Need advice on doing Epcot and HS in one day

[ruthies12]

Long story short- I have one day to do both Epcot and HS for the only time to visit both (on this trip). That day is Monday, November 7th. I have to make my fastpasses next week and need to decide on them, would greatly appreciate any input! We check in to Pop Century on that Sunday so will be making the fastpasses at 7 am on the 61 day mark.

Just found out RNR will be down for refurbishment that day, major bummer, so taking that off the schedule here is what we want to accomplish (two adults and two children ages 13 and 7) and I made a tentative schedule:

7:30 am- be at bus stop at Pop and take bus to HS
9 am-
Tower of Terror
Toy Story Mania
Star Tours
Olaf m&g if line not too long

by 11 am- take bus to Epcot
grab lunch from a F&W booth then eat while in line for Soarin standby
Seas with Nemo FP+ 12-1
Journey into Imagination FP + 2-3
M&G pics with mickey with our Disney Visa
By 3 pm head up to world showcase, snack at a few F&W booths, do pick a pearl in Japan
Try to get FP+ for FEA for early evening, hoping for 5-6 pm.
M&G A&E if line not too long
Grab dinner from a F&W booth and eat while in line standby at Test Track around 7ish.
Maybe do mission space and spaceship earth before leaving depending on lines and if we are too tired.

I know the seas and journey fastpasses are a waste but if I want FEA I have don't have many other choices. If I end up not getting FEA then I may re-evaluate.

I'll have our F&W booths prepicked once reviews come out so we will know what we want to get. Probably won't go through many of the countries, but we've done them all before and get to do a much longer trip next year. I'm just trying to figure out how to maximize what we do on this one day for this trip. Any advice on timing and order of doing things would be appreciated!

 

[DrivenByDisney]

Since you are wanting to lunch around at Food & Wine, I suggest just walking from the Studios to EPCOT. You enter through the International Gateway and will be in World Showcase.

It's only about a 20 minute walk and you avoid any delays on the bus systems. Just a suggestion. We do this all the time and it saves time if that is what you need. Plus. It's a nice little stroll along the water way and through the Boardwalk.

 

[ruthies12]

That is a good suggestion, thank you!

 

[gatorlisa]

You can also take the boat between HS and Epcot. We often do those two parks on the same day and have used the boat each time. It is a nice little rest while you change parks. Like walking, you would enter Epcot via the International Gateway.

 

[hiroMYhero]

For DHS: Head straight to TSMM. Then, either ST (closeby) or ToT. Depends on if you don't want to cross-cross the park.

 

[DemoBri1]

I would take the boat rather than walk. Call me crazy but I don't think I'd be all that up for walking around WS after walking all the way over from DHS.

 

[KittyKitty]

I found this a few days ago. I plan on trying this when I go to DHS then Epcot on Oct 20. Read post 4 and 6.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/fp-faq-addendum.3538258/

 

[HopperFan]

I agree with coming in International Gateway so you will actually pass a food spot on way to Soarin'.

About eating in the Soarin' and Test Track Standby line ........... I'm pretty sure they will ask you to throw all food and drinks in trash before entering (other than a bottle of water/soda you can close tight). I've never seen anyone eating in a queue line and I have seen folks told to finish or throw away their food/cups at entrance.

 

[ruthies12]

well that sucks that you can't eat in line, the kids are slow eaters so I was counting on doing this to save time and for something to occupy them while standing there waiting.

 

[Robo]

 

[DisneyWishes14]

well that sucks that you can't eat in line, the kids are slow eaters so I was counting on doing this to save time and for something to occupy them while standing there waiting.

They have a quiz game that plays in the standby queue which my DS8 absolutely loved and occupied him the whole time.

 

[MHSweb79]

I also recommend taking the boat from DHS to Epcot. It will give you and your kids a nice break off your feet and it's a pretty ride, especially if you sit outside. It may cost you future money, though, if you fall in love with the Yacht & Beach Club area, though. (Yes, I speak from experience...)

F&W booths serve very small, snack-sized portions so they don't take long to eat. Two or three bites for many servings. It would be hard to carry enough plates/ trays to make an entire meal over to an attraction to eat, even if you planned to sit at the tables at Sunshine Seasons outside Soarin.

 

[Alice777]

Sorry to jump in here but I also have to go from HS to Epcot (due to ADR at HS for lunch and Epcot for dinner). I'm not in hurry but if it's faster taking boat from HS to Epcot instead of the bus, I want to try it. Where is the boat located in DH? I don't remember seeing it when I was there in April. Thank you

 

[Robo]

Sorry to jump in here but I also have to go from HS to Epcot (due to ADR at HS for lunch and Epcot for dinner).

1. I'm not in hurry but if it's faster taking boat from HS to Epcot instead of the bus, I want to try it.
2. Where is the boat located in DH?

1. The boat ride, once boarded and underway, takes 25-30 minutes.
2. The boat dock is outside the DHS front gates.
To your right, as you are facing the gates.
Downhill a bit, on the edge of the lake.

 

[robinb]

I would flip your FP+ from Epcot to DHS since you are wasting them on two walk-on rides at Epcot. Plus, with Rock and Roll down, that will be even more pressure on TSM.

(1) Rope drop FEA
(2/3) Stand-by Test Track (possible single rider if your 7-year old would be OK with that, if so do after Soarin')
(3/2) Stand by Soarin'
(4) Stand by whatever else you want.

(5) snack around the WS

(6) Exit International Gate, go to DHS

DHS is open until 7:00, so you'll have to book your FP+ at approximately 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00. Fantasmic! is at 7:00.

(7) FP+ TSM, TOT & ST. I would make TOT your last ride if you're planning to go to Fantasmic! ... just exit the tower and find a place. If you use your FP+ windows wisely you can fit in a walk-in somewhere.
(8) See Fantasmic!

(9) Return to Epcot

Epcot is open until 9:00.

(10) Grab another quick snack.

(11) Watch IllumiNations.

I would take the boat both ways. You have a long day and you'll be happy for the rest.

 

[Alice777]

1. The boat ride, once boarded and underway, takes 25-30 minutes.
2. The boat dock is outside the DHS front gates.
To your right, as you are facing the gates.
Downhill a bit, on the edge of the lake.

Thank you so much.

 

[megster1123]

This may be a bit long winded, my apologies!

I'm kind of in the same boat here.

After switching some plans around to fit SW fireworks in, I've ended up with a day that starts at EP and will end at HS. I'm seriously stressed out about this. Here's where I could use some advice. Right now I have a 1:40 FP for FEA. But we also have a PPO Akershus so I'm thinking we could just RD FEA. But I haven't been able to make myself hit the cancel on that FP. So I'm contemplating leaving the FEA FP in place until we see what happens at RD and then taking my chances with picking up what's available for the other attractions that day.

Or should I take my chances at RD with FEA and secure my evening HS FP now? For HS I'd need TSMM, ToT and Star Tours.

FWIW, we're back at EP the next day with a GG PPO so can RD Soarin and we have FP for Test Track that day as well.

 

[Robo]

should I take my chances at RD with FEA and secure my evening HS FP now? For HS I'd need TSMM, ToT and Star Tours.

That'll work.

 

[megster1123]

Thank you @Robo
My plans have been smooth sailing and I didn't really have many questions until I started messing with EP/HS and working in all the SW stuff at the last minute. Now I'm feeling very unsure

 

[nkereina]

For DHS: Head straight to TSMM. Then, either ST (closeby) or ToT. Depends on if you don't want to cross-cross the park.

Agree with this. I'd do TOT before ST. I'd also take the boat from DHS to Epcot, rather than the bus or walking. It's a fairly long walk IMO.