Staying 3.5 days

[mickeymaddie]

We are arriving may 3rd. Our flight is at 6am and we arrive around 9-10am and if we had made this day just a travel day, it'd have costed us $400 dollars that we DO NOT have extra, so we are going to Disney the day we arrive. We have to take the magical express and drop our bags off at the hotel (All Star Music Resort) after we get there. So we anticipate getting to the parks around noon to 1pm. We were thinking of doing Epcot this day, but I'm not sure. We leave the 7th, so that makes the last day in the park the 6th (my birthday. Why, oh why does my birthday have to be the last day. It wasn't supposed to be, but serious money problems made us cut the trip short.) I need your honest help and opinions to plan out the 3.5 days that we are going to be in the parks. I've been to Disney about 10 times (only half of those I remember, I was too little for the other times). We are getting park hopper, it's just more efficient because the group I am going with is the "get up early we have got characters to meet, roller coasters to ride, and hidden mickeys to find" type.
Here is our current schedule, for meals and such:
3rd -arrival, no planned meals
4th- Biergarten in Epcot at 2:50
5th - Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness lodge at 10am
6th- 50s Prime Time (my birthday lunch) at 1:45

We also plan to ride Ubers to save time between hopping parks, since Disney transportation is a bit lengthy. We usually drive down, but my dad has to work this time around so we decided it's safer to just fly.
We want to not be "rushed". Sure, there are certain things we MUST see so we will be running everywhere, but we want to soak in the magic this time around. Like finding those secret areas in Disney where hidden mickeys are and those secret passage ways to other lands, etc. and also meeting characters and watching the fireworks, as well as riding our favorite rides more than once (Tower of Terror and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad all the way!!)

I just got word from my cousin that we qualify for Extra magic hours, so we have those extra hours in the morning too.

We have our experience, now I just need you guys to help me, well, us, to plan out the daily itinerary without having to feel like we're going to cough up blood because we are rushing everywhere. Thanks for any help you can give me!!

 

[mesaboy2]

I don't think Uber is a good option when hopping parks. The provided direct Disney transportation works well enough for most.

 

[kreckl]

Who's in your group? Kids? Adults? Ages? And it looks like you will be taking some good touring time traveling to the lodge mid-morning...

 

[mickeymaddie]

I don't think Uber is a good option when hopping parks. The provided direct Disney transportation works well enough for most.

My cousin went in December and used Uber the whole trip, she said it worked better than the Disney buses because they took over an hour sometimes, so we may just rely on both once we're there. We really don't have time to waste on getting places. Leisurely walking around the park, sure! Standing around waiting for a bus, ehhh.

 

[Oneanne]

I don't think I'd go for Uber either. Can you align your hopping to take advantage of non-bus transportation like monorail between MK and EPCOT or the boat, or even walking, between DHS and EPCOT.

As for the first day, I would chose EPCOT first because it's so large and spread out it'll give you a chance to settle in without being overwhelmed with a crush of people.

 

[mickeymaddie]

Who's in your group? Kids? Adults? Ages? And it looks like you will be taking some good touring time traveling to the lodge mid-morning...

We really wanted that breakfast day. My mom passed away this year and it was one of her favorites since we were little to see us riding on those wooden horses around the place, and we wanted to keep the tradition going. Maybe that was a little out of hand, hmmm. We were thinking of doing Animal kingdom after the breakfast and then going to Epcot or MK to see the fireworks late at night. Do you really think we should bail the breakfast? Or should we see if we can get it for earlier in the day? I'd say we'd do it on the depart day, but our flight is super early in the morning to do so. The youngest in our group is 13 and the oldest is 27, so no kids.

 

[mickeymaddie]

I don't think I'd go for Uber either. Can you align your hopping to take advantage of non-bus transportation like monorail between MK and EPCOT or the boat, or even walking, between

Maybe. But the monorail is scheduled to be "down" for most of our trip. When we called to fix a reservation, the CM said so.

EDIT: and yes, we wanted to walk between DHS but I think the only day we wanted to go to the Studios is my birthday and then finish that at MK, so we'd start the day there.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

just remember if Leaving or arriving at MK Ubber can only leave or pick up at TTC and you will have to take either monorail or ferry to or from park

 

[mickeymaddie]

just remember if Leaving or arriving at MK Ubber can only leave or pick up at TTC and you will have to take either monorail or ferry to or from park

Yep, we know this. But I just think avoiding the buses may save us a bit of time. We always use the ferries from MK to Epcot, but then there is Studios and AK...

 

[mickeymaddie]

This is so overwhelming. I want to take in everything that the magic has to offer, like the little things I mean, but planning where to go/how to get there each day is hard.

 

[Pembo]

We used buses exclusively our last trip and we never really waited long for a bus anywhere and it's free. We arrived at MCO around 930 am and we got to our resort and had lunch by 11 (on Easter). We chose to go to Disney Springs that day. I will tell you after getting up at 4:30 am to make a 7 am flight we were EXHAUSTED. Our room was ready when we got to the resort and we ended up taking a nap after lunch. We went to Disney Springs, had dinner and took an evening swim, at 7 pm. We were in bed, asleep, by 9. We were able to be up early the next day to make a 9 am park opening, leaving our resort at 8 am and felt refreshed. Our trip was only 4 days. We did one full day at Epcot and one at MK. Even with it being Easter week we had a great time and didn't feel rushed at all. We have been there many times.

BTW- We stayed at All Star Music this last time and loved the resort. Bus service was great and choices in the food court were good. Have a fun time planning and have a great trip.

 

[Shanti]

Since money is so tight, I recommend saving by staying offsite and adding more days, rather than trying to cram it all into 3.5 days at a Disney resort. You'll have a better trip with more days, even if you stay offsite.

 

[mickeymaddie]

Since money is so tight, I recommend saving by staying offsite and adding more days, rather than trying to cram it all into 3.5 days at a Disney resort. You'll have a better trip with more days, even if you stay offsite.

Our hotel and flight is already booked. We can't cancel the flight without costing us a fortune. I recommended this as well, but since we don't have any "adults" (parents) on the trip, everybody thought staying on site was better.

 

[Alesia]

My cousin went in December and used Uber the whole trip, she said it worked better than the Disney buses because they took over an hour sometimes, so we may just rely on both once we're there. We really don't have time to waste on getting places. Leisurely walking around the park, sure! Standing around waiting for a bus, ehhh.

Did your cousin realize that there is direct bus transportation between the parks? Many people don't.

I have taken the bus between parks plenty and have never had experienced it taking anywhere near an hour. At most Uber will save you 5 or 10 minutes. If you're going to or from MK, Uber is going to take longer than the bus.

 

[bababear_50]

Hi
Make sure you do online check in 10 days before your scheduled arrival.
Sometimes Magical Express can be a bit of a wait and drops at multiple resorts--just be prepared.....This is when my family uses Uber.
Leave bags (backpacks-carry-ons) with Bell services if your room is not ready.
Don't forget to get your Birthday button when you arrive at your resort.

Check here to plan your days around EMH

http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/ParkHours/WDWTravelAgent_may.pdf

Hugs Mel


Day #1 (May 3rd)
Arrival Day--Disney's All Star Music--12:00 pm
Animal kingdom 1pm-6:00pm.
Your resort is closest to this theme park. (AK does not have any EMH during your stay).
OR
Epcot does have Evening Extra Magic Hours this day so you could try this park on your arrival day--just be aware that you will have to have FP+ for this Park and Soarin is still being refurb.



Day #2 (May 4th)
Magic Kingdom--9am to 10pm.
Festival Of Fantasy Parade--3:00pm
Take in a few rides and attractions.
Make FP+
Evening Extra Magic 2 hours
Since Magic Kingdom opens at 9am on this day you could try a 7:00 am Whispering Canyon Breakfast. checked and a 7:35 am reservation on this day is available.


Day #3 (May 5th)
Epcot-9am to 9pm
AM Extra Magic Hour
Pre book those FP+

Day 4# (May 6th)
Disney Hollywood Studios-9am to 9pm
Evening Extra Magic 2 hours
Birthday Lunch at 1:45

 

[jmkjr72]

We were there the same week last year and going that week this year
Last year going park to park was very fast no where near an hour 20 to 30 min when bussing

I fully understand doing something for your mom I lost mine after last mays trip so this year we are staying akl because she always wanted to stay there but you are loosing at least 2.5 hours of park time on your limited schedule. I would try for the earliest breakfast you can get there they do open up at 730 am

 

[alliecat523]

You talk about not wanting to be rushed yet everything feels like it has to be done. I think you need to decide what is most important because you won't be able to do it all.

Keep the breakfast as I think that's important. Use the buses. Uber really won't save time.

 

[jmkjr72]

Hi
Make sure you do online check in 10 days before your scheduled arrival.
Sometimes Magical Express can be a bit of a wait and drops at multiple resorts--just be prepared..
Leave bags with Bell services if your room is not ready.
Don't forget to get your Birthday button when you arrive at your resort.

Check here to plan your days around EMH

http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/ParkHours/WDWTravelAgent_may.pdf

Hugs Mel
Day #1 (May 3rd)
Arrival Day
Animal kingdom 1pm-8:30pm.
Your resort is closest to this theme park.


Day #2 (May 4th)
Magic Kingdom--Festival Of Fantasy Parade--3:00pm
take in a few rides and attractions.
Head over to Whispering Canyon Cafe for a early dinner (it is closet to Magic Kingdom Park).
Head back to Magic Kingdom for the evening fireworks. EMH --evening



Day #3 (May 5th)
Epcot
AM Extra Magic Hour
Pre book those FP+

Day 4# (May 6th)
Disney Hollywood Studios
Evening Extra Magic 2 hours
Birthday Lunch at 1:45

Ummm ak hours are only until 6pm on the third of may

 

[powellrj]

Have you thought about doing Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness lodge as soon as you arrive so that you will not be missing park time and then head over to Epcot afterwards for the rest of the day. That would leave the 5th completely open to do whatever you want.

 

[bababear_50]

Ummm ak hours are only until 6pm on the third of may

thanks
I changed it
Hugs Mel