Need Input!!! MGM or Epcot in the Morning?!-Please Read!

[WaltD4Me]

Ok, I admit it, I should be able to figure this out myself by now, but I'm in a quandry! LOL!

On our second day I'm planning on doing Epcot for 1/2 a day and MGM for 1/2 a day, but I can't decide which half to do what!

For MGM, we will NOT be doing RNR or TOT and I don't mind missing Fantasmic. The main things we want to do at MGM are Beauty & the Beast, Little Mermaid, Millionaire and some shopping. (my niece just turned six and she can't do RNR and won't do TOT and neither of us want to do Indy or Star Tours or the Backlot Tour)

For Epcot we HAVE to do Soarin, Test Track and Turtle Talk with Crush and I also want to make one of the ladybug releases which look like they will be at 1pm and 3pm.

Originally I was planning on Epcot first, but now I'm thinking maybe it'd be better to do MGM in the morning? MGM is usually less crowded in the morning no? My main worry is Soarin though....will we be able to get a fastpass for it if we don't get to Epcot til 12 or 1pm? -- Decisions, decisions! I don't know what to do!

 

[crow11ad]

your given up a half day at EPCOT for a half day at MGM just for B&B, Little Mermaid, and some shopping...


Epcot has some great shopping at World SHowcase. If you can do a full day and then the next do half day at MGM if you still want to in the am..

 

[wintergreen]

I'd do Epcot first thing in the morning to be sure that you can do Soarin', Test Track and Turtle Talk (get a FP for Test Track, do the other two, then head back to Test Track). Have lunch in World Showcase when it opens, then head over to MGM. We have always had most success with getting on rides that we want to do, by going to that park right when it opens. Shows, etc. are easier to get into during busier times of the day. Have fun!!!

 

[LadyLuc361]

I personally need a lot of time at Epcot....but if you are sticking to half days at each, I would do Epcot in the morning and MGM in evening. JMHO though!

Rachel

 

[jade1]

We are huge believers in getting done what you want to get done as soon as you can get it done. Then the rest of the day is more relaxing. Not sure how busy Soarin is (was not open yet a month ago when we ware there) but recommend going to EPCOT at opening and obtain a FP for Test Track (it is so hard to work in if you wait) and then go wait for Soarin (or vice versa). Then when you get out of the second ride you can get a FP for one of these 2 again for later. Then go enjoy some of the other less busy rides (Ellen, SE, Shrunk etc) or shop (maybe eat lunch at Japan-our favorite in all WDW). Take a break at the room or head over to MGM for the rest of the day/night. Have fun.

 

[Merriwind]

Hi Lisa-

Not really an answer, just some thoughts.

We always spend a lot more time in Epcot than MGM, so ordinarily I would say start here. There's just so much more there that we are interested in seeing and doing. Plus, Soarin' and Test Track are sure to have lines that should be lighter early in the day. That being said, we've found that when we elect to spend only an evening at MGM, B&B doesn't always play as late as we'd like. If you're not planning on arriving at MGM too late (before 4pm I would say) you would probably be fine starting at Epcot. But, we find it easy to get lost at Epcot and then miss the last B&B show. You probably are a better timekeeper than me and this won't be a concern... Just a thought.

HTH

 

[QuickGold]

I'd recommend doing Epcot in the AM and MGM in the afternoon. Based on what you want to do at MGM, you'll probably only need 2 or 3 hours at MGM so you could return to Epcot once you're done.

 

[Chicago526]

My rule of theme park touring is "rides before shows".

A couple of reasons. One, rides tend to have longer waits and FP's can and do run out on busy days for popular rides. Two, is that shows are usually easy to get into with little wait (unless you are picky about what seats you get, then waits can be longer as you want to be at the head of the line). The third reason is that rides can wear you out, so if you do the rides first, you can rest and relax during a show.

Since you want to do so little in MGM, you can really do 2/3 of you day in Epcot and 1/3 at MGM. Do the last showings of LM and BB, and save the shoping for when everyone is eating dinner. This also allows to to catch Fantasmic if you change your minds about going once you're in the park.

 

[kidsicet]

We just got back from WDW, and if you want to ride Soarin' and Test Track at Epcot, I'd suggest going there first. The crowds aren't bad first thing in the morning (we stay off-site and have a rental car, and were able to walk in to the park from the parking lot, instead of taking the tram, because we were so close to the entrance). We spent two days at Epcot, and the first day we didn't try getting a fast pass for Test Track until 3:30 or so, and by then, they were out of fast passes for the day. I'd suggest going right away in the morning. You should be able to get on Soarin' right away, and after that, you can head over to Test Track for fast passes, and to check out the lines. That's what we did, and when my DD 7 and I got to Test Track, the single rider line was only 5 minutes. We decided to ride it alone, and the CM was nice and put us in the same car (she was in the front seat, and I was in the back). It was so cool to just basically walk on that ride after missing it the day before!

 

[spectro man]

I prefer Epcot in the evening. Around Innoventions there are lights in the walkways that are cool for the kids. Also, because the park is so big, it is a bit cooler when your walking around and you can catch Illuminations!

 

[msr709]

I've got to agree with the majority here and say do EPCOT first in the a.m. TT is one of the fastest going when it comes to FP and I have been on Soarin in DL and I can almost be 100% its going to be a very, very popular ride, it is AWESOME! I would stay at EPCOT and do these first in the a.m. and leave after lunch to MGM, do what you want at MGM and possibly come back to EPCOT for Illuminations. Having said that Fantasmic is one of my favorites shows and I wouldn't dream of missing it, I would definitely fit it in somewhere. You didn't mention what time of the year you will be visiting, but if you're going when the parks are open late, that should really solve your problem. Have a great trip! HTH

 

[WaltD4Me]

your given up a half day at EPCOT for a half day at MGM just for B&B, Little Mermaid, and some shopping...

Well, it's just me and my niece going (she's six) AND we were just there this past December, so this is really a "favorites" sort of thing and my niece LOVED Beauty and the Beast in December. We even saw it twice then, so we have to do that. We missed Millionaire though, so that is what I want to go to MGM for.

As far as Epcot, Soarin is an absolute MUST and Test Track and Turtle Talk are repeat favorites, I doubt we'll be walking around all the countries, I do want to hit France though to see Belle's library.

I guess I need to stick with the original plan of Epcot in the morning. Only thing is there is a DISboard meet at Epcot at 3:30pm for the Off Kilter show in Canada. I wanted to try and make that, but I think I'm going to have to just just play it by ear. Alot is going to depend and how crowded the parks are. I wonder if it would be too much to go to Epcot first thing, just do Soarin' get a FP for Test Track and then go right to MGM, knock out the couple things we want to do there and then get back to Epcot for the DIS meet and Off Kilter?

 

[msr709]

Well, it's just me and my niece going (she's six) AND we were just there this past December, so this is really a "favorites" sort of thing and my niece LOVED Beauty and the Beast in December. We even saw it twice then, so we have to do that. We missed Millionaire though, so that is what I want to go to MGM for.

As far as Epcot, Soarin is an absolute MUST and Test Track and Turtle Talk are repeat favorites, I doubt we'll be walking around all the countries, I do want to hit France though to see Belle's library.

I guess I need to stick with the original plan of Epcot in the morning. Only thing is there is a DISboard meet at Epcot at 3:30pm for the Off Kilter show in Canada. I wanted to try and make that, but I think I'm going to have to just just play it by ear. Alot is going to depend and how crowded the parks are. I wonder if it would be too much to go to Epcot first thing, just do Soarin' get a FP for Test Track and then go right to MGM, knock out the couple things we want to do there and then get back to Epcot for the DIS meet and Off Kilter?

This sounds very doable to me! I loved Off Kilter also! If you go to EPCOT when it first opens you should be fine! I've used FP that had an earlier window of return and it was fine. Good luck, and again Have a wonderful trip!

 

[ricktib]

If it were me I'd do what I wanted at MGM first thing in the AM, then spend the rest of the day at Epcot. You definitely need more time at Epcot, you can't beat the ambiance of Epcot in the evening, and Illuminations is not to be missed.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

These 2 parks are so easy to move from one to the other. The boat ride is really very pleasent. Your neice will think it is a ride! Are you early risers? If so begin at MGM since Epcot usually opens later. If not start at Epcot take the boat to MGM for the early afternoon and return to Epcot for the evening. You could probably do TT and Soarin in 2 hours in the AM. Make a lunch PS in MGM then see the shows during the heat of the day. Take the boat back to Epcot by 2:45ish and you will be right at the Canadian stage when you enter by the international gateway.

 

[dsanner106]

If you want to get in the most park time , then definately go to mgm in the morning, take what time you need there and head to epcot. As epcot is always open later, you will have more time by finishing there. If you are going during peak season though, I would go to epcot at opening and just hit soarin, test track, mission to mars before the lines get long, should take less than an hour, then go to mgm and return to epcot for the evening.

Drew

 

[dsanner106]

If you want to maximize park time, finish at epcot, as it is always open late. If it is peak season, you may want to take an hour at the beginning to hit the main epcot rides, all at the front of the park, soarin, test track, mission space, then go to mgm and return to epcot for the evening

 

[bamajill]

I like your plan of doing Epcot first thing, just to make sure you don't miss the rides that you REALLY want to do (Soarin' is SOOOOO worth it! and I would be afraid FP's would be gone by early afternoon if it is a particularly busy day).

If you don't mind hopping....do the rides at Epcot, head to MGM for lunch and shows (the things you are wanting to do at MGM shouldn't have huge lines and/or waits) and after you finish your shows, pop back over to Epcot for a relaxing and fun evening.

I'm jealous.....I hope you have a wonderful trip and get to pack in all you hope to do!!

 

[Grand2me]

OK...I understand that the OP does not want to do all of the rides at MGM(ToT, RnRC, Star Tours) but would ya'll give the same recommendations if she did?

 

[Disneycrazymom]

No I would not. If she wanted to ride RnR and TofT then I would go to MGM first.

Then you can fastpass Tower, ride RnR, use Fastpass on Tower, and ride RnR again before the lines get long.

I say fastpass Tower because on your way to RnR you will pass by the fastpass machine for Tower. If the line is NOT long for Tower save the fastpass for a 2nd ride and go through the standby line first. If your fastpass time is already up after you ride RnR (which it most likely won't be) then get a fastpass for RnR before you ride Tower for a 2nd ride on RnR.

My DS has this down to a science! His goal is to get as many rides as possible on both during the 1st hour of the day. We always hit the big rides at Epcot at night, the fastpasses will be gone but the single rider lines are not to bad.