Solo Vacation Schedule | Feedback?

[EisnerWannabe]

Hello all-

I'll be traveling solo to Orlando in March for trip to Disney World with a focus on touring during the mornings, and rides/shows through the afternoons/evenings. I've been down twice in recent years, once in November 2013, and again in April 2014 when I took the backstage magic tour and really became interested in the operational and development sides of the parks. I'm interested to hear any feedback that you guys may have for me regarding the layout of my trip, and any suggestion you can make to enhance the experience!

Day One March 12th, 2015
Hotel: Hilton Grand Vacations Suites at SeaWorld

11:50am Flight from CMH
2:00pm Arrive in Orlando
3:00pm Arrive at Hilton Grand Vacations Suites at SeaWorld for check-in
5:00pm Dinner at CORAL REEF BAR AND GRILL
Evening Relaxing.

Day Two March 13th, 2015
Hotel: Hilton Grand Vacations Suites at SeaWorld

6:00am run
Day’s Events TBD – Possible Universal

Day Three March 15th, 2015
Hotel: Hilton Grand Vacations Suites at SeaWorld

6:00am – run
1:00pm - Atlanta Braves v. Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training game
6:00pm – Cleveland Cavs at Orlando Magic
9:40pm – Dinner at California Grill [See Wishes nighttime spectacular?]

Day Four | March 16th, 2015
Hotel: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

6:00am run
7:30am – Transfer bags to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort [The Little Mermaid Standard Room]
9:00am – Enter Disney’s Hollywood Studios [9am-11:30pm]
Noon: Dining With An Imagineer at The Hollywood Brown Derby
5:25pm-6:25pm - Star Tours® – The Adventures Continue FastPass+
7:15pm-8:15pm – Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith FastPass+
8:25pm-9:25pm - The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ FastPass+
10:00pm – Fantasmic
11:00pm - Return to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Day Five | March 17th, 2015
Hotel: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

6:00am - run
8:30am – Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom Tour at Magic Kingdom® Park [9:00am-12:00am]
12:40pm-1:40pm - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train FastPass+
2:15pm-3:15pm - Space Mountain® FastPass+
4:15pm-5:15pm – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad® FastPass+
7:00pm – Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
10:00pm – Wishes nighttime spectacular
11:00pm – Main Street Electrical Parade
Midnight – Return to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Day Six | March 18th, 2015
Hotel: None

6:00am - run
8:00am – Check out of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
9:00am – The UnDISCOVERed Future World at Epcot®
12:40pm-1:40pm – Journey Into Imagination With Figment FastPass+
1:40pm-2:40pm – Test Track® Presented by Chevrolet® FastPass+
2:45pm-3:45pm – Mission: SPACE® FastPass+
Free time.
7:00pm – Depart for Airport
9:40pm – Flight Departure

Thanks for the help!

 

[jagfanjosh3252]

Just looking at 3/15 quickly. Are you driving? Cab? Did you plan travel time for after the Cavs/Magic game back to hotel to change then to Cali Grill? Game should end at 8:30. With traffic, you might not even get back to Disney Property until 9:30. On average it takes me about 20 mins WITH OUT traffic to get from Downtown Orlando to Disney property. Now, after a game(will be packed b/c of the Cavs) that should be an easy hour. When I go to a Jaguars game it usually takes me that amount of time to get from the stadium to my house which is about the same distance from Amway to Disney.

 

[EisnerWannabe]

I was planing to use an Uber Car, and keeping a close eye on time as the game runs down, possibly even taking off a bit early. Any recommendations for travel to and from?

 

[jagfanjosh3252]

I was planing to use an Uber Car, and keeping a close eye on time as the game runs down, possibly even taking off a bit early. Any recommendations for travel to and from?

What do you mean? Cab company wise?

 

[Elevationist]

My only advice is to perhaps consider reallocating your FP+ selections for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Test Track elsewhere. I've always had amazing luck with the Single Rider Lines at both of these attractions, and literally walked right onto them with no waiting.

 

[EisnerWannabe]

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

jagfanjosh3252 - I'll probably just end up using Uber and leaving the game early, if needed, to make my reservation.

Elevationist - Great advice on the FastPass+ usage, do you have recommendations on where I should move them? DHS seems to be odd in what you can select from the optional tiers, so I had just gone for the heavy hitters.

 

[jagfanjosh3252]

Thanks for the feedback, guys! jagfanjosh3252 - I'll probably just end up using Uber and leaving the game early, if needed, to make my reservation. Elevationist - Great advice on the FastPass+ usage, do you have recommendations on where I should move them? DHS seems to be odd in what you can select from the optional tiers, so I had just gone for the heavy hitters.

I'm actually down that weekend a well and was looking at going to the spring training and Magic game lol. Never been to MLB or NBA game. What did you pay for tickets to the Magic game if I may ask

 

[EisnerWannabe]

I have not yet bought the basketball tickets. I'm keeping an eye on the secondary market and will wait until I see a steal, or get closer to the game.

 

[jagfanjosh3252]

I have not yet bought the basketball tickets. I'm keeping an eye on the secondary market and will wait until I see a steal, or get closer to the game.

Ahh. Yea. I was pricing them out. $150 for decent seats! Thanks LeBron.

 

[Elevationist]

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

Elevationist - Great advice on the FastPass+ usage, do you have recommendations on where I should move them? DHS seems to be odd in what you can select from the optional tiers, so I had just gone for the heavy hitters.

I would say just pick the next thing you're most interested in doing.

For my HS day, I choose Toy Story Midway Mania along with Tower of Terror and Star Tours.

For Epcot this last time, I did Soarin', Mission Space, and the Character Spot since I'd never done it and really wanted photo with Mickey & Minnie in their classic outfits.

 

[richmo]

Looks like a fun trip...kind of similar to my March solo trips. I'll be coming in the day after you leave and hitting a couple baseball games while there.

Just a logistical question...how are you planning on leaving the baseball game and getting to the basketball game? I'm guessing you'll take a bus back to Animation, then get your Uber car? Be careful with the timing...traffic out of WWoS (baseball) can be rough and buses don't have much of an advantage. You may need to leave the game a little early.

Looking at your schedule, I'd seriously consider renting a car for at least the first part of your trip. What I'd consider is renting a car upon arrival at MCO, then either:
- Drop it at the Car Care Center on the 16th, then DME back to MCO at the end of your trip
- Drop the car back at MCO on the 16th, then DME to and from WDW (you'd probably have to set up a dummy flight arriving at MCO on the 16th about the time you'd be there)
- Keep the car the whole time...the weekly rate might be better anyway

Car rentals are really expensive right now, but they usually drop quite a bit 21 to 7 days before arrival.

 

[NJDiva]

The other thing you may want to remember is that you are traveling right in the middle of Spring Break so you may have more people to deal with during your stay. if you're flexible you should have no issues. I agree with the FastPass+ concerns, only because I wouldn't want to be rushed...

 

[Sydney2977]

HI! Your post is the most recent I could find about Atlanta Braves Spring training games and just wanted to get your opinion and feedback please. DH, DS 15, and myself are going to WDW in March and I was thinking of doing a game on a down day. We've never been during this time of year, we all love baseball (DS played), and the tickets seem reasonably priced. We live in the Charleston, SC area, so we don't get to see major league games except when we visit family in Houston sometimes. What level did you get your seat? Was it a good experience- did you think it was worth it? How did you arrive and depart from WWoS? How much travel time in between and how early to get there? We will be staying at POFQ and will have our own vehicle. Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[winthropf]

I think you may be tight making the 7DMT FP+ after the tour on the 17th. It has been many years since I took the tour, but it did go longer than I expected.

 

[richmo]

Just my observations...

...we don't get to see major league games except when we visit family in Houston sometimes. What level did you get your seat? ...

Keep in mind that you're not going into a 40-50,000 seat stadium. Think more along the lines of a minor league ballpark, which is what it is. You'll be able to see well from anywhere. If there are any seats available on either level between 1st and 3rd base, you'll be fine. In fact, I've often skipped getting an assigned seat and taken lawn "seats" along the third base line. (Bring a towel from the hotel to sit on if you do that). Also be aware that the sun is pretty intense, even in March. If that's an issue for you, you might want to shoot for rear rows on the lower level from home plate towards first base.

...Was it a good experience- did you think it was worth it? ...

Sure! I try to go every year and 2016 might be the last year the Braves are in town. The only drawback is it can be a large time investment if you're also going to a park that day, but it sounds like a down day for you.

...How did you arrive and depart from WWoS? How much travel time in between and how early to get there?

I've always driven. Parking is free, by the way. There is Disney transportation from one of the All-Stars...I forget which one, but it might be Sports. The problem with WWoS is there is just a one lane road in and out. Getting in and out of the complex can take a long time. If getting to the game by the beginning is important to you, try to time your arrival about an hour before game time. Also be prepared to walk and pay close attention to where you park...there's no markings like you get in the parks (Dopey 123 and the like) and probably half the cars wind up parking on the grass. Some lots have shuttle buses that bring you in closer to the stadium.

One last thing...if there's a chance of rain, bring rain gear but don't bring an umbrella. They won't even let them in the stadium.

 

[superlarz]

I would still use the FP for test track if its your first time doing it. Designing your car is part of the fun and single rider line doesnt get the full experience. I would also possibly conditioner some more time getting to the airport depending on your mode of transportation

 

[Sydney2977]

Richmo- Thank you so much for your advice! Your tips were exactly what I was looking for! Sounds a lot like what we have here in Charleston, so we know what to expect. I also started looking into going to an Astros game since they play in Kissimmee. It's just going to be a matter of which days work best with our schedule. Thanks again for you time and expertise!

(BTW, for other posters, this post was from early 2015 for the OP's March 2015 trip. I was just asking here because I couldn't find any more recent posts about Spring Training games)