Planning help - 1 day at WDW between Christmas/New Year's

[Keladry84]

Heads up: I'm looking for feedback/suggestions/help in planning.If not your forte, please feel free to stop reading here and skip! ;-0

Many thanks to those who've helped me narrow down my activities so far! I'm editing my first post after some initial help to get a narrowed down itinerary, and am still very open to suggestions!

Context: 1-day parkhopper between Christmas/New Year's uebering from Universal. (comp ticket from a longer trip in March).

Priorities are experiencing the holiday atmosphere/activities, and doing the things I missed out on due to my earlier travel fiasco.

I do have DAS. Absolute must is a couple of hours of complete down-time in the middle of the day. Probably needs to be at a resort. Options are:
- contemporary 2nd floor (conference area) (am leaning towards this)
- MK combo Tom Sawyer's Island and first aid (probably not enough of a break)
- Beach Club Villas/Solarium (as suggested by DAS cm)

Plans for day:
- start in Animal Kingdom, leave late morning. Will eat at Satuli, do FoP, Merry Menagerie, maybe Everest/Dinosaur
- take bus to Contemporary, rest, then resort Monorail to MK. Absolute latest to leave contemporary is 2:00 pm.
- enter MK in time to catch 3:00 pm Christmas parade, after parade do Tom Sawyer's Island, then misc. rides/etc. in park based on lines/availability until just after dark. Hope to be able to do Jingle Cruise as priority. Would like to do Tiana's but probably won't be able to due to no regular standby. Leave MK by 7:00 pm at latest. Use first aid station if need a break from crowds/chaos at MK.
- take monorail to Epcot. do Living with the Land with holiday overlay. If still have energy, maybe do a couple of the Festival food booths in the upper half of the park. Leave by 9:00 pm/before fireworks with ueber back to Universal.

I'm missing the holiday storytellers/etc. at World Showcase with this plan (sadness!) but I think that would have been to much for the day. I also would have liked to do Slinky Dog at Hollywood Studios, but again just a bit too much.

One question: If I do the 3:00 pm Christmas parade at MK, does that leave enough time afterwards for Tom Sawyer Island??? Both of these are pretty top on my list. I've never been over to TSI, and it will be closing soon, so not really a chance to do it on a future trip. Likewise this specific parade will not be there in future.

Any feedback on any of these plans, and-or a different suggestion for the day? And/or suggestions for narrowing down activities with things that are just meh or add any make-sure-NOT-to-miss-X?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Marthasor]

IMHO, 4 parks on any day, let alone between Christmas and New Year's, is too much. It seems you are interested in doing the most in AK and MK. I would eliminate either DHS or EP. I love the holiday storytellers in EP, but it is a big time commitment and EP can be a lot of walking. Personally, I would pick which is most important to you - Slinky or Living with the Land - once that decision is made, eliminate the other park. I still think 3 parks is too much during that time period, but to each his own. I'm not sure what area at Boardwalk this CM was talking about, but if you are taking the Skyliner to EP, I would recommend areas at BC over Boardwalk - much shorter walk and there are more places to sit in BC (the Solarium and outside the QS) and in BCV. Just don't expect any place to be quiet during the holiday week. CR also has some quiet spots on the second floor and in the convention center hallways if you want something closer to MK.

 

[Keladry84]

IMHO, 4 parks on any day, let alone between Christmas and New Year's, is too much. It seems you are interested in doing the most in AK and MK. I would eliminate either DHS or EP. I love the holiday storytellers in EP, but it is a big time commitment and EP can be a lot of walking. Personally, I would pick which is most important to you - Slinky or Living with the Land - once that decision is made, eliminate the other park. I still think 3 parks is too much during that time period, but to each his own. I'm not sure what area at Boardwalk this CM was talking about, but if you are taking the Skyliner to EP, I would recommend areas at BC over Boardwalk - much shorter walk and there are more places to sit in BC (the Solarium and outside the QS) and in BCV. Just don't expect any place to be quiet during the holiday week. CR also has some quiet spots on the second floor and in the convention center hallways if you want something closer to MK.

I think BC is the one I meant (I looked up the Solarium/etc. right after), so I am probably remembering the name incorrectly. I know it was the villas she mentioned and when I looked it up I found the Solarium + a couple of other lounges there- what's the full name of BC villas? And CR is which resort? (I'm not really familiar with most of the resorts, have only been to WDW 1x).

Between Slinky and LwL, def. LwL with the holiday overlay wins. It was the rest of Epcot festival that had me divided, but I really am thinking cutting that part out would help a lot and just hitting LwL towards the end of the night which would give me a monorail ride and avoid leaving from the TTC. Also leaning towards not doing HS as well, but that might depend on how long I spend in AK.

 

[elaine amj]

CR is the Contemporary Resort. The second floor conference space has the best set of super quiet lounge spaces IMO. Separated into different sections which adds to the quiet.

With the monorail, study the route. It only goes in one direction. So from the Contemporary Resort to Magic Kingdom takes 15-20 mins but from MK to the Contemporary is only a few mins. From MK to Epcot, you have to get off and transfer at the Ticket and Transportation Centre so it takes about 20ish mins.

I’d suggest monorail from MK to the Contemporary, rest, then monorail to Epcot. Or else skip the resort and use express lines to go from Epcot to MK.

If you end up wanting to, you can Skyliner to Hollywood Studios from Epcot to spend the last 2 hours.

Like you found out, Epcot is tough to do without a whole lot of time to wander. And even with DAS, you still have to wait for each ride. Just outside the line so you cab rest, etc. With lines extra long during the busy season, you should expect each major ride to take 1-2 hours of wait time. Which makes hopping to so many parks harder. I do find I can usually manage 3 parks at a slow pace (concentrating on a few must-dos at each).

 

[Marthasor]

I think BC is the one I meant (I looked up the Solarium/etc. right after), so I am probably remembering the name incorrectly. I know it was the villas she mentioned and when I looked it up I found the Solarium + a couple of other lounges there- what's the full name of BC villas? And CR is which resort? (I'm not really familiar with most of the resorts, have only been to WDW 1x).

Between Slinky and LwL, def. LwL with the holiday overlay wins. It was the rest of Epcot festival that had me divided, but I really am thinking cutting that part out would help a lot and just hitting LwL towards the end of the night which would give me a monorail ride and avoid leaving from the TTC. Also leaning towards not doing HS as well, but that might depend on how long I spend in AK.

In that case, I would probably cut DHS out of the plan. I think I would start at AK, go to MK, monorail and rest at Contemporary (as per PPs suggestion), monorail to EP (switch monorails at TTC) and end with Land at EP. This gives you the majority of time spent at AK and MK and avoids World Showcase altogether to minimize distance traveled.

 

[Keladry84]

In that case, I would probably cut DHS out of the plan. I think I would start at AK, go to MK, monorail and rest at Contemporary (as per PPs suggestion), monorail to EP (switch monorails at TTC) and end with Land at EP. This gives you the majority of time spent at AK and MK and avoids World Showcase altogether to minimize distance traveled.

I'm thinking this might be a good plan. With the size of World Showcase, that would need a full day to experience, so it's kind of more a choice between only Epcot/WS, or getting to do AK/MK at a slower pace in detail. LwL is really my only hard must do in Epcot so hitting that towards the end and staying in that end of Epcot makes sense. There would be travel time on the monorail, but I consider that like a ride anyways.

Do you know if there is any way to find out if the Contemporary has a conference this time of year? A while ago someone had made the suggestion of 2nd floor contemporary for a quiet local except that it can be busy when there is a conference (hence the consideration of BCV).

I'm still having a lot of FOMO regarding Slinky - it was the one ride I really wanted to do in March but didn't get. But the rest of HS doesn't really interest me, and Living with the Land was one of my favorites in March, so seeing it lit up with the lights for the holidays would be amazing.

 

[Disturbia]

I haven’t read the entire post, but our SPD DD loved the interactive water elements at the Moana attraction at Epcot. The music is soothing.

Staying offsite the likelihood of getting LLMP for Tiana is tough. There are a few drops (re-releases) during the day that thrill data recorded:

https://www.thrill-data.com/lightning-lane

Also, with waits that week of 120+ mins for top tier rides, the DAS would mean a 120 min wait outside+30 mins in LL line, so do plan for that. The availability for the LLSP (offsite can book 3 days in advance only) will be sparse (you will have to check the chart above the night before booking).

Most people’s vacation starts 12/21 so you will see 12/25 LLs being grabbed tomorrow am.

In your case, I would caution against over doing things. I would stick to 2 parks (AK+MK). Both AK and Epcot are spread out and it’s a lot of walking (sometimes uphill). The monorail between MK and Epcot is also great but can have delays, so those 2 parks are also doable.

 

[Marthasor]

I'm thinking this might be a good plan. With the size of World Showcase, that would need a full day to experience, so it's kind of more a choice between only Epcot/WS, or getting to do AK/MK at a slower pace in detail. LwL is really my only hard must do in Epcot so hitting that towards the end and staying in that end of Epcot makes sense. There would be travel time on the monorail, but I consider that like a ride anyways.

Do you know if there is any way to find out if the Contemporary has a conference this time of year? A while ago someone had made the suggestion of 2nd floor contemporary for a quiet local except that it can be busy when there is a conference (hence the consideration of BCV).

I'm still having a lot of FOMO regarding Slinky - it was the one ride I really wanted to do in March but didn't get. But the rest of HS doesn't really interest me, and Living with the Land was one of my favorites in March, so seeing it lit up with the lights for the holidays would be amazing.

I don't know for certain, but I think it would be unlikely there is a conference between Christmas and New Year's. I have been in that hallway many, many times and, especially during the day when Cali Grill's host stand isn't open, it has been quiet up there. IMHO, it will probably be quieter than BCV which is directly off the villa's lobby area. The Solarium, as well, typically has a TV on, people eating or waiting with luggage to be picked up to go back to the airport. If it isn't cold, you can also sit outside on the 4th floor observation deck of CR (there is seating back there as well).

 

[Keladry84]

I don't know for certain, but I think it would be unlikely there is a conference between Christmas and New Year's. I have been in that hallway many, many times and, especially during the day when Cali Grill's host stand isn't open, it has been quiet up there. IMHO, it will probably be quieter than BCV which is directly off the villa's lobby area. The Solarium, as well, typically has a TV on, people eating or waiting with luggage to be picked up to go back to the airport. If it isn't cold, you can also sit outside on the 4th floor observation deck of CR (there is seating back there as well).

After just looking at a map: in CR is the quieter area on the 2nd floor of the main building, or the convention center building? I'm def. leaning towards CR.

 

[Keladry84]

I haven’t read the entire post, but our SPD DD loved the interactive water elements at the Moana attraction at Epcot. The music is soothing.

Staying offsite the likelihood of getting LLMP for Tiana is tough. There are a few drops (re-releases) during the day that thrill data recorded:

https://www.thrill-data.com/lightning-lane

Also, with waits that week of 120+ mins for top tier rides, the DAS would mean a 120 min wait outside+30 mins in LL line, so do plan for that. The availability for the LLSP (offsite can book 3 days in advance only) will be sparse (you will have to check the chart above the night before booking).

Most people’s vacation starts 12/21 so you will see 12/25 LLs being grabbed tomorrow am.

In your case, I would caution against over doing things. I would stick to 2 parks (AK+MK). Both AK and Epcot are spread out and it’s a lot of walking (sometimes uphill). The monorail between MK and Epcot is also great but can have delays, so those 2 parks are also doable.

I was able to go through Moana walkthrough 2x in March, once in day and the other at night! It was pretty neat! I liked the interactive elements, but several required multiple people to get the full effect and I'm a party of 1 :/

I'm not too worried re the wait times - my trip in March was over Spring break, and it was doable with planning and realistic expectations, so the crowds are par for course for me with Disney. I had more days then and managed most things I wanted over the week, so this time I'm more focused on unique rides (holiday overlays), favorites, and things I missed. If I don't hit several of the more popular rides this trip I'm fine. Some of the things I missed were the smaller, less-popular rides, so should be easier to work in.

I agree with not overdoing it! Thus this thread (which has really been helping me to narrow down options!)

And ya, as much as I'd like to do Tiana's, I know the reality of getting it to work out this trip is slim. I'll play it by ear and see if anything materializes. The VQ for Tron last trip was really difficult for me, so Tiana's might just have to wait until a future trip. I will be in Japan next summer, so I'm hoping to get to experience the original Splash there!!!

 

[Disturbia]

I was able to go through Moana walkthrough 2x in March, once in day and the other at night! It was pretty neat! I liked the interactive elements, but several required multiple people to get the full effect and I'm a party of 1 :/

I'm not too worried re the wait times - my trip in March was over Spring break, and it was doable with planning and realistic expectations, so the crowds are par for course for me with Disney. I had more days then and managed most things I wanted over the week, so this time I'm more focused on unique rides (holiday overlays), favorites, and things I missed. If I don't hit several of the more popular rides this trip I'm fine. Some of the things I missed were the smaller, less-popular rides, so should be easier to work in.

I agree with not overdoing it! Thus this thread (which has really been helping me to narrow down options!)

And ya, as much as I'd like to do Tiana's, I know the reality of getting it to work out this trip is slim. I'll play it by ear and see if anything materializes. The VQ for Tron last trip was really difficult for me, so Tiana's might just have to wait until a future trip. I will be in Japan next summer, so I'm hoping to get to experience the original Splash there!!!

Tiana’s is DAS accessible

 

[Keladry84]

Tiana’s is DAS accessible

Isn't it still on VQ? Or did it go to regular standby??

 

[Disturbia]

Isn't it still on VQ? Or did it go to regular standby??

It has VQ and standby. No LLSP so you can’t buy it.

ROTR is also DAS accessible (no VQ)

You can only buy 2 LLSPs in a day even if park hopping

 

[Keladry84]

It has VQ and standby. No LLSP so you can’t buy it.

ROTR is also DAS accessible (no VQ)

You can only buy 2 LLSPs in a day even if park hopping

From what I can see it has VQ or LLMP. So I wouldn't be able to select it with DAS in park but would need to get a VQ time then wait for it to be called and return within 1 hour of that. Only then could it be converted to DAS. OR purchase LLMP and hope there is availability for a LL that works for me.

When I did Tron in March with VQ I really struggled with the uncertainty of when it would be called. It caused a whole cavalcade of events that I'd rather avoid when I only have 1 day at WDW.

 

[Disturbia]

From what I understand you can get a VQ AND DAS. LLMP is unlikely because of the offsite issue (resort guests book it up for first few days; unless you can grab one of the drops sometime during the day).

I believe that’s how it works but we’ve only used it once last year (Tiana had not opened yet) and don’t usually do any rerides due to how long it takes (standby time is inflated+LLs were long as well).

 

[Keladry84]

From what I understand you can get a VQ AND DAS.

By that do you mean that it can be selected in app by DAS, or only that it can be converted to DAS once your VQ is called?

 

[Disturbia]

By that do you mean that it can be selected in app by DAS, or only that it can be converted to DAS once your VQ is called?

We usually do either or because the VQs were for time consuming rides. I haven’t tried it personally on Tiana

 

[Disturbia]

Hopefully someone else can clarify now that it has a standby line and is LLMP it should be accessible by DAS without a VQ just like anyone else can use standby line.

Honestly I was planning on buying it because the VQ lines can get so long. But alas it’s no longer a LLSP. We have multiple days at MK though.

 

[Disturbia]

Btw the VQ answers you see are for Disneyland where Tiana and HM were virtual queue only (during parties or something).

 

[Disturbia]

Edit: It has a standby (had to double check) during MVMCP