Need expert advice on 1-day hopping strategy

[Mom-to-3]

Yes, I know we're crazy but we only have one day to hop around WDW. The kids are 14, 11, and almost 9. We want to hit our favorites -- and do it all in one day (in mid-October when the park hours are shorter but the lines are too ).

What order would you suggest? Should we drive to each park or do a giant circle on WDW transportation? We'll also need lunch and snacks/or dinner.

MK:
Buzz Lightyear
Barnstormer
Tea Party maybe
Aladdin
Space Mtn
Splash Mtn


MGM:
Muppet Vision
Rock Roller Coaster
Millionaire (can kids go in?)
what about the Drew Carey headphone attraction -- gone?

AK:
It's Tough to be a Bug
Safari
Kali River Rapids

Can you suggest a way to make this come true?

 

[JillU-DVC]

I'd have to say if you're expecting to do everything on your list in 1 day you'll be disappointed.

It looks to me like any two of the parks would be OK, but I can't see how you'll do all three.

Having said that, if you're bound and determined to try, I'd really suggest driving - bus transportation can add quite a lot of time.

Also, I'd suggest grouping each park into areas, and doing the rides nearest each other first.

If you make it, let everyone know - you'll be the ultimate Disney commando!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Mom-to-3
Yes, I know we're crazy but we only have one day to hop around WDW. The kids are 14, 11, and almost 9. We want to hit our favorites -- and do it all in one day (in mid-October when the park hours are shorter but the lines are too ).

What order would you suggest? Should we drive to each park or do a giant circle on WDW transportation? We'll also need lunch and snacks/or dinner.

MK:
Buzz Lightyear
Barnstormer
Tea Party maybe
Aladdin
Space Mtn
Splash Mtn


MGM:
Muppet Vision
Rock Roller Coaster
Millionaire (can kids go in?)
what about the Drew Carey headphone attraction -- gone?

AK:
It's Tough to be a Bug
Safari
Kali River Rapids

Can you suggest a way to make this come true?

Just an FYI, you cannot hop with one day passes. Not sure if you knew this or not.

 

[tkyes]

I think you could do this - it would be crazy, but I think it *might* be possible.

Does any park have the Extra Magic Hour while you are there?

OK - Say MK had the EMH - Park hours are probably 9 -7, which means you can get in at 8:00 am. You can do Space Mt, and the Tea Party. Then you can do Buzz, Alladin, Barnstormer and Splash. Assuming lines are good I would think you would be done by 11:00. Grab counter service to go on your way out of the park.

I don't think I would rely on Disney Transport either since you are on a time crunch.

I would go to AK next since they close early. Even though you want to do 3 rides, you want to do 3 popular ones. It might take you longer than you think. I would go to the Safari and check on the Fastpass situation. You might be able to stand inline for It's tough to be a bug while waiting for your fastpass. There might be a long wait for Kali too, depending on the weather.

It's hard to say how long it could take you at AK. You might be able to get out of there at 3:00?

MGM - check FP for RnR right away, you might be out of luck on this one though, depending on the crowds. You'll need to check the times for Millionaire (I think kids can go in) and Drew Carey - Sound Dangerous to see what times those are.

MGM should be open until 7pm the time you are going, right?

You'll be exhausted! Bring a backpack with you with water and snacks in it so you don't have to stop a lot for both of those things.

Granted - I'm just guessing about this stuff. I've never tried to do anything close to what you are doing. I just know that we've had good luck with getting a lot of stuff done at MK on an Early Entry day!

Good Luck! You'll have to let us know how this goes!!

Tamie

 

[tar heel]

We've done three parks in one day many times -- it's very doable. Tell us when you are going (day of the week), what park hours are and, most importantly, where you are staying, and we'll come up with a plan!

I'm assuming you have a leftover hopper ticket or something and really can park hop. Right?