Touring Plan help needed for hopping between Epcot & MGM

[KayakDaddy]

I could use some help and suggestions for the most efficient touring plan splitting one day between Epcot & MGM. It will be me, DW, DS-5, & DD-1.5. We've done both parks before, so we'll just be hitting the high points on this trip.

We will be staying at the Swan. I originally planned to start the day off at Epcot, because I've never done Soarin and my DS loves test track. My concern is whether the distance from the international gateway to these attractions is so great that the people entering from the front gate will have the lines full before we get there.

I also thought that starting the day at Epcot would be good because I know we want to end the day at Fantasmic at MGM. Would I be wasting time to start at MGM, spend the mid-afternoon at Epcot, and then return to MGM in the evening for Fantasmic?

What's the fastest way to travel between Epcot and MGM? Should you take the Disney Busses, the boat launches via the Swan/Dolphin, or walk?

Please give me any touring plan suggestions or ideas you may have. You do not need to include Mission Space or RnR - my kids aren't big enough for those yet.

 

[unixadm]

We just got back from our trip. Stayed at Boardwalk.

Not sure when you are going, but if it is off season like it is now, you should have no issues.

Ok....Soarin' and Test Track were the busiest this week. I was able to walk onto anything in MGM...Star Tours, and even RnRCoaster with very little line.

Your 1.5 YO will not be able to go on any of these...so you can do Child Swap. What we did is go to Soarin' first. You can walk to the International Gateway in about the same time as the boat takes (assuming you walk fast). We even tested this....As we were leaving Epcot a boat had just arrived. I went on the boat with the kids and my wife walked. We arrived about 2 minutes before she did and could see her walking down Boardwalk when we arrived.

So, either walk or take the boat and get to Soarin'. If you arrive late and there is more than a 10 minute wait, then grab a FastPass. The FastPass times were running about 1/2 hour later than current time, so if it is 9:30am, the FastPass was valid from 10:00-11:00am. My DS4 then did the Jr. Chef downstairs to the left of the Seasons Restaurant. This is where kids can take part in baking Chocolate Chip Cookies. They then get a free cookie.

By the time that finishes up, it should be time for your FastPass. Go up with your wife and they will give her a "Child Swap" Pass. You go on with the 5 YO with FastPass. When you exit, you stay with the 1 1/2 YO and DW goes on with the "Child Swap" pass with the 5 YO. The 5 YO makes out great since they get to go on twice!

While DW was on Soarin', I took DS3 and walked across to TestTrack and got FastPasses, then walked back. It is a nice walk, and saves a bunch of time later. When you get back, your DW and 5 YO should be done with their trip on Soarin'. You can now take your time and make your way to Test Track. Maybe hop onto Figment's Journey first if you wish before walking over to TT.

Get over to TT and your FastPass Time should be ready. Now do the same thing...you ride first with 5 YO, then wife rides with 5 YO.

The Living Seas is closed until November, so that is out. You could hit Universe of Energy with the 5 YO, if they aren't scared of Dinosaurs or the dark, but I wouldn't go with the 1 1/2 YO.

You will want to take the boat to MGM. If you are going from Epcot, I would suggest walking over to the Boardwalk boat pier then taking the MGM boat. That would be the fastest.

In MGM, there are lots of things to see. The 5 YO may enjoy Star Tours. Everyone should enjoy things like Playhouse Disney and the "Honey I shrunk the kids" play area. Both of our kids loved the Stunt show.

Hope that helps.

 

[KayakDaddy]

Thanks for the tips unixadm! That's cool that the Child Swap enables the older kid to ride twice. My son will love that. I think we'll follow the plan you outlined pretty closely. Thanks for letting me know about the cookie baking - I hadn't heard of that yet. Big question - do the kids get to keep the baking chef's hats?

So I guess the Boardwalk boat pier is the closest walk to the International Gateway? I haven't been in the Epcot resort area before.

The day we are splitting between these parks is this coming Saturday, 10/1. I am hoping that the lines are as you said, walk up wait time. I believe the EMH is at AK on Saturday, which should clear some people out of Epcot in the morning. I also want to make it to the Studios in time to catch a showing of Beauty & the Beast, which we missed last time. I don't want to miss the stunt show either. I'm thinking we'll stay at Epcot until DD1.5 starts to get sleepy. Then we'll head to American Adventure, which I love, but should finish her off. I've learned that if we make it back to the resort while she's still awake, she'll never get a nap.

Anyone else with any good touring guide ideas is welcome to chime in. What's a good way to organize your time if getting to MGM around 3-4 PM? Is there a place I can view the current Times Guide online? I don't want to get there too late to see B&B, or LMA.

 

[HaleyB]

Disney changes the times weekly, on Saturdays I think. There is a site that has them up, they update it weekly.

http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/index.htm

Sat. October 1st is the first weekend of the Epcot Food and Wine festival. Expect it to be busy. Get there as early as you can. Use the child swap as outlined above, it is fantastic. You must also have FP though, don't attempt a child swap without one.

I will be in Epcot and MGM that day too.

 

[HaleyB]

PS, try to go to one of the B&TB shows in the middle- not the first and not the last of the day.