Looking for advice on 4 parks in 1 day

[uksteveo]

I am going to have a free day in Florida on January 19 and what a better was to spend it than at WDW, right??! This was a last minute decision...I'm saying I booked a hotel and park hopper ticket exactly 60 days out. My thinking was to hopefully get an early morning FoP FP and go from there. Well, that didn't happen so I had to change around my thinking and wanted to see what you all thought or if you had any other suggestions.

Originally it was going to be just me solo, but I was able to find a cheap flight for my wife so she will be joining me for the day also. This is how I am envisioning the day in my head. There are no EMH that day (althought MK does have the Disney After Dark, but not sure I want to pay the extra money) and essentially the park hours are 9-9. Not the most ideal hours for 4 parks in a day, but I can't really change that. I will have a rental car for transportation as well. Let me know if you think this sounds feasable.

First stop: AK. Get there around 8 (or earlier) for a 9AM opening. Go to FoP at opening. Hopefully not have a super long wait. Ride that and see what the other wait times are. Definitely want to do single rider line at EE. Maybe fit in a couple other attractions depending on wait times.

Second stop: HS. Single rider line RR and maybe do ToT or TS depending on wait time. Grab some quick service food and maybe a couple other attractions, again depending on wait times.

Third Stop: MK. Hopefully will get to MK by around 2:30-3ish. This is where I booked my fastpasses as I really wanted to ride 7DMT. Originally I just had FPs for myself as the initial plan was just me going. I have FPs for BTMRr at 3, PP at 4, and 7DMT at 5:15. I was able to add my wife to the first 2, but haven't been able to add her to my last FP yet. I will keep checking and hopefully get her on that as time goes by. I'm still debating whether or not I should have booked my FPs earlier in the day and hope on some other openings later or if I should just keep what I have. If I was going by myself, I think I would have a decent shot at getting the "big" rides as the day went on, but I'm not sure how successful that would be now that I have a party of 2. After riding 7DMT, we'll head to our last park.

Fourth Stop: EPCOT. Depending on wait times, ride Soarin' and/or Nemo. Single rider line TT. We've both seen Illuminations quite a few times before, so maybe get in line for Frozen when that is getting ready to start. Grab some food along the way in Mexico and potentially do Gran Fiesta. Grab a few drinks to end the day.

Going to be a whirlwind day, but we're both looking forward to it. I'm going in with a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants attitude and know we'll have to take whatever the day throws at us. I've always wanted to try 4 parks in a day, but never had the opportunity since the kids have always been with us. This chance came up at the last minute and why not go for it, right? Was just wondering what all the other fellow DISers who have done this challenge think and I'm open ears to any suggestions! Thanks and sorry for the long post!

 

[BigredNole]

Its doable if that is what you want. It is a lot of running around. Without a car, the park-to-park transportation will be long unless you Uber or something. Enjoy the wild day. No plan other than park hopping can be fun. Just see what the day brings.

 

[k8Davies]

Doing all 4 parks in one day is great - I did it for my 30th Birthday as we had one day in Disney before going on a cruise.

Although I would say it's easier to combine HS and Epcot as they are so near to each other and the walk between the two is great. (or the boat ride to conserve energy)

so my suggestion is, keep AK and HS where they are swap Epcot and MK and finish off the days with Fireworks then go to the Poly for Trader Sams for a drink to toast your end of the day success.

 

[mindeola]

I agree with k8Davies. If you can make the switch and keep your FP, do. It is just a bit easier all the way around. We did this a couple of weeks ago. It is a lot of fun! We even fit in a dinner at Kona between Epcot and MK. We started at 0900 and were in our last park by 7pm.

 

[dlavender]

We just did this last Saturday.

I would do AK last, and get in line for FOP 30 minutes before closing. Plus, IMO, Pandora is cooler at night. You'll also avoid the busiest RD in WDW.

 

[PSUGuy]

My advice, don't do it. Did this once and spent almost as much in transit as we spent in the parks.

Bill From PA

 

[BrianL]

You might have to rearrange some things, but I would suggest doing Epcot after HS. Take the walking path to save a lot of time, enter through the IG, then work your way to the front. Then you can monorail to MK. I suppose if Epcot is the park you want to close in, then it will be ok. If you are driving your own vehicle, then it largely doesn't matter.

 

[StageTek]

Do it! So much fun. Switch the parks order around as others have suggested and you'll have a memorable day. Even taking Disney transportation can be fun when you aren't in a hurry.

 

[uksteveo]

Doing all 4 parks in one day is great - I did it for my 30th Birthday as we had one day in Disney before going on a cruise.

Although I would say it's easier to combine HS and Epcot as they are so near to each other and the walk between the two is great. (or the boat ride to conserve energy)

so my suggestion is, keep AK and HS where they are swap Epcot and MK and finish off the days with Fireworks then go to the Poly for Trader Sams for a drink to toast your end of the day success.

I see what you're saying and like your idea, but would you do this even if MK was only open til 8? I was ending in Epcot sue to it staying open an hour later.

 

[Oneanne]

Have done it and had a blast. Went AK-DHS-EPCOT-MK - started at 8am with AK EMH (this was pre-Avatar Land) and arrived at MK around 6pm. I used the various Disney modes of transportation - bus, boat and monorail.

 

[srwarden1928]

Doing all four parks in one day is a lot of fun. A solid plan and willingness to adjust it on the fly are helpful in the success of the day. Have a blast.

 

[gap2368]

I do all 4 theme parks in one-day at least 2 times a year. this is how I have done it.

AK first ride FOP, EE and dianasoure

HS FP RNR ( 10:30) and ToT ( 11:30)

EPCOT ( getting here around 1 pm see what FP I can get and do standby for either TT or soring whatever has the shortest line

and then MK I get there around 5, ( last year I went back to my hotel to swim) and got to MK right be for the fireworks went off and ride space right after ( and MK had EMH that night)

I find it fun but I go alot

another option is the thrills VIP tour ( done this tour 2x and it is great) you hit some really good rides and then you can go to AK and do the rides thereafter

 

[No.1000]

Tons of fun! I have done it twice this year.

First time:
AK-FP FOP
HS-
Epcot
MK
AK for Pandora at night and EMH. We picked up same day FP as we went.

Second time we did:
EP-FEA, Soarin, TT single, SE in 1.25 hours (EMH)
HS with FP...added extra FP while there
MK-picked up Same day FP-including space, thunder, Pirate, HM...we even got SDMT, but DGD wanted to trade for Space.
AK-same day FP for Everest, Primevil Hurl and then stood standby for FOP.

The main problem I see with your day is your MK in the middle. It takes a long time to get back and forth to the TTC. I would start or end there. However you do it-have a blast!

 

[k8Davies]

I see what you're saying and like your idea, but would you do this even if MK was only open til 8? I was ending in Epcot sue to it staying open an hour later.

I take your point but you will loose time going from HS to MK then back to Epcot which will probably cancel out the extra hour you get at then of the day.

I know you're keen to do AK to get on FOP which is a good plan; but if you could maybe (although I know these are like gold dust) change for FP for a FOP one then get to MK for rope drop to do 7DMT - So your day could go MK - AK -HS and Epcot to get the 9pm close.

But I'm sure whatever you do it's going to be a fun day - it's exhausting but really fun - just make sure you've got good shoes on as there's a lot of ground to cover.

 

[uksteveo]

I take your point but you will loose time going from HS to MK then back to Epcot which will probably cancel out the extra hour you get at then of the day.

I know you're keen to do AK to get on FOP which is a good plan; but if you could maybe (although I know these are like gold dust) change for FP for a FOP one then get to MK for rope drop to do 7DMT - So your day could go MK - AK -HS and Epcot to get the 9pm close.

But I'm sure whatever you do it's going to be a fun day - it's exhausting but really fun - just make sure you've got good shoes on as there's a lot of ground to cover.

Changed it up and am going to do MK last. Went ahead and bit the bullet and bought tickets for DAH. Can't wait! Thanks for all the advice!