HS or MK for arrival day?

[constantstar]

With my original plan for our Disney trip (91 days!), I had MK as our arrival day park. However, I'm considering changing it to HS to allow 2 full days in MK. We have a 2 and 4 year old and there is a ton more to do in MK for their ages. But, I worry with the late arrival to HS (probably around 3pm, including time change with 8 hour drive), we won't have time to do much. The things I'd like to do in HS are: Frozen show, RnR (rider swap), ToT (rider swap), and Fantasmic!. I'd also like to fit in the Minnie H&V dinner but I don't know if time would allow it. Any thoughts? Would you do 2 MK days & 1/2 day HS or stick with the 1.5 MK and a full HS? We don't have park hoppers.

 

[alicat8]

I think you can definitely pull those off on your arrival day, especially if you plan to be there late enough for Fantasmic.

I'd try it for 2 full mk days.

 

[Thing 1]

I would save MK for your first full day there. There is just something special about being there to start the day and seeing the opening show....especially with kids. I think HS is so going to depend on your kids, but I would give it a try. If they nap in the car and are used to being up later and not too tired, you might can get most of it done. It they are tired and cranky....you might have to bail. I would not book H&V as you would loose your money if you have to bail at the last minute and it will take a big chunk of your time. We LOVE fantastic and it would be worth going to HS just for that.

 

[constantstar]

Maybe I could cut the dinner with Minnie and just enjoy some rides and Fantasmic? But, the meal is what gets us the good seat at F!. Sigh - decisions...

It seems like it's going to be:
option A - dinner with Minnie and good seating at F!
option B - attractions (Frozen, TSM, Tot, & RnR) and okay seating at F!
option C - start the trip with MK and reserve a whole day of HS

It's hard to know what my DD4 and DS2 will be in the mood for after being in the car for 8 hours.

 

[constantstar]

Another thought - how is parking mid afternoon at HS or MK? If we just drive straight to the park and don't worry with resort check-in, unload, and buses we may save time. I've never driven to a park mid day like that though so I'm not sure if parking is crazy.

If we drove straight in to HS, we may get there around 2pm which would give us another hour so we could fit in some attractions.

 

[alicat8]

You'll proably have to park far, but there are trams, so it shouldn't really affect your time. The parking lots won't be busy at that time.

I'd definitely do the online check in if you're going to wait and do it later. That could save you time later!

I say make the Minnie reservation if it's worth $30...that's what you'll get charged if you don't make it. ($10 a person to cancel last minute, 2 yo should be free) If you do FPs for some of the rides, I think you definitely have a shot. Some of it will depend on the timing of the frozen sing along and what time F! Is that night.

 

[EmilyS90]

Arrival day at HS is our plan for the moment. We found there were only a few things there we really enjoyed and we're just going to schedule any FP for later in the afternoon. I think you could fit in a couple extra rides, I would just fastpass ToT and either RnR or TSMM (if I recall, they're both tier 1, and I'm pretty sure TSMM is the more recommended choice).

Fantasmic is awesome, and a great way to end your first night IMO. One thing to consider, even if you skip the dinner and just get "okay" seats, you'll be able to exit a little faster more than likely. We did the dinner thing last time we went, and while our seats were great, we had to wait forever to get out of there.

 

[Shellyb84]

I would do HS on your arrival day and 2 full MK days. There isn't much at HS for kids that age, they will enjoy more time at MK.

 

[constantstar]

Fantasmic is awesome, and a great way to end your first night IMO. One thing to consider, even if you skip the dinner and just get "okay" seats, you'll be able to exit a little faster more than likely. We did the dinner thing last time we went, and while our seats were great, we had to wait forever to get out of there.

Good point! We have decided to forgo the Minnie dinner. It's more time than we want to spend and we don't want the pressure of being there at a certain time on arrival night. Now I need to decide on a counter place in HS. I've heard the pickings are slim. We've never done counter there.

 

[Shellyb84]

Good point! We have decided to forgo the Minnie dinner. It's more time than we want to spend and we don't want the pressure of being there at a certain time on arrival night. Now I need to decide on a counter place in HS. I've heard the pickings are slim. We've never done counter there.

We always eat at Pizza Planet at HS. I strongly suggest avoided the Commissary, it is horrible!

 

[constantstar]

We always eat at Pizza Planet at HS. I strongly suggest avoided the Commissary, it is horrible!

I'd tentatively penciled in ABC Commissary as our dinner option. Ha! Thanks for the warning.

 

[constantstar]

I'm browsing HS CS menus now - a few of the places are closed because of all the renovations. They all seem to offer about the same thing so I'm picking by dessert options!