Only one park day: hop or relax?

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I will be flying down to Florida in April and will have the chance to get my WDW fix, but for only one day in the parks. In the past, I've always spent a day at Epcot; one year I also spent one day at AK - not hopping, just relaxing. I really want to revisit those, but at the same time want to hit a few attractions at MK as well. Here are my options:

1. Start the day at MK (SM, SFT, Philharmagic, WDWRR), then monorail to Epcot (Soarin', lunch at Marrakesh, wander the WS a little), and finish up at AK (walk the Oasis and MJT, with dinner at FTB). If I'm up to it, return to Epcot for Illuminations.

2. Choose one park and relax. From the itinerary above, it would seem that I'd get the most for my money by going to MK, but then I'd miss out on some of my favorite eateries.

Is option 1 too frantic? How can I possibly narrow my park choices to just one if I go with option 2? Aiiigh! Help!

 

[DavidHobart]

What day of the week are you going--and will you be staying in a WDW Resort--I'm asking re evening extra magic hours.

It will be really tough for your Soarin FP to have a return time soon enuf to give you enuf time to have much fun at AK. Even 18ish months after opening that's a tough ticket to get...

If I had your preferences, I'd skip Epcot in the middle of the day and go MK to AK to Epcot in the evening...no Soarin this way tho...

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Even more important is what kind of pass are you going to be buying. Currently a one-day park hopper is $119.28 including tax. For $395.12 you can buy a ten-day No-expire park hopper.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Oh, I completely understand the cost-effectiveness of the 10-day PH. I had planned to buy one and dole it out over my next several visits, but I also have to have two wisdom teeth removed, and my son will need braces within the next few months. At this point, the most I can justify to myself is a one-day PH, even though I cringe at the relative cost of it. Maybe a two-day Base... *sigh*

 

[spiceycat]

option 1 is not too frantic - but too expensive.

just buy a 1-day park - Disney adds a surcharge to both one, two - calling it a service fee.

so think carefully before buying just a 1 day.

I would go with a 1-day expire. a 1 or 2 day hopper is just too expensive.

just go to the MK all day.

then one day come back (with a better pass) and see everything.

 

[dgaston]

Or somehow save up the $ for the 10 day non-expiring. It's just too expensive the other way.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Eh, I'm in the process of reconciling myself to not hopping for this short trip. Even though I'll miss Epcot and AK, I know I'll get the most enjoyment from visiting MK. Thanks all for your input!

 

[WillCAD]

If you do choose to hop, I would alter your option 1 itinerary - go to AK first (since it almost always closes earliest), then MK, then finish at Epcot (since it's almost always open latest).

Doing Epcot latest might cause you to miss Soarin', since FPs tend to run out early and the stand-by line might be too long for your limited time, but your dining options could remain unchanged - lunch at FTB and dinner at Marakesh, it's the same menu for lunch and dinner at both.

And keep in mind that hopping does not mean you can't relax.