Has anyone done all four parks in one day?

[pixiedust247]

We have one day and instead of picking a park our kids (DD 22, DS 18) want to park hop and hit all four parks. Has anyone attempted this? If so, what was your game plan?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Chaoticsweetness]

I have done all four parks in one day. My answer isn't helpful to you because I do not have kids.

We started off with MK did all the rides that were important, jumped on the monorail to Epcot with FP+ for Soarin' and had lunch in France, walked to DHS to go on Star Tours & then caught a bus to AK just in time for the sunset and the night entertainment.

It was a day well spent.

 

[tobikaye]

It can be relaxing or it can be tiring depending on what you want to accomplish. I have done all in one day a few times and 3 in a day multiple times.

I usually am not focused on multiple attractions so it is just a relaxing day where I move on when I feel like it.

 

[pooch]

My guess is OP's "kids" will be fine with this. DD and I have done this a few times. We start at AK and end at MK, hitting just a few highlights in each. We think is fun.

 

[Missyrose]

We have one day and instead of picking a park our kids (DD 22, DS 18) want to park hop and hit all four parks. Has anyone attempted this? If so, what was your game plan?

Thanks in advance!

We did it in January a few years back. AK in the morning, DHS for lunch/early afternoon. Epcot for late afternoon/early evening and dinner. Then MK for the evening and fireworks. It was fun, but just keep in mind you'll spend a good chunk of your day traveling between parks.

 

[loves to dive]

I've done it but didn't intend to. Was up early and dressed and AK had EMH so I thought why not, hopped on a bus and was there before park opening. No FPs, rode Safari, grabbed a coffee and muffin at the little stand outside of Safari, walked over and rode EE, double back and did jungle trek and Pagnini (sp?) Forest. Didn't feel like doing anything else so hopped on a bus to HS. The park hadn't been open long no FPs, walked to ToT and did standby, left there and did GMR, went to Writer's Stop and grabbed a hot tea and cookie and walked around the streets backlot for a while and sat on a bench and finished my tea and cookie. Walked back up front went through some shops. Didn't want to do anything else, was there for F&W, the boat happened to be at the dock so hopped on it to BC/YC and got off there and walked over to Epcot. Bout 11:00, I don't remember which direction I went but grabbed something from a couple of booths, went to a food demo at noon, walked to FW and went to the Living Seas and just walked around looking at the pretty fish, went and listened to the land (or do you live with it now), wasn't the mood for more food so hopped on the monorail to MK. Climbed Swiss Family Treehouse, rode Pirates, rode BTM, was hungry so grabbed a bus back to YC/BC and walked back over to Epcot and hit up some more booths. Was back in my room at BW by around 8:30 or 9. No FPs., no plans, just wandering around.

 

[OB1]

I have done it twice. I wanted a 'flavor' of each park, but was not concerned about hitting the top attractions if it was too busy.

• I started at the Studios and did a few top attractions, spending about 2 hours.
• Hopped to AK - and mainly walked the area soaking in the atmosphere. Maybe 1 or 2 quick rides, but not much.
• Off to EPCOT for the afternoon. Catch a lunch, wander the world, but no Soarin or Test Track.
• Took the Monrail to MK, arriving around 6:30. Was able to do a few low wait rides, including Pirates, Monsters Inc, Haunted Mansion. Stayed for the evening fireworks.

This is actually fairly easy IF you are not stuck on catching top attractions. The FastPass will help you at the most important park, and you may have some to roll over to other parks. I allotted time for each park, and loosely followed the time frame.

 

[prnces1214]

I love doing 4 parks in one day. We usually do 3 or 4 of our favorite attractions at each park then we are off to the next! I haven't done it in a few years, but plan on it when I am back there in 2 weeks!

 

[Sbk1234]

Personally, that wouldn't be my way of doing one day. You will lose a lot of time traveling and going through security. I'd be worried about feeling too rushed and getting too tired. Of course you know your family and what they are up for.

 

[cindyfan]

Depending on where you are staying and park hours it is possible to minimize the travel time..... plan it right! The key is to know where you want to end up... What park do you want to end the day and what night-time show?? I've hit AK first, then DHS (my FP+ were here). Boat to Swan then walked to BW (wanted to hit the bakery there!), continued walking to Epcot (there is never any wait for security at the International Gateway). Did dinner and some relaxing at World Showcase (while eating dinner we made more FP+ for MK). Hit Test Track single riders line and Spaceship Earth on the way out. Caught the monorail to MK with plenty of time for Wishes and a couple attractions (it was open till midnight). I've done it many times and in different orders. Just don't make the mistake of zig-zagging like DHS then AK then Epcot, .... that will waste time. Another hint..... think about what bus to take that puts you closest to be able to walk.... such as if you are at DHS and want to go to MK, take the bus to Contemporary and walk over to MK (its less than 10 minutes to walk it) as sometimes the buses from one park to another take longer.

 

[ariane37]

DH and I did it in January spur of the moment and it was great; with our kids we've only done 3 parks. We started in AK, jumped to HS, Epcot, dinner at Citricos and ended in MK. We actually didn't feel like we spent that much time on transportation and we took buses to and from each park except for the monorail from Citricos to MK. If your kids want to do it, I say try it!

 

[momof2gr8kids]

My kids have wanted to do this and I'm going to try and plan a day for it! Thinking of starting at HS for EMH, then head to Epcot with FP+ booked, then AK then end at MK for wishes (well, originally was going to be for MSEP and wishes but that's not happening now). Will have to wait for hours and shows to come out then I will figure it out.

 

[goldie09]

I've done it! You just need to adjust your park expectations - you won't be able to do everything in each park, so just pick 2-3 "must do" things per park, and anything more is bonus. We ended up choosing FP+ for the park in the late afternoon (happened to be HS), and found we had a great time! We leveraged EMH as onsite guests and had a blast! Definitely an exhausting day, but very worth it!

 

[ziravan]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/live-report-from-our-roller-coaster-day.3378861/

 

[tinkermom_of_two]

My son (12) and I were able to hit all four parks in one day, but this was over Christmas week taking advantage of long park hours, and we managed to sneak a short break in the afternoon as well. Our only goals were some kind of food or snack and at least one ride in each park, and we had a blast. I would strongly recommend going bagless if you can to do this to avoid bag check lines, and be aware of the amount of time you will lose to transportation, but it can be a fun challenge! However, to anyone with non-adult children, I will warn you that one fun attempt will result in said child begging for this to repeat with every trip, and this mom isn't always up for being out till that late on her feet!

 

[ziravan]

I have done it twice. I wanted a 'flavor' of each park, but was not concerned about hitting the top attractions if it was too busy.

• I started at the Studios and did a few top attractions, spending about 2 hours.
• Hopped to AK - and mainly walked the area soaking in the atmosphere. Maybe 1 or 2 quick rides, but not much.
• Off to EPCOT for the afternoon. Catch a lunch, wander the world, but no Soarin or Test Track.
• Took the Monrail to MK, arriving around 6:30. Was able to do a few low wait rides, including Pirates, Monsters Inc, Haunted Mansion. Stayed for the evening fireworks.

This is actually fairly easy IF you are not stuck on catching top attractions. The FastPass will help you at the most important park, and you may have some to roll over to other parks. I allotted time for each park, and loosely followed the time frame.

Something similar to this. Knock out HS at rope drop, and AK going into lunch. EPCOT through the afternoon and MK at night.

We've done 4 parks a few times and that seems to be the best order.

So rides:

HS: rope drop RnR, then ToT and then Star Tours. Leave. (TSMM was too much of a time drag but with third theater open, maybe). I would add Great Movie Ride since its closing.

AK: EE, Dinosaur (currently closed for refurb), Safari, done. (Maybe Kali or a few minutes on DinoLand rides).

EPCOT: DD has a thing for Spaceship Earth (thank the Phoenicians), MS and single rider TT. Wait for Soarin'. Figment (again DD). Done. Without a FP, FEA will be too much of a time drag, or you'll have to choose between FEA and Soarin' or use your FPs here for one (if you decide to use FP here, swap EPCOT for AK in park order so you can maybe pick up extra FPs later in day).

MK: Use FPs here. Although now that you can book a 4th pass in a different park, a better strategy is to use FPs early and keep trying to add one at the next park.

 

[mullysisters]

I think it is one of those Disney experiences that you do once! I have done it on my two most recent trips and would recommend it for adults. I started at which ever park has EMH in the morning (planning for MK, if at all possible). No need to use FP+ this way. Save those for the mid morning or mid afternoon park. Try to get FP+ after you've used your 4. I would make Epcot my evening park, or possibly the park with evening EMHs. I'm a fan in spite of the crowds.
You could also end the day at MK if it has late hours.
You will have a great time. Take it easy and enjoy. It will create great memories, remember take a group picture at each park entrance if you like!

 

[ziravan]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/live-report-4-park-roller-coaster-day-the-sequel.3419002/

 

[lynzi2004]

Go for it! You should have a great time and with the ages of your party you should have no problem moving throughout the day! Its not like you are lugging strollers on buses, making multiple bathroom stops, or dealing with screaming kids in line. I would focus on AK (Everest and Safari), Hollywood Studios (TOT and Rockin' Roller Coaster), EPCOT (Soarin' and quick stroll around WS) MK (Splash, Space, and a classic like Small World). If you count it up you might be doing 10-12 attractions all day. You will have FP for a least 3 of them. Consider 10-12 hrs of operating hours, there is no really no reason it can't be done if you understand you won't do everything. We had a 2 and 4 year old and were in the park (MK) for 16+ hrs a day and everyone had a great time. As for as which order to do things, I would try and pick a morning with EMH at AK, then go to HS (hopefully getting there close to normal park opening), walk from there to EPCOT and then monorail to MK. Something else that might be fun is to meet a character in each park to replace a ride. Mickey and Minnie at AK, Star Wars characters (HS), Anna and Elsa (Epcot), Cinderella (MK). I would think doing something like this, your longest line might be for Soarin', would save the FP for MK. Transportation would be your biggest issue. But, the only time you should have to wait on a bus would be from AK to HS.

 

[hdnwaters]

We did it one year and wore ourselves completely out.....went hard from 9am til around 8pm. It was a really hot day too. We did too many things at each park but it was a slow time so our longest wait was only about 20 minutes. And we did ride Test Track 3 times! We have done it again and with FP+, ADPs, and only planned a few rides at each park, it can be fun! We give ourselves a time frame and we add rides in a park if it looks like we are on schedule. Our worst mistake was we were staying offsite, we parked at the TTC. Our last park was HS and it took us almost an hour to get back our car at TTC. I would schedule your last park closest to your resort or leave your car there.