Studios advice needed: Can we arrive at 2pm and see Bear, Belle, Ariel, and Kermit?

[trstno1]

We have a limited number of days in the parks this time around. My daughter is celebrating her 5th birthday at the end of January, and we are hoping to have a late birthday breakfast with the Princesses in Epcot, then drive or boat to the Studios for the afternoon.

If we arrive late to the studios, can we still get in Playhouse Disney, the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and MuppetVision? Can we do all this andd still see Fantasmic. Any suggestions on how to make this tour happen?

For bonus points, can I also work in Rock'n'Roller Coaster for myself? No big deal if I can't. I'm willing to give it all up for my little girl.

We'll be trying to do this on a Monday in early February, which should be a light day (Sunday is an evening EMH at the Studios, Tuesday is a morning EMH).

 

[westjones]

I can't help you, but I am trying to do something similar and would like to hear what others think. We are going this coming Saturday and we are starting at MK for breakfast at 8:00 and then going to the Stitch ride. After that we want to go check into Boardwalk and head over to MGM. It will probably be around 1:00-2:00 by the time we make it to MGM and we are hoping to see both Ariel and the Beauty and the Beast show before we head over to see the Osbourn Lights.

DJ

 

[aec]

When in February is your trip. Is it President's week. If so, the crowd levels will make a difference.

 

[Traveliz]

I think it can be done - I know the Beauty and the beast shows typically don't even start til noon or later,Mermaid goes til mid evening if open through the evening and you can get a fastpass for that while you do Playhouse Disney....that leaves Muppets which is a little further from the others but we have not found it to be overly busy at all the past few trips...and it runs til close...so what I would do based on what you are saying is arrive at the Studios immediately after breakfast in Epcot. Check in advance for the times of the shows, go immediately to Mermaid and get a Fastpass for it then go to Playhouse disney, next work in Muppets, then over to B&B (stopping before that (or having one member of the party run over to RnR after Mermaid and getting a fast pass for RnR). Lastly you will be in the right area for Fantasmic.

Sounds like fun.

Liz

 

[aec]

I would ditto that. I was typing this in when the last post was posted.

There is fastpass for little mermaid, so I would send an adult ahead to get FP for little mermaid as soon as you get there. I would do the attractions in this order (skipping to mermaid whenever the fast pass return time arrives) playhouse disney, beauty and the beast, then muppets. When enough time has passed to get another FP, go get a fastpass for Rock n roller coaster to try to ride before fantasmic. That's the order I would go in, as to whether it is possible to get all of that done, I don't know. It would certainly depend on how crowded the park is, how late it is open, and what time fantasmic is showing. If you had to skip one (besides Rock n roller coaster) I would skip muppets. It is cute, but I think a 5 yo girl would appreciate the live characters in the other shows more than the muppets movie.

 

[swilphil]

We have a limited number of days in the parks this time around. My daughter is celebrating her 5th birthday at the end of January, and we are hoping to have a late birthday breakfast with the Princesses in Epcot, then drive or boat to the Studios for the afternoon.

First of all, don't drive from Epcot to MGM. Definitely take the boat, or even walk part of the way. You can walk across the Boardwalk and catch the boat at the Swan/Dolphin. It's the last stop on the way to MGM. Even if your breakfast lasts until noon, I don't see why you couldn't be at MGM by 1 p.m. at the latest, and that's if you take your time. The boat ride from Epcot to MGM is only 30 minutes tops, and it could take a little less time if you walked part of the way. You definitely have time to do all the MGM shows. Just use Fastpass and check the show times when you get there, if not before. The B & B show is fabulous, and it often stops showing earlier in the day.

 

[jcemom]

We were there in early February last year. The showtimes were:

Beauty & the Beast...1:15, 2:30, 4:15, 5:15
Playhouse Disney...1:30, 2:15, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 5:45 (I only listed the pm ones here)

FastPass was not available for Little Mermaid, and waits were always for the next show only. MuppetVision had plenty of space available, so that was only a wait for the next showing also. RnRC FastPasses were available into the afternoon, and even standby times weren't too bad, maybe 15 minutes.

Fantasmic will be at 7:00 pm, so think 45-60 minutes earlier than that to get in and get decent seats.

Assuming conditions/showtimes will be similar, I think you can do it. If you arrive at 2:00 and head straight for the Beauty and the Beast show, sending one person to get FP for RnRC while the others wait in line, you should get into the 2:30 show. You might be able to then catch Little Mermaid before seeing the 4:00 Playhouse Disney show, if the timing is right. After Playhouse Disney, pop over to MuppetVision. Hopefully your FastPass time will be up, allowing you to ride RnRC before grabbing a quick bite to eat and hopping on line for Fantasmic!

If crowds are comparable to what they were last year at the same time this will be very "do-able" IMO. Good luck! We're planning to be at the Studios on Monday, February 7th. If that's your date, we'll have lime green ribbons tied to my DD's stroller, yell hello if you see us!

 

[trstno1]

Thanks for all of the advice! jcemom: I am planning on Monday, Feb. 7th, for an Epcot morning and Studios afternoon and evening. It seems like Monday should be light at the studios, squeezed in between the two EMH days, but the Unofficial Guide site still recommends other parks on that day. I hope they are wrong.

I'll try to have some lime green on our stroller, or backpack, or fannypack, or whatever else we might bring. Of course, you already know where to find me, as I'll probably be following your suggestions.

P.S jcemom: I noticed that you're the Tag Fairy assistant. Is that an honorary title or do you have some actual responsibilities and influence over the Tag Fairy? The Tag Fairy seems to have been noticeably absent since last February when she was upset about everybody asking for tags. I can't remember anybody getting tagged since then. Maybe she just monitors the Universal forums now?

 

[kilee]

I would definelty FP Little Mermaid if available. As this show has always been one of the hardest for us to work into an MGM day w/ minimal wait. However, I'd also work them into the schedule in order or preference. As if you run short on time, you don't want to have missed out on the 1 that was the most important to DD.

 

[QuickGold]

I don't know what "late" means. 3pm? 4pm? Here's the following assumptions
You're at the park by 3pm and the park closes at 7 and F! is at 7.

Arrive @ MGM
Get FP for Mermaid
Experience Playhouse Disney
Muppetvision
Mermaid
Beauty and the Beast
Coaster
F!