Planning ahead-Choosing which parks for which days

[RoseBen009]

Hi everyone! I'm already starting to daydream about our trip we plan on taking in January 2021. I'm thinking of doing 2 days in each park, although I'm strongly considering getting park-hoppers. My question is, how do you all decide ahead of time which parks you're going to do on which days-I'm thinking I need to have that figured out for fast pass planning purposes and also dining reservations...Do you base it off the rides you want to ride the most? Or the parks you want to go to right away? Any tips would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[windcriesamy]

I always like to start and end our trip at MK (it’s just tradition!) so I plan our first and last days around that.
Other than that, I really base our plans on events (for example, we’re going to F&G this year, so planning an early weekday for Epcot) or FP+ selections for rides we really want (I’m hoping to get a MMRR FP+ at 60+3!).

SOMETIMES I plan around ADRs, but not often.

 

[BrianL]

I usually look as park hours, EMH, and then what just works well. Hoppers are great because you can use EMH then hop to a less crowded park for the rest of the day, or prior to evening hours. I try not to analyze it too much.

 

[TaraWasHere]

Generally we look at previous years for EMH and party dates, and plan around those. We get get park hopper, hit parks with parties for lower crowds then hop out later on. Hit parks with morning EMH then hop out when they get crowded or wait to go to parks with evening EMH until day crowds are starting to trickle out. Basically we try to work around the crowds.

 

[Tormania]

I look at historical trends on which parks are usually the busiest on given days of the week and usually do the opposite. Also depends on EMH and if I want to take advantage of that on that day or not, usually the crowds will follow EMH so you can do that and then park hop later to stay ahead of the crowds. But I definitely lock in my park days before making ADRs and of course that means before FP+ as well.

 

[wilbret]

Like the above, park hours drive the choice for us. Used to factor in a crowd calendar, but I don't bother anymore, other than just for the sake of habit.

 

[philly_mcphillyface]

I highly recommend park hoppers if you’re already considering and they fit in your budget.

 

[NJ Goofy]

I usually save the more popular parks (that year) for later in the trip, that way it is easier to get the headliner FP's. For instance on our trip this May our last 3 days will be HS - AK - HS, that way we have a better chance to get FP's at 60+5, 60+6 and 60+7. On our next trip it may be EPCOT & MK because of Guardians and Tron !

 

[daydreamer101]

I always always start in MK! I’m not in Disney until I see that castle I end my trip in MK too so I can properly cry at HEA.

The rest is typically determined by which fast passes I can get on which day. (Although I normally try to do Epcot second because I love Epcot.) I always get park hopper because it allows me to jump around, take advantage of last minute fast passes, and make sure I can hit all my faves / must do’s before I leave. If it’s in the budget, definitely do it!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I agree with the PP. HS and AK now would be towards the end of the trip - it makes it easier to get the headliner FPs. But as other posters have said we love to start and end with MK. So depending on how many park days you have - AK and HS should be around day 3 minimum. On our trip now we have 9 days and we are doing HS and AK starting on day 5. Then we look at EMH, and pick accordingly. Then once you make your ADRs you have your days. Enjoy the planning - we love that part.

 

[tkalbanese]

We try to start our trips with MK but ultimately the crowd levels on touring plans determines where we go on what days

 

[88jennifer88]

I always stay away from EMH, hoping that I'll miss the park with the biggest crowd. Honestly, I haven't been in a few years and I think RoTR and some other changes might mess with my strategy for this summer. I'm not quite sure what to expect.