how long does it take to get through each park

[davis65]

I am going for five days, and I was wondering how long it takes to get through each park. we had planned 2 days out for Magic Kingdom. All the other parks we planned one day for. Can you get through Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom in one day? I looked at the online park hour calendar and the dates that we had lined up for the park daysare not when they are doing Extra Magic time, but I hate to change them because I already have my ADR's for those parks reserved. Given that we are going in April I don't want to have to cancel any of my ADR's and risk not getting them on a different day.

 

[design_mom]

Honestly, I think you could be there for WEEKS ands still not see everything!

Would it be possible to change your last-day ADR to something outside the park (at Downtown Disney or a resort)? That way, you could be a little more flexible on your touring schedule. Do one day in each park, then choose the one that you want to go back to for your final day.

My family usually does 6 days: 2 at MK, 2 at Epcot, 1 at DHS and 1 at AK. We don't get to see *everything* on those trips, but we are usually able to hit the highlights! If I were doing 5 days, i'd probably do what you have suggested: 1 day each, plus an extra at MK -- but my kids also really like Epcot and I know another family who *loves* AK.

 

[starsweeper]

I don't know how old your kids are, but AK was a 1/2 day park for us. Our little ones (both 3.5 years) did everything in just a few hours since they couldn't ride many rides, so it would definitely be 1 day with older kids/adults. I've not been in a while, and there wasn't much for my kids there, but I think HS would also be a 1 day park. I would weigh my time more towards MK, followed by Epcot if you've never been.

 

[davis65]

My boys really want to do the hands on kid activities throughout animal kingdom. They want to do the kim possible thing in Epcot, and since Hollywood studios is where you do your own drawing they want to do that. We were wanting to do dinner at CRT on friday so it would have to be MK. I just wanted to make sure that 1 day at each of the others was enough to where they would get to see the highlights and do the things that they really want to do at those parks.

 

[davis65]

Also my kids want to make the mask at epcot and they have been learning about other countries in school so they are excited about epcot.

 

[design_mom]

They want to do the kim possible thing in Epcot, and ...

My kids *love* the Kim Possible thing. Each mission takes about 30 minutes though -- plus walking time to the country where your mission is, so a few missions can suck up an afternoon (in a good way).

 

[davis65]

We are having TS meals to help cut down on the walking time. My kids get very cranky when walking alot so these will help give us some time to rest a couple of times a day. I am hoping that they will still have enough time even with the TS meals.

 

[design_mom]

We are having TS meals to help cut down on the walking time. My kids get very cranky when walking alot so these will help give us some time to rest a couple of times a day. I am hoping that they will still have enough time even with the TS meals.

All TS meals? (I think I saw in another thread that you were considering DxDP.)

If so, that will seriously cut into your touring time. On our recent trip, our table service meals took an average of 1-1/2 hours each (buffets were a little less). That's up to 4-1/2 hours per day at meals. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip and that very well might be the best approach for your family... but I think you'll need to be realistic about how much touring time you'll actually have. I think you ought to plan a few things per park that are "must see" and consider anything else you are able to do as a bonus.

 

[davis65]

I was just thinking about DxDP and even had my mind set at getting DDP, but dh didn't agree. He isn't going for the park and attractions, he is mainly going just because our kids and I want to go. He said that he is going along for the ride. I asked him if he could choose something to do what would it be. He said that he was going for the food. He had seen some menus of food that he really would like to try. He said that we could enjoy our parks and fun, and he could enjoy all the food. Plus my kids mainly want character meals more than anything. The DxDP just seemed like the best plan. It made everyone happy, plus it helps us rest during the day and get off our feet for a bit. The only day that I have booked solid with TS meals is our Epcot day. Those were must have for kids and DH. pretty much every other day I have lunch and dinner open. I am thinking about doing quick service for lunch and a late dinner. I think I am going to pick a few must see and do for each park.

 

[Cruz91]

...We leave for our 9th trip in a few weeks and we STILL haven't 'made it through' all the parks yet. Of course we've been to every park on every trip and done ALMOST all of the attractions, but not ALL of them. For example - we still haven't made it over to Tom Sawyer's Island or ridden on the Paddle Wheel Boat.

 

[davis65]

oh the latest breakfast that we have reserved is at 8:25am. All the rest are before 8am. We are doing dinners after 7pm. the two I have sceduled so far are at 7:15pm and 7:40pm. we only have one lunch reserved and it is at 12noon. I tried to take the earliest breakfasts that I could (my kids are early risers) and take the late dinners. I am hoping that this helps give us a little more time at the parks instead of spending so much time eating. The first dinner i have planned is the night we arrive and is at 7:15pm the only other dinner I have planned is the day we go to Epcot and it is at 7:40.

 

[vettechick99]

I've been 25+ times and still haven't done it all. Just be happy getting to do your top picks and save the rest for another trip.

 

[Safari Queen]

Your expectations seem realistic to me. As long as you don't expect to do everything you won't be disappointed. I would suggest you get there early and take advantage of Fastpass whenever possible. Then relax and enjoy what you can accomplish.

 

[AirGoofy]

I think if you tried to superplan, no meals, minimal breaks, no pictures or character greets, and sprinting to attractions, you may be able to get everything in. Also, I guess it's what you mean by everything - shop in every shop, ride every ride, see every show, eat in every restaurant . . .

As for AK, we only do this park one day every few years. We have a few favorites and do those each time and whatever else is there. As for DHS, I do not think you can do everything, since the show times when we have been actually conflicted with each other, making it impossible to see all them (unless you left early/ arrived late). We alternate DHS every other year. We do Epcot one day each year and get to do everything we want. We do not enjoy walking to all the countries, but a few that we definitely go to. As for MK, never made it to everything in one day or during MNSSHP.

In OP, I agree that one day is sufficient for those 3 parks, but I not sure you can get eveything. You can probably get everything you would like to do in that 1 day.

 

[Jenn1980]

We are attemping 1 park a day, then the 5th day going to our favorite one. I'am hoping we get some fast passes, cause it seems its going to be busy when we go.

 

[davis65]

guess I should clear up what I meant by "everything". I didn't mean every ride and every shop. Mainly can we get through the key things. I sat down with my family today and this is what they want to do.

MK:

Tea cup
Monsters inc laugh floor
Carpets of Aladdin
haunted mansion
splash mountaing
It's a small world
philharmagic
peter pans flight
pirates of the caribbean
space ranger spin
County bear jamboree
the hall of presidents
mountain railroad
donald's boat
mickey and minnie's house
character meetings

Epcot
kim possible mission
Honey I shrunk the audience
some of the world showcase
innoventions
Nemo and frends
kidcot stops
Mission space
character meetings

Animal Kingdom
Safaris
It's tough to be a bug
tricertop spin
the boneyard
Kali river rapids
camp mickey and minnie
the hands on activities
Dinoland
character meetings

Hollywood Studios
Learn to draw a disney character
star tours
Muppet 3D
honey I shrunk the kids
rock n rollercoaster
fantasmic
toy story mania
Indiana jones
character meetings

I am trying to figure out if 2 days would cover the list for Magic Kingdom and if 1 day would cover the rest. They are not interested in most of the parades. I am going to pick 5 must try out of each park. Just trying to figure if they will get to do more. I want to go to DTD, but I have that worked out. We are arranged to eat at Planet Hollywood after Animal Kingdom closes so I will check out of couple of the shops after we eat.

 

[Rylee]

Hi,

I don't remember the ages of your kids, but with that in mind, here are some quick general tips -

Study maps ahead of time, to get an idea of the parks.

Don't waste time in the gift shops on Main Street in MK. Main Street usually stays open after the rest of the park and attractions close. Hit it on your way out.

As you enter DHS, grab a schedule and check any "show times" you are interested in. Next, go directly to Toy Story Mania to get Fast Passes.

Understand how rides "load," if it is a fast or slow loading ride.

For shows and 3D films, there is no need to be the first ones in line or the "holding area." If you are in the holding area, you will get into the show.

When 2 major attractions are located in the same area, grab a FP for the longer wait time, then go ride the other in the stand-by line... (Grab FP for Splash Mt., then go ride Thunder Mt. in the stand by line. Same with Rockin Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror, etc.)

Your FP will have a return time... you may ride between ____ and ____. They will accept your FP ANYTIME after the "return time," so if you are in the middle of a dinner reservations during the ride times listed, do not toss the ticket, just go back when you get a chance.

At AK, first go directly to the Safari, ride or grab a FP. Also, know that you could get wet, very wet on Kali River Rapids - might want to make it one of the last things you do at AK. (Can't remember if it offers FP.) You didn't list Mt. Everest but since you have listed roller coasters at other park, I'm betting when you kids see it, they'll want to ride... plan to grab a FP.

At Epcot, you didn't mention Soarin... can't skip Soarin!

Since you are dining at character meals, you may be able to give up some of the character meets.

I do think 2 days at MK, and 1 at each of the others will work best for your family and the amount of time you have. Also, don't cancel any of your ADR's, usually the parks with the EMH are more crowed, so your schedule might work out better.

Have fun!

 

[RMulieri]

You could be there a month and not see EVERYTHING each park has to offer.But it is entirely realistic to see the portions that matter most to you and your family with proper planning

 

[kohlby]

With my crew - 11 month old, nearly 4 year old, 6.5 year old:
(Finished meaning did everything the kids wanted).

*AK - Finished in 6 hours. (Oldest child and husband went back out at night to DS that day). Your AK schedule seems short. I'd recommend hitting the Nemo show too. DH and I enjoyed Lion King too but the kids weren't into it.

*DS - Finished in 9 hours. Your list could likely be done in less.

*MK - Finished in 11 hours. However, we skipped a lot that the kids weren't interested in.

*Epcot - Wish we had 2 days. We did all but the World Showcase since we ran out of time for it. We'll plan 2 days at Epcot next time, but still just one for MK. Innoventions takes a huge chunk of time for my kids. I really want to do Kim Possible and Kidcot stations too, so we do need a day just for World Showcase that way.

We went in the off-season. Only AK had crowds of any size. Rides had 0-10 minute waits in the other parks. So, it would take longer during a busier time of year. We don't wait in line for characters and do counter service for meals. We didn't watch any parades.

 

[deerhart]

Your list looks doable in 1 day each. It will really depend on things like which characters your wanting to meet, the length of lines etc...

AK is a much indepth park then most think. It can take a good hour or so just to walk through the trails where you can view all the animals (especially the tigers)