Trip plan for MK+MGM one day during Xmas?

[yayaamy]

We have a group of 6 adults(better call us big kids). This is our first time to WDW ever. We'll stay off-site. Given the time limit, we plan to spend one day in MK and MGM (on Dec. 26 or 27)...I know it's a bit crazy. We want to end the day with Spectromagic Parade and Wishes. We need suggestions on plan the day

1. Which day is better? Sunday or Monday?

2. What's the best way to hop between MGM and MK? We are thinking about MK in the morning to catch Splash mountain, Space mountain, and other rides, then MGM for TT and RNR, and ... then hop back for the parade and fireworks. Feasible plan?

3. What are the rides you would recommend for us?

4. If arrive early in the morning at MK, what's the FASTPASS trick would work to ride Splash moutain and Space mountain as fast as possible? Send one person to get fastpass for Space mountain, others walk to Splash mountain?

5. What are the fastest ways for hopping between MGM and MK?

Sorry about so many questions. First time visitor...you know...

thanks!

 

[RescueRanger]

You are joking right? Although this sounds like a setup, I will bite. There is no way to do MK and MGM in the same day on either of those days. First of all, there is not a 1 day hopper pass that would allow you to go to both parks in the same day. You would have to buy seperate admissions to each park. If it was your first trip ever, in my opinion, you would be very disappointed and very frustrated. Can you say HUGE crowds!!! You probably wouldn't even get to do everything in just one of the parks (well maybe MGM but definitely not MK). If you are truly someone asking a question as a newbie, welcome to the boards. I don't mean to sound so negative but this really is not a plan you want to try. However, if this is someone just trying to stir the pot, you have too much time on your hands.

 

[Local_Girl]

Ok...I'll bite too! If you're staying off-site, don't go to either MK or MGM on their EMH (Extra Magic Hour) day, because the park will already be packed by the time you get there. MK's EMH days are Sunday and Thursday, and MGM's days are Tuesday and Saturday. Be aware that the parks often close due to capacity crowds during the week after Christmas, especially the MK.

Welcome to the DIS!

 

[Kevenswife2]

Capacity crowds...I don't like the sound of those words. Who would even want to visit if it were that crowded?

 

[yayaamy]

Well, I'm asking suggestions seriously. It is our first trip to WDW, and I'm a newbie of the board.

If above plan sounds unreal, what would be a reasonable plan? Spend the whole in MK? What's the strategy to catch those popular rides?

My frieds have kindly given us their 4-day hopper tickets to us, each with 1 day left.

thanks!

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

I'll bite too.

Sunday, December 26 of this year is going to be a 100 (on a scale of 1-100) at Magic Kingdom for 3 reasons:
1) Day after Christmas is always popular;
2) It's a Sunday, always popular at MK;
3) MK will open an hour early, so not only will it be packed, but you will not be able to go then as you are staying off-site.

If you can only do 1 day, hitting MK and MGM on Monday would be marginally better.

Will let others answer your other questions, as my head is still spinning think about the MK on Sun., 12/26!!

 

[RescueRanger]

Originally posted by yayaamy
Well, I'm asking suggestions seriously. It is our first trip to WDW, and I'm a newbie of the board.

If above plan sounds unreal, what would be a reasonable plan? Spend the whole in MK? What's the strategy to catch those popular rides?

My frieds have kindly given us their 4-day hopper tickets to us, each with 1 day left.

thanks!

First of all, please do not judge WDW on a one day trip during what is arguably the busiest time of the year. The time frame you are going will be crowded, crowded, crowded. I would go Monday and definitely not Sunday. Get there as early as possible well before posted opening times. Be aware that MK can and does frequently get to capacity during this time and if it does, only WDW resort guests will be allowed in the park. If MK is at capacity, try MGM and see if you can get in over there. You can then check back later and see if MK is allowing other guests in yet. Sit down with the others in your group and decide which rides are your priority. Then utilize the fastpass system as much as you can. If by chance you do all the rides that you want to at MK and still have a few hours left, hop on over to MGM just to give it a try. Go into this with flexibilty and you should still have a good time. Heck, your passes are free so you are getting to try the happiest place on earth for free, and if you don't get to do everything you want to, that just gives you something to look forward to on a future (hopefully longer) trip.

 

[Destination Disney]

Are park hopper passes transferable?
I thought only the person that purchased them can use them because they scan your finger prints?

I have a seasonal pass, and I know that is non-transferrable.

Does your trip have to be around Christmas. There will be so much to do and I am worried you will not have time to do everything you want.

One word though if you do go...
FASTPASS!!!!

Jaime

 

[RescueRanger]

Originally posted by Destination Disney
Are park hopper passes transferable?
I thought only the person that purchased them can use them because they scan your finger prints?

I have a seasonal pass, and I know that is non-transferrable.

They do not do the finger scan with park hoppers. They say they are not transferrable but they really don't enforce it.

 

[yayaamy]

Originally posted by RescueRanger
Get there as early as possible well before posted opening times. Be aware that MK can and does frequently get to capacity during this time and if it does, only WDW resort guests will be allowed in the park. If MK is at capacity, try MGM and see if you can get in over there. You can then check back later and see if MK is allowing other guests in yet.

I'm a bit confused. How does this "capacity" work? When the park gets to the capacity, will the guests in the park be asked to get out? If not, I think if we get to MK early enough, we are probably safe...at least we can enjoy MK for the whole day.

 

[yayaamy]

Originally posted by Destination Disney
Are park hopper passes transferable?
I thought only the person that purchased them can use them because they scan your finger prints?

How does this finger print work? They scan finger prints at gate the first time you use the pass? What about non-seasonal passes (like what I have)?

Anybody knows details about it?

 

[yayaamy]

Originally posted by RescueRanger
They do not do the finger scan with park hoppers. They say they are not transferrable but they really don't enforce it.

It's good know. Thanks!

 

[RescueRanger]

Originally posted by yayaamy
I'm a bit confused. How does this "capacity" work? When the park gets to the capacity, will the guests in the park be asked to get out? If not, I think if we get to MK early enough, we are probably safe...at least we can enjoy MK for the whole day.

No, if you are already in the park, they will not ask you to leave. Good luck!

 

[swilphil]

Welcome to the DIS Board, yayaamy!

Does everyone in your group have a hopper pass with one day left?? If not, I'd try to work it out so you go to the parks on two days instead of one.

Don't go to MK on Sunday Dec. 26th under any circumstances.

Here's what I would do: Get to MK's gate 1/2 hour before opening on Monday. They have a little show before opening, so you won't just be standing around. Make sure you leave in plenty of time to park at the Transportation Center and take the boat across. Traffic is going to be a pain getting through Orlando and Disney World, so leave extra early. We stayed off site one Christmas and traffic was awful.

I'd get your Space Mountain Fast Pass first since it's closest to the entrance. If you are there early enough, you might be able to just walk on. Or get Space Mountain FP and go ride Splash Mountain while you wait. You can't get Fastpasses for two rides at the same time. Whatever your return ride is on the second ride, you should be able to get a second fastpass 5 minutes after that ride time. The time you can get a new fastpass also will be printed at the bottom of your fastpass. We would get our first fastpass, and then wait until we could get our second fastpass before we went on our first ride. (Confused, Yet?) If you get the Unofficial Guide to WDW, a lot of these things are explained. It should be at your local library. Also ask a Cast Member at the park, they are very helpful. Getting the Guidebook would help to familiarize yourself with the parks and the rides. You really won't be able to go on a whole lot because the lines, even with Fastpass, are going to be long. You will likely have to wait several hours before your fastpass time has arrived, especially later in the day.

Anyway, just keep using fastpass as much as you can. It will probably be easier to stay in MK if you want to see Spectro/Wishes. You could hop over to MGM if the crowds are getting to you. The Fantasmic show is also very good, so it wouldn't be a total loss.

 

[yayaamy]

Thanks swilphil for information and suggestions.

Originally posted by swilphil
Welcome to the DIS Board, yayaamy!

Does everyone in your group have a hopper pass with one day left?? If not, I'd try to work it out so you go to the parks on two days instead of one.

Yes, we all have one day left. What can we do to make it two?

Here's what I would do: Get to MK's gate 1/2 hour before opening on Monday. They have a little show before opening, so you won't just be standing around. Make sure you leave in plenty of time to park at the Transportation Center and take the boat across. Traffic is going to be a pain getting through Orlando and Disney World, so leave extra early. We stayed off site one Christmas and traffic was awful.

How extra early? Any estimation of time from parking to MK gate on 12/27? Are there options for transportation? If so, what is the fastest?

I'd get your Space Mountain Fast Pass first since it's closest to the entrance. If you are there early enough, you might be able to just walk on. Or get Space Mountain FP and go ride Splash Mountain while you wait. You can't get Fastpasses for two rides at the same time. Whatever your return ride is on the second ride, you should be able to get a second fastpass 5 minutes after that ride time. The time you can get a new fastpass also will be printed at the bottom of your fastpass. We would get our first fastpass, and then wait until we could get our second fastpass before we went on our first ride. (Confused, Yet?) If you get the Unofficial Guide to WDW, a lot of these things are explained. It should be at your local library. Also ask a Cast Member at the park, they are very helpful. Getting the Guidebook would help to familiarize yourself with the parks and the rides. You really won't be able to go on a whole lot because the lines, even with Fastpass, are going to be long. You will likely have to wait several hours before your fastpass time has arrived, especially later in the day.

Given the expected huge crowds, we plan to send one person to get fastpass for Space mountain, while others will go to Splash mountain directly.

Anyway, just keep using fastpass as much as you can. It will probably be easier to stay in MK if you want to see Spectro/Wishes. You could hop over to MGM if the crowds are getting to you. The Fantasmic show is also very good, so it wouldn't be a total loss.

I think it'd be better to stay in MK. Hopping to MGM can make us never be able to hop back, until closing.

 

[swilphil]

I think it's a good idea to stay at MK for the whole day. You definitely won't get bored or run out of things to do! You might plan on making a reservation (PS) for a late lunch. That way you will get a break just as the park is reaching its busiest time. The castle for a late lunch would be fun, but there's lots of other nice restaurants too.

You can add days to existing park hoppers, but I wouldn't do that if the park hoppers aren't in your name. You could get busted. Technically, you're not supposed to use someone else's ticket. You could buy a 1 day/ 1 park pass if you decide to go two days. That's probably the same price or less. If you're still thinking Sunday and Monday, go to MGM Sunday on your PHP and hop over to Epcot if you get a chance. You can walk or take a short ride. Then buy a 1 day pass for Monday. I would try to buy that the evening before that way you don't have to wait in line for tickets the following morning.

You will have to park at the Transportation Center and then you can take the boat or the monorail over. You might post a question specifically about that because I don't know how long it will take on a busy day like that. The real problem will be driving from the Disney World entrance to the transportation center.