Should we hop to Epcot in the afternoon or evening?

[Soupermom]

In a nutshell...March, crowd level 9, Epcot EMH day. We are going to MK in the morning and would like to go to Epcot at least for a few hours. Should we hop in the afternoon and return to MK for anytime rides in the evening or tour MK all at once and head to Epcot for the evening? When will Epcot be least crazy in general that day?

 

[abidale]

I recommend MK through the morning and afternoon and Epcot at night. The lines for headliners like TT and Soarin' will still be longer than say at Rope Drop, however not as long as they would be if you hit them in the afternoon, when crowds are usually heaviest. You'll also be able to knock out quite a bit of the MK if you get there at Rope Drop and stay through the afternoon.

 

[sharonabe]

Is it an early EMH or a late EMH at EP? If it's a late EMH, you'll want to stay through that to take full advantage of the hours, but it will be somewhat crowded even until the end. EP isn't like MK because there are fewer things happening during late EMH.

 

[raven69david]

I'd do MK in the morning, hop to Epcot (get a FP+ for TT or Soarin') and head back to MK in the evening. Going to MK about 1 to 2 hours before they close almost gets you on any ride within a few minutes, for the exception of Peter Pan's Flight which I think has a 60 minute wait time when the park is closed.

 

[raven69david]

I'd do MK in the morning, hop to Epcot (get a FP+ for TT or Soarin') and head back to MK in the evening. Going to MK about 1 to 2 hours before they close almost gets you on any ride within a few minutes, for the exception of Peter Pan's Flight which I think has a 60 minute wait time even when the park is closed.

 

[Soupermom]

It is a morning EMH at Epcot; I avoid these like the plague. We will not be able to get FPs at Epcot later in the day because we will be using the system at MK and we can't do both parks in one day with FP+, correct.

 

[3happydancers]

It is a morning EMH at Epcot; I avoid these like the plague. We will not be able to get FPs at Epcot later in the day because we will be using the system at MK and we can't do both parks in one day with FP+, correct.

Correct, as of right now. Are you doing RD at MK? If so, would you consider saving your FP's for Epcot? You could probably do quite a bit at MK in the AM doing RD. Then hop over to Epcot.

 

[sharonabe]

Okay, next questions. What are you wanting to do at EP? Do you have any other time at EP or is this it? That will give us a better idea of how much time you will need.

 

[Soupermom]

We are visiting my DD in Tampa for our spring break and only have the opportunity for a quick one day trip this time, so we only have the one day. I want to go to Innovations West for my free Disney visa photo, DD wants to tour the countries...no biggie...we would like to rinse Maelstrom and Fiesta de Mexico....again, shouldn't be a problem, and we would really really like to ride Soarin'. The latter and the crowds in general are what have me concerned. Thanks!

 

[3happydancers]

We are visiting my DD in Tampa for our spring break and only have the opportunity for a quick one day trip this time, so we only have the one day. I want to go to Innovations West for my free Disney visa photo, DD wants to tour the countries...no biggie...we would like to rinse Maelstrom and Fiesta de Mexico....again, shouldn't be a problem, and we would really really like to ride Soarin'. The latter and the crowds in general are what have me concerned. Thanks!

It sounds like the only ride in Epcot that may need a FP would be Soarin. Would you consider doing EP for RD, head over to Soarin first thing without a FP and then do the other things you mentioned. (I'm sorry but I can't remember if you mentioned that EP had early magic hours but I still think you'd be able to get on Soarin). Make your FP reservations for MK for either afternoon or evening and hop over there when you are done at EP. What do you think?

 

[sharonabe]

If you can let go of Soarin', you won't have any problem with the rest of your plan. You'll need to be there well before 7:00 as Innoventions closes at 7:00.

Even if you switch and do EP in the a.m., the early EMH will mean the line for Soarin' will already be 40-50 min by the time you can get in. And, of course, WS doesn't open until 11:00, so you'd miss that.

I think I'd just resign myself to no Soarin' for this trip. Treat yourself to a nice dinner somewhere in WS and enjoy the rest of EP that you want to do and then return to MK.

 

[3happydancers]

If you can let go of Soarin', you won't have any problem with the rest of your plan. You'll need to be there well before 7:00 as Innoventions closes at 7:00.

Even if you switch and do EP in the a.m., the early EMH will mean the line for Soarin' will already be 40-50 min by the time you can get in. And, of course, WS doesn't open until 11:00, so you'd miss that.

I think I'd just resign myself to no Soarin' for this trip. Treat yourself to a nice dinner somewhere in WS and enjoy the rest of EP that you want to do and then return to MK.

Do you really think the stand by time for Soarin will be that long for early EMH? I thought the early hours would be the best time because off site guests would not be able to attend.

 

[Soupermom]

I cannot attend EMH so I think the PP was implying that when I entered at the regular time that is what the wait would be. I do not want any part of an EMH morning so I will stick to going in the afternoon or evening.

 

[3happydancers]

I cannot attend EMH so I think the PP was implying that when I entered at the regular time that is what the wait would be. I do not want any part of an EMH morning so I will stick to going in the afternoon or evening.

Got it. Good luck with your plan!