This is going to be our 1st family trip at WDWI have DD8 and DS5(he is scared of scary stuff), plan to do both HS and AK on Mar 30 which is Sunday, doable? Thinking of doing HS from earlier morning, then AK, since HS usually is more crowded. But then figure AK opens earlier and might be easier to get FP+ selection done at AK kiosk early for TSM at HS for the afternoon. However AK usually opens earlier at 8am. Any thoughts on that?
This is definitely doable! While it is amongst spring break time, it isn't around easter week so you should definitely be ok crowd wise!
I recommend starting out at AK, since they do open at 8. They also close earlier at 8, and do not really have any night time entertainment. I would recommend using your 3 FP+ for the day in this park, since by the time you get to studios you most likely will not have a top tiered attraction available. I would choose Kilomanjaro Safari's, Kali River Rapids, and one other small ride that your kids will enjoy. Maybe Expedition Everest but i'm not sure your DS5 would enjoy it or be tall enough? Not sure.
I would Start at rope drop, and head straight for the safari, after scheduling morning FP+ selections for your must do rides. The safari is always the best in the morning, and I'd recommend going standby, and using FP+ on it, its our favorite ride there! You always see different animals doing different things and different views! Kids LOVE IT. So do I! After riding KS I would explore Africa and the trails and even take the train over to Rafiki's planet watch. From here I would head to Asia, and do Kali River Rapids, using FP+ of course! There is also the Maharajah jungle trek to see more animals! If some or all of your party wants to go on EE this would be a great time to do so! I would aim to be finished with Africa/Asia around 10:30-11. This is a majority of the "real life animals" in the park. Try to hit the 11am Nemo show, which will let you out around 11:45, then grab some lunch. At this point in the day you'll need a break! I recommend Restaurantosaurus in Dinoland. Dinoland is great for the kids to play and is geared more towards small children. There is a bone digging site and play area that if time allows can be a lot of fun.There is also primeval whirl which is a small coaster that really whips you around! I would avoid the ride Dinosaur which will terrify your little one. It scares me! On discovery island there's It's tough to be a bug! This has some bug scenes that may or may not creep you out, I personally avoid it but I know many that love the show. Another factor that might impact how you go around the park is characters. Since the removal of camp minnie and mickey where there used to be a lot more characters, I'm not sure where they have relocated to and how the waits might be, if this is of any importance to you. Since you're trying to fit 2 parks into one day, i'd pass on most characters unless the line is so short, and wait to see them on Epcot day. Your DD will love all the princesses at Epcot!! I'm not sure if there are any special characters at AK besides pocahontas, as we haven't looked for any recently. I would plan on leaving AK around 2. Arrive/park at HS, I'm assuming you all will have a car with all the offsite things you are planning? I'd allow 45min-hour to exit, travel and park and enter between parks. Just in time for the 3pm beauty and the beast show! The ride at tower of terror usually shrinks to nothing this time in the afternoon, if this interest you I would plan on riding it now. Lights motors action show is at 4:30, and is quoted to be a 38 minute show. If you sit near the exit you can probably leave and make it over to indiana jones stunt spectacular for the 5:15 show. I'm assuming your kids are not into Disney Junior? Gosh I haven't been around a 5 year old recently so I'm not sure! I'm not sure if your are traveling with other family members, if so spilt up if your 5 year old likes DJR, and catch the 3:10 show while one goes with DD to see Beauty and the beast at 3 and meet back up. The park isn't too huge. I usually like to plan some shows in the middle of the afternoon, this allows us to relax and give our feet a break during the heat of the day. If your family isn't into the shows, this afternoon time is perfect for meeting characters around the park! Most characters go away after 5 or 6 so plan accordingly! Theres a ton inside the Animation building and around the hat! Around 5:30 or 6 heck out star tours the ride, wait shouldn't be longer than 20 minutes. After this try catching some more rides! Great Movie Ride wait time should be around 20-30 minutes max, but warning this ride is more of a moving show, and takes about 25 minutes to RIDE, so it does eat up some time. The muppets 3D will have virtually no wait so this one is great to squeeze in while passing by! Fantasmic is a must do show at night. There is one at 8:30, and 10. The park closes at 9:30. With the time given and to make the most out of your day, you will probably have to choose between waiting for TSMM, or RRC. Both will have equally long waits. One way is to hop in line during first fantasmic, lines will be the shortest then. Or, see first fantasmic, and right after run to hop in line for your last ride of the day, either RRC or TSMM. As long as your inside the line before 9:30, park closing, you'll be great.
OKAY, yes, this seems like a never ending day. BUT, you will have accomplished 75% of things in both parks, and have the opportunity to see both. I'm not sure if this is your one and only trip to Disney, or if you will be back next month, or in 5 years, but since you're only planning 4 days at Disney, I would maximize my time and get my moneys worth. Since this is early in your stay and you will have more relaxing time later, i'd go all out and see all that you can fit in. But just remember, it is possible!! And if you don't think your kids can go all day in the park, you know their limits, so don't push them more than that. Just remember to eat, and snack, and enjoy yourself! If you are buying park hopper tickets you can always go back and revisit some missed attractions or shows on other days as well. Epcot and Studios is just a short boat ride away!
