Short trip... tight budget...what should we not miss??

[maximom]

Due to Budget and Time restrictions, this our first trip to WDW will only be for 6 days / 5 nights. The day we arrive and the day we leave will not probably not be long enough to do a park so we will be doing only 3 park days. I've decided to skip SeaWorld and only do Disney. Because we won't have time for a water park I don't need the plus in the tickets offered thru Ticketmania so we're just gonna purchase tickets at the gate on day one and just add two more days.

None of us are really interested in AK, and right now I'm think of doing 1 day each in MK / MGM / Epcot. Any suggestions on what to not miss? Would our vacation be better by doing MK two days and choosing betweek MGM / Epcot for day three.

I know all you guys are used to week long visits to the world but if you have any advice for this shortened version it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[mad4themouse]

Hi maximom!

It's too bad that your first trip to WDW is going to be so short but any day in Disney is good.

Since you plan to purchase the 3-day/1-park-per-day passes at the gate, I have to let you know that you will not be able to hop between parks. So the MGM/EPCOT on Day 3 option will not be available to you.

Your idea to do MK/ECOT/MGM sounds good to me. Since the AK closes so early, I would not recommend it to anyone who did not have a Park Hopper pass, unless they were real animal lovers.

 

[ShariVT]

you might want to look into the 3 day hopper that almo offers. You didn't say how old your kids are so it is hard to no if you will need more then 1 day at the MK but with a 3 day hopper you would have the most flexabilty maybe MK 1 1/2 and MGM the 1/2 or Epcot that night and MGM a whole day.
Have a great trip.
Shari

 

[Lorix2]

Just a thought....If you have kids, going to one of the water parks would be a great time for all of you, especially if you want something to do the day you arrive or are leaving.

We didn't go our first trip because we didn't feel it was a priority I guess, but the 2nd trip we went to Typhoon Lagoon and we all agreed it was one of the best days of fun we had while in Orlando. We spent the day from 10 to 4 there.

Have a great vacation

 

[powellrj]

you might look into buying 3 day or 4 day park hoppers because that way you can split your days at the different parks. You didn't say what time you are getting in and leaving but if you are getting there early enough you can do a park on your first day. On our last trip we got to Orlando about 10am, picked up the car, checked in to the hotel, got groceries and had lunch and got to MGM about 1 and did everything we wanted including the Fantasmic dinner package. On our last day we did chef mickeys at the contemp. rode the montrail around one last time and walked through downtown disney all without using any park tickets. If you are staying on site the pools are really neat and we didn't feel the need for a waterpark day. We would get to the parks early and take a break at the hotel pool and head back later to the parks. Have a great time planning your trip!!

 

[pjlla]

I would definitely look into getting the three day park hopper.... in additional to possibly saving money over the 1 day/1park tickets, you will have the option of park hopping. Since AK closes early and Epcot closes late, maybe you could split a day there, doing AK in the morning and Epcot in the afternoon/evening. I know you said you were planning to skip AK, but I would re-think that if I were you. I think it is a TERRIFIC park! Also, I think that you could possibly do MGM in half a day. Maybe do 1pm to closing, so that you could fit in RNR, TOT and Fantasmic. Those are the "biggies" at MGM. Also, the parades are all great at all the parks, so try to fit in a few.

Sit down with a WDW guidebook with you family. Go through the book park by park and ride by ride and make note of your priorities in each park. That way you can be sure to hit all the "A" rides and fit in a few "B" rides if you have time.

It can be done.... our first trip there with the kids was 6 days... we did AK, MGM, Epcot once, MK twice, and DTD one day. And we had no trouble seeing everything we wanted and then some.

If your kids are really young (under 8) you may want to consider more than one day at MK, but if they are a bit older there will be plenty for them to see and do at the other parks.................P

 

[maggiew]

Definitely don't miss the shows! See Wishes in MK & Spectromagic, if showing. See Fantasmic in MGM and Illuminations in EPCOT.

Make sure you choose a day to go to each park that is NOT an EE day for that park. This is provided you cannot "hop" to another park. It gets very crowded on EE days in the afternoon.

Make good use of Fastpasses. Get a fastpass for one ride, and then do the other littler rides that won't have long lines while you are waiting for the fastpass window to open. When your fastpass window opens on the first ride, get a Fastpass for the next big ride. Then, go in the fast pass lane for the first big ride. (Does that make sense???) This way you are "killing some time" on your next fast pass window while you are riding the first ride. I hope that is clear enough. Fast passes for the popular rides (Space Mountain, Test track, etc. can sell out early, so do those first.)

Personally, I would just do counter service restaurants on your 3 park days. This will save lots of time. Do some nice sit down meals at one of the resorts on the arrival and departure day when you have more free time. Go to Downtown disney and shop around on those 1st and last days.

But, the best advice I can give you is to expect that you WON'T see everything. Just pick the things you really want to see and do. You won't have a fun vacation if you are just running from ride to ride trying to fit it all in. Sit back and "smell the roses".

Maggie

 

[wendyl]

Maxi Mom

I don't think 6days/5nights is short at all. We are only getting to go for 5days/4 nights and I am just thrilled it's more than just a weekend. Sure a week to two weeks would be great---but so is saving money. I do have a questions though----- If you are going for 6 days/ 5 nights--why are you only spending 3 park days?? Even if the first and last day are travel days, that still leaves 4 days.

 

[Okiemom]

Ok, I am really confused. I thought I just read on another thread, there is no such thing as a 3 day Hopper? Can someone clear this up for me. I would love to get one if available. And what is the site for Alamo? Does AAA carry a 3 day Hopper?

 

[maximom]

Kids are both boys and are 5 and 17 (almost 18 at time of trip) ; I know I can't "hop" on the single day tickets, I was thinking maybe MK on 2 days and then choosing between Epcot or MGM for day 3. The park hoppers available through Alamo are a good deal but mousesavers website says you may have to prove you are a customer. The ticketmania tickets (even the special mousesaver price) are a bit more expensive and I'm not sure I want to pay that much more for the ability to "hop" ; The reason we have only 4 park days is that I have planned a "downtime" day to go to the beach since the kids have never seen the ocean.

Did that cover it all??? Hope it helps you all help me.

Thanks

 

[crazelion]

I would do this if I had only four park days

Arrive day Downtown Disney to look at the stores and have dinner -swimming
Day 1 Mk
Day2 epcot
Day 3 MGM
Day 4 Mk

Leave day explore Downtown Disney

I would just hit the parks and Downtown Disney that would take all my time.

 

[ladycollector]

With the ages of your kids, I would skip Epcot. There are only a few things there that our family likes and MGM is our favorite park.

Mgm has Millionaire, Rocken roller coaster, Tower of Terror, Fantasmic, Backlot Tour, Muppets, Beauty and the Beast, Playhouse Disney, One Mans Dream, and more. We absolutely love it. Its such a great atmosphere.

so I would do it this way

MK, MGM, MK

I would definately not do Mgm first because they may want to go back. Its better to have a variety. If they want to go back to MK the 2nd day that is cool though because you are planning on that. Then once they have finished it all there you can go on to MGM! For your first trip Magic Kingdom should begin and end it.

have so much fun!

 

[Hillbeans]

I agree with Lorix2...we never went to a water park, but on our last trip we went to Typhoon Lagoon and boy, that was our unexpected best day of the trip.

 

[dts718]

As much as I love disney, if your kids have never seen the ocean and this one of the only opportunities to do so, I would definetly try to fit that in! Make sure you go to a really nice beach, I don't know any in Fl so I can't recommend any specifics. BTY, IMO Animal Kingdom is the more "boring" of the parks so if you have to skip one, that would be it.

 

[maggiew]

Originally posted by ladycollector
With the ages of your kids, I would skip Epcot. There are only a few things there that our family likes and MGM is our favorite park.

Mgm has Millionaire, Rocken roller coaster, Tower of Terror, Fantasmic, Backlot Tour, Muppets, Beauty and the Beast, Playhouse Disney, One Mans Dream, and more. We absolutely love it. Its such a great atmosphere.

so I would do it this way

MK, MGM, MK

I would definately not do Mgm first because they may want to go back. Its better to have a variety. If they want to go back to MK the 2nd day that is cool though because you are planning on that. Then once they have finished it all there you can go on to MGM! For your first trip Magic Kingdom should begin and end it.

have so much fun!

Our family is quite the opposite from this. MGM is one of our least favorite parks and maybe do 1/2-1 day there. I have 2 girls 12 & 8. But we like EPCOT so much more. I think for you it may depend on how big your 5 year old is. you older kid will like MGM, but the little one may not. If he is afraid to go on Tower of Terror and too short for Rock n Rollercoaster, there goes all the big rides at MGM. He probably would be bored at Millionaire too. But then there is Beauty and the Beast and Indiana Jones and Muppets that he may like. There is also Playhouse Disney. I guess your older one could do ToT and RnR while you did PLayhouse disney.

At EPCOT, there is lots of stuff for all your ages to do. The 5 year old could do the Masks and learn about the different countries. There is the Living Seas with the aquarium that you all would probably like. There is also the Land (is that open??) My DDs like the Circle of life movie and the Living with the land boat ride. Both of your kids would like Journey into your Imagination and Honey I shrunk the Audience (fun!). They could both do Test Track. Maybe only the older one could do Mission Space. In Wonders of life, we liked Cranium Command (so funny) and body wars (the kids liked it, made me dizzy). The Universe of energy would be fun for the little one, the older one may be bored. But he could do Mission Space at this time. We love to browse all the countries and shop and eat in all of them. Your little one would like the masks. Your older one may or may not enjoy this.

I think I would get the 3 day hoppers from Alamo. I have read about many people getting them without being an Alamo customer. That way you could split your days. I am not sure what days you are going, but here is an example:

SUNDAY: Do Early entry MK and do as much as you can. When it gets crowded, hop to EPCOT and stay for Illuminations.

Monday: Beach

TUESDAY: Do EArly entry at MGM and do as much as you can. When it gets crowded, hop to MK and stay for Wishes.

WEDNESDAY: Do EPCOT Early entry and do what you missed earlier. (or go back to MK non EE, if necessary) Then hop to MGM for Fantasmic.

Maggie

 

[roadtripper]

Ticketmania sometimes offers a 3 day hopper pass. Go to www.mousesavers.com to see if there are any deals on this. If you subscribe to Mary's (free) newsletter, you will get access to special deals like that. Have a great time!

 

[eelderm1]

Dont miss Animal Kingdom. We love it. We also love Epcot, MGM is the one we skip when our time is limited.