are talking about anytime between Friday and Sunday you must not go to EPCOT. A full day at MK is a must, and I think HS with the new Toy Story Land opened up would fill up the other day. If not HS, then do a full day at AK - I can't see trying to do both parks in one day. It'll still be very hot and humid at WDW, so take that into account. I know many folks think AK gets especially hot and humid for some reason. Also it's hurricane season, but hopefully it will have no effect on your plans.

 

[mamamelody2]

Hoo, boy, the thought of trying to fit all 4 parks into 2 days is giving me anxiety.
I would definitely want a full day at MK. There's so much to do there, and tons for kids.
If you want to do the new rides at AK, you would need to rope drop.
If you want to do Jedi Training at HS, you would need to rope drop.
Is there any way you can add another day?? A 3 day non-hopper ticket is $289, a 2 day hopper is $259. Then you could have a full day each in HS, AK, and MK. Epcot is great but in your case, I'd forget it.

 

[Klayfish]

If you have just two days in the parks, and haven't been in nearly 3 decades, there's no way you're going to even fully tackle one park, let alone 4. Don't get me wrong, I'm 100% in favor of going...I'd go even for just a few hours, but it's not realistic to expect to do a lot in just 2 days. If you really want to see all 4 parks, and I don't blame you, my best recommendation is to just try to hit a few key highlights in each one that you want to see/do. Take the time to fully enjoy those few highlights, instead of rushing from one thing to the next without really taking time to experience it.

Like others said, if you can add another day, that's oh so much better.

 

[bobbie68]

If you have just two days in the parks, and haven't been in nearly 3 decades, there's no way you're going to even fully tackle one park, let alone 4. Don't get me wrong, I'm 100% in favor of going...I'd go even for just a few hours, but it's not realistic to expect to do a lot in just 2 days. If you really want to see all 4 parks, and I don't blame you, my best recommendation is to just try to hit a few key highlights in each one that you want to see/do. Take the time to fully enjoy those few highlights, instead of rushing from one thing to the next without really taking time to experience it.

Like others said, if you can add another day, that's oh so much better.

I agree with this plan if you want to see all 4 parks. If you have one park you want to spend more time in and need to leave a park out it would be Epcot. Epcot has always been one of my favorites but right now and especially with your ages of kids I would skip it if you have to skip a park.

 

[ArwenMarie]

If you are set on two days, I would pick two parks, no hoppers, and see those parks as much as you can in those two days

I think Epcot is a good one to skip with the composition of your group.

 

[DaisyNY]

You might also consider going to MNSSHP (Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party) at MK if there's a date scheduled while you are there...it allows you park entry at 4 PM, special parade and fireworks but does require additional fees. The kids would love the trick or treating.

 

[mom2rtk]

Another vote for 2 parks (open to close) with no hoppers. Hoppers are fine for frequent visitors, or people on longer trips with time to spare. With only 2 days, I don't want to be giving up a single moment leaving one park to travel to another.

 

[NH-to-FL]

to DisBoards!

I am going to also suggest skipping Epcot and doing one day at the MK and then a morning/early afternoon at AK and the afternoon/evening at HS. I would have suggested just two parks, MK and AK, but you specifically mentioned Star Wars so that would take you HS.

You'll want to drive from AK to HS if just to make it quicker to get back to your car at the end of the day. As others have noted save your parking receipt as you only pay once per day to park.

Be prepared for two long days. There is so much to see you will want to go from rope drop to close. Given the age of the kids you'll probably have to prepare for a pause (or two) during the MK day to make it through. The drive between AK and HS might provide the pause for that day.

You will have to do some planning to pick out your "must do's". I would suggest to cut deeply and then be happy if you find a few extra minutes to do something spontaneously if you get ahead of schedule.
Wishing you a visit!

 

[KittyKitty]

I'd rope drop AK

Rope drop for AK if you want to ride Flight of Passage means be there 1 hour prior to opening. It used to mean be there when the park opens, but the popularity of FoP has changed it!

I also vote a full day at MK. It usually takes me at least 2 days.

 

[mtolentino97]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I am going with the park hoppers because I was able to get discount tickets from a cast member I know. So, I’m debating on whether I renew my passes from Disneyland and going with the premium pass and have access to both parks. Since I’m going with my family, I’m not sure if I’m going to do an extra day with my wife and daughter. We’re doing Universal studios for 2 days. And then going to do Walt Disney world for 2. My family thinks doing 5 days of parks would be tiring and want a day to rest. I myself think otherwise. Has anyone done universal for 1 day as a park hopper? They mainly want Tom explore both Harry Potter areas in both parks. Any suggestions for that?

 

[Surgie2]

Has anyone done universal for 1 day as a park hopper? They mainly want Tom explore both Harry Potter areas in both parks. Any suggestions for that?

We did Universal in one day with the pass between parks to ride the Hogwarts Express. It was fine for us (two adults) and cost about $155 each a year ago. We are not into coasters and typical thrill rides. In your situation I would skip Universal this trip. The rides are geared for ages 8 and up IMO. It is so much more cost effective to buy a 4 or 5-day pass to Disney than to buy a 2 day Disney and 2 day Universal. And I agree, a rest day is not needed on a 5 day trip. Does everyone in your family group have to have the same tickets and park day schedules?

 

[Haley R]

I agree that universal is geared towards older children. I don’t think many young children could be entertained there for as long compared to mk. We took two days at universal and still probably could’ve had more time to see everything. You might want to pick either Disney or universal. They both have lots to see and do and it might not be as fun to cram it into one trip.

 

[Disney_Alli]

Before the second Harry Potter portion opened my family often did both Universal parks in one day hitting all the rides and were usually done by 4 or 5pm. I'm positive it would still be doable in one day especially during October.

 

[KenHutch]

Another vote for skipping Epcot, you will need one full day at Magic Kingdom and then split a day with AK/Holllywood. You will not be able to hit a lot but you can prioritize at least to hit the highlights. And good luck and have fun.

 

[rg35]

I also agree w/ skipping Universal on this trip given the makeup of your party and the ages of the children.

 

[ZoZo]

Another vote for 2 parks (open to close) with no hoppers. Hoppers are fine for frequent visitors, or people on longer trips with time to spare. With only 2 days, I don't want to be giving up a single moment leaving one park to travel to another.

Excellent advice! I'd pick MK and AK. Have fun!

 

[Mome Rath]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I am going with the park hoppers because I was able to get discount tickets from a cast member I know. So, I’m debating on whether I renew my passes from Disneyland and going with the premium pass and have access to both parks. Since I’m going with my family, I’m not sure if I’m going to do an extra day with my wife and daughter. We’re doing Universal studios for 2 days. And then going to do Walt Disney world for 2. My family thinks doing 5 days of parks would be tiring and want a day to rest. I myself think otherwise. Has anyone done universal for 1 day as a park hopper? They mainly want Tom explore both Harry Potter areas in both parks. Any suggestions for that?

IMO, Park hoppers at WDW are always a good idea, but that's the way I like to travel (The lifesaver is when a park gets absolutely slammed with people, which I can only take for so long, so I just hop somewhere else.) As to Universal, I went in 2016 and all I wanted to see was Harry Potter. One day was plenty of time with a hopper, especially since I didn't really enjoy the HP rides, and the Forbidden Journey one made me sick as a dog so we didn't ride any twice. I will say, however, that the theme was very well done in the shops, streets, restaurants, the train, etc... and I'm glad I went, though I doubt I'll ever go back.

For your ticket, have you crunched the numbers to see how much the premium pass would be extra? It always depends on the number of days in the parks.

As for your days and how to split them, EPCOT is my favorite park, but as others have said, in this very particular case, you could skip it if you wanted to. If you only do 2 days at WDW, then MK one full day and split the other day between AK (morning) and HS (evening) is my vote. I do all 4 parks in 2 days a lot, but it's because they are so familiar. IF you really want EPCOT in there, I'd do AK and HS as my "short parks" and MK and EPCOT as my long ones. Pick one short park and one long park per day. If you teamed up EPCOT with HS, you can always take the lazy boat ride between them.

As for the rest/don't rest debate, we never go a whole day there without going to a park. Even if it is a half day of rest with half day at a park, it makes a big difference as far as feeling like you're seeing everything. But it entirely depends on the individuals in your party, if younger kids get so worn out they can't function, then it's no fun for them or anyone else.