Super Newbie- Park Days

[jessiebern32]

My family (myself, husband and 11 year old daughter) are going to Disney for 4 nights 5 days in November. I bought the park hopper. Picked the first day Disney World, second day Epcot, third day Hollywood Studios and fourth day Animal Kingdom. Hoping anything we miss at Disney World park we'll go to at night with the Park Hopper. Is this a good plan? I haven't gone to Disney in over 30 years so have no idea!

 

[Tawney]

Regarding Park Hopper - I personally would not recommend Park Hopper on what is essentially a "first time" trip. Disney is so much more than it used to be 30 years ago, and park hopper could easily be overwhelming.

Aside from that, which day of the week are you doing each park?

 

[scrappinginontario]

I agree with the poster above that park hoppers are not needed on your first trip. You can easily spend a full day in the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. A second day at the Magic Kingdom is a great choice that you’ve made during your stay at Walt Disney World!

 

[disneycasey2020]

Park hoppers aren’t essential but since you said you already have them, I think it is great bonus and I like to see them as adding some flexibility! The last few hours in the park are great for rides. Maybe you’ll want to hit a big ride or two at another park at the end of the night that’s open later than your original park, or have dinner in another park. For us AK is not a full day park, so this trip I’m excited to have park hoppers so we can head to another park instead of trying to find more things to do in a park that isn’t our fav!

 

[wdw&sonny]

It's a fine plan. You have enough time to continue to read these boards and learn more about how to obsess over every little decision, like we all do. You can continue to revise the plan as you learn more. But, don't worry about the planning. Just enjoy it. Discuss the attractions and restaurants with your family- and enjoy the anticipation. Watch some videos to better understand the attractions- and get excited about it. Pay attention to the return of FPs or other strategies. Consider how important RotR is and the Boarding Group process, whether you want to reserve a second day for that. Are you on site or off? Which resort?
It's worth it to invest time in the planning. Planning does not mean a busy schedule. It just means learning enough to adjust on the fly. Keep expectations low. Go slow. Savor each attraction and experience. If so, you will look back on this first of many, many family trips and laugh at the fact that you called the Magic Kingdom "Disney World Park"

 

[holden]

Chances are you won’t get to experience everything and that’s ok. Enjoy to what you do get to see/do. Make great memories!

 

[Tawney]

Chances are you won’t get to experience everything and that’s ok. Enjoy to what you do get to see/do. Make great memories!

That is the best advice! Take it in and enjoy the moments making memories with your family!

 

[CaliMickey]

We recently returned from our first trip to WDW. We ended up adding park hoppers on our first day as park hours had been extended. No regrets in doing so. I think you could spend a whole day in each park however you may not want to. It’s nice to have the flexibility.