Help with EPCOT after MNSSHP

[PHamrick]

We are headed to FL for MNSSHP on October 5th and then plan on going to EPCOT on the 6th. (We are then going to Gainesville to watch the UF/LSU game--GO GATORS!). Since we are going to be at the party pretty late, we definitely won't rope drop Epcot (the kids are 6 and 8). My daughter is very interested in meeting princesses that she can't meet in other places and/or hasn't met yet (Belle in her blue dress, Mulan, maybe Jasmine, definitely Aurora). But I was trying to figure out what FP we should get and how likely it would be that we could ride the other most popular rides. We've ridden Soarin before, but not Test Track or Frozen (we did Soarin at Disneyland a few weeks ago).

It also looks like the Wine and Food festival will be there at the same time. Based on those parameters, not showing up until around 10 or 11 or so, wanting to visit some of the world showcase, wanting to ride some rides, want to leave around 7 or so, what are your best suggestions for experiencing Epcot. I haven't been since college in the 1990s and my kids have never been.

Thanks!!

 

[ErinsMommy]

Aurora is at Akershus as well as CRT I believe. Jasmine is usually at CRT but sometimes you can even find her where that camel ride is in MK as well. Belle will be in her yellow dress at Akershus. That can potentially cut a few princesses off your list so touring at Epcot is easier.

 

[alliecat523]

If you're in the princess zone I would FP Frozen for your top tier. You should be able to get on the others with lower wait times due to the time of year.

 

[glassslippergirl]

Have you checked Kenny the Pirate's webpage? He keeps record of where you can expect to find characters. That said, I think you'd be wise to book Akershus if princesses are the priority. Get a princess fix there and then go around the countries at World Showcase to fill in the missing ones. For efficiency, try to plan your day so that you are in Future World doing attractions for a block of time and then you are in World Showcase eating, seeking princesses, riding FEA, and touring countries in another block of time. Epcot is way too big to keep crisscrossing.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would definitely get FP+ for Frozen and would suggest subscribing to Kenny the Pirate's website for character schedules. I think if I were you I would try to book the FEA FP+ for around noon (with a noon to 1 pm window). That will give you plenty of time to sleep in and get a later start. If you arrive around 11 am, that also gives you time to check stand-by times for TT to see if you want to ride it then. If not, I would check out, maybe one thing in FW that doesn't have long wait time and then head over to WS. You can then do Frozen and visit the princesses in this order - Mulan, Jasmine, Belle, Aurora - to make your way around WS. (Yes, you could go to Akershus for lunch, but they rotate princesses and there is never a guarantee as to who you are going to see).

Depending on the princess schedule, I would then pick two other FP+ in FW for late afternoon (perhaps 4 - 5 pm and 5 - 6 pm). As you go back into FW in the late afternoon, you can check TT times again to see if you want to try to ride then (if you didn't ride in the morning). I would go in knowing you may have a substantial wait time for TT or not ride it at all (if you decide not to stand in the line).

 

[missangelalexis]

I would definitely get FP+ for Frozen and would suggest subscribing to Kenny the Pirate's website for character schedules. I think if I were you I would try to book the FEA FP+ for around noon (with a noon to 1 pm window). That will give you plenty of time to sleep in and get a later start. If you arrive around 11 am, that also gives you time to check stand-by times for TT to see if you want to ride it then. If not, I would check out, maybe one thing in FW that doesn't have long wait time and then head over to WS. You can then do Frozen and visit the princesses in this order - Mulan, Jasmine, Belle, Aurora - to make your way around WS. (Yes, you could go to Akershus for lunch, but they rotate princesses and there is never a guarantee as to who you are going to see).

Depending on the princess schedule, I would then pick two other FP+ in FW for late afternoon (perhaps 4 - 5 pm and 5 - 6 pm). As you go back into FW in the late afternoon, you can check TT times again to see if you want to try to ride then (if you didn't ride in the morning). I would go in knowing you may have a substantial wait time for TT or not ride it at all (if you decide not to stand in the line).

I agree with all of this. Eating at Akershus wouldn't help with the princesses you want to meet except for Aurora (Belle meets in her yellow gown there, not her blue dress).

 

[CMNJ]

We are headed to FL for MNSSHP on October 5th and then plan on going to EPCOT on the 6th. (We are then going to Gainesville to watch the UF/LSU game--GO GATORS!). Since we are going to be at the party pretty late, we definitely won't rope drop Epcot (the kids are 6 and 8). My daughter is very interested in meeting princesses that she can't meet in other places and/or hasn't met yet (Belle in her blue dress, Mulan, maybe Jasmine, definitely Aurora). But I was trying to figure out what FP we should get and how likely it would be that we could ride the other most popular rides. We've ridden Soarin before, but not Test Track or Frozen (we did Soarin at Disneyland a few weeks ago).

It also looks like the Wine and Food festival will be there at the same time. Based on those parameters, not showing up until around 10 or 11 or so, wanting to visit some of the world showcase, wanting to ride some rides, want to leave around 7 or so, what are your best suggestions for experiencing Epcot. I haven't been since college in the 1990s and my kids have never been.

Thanks!!

Mulan you will definitely have to try to meet at Epcot but you may be able to meet some or all of the other princesses you mentioned at MNSSHP. Jasmine has been meeting in Adventurand with Genie (alternating with Aladdin and Abu) at least for the past couple of years (didn't go before then so don't know how long it has been that way). 2 years ago Aurora was meeting right next to town hall/guest services on Main St. Last year that spot was occupied by Snow White but at the time Aurora was in Princess Fairytale Hall with Cinderella. I haven't personally seen Belle at the party but I know she was meeting with Gaston in the village so I'm assuming it is in the blue dress