Please get all judgmental about this Newbie's plans....

[NewbieMouse]

Our FP+ window will be approaching soon and so I am preparing to buy my tickets so that I am set to make my FP+ choices. I like to have a general plan to avoid crowds but and not a minute by minute planner usually. I am terrified/horrified at having to plan parks/rides so early as I am a DLR regular and this is very new to me. I am leaning towards 6 days with the park hopper option. Park interests/preferences are MK, EP, HS, AK (in descending order; I know people feel differently, but this is unlikely to change pre-visit. Maybe if at the end of the trip I'll realize what a fool I was, so be it ). Staying at POR; will have a car. We are all early risers, or late owls with naps in between. Would love to hear any critiques, comments, or suggestions. Thanks!

Sunday, May 8: Plane arrives around 4:30.
Schedule FP+ for MK in the evening and spend a few hours there the night we arrive.

Monday, May 9: Park Hours for this day include EMH 8 am @ AK; 9-11 pm @ Epcot
My plan is to start at AK for a couple of hours. Take a quick break around lunch time, hop to HS. Make FP+ for HS for early evening. Hop to Epcot for pm EMH.

Tuesday, May 10: Park Hours for this day include EMH 8 am @ MK
My plan is to start at MK. Take break around lunchtime, hop to Epcot. Make FP+ for EPCOT.

Wednesday, May 11: Park Hours for this day include EMH 10 pm - 1 am @ MK
My plan is to start at either Epcot or HS, depending on sick we are of Epcot. Take long break in afternoon to nap and rest up. Hop to MK for late EMH. Make FP+ day before for MK early evening.

Thursday, May 12: Park Hours for this day include EMH 8 am @ Epcot (FW)
My plan is to start at Epcot and then hop to MK after a break, unless we did Epcot yesterday, in which case we'll either (a) spend the whole day at MK, or (b) if we feel we need more time at AK, start here and then hop to MK. Make FP+ for MK, early evening.

Friday, May 13: Park Hours for this day include EMH 10 pm - midnight @HS
My plan is to start at MK. Take along break at lunchtime/nap to rest up for evening EMH. Hop to HS for EMH. Make FP+ for MK.

Saturday, May 13: Park Hours for this day include EMH 8 am @ AK
DEBATABLE ADD-ON MORNING: We are definitely going to drive to Kennedy Space Centre and then heading to our Universal Hotel this day. But I thought if we didn't have enough AK, we could theoretically get up and spend a couple hours there for EMH and then split. The cost difference between 6-7 day ticket is minor.

Any thoughts or suggestions are totally welcome. TIA!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

My only thought is - why are you doing so much hopping? Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to hopping (we always buy park hoppers), but you will see more if you dedicate each day to one park. It takes a huge chunk of time out of your day to travel so much - WDW is vast! I would suggest, at the very least, not doing 3 parks in one day. And I guess I don't understand why on May 10 you are starting in MK and then hopping to EP and on May 11 you are starting in EP and then hopping to MK? Why not just do MK on May 10 and EP on May 11? In the time it will take you to travel between parks, you could be riding more rides, seeing more shows or simply having a leisurely lunch. That's really my only advice - cut down on the hopping. It's a time suck.

 

[NewbieMouse]

My only thought is - why are you doing so much hopping? Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to hopping (we always buy park hoppers), but you will see more if you dedicate each day to one park. It takes a huge chunk of time out of your day to travel so much - WDW is vast! I would suggest, at the very least, not doing 3 parks in one day. And I guess I don't understand why on May 10 you are starting in MK and then hopping to EP and on May 11 you are starting in EP and then hopping to MK? Why not just do MK on May 10 and EP on May 11? In the time it will take you to travel between parks, you could be riding more rides, seeing more shows or simply having a leisurely lunch. That's really my only advice - cut down on the hopping. It's a time suck.

This is interesting to me as I have debating not getting a hopper at all. I guess then I would avoid EMH. My hesitancy is I just don't see myself spending an entire day at AK. Some may be horrified to know that I have considered even skipping it entirely. I'd also love to split a day between Epcot and MK, or HS. But I feel like I need to get my money's worth for that silly hopper option! If I didn't hop, maybe I could just:

Sunday, May 8: Plane arrives around 4:30.
Schedule FP+ for MK in the evening and spend a few hours there the night we arrive.

Monday, May 9: Park Hours for this day include EMH 8 am @ AK; 9-11 pm @ Epcot
HS

Tuesday, May 10: Park Hours for this day include EMH 8 am @ MK
Epcot

Wednesday, May 11: Park Hours for this day include EMH 10 pm - 1 am @ MK
MK/Epcot, depending on how much we liked it the day before

Thursday, May 12: Park Hours for this day include EMH 8 am @ Epcot (FW)
MK

Friday, May 13: Park Hours for this day include EMH 10 pm - midnight @HS
MK

Saturday, May 13: Park Hours for this day include EMH 8 am @ AK
AK in the a.m.


Do you think that is better?

 

[senadler]

I would agree this is too much hopping, you need to figure around an hour to get from one place to the next, that is a lot of travel time. I would pick either AM or PM EMH if you want to take advantage of them, and then spend the rest of the day at a recommended park without EMH. If you are going to a park with AM EMH you probably want to be out by noon if you are avoiding crowds. I also would not want to head to a park with PM EMH until close to the start of those hours, and would avoid them completely unless I thought we would stay through the second hour. This would also be way too much park time for my family, but that is us. On a trip of that length we would take at least a half day to just relax at the resort.

 

[senadler]

We always get hoppers, so I don't know that I would go to the other extreme. You really can get a lot done if you get to a park at 8 AM on an EMH day, or stay until park close for PM EMH. I just wouldn't do it every day. If you are going the route of no hoppers and your new plan, I would probably go back to the MK on your first full day. I would then do HS on one of your other MK days (maybe Thursday?) rather than putting two (or three) full MK days in a row.

 

[NewbieMouse]

I would agree this is too much hopping, you need to figure around an hour to get from one place to the next, that is a lot of travel time. I would pick either AM or PM EMH if you want to take advantage of them, and then spend the rest of the day at a recommended park without EMH. If you are going to a park with AM EMH you probably want to be out by noon if you are avoiding crowds. I also would not want to head to a park with PM EMH until close to the start of those hours, and would avoid them completely unless I thought we would stay through the second hour. This would also be way too much park time for my family, but that is us. On a trip of that length we would take at least a half day to just relax at the resort.

Only one day in the original plan had 3 parks, so I'd better scratch that obviously. The rest of the plan is going to EMH with the recommended park the other one that day. Should I just do that on the days with morning EMH as most people can't make it up for rope drop, and then just do one park on the evening EMH days? I would have thought that 10pm-1am EMH would be hard for lots of people as there are so many people with smaller kids.

Or maybe just go with plan B and skip hoppers altogether, saving myself $250? I'm beginning to lean that way. I honestly wish I didn't have to plan all of this so far in advance just to ensure I have my ADRs and FP+. Crazy. Maybe I don't? How bad is it to just wait to get the FP+ there?

 

[aggiedog]

We park hop every day, but for dinner. We're at whatever park for rope drop, usually whichever has morning EMH, do the touring plan and are gone by 1:00 or so. Go back to the room for a nap (for the adults, teens are welcome to do their own thing) and swimming, then go back to where we want to have dinner that night, which is almost always somewhere in the World Showcase.

As for FP+ while you're there, we did that on a school trip where we couldn't get FP's until the morning of. It was a huge hassle, honestly. Maybe if you have a computer it would be a bit easier, but thru my phone it was very hard to reschedule to a different time/attraction, like you can do on MDE. Maybe I was just to new to the system to work it properly, but it's been much easier doing our upcoming trip from home.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Everyone's touring style can be so different, but if it were me, I'd cut down on the hopping in your first plan but keep the park hopper option (as painful as it is in terms of $). You are there long enough that there's a good chance you will enjoy the flexibility. Eg, spend your day at MK and hop to HS for dinner and Star Wars fireworks that night..that kind of stuff. I also tend to subscribe to the "avoid parks with EMH" theory, except in select circumstances (usually AM hours) where I plan to leave mid/late morning, but that's just our opinion.

This is mostly because of our kid's age but AK is also not a full day park for us, neither is HS (especially these days!).

 

[Chrelaine]

We took our first family trip during the same time frame last year. I don't recommend waiting on FP+ for the headliners. We had less trouble moving ADRs. I don't like planning so early either, but it is the only way to be sure to get the things you want. We thought park hoppers were worth it even if we only used it once or twice.

 

[Minniesgal]

I'm exhausted just reading all your plans. We tend to pick a park a day and stick with it. We wouldn't do all that hopping i think you will lose more time than you think moving. Also on the days you are hopping have you built in time to eat?

What i do is start to put together a spreadsheet where I list all the things i want to do then start to try and consider how long each thing will take and usually find i have too much planned in a day.

 

[NewbieMouse]

I think you are all correct. I will keep the hopper option (ouch!) and pick a main park to be at per day. Would you generally say that a.m. EMH are better than PM EMH, in terms of value? We can easily get there for rope drop so there's no trouble for us there.

 

[buccikulju]

I definitely recommend park hoppers! Especially if you've never been to WDW. It's fun to mix it up, plus it allows you to move to a less crowded park if necessary (which you can assess by looking at your MDE wait times, or use the Lines app through touring plans). It allows you to really take the best advantage of extra magic hours because you are not tied into that one park for day but can visit either first thing or late at night for extra fun. I think it allows for greater flexibility and for being a bit spontaneous actually. For us it's worth the extra money.

 

[sharonabe]

If you want to ride the headliners, you cannot wait until day of to get FP anymore. You'll either be waiting in a long line or not riding.

As to the hopping. You're right, the only day that was a mistake was your 3 parks in one day. PM EMH at EP really isn't worth it, IMHO. There just isn't enough open to moderate the crowds and 11 pm isn't that late. So take that off this day and just stay at HS that evening.

The 11-1 am at MK CAN be worth it for the very reason you stated. There are a lot of people that just can't stay up until 1 am. If you know you can make it to the bitter end, you'll see the park emptying that last hour. HOWEVER, staying up that late and then trying to get up for a morning EMH the next day, will be difficult. You'll be lucky if you're in bed by 2 am, and then you need to be back at the bus stop no later than 7 am for that morning EMH. Not to mention this is toward the end of your week when you're going to begin to run on empty anyway. Personally, I'd do the late MK and skip the early EP and sleep in on this day. Roll the bus roulette and go to whatever bus shows up first when you head out.

I think you will regret it if you only leave a couple hours for AK on your departure day. So keep your hoppers, and your original plan with just a tweak here and there.

 

[senadler]

If you are going to go to the MK EMH until 1 AM, I think that would be a good day for AK. If you have never been, I think it is easy to spend from park open until early afternoon easily. Assuming you would want to do the safari, Everest, Kali River Rapids and Dinosaur, along with at least one if not both shows, that will be a good chunk of time. You will also have plenty of time to nap and relax before your late night.

Just adding a note: We are going the week after you, and if Rivers of Light and the night safari opens before your trip, you may want to adjust your plans to try and catch those.

 

[BalooFan]

I also recommend not doing three parks in one day. I always split my days into morning, afternoon, and evening segments. I normally rope drop and take advantage of EMH (when available), then leave the park around 1:00 p.m. I spend the afternoon at my resort and relax. I then spend the evening in a different park. I know that a lot of people like to spend the entire day at one park, but I personally like the variety of two parks in the day and I prefer to spend the hottest part of the day in air conditioning. I have never felt that this plan been a waste of time. I have never left WDW feeling like I didn't have enough time to do everything I wanted to do.

 

[mshanson3121]

Our FP+ window will be approaching soon and so I am preparing to buy my tickets so that I am set to make my FP+ choices. I like to have a general plan to avoid crowds but and not a minute by minute planner usually. I am terrified/horrified at having to plan parks/rides so early as I am a DLR regular and this is very new to me. I am leaning towards 6 days with the park hopper option. Park interests/preferences are MK, EP, HS, AK (in descending order; I know people feel differently, but this is unlikely to change pre-visit. Maybe if at the end of the trip I'll realize what a fool I was, so be it ). Staying at POR; will have a car. We are all early risers, or late owls with naps in between. Would love to hear any critiques, comments, or suggestions. Thanks!

Sunday, May 8: Plane arrives around 4:30.
Schedule FP+ for MK in the evening and spend a few hours there the night we arrive.

Monday, May 9: Park Hours for this day include EMH 8 am @ AK; 9-11 pm @ Epcot
My plan is to start at AK for a couple of hours. Take a quick break around lunch time, hop to HS. Make FP+ for HS for early evening. Hop to Epcot for pm EMH.

Tuesday, May 10: Park Hours for this day include EMH 8 am @ MK
My plan is to start at MK. Take break around lunchtime, hop to Epcot. Make FP+ for EPCOT.

Wednesday, May 11: Park Hours for this day include EMH 10 pm - 1 am @ MK
My plan is to start at either Epcot or HS, depending on sick we are of Epcot. Take long break in afternoon to nap and rest up. Hop to MK for late EMH. Make FP+ day before for MK early evening.

Thursday, May 12: Park Hours for this day include EMH 8 am @ Epcot (FW)
My plan is to start at Epcot and then hop to MK after a break, unless we did Epcot yesterday, in which case we'll either (a) spend the whole day at MK, or (b) if we feel we need more time at AK, start here and then hop to MK. Make FP+ for MK, early evening.

Friday, May 13: Park Hours for this day include EMH 10 pm - midnight @HS
My plan is to start at MK. Take along break at lunchtime/nap to rest up for evening EMH. Hop to HS for EMH. Make FP+ for MK.

Saturday, May 13: Park Hours for this day include EMH 8 am @ AK
DEBATABLE ADD-ON MORNING: We are definitely going to drive to Kennedy Space Centre and then heading to our Universal Hotel this day. But I thought if we didn't have enough AK, we could theoretically get up and spend a couple hours there for EMH and then split. The cost difference between 6-7 day ticket is minor.

Any thoughts or suggestions are totally welcome. TIA!

My thoughts

Your plans aren't bad, but you're doing a LOT of hopping, which really with 7 days, you don't need to do so much hopping, and is kind of a waste of time. How old are your kids? That might affect just how late you want to be out/early getting up night after night.

Monday: AK. You are really short changing AK. If you want to take your time to see the animals, the shows, the rides, you can easily put in two days here. And don't forget that it's very possible the new night safari and Rivers of Light will be open when you go. Since this is the park you're the least interested in, I think it's a good idea to start here, you might be pleasantly surprised and decide you want more time. So, I would plan on spending the whole day, Monday, at AK. Be there for RD, afternoon break, then go back for the evening.

Tuesday: EP - do IllumiNations

Wednesday: Myself, I would spend the morning resting/lounging, head into MK after lunch so you can see FoF, plan a nice relaxing ADR for supper, stay for evening.

Thursday: Epcot.

Friday: MK morning/HS evening is a good plan here (make sure you do Fantasmic and SW fireworks!)

Saturday: good plan to leave this open. Either go to another park you want to repeat, or you may find you want this more for a relaxing day - sleep in/rest after all your heavy touring, get your stuff packed, enjoy a nice breakfast ADR somewhere, head to your Uni hotel and enjoy the pool etc... I wouldn't bother with Kennedy. It's a good 45+ minute drive away, so by the time you spend basically an hour driving there, getting into the place, spend a few hours there, turn around drive back, get settled into your hotel...

I think it's always best to plan on down time. If you find you don't need it great, but better to have it planned than end up tired and then feel like you have to miss something.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I like what sharonabe says above about keeping options open the day after a late park night. You said earlier you were concerned with all the pre-planning. To make things easier for us, I tend to pick one, and maybe even two days (depending on trip length) where I leave totally free or mostly free - no pre set park, no ADRs, etc. Maybe do a water park, maybe just relax at the resort. If we want to hit a park, so be it. I concede that maybe easier for us because we've been going 1-3 times a year so each trip is not a rush to fit everything in. I have young kids so we can't just go go go, so we need a day to recoup every once in awhile (might not apply to your situation). I'm in the camp that I hate all the pre-planning as well, but I've found a moderately scheduled itinerary with open windows works really, really well for maximizing the trip. A lot of great advice above, whatever you end up doing, have a great trip!

 

[Minniekins]

I definitely recommend park hoppers! Especially if you've never been to WDW. It's fun to mix it up, plus it allows you to move to a less crowded park if necessary (which you can assess by looking at your MDE wait times, or use the Lines app through touring plans). It allows you to really take the best advantage of extra magic hours because you are not tied into that one park for day but can visit either first thing or late at night for extra fun. I think it allows for greater flexibility and for being a bit spontaneous actually. For us it's worth the extra money.

I agree with buccikulju, definitely recommend park hoppers! And agree, they allow for great flexibility and spontaneity ! They make it so you have more options on where you can go, what you can do! And, it's great to have options! And, in a pinch, if for some reason you missed something important that you had planned, say like MK Wishes, or Epcot Illuminations, because someone suddenly wasn't feeling well and you had to make it an early night, or everyone was just too tired, you can still do it on another day/night, without having to change the entire day's plans. You can hop to do that one 'really important to your family' show that you had to skip on a previous day/night, only needing to change some, not all of another day's plans. Like I said, it at least keeps options open, just in case! Hopefully that makes sense, lol!

 

[Micca]

Best thread title EVER !

 

[caroline1851]

I haven't read all the other response. My thoughts....not sure that you need to go to MK on 5 days. Way too much hopping back and forth. Takes more time than you would expect. We never use hoppers. Even if we take a break, we just go back to same park. Seems to work out well. One benefit is when you've used up your 3 fp+ at the park, you can grap a 4th for the time you're returning later.