Itinerary-Which would you choose?

[Loves2Trvel]

Hello! I am new to the boards as a poster but have been reading threads for information for awhile and though it would be good to get the feedback of the very knowledgeable folks on this forum. I am going on a solo trip in May and wanted to get thoughts on the two itinerary options I am considering. I have been to Disney three times before. Once in the 90s as a pre-teen, in March 2017 with my DH, DS5, and DD2-stayed at Pop Century, in October 2021 with DH, DS9 and DD7-stayed off property and still consider myself a novice. Those trips were a very different pace than the one I hope to have in May. My goals are to be able to slow down a little more, enjoy the atmosphere, eat good food, and ride some attractions/see shows and parades. I do plan to purchase Genie + and have a touring plans subscription as well.

Option 1 (3 day ticket, no hopper)
Wednesday: Arrive at resort (French Quarter) around noon, head to Epcot and stay until park closing.
Thursday: Early Entry at Hollywood Studios and stay until around 3, I have lunch reservations at The Hollywood Brown Derby at 11 and dinner reservations at The Edison at 5:45. Come back to the resort and enjoy the evening at the Scat Cat Club or hot tub.
Friday: Early Entry at Magic Kingdom and stay until park closing. I have lunch reservations at Steakhouse 71 at 12:15 and dinner reservations at Skipper Canteen at 6:10.
Saturday: Breakfast at resort and leisurely morning until checkout. My flight leaves at 2:25 so I will head to the airport around 11/11:30 via Uber.

Option 2 (2 day ticket with park hopper)
Wednesday: Arrive at resort around noon, enjoy the resort, relax, have lunch. I have dinner reservations at Boathouse at 5:00
Thursday: Early Entry at Hollywood Studios, lunch at The Hollywood Brown Derby at 11, head to Epcot around 2:30 and stay until park closing.
Friday: Agenda would be the same as option 1
Saturday: Agenda would be the same as option 1

Which would you choose and why? We do have a cruise booked for the Wish in October 2022 so the kids will get some Disney magic this year too.

TIA!!

 

[HydroGuy]

I would lean towards Option 1 myself to spread things out a little.

Also if you have not gone solo before be aware of single rider lines....
https://www.mousehacking.com/blog/disney-world-single-rider-lines

 

[DWillowBay]

Definitely Option 1 ! No need to pack so much into two days when you could leisurely enjoy so much more with 3. Have a great trip!

 

[Loves2Trvel]

I would lean towards Option 1 myself to spread things out a little.

Also if you have not gone solo before be aware of single rider lines....

Thank you! My DH and I have actually used the single rider line for Everest and Rock n Roller Coaster instead of doing rider switch since neither of our kids were interested in those rides on either of our previous trips.

 

[CynBeth]

I would also say Option 1.

 

[loves to dive]

If I had to choose between the two, I'd go with Option #1. But to be honest, I'd actually get the PH and not do a full day at MK but split it with AK. I'm not a full day in any park kind of gal and certainly not a full day in MK kinda gal. I love AK and couldn't imagine a trip without popping in there for a few hours.

I do solo trips a lot (have one coming up in April) and always hop between parks and don't find it tiring at all. I'm not ride centric, do ride a few rides but they are rarely my focus. Given your days - arrive on Wens and leave on Sat. I would do: check in and go to my room if it's ready on Wens then head off to Epcot, if the room wasn't ready I'd just store my bags at bell services. Thurs. get up and go early park entry at AK then back to the resort for a hour or two rest then hop to MK and stay to watch the FWs. Fri. split the day between whichever two parks I felt I didn't get enough of the previous visits, still taking an afternoon break. Given that you are going in May, F&G will be going on in Epcot so I would probably spend a hour or two every afternoon/evening eating at booths. I've been known to spend a morning in one park, go back to the resort for a hour or two or pool/refreshing adult beverage time, go to Epcot for a hour or two then hop over to another park for the rest of the evening. If you don't want to do the 3 day hopper - I'd do the resort day Wens on arrival, then do the Thurs and Fri split between the 4 parks.

 

[Loves2Trvel]

Thanks Loves to Dive!

I actually had a itinerary that had me going to AK Friday morning and then hopping to MK but decided against it.
Thanks for your perspective, it is very helpful!