How much park hopping is too much?

[SaraVee]

Hello,

My sister and I are taking a short trip this fall to enjoy Food & Wine at Epcot. We want to enjoy as many of the offerings at F&W as possible, but I also know there's only so much we can eat at one time before we'll need to take a break and do other things.

We're getting close to FastPass booking time, so I'm working on our itinerary, and it's shaping up to have a lot of park hopping so that we can pop into Epcot every day on each of the 4.5 days of park time we'll have.

I will be purchasing the Express bus transportation for us, and I also am not opposed to using the Minnie Van service 3 - 4 times during the trip to help expedite us getting around.

I'm just wondering if maybe it will be too much moving around to ever feel like we can just kind of settle into a park and enjoy things as they come. Right now I have us being at 3 different parks/places per day for three of our days.

Here's my rough current plan, but I'm still open to changing most everything except the MNSSHP day, as those tickets are already purchased:

Sunday (arrival day): Get to Epcot around noon and enjoy F&W for as long as wanted. Planning FP for Frozen Ever After, Spaceship Earth and one other attraction. This may not be a late night as we have a very early flight this morning and will have gotten up before 4 am this day, and have an early day planned for tomorrow.

Monday: Rope drop at MK. Ride some things standby (Mine Train, Peter Pan and whatever else we can get on). Head to Epcot for F&W when we get hungry for lunch. Later in the afternoon, head to Animal Kingdom for fastpasses/rides and evening in Pandora (hoping to have FP for Flight of Passage for this evening).

Tuesday: Head to Epcot for some morning fastpasses (not rope dropping as this will be a late night) and enjoy F&W for lunch. Mid-afternoon head to MK and ride attractions, then MNSSHP this night.

Wednesday: Head to AK for some morning fastpasses (not rope dropping due to late night previous evening). Go to Disney Springs for a couple hours, then Epcot for evening F&W and attractions. (Even on a short trip, I enjoy Disney Springs enough to include a stop there).

Thursday: Rope drop at HS for RnRC and TOT. Head to Epcot for F&W around lunch. Then go to MK for the afternoon/evening fastpasses and hopefully Happily Ever After fireworks.

Friday: Early departure flight.

I also hope to add in a jaunt over to the Boardwalk to Ample Hills Creamery, as I'm an ice cream fanatic and loved what I had there on our last trip.

Open to any ideas...I've been staring at this plan for so long that it's hard for me to step back and evaluate it objectively. Thanks!

 

[Shanti]

It'a really a matter of preference. Some people prefer to settle into one park per day, and really absorb its style and mood. Others prefer to hop around, hitting top attractions at multiple parks per day. Do whichever one you feel like doing.

 

[flortlebap]

Honestly? I wouldn't go to Epcot just to do food and wine lunch. It's a waste of time and one dish wouldn't be a lunch anyway, you'd need 2-3 depending on appetite.

You'd be much better scheduling some evening Epcot time and spending your days in other parks. In fact, looking at your schedule you already have quite a bit of Epcot time built in so I'd just remove the three park day.

 

[Lesley Wake]

I think, because you aren't expecting to do everything, it's fine. Some thoughts though:

Sunday: seems fine, as you'd be doing Epcot all day. Maybe add in the Boardwalk Ample Hills Creamery this day?

Monday: I doubt that you're going to find FoP FPs on Day 2. People have been having better luck days 4/5 and later. MK seems doable, but Peter Pan may have a longer line if you hit it second. Have you looked into a PPO BOG breakfast? It may make it easier to do both 7DMT and PPF at rope drop.

Tuesday: seems fine.

Wednesday: seems fine, but will probably need to use Minnie Vans or Uber to get to/from DS.

Thursday: also seems fine

 

[barbliny]

It's all a matter of personal opinion. You don't mention where you are staying - you may want to plan some time to enjoy your resort if it's a good one! I might plan to be in Epcot for longer periods of time - it's a long walk to the World Showcase for just a 'drop-by'.

I just want to point out that it is highly unlikely that you will be able to get a fp+ for FOP on your second day. (I'm making an assumption that you are staying on-site, if not ...)
I was able to get one for the evening of our 3rd day in September and in the afternoon for our 4th day. Your most likely days will be days 4 onward. Morning fp+ for FOP will probably not be available until day 5, maybe later morning on day 4.

ETA - I forgot you were getting express transportation so the long walk to the world showcase is moot!

 

[LilDisHelper]

I would say that 2(mayby 3) are ok.
Firsttimers often do the mistake that they overplan ....And then they complain that their feet hurt at day 3

I would prefer going only 2 times to the park . Then you can do ropedrop in the morning .....Come back to the hotel and rest a few hours .
And comeback in the evening and experience the Disney Magic
When your a REALLY active Guy you can maybe just chill out at the Waterparks (If you have Parkhopper + ) and go to the parks after...

 

[SaraVee]

Thanks for the replies so far, and keep them coming!

We are staying at Pop, and this is really just a "park" trip where we use the resort to sleep and shower. I typically travel with my husband and two kids, so getting the chance to tour the parks without my kids in tow is something I plan on taking full advantage of, LOL.

I appreciate the feedback! I had heard that folks were having trouble getting that FOP fastpass for early in their stay. I think when my FP booking window opens, I'm going to try for Thursday FOP first (that's my last park day and I can switch things up if need be. I'd rather get FOP on a non-ideal day than not get it at all). If it's there, I'll book it and then back up and see if by chance it's available on Monday or Wednesday, in which case I'd book one of those and cancel the Thursday one.

 

[The Hendies]

For DH and I, 2 parks is an 'easy' day. Hopping to 3 parks is not unusual, and once (just to say we did it), we did all 4 parks in one day. I am considering using the express bus on our trip in October.

 

[SaraVee]

Honestly? I wouldn't go to Epcot just to do food and wine lunch. It's a waste of time and one dish wouldn't be a lunch anyway, you'd need 2-3 depending on appetite.

You'd be much better scheduling some evening Epcot time and spending your days in other parks. In fact, looking at your schedule you already have quite a bit of Epcot time built in so I'd just remove the three park day.

Yeah, by "lunch" I mean as many booths as we can do during the time we're there. I did F&W two years ago, and I think I averaged about 6 - 8 items each time I was in WS. I was actually solo on that trip, so having my sister this time may help me sample more because we can also split items.

Thanks for the tip about Epcot. My last time at F&W I did mostly weekday lunch and early afternoons, and found the crowds to be very low. Does F&W get drastically busier on weekday evenings or no?

 

[SaraVee]

I think, because you aren't expecting to do everything, it's fine. Some thoughts though:

Sunday: seems fine, as you'd be doing Epcot all day. Maybe add in the Boardwalk Ample Hills Creamery this day?

Monday: I doubt that you're going to find FoP FPs on Day 2. People have been having better luck days 4/5 and later. MK seems doable, but Peter Pan may have a longer line if you hit it second. Have you looked into a PPO BOG breakfast? It may make it easier to do both 7DMT and PPF at rope drop.

Tuesday: seems fine.

Wednesday: seems fine, but will probably need to use Minnie Vans or Uber to get to/from DS.

Thursday: also seems fine

Yes, Ample Hills would fit perfectly on Sunday! I know we'll be a little tired from traveling, but also excited to finally be there, so that would be a good day to stroll over there from WS to get some ice cream. Thanks!

And I do have a PPO BOG reservation, but it's only for a party of 1, as this started out as a solo trip. So thrilled my sister is coming with me now, but I haven't had any luck changing my ADR to 2 people, so I'll probably wind up canceling it and just doing regular rope drop.

 

[SaraVee]

For DH and I, 2 parks is an 'easy' day. Hopping to 3 parks is not unusual, and once (just to say we did it), we did all 4 parks in one day. I am considering using the express bus on our trip in October.

Thanks for sharing your experience! I normally travel with my DH and two kids, so this just being my sister and me makes me feel like moving/hopping around will be a lot easier than it is with my kids during the middle of summer. Especially with the option of the express bus and Minnie Vans.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

With two adults, I don't think this is too much. Except for the FP+ you want to book, you've kept your schedule quite loose which will help a lot. I think if you were running around trying to get to RD every day and then staying until close, I would think differently.

BTW, you really could do Ample Hills on any of the days you will be in EP. Either your first night or any time you're hopping from EP to another park. Simply exit through IG and walk over to the Boardwalk. That's another good way to park hop (simply head out of IG and go to BC or BWI to catch a bus) if you don't want to use express transportation. You could even uber from one of the resorts (it's cheaper than a Minnie Van). If you uber to MK, just have them drop you at CR or GF.

 

[Skippyboo]

Monday- maybe skip Epcot in the middle for some resort/nap time and then head to AK. It will tough to do a rope drop and then stay late at AK in the same day, plus you escape the heat of mid afternoon.

F&W will get crowded as the day goes on as people who started at other parks make their way over to Epcot later in the day/evening.

 

[flortlebap]

Yeah, by "lunch" I mean as many booths as we can do during the time we're there. I did F&W two years ago, and I think I averaged about 6 - 8 items each time I was in WS. I was actually solo on that trip, so having my sister this time may help me sample more because we can also split items.

Thanks for the tip about Epcot. My last time at F&W I did mostly weekday lunch and early afternoons, and found the crowds to be very low. Does F&W get drastically busier on weekday evenings or no?

Generally speaking the crowds are much heavier at night, even on weekdays. Even in early September we found wall to wall people and a 15 minute line for some kiosks.

However... the atmosphere was great and most of the kiosks were reasonably quiet. I could still get my glass of champagne in France with almost no wait which is enough to keep me happy

Were headed over to food and wine at the end of august.... only for one night, as it's the end of our trip, but it's a bonus for us as when we booked a year ago we weren't expecting it to start so early. I'm jealous you get to fit in so many days there

 

[nat8199]

This sounds like the perfect plan to me. If DH and I ever get to do an adults only trip during food and wine (a goal of mine), then our plan would be similar.

When I did a solo day during Flower and Garden, I RD HS, did RNR and TOT of few times. Headed over to Epcot and did Mission Space, drank a margarita, then ate around the booths. Finally, I went to MK and used my FP+s there (SDMT and Space are the ones I remember). Then I ate at Cali Grill to watch the fireworks. It was a totally awesome day and I was able to do Universal the next day without being tired.

 

[kiford]

How much park hopping is too much? I don't know - how much do you feel is too much? There's no right or wrong answer. Everyone tours differently. Some days we stay in a single park and other days we hop to 2-3 parks plus going back to the hotel in between. If you want to do it, do it. We don't mind sitting on a bus to go between parks. The buses are air conditioned and I get to sit for a period of time to get off my feet. We always get park hoppers because we like to feel that we can do just what you describe if we want to and not feel like we're stuck in a particular park because we choose to go there that day.

 

[1GoldenSun]

I think this schedule sounds awesome; I love F&W and I love park-hopping! I've started a new birthday tradition: visit all four parks and at minimum ride one ride, see one show, eat one thing, browse in one shop, and visit one restroom in each park. It's a lot of fun!

 

[Monykalyn]

Express bus is awesome! My son and I do 4 parks/one day this way this week.

HOWEVER-:express bus for wpcot drops you off just inside the front entrance- it's still a hike to get to WS. If you can- plan your last attraction for the park before you hop to be near the express bus: Tusker house in AK, by Buzz light year at MK, front of future world at Epcot, and by RnR at Studios- and the first attraction at new park by the bus to save your legs

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I think this schedule sounds awesome; I love F&W and I love park-hopping! I've started a new birthday tradition: visit all four parks and at minimum ride one ride, see one show, eat one thing, browse in one shop, and visit one restroom in each park. It's a lot of fun!

I agree. Just do what you can do on your plan and just enjoy yourselves. We always get our money's worth on ph's.

 

[dbavis]

as others have stated, how much you park hop is really based on what you're looking to achieve and what you like to do. certainly, finding ways to expedite your travel between parks will help. for us, doing three parks, or two parks and disney springs in a single day isn't appealing because it would feel like too much of the day spent traveling between locations. especially for a trip that is only 4.5 days long. i think i'd try to cap it to two locations per day so that you get more time to actually enjoy where you are. have fun!