Hopper Question...How Would You Do This???

[TinkerbellMama]

Okay, for one of our park days, we are hopping between AK and MGM. It will be the first day we've EVER hopped, so I need suggestions. We have an ADR for Donald's Breakfastosaurus at 10 am, but the park opens early with EMH. We know it will be more crowded for this reason, but that's okay, because we are really only looking to hit some highlights. We would like to ride EE, KRR, KS, and see FOTLK. Other than that, we aren't looking to do much more there. We'd like to hop to MGM sometime in the early afternoon and hit ToT, RnR, and TGMR, and Playhouse Disney. We'd also like to stay for Fantasmic. We have no plans for lunch or dinner...we'll just grab some counter service at MGM sometime after we arrive. Oh, it is EMH at MGM that day, too...which extends our hours a bit. Any advice on what to FastPass, when they typically do Playhouse Disney, and whether Fantasmic is at the "regular" time even with EMH? I'd love to see some sample itineraries from hopping experts. If it helps any, we have only been to AK once before as a group and NEVER to MGM as a group. My parents go to both all the time because they have APs, but the rest of us are novices. Thanks!

 

[BlindTyldak]

Here's a general question: do you have to see Fantasmic on the EMH night, or can you see it another night? Because if the rides themselves will be open, you'd get a TON done while 10,000 people are watching Fantasmic instead.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Ouch! Hopping from an EMH to another EMH. It can be done, with fastpasses and planning, but it depends on how early you get to MGM. I would say:

Get to the park 30 mins before open
Ride EE, and then ride Kali (if it's open yet). If it's not, jump on the safari as early as possible. Go to the earliest FOTLK show. (I think it's 9:20) and then enjoy breakfast. If Kali wasn't open before, go now and then you can leave the park before 11AM. (unless you get wrapped up and need to do more, which is what would happen with me)
If you get to MGM by 12, run to RNRC and ToT and get a FP for either one. Ride GMR, by the time you get through the line and ride it, it will be time to use the FP. Get a FP for the other thrill ride. Ride both. Then head over to the Animation Courtyard when it's time for the next Playhouse Disney show.

You'll have PLENTY of time to get more FPs and ride the thrills again, plus see Fantasmic!

 

[Skroops]

A lot depends on when you are going and how much stamina your group has.

All the attractions at AK you mentioned pretty much need a FP, especially on EMH day.

I'd be there at opening, and get a FP for EE and then ride Dinosaur, and then see It's tough to be a bug. (I know they aren't on your list, but it's possible there will be little or no wait and it beats standing in line for anything.) Then as soon as the window opens on my first FP, I'd grab the next FP for KS. Then I'd go ride EE and have breakfast. After eating I'd go to FOTLK, and grab the next FP for KRR before jumping on the KS. I guess whichever you do it, it doesn't really matter but the key is to have at least one fast pass on you at all times, and then get the second asap. That way you can experience the attractions which have little waits while you don't stand in the biggest lines.

At MGM, I'd head over for a FP for ToT or RnR and hit Playhouse Disney earlier because it usually closes earlier than the park. I'd also hit VOTLM too! By this time, you may not get FP's anymore given that it is a busy day with EMH, so you may have to wait in line for the other rides, but you never know. Definately try for the FP's. We prefer getting the Fantasmic dinner package. You don't have to wait in line for good seats that way. Otherwise, if you want good seats you'll have to go early. One time, we went at the last minute and had standing room in the back. It wasn't that bad, but definately prefer the good seats. If we didn't get the package I'm not sure I'd want to do the wait. I'd just take the seats in the back and go at the last minute. (IMO!) During busier times there are two Fantasmic showings. If you have a choice, go to the second. The show times are on the WDW website when you click the calendar day.
Anyhoo, this is just my opinion. I'm a planner and I love this kind of stuff.
Have an awesome time!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Here's a general question: do you have to see Fantasmic on the EMH night, or can you see it another night? Because if the rides themselves will be open, you'd get a TON done while 10,000 people are watching Fantasmic instead.

We could possibly skip it this trip if we really won't be able to do the rides we want (just once) and still make it to Fantasmic! Nothing is set in stone, but we'd like to do pretty much the rides/attractions I listed and nothing else. This is our "taste of MGM/highlights of AK" day, so we wouldn't try to put anything else in there. Too much!