Senior citizen and a first timer - Epcot or DHS

[Lisa_lvspplmvr]

I still think HS is the way to go the first night. You don’t have much on your list there . Slinky is better at night and MMRR is less crowed then too . You can get it all done and enjoy the Christmas decorations. Taking the boat at night is magical also .

Epcot is a full day for us . You have the ability to rope drop Remi . The line is crazy later . The international gateway entrance is a lifesaver . Have a quick bite grab and go at Les Halles .You can then do Frozen and Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico . Then over to Soarin , the Land , Figment , The Seas and Spaceship earth . By then it’s time for lunch . We do Via Napoli for its amazing pizza . Then back to your resort for swim , shower , naps . Finish off Epcot on the world showcase side . Your walking will be less this way . Have dinner or go to the Candlelight Processional and watch Harmonius . Take the boat back to your resort . Don’t forget to get some treats at Karmel Kuche and try some sodas at Club Cool . Not sure if she can handle Guardians but we love it !

 

[princesslover]

Hi everyone!!

I’m loving all of these suggestions. To be clear, it’s not that I don’t want to do HS the first night. But in addition to not having genie + available (some of you say it’s not needed which really surprises me since we are literally going Christmas week!!) I feel like that atmosphere willl be my Moms favorite- much more than Epcot. Epcot just seems like it will be very tiring for her. Soooo much walking and only a few attractions.

So I’m struggling with the idea of devoting a full day to Epcot and squeezing in a few hours to DHS on arrival day. Our plane lands at MCO at 1:27 pm. We likely won’t be at the Boardwalk until 3:00 or later. By the time we get settled and grab a boat to HS it will be close to 5:00 and we will be tired.

If you thought this would be your Moms favorite park for atmosphere, would your advice be the same? Or would you want to go when more rested and not as rushed?

I just have lots of reservations about a full day at Epcot I guess. I don’t know. I’m starting to feel discouraged and wondering if this was a great idea…maybe it’s all too much.

 

[princesslover]

I still think HS is the way to go the first night. You don’t have much on your list there . Slinky is better at night and MMRR is less crowed then too . You can get it all done and enjoy the Christmas decorations. Taking the boat at night is magical also .

Epcot is a full day for us . You have the ability to rope drop Remi . The line is crazy later . The international gateway entrance is a lifesaver . Have a quick bite grab and go at Les Halles .You can then do Frozen and Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico . Then over to Soarin , the Land , Figment , The Seas and Spaceship earth . By then it’s time for lunch . We do Via Napoli for its amazing pizza . Then back to your resort for swim , shower , naps . Finish off Epcot on the world showcase side . Your walking will be less this way . Have dinner or go to the Candlelight Processional and watch Harmonius . Take the boat back to your resort . Don’t forget to get some treats at Karmel Kuche and try some sodas at Club Cool . Not sure if she can handle Guardians but we love it !

Your plan sounds really good but it seems a little aggressive for a first timer in her 70’s. I’m not sure we could go at that pace. I just want to expose her to Disney without exhausting her.

 

[disneyseniors]

Hi everyone!!

I’m loving all of these suggestions. To be clear, it’s not that I don’t want to do HS the first night. But in addition to not having genie + available (some of you say it’s not needed which really surprises me since we are literally going Christmas week!!) I feel like that atmosphere willl be my Moms favorite- much more than Epcot. Epcot just seems like it will be very tiring for her. Soooo much walking and only a few attractions.

So I’m struggling with the idea of devoting a full day to Epcot and squeezing in a few hours to DHS on arrival day. Our plane lands at MCO at 1:27 pm. We likely won’t be at the Boardwalk until 3:00 or later. By the time we get settled and grab a boat to HS it will be close to 5:00 and we will be tired.

If you thought this would be your Moms favorite park for atmosphere, would your advice be the same? Or would you want to go when more rested and not as rushed?

I just have lots of reservations about a full day at Epcot I guess. I don’t know. I’m starting to feel discouraged and wondering if this was a great idea…maybe it’s all too much.

OP, I can understand your hesitation about a full day at Epcot. With my Mom, I would never attempt it, not without a rest priod mid day at least.
I know we are all guessing from our own experiences, but you know your Mom better than us. Does she have a preference?

I would always do Epcot for a half day, which we always do, but that's just me. We love AK and HS the most, so spend most of our time there.
HS can be tiring and has an especially long walk to the ticket area, at least it did the last time we were there in 2020 before Covid. I guess plenty of resting breaks in any park are needed.

Please don't get discouraged with all these different answers. We are all trying to help, but you know best.
Whatever you decide will work with adjustments. Have a great time and try not to worry

 

[princesslover]

OP, I can understand your hesitation about a full day at Epcot. With my Mom, I would never attempt it, not without a rest priod mid day at least.
I know we are all guessing from our own experiences, but you know your Mom better than us. Does she have a preference?

I would always do Epcot for a half day, which we always do, but that's just me. We love AK and HS the most, so spend most of our time there.
HS can be tiring and has an especially long walk to the ticket area, at least it did the last time we were there in 2020 before Covid. I guess plenty of resting breaks in any park are needed.

Please don't get discouraged with all these different answers. We are all trying to help, but you know best.
Whatever you decide will work with adjustments. Have a great time and try not to worry

Thank you!!

We have been to Disney as a family many times and have strategies that work for us but now all bets are off. I do know my Mom, you are right. But it still doesn’t make it super easy to plan because she’s never been so hard to tell. Maybe she would absolutely love Epcot because of the Christmas offerings and Candlelight processional. It’s just so big and overwhelming and you have to walk so far for everything.

I think DHS is a sure bet with the retro decorations and rides that are not too far from each other. Plus the Prime Time cafe which I already know 100% she will love. Just that whole “old time” atmosphere would be so up her alley.

That’s why I’m hesitant with the risk of throwing it in on arrival night because so much can go wrong in us getting there.

I’m not sure what to do but I have time before getting park tickets. I’m sure there is a solution I haven’t considered.

 

[Disturbia]

Another thing to consider is park hours. Epcot used to be open later than HS (same close times more recently). Also, you might have access to extended magic hours.

2 weeks before our Mar trip Disney added extra 2 hours to regular park closure for MK (so 9 pm close changed to 11 pm and extended deluxe hours were 11 pm-1 am, which become less valuable if traveling with kids vs teens). I forgot if Epcot’s closing hours changed (they did change opening from 10 am to 8:30 am). HS also had extended hours once/twice.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/extended-evening/

https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022/04/13/why-you-can-stay-late-in-disneys-hollywood-studios-today/

This might be a good reference from last year

https://wdwnt.com/2021/12/hours-ext...-kingdom-epcot-and-disneys-hollywood-studios/

 

[sheilafri]

I'm thinking it's not too much more $$ to add a 5th day to a park ticket you've already bought. If you have 4 day tickets and feel great on arrival day you could go on to DHS (taking the boat there is a great idea) and then go to guest services at some point before the last day and add that 5th day to your ticket so you have enough for the rest of the trip. That way you're not paying for 5 days and end up using 4.

Sounds like she may not need it but a rental push WC is always an option if it would help her get more out of the parks. If I'm having a good day with my knees I park the ECV and walk (I try to walk as much as I can). You can always park and not use it or just use it for the long distances (especially Epcot). A one day park rental WC is less $ than the ECV if you have someone to push. Possible option if you run into issues with her getting overly tired or sore so she can get the most out of the trip without making herself miserable.

Love the idea of adding a day during the stay if you find you feel good on arrival day. The only issue with this is managing the reservation system.

 

[Her Dotness]

I'm 70ish and couldn't care less about doing rides at Epcot.

The most fun there is walking around WS and browsing the various countries' shops, IMO.

If your mom is relatively healthy, I think she might have more stamina and be far more eager to go and do than some here indicate. That's particularly so when she's getting more fit by walking daily.

DH is somewhat younger than I and always naps in the afternoon at Disney. I'm too excited to be at Disney and often pop into the MK from VGF or wander through the GF shops while he's wasting time asleep.

Just sayin' that your mom may wear you out, given the excitement of being at Disney with so many wonderful things to do. Take your sleep mask, in case.

 

[Skip Coffee for Rope Drop]

We are bringing my Mom in December mostly to see the decorations at Disney (although she will go on some select attractions and shows)

I thought I had a great plan. But I keep second (and third) guessing myself.

It’s a short trip (4 nights) the first night not planning on having a park reserved. It’s a split stay with two nights at an Epcot resort (Boardwalk) and two nights at The Grand Floridian. We are trying to time the parks based on location to the resort. We will have one night at MVMCP.

Fiist day (check in) no park is planned. I think it’s best to relax and settle in. Stay at Boardwalk that night.

Second Day: Epcot (with a break in the day). Stay at Boardwalk for 2nd night.

Third day: Relax in am. Switch to GF. Go to MVMCP at night. Stay at Grand Floridian.

Fourth day: Go to Magic Kingdom again but regular ticket.

Fifth day: check out

The problem I have with this plan is I’d love for her to see Hollywood Studios decorated at night for the holidays. Where could I squeeze this in?

1) Maybe make Epcot a half day and hop to studios later (we will still be at the Boardwalk). Epcot is huge anyway and I’m concerned with so much walking.

2). Go to MK in the am of our last day and end at HS. (I don’t love this because the whole idea is to be close to the resort and I’d like to end at MK))

3) Bite the bullet and reserve studios for our arrival day.

4) Skip studios. It doesn’t have much for older people anyway and not worth the ticket.

WWYD?

Hopefully Fanstasmic will be back and she would love that for the evening. If you are not bringing kids, you may want to skip HS and walk around the world at Epcot after the sun goes down. Even in December the Florida sun can be tough on someone who isn't from the south. Also, you want to save her feet for the MK and don't want to walk too much on your Epcot day. Just don't put her on Guardians, if you do and she loves it, please post a photo upon return.

 

[Mousetopia]

We are bringing my Mom in December mostly to see the decorations at Disney (although she will go on some select attractions and shows)

I thought I had a great plan. But I keep second (and third) guessing myself.

It’s a short trip (4 nights) the first night not planning on having a park reserved. It’s a split stay with two nights at an Epcot resort (Boardwalk) and two nights at The Grand Floridian. We are trying to time the parks based on location to the resort. We will have one night at MVMCP.

Fiist day (check in) no park is planned. I think it’s best to relax and settle in. Stay at Boardwalk that night.

Second Day: Epcot (with a break in the day). Stay at Boardwalk for 2nd night.

Third day: Relax in am. Switch to GF. Go to MVMCP at night. Stay at Grand Floridian.

Fourth day: Go to Magic Kingdom again but regular ticket.

Fifth day: check out

The problem I have with this plan is I’d love for her to see Hollywood Studios decorated at night for the holidays. Where could I squeeze this in?

1) Maybe make Epcot a half day and hop to studios later (we will still be at the Boardwalk). Epcot is huge anyway and I’m concerned with so much walking.

2). Go to MK in the am of our last day and end at HS. (I don’t love this because the whole idea is to be close to the resort and I’d like to end at MK))

3) Bite the bullet and reserve studios for our arrival day.

4) Skip studios. It doesn’t have much for older people anyway and not worth the ticket.

WWYD?

Decoration are nice at Studios but not a ton else to spend a ticket on for her I wouldnt think?
Epcot is stunning for the holidays. Dining choices are amazing, holiday story tellers and booths, exploring the countries and their exhibits, films, Voices of Liberty! CANDLELIGHT PROCESSIONAL (get the dining package) Epcot needs a whole day. Just take breaks..Epcot has beautiful gardens behind and around countries many people arnt even aware of. You can sit and refresh!. There are benches at the back of Canada with a waterfall to look at!
Split the second Mk day with the studio? On a short trip trying to stay close to a particular resort will just tie your hands. Do you gain that much?

 

[princesslover]

Decoration are nice at Studios but not a ton else to spend a ticket on for her I wouldnt think?
Epcot is stunning for the holidays. Dining choices are amazing, holiday story tellers and booths, exploring the countries and their exhibits, films, Voices of Liberty! CANDLELIGHT PROCESSIONAL (get the dining package) Epcot needs a whole day. Just take breaks..Epcot has beautiful gardens behind and around countries many people arnt even aware of. You can sit and refresh!. There are benches at the back of Canada with a waterfall to look at!
Split the second Mk day with the studio? On a short trip trying to stay close to a particular resort will just tie your hands. Do you gain that much?

Thank you so much for the reply and digging my thread back up.

So, I think you have to know my Mom a little. She loves anything that is in the era of "old Hollywood" or the 1950's. Betty Boop is her favorite animated character, if that gives you any idea. I really think she would like the ambience of Hollywood Studios. I'm torn on Epcot but we are planning a day there as well. I'm not sure she will be interested in exploring every single country in detail, I think that would get tiring and a bit boring for her. But, it has been a while since we have explored the countries in full operation during Christmas. (We went in Christmas 2020 when things were scaled back a lot).

As far as timing parks with location - I guess my thought is, if we can make that work somehow, it just makes sense. We are within walking distance to DHS and Epcot from BWV. So to me, it would only make sense to take advantage of that. We own DVC at Copper Creek and have always taken the bus to Epcot and DHS and this is a huge treat for us.

So, right now, here is the plan (subject to change, of course.)

December 20 (Tuesday) Staying at Boardwalk
Arrive, settle in. No parks. Explore Boardwalk, rest.

December 21 (Wednesday) Staying at Boardwalk
Hollywood Studios with a break in the middle of the day. Maybe two breaks. Hopefully see Fantasmic if it is back.

December 22 (Thursday). TRANSITION DAY. Waking up at Boardwalk, but checking out. Staying at GF that evening.
Go to Epcot in the morning. Around noon or so, travel to Grand Floridian. Have lunch. See if room is ready. If not, go explore monorail resorts.

Evening: go back to Epcot for fireworks and explore more countries at night.

December 23 (Friday) Staying at GF 2nd night.
Go to MK in the morning for rope drop. Take a break from late morning to around 4:00 or so. Go back to to MK for evening/fireworks, etc.

December 24 (Saturday) Check out.

What I like about this plan is that we do not need park hoppers, which will save us $$.

I have also decided against MCMCP, since there is a likelihood of us seeing the Once Upon a Christmastime parade and Minnie's Christmas Fireworks on the 23rd, since the last party is the 22nd. That will also save us $800.

 

[KittyKitty]

Epcot have storytellers at each country talking about their holiday traditions.
https://allears.net/epcot-international-festival-of-the-holidays-storytellers/