Suggestions for Half Day/Arrival Day Park for Solo?

[quirkygal]

My flight lands in Orlando at 9 AM and I'm hoping to be checked in (or at least dropped off) at Pop by noon.

I'd like visit one of the parks that as a solo I could probably get done in an half a day. At first I thought I'd AK but since it closes so early I'm not sure that would be the best use of my time. My current thought is to tour DHS that afternoon and stay for Fantasmic in the evening. Since I want to see Cirque du Soleil (and there are still tix available for my dates), I thought it would make the most sense to that on the day I visit AK since it closes early and I won't feel like I'm missing an evening at the park.

So, for those who have been before - does this make sense because this is my first trip since I was 8 (shortly after the earth cooled) and I have no idea if this really do-able?? I ran it through the touring plans program at the unofficial guide site and it looks like it could work but theory and reality are often very different

 

[Beavis]

Well depending on what park is open the latest is the one that I would pick. Are you limited in time to do only one park perday? That is about the same time frame that I get when I show up for my first day. I would pick MK or Epcot. They both have areas that you can do part of the park without having to cross an area you havn't done yet. DHS is a little more linar in the touring to do only part unless there is late hours. Sometimes there are parks open very late, that would work the best.

 

[Johnny_B]

It depends what you value in a park. I would veto DHS or AK. Most of the major attractions, imo, need to be done in the morning or you will have huge wait times (TSM, ToT, Safari, etc). If you want to spend just the late afternoon in a park, I think Epcot is best. You can wander around WS with no wait times, plus some of the E tickets there have minimal wait times (Spaceship Earth and Nemo come to mind). Then you can just walk over to BC/YC/BWI and catch bus to DTD.

Then again, if you want to just talk around and take in the sights without doing any major attractions, you could certainly do DHS or AK. They both have a lot of things to see and do without large waits. But I think WS is a better option for leisurely touring while waiting for something else. I usually split Epcot into 2 half days: arrival day (WS) and then departure day (FW). Works like a charm.

 

[dahirsh]

How long is your trip? If the only time you will make it to the park you choose for your first day is that afternoon, I think I would choose AK. Otherwise HS is a good choice and return another morning for Toy Story Mania.

 

[sam_001]

I would check in online 10 days before you arrive you should arrive between 10 and 1030 am at pop let dme handle your bags save some time your morning. Is shot I would go over to ak take a hike on one the trails watch a show get pictures with characters. I forgot hit planet watch first they have animals that need medical attention I saw a zebra being worked on once

 

[quirkygal]

Thanks for the prompt replies!!!

My Type A Overarchin' Little Soul is having a bit of a melt down because I'm six weeks away from my trip and I don't have a concrete plan in place yet. Yes, there are reasons why I travel alone - mostly because I drive others nuts

I'm at WDW from Wednesday - Sunday and fly out early mid-morning on Monday. Soooo, I'm trying to squeeze in as much as possible to the five days as I can. I had planned on spending 2 days at the MK and 1 day each at EP, DHS, and AK. I was worried about missing Fantasmic at DHS since the guide book says it doesn't run every day but I just checked on line and it does so that means I have a little more flexibility!


Sadly none of the parks are offering Evening EMH on my arrival day DHS does have early hours on that Saturday and since I'm staying on site I could head over there first thing and cross Toy Story and a few other things off my list.

So many decisions - Thanks in advance for all your help!