Last minute dilemma - please help

[SophiaG]

Hi, a very confused newbie here, I am searching for advice on my dilemma.

I am lucky enough to be going to Orlando on business next week and I have one free day, I had convinced myself that I would be happy wandering round Downtown and relaxing by the pool, but I'm wondering if I'm crazy not to spend the day in MK. (I have been before and do intend to return for a proper holiday in a year or 2 so it's not a 'once in a lifetime chance' but I have a serious Disney itch to scratch.)

So my question is, would you spend the $99 for a day in the park with the August crowds/weather or just spend time at the free to visit areas?? (I'll be out the night before so an early start might not be possible to make the most of the day)

Also, at this short notice, are there likely to be any FP+ slots available or will I spend the whole day in queues?

Thank you in advance for any help

Sophia xx

 

[weebabes]

Definitely go to MK .

 

[Nettester]

If I had that opportunity, I'd definitely go to one of the WDW parks. The only tough decision would be which one?!

 

[scoobydooby]

I'd definitely go to Magic Kingdom and get myself sorted out to get up for rope drop. It would be worth the effort to me. There are some FPP available on the same day.

 

[SophiaG]

Thank you for your thoughts, I think you are right, its too crazy to be so close and not go.
Sophia

 

[BudgieMama]

I'd add maybe check out a touring plan- Josh at EasyWDW has some that are highly thought of, and would help you avoid the queues!

 

[disneyholic family]

yes, it's worth the money...
$99? it's not really that much...
how much do you spend on a fancy meal? or a movie in the movie theatre?

you can spend an entire day in a park...

as someone said, the question is which one...

and realize that you might be stuck in a lot of lines...and that you might not get to some rides at all..
go in with the right attitude - that you're there to drink it all in - and you'll have a nice time..

or alternatively, you could sign up for one of the behind the scenes tours - fun to do when you're on your own
i've been on most of them and really enjoyed them!!
Keep in mind that for most the tours, you also need a ticket in addition to the tour fee
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm

..

 

[clareyfairymouse]

I would def head straight for the parks - would find it really hard to pick which one though!!

You could do Downtown Disney in an evening on another day if work commitments allow.

 

[SophiaG]

and realize that you might be stuck in a lot of lines...and that you might not get to some rides at all....

I think this is the one and only thing putting me off, I don't think there are any rides i'd cry if I couldn't go on, but I'm not good with queues.

Sorry if this is a daft questions, but what are typical early/mid August wait times (or where can I look them up)?

Is there any way of finding out roughly what FP+ availability there might be?

What are the wait times for characters? I think my inner big kid prefers the characters to the rides sometimes!!

Thank you very much for your patience with me

 

[maclondon]

I think this is the one and only thing putting me off, I don't think there are any rides i'd cry if I couldn't go on, but I'm not good with queues.

Sorry if this is a daft questions, but what are typical early/mid August wait times (or where can I look them up)?

Is there any way of finding out roughly what FP+ availability there might be?

What are the wait times for characters? I think my inner big kid prefers the characters to the rides sometimes!!

Thank you very much for your patience with me

well one bonus is you can do single rider lines

 

[Howellsy]

I was in this position last January with work and I say definitely go to MK! I was out until late the night before for our party, and due at the airport at 4pm the next day but that didn't stop us. It was my partner's first time to Orlando so I really wanted him to see some of the parks.

We bought park hoppers for around $120 just to ride Mission Space, Test Track and Soarin' for the first hour and then went to MK to look at the new Fantasyland which I hadn't seen yet. We left MK at around 2pm to go to the Premium Outlets and shop for about 45 minutes before heading back to the hotel to get on the coach. Definitely the highlight of my year!

 

[disneyholic family]

I think this is the one and only thing putting me off, I don't think there are any rides i'd cry if I couldn't go on, but I'm not good with queues.

Sorry if this is a daft questions, but what are typical early/mid August wait times (or where can I look them up)?

Is there any way of finding out roughly what FP+ availability there might be?

What are the wait times for characters? I think my inner big kid prefers the characters to the rides sometimes!!

Thank you very much for your patience with me

i don't know - although now that there's FP+, the historial wait times might not be completely accurate (since FP+ was introduced in the past year)..

take a book to read while waiting in line - i have a book on my iphone that i read whenever i have to wait for anything...
but actually, when i'm at WDW on my own (only has happened twice), i tend to chat with other people in line...i'm a big chatter (certainly not a surprise i'm sure)..

but if you really don't want to wait in line, you could take one of those tours i posted..
i did that when i was at WDW by myself for 9 days!! yes, 9 whole days on my own..
i went to almost every single tour and they were a lot of fun...and very interesting...and no problem to be at on my own..
they're just a bit costly, but well worth it....and there are no lines!!!
and you'll be with other disney crazed people..

 

[edinburghlass]

Personally I'd go to Epcot, start with breakfast (ice cream is always acceptable for breakfast in Florida!) in France which opens early then have a wander round the World, people watching, pop in to all the parts of the countries that you tend to bypass or just not see.

Catch the characters Winnie, Tigger and Eeyore in the UK, Donald in Mexico, and get a FP for the character meet in Future World.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/character-meet-and-greets-at-epcot.htm

Fish and chips and listen to the music in the garden at the back of UK, Off Kilter in Canada, oh so many other things! Enjoy, whatever you choose to do.

 

[SophiaG]

Thank you everyone!

I have just bitten the bullet and bought a hopper ticket, and got the FP+ rides I wanted so I am very happy and excited.
Now I'll set to work on a plan for the day.

 

[queendisney]

Thank you everyone!

I have just bitten the bullet and bought a hopper ticket, and got the FP+ rides I wanted so I am very happy and excited.
Now I'll set to work on a plan for the day.

Just before the 3 pm parade is quite a good time to get in line for things that the younger kids normally line up for, unless you are planning on seeing the parade as well

 

[dsanner106]

Glad you made the decision to do it, Hopping the monorail to epcot is so easy from there, and once you use your fastpasses, you can get more one at a time in the other parks you visit. Have fun!!

 

[SophiaG]

Just wanted to come back and say Thank You to everyone who gave me advice.


I was convinced I was crazy to only go for a day, but you were all right, it was totally worth it.

I accepted early on that I wouldn't have any chance of seeing/doing certain attractions as it was mid August and I was booking only a couple of weeks in advance. So, with that said, I think I checked off almost everything I wanted with not much queueing. I managed to visit 3 parks between 8am and 11pm and the weather was very kind to me.

It was one of the most exhausting days of my life but I would definitely recommend anyone else in the same situation to do the same.

 

[68earlybay]

Just wanted to come back and say Thank You to everyone who gave me advice.


I was convinced I was crazy to only go for a day, but you were all right, it was totally worth it.

I accepted early on that I wouldn't have any chance of seeing/doing certain attractions as it was mid August and I was booking only a couple of weeks in advance. So, with that said, I think I checked off almost everything I wanted with not much queueing. I managed to visit 3 parks between 8am and 11pm and the weather was very kind to me.

It was one of the most exhausting days of my life but I would definitely recommend anyone else in the same situation to do the same.

3 parks in one day hats of to you glad you enjoyed it

 

[flortlebap]

Just wanted to come back and say Thank You to everyone who gave me advice.


I was convinced I was crazy to only go for a day, but you were all right, it was totally worth it.

I accepted early on that I wouldn't have any chance of seeing/doing certain attractions as it was mid August and I was booking only a couple of weeks in advance. So, with that said, I think I checked off almost everything I wanted with not much queueing. I managed to visit 3 parks between 8am and 11pm and the weather was very kind to me.

It was one of the most exhausting days of my life but I would definitely recommend anyone else in the same situation to do the same.

That sounds exhausting

Well done for really hitting the ground running though! Sounds like you made the right choice

 

[scoobydooby]

Sounds like a brilliant day. Well done park stormer