Park reservations - did we pick the right mix?

[DisneyJade]

Our trip is not until March, so I realize all kinds of things may change before then, but assuming things are the way they are now, with park reservations required and no hopping... I'm wondering if we've selected the right mix of days.

We have 7 full park days (though we may reduce to 6) with the following mix of parks reserved:
3 days MK
2 days Epcot
1 day AK
1 day DHS

This trip is to celebrate our twin daughters' 5th birthday, so the 3 MK days are the first day, last day and their actual birthday. The question is how to spend the remaining 4 days. I chose 2 days at Epcot mainly to ensure we can ride both Frozen and Ratatouille (assuming it's open) with minimal wait. Also, DH loves TT, and Soarin' is my favorite.

However, I'm really concerned about the possibility that we will not get a boarding group for Rise, and I'm wondering if we should trade one of our Epcot days for an extra DHS day, just to increase our chances. The drawback is that DHS does not have as many options for preschool age kids, so two days there may feel like a waste.

Would love opinions. Maybe we don't need 3 days at MK? We could always do day 1 at a different park, since our girls probably won't care if they see the castle first thing.

 

[AngieInOH]

What are you doing on the arrival day? Is that one of your full days? We always arrive early afternoon, take a quick break then head to MK for the fireworks (here's to hoping they are back soon). Is this something you could do and then reduce the number of full days at MK?

Personally, I think 3 full days at MK is too many. I would reduce that to 2 days and then do 2 days at AK or DHS. I'd pick 2 days at AK but completely understand the reasoning for possibly doing DHS 2 days.

 

[nkereina]

IMO, two days at DHS and 1 day at Epcot would be better. Epcot is currently a mess of construction and there are many things closed due to Covid, both because of reduced capacity and also because of reduced staffing. International CMs are also not working now which detracts from the atmosphere of the World Showcase and contributes to the reduced staffing. This could improve by March, but its something to consider. I also have no idea when Ratatouille is expected to open, but I would expect most, if not all, construction projects were delayed as a result of the closure when they weren't working for a while.

Even before Covid, two days at DHS was preferable since lines in the Star Wars area and Toy Story area were unpredictable. There's also several good TS restaurants there, so two days in the park lets you try more than one.

I tend to agree with PP that 3 MK days is too many for us, but you will have two 5 year olds and there's a chance park hours could still be reduced. Normally DH and I can accomplish MK over two days, but we usually have longer park hours to work with. Since going from 7 day tickets to 6 day tickets is negligible in terms of cost, I would opt to keep it.

 

[lynzi2004]

How many days are you there overall? I ask bc after 4 days of constantly wearing masks, we were over it! We actually went and got in the pool about an hour before we had to get on Magical express, JUST to take our masks off for a bit before wearing them the rest of the night on the plane home. So I’m just thinking with a couple little kids that the 3 MK days and 2 Epcot day’s would be fine, BUT I would schedule part of those days to also be pool days and take a break from the masks for a bit. That might depend on which resort your at and how easy it would be to go back and forth. I am likely in the minority but while RotR was fine, there was so much anxiety and stress associated with getting a boarding group, our que got dumped numerous times trying to get on, that I would not make another park day specifically just to get on it.
On the other hand, if you all are Star Wars fans and definitely want a couple of chances, then schedule 2 HS days since they can book up the fastest. MMRR and Toy story land are both awesome for smaller kids. Do those first thing in the morning and then spend that afternoon at the pool. With it being a smaller park, it is much quicker to come and go from there if at a Skyliner resort.

 

[Bullseye]

You don't need three full days at MK. Two full days will be more than enough to cover everything. Move that third day to HS or AK.

 

[glocon]

If you schedule your HS day early in your vacation, you can always switch to a different park later in your vacation if you need to. So if you don’t get rise, you can decide to change one of your MK park days to a HS day if you want to try again and there is availability. I would keep things the way you have them since that is your preference. Just be sure to practice getting a bg so you have the best chance at getting one. And if your DH is willing to help with that, make sure he practices getting into a bg also.

 

[Shellyred8]

Our trip is not until March, so I realize all kinds of things may change before then, but assuming things are the way they are now, with park reservations required and no hopping... I'm wondering if we've selected the right mix of days.

We have 7 full park days (though we may reduce to 6) with the following mix of parks reserved:
3 days MK
2 days Epcot
1 day AK
1 day DHS

This trip is to celebrate our twin daughters' 5th birthday, so the 3 MK days are the first day, last day and their actual birthday. The question is how to spend the remaining 4 days. I chose 2 days at Epcot mainly to ensure we can ride both Frozen and Ratatouille (assuming it's open) with minimal wait. Also, DH loves TT, and Soarin' is my favorite.

However, I'm really concerned about the possibility that we will not get a boarding group for Rise, and I'm wondering if we should trade one of our Epcot days for an extra DHS day, just to increase our chances. The drawback is that DHS does not have as many options for preschool age kids, so two days there may feel like a waste.

Would love opinions. Maybe we don't need 3 days at MK? We could always do day 1 at a different park, since our girls probably won't care if they see the castle first thing.

I would remove one day at Epcot and add it to either AK or HS. If the kiddos like animals, I would vote for AK. Though, if RotR is really important, you may want to lean towards HS.
In regards to the 3 days at MK: I would keep this as-is and monitor things as you get closer to your trip. If they have started adding back some of the things they took away, 3 days might be ok for your family. This park has the most rides for your kiddos, so you could just do the same rides multiple times.

 

[disneygal01]

I would suggest maybe taking 1 day away from MK or Epcot and adding one to Animal Kingdom. MK is my favorite park but I would say 3 days would be more than enough unless you plan to split up certain sections of the park for certain days. I understand the reasoning behind the 2 days for Epcot - I think adults could get two meaningful days out of Epcot but besides the rides, young kids might be bored. Animal Kingdom used to not impress me all that much, I liked it but it didn't come close to MK or Epcot for me, but I went last May and with the addition of Pandora, it's really a great park now.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

I would remove one day midweek at MK and make it a resort day and or water park day if they open by then. All the walking is hard on little kids you will enjoy your vacation more if you have an off day. Most people use this day or night to check out Disney Springs.
One other idea...
Hs is the one consistent park that fills to capacity every day. If your trip is in later March it is Spring break time and all the parks fill up to capacity.
(Next month is Columbus day and that week all parks besides epcot are full) use one of the MK days for a 2nd at HS. You can go try for Rotr again if needed or you can drop it and pick up another park that's available.

 

[Jason2015]

Unless the parks start adding in some of the meet and greets, parades, etc. seven park days may be a day or two too many for five year-olds. I'd agree with the above to make at least one day a resort/pool day. Good way to relax and not wear out the kids. Or if you have a car you could do SeaWorld, Universals, drive out to the coast.

 

[DisneyJade]

So much great advice here. Thanks, everyone! I definitely think the tricky part is trying to predict what’s best for the kids. We’ve taken them to DL, but we’ve never done WDW with kids - only adults. It’s helpful to read that we may not need that 3rd MK day.

What are you doing on the arrival day? Is that one of your full days? We always arrive early afternoon...

Unfortunately, our flights all arrive in the evening due to time change, otherwise this would 100% be our strategy!

How many days are you there overall? I ask bc after 4 days of constantly wearing masks, we were over it...

I think part of me is in denial and hoping masks won’t be required, due to vaccine. (Silly, I know.)

If you schedule your HS day early in your vacation, you can always switch to a different park later in your vacation if you need to. So if you don’t get rise, you can decide to change one of your MK park days to a HS day if you want to try again and there is availability...

This is a great tip. Thank you! We will likely move HS up in the week and follow this strategy.

Thanks again, everyone!