Help finalizing touring plan!!!

[emmababy]

We are going oct 14-18. We fly in Sat morning and land 8:00 am. I figured by the time we check in and get to a park it would safely be 11.
Original plan was Sat Ak,sun MK ,Mom Epcot,tues Mk

Made dining accordingly before hours were out based on last year.

Well did checking and saw mk closes at 7 both nights I had planned. I know there is no nighttime parade but something special about being there at night.

Sooooo- I have thought of switching MK to Saturday and AK to Sunday. Just worried on a Saturday and not rope drop
That the lines would be wacky!!help!!

 

[10CJ]

Are you arriving Friday or Saturday? Friday is the 13th. If you arrive Fri why can't you rope drop on Sat? What about going to MK on Monday? OR adding park hoppers?

 

[emmababy]

Sorry- we fly in Saturday morning. Oct 14. We plan to do Epcot Monday and already have askerhus booked. We figured Epcot would be packed.
Our current plan is
Sat-AK
Sun MK closes 7
Mon- Epcot
Tues- MK closes at 7

 

[sharonabe]

Sorry- we fly in Saturday morning. Oct 14. We plan to do Epcot Monday and already have askerhus booked. We figured Epcot would be packed.
Our current plan is
Sat-AK
Sun MK closes 7
Mon- Epcot
Tues- MK closes at 7

Are park hoppers completely out of the question?

Assuming no park hoppers, you've definitely got a pickle. If you do MK on Sat, it will be packed. It's just one of the downfalls of going during party season. The days MK does NOT have a party are so crazy crowded, because, like you, everyone wants to see the HEA and MK at night. When there are only 3 nights a week for non-party guests to do that, it means all three are overwhelmed with guests.

If you can lower your expectations for that Saturday at MK, knowing that your second day at MK will be much less crowded and you'll get so much done, you'll be okay. Fireworks will be a mess, but at least you get to see them, and they'll be the same mess if you try to go on Monday. Get what FP+ you can for MK on Sat and prioritize some of the "smaller" rides that rarely have a wait. Check Robo's maps and decide where you want to be for the fireworks and head there early to stake out a spot.

With MK on Sat, you need to decide if you want to do MK back-to-back or wait until your last day. If you wait until Tues, it does mean you are out of the parks early. Maybe plan a special dinner to end your vacation? OR go to MK again on Sun and end your trip with AK on Tues.

Just checked the hours and it may be a good thing to do NOT do AK on Saturday as they do have early EMH that day which will make the park a little more crowded than it will be on Tuesday.

 

[MommaBerd]

Yes, sadly during the party season you choose between fighting the crowds and park hoppers. Or, paying for the dessert party if you really want to see HEA without staking a spot two hours ahead of time. Whichever way, Disney wins and you lose. (I'm not usually a sourpuss towards Disney, but party season really is out of control!) of course, if you skip HEA, you will probably have some short lines for the major attractions.

But since you are re-examining your plans, Josh at easywdw has reported that Sunday seems to be the best day for AK, based on his data and observations.

I think since you are already planning two days in MK, I would switch MK to Saturday and AK to Sunday. The crowds at MK may not be *as* bad given Columbus Day weekend is the previous weekend and Epcot F&W is going on, which will draw the locals (maybe?).

 

[emmababy]

Thank you all! My
Only sticking point is we are meeting friends and they planned MK for Friday before we get there. And not sure if they want to do back to back days. Mk is obviously my fave. There are 5 of us so I don't really want to park hop. I almost thought of changing our park tickets to 3 days and just do party but our tickets won't allow I believe. I just don't want to get there around 11 and it is already crowded!
We are staying at poly so We can watch fireworks from there but there is just something about being there!!

 

[ELSA711]

During party season we always go to MK on party days despite the early closure. We just feel we get more done, but if night time activities are a must and you have hoppers or can get hoppers then maybe you do that. Have you considered buying the party tickets?

 

[emmababy]

Yes but it would be $500 for party! And I really think we would
Only use hopper once

During party season we always go to MK on party days despite the early closure. We just feel we get more done, but if night time activities are a must and you have hoppers or can get hoppers then maybe you do that. Have you considered buying the party tickets?