Need Help with Epcot Planning

[Frozen2014]

Hi. Need some suggestions in planning our Epcot day.

Epcot opens at 9am and we have an Akershus ADR at 9:15am.
Logistically Maelstrom would make sense to ride next, but it doesn't open until 11am.

I plan on getting FP for:

• Soarin
• Spaceship Earlh
• Maelstrom or Turtle Talk

We may try, but know that we most likely will have to skip Test Track since we can't get FP for it as it's also tier 1.

Other rides we'll want to visit are: Seas with Nemo, Journey into Imagination.
We will be leaving Epcot around 3:30pm to head to MNSSHP event.

From what I read, Seas with Nemo is good to ride before 11am (if not using FP) and Turtle Talk is near it, but from the map, it's way over on the other side from Akershus. But does it make sense to head there after breakfast and then try for Soarin (lunch as Sunshine Seasons which is inbetween the two groups). And if we head to Turtle Talk / Nemo after breakfast, when to ride Maelstrom? Or perhaps we should just skip Maelstrom since location isn't very convenient (and we don't have a ton of time at Epcot)? Although I have a map, it's hard to get a true concept of just how far things are from each other.

Thoughts?

 

[ghtx]

I would change your 9:15 ADR to a different time, preferably a late lunch ~1pm. Then you could hit TT or Soarin at RD, work through Future world in the morning with FP and maybe also Maelstrom, and do some non-headliners after lunch.

 

[sharonabe]

I would change your 9:15 ADR to a different time, preferably a late lunch ~1pm. Then you could hit TT or Soarin at RD, work through Future world in the morning with FP and maybe also Maelstrom, and do some non-headliners after lunch.

Agree with this! That 9:15 ADR is peak touring time, and especially at EP where the FP+ is tiered.

As for Maelstrom, it's something you'll want to do at least once, but it's not anything special, so if you miss it this trip, it wouldn't be a big loss.

 

[MrInfinity]

I think the ressie is fine...

I would hit TT first thing since it's on your way to Akershus. You'll be 10 min late to breakfast, but they won't drop you. Or if that bothers you, then have one adult go check in and the rest ride TT. They'll ask if your whole party is there -- you tell them no, and they'll check you in and hold for your party.

 

[Frozen2014]

I would change your 9:15 ADR to a different time, preferably a late lunch ~1pm. Then you could hit TT or Soarin at RD, work through Future world in the morning with FP and maybe also Maelstrom, and do some non-headliners after lunch.

I've actually checked a few times and nothing else available for late breakfast, lunch or late lunch. Also, not sure we'd want to get up super early to stand in line for early RD since it will be a late with MNSSHP (fingers crossed....if my little one can stay up late).

Good to know about Maelstrom...maybe we'll just skip it (along with Gran Fiesta, which is what my DD5 would go on while DS9 went on Maelstrom).

When planning, it's hard to tell how much time to allocate for each ride (I.e. including wait, ride itself, loading/unloading time)

 

[MrInfinity]

Good to know about Maelstrom...maybe we'll just skip it (along with Gran Fiesta, which is what my DD5 would go on while DS9 went on Maelstrom).

Maelstrom is definitely worth doing. Really cool boat ride with animatronics and special effects. Gran Fiesta is not. Boring boat ride where you see 70's clips of 3 Caballeros cartoons. I don't relate to them cuz I didn't watch those as a kid.

A DD5 can easily do Maelstrom. We took our DD5 and DS2.

Test Track is something not to miss, one of the best rides among all 4 parks. Probly one of the top 3 your DS9 will like best of the whole trip. So try to fit it in.

 

[grimley1968]

If you wish to limit walking somewhat early in the day, you could enter the International Gateway entrance at EPCOT. I don't know where you are staying, but if at an EPCOT area resort it's a nice feature. Although WS isn't technically open then, they will allow you to use that entrance for ADR's.

Once your ADR is finished you could make your way into FW. Once done with FW, you could exit EPCOT via the front gate or could return to WS to look at some countries and/or ride Maelstrom en route to Intl. Gateway to exit the park. Just an alternative way of getting there, if you're interested.

 

[bre126]

Maelstrom is one of my favorites. The line usually isn't too long I don't think you need a fast pass for it. I think the longest I've waited is 20 min for it. Just do standby

 

[Frozen2014]

I think the ressie is fine...

I would hit TT first thing since it's on your way to Akershus. You'll be 10 min late to breakfast, but they won't drop you. Or if that bothers you, then have one adult go check in and the rest ride TT. They'll ask if your whole party is there -- you tell them no, and they'll check you in and hold for your party.

This is a very interesting option. I would be too nervous all of us going (i.e. don't want to lose our ADR), but DD and I could check in to Akershus and let DS and DH start at Test Track.

If you wish to limit walking somewhat early in the day, you could enter the International Gateway entrance at EPCOT. I don't know where you are staying, but if at an EPCOT area resort it's a nice feature. Although WS isn't technically open then, they will allow you to use that entrance for ADR's.

Once your ADR is finished you could make your way into FW. Once done with FW, you could exit EPCOT via the front gate or could return to WS to look at some countries and/or ride Maelstrom en route to Intl. Gateway to exit the park. Just an alternative way of getting there, if you're interested.

We're staying at Art of Animation, but most likely will drive and park. Does this work with parking, or is parking at main entrance?

 

[grimley1968]

We're staying at Art of Animation, but most likely will drive and park. Does this work with parking, or is parking at main entrance?

The EPCOT parking lot is at the front of it. There is no parking at the Intl. Gateway entrance. If you're early, you could park at DHS and then ride a boat or walk along the canal over to the IG entrance. But in your case, all of this takes up more time than simply driving to the EPCOT lot, and then walking through FW (and possibly riding something quick before your ADR). So in your case I'd ignore my previous suggestion.

 

[Frozen2014]

The EPCOT parking lot is at the front of it. There is no parking at the Intl. Gateway entrance. If you're early, you could park at DHS and then ride a boat or walk along the canal over to the IG entrance. But in your case, all of this takes up more time than simply driving to the EPCOT lot, and then walking through FW (and possibly riding something quick before your ADR). So in your case I'd ignore my previous suggestion.

Great suggestion otherwise though.

And thanks for the comment about Gran Fiesta

I guess at the moment, our plan is to skip Maestrom as to not plan everything around it and do

• Akershus 9:15am (with DS/DH Test Track at RD?)
• Seas with Nemo
• Turtle Talk - FP
• Journey into Imagination (or moved after Soarin depending on timing)
• Soarin FP
• Sunshine Seasons (late lunch)
• Spaceship Earth - FP

Maybe Innoventions if need some time fillers.

Does this work?

 

[ghtx]

Great suggestion otherwise though.

And thanks for the comment about Gran Fiesta

I guess at the moment, our plan is to skip Maestrom as to not plan everything around it and do

• Akershus 9:15am (with DS/DH Test Track at RD?)
• Seas with Nemo
• Turtle Talk - FP
• Journey into Imagination (or moved after Soarin depending on timing)
• Soarin FP
• Sunshine Seasons (late lunch)
• Spaceship Earth - FP

Maybe Innoventions if need some time fillers.

Does this work?

You should have plenty of time for this with the FPs and be done well before 3:30.

The only maybe tricky part is TT before Akershus. I'm not sure what time the kids will be done (and of course you have to make it for RD, which means arriving no later than 8:30) and if they will hold your reservation. Not sure how that works.

I think you could also fit in LwtL while you're at the Land w/o too much of a wait, and you might even have time to walk back to WS in the afternoon for Maelstrom and/or Mexico boat ride (both of which are worth it IMO) if you don't mind the walking (it's pretty far) and the queues (maybe 15-30 minutes each?).