Help Me plan my 4-park-challenge

[RedSox68]

edited to add: [changed original title from "Boma vs. Kona Cafe"}


A quick help question: I am trying to make final plans for my birthday in December and have scheduled Boma's for breakfast. However, we have decided to try to do the 4-park-challenge for my b'day, so was thinking of booking Kona's instead thinking it might be easier to get to MK by RD at 9 a.m.!?! (We couldn't get Crystal Palace).

So which restaurant would you choose?

And how hard is it to get from Polynesian to MK gate?

Thanks much.

 

[Robo]

1. thinking of booking Kona's instead thinking it might be easier to get to MK by RD at 9 a.m.!?!

2. And how hard is it to get from Polynesian to MK gate?

Thanks much.

1. Yup.
2. If the monorail is running, figure 15 minutes.
If no monorail, figure 30 minutes, via bus or shuttle boat.

 

[RedSox68]

1. Yup.
2. If the monorail is running, figure 15 minutes.
If no monorail, figure 30 minutes, via bus or shuttle boat.

Thanks so much. For some reason I thought you had to change at the transportation center to get to MK from Poly, but just realized that's only if you're going to Epcot. I'm sure the Monorail will be a lot faster than the boat, and by the time we finish breakfast at around 8:30 they should be running.

I did change our reservation to Kona's. I've eaten at Boma's and know their food. hope Kona's is good too. Anyone know if they have POG juice?

 

[Robo]

1. hope Kona's is good too.

2. Anyone know if they have POG juice?

1. One of the tastiest breakfasts at WDW.

2. Yes.

 

[Robo]

I'm sure the Monorail will be a lot faster than the boat, and by the time we finish breakfast at around 8:30 they should be running.

Yes.
That's the scheduled start-time of the Resort Monorail during this period
of ""limited hours."

 

[RedSox68]

Okay, so I have the morning eats and transportation planned. Here is the park order we plan: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios (which has late evening hours). Ending with dinner at 50's Prime Time in honor of being born in the 50's!

So this day being on a Sunday, does anyone have any tips for what rides to head for in the parks first? We don't do roller coasters, so those are out. Our goal is two rides/attractions per park, grab something to eat, a picture with a character and a picture with a park icon, and a pin.

Also, this new fastpass system -- do we have to book times, or just attractions? You get three and then once they are used you can book more that afternoon ?

And lastly, is there anywhere (online or at Disney) where you get acknowledgement for completing this challenge?

Thanks.

 

[mesaboy2]

See the green link in my signature for answers to your FP questions.

No acknowledgement of any kind, other than the satisfaction of having done so, for whatever that's worth. I've personally done six.

 

[RedSox68]

See the green link in my signature for answers to your FP questions.

No acknowledgement of any kind, other than the satisfaction of having done so, for whatever that's worth. I've personally done six.

In that case, ANY suggestions you have would be most appreciated.

AND WOW, I just checked out your link and it is amazing. You really spent a lot of time on this and it will be most helpful to so many. Thanks.

 

[mesaboy2]

In that case, ANY suggestions you have would be most appreciated.

I think what you're planning sounds doable. Looks like you're starting with the park that opens first and ending with the one that closes last. Realistic goals of two attractions per park too. Go for it! I had the huge advantage of being a solo.

 

[RedSox68]

I think what you're planning sounds doable. Looks like you're starting with the park that opens first and ending with the one that closes last. Realistic goals of two attractions per park too. Go for it! I had the huge advantage of being a solo.

If I can take the advice of many and do it bagless, that would speed it along through the gates, but old habits are hard to break

 

[mesaboy2]

If I can take the advice of many and do it bagless, that would speed it along through the gates, but old habits are hard to break

If a bag costs you 20 minutes across all four parks I'd be surprised.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

This challenge really needs a good name. Every time someone posts about attempting it I get really amped up for them and really want to attempt it someday myself (Not very feasible with a 3yo)

 

[RedSox68]

This challenge really needs a good name. Every time someone posts about attempting it I get really amped up for them and really want to attempt it someday myself (Not very feasible with a 3yo)

I just calling it the 4-parks-in-one-day challenge. I'd love to get t-shirts made. I'll be turning 61, so it will be a big challenge to both my husband and I, my DD who is 27 will be find Worst of all -- MK is open until Midnight the night before and we want to get to the Polynesian by 7 a.m. So I see a big lack of sleep there.

 

[ParrotBill]

Make sure you know all the park hours that day, as in December many are not open late. MK would usually be the latest but you are starting there... so make sure you get to AK and DS before their closing times and save EPCOT for last since it will be open until 9.

Worst case timing- strive to cut these shorter so you don't run into character problems!

8-9 breakfast. Banana Stuffed French Toast.
9-11 MK - 2 rides, picture, character, pin
11-12:30 eat and bus to AK
12:30-2:30 AK - 2 rides, picture, character, pin
2:30-4 eat and bus to DS
4-6 DS: 2 rides, picture, character, pin (Note: getting late for characters here, check schedule)
6-7:30 eat and boat to EPCOT
7:30-9:30 character, pin, 2 rides, picture

Check your character times carefully! They are not out in the parks very late.

If you run short of time at the end of the day, remember you can still get in line at 8:55 and take a picture afterward.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I just calling it the 4-parks-in-one-day challenge. I'd love to get t-shirts made. I'll be turning 61, so it will be a big challenge to both my husband and I, my DD who is 27 will be find Worst of all -- MK is open until Midnight the night before and we want to get to the Polynesian by 7 a.m. So I see a big lack of sleep there.

I always say "ya sleep when you're dead". I did 4 parks last Dec. Made sure I got all my fave rides. I would also day make sure you get your fave treats too. Dole whip for lunch....why not? I would also say make sure to keep in mind the rides with single rider lines...EE, TT and RnRC.

 

[readytogotodisney]

I'm planning on doing the same 4 parks -1 day on my solo trip next month. My order of parks is a little different due to the operating hours, but here's my plan, maybe it'll help you

8am - rope drop at AK for EMH. I plan on riding Everest, Kali (it's never open when we usually go in Jan), grabbing a quick QS at Kusafiri, then watching Lion King.

taking bus to CR and walking to MK. I have FP's for Splash Mtn at 11:35-12:35, (I'm okay if I miss this one, but it's also usually closed when we're there so I want to try), BOG FP lunch at 12:40-1:10, ETWB FP at 12:30-1:30 and 7D at 1:40-2:40.

From there I'll grab the monorail to Epcot (or bus to YC/BC - can't decide which would be faster since I only want to do WS in Epcot). I'll eat and drink my way around the world. I want to wonder through the stores since my two little bulls (ages 4 and 1) don't let me normally go through the china shops. If there is time I might watch a few of the countries movies and maybe American Adventure.

I don't really care for Illuminations, so I plan on skipping out around 8:30 and taking the boat to HS to watch the Frozen fireworks. I'd also like to ride Aerosmith since the park is open until 9:30.

 

[Baptist]

This challenge really needs a good name. Every time someone posts about attempting it I get really amped up for them and really want to attempt it someday myself (Not very feasible with a 3yo)

How about "4 for all", "go 4 it", "4 ever Disney fan", or "All for one, and one day for 4 parks"?

 

[RedSox68]

Make sure you know all the park hours that day, as in December many are not open late. MK would usually be the latest but you are starting there... so make sure you get to AK and DS before their closing times and save EPCOT for last since it will be open until 9.

Worst case timing- strive to cut these shorter so you don't run into character problems!

8-9 breakfast. Banana Stuffed French Toast.
9-11 MK - 2 rides, picture, character, pin
11-12:30 eat and bus to AK
12:30-2:30 AK - 2 rides, picture, character, pin
2:30-4 eat and bus to DS
4-6 DS: 2 rides, picture, character, pin (Note: getting late for characters here, check schedule)
6-7:30 eat and boat to EPCOT
7:30-9:30 character, pin, 2 rides, picture

Check your character times carefully! They are not out in the parks very late.

If you run short of time at the end of the day, remember you can still get in line at 8:55 and take a picture afterward.

We're doing Hollywood Studios last because they have late hours until 10 p.m. We're going to either walk there or take the boat from Epcot. It will be MK to AK to Epcot to HS.

Our breakfast reservation is at 7:30 -- so we're hoping to be at the opening of the gates by 9 a.m. at MK. From there, it's all a crap shoot and hopefully time and crowds will be on our side.

BTW, a co-worker just told me that the Polynesian is torn asunder for the remodeling. Does anyone know if this will affect our breakfast at Kona or the Monorail stop?

 

[mesaboy2]

We're doing Hollywood Studios last because they have late hours until 10 p.m. We're going to either walk there or take the boat from Epcot. It will be MK to AK to Epcot to HS.

Our breakfast reservation is at 7:30 -- so we're hoping to be at the opening of the gates by 9 a.m. at MK. From there, it's all a crap shoot and hopefully time and crowds will be on our side.

BTW, a co-worker just told me that the Polynesian is torn asunder for the remodeling. Does anyone know if this will affect our breakfast at Kona or the Monorail stop?

Kona and the monorail function normally without being impacted by the Poly construction. Monorail hours are currently curtailed from normal due to monorail maintenance. If the monorail is not available when you need it, you should be able to catch a boat or bus to MK instead.

 

[MLinDisney]

I just calling it the 4-parks-in-one-day challenge. I'd love to get t-shirts made. I'll be turning 61, so it will be a big challenge to both my husband and I, my DD who is 27 will be find Worst of all -- MK is open until Midnight the night before and we want to get to the Polynesian by 7 a.m. So I see a big lack of sleep there.

My daughter and I are doing 4 Parks one day in September. We had a T-shirt made on Etsy. There is a DISigner board here on DIS and I saw a 4 Parks one day iron on over there. But decided on the one from Etsy instead. Here is the shirt design: