Maximizing WDW Time

[Boilerfamily]

Staying at CR on an upcoming Thursday and Friday night (check out Saturday); then heading for to beach for the remainder of the week but within 1-1.5 hr drive to WDW.

Bought 3 days worth of park tickets (no park hopper).

Wife and I have 4 young children (8, 6, 4, 2), so majority of time/interest is MK.

Will be driving long through the night Wednesday so we'll probably be a little hot and bothered Thursday.

Trying to figure out how best to maximize our time and tickets:

Would you:
A. Hit MK up right away on Thursday (keeping in mind our long drive and will probably not get to MK until early afternoon); go to Epcot or HS all day Friday; go to MK all day Saturday (then drive to beach house for rest of vacation); OR

B. Get to CR on Thursday and take a chill pill. Eat dinner there or maybe monorail to Poly for dinner or go to Disney Springs or just pool side it at CR. No park on Thursday. Then hit MK all day Friday; then Epcot or HS all day Saturday; then drive to beach house; AND return to MK on say the Tuesday (drive to and from the beach house) and use the 3rd day of tickets then.

Or I suppose there could potentially be an Option C (just say who cares about money and buy a 4th ticket day), and with that still chill a bit at CR on Thursday when we get there and at least check in, shower, decompress for even a few hours, and go into MK that night for some evening fun; and then proceed to complete the rest of Plan B above (e.g., MK all day Friday, then Epcot or HS all day Saturday, then return to MK on that Tuesday (driving to and from the beach house).

What would you do?

p.s. this was supposed to be just a relaxing beach home vacation but that never happens does it. The Mouse sucks you in. We're hoping to do a complete WDW vacation in late October. So with all that said, what would you do? My wife and I can't decide. Thanks!

 

[Owl X]

I recommend going to DHS on your Thursday afternoon after a short break at your hotel.

There are several shows at DHS that where you can rest (or even get in a quick nap).
The Frozen Sing-Along, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Muppet Vision 3-D and Disney Jr Live are in indoor theaters.
Indiana Jones and Beauty & the Beast are in outdoor theaters (important if it is hot or if you are tired).
Since you will arrive there starting in the late afternoon, you may want to stick to the indoor shows.

You can check the show times for the date of your trip here to plan which shows to attend:

• https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/hollywood-studios/

The Fantasmic Night show is in an Amphitheater (where you are seated - important when you are tired).
You will most likely have to stand for the night shows at the Magic Kingdom & Epcot (unless you are lucky and find a seat). There is much less walking at DHS than the other parks.

Make sure you book your Fastpasses as far ahead of time as possible.
DHS has Tiered Fastpasses.
I recommend Toy Story Mania for the kids as your Tier 1 choice.
Then maybe the Frozen Sing-Along and Muppet Vision 3-D for your Tier 2 choices.
You should be able to squeeze a Voyage of the Little Mermaid show in between your FP times.

 

[Ceryssa]

Go ahead and add the 4th day. It's very inexpensive since you already have 3 days. With that short a time I'd definitely do a park every day you can.

 

[hakepb]

DHS on a partial Thursday is a decent idea, full day MK on Fri (will you use EMH?), then Epcot Sat.

Stay relaxed at the Beach after WDW to avoid that "I need a vacation to rest up after vacation" feeling.

 

[maxneo]

Is the fantastimic dinner package worth it?

 

[crazylady]

I love option C because I'm always ready to leave Disney but as soon as I do, I'm ready to go back. I think with this option you can build some downtime into your other days so you don't feel so rushed and exhausted. This option would also have me considering APs if you really think the fall trip will happen.

But Option C probably isn't necessary if you are coming back in the fall so my next choice would be A. I would do HS on Thurs, MK Fri and MK or EP on Sat.

 

[Owl X]

Is the fantastimic dinner package worth it?

It depends.
Fantasmic has a limited number of seats and is a Tier 1 Fast Pass attraction.
The Amphitheater will fill up quickly during the Peak season.
During the Value season, you may not need a reserved seat through either the dinner package or FP+.
You also may be able to get a same day FP for Fanstasmic after using your other FPs.

So I would say the dinner package is worth it when there are heavy crowds but not so much when the park is less crowded.

 

[maxneo]

It depends.
Fantasmic has a limited number of seats and is a Tier 1 Fast Pass attraction.
The Amphitheater will fill up quickly during the Peak season.
During the Value season, you may not need a reserved seat through either the dinner package or FP+.
You also may be able to get a same day FP for Fanstasmic after using your other FPs.

So I would say the dinner package is worth it when there are heavy crowds but not so much when the park is less crowded.

thanks

 

[monorailsilver]

I would chose C.

Not a good way to start a vacation with small kids...tired, add the heat and walking and lines. I'd take that day and hang out at the pool, go find a resort character meal...or not.

I would take a break from the beach and go back to the world for a day. You won't have a place to rest mid day unless you sit on the monorail for an hour or two while kids nap but your skin and kids may need a break from the sun. Yes there is still sun at the park but sun at the beach is worse.

 

[pammydw]

I would definitely chill upon arrival, eat at 1900 Park Fare for dinner (great character buffet) which will give the kids some Disney interaction if you don't plan to head to MK that night. With that said, and your kids ages, my thinking is, good luck with not going to a park, especially since you're in such close proximity to MK! As an adult, once I see magical MK, I want to go! Lol! Add the extra ticket, and just go! Memories far outlast any reason not to make make them! Have fun!

 

[tlmadden73]

No way would I try and hit a theme park after driving through the night.

I drive to Disney and I drive MOST of the way (Georgia/North Florida) and stay the night so I have a 2-3 hour drive on arrival day.

Even then . my arrival day is always a "chill" day. Explore the resorts, hit Disney Springs, etc.

 

[Boilerfamily]

Thank you for all the comments and recommendations!

 

[JackOliva07013]

Thank you for all the comments and recommendations!

If you need help with planning your days at MK or Epcot - let me know. I have 2 small kids and good plan is 50% of your enjoyment in the parks.