How much AK, how much HS? Help with the middle stretch of a 7 day trip, please!

[hodad]

4 adults, a 7yo, a 6yo, and a 3yo. We have 7 day MYW PH tickets for Feb. 21-28. I'm not sure how to plan the days in the middle, when we will visit Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios (and possibly Epcot or Magic Kingdom if they are a better plan). Can you help?

Here's what we have so far.

Feb. 21 Arrive/pool
Feb. 22 late start at Epcot
Feb. 23 HS/swimming break/HS 7pm Fantasmic?
Feb. 24 late start at AK Rivers of Light?
Feb. 25 AK/swimming break/HS Star Wars Fireworks?
Feb. 26 late start at Magic Kingdom 8pm Wishes
Feb. 27 MK/swimming break/EP 9pm Illuminations
Feb. 28 late start at MK/depart

Because it's our first visit, we don't know how much we'll enjoy each park. Do you think this is a good balance or are we spending too much time at any one place?

 

[gioiamama]

Our family always choose Magic Kingdom for the first day of our trip. I'd highly suggest that's your first park especially if it's your first visit to WDW!

 

[SplashMo]

Visit www.easywdw.com to get the best parks for each day for the days you will be there as well as touring plans for the parks.

A late start at Epcot is not so bad. Plan on arriving with a FP+ for SOARIN or TT and possibly skipping the one you do not get a FP+ for... Make your FP+ reservation for a few hours later than your planned arrival time as padding.

Feb 23rd. if you are doing Jedi Training then rope drop as planned. If you only need TSMM then you could arrive with a FP+ for that and sleep in this day. I would much rather do that then sleep in on a MK day....

Feb 24th. A late start works great at AK.
Feb 25th looks great.
Feb 26th. Would prefer the mid day break over the late start here...
27 looks great
28 again. Would rather pick a different park for a late start..

Perhaps after looking at easywdw best days you could switch MK to early start days with AK being the best late start park (Even as late as 2PM). Followed by DHS if you do not need Jedi Training. Followed by Epcot.

If you visit AK as a starting park you can save your FP+ reservations for the second park (If that ever applies).

 

[lovethattink]

You have two late start days at MK. Crowds really start building around 10am and on. Be sure to FP+ the harder to get FP+ rides that you want to do before your. trip, 60 days before an onsite trip and 30 days before offsite trip. Save standby for the large loading capacity attractions. Be sure to check out the pinned thread about FP+ on everything FP+ subforum board.

 

[Klayfish]

It's not a bad plan. Like others have said, I'd start in MK instead of Epcot, simply because to me the heart of Disney is MK. Otherwise, it looks pretty good. A few notes.

MK gets busy by 10 or 11am, so on those late start days, make sure you've got your FP+ well planned. I'd recommend getting them back to back to back. That way if you get there at 10am, you can use your last one right at noon and then try to snag a 4th one. If you're staying all the way through Wishes, lines will get much shorter and you can ride nearly anything you want with little to no wait.

AK at night is nearly empty. You may find that you accomplished everything you want to in one day if you stay from 2pm to 10pm.

 

[mshanson3121]

4 adults, a 7yo, a 6yo, and a 3yo. We have 7 day MYW PH tickets for Feb. 21-28. I'm not sure how to plan the days in the middle, when we will visit Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios (and possibly Epcot or Magic Kingdom if they are a better plan). Can you help?

Here's what we have so far.

Feb. 21 Arrive/pool
Feb. 22 late start at Epcot
Feb. 23 HS/swimming break/HS 7pm Fantasmic?
Feb. 24 late start at AK Rivers of Light?
Feb. 25 AK/swimming break/HS Star Wars Fireworks?
Feb. 26 late start at Magic Kingdom 8pm Wishes
Feb. 27 MK/swimming break/EP 9pm Illuminations
Feb. 28 late start at MK/depart

Because it's our first visit, we don't know how much we'll enjoy each park. Do you think this is a good balance or are we spending too much time at any one place?

I would do something more like this:

Feb 21: arrive/pool
Feb 22: Rope Drop MK, stay for FOF parade, then leave when tired. Enjoy the evening relaxing at resort.
Feb 23: Rope drop EP, stay for day, leave when tired
Feb 24: Rope drop HS/swimming break/EP for IllumiNations 9:00
Feb 25: Resort day. Head into AK late afternoon/evening for Rivers of Light.
Feb 26: Rope drop AK/swimming break/HS pm Fantasmic
Feb 27: Rope drop MK/swimming break/return to MK for Wishes
Feb 28: late start at park of choice/depart

My reasoning behind the plan:

- I think it's nicest to start/end with MK
- You have young children, so I always hesitate to start right out with past-bedtime nights, making them over-tired at the start of a trip. This way the first three nights allow you to give them a normal bedtime.
- You don't want to miss Festival of Fantasy parade
- It's definitely best to rope drop all the parks once, that way you can maximize what you get to see. Late arrivals at MK really have the most impact because it greatly limits what you can see/do, so of any of the parks, I find it most important to rope drop MK.
- Don't underestimate what EP has to offer your young children.
- Since IllumiNations will be your latest evening event, follow it up with a resort day, where you can just relax. This is also the halfway point of your trip, where you'll all start feeling tired. It's best to take some solid R&R time with children that young. Spend the day relaxing, then head to AK for the earliest show of Rivers of Light (likely 7:00 pm), leave immediately after. This should have you back at your resort by 8:30, which isn't too late of a night, and should allow you to be up for Rope drop at AK the next day.
- Keep your last day flexible. By then you'll know what park you enjoyed the most and want more of. Try the night before for last minute FP+. This would also be a good day to just focus on wandering and smelling the roses so to speak, enjoying the attractions/scenery/shows etc... that don't require FP+.

 

[cruising spud]

I am going to disagree with some parts of your plans. My feelings about Disney-the absolute best time to be at the parks is when they open. This gives you about two hours to really enjoy the parks before the crowds build up. In your situation, I would bring breakfast food and feed the kids/adults eat, while everyone gets ready. Most kids (maybe not yours) will be up and ready to go early anyway.

I agree with afternoon breaks. Swimming and naps are great ways to keep everyone's cranky selves at bay.

Also, day one, with just time to relax, sounds great.

 

[hodad]

Thanks, all!

Our first day is a late start because we fly in late the night before and will have to get groceries for our off-site resort and unpack.

The 26th is a late start because we are moving to an on-site resort for the last three days, either Beach Club or Wilderness Lodge.

One of the challenges to planning is that I don't know how long AK and HS will be open. Disney calendars say 6pm for AK and 7pm for HS, with no night shows for either. Any idea when those might be?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

We manage to move hotels and STILL get an fairly early start. It CAN be done1 Though as a first timer, plan that it takes quite a while to get from place to place. Some times, you'll wait 20+minuts for a bus to arrive, then you have to walk from the bus drop off to the gate, go through security, then the park entrance (both can have back-ups).

At WDW, there is a significant advantage to using the non-peak hours. DISers tend to highly hype rope drop. We find Late night hours are more useful, but ideally we mostly use both. We try to arrive NEAR rope drop, and ALSO make sure to use late PM hours - at least at MK.

IMO, the parks are best after dark anyhow. The lighting effects add a great deal to many attractions, and the fireworks are super! (if your little ones are tolerant of fireworks) In some cases, it is fun to see both day and night versions of attractions. The only park parade we see is the MK night parade! Also eager to see new AK after dark options.

Otherwise, Since you've never been, I'd start with 2 days MK, and one day in each of the other parks. I'd tentatively plan a second day in Epcot, but I'd keep your options for the later days as open as possible.

Keep in mind, that time of year- the weather is often warm during the day, and cool at night. We often wear shorts in the day (sometimes long pants+jackets) then swap to long pants (+ coats) at night. Some nights it is so chilly, we wear layers, hats, gloves and all! Other years, it might be more like highs of 80, lows in mid 60's - so we don't need to change.

With variable weather, you may find some days are chilly for swimming. If you'll want to swim, flexible on day is good.

If I were you, I'd minimize hard dining plans. When it comes to ADR's, we find the easiest option is usually to eat at our hotel. Choose between BC and WL depending on which dining you prefer. Both are very nice hotels. In the morning, we do quick breakfasts to get to the parks quickly. WL has better quick breakfast than BC. For dinner, BC has better dining options. (BC is connected to YC).

In your case- whichever hotel you choose: If you pick BC- I'd visit Epcot and HS on your BC days. If you pick WL- I'd put all your MK days while you are at WL.

Some DISers talk about MK first. We don't do that. #1- I avoid MK on a Saturday! #2- I look for convenience (like WL being close to MK). Offsite, you 'll have to drive home (at the end of a long day, when you are tired). So when we combine on and offsite, or two different onsite hotels- we try to visit the park closest to our hotel while we are there.
I realize that is a slight contradiction. you might wish to try MK one day before you are onsite..but if you pick WL - then make certain pair that time with MK. From WL - AK is furthest, followed by HS ( So if BC- I'd pair offsite days with those two parks).

 

[ckelly14]

Thanks, all!

Our first day is a late start because we fly in late the night before and will have to get groceries for our off-site resort and unpack.

The 26th is a late start because we are moving to an on-site resort for the last three days, either Beach Club or Wilderness Lodge.

One of the challenges to planning is that I don't know how long AK and HS will be open. Disney calendars say 6pm for AK and 7pm for HS, with no night shows for either. Any idea when those might be?

I recommend taking advantage of unique transportation options when you are onsite, i.e. boat to MK from WL or boat/walk to Epcot AND HS from Beach Club. Truly hate going to MK from offsite. No advantage for AK when you are onsite- would definitely keep that for an offsite day and drive over.

 

[Lynzer4]

Take note that on the 26th you will have roads closed because the Princess Half Marathon will be taking place. That will cause traffic issues getting to Epcot on the 24 and 25 in the mornings also as they have roads closed for the runs until mid morning.

With your current schedule you have 2 hopper days. That will require a park hopping ticket that cost extra. If you only think you might hop 1 or twice in the 7 days it might not be worth the cost and you should plan your days in just one park. As a first timer and going 7 days I don't know if I would park hop.

 

[hodad]

We already have 7 day MYW Park Hopper tickets that we got for a good price from ParkSavers, so we're willing to hop all over town! Thanks for the info on road closures for the races. I assumed everything would be done by 9am; it sounds like that's not the case!

Taking everyone's advice into consideration, here's a revised plan:

Tue. Feb. 21 - arrive and rest at off-site resort
Wed. Feb. 22 - MK Rope Drop, stay through the 3pm parade
Thu. Feb. 23 - HS Rope Drop, rest at the resort, HS for Fantasmic!
Fri. Feb. 24 - AK Rope drop, rest at the resort, Epcot for Illuminations
Sat. Feb. 25 - Afternoon arrival at AK
Sun. Feb. 26 - leave off-site resort, MK Rope Drop, check-in and rest at on-site resort (WL), MK until 8pm Wishes
Mon. Feb. 27 - MK Rope Drop, rest at on-site resort, Epcot for Illuminations or HS for Star Wars fireworks
Tue. Feb. 28 - MK or other park in the afternoon before evening flight.

We plan on getting dining plan for the last two nights, scheduling Akershus, Skipper Canteen, Whispering Canyon, Be Our Guest, and Ohana breakfast on the last three days (plus a QS somewhere).

The rest of the trip we'll most likely get ADRs for The Garden Grill, 50s Prime Time, and Tusker House.

Thoughts?

 

[SplashMo]

One possibility (note the switch of a AK and MK below. I did not check best days in parks though):

Tue. Feb. 21 - arrive and rest at off-site resort
Wed. Feb. 22 - MK Rope Drop, stay through the 3pm parade.
Thu. Feb. 23 - HS Rope Drop, rest at the resort, HS for Fantasmic!
Fri. Feb. 24 - MK Rope drop, rest at the resort, Epcot for Illuminations
Sat. Feb. 25 - Afternoon arrival at AK
Sun. Feb. 26 - leave off-site resort, MK Rope Drop, check-in and rest at on-site resort (WL), MK until 8pm Wishes
Mon. Feb. 27 - MK Rope Drop, rest at on-site resort, Epcot for Illuminations or HS for Star Wars fireworks
Tue. Feb. 28 - AK or other park in the afternoon before evening flight.

I like your new arrival plans. Much more relaxed.

You only need one Illuminations..

For the ADRs (off the dining plan) one a day is fine for Lunch or Dinner.

 

[cruising spud]

You asked for thoughts on your dining reservations: Please, these are just my quirky thoughts.

We love Tusker House. A great variety of food and characters. A place I would always go back to.

We had dinner at Be Our Guest last year. Good food. Great atmosphere. Glad we did it once-would do it again if we were in the mood and an easy enough reservation was available.

We have been To Whispering Canyon several times. In order to get the full immersion in this restaurant, go at a time when there are a lot of people. Fun to watch/get involved in the shenanigans. Would go again if we were in the mood.

Had dinner at Ohana-nice, but would probably not take the time to go back. Good enough but nothing that lit our fire.

50's Prime Time-did it once and had a fun time. Food was good enough, just never wanted to take the time to go again. We tend to do quick serve in HS at the Market Place.

Haven't been to the others.

An idea-Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom-decent food and fun characters. My kids still love it here and they are grown-ups now.

I am thinking that you will have fun/be pleased with your restaurant picks.