Totally new here and first time solo

[LilTinkFan]

Hi! Brand new here and our family trip this year is to the beaches of Floridas central coast. No one wants to take a day to go to see the mouse with me.
I can't stand the thought of being that close and not going! I will be driving over and back same day. Exhausted for sure. I was hoping to do Animal Kingdom in the morning and then go to Magic Kingdom for the second half of the day.
Where should I park for ease of getting back to my car, and if Animal Kingdom says it opens at 8am, when should I plan to get there?
Thanks for your help!

 

[BrianL]

Well, if you have a car, just park at AK then drive over to MK (TTC actually). I wouldn't bother trying to bus over from one park then back to get your car. You will only have to pay for parking once.

I would get there about an hour before it opens. Depending on when you go, the Avatar stuff may be open at AK and it should draw heavy crowds for a while. Try to hit those attractions first thing if you want to as the lines will get long fast. The only thing is, I would generally recommend making Fast Passes for MK instead because you typically wouldn't need them for a morning at AK excepting Avatar (again, assuming that's a concern). Pandora: The world of Avatar opens on May 27th.

Oh, and welcome to the Dis!

 

[LilTinkFan]

Well, if you have a car, just park at AK then drive over to MK (TTC actually).
Oh, and welcome to the Dis!

Thanks! Can I get back to Animal Kingdom after Magic Kingdomcloses ok?
And FastPass looks like I need a band right? I haven't been for 10 years, so I'm new to that idea too.

 

[BrianL]

Thanks! Can I get back to Animal Kingdom after Magic Kingdomcloses ok?
And FastPass looks like I need a band right? I haven't been for 10 years, so I'm new to that idea too.

Would you need to go back to AK after MK closes? I suggest you just drive to MK.

You do not need a Magic Band. You can use your ticket card for Fast Passes. If you buy your ticket in advance, you can make fast passes at 30 days out (60 for onsite stays but it sounds like you are not staying just driving in and back). Even if you don't have a physical ticket until you get there, if the ticket number is linked to your My Disney Experience app you are all set (just pick up an RFID ticket card at any ticket booth or guest relations).

To learn all about Fast Pass read this thread by Mesaboy:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/fastpass-frequently-asked-questions.3491680/page-74#post-57355850

Just so you know, Magic Bands are just RFID devices linked to your account. Nothing is stored on them. They are simply used as a connection to your account and can be used interchangeably with other media also linked to your account. The only advantage of a Magic Band over a ticket card is that they have long-range transmitters in them which enable you to automatically get ride photos uploaded to your account (and a few rides ONLY do it this way - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Frozen Ever After do this). If you are interested in ride photos, a Magic Band might not be a bad idea, but you still have to purchase the photos (unless you buy Memory Maker - which gets you all of them - I wouldn't fool with all that for one day).

 

[LilTinkFan]

Great advice! Thank you so much

 

[janicept]

I agree with the others. AK first to see Pandora then whatever else you can until it gets to whatever time you feel you plan to go to MK. Get your FPs for MK and make sure AK doesn't have morning EMHs the day you go. You won't be able to see everything so you'll have to prioritize. That will be one long day. Remember to nap in your car at night if you need to pull over.