Planning "Extra" Day

[danceintherain]

What would you plan for the 5th day?
It will be me, 8 year boy (doesn't like anything remotely intense) 4 year old girl (44 inches in shoes as of this morning) 18 month old baby boy (will have to Rider Switch anything with a height requirement) and my Mom for the whole trip. My Dad will be there, but he's attending a conference at the Swan, so he doesn't anticipate being available for touring until Day 4.
Right now, this is what I have planned...
Day 1 Arrival - Check into Swan
Day 2 - Epcot - Rope drop TT, FP/Rider Switch at Soarin', FP Frozen ride, FP Spaceship Earth
Day 3 - Magic Kingdom - FP 7DMT, Peter Pan, and Enchanted Tales
Day 4 - Check out of Swan and into All-Star Music
Day 5 - Hollywood Studios (afternoon FPs starting at SDD, Star Tours - RD this day will be focused on Jedi Training Academy)
Day 6 - Animal Kingdom (FP FoP, Kilimanjaro Safari, Character Spot - might change this last one to something else)

For Day 4 - Ideally our room at ASMusic will be available early-ish (we take breaks every day) but if it isn't (likely) then which park might accommodate a stroller sleeping baby the best? Probably Epcot? I'm thinking that maybe doing Magic Kingdom in the morning, then Epcot in the afternoon/evening may be the best option, so my Dad can go to every park, at least shortly. His only comment to me about planning was that AK is his least favorite park, but avoiding that park for him doesn't work, so tough luck. But, Magic Kingdom has morning Extra Magic Hours, then the Halloween party in the evening. Not ideal.
Which park should I try for FPs at on Day 4? Morning? Afternoon?

If we did half a day at any park, this would likely be our priorities...
MK - probably the mountains, for my Dad's benefit, but we wouldn't likely Rider Switch much, if at all, so we could split the FPs between attractions
Epcot - Soarin' (again) maybe TT, then whatever we didn't get to and still want to.
DHS - I anticipate shows being most of what's leftover.
AK - I think we'll be able to fit in everything essential here in one day, even if it means some long lines.

I don't really like the idea of leaving the FPs completely open. I would ask my Dad his preference, but he and my Mom are in Europe at the moment, and I doubt he'll be interested in having a conversation about his next vacation, while on his current vacation.

 

[bashuck]

As it relates to park hopping MK to EPCOT would be good with a stroller and sleeping baby as the monorail allows you to keep the baby in the stroller unlike the bus. If it were me and I wanted to ride SDMT I'd FP that and whatever else you want at MK and then 4th FP at EPCOT Soarin'/ FEA.

 

[gatorlisa]

Actually, if you have hoppers, I think a MK party day would be an ideal day to rope drop or go early, enjoy lower crowds at MK and then go to Epcot for the afternoon/evening. Normally I would then recommend saving fast passes for your second park, but with younger kids, you might be better off to schedule them for MK.

 

[FutureDis]

Actually, if you have hoppers, I think a MK party day would be an ideal day to rope drop or go early, enjoy lower crowds at MK and then go to Epcot for the afternoon/evening. Normally I would then recommend saving fast passes for your second park, but with younger kids, you might be better off to schedule them for MK.

I like this idea myself! Should be lower crowds in the morning, lots of rides to entertain all ages, then easy transition and nap at EP. Too bad Ellen's Energy Adventure isn't still open! Perfect nap ride.

 

[danceintherain]

As it relates to park hopping MK to EPCOT would be good with a stroller and sleeping baby as the monorail allows you to keep the baby in the stroller unlike the bus. If it were me and I wanted to ride SDMT I'd FP that and whatever else you want at MK and then 4th FP at EPCOT Soarin'/ FEA.

Will 4th FP in Epcot be an option? I thought they changed it, since my last trip, to one park per day?
We already have 7DMT FPs on Day 3, so unless my Dad really wants to ride it (which I doubt) I don't think we'll need FPs for it.

I completely forgot about the monorail from MK to Epcot! That's a great option. Then we could just leave through the International Gateway to go get the car and drive over to ASMusic. We will have two cars... Maybe sending an adult to check-in at the hotel, while the rest of the group takes the monorail would be a good option? That's something we can always discuss there though. We certainly won't want to drive to MK, especially with morning EMH. (So much to think about!)

 

[danceintherain]

I guess there are lots of Princesses to see at the MK with FP option, but since most of them are "out of sight" M&Gs, I don't think I need to push for them. We're doing 1900 Park Fare on arrival night (in theory) and the Bon Voyage breakfast on departure day. So DD (and I) should get our fill of Princesses without too much inconvenience to the rest of the group.

Overall...these would probably be my FP choices for MK vs EPCOT
MK - Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain (only one or two out of the group, then Rider Switch ideally) Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear
EPCOT - Soarin' (this is the only one I'm banking on Rider Switch without group FPs, so having a couple extra FPs for a second day might help) then...Mission:Space.
Mostly, I think we've got everything covered enough in both parks that if we skip something, we skip something.

Ultimately, my Dad USED to love roller coasters, but it's been years since I've been with him when he's ridden one.
(train of though typing helps me work things out in my head)

 

[bashuck]

Will 4th FP in Epcot be an option? I thought they changed it, since my last trip, to one park per day?
We already have 7DMT FPs on Day 3, so unless my Dad really wants to ride it (which I doubt) I don't think we'll need FPs for it.

I completely forgot about the monorail from MK to Epcot! That's a great option. Then we could just leave through the International Gateway to go get the car and drive over to ASMusic. We will have two cars... Maybe sending an adult to check-in at the hotel, while the rest of the group takes the monorail would be a good option? That's something we can always discuss there though. We certainly won't want to drive to MK, especially with morning EMH. (So much to think about!)

After you scan your 3rd FP at the first park you can immediately start looking for another FP at any park. I've had great success adding TT or Soarin' as extra FPs. You just need to keep refreshing on the app. If you see a time you don't want still select that is it makes the refreshing much faster since you don't need to scroll down as it will already be visible.

 

[danceintherain]

After you scan your 3rd FP at the first park you can immediately start looking for another FP at any park. I've had great success adding TT or Soarin' as extra FPs. You just need to keep refreshing on the app. If you see a time you don't want still select that is it makes the refreshing much faster since you don't need to scroll down as it will already be visible.

That's how I remember it from our last trip, but then got caught up in the explanations, when I was doing my research this time. It's really good to know.
I decided to essentially "split" our party, and got FP for my Dad and daughter at MK in the morning, then the rest of us at Epcot later on.