Trying to decide if this is possible

[EmilyS90]

Okay, so we have 4 park days, with hoppers, and one break day. And our plans are pretty much revolving around my 5 year old. So avoiding big roller coasters/potentially scary things anyway.

We're doing 2 days at Magic Kingdom, and 1 day at Epcot for sure. Trying to decide if we could possibly get to AK and HS in one day, or if we should give up our break day for an extra day of tickets?

Our priorities for AK are
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Kali River Rapids
Festival of the Lion King
and maybe something else if we have time???

And our priorities for HS are
Toy Story Midway Mania
Star Tours
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Fantasmic

(Andddd I really wanted to see Beauty and the Beast but when I check show times, they don't appear for the dates we're going :/ Does that mean it just won't be showing or that they haven't posted them yet?)

Do you think this is manageable if we get to AK early, and then use fastpasses for HS later in the day? Or should we give up our break day?

 

[laughinplace199]

You could definitely do this is one day, as long as your little one can go without a rest mid-day.

You can do your AK stuff, have lunch, then leave the park after lunch (perhaps bring a change of clothes in case you get soaked on Kali) and head to HS.

Get afternoon times for FP for the HS rides that you want to do. Spend the afternoon/evening at HS.

 

[EmilyS90]

You could definitely do this is one day, as long as your little one can go without a rest mid-day.

You can do your AK stuff, have lunch, then leave the park after lunch (perhaps bring a change of clothes in case you get soaked on Kali) and head to HS.

Get afternoon times for FP for the HS rides that you want to do. Spend the afternoon/evening at HS.

Yeah, I'm a little worried about being able to take a break, but I was hoping as long as we didn't rush too much through lunch we might be okay.

 

[bellazachmom]

I think that this is completely do-able and sounds like a great day!

As for a break for your 5 year old, I think that if you have lunch at AK at one of the quieter spots (I vote for Flame Tree and eat down by the water with a view of Everest) that you should be fine. You didn't mention how you would be getting from AK to HS, but if it's a disney transportation then there just might be time for a quick nap

It's hard to say about the Beauty & the Beast show because I
m not sure when you are going. My guess is that they just haven't posted the times yet, but so much is in flux at that park that it really is anyone's guess.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[mom2rtk]

You can sleep when you get home. Go for the extra day of tickets. You could make those shorter days if you need to. It will likely cost less to add a 5th day than the price of the hopper option.

In reality though it depends on the child. I found that it was easier to get a stroller and let them conk out for a while there while we walked around enjoying the sights and shopping. I found that my kids were awful at napping in a hotel room on vacation. So when we took a break, they didn't nap anyway. For us it was better to keep going and make an earlier night of it. But we didn't visit in the heat of the summer either.

 

[MrInfinity]

I think you'll have no trouble at all doing it the way you've stated. However, I'd take that 5th day. Then instead of 1/2 day AK and 1/2 day HS on the same day, you split these on two separate days, and get Fast Passes at each. Instead of a full break day, you get two half-break days. It's less exhausting to do shorter stretches and then have a half day off instead of a full day. You're saving yourself the hopper add-on.

Should be noted that AK is a very relaxing park. Your 5-year-old could spend a lot of time doing the Wilderness Explorer activities, or taking casual strolls thru the trails. There is a lot to see here, and if you just hit the Safari, Kali, and Lion King, you miss a lot of the relaxed feel here! We look at our AK day as our break day.

Have you been before? If not, and you are exploring AK and HS for the first time, give them more time in case you find something that you get caught up doing and don't want to leave.

 

[ebonyeyes]

I think it would be "doable" but I would opt for the extra day. We always go early to the parks and head back to the room in the afternoon for a break/swim. It seems to be the right mix for us. AK is indeed a relaxing park. Lots to do for the little one that would not be hustle and bustle. If this is your first visit to the AK & HS, then take the time to explore and take it in. I'm sure what ever you decide will turn out just fine! Enjoy

 

[Indio]

I see in your signature that this is your first trip to Disney World. That being the case, I would skip the hoppers and go with a 5th day. There's so much to see and do at each park, I wouldn't discount any of the attractions - take your time at each park and soak in as much as you can. With this plan, you can also take mid-day breaks and go back to the same park each day.

 

[tzolkin]

I would also opt for the extra day.

If you want to skip the hopper ($60) it would definitely save you money (extra day is only $10). If you're already budgeted for the hopper, the extra day will only add $30 to your total cost.

Personally, this is what I would do because my family loves to have the ability to park hop. We like the flexibility. I usually plan something for only one half of each day (ex. Morning EMH at MK on Monday, dinner at Epcot on Tues, etc.) and then let the kids decide what they want to do the rest of the day. If you find that your child loves AK, you will have the option to visit more than once. If they hate it, you can leave mid-morning and go to another park.

We also find that daily breaks are more effective for us than an entire "rest day". We need to get away from the crowds/noise/heat after a few hours, but tend to feel like we are missing out if we can't go to a park that day.

 

[kayak32]

We are going with an almost 3yr old and a 5 yr old. We are doing want some here suggested, not taking a break day bu only planning 4-5 hrs at most a day in the parks. Going back to resort swimming resting before dinner. We are doing the hopper though because we 1) we could not get fast passes and dinner reservations in the same parks on the same days 2) eating in MK some nights when going elsewhere during day with intention of seeing parade and or fireworks.

 

[sherezada]

I'm on the same boat (first trip, kids 3 & 5), and thinking 5 days is the best option. Unfortunately I already bought 4-day base tickets. Is there a way I can upgrade now or when we are at the parks to a 5-day base?

 

[EmilyS90]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions! So now my issue is, which I probably should have mentioned in my OP, the same as sherezada's. How do I add an extra day of tickets to my existing reservations?

 

[ruthies12]

I would definitely vote to do the 5 day as well and two half days instead of park hopping and having one whole day off. Upgrading tickets is no problem, if you bought direct from Disney just call them, they are always happy to take more money. You can wait until you are there if you want but that will limit your ability to schedule those extra fastpasses on the fifth day.

 

[ktlm]

I would opt for the extra day. We have been taking my 8 year old DD every day since she was 2, and she has never stood for a non park day. You can make AK a shorter day and still get pool and resort time that day- maybe on your DHS day as well depending on what you want to do there.

If you do decide not to get the extra day, then it can be done. I would book your FP+ for DHS as Toy Story Mania always has one of the longest lines of any ride in any of the parks. I would go to AK at rope drop and head straight to Safari. There is usually a Lion King show that starts at 10:00 and you should have time to make it there after Safari (Safari is a 20 minute ride). We have always been able to do that without issue. From there you can go over to Kali and hopefully the line won't be horrible. After Kali, you might want to wander around AK a bit while you dry off because you can get absolutely soaked on Kali (I'm talking look like you fell into a swimming pool soaked). After those things you can move over to DHS. Be sure to book that TSM FP+ late enough that you absolutely won't miss it trying to get over from AK. You don't want to stand in that line!

As far as Beauty and the Beast, no one really knows for sure right now. It is very possible that the times just have not been posted yet, but there have also been rumors (which have been around for the last couple of years) that they are going to close it and replace it with something new as it has been around for almost 15 years. Don't forget that DHS also has the Frozen Sing Along now. We did not expect much from it, but we really enjoyed it!

 

[Thing 1]

We never do rest days. At five my DS could do some full days but needed some break days as well. We however would rest and return to the park. I agree that Ak is a good park for an early end to a day if you want it, but many times we leave about three, head back to rest a bit and hit another park for dinner and a few later hours. At five our guys liked HS a lot and enjoyed a lot of the things not really geared to kids like The Great Movie Ride and Back Lot Tour. We all love Fantasmic! Five days and hopper passes will give you the flexibility to slow down a bit and see more.

 

[Pfau]

We spent 2 full days at AK and still didn't see/do everything our children wanted. It's certainly not a half-day park for our family! We spent almost 2 full hours just in Conservation Station! (I have an 8 and a 5 year old)

 

[Mikie]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions! So now my issue is, which I probably should have mentioned in my OP, the same as sherezada's. How do I add an extra day of tickets to my existing reservations?

You can upgrade as long as those aren't special award/prize tickets or anything. If you bought through a Disney, you can simply call to have them add the day for a mere $10.65 each, including tax. I'm not sure if you bought them from a vendor like undercover tourist or something - I know they can be upgraded, but I don't know if you have to wait and do it at a gate when you arrive - price would be the same, but you wouldn't be able to book your advance Fastpasses from home for that 5th day.

 

[Robo]

You can upgrade as long as those aren't special award/prize tickets or anything.

1. If you bought through a Disney, you can simply call to have them add the day for a mere $10.65 each, including tax.

I'm not sure if you bought them from a vendor like undercover tourist or something
2. I know they can be upgraded, but

3. I don't know if you have to wait and do it at a gate when you arrive

4. - price would be the same, but you wouldn't be able to book your advance Fastpasses from home for that 5th day.

1. Correct.
2. Yes.
3. You do need to wait until AFTER you have actually USED the tickets to enter a park at least one time BEFORE
doing the upgrade.
4. Correct. But you could make the FP+ for that last day just as soon as you did the upgrade, so it would
be about 4 days in advance, anyway.

 

[Crystal824]

I think you made the right decision. I think 1/2 in each park is doable, but a full day is better. There is lots for little ones to do even without the more intimating attractions.

 

[SplashMo]

I see in your signature that this is your first trip to Disney World. That being the case, I would skip the hoppers and go with a 5th day. There's so much to see and do at each park, I wouldn't discount any of the attractions - take your time at each park and soak in as much as you can. With this plan, you can also take mid-day breaks and go back to the same park each day.

I agree with this. Get a stroller in each park (in particular AK because it is vast and hot).

I love park hopping however would vote for the extra ticket and no hop because it is cheaper and because AK is very fun for little ones. There is a lot to see here that is zoo like. Even a slow tour of the park gives you the afternoon off to relax.