Itinerary + Going to a park on travel day?

[Rose DiVerona]

I have booked a five-night stay May 25-30 at Pop Century with a six-day PH attached. I was planning to go to DD on the day I fly out, but now I see I have room for that elsewhere in my schedule and might be able to add a day to my ticket and visit a park on that last day as well. My flight out is at 6:30, and from past experience I know I should be at the resort about 4 hours ahead of that, so I would have to leave the park at the very least by 2. I've been to Disney more than a dozen times, but I've never done a park on travel days. This time, I already plan to spend my first evening at DHS. I want opinions on whether last park day is a good idea--are you burned out by that point? This is my first solo trip, so I'm planning it by myself, and I'm sharing my rough schedule because I would love to get some advice on what might be the best way to do things. Thanks!

May 25
-Plane in to MCO at 3:35. At PC by 5. Head to DHS. FP+ ToT, RnR, & ST. Leave before second Fantasmic! gets out.

May 26
-KTTK tour @8:30am. Done by 1.
-Hang around MK? Rest?
-Evening at Epcot. FP+ MS, TT, & SE. (First FP+ is from 5-6)
-Leave before Illuminations

May 27
-8am EMH at AK. FP for EE, Dinosaur, & KS.
-ADR at 5:15 at TH. Leave park.
-Free evening to possibly visit DD?

May 28
-8am EMH at MK. FP+ for SDMT, Splash, & TMRR.
-ADR QS at BOG, 12:45
-Stay at park all day, stay for Wishes, leave at some point before closing at 12.

May 29
-9am DHS. FP+ for ToT, RnR, & TSMM.
-ADR 2:30 pm at H&V with F! package
-See F! at 9
-Redo a couple favorites?

May 30
-Fly out at 6:30.

Let me mention that I'm not sure I'll need 1.5 days at DHS, but I know in the past I've had no trouble filling up 1, and ToT and RnR are two of my favorite rides in all of WDW. So basically debating that first evening. And I really only have maybe 1.25 days at MK, not counting the KTTK, and I could only make FP+ for one of those days. MK is my favorite park! I think the time I've set aside for AK and Epcot is good--AK is a half-day and I really don't care too much for Epcot. So...advice? Add that extra half day?

Am considering doing Epcot first evening and DHS after MK. Then maybe MK on my last morning?

 

[amg35]

You booked a late flight, you'll need something to do, may as well go to a park!

We hated when we booked a late flight once going home. Nothing was very fun knowing that we had to get on a plane in a few hours and head home.
Now we book a flight out in the morning and our "last" day is the day before we leave. Much more fun for us that way.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I always book a later flight back to California, and visit at least one park on my departure day. I typically have a flight at 5 or 6pm. I don't use DME, because I'd rather spend the extra time in the parks than on, or waiting for a bus. I rent a car, and drive myself to the airport. This way I can stay in the park up to about two hours before my flight.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I have booked a five-night stay May 25-30 at Pop Century with a six-day PH attached. I was planning to go to DD on the day I fly out, but now I see I have room for that elsewhere in my schedule and might be able to add a day to my ticket and visit a park on that last day as well. My flight out is at 6:30, and from past experience I know I should be at the resort about 4 hours ahead of that, so I would have to leave the park at the very least by 2. I've been to Disney more than a dozen times, but I've never done a park on travel days. This time, I already plan to spend my first evening at DHS. I want opinions on whether last park day is a good idea--are you burned out by that point? This is my first solo trip, so I'm planning it by myself, and I'm sharing my rough schedule because I would love to get some advice on what might be the best way to do things. Thanks!

May 25
-Plane in to MCO at 3:35. At PC by 5. Head to DHS. FP+ ToT, RnR, & ST. Leave before second Fantasmic! gets out.

May 26
-KTTK tour @8:30am. Done by 1.
-Hang around MK? Rest?
-Evening at Epcot. FP+ MS, TT, & SE. (First FP+ is from 5-6)
-Leave before Illuminations

May 27
-8am EMH at AK. FP for EE, Dinosaur, & KS.
-ADR at 5:15 at TH. Leave park.
-Free evening to possibly visit DD?

May 28
-8am EMH at MK. FP+ for SDMT, Splash, & TMRR.
-ADR QS at BOG, 12:45
-Stay at park all day, stay for Wishes, leave at some point before closing at 12.

May 29
-9am DHS. FP+ for ToT, RnR, & TSMM.
-ADR 2:30 pm at H&V with F! package
-See F! at 9
-Redo a couple favorites?

May 30
-Fly out at 6:30.

Let me mention that I'm not sure I'll need 1.5 days at DHS, but I know in the past I've had no trouble filling up 1, and ToT and RnR are two of my favorite rides in all of WDW. So basically debating that first evening. And I really only have maybe 1.25 days at MK, not counting the KTTK, and I could only make FP+ for one of those days. MK is my favorite park! I think the time I've set aside for AK and Epcot is good--AK is a half-day and I really don't care too much for Epcot. So...advice? Add that extra half day?

Am considering doing Epcot first evening and DHS after MK. Then maybe MK on my last morning?

From what you have listed, it looks like you are only hopping once. IMO, that's a waste of the park hopper option. If you are intent on more full days in the parks, I'd drop the PH and ad the 6th day. Obviously you've left room to make adjustments to your plan. I try to make sure I park hop as much as possible. I like moving around the resort.

 

[lroger01]

I'd keep that last morning open. It will give you some flexibility if a favorite ride is down, or weather messes up your plans. Just plan to get your fast passes the night before and be there at or close to, rope drop. I'd also keep the park hopping. For one person, it doesn't cost much and you'll have the flexibility to mix things up if needed. Your last day could include 2 parks or more with a quick ride on a few favorites.

If you decide going to a park again isn't what you want, a morning at a waterpark can be a fun and different way to end the trip. Of course you'll need to not add that extra day until you're sure what you want to do.

Keep in mind that others will be trying to check luggage that morning. I always check mine before breakfast and then eat breakfast at the hotel if I have time, or munch a granola bar if I don't.

 

[MrKnight]

You are leaving the parks before Illuminations and Fantasmic??!!! To each his own I guess..

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

On our final day if we were leaving when you are, we do all 4 parks. Hit the first park for EMH and do one main attraction at each park. Yes, i know it's a lot of running around and wasting time transferring from park to park but I could never decide on what park to make the final day so we just do them all.

 

[Rose DiVerona]

You are leaving the parks before Illuminations and Fantasmic??!!! To each his own I guess..

I'm seeing Fantasmic my last day. I would never miss that one--it's my favorite evening show! I just don't want to overextend my first evening. And I can take or leave Illuminations. In this case, considering leaving it because I could get ahead of the crush of people leaving after.

 

[Rose DiVerona]

I definitely see the sense in that. In fact, I can get an earlier flight out, at 3:30, for no additional cost. I think that might be the best option, because then I could sleep in and either do a couple resorts or go back to DD before taking ME to the airport.

 

[Rose DiVerona]

Oops, the quoting didn't work--that previous post was in response to amg35.

 

[amg35]

I definitely see the sense in that. In fact, I can get an earlier flight out, at 3:30, for no additional cost. I think that might be the best option, because then I could sleep in and either do a couple resorts or go back to DD before taking ME to the airport.

I would do that - say "goodbye for now" to the parks the day before, then have a leisurely morning w/out stress and get home at a good hour.

whatever you decide, have fun!!