Help with One Day Parks strategy

[Sunnydaze68]

We are only going to have 1 park day this trip. Sun. May 22. I compiled a list of all the attractions we like best and it seems that MK has the most. My idea was to hit MK at opening (if i can get everyone up and going) and then take monorail to Epcot only to do Mission Space and then hopefully make it to MGM for the 5:30 parade and rest of the evening. Is this even remotely possible to do? We are staying at AKL and will have to skip AK this trip.

 

[kbkids]

We are only going to have 1 park day this trip. Sun. May 22. I compiled a list of all the attractions we like best and it seems that MK has the most. My idea was to hit MK at opening (if i can get everyone up and going) and then take monorail to Epcot only to do Mission Space and then hopefully make it to MGM for the 5:30 parade and rest of the evening. Is this even remotely possible to do? We are staying at AKL and will have to skip AK this trip.

I've done it, but you've really got to book it and stay on track. Do you have young kids? This is hard for them to do.

We did AK, MGM and Epcot all in one day (even with young kids). It was tough, but we made it. The only thing my kids enjoy about Epcot is Test Track, so we get through there pretty quick and then take the boat to MGM. Unfortunately, the boat dock is back in the World Showcase, so alot of time is used up getting back there, but I enjoy the boardwalk area, so the scenery is great on the way.

What all are you wanting to do at MK?

Personally, I wouldn't be disappointed if I missed the MGM parade. It's cute - we've seen it - but, I guess, parades just aren't our thing. But, I do LOVE Fantasmic!!

 

[2minny]

If I only had one day, I would spend it at Magic Kingdom only, I wouldn't want to spend part of my time traveling to other parks. Magic Kingdom is our favorite!

 

[my3princesses]

We have 3 kids (aged 9,11,13) and last week managed to do the following in one day:

- MK (9 am character breakfast at Crystal Palace) - stayed in park until approx 4:30 pm and did almost everything (except space mtn as we did not get a fastpass in time but managed to squeeze it in on another day).
- Epcot (there by 4:45) - stayed until 7:30 pm and saw half of the countries and Honey I shrunk and Figment.
- Back to MK for the parade and fireworks and fit in a few more of our favourites for the second time plus some shopping.

We managed to do this also in the rain. Since we had a large breakfast we just had ice cream for a snack and then an early dinner in the restaurant in Italy with snacks again at night. Mind you we are fast walkers and we do not stop to see everything single thing in every place (for example in the countries) - but still we were able to see everything we wanted. It can be done, you just need to be organized and grab the fastpasses as soon as you can (it sounds like you are already planning). It also helps to break up once in awhile if a couple people in your group do not want a particular ride then the others can go on something else.

Good luck and bring your running shoes!

 

[Sunnydaze68]

It will be me dh ds (8) and dd (13).

We want to do the following in MK and for who:

Aladdins Magic Carpet (ds) in lieu of Dumbo
Splash Mtn. (everyone)
BTMRR (everyone)
Space Mountain (everyone)
Buzz (everyone)
Stitch Great Escape (ds/dd)
Haunted Mansion (everyone)
Peter Pan (ds)
teacups, maybe

Epcot:

Mission Space (me dh dd) then leave for MGM and try to make the 5:30 parade (never seen this one)

DD and I do well "commando", but dh and ds are kinda laid back.

I hope this works out for us, but if not, we'll be back. My main purpose this trip is staying at AKL and to do Mission Space, but I'm not sure if we should go to Epcot 1st then MK or stick with the plan above.??.?

thanks everyone.

 

[kbkids]

It will be me dh ds (8) and dd (13).

We want to do the following in MK and for who:

Aladdins Magic Carpet (ds) in lieu of Dumbo
Splash Mtn. (everyone)
BTMRR (everyone)
Space Mountain (everyone)
Buzz (everyone)
Stitch Great Escape (ds/dd)
Haunted Mansion (everyone)
Peter Pan (ds)
teacups, maybe

Epcot:

Mission Space (me dh dd) then leave for MGM and try to make the 5:30 parade (never seen this one)

DD and I do well "commando", but dh and ds are kinda laid back.

I hope this works out for us, but if not, we'll be back. My main purpose this trip is staying at AKL and to do Mission Space, but I'm not sure if we should go to Epcot 1st then MK or stick with the plan above.??.?

thanks everyone.

Your MK list looks alot like mine (but my kids are 7 and 4).
If it were me, I would do Peter Pan and the Teacups first and then get out of Fantasyland before the crowd hits. You missed Philharmagic - this is a must do for us - have you seen it?

Then we usually head to Frontierland, then Adventureland (smart move with Aladdin in lieu of Dumbo - we've done this alot too), and then on to Tomorrowland. I would personally skip Stitch - wasn't worth it.

I would do MK first, then Epcot, then MGM - just like you've got planned. You're backtracking if you don't. MGM and Epcot are right next to each other. If you can walk fast, the walk from Epcot to MGM isn't bad - but we usually opt for the boat. I'm still not positive you'll make the parade at MGM though - but it's possible. Are you stopping for lunch? Or just doing a lunch on the run?

 

[Sunnydaze68]

Your MK list looks alot like mine (but my kids are 7 and 4).
If it were me, I would do Peter Pan and the Teacups first and then get out of Fantasyland before the crowd hits. You missed Philharmagic - this is a must do for us - have you seen it?

Then we usually head to Frontierland, then Adventureland (smart move with Aladdin in lieu of Dumbo - we've done this alot too), and then on to Tomorrowland. I would personally skip Stitch - wasn't worth it.

I would do MK first, then Epcot, then MGM - just like you've got planned. You're backtracking if you don't. MGM and Epcot are right next to each other. If you can walk fast, the walk from Epcot to MGM isn't bad - but we usually opt for the boat. I'm still not positive you'll make the parade at MGM though - but it's possible. Are you stopping for lunch? Or just doing a lunch on the run?

OOps, I forgot all about Philharmagic, we definitely want to do that. Will probably just grab a quick lunch. If we don't make the parade, that will be okay. As long as we get Mission Space, then we can just chill out at MGM its extra magic hour evening on the 22nd.

thanks for the input.

 

[kbkids]

OOps, I forgot all about Philharmagic, we definitely want to do that. Will probably just grab a quick lunch. If we don't make the parade, that will be okay. As long as we get Mission Space, then we can just chill out at MGM its extra magic hour evening on the 22nd.

thanks for the input.

We usually try to time it so that we're in Frontierland at lunch time because we all really like Pecos Bill. It's fast and cheap. Casey's Corner is a quick, cheap spot too, and the hot dogs are really good.

 

[bleeps]

OOps, I forgot all about Philharmagic, we definitely want to do that. Will probably just grab a quick lunch. If we don't make the parade, that will be okay. As long as we get Mission Space, then we can just chill out at MGM its extra magic hour evening on the 22nd.

thanks for the input.

Yes -- Philharmagic is wonderful, but the MGM parade is really only so-so. I would NOT go to great lengths to see the MGM parade -- just enjoy your day and the attractions (IMHO).