Time in the Parks

[Edberg42]

I have 8 days in WDW and I was wondering how long I should spend in each park? We're going to be there in January so I don't think we will hit the water parks.

 

[countryblonde314]

We normally go for 8 days also and we just rotate the parks during the week. When we go its for like 4 to 6 hours a day and then take time to rest and go back at night. By doing this it gives you enough time to see everything and do your favorites more than once.

 

[pad406]

I have 8 days in WDW and I was wondering how long I should spend in each park? We're going to be there in January so I don't think we will hit the water parks.

It would help to know the type of group you are. Adults/Kids/Age of kids. Also what kind of things you like. Are you staying on site or off site? Have you the dining plan. Alos, depending where you are from, don't automatically discount the water parks. We're from Ireland and a bad day in Florida is often better that a good summer's day in Ireland Which for us is good, as that time of year the waterparks are almost empty.

 

[MataHari22]

Hi Edberg42. You don't say what your vacation style is like or whether you have children and their ages. I think that info would greatly influence your time in the parks. I am an adult, with no children, and I take things at a slower pace than I used to when I was young and more healthy in my earlier trips to WDW. I allowed a park a day, and one day for Universal. Now, I like to do 2 days for Magic Kingdom, 2 days for Epcot, 1 day for Animal Kingdom, and 1 day for Hollywood Studios. For the parks I do two days, I do one rope drop day, and one day I sort of sleep in, or hit the resort pool and relax before going into the parks. Or sometimes, I meet friends at Downtown Disney before hitting the parks.

Maybe one of the things you can do is pick the things you feel are a must not miss for each park and then see how long you think you want to spend at each one. You will get varying answers from everyone. Some people think HS is a 1/2 day park, while others say they need at least one day, if not more. Maybe read up on some of the attractions and see what really interests you.

Hope you have fun!

*edit because I typed pad406 when I meant Edberg42. apologies.

 

[pad406]

Opps, my manners, forgot to say Welcome, just noticed it's your first post. This is a list I did before of our favourites, my kids were 10&8 last time we went. Hopefully it'll give you some ideas


HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Star Tours - A really cool simulator type ride. Someone gets picked to be the Rebel Spy for each 'trip'. The CM who controls the doors picks them. Wear a 'First Trip; button and try and catch their eye. Smile nicely and look excited. When you site down, don't put on the glasses immediately, looks straight ahead and don't fidgit. Good chance of getting picked.
Jedi Training - Sign up first thing, no FP+ for this. Must have the kids with you. They get to 'fight' Darth Vader! They'll love it
Indiana Jones - Stunt show based on the movie. Adults can volunteer as extras, great fun.
Lights Motor Action - Really cool show and a nice way to rest for a while
Toy Story Mania - THE family ride in WDW. Hugely popular. Even at that time of year, a must FP+
Rock N Roller Coaster - Good thrill ride. In the dark. Might be a bit scary for younger kids, my DS10 still won't go on it, but DD & I love it. Not sure of height requirement
Tower of Terror - Love this ride. Again might be a bit scary
Muppets Show - Great fun
Beauty & The Beast- Not a must see for us but we did enjoy it. A musical based on the characters from the movie
Fantasmic - Fireworks and water show and more. Hard to explain. Must see

EPCOT Our favorite park.
Soarin - A 4D simulator ride on a kind of glider thingy. Really cool.
Misson Space - Another simulator type ride. There are 2, Green and Orange. Not for the claustrophobic or those prone to motions sickness. The green is a lot less intense, would recommend you try this first if you're unsure
Test Track - Haven't done the new version yet, but loved the old one
Turtle Talk with Crush - Kids love this, it's fun. Just sit in a room and 'talk' to Crush from Finding Nemo
Agent P's World Showcase - Haven't done this, is the replacement for Kim possible, kids loved that and is a really nice way to explore the world showcase with kids. Keeps them busy while the adults can stroll around.
Spaceship Earth - We like this, some don't. Not leading edge but fun and worth doing at least once.
Innoventions - We nearly missed this. If any of the kids are into roller coasters. must do 'Sum of All Thrills'. You design a coaster, or airplane flight (and some others) and then 'do' them in a simulator.
The Seas with Nemo & Friends - A gentle 'ride' through an aquarium
World Showcase - We easily will spend 1-2 days just wandering through here. A lot is hidden off the main track, just explore.

ANIMAL KINGDOM
Partly a HUGE ZOO, partly a theme park
Expedition Everest - Love this coaster
Kali River Rapids - Good raft type water ride
Dinosaur - Dark and possibly scary for younger ones. We don't mind too much if we miss this
It's Tough to be a Bug - Great show
Nemo the Musical - Class
Lion King - Great show - broadway type of production
Flights of Wonder - Great fun, missed it our first time nearly missed this our second time.

MAGIC KINGDOM
Well it's magic Kingdom !
The first walk up Main St and seeing the castle :smile:

There is so much to see and do here. I couldn't possible list them all but here's our top ones
Space Mountain - Indoor roller coaster in the dark. Note the 'cars' are 2 seater one behind the other, not side by side. May be an issue for younger kids
Big Thunder Mountain - Our first ever ride in Disney, will always hold a special place in our hearts. Good family roller coaster, fairly gentle but fun
Splash Mountain - Log/Flume water ride, good fun, you don't get too wet if you're careful
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor - Love love love this
Buzz Lightyear - Ssshh but we prefer this to Toy Story
Mine Train - Opening soon, so haven't ridden it. A gentle type family coaster
Haunted Mansion - Might be a bit scary. DW and DD love this, I'm not bothered either way
Jungle Cruise - If you get a good guide, excellent, otherwise just good
Pirates of the Caribbeann - Love this, again might be dark and scary
Mickeys Philarmagic - Another 4D show, cool

And after all that, there's the fireworks, Wishes and Illuminations.Both are excellent. Then there's the show they project on the castle in Magic Kingdom, Celebrate the Magic, really really cool.

That's our highlights, many other will have many different ones, but hopefully it will give you some idea. We got lots of help on out first time, so payback time!

Most of all have fun, don't kill yourselves rushing around, you have a nice long stay at a good time.

 

[sharonped]

As PP stated - it totally depends on your touring style. We do 2 days in each park; pre-rope drop to close; stay on-site so use all the EMH, use the dining plans- make one sit down ADR per day at the park we're in; and CS the rest. But that's us. Cheers!

 

[dancin Disney style]

After many visits to WDW we now have a much more relaxed touring style. We try to make rope drop but usually it's just a little bit after. Then stay until lunch time and either eat in the park and leave for the afternoon or leave the park then go and eat. Either way we go back to the resort to hang out for the afternoon and then go back to the park around dinner time.

This has always worked well for us even when the kids were young. However, the park hours are much shorter in January so it might be better to take an afternoon break by doing at TS lunch.

 

[rainwatter]

Welcome to the DIS! We are a small family of 3, with a spunky 10yo DD, but often travel with other families. My advice is that if you plan to tour hard (rope drop and late evenings), have a plan B ready for when you hit the wall. It happens to everyone, around day 5/6 for my family. Make your ADR's for later in the day and have a plan that is a bit more flexible (ex. not A&E FP at 10am)